One day, my friend's daughter, Britney, came up to her and said, "Mom, I know that Jesus lives inside my heart. But how do I tell him I love him? Do you think if I write 'I love you' on a piece of paper and eat it, he'll get the note?" [Donna Hutchinson, Today's Christian Woman]   Do we love Jesus enough to eat a piece of paper?  How much do we love God?  How do we know?  How important is our relationship with God?  Today we will address some of these questions through this passage in Exodus 20:1-11   Most people approach the 10 commandments and the rest of the Mosaic Laws as exactly that – commandments.  Commandments to be obeyed, rules to be followed.  Like traffic laws. But when Jesus came, he shocked everybody by giving it a totally different perspective. Matthew 22:35-40 (NIV) 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.  39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”   What are the two greatest commandments about?  It is about loving God and loving others. Instead of rules and regulations, Jesus lifted it to a higher level. Showing it is about the quality of our relationship with God and the quality of our relationship with others.   In our 2-part series on Relationships Commandments, we will look at the first part of the 10 commandments, the first 4 commandments and begin to understand its implications in our relationships.  This first article will focus on The Epicentre of All Relationships.    GOD SHOULD BE CENTRAL TO OUR RELATIONSHIPS   Exodus 20:1–2 (NIV) And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”   Before God gave the first commandment, He reminded the Israelites that He is the “Lord your God”. Not just God, but your God.  A personal God.  It reveals God seeks to have a relationship with us.  God invites us to relate with Him.  It was God who took the initiative to bring us into a commitment with Him.   Consider how significant our relationship with God should be.  What did Jesus say in Matthew 22:37-38?  Loving God was the first, the greatest, the most important relationship we could ever have!  Loving God captures the essence behind the first 4 commandments. In fact, if we truly love God, we will fulfil the first 4 commandments! The Greatest first commandment without the second is incomplete.  The second without the first loses its bearings.   When we examine Matthew 22:34-40 do you realise that the expert of the law asked for the greatest commandment? Yet Jesus gave also the second greatest commandment.  When He was not asked for it?  Why?  Because both are inter-related.  The Greatest first commandment without the second is incomplete.  The second without the first loses its bearings.   For the way we relate with God affects the way we relate with others.  The quality of our relationship with God determines the quality of our relationship with others.  Why?  It is like a compass of our lives.  A compass must be calibrated so that it points to true north.  Once that is accurate, the rest of the directions on the compass will be accurate.  But if a compass does not get its true north correct, every other direction will be misaligned. Our relationship with God is the epicentre of all our relationships. The shockwaves from our relationship with God impacts our relationships with others.   Get your vertical relationship with God right, and you begin to get horizontal relationships around you into proper perspective.  That is why the next greatest commandment is about relationships, relationships with others.  The second greatest commandment cannot come before the greatest.  That would put it the wrong way around. Hence, our relationship with God is the epicentre of all our relationships. It is central, it is the focal point.  Just like an earthquake has an epicentre, so all our relationships has an epicentre.  The shockwaves from our relationship with God impacts our relationships with others.   Saul’s deteriorating relationship with God led to deteriorating relationship with others, notably with David and even his own son Jonathan. Those that have no relationship with God, will find all their relationships distorted.  Those who have minimal relationship with God will find minimal improvements in their relationships.   When we truly experience God’s mercy upon our lives and understand its significance, it will motivate us to show mercy to others – God’s way. Luke 6:36 (NIV) Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  We are enabled to be merciful because we experience God’s mercy to us.   On the evening of April 25, 1958, a young Korean exchange student in the University of Pennsylvania, left his flat and went to post a letter to his parents. He stepped into the path of eleven leather-jacketed teenage boys. Without a word they attacked him, beating him with a blackjack, a lead pipe and with their shoes and fists. Later, police found him dead in the gutter. All Philadelphia cried out for vengeance. The district attorney secured legal authority to try the boys as adults so that those found guilty could be given the death penalty. Then a letter arrived from Korea. It was signed by the parents and by twenty other relatives of the murdered boy.    "Our family has met together and we have decided to petition that the most generous treatment possible within the laws of your government be given to those who have committed this criminal action. In order to give evidence of our sincere hope contained in this petition, we have decided to save money to start a fund to be used for the religious, educational, vocational, and social guidance of the boys when they are released. We have dared to express our hope with a spirit received from the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins." [A. Leonard Griffith, Beneath the Cross of Jesus.]   We learn to love others because of our relationship with the God of love. Having experienced true love, we begin to genuinely love others. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV) 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.    Our relationship with God is central to all our relationships. Get the vertical right and eventually the horizontal will be right! The question is this: what are we doing about it?    WE SHOULD PRIORITISE GOD AS CENTRAL   Exodus 20:3–6 (NIV) 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.   In what ways is God to be central in our relationships?  The commandments help us understand what is required.   Love God foremost (v6) “…of those who love me…”   In Matthew 22:37, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.    It means to love God with all that we are.  Every fibre of our being. Even when the hair drops off our head, it should cry out, “I love God!” That is loving God foremost!  Only by loving God foremost can He be placed in the centre of our lives. If we love anything more, then that is at the centre of our lives.  It could be love for fame, wealth, power, or even for ourselves. Let’s beware.   Apostle Paul’s love for God was so great that he wanted to go all the way in following Christ. Philippians 3:10 (NIV) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  When we love God foremost, it would be obvious in most things we do.   French illustrator/painter Gustave Dore (1832-1883), one of the patron saints of the DreamWorks team, was handed a painting of Jesus just finished by one of his students. Asked for his critique, Dore studied it, his mind searching for the right words. At last he handed it back to the student. "If you loved him more," he said, "you would have painted him better." When we love God foremost, it would be obvious in most things we do.   Before I married Lai Ling, I told her that she can only be the second greatest love of my life.  For God will be my greatest love. My life and ministry is an outworking of my love for God! I wasn’t always like this – I too had my struggles to love God foremost. But as I gradually gave my heart over to Him and as I experienced more of Him, I grew to love God more and more!   You too can journey to the point where God is your foremost beloved! You must see the importance and the urgency.  Cry out to God and He will help you!   No other competition (v3) “You shall have no other gods before me.” God is number one and the only one.   What is the first commandment saying?  You shall have no other gods before me. Is that referring to some linear sequence of priority? Does that mean God is first then we can have some other gods second, or third?  In the NIV footnote is says “besides”. Exodus 20:23 (NIV) “Do not make any gods to be alongside me...”  We are not to have any other god besides or alongside Jehovah!  No second or third!  God is number one and the only one.  Nothing else! Anything we worship is an idol.  Anything we cannot let go of is an idol!   God warned the Israelites in v4-5a that we are not to make idols of any kind nor to worship them.  What does this mean to us today?  It means we are not to let anything in our life to take on a status of a god or idol in our life. Even if it is second to God. Is our spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend an idol in our lives?  Is our job or accomplishments an idol in our lives?  Are our dreams or desires an idol? Anything we worship is an idol.  Anything we cannot let go of is an idol!   I have determined that I will not allow anything to become an idol in my life.  I have to be ruthless with myself so as not to allow such thing to take root. Jesus highlighted this principle when He taught in Luke 16:13 (NIV) “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” By money Jesus was referring to greed.   Why can’t we love God and be greedy at the same time?  Or even God first and have greed second?  Just a little greed!?  Because both are in opposition.  As long as we nurture greed, it will eventually seek to dethrone God from our lives.  There will be continual conflict! Yet sometimes, we go to God and bargain for a little idol in our life.  God, I will love and serve you IF you would let me marry this person, or have this job or win lottery or keep this hobby!   When you marry a girl, do you tell her that you love her the most and that there is another girl you love too, just not as much as her? I love Lai Ling and no other woman. The only 3 other women in my life that I love are my mom, my sister and my daughter.   Is there anything competing for your affection against God?  V5 declares that God is a “jealous God”.  It is not a jealousy in the sense of envy or because God feels threaten.  God is jealous to protect us from idolatry that will destroy us. Let God be central in our hearts. Love Him with all our heart.   TREAT GOD AS CENTRAL   Exodus 20:7–11 (NIV) 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.   When we put God in the centre of our lives, in the centre of our relationships – it becomes evident in a number of key areas by our actions and attitudes.    By honouring God (v7) “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God…”   The third commandment commands that God’s name must never be used in vain, as a swear word! It is not to be treated with disrespect.  It is meant to convey that God’s name should be honoured, for this honours God.   When we truly put God in the centre of our lives, we will honour God in everything we do.  Be careful not to merely honour God on the outside while our hearts are not sincere.  Like when we open up a chocolate wrapping to find out it is not as the cover states?  Consider this: Do we seek to give Him glory or do we take it for ourselves?  Lucifer started to flirt with taking glory due to God and ended up wanting it all for himself.    When we serve God, especially in up front ministry – give the glory to God where it is due. Jesus said in John 7:18 (NIV) He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.   Billy Graham was a man who kept himself humble and gave glory to God in everything he did.  He honoured God by being faithful to God’s call upon his life.  He did not hype up his ministry.  He did not take advantage for personal gain.  His concern was God’s purposes.  That honours God. And God used him mightily.  As a preacher I spend many hours to prepare the best sermon I reasonably can.  Yet many times, I feel inadequately prepared.  But God comes and lifts the whole standard and impact of the sermon. I know when God helps me. So I honour God by giving thanks to God. I must not take the glory! When our focus is to honour God, it will keep us on the right track.    When our focus is to honour God, it will keep us on the right track.  Let us choose to honour God in everything we do!   By keeping His commands (v8-11) “Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.”   The fourth commandment basically instructs us to obey God’s commands about the Sabbath. We will not explain the whole purpose of Sabbath and its implications here.  Do refer to my articles expounding the proper significance of Sabbath and address some errors in understanding it [Refuting Christan Sabbath Teachings Parts 1 and 2].  The main principle is to keep God’s Word.  Jesus said in John 14:15 (NIV) “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Jesus made it clear that if we truly love God, we will obey Him.   Our obedience is a measure of our love for God. It is an outcome of a conscious decision because we trust Him enough and care enough about His desires to want to carry it out.  Often when someone dies, the family will try their best to carry out the deceased’s last instructions.  Why?  Because of their love for the deceased.  Further, the more we relate with God, the more confident we are in obeying Him even in the most challenging circumstances. Because we trust Him more! By the grace of God, we can keep His Word!   CONCLUSION   The Koh-i-noor diamond is among the most spectacular in the world. Queen Victoria received it as a gift from a maharajah when he was a lad. Later as a grown man this maharajah visited Queen Victoria again. He requested that the stone be brought from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace. The maharajah took the diamond and, kneeling before the Queen, gave it back to her, saying, "Your Majesty, I gave this jewel when I was a child, too young to know what I was doing. I want to give it to you again in the fullness of my strength, with all of my heart and affection, and gratitude, now and forever, fully realizing all that I do."   As we come to a deeper understanding of what it means to love God, let us go to Him and seek to grow deeper in that love.  Ask God to give us power to love Him with all our heart!  And if we truly love God, we will keep the principles embodied by the first 4 commandments. We will not have any other gods or idols before God.  We would not worship any other thing.  We would give honour to God.  We will keep God’s Word. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

In the movie “The Devil Wore Prada”, Meryl Streep plays Miranda Priestly, a ruthless editor-in-chief for a famous fashion magazine. Priestley makes the job for her new assistant Andrea, played by Anne Hathaway, a hell of a job!  She makes some impossible demands upon the new assistant.  And Andrea begins to realise that the job millions of girls would die for might just kill her.   Have we ever faced difficult employers or superiors?  Have we ever felt our superior deserves our bad attitude?  As Christians, we need the right theology of work.  To understand that work was created by God for our good.  And as part of that, the employee-employer relationship is very important.   In the time of Apostle Paul and Timothy, slavery was an integral part of the Greco-Roman society.  Slaves were the employees who worked for their wealthy masters.  It was a key part of employment framework in those times.  The economic structure of the Roman Empire depended on it. Most of the seasonal work and part-time labour were done by hired day labourers. While much of the permanent employment were by slaves who functioned as household managers, cooks, cleaners, artisans, teachers and many became almost like family. The system was not perfect and open to abuse.    It is interesting to note that the Old and New Testament never forbade slavery but carefully guarded the rights of slaves.  No Jewish slave could be held more than 6 years unless they choose to remain voluntarily.  They were not to be abused. They had religious, civil rights and even economic rights. Clearly, Jewish slaves had far more protection than the Gentile slaves.   Although slavery is not practised in civilised nations today, the principles involved still relevant to how we respond to our employers.  We examine 3 key principles involved in giving respect to our employers from this passage.   CONSIDER EMPLOYERS WORTHY   1 Timothy 6:1–2 (NIV) All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect… It is not a question of whether masters behaved in a way worthy but for the slaves to consider their masters worthy.   This verse encourages all Christian slaves to consider their masters worthy of full respect.  It is important to note that it is not a question of whether masters behaved in a way worthy but for the slaves to consider their masters worthy.  It is not conditional upon their masters’ behaviour.  But what if they were incompetent?  Or unjust?  Or unkind or unreasonable? What a radical expectation of attitude.  Why is this so?   Because of the principle of authority The position of authority of a master or employer or supervisor should be respected.    The master of the slave is in a position of authority over the slave.  Purely on that basis, they should be respected.  Just as the office of a spiritual leader as in any leadership should be respected.  Similarly, the position of authority of a master or employer or supervisor should be respected.  Romans 13:1 - 2 (NIV) 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.    God instituted authority.  Authority is a Kingdom principle.  Without authority and respect for authority there would be chaos.  When we rebel against authority it breaks down the principle of authority and leads to many problems.  Imagine if we do not obey the police man.  If we ignore traffic signs?  If we pooh pooh the laws of the country?  What if your employer or supervisor does not treat you well? What if your boss was like Miranda Priestly in the movie “The Devil Wore Prada”?  Who simply makes your job unattainable or almost unbearable?   1 Peter 2:18 - 20 (NIV) 18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.  19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.  20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.    What a challenging word!  Regardless of how our employers treat us, we should still give them respect because of their authority. Even if we suffer unjustly, we should behave righteously, that is commendable before God. So if our employer does not treat us well?  Well, you could quit and leave the job.  Or you could pray about it and see whether God has higher purposes for you to remain there.  Perhaps the difficulties could teach you some valuable lessons or perhaps God may wish you to accomplish something there despite the opposition. But no matter which option we choose, we should continue to treat them with respect.   Now I am not suggesting we simply be mats for people to step all over us and wipe their feet upon.  There is a place to stand up against unjust treatment.  Yet it should always be done with respect for authority.  That is a topic for another occasion.   Because it returns blessings   When we give proper respect to our employers or those in authority over us, it helps them feel more comfortable with us.  They feel assured that we are not attempting to work against them or make things difficult.  As employees, we should aim to be an asset to our employer.  That is, we aim to make things work better for our employers. Sometimes, we may want things to work better but the way we bring it up can seem like we are working cross purposes to our superiors.     Consider an example where our superior wants to implement something that we think is not that good an idea. Some will simply say: “It is a bad idea.  It will not work well at all.  That it will waste resource and time.”  That will probably not go down well.  Instead, we could offer it in a form of a suggestion. “I think you have identified a great objective.  Do you think that if we tried tweaking the approach, it would improve our effectiveness?”   “To gain respect – first give it”.  Anonymous.   When our approach is to add helpful suggestions in a helpful way, rather than in an unhelpful way – it will be better appreciated.  When they are assurance that we respect them and want to be an asset, they tend to treat us better.  “To gain respect – first give it”.  Anonymous.   Further, when our attitude is to work with them, things tend to flow smoother and things get done better.  Perhaps we may discover that what they wanted may be better overall after all.  The Bible records the story of Joseph sold to be a slave. Genesis 39:2 - 4 (NIV) 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.  3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.  When we give respect as we should before God, we will be blessed.    Joseph could have been bitter, upset with his lot in life and be a grumpy and unhelpful slave.  Yet Joseph gave respect to his master and did his best.  And God blessed him greatly.  When we give respect as we should before God, we will be blessed.    TO HONOUR GOD   1 Timothy 6:1–2 (NIV) All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.   Another reason for giving respect to our employers is because it honours God.   Because God requires it “...God’s name and our teaching...”   As mentioned earlier, God instructs through His Scriptures to honour those in authority.  When we persist to honour those in authority, despite huge challenges, it ultimately reveals our deep convictions to honour God and to keep to biblical principles.   In the story of Joseph we see the depth of his convictions.  Genesis 39:19 - 20 (NIV) 19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger.  20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.  Determining to honour those in authority reflect the convictions by which we honour God.   Though Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of wrongdoing and Joseph’s master did him wrong by not checking the story, Joseph did not accuse his former master of wrong doing. Determining to honour those in authority reflect the convictions by which we honour God.   It aids our witness “...will not be slandered.”   If we are disrespectful to our superiors, to others, it will not gain us respect.  In fact, others may think, “And he claims to be a Christian!” But when employees behave with integrity, with respect in their workplaces – it eventually gains them respect. Titus 2:9-10 (NIV) 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,  10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. Do not under-estimate the impact upon observers of the respect we show to others.    When we approach our workplace, our employers and our colleagues with an attitude that communicates respect and value of others, people will take notice. When I was a research scientist, my supervisor had a number of inadequacies as a manager that brought about some level of frustration amongst my colleagues. When the opportunity arose for them to vent their frustrations, they were surprised that I refused to do so. Instead I spoke truthfully yet graciously about my supervisors limitations. It won me some begrudging respect. Do not under-estimate the impact upon observers of the respect we show to others.    DON’T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EMPLOYERS   1 Timothy 6:2 (NIV) Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.   The Scriptures urges Christian slaves not to take advantage of believing masters.  For Christian masters should treat their slaves better and not be harsh (Col 4:1, Eph 6:9).  This led some slaves to think they can take advantage of their master’s kindness and be slack.  The principle here is: We should not take advantage of our employer’s kindness, graciousness or even slackness.  We should put in a decent day’s work for our employer.    Our attitudes should be:   Serve, as unto God.   Indeed, our attitude should be that we are working for God, rather than man. Ephesians 6:5 - 8 (NIV) 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.  6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.  7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Serve because we desire to please God, who is also expecting a good outcome from our work.   Col 3:22-25 states a similar principle. What an incredible perspective!  We work diligently not so much because our employer requires a good output from us.  Serve because we desire to please God, who is also expecting a good outcome from our work. God is our ultimate Master and all we do should be firstly unto God   For God is our ultimate Master and all we do should be firstly unto God. And because God sees everything, including our hearts – that is why we should work wholeheartedly in our jobs, doing the best we can.  For God does not like lazy workers.   Michael Michelangelo painted 1100m2 of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel from 1508-1512.  When he was painstakingly painting an obscure portion of the ceiling, someone asked him why he bothered since no one can see it.  He answered, “God can see it.”.  Michelangelo painted in honour of God.  We should all resolve to carry out our work as unto God Himself!   Serve to be a blessing.   The passage urged the believing slaves who serve under believing master – to serve them even better.  After all, if our services brought blessings to fellow believers it benefits the Kingdom of God more.  For that reason, we should make sure we be a blessing to fellow believers even more!    Imagine if we worked in the family business.  If we worked extra hard, the extra profits flow into the family business which ultimately benefits the family more.  In the same way, when we bless our fellow believers – it ends up blessing the house of God more!   CONCLUSIONS   God wants us to treat people rightly.  One key group is our employers or superiors.  We should treat them rightly, giving them due respect.  We should consider them worthy of respect simply because of the authority that they hold.    We should respect them because by doing so we ultimately honour God and it helps our witnesses to our workmates.  We should also not take advantage of our employers but give unto them a decent day’s work since our attitude is that we are doing this for God. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

Does God determine every detail of His creation, making sure that everything that ever happens is precisely according to His pre-determined plan? Does God micro-manage everything in order to maintain sovereignty? Or does God approach His creation in a different way?  Where God is willing, even intentional to delegate His purposes, authority and powers?  The route that God takes has profound implications on how we follow God and walk in His purposes.   As we study Exodus 18:13-27, we discover the principle of delegation clearly expressed by Jethro.  This principle of delegation, if properly understood from Scripture can give us a glimpse about the way God operates.  We will show biblically why God delegates and how this passage reveals principles of divine delegation.  It also gives us insight into why we too should practise the principle of delegation.  We will expound 4 insights from this passage.   DELEGATION IS DIVINE   Exodus 18:17-19 (NIV)  17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.   Jethro understood clearly the principle of delegation is of God and urged Moses to delegate his authority and function. Jethro affirmed that Moses must be the people’s representative to God and went on to outline how Moses had to delegate to others to fulfil his role.  This is a crucial concept to get right.  Moses would not be able to fulfil his role unless he delegated.  It is just as critical for us to realise that it was a role that God in fact delegated to Moses as well.  Hence, delegation is a divine principle.    On what biblical basis do we know delegation is divine?   God delegates   As we study Scriptures, we discover the principle of delegation is demonstrated by God’s actions.   From the beginning, God delegated to man the mandate and authority to rule over planet earth in Genesis 1:28 (NIV)  ... fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Basically, God delegated to man, saying, “You are in-charge.”   An example is seen in Genesis 2:19 where God delegated the right to identify or name every animal to Adam.  Genesis 2:19 (NIV)  “…He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.”  In other words, God entrusted to Adam and Eve the right to give names to animals and God accepted whatever names they came up with.  I suggest that God enjoyed seeing what they would come up with.  Like a father enjoying and even marvelling at watching his children come up with new ideas, enjoying their creativity.     Jesus delegated to the Church the Great Commission of making disciples in every nation (Matthew 28:18-20).  Imagine the fate of souls has been given to the hands of the Church! For the Church is to bring the Gospel to them. At the same time, God delegates to His Church authority and power through the Holy Spirit to carry out the task.  Such a crucial task and yet God delegated it to the Church.    God delegated to governments the authority to govern for its citizens and to protect its citizens.  Romans 13:1 (NIV)  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” In other words, all authorities that exist have been established by God. Even though many of these authorities eventually did not govern as they should.  Yet God delegated authority, despite knowing many will fail to dispense of it in a godly manner.   God delegated to parents to care for their family and nurture their children.   God delegated to church leaders to lead the church and watch over the members. Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)  Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Generic delegation is an automatic delegation to all with authority roles.  We must also understand there are different types of delegation.  All the above, I describe as generic delegation.  It is a delegation to all of mankind, to all governments, to all parents, to all church leaders and so forth. It is an automatic delegation to all with authority roles. Specific delegation is to undertake a certain task or responsibility, usually for a certain period of time. There is another type of delegation that I describe as specific delegation.  A delegation to specific person or beings is to undertake a certain task or responsibility, usually for a certain period of time.   God delegated to His angels to be specific messengers like archangel Gabriel who appeared to Mary to proclaim that she will be with child Jesus.  Some angels are delegated to destroy. Some bring healing or comfort.  Some protect such as the archangel Michael who is the protector over Israel. Some even to investigate like in Sodom and Gomorrah. God has delegated many key responsibilities and tasks to angels to undertake.  God also delegated spiritual leadership such as to Moses, Joshua, Paul, etc. This is specific delegation.  God does delegate some of His anointing or miraculous power to certain individuals. I believe that God does delegate some of His anointing or miraculous power to certain individuals. This anointing can sometimes reside even in their bodies for a while.  Like in 2 King 13:21 (NIV)  “Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.”  Consider this.  Who made the choice to revive the dead man?  Not the burial team.  Not the dead man.  Not Elisha.  Nobody prayed for the dead man.  Nobody exercised faith. Obviously, God allowed it to happen. But did God intentionally desire to revive the dead man through such a means?  To do it through such a means would be controversial and likely to arouse superstitious approach to miracles.  I submit that God allowed it because some measure of divine anointing still remained in Elisha’s dead body.  God chose not to intervene to remove the residue anointing because He had poured it unto Elisha’s physical body.    This can explain why some misuse these powers and anointing at times. The prophet Balaam misused his prophetic gifting. Some contemporary healing evangelists, apostles, prophets and other ministries did misuse their anointing.  God eventually removed their powers or even removed them. To God there is no difference between natural and supernatural authority/anointing that He has delegated.   Many Christians arbitrarily separate natural and supernatural authority.  If a Christian leader wrongly uses their authority, they argue it is due to the leader’s sin or lack of wisdom.  If a Christian leader wrongly uses a supernatural anointing, they get confused.  Why would God do an evil thing?  As if the supernatural act had to be a divine act alone.  But it is not God’s responsibility since it is the person’s responsibility to wisely use the authority/anointing God has delegated.  To God there is no difference between natural and supernatural authority/anointing that He has delegated.       The divine delegation can be time-specific, or function-specific or conditional.  That is not unusual because we do this in society as well all the time.  Next time, as you read the Scriptures, put on the spectacles of delegation and you will be amazed at how much evidence there is of God’s delegation.   Sovereignly delegated.  God is always sovereign, even when He delegates. We must understand that God is always sovereign, even when He delegates. Some think that if God delegates, He loses control of the situation.  That is never so for God always remains sovereign.  Scripture helps us to understand that God delegates because He wants to.  Yet He selects the manner and extent of the delegation. God can also intervene as and when He chooses and in the manner He chooses.    For example, God has chosen to delegate to man authority to rule over this earth. God has also chosen to delegate to man responsibility to decide their own final destiny by their response to the mercy of God. Whatever authority God has delegated, He usually gives plenty of room to exercise the authority.  Yet God can also intervene as and when He chooses and in the manner He chooses.  Psalms 33:10 (NIV)  The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.  God can appoint rulers and remove rulers. God is not deterministic, seeking to control and pre-determine every action and choice of man.    God is not deterministic, seeking to control and pre-determine every action and choice of man. As some Calvinists may believe.  On the other hand, God is not a gambler, taking risks on man’s choices, hoping that man will do the right thing, as some with open theism theology believe. God is not a gambler, taking risks on man’s choices, hoping that man will do the right thing.   I believe that God delegates to man authority and the ability to choose.  Yet God remains intimately involved.  Man can choose within certain boundaries, man can plan, take action but in the end, God is still sovereign.  God can over-rule anytime in any way He desires but He does it judiciously with wisdom according to His purposes. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)  In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Psalms 33:11 (NIV)  But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.   Some think that God has to be deterministic otherwise He cannot ensure that everything proceeds according to His plans. However, I believe that Scripture reveals a God whose sovereignty is so awesome, so all-encompassing that He can give room to man to make his personal choices, take actions, etc yet in the final analysis God’s will is accomplished.  This sovereignty is greater than the sovereignty understood by those with a deterministic theology.   In the 2007 movie Evan Almighty, Senator Evan who was commanded by God to build an ark.  He tried to run away from it, resist it but He could not escape God.  I realise the movie showed it in a very funny way, but I liked the idea where it depicted God first prodding Evan, persuading him, putting him in absolutely funny situations until gradually Evan agreed to build the ark. At first reluctantly but finally with conviction.  That is delegation God’s style, more or less.  Yet all along God is sovereign.  Evan had all his choices, but God still ends up getting His way.  I like their depiction of God.  Witty, fun-loving, enjoying his creation, wise and very relaxed.    Our theology of God should inform the way we behave.  Such as the way we deal with our children. I desire my children to be well-behaved.  If my theology of God is that He is deterministic then I should follow His example and force my children to be well-behaved – telling how to do everything the way I want them to.  I could be like a sergeant in boot camp and insist they only do things exactly my way.  And I would be right to do so, if God does so. After all, Scripture tells us that God desires us to be Christ-like, to be godly, to be as God is in character, etc.   But my theology tells me God does not do it that way.  So I give them room to my children to make their own decisions, even making mistakes along the way. While I instruct patiently, remind them when necessary, encourage them continually, correct them when they go astray, role model consistently, broaden their understanding of the benefits, rebuke them if they persist in wrongdoing yet through it all show love. Because that is how God does it.  God is not a control freak, hence neither should I.   The difference between me and God is that He is infinitely wise and does a far better job than I ever could.  The difference between me and God is that He knows the final outcome, while I can only hope.  The difference between me and God is that He is infinitely loving, while I try to love by God’s grace.    Now some may ask, “Why does God bother to delegate when He can do everything Himself and do it perfectly?”  This brings us to additional insights which is expounded in Part 2 of this article. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

