“Heaven” (Revelation 21:1-4)

Why Revelation? 
Andrew Brunson is an American pastor and missionary to Turkey. He and his wife, Norine, were missionaries in Turkey for 23 years, and they never tried to hide their work. But then, in 2016, they were called in. Norine was released after 13 days, but Mr. Brunson was accused of spying and aiding terrorists and detained for two years. While he was in prison, the greatest crisis of faith was not persecution, nor interrogation. It was more the feeling of abandonment. He had expected strength to pour into him. He had expected to feel an overwhelming sense of grace. But that didn’t happen. So at first, he questioned God about his love, loyalty, and faithfulness. But later, he heard God asking him questions: “Are you going to be loyal? Are you going to love me? Are you going to remain faithful even if you feel abandoned and disappointed?” His faithfulness was tested and proven true. The reward was great: a new level of intimacy with God. Mr. Brunson said that what he tried to focus on and learned from being in prison was cultivating the fear of God: having an eternal perspective, seeing things through his eyes. So now, when he wakes up each morning, he tries to focus himself by saying, “Jesus, the only thing that matters is what you think about me when I stand before you, so I want to live accordingly. I want all of my efforts to have your glory in mind.”[1]

That’s exactly what the Apostle John encourages other Christians (and us!) to do. That’s what the Book of Revelation is about. We may not be physically exiled or persecuted as the early church Christians were. But many of us today suffer from the same feeling of abandonment. And we question God about his love and faithfulness. The Book of Revelation is the answer to these questions. It shows us the things that must happen soon, so that we may know God is still in charge, so that we may have an eternal perspective, seeing things through his eyes. In particular, today’s scripture (Revelation 21 and 22) through John’s vision of heaven gives us two words of encouragement: hope for the future and faithful living for today.

Lasting Hope 
First, Lasting hope. In Revelation 21 John begins to share his vision in this way: 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…

In this world we see the wicked prevail. We see people who take advantage of others. We see leaders and politicians who are self-serving and corrupt. Not only this, we also see the righteous suffer. We see the church struggle and marginalized in this culture. We see that the healing doesn’t come. And we wonder if God is just and really cares. Today’s text tells us loudly and clearly, “This isn’t the end of the story!” It tells us, “Death is never the last word for God’s people!” It tells us, “You are not home yet!”

If you look around, there are always some reasons to despair. But today’s passage points us back to the Christ Jesus, who already had the final victory over sin, death, and Satan, saying, “See, I am making all things new” (5). And he shows John and us three following visions (metaphors) to stir up new, fresh, lasting hope in us – the city, the garden, and the wedding. First, we see the holy city, the new Jerusalem (21:9-27). There we will see the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. There we will see the names of the twelve apostles. There we will see our loved ones. Most of all, we will see the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb face to face! (22) Second, we see the garden (22:1-6). If you read the first half of Revelation 22, you will see that the garden described here is the Garden of Eden restored and redeemed from Genesis 1 and 2. We will see and have access to the tree of life, soak our feet in the river of life, take a stroll with God. Third, we see the wedding. Not only are we invited to the wedding as a guest, but also we ourselves become the bride of the Lamb at the wedding. All these three metaphors (the city, the garden, and the wedding) represent one consistent theme: our close personal fellowship with Jesus. On that day our fellowship with Jesus will be so intimate, so sweet. There will be no more death, tears, mourning, crying or pain (21:4). Instead, there will be fullness of joy, eternal pleasures (Ps 16:11). This hope is raised anew as we see John’s vision of heaven.

Faithful Living 
Second, faithful living. The vision of heaven also encourages us radical discipleship right now. It encourages us to be different now in this world. It encourages us to decide now which side to follow. In Revelation 21 and 22 heaven is not fantasy. Here heaven is not something that we see and taste after death. We have access to heaven now. The text clearly tells us that we already live in the vision of heaven. Through his death and resurrection, Christ brought heaven here on earth. He began the establishment of the new heaven, the new Jerusalem since then. And on the Last Day the vision of heaven will be completed. So we see the continuity between now and that day. Our body matters because the body we have now becomes our resurrected body. Our relationship with other believers today matters because it is eternal.

Today’s scripture calls us to live in heaven now. Then, what does it look like? I believe St. Thérèse of Lisieux can be a good example. She is called “the greatest saint of modern times,” and her spirituality was as practical and down-to-earth as possible. Once she said, “In heaven every grain of sand will be a diamond!” In other words, all the little things matter. Every task matters. Every word matters. Every thought matters. She received each day as a gift from God – the new heaven and the new earth. In order to live in heaven now she practiced three things: First, she did strive to do the little things in her ordinary life with love – washing the dishes with love, doing the laundry with love, scrubbing floors with love, fixing the flowers with love, cooking meals with love, tending the sick with love, doing chores with love. Second, she decided to learn obedience. The root of the word obedience is “to listen.” She chose to listen carefully to others in her life. She learned what other’s needs were through listening and served them better in love. Third, she determined never to complain. She knew that complaining never makes things better. It always makes things worse. She intentionally did take time to contemplate the world with gratitude, slow down and see what wonderful things God was doing, and she was glad and rejoiced. St. Thérèse called this spiritual practice a “Little Way” to heaven.[2]

Soon and Very Soon 
Lasting hope, and faithful living. And now epilogue (22:6-21). As John comes to the conclusion, for the last time he wants to make sure we understand that Christ will be all in heaven. Our life is more than doing good, or doing the right thing, then hoping to go to heaven. We are meant to have a living, intimate relationship with Christ – love him, savor him, treasure him, trust him, honor him, glorify him, worship him! R. C. Ryle exhorts us to examine ourselves to see if we stay in love with Christ (cf. 2 Co 13:5):

But alas, how little fit for heaven are many who talk of "going to heaven" when they die, while they manifestly have no saving faith, and no real acquaintance with Christ. You give Christ no honour here. You have no communion with Him. You do not love Him. Alas! what could you do in heaven? It would be no place for you. Its joys would be no joys for you. Its happiness would be a happiness into which you could not enter. Its employments would be a weariness and a burden to your heart. Oh, repent and change before it be too late![3]

In the Epilogue we should feel “urgency.” Jesus himself says to us three times:

“See, I am coming soon!” (7)

“See, I am coming soon!” (12)

“Surely I am coming soon!” (20)

Here the tone of the Greek word “tachei,” translated as “soon” in English, is like "last call" at the airport. Suppose you are at Bangor airport. You hear the urgent announcement – final boarding call for you. You hear your name called. You see your flight is ready to leave. What would you do? Probably you would go to your gate immediately. You would not postpone and make an appointment with an airline staff for later in the week. 

