Forgiveness - an unnatural act

Philip Yancey says that like Helmut Thielickle, all too often he drifts back into a tit-for-tat struggle that slams the door on forgiveness. Why should I make the first move? I was the one wronged. So I make no move and cracks in the relationship appear, then widen. In time a charm yawns open that seems impossible to cross. I feel sad, but seldom do I accept the blame. Instead, I justify myself and point out the gestures I made toward reconciliation. I keep a mental accounting of those attempts so as to defend myself if I am ever blamed for the rift. I flee from the risk of grace to the security of Ungrace.
Philip Yancey - Whats So Amazing About Grace ?

Cracks Of Ungrace

Ungrace causes cracks to fissure open between mother and daughter, father and son, brother and sister, between scientists, and prisoners, tribes, and races. Left alone, cracks widen, and for the resulting charms of Ungrace there is only one remedy: the frail rope-bridge of forgiveness.-Philip Yancey

A Bridge to pass

He who cannot forgive another breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself. - George Herbert

Defination Of Grace

Philip Yancey says the following about grace in his chapter on The New Math of Grace:

Grace makes its appearance in so many forms that I have trouble defining it.  I am ready, though, to attempt something like a definition of grace in relation to God. Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more - no amount of spirituality, calisthenics and renunciations, no amount of knowledge gained from seminaries and divinity schools, no amount of crusading on behalf of righteous causes.  And grace means that there is nothing we can do to make God love us less.  God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love.

Pst Onesmus Kibera

Mt. Kenya Baptist Church, Kenyatta Drive

PO Box 483, Nanyuki 10400

Tel. 254733600213, 0724626720

OKibera@gmail.com

God Has Forgiven You!

Matthew 18:21-27  

21* Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

 24* And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

 26* The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

This parable above all should determine our attitude toward others: a humble awareness that God has already forgiven us a debt so mountainous that besides it any person's wrongs against us shrink to the size of anthills.  How we cannot forgive each other in light of all God has forgiven us? - Philip Yancey

Pastor Onesmus Kibera

Mt. Kenya Baptist Church,

Kenyatta Drive

PO Box 483, Nanyuki 10400

020 3580010, 0733 600213

Pastor@mountkenyabaptist.org

What About Prayer

James 4:2 ....ye have not, because ye ask not.

In my last post we shared that the origin of fights is our own desires. Sometimes we even claim necessity, " I had to do that, or else... would have happened!"

What about Prayer?

1. You do not have because you do not ask.  Prayer reveals our consistent reliance on God.  It shows we yearn for God's grace in our lives. v 2
2. You should not expect God's answer to prayer when your motives are evil. v 3  We are warned against asking wrongly or wickedly with wrong motives.  In other words asking to spend on our pleasure THAN for God's will.

Conclusion
Our fights reveal that we have a wrong relationship with God which is manifest in our prayer lives.  Either we do not pray because we do not trust in God's grace or we pray with the wrong motives.

Avoid Self-justification

James 4:1 ¶ From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Tear yourself away from self-justification.  Fights are bottomline personal desires
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

We get into fights because we have pleasures we desire for ourselves.  An important question we should ask in conflict is: "What personal desire am I trying to gain or protect?"

It could refer to: conflict in group relationships, inflexibility about issues (from a desire to have one's way), manipulative maneuvers for position of authority/position, criticizing others (to look good).
In marital conflicts it could refer to: use of hurtful words (to get even), infidelity for selfish pleasure.

These desires battle within you - it is a continuing problem.  Listen to Peters admonition in 1 Peter 2:11. This battle wages a war against the Christian's own soul.  Those who wage such wars do so at their own peril - their own self-destruction.

So what is going wrong?  Let us see this in the next post.

False Wisdom - Shun It

False wisdom comes that comes from envy and selfish ambition produces disorder - James 3:16

Bluntly put it leads to fighting.  What causes fighting? This depicts armed conflict as in Hebrews 11:34. This verse in James 3:16 is carrying the image of violence. What causes quarrels? This is referring to angry disputes.  James uses both words in this question to make it inclusive and pointed.

Fighting among Christians is an outrageous evil! We should not accept conflict among brethren complacently.  It is a tragedy that cripples the church's internal ministries and the external testimony and witness of a ministry before measurable healing and purification is evident. Why not avoid conflicts while you have opportunity! NOW!

James is not talking about disagreements and differences of opinion or healthy conflicts that should be expected in a church whose ministries are expanding.  He is talking of fighting that is earthly, unscriptural and of the devil in origin - James 3:15. He calls the perpetrators adulterous people!