A fussy customer regularly eats at a restaurant. With considerable effort, the chef produced an excellent meal that even this customer could not possibly complain about.  Calling the chef to complain, the customer said, “I am complaining about the fact I can’t find anything to complain about.”   Have you ever felt dissatisfied, disgruntled or discontented about any situation or about various people in positions of authority?  Perhaps you complained, grumbled and murmured with others.  And you feel justified in doing so because you felt that the people in charge were doing such a bad job.  I came from Malaysia and there it is a national past time to complain about the government, especially amongst the minority races.  There are elements of these in Australia as well, where I reside today.   Sometimes it may seem like we enter into a “winter of discontent” and the chills of such discontent can begin to penetrate into our souls.  In this article today, our focus will not be the matter of avoiding discontent in general or how to become contented.  Rather it will be a narrower focus of discontentment with God’s leadership or His appointed leadership.  We will examine 4 aspects about dealing with discontent from the incident of Exodus 17.   DISCONTENT KEPT HOLY   Exodus 17:1–2 (NIV)  “1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.””   As the Israelites were led by God from one place to another, they finally camped at Rephidim.  But here there was no water to drink and people got very discontented and began to grumble and quarrel with Moses, their leader.  They were discontented. However, we need to understand a couple of things.   Discontent will occur   Exodus 17:1 (NIV) "…but there was no water to drink."   We will never be fully satisfied or contented about everything. But some seem to find it harder to be contented. Some are simply critical.  Those with unrealistic expectations will tend to become discontented more easily.  Those with high expectations or high standards can suffer the same. Even those with reasonable, realistic expectations can occasionally become discontented. Yet not all discontentment is wrong before God.  There is discontentment that can be kept holy before God.   What holy discontent is not Discontent arises out of dissatisfaction of an existing situation.  This discontent can be unholy in its attitudes. Exodus 17:2 (NIV) “Why do you quarrel with me?”   The Israelite’s discontentment was not right before God as the Scriptures describe it as “testing” God’s patience. Discontent arises out of dissatisfaction of an existing situation.  This discontent can be unholy in its attitudes, as we observe in this passage.  On the other hand, it can be holy in its attitudes.  To adequately distinguish between these, we must first understand about the contentment that Scriptures encourages us to have. 1 Tim 6:6 (NIV)  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  It appears that contentment is complementary to godliness.    Does that mean to be godly, I must remain contented and passive about everything? Phil 4:11-12 (NIV) “  11…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  Personal contentment should not be reliant on what we possess or don’t possess.    At first glance, Phil 4:11-12 seems to challenge us to be contented regardless of any circumstances.  Just accept the situation! But a more careful reading helps us recognise that the biblical emphasis is personal contentment found in God.  Note that every situation Apostle Paul describes in Phil 4:11-12 relates to his personal situation.  Personal contentment should not be reliant on what we possess or don’t possess.  Heb 13:5 (NIV)  “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.””   The reason why we can attain to personal contentment is because we trust God and depend on Him, not ourselves nor the product of our hands.  That is why Paul states in Phil 4:13 (NIV)  “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” You can be contented if your focus is God-ward.  Discontent is unholy when it is self-ward and selfish.    The Bible is not saying, just accept everything and you will be contented.  It says you will have personal contentment when you place your trust in God.  You will never be contented if your focus is self-ward.  You can be contented if your focus is God-ward.  Discontent is unholy when it is self-ward and selfish. When it is more interested in our own personal needs.  The Israelites quarrelled with Moses because their primary concern was themselves.  There was no concern about Moses’ needs or God’s purposes.   “Nothing is more displeasing to God than complaining saints.” Croft M. Pentz.   Discontent is unholy when we complain about our government because it does not give us enough financial support or resources to meet our own personal self-centred needs.  Discontent is unholy when we are unhappy with our parents because they do not allow us to have what we want for ourselves. Discontent is unholy when we are unhappy with our spouse not meeting our needs the way we expect.  Discontent is unholy when we are unhappy with our small group leaders because they do not meet our needs the way we want it.   “Complaining about our lot in life might seem quite innocent in itself, but God takes it personally.” Erwin W. Lutzer   So what is holy discontent about?   What holy discontent is   Discontent can be holy when it is God-ward.  When our focus is God-ward, we begin to see from God’s perspective about situations that need to change.  Isa 58:6 (NIV)  “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”  True fasting brings us into God’s perspective, and we gain God’s discontent over unjust situations. Holy discontent is about gaining God’s discontent.    Holy discontent is about gaining God’s discontent.  Holy discontent is about having righteous attitudes towards sin, injustice, poverty, oppression, etc.  Holy discontent is therefore not focussed on our own needs but the needs of others. 1 Cor 10:24 (NIV)  “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”   Holy discontent was seen in David’s dissatisfaction with the Israelites response to Goliath’s taunts (1 Sam 17:4-47). In 1 Sam 17:45 (NIV)  “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”   David’s concern was defiance of God!   Discontent is holy when we are concerned about our government’s ineptitude or lack of care for its citizens. Discontent is holy when we are troubled with the unfair way our parents are treating the rest of the family. Discontent is holy when we are concerned about our spouses’ lack of sensitivity to people’s needs.  Discontent is holy when we are uneasy with our small group leaders lack of care in running their group.  Such holy discontent will move us to act in a positive manner.   In all these, God can help us keep our discontent holy!    DISCONTENT KEPT RESPECTFUL   Exodus 17:2-4 (NIV)  2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” 3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” 4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”    Discontent often brings about strong feelings and stir passions.  Yet in the midst of such stirring passions, it is important to maintain respect.  Such respect should be maintained in two aspects.   Respectful of God’s anointed   The Israelites did not treat Moses with respect nor did they understand that by disrespecting Moses they were also disrespecting God who appointed Moses.  Moses understood this by immediately pointing out that their quarrel with him was in fact a quarrel with God, who appointed Moses and who led them to Rephidim. A danger of discontent is that we tend to focus on those whom we perceive to be the source of our discontent.  Usually, it is towards those in authority.   A danger of discontent is that we tend to focus on those whom we perceive to be the source of our discontent.  Usually, it is towards those in authority.  Whether our parents, teachers, government officials, church leaders and so forth. However, Scripture is clear that God puts all authority into place. Rom 13:1 - 2 (NIV) “  1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”    If we rebel against authority, we are rebelling against the office of authority that God had instituted.  When we rebel against the government, in effect we rebel against the office of government that God had established.  When we rebel against our parents, we rebel against the authority of parents that God has established.  When we rebel against spiritual leaders, we rebel against the authority that God has established. It is important to maintain respect for all in authority.  Even when we disagree, are dissatisfied or discontented.   Hence it is important to maintain respect for all in authority.  Even when we disagree, are dissatisfied or discontented. Further, the Scriptures exhort us to give particular respect to the servants of God. Those who have chosen to serve God. 1 Tim 5:17 (NIV)  “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”    We should consider how we are giving due respect to the servants of God. How are you giving respect your small group leaders and so forth?  Or shepherd?   Respectful in actions   The Israelites were disrespectful in their actions towards Moses.  Not only did they quarrel with him, they even threatened to stone him.  Our respect for God’s anointed should be shown in action.  Even when we are unhappy about a situation.   We should speak politely, respectfully. Even Daniel’s 3 friends continued to be respectful to King Nebuchadnezzar who was about to kill them in a fiery furnace Dan 3:16-17 (NIV)  “O Nebuchadnezzar…O King”.   We should speak politely, respectfully.  Not quarrelling and threatening as the Israelites were to Moses.  That is why we would not allow our children to speak disrespectfully to us as parents.  No shouting or quarrelling with us.  If they disagree, they can voice it out, but respectfully.   We should not undermine the authority by actively attacking it.  Even though David had many people join him who were unhappy with King Saul, David never led them to attack King Saul or to stir revolt against the king. David did not lead a grumbling, complaining campaign against King Saul. In the end, God honoured David by giving him the kingship. Let us determine to be respectful in all our actions.   DISCONTENT WITH DISCERNMENT   Exodus 17:3 (NIV)  “But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?””   The people continued to blame Moses without any regard for God’s divine purposes in bringing them out of Egypt.  Simply because there were challenges, they failed to look beyond to discern whether God had His purposes.  After all, God had led them every step of the way.    At times, God allows us to face difficult situations or to be involved in unsatisfactory situations for various reasons.  It may be to test us, to reveal our true heart condition. Deut 8:2 (NIV)  “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”    It may be to grow us, to mature us.  Heb 12:11 (NIV)  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. If God is seeking to test or grow us rather than to bring about change, then we should not to allow discontent to develop in our hearts.    It may be to motivate us to bring about godly change, as we will discuss below.  Hence, it is helpful if we can discern what God has in mind.  If God is seeking to test or grow us rather than to bring about change, then we should not to allow discontent to develop in our hearts.  Rather we need to be patient with the dealings of God.   “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr.    DISCONTENT BRINGING RIGHT ACTIONS   Exodus 17:5–7 (NIV)  “5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah  and Meribah  because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”” If we can keep our discontent holy and respectful, the discontent could motivate us to bring about positive and godly change.   The discontent amongst the Israelites drove Moses to seek God and find divine solutions. Here, Moses acted rightly in this difficult situation.  Consequently, he found God’s provision. At times, God allows for us to experience discontent and in fact, at times God may stir such a burden in our hearts to bring godly change.  If we can keep our discontent holy and respectful, the discontent could motivate us to bring about positive and godly change.   Discontent can lead to innovative solutions .  In Exodus 18, Jethro was dissatisfied with Moses’ ineffective handling of the legal system. Moses as the only judge was a great bottleneck. Jethro respectfully offered a creative system that fixed the problems.  Sometimes in our workplaces or church, we may be discontent with how situations are being handled.  Instead of grumbling or causing division, we can think of creative solutions and respectfully and humbly offer them to those who have the authority to implement them.   “Restlessness and discontent are the necessities of progress.” Thomas Alva Edison   Nelson Mandela started as a discontented and violent opposition to the unjust South African apartheid.  He was arrested and thrown into prison.  While in jail, his discontent remained, yet he decided to deal with the injustices through peaceful and respectful means.  Largely because he learnt to work through these appropriate measures, apartheid was officially abolished.   Discontent can lead to intercession.   Jeremiah and Isaiah were discontent with the state of their nation. This discontent led them to weep and intercede and plead with God for their nation. Out of these intercessions God spoke to them about the nation and these men were able to understand God’s heart even though the nation was thick skinned and slow to repent. Sometimes it seems that nobody listens Yet in such times you can seek God’s face and get His perspective and revelation. Be careful not to allow bitterness or pride to cut us off from the grace of God.   Discontent can lead to change in the church.   Martin Luther (1483-1546) was discontent with the discrepancies he found between Scripture and the official practises of the Catholic Church.  This discontent stirred him to write a thesis outlining the issues and posting it for discussion. Through his careful study and writings, a new movement of faithful believers, the Reformers started to clean up doctrines that had strayed from God’s word.  Yet Martin Luther himself did not want to “split” the church.  He was horrified when many of his followers became violent towards the established church.   In fact, the term “Protestant” was a term he was not eager to have pinned on him, because he was eager to display and demonstrate the same grace of God that he was trying to convince people of. He felt that one of the best ways to do this was to walk in the fruit of the Spirit in the character of God, and not the anger of man.   Discontent can lead to changes to society.  Sometimes God will stir us to understand why a situation is not pleasing to Him, and this may create a holy discontent within us. We should keep a sweet spirit while looking for godly ways to persuade people to the truth. It is not God’s way to shoot doctors who perform abortions. We do need godly Christians of character, discretion, wisdom, endurance and grace to lead the way in turning these laws around.   William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was stirred by the revelations of the inhuman treatment of slaves. His discontent was the key reason he decided to be a politician instead of becoming a preacher.  He devoted most of his political life to abolishing slavery and succeeded in the British colonies.   Rev Martin Luther King Jr was discontent with the abominable treatment of African Americans during the 1950’s and 60’s. He could not condone the violent retaliation and riots he saw breaking out all over America. He led a peaceful movement for change that led to laws being passed to protect the original intentions of America’s founders to treat all Americans as equals and thus provide for the rights and safety of all Americans. Holy discontent plus character makes the greatest and longest lasting impact.   Often it is not just discontent, but holy discontent plus character makes the greatest and longest lasting impact. For they will do what is right.   CONCLUSION   Let our discontent be God’s discontent.  Let’s keep our discontent holy!  Keep it respectful.  Let our discontent be discerning.  Let our holy discontent move us towards right actions!  Then a holy discontent will lead to godly outcomes that pleases God. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many faced crises at a degree they never had to face before.  Many clawed desperately for solutions and struggled to overcome their crisis.  We all have to face crises in our lives some time or other. It such situations, many will lose hope.  Yet it need not be so for Christ-followers.   We will examine Gen 21:8-21 to discover how we can face crises with God.  In this Bible story we learn about a crisis that engulfed Abraham’s family.  One that threatened to tear apart his family.  It begun with a wonderful promise.  God had promised Abraham that there would be a promised child. But after many years of childlessness, Sarah took matters into her own hands out of desperation.  She told Abraham to use her handmaiden to have a child.  This produced Ishmael.  But it was not God’s plan.   Much later, God fulfilled his promised and Isaac the promised child was birthed.  As Isaac grew into a little child there were significant celebrations.  But it was the catalyst for a crisis.  As we examine this passage, I will unpack key thoughts about facing crisis and why we should face it with God.  Jesus is there for us.  The question is: will we face it with Him?    CRISIS ON MULTIPLE FRONTS   Gen 21:8-11 (NIV)      “ 8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.”     It started innocently enough.  A celebration because the young child Isaac was being weaned off his mother’s milk.  Yet it triggered the family into a full-blown crisis.  What were some of the ingredients of this crisis?   Firstly, Ishmael disdained and mocked Isaac   Isaac was probably 2-3 years old when traditionally weaned off his mother's milk.  Ishmael was around 15-17 years old.  Maybe he mocked Isaac because he was used to having all the attention previously.  Perhaps he was mean-spirited towards the child for some time and things came to a head at the feast.  Perhaps Hagar negatively influenced Ishmael's attitude.  For Hagar had looked down upon Sarah who was barren while Hagar was pregnant with Abraham’s son, in Gen 16. Or maybe he was just going through a teenager phase.   Whatever stirred Ishmael to behave as he did, Sarah exploded when she saw it.  Ishmael sinned by being jealous of Isaac.  Sarah sinned by over-reacting, demanding Abraham get rid of Hagar and Ishmael.    Secondly, Sarah's insecurities divided the household   Sarah's insecurity magnified the problem in the household.  She was insecure as she probably felt the household was divided between Hagar’s side and her side. She was insecure with Abraham’s love for Ishmael.  Insecure about Isaac splitting inheritance with Ishmael, whom she felt was undeserving.  She was also insecure about Hagar.   Sarah had not shown bigness of heart before when Hagar was looked down upon Sara’s barrenness in Gen 16 due to her immaturity.  Sarah did not show bigness of heart now towards Ishmael when he mocked Isaac.  So Sarah’s issues contributed greatly to the crisis.   Thirdly, Abraham's distress in losing his son When we face difficult crises, our underlying values, perspectives and orientations are brought to the surface. Abraham was the most righteous and noble of all.  He was simply caught in the middle.  Poor Abraham!  A major crisis in his own house.  This is not uncommon.  Many of us have experienced different variations of family crisis.  When we face difficult crises, our underlying values, perspectives and orientations are brought to the surface.   Have you ever seen how are impurities removed from metal? The metal is heated in a furnace.  When the temperature is hot enough the metal melts, but the impurities often float to the surface as dross.  Often under the heat of duress, of crisis – the impurities of our heart float the to the surface.  The dross that was hidden deep inside is exposed.  Have you ever noticed that?  Your deep hidden attitudes and values often come out when you are stressed? We are concerned about resolving the crisis, but God is concerned about resolving our hearts.   In a crisis, we are concerned about resolving the crisis, but God is concerned about resolving our hearts.  We are so focussed on dealing with the crisis that we fail to realise God wants to deal with our hearts.  We cry, “Gimme the solution!”  God says, “Gimme your heart!”   CRISIS APPROACHED IN DIFFERENT WAYS   When we examine both Sarah and Abraham, we see 2 basic ways of approaching crises.   Self-oriented   Gen 12:10 (NIV) “…and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”   Sarah's solution was to deal with it in the quickest way.  Emotionally and physically.  “Just get rid of them!”  There is no concern at all with their plight of being kicked out.  A self-oriented solution is usually a solution that suits us the best, in our own view.     It could be a convenient short-cut.  “Just cut corners! Solve the crisis quickly!”   It could be pragmatic solution that we are familiar with.  “Just whatever we know will work!”  “Whatever solution that pleases me!  Just whatever makes me happy again!” The problem of a self-oriented approach to problem-solving is it reinforces our focus on self rather than Jesus.    The problem of a self-oriented approach to problem-solving is it reinforces our focus on self rather than Jesus.  The danger is we become an idol in our own eyes.  It leads us away from Jesus.  It will eventually lead to bad outcomes because we deprive ourselves of God’s blessings.  We may even incur God’s wrath.  Proverbs 14:12 (NIV84) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.   God-oriented   Gen 12:11-13 (NIV) “ 11The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.  13I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”   The implication of God’s response to Abraham implied Abraham cried out to God in his distress over the situation. In contrast to Sarah, Abraham sought God.  Abraham did not just find his own solution but wanted God’s solution.  In our lives, we always have 2 main options to solve a crisis.  Our way or God’s way. It takes a person of greater faith, or greater strength of character to choose God’s way.   It takes a person of greater faith, or greater strength of character to choose God’s way. Abraham clearly had more faith and greater stature of character compared to Sarah.  Abraham was able to turn to God more than to turn to his own solutions.  Can we reach that ideal?  Yes, by Jesus Christ’s power. His grace is always sufficient for us! God’s way is always the best way. Best long-term solution. Best overall solution.   Why should we choose God’s way or at least turn to Jesus? God’s way is always the best way. Best long-term solution. Best overall solution. God’s way means we don’t shoulder the entire problem ourselves.  Abraham was given relief and hope, despite the distressing situation.  Because God will intervene to bless Ishmael.  God will work with us and for us when we choose God’s way.  God will work with us and for us when we choose God’s way.    Jesus promised in   Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV84)   28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  The yoke upon our shoulders are so much lighter when we trust in Jesus!  I would choose the lighter weight anytime!   God’s way brings blessings to those who walk in it.  Psalm 1:1–2 (NIV84)  1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.   One of our church members, made a significant contribution towards our church building fund despite having no job when he first returned to Brisbane some 20 years ago.  They trusted what Jesus laid upon their hearts to give.  God blessed him soon after with a job uniquely suited to him.  A job he still holds after all these years.   CRISIS HANDLED GOD’S WAY   What can we learn about God from the way He handled the crisis?   God’s clear touch   Gen 12:12-14 (NIV) “ 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.  13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.” 14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.”     Amazingly, God's solution was not to rebuke Sarah nor Ishmael.  But to confirm to Abraham that they had to go.  As no explanation was given for God's approach, we can only guess at the reasons.  Perhaps God knew that the crisis could not be resolved by keeping Hagar and Ishmael.  It was better to go.  Sometimes in a crisis or conflict we like to know that we were right and the other party wrong.  God does not always give us that satisfaction.  Perhaps we too may be in the wrong. God seems less interested in answering that question. God's solution is not always the way we prefer.  But God always knows what is best.   God's solution is not always the way we prefer.  But God always knows what is best.  Just as God promised Abraham that Ishmael will flourish into a nation eventually.  God knows what’s best for our situation.  Some years ago, when my father died so quickly from pancreatic cancer it was shock to us.  But God knew best!  This way, my Dad’s suffering was minimal.   God will find the silver lining in a bad situation and bring good out of it.  That is what happened when Joseph was kidnapped and sold by his own brothers to be a slave in Egypt.  Because Joseph trusted God, God raised him be the prime minister eventually.  God turns crisis into opportunity for greater things.  We just have to trust Him for it!    God’s soft touch   Gen 12:15-19 (NIV) “ 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob. 17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.  18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”  19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.   Hagar thought it was the end for her and Ishmael.  But God came to their rescue. God kept His promise to Abraham.  What struck me is how God handled Hagar with gentleness and kindness.  Hagar was at the bottom of the pile.  Someone who had an opportunity to make good, mucked it up.  She lost everything.  Some may think she got what she deserved. God has the power to help.  God also has the heart to help.   But God cares about the marginalised, the undeserving. Jesus showed us that in the Gospels. He never forgot the poor, the sick, the broken.  God’s heart gives us assurance that He understands the crisis we are faced with and has sympathy for us.  God has the power to help.  God also has the heart to help.   CRISIS TURNED TO SUCCESS   Gen 12:20-21 (NIV) “ 20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt."   God turned Hagar and Ishmael’s crisis into a success story.  In Gen 25 he lived to an old age and had 12 sons who each produced their own tribes.  Whatever crisis you are facing, God can turn it around. Let us face it with Jesus! God is interested in your crisis. You are a child of God and He takes an interest in you, whatever your crisis may be.   Psalm 27:5 (NIV84) For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Christ can turn your crisis into victory. His purposes will prevail.   Christ can turn your crisis into victory. His purposes will prevail.  In the midst of crisis when there was no one around to help them, God came to Hagar’s point of need. God was with Ishmael. In time of Abraham’s distress, God was with Abraham. When we face crisis, remember that Christ-is….enough. Christ is in the crisis with you. Christ is bigger than your crisis. Christ is in the crisis with you. Christ is bigger than your crisis.   Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV84)  “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”  No! There is nothing too hard for God.   Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps is the greatest swimmer ever. With 23 gold medals and 5 others. By all measures, he should feel a deep sense of accomplishment for the rest of his life. Yet he despised the image of his success.  Michael lived with the trauma of being abandoned by his father when he was just 9 years old.   Although an incredible example of human success, his broken heart led to a destructive lifestyle.  After the 2012 London Olympics, he retired and got into drugs.   “I was just a train wreck. I was just a time bomb waiting to go off. No self esteem, no self worth.” “For a moment, I thought it was going to be the end of my life, literally, just because it was like… I didn’t really leave my room. I didn’t eat, I didn't really sleep. I just figured it was the best thing to do to end my life.”   He wrestled with thoughts of suicide.  Then a friend gave him a copy of the Christian book The Purpose of Driven Life.  That catalysed a journey where he found Jesus.  Phelps then went to rehabilitation and also finally reconnected with his father.   Michael came out of retirement to be the US flag-bearer for the 2016 Olympics and won 5 gold and a silver medal.   CONCLUSION   If you are feeling hurt, pain, fear, anxiety. God is interested in what you are going through and He wants to give you the victory in all that.  No matter the crisis, you can never solve it like God can.  God always have a solution and God’s solution is always the best one if we are willing to trust Him.    Will you trust Christ? Will you face the crisis with God together? Will you seek the Lord in your crisis and invite Him to deal with crisis together? God wants to solve the problem together with you.  Are you willing for God to solve it His way, His timing?  Let’s turn to God and His ways.   Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

We live in an era where people are often judged by media.  Worse still, by social media where it is often driven by rumours and innuendo, by emotions and shrillness.  Unfortunately, such trial by media has also occurred to various church leaders, for better or worse.  It would seem that these trials often lead to strong judgements even condemnations upon these leaders.  Is this the way to go?  Is this biblical?    In 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul had to deal with errant elders with Timothy.  Yet the instructions inspired by the Holy Spirit speaks to us today and provides us principles on how we should treat our spiritual leaders rightly.  I will unpack those passages and highlight 3 key areas of consideration.   PROTECTION OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS   1 Timothy 5:19 (NIV)  Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.   It is important to understand the significance of this instruction in order that we may appreciate the principles behind it.  The word “entertain” in the Greek is paradechomai  which means to “consider in our mind”.  In other words, we are asked not to even consider it in our minds such an accusation brought against an elder.  We are to simply put it aside.  Basically, it is saying, we should not entertain unsubstantiated/baseless accusations.  The principle of protecting our spiritual leaders from baseless attacks.   If there are 2 or more witnesses, then the allegations should be investigated properly.  This does not mean the elder or spiritual leader is guilty.  They may well be innocent, perhaps just misunderstood. Now what is the significance of this instruction to us today?  It speaks about the principle of protecting our spiritual leaders from baseless attacks.   The more significant a spiritual leader, the more the person is usually exposed to attacks.  There are always people who are eager to falsely accuse the man of God.  Some do so because they resent the person’s calling, or reject his teaching, resist biblical teaching, or are jealous of God’s blessings upon his life, etc.   Ps. Rick Warren stated that he would not even go into a lift with another woman alone.  Why?  Is he so afraid of women?  No!  Is he paranoid?  No!  To protect himself from unnecessary accusations!  Because he has been criticised, attacked so much.  Moses faced this in Numbers 12:1 (NIV) Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. God judged Miriam and struck her with leprosy! Devil will use every means to destroy the ministry and life of the servant of God.    Ultimately, such accusers become the messengers of the Devil.  For the Devil will use every means to destroy the ministry and life of the servant of God.  We must be careful not to become unwitting tools of the enemy.  Sadly, there are many Christians, including some leaders, who fail to understand this and attack other spiritual leaders vigorously under the guise of protecting what they perceive to be right.   Let’s examine more closely what we are to protect:   Protection of the person The effectiveness of a person’s spiritual leadership is based on trust. The effectiveness of a person’s spiritual leadership is based on trust.  It is sacred.  Without the trust of others, the person cannot be effective.  And trust is gained because of a person’s perceived integrity, credibility and competency.  If these can be undermined, then trust is lost, and his ministry destroyed. That is why gossip and slander is one of the Devil’s greatest tool.  That is why we cannot suspend or stop an elder from functioning simply because someone brought up an accusation.  It must be substantiated by at least 2 or 3 witnesses.  Deuteronomy 19:15 (NIV) One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.  Gossip and slander is one of the Devil’s greatest tool.   Further, when a person is faced with continual attacks without sufficient support from his peers or leaders over them, it can eventually cause discouragement.   A discouraged leader will become an ineffective leader.  For example, Elijah became depressed after the threats upon his life. 1 Kings 19:10 (NIV) He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”  It is important for the church to appropriately protect spiritual leaders from malicious accusations.    Hence, it is important for the church to appropriately protect spiritual leaders from malicious accusations.    Protection of the office The tearing down of the respect for an office and its integrity is even more dangerous than the tearing down of a person.  An elder is not just the person, but they represent the role of an office which they are in.  Sometimes the false accusations serve to tear down the office of an elder.  The tearing down of the respect for an office and its integrity is even more dangerous than the tearing down of a person.    Can you imagine when the roles of fathers and mothers are torn down, and children no longer respect their parents?  There would be chaos in every family.  Even though individual fathers and mothers may be full of integrity, wisdom and love, their effectiveness is severely limited due to the general disregard for parents.  That is why the Devil wants to destroy this role and sadly, to some extent he has succeeded in our society. That is why we should protect the role of parents.  Ephesians 6:2 (NIV) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—    Rom 13:1 teaches us to respect all authority as well.  Similarly, we should protect the role of spiritual leaders.  We should uphold it high!   CORRECTION OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS   1 Timothy 5:20–21 (NIV) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.   Why is it that after explaining the need to protect the office of an elder and the person, does Scripture now talk about public rebuke?  It is almost like we make extra effort to protect the elder but now we are making extra effort to rebuke the elder strongly!  Do we drop people like hot potatoes just because they muck up?  The key is to understand the principle of upholding the integrity of the office of an elder or spiritual leader.   Upholding the integrity of the office. Critical to distinguish between the person who sin or failed and the office. One way to examine whether our understanding of a biblical principle is correct, is to examine how consistently it can explain various Scriptural instructions.  It is this very principle of upholding the integrity of the office that requires us to offer it extra protection against unsubstantiated accusations.  It must not be easily undermined by false accusations.  On the other hand, if the accusations are proven true, then it is critical to distinguish between the person who sin or failed and the office.  The only way in which the office can continue to maintain its integrity is when the person who has been entrusted to upholding its integrity is dealt with clearly and firmly. If we fail to deal firmly with a person who had deliberately misused/abused the office, it will eventually compromise the office.   If we fail to deal firmly with a person who had deliberately misused/abused the office, it will eventually compromise the office.  For example, if the Prime Minister can break the law and escape unpunished then it will undermine the integrity of the office of Prime Minister.  Citizens will no longer trust that the Prime Minister is accountable to do what is right within the law.   Eli’s sons were priest who took meat from sacrifices that they were not supposed to.  1 Samuel 2:12 - 17 (NIV) 12 Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD...  15 But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw…” 17 This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.   God judged them because they misused the office.  That is why the verse’s concern is “to be rebuked publicly that others may take warning.” The perception of the office is critical.  It also serves as a warning to aspiring spiritual leaders that they should not take the role and responsibilities of spiritual leadership lightly.  And if they should ever compromise the integrity of the office, they should resign rather than tarnish it.   JAG is a TV drama series about an elite legal wing of Navy officers dealing with crime in the military.  What impressed me is the occasions when they showed the integrity and honour of the officers.  Innocent officers who would rather resign than allow their office to be brought into disrepute.   Now, how we apply a public rebuke will require wisdom.  It does not necessarily mean we hold a press conference and announce the failure so that the widest public possible may be aware of it.  In the past when a life group leader fell into sin, we would require them to confess it to the leadership team and perhaps their own life group.  There was a public confession and correction.  If they had repented, we ask the leadership team to forgive them and to express it to them.  Because their sin impacts upon the entire team. Because they let the whole team down. We do it in love and help them through their issues.   If a leader is unrepentant then stronger measures may be necessary.  In 1 Timothy the likely scenario is those errant elders were the false teachers causing the controversies and opposing Paul and Timothy.  Hence the need to publicly rebuke them in front of the whole church.  So there can be variations to implementation, it just needs wisdom to extract the maximum Scriptural benefit to all.    Adjusting the spiritual leader. The purpose of the public rebuke is not to condemn but to adjust.   Besides upholding the integrity of the office, the errant elder needs to be adjusted.  The purpose of the public rebuke is not to condemn.  But to adjust, to correct that the errant spiritual leader may be adjusted.  That they may repent and change their ways.  They have to understand the enormity of their spiritual responsibilities before God and before the church.  Spiritual leadership is sacred and not to be taken upon lightly.  They must reach the conviction that spiritual responsibilities should not be taken lightly, and they must walk circumspectly before God. When corrections and adjustment is done wisely in love, the errant leader who is repentant is often able to be restored and rise up to serve God again.    When corrections and adjustment is done wisely in love, the errant leader who is repentant is often able to be restored and rise up to serve God again.  Gordon MacDonald was a pastor in Grace Chapel, involved with World Vision and later President in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  He has taught in Bethel Theological Seminar and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  Then in 1987 he confessed to an extramarital affair and stepped down. The Elders of the church helped him work through the problems for 2 years and he was eventually restored. Today he pastors his old church again and serves on various Christian organisations and is a well-known author. Carrying out such instructions can be extremely difficult as the consequences are usually not easy to handle.  But has to be done.  That is why in v21, Paul charged Timothy to carry these out without partiality.    SELECTION OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS   Paul then proceeds to give some instructions about the selection and appointment of spiritual leaders.  I will highlight 2 key aspects:   Appoint carefully   1 Timothy 5:22 (NIV)   Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. All appointments should be preceded with prayer, assessment and consultation to ensure that they are proven.   The laying on of hands refer to the ordination of spiritual leaders.  Timothy was reminded not to be hasty.  Should the church be hasty in appointing a spiritual leader who turns out to be errant, they are in effect partially participating in their sins.  Why?  They have given greater opportunity, through the neglectful appointment, for enabling the person’s sins to impact upon others to a greater degree.  So we should exercise extra care, particularly in higher levels of leadership.  All appointments should be preceded with prayer, assessment and consultation to ensure that they are proven.   Proven in life and ministry   1 Timothy 5:24–25 (NIV)  24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.   The sins or some is obvious but for others it will take some time before it is discovered.  Just like Tiger Woods, the world no 1 golfer and the highest paid athlete had a reputation for clean living.  Unfortunately, it is all unravelled where many allegations surfaced and Tiger Woods finally admitting to unspecified infidelity.  He had tried to hide the truth for some time, but it finally caught up with him.   On the other hand, the good deeds of some are obvious while others also may take some time before it becomes known.  Thus, taking our time to assess and prove a person’s life and ministry is always beneficial.  Should doubt exist, we should always wait longer rather than rushing.  The Scriptures make it clear that elders should meet some minimum criteria provided in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9.  We should not compromise on those criteria.   CONCLUSIONS   When we choose our spiritual leaders carefully and wisely, we will reap the benefits from their godly leadership.  I am glad that our church has been careful in the selection of our spiritual leaders.  We have made very few mistakes over the years.  And that has benefited our church.   In the church community, we should protect our leaders.  Protect their integrity, pray for them and support them as much as we can.  Should any fail, they need to be corrected lovingly and wisely and nurtured in order they may be restored eventually.  That is reflective of the heart of God. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

