Hast Thou Heard Him, Seen Him, Known Him?

Hast thou heard Him, seen Him, known Him?

Is not thine a captured heart?

Chief among ten thousand own Him;

Joyful choose the better part.

Chorus:

Captivated by His beauty,

Worthy tribute haste to bring;

Let His peerless worth constrain thee,

Crown Him now unrivaled King.

Idols once they won thee, charmed thee,

Lovely things of time and sense;

Gilded thus does sin disarm thee,

Honeyed lest thou turn thee thence.

[Chorus]

What has stripped the seeming beauty

From the idols of the earth?

Not a sense of right or duty,

But the sight of peerless worth.

[Chorus]

Not the crushing of those idols,

With its bitter void and smart;

But the beaming of His beauty,

The unveiling of His heart.

[Chorus]

Who extinguishes their taper

Till they hail the rising sun?

Who discards the garb of winter

Till the summer has begun?

[Chorus]

'Tis that look that melted Peter,

'Tis that face that Stephen saw,

'Tis that heart that wept with Mary,

Can alone from idols draw:

[Chorus]

Draw and win and fill completely,

Till the cup o'erflow the brim;

What have we to do with idols

Who have companied with Him?

[Chorus]

Flying Kites

Have you ever tried flying a kite? Life challenges are sometimes similar to flying a kite. Take parenting for example. We all know that parents are the primary party responsible for and involved in teaching and disciplining their children. If we do not teach and discipline them well, they are bound to go wayward. But if we are overly strict and inflexible, they are bound to turn rebellious.

The kites are like the children. And for the string, it is not the control that parents exert over and above the children, but rather a life line that represents guidance and modelling. If we let the string go loose, we will lose the kite. But if we pull the string too tight, we may break it and lose the kite as well. The challenge is knowing when to let loose and when to pull. And that pretty much depends on the wind situation, don't you think so?

Discerning the direction of the wind blowing and the strength of the wind, will aid us in guiding our kites to glide through the blue sky safely and going as high as possible. Do we know our kites and what they are facing well enough to guide them by manoeuvring the string? Perhaps only God is in the best position to fly kites. Indeed, He does. Yet, often we do not notice the strings in both of His hands, because they aren't the type to attract attention. We will only notice them when we see with our hearts. Perhaps then, we can learn a thing or two from the Master?

It is not just parenting that we are reading here. Flying kites can be akin to anything in life that requires us to relinquish unhealthy control but to establish healthy guidance. The former is more interested in preserving and promoting the self, while the latter is more interested in the well being of the kites. The caveat is that good intention is not enough, we also need to learn the art of flying kites like the Master does and being attentive to where the wind of the Spirit is now carrying the kites along. If we pay attention to all these, then we have truly flown some kites together with the Master.

Tithing and New Covenant

Does tithing belong exclusively to the Law or should modern believers continue to tithe? Will we invoke God's curses and punishments if we do not tithe? Or are we promised with more material blessings by tithing? It seems that this is a recurring theme especially among the youths, so I thought...

If we are aware of the Old Covenant and New Covenant, with the understanding that we are now under the New Covenant and not the Old Covenant, it would probably make more sense why we are not required to tithe, which is part of the Old Covenant. Briefly, under the Old Covenant, God deals with mankind by giving a certain standard and then requiring man to meet up to that standard. Under the New Covenant, God deals with mankind by freely giving grace or unmerited favor, not because we are able to meet that standard, but precisely because we are unable to meet that standard.

Consider Heb 8:7, "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another" and in Heb 8:13, "By calling this covenant "new", he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." And in Heb 10:9, "Then he said, 'Here I am, I have come to do your will.' He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." So we see that Christ’s blood inaugurated a New Covenant. And as the New Covenant is superior to the Old Covenant, NT giving is superior to and of higher standard than OT tithing.

If we care to think about it, to say that believers must continue to tithe like in the days of the OT, in order to gain God's blessings or avoid God's curses or to fulfill God's requirement, is actually a serious distortion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, it outrightly contradicts the message of grace that came freely through Christ. If God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, do you think He will withhold good things from us (Rom 8:32)? Does He who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3), really require us to tithe after giving us His very own Son? It was Christ whose blood set men free from the law’s curse in order for them to exult in the grace of God. So tithing actually put believers back under the law.

And if we want to understand why God has given the law to begin with, Galatians 3 has the answer. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Gal 3:24). So the intention of the law is to humble us and lead us to Christ, and therefore Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Rom 10:4).

If you wish to explore further on this topic, I will definitely recommend "Tithing: Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct" by Matthew E. Narramore because it's comprehensive and the online version is available for free. I will end with a passage taken from the book's website, which I thought nicely summarized the issue on tithing.