Such a serious crime calls for a serious response.  When a Christian finds themselves embroiled in fights with each other, they (we) should examine what we are doing in the light of James 4:1. We will look at what we should do in the next post.

Wisdom From Above - Lovely Picture

WISDOM FROM ABOVE - EMBRACE IT
James 3:17,18 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

True Wisdom is God's gift, not gained by conversing with men, not a College certificate or an University degree BUT it comes from above.

1. It's Pure - without impurities of sin.
2. It is Peaceable - Peace follows purity and depends on it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to PRESERVE peace - that it may not be broken.  Peace in the country, the church, in our homes in society at large.  HEAVENLY WISDOM MAKES MEN PEACEABLE!
3. It is Gentle - Do not stand upon extreme positions! Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Easy to be Entreated to what is good! In Swahili it translates ready to listen to peoples concerns! Sometimes we are so preoccupied in our own agenda and overlook the entreaties of our brethren around us!
5. Full Of Mercy and good fruit - Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship created for goodworks! Titus 3:8b that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Remember that you and I have received God's mercy freely we are to be merciful to others as well! Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Without Partiality
7. Without Hypocrisy - Romans 12:9,10

True Versus Earthly Wisdom - James 3:13-4:6

TRUE WISDOM - 3 DISTINGUISHING MARKS

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

God is asking who is wise and understanding among the brethren - among us who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is looking for men, women, youth who will be able to show by good conduct that their good works are done in meekness of wisdom.

For you and I to gain wisdom we are to do as we are asked in James 1:5, realizing that the true essence of knowledge and wisdom is in the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 1:7; 9:10

A wise man is a knowing man who lays stock of knowledge and also applies it in his/her life.

First distinguishing mark of true wisdom is a good conduct or good conversation. A conduct characterised by words that inform, heal and do good, not roughness or vanity. Not a conversation that looks great adn do mischief and is an occassion of evil.

Secondly it is known by works - Ephesians 2:10 Believers are God's workmanship for good works which God foreordained that we should walk in them.

Thirdly, true wisdom is known by meekness of the spirit and temper. Wisdom produces meekness and meekness increases in wisdom.

EARTHLY WISDOM - SHUN IT!

James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

First, Envying and strife are opposed to the meekness of wisdom. The heart is the seat of both. Christians are admonished to ask for help. Jeremiah 17:9 Your heart and my heart are desperately wicked. God is willing to help you and heal your heart trouble.

Secondly an order is laid: Envying leads to strife, strife endeavors itself in vain glory and lying. THEN there will be confusion and every evil work. Those who live in malice, envy and contention live in confusion. They are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such disorders raise many temptations, strengthen temptations and involve men in a great deal of guilt.

One sin leads to another. "Sin will take you further than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay, and it will cost you more than you want to pay" is a famous quote.

Thirdly, such wisdom comes from beneath and NOT from God - James 3:15

Earthly wisdom springs from earthly principles, acts upon earthly motives and is intent on serving earthly purposes. It is sensual - of the flesh as Romans 8:6 warns us.

You and I are to make not provision to fulfill the lusts and desire of the flesh. It creates an uneasiness when James says that ones wisdom is demonic. To create uneasiness and to do hurt among brethren is inspired by devils whose condemnation is pride.

What Will Get Your Attention?

Numbers 22:28-30
²⁸And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
 ²⁹And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
 ³⁰And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. 

 For Balaam, even a speaking Donkey did not get his attention.  He was bent on proceeding with his plan.

Paul in his counsel tells us in 1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. For some motivation that was contrary to God's will Balaam proceeds to do as he pleased! God leaves him to do so HOWEVER - Balaam does not succeed in doing as instructed by God's enemy Balak! God triumphs for His people!

Are you bent on doing your own will? What will get you attention to listen and obey God's call! Behold to obey is better than sacrifice!

The words of this favorite hymn says this way:

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our path
Let us do His good will
He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Onto Your Marks Get Set...Go!

Thank you brethren for your steadfast prayers! We rejoice that finally this coming week we will measure out the site as per the Architectural Plans and thereafter break the ground!

As I echoed in a previous post I am not the first one.  Others have done splendid buildings they now call home.  So I am sure that soon we will look back and be thankful that Proverbs 24:3,4 will be sight!

