using your desires constructively

Where do our desires come from? We all have similar desires. We ¹all desire love, happiness, tranquility, meaning, purpose, pleasure and so on. What do we do with these desires? Are they imaginary? Are they legitimate? Do we ignore them and pretend they don't exist? 

Having desire also raises a different question. If we are simply the result of time plus chance, with no source of origin, why do we desire these things to begin with? To desire meaning suggest we exist for a purpose, not merely by chance. 

In reality every desire is ultimately a desire for God. They are there because He is the source of love, joy, peace, happiness, delight, beauty and infinite worth - i.e. all the things we desire - and because we were created for Him - i.e. designed to find satisfaction of all of these things ²in Him. 

We have, however, sought to have these desires satisfied elsewhere instead, where they can never be truly and fully. If we try to meet them in and through others or things other than God, we will never find ³lasting satisfaction. The finite (created things) can never satisfy a void meant to be filled by the infinite God.

Whenever we experience a desire for something other than God we should let it remind us that ultimately our desires can only be satisfied in and through him. Instead of avoiding or suppressing our desires or acting on them by seeking some short-term satisfaction, we should let them drive us into a stronger pursuit of God where our desires were intended to be met i.e. We should enter into those desires as fully as possible -- not numb them with some temporary pleasure of creation. We should let them stir our hearts to press harder into God for satisfaction. It is only in him they were designed to be fulfilled and can be satisfied. 

For a further discussion on whether desires are good or bad click here 

For a further discussion on where desires come from click here 

For a further discussion on why God is desirable click here 

__________________________________________________________________________

¹since these qualities are common to us all, this says something very significant about humanity and how we relate to each other. This also says something significant about the common origin and purpose for our existence. We are all created equally in our desire to find meaning and significance because we are all created to know God, who is the ultimate source of all things.

²Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

 Psalm 63 

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
    my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
    beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
    in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help, 
    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

³And the joy we find in Him now is only a taste of what is to come.  Overflowing, uninterrupted fullness does not occur until we see Him face to face. And once we do we will be like him.

All you can do is all you should do

New believers often wonder, "what is God's will for my life." In asking they are usually thinking of what career path or job they should take, where they should live, whether they should or shouldn't marry, and if so, who, and so on. However, though certainly important, these aren't the most important questions. Knowing God's will is more simple and basic than this. 

Stated simply, God's will for us is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. 

The question then becomes how do we individually best live out this most basic, foundational commandment, i.e. what does this look like for us practically? This depends on the unique way God has gifted us. Stated simply, we love others and honor God best through diligent use of our unique gifts, abilities, resources, and life experiences. 

What we are all called to do is love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (our greatest effort)... This is the same for all of us, but will look different for each of us depending on our circumstances, experiences, abilities, gifts, and tasks before us. 

Once we know ¹our gifts, we are to use them for the tasks at hand. Knowing and exercising our gifts for His honor is our most important focus. God's will for us is no more than this, but certainly not less. 

For example, though the world needs saving, if God hasn't given us the ability and/or resources to save the world then we should not try to save it. It's not our responsibility nor should it be ²our burden. But if he's given us the ability to teach or serve or encourage etc, we are to do so by His Spirit and with all the energy/power He works in us -- i.e. moved by his love for us and ours for Him in all that we do. It is God who works in us to will and do of His good pleasure. Philippians 21:3

If you are a musician, play music well; if an artist, create art well; if a teacher, teach well; if a parent, parent well; if a business owner, run your business as a business well; if an employee, serve your boss and customers well; if a helper, serve well; if a writer, write well, etc. We should constantly be honing in, using, developing -- fanning into flame -- our gifts, no matter how simple or elaborate they are, or how widely they are or are not applied or acknowledged, to the greatest possible extent, for the glory of God. 

While at the same time not overly concerning ourselves with those things we are not gifted at. For example, we are all commanded to make disciples but that looks different for each of us. Those who have the gift of evangelism will have a unique ability to share the gospel with clarity, effectiveness, and energy/passion that we won't. However, we all can live out the gospel not only with our words but our actions through the gifts we have, resulting in others coming to faith. 

Whatever our gifts are, they should be used diligently, with all our might i.e. with excellence, for the glory of God. 

For a further discussion on excellence click here. 

For a further discussion on knowing God's will click here 

_____________________________________________________________

*What are your gifts? Two things that will help you find out. Ask yourself what you are good at. That's a good start. Then ask others, who know you best, what you are good at. When you have the answer, you have a very good idea of where to focus your energy and efforts. 

