holding the keys of the kingdom

"what He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open"
(Revelation 3:7)

i have to respectively differ from mr. stott's understanding of this passage, in which he sees the open door as the door of opportunity for missions. i took it to mean the door to eternal life.

Jesus describes Himself as the One "who is holy and true, who holds the key of David". what is that key? i wonder if it meant the key to the kingdom of david, namely, God's kingdom, namely, eternal salvation.

"what He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open" (verse 7).

right now, Jesus says to the church in philadelphia, "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut". Jesus alone has the power and the authority to open the door to salvation. it is an open invitation to the philadelphian church to enter into eternal life, to persevere in the work of God, "to endure patiently" (verse 10).

the door will not be open forever. no one else can shut it but Jesus, but once He shuts it, no one else will ever be able to open it.

i understood this passage as both an encouragement and a warning. the time to enter eternal life is now while the door is open. there will be a time, however, when the door will be decisively shut and no amount of pleading, weeping and gnashing of teeth will induce Him to open it.

The Letter to Pergamum - Truth

The church of Pergamum stood strong amidst the paganism, satanic influences and false teachings surrounding them. Today's reflection is a good reminder on how as a church we need to stand strong for truth even amidst everything that is going on in the world around us --especially today where truth is so 'relative' in today's society. The congratulations that they received from Jesus is something we should stive for too. That one day we can also receive congratulations that we 'fought the good fight!' together. :)

Faith and works

There is always the danger of emphasizing one truth over another, to be imbalance in our spiritual life. And this is the case with regards to the issue of the relationship between faith and works. Some will rest content with the fact that they believe in Jesus and that is just about all they think they need to do. While others will rest on their works, whether that work is done at church or some social or missional organization. But what God desires from us is that our relationship to Him be characterized by both faith and works. Both are needed but for different reasons. The way I like to look at the relationship between faith and works is like that between belief and evidence. If we truly believe in Christ, the evidence for this is that our faith will produce works of love. Let us all ask ourselves this question with regard to our relationship to Jesus Christ: Are there evidences in my life, works that I do for Christ, which shows that my faith and love for him is genuine and true?

Resisting the Pressures of the World

Evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned.

2 Timothy 3:13~14

In today's scripture reading (2 Timothy 3:1~17), Paul urges Timothy to continue in the same path as he learned and knows to be "profitable" because there will be terrible times in the last days.

All the things mentioned in the first part of the reading are happening all around the world, even within ourselves as we speak. I know I'm guilty of most of them if not all. More and more I realize that I'm being sucked into the pressures of the world, I feel the need to meditate on God's word because I remember in my short walk of faith that I had less fluctuation when I read the bible regularly. I slowly drifted away from that habit and I find it extremely difficult to get back into it.

My walk of faith has had a lot of ups and downs so although I know it is about time for me to stay consistent and I feel that I'm almost taking advantage of the fact that God's grace is free, but I also know that God will never stop intervening and never completely neglect his own. Now you may argue that this is doesn't justify anything and yes, I agree, but that's who He is and all I'm saying is that I refuse to make the mistake of convincing myself and think that I drifted too far and there is no way that God will forgive me AGAIN.

Although I won't bet on the fact that God will take me back because that's entirely upto Him, but I will desperately continue to hold onto the truth and acknowledge the undeniable fact that He is my Lord, my Savior and my Father.

RE: Christianity is Christ

Stott's comments on Philippians 1:21 is a much needed reminder to us all in that what's needed in the Christian life is for us to know the "surpassing value" of Jesus Christ. The key that unlocks the door to all that God has for us, is to keep growing in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The profit-loss example helps us to see what's really at stake. The comparision is Jesus Christ vs everything. And for Paul, it was Jesus Christ hands down! In fact he goes on to say that compared to Jesus Christ, "everything" is dung! And I believe, he wasn't exaggerating either.

In fact Paul entire life after his conversion was wholly devoted to proclaiming Christ. As I've said in my message on Sunday, it all comes down to whether the gospel is precious, a gospel that is everything about Jesus Christ -- his birth, his life, his ministry, his suffering, his example, his teachings, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, his glory, his promises, etc. Let us join with Paul in praying, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."

Posted by Pastor James

Spiritual Gifts

I've read this passage many times before and always read it as spiritual gifts to an individual rather than the church as a whole. For some reason, when I read Stott's entry and 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 today, I read it differently as the body encompassing all of the churches in the world.

There are so many different denominations and types of churches today. Some are mega churches, some are small churches, there is traditional and now contemporary forms of worship, there is baptist, methodist, presbyterian, non-denominational the list goes on and on and on...kind of like the factions of the Corinthian church.

This always seems to be a divisive issue for man but perhaps God is saying here that all of these very different churches exist for the 'common good' and according to his purpose. These were my thoughts as I read this passage today.

1 Corinthians 12: 7-11 reads:

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Church A, they may be a very charismatic church and gifted with speaking in different tongues or perhaps the gift of healing.

Church B may not be at all like this and have been given the message of knowledge or wisdom.

Church A might think Church B is all wrong and vice versa...

Both churches are very different but bound by the same spirit and they are both vital to the body of Christ. The differences shouldn't divide... they should make the body stronger, no? Thoughts?

God's plan for Jews and Gentiles

OK.... this is second time around I have to write a blog about Jews and Gentiles. Last one was how certain group of Christian Jews insisted on Gentiles being circumcised in order to be complete their salvation. We read that the conflict between Christian Jews and Gentiles were on going and significant enough for Paul to step out and address the issue. Stott mentioned that there are two reasons why Jews as a whole rejected Jesus as the Messiah. One is that God hardened hearts of people so that the elect can receive God's mercy. Another reason is result in Israel's own disobedience and unbelief. Stoot points out that these two reasons, one is "divine election and human rebellion" contradict from humanly perspective. However he urges us to accept both truths even if we may not fully comprehend. Stott goes on to say that God's mercy has granted to both Jews and Gentiles. Illustration of chapter 11 also gives warnings to both Jews and Gentiles. At last the doxology that ends this chapter is the heart-felt outpouring of Paul's praise to God, whose wisdom and knowledge bought forth His great plan of the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles.