Scripture of the Month

January, 2004

Scripture of the Month

January, 2003

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” II Cor. 1:21-22

Though we don’t intend to read Scriptures of the Month during the time of worship, yet I will continue to write them so that we can learn a Scripture verse per month. This year, I plan to choose verses from II Corinthians. I hope this will allow us to learn this epistle with some kind of continuity.

The gospel message that Paul preached is free of ambiguity. Those who believed would experience the dynamic power of God’s affirmation through His stamp. The proper response to God’s gospel message is Amen, which literally means “let it be so.” Those who speak the “Amen” in response to the gospel message will experience firmness and security in Christ. God sees to it that all of us will stand firm in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In these couple of verses, Paul showed us three things God did to guarantee our security. The first thing is that “He anointed us”. In Christ, which means the Anointed One, we are anointed by God the Father. The action of anointing shows one pouring oil from above the head and allowing it to spill over onto the shoulders. The significance of this action results in us being “covered” by Christ. The second thing is that “(He) set His seal of ownership on us.” A seal on a document in the New Testament time identified it and indicated its owner who was to “protect” it. The “seal” represented ownership. We who belong to God the Father have His “mark” on us, and the Devil will not and cannot harm us. In God’s sight, we are His, and He will protect us. The third thing is that “(He) puts His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.” The last seven words in English translation, “a deposit guaranteeing what is to come” are from one Greek word, arrabona, which means a down payment. In the New Testament time, when a buyer forfeited his obligation, he would lose his down payment. We have the assurance that God is absolutely certain He will follow through with His promise by mean of the Holy Spirit as the guarantee.

In these couple of verses, we see the Trinity is fully involved with our Eternal Life. If God is certain about our Eternal Security, we should live with confidence on the one hand and should not hold on tightly to the things of the world on the other. Let loose of the things of this world, and hold tight to the things of eternal.

Scripture of the Month

January, 2002

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

This is a very familiar verse that most Christians memorize. “John 3:16” has become a Christian Icon. But this famous verse (probably the most famous) of the Bible is deep in its theology. Bible commentators are divided as to whether this passage (vv.16-21) is an extension of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus or just a comment of John, the author on Jesus’ word. In either case, it expresses the most important message of the Gospel. It is obvious that God’s motivation toward people is pure love. This verse starts with a “cause and effect” clause: “For God so loved the world . . .” The cause is God so loved the world; the effect is He gave up His Son. Though God loves all that He created, yet the emphasis here is on the prime creation of all—mankind. This word “the world” also allows us to see that God’s love is not limited to a few or to one group of people, but His gift is for the whole world.

God’s love was expressed in the giving of His most precious gift—His One and only Son. The Greek word referring to the Son is monogene, which means, “only begotten” or “only born-one”. Other version translated it as “unique”. Our concept of “born” or “begotten” is by natural birth, but it is a wrong understanding of the deity of Christ. This is a case of lacking human language to explain a divine action. We may understand Christ as the only unique One who came out from God. No one is like Him and no one will ever be like Him because He is God (last month’s Scripture of the Month—John 1:1-18).

It is one thing for God to love the world so much so that He gave His unique Son; it is quite another thing for the world to believe Him. On man’s side, the precious gift of God is simply to be received, not earned. Believing consists of accepting something, not doing something. A person is saved by believing, by trusting in Christ! The question many people asked is, “What are we being saved from?” This verse tells us that we are saved from “Perishing.” Perish doesn’t mean annihilation but rather a final destiny of “ruin” apart from God, who is life, truth, and joy. For those who believe in Him, they are promised with “Eternal Life.” It is more than duration, but also a new quality of life God gives, which a believer now has as a present possession and will possess forever as contrasted with futility in this life and painful alienation from God in eternity. One very important note is that positive believe in Christ is necessary; all that one has to do to perish is nothing.

Scripture of the Month

January, 2001

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52

One of the themes of the gospel according to Luke is to present Jesus, the Son of God, took on a full humanity. It means He had to go through a natural growing process from a baby (2:12) to a child (2:40) and then to a boy (2:43). According to Jewish custom, at thirteen years of age, a Jewish male enters into the full responsibilities of adulthood. During the prior years, the father was required to teach and to acquaint him with the duties and regulations, which adult was to assume when the time came.

