Continuation of our discussion of spiritual formation (of 1/29/13):

The Bible is there (in the holy place, symbolized by the showbread, and in the most holy place, symbolized by the pot of manna inside the Ark of the Covenant). Obviously it is the priority for our sanctification (holy place) and for our glorification (most holy place). We should here understand the word 'glorification' as meaning 'restoring in men the glory of God, which is His character'. It is not the glorification of the body which will happen AFTER Jesus comes out of the sanctuary, when He comes back to earth. There is no bodily glorification in the sanctuary. I say this because this is what many people think the word 'glorification' means when we talk of the most holy place ministry: bodily glorification.

I discussed with Elias and Jean today about my study (proposal) on Daniel 12 and they were very much interested. I gave them many documents I have in my laptop about that subject.

I believe in the 11 affirmations and 4 denials given in the document "A Statement on Biblical Spirituality" from Andrews University (Ministry Magazine August 2012, pages 12-16, no author). All that is mentioned of God's part is true, the priority of the Bible, the love of God, the preeminence of Christ, His substitutionary atonement, the work of the Holy Spirit, communion with God and of the healing power of Christ, of the good things of nature are essential to our spiritual formation. On our side, the roles of the human mind, of our body, our feelings, are also essential to this spiritual formation. 

I honestly would make it simpler though. The way of God is in the sanctuary (Psalm 77:13). The plan of (our) salvation is in the sanctuary. Man has lost the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The plan of God for us is to restore what was lost by Adam and Eve. What is the glory of God? The glory of God is His character of love (Exodus 33:18-34:7). Therefore God made a plan to restore His character in us. How will God restore His character in us? By using a law of psychology that He Himself placed in our mind: we are changed by what (and into what) we behold (2Cor 3:18). The sanctuary shows us what we need to behold in order to be transformed back into the image of God. We don't need anything else for our spiritual formation.

In summary of our research on Romans 7:14-25:
Verse 14 Paul is one with his Christian readers and "slave of my own sinful nature". 
Verse 15, Paul is not a non converted man who would sin willfully. 
Verse 17, his actions are the fruit of his sinful nature. 
Verse 18, the "I" is Paul's sinful nature.  
Verse 22, the born again Paul rejoices in the Law of God. 
Verse 23, there is a battle going on in Paul's mind between the spiritual nature and the carnal nature which is destined to death (verse 24). 
The shout of deliverance (v. 25) is followed by Paul's re-affirmation of his predicament: 
it is to show that this is and always will be his condition, even in his converted state. 
He still has this war in himself: 
the old man trying to do his own bad will and the new man trying to follow God. 

The problem is not the law but Paul's sinful nature.
 
But he also shows how he solves his problem: he goes to Christ for deliverance. 
Paul did not obtain deliverance once for all but needs to receive it every day. 
That's why Paul in 1Cor 15:31, writes, 'I die daily'.  
Every day he has to ask God to overpower his old man, his sinful nature. 

All the previous evidence converges toward the fact that, in Romans 7:14-25, Paul, a converted Christian, is fighting, in his own strength, against the old man in him. 
Apart from the Holy Spirit he will always be unsuccessful .

 The Bible is encouraging us to go upward in sanctification toward perfection until the Second Coming of Christ. The more we will reflect Christ the more we will see our defects and we will push upward. No one has ever said nor can say, 'I am saved' in this life, but we will push upward toward the goal of perfection.

I went to take a walk in AUP this Sabbath afternoon. It was quiet and the weather was great. As I was approaching some trees I saw something moving and discovered this big spider. I didn't want to go without having it on picture. It surely would make a nice pet. Ah!

The subject of Romans 7 itself, I believe, doesn't lack importance for all and every Christian in the world, Christians of all ages, nation and time. Why? The main reason is that people have quoted these verses to excuse or justify their short comings.
I just cannot believe that God would give us in His own Word verses to excuse or justify our shortcomings. The whole Bible AND the goal of God for us is encouraging us to sanctification, not to desertion.
There are enough examples of weaknesses and failures in the saints' lives, there are enough Bible verses telling us that sanctification is the process of a lifetime, rather than the work of a moment, to not add a text that tells us there is no hope of getting out of the circle: sin, repentance, and confession, and again sin, repentance, confession … endlessly.

