The first question we ask ourselves as we read this Psalm is: 'Is there any word of grace in this Psalm?' How terrifying! We see the rebellious nature of man displayed in the uproar of the nations. The world wants to go its own way, as Cain went his own way 'out of the presence of the Lord', Gen 4.16! The nations will not bow down before Christ the King, God's Son, God's Anointed.
God has made a decree: 'I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.' He is the unchanging God. Jesus Christ is King. He has been given the nations as His inheritance. The Meek shall inherit the earth.
And He is going to put down this rebellion with a mighty hand. Break them, shatter them - how strong is the language here! How terrible is God's wrath and judgment!
But this is the gospel of the Messiah. He is not only Saviour, He is Lord. He is not only the God of grace, but also the God of justice and judgment. Therefore 'Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling.' How can we reconcile this statement with what modern evangelists have been saying? How can we reconcile the God of heaven with a God who has created hell?
Because He is the eternal and immutable God. He is the Most High and Holy God. We must bow before the King. May God grant us a vision of the majesty and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord and King! How else can we worship Him? How else can we bow down before Him? We who are so prone to reducing God to our own puny level, to making a travesty of the One seated on the Throne by reducing Him to a babe in a manger, by creating a false sentimental Christ - we need this shock treatment! It is by knowing the terrors of the law that we can understand the value of mercy and grace.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! The cross takes on a new meaning after reading this Psalm.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
In Revelation 22, we have a reference to the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life gives both medicine and food. It yields 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. There is a continuous succession of heavenly blessings.
Jesus Christ is that Tree of Life.
The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of nations. If we look into the Internet we can see how sick the world has become. The leaves of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ can heal whole nations. There are so many parts of the world that remain in darkness. There are other so-called 'Christian' parts of the world, which are a travesty of Christ. The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the health and healing of all parts of this weary sin-ridden globe.
But the thought that struck me is that if we have that Tree of Life within us, as surely all born-again believers believe that Christ lives within them, then the sure sign that we are true believers is that we will bear Fruit. The Bible specifically talks about the Fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22, 23. We may be involved in much ministry, many souls may be saved through our preaching, we may receive name & fame, people may look up to us. But God's word judges us by our fruits. 'You will know them by their fruits.' Matt 7.20
Am I producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
First: Love, Joy, Peace.
Next: Patience, Kindness, Goodness.
Finally: Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
We are so carried away by outward show, we neglect the divine warning. Does a Christian exhibit love & truth? At home or in the office, are we patient & kind? And what about faithfulness & self-control? [Surely we must be disciplined to become His disciples.] And gentleness? The imperishable quality of a gentle & quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God, 1 Pet 3.4
I have still a long way to go. But one thing I know, if I have the Tree of Life I must produce the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ is that Tree of Life.
The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of nations. If we look into the Internet we can see how sick the world has become. The leaves of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ can heal whole nations. There are so many parts of the world that remain in darkness. There are other so-called 'Christian' parts of the world, which are a travesty of Christ. The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the health and healing of all parts of this weary sin-ridden globe.
But the thought that struck me is that if we have that Tree of Life within us, as surely all born-again believers believe that Christ lives within them, then the sure sign that we are true believers is that we will bear Fruit. The Bible specifically talks about the Fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22, 23. We may be involved in much ministry, many souls may be saved through our preaching, we may receive name & fame, people may look up to us. But God's word judges us by our fruits. 'You will know them by their fruits.' Matt 7.20
Am I producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
First: Love, Joy, Peace.
Next: Patience, Kindness, Goodness.
Finally: Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
We are so carried away by outward show, we neglect the divine warning. Does a Christian exhibit love & truth? At home or in the office, are we patient & kind? And what about faithfulness & self-control? [Surely we must be disciplined to become His disciples.] And gentleness? The imperishable quality of a gentle & quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God, 1 Pet 3.4
I have still a long way to go. But one thing I know, if I have the Tree of Life I must produce the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
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