Every year, Joseph, Mary, and the family went up to Jerusalem to worship during the Feast of the Passover. But when Jesus was twelve year-old, it was different from the previous years. When Mary looked into the eyes of the twelve-year-old Jesus sitting with the men in the temple, she saw in her son something she hadn’t expected to see. Time had escaped her too quickly; her son was approaching the age of adulthood. Soon he would leave them and became his own individual. Mary voiced her opinion about His irresponsibility. Jesus disagreed, but He continued to be obedient to His parents and returned home.

The final verse of this chapter marked Jesus’ balanced development. Jesus grew. The original language connotes an idea that Jesus continued to grow, which literally means "to cut one’s way forward," that is, to increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. The areas of the four-balanced growth of Jesus are what every person ought to attain. Wisdom is the ability to acquire knowledge. Having said that, Luke wasn’t denying Jesus’ deity; he was upholding Jesus humanity. Jesus is one-hundred percent God and one-hundred percent man. When Jesus became a man, it didn’t mean He diluted His Deity by His humanity. He was fully God and fully man at the same time—a concept impossible for human to fully capture because no one could experience such a phenomena. What Stature stands for is ambiguous. It refers to either physical growth (traditional teaching) or personal development. Personally, I believe the latter is more appropriate. We see Jesus used flexibility and rigidity personality trait exercised whenever it was called for during His ministry. Finally, He enjoyed good reputation with God and with men. To sum it up, we see Jesus’ internal qualities expressed with His external personality; and we see God’s acceptance and men’s praises at the same time. What a model for us to follow!

Scripture of the Month

February, 2004

Yes, there will be tribulations in the world, but take heart and don’t cave in. Start by preparing a positive mind-set, think clearly, and look ahead!

Scripture of the Month

February, 2003

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” II Cor. 2:15

Spiritually, it serves us well to reflect on where we are at from time to time. In this occasion, Paul began his reflections by giving thanks to God. He saw that his ministry was a part of the “triumphal procession in Christ” which is directed and guided by God. He used an imagery that was commonly known in his time, depicting an army of triumphal Roman soldiers marching behind its commander displaying the result of a significant military victory. As part of the procession, a priest would swing a container filled with spices, perfumes, and incense as they paraded into the city.

The fragrance that fell affected different people in different ways. To the triumphant soldiers who came home in victory, it meant life and prosperity. But to the defeated enemy who were chained as captives, it meant a preparation for burial. In this verse, Paul used this imagery to show that he and any other gospel messenger are the aroma of Christ. Their fragrance (what they say and do) will fall on those who are being saved and those who are perishing. Same aroma, but opposite result. To those who are being saved, they find the knowledge of Life that leads to eternal salvation, but to those who are perishing, they reject the author of Life, which will lead to eternal death.

To be the bearer of an aroma so potent as to lead to life or death is a heavy responsibility. Paul asked a very practical question in the following verse, “And who is equal (better translates as sufficient) to such a task?” Then, he turned around and answered the question in the following chapter. “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (3:5)

Every Christian is an aroma for Christ. You and I must realize that there is a tremendous responsibility, yet it should not burden us, for we have our Lord parading victoriously ahead of us. All is needed from us is our faithfulness. I would like to share with you the secret of being faithfulness. It isn’t “doing things” to maintain the status quo. It is a constant abiding in the Lord that will determine how effective and efficient we are as the aroma of Christ. For “apart from me (Jesus) you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Have you been spending time with your Lord everyday?

Scripture of the Month

February, 2002

“God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

On this occasion Jesus and His disciples were on their way from Judea to Galilee. They came to a town called Sychar. Jesus was resting by Jacob’s well while His disciples were away buying lunch. A Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus took the initiative to ask her for a drink. This action was considered a taboo for the Jews at that time. We understand some of the Near East cultures from reading the current development in Afghanistan. Even though the country is “liberated” today, the majority of the Afghan women are still afraid to remove the burqa in public and to leave home without having a male accompanied them.

The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman changed from topic to topic, and finally rested on the most important one: Who God is and how to worship Him? The Samaritan religion and many religions today are equally confused and in error. They worship what they don't know. Therefore, it is important to know who and how to worship. In this verse, Jesus explained that God is Spirit. He is not confined in any particular place or time. Since He is Spirit, therefore, the only way to worship Him is through spirit and truth. Both the King James Version and the Chinese Translation (God is a spirit) erred in putting an indefinite article preceding the word Spirit. In Greek grammar, there is no indefinite article, only definite article. Therefore, the translator uses his own discretion, whose decision (hopefully) is based on context and other Scripture. If God is a spirit, it means that God is one among many. But from the context, Jesus was seeking to lift the Samaritan woman into developing a spiritual and heavenly worship.