Along the years I have presented Romans 7:14-25 to many people, mostly theologians or preachers and I have asked them their thoughts and if the "I" man of Romans 7 described someone before or after conversion. Needless to say, I have been disappointed most of the time. Many have eluded the issue. When I have presented my viewpoint and backed it up with Bible verses, it was opposed but without biblical arguments.

As I was asked to choose a text to research, my first thought was for this passage of Romans 7 and of the identity of the man described by Paul from verses 14 to 25. It has been on my mind for quite some time. I was fully aware of the challenge, of the difficulties and of the fact that many people spoke on this subject. I am also aware that I am nothing, my voice has no value. I will be just one more voice among thousands n this subject. That's okay. I will go to a principle of psychology to explain my choice: when we have something on our mind, good or bad, we need to express it, to shout it, to write it … even if there is nobody to hear it or to read it.

Jesus is Lord and Savior. Jesus is the lover of my soul. 

He loves each one of us as if we were alone on this earth!

If we would listen to His voice, we must let silence reign in the heart. 

Self, its pretensions, its lusts, must be rebuked, and we must put on the robe of humility, and take our place as humble learners in the school of Christ.

On September 8, 2004, the Faculty of Southern Adventist University, with Jack Blanco included, made a statement on Creation called, “A REAFFIRMATION OF CREATION”, in which they re-affirmed the primacy of Scriptures over science, the historical value of Genesis 1-11, the fact that God created all things by His Word, the supernatural character of creation in 6 days, that death is the result of sin and came through one man, Adam. 

They then re-affirmed the truth of the Flood, the gift of Prophecy of Ellen White and her teaching about Creation and the Flood, the harmony between the Scriptures and nature, and the correlations between the doctrine of creation with the doctrines of Scripture, nature and character of God, nature of man, Great Controversy, atonement, remnant and mission, unity of the church, gift of prophecy, law of God, Sabbath, stewardship, Christian behavior, marriage, Second Coming, death and resurrection, and the new earth.

They, however, denied that the creation story is a parable, the validity of any other theory of origins involving millions of years for the development of life, the evolution of humans from non-human primates, and the idea that the historical account of Gen 1-11 is not essential to the belief system of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

They also denied that death always existed, that the Flood was only local and that the gift of Ellen White should be understood only devotionally in the area of origins.

I agree with this statement and its affirmations and denials.

the Faculty of Southern Adventist University, with Jack Blanco included, made a statement on Creation called, “A REAFFIRMATION OF CREATION”, in which they re-affirmed the primacy of Scriptures over science, the historical value of Genesis 1-11, the fact that God created all things by His Word, the supernatural character of creation in 6 days, that death is the result of sin and came through one man, Adam.

They then re-affirmed the truth of the Flood, the gift of Prophecy of Ellen White and her teaching about Creation and the Flood, the harmony between the Scriptures and nature, and the correlations between the doctrine of creation with the doctrines of Scripture, nature and character of God, nature of man, Great Controversy, atonement, remnant and mission, unity of the church, gift of prophecy, law of God, Sabbath, stewardship, Christian behavior, marriage, Second Coming, death and resurrection, and the new earth.

They, however, denied that the creation story is a parable, the validity of any other theory of origins involving millions of years for the development of life, the evolution of humans from non-human primates, and the idea that the historical account of Gen 1-11 is not essential to the belief system of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

They also denied that death always existed, that the Flood was only local and that the gift of Ellen White should be understood only devotionally in the area of origins.

I agree with this statement and its affirmations and denials.

We invited Moses Yosef, president of students and best international student of the Philippines. Moses is from Tanzania and study theology.  We discussed a few things, especially the forum about post-modernism that we had 2 weeks ago for the theology students.  We had a pleasant evening, thank to my dear wife who had prepared plenty of delicious Filipino food. Thank you dear.

 

1Kings 18:17
“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” (1Ki 18:17)

                God was the One who sent Elijah to see King Ahab to rebuke him and call the people of Israel to revival and reformation. The one who is called needs to be faithful to the call whatever the cost, even to the cost of our corporate relations on the workplace.  The implication is that we may sometimes be accused of bringing trouble when in fact the trouble comes from the unbelievers. We need to be careful though not to bring persecution on ourselves. What I mean is that we should follow God’s leading and not be impulsive and denouncing people’s sins just for the sake of it. But it is true that our corporate spirituality can be sometimes difficult if we are confronted to some people who want to force us to follow wrong paths.