Let us not delay. Let us examine ourselves now. Let us repent of our cold heart toward Christ and turn to him now. Let us live with Christ. Let us live for Christ now. Then and only then, Christ will become our all in all. And we will face the future with shouts of excitement, “Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha!” (20) Amen. 

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[1] “Andrew Brunson Felt Abandoned by God,” Christianity Today (October 2019), 72-73.

[2] “The Little Way at Home,” Catholic Digest, http://www.catholicdigest.com/faith/201611-05the-little-way-at-home/, and “St. Therese and Her Little Way,” Society of the Little Flower, https://www.littleflower.org/therese/reflections/st-therese-and-her-little-way/

[3] J. C. Ryle, “Christ Is All,” http://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/christ_is_all.htm

“Perfect Peace in a Perfect Storm” (Revelation 19:6-9; 11-16)

The Perfect Storm 
Have you heard the words, “the perfect storm”? Here the word “perfect” is not used in the sense of ideal, but in the sense of combining contributing factors. When we go through a layoff plus a recession. One illness after another. A divorce plus death of a loved one. We may handle one challenge, but if two or more trials come at a time, it’s enough to make us feel overwhelmed and wonder, “Will I survive?” “Who will deliver me from all this?”

Today’s scripture (Revelation 19-20) tells us the secret to perfect peace in the middle of the perfect storm in our life. God shows John (and us) the great salvation vision in these two chapters. John’s salvation vision is composed of two elements, two very different images – a meal and a war.[1] On the surface, these two images seem to be in conflict with each other, but in a deeper level, they are complementary to each other.

Communion 
First, John sees and experiences God’s salvation as a feast. John hears the voice of a great multitude, saying, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory, because the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready” (19:7). And he also hears the angel saying, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” (9)

Suppose you are invited to a wedding banquet. What’s happening there? You meet people – your family, relatives, and old friends. You meet bride and bridegroom. You enjoy good food and each other’s company. There is laughter, joy, celebration, intimacy, fellowship, communion. That’s the image of God’s salvation.

We often hear this question, “Are you saved?” Though it’s an important question, it may mislead us to interpret salvation as a past act. But salvation is more than just a ticket to heaven. The Bible refers to salvation as the line, not the dot. The Bible refers to salvation as an ongoing process, deepening relationship with Jesus, journey to restoration of God’s image. So the Bible says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). Salvation not in the sense of earning or shaping with our own strengths and performances, but in the sense of deepening our relationship with Jesus and perfecting our love for him by God’s grace. And this mainly happens at God’s table – the marriage supper of the lamb, every time we come and have a meal with him. For my family, every Saturday we enjoy Pancake Breakfast. I am a host. I get up early, knead dough, thaw blueberries, brew coffee, bake pancakes, set the table, play classical dinner music, and then invite the family. We all look forward to it. There we pray, we talk, we laugh. There our relationship grows, our love grows, our trust grows. There are times when things get rough. When this happens, all the table fellowship we have had day after day, week after week, becomes the solid rock and foundation to get through this. In the same way, God is a host. He prepares a table and invites us. As we come to God’s table – both Holy Communion and our daily meals with him – over and over again, our relationship, trust, love for him grows. That becomes an unshakable refuge in times of trouble. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Salvation is communion with God.

War 
Then, John sees another vision of salvation. He sees the Warrior Jesus riding on a white horse, leading the last battle against the evil forces. Here in Revelation 19:11-16 we see salvation as a battle. Here we see Jesus’ names and his description. His name is Faithful and True, the Word of God, King of kings and Lord of lords. And then John describes Jesus like this: his eyes on fire, his head with many crowns, his mouth holding a sword, his hand holding a scepter, his feet treading out the grapes. We should read this symbolically, not literally. Symbolically, his blazing eyes, many crowns on his head, a sharp sword from his mouth, a scepter in his hand, grapes under his feet portrays Jesus as the Warrior and the King in majesty, power, authority and justice, coming to destroy the powers of evil.

And we see the armies of heaven, the church, were following him, riding on white horses (14). What we can learn from this salvation vision is this: the safest place is on the battlefield, because it is there that Christ is active, leading and fighting the battle himself. Danger here is all in the not-fighting, avoiding or running away from it. One time Pastor David Ross, a representative of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Korea, led a Bible camp for Korean-American junior high school students. As a part of the retreat practice he took the students to Harlem in New York and did some street evangelism with them. After the retreat, Pastor David received an overwhelming number of phone calls of complaint from the parents. They said, “How dare you take my precious children to that place? Do you have any idea how dangerous place Harlem is?” David answered, “The most dangerous place is not Harlem but a comfortable couch in front of the T.V. and computer. There the enemy leads our children into temptation.” Salvation is a battle in which we must take sides and engage with the enemy every day. Christ calls on us to join his campaign.

Communion on the Battlefield 
As a host, Jesus presides over a meal and feeds us. As a warrior, Jesus fights a battle with us and for us. A meal and a battle. Psalm 23 follows the same pattern. The Good Shepherd Jesus makes us lie down in green pastures, and he leads us beside still waters – the meal. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for Warrior Jesus is with us – the battle. Then we read this: 

Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies

The meal and the battle at the same time. A perfect peace in a perfect storm. Our question is: “Is it possible to have a perfect peace in a perfect storm in our real life?” The answer is YES. Our God is able.