Would you love to experience deeper faith in God personally? Faith to see the hand of God move miraculously in our ministry and a stronger faith to tackle the challenges of life?  The Bible tells us that God has given us the seeds of faith, but it is our responsibility to utilise it.  We are responsible for unleashing faith in our hearts.      In this article, I will share from one of the most dramatic passages in the book of Exodus.  The parting of the Red Sea.  From this passage we will discover the effects of faith unleashed.  I pray it will inspire you to unleash your faith in God.   FAITH UNLEASHES GOD'S POWER   Exodus 14:21 (NIV)  Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,   The incredible happened when, by faith, Moses responded to God's commands. Moses raised his staff and stretched his hands over the sea. God brought a strong east wind that began to blow the sea into two parts.  It was a supernatural wind that separated the Rea Sea by forming walls of water on the left and right.   Faith is a critical ingredient in experiencing the supernatural intervention of God.  Absolutely nothing was happening, until Moses exercised faith and obeyed God's instructions. The power of God was unleashed when there was faith!  Faith is a critical ingredient in experiencing the supernatural intervention of God.  Of course, it is not the only ingredient but a critical one.  Why is it that faith is a critical ingredient that enables us to tap into God's power?   God seeks for faith.   God is looking for those who have faith in Him.  Luke 7:6-9 (NIV)  6…He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”    Did you know God is pleased to find faith? Heb 11:6 (NIV)  …without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Those with faith in God are not self-dependent but recognise that they need God.   God seeks faith because those with faith in God are not self-dependent but recognise that they need God and therefore place their confidence in God.  Yet too often, man tries to do things his way.  Man often have more faith in themselves than in God.  So man begins to wander off into his own thinking, his own devices - to save himself. Of course, man fails!   God responds to faith.   Unbelief is the archenemy of faith. Moses obeyed in faith and God responded in power! But what if Moses lacked faith.  What if he could not belief in the power of God? Unbelief is an affront to God.  Because it is an attack upon God's integrity. The nemesis of faith is unbelief.  Unbelief is the archenemy of faith.  Just as water is to fire.  Imagine trying to start fire in a swimming pool of water!  Unbelief weakens and destroys faith. Unbelief is an affront to God.  Because it is an attack upon God's integrity. The Bible declares that God is absolutely true.  He does not lie.  He will deliver His promises. Num 23:19 (NIV)  God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil? Unbelief, it means we don't trust God will do as He says!   When we have unbelief, it means we don't trust God will do as He says! Such unbelief robs us from the supernatural power of God. In Mark 6, Jesus visited his hometown of Nazareth but the people were too familiar with his family and could not believe in Him.  Mark 6:5-6 (NIV)  5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.   How many times have we been robbed of God's supernatural intervention, because we had unbelief? A pastor shared with me a story where he was holding a crusade in a Muslim area.  There was a little girl with a shrivelled arm who was brought to the meeting.  After the pastor prayed for the little girl her arm started to heal.  When she went home, her parents were very upset that she went to a Christian meeting and they refused to believe that Jesus was healing her arm.  Their unbelief stopped the healing process. The girl’s arm was not fully restored.   Yet when there is faith, God will respond favourably. During Jesus' ministry, His focus was on the Jews, yet at various times non-Jews received ministry from Jesus because they had strong faith.  Mark 7:26-30 (NIV)  26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” 28 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”  30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Where faith is, God is there!    When there is faith, especially strong faith - God gets excited!  God gets involved!  Where faith is, God is there!    Will we grow in our trust and confidence in God?  Let’s anchor our faith upon God!  To believe God and to appropriate His promises for us, personally and corporately.  To believe God can work His power in and through us.  Ordinary people, with an extraordinary God!   When Jesus came, He did not declare that now we shall go to the Kingdom of God.  But He declared that the Kingdom of God has come!  The Kingdom of God has broken through into this world and is growing, expanding to impact every sphere of human endeavour.  God has made available the keys of the kingdom.   The key of faith unleashes the authority and power of the Kingdom!    I have a big bunch of old keys in my drawers.  But my big problem is I have no idea what locks they were meant to unlock.  If we do not know what the kingdom keys are for or how to use it, it is useless to us.  One of the master keys is faith.  The key of faith unleashes the authority and power of the Kingdom!    We can open doors for the Kingdom to enter into every sphere we are in.  With faith, we unleash the Kingdom.  With faith, we unleash God's power! What we must do is have faith!  Let’s unleash your faith in God!    FAITH UNLEASHES EXTRAORDINARY ACTS   Exodus 14:22 (NIV)  … and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.   Can you imagine walking for several kilometres through the bed of a sea where the sea has been pushed back supernaturally by the wind?  Millions of tonnes of water pushed back into walls of water towering several stories over you.  Churning, surging, foaming but held back with little more than the winds!  Would you dare walk through this seabed?  What if the wind failed? You would be instantly crushed to death by the force of the waters alone!  Yet the Israelites rose to the occasion and with faith did an extraordinary feat of walking through the seabed.   When there is faith in our hearts, it can unleash us into extraordinary acts!  What kinds of extraordinary acts?   Acts of extraordinary venture.   When you find a person of great faith, you find them involved in extraordinary ventures. Jesus said in Matt 17:20 (NIV)  “...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”   Reinhard Bonnke the German evangelist had a goal to see 100 million people come to Christ.  An audacious goal, yet in his ministry he led more than 79 million people to Christ.   Jackie Pullinger when she was 22 years old left England on a slow boat in 1966 to Hong Kong because she wanted to be a missionary.  By faith she began to reach out into the slums of the Walled City and touched the drug addicts and triads.  Through her many were delivered from addiction and set free through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And she continues to do so until today, about 50 years later! Ordinary people with an extraordinary God will make extraordinary ventures.   Ordinary people with an extraordinary God will make extraordinary ventures.  Why?  Because they believe exactly what Jesus declared.  Nothing will be impossible - if we dare to believe.    Jesus gave us the Great Commission to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth and to make disciples of every nation.  As Jesus declared in Matt 11:12 (NIV) From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.  Will you be counted amongst such forceful men? A people of faith!   Acts of extraordinary sacrifice.   Extraordinary ventures require extraordinary sacrifice. Extraordinary ventures often come with a price. A great price requiring extraordinary sacrifice.  Extraordinary ventures require extraordinary sacrifice.   Both Reinhard Bonnke and Jackie Pullinger could have lived comfortable lives in their home countries.  But they chose to go to the nations that God called them to.  They sacrificed comfort, money, even their reputations to carry out what God laid upon their hearts.  Why?  Because it is worth it.  For a greater goal.  Winning the lost to Christ. Saving multitudes from hell. Seeing the hurt and broken, made whole in God.     Paul the apostle wrote in 2 Cor 11:25-27 (NIV)  25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, … 26 I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.    I will be frank with you.  Extraordinary ventures can take a lot out of you!  I know because I have been doing it for over 30 years!  I have sacrificed my career, my finances, even my reputation for the sake of God's call upon my life.  And you know what?  It is worth it!  Given a second chance, I would do it again!  Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing the many testimonies in our midst of people's lives being changed.  Of people encountering God! Faith unleashed impacts the world in extraordinary ways.   No sacrifice is too great to see people saved from hell and brought into God's family. When I die, I don't want to leave behind my ashes.  I want to leave behind a changed world.  This takes faith.  Faith unleashed will cause ordinary people to make extraordinary acts.  Faith unleashed impacts the world in extraordinary ways.   FAITH UNLEASHES INCOMPARABLE SUCCESS   The odds of the Israelites escaping from the Egyptian army of chariots were next to zero.  Yet through the mighty hand of God, every single Egyptian soldier was wiped out.  At times, life can be challenging.  The odds against success can be very high. Yet with faith in God, the odds can be turned around.   Faith overcomes incredible odds.   Exodus 14:23 (NIV)  The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.   Incredible odds were against the Israelites.  But an even more incredible God was on their side. The Egyptian army was wiped out in one night!  Faith made it possible.   An Australian, Nick Vujicic suffered from tetra-amelia syndrome, and was born without arms or legs. Any ordinary person would grow up devastated by this condition.  But Nick is a man living a fulfilled and effective life, because of his faith in Christ!  He graduated from university and became an inspirational speaker and evangelist.  His ministry became known as Life Without Limbs.    When we become Christians, God did not promise us a bed of roses.  Life can still be very challenging.  But God promised to provide us strength to overcome, if we would trust Him.  1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)  No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Every believer can gain a life of victory over personal challenges.    Every believer can gain a life of victory over personal challenges.  Open your hearts to God and let faith be unleashed to overcome the odds.    Faith brings supernatural success.   Exodus 14:28 (NIV)  The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. Without faith we are unable to tap into God's assistance. With faith, we align with God who is always victorious.   The success that the Israelites had over the Egyptian army was clearly supernatural.  In the final analysis, it is God who brings lasting victory.  Without faith we are unable to tap into God's assistance. With faith, we align with God who is always victorious. Psa 20:6 (NRSV)  Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.   If you want to experience true success, you need to have faith in God.  Because God can multiply our successes.  Even when we seem to be inadequate.   Joni Eareckson Tada had a diving accident in 1967 and became a quadriplegic. Most would think her life has been absolutely destroyed.  Yet over the years she has written numerous books including several well-received children's books, some of which received awards.  From a few autobiographies, the first book Joni was made into film in 15 languages. She also recorded several musical albums.    Joni founded Joni and Friends (J&F) in 1979 whose mission is to bring practical help and Gospel hope to people with disabilities globally.  Every year they organise special retreats for thousands of disabled people and their families and equip churches to embrace disable people.  They produce radio programs and podcasts design to address practical disability issues.  J&F recycled and donated over 15,000 used wheelchairs for third world countries.    Joni is a sought-after speaker in conferences around the world.  She was a columnist in Moody Magazine, Christian Herald, etc.  She served on several boards of Christian organisations (national and global) and advised numerous charities.  Her advocacy and role model has been recognised with many awards and honorary degrees from various universities..      God wants us to succeed in life.  More than you can imagine! The key is faith in God.  Faith unleashes divine supernatural success because of the blessings of God!   CONCLUSION   God has made keys available to tap into the authority and power of God.  Faith is a crucial key to unlock God’s power, extraordinary acts and incomparable success. That is why God seeks those with faith. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

How can the prophetic gifting and calling function in the church today to bring forth greater blessings as God intended?  There have been numerous unfortunate situations that have occurred where the prophetic gifting were not properly or wisely used.  Consequently, these have led to hurts, disappointments and even actual harm upon some recipients.    The wrong reaction would be to shut it down, as some have done.  But that is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  The far better approach is to wisely manage the prophetic gift in a more balanced and wiser fashion.  There is much to gain if the role and scope of the prophetic is better understood as well as practical aspects to guide its effectiveness.    In this blog, I will focus on the role of prophetic presbytery, what it entails and how recipients can best benefit from it.  A key Scripture that offers us insights into this was written by Apostle Paul to Timothy.   1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV)   Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.   Within this brief piece of advice, lies 3 major elements upon which I will unpack its significance and implications for us today.  Properly understood and applied it will provide much benefit.   SUITABLY QUALIFIED ELDERS TO PROPHESY   1 Tim 4:14c (NIV)  “...when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”   The verse speaks about a gathering of elders for the purpose of bringing a prophetic impartation.  The word presbytery simply refers to a council of elders.  We use here the words prophetic presbytery. The joining of these 2 words together is significant in our understanding.    Firstly, it is a presbytery, a council of elders.  Yet it is not just any gathering of elders.  For elders can gather to pray, to make decisions, etc.  This gathering is specifically for a prophetic purpose. We use the word prophetic because prophecy is being exercised.  Yet it is not simply a time for the exercising of prophetic gifting.  For the prophetic can be exercised by the novice or other believers.  Prophetic presbyteries are conducted by elders who are spiritual, proven in life and ministry, wise and able to function in the prophetic gifting or office.    Prophetic presbyteries are conducted by elders who are spiritual, proven in life and ministry, wise and able to function in the prophetic gifting or office.  Those who have been given spiritual authority and have an appreciation of pastoral matters.  When there are 2 or more elders with prophetic insight, particularly if there are experienced prophets – it gives assurance that the prophetic message is sound. Hence this prophetic presbytery takes on a greater significance.    PROPHETIC IMPARTATION   1 Tim 4:v14b (NIV) “... which was given you through a prophetic message...”   The presbytery brought about a prophetic message and impartation to Timothy.  To plumb the depths of these aspects, let me explain about:   Purposes of prophetic   There are a number of purposes for the exercise of the prophetic. I will explain a number of key purposes.    Predictive, pointing to the future   Acts 21:10-11 (NIV)  10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”  Here, Agabus was fore-telling by the Spirit of God what Paul would face.  God giving us a glimpse of the future. In unconditional prophecy the future events prophesied will come to pass no matter what.   There are 2 broad categories of predictive prophecies.  The first is unconditional.  In unconditional prophecy the future events prophesied will come to pass no matter what.  These are the sort of prophecies that we see in the books of Daniel or Revelation.  God is saying, “This will happen” and He will ensure it. Conditional prophecy where “This will happen if...”.  Depending on our response, the prophecy may or may not occur.   The second is conditional prophecy where “This will happen if...”.  Depending on our response, the prophecy may or may not occur.  Often such prophecies are to warn, to prepare the recipient for the future.  Or to challenge the person to make changes now to avoid a future consequence. Or encourage a godly response to bring about godly change.  The “if” means it depends on our response.   Deuteronomy 11:26 - 28 (NIV) 26See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—  27the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;  28the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.    So a critical part in understanding a prophecy is to determine whether it is conditional.  Often personal prophecy has a conditional portion to it.  For God often wants to challenge believers to rise up.  Pay attention when there is an “if you will...” or “do this and this will come to pass” or “by your faith it will come to being” and so forth.   Some people have received prophetic promises and later question – why did it not come to pass?  And when we checked the prophetic word, it required some act of obedience or faith from them, which they failed to carry out!   Before we started the church in Brisbane, God warned us that there would be storm clouds gathering to oppose us.  But that we would rebuke it and it would clear.  This helped us tremendously when we faced some tough obstacles.   It helped us to do things wisely, to intercede so as to minimise the dark clouds coming against us.   Directive, to provide guidance.   Acts 13:1-3 (NIV) 1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.  2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.   At times the prophetic word may be instructions from God.  It is telling us to carry out certain instructions.  We must pay careful attention to exactly what God is saying.  For example, before we pioneered the church in Brisbane, the prophetic word to us was to build up our store house, our spiritual reservoir that we may draw from it as it will be an intense time.  We were so grateful for that instruction which reminded us to make as much necessary preparations spiritually.  As we pioneered, we definitely had to draw from our storehouse.   Corrective, to rebuke or warn of error.   In 2 Samuel 12:1-14 was the story of Nathan the prophet correcting King David who committed adultery with Bathsheba.  Sometimes correction may come very gently.  “You are someone who desires things to be done quickly, yesterday. You rush things through even when people may feel differently.”  Basically, God is warning that you are stepping over people in your mad rush!  Take more consideration of their feelings.   It is so important to note when correction is given.  When we sit down with people to evaluate their prophecies, one column we use is designated “Warnings”.  We ignore such warnings to our own risk!   In my first ever presbytery, a part of the prophetic word was that I must be yoked to others.  I took that not only as an instruction but as a warning.  That is why I make sure I am always accountable, that I am always under spiritual covering.  I take the prophetic warning seriously.  To be independent is one of the most dangerous things a leader can do.  He becomes exposed to the Enemy.   Confirmative, to give assurance, strengthen or affirm aspects of a person’s life, ministry or decisions.   Acts 15:32 (NIV) Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. In KJV it says Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.   Often God speaks to assure us that we are on the right track.  In 1992, prophet John Jacks prophesied that God had given me the blueprint for establishing the church. Up to that time, I had been praying and thinking through about how to build the church.  Clear concepts and ideas were forming in my mind about how we were to operate the church. It was assuring for God to confirm that it was not just my own thinking, but that God had been behind it. That was why we established the church with many of those concepts.   In another example, in 1994 God’s prophetic word to me was, “The burden of the Lord that has been working within you to train, to disciple, stand as a bridge, to build people as they walk from the world to the kingdom, that vision shall increase, and increase, and increase even as you train people...”  