                The impact for my life is to desire to get a stronger communion with Christ and to know His will for my life more closely. My prayer is that, in our corporate relations on the workplace, we will find the balance in not being influenced by the world in our mission, not being afraid to bring the straight testimony and in the same time be careful to be led by God and not by our impulses.

Matt 7:1
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Mt 7:1)

 

                God is the ultimate judge. Jesus means: do not set yourself up as a standard; do not make your opinions, your views of duty, your interpretations of Scripture, a criterion for others and in your heart condemn them if they do not come up to your ideal; do not criticize others, conjecturing as to their motives and passing judgment upon them. We cannot read the heart. Ourselves faulty, we are not qualified to sit in judgment upon others. Finite men can judge only from outward appearance. To Him alone who knows the secret springs of action, and who deals tenderly and compassionately, is it given to decide the case of every soul.

                The implication is that those who condemn or criticize others, proclaim themselves guilty, for they do the same things. In condemning others, they are passing sentence upon themselves, and God declares that this sentence is just. He accepts their own verdict against themselves. Christ is the only true standard of character, and he who sets himself up as a standard for others is putting himself in the place of Christ. And since the Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22), whoever presumes to judge the motives of others is again usurping the prerogative of the Son of God. These would-be judges and critics are placing themselves on the side of antichrist, "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thess 2:4.

                The impact is that I will be asking God for wisdom in my corporate relations on the workplace. We know that everyone will be judged according to the light they have received. We don’t know what light has shone on the path of our colleagues, coworkers, superior and bosses. Therefore we cannot condemn them for being alcoholic, or drug addicts, or adulterous or gays. My prayer is that we will ask God the wisdom we need in our corporate relations on the workplace.

Acts 4:19
“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” (Ac 4:19)

God is the ultimate definer of what is right and wrong.  As children of God, we are first submitted to God and we should follow His counsels and obey Him above all things. The implication is that, in our corporate relations on the workplace, we may have to stand for the right if colleagues, superiors or bosses ask us to do something in opposition to the revealed will of God. Of course, I need to have a strong and constant relation with God to know what His will is.

                The impact is that I need to let God be the Master of my life, to die to self, not to look for my rights in order to not confound the expression of my ego with the will of God.  My prayer is that, in our corporate relations on the workplace, we will have the balance to be able to discern between the expression of our ego and the will of God. Then we will be able to stand for what is right in the eyes of God.

Rom 13:1-5
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Ro 13:1-2)

God is the highest power and He is the One who ordains higher powers on earth. All the stars of the universe are set in order through God’s power and are sustained second by second by the same power.  Authorities on earth are not exception to this rule: they were put in place by the power of God and are maintained in place by the same power.  Whoever we are, we are submitted to God and to the order of His creation. We obey to God’s laws in nature, such as gravity and others.

The implication is that we are also subjected to the higher powers ordained by God. We should consider this in our relations with our coworkers, superiors and bosses. Not to do this would be the equivalent of rebelling against God Himself. The impact is that we should first submit to God and then to earthly authorities, including our corporate relations with superiors and bosses on the workplace. My prayer is that we would submit ourselves to God. Then He will give us wisdom on how to deal in our corporate relations on the workplace.

 

Rev 1:1
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” (Re 1:1)

The book of Revelation is the perfect example (to me) of Christ’s desire to nurture His people in the most helpful, practical way possible. As Amos puts it, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Why does God do this? His real ultimate goal is to end the story of sin in the universe! In order to reach this goal He wants His people to be able to stand when Jesus comes.

Of course, we place ourselves as disciples of Christ, this is our identity. But the real and important implication is that we will use the book of Revelation to nurture others. How can we use the book of Revelation to nurture others if we ourselves do not understand it, study it and know it? My prayer is that we will study the book of Revelation as it is the nurture Christ has for us who are living in the last days of human history. Then to use it to nurture those we come in contact with.