Some exciting events took place during the construction of the site store/office.  On Thursday, 9 June 2011 the young man seen standing here was the helper of the carpenter building our storeroom.  This helper called me and told me that he was in need to know the Savior Jesus Christ.  I sent Pst Joseph Murage and Deacon Simon Kariuki during lunch time on that day! They shared the Gospel with him and he prayed and asked Jesus to save him!!  John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...."

 We now have completed the store which was constructed from locally available materials.  We converted our car park to provide the roofing.  Our old cow shed iron sheets provided the walling at the back.  Deacon Simon assisted in getting 10 iron sheets for the nice frontage seen on the photo.  Thanks be to God for a good friend!

The Store house is one of those extras we have realized as very important in a construction site - but not usually included in the building estimates.
The Hydraform machine will be on site in a fortnight hoping at that time we will have broken the ground, done the foundation and poured the concrete and the flooring!  Brother Noah will help with the trial blocks to test for shrinkage!

Brethren and friends we looking forward to some busy days, we pray will have have a good measurable work!

We welcome you to prayer and intercession for us!  Rejoice!


Onesmus & Millicent Kibera

Marks of a True Christian - By Kevin De Young

Marks of a True Christian: "
How can you tell the difference between a true Christian and a false professor or heretic?
Wilhelmus à Brakel in The Christian’s Reasonable Service (1700) lays down six propositions to get us started.

Proposition1: A Christian must have a great love for the truth; all splendid pretense void of love for the truth is deceit.
Proposition 2: A Christian must have great love and esteem for the church.
Proposition 3: The Holy Scriptures are the only rule for doctrine and life.
Proposition 4: Regeneration is the originating cause of spiritual life, and of all spiritual thoughts and deeds.
Proposition 5: A Christian avails himself of faith.
Proposition 6: All of man’s felicity, here and hereafter, consists in communion with and the beholding of God.

To be sure, the list could be longer, but à Brakel is trying to warn against “Quietists,” “fanatics,” and “Boehmists” in particular. In any case, propositions 1 and 2 seem particularly relevant for our day. And proposition 6 sounds like John Piper.
As you read blogs and follow folks on twitter and keep up with the latest video to go viral, be sure to save time for godly dead guys.

"

Men With God And Accountability

Read a good article from Dr David McGee which is helping to answer these questions:

Do we need accountability?

Do we need accountability in Men Of God?

I am convinced that we do

Find the answers here in this good read.

Not The First One

Proverbs 24:3,4 ¶ Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

I am not the first one, but it is our first one.  Millicent and I have been engaged in the elementary phases of the eventual construction of our family house on Plot 397, Kenyatta Drive. From the architectural drawings to the slow process of approval by our Municipal Council.  Getting the material piecemeal by piecemeal!

Saturday evening we visited with Deacon Charles Kahindo of Nanyuki Bible Baptist Church.  He has an experience of building.  He has gone through the challenges of building a house.  Detail after detail he poured in our ears until I started feeling overwhelmed.  He wants us to deal with Realities not Dreams!!! He wants us to have all the Bills Of Quantities and Materials down on paper.

Yesterday the workmen dismantled the car port for our ministry car and are moving it to the site where it will be converted into a Storeroom/Site office! Cheers! 

I thank all my friends and family that have already lent a helping hand in this project. 

Sure enough WISDOM IS NEEDED! Millicent and I need it - James 1:5 We need understanding to have it established and knowledge!

So you are all welcome to an earnest and vigilant invitation to prayer! Welcome!

Pst Onesmus Kibera

Mt. Kenya Baptist Church, Kenyatta Drive

PO Box 483, Nanyuki 10400

Tel. 254733600213, 0724626720

OKibera@gmail.com

Are You Approachable? by Michael Bleecker

Are You Approachable?: "


I’ve been thinking about how well I receive advice, ideas, and correction from others.

When approached by a member of our church or cornered by an enthusiastic musician who has an idea about how I can do things differently (“better” may be a more appropriate word here), or when I hear those horrifying words, “We need to talk,” from my wife, how do I receive such advice, ideas, and/or correction?

Pride or wisdom?

How do you receive advice, ideas or correction from others that may threaten your style of music, your specific way of doing something, or a decision you made that may have not been the best?

Do you thoughtlessly reject others or do you respond with humility?

Scripture gives us wisdom regarding this:

• “By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.” – Proverbs 13:10

• “A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.” – Proverbs 17:10

Andrew Murray writes:

All want of love, all indifference to the needs, the feelings, the weakness of others; all sharp and hasty judgments and utterances, so often excused under the plea of being outright and honest; all manifestations of temper and touchiness and irritation; all feelings of bitterness and estrangement, have their root in nothing but pride, that ever seeks itself.