The incredible faith story of Horatio Spafford proves this truth. He was a devout Christian. He was a prominent Chicago lawyer, whose business was thriving. He owned several properties throughout the city. He and his beloved wife had four beautiful daughters and one son. Life was more than good — it was blessed. Then, the perfect storm came. It began with the tragic loss of their son. Not long thereafter, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed nearly every estate investment he owned. After this, Horatio decided to treat his wife and daughters to a much-needed escape from the turmoil - a boat trip to Europe. And he was planning to join them shortly after taking care of his business. Just a few days later, he received a dreadful telegram from his wife, "Saved alone." The news was that family's ship had wrecked and all four of his daughters had perished. Horatio was on his way to meet his heartbroken wife, passing over the same sea. He was broken down in sorrow, weeping and mourning and praying. It was then he experienced the perfect peace that words cannot express. Then he wrote:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Are you weary? Are you in the middle of a perfect storm? Host Jesus calls you to come to his table. So come and eat. Be nourished and live! Warrior Jesus calls you to come to join his campaign. So come and fight the good fight of faith. Never run away. Hold your positions and stand firm. Then, surely goodness and mercy ("perfect peace") shall follow you all the days of your life and forever. Amen.

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[1] Read Eugene Peterson’s Reversed Thunder (HarperCollins, 1988. pp. 151-67.) for more details.

“Worship God!” (Revelation 15:1-4)

God’s Judgment

What image comes to your mind when you hear the word “judgment”? Many people consider the word judgment to be negative. But today’s scripture (chs. 15-18) convinces us that we need a God of judgment. We need God’s righteous judgment.

During World War II, some men in a German prisoner of war camp received a secret message that Germany had surrendered to the Allies, but it was three more days before the Germans at the camp heard that news. During those three days, their miserable circumstances were no different than before, but their spirits were uplifted only because they now had hope. The news was certain, but not yet realized.[1]

Today’s scripture tells us the twofold aspect of the gospel. When Jesus returns, when Jesus executes the judgment, it’s a day of liberation, a day of vengeance, a day of salvation for God’s people. God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be gone, tears gone, crying gone, pain gone. But as for the disobedient, it’s a day of destruction, a day of dreadful judgment.

Judgment on Egypt 

In Revelation 15 and 16 John sees the vision of the seven bowls and the seven plagues, which reminds us of God’s judgment on Egypt. When God brought his justice, it was a day of salvation for Israel, and at the same time, it was a day of destruction for Egypt. The Israelites groaned under their slavery for 430 years. They cried out for help and justice for 430 years. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw what was going on with Israel. And he knew it was time to act (cf. Ex 2:24-25). Through the hands of Moses God brought his justice, his judgment on the Egyptians – the ten plagues. Ten chances to repent! Ten chances to humble themselves and turn to God! But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he just refused to let the Israelites go. He refused to repent. So Pharaoh and his people perished. Through God’s judgment on the Egyptians Israel was saved.

Judgment on Babylon 

We see the same pattern here in Revelation 15-16. In this vision each of the seven angels pours his bowl, which is filled with the wrath of God. Like Pharaoh, those who endure the first five of the plagues harden their hearts, curse God, do not repent. The day of God’s judgment is coming.

In the next two whole chapters, 17 and 18, we see who Babylon the Harlot is (ch. 17) and how she is fallen (ch. 18). In the immediate context, which is in the first century AD, Babylon was Rome – invincible, luxury, enlightened, idolatrous, immoral, proud, godless. The Bible clearly tells us that Babylon was not just Rome. But Babylon has flourished throughout the world. Babylon is Vanity Fair, wherever it exists. And it will continue to exist until the day of judgment comes.

In his book Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan vividly describes Babylon, Vanity Fair – what it looks like in today’s world. The devil and his agents saw the path made by the pilgrims on their way to the Celestial City. So they set up a vanity fair – open and ongoing the whole year. At this fair they sell such merchandise as houses, land… honors, promotions, titles… lusts, and pleasures of all sorts, including things such as wives, husbands, children… silver, gold, pearls, precious stones, and much more. They also offer constant entertainment and other amusements of every kind. Here visitors can also find free offers that include thefts, murders, adulteries, perjuries.[2] When Christian and Faithful arrived at the fair, one merchant asked them, “What will you buy?” The pilgrims answered, “We buy the truth.” Then the merchant and others began to mock them, abuse them, beat them, put them into a cage, and later one fo them, Faithful, eventually died a martyr there.

One time Jesus said to his disciples about the signs of the end times, “But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping (literally, self-indulgence, drunkenness, and cares of this life). Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap” (Lk 21:34 MSG). So Jesus prayed for us, “Holy Father, protect them from the evil one. Though they may live in the world [Babylon], may they not be of the world. May they not follow or be captive to the ways of the world [Babylonian ways]” (cf. John 17:11, 14-16). Like the Apostle John, may we hear the voice from heaven saying: "Come out of her [Babylon], my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Rev 18:4 NIV).

“It Is Done!” 

God’s glory was revealed through his judgment on the Egyptians. God’s glory will be revealed through his judgment on Babylon on the last day. But not only that, God reveals his glory and himself as a God who is merciful and just, as he executes his righteous judgment shown on the cross. When the seventh angel pours his bowl into the air, a loud cry comes out of the throne, saying, “It is done” (16:17). The exact same Greek verb was used when Jesus cried from the cross, “It is done” (John 19:30). The wrath of God is finished!

Suppose you are twenty and just have your car. One day you drive 105 mph in a 55 mph zone. You’re just flying. The cop has you on radar and you’re done. They impound your car, and bring you straight to the courthouse to face the judge. The good news is that your dad at that time happens to be the judge for that case. So now you’re thinking that you’re golden. He loves you, he’ll let you off, everything will be fine. But as you are entering the courthouse, your remember that your dad is a really good judge. He never punishes the innocent. He always punishes the guilty. He is a good and just judge. Now you’re a little nervous. He is your good, loving dad, but at the same time, he is a just judge. So he looks at you and says, “That will be $500 or a week in jail. Guilty as charged.” Then, he stands up, takes off his robe and walks down from behind the bench. He takes out his checkbook and writes the court a check for $500, paying that penalty himself, on your behalf.[3]

That’s what God did on the cross. We were dead because of our sins. We were stuck in our old-dead life, we were incapable of responding to God. But God brought us alive. He forgave us all our sins. God did it on the cross. He canceled the record of the charges against us (“scarlet letter”) and took it away, nailing it to the cross. On the cross he disarmed the enemy and his agents. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross! (Col 2:13-15) On the cross God has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son. It is done!