Christ did not deal in abstract theories, but in that which is essential to the development of character; that which will enlarge man's capacity for knowing God, and increase his power to do good. He spoke of those truths that relate to the conduct of life and that unite man with eternity.  {Ed 81.1} 
 Instead of directing the people to study men's theories about God, His word, or His works, He taught them to behold Him, as manifested in His works, in His word, and by His providences. He brought their minds in contact with the mind of the Infinite.  {Ed 81.2}  

Christ did not spent time in things that were not useful for the redemption of man; but His only purpose, His only goal was to nurture us, to help us have a better understanding of the character of God. And as He Himself puts it, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” Therefore His main aspiration was to always do the will of God, so that He would always reflect God in all what He was doing, saying, thinking.
 

We are children of God, that’s our identity if we have chosen to take Christ as our personal Savior and to follow Him wherever He goes, even to nurture those around us. The implication is that we will also set our minds to reflect God for others, so that they can have a better understanding of the character of God, be better nurtured. This is not only in teaching, in preaching but in all our daily activities. 

How does this impact my life, your life? If we want to reflect the character of God to others, we need to focus on having a relation with Him. Our goal should not be to become more educated, or richer, or more powerful, but to be closer and closer to God, to Christ, so that others would see God, Christ in us, which means they will be nurtured by all what we will do in our lives, and not only by our talk. My prayer is that we would do just that, understand how important it is to know Jesus, to spend time with Him, so that we would reflect Him in our characters and that people around us will receive the food, the nurture they need in order to be saved.

Matt 5:44, 45
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Mt 5:44-45)

 

God has given us the example as far as loving our enemies is concerned! When we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, for the ungodly (Rom 5:8)!  In terms of “relational spirituality” this text is certainly the most difficult to put in practice and yet, “with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37 AV). And, according to 1John 2:6, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1Jo 2:6 AV). Therefore the implication is obvious: by the grace of God we can do it, we can love our enemies, bless those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us, and are persecuting us.

As for the impact on my life, I will certainly look at things differently, from a different perspective. I will not judge those who may be against me but I will try to place myself in their shoes. We all come from different backgrounds and we have different present circumstances and therefore what looks white to one may looks black to the other. My love for others will grow and my joy too! My prayer is that we will be more sensitive to others (and more listening to the Holy Spirit!), that we will treat our neighbors with love and kindness.

John 16:23
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23-24)

 

God is the One who provides for all our needs AND He is the One who tells us to ask Him what we need, so that our joy may be full.  Our role, as creature of God, is to ask Him what we need, in the name of Jesus, whom God appointed to be the Man interceding for us in heaven.

The implication is that, as the receivers of the blessings of God we are to thank God first for these blessings. We are to express how much we understand our dependence on God, how much we love Him for providing for our needs, and so on. The impact? My life will be positive, always giving thanks to God “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Th 5:18 AV). Of course, my prayer is that we would daily practice, cultivate this habit of giving thanks to God, even before we ask Him whatever we think we need.

Phil 4:19
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)

 

God is the one who supply all our needs. Amazing love! Not only He gave us life, not only He created this universe, not only He gave His life for us, but He also provides for our needs.

We are the creatures on this little planet who are benefiting of this generous, unconditional love.

The implication is that we can and should trust God for all our needs, because we know that God loves us, for we are His children. What father would not love his children? I know that God loves me and therefore the impact on my life is that I love Him in return for all what He does for me. My prayer is that I will grow in faith, so that whatever difficult are the circumstances in which I can be, I will always have the insurance that God is there and will provide for my needs like when I was in the Sahara Desert in the middle of nowhere, with no resource, no friend, no work.

Heb 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance.

                God called Abraham to an inheritance, the inheritance of eternal life. Abraham accepted the challenge; he wanted to be identified as an heir of the true God.  The implication is that God is calling us to an inheritance. God calls us to something that is invaluable and for that He paid an infinite price.

                The impact for me: God is calling ME to an inheritance and He died for me to buy this inheritance: it cost Him an infinite price and this should dramatically impact my life forever if I want to be heir of the true God. My prayer is that we will accept to be identified as an heir of the true God and accept to receive the inheritance God promised, the eternal life. And understand the infinite price God paid for it, for us.

1John 3:14
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1Jo 3:14)

                God loved us first, and He gave us a new life.  Our “old man” is dead, we live in newness of life, we have a new heart of love because God is love and therefore we love our brothers in Christ.  The implication is that if we do not love our brothers, we are not born again but we are spiritually dead.

