Halfway thru the 2008; Halfway thru your Bible?

How often does it occur that you finish reading a 1,000plus-page book one day and begin reading it all over again the next?  I found this question to be rather stimulating as I finished my yearlong Bible reading plan  only to start all over again (it actually took me more than a year).  I’m amazed at God’s word, how it is continually fresh and challenging no matter the number of times read.  As I finished reading it through, I’m hungrier to read it through this next time than I was the previous time.

Consider some quotes from some saints who have gone before us: 

“In truth you cannot read too much in Scripture; and what you read you cannot read too carefully, and what you read carefully you cannot understand too well, and what you understand well you cannot teach too well, and what you teach well you cannot live too well. . . .”  This quote comes from Martin Luther, who, for a number of years, read through the Bible twice a year. 

“Now in brotherly love and affection I would give a few hints to my younger fellow-believers as to the way in which to keep up spiritual enjoyment. It is absolutely needful in order that happiness in the Lord may continue, that the Scriptures be regularly read. These are God's appointed means for the nourishment of the inner man. . . .Consider it, and ponder over it. . . . Especially we should read regularly through the Scriptures, consecutively, and not pick out here and there a chapter. If we do, we remain spiritual dwarfs. I tell you so affectionately. For the first four years after my conversion I made no progress, because I neglected the Bible. But when I regularly read on through the whole with reference to my own heart and soul, I directly made progress. Then my peace and joy continued more and more. Now I have been doing this for 47 years. I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again. Thus my peace and joy have increased more and more.”  George Muller 

We’re almost exactly halfway through 2008.  You, like me, may not be on your second read through the Bible this year, but if you’re struggling to make it through God’s word once this year, may this serve as some encouragement to that end.

Just are His Judgments

There is a truth to which my mind turns now and then to help me cherish the grace of God.  I was reminded of that truth today in Revelation 16:4-7.  During the Tribulation, when the third bowl of God’s wrath is poured out on the earth the result will be that the rivers and the springs of water will become blood.  In response to this demonstration of God’s wrath an angel says, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.  For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink.  It is what they deserve!”  John then writes, “And I heard the altar saying, ‘Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!’”

This text reminded me that if God did not save me, or anyone for that matter, He would still be praised for all of eternity by the angels in heaven for His perfect justice.  My absence from heaven would not result in absence of praise to God.  God is not compelled to save anyone on account of foreseeing something missing from heaven were He to not save them.  God is moved by His free and sovereign grace to redeem sinners, making them objects of His everlasting kindness instead of wrath, causing the angels to praise Him for His mercy toward them rather than judgment.  “Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all my sin.”

Describing a Saint

As I was reading through Revelation 14 this morning I came across a great little description of a saint (literally, a holy or consecrated one).  Verse 12 reads, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”  Notice how John describes the saints: “those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”  In the immediate context (i.e., the Tribulation) such a person is notable because faith in Jesus, which produces commandment-keeping is costly.  Revelation 12:17 says that Satan makes war on such people. 

I find this description of a saint interesting because it overlaps with some the themes we’re touching on in Student Ministry over the summer.  The characteristic activity of a saint is keeping the commandments of God.  This is also what characterizes a disciple.  In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus said that making disciples includes “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (v. 20).  Jesus also said that obedience is essential to expressing love for Him: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

No matter which title you prefer to identify yourself as a Christian (saint, disciple, lover of Christ) keeping the commandments of God by faith is critical.  How are you doing? Are you characterized as one who keeps the commandments of God and your faith in Jesus?