To Pray as the Publican

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, erers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
—Luke 18:9-14 (KJV)

This is a humbling passage in the Gospel of Luke, and it reminds us to examine our hearts as believers in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees made known their religious affections. However, the religious piety of the Pharisees was really a façade for pretense of piety that they might receive the glory of one another.

The publican in this parable, on the other hand, was humble and contrite in his admission of his own sinfulness. I am a sinner, confesses the publican, as he pleas for the Lord's mercy. May we all learn to humble ourselves as the publican, and plea for God's mercy. It is quite easy to stand self-righteously. No doubt, self-righteousness gets the best of every Christian. If one made a list of do's and do nots, it is easy to find oneself in good standing in one's own eyes. However, would it change the fact that such a person is a sinner? "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away" (Isa. 64:6). In sum, our best works are like filthy rags in God's eyes.

So, may we confess our sinfulness and look to the tender mercies and grace of Almighty God. Without God's grace, we can do no good works, hence Ephesians 2:10. Yet all the more we should strive for good works, through divine enabling, accomplished through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We do so, not for the glory of men, but for love for our Father in Heaven.

Unity in the Body of Christ

[W]ith all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.
—Ephesians 4:2-4 (NKJV)

There is a proclamation and call in holy scripture for unity within the body of Christ, yet so often it is easy to get divided in our fellowship. Granted, there is a need for affirmation of what is profitable for sound doctrine. Christians, however, that affirm the fundamentals of the faith, should esteem the value of unity with their brethren in Christ across denominational lines. Likewise, we should affirm the value of unity across racial lines (Acts 17:26 NKJV). The reason for division, of course, owes to human nature. But we as Christians should be mindful to repudiate a divisive nature, and embrace unity (1 Cor. 11:17-19 NKJV). Yet, some churches split and bicker over some nuanced detail of eschatology or what color the carpet is.

The Gospel for Korea, North and South

[T]he Lord says that those who do not yet have the gospel are in darkness and in the power of Satan and without the forgiveness of sins. Christ commissioned Paul with a word of power that actually opens the eyes of the spiritually blind, not so that they can see they are forgiven but so that they can be forgiven. His message delivers from the power of Satan. The pictures of nations without the gospel is that they are blind and in darkness of sins and unacceptable to God because they are unsanctified.
—Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003. 2nd ed.)

Asia has already been called the New Christendom as thousands flock to congregations. South Korea boasts some of the largest Baptist and Presbyterian congregations in the world. May our Lord Jesus Christ open the closed doors of North Korea, and that all of Korea might hear the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, an iron curtain seals off North Korea, and in the face of nuclear proliferation, North Korea may become an even more closed society, and imposed sanctions may further its isolation from the outside world. Christianity is a message that is not readily tolerated by the communist regime in P'yong'yang.

The Gospel of Matthew, verse 9:37, states, "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.' (NKJV)." We as Christians are admonished to pray that laborers should enter to the field. "Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Lk. 10:2 NKJV)

We as Christians should pray that the Lord would open the door to the Gospel proclamation in North Korea, and open the hearts of Koreans to the message of redemption in Christ Jesus.

Related Reading:
Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power. (Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing, 2003).

Related Web Sites:
The Gospel for Asia

Let us be public-spirited and in service in the community

The spirit of charity, or Christian love... disposes a person to be public-spirited. A man of a right spirit is not a man of narrow and private views, but is greatly interested and concerned for the good of the community to which he belongs, and particularly of the city or village in which he resides... And a man of truly Christian spirit will be earnest for the good of his country, and of the place of his residence, and will be disposed to lay himself out for its improvement.
—Jonathan Edwards, Charity and Its Fruits

Many Christians esteem their church community, but in the bustle of modern times, it often seems as though we lose our sense of civil community. As Christians, our concern should be for the betterment not only for our fellowship of brethren at our church home, but also for the community at large. We as Christians, from time to time, should seek the betterment of our community, city, and locale, and likewise pray for the Lord's blessing. We serve also by helping other communities in a time of need.

We can serve in finding and maintaining useful vocation, and following the golden rule, "Do unto others...," whether in our capacity as an entrepreneur, business professional, tradesmen, or laborer.

The Virtue of Trials

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ...
—1 Peter 1:6-7

Adversity builds character, or so I have been told. I confess that I find the Apostle James' exhortation, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials," (Jas. 1:2) a lot easier said than done sometimes. But if we become reflective and think about divine sovereignty, then perhaps we can see what good can come from the trials and ordeals of life.

God's children should take heart in the midst of our affliction

You will not find one Godly man who came out of an affliction worse than when he went into it. Though for a little while he was shaken, yet, at last, he was better for an affliction. But, a great many Godly men have been worse for their prosperity.
—Jeremiah Burroughs

As Job 36:15 declares, "He delivers the poor in their affliction, and opens their ears in oppression." Thus, the Lord has a heart for His afflicted children. The Psalmist avows, "For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard" (Psalm 22:24). As the Apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthian church, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 2:17). Finally, Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, reminds us, "God gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction."

An Open Door to God's Grace

I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.
—Revelation 3:8 (NKJV)

As C.H. Spurgeon notes, in his Faith Checkbook,

Saints who remain faithful to the truth of God have an open door before them. My soul, thou hast resolved to live and die by that which the Lord has revealed in His Word, and therefore before thee stands this open door.

I will enter in by the open door of communion with God. Who shall say me nay? Jesus has removed my sin and given me His righteousness; therefore I may freely enter. Lord, I do so by Thy grace.

I'm thankful that the Lord has an open door. An door to grace for all who believe! An open door to the throne of grace, for his children who pray in the name of Jesus! "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

The Lord Shepherds His Flock

For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
—1 Samuel 12:22-24 (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul: The Just Shall Live by Faith

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
—Romans 1:16-17

The righteous in Christ live by faith in the Risen Savior! I believe in the Risen Savior and in the Power of the Gospel. It's salvation to Him who believes! As C.S. Lewis surmised, "God doesn't love us because we are good, but He makes us good because He loves us". Therefore, the justified, tbe blood-bought, the righteous — live by faith in the risen Savior.

I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 25 - I lift up my soul to thee, O Lord!

This is a Psalm of David. It captures the trust inculcated in the heart of a dependent sinner who pleads the righteousness of God. The Psalmist laments the peril of His affliction and the assaults of those who persecute and tempt him.

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
—Psalm 25:1-3

Should we not give our Trust and submit all to the one and only just and holy God? I lift up my soul to thee, O Lord!

Related Web Sites:
Psalm 25 - Treasury of David by C.H. Spurgeon