It’s done: the great transaction’s done!

I am the Lord’s and he is mine;

He drew me and I followed on,

Charmed to confess the voice divine.

Happy day, happy day, 

when Jesus washed my sins away!

He taught me how to watch and pray,

And live rejoicing every day.

Happy day, happy day, 

when Jesus washed my sins away!

Worship God 

For those who hear the good news and believe in Jesus, the day of judgment is “Happy Day.” It’s a day of liberation. It’s a day of salvation. So in today’s passage, Revelation 15:1-4, when God brings his righteous judgments, his people sing and worship, saying,

"Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the nations! Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your judgments have been revealed.”

Worship God. That’s the purpose of the whole book of Revelation. That's the point of all God's judgments from beginning to end – Worship God. Don't worship the wealth of Babylon, don't worship the power of Babylon, don't worship the pleasures of Babylon. Come out of it right now, my people, and worship God!

Worship is not one-hour performance a week. Worship is not the performance of a routine of hymns and prayers and preaching. Worship is a lifestyle. Worship is all of life – a life before God, a life with God 24/7. In Romans 12:1 Paul says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” I like the way Eugene Peterson translates this verse, saying, “Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering.”

The day of last judgment is coming. Jesus said, “See, I am coming like a thief!” (Rev 16:15) So brothers and sisters in Christ, let us stay awake. Let us encourage one another as we see the Day approaching. Let us come out of Babylon and worship God. Let us show his worth by the way we use our time, our money, our life. Then the day of judgment will be a day of rejoicing. Amen.

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[1] Steven J. Cole, “Lesson 98: Why You Need the Old Testament” (Romans 15:4), https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-98-why-you-need-old-testament-romans-154
[2] John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress (Aneko Press), 99-100.
[3] “The Judge Illustration,” The Compass: A Tool for Disciplers, https://www.cru.org/content/dam/cru/legacy/2012/01/thejudgeillustration.pdf

“Three Enemies and Three Victories” (Revelation 14:6-13)

The Art of War

Ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, in his book The Art of War, tells us an aspect of warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics. Some of the phrases are so famous and are still quoted in the Chinese modern proverb. One of them is this: “知己知彼, 百戰不殆” (If you know your enemy and know yourself, you can win numerous (literally, "a hundred") battles without jeopardy).

The same applies to our spiritual battle. Today’s scripture (chs 12-14) reveals the identity of the enemy – who they are and what their strategy and tactics are. Then, it also tells us how God protects and strengthens his people, and how God empowers them to win the battles.

Three Enemies 

Basically, the devil has his three allies – his own false trinity: “the beast out of the sea,’ ‘the beast out of the earth,’ and ‘Babylon the Prostitute.’ The first beast – the beast out of the sea represents physical persecution (13:1-10). He has an impressive show of power – ten crowned horns and seven heads. He is given a mouth to blaspheme God. He is also given power to persecute the church. The second beast – the beast out of the earth represents intellectual false teaching (13:11-18). He has two horns just like a lamb, masquerading as a counterpart to Christ the Lamb. He performs miraculous signs, deceives the people on earth, and makes them worship the first beast. The third ally is Babylon which represents moral compromise (14:8; ch. 17-18). She is described as seductive prostitute who devours the church and its saints. In the early church the devil tried to crush the church by force. He tried to mislead the church by false teaching and by distracting the apostles from their ministry of the Word. He also tried to corrupt the church by the moral hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira. Then and now, the enemy’s tactics are always the same: physical persecution, intellectual false teaching, and moral compromise.

Worship 

The battle is intense. We hear the news that Christian persecution has spread to more corners of the globe today. We hear the news that many pastors lose their ministries and their churches suffer because of moral failure. We see that the pulpit of this day in many churches is getting weak and powerless because of false teaching. The battle doesn’t seem to be going in our favor. Then, how can we regain our strength and win the battle?

The first three visions – the beast visions and Babylon vision – reveal the identity of the enemy, penetrating the hoax of evil. The next three visions reveal our support system. First is worship. John sees the Lamb leading worship on Mount Zion (14:1-5). We are so easily entangled with our sins – anger, greed, lust, pride, selfishness, and so on. Our life is so easily distracted and fragmented. If you find yourself stressed and out-of-perspective, the best cure for this is worship. In Psalm 73 the psalmist was so upset, frustrated, stressed, out-of-perspective, because he saw the prosperity of the wicked in this world. Then he said this: “Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache… Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture” (16-17 MSG). Yes! When we come to this place and worship, then and only then, we see the whole picture. We see the Lamb on the throne who reigns over the nations forever. Then we find our fragmented lives corrected and restored. Then we find that our life is put in perspective. Probably many of us in this room have experience that the computer is frozen for some reason. In most cases, the best way to resolve the issue is to reboot the computer. Worship is like rebooting our life, rebooting our relationship with God.

Preaching 

The second vision is preaching. John sees three angels preaching sermons from a pulpit in midheaven (14:6-13). He hears “the eternal gospel”: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. There is nothing new. Everything in the Revelation can be found in the previous 65 books of the Bible. The gospel is already revealed in Christ, preached by Christ. But there is a new way to say it. Probably John already heard the gospel numerous times. But as he is going through the darkest valley, now he does see, taste, hear, feel, smell the gospel in a new, personal way. And he is sustained, encouraged, strengthened by it. As a poet and pastor, now he passes on what he saw, tasted, heard, felt, smelled to other suffering Christians. Let me ask you: When was the last time your soul was nourished and renewed by the gospel? When was the last time the gospel of Jesus Christ did speak to your heart in a personal way? Christ has died… He came for you. He took up your sins. He died in your place. You are forgiven. You are accepted. You are beloved; Christ is risen… He lives. He is with you today. He is always near to strengthen you, help you, sustain you. You are not alone; Christ will come again… Be prepared. Live for eternity. Set your heart on the kingdom of God!