How true that was.  The more we got involved in discipling and equipping people, the vision God gave me increased more and more!  God was assuring me that the vision is from Him.   At another time, the prophetic word was that we shall send people to different continents to do God’s work.  This has now come to pass and continuing to happen!   Impartative, an impartation of spiritual gifting or grace.   As was the case of Timothy that Apostle Paul described, it is to impart a spiritual gift that the Holy Spirit has pronounced for an individual.  A certain anointing can be revealed and imparted in the laying of hands by these elders.   In my first ever presbytery, God wanted to give to me a prophetic mantle! I was a pretty young Christian then and chickened out! Out of unbelief, I rejected it in my heart (though I said nothing outwardly) and did not operate in the prophetic at all.  Until we pioneered Hope Church and I quickly realised that I needed every possible gift that God would give me.  I repented of my past unbelief and God began to unlock my prophetic anointing.   Limitations of prophetic   1 Cor 13:9 (NIV) For we know in part and we prophesy in part… Man’s exercise of the prophetic anointing is not infallible. For the prophecy of today is not like that of Scripture.   We must understand that man’s exercise of the prophetic anointing is not infallible. For the prophecy of today is not like that of Scripture.  That is why, prophecy must be judged, particularly by those experienced with the prophetic unction.   1 Cor 14:29 (NIV) “ Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.”  In KJV it says “Let the prophets speak two or three and let the other judge.” Spiritual discernment is required to ascertain whether any prophecy accurately conveys the divine message.  To judge requires discernment. Spiritual discernment is required to ascertain whether any prophecy accurately conveys the divine message.   That is why we need at least 2 prophets so that they may judge the accuracy of the prophetic messages.  Those who are sensitive in the Holy Spirit can sense when a prophecy is of God or is in error.   What we also need to understand is that the language of the Holy Spirit is usually in dreams and visions.  So, prophets often have to interpret these images and impressions that the Holy Spirit gives to them. The experienced and wise prophets are able to communicate these much more accurately.  And when you have a number of these prophets, we can get a more balanced sense of what the Holy Spirit is saying. All prophecy must be in line with Scripture and the character of God.  For God never contradicts Himself.   Prophecies must be proven. 1 Thess 5:20-21 (NIV)  “20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 2 1Test everything. Hold on to the good.”  It is our responsibility as the church leadership to test these prophecies. We should keep the good and if there be any error, it should be identified and put aside.  All prophecy must be in line with Scripture and the character of God.  For God never contradicts Himself.  These should be part of our guiding principles.   RECIPIENTS RESPONSE   1 Tim 4:v14a (NIV) “Do not neglect your gift…”   The recipient of the prophetic message must take personal responsibility for what they do with the prophetic message.  Again, we see the interaction between the God’s intent and our human responsibility.  God is sovereign yet He chooses to let us make our personal choices.  This requires us to:   To prepare our hearts When our hearts are in the right place, eagerly seeking to hear from God, then God will tend to say more to us. When our hearts are in the right place, eagerly seeking to hear from God, then God will tend to say more to us.  It is worth setting time aside to fast, pray and prepare our hearts before God.  In my first time preparing for presbytery, I repented of everything!  That got my heart into the right place before God.   You will find that when our hearts are in the right place, we will have less dross in our hearts to distort whatever God is saying to us.  God will also be able to say more because we will be in a right state of mind to receive it. Fasting and praying are key elements of preparing ourselves in and for God.   Fasting and praying are key elements of preparing ourselves in and for God.  For example, Daniel prepared his heart to seek God by fasting.   Daniel 9:2 - 3 (NIV) “... I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.  3So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”  As a result, God later gave him revelation in 9v20-27.   To carefully discern the voice of God.   Some people make the mistake of simply remembering what they mentally recalled from the prophecies.  This is fraught with problems because often the emotion of the moment means they only recall portions of what was shared.  Their emotional state or personal bias may also distort what God is saying.   For example, the prophecy may be, “You will go when you are ready” but all we remember is “you will go!”  Another example is, “Many will come to you hurt or in pain and you will minister to them in the Lord” yet all we heard is “you will minister.”   Those who are sincere in truly discerning what God is saying will make sure they obtain a recording of the message.  Listen again to it carefully and transcribe it so that everything is laid out clearly to be evaluated.  Put it before the church leadership to prayerfully seek God together.  Often an experienced spiritual leader can guide the person through the process of discerning God’s message for them. Let us learn to apply wisdom in discerning God’s revelations. Proverbs 13:10 (NIV) Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.    To respond with faith and obedience.   Timothy was challenged to take responsibility for acting in faith upon the prophecies given to him.  1 Tim 1:18 (NIV) “ Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight…” 2 Tim 1:6 (NIV) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.    We must receive God’s prophetic words to us in faith and step out in faith.  When God speaks to us, the seeds of His will, grace and plan is laid.  It is through faith and obedience that they take root and begin to grow. Whilst we may be excited about the actual outcome of the prophecies, God is also using them to mould us, to grow us.   Let us determine to respond in faith and obedience.  Do not reject it nor neglect it.    CONCLUSIONS   The prophetic presbytery is an opportune time for God to speak clearly into many people’s lives.  To gain the most benefit from it, it is crucial for us to understand how it works and how we should approach it appropriately, with humble open and discerning hearts.  Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

A ship was wrecked, and the only survivor washed up on a small uninhabited island. He was exhausted. He cried out to God to save him. Every day he scanned the horizon, searching for help. Finally, he managed to build a rough hut and put his few articles in that hut.  One day, coming home from hunting for food, he was stung with grief to see his little hut in flames and a cloud of smoke. The worst had happened. But early the next day, a ship drew in and rescued him. He asked the crew, "How did you know I was here?"  They replied, "We saw your smoke signal."   Maybe the difficulties we have now may be the smoke signal that leads to great blessings. Certainly, for the Israelites it was the case when they were stuck in front of the Red Sea with Pharaoh breathing down their neck.  Their crisis against insurmountable odds turned out to be the gateway for great blessings from God.  They were overjoyed!  This overflowed into song and thanksgiving of Exodus 15:1-21.   A national anthem of a great country expresses and affirms their great heritage, victory, triumph and journey to becoming a nation. Likewise, Israel’s first great affirmation of faith, their journey and God-given victory over the Egyptians was expressed in this song.  Moses probably wrote the song and may have led Israel as they sang it.   Through this song we discover some elements about the importance of thanksgiving and why we should develop an attitude of thanksgiving and continually give praises unto God.    THANKSGIVING REINFORCES GOD’S PAST ACTS   This triumphant song describes the power of God as Israel’s defender. This is evident in the destruction of the Egyptian army and in the deliverance of Israel by means of the Red Sea.  It reinforced in the Israelites hearts’ 2 key aspects of what God had done.   It reminds of God’s might   Exodus 15:4–6 (NIV)  4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.   The song declares about the might of God which is majestic in power.  The might of God which shattered the enemy.  The mightiest army in the world, obliterated.  What a God we have!    We can be such forgetful beings. Many times, when we are under the pressures of difficult situations, the pressures can squeeze out of the way, our memories of God’s goodness.  We forget!  The Israelites were a classic example.  After all that God had promised and done for them, they still lacked faith.  They needed reminding.   Psalms 106:7-8 (NIV)  7 When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea  8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. Thanksgiving helps us to reflect upon, be reminded about and recognise God’s might.   Could you have forgotten about the might of God?  Are you under pressure from your circumstances and the reality of God’s power has faded into some distant past?  Thanksgiving helps us to reflect upon, be reminded about and recognise God’s might. God is God! He is the Almighty God!   God’s Word is a frequent reminder of God’s past acts, a guide for the present and hope for the future. Let us cultivate a thanksgiving attitude of God in and through our daily devotions. Let the Holy Spirit and God’s Word be a constant reminder for us!   It reminds of God’s deliverance   Exodus 15:9–10 (NIV)  9 The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ 10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.   Pharaoh and the Egyptians thought they had the Israelites in their hands. In the face of incredible odds before a fierce Egyptian army, the Israelites had no hope.  Except to hope in God.  It was God who supernaturally delivered them in their hour of crisis.  God is not one who gives His word and fails to deliver. He is not some overworked pizza chain that forgets to deliver our food.  God delivers! Thanksgiving helps us to recount and restate the times when God intervened.   Thanksgiving helps us to recount and restate the times when God intervened.  Before Nehemiah approached the King Artaxerxes, he thanked God in prayer for His past deliverance and asking for God’s help in his current situation.  Neh 1:10-11 (NIV)  “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.   When we give thanks to God for His deliverance, 2 things will happen. It keeps us humble because we recognise who truly delivered us and it reminds us that God is still very much active now and in the future.    “A thankful heart enjoys blessings twice--when they're received and when they're remembered.” Croft M. Pentz,   Whilst we are reminded of God’s past acts, we can grow to respond to God by extolling Him through thanksgiving.   THANKSGIVING EXTOLS GOD   Thanksgiving praises God. After declaring God’s deliverance for the Israelites (v2-10), Moses began to exalt God and His attributes.   Fuelled by admiration of God’s attributes   Exodus 15:11–12 (NIV)  11 Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you — majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 12 “You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies.   Verses 11 and 12 summarise the implications of the mighty acts of God at the Red Sea, by ascribing it to God’s nature and character.  The greatness and holiness of God were recognized by the Israelites as they reflected on God’s victory over their enemies, the Egyptians.  Before leaving Egypt, God told Moses that Pharaoh would not release the Israelites until God compelled him “with a mighty hand”. Now, after their passing through the Red Sea, Israel finally praised God for what His “mighty hand” had done.   God revealed through Moses that He was about to “bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt” ( Exodus 12:12 ). Now, after the exodus, Israel proclaimed, “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?” ( v11 ). And the answer is a resounding “no”.  For God is the Almighty God!  God’s intention was for Israel to realise that there is no other gods that is greater than YHWH! This song is a realisation of God’s objective.   The song also declares about the holiness of God for they recognised that what God did comes out of who He is.  God was just in His actions. He judged the Egyptians for their wickedness. God was faithful to His promises.  Our thanksgiving reveals our admiration of the person of God.   Our attitude reflects and reveals how we really feel about God. Our thanksgiving reveals our admiration of the person of God – how great and how holy He is.   Leads to praise   Exodus 15:20–21 (NIV)  20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her and, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”   Miriam, a prophetess and the sister of Aaron led the women as they repeated the first refrain of this song. Quite a feat for a woman who would have had to be around 90 years old! It is important to note that Moses’ first response after the crossing of Red Sea was to give thanks and praises unto God through a song! He set the pace and then Miriam & the rest followed his example.   Thanksgiving is the gateway to our praise unto God.    A thankful heart will lead to praising God. Thanksgiving is the gateway to our praise unto God.  Psalm 100: 4 (NIV)  “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”  The very first place we enter in God’s house is the gate. The Scriptures commands us to enter it with an attitude of thanksgiving!  Hence, a natural outcome of thanksgiving is to praise God.  This includes through song.  That is why we usually start off our church service with songs of praise declaring the greatness of God and giving thanks because of His great deeds for us.  This is why the worship leader would normally encourage the congregation to shout, clap and giving thanks to God during the time we are singing praise songs to God.   Jesus also taught His disciples to open their prayers with thanksgiving to God and acknowledging God at the start of the prayers. Matt 6:9 (NLT)  “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored.”  This goes to show the importance of declaring God’s praises personally and corporately wherever and whenever there is an opportunity.  Thanksgiving and praise should be our lifestyle.   In fact, thanksgiving and praise should be our lifestyle. Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)  19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)  And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. The power of praise can bring us spiritual victory.   Though praise is due to God, we also reap benefits when giving thanks and praise unto God in all situations especially at difficult times. The power of praise can bring us spiritual victory. King Jehoshaphat won the victory in the war against the Moabites and Ammonites because of their praise unto God. 2 Chronicles 20:21  (NIV)  After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." Scriptures record that God brought infighting amongst the enemies of Jehoshaphat.  The result was the entire armies of his enemies killed each other by the time they arrived!  Praise is our powerful weapon in spiritual warfare!   There was a pastor, during the church service, had a vision and saw a big demonic spirit hovering over the church. The demon was trying to resist and suppress the church. As the church began to praise God, the demon began to be unsettled. The more the church praised God, the more unsettled the demon. As the church praise rose to a victorious crescendo, the demon fell off his perch.   In Acts 16:16-28, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for preaching the Gospel. But in prison they praised God.  They sang and prayed.  Suddenly there was an earthquake and the prison doors busted open. The prison busted open because of the power of their praises unto God. They didn’t complain about what happened to them nor how terrible it was to be in a jail. But their hearts were so full of praise that the prison couldn’t hold them!   What about us today? Are we grateful or grumpy towards life, people around us and even God? Thankful people know how to praise God!   Nick Vujicic, in his book Life Without Limits shared how God changed his outlook in life. Vujicic was born limbless yet learnt to live his life without limits.  He is a man that has every reason to be grumpy and depressed.  But God changed him, and he discovered how to be thankful to God and to use his life for God instead! The next time you feel like complaining about your situation, think about Nick!   Thanksgiving should be our lifestyle.  Even in heaven, thanksgiving is the very thing we will continue to do. Revelation 11:17  (NIV)  "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.”  So let us begin today and continue until we reach heaven!    THANKSGIVING PREPARES FOR GOD’S LEADERSHIP   This God-given victory at the Red Sea is seen as a guarantee of the fulfilment of God’s purposes for Israel in the future. It means the sure defeat of their enemies and in their possession of the land of Canaan. Such thanksgiving prepares our hearts to continue under God’s leadership.  For thanksgiving helps to reinforce in our hearts the greatness and faithfulness of God as seen in His past actions and in who He is.  It prepares our hearts to continue to move further on under God’s leadership.   How does thanksgiving do this?  There are 2 aspects highlighted here.  Thanksgiving reinforces in our hearts, by giving us:   Assurance of God’s ongoing deliverance   Exodus 15:13–16 (NIV)  13 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. 14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. 15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; 16 terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by.   The song moves from declaring what God did to what God will do.  Just as God dealt with the Egyptians, surely God will deal with Philistines, Edomites, Moabites and Canaanites. None of them will stand in God’s way! Not too long ago, in chapter 13 verses 17-18, God did not take them through the Philistine territory because they would be totally undone if they had to face the Philistines then.  But now they had more faith! Thanksgiving reminds us of the past to move us forward into the future.    Thanksgiving reminds us of the past to move us forward into the future.  2 Corinthians 1:9 - 10 (NIV)  9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,    God’s is faithful in His leadership.  He will not let us down but will deliver us in order that we may continue to move on in His purposes.  Songs of praise have the power to lift our hearts in troubled times and bring assurance of future deliverance by reminding of past deliverance.  That is why so many psalms were written declaring about God’s deliverance. Psalms 63:7 - 8 (NIV) 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.   Hence, should you ever feel low in spirit, it is a good thing to give thanks.  To sing songs of praise unto God.  Note only do the words lift our hearts, but when we enter into God’s presence, God will minister to us as well.   Assurance of fulfilling God’s promises   Exodus 15:17 (NIV)  You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.   The song further declares about the bringing in and planting of God’s people in their place of inheritance, the Promised Land. In other words the thanksgiving is declaring that God will fulfil His promises. Thanksgiving can also serve to help us look forward to the fulfilment of God’s promises to us.   Thanksgiving can also serve to help us look forward to the fulfilment of God’s promises to us.  It reinforces in our hearts that God is faithful to the very end.  God will lead us to completion of His purposes.    CONCLUSION   Thanksgiving is an essential part of our relationship with God.  It reminds us to look back at the goodness of God, at His might and deliverance.  It helps us extol God in his majesty and righteousness.  Even as our praises helps lifts us towards God, it is also a powerful spiritual weapon.  Thanksgiving also prepares our hearts, to be further led by God in our journey of faith. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