               The impact on my life is that God’s love for me has changed me and I need to “die daily”. My old man should not rise from the dead and show its ugly head and I should be filled with love for my brothers. My prayer is therefore that we would continue to be regenerated every day in newness of life and be filled with the Holy Spirit who He only can give us love for our brothers, even the most unlovable ones.

Heb 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

                God asked Abraham to go to a place unknown to him; there was no map, no compass, and no GPS back then.  Abraham could have say, “What kind of God is that?” But Abraham accepted the challenge; he wanted to be identified as a follower of the true God wherever He asks him to go. The spiritual implication is that God is calling us to follow Him wherever He goes (Rev 14:6). But the practical implication is true also: wherever God needs us, He will ask us to go. He can ask us at anytime, in any place, whoever we are.

                The impact for me is that God is the one to ask me to go to another place or to stay where I am. And for me is to obey or not. When God decides that my mission is done where I am now, He will tell me to go to another place, maybe a place unknown of me. My prayer is that we will want to be identified as a follower of the true God who calls us to go to places we don’t know and heed the call.

Job 1:21
And he said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah.

 

                God let Satan take everything dear that Job possessed, every good, and even his dear children. Even though in dire affliction, Job kept his eyes on the eternal values rather than on the temporal. The implication is that we should do the same, and continue to be thankful to God whatever our personal circumstances are.

                The impact on my life is that I should give to my life a constant direction of focusing on the eternal rather than on the temporal.  My prayer is that I will not detach my eyes from the reward, keeping the perspective of the eternity rather than taking the perspective of this temporal world of sin and its promises.

Heb 11:26
[Moses] accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.

                God promised Moses (and the Israelites) the reward of eternal life. Moses believed and didn’t consider the temporal riches of Egypt (he was the prince heir of the throne) greater than the reward promised by God. He looked at the eternal rather than at the temporal.

                The implication is that whatever our social position in life, high or low, God asks us to look to the eternal things and not to the temporal ones.  The impact on my life is that I order my life according to the priorities: whatever is attached to the eternal and invisible things should be my priority, in opposition to the temporal and visible things that this world offers. My prayer is that I will not detach my eyes from the reward, keeping the perspective of the eternity rather than taking the perspective of this temporal world of sin and its promises.

Heb 11:15, 16
And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

                God has prepared a city in heaven for His people. All that died in faith were looking for this heavenly city, for if they were looking for their own country they would have had time to return to it. They looked to the eternal things rather than to the temporal ones. The implication is that this world is temporary. The impact is that I should not place my hopes in this world but in the world to come. My prayer is that we will not be attached to this temporal world but to the eternal promised by God.

Heb 11:17
He [Abraham] that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

                God promised an heir to Abraham, and He is the One who ultimately offered His Son. Abraham believed God was able to raise his son therefore he obeyed and offered his son, moreover, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” Abraham fell in love with Jesus when he understood what meant the sacrifice of his only begotten son Isaac. The implication is that the sacrifice of God in giving us His Son and the sacrifice of Jesus make us fall in love with God! The impact on me is that I love God for what He has done and does for me!  My prayer is that we will fall in love with God for the infinite sacrifice he did for us personally and we will be good representatives of God’s love toward those who do not know it.

Heb 11:10
For he [Abraham] looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
                God promised Abraham a new city whose maker and builder is God Himself. Abraham believed the promise even though he didn’t see its fulfillment; he wanted to identify himself as someone who believes in the promises of God to His people.  The implication is that God has made many promises to us. The impact for me is to believe and to be found “standing on God’s promises”. My prayer is that we will want to be identified as people who believe in the promises of God, which means to be found standing on God’s promises.

Heb 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out.

God is the One who called Abraham. Abraham obeyed; he wanted to be identified as someone obedient to the true God. The implication is that God is the One who calls and we are the ones who should answer the call.  God can call anybody, anywhere, even someone from a pagan family like Abraham. But also I need to see all the implications, the responsibility that being called by God gives to me. The impact for me: God calls me and I have to decide between obeying and disobeying. Being called is a life-changing event. My prayer is that we will be identified as people obedient to the true God and heed the call of God in our lives.