The Bible says, “For our struggle is not against human opponents, but against the devil and all his agents” (Eph 6:12). So we must fight in a right way. We must put on the full armor of God. Particularly, we need the word of God – the only offensive weapon. Perhaps preaching tells us nothing new. But still today, God saves, sustains, strengthens his people through the foolishness of preaching (cf. 1 Co 1:21).

Holy Living

The third vision is holy living. John sees the Son of Man harvesting the fields (14:14-20). This vision shows us that while we are doing our best to keep God’s commands and to cultivate a life of holiness in a weed-filled world, we are being helped and made whole. In C. S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters a senior demon Screwtape mentors his nephew Wormwood. One of his advice is as follows:

The great thing is to prevent his doing anything. As long as he does not convert it into action, it does not matter how much he thinks about this new repentance. Let the little brute wallow in it. Let him, if he has any bent that way, write a book about it; that is often an excellent way of sterilizing the seeds which the enemy [God] plants in a human soul. Let him do anything but act. No amount of piety in his imagination and affections will harm us if we can keep it out of his will. As one of the humans has said, active habits are strengthened by repetition but passive ones are weakened. The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.[1]

God still speaks today. His Holy Spirit constantly speaks to our heart. But how often we ignore the Voice – the promptings of the Holy Spirit! How often we become numb to the voices of those in distress around us! But as we humbly listen, really listen, and do God’s will, our soul will find rest and security in the shadow of God’s wings.

God Is Able

Worship, preaching, holy living – these are our three weapons and our support system to win our spiritual battle. These three are much stronger than any tactics of the devil.

As I close, I want to share the life of John Wesley – how he was helped as he engaged in worship, listened to the preaching of the gospel, practiced a holy life. In his early years Wesley preached, taught, wrote, and even gave himself to missionary work. But deep inside, he was spiritually bankrupt – restless, helpless, powerless. But by God’s grace he kept going anyway. He never stopped worshipping, never stopped listening to the gospel, never stopped doing God’s will. Listen to his own words: “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.” After his conversion, there were times Wesley struggled and doubted. But he kept going, kept practicing – worshipping God, listening to the word, doing the word.

Whether we want to be or not, we are in the battle. It can be physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, or moral. Whatever battle we have, our God is able. He is able to save us, help us, sustain us. So brothers and sisters in Christ, be strong and stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Come, worship God with all your heart, listen to the word with all your soul, throw yourselves into the work of the Lord with all your strength. “May God send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion” (Ps 20:2). Amen.

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[1] C. S. Lewis. The Screwtape Letters, Kindle Locations 487-492 of 1201.

“The Little Scroll and the Two Witnesses” (Revelation 10:8-11)

Titanic & Revelation

On April 10, 1912 the Titanic left Southampton, UK. She carried 2,224 passengers and crew. On April 14, four days later she hit an iceberg and sank into the North Atlantic Ocean. It caused the deaths of more than 1,500 people. Then, how many iceberg warnings did the Titanic receive? Reports show that there were at least 21 different warnings that the Titanic did receive from other boats. On the 11th April, she received 6 warnings; 5 more on the 12th; 3 more on the 13th; and 7 on the 14th. By the time the Titanic wanted to change course, it was too late.

Last year from fall through spring we studied the first half of the Book of Revelation (chs 1-9). From this week we will continue to explore the rest of the book (chs 10-22). Most scholars agree that chapters 8 to 11 of Revelation are difficult to interpret. In these chapters we see the visions of the 7th seal, the trumpets, the little scroll and the two witnesses. It is hard to understand the meaning of each vision. However, these visions have consistent sequence and unifying message, that is, “a call to repentance.” When we read these chapters, we should be able to see the word WARNING flashing in red lights all over the place. It’s God’s wake-up call for the unbelieving world, the wake-up call for nominal church, the wake-up call for sleeping Christians.

The Little Scroll and the Two Witnesses 

In chapters 8 and 9 the Apostle John saw six angels blow their trumpets one by one. Each angel brought their own plagues. The purpose of all these plagues was to wake up those who lived in this world. But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship their idols and go on their ways. John saw all this tragedy through the vision of the trumpets. He must have been sad. But then, in chapter 10 he heard the voice from heaven saying, “Take it [the little scroll], and eat; it will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth” (9). Here what does the little scroll stand for? It represents the word of God – particularly the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word of God is like a double-edged sword. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb 4:12, NIV) When we receive the word humbly, it is sweet to our soul. It gives joy to the heart. It gives us wisdom. It gives light to the eyes. It revives us (cf. Ps 19:7-8). But the word of God can be also bitter when it is rejected. For instance, Jeremiah preached the word to his congregation, and the message was rejected. In Jeremiah 20:8 he says, “For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long!”

Whether the word is sweet or bitter, whether the word is accepted or rejected, John is now ordered to preach it to all people. He is called to be a witness. Then, in chapter 11 God shows him a role model to follow. John sees the vision of the two witnesses. The two witnesses represent the witnessing and suffering church. They prophesy with the Spirit and power of God to turn the hearts of the people to God. They have power to shut up the sky. They have power to turn the waters into blood. They have power to devour their enemies. But at the same time, they prophesy in sackcloth. Not only do they convict the people of sin and call them to repentance, but also they become a part of the peoples’ story. They consider the peoples’ sins their own, and they mourn and repent in sackcloth. After the two witnesses have finished their testimony, a strange thing happens. The beast comes up, attack them, and overpower them, and kill them. Many people gloat over them and rejoice. Why does God allow the enemy to attack the two witnesses [his church]? It is because this is God’s way to bring people to himself. The two witnesses are slain but after the three and a half days they are raised from the dead. Because of this, unlike the unrepentant people in chapter 9 the remnants come back to God. In 11:13 the Bible says, “The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” The death and resurrection of the witnesses exactly parallels the death and resurrection of Christ. God’s way of salvation is “victory through suffering.” Jesus Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1Co 1:24), but at the same time, he has become a part of our story. He carried our sin and died for us. By his substitutionary suffering and death Jesus brought all of us to God the Father and himself.