Worshipping God is not based on human ancestry, location, or traditional practices as often referred to by the Samaritan woman. The emphasis here is the essential character of God—Spirit. Therefore, the essence of true worship must be on God’s terms and aligned with His nature—spirit and truth. Since God is Spirit, how can we even know Him? We can’t, unless He shows Himself to mankind. This is where the prologue of John came in (1:18). The only way to truly worship God is through Jesus who expresses God’s invisible nature. God is seeking worshippers to worship Him with spirit and truth (v.23). Therefore, true worshippers must worship Him with spirit and truth, which means a sincere mind, with a true heart, not with mere external rites. Spirit refers to affections, emotions, and passions. Truth is opposite to pretense. Let’s improve our worship!

Scripture of the Month

February, 2001

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He began to call a group of followers. They had the opportunity to watch Jesus up close and personal. They had many occasions to listen to Jesus’ explanation of the things He did and the parables He taught. Jesus chose twelve men to follow Him and to learn the rope, so to speak, about the ministries in the Kingdom of God (their names were listed in Luke 6). During this selection process, you could see that Jesus’ approach was revolutionary. If it were you or I, we would probably choose someone who was well behaved, which would make our life easier. But instead, Jesus saw selected people, like Levi (better known as Matthew), an outcast of his own people.

This has been a trademark of Jesus. He always exercised His grace towards those who were underprivileged—demoniac, leper, paralytic, sick, and, of course, sinners. When the Pharisees, who thought of themselves as better than others, confronted him, Jesus responded with a profound statement of truth (scripture of this Month). You may say that this is a proverbial statement: if anyone who claimed to be healthy would have no need for a doctor. With this statement, Jesus described His mission as someone who came to look for the "lost," which He amplified later in His parables in chapter 15 (the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Sons).

Since no one is truly "righteous", Jesus used this statement with a touch of sarcasm towards the "righteous" Pharisees. He implied that they too, were in the same boat as those whom they looked down upon. To Luke, the point of importance is that one must first acknowledge himself a sinner before he can truly respond to the call of repentance. Both Matthew and Mark recorded this statement, but neither used the word "repentance." The reason isn’t that there is a discrepancy in the Bible, but rather, Luke’s theme throughout this gospel is to bring out the joy that came from true repentance. The gospel of grace and forgiveness is for everyone who believes, and repentance is the prerequisite of its reception. Levi fulfilled his prerequisite, but not the Pharisees. The application of this verse, then, is to consider ourselves as sinner in need of grace. If we do that, we would not act like contemporary Pharisees.

Scripture of the Month

December, 2004

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to repentance.”--II Peter 3:8-9

Peter mentions in the first verse of this chapter that he wants to stimulate the readers to wholesome thinking, especially during times of severe tribulation. During Peter’s time, faithful Christians were being persecuted severely under the regime of the ruthless Emperor Nero. The only hope they had was for the Lord’s Return in order to truly relieve them out of the misery. They hung on to the Lord’s promise that He would imminently. It is only fitting to see Peter addresses this theme before he signs off this letter.

Why should the Lord be so long in coming? These two verses offer two answers. First, God counts time differently than we do. We are bound by a time-and-space sphere, in which we operate with a twenty-four hour day, but God who is the creator of time is above this limitation. Peter uses a simile to show that two thousand years is just a brink of an eye for God.

The second reason to the seemingly delayed Return is that God wants as many people to be saved as possible. The word slow, literally means hesitate or delay, is used only once here in the New Testament. It isn’t that God can’t make up His mind. He purposefully waits patiently for more people to repent. We need to understand the words not wanting anyone to perish do not suggest Universal Salvation. Peter is using a human emotion term to express God’s desires instead of expressing a decree.

Peter deliberately chose the word patient to describe the Lord’s Return so that we may also have the same attribute of patient. With patient, we look forward to His Coming. Peter’s final exhortation is to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him” (14b) while we are waiting.