**God, however, may lay on someone's heart such a burden/passion for a particular challenge that a person will seek God for the needed resources to take on a task and not stop praying and pursuing it until God provides what is needed. A great example of this would be the George Mueller story. He built several orphanages and ran his entire operation solely by faith in God and dependence on Him for donations. He never asked anyone directly for funds, only God.

The only begotten Son

Have you ever wondered about the curious description of Christ as the "only begotten Son?" For years thus puzzled me. As a result I just brushed over this, not truly considering or understanding its significance. I vaguely assumed this only meant Christ was born as a man and nothing more. Maybe you felt the same way. 

Is there more? What does the Bible mean when it says Christ is begotten? 

Begotten

Normally in the Bible, begotten means "to bear young or bring forth by birth..." In light of this, it would appear at first the use of begetting for Christ is a mistake. He is the eternal Son of God after all with no beginning or end. But in a very specific and narrow sense, he too issues forth from his Father. He is even called "the firstborn of all creation..." suggesting he may be a part of ¹creation vs eternal.

Only Begotten

However, we are told that Christ is not just begotten but is the only begotten Son. What is the significance of "only?" In the ultimate sense everyone is begotten (brought forth) by God so "only" in this instance can't mean he's the only one that ever came forth. 

It means Christ not only issues forth from the Father; but is the same substance as the Father, and the ²exact likeness  (image) of the Father and therefore equal to him (John 1:1 "...the Word was God..."), while distinct at the same time (John 1:1 "...the Word was with God...").

Eternally Begotten

However, unlike us who also bear God's image - and are called sons and daughters of God if we are in Christ - Christ has always issued forth from the Father. He is the only begotten Son not merely another son. There has never been a point in time he did not issue forth. This is true only of Christ. The Son has always been -- i.e. He is eternally begotten, not merely begotten at birth. He was begotten from eternity past and will always be the only begotten of the Father i.e. the Son is God and the only begotten being who is, making him unique to all other beings or things that come from -- are begotten of -- the Father. This is such a unique concept the NASB calls him the only begotten God.

Since this is an eternal begetting, the Son has always been and is equal to the Father, not equal to created beings, but distinct from them.

Not created yet begotten

Though Christ is not created... He is begotten - i.e. as the creation issues forth from God, Christ also issues forth - but without a beginning. The creation issues forth from the Father at a point in time and also issues forth only through the Son. Christ has always issued forth from the Father from all eternity past. There has never been a time he did not.

Paul brings out this subtle yet distinct difference in the following passage.

"...yet for us there is 

one God, 

the Father, 

from whom are all things and 

for whom we exist, and 

one Lord, 

Jesus Christ, 

through whom are all things and through whom we exist. - 1 Cor 8:6 

Note Paul is suggesting both are equally deity - God the Father and Jesus the Lord - yet have distinct roles in creation. All things are from God and through Christ. 

Christ is not only begotten but is the Creator and Sustainer of everything.

What significance does all this have for you and me?

As Christ is a Son, we too are sons and daughters of God but unlike Christ - who is the image of God unlike us who are in His image - we have a beginning but no end. Christ has no beginning or end. 

He is the "I AM" (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58). He is co-eternal -- he has always been -- and is co-equal with God the Father, we are not. Christ is the perfect image of Father and we are in His image.  

Nevertheless since we both bear the Father's image, he understands and can relate to us in a unique and personal way. His stepping into and taking part in this broken world as a man makes this even more so.

Both begotten and eternal -- the God/man

Christ is begotten and eternal at the same time. This is significant since begetting implies a beginning. There is no beginning with Christ as God -- however there is as a man. He has always been. 

This is why he is the only begotten Son. He is one of a kind. He is the God/man and the connection between God and man. God and man unite in Him, by Him, and through Him. For these reasons -- and others -- the Father delights in His Son.

From all these unique aspects of Christ, we can see why it took almost 300 years after Christ's resurrection before the church hammered out a formal statement of who Christ is known as the Nicene Creed. 

The following is a summary of who Christ is, made at the first formal council of the church held in Nicaea. Note how they carefully acknowledge both the Deity and humanity of Christ. 

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the

Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under

 Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge

the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the

 Lord, the giver of Life,

who proceeds from the Father and

the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is

worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

How is "only begotten" handled by different translations? 