Have you ever been in situations that simply looked impossible to get out of or to deal with?  Have you have felt like in-between a rock and a hard place? You are not alone.  Many have been in such situations, and have been overwhelmed by it. Yet the Bible helps us to understand that God can have His purposes during such times.  These can be times to grow spiritually, and it can be times of incredible victory too. In Exodus 14:5-31, we can learn some key principles of trusting God through impossibilities.  For the Israelites were stuck in an impossible situation. Traditionally, the exodus route was assumed to cross the Red Sea at the western side of the Sinai Peninsula that is the Gulf of Suez, a shallow area.  However, I think there is more weight of evidence from recent discoveries for the eastern side as per map below. It is crucial to realise that the Gulf of Aqaba is the Red Sea of the Bible, as noted in 1 Kings 9:26 (NIV) “King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.”  Why?  Because it is known that Elath is located on the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba (see map above). The distance from Succoth to Nuweiba at the Gulf of Aqaba is almost 300 kilometres.  Was it possible for a whole nation to travel at that pace through the desert?  Possible, if God was providing shade through His cloud during the day! And v21 implied they travelled hard, both in the day and in the night. It is likely they reach Wadi Watir, a large beach at Nuweiba. Large enough to hold 2 million people.  Today there are hotels and a village there.  The path to the Wadi was a meandering path between canyons. In Exodus 14:3 (KJV) “…They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.” The Israelites would have felt totally “hemmed in” at the beach.  They could not turn inland, nor go north because there was a 3 storey Egyptian fortress there.  There was no way to run.  The situation looked impossible. There are some evidence of barnacle encrusted remains of chariots and human bones at the bottom of the Gulf of Aqaba near Nuweiba.  This lends credence to the theory of this crossing. So what principles can we learn from this passage? NEVER LOSE YOUR NERVES: STAND FIRM Exodus 14:5–12 (NIV) 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds… 6 So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” The Israelites were overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation.  For Pharaoh had come pursuing them with the full force of his army.  Pharaoh had with him the 600 elite chariots plus many thousands of other chariots.  It is likely that these 600 charioteers had a fearsome reputation and merited such mention.  V9 states that Pharaoh went with horsemen and troops as well, likely an army of thousands of chariots, many tens of thousands of horsemen and troops.  In fact, Josephus the historian recorded 50,000 horsemen and 200,000 foot soldiers. The Israelites had over 1,000,000 people, outnumbering the Egyptians, but these had many women, children and seniors.  Very few would have been trained in warfare as they were slaves.  Faced with Pharaoh’s well-equipped and trained army, it could be a massacre.  Fear gripped their hearts and they panicked.  Would you have panicked? Fear is the cousin of unbelief.  Fear and doubt drive out faith and ushers in unbelief. When faced with an impossible situation, it is crucialnot to lose our nerves.  To be overcome by fear and to panic is to lead to certain defeat.  The impossible situation will simply eat us up alive.  Fear is the cousin of unbelief.  Fear and doubt drive out faith and ushers in unbelief. Matthew 14:28 - 31 (NIV) 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”  When Peter walked on water by faith, it was fear that brought in doubt.  Causing Peter to waver in his faith and to sink into the sea. Despite seeing God’s powerful hand deliver them from Egypt, the Israelites’ only response was fear, whining and despair. Where was their trust in God?  Fear tends to cloud our judgment and in panic we can no longer think clearly or objectively. Instead of looking to God, we tend to jump at the nearest compromise solution. Once in my home, a little mouse had somehow entered and scurried across our family area.  Immediately my wife and another girl who saw it jumped up unto the sofas and chair with great fear. I chuckled at them and tried to explain that they weight hundreds of times more than these little pests.  If they were to accidentally fall on these mouse, it would be killed. The mouse should be far more afraid of them, not the other way around.  Obviously, it did not allay their fears.  I had to deal with the intruder mouse myself. By focusing on God’s faithfulness in the past, we can face crisis with confidence rather than with fear and complaining.  The attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude is a good place to start when we are feeling fearful. NEVER LOSE HEART: PERSEVERE Gaining a divine perspective helps us see as God sees it. An opportunity rather than impossibility. In the midst of impossibilities, the enemy would try to make us first lose our nerves. Then to cause us to lose heart ie to stop believing that we can succeed or go through it. An important step in trusting God through a seemingly impossible situation is to gain a divine perspective on the situation.  That is why Moses urged them, “Do not be afraid!”  We must stay calm in the face of impossible odds and begin to see it through the eyes of God. Gaining a divine perspective helps us see as God sees it. An opportunity rather than impossibility. How do we do this? Believe in God’s deliverance Exodus 14:13–14 (NIV) 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” With an impossible situation, human solutions will not work.  We need God-solutions. When faced with an impossible situation, human solutions will not work.  We need God-solutions.  We should determine to turn to God for help! We are not in control of everything, but God is!  God is sovereign over all matters. Why not turn to God in such times and seek His face. Quit worrying! Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace.  They looked upon God for deliverance. Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV) 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They did not lose heart but placed their complete confidence in God to save them!  Their entire lives were placed in God’s hands.  What trust! Seek for divine guidance Exodus 14:15–16 (NIV) 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. Godly solutions must be carried out according to God’s ways and instructions. Our part is to seek God for His specific instructions.  We must be patient in listening to God.  Often, our own thoughts cut off God’s divine thoughts because we are so busy seeking for the solutions ourselves rather than seek God. Or we are too distracted by our entertainment devices to hear God! When God gives us instructions, we should obey God who knows better. Isa 55:6, 8-9 (NIV) 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Let’s seek God until you find guidance! Discern God’s purposes Exodus 14:17–18 (NIV) 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” God has a purpose for every situation.  We need to figure out what God is trying to teach us each time. God has a purpose for every situation.  We need to figure out what God is trying to teach us each time.  Rather than fighting God all the way, why not start asking God, “What would you like to teach me through this circumstance?”  To be able to do so, we need to seek God and trust Him.  Do not allow doubt to come in and pull you apart when the situation gets worse or does not seem to improve. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Persevere for God’s deliverance Exodus 14:19–20 (NIV) 19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Finally, at the eleventh hour, God intervened.  Just in time, the divine column moved to stand between them and the Egyptian army. Hebrews 10:36 (NIV) You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. God will turn up.  Eventually.  Sometimes at the 13th hour!  It is almost like you have reached the edge of a cliff, pushed over the edge and as you are falling, God turns up and asks casually, “So what can I do for you?” George Muller was an evangelist and founder of the Ashley Down orphanage in 19th century Bristol, England.  These orphanages were not funded by the government and had to rely upon donors.  By faith, Muller determined that they were not going to solicit for donations, instead trusting God for His provision.  They saw many incredible provisions by God. Muller shares the story of a time, when the orphanage had totally run out of funds.  There was nothing left to provide even a meal for the many orphans.  Nevertheless, he had them all sit down at the dining table with empty plates and began to give thanks to God for His provision.  Just as he finished giving thanks, there was a loud urgent knock at the front door.  A delivery truck had broken down in front of the orphanage.  The driver told them that he was to deliver food to a shop, but it would all go to waste now.  So would the orphanage like to have it?  That day they had one of the most sumptuous meals ever! It is crucial that we persevere in waiting for God’s intervention.  If we simply seek a human solution, it may end up an Ishmael.  James 5:11 (NIV) As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Job is a good example of a man who was faithful to God, trusted God and persevered through whatever situation had happened to him.  In the end, he received God’s best for his life. NEVER BACK OUT: WALK THROUGH Impossible situations require impossible solutions. Sometimes, impossible situations require impossible solutions. A natural response to a seemingly impossible solution is, “I can’t do this! It is impossible!” Yet nothing is impossible for God. Matthew 19:26 (NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  So how do we walk through impossible situations? Exercise faith according to the rhema word Exodus 14:21 (NIV)  Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, Faced with an impossible situation, human solutions will not work.  We need God-solutions. Moses heard from God in the midst of the impossible situation as we saw in v15-18. The key step is when he acted in faith according to the rhema word that he received.  When we are faced with an impossible situation, human solutions will not work.  We need God-solutions. Do you want God-solutions to your situation? Then you need to respond with faith when God releases His rhema word!  Moses acted upon the rhema word, so must you! Rise up to the fearsome solution Exodus 14:22 (NIV)  and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. To escape from the Egyptian army, the Israelites had to walk into the depths of the Red Sea with only a divine wind holding back the sea on both sides.  The only thing separating them from death in the sea was an invisible hand of God holding back the sea! We know that God caused the sea to close back at dawn and we know that the sea was parted sometime at night.  It is very possible that they had several hours to cross the Red Sea. It is likely that they had to walk several kilometres across the bed of the sea to reach the other side. If the site is as proposed, it is a walk of about 13 kilometres.  Sonar studies has revealed an undersea ridge, as shown below. It is about 300m deep and the land bridge was about 900m wide. The sides fall off to over 1,000m deep.  The slope down and up the land bridge is a gentle 6 degrees! Imagine if you were walking through the Red Sea.  In the dead of the night with howling winds holding back some 300m of sea water, that towered over you as you journeyed down the land bridge.  Perhaps some large sea animals might bump along this wall of water as you passed by.  You hurry across as fast as you can because if this invisible wall of wind failed to hold, it was the end. Taking hold of the impossible solution requires courage. At times, impossible situations require impossible solutions. And taking hold of the impossible solution requires courage. Courage enough to walk in it.  Challenging us to the limit of our faith.  Sometimes the solution may be almost as fearsome as the crisis. The Bible recorded for us the story of Daniel whose enemies plotted to kill him.  God delivered Daniel from his enemies, but it required him to first be accused of disobedience to the King’s orders and being thrown into the lion’s den.  We know the final outcome and how God protected him.  Yet imagine if God’s solution to our biggest problem is to be thrown into the lion’s den!  Perhaps we might reject God’s solution! The problem is the lack of courage, the lack of faith in God to walk in the solution. One key reason why many Christians fail to break past the impossible situation is not because of the lack of a God-provided solution.  The problem is the lack of courage, the lack of faith in God to walk in the solution.  And we cannot argue that the solution was beyond us to bear. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. We must take heart in the knowledge of God’s promise that He would not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear.  The problem is not about exceeding what we can bear but our premature giving up!  So let’s rise up to the fearsome solution!  Rise up in faith and walk through the impossible situation by taking hold of the God-solution. We must maintain faith as we walk in the impossible solution! In Apostle Peter’s case, where he fumbled when trying to walk on water, it was because he did not persevere in faith.  It was not a lack of courage to walk through an impossible situation.  He cast His eyes away from Jesus, so he was unable to maintain faith through the impossible situation.  We must maintain faith as we walk in the impossible solution!  Don’t think, “Surely I can’t be doing this! It is impossible.  Nobody has done it before!” In the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back movie, Luke Skywalker found Yoda, the tiny, old Jedi master.  During his training, Luke discovered that his space craft had sunk to the bottom of the swamp.  He was devastated.  Yoda challenged Luke to lift the craft out with the Force.  Luke tried his best but failed and gave up despondently, believing it an impossible feat.  Yoda then calmly used the Force to lift out the entire craft and gently laid it on solid ground.  Luke was stunned by the tiny Jedi master’s incredible feat. Luke exclaimed in amazement, “I can’t believe it!”  And Yoda’s reply was simply, “That is why you fail.” Believe God, trust Him!  Have courage to walk in the fearsome solution! CONCLUSION As the Israelites trusted God, God fully delivered them in a supernatural fashion that sealed the devastation of the Egyptians as recorded in v30-31.  When we trust God in an impossible situation, it will lead to a supernatural victory and lead us to a deeper place of trust in God. God’s name will also be glorified.  In trusting God, we must never lose our nerve.  Never lose heart and never back out. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

This article continues our series on Grace: Faith & Works.  Here we examine how God’s grace, faith and works are connected.  From there we draw many implications for our Christian living.  Perhaps you may experience stress, get overwhelmed in your life, or even in serving God.   By understanding how grace is crucial to our faith and works, it may provide us some of the answers to dealing with the above. In Part 1, we debunk the Calvinist view of faith as a gift from God on the basis of experience common to many.  In Part 2 we investigated the biblical basis from Ephesians 2:8-9 to demonstrate that salvation is the gift from God rather than faith.  Faith is the exercise of our human choice to trust in God. THE NATURE OF GOD’S GRACE Eph 2:4-7 (NIV) “4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Grace as God’s unmerited or unearned favour. God shows us favour although we are totally undeserving. In Part 2, we defined grace as God’s unmerited or unearned favour.  It means God shows us favour although we are totally undeserving.  What is the basis of God’s grace?  Why did God show us such unmerited favour? Consider the parable Jesus told of a prodigal son in Luke 15.  A father had 2 sons. The younger son demanded for his inheritance from his father.  He then took off to a distant land and squandered his wealth in wild living. Soon he had nothing left.  He was forced to survive working in a pig farm. One day, he was so hungry that he felt like eating the pig’s food.  That day, he came to his sense and realised that he had sinned against his father and God. He decided to return to his father and beg for forgiveness.  To ask his father to even just hire him as a servant. When he got close to the father’s house, the father saw him and was filled with compassion.  The father ran to his wayward son, embraced him and kissed him. The son cries, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called you son.” But instead, the father called his servants to immediately bring new robes, a ring (probably a signet ring symbolising he is part of family) and shoes for the son.  And called for a feast to celebrate.  The father declared, “This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” God’s immensely great love for us motivates His grace. The parable describes God’s heart, God’s grace.  Just like the father, v4 reveals that God’s immensely great love for us motivates His grace.  We had all turned away from God, rejected Him and became so lost in our sins.  We were being devastated in our sins.  But because we rejected Him, there is no way to get to heaven.  Imagine an eternity stuck with our sins with every other lost sinner.  With no hope of getting out.  Yet God’s heart cries out at how absolutely lost we are in our sins. Because God’s love for us is so great, His mercy is so rich, God sent His only Son, Jesus who sacrificed Himself on the cross in our place.  Showing grace was very costly to God. God’s compassion and generosity shapes His grace. It overflows in an extravagant demonstration of generosity God’s compassion and generosity shapes His grace.  That is why God’s grace is full of kindness to us (v7).  It overflows in an extravagant demonstration of generosity.  Just like the father of the prodigal son. God saves us and embraces us with the fulness of His favour.  This includes seating us with Him in the heavenly realms (v6).  What an undeserved honour! What is the extent of God’s grace? God’s grace is immeasurable. What is the extent of God’s grace? God’s grace is immeasurable.  The Bible describes it as “every spiritual blessing” (Eph 1:3), “immeasurably more” (Eph 3:20).  Romans 8:32 (NIV84) He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? God’s grace drew us towards Jesus.  It now leads us heaven-ward into our ultimate destiny with Christ. V6 to sit with him is to reign with Him.  God’s grace is greater than the prodigal son’s father! God’s grace is foundational to our salvation and redemption. God’s grace is foundational to our salvation and redemption.  We are moved from undeserving to justified.  From prodigal sinner to exalted child. From beggar to royalty.  From dirt to gold!   If we truly understand and appreciate God’s grace to us, we will not want to fall back on human self-effort.  For self-effort does not impress God.  It hinders us from God’s grace.  Instead let us find our rest upon the grace of God!  God our sabbath-rest! FAITH IS MAN'S RESPONSE, THAT ACCESSES GRACE Eph 2:8-9 (NIV) “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” Faith is not a gift from the God.  Rather, faith is an attitude, a choice that we make. What is the relationship between faith and God’s grace? In Part 2, we showed in v8 that faith is not a gift from the God.  Rather, faith is an attitude, a choice that we make.  Galatians 2:16 (NIV84) … So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ...”  Notice how our choice “we have put our faith in Christ Jesus” leads to the outcome “may be justified by faith in Christ”. Imagine God says to us, “I have made all necessary preparations for your salvation. I offer it to you as a complete gift. Will you trust me enough receive it? Will you trust in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?  You have nothing to do that can earn this gift.  Only have faith!” Faith is our response to God’s grace.  Grace provides. Faith trusts.  Yet faith is only possible because God has been laying the groundwork in our hearts. Faith is our response to God’s grace.  Grace provides. Faith trusts.  Yet faith is only possible because God has been laying the groundwork in our hearts.  God’s Word helps us develop faith in God. The Holy Spirit works upon our hearts to help us walk with God.  God’s church provides teaching, encouragement and support. So God’s grace is foundational.  Our faith stands upon grace. God’s grace is foundational.  Our faith stands upon grace. In Matt 14:22-32 records the story when the disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee in the night and they had left Jesus behind to pray.  They were struggling against the waves when suddenly they saw Jesus walking out to them, on water!  All the disciples were in shock.  Except Peter who got excited! He called out to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” Jesus said.  Peter jumped out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But then he looked at the big waves!  Got afraid and began to sink.  Jesus quickly got over and grabbed him.  Jesus rebuked Peter, “You of little faith!  Why did you doubt?”  Peter’s faith accessed God’s miraculous grace to walk on water.  Until doubt muddied it. Romans 5:1–2 (NIV84) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand... Faith is the access door by which we can access God’s grace. If grace is like the treasury.  Faith is the access door by which we can access God’s grace.  Faith gains access to God’s salvation. Faith gains access to God’s miracles.  Because faith is like a door, our faith can open up or close off the move of God. Faith gains access to God’s power, even to move mountains.  We discover this in the incident when Jesus disciples failed to deliver a man from demons in Matthew 17:19–20 (NIV84) 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Faith gains access to the exercising of spiritual gifts.  Romans 12:6 (NIV84) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. Through faith, we can access God’s grace which is full of every spiritual blessing. Through faith, we can access God’s grace which is full of every spiritual blessing.  It is always sufficient for our ongoing walk with God. So that we can persevere, so that we can mature in our character, so that we may overcome! GOOD WORKS IS THE OUTCOME OF GRACE, THROUGH FAITH Eph 2:8-10 (NIV) “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” There are works which have no value to God. But we are meant to do works which are "good" to God?  You see, our deeds in itself are not the real issue.  It is why we do those deeds. Deeds due to self-effort. Imagine if my attitude was, “Hey God! I did all these great things.  Helped lots of people. Made sacrifices to help fund missions. Even preached about you!  After all I did for you, surely I deserve recognition!”  Such deeds don’t impress God. Deeds that arise out of faith in God. Good works arise from humility and reliance upon God.  Imagine if my attitude was, “I am so grateful God that you chose to work through me.  Though I was undeserving.  I was faithful to what you asked me to do.  But really it was only possible because of your grace to me!”  That is what God seeks. Now consider Paul who became an apostle.  He had a powerful ministry with many supernatural healings and divine encounters.  Paul had this to say in Colossians 1:28–29 (NIV84) 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Apostle Paul recognised that it was all God’s grace working in him.  Paul suffered a lot, yet he managed to persevere unwaveringly because of God’s grace.  1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV84)  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.His “good works” was due to God’s grace.  A grace he accessed through faith in God. Faith accesses God’s grace to produce good works Hence, faith accesses God’s grace to produce good works.  Years ago, I was speaking in a conference in Thailand.  During lunch, I ate something which disagreed with me.  I spent much of the afternoon going to the toilet with diarrhea.  I was to speak at the evening session, but I was spent.  I had barely enough energy, my faith was scrapping the bottom of the barrel.  I managed to do my session by God’s grace.  Near the end of the session, God told me to pray of the sick and believe for healing.  I argued with God, telling him I had no faith left.  But God was persistent.  Out of obedience I began an altar call for healing.    Desperately, I cried out to God to move out of whatever faith I had left.  God turned up and dozens of people were healed that night. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS We have shown that God’s grace is free and abundant for us who are in Jesus Christ.  Faith enables us to access God’s grace.  Good works is an outcome of faith accessing God’s grace. Let me suggest some practical implications visually. God’s Grace is foundational.  It encompasses salvation, fruits of Spirit, authority, calling, giftings, supernatural power, guidance, etc etc every spiritual blessing. Our faith builds upon it.  Faith draws upon God’s grace to help us produce good works.  Notice that at times, God gives more grace than our faith deserves as shown by the lines leading to good works which lie outside of Faith. I need to clarify that this is a simplification to help us visualise.  In reality, God’s grace comes from God.  He chooses what He provides to each person, when He gives and how He gives.  It is not some automatic process.  There are also other factors other than faith involved.  But this illustration indicates the key connections. Now what happens when our faith is little? Recall that Jesus rebuked His disciples a number of times, “You of little faith!” Here we find that despite the huge grace available, little faith only produces little good works. What happens when our faith grows big?  Now much more of the huge grace available is tapped by big faith which leads to big good works.  Consider Apostle Paul’s powerful ministry.  Think about Moses, Elijah, Elisha, John Wesley, Reinhard Bonnke, etc.  What kind of faith do we want? What happens when we try to do a lot more than our faith capacity? While there is huge grace, there is small faith yet somehow big works seem to appear.  Perhaps part of the works are not derived from faith.  This extra overhang may be the reason why we feel overwhelmed and stressed.  Because it is not out of grace. Now grace is not given by God in equal measure in every area. Sometimes, His grace may be limited for us.  Sometimes we presume there is grace and exercise presumption.  The result is limited good works and perhaps some questionable works. Faith is like a muscle.  Exercise it, it grows.  Don’t use it, it shrinks Faith is like a muscle.  Exercise it, it grows.  Don’t use it, it shrinks.  If we only produce little good works though we had bigger faith before, what will happen?  Eventually our faith shrinks from lack of use.  Don’t use it, lose it! That is why being stretched by God is a good thing.  It challenges us to go beyond ourselves to rely upon God.  Sometimes, when we are too comfortable in our Christian life, we slip into relying upon our knowledge, our strength to maintain it.  It no longer requires much "faith in God' to operate in it. That is why stepping out to operate in supernatural gifts of God is healthy for our spiritual growth.  You cannot remain in a comfort zone.  For we cannot channel the miraculous by our own efforts.  It keeps us alert and vigorous spiritually. TRUSTING VS TRYING The difference between trying hard in self-effort or trusting in God’s grace boils down to our attitudes and perspectives. Are we walking in God’s grace or in our own efforts?  The difference between trying hard in self-effort or trusting in God’s grace boils down to our attitudes and perspectives. Yet often our motivations can be mixed.  So how can we tell what is happening?  Check out these comparisons, using the Fruit of the Spirit as a guide. When there is faith, when we are trusting and relying on God, we will experience and sense the fruits of the Spirit.  But when there is presumption and performance, we will not experience the fruits of the Spirit.  Instead, we begin to experience the right column. I have learnt to check myself, to be self-aware.  When I sense the right column, I go to God and sort it out.  This helps me keep in the trusting mode more consistently. CONCLUSIONS We showed that God’s grace is basically God’s favour although we are undeserving.  Essentially, faith is our response to God’s grace and is itself built upon God’s grace.  Faith allows us to access God’s grace to produce good works.  How we align our faith towards God’s grace to produce good works impacts upon our ministry.  When it is not align properly, it can lead to presumption or result in fruits of self-reliance. God’s heart is to grow us to be more trusting, exercising faith in God, depending on His grace unto us. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

Is the faith we exercised to trust in God for our salvation a gift from God?  Meaning we did not or cannot exercise faith out of our own volition?  Or is it that faith is an act of human choice to trust in Jesus Christ?  This is an argument that Calvinists and Arminians have had for centuries. How does all of these relate to God’s grace?  In this article, we will tackle the issue of grace and faith scripturally by diving deep into Ephesians 2:4-9. This article is Part 2 of Grace: Faith & Works which continues from Part 1 which looked into the experiential part of our faith journey to debunk the Calvinist concept requiring regeneration before saving faith can arise. GOD’S GRACE IS WHAT SAVES US Eph 2:4-7 (NIV) “ 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” V5 makes it very clear "by grace you have been saved".  Yet what is “grace” actually?  Grace can be described by the acronym “God's Redemption At Christ's Expense”.  Grace is God’s unmerited favour.  It means God showed favour to us despite zero merit, zero goodness on our part.    We were absolutely undeserving to be saved! Utterly without hope! Why?  For we were absolutely unrighteous.  Spiritually dead in our sins.  To be spiritually dead does not mean that our spirit is absolutely dead wood inside.  The corpse analogy conveys the wrong idea.  It just means our spirit is naturally oriented away from God.  There are many spiritual people, but spiritually-oriented away from God. Total Depravity.  We were utterly and totally, morally and spiritually corrupted in our sins. Theologically we call it Total Depravity.  We were utterly and totally, morally and spiritually corrupted in our sins.  So spiritually lost that we cannot and would not find the way to God by ourselves.  That is sinful man's natural state.  That is why, God had to take the initiative to reach out to save us. Christ had to pay the price for our sins.  With His sacrifice on the cross. Why did Jesus make the sacrifice?  V4-5 reveals it is because God has a great love for us.  Because He is so full of mercy.  Despite the fact we were so dead in our sins, God still offered us forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  It was solely God’s grace that enables us to be saved.  Further, in v6 - 7, God will one day raise us together with Christ and allow us to reign with Christ in the heavenly realms.  This reveals how incomparably rich His grace is to us. God could have executed judgment immediately upon us because of our sins.  Instead, God graciously put us on probation.  He offered us the opportunity to respond to His loving provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. Perhaps a question will arise.  If man is totally depraved in sin, how can man respond to God’s grace?  God’s grace is God moving upon the hearts of sinful man to draw us to Himself.  He does this by persuading us, usually through other witnesses.  Enlightening us by opening our understanding to the Gospel. Convicting us by the work of the Holy Spirit and so forth.  It is like a rubber band that is stretch beyond its natural resting state because of God working to draw us to Him.  Our natural state has not changed.  But as long as we are responding to God’s grace, our senses are being opened to God.  If God totally removes His grace, we would snap back to our natural state eventually. The grace of God draws sinful man to Himself.  Man can choose to respond positively and be further drawn towards God.  Or negatively The Engel scale describes the phases quite well.  So the grace of God draws sinful man to Himself.  Man can choose to respond positively and be further drawn towards God.  Or negatively and draw away from God. Those who continue to respond positively can eventually be drawn to the point of repentance and exercising faith to choose to trust in Jesus as their personal Saviour and Lord.  Yet through it all, it would not be possible except for the grace of God.  God’s grace is foundational to our salvation.  On this point we agree with the Calvinists. God’s grace is foundational to our salvation. FAITH IS NOT WORKS Eph 2:8-9 (NIV) “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” Calvinists argue that if man exercised faith for salvation, it is a form of work.  Because it came from us.  That is why faith must be a gift from God for man to be justified.   The question is, “Does God consider our exercise of faith a form of human work?”  Let’s examine biblically the distinction between faith and works. Works has the meaning of human deeds here.  While faith means trusting God. Works has the meaning of human deeds here.  While faith means trusting God.  Notice, the Greek word “believe” has the same root meaning as “faith”.  So, believe and faith is essentially the same thing.  The English language did not have the appropriate verbs for faith such as “Abraham faithed” or “who does not work but faiths in Him”. Apostle Paul was arguing against Jewish Christians who thought that believers could be saved or justified by God through observing the Laws of Moses. He was arguing God only justify through faith, not by human deeds.  Let’s follow the logic of the argument.  Following v2, if we claim Abraham could be justified because of what he did, then he could boast about it. Now imagine the following hypothetical scenario.  Abraham worked very hard to justify himself before God and now declared, “I am a very good person.”  If God then credits him with righteousness, it would be like wages.  Abraham could boast to his mates “See this righteous crown?  I worked my butt off to get it!”.  Yet v2 proceeds to state, “But not before God”.  God does not accept such a declaration. Now consider the actual scenario.  Abraham did not work hard to be justified.  In fact, not at all. He was not trying to be righteous. But he simply believed what God promised him.  It was Abraham’s faith that prompted God to count him as righteous as v3 makes clear, “Abraham believed God and it was counted/credited to him as righteousness.” Note, we are not talking about saving faith here.  Just generic faith, trusting in God’s promise.  So God gave Abraham a gift.  God considered Abraham as righteous.  A gift which Abraham did no work to deserve it.  Hence the contrast in v5 between believe and work, “to the one who does not work but believes”.  So to believe is not considered as work. God does not consider our faith to be works.  Exercising faith is not a form of works. Now recall that believe and faith are essentially the same matter. This reveals that God does not consider our faith to be works.  Exercising faith is not a form of works.  In Scripture, faith is never considered to be a human work deserving any merit from God.  Biblically there is no such concept as faith being a meritorious work, as the Calvinists claim.  This is reinforced throughout Scripture where God challenges His hearers to believe, to choose to believe in Him.  If choosing to believe is a meritorious work, then why does God make that such an important criteria?  If faith was only given by God, then how can God challenge them to choose?   Hence, faith is an exercise of human choice, to trust in God. Faith is an exercise of human choice, to trust in God. Works is about our deeds. Our tangible actions.  Faith is our attitude of trusting God.  It is not tangible. In other words, faith is not works! Works is about our deeds. Faith is our attitude of trusting God. Faith is not works! SALVATION IS THE GIFT, NOT FAITH Eph 2:8-9 (NIV) “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” We will now examine this passage more deeply to show here why faith is not a gift from God.  But salvation is. Analysing the Grammar In English translations, the sentence structure is ambiguous. In v8 "this not from yourselves". which is the pronoun "this" referred to?  Is it "grace", "faith" or the entire preceding phrase which is about salvation? As mentioned earlier, the Calvinists have argued “this” refers to faith.  However, in recent years many scholars no longer hold to that view.  In the Greek we have gendered nouns and pronouns – much more than English.  Feminine, masculine or neuter ie no-gender.   In English, it is nouns like “chairman”, “chairwoman” or “chairperson”.  We use the pronoun he for chairman, she for chairwoman. The "grace" and "faith" in the passage are in the feminine form.  But "this" is in the "neuter". In classic Greek literature it is very rare for the gender to switch in the sentence and nowhere does it occur in the New Testament.  Typically, a neuter pronoun refers back to a preceding section.  In other words, grammatically "this" is referring to the theme of salvation, which is by grace in the preceding v4-8a, and specifically to "by grace you have been saved" ie salvation. In fact, this approach is consistently seen in Ephesians 1:15 which refers back to 1:3-14, Ephesians 1:15 (NIV) “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people…”.  Also in Ephesians 3:1 (NIV) “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles…” refers back to 2:11-22: 3:14 to 3:1-13. The “gift of God” in Ephesians 2:8-9 was referring to salvation rather than faith.  Faith is not the gift from God in this passage. Hence, a grammatically straightforward explanation why the “gift of God” in Ephesians 2:8-9 was referring to salvation rather than faith.  Faith is not the gift from God in this passage. Analysing the Syntax or Sentence Structure There are 3 complements which follows from "this" in v8.   What are complements?  Complements describe an abstract noun (an idea rather than an object).  So, if the noun is “faith”, we get: ·       Faith is not your own doing ·       Faith is the gift of God ·       Faith is not the result of works The first 2 can maybe make sense – for the Calvinist. We already argued why it is not correct.  We already established that faith is not a form of works.  Faith is in contrast to works.  How can works ever result in faith?   So last sentence is totally unnecessary.  It is like saying black is not white!  But if the noun is "salvation" then we get: ·       Salvation is not your own doing ·       Salvation is the gift of God ·       Salvation is not the result of works Which now makes perfect sense, as a rhetorical device, reinforcing the concept that salvation is because of the grace of God. We cannot save ourselves by what we do. No Scripture describes our “exercise of faith”, the attitude of trusting in God as a gift from God. No Scripture describes our “exercise of faith”, the attitude of trusting in God as a gift from God.  1 Cor 12:9 refer to the “charismata” gift of faith, which is a divinely supernaturally enabled faith.  That is not the trusting “faith” we are referring to here.  There are Scriptures which talk about the truth or content of our “faith” as being from God.  That is obviously from God.  So we can conclude that salvation is the gift from God, not faith. We can conclude that salvation is the gift from God, not faith. CONCLUSIONS We showed theologically that God’s grace is foundational to our salvation.  Out of His grace, salvation was made available to us.  No one can earn it.  It is a free gift.  So salvation is the free gift.  We also showed that faith is not a form of works.  God does not view it that way. God, by His grace, does enable us to be able to reach a point where we can exercise faith. Faith is our attitude of trust in God.  It is a choice we make.  God does not make that choice for us. Though I will qualify to say that God, by His grace, does enable us to be able to reach a point where we can exercise faith.  Because of His work to persuade us, enlighten us, convict us, etc.  However, we make the choice whether to place our trust in Him.  Whether to accept God’s offer of salvation. Copyright©️2024 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.