"Understanding what it means to be in Christ is the key to understanding why tithing is not part of the New Covenant. In Christ, we are no longer just servants of God who live by laws and principles as people did before the cross and the resurrection. We are now spiritually re-born of God and live by the indwelling Christ himself. Tithing was instituted for people who had a different relation to God than we now have in Christ. Tithing is inconsistent with the most important aspects of the New Covenant and the believer's new nature in Christ. This book examines all the arguments for tithing and compares them to the finished work of Christ at the cross. It explains who we are in Christ and how we can be led by the Spirit in our giving."

The Life Giving Formula: PTHP-1C1378

There is a dramatic breakthrough in the area of chemistry which I am not sure if you have already heard of it. It has to do with a priceless formula known as PTHP-1C1378, which supposedly has the effect of keeping you at high energy level for a prolonged period of time. In fact, it gives you so much life energy that you could probably live for a couple of decades more and still look youthful!

So what does this PTHP formula stands for? Well, I will tell you in exchange for one million dollars which you can mail to me later. It stands for Protect, Trust, Hope and Persevere. Follow this life giving formula, and you will be the most joyous person in the world. Why is that so? Because whenever you are unable to do something, you can always trusts that things will work out fine; and whenever you are unable to trust, you can always hope for the best of everything; and whenever you are unable to hope, you can always choose to persevere till you see the rainbow.

Translated into spiritual language, we have to first understand that love seeks to protects whatever that is good within one's means, and it is love alone that motivated or powered that protecting. When it is beyond our means or capabilities to move things for the better, we can always muster our faith and trust God to work things out all well at the end of the day. If for whatever reasons that we are unable to have faith that God will work, we can still rest in His character and hope that He will work. And in extreme cases where we are so depressed that we cannot even dare to hope, we can still choose to persevere by God's mercy and grace on the desert road of long-suffering, knowing that Canaan is at the very end of the march.

When we applied the formula historically and redemptively, we now came to a fuller understanding that Christ always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres till the very end, even at the cross. And Christ never fails. It is for this reason that the formula has already been tested out and is safe for administration, you can be absolutely sure of its positive effects in the long run. Will you then take this formula to daily applications? The good news is that this formula is absolutely free of any charges in the small fine prints. The big caveat is that you need the Spirit as the reagent for the formula. Remember that apart from the Spirit, it will never work.

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Cor 13:7, 8

Calvinism's Five Points Considered

Recently, I have came across an article on the refutation of the five points of Calvinism by David Servant. In the article, David has indicated that it is actually a specific response to a booklet titled, "TULIP: What We Believe about the Five Points of Calvinism" written by John Piper.

In David's own words, "My purpose in writing is to clearly show where Calvinism contradicts Scripture and logic, and to challenge Calvinists to consider a different position... I hope that my comments are not taken to be against Calvinists, but against the doctrines of Calvinism, because I love and respect any Calvinist whose Lord is Jesus."

What really is admirable is the acknowledgement that any brethren who subscribed to Calvinism are still afterall our brethren in the same Lord. This pretty much echoes my heart towards this issue, and any theological fine prints for that matter. As fellow believers who are concerned and passionate for God's glory, we ought not to practice swinging our theological swords above the heads of each other. If God will to dispense salvation based on our doctrinal correctness, I am sure no man in his lifetime can obtain perfect scores. The richness and vastness of Christ is simply that it is too rich and vast for man to understand at this side of eternity. Likewise, we should give rooms for others, especially on non-essential issues. While we seek and stand for the truth that we came to know, may we do it in the right spirit when discoursing.

The most intriguing part is that David indicated that he has given this paper to a number of Calvinists but is still waiting for refutation. Apparently, I am not aware if anyone has posted any response specifically towards David's article. Maybe someone did, but David has not updated his article. Maybe not. So if you know of any such works, I would appreciate if you could drop me an email or post a comment below in regard to the relevant links. I will be most happy to read any counter arguments in response to the specific issues raised by David.

At any rate, if you happen to like to read both sides of the argument, you can read the article by David below. If you are contended to remain convicted in your current theological understanding of the issue, whatever that is, I am at peace as well. May the Spirit continue to show us in a deeper measure in relation to the Person, Christ Jesus.

Calvinism's Five Points Considered by David Servant

Kind of My Own Kind

(Sing to the tune of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow")

My bride, you have been chosen before time

Blessed with all of your glory

Blameless before my sight

My Lord, you're all I long for, I need you

All the dreams that I dare to dream

Really are of you

Each day I take you in my arms

And dance with me beyond the stars

Together

I live in you and you in me

Entwined for all eternity

How you complete me

My Love, I want to give you everything

True love, joy and devotion

All that you are to me

Beholding you I always find

How truly you are

Kind of my own Kind!

Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

The second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

The third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees.

When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do.

The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped.

At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill.

When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

Four Trees: 3 Alive 1 Dead

Whenever we mentioned that there were two trees, being good biblical horticulturists we seem to only remember that two living trees in that garden. Yes, even that particular one is considered a living tree, despite having tremendous negative impact on mankind (or positive depending on your perspective).

Few will remember about the third tree, that one true Tree, of which we are the branches and must partake in the Life of that Tree. But even fewer will realize that there is yet another tree, the fourth tree which is mentioned in the Scripture. So which is the fourth tree, and a dead one? It's none other than the dead tree which the Lord was nailed to during cruxification (KVJ: Acts 5:30, Acts 10:39, Acts 13:29, Gal 3:13, 1 Pet 2:24).

Of course, there are many more trees and bushes in the Scripture, but here is what J. Davis said in his article, "The Splendor of Thorns" published in Answers Magazine (Vol. 4, No. 3), "Adam comes naked to a live tree and spiritually murders the entire human race by a single act of disobedience. Jesus comes to a dead tree and allows Himself to be stripped naked. Then, in the ultimate act of obedience - His very death after a lifetime of full and total obedience to God - He makes alive all those who would ever by God's grace repent of their sins and trust in Him alone for salvation."

Click here for the audio version of the printed article, "The Splendor of Thorns".

Memorizing John 1:1-18

While reading The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order (NIV) by F. LaGard Smith, I thought it will be interesting to memorize John 1:1-18 since itself is quite a summarized introduction in relating to the Gospel of the Person Jesus Christ. At first glance, it may seem an uphill task to remember the full eighteen verses. However, if we remove the verse system away, it is actually not difficult to do so. So how about trying to memorize the passage below?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Below are some random thoughts on selected portions, some of which I didn't really notice before I started memorizing the passage. Perhaps it is a good idea to memorize key passages sometimes, just wondering.

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it... He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe... The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

I realized that I can't interpret "all" and "every" as something other than "all" and "every", unless I read certain framework into it. It certainly appears that God did not outright dis-privilege certain people from the light. And it does seem that the darkness is supposed to understand the light, though it did not elaborate on why the darkness has not understood it, until John 3:19-20.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

While on our own, we cannot decide to be children of God and cause ourselves to be born as such, since it is an exclusive right to be given by God, there is also nothing to stop us from deciding to receive Him or to believe in His name from the reading. It does seem that the condition for giving the right to become children of God is to receive Him or believe in His name. Though only God alone has the power to birth us into His family, He is pleased to birth all who received Him or believed in His name, into His big family.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth... For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

I can't help but notice that grace is mentioned before truth in the same verse twice within the boundary of this eighteen verses. The other two verses where grace and truth are mentioned together, are Col 1:6 and 2 John 1:3. In these two cases, grace is also mentioned before truth. Perhaps grace is what we need more than truth, or that grace is what we need in order to face the truth. Somehow, especially with reference to the confrontational approach of evangelism, we seem to ignore the grace part and march on pushing the truth part down on others' throats.

Certainly, I don't think truth is not important and I do think that truth, even watered down truth, sometimes can still be offensive to certain people, but perhaps it is better to dispense grace before truth so that we leave rooms for the person to grow in truth. If I ask God to give me the truth, I will probably be dead by now as His righteousness judges me. The truth is, I desire His grace first and foremost. And like my Saviour, I am learning to save others, from myself, by showing grace to others.

From the fullness of his grace...

Even a small drop of His grace, could fill up the oceans of forgiveness seven times seventy times. The point is that just a partial of His grace is already considered infinite for us. But here it says that it is from the fullness of His grace, not only a mere portion of His grace. And it is from this fullness of grace that the Father did not hold back His beloved Son from us. With reference to the earlier point on grace and truth, it is interesting to note that truth is not even mentioned here.

...we have all received one blessing after another.

The literal translation is that from the fullness of His grace, we all have received grace upon grace or waves of grace crushing down against waves of grace. The point is that because the source of these blessings is from the fullness of His grace, nothing can stop these blessings of grace coming after one another, ad infinitum. Thus even if we will to interpret the "one blessing" as Christ Jesus, and the "another" as the law given to Moses, the meaning does not change significantly since out of that one true blessing, calls forth other blessings as He pleases. It is interesting to note that even the law which we cannot live up to, is nevertheless a blessing to us, because through the law, sin might become utterly sinful (Rom 7:13).

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Thinking about our position in Christ, it just strikes me that as early as John 1:18, even before the mention of the cross, there is already a recognition by the present tense that the Lord is now at the Father's side. Definitely, He is waiting and is coming again.

Dead Sea Scrolls & The Ancient World

Singaporeans are treated to a touch of history spanning over 5,000 years through the Dead Sea Scrolls and The Ancient World exhibition at The Arts House.

According to Yahoo!, more than 100 artefacts including four fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known Hebrew manuscripts of the bible, will be featured in the exhibition - a first in Asia. Also on display is the Lunar Bible, so called because it is the first bible to be taken to the moon. Christian Post (Singapore) also has an article covering the exhibition here.

Please click here for the photos that I have taken from my trip to the exhibition.