Salt of the Earth 

As I shared earlier, the two witnesses represent the church. We are all witnesses. But what does it mean to be a witness in our daily lives? I think Jesus already answered this question. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” First, being a witness means being salt. What is the function of salt? It is to prevent decay. Its main function is to preserve and to act as an antiseptic. When Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth,” it implies that the world has a tendency to become polluted, fallen, sinful and bad. If you read the first six chapters of Genesis, you will find this tendency. Wickedness of humankind is everywhere. The world is sinful and evil. That’s what the Bible has to say about this world. And Jesus said that we [Christians] are the salt of the earth. Seawater doesn’t decay easily, because it contains salt. Do you know how much percentage seawater has salt? The answer is about 3.5%. This 3.5% of salt preserves wholesomeness and prevents decay. Even one true Christian’s presence makes all the difference.

Once John Wesley visited those working at factories in the town of Epworth. In his journal he described their manner in this way: “The whole conversation of these was profane and loose to the last degree.” But he kept visiting anyway. Some of the workers began to join one of his prayer meetings. After this,

The whole scene was changed. In three of the factories, no more lewdness or profaneness was found, for God had put a new song in their mouth, and blasphemies were turned to praise. Those three I visited today, and I found religion had taken deep root in them. No trifling word was heard among them, and they watch over each other in love. I found it exceedingly good to be there, and we rejoiced together in the God of our salvation.[1]

The power of one. The power of salt. We are called to be salt.

Light of the World 

Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world.” Being a witness means being light. The first thing light does is to expose the darkness. Not only that, it also explains the cause of the darkness. Many religions and thinkers have been trying to explain what is wrong with the world without success. We Christians have the light which explains the situation. The trouble with humankind is not in their intellect, it is in their nature – sinful nature. By nature fallen man and woman love darkness rather than light. They are separated from God. They are not in the right relationship with God. So though they know what is right, they prefer and do what is evil (cf. John 3:19).

But praise God. Light not only expose the darkness and the cause of the darkness, but it also provides the way out of the darkness. The gospel alone proclaims that the fundamental problem is the problem of a sinful nature. And the gospel alone offers a permanent cure for this: “You must be born again.” What we need is not more of education, new political policies, or conferences. What we need is a new nature, new heart, new wills and affections that will love the light and hate the darkness. The Christian is the light that shows how people can have this new nature. We are the ones who must tell them Jesus is the way, Jesus makes us new person with new desires and a new orientation, Jesus gives us new life – life in the light.

More of the Holy Spirit 

We are salt and light. We are a witness for Jesus. But in order to be a true witness, we need the power of the Holy Spirit. John Wesley’s final sermon at Oxford university was to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The faculty argued that they didn’t need to hear that message. Wesley said, “Jesus’ twelve disciples lived a life together with Jesus for three years. They walked with him, talked with him, dined with him. But still, they had to wait until the Holy Spirit came to them. You and I have never seen Jesus face to face. Then, how much more do we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to be his witness?” Then, he expounded what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He said that it does not mean that all speak in tongues. It does not mean all the gift of healing, or of prophesy, or of teaching, etc. What it does mean, Wesley said, is to have the mind and the Spirit of Christ, that is, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Wesley challenged his people as follows:

May it not be … that so many of you are a generation of triflers; triflers with God, with one another, and with your own souls? For, how few of you spend, from one week to another, a single hour in private prayer! How few have any thought of God in the general tenor of your conversation! Who of you is in any degree acquainted with the work of his Spirit, his supernatural work in the souls of men? Can you bear, unless now and then in a church, any talk of the Holy Ghost?[2]

May God give us grace to examine ourselves. May God give us the mind and the Spirit of Christ. May we bear abundant, genuine fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – in our life, that people may see and give glory to God the Father in heaven. Amen.

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[1] William J. Abraham, Key United Methodist Beliefs (Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition), 73.
[2] John Wesley, “Scriptural Christianity,” preached at St Mary’s, Oxford, before the university (Aug 24, 1744).

“Follow the Leader” - Roadmap to Renewal V -

Begin with the End in Mind

There is a short story, titled, “The Man Who Met Death.” In that story the man has conversation with Death. The man says, “I don’t want to die a sudden death. So please give me a warning before you come.” Death agrees, saying, “I promise. I will give you several warnings.” The man is relieved and goes on his way. Few years later, death visits him all of sudden. The man is not ready and terrified, saying, “It’s a breach of promise! You’ve come without any warnings.” Death says to him calmly, “No, I kept the promise. Do you remember the day when you had your first gray hair? That was my first warning. Do you remember you saw a doctor because you didn’t hear well? That was my second warning. Do you remember you had short breath and chest pain? That was my another warning.” In Psalm 90 Moses says, “The days of our life pass by quickly and we fly away” (10).

We are in this journey together. And it’s always good to begin our journey with the end in mind. In this respect, Deuteronomy is so rich and beneficial for us today, because it’s Moses’ final speech for the next generation, about to cross Jordan river and to start a new chapter of their life in the Promised Land. We haven’t studied this book chapter by chapter; instead, we focused on five main themes from this book.

• Wilderness: Wilderness is love. It refines us, shapes us, equips us to be God’s people.
• Battle: The land of Canaan is not empty land, but to be conquered. Be prepared! But we fight from victory, but not for victory. 
• Journey: from Egypt to Canaan. It’s journey from my kingdom to God’s kingdom.
• Holiness: “Like father, like son.” Be holy for God is holy. Our journey is not a journey of happiness, but of holiness.

Greater than Moses

Our last theme word is “leader.” It’s so important to have a good leader in order to complete the journey. Moses was a great leader for forty years, but he couldn’t finish the journey. So he said to his people, “The Lord your God will raise up a prophet (leader) like me for you from among you. You must listen to him” (Dt 18:15). Then, who is Mosses talking about? Who is “a prophet like me”? The best way to answer this question is to let scripture interpret scripture. In Acts 3 Peter speaks to those utterly astonished by healing of a crippled beggar and quotes the phrase “a prophet like me.” Then he boldly proclaims, “The prophet like Moses is God’s Chosen One, the Messiah. And Jesus is the Messiah.” Again in Acts 7 Stephen defends himself before Sanhedrin and quotes the same phrase, saying, “Our ancestors killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, the Prophet like Moses, the Messiah, and now you have killed Jesus, who is the Christ.”

