Eight Years in the Faith, All Because of The God of Calvinism!

Eight years in the faith. June 5 is the day. Everyone who knew me ten years ago could easily spot the difference. I still wonder how I got here each time I think of it. I just know it wasn't because of me.

Sure, I did a lot of things, met and mingled with a lot of people, and learned a lot of things --- all of which became factors for this drastic change.  But the socio and the logic wouldn't suffice to alter one's nature (Jer. 13:23). There must have been a supernatural intervention. Far be it from me to give the credit to myself. Everything I am now is all by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Cor. 15:10) so the glory is due to Him alone. And, aside from the fact that I find it biblical, I believe this is the main reason why I fell in love with this theological system known as "Calvinism", which was introduced to me in the early months of my Christian life.

Some people think the doctrine of Total Depravity downplays mankind's integrity. I see it as a biblical rationale for the domination of evil in my past and in this world. We may keep a blind eye towards this tragic reality but the dudes in the news confirm that sin often has the upper hand. Many think man is naturally good but in God's eyes,

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

The more I acknowledge this fatal disease, the more I appreciate its cure. (see Rom. 3:21-26)

Most people deem Unconditional Election as hazardous to the justice and love of God. There God chose some for salvation while leaving others to condemnation. But to me it as a great display of both (Rom. 9:22-24). That God did not choose all shows his justice in punishing sinners. That God would choose me, rather than let me in my sinful nature choose him (as if I will) exalts God's love more. Like Spurgeon, I do not wonder why he chose to save some. I wonder more why he chose to save at all (for nobody deserves salvation) and why he chose me (for I don't deserve salvation).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." (Ephesians 1:3-5)

While others find Limited Atonement as an insult to Christ's great salvation,  I find Christ's cross more magnified through this doctrine. That Christ's death is intended and efficient only for His people[1] shows more of its power. It was Christ's cross that saved me, not I using the cross. Limited atonement implies that the cross of Christ actually saves, not just makes salvation possible. It actually saved me. 

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

"...the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." (Acts 20:28)

Some think Irresistible Grace does no justice to man's freedom. I believe it marvelously restores it. Our will is free only insofar as it does what we decide and what we desire. Our will is just a servant of our intellect and affections. The problem is that both of these are captivated by sin (TD). Hence, that God would 'irresistibly' make me believe by changing my nature Him is freedom (i.e., from sin's power), not captivity.

"All that the Father has given me shall come to me..." (John 6:37)

"Your people shall be willing in the day of your power..." (Psalm 110:3)

Finally, while some think that Perseverance of the Saints discards man's responsibility, I believe it puts man's responsibility and God's sovereignty in a balance. Left on my own, I could've given up on this battle long ago. God knows that I can hardly finish anything worthwhile, let alone salvation! But thanks be to God who gives me security that can endure against all odds.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

If only the five points of Calvinism (aka TULIP) would be understood in their proper contexts, they would beautifully shine 'cause Calvinism, biblically and logically, (1) exalts the grace of God the most, and (2) gives the glory to God the most. 

I praise God that I am now eight years in the faith (and counting). This is all because of Calvinism. Not the concepts themselves but the reality of them at work in the world and in my life. I believe that I have gone this far only because I have this God of Calvinism, who elected me despite my radical sinfulness, sent His Son to effectively die for me, called me by His powerful Spirit and will preserve me to the end.

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[1] This does not discard the truth that Christ died sufficiently for all. (e.g., John 3:16; 1 John 2:2)

Spiritual Warfare (Part 2): Warring Against The Flesh

WARRING AGAINST THE FLESH

When things go wrong, most of the time religious people blame unseen demons around them. Little do we know that Satan isn't the only enemy we are up against. We have this flesh deep inside of us. And I do hope I could sufficiently stress its force in this second part of Spiritual Warfare series.

A. Discerning the Flesh

First off, let me clarify that the term "flesh", depending on the context, could mean two things in the Bible. Sometimes it refers to 1) our physical body (1 Pet. 1:24); sometimes to 2) the old sinful nature or the natural inclination to sin (e.g., Gal. 3:3). In the former sense, flesh is not intrinsically evil. In the latter sense, it is. Remember that the second definition is what we're referring here.

"Indwelling sin [or, the flesh] in the believer is the old man who must be killed, with all his faculties, properties, wisdom, craft, subtlety, and strength. Its power, life, vigor, and strength must be destroyed and slain by the cross of Christ." (John Owen)

1. Dethroned from the believers' life (Gal. 2:20)

"Dethroned" implies that it was once sitting on the throne, reigning in our lives. Paul says 'sin' (as an influence)  is the unbelievers' path where we 'once walked' (Eph. 2:1), and that the 'I' (i.e., the old self) 'no longer lives' but the 'I' (i.e., the new self) lives 'by faith in the Son of God' (Gal. 2:20). John teaches that the 'born again' ones, despite their rebirth's mysterious origin, have their transformed lives evident like a blowing wind. (Jn. 3:5-8) In another letter he said that genuine Christians do not practice a sinful lifestyle. (1 Jn. 3:4-6) So if you are someone whose lifestyle demonstrates an unrepentant, passionate pursuit of the pleasures of sins, showing no positive change at all, you have not been truly saved. Because, generally though not equally, true followers of Christ bear fruit (Jn. 15:5).

2. Dwelling inside the believers (Rom. 7:17; Heb. 12:2)

But just because sin was dethroned, it doesn't mean it's already dead.Many theologians call it "Indwelling Sin", acknowledging its continual residence in the believer. In Paul's terminology, when we were unbelievers we were 'in the flesh' (Rom. 7:5; 8:9). Now that we're Christians the flesh is 'in [us]'. (Rom. 7:17) In fact, so dangerous is this "resident evil" that Paul himself, calling it a law, testified of its captivating power and its 24/7 onslaught. (Rom. 7:21-23) Even if one will disagree with my interpretation of Romans 7[1], the over-all tone of the scriptures regarding the saints' spiritual struggle affirms the remaining power of sin in our lives (e.g., Heb. 3:13; 12:1).

More than that, experience can confirm it. It would be hypocritical for me to trivialize the gravity of my inner struggle. I confess that there are times (many times!) I fall into pride and sexual lust. These are the same sins with which I struggle ever since I became a Christian and the same sins which I treasured when I was an unbeliever!

3. Different from God's Spirit (Rom. 8:5; Gal. 5:16-17)

The enmity and tension can be heightened if we note that God the Holy Spirit resides in us also and that His desires are in complete contrary to the flesh. The flesh is not just our enemy, it is God's. Everytime we embrace the flesh, we dishonor our thrice-holy yet imminent God. In the same way, everytime we fail to follow the Spirit, we are following this obnoxious, good-for-nothing flesh.

4. Defiant to God's authority and law (Rom. 8:7-8)

The flesh is like a rebel in our system, a mad guerrilla opposing Christ's kingdom of grace. Like as a rebel, it does not wait until you're ready, it takes advantage of our weakness. Like a rebel, we should expect its continual schemes and surprising ploys. As J.I. Packer puts it,

"Sin is always at work in the heart; a temporary lull in its assaults means not that it is dead; but that it is very much alive."

Like a rebel, it defies the law of God. It will take your mind and heart as far as it can from God's word.

5. Deceitful and Destructive (Rom. 8:6; Jas. 1:15)

This dethroned guerrilla is very able to destroy our spiritual bulwarks and fortresses! It could make us 'carnal' and keep us from growing (see 1 Cor. 3:1-3) and 'running well' (Gal. 5:7ff) It could contaminate others (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9), divide the church (1 Cor. 3:4) and destroy relationships (1 Cor. 6). Like David, it could even make us commit heinous crimes (like murder and adultery) which, albeit forgivable[2], could bring disastrous consequences to ourselves and to others (2 Sam. 11 cf. Psa. 51). This is the same sin which will put many professing Christians to eternal death.

B. Defeating the Flesh

Now we are ready to give some pointers to defeat this foe.

1. Guard your Mind (Jas. 1:14-15; Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:1-4)

The anatomy of sin was stated by the apostle James. Before the flesh seduces the affection and conceives actual sin, it first deceives the mind. The Greek word even alludes to fishing. Giving in to the flesh is being like a fish biting a colorful butterfly, not knowing she was hooked. If the mind then is the gate of our souls, we should barricade and fortify it. Fill it with the thoughts of Christ's beauty (Col. 3:1-4) and Christlike thoughts. (Phil. 4:8) Immerse your mind in the Bible and spiritual books rather than in senseless TV shows. Search for godly conversations and avoid disparaging chitchats. Let the beauty of the cross of Christ satisfy you rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin. 

"Your mind can only protect against the deceit of the flesh if you are cross-eyed.  That is, you can only keep the rottenness of sin and the kindness of God in mind if you fix your eyes on the cross.  What shows God's hatred of sin more than the cross?  What show's God's love to you more than the cross?  If you want to know exactly what sin deserves, you have to understand the cross.  If you want to know how infinitely deep the rot of sin reaches, you have to think through all the implications of the cross.  If you want to know how far God was willing to go to rescue you from sin, you have to see his precious Son hanging on the cross for you." (Kris Lundgaard)

2. Grip on the Spirit (Rom. 8:16)

Theological understanding of sin, however helpful it is, is never enough. We need to draw the power from God's Spirit. We need a daily, heartfelt communion with God. As Erwin Lutzer says, 

"The victory over sin that you seek will come from your relationship with God. When you seek to know God and love Him with your whole mind, heart, and soul, the freedom you are looking for will become yours." 

So a healthy prayer life and constant meditation must be added.

3. Give your All (Rom. 7:23; 8:13; Col 3:5)

The terms "waging war", "enmity" and "mortify (kill)" imply vigilance and violence. The prince of puritan John Owen puts it this way, "Not to conquer sin is to be conquered by sin." and "Be killing sin or it will be killing you." We should have a wartime mindset. As John Piper puts it,

"Christianity is not a settle-in-and-live-at-peace-with-this-world-the-way-it-is kind of religion. If by the Spirit you kill the deeds of your own body, you will live. Christianity is war. On our own sinful impulses."

4. Get Practical (1 Thess. 5:22)

So much can be said here. Avoid the places and circumstances where you are tempted most. Be accountable to others and let them pray and oversee you. Get busy in doing good things. Develop your spiritual habits purposely by having reading plans, drafting prayer schedules, journaling, and the like. Make radical, practical and personal resolves for you not to fall into your own weaknesses. Be practical.

Now I'm done expounding my outline. I scanned my books, thinking I might have missed something important. And as expected, I missed a lot! I guess its impossible to sum them all up in a single post. The best thing I can do, then, is to compel you to read more hamartiological books[3]. There's so much more to learn to mortify this monster.

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[1] I am aware of the difficulty of this chapter and the differences of interpretation under the evangelical umbrella. I am more persuaded, though, that the man of Romans 7 is indeed the already-Christian Paul, struggling with his old sinful nature.

[2] Heb. 10:12-14. The Catholic doctrine of mortal sin is unbiblical.

[3] I recommend the following:

a) John Owen's Triumph Over Temptation - for an in-depth spiritual analysis of the flesh's nature and work.

b) Joshua Harris's Not Even a Hint - for practical, easy-to-read guide to defeat lust

c) Erwin Lutzer's Winning The Inner War - very pastoral, filled with spiritual nuggets to overcome temptation

d) Kris Lundgaard's The Enemy Within  - contemporary restatements of Owen's hamartiological treatises

e) Sam Storms's Pleasures Evermore - elaborates the joy available in Christ as an antidote for sin

Parody: Thessalonians

Thessalonians

(a parody of Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton)

Acts 2:9-11; Jn. 14:1-4; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-53

Making Your way back home
Taken up
With a cloud
And then You're gone

Stunning angels appeared
They're saying someday
In the same way
You'll come back

And when it's due
time, we'll meet You
The world will wonder

We'll all be caught
Up in the sky
When You come down
With a great cry
Cause we hope, like the Thessalonians,
To someday be with You for life

There are many deists
They're deriding You
And they utter that You desert us coldly

Yet You prepare our home
Where we all belong
Living in Your mansions we would be

So just where You

are, we're there too

With you forever

We'll all be caught
Up in the sky
Alive Christians
And ones who died, oh
Chapter four of First Thessalonians
Says we would all see You arrive

And come, come with an archangel's voice,
(with) a sound of trumpet of Yahweh,
(with) a loud command, oh we implore
Come now Lord.

There in mid-air's a throng
From all tribes
And all tongues
And it's awesome

Still we'll greatly be thrilled
Just seeing Your face
Seeing Your flesh
Glorified

And I believe You
And I still wait to
Behold that wonder

We'll be transformed
In blink of an eye
Last trumpet sounds
The dead will rise
Cause we hope, like the Thessalonians,
To someday just see You

 

We'll all be caught
Up in the sky
When You come down
We all will fly
Cause we hope, like the Thessalonians,
To someday be with You

To someday behold You for life

D.A. Carson on The Problem of Weak Faith

I've been listening to D.A. Carson these past few months and on a certain Q&A portion on the book of Hebrews, I find this theological (and spiritual) nugget quite helpful.

Question (from one of the audience):
"Sometimes I feel my faith is very weak. Does that mean that it is not God-given and that it's just me trying to believe?"

Here's Carson's reply:

"Probably not. The important thing to remember is that faith's ultimate strength does not depend on the faith but on faith's Object. You're saved not on the basis of how strong your faith is but on the reliability of faith's Object, which in fact you may cling to still pretty weakly. And ultimately, the stronger you see, the more clearly you see that at the end of the day it's not the strength of your faith that is the crucial thing but the reliability and truth that's in the faith's Object that is the crucial thing, the more you'll be driven to having stronger faith. Because if you're trying to strengthen your faith by simply turning up your stomach muscles to believe more strongly then you're wanting the faith to be the thing that is the crucial ingredient rather than faith's Object. At the end of the day, you're saved by faith in the sense that faith is the means of salvation. But you're not saved by faith in the abstract, you're saved by Christ. You're saved by the correct Object of faith, namely, Christ and Christ crucified, and so on. So the way you will strengthen your faith is not by simply turning up your stomach muscles to try harder to believe. The way you'll strengthen your faith is by studying Christ. And the more you understand him and his cross' worth in the scriptures... the more you'll strengthen your faith."

Without the elaborate relationship of faith, Christ and salvation, I think another theologian sufficiently answered with these words:

"...the weakest faith gets the same strong Christ as does the strongest faith." ~ Sinclair Ferguson

Spiritual Warfare (Part 1): Warring Against Satan

The Bible in Eph. 6:10-12 pictures the Christian as a soldier in spiritual warfare. And one of the fundamentals in war is to know your enemy.

The Bible presents three enemies of Christians:

1) The Supernatural Enemy: Satan (Jas. 4:7)

2) The Indwelling Enemy: Flesh (Rom. 8:16-18)

3) The System Enemy: The World (1 Jn. 2:15-17)

Though these three are inseparable in battle, discerning them individually would arm us more with vigilance. This is the first of a three-part series. It is in no way exhaustive[1] but I think it can offer some helpful information.

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WARRING AGAINST SATAN

A. DISCERNING SATAN

First, we shall try to describe Satan according to the scriptures.

1. Wicked Destroyer (1 Pet. 5:8-9)

We maybe are in a modern world where human intellect is exceptional and our technology is superb but Christianity never changes in its teaching that supernatural, evil beings are real. Martin Lloyd-Jones emphatically stated:

"I am certain that one of the main causes of the ill state of the Church today is the fact that the devil is being forgotten. All is attributed to us; we have all become so psychological in our attitude and thinking..."

We dare not ignore this destructive fiend. Even during Job's time, he was zealously "going to and fro on the earth" (Job 1:7), looking for opportunities to destroy God's people. (Job 2:2) How much more now that his time is short?

It wasn't arbitrary that, according to 1 Pet. 5:8-9, he was described as a lion[2] and not a dog. He is fierce and strong, unstoppable by mere human strength. We cannot defeat him on our own. He lurks to catch us unaware. Of course, he isn't omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent but he has a bunch of agents to work for him day and night. It is his greatest ambition to spoil God's work, hence, he gives his all to destroy God's people. In some restricted sense, he even has the power death. (Heb. 2:4)

2. Wise Deceiver (2 Cor. 11:13-15)

Aside from his supernatural strength, his malicious wit brings mankind to ruin. If God is a Being of truth from start to end, Satan is the opposite. From the very beginning, we find him successful in deceiving Eve (Gen. 3), damning us all to sin and death (Rom. 5:12). At the end of time, he will energize the man of sin, the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:1-10 cf. Rev. 13:1-8) who will deceive the nations.

He is the same in the present. He blinds the mind of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4) He wasn't called "The Accuser of the Brethren" (Rev. 12:10) or "the Tempter" (Mt. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5) for nothing. In John's apocalyptic vision, the Devil wrathfully pursues the community of faith[3]. The word "Devil" itself means "accuser" or "slanderer". He slanders us to God and slanders God to us. He is the king of malice and deceit. He deceives the whole world. (Rev. 12:9)

His deceitful schemes are not easy to unveil. He could've been doing it by suggesting evil thoughts on our minds (in a supernatural way), perhaps somehow similar to Christ's temptation. (Mt. 4; Lk. 4) More similar is the case of Peter (Lk. 22:31-34) or of Ananias (Acts 5:2) He could also do it by putting us into unfavorable circumstances to fan the evil inside us. Such is the case when he struck Job with illness and other miseries, or when he planted Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor. 12:7). What's surer, however, is that he spares no one and tries to deceive God's children of all times. Adam and Eve at their perfect state doubted God and fell for his facade. Peter, the leader of the Twelve, after being called "Blessed", was demonized and opposed Christ's atonement.

There's one more hazardous tactic Satan uses today, namely, spreading false teachers (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Such people are not only in the world (2 Jn. 1:7) but are also inside the four corners of our worship assembly! (2 Pet. 2:1-2) It's not just a warning. Both Peter and Paul said it is going to happen. More fearful is the fact that "many will follow them...". This inner deception is a fruit of one error: ignorance of God's word (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

Oh woe to the modern church for undermining the significance of doctrine and embracing heresies like universalism! Not all who hold a Bible and stand on the pulpit inside our churches are of God! They could be the devil's. We should learn how to test the Spirit (1 Jn. 4) the way the Bereans did (Acts 17:11).

3. World Dominator (2 Cor. 4:4)

Jesus called him “ruler of this world” (Jn. 12:31) Paul called him "god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4) and "prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). These text give us the stern warning that we are behind enemy lines. We live in Satan's territory.

So true is the inference of Dr. Robert Duncan Culver,

"It follows that the world - as cosmos, arranged in a certain way - will reflect the devil's policies and is therefore a very dangerous place in which to dwell (spiritually, morally, physically), especially to rear our children! (Should we expect their schooling under worldly government aegis to reflect godly principles?)"

Yet how often do we expose our children unguided to television and the internet? How often do we love superficial trendiness? How often are we aware that Satan could influence the academe, legal courts and government institutions the same way as he could influence false religions and criminals? I am not suggesting that we should live a fearful, Amish life but practice a cautious lifestyle with a pilgrim mindset.

B. DEFEATING SATAN

Now, there are two wrong actions we could undertake. One is to overestimate Satan. The other is to underestimate him. I offer two biblical truths we should mind to avoid such extremes.

1. Remember that the Cross of Christ Assured Satan's Final Defeat (Col. 2:8,14,15)

Some people unconsciously buy the heresy of dualism. That is, the belief that there are two equal powers in the world (good and bad). When tragedies and other unpleasant things ensue, they always attribute it to the devil, as though God is not in-control. But that is unbiblical. God has always been sovereign over everything (Psa. 103:19). Satan cannot do anything apart from God's permission (Job 1:12,2:6).

Aside from that, Satan's defeat is ascertained. Even before Christ's career, Satan already failed to tempt Christ (Mt. 4:1-11). During Christ's ministry, he saw Satan "fall like lightning" (Lk. 10:17-18). As Christ's death approaches, he said Satan has already been judged (Jn. 16:11). Finally, at the cross, Christ triumphed over all demonic "principalities and powers" (Col. 2:15). Let us cast out unneccesary fear for him.

2. Remember that the Armor of God Assures Satan's Daily Defeat (Eph 6:13-18)

But making fun of the devil is not a wise alternative. We best join Michael in respecting the devil (Jude 8,9), not speaking presumptuously about him. We should acknowledge his might and seriously resist him by putting on God's panoply everyday.

Finally, let us remember that Christ taught his disciples to pray "deliver us from the Evil One" daily. We are in a war. Against an extraordinary foe. Only by grace will we win this.

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[1] D.A. Carson said, "There's a huge amount of details that we do not know so I'm again a little suspicious of... detailed angelology."
[2] In Rev. 12 Satan was even deemed as a "Dragon", more destructive than a lion.
[3] Such term is acceptable whether you interpret the woman to be the nation Israel or the universal Church.

Soteria Stands Out Against Any Manga

Manga  is Better

I love manga (and anime). It can't be helped. The anything-goes plots are mind-boggling. Its innate ability to mix various genre (like action, comedy, romance, shounen, mecha) is outstanding. And, of course, the cool and "kawaii" character designs are too appealing. I think manga's best characteristic is its expressive perspectives through artistic exaggerations. It thrills the heart. Ah, words won't suffice! Read one for yourselves (LOL). Right now, I'm still subscribing to four online manga, believing that manga is always better than any real-life and real-human-character movies or stories.*

Soteria is the Best

However, there's one real-life story that will always be better than any manga and any other story in the world. It does not just thrill the heart. IT BURNS IT. Two persons confirmed this phenomenon a long time ago:  

They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us...?

These persons were subscribing to this Soteria story. But one time they were confused about the plot: 

The Hero has come. He wonderfully exhibited His power, wisdom and love. He became famous. Then, the villains appeared on the scene and fought with Him. And guess what? He was tragically crushed, haplessly hanging on a tree. What an ugly ending if that's all there is in the story.

But after three days, the Hero rose from the dead, declaring the real plot of His heroic story to these fellows. Apparently, this Hero, the main character I was referring is the historic Jesus Christ (Luke 24:13-35). And it was his "soteria" (Greek for "salvation") which is the greatest story ever told. For what reasons? I'm not sure if I can exhaust them. Let me just name some:


A) Christ is More Than A Hero

Common super heroes have their weaknesses. This Hero has none. He is divine.  (Col. 2:9) The Maker of All things. (Col. 1:16) The All-Powerful (Rev. 1:8) so when it comes to strength, He has no rival. He needs neither us nor our praise. Yet He stooped down to save us from our sins. He is more than a Hero. He's the King of the Universe. Yet He condescended even to the point of death. (Phil. 2:6-8)

B) Christ Defeats The Most Terrifying Enemies You Can Think Of

Enemy #1: Satan, the wisest deceiver. One who has mastered mind manipulation. Far more witty than Einstein or President Marcos. But on the cross, at a time when he thought he outwitted God, Christ landed a fatal blow on his head. (Gen 3:15) And in the end he will finally be overthrown. (Rev. 20:10) 

Enemy #2: Sin, the greatest virus. Nothing poisoned us like sin. It has corrupted the world with just an instance. (Rom. 5:17) But through the cross, we can be freed from sin's penalty and power.

Enemy #3: Death. The Darkest Horror. It has terribly reigned since the fall. But death shall die in the end because of Christ. (1 Cor. 15:26) 

C) Christ Has the Grandest and Most Unique Triumph

Isn't He the only Hero who rescued by being fallen, helped by being helpless? Isn't He the only Hero who, by His great power, saved not just His friends but also those who used to be His enemies (Eph. 2:1-5)?

D) Christ's Salvation is Cosmic in Its Effect

Yes, you might have heard about comic heroes "saving the day" and saving "the world" from villains. Christ's salvation does not just last for a day, though. It's for all eternity (John 3:16). He did not just save our lives. He gives us life. (John 10:10) His salvation affects not just the earth but all things (Col. 1:20). He did not come just to reduce this world's imperfection. He has come to bring perfection.

What Now? 

If you're a believer in Christ, you should dwell more on this thoughts. Read more of His word. Know that Christ is supreme in all things, hence, sufficient for all things. Know that nothing satisfies the soul more than savoring Christ's person and work.

If you're an unbeliever, you certainly are missing the greatest story ever told that affects the eternal destiny of your soul. He is not a hearsay personality on a tabloid or a legend on a folklore. He is the loving King of the universe to whom all should surrender, lest His just wrath fall upon us (Psa. 2:12).

Do you want the greatest story to burn your heart? Go grab a Bible and look for CHRIST!

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* It is true, however, that there are Christian manga existing now. One of which is Manga Messiah and its sequels.

Why Don't I Seem to Grow Spiritually? (Hindrances to Spiritual Growth)

"Why don't I seem to grow spiritually?" is the question of many, not realizing that there are "spiritual earthworms" hindering the growth of their plant of spirituality.

1. False Security (Are you fully persuaded that you need spiritual growth?)

One hindrance to spiritual growth is the presumption that we're already spiritual enough and need to grow no more. The Bible teaches that sanctification--the process of being holy or of growing spiritually--takes a lifetime (Phil. 3:12). I think most of us are unwilling to deny that with our lips. But we do so with our lives. Sometimes we draw false security from good things around us. One of which is having godly parents, an orthodox church, and/or a Christian fellowship.

We should remember that each of us has personal accountability before God. You cannot bring your godly pastor-father there. God measures you by your own practical holiness (cf. 2 Cor 5:10).

Another good thing from where we might draw false security is our theological knowledge. Whenever we think we know God enough, our thirst for Him drifts away, along with our spiritual progress. But the infinite God can never be fully comprehended by finite, sinful creatures like us. Moreover, knowledge by itself is not enough (Jas 2:17). It takes the application of the Word to cultivate holiness in our lives and, consequently, grow spiritually.

Everybody needs growth. But the question is more than just whether you intellectually believe that. The question is whether you constantly live in awareness of such need. And the sign that you don't is when you don't evaluate your spirituality every day.

2. False Sources (What is your means of spiritual growth?)

Pragmatism is the key of most churches for discipleship. Basically, it is the belief that we should use whatever method will work to win people. Since most young people love bonding and fun, outing and games might be a good move. Since most unbelievers love music jamming, why not utilize Praise and Worship to evangelize them?

The problem with this, aside from the fact that it is man-centered, is that it contradicts the Bible. Paul warns us from trading "the wisdom of this world" with the simplicity of the gospel preaching (1 Cor 1:17ff) and ear-tickling tactics with sound doctrine. (2 Tim. 4:3) Through and through we can read that it is God's word that transforms us. (Psa 19:7-11; 1 Pet 2:2; Rom. 12:2). Jesus Himself, while praying at Jerusalem, gave us the true key for spiritual growth: "Sanctify them by Your Truth. Your Word is truth." (Jn 17:17)

You can indulge yourself in many "spiritual" strategies but they won't grow your faith. Christ's disciples are being made holy by the truth of God's word. What we need is the word of God saturating our lives. What we need is to have the word read, the word listened to, the word prayed, the word memorized and the word sung.

3. False Standards (Who is your standard in spirituality?)

One of the biggest mistakes we can do is to compare ourselves with unbelieving people for a spiritual checkup, forgetting that these people naturally will not progress in spirituality because they're dead (Eph 2:1). It is just normal for them not to grow because they don't even have life. But it is utterly abnormal for Christians not to grow because we are already born again (Jn 1:13).

How about co-believers? Albeit helpful for some reasons, comparing ourselves to them to the point of making them our standard of spirituality is wrong. Just because you are spiritually better than your churchmates or siblings, it doesn't mean you can be lax or assume you're growing according to God's will. Also just because your mentor is better than you, it doesn't mean being like him is your chief end. Our standard for spirituality is Christ alone (1 Jn 2:6).

So the question is not whether you are better than others. The real question is whether or not you are being more like Christ every day.

4. False Success (How do you know that you are pursuing spiritual growth?)

You've gone to the church. You've read your Bible. You've said a prayer. You got all of your spiritual disciplines done, and you still feel like God is far away and you're not spiritually growing. What's wrong?

It's not that you are doing the wrong things. But you are doing it the wrong way. We got used to do's-and-don'ts and how-tos that sometimes we already forget the essence. We are forgetting why we're trying to maintain our spiritual disciplines. We are forgetting that these are means of God's grace. It is God Himself who sanctifies. These are just doors we knock at to see God more and beg for His sovereign, sanctifying grace.

Most of the time we see spiritual disciplines as an end in themselves so we end up dog-tired with unfruitful legalism. We should, by God's grace, pursue spiritual disciplines only because we want to know God more, be closer to God more and love God more. We succeed in growing when we do not just perform our religious routines but pursue God through them.

5. False Spring (Why do you desire to grow spiritually?)

Finally, motive matters! If we seek to grow spiritually because we want the attention and praise of others, God will not bless our desire. Only when we seek His glory in our pursuit of spiritual growth will He be with us in our pursuit (1 Cor 10:31).

There is a very thin line between pursuing personal growth for God's sake and pursuing personal growth alone. Beware not to be too consumed with looking at yourself. Those who are being transformed into Christ's likeness gaze at His beauty (2 Cor 3:18).

Had we shunned these hindrances our growth will be assured. That will happen not instantly though. So be patient and know that God is not done with you yet (Phil 1:6).