Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards: #21

21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

Two thoughts spring from this.
1) Watch yourself, and do not be a hypocrite. And when I say, "don't be a hypocrite", I don't just mean that we all should stop judging each other, lest we found guilty of the same sin. But rather, as Jonathan Edwards says here, as soon as I realise that I am guilty of any sin, misbehaviour, wrong, I will strive my utmost to get rid of it.
2) As much as it depends on me, I shall not give any stumbling block for others, giving an opportunity for them to pass judgement. Rather, I will live up to the highest standard I can think of.

(Source: A Puritan Mind)

What it means to say that God is sovereign.

I think there are three aspects to it.

1) God has every right to rule the world according to His free will.
There is no higher authority God has to report to about how He rules the world. God is not wrong in ruling the world as He pleases, in fact, it is right for Him to rule it according to His will, for God is the Creator, the Owner, and the King over the creation.

2) God has enough power to rule the world according to His free will.
He is not lacking power in anyway to rule the world as He pleases. He is powerful enough to create, hold, and move every particle and every galaxy in the universe. He is wise enough to rule every moving creature including human beings according to His pleasure.

3) The creation is in fact ruled by God according to His free will in every way.
God, not only has the right and power to rule, but in fact rule the creation as He pleases and wills. He doesn't simply have a potential to rule over the world, He actually does rule the world exactly the way He wants. If the world is not run the way He wants, then God is still not sovereign, but only has potential to run it sovereignly.

Some may disagree with me here with my take on God's sovereignty, but I tried to keep this short and to the point. Any thoughts?

Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards: #20

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

This may sound too restrictive to a modern (or a post-modern) mind, but I think it is a good displine to watch how much I eat. I should and want to be more displined in this way, not to become simply a thinner and healthier person, but to be more self-controlled, and sober-minded.

(Source: A Puritan Mind)

Why are you a Christian? (or not?)

I am a Christian. And I wish, no one will ever think that I am a Christian because I am a good person. If you thought we, Christians were Christians because we were good, put this in the record, we are never Christians because we are good people.
No, we are not good, in fact, many of us would be seen as worse than non-Christians if you have to rate us. But we recognised that we need Jesus precisely because we are bad people.
So, let me reiterate.
I am not a Christian because I am good, I am a Christian because I need Jesus.
How about you?

It's Easter Sunday! Resurrection!

Resurrection!

In Jesus, God was satisfied. So Jesus lives again!
Because of Jesus's perfect obedience and sacrifice, God is no longer angry with His people.
God is no longer angry with me, no more angry at me. Jesus completed my salvation. When God looks at me, there is only the everlasting love and good will towards me.
How can this be?
The perfect King died the death of the worst rebel.
The holy Son of God was counted as the filthiest and the ugliest sinner.
And God's righteousness was upheld and vindicated.
God's justice and mercy weaved such a mystery.
Oh, how rich is His mercy? How great is His grace?

So come, repent and believe in Him.
Trust in Jesus Christ, the triumphant King over all.
He will return and receive all who loves Him.

Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards: #17, #18, #19

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

Life without regrets.

(Source: A Puritan Mind)

Jesus for sinners

I'm feeling somewhat emotional and sad today. It's not like I'm feeling sad for Jesus who died. I think God has impressed upon my heart to realise that there are so many people who do not know the wonder, beauty, grace and mercy in Jesus who died in our place. This Easter, what kind of message will the world, our neighbour, our friends and family hear from us?

Easter weekend ahead. Do you love Jesus?

Easter.

It's not about chocolates.
It's not about Easter bunnys or the chocolate eggs.
It's not about having great meals together with family and friends.
It's not about you tyring to help other people on this occasion.
It's not even about feeling sorry for the guy called Jesus who died.

It's about God keeping His promise.
It's about God triumphing over sin and rebellion of people.
It's about God showing to the world His righteousness.
It's about God having immeasureable mercy.
It's about God being glorified and making His great name known to the whole universe.

Of course the world will tell you otherwise and make this day as trivial as eating sweets and making ourselves feel better.
No, it's much more than that.
It's about God and you must deal with Him.
Don't just tell me you believe in God.
Don't just tell me you believe in Jesus who saves.
Don't just tell me you believe in death and the ressurection of Jesus.
Sure you need to believe all that above, but in the end, believing about facts aren't enough. The real question is, "Do you love Jesus?"

A sermon series on repentance

I heard a sermon series on the topic of Repentance. It's by Matt Chandler.
Very good.
The best sermon series on repentance I ever heard so far. I highly recommend you to go over there, download them, and listen to them.

Blogging

This has happened too many times too often, but I'm sorry about inconsistent blogposting. Readjusting to a fulltime work lifestyle with a new job, and my internet connection being capped to the slow 56Kbps prevented me from posting up some new blogposts. My internet connection seems to be still slow, so I don't think I can post up my usual Jonathan Edwards Resolutions Friday posts this week (again!).

I will be back soon though!