Stigmatizing Garners Hate

This is an excellent quote by C.S Lewis in Mere Christianity

Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out.

Is one’s first feeling, ‘Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,’ or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible?

If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally we shall insist on seeing everything — God and our friends and ourselves included — as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.

HT: Between Two Worlds

also…. I just learned what HT meant. It literally means Hat Tip as in, a “tip of the hat” to your source. A show of appreciation. I’ve been seeing that HT thing everywhere these day. I’m so glad I learned what it was.

HT: archshrk

Criticism and Compliments

Heard this a while ago:

For every criticism you make give back 5 compliments.

The Cross and Salvation

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.

-Titus 3:4-6

On the human side no person can come savingly to God by the power of their own initiative or on the basis of their own merits, as the Titus text just cited indicates. but men and women, enable by the Spirit’s gracious working, perform their own necessary work.

- Bruce Demarest

I just started a book called The Cross and Salvation by Bruce Demarest after leaving it on the shelf for a while. The book came off intimidating at first because of the cover and the fact that it is a systematic theology book, however the theme of the cross and of salvation, being central to the Gospel, lured me to finally get the book started for the summer.

I’m only done with the first chapter so far, but in what I learned and profitted from in the first chapter, I can say have gained more than most books that I read in whole. I will try to post more on what I am learning throughout the next couple weeks, but this is a book I thoroughly recommend as it has been magnifying the cross that Christ carried by motive of obedience to the Father and of clemency toward an undeserving people.

The Real Jesus?

http://tinyurl.com/m4y83s

This blog post by Kevin Deyoung served as a profitable reminder of who my savior is.

How many people know the real Jesus?

There’s the Republican Jesus who is against tax increases and activists judges, for family values and owning firearms.

There’s Democrat Jesus who is against Wall Street and Wal-Mart, for reducing our carbon footprint and printing money.

There’s Therapist Jesus who helps us cope with life’s problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves.

There’s Starbucks Jesus who drinks fair trade coffee, loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid and goes to film festivals.

There’s Open-minded Jesus who loves everyone all the time no matter what, except for people who are not as open-minded as you.

There’s Touchdown Jesus who helps athletes fun faster and jump higher than non-Christians and determines the outcomes of Super Bowls.

There’s Martyr Jesus, a good man who died a cruel death so we can feel sorry for him

There’s Gentle Jesus who was meek and mild, with high cheek bones, flowing hair, and walks around barefoot, wearing a sash and looks very German.

There’s Hippie Jesus who teaches everyone to give peace a chance, imagine a world without religion, and helps us remember all you need is love.

There’s Yuppie Jesus who encourages us to reach our full potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat.

There’s Spirituality Jesus who hates religion, churches, pastors, priests, and doctrine; and would rather have people out in nature, finding the god within and listening to ambiguously spiritual musical.

There’s Platitude Jesus, good for Christmas specials, greeting cards, and bad sermons; he inspires people to believe in themselves, and lifts us up so we can walk on mountains.

There’s Revolutionary Jesus who teaches us to rebel against the status quo, stick it to the man, and blame things on the “system.”

There’s Guru Jesus, a wise, inspirational teacher who believes in you and helps you find your center.

There’s Boyfriend Jesus who wraps his arms around us as we sing about his intoxicating love in our secret place.

There’s Good Example Jesus who shows you how to help people, change the planet, and become a better you.

And then there’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Not just another prophet. Not just another Rabbi. Not just another wonder-worker. He was the one they had been waiting for: the Son of David and Abraham’s chosen seed, the one to deliver us from captivity, the goal of the Mosaic law, Yahweh in the flesh, the one to establish God’s reign and rule, the one to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, freedom to the prisoners and proclaim good news to the poor, the lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world.

May I never succumb to the worldly perception of Jesus Christ and forever know and worship the Son of God.

-Alex Yi

Evidences of Grace Starter’s Kit

A couple days ago I had the privilege of attending Resolved 2009, which is a conference featuring a five God fearing men giving sermons that are germane to the theme of the year. This year’s theme was Sin and oh what a sanctifying, purifying, and humbling effect this conference had in my heart. I am going to try and blog about different ideas that have been profitable to me, but for this post I do want to write about one conception that has given birth to a practical approach in the pursuit of personal sanctification. Here’s an snippet from CJ Mahaney’s message Who’s Really at Work? (you can find an mp3 here) at the conference (This quote is not entirely accurate).

If your Christian, within a few moments of interacting with you, I think by God’s grace I can discern evidence of grace in your life. It’s not that I am an unusually gifted leader or advanced in my discernment. No. No. What I have done for a number of years is that I have studied two lists in some detail. The Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit, I call this my Evidences of Grace starter’s kit that I recommend to you all… You study these two lists. Two categories. You familiarize yourself with these two lists and two categories and you will look up from your bible with new eyes perceiving God at work everywhere you look. And perceiving God at work in your life.

-CJ Mahaney

Fruits of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit.

Fruit of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Gifts of the Spirit:
Operative: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, Showing Mercy (compassion) – Romans 12:6-8.
Administrative: Apostolic, Prophetic, Evangelical, Pastoral, Teaching – Ephesians 4:11
Charismatic (gifts that are sovereignly and supernaturally bestowed by the Holy Spirit): Wisdom, Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits, Speaking/Interpretation of tongues, Prophecy, Faith, Working of miracles, and Healing – 1 Corinthians 12:1-14

I hope to familiarize myself with these gifts; that when I see the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit in my fellow redeemed, I would be able to glory in the Father who gave us his Son, the Son who allowed us Salvation and the Spirit who is at work of sanctification for all who are saved.

My Pastor once said, “In order to sanctify yourself, you must first see the sanctification of others” which really is an echo of CJ’s excerpt above.

The institution of the Holy Spirit envisaged the sanctification of the believer’s soul, but in part of sanctification there comes obedience to the Great commandments which is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves.

Mahaney’s simple application has brought to me a joy in understanding the need to seek sanctification by directing my attention the sight of a most holy and magnificent God. A God who’s knowledge is vast beyond measure. An infinite God who gives grace. A God, spectacular in His display of love. A glorious God, who is worthy of all praise for His gracious work in His children.

My prayer is that I will be able to discern the Evidences of the Grace of God by familiarizing myself with the Fruits of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit so that I may  pursue personal sanctification in knowing His testimonies constantly and to live in the character of the redeemed as a witness of the Lord most high.

I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!

-Psalm 119:125

Thank You Resolved. Thank You CJ. And most of all Thank You Lord who is worthy to be praised. Truly, truly Sin is a great adversary, but I have an even greater ally. Christ who is the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings.

-Alex Yi