Pride will bring destruction by isolating us from others who love us. We will become an island that can’t be challenged by others.

Approachability through Scripture

A good step toward approachability is to memorize the following Scripture passages and use them in times where pride creeps in:

• “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” – Proverbs 19:20

• “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3–4

• “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2

• “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” –1 Peter 5:5–6

If you believe any man is an island, you’re doomed to be stranded

Pride will bring destruction by isolating us from others who love us. We will become an island that can’t be challenged by others. We need to remember that we are not as smart, experienced, or humble as we think.

Be teachable. Be humble. Be approachable."

That’s My King!

That’s My King!: "

You’ve probably seen it already, but some sermons never get old. Goose bumps were made for this.

"

Emotional Effects in Music - Bob Kauflin

When talking about the emotional effect of music, we need to differentiate
between being emotionally moved and spiritually enlightened.
Music can move our emotions, but it can’t speak propositional truth. You might say that music has a voice, but we’re not always clear what that voice is saying. An instrumental piece can make us feel peaceful. But it can never tell us by itself that the Lord is our Shepherd or that Jesus endured God’s wrath in our place so that we might have eternal peace with God. Only words can do that.
 Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God

God's Passion For Singing

Bob Kauflin in a chapter in the book Power Of Words and Wonder Of God  explains God’s Passion for Singing.

God’s heart for setting words to melodies is evident from even a casual reading of the Psalms.
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. (Psalm. 96:1–2)

Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises! (Psalm. 47:6)

In just four verses we’re commanded to sing seven times.
All told, the Bible contains over four hundred references to singing
and fifty direct commands to sing. The longest book of the Bible, the Psalms, is a book of songs. And in the New Testament we’re commanded not once, but twice, to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another when we meet (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

Why does God so often tell us not simply to praise him but to sing his praises when we meet? Why not just pray and preach? Why sing? Why are God’s people throughout history always singing? Why words and music and not just words alone? Why does God want us to sing? One reason is that God himself sings. In Zephaniah 3:17 God exalts over his people “with loud singing.” On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus sang hymns with his disciples (e.g., Matt. 26:30). Hebrews 2:12 applies Psalm 22:22 to Jesus when it says, “In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And Ephesians 5 tells us that one effect of being “filled with the Spirit” is “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:18–19).

Son Of The Highest

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Genesis 5:3 says that Adam lived... and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image..."  The likeness and image of the first Adam in this case was that of a fallen sinner!  In Genesis 3 sin had entered the world and death had passed upon all men Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12.

From the fall of man in Genesis 3, God made His mission to redeem mankind from the bondage of sin! No one man born of the seed of the first Adam was sufficient to be Savior for man.   For all mankind has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! Romans 3:10, 23. 

Jesus Christ our Savior was no ordinary being! He is the Son of God! In our passage the special messenger from God delivered a very important message.  A virgin would deliver a Son by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He would be no ordinary man, He will be called the Son of the Highest. Luke 1:32. The angel Gabriel declared the means in which Jesus Christ would be brought forth in Luke 1:35, "the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the the Highest will overshadow you..." Jesus is the Son of God and by believing in Him mankind is saved from the penalty of sin which is eternal separation from God Romans 6:23.

Through the first Adam all die because he sinned - Romans 5:16.  In the Son of the Highest (Jesus) those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ - Romans 5:17.

Andrew Peterson - Dancing in the Minefields (Official Video)

Rewarding Dysfunction

On why leadership is so hard Leith Anderson says that,
Perhaps the most commonly rewarded dysfunction is the empowerment of the wrong people. Individuals who would be fired from their jobs or thrown in jail if they exhibited such behavior in the larger community are allowed to threaten, control, and manipulate in the church. Their tactics include claims that "I know a number of people in the church who feel exactly the way I do about this situation." Seldom are they willing to say who the other persons are. This is almost always a sign of lying or manipulation. Healthy people speak for themselves and don't need to enlist an invisible army to back them up. While some are outwardly aggressive and attacking, undermining the church and its leadership more by what they are against than by what they are for.

What Made David Great

What Made David Great: "
Everyone who knows the Bible knows that King David was a great man.
And yet everyone familiar with the Bible will also recognize that David did a lot of not-so-great things. Of course, there was the sin with Bathsheba, the murder of her husband Uriah, and the subsequent cover-up. That was not exactly delighting in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2). But there was also the ill-advised census motivated by David’s pride, not to mention a series of lessons in how not to manage your household well. For being a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), David managed to follow his own heart quite a bit.

So with all these flaws, what made David great? One could easily mention David’s courage, his loyalty, his faith, his success as a leader, musician, and warrior. But he was great in other lesser-known ways as well. In particular, David was a great man because he was willing to overlook others’ sin but unwilling to overlook his own.

David was a gracious man, bearing with the failings of others, eager to give his enemies a second chance. Twice, while his friends advised him to strike down their enemy, David spared Saul’s life, (1 Samuel 24; 26). Though Saul opposed him at every turn, David did not rejoice at his death, but wept for the king and his son Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17-27). David welcomed Abner when he defected from the phony king Ish-bosheth and mourned for him when distrusting Joab stuck him down (2 Sam. 3). David was unnecessarily kind to Mephiboseth (2 Sam. 9) and uncommonly patient with Shimei’s spiteful cursing. Later David would pardon those who rebelled against him during Absalom’s insurrection (2 Sam. 19:16-23). Time after time David showed himself to be unlike the sons of Zeruiah who lived to hold grudges and settle scores. David knew how to forgive. More than anyone prior to Jesus, David loved his enemies. Like no other Old Testament king, David was willing to welcome rebels back to the fold and overlook the sins of those who had opposed him.

But amazingly, David’s kind-hearted attitude toward his enemies did not translate into a soft attitude toward his own sins. Usually, people who are soft with others are soft with themselves, and those hardest on themselves are even harder on others. But David was different. He was gracious with others and honest with himself. I believe David’s greatness was simply this: for as much as he sinned he never failed to own up to his sin. I can’t find a single instance where David was rightly rebuked for his failings where he then failed to heed the rebuke. When Nathan confronts David for his adultery and murder, David, after he sees what Nathan is up to, quickly laments, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13). When Joab sends the woman of Tekoa to change David’s mind about Absalom, he listens. When Joab rebukes David for loving his treacherous son more than his loyal servants, David does what Joab tells him to do (2 Sam. 19:1-8). Joab was often wrong in his advice to David, but when he was right David saw it and changed course. Likewise, after his foolish census, David’s heart struck him and he confessed, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done” (2 Sam. 24:10).

David knew how to forgive, and he knew how to repent too. He never blamed others for his mistakes. He did not make excuses based on family history, peer pressure, or the demands of leadership. He did not use passive language, referring to his sin as a dysfunction or a growth edge. He did not lament over his sins simply because of the negative effects they could have over his kingdom and his relationships. He saw his transgressions primarily in their vertical dimension, as an offense against almighty God (Psalm 51:4). He never ran from the light when it exposed his darkness. Instead, he squinted hard, admitted his iniquity and worked to make things right. When we consider how rare it is in our day for athletes, movie stars, and politicians to candidly and clearly take responsibility for their public sins, we should be all the more amazed that the king of Israel, arguably the most famous man in the history of God’s old covenant people, was humble enough to listen to the chastisement of those who were beneath him and change accordingly.

David was a man after God’s own heart because he hated sin but loved to forgive it. What better example of God could there be? God doesn’t just welcome his enemies in, he dies in their stead (Rom. 5:6-11). He is always eager to show mercy, always willing to give traitors a second chance. And yet, God is not soft on sin. He exposes it and calls on us to exterminate it (John 16:8-11; Col. 3:5). But of course, God, unlike David, is never guilty of his own sin. God showed his condescension not by humbling himself before a needed rebuke, but by humbling himself to take on human flesh and take up a cross (Phil. 2:5-8). David was great, but not nearly as much as great David’s greater Son.

This article also appears in the January issue of Tabletalk.


"

Tongue Mastery - Sinclair Furgerson

The young Jonathan Edwards penned a number of his Resolutions around this theme. They are worth noting:

31. Resolved, Never to say anything at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against any one, to bring it to, and try it strictly by, the test of this Resolution.

34. Resolved, In narrations never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.

36. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call to it.

70. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.



How easily the failure to master the tongue can destroy the effect of every grace that had taken years to build into our lives! Introduce poison here and we endanger everything.

Monday Morning Humor

Monday Morning Humor Kevin De Young: "

Well, I said no Monday Morning Humor. But then I saw this clip on ESPN’s list for worst sports plays of the year. It’s too good not to share.

And here’s the same thing with a little mood music. Very funny.

"