The World waited for thousands of years for the Lord’s First Advent in order to be redeemed. As we celebrate His Birth this month, let’s continue to keep our hope high for His Second Advent, for in which time, He comes to lift us up to a new heaven and a new earth. Oh! What a wonderful moment that will be! God’s time is mysterious, so be on the alert and live holy and godly lives.

p.s. After eight years of writing the Scripture of the Month, I will take a break from writing so I may concentrate on writing the Devotional Journal. Thank you for all your past encouragement and support. May the Word of God always be our guide—a light in this darkened world.

Scripture of the Month

December, 2003

Paul opened this famous Love Poem with a proclamation: Love is patient, love is kind. This statement is a reflection of God whose name is Love. Patient means long-suffering. In other words, love is having a long fuse and slowing to anger. Love helps us to handle interruptions, disappointment, and even mistreatment without exploding. Kind suggests gentle behavior. It is a unique word in the Bible because it was only used once here. The closest Greek word to this is the word Jesus used when He said, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Love helps us to not burden others with unbearable yoke.

Then Paul used eight negative descriptions of love as building blocks to building relationship with others. It is not envy: This word carries both positive and negative connotations. “Eagerly desire” the greater gifts in I Cor. 12:31 is used in a positive sense, while it is used negatively here to remind us that love doesn’t mix well with rivalry. Love helps us to be joyful with those who have while we may not have. It does not boast: This word literally means “behave as a braggart.” Boasting indicates that a person wants others to think highly of him or her, regardless of whether it’s true or not. When we strive to be recognized, love would easily be shuffled to the background. Love helps us to value others without the need to be recognized. It is not proud: In Greek, this is a picture word—someone puffed up like a bellows. Proud isn’t the same as Pride. Proud is to parade one’s abilities, accomplishments, and so on. Pride is to respect one’s self image. Love helps us to faithfully serve others with humility. It is not rude: It is quite easy to capture its meaning. Love and obnoxiousness doesn’t mix at all. Not to be rude means to behave properly, treat others and ourselves with respect. Love helps us to create a “light-spirited” environment. It is not self-seeking: Ever since we were children, we’ve been trained to win. One football coach said, “Winning is not everything; it is the Only Thing!” Though there is nothing wrong to excel one’s potential, yet if it were the only thing on our minds, then, the needs of others will easily be missed. Love helps us to not get credits for what we have done. It is not easily angered: Anger comes from irritable or touchy attitude. This emotion usually arises when things don’t go our way. Anger management is a skill to be developed by us in the following area: Quick to listen, slow to speak (respond), and even if it deemed necessary, slow to anger (react). Love helps us to live with the unpleasantness of others without becoming unpleasant to others. It keeps no record of wrongs: Imagine we keep a record of how many times a person wronged us! It doesn’t have any benefit except to become more sensitive. Jesus said that we needed to forgive seventy times seven times. He didn’t tell us to count; He told us not to count! Love helps us to have a bad memory of those who have wronged us. Love does not delight in evil: This is the foundation of biblical love. People often misunderstand and believe true love to have no boundary. This is not the case. The word evil renders unrighteousness. Not only should we be righteous before God, we should not lead others into unrighteous behavior. Love helps us to lead others away from sin. Though these eight descriptions were written in negative terms, yet they are positive building blocks to building an others’ centered life.

With a conjunction, but, Paul changed to five positive descriptions of love. (Love) rejoices with the truth: Truth here means righteousness. The negative spectrum of love is to reject evil, and the positive spectrum is to rejoice with the truth. Truth and love goes hand in hand. There is no compromise at all. True love is based on the idea that there is a right and wrong way to treat people. Knowing this fact, we'll be able to practice the positives of love. It always protects: The word “protect” means “to cover or to conceal.” It doesn’t mean that love sweeps sin under the rug. It means to provide the person who sinned the space to repent and the time to restore. (It) always trusts: Since we don’t have the ability to know one’s motive, love gives people the benefit of the doubt; and not to be suspicious at all times. (It) always hopes: Biblical hope goes beyond wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation. In this context, love always drives us to have a quiet confidence in God’s ability to work in people’s lives. It may seem hopeless to us, but in God, there is no impossibility. (It) always perseveres: It is a picture of a stouthearted soldier. No matter how difficult it may seem, love keeps on marching, long after events and emotions tell us to stop.

This leads us to the conclusion of this great Love Poem: Love never fails: A better translation is: love never ends! Everything we do, spiritual or otherwise, will go away one day, but not love. It goes on into eternity! Since that’s the case, we might as well practice it now. Christmas season is the best time to love one another because God shows us what true love is when He walked on this world in humanly form.