You can also see this concept of "only begotten" is so unique the various translations below convey it somewhat differently. It apparently was difficult for translators to capture the full meaning in a single phrase. 

Begotten:

John 1:18 

(NASB)  No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has explained him.

(KJV)  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

(CEV)  No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.

(ERV)  No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father.

(ESV)  No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Passages adressing Christ's likeness/image:

²Col 1:15  [Now] He (Christ) is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.

Col 1:16  For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.

Col 1:17  And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together). (AMP) [see also Pro 8:22-31]. 

Hebrews 1:3

(CEV)  God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together. After the Son had washed away our sins, he sat down at the right side of the glorious God in heaven.

(ERV)  The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God's nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.

(ESV)  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

(MSG)  This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God,

(NASB+)  And He is the radiance ^G541 of His glory ^G1391 and the exact ^G5481 representation ^G5481 of His nature, ^G5287 and upholds ^G5342 all ^G3956 things ^G3956 by the word ^G4487 of His power. ^G1411 When He had made ^G4160 purification ^G2512 of sins, ^G266 He sat ^G2523 down ^G2523 at the right ^G1188 hand ^G1188 of the Majesty ^G3172 on high, ^G5308

(KJV)  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high...

For a further discussion on why the Father and Son love each other click here. 

For a further discussion on how we are like God click here. 
__________________________________

¹And he is part of creation in the sense that he was fully man; but unlike other creatures, he existed prior to becoming a man. Not only so, he is the Creator through which all things were created.

two problems two solutions

We have two sin problems: 

·        Legal

·        Practical

Christ fully addressed our legal sin problem i.e. taking on and fully satisfying the rightful condemnation and wrath of God due to our rebellious distrust of Him.

The Spirit sent by Christ and his Father addresses our practical (ongoing) sin problem i.e. our ongoing tendency to still distrust God and continue in unfaithfulness to him even after coming to Christ. 

This distrust is an expression of alienation and opposition to God. It is based in a deep seated conviction (belief) that we can make life work without God and is nothing less than an attempt to be our own god. It is saying we know better than God what is best for us; that we can be and are our own god, he is not. It is declaring our opposition to him as our rightful King and the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things. In so doing, we declare ourselves an enemy of God. 

The problem of our opposition to Christ was settled by a past act that addressed our legal standing/status with God. This is done, complete, finished! There is nothing more for him to do or us to do. We can not add to this or take away from it. Our sins are gone i.e. the legal consequences for them -- our condemnation and God's rejection -- are removed as soon as we accept His free offer of forgiveness.

The problem the Spirit addresses is an ongoing solution. This is necessary due to our ongoing and deeply buried distrust of God -- even for us who are his redeemed and reconciled children. The Spirit continually helps us to see and experience the immense love of God demonstrated by Christ's rescuing us and resolving our legal sin problem. He did this in order to not only make us righteous before God, our Divine Judge, but to reveal to us God's infinite love. 

Once we accept God's offer of perfect righteousness (legally) through Christ's work for us, the Spirit increasingly reveals the full extent of that work and the love demonstrated in it, stirring in us an increasing love and trust for God. This moves us to follow his loving directions given through his commands and corrections. The more we see that love the more we are moved to trust and follow Him.

The ongoing solution grounded in the legal solution

The ongoing solution of the Spirit revealing God's ongoing love and obedience — and our ongoing need for that love — would not be possible if Christ had not addressed our legal problem of being under the wrath of God's wrath for our rebellious distrust i.e. if Christ hadn't done what he did, the Spirit could and would not have been sent to do what he does.

Joh_16:17  Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.

Joh_14:17  even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Joh_14:26  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Joh_15:26  "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 

Joh_16:13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

______________________________________________________________________

For a further discussion of our legal standing and the practical outcome click here. 

For a further discussion on operating in the Spirit click here. 

Never repeated (poem)

Never repeated

by Jim Deal

Right standing settled by God.

Faith answered by us.

Unrighteousness fixed by Christ's work broad.

In this work, we must trust.

His love anchored in history past,

Our union experience ongoing

God as our righteous judge cast.

In Christ, love is effusively flowing.

Law by God as judge,

Love is God as Father caring.

From His wrath, He could not budge.

In Christ, love now freely sharing.

Righteousness 

fulfilled, finished 

assigned, completed

Never by us repeated.

____________________________________________________

For a fuller discussion of the truths expressed in this post click here.

#poems