Thank God for yet another opportunity to study His Words. His Words are like a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Even though I came after work every Monday evening, I felt very blessed to study God's Word with like-minded brethren. It is like a foretaste of heaven and I would not miss this opportunity to receive God's blessing. Moreover in heaven, we will be praising and worshiping God all the time. Nothing is more blessed than learning more about God and storing up treasures in heaven!
The first lesson already captured my attention and heart. The motto of John Calvin was displayed in his logo in Latin “Prompte et sincere in opera Domin” which means “Promptly and sincerely in the work of the Lord”. His motto really challenge my heart to be on fire for the Lord. We are now in the end times, therefore we do not have much time to work. We should be actively serving the Lord in this apostate period. Near to the last few pages of the book “A Glimpse of the Life and Works of John Calvin” that I have read for the assignment, there is something interesting to be noted. It is written that Calvin's initial is J.C., which is the same as Jesus Christ.
He wrote the Institutes, firstly, is to present it to layman people in a simple and a clear manner so that the basics of Christian faith can be taught and reach out to the people. Secondly, he wrote it to defend the Christian faith. He nearly lost His life for it! Thank God that he wrote this Institute and that it is still applicable till today. Truly he was like Christ in the manner that his life and teaching still serve as an example and learning aid for us. He being dead yet speaketh; which is in a way similar to Christ. Certainly, we can learn a lot more from this person that had laboured fervently for the Lord.
Truly, the study of Theology is much more superior than any other form of worldly wisdom. The study of Philosophy is really “Foolosophy”; it is not able to change a dead man to be alive in Christ. The knowledge of God is born in us. Our mind is corrupted by sin so we cannot define and describe God. It is our sinful nature that blind us, therefore we can only see God if He himself open our spiritual eyes. Thank God that God has opened my spiritual eyes and I pray that I can submit more to His Will rather than my own will. The love for God also ought to make me share more of my faith to other people.
One practical lesson that I learn about sharing the Gospel is that I ought to redirect the questions post from the opposite party back to the acknowledgement of sin. Once they received Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, all their questions will be answered!
If there is a choice for Man to choose between God and the devil, Man will choose devil. Thank God that it is He who chose me before the foundation of the world and not I choose Him. The doctrine of election will lead me to immense gratefulness to the Lord and to have a more willing heart to obey the commandments. He could have not chosen me but He is so merciful and loving towards me. This magnitude of His eternal grace I cannot repay Him; the least that I can do is to serve Him faithfully all the days of my life.
The knowledge of providence of God in governing this world is a great comfort to me. He knows even the minuet details like how many strains of hair that I have! Without Him in control of everything, I may be injured or died in certain occasions. Sometimes when we are depressed, we may feel that if God is in control why are bad things happening to us. The understanding of this doctrine helps me to put more trust in Him when trouble comes. His special providence protects believers from harm and danger. Therefore, I ought to thank God for everything. In His general providence and common grace, God withhold evil to prevail. If He will not withhold evil in this world, I may not be able to live in this sin cursed world. The doctrine of providence also teaches, firstly, gratitude in prosperity. Secondly, reminded us to have the patience in adversity and finally the hope of wonderful security with respect to the future.
Some people like to correct the scriptures using textual criticism. However, it is the bible who approve us and not we approve the Bible. Certain people do not believe or understand the bible. I thank God that I can believe and understand the bible as the very Word of God. Certain people feel that the King James Version Bible is very difficult to understand. I can testify that it is not so because my English is very poor. When I was a new Christian, I may have found that the Bible is difficult to understand. That is because at that time, God have not given me the wisdom and the spiritual eyes to understand difficult truth. However as I grow in the faith, God gives me the godly wisdom to understand spiritual meat. Thank God for this grace that I am able to know Him better and in that it increases my faith. True faith is an enduring, overcoming, persevering and genuine faith. I pray that I will end the Christian race well. I am able to understand the bible and the messages that was constantly preached to me is sorely by God's given grace. I pray that I will love God's Word more and more and to live out His Words. Now I can truly echo “Psa 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
The bible is written down as public records and preserve for us through the ages, so that we can enjoy the true light of religion. The fulfilment of prophecies in the bible also serve as a warning and light to us so that we can take heed and to be more assured of our faith. Thank God that the bible and the church is indestructible so that believers will never be lost. True doctrine and truth will unites the church and love will divides us from unbelievers. Thank God that the bible is now completed and both Old Testament and New Testament points to Christ. We have a fuller picture now compared to the Old Testament saints. Thank God that because of the new covenant, we do not need the animal bloody sacrifice all the time. We can pray to God directly for the forgiveness of sins through Christ. There is less ritual to perform and that we only kept the Sabbath day. One new Theological truth that I have learnt is that God magnify His Words more than His name. In some countries, the bible is very rare and precious. Therefore, I ought to love and treasure the bible more.
The understanding of soul, spirit and body helps me to understand what is the difference between animal and Man. The soul and spirit is used synonymously. Human soul is a spiritual soul, we are able to worship God, reason and invent things. However, animal soul has no immortality; it will destroy once it dies.
God's action in the judicial hardening of the heart also serves as a warning to me. Those people who constantly reject or even make fun of God will face this terrible judgement from God. The frightening thing about this judgement is that there is no way of turning back to God. In a way, I feel quite scary as I pondered on this doctrine. May God keep me in the faith and that I will not come into this situation.
Human reasoning, will or sense is corrupted by sin. I learnt that we are not able to reason with God regarding sin. We are sinful, wretched people. It is only when we acknowledge our sins, acknowledging that we are nothing but dust before Him, then only can we obtain Godly wisdom and true light. The Lord show mercy to us, therefore our response is to live for Him. If God convicts us of our sins, I ought not to find excuses to ignore His Words else He will chastened me to bring me back to Him.
Thank God that we cannot fall out of God's salvation. Once God save us, He will save us to the uttermost. No one is able to pluck us out of God's almighty hand. Therefore, we can be assured of our salvation if we believe in Him. The fact that we are able to do good is because of God's grace. He gives us the ability to do good. All merits that we did belong to Him alone. If our salvation garment requires us to put one stitch of merits or works in order to complete it, our faith is gone. We are all man most miserable. Thank God that He had fulfilled all righteousness by dying on the cross of calvary to be the propitiation of our sins. He appeased God's wrath. When He says it is finished, that settles it. Do not try to add anything to our salvation to bring down God's glory.
Thank God that He has preserved the law of Moses for us. Firstly, the Moral Law function as a sword to slay me of my sin and condemns me of my guilt. Secondly, it functions as a rod to lead and guide me to the path of righteousness. And lastly, it functions as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. My love for God should make me obey his commandments rather than fearing Him. Now I understand why human still have the conscience in our heart when we did something wrong. The reason is that the law is written in our hearts. Only the divine law can convicts and converts our heart because it shows God's holiness. The divine law is also more superior than the human laws because God deals with the heart condition. All sins start from the mind and heart, our heart is desperately wicked to sin. Man's response towards the law should be faith, love and obedience towards God. Human law only make good citizens but the divine law make good people.
Finally, Christ as my Prophet, Priest and King, the end of all prophecies, had fulfilled the task of purging away my sins and sit down at the right hand throne of God interceding for me. His love for me is depicted in one of my favourite hymns “The Love of God”. Truly, God's magnitude of love can also be seen in how He forgives my sin:
“Psa 103:12-13 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
All glory be unto Him. I am looking forward for the next semester of studying God's Word again if God willing!
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