One day Jesus went up on the mountain to pray and took with him Peter and John and James. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. Then a cloud came and overshadowed the disciples. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him!” (Luke 9:35) Jesus is God’s Son, God’s Chosen One. The Book of Hebrews clearly proclaims this truth. It begins like this:

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word…” (1:1-3, NRSV)

Jesus is the Prophet like Moses. He is superior and greater than Moses. Jesus is the Way to salvation.

The Jesus Way

When Jesus said, “I am the way…” what he meant was that he is both “ends” and “means.” Ends are goals and purposes, while means are the way we get to the goal. For Christians, the end is God’s work of salvation, eternal life, life with Christ. What about the means? How can we get there? Jesus. John 3:16 tells us what are the end and the means of our Christian journey: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus is A to Z, not ABC of our Christian journey. Some people believe that it’s ok to follow Jesus any which way they like once they received Jesus as their Savior. Jesus is the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega. St. Catherine rightly said, "All the way to heaven is heaven, because Jesus had said, 'I am the way."' In other words, the way we talk, the way we treat another, the way we raise our children, the way we read, the way we worship, the way we vote, the way we garden, the way we drive, the way we walk, the way we eat, ought to be congruent with the way Jesus talked, acted, felt, gestured, prayed, healed, taught, lived and died. Eugene Peterson captured well this truth, saying, “The way of Jesus is the way that we practice and come to understand the truth of Jesus, living Jesus in our homes and workplaces, with our friends and family.”[1]

In his final speech Moses talks about a prescribed place of worship. He says, “Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please” (12:13). Then he continues, “Instead, take your sacred gifts and your offerings to the place the Lord will choose” (26). Then Moses also talks about regulations concerning tithings, offerings, marriage, sexual relations, keeping Sabbath and other holy festivals. What we can learn from all this is, it’s not about us. It’s not about my preference, my convenience, my way. It’s about God and His Way. It is God who will choose where to worship, when to worship, how to worship, what to bring and how much to bring for offerings... and how to live. In other religions, we don’t have to change. We manipulate gods to get what we want. But in Christianity, that just doesn’t work. We cannot follow Jesus any which way we like. “Jesus is the way” means we follow the way of Jesus in every area of our life. Not only does Jesus show the way, but also he takes the initiative and invites us to join him. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you” (MSG). Jesus is the way – means and end.

The Cross Way

The way of Jesus is the way of the cross. The Jesus way is the way of sacrifice, humiliation, and “deny yourself.” The Jesus way is the narrow way, but it’s the only way that leads to life. In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, on his journey Christian met two gentlemen, coming into the narrow way over the wall. Their names were Formalist and Hypocrisy. They were born in the land of Vain-glory and were going to Celestial City to receive praise. Christian asked them, “Why didn’t you enter by the narrow gate?” They replied, “Our way is shorter and easier. You came in by the narrow gate, we climbed over the wall. But we are all traveling along the same road. We will be just fine. We will go our way, and you yours.” A short while later, the three came to the Hill Difficulty. Here were also two roads – one turned to the right and the other to the left. But the narrow way led between them straight up to the top of the hill. Christian began to climb the narrow hill, while the other two decided to take the side roads. One took the way of danger and got lost in the forest, and the other took the way of destruction, stumbled over a cliff and fell to his death.[2] The Jesus way is the narrow way.

When Jesus was in the wilderness, he was tempted by the devil three times. But basically, those three temptations were one – taking the crown without the cross. The first temptation: turn stones into bread. Meet people’s needs without the cross. The second temptation: throw yourself down, show miracles, and people will be drawn to you without the cross. The third temptation: I will let you rule the world if you fall down and worship me. Again save the world without the cross. This temptation continues to the end even when Jesus was on the cross. People said, “Come down from the cross now, so we can see it and believe!” But Jesus resisted the temptation to taking the crown without the cross. The devil tempts us in the same way: follow Jesus, but it’s ok to follow him any which way you like, it’s ok to take a shortcut or side ways to get to Celestial City. But Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways (“deny yourself”), take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Lk 9:23 NLT).

Change Your Ways

As I close, I exhort our church family to read the Book of Hebrews throughout this week, because it clearly interprets the Old Testament passages about the Messiah and effectively proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah. Then, the author encourages those who faithfully follow the Jesus way, and at the same time, warns those who stray from the narrow path. He exhorts three times: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (3:7-8, 15; 4:7). Are you walking in the narrow way? Do you stay in tune with Jesus today? Let us change our ways, change our minds, change our attitudes. Let us return to Jesus and follow the Jesus Way, the Cross Way. Amen.

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[1] Eugene H. Peterson, The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus Is the Way, (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007), Kindle Location 73 of 3482.

[2] John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress: Updated, Modern English. (Bunyan Updated Classics.), 44.

“Holy to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 14:1-2) - Roadmap to Renewal IV –

“Like Father, Like Son”

We say this when the son has grown up to "be just like" his father – not just in external appearance, but also in temperament, manner, way of doing things, having the same sense of value, or some other quality. We say this when the son has taken after his father’s inner person as well as his outer person. Nowadays my son, Abe, hears often people say, “Look at you. You look just like your dad.” Now he wears glasses just like me. He got his hair permed just like me. But not only that, sometimes I am just amazed by how he likes and doesn’t like certain foods just like me, and by how he behaves the same way in certain things just like me. Like father, like son.

When we talk about the attributes of our heavenly Father (“who God is”), we may say, “God is loving, kind, wise, eternal, unchangeable, all powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), and so on.” Though they are all saying something true about Him, if we are forced to choose just one quality – the most prominent attribute of God, it would be the word “holy.” Our God is holy. Let us keep this in mind, and read today’s scripture together:

You are children of the Lord your God. You must not lacerate yourselves or shave your forelocks for the dead. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; it is you the Lord has chosen out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

We must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we are true children of God. “Like Father, like son.” Then, what does it mean to be holy? What is true practical holiness? Anglican Bishop J. C. Ryle gives us a good definition what holiness is and what holiness isn’t:[1]

True holiness, we surely ought to remember, does not consist merely of inward sensations and impressions. It is much more than tears, and sighs, and bodily excitement, and a quickened pulse, and a passionate feeling of attachment to our own favourite preachers and our own religious party, and a readiness to quarrel with everyone who does not agree with us. It is something of "the image of Christ," which can be seen and observed by others in our private life, and habits, and character, and doings.

In other words, holiness is basically to have the same mind with God – hating what He hates and loving what He loves.

Holiness in 21^st Century

But the thing is that holiness doesn’t come naturally. Instead, our sinful nature inclines to follow the course of this world (Eph 2:2). It conforms to this world. So the Bible says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed” (Rom 12:2). God says to his children, “Be holy, because I am holy! Be different from those who don’t know me! Don’t follow their ways! Be a peculiar people!”  So for Israel, God commands them not to follow pagan practices, saying, “Don’t lacerate yourselves or shave your forelocks for the dead. Don’t make your children pass through fire (child-sacrifice). Don’t practice divination or sorcery. Don’t imitate their practices, but be different.” Then, God gives them practical guidance on how they may live as a peculiar people of God – even what to eat and what not to eat. The purpose is this: “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God” (14:21b).

Some of us may think, “Those dietary laws were for Israel. What about us? What does it mean to be holy and to live as a peculiar people in 21^st century?” Actually, Jesus already answered this question. He interpreted what practical holiness really means in daily life perfectly and beautifully through his sermon on the mount (Matt 5-7). According to Jesus, true practical holiness means to love our enemies and pray for those who give us a hard time. It means to help the needy in secret and to pray in secret. It means to trust in God and be generous toward God and people. It means to seek first the kingdom of God and to reprioritize everything in our life accordingly. It means to do to others as we would have them do to us. It means to make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. It means to hear the word and to do the word. This is what it means to be holy in our daily life.

As you hear the Sermon on the Mount, some of you may ask, “Is it practical?” Some of you may think, “The Sermon on the Mount was intended only for super-Christians, not for ordinary ones like me. So I don’t have to worry about its high standards.” Now I want you to open your Bible and find Matthew 5:1-2, the introduction of the Sermon of the Mount:  

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying…”

There were always two different groups of people who were following Jesus: the disciples and the crowds. Jesus always told a parable to the crowds; and then he withdrew himself from them and explained the meaning of the parable to his disciples. He gave more concentrated instruction and teaching to his disciples. I share this because the Sermon of the Mount is one of the most challenging, radical, counter-cultural sermons in the Bible. So for those conformed to this world and its culture (“the crowds”), this sermon just doesn’t make sense and is not practical, not relevant, not attainable. But as for Jesus’ disciples, this sermon is like spiritual dynamite, spiritual revolution. And it is practical. It is relevant. It is attainable.

But How?

But the question still remains: “How is it possible to live such a godly life?” It is possible and attainable when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. In particular, Ephesians 5 is the New Testament version of Deuteronomy 14, which tells us how to live a holy life as God’s children. It begins like this: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children” (v. 1). And later, Paul tells us how we can live such life in this way:

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:18-20, NIV)

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we have then new nature, new heart, new desire, and new power that enables us to live a godly life. Then how can we be filled with the Spirit? Paul tells us we can be filled with the Spirit as we recite psalms, sing hymns and give thanks to God. But it is not about the formula. Rather, it is about relationship. Reciting, singing, and giving thanks are means to deepen our relationship with the person Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. Holiness comes from Christ. Apart from him, there is no such thing as holiness. Holiness is the fruit of vital union with Christ. The more we spend quality time with Christ, the more we will be filled with the Spirit, who makes us holy.

Look to Jesus

James Taylor loved to go wherever John Wesley was preaching—not to listen, but to throw stones and mock those who did listen. However, on the day before Taylor’s wedding, Wesley preached the gospel of Jesus Christ on Joshua 24:15, "…As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Taylor came under intense conviction and was saved. This man who once was a chief scoffer became a believer who led his family in the paths of righteousness. His grandson, James Hudson Taylor, became one of the greatest missionaries in history.[2] Jesus is mighty to save. His word is mighty to transform us and make us holy.

Suppose the most notorious prisoner shares his room with Jesus for three months. Who do you think is transformed? The prisoner, or Jesus? The prisoner! Now we, Christians, are the ones who live a life with Christ 24/7. Then, we need to ask this question ourselves, “Am I transformed? Am I holier than a year ago? Am I more loving, kind, generous, patient, forgiving than three years ago?” If the answer is “No” or “Not sure,” then, either we are stronger than the most notorious prisoner, or we are not living a life together with Christ.

Do you feel imperfect or unworthy? Look to Jesus, and you will be made whole in Him. Do you feel as if you were nothing? Look to Jesus, and He will be all in all to your soul. Are you weary and burdened? Look to Jesus, and He will give you rest. Are you thirsty? Look to Jesus, and streams of living water will flow from within you. If you look to yourself, there will be only darkness. But if you look to Jesus, there is light. For Jesus is the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Rock, the Shepherd, the Savior, the Physician, the Fountain of living water, the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and All in All.

So look less to yourself, and look more to Jesus! Look to Jesus by reciting psalms and reading a scripture. Look to Jesus by singing hymns. Look to Jesus by giving thanks to Him always for everything. Look to Jesus by helping someone in need in His name. Look to Jesus by obeying the promptings of the Spirit. Look to Jesus by talking and listening to Him. Look to Jesus by testifying to others about Him. Look to Jesus by hearing him in flowers, trees, water, sky. Look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Look, look, look! Look to Jesus and live!

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[1] J. C. Ryle, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots, 4-5.

[2] http://www.dailyintheword.org/rooted/god-meets-us-where-we-are