Hello, blog world!

Just wanted to post a link to the new website and blog.  Here it is:  www.crossthought.org

Enjoy!

soli Deo gloria!

Matthew

Picture this. You are in a lunch line. Everyone is waiting to get their food but before anyone can pay for their food, someone steps in and pays for every single person’s meal. Some people reply with, “I am not hungry, I wasn’t going to eat.” Regardless of whether or not they accept this gift, their meal is paid in full. This is a great scenario, isn’t it? But let me ask you this. What do you do when no one in line is hungry? Not only are all of these people lacking in hunger, but they are prideful. Every single person would rather starve than accept this generous offer. This person paying for everyone’s meal won’t change the people’s lack of hunger solely by paying that price. However, there is hope. It turns out, this person is not just any ordinary person. He owns the cafeteria! On top of that, he is the chief, and only, chef! Truly this man is extraordinary. Then, by name, the chef calls out to a select people in line. He presents to them the most exquisite dish to ever be prepared. The aroma coming off of this dish is a beguilingly sweet fragrance, causing all who were called out of line to desperately desire it. After being exposed to the dish and beholding its great value, the chef gives it to those chosen few at his own expense. Without hesitation, every single chosen person accepts this generous offer. Those who were once lacking in hunger have now developed a longing for this specific dish, only on the grounds that the chef revealed the great worth of this dish to them. Not only that, but it turns out that this chef had personally made lunch reservations for those specific people before the foundations of his cafeteria were ever layed.

The latter illustration is a more accurate explanation of what salvation is like. There are almost 7 billion people in the world, yet scripture tells us that not a single one hungers for God (Romans 3:12). Graciously, God has extended His love and mercy to a select few (Ephesians 1:4-5); opening their eyes to the great truth of the gospel (Psalm 146:8; Isaiah 35:5). By sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, redemption and an open door to right relationship with God became available to mankind (Romans 3:23). However, there is a lingering question here. Did Jesus die for every single person? Maybe the more correct question is, “Was Jesus the atonement for every single person?” The theological concept I speak of has been called many things, but I prefer “Christ’s Purposeful Redemption.” The stance I take on the issue is that Jesus desires for all to be saved, but His atonement is directed towards His chosen people for His own glory and purpose. It’s important to identify what I mean by “all.” In this instance, I am referring to “all” as meaning every single person. So, Jesus desires for every single person to be saved (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; John 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 3:9), but He chooses to save some for His own glory and purpose (Matthew 22:14; Ephesians 1:4-5; John 15:16; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 8:33; Romans 9:11-13); in which His atonement is applied only to those He chose (John 10:11, 15; John 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32-37; Ephesians 5:25; 1 John 2:2). Overall, the doctrine of Christ’s Purposeful Redemption is a logical conclusion of Humanity’s Radical Corruption, that men are spiritually dead in sin, and God’s Sovereign Choice, that it is God who chooses us and not us who choose God. (See my two previous notes in this series to see the consistent flow of these doctrines- “I’m Fallen and I Can’t Get Up: Humanity’s Radical Corruption,” and “When Pigs Fly: God’s Sovereign Choice.”)

Oppositions to Jesus only dying for those He chose, but rather dying for the whole world, are found in these following verses:

John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

1 Timothy 2:3-6
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

1 Timothy 4:10
“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

1 John 2:2
“He [Christ] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

These verses provide an interpretive challenge to many theologians. However, I will attempt to provide a step-by-step explanation of each verse, which is consistent with the doctrine of “Christ’s Purposeful Redemption.” The verse, 1 John 2:2, is an appropriate place to start, and will provide a foundation of explanation for the other verses.

1 John 2:2
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

At first glance, many have interpreted this to mean that John is claiming Christ died for the sins of the whole world. It seems pretty logical in light of, “and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” However, the word propitiation throws a huge flaw in that interpretation. The problem is that the text doesn’t say Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, but rather that “He is the propitiation… of the whole world.” If there is one thing that stuck with me from my freshmen year of college, it is the definition of the word propitiation. I recall eating lunch at the BSU one Wednesday when a mentor of mine was discussing the unique difference in the words “atonement” and “propitiation.” The reason for this was because the word atonement is sometimes present in the NIV translation where in the Greek text the more accurate translation is propitiation. So what’s the difference? Don’t they basically have the same meaning? Actually, they have slightly different meanings. You see, the word atonement refers to a price being paid, or a wrong being compensated for. It is very true that Christ is the atonement for our sins, and that He paid for them in full. However, propitiation gives a slightly different perspective. Propitiation refers to satisfying the wrath of God, and carrying the weight of sin. It is a term that depicts an image of substitution. Christ stepped in and took our place. With that in mind, let’s look at the text again. “He is the propitiation… for the sins of the whole world” would imply that Jesus took the place of every single sinner, and that there is no need for anyone to satisfy the wrath of God through eternal condemnation. If translated this way, it would result in a heresy called “Christian Universalism.” Universalism would say that every single person will inherit eternal life, because Christ paid for all sins regardless of faith put in Christ. The only problem with this is found in verses such as Matthew 7:22-23, which says:

(22) “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
(23) “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

Jesus clearly states here that there will be many who are condemned on that day. This proves even further difficulty in the interpretation of 1 John 2:2, because the ideas of people being condemned on that day and everyone being saved is contradicting. The answer to this difficult interpretation is found in the meaning of the phrase, “the whole world.” Does the phrase “whole world” literally mean what it says, or is there specification that is not mentioned? In view of the consistency of scripture and this passage, the phrase “the whole world” most likely means “mankind.” In other words, mankind in general is redeemed by the blood of Christ, but only the elect who have professed Him as Lord are covered by His blood. This flows consistently with Matthew 22:14 which says, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” It’s an open call to all of mankind, but only few will actually respond to that call because only few have been chosen.

In light of this interpretation of 1 John 2:2, John 3:16-17 would also find it’s explanation. When Jesus says, “For God so loved the whole world,” He is speaking of salvation coming to the gentiles; that Christ will be the propitiation of people from every nation. Another faulty interpretation found in John 3:16 is that “whosoever” is a reference to people having the free choice to choose. However, in light of Humanity’s Radical Corruption, the only choice man can make is to sin and rebel against God. Rather than claiming “whosoever” as an open call of free choice, it is a logical explanation of those who are elect. “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” is a description of those whom God has chosen from before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:4-5).

This same interpretation of “all” would explain the “all” used in 1 Timothy 4:10, Titus 2:11, and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. However, another unique analysis is seen in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. “…therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:15). This passage is speaking specifically to people who have died to self, and was reborn as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, the all is described as being all who confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9). In addition, there is a confusing line found in 1 Timothy 4:10, “who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” Here Paul is referring to common grace shared by believers and unbelievers; such as breaths of life, patience, restraining of judgment, mainting of order in society’s governments, all materialistic blessings given to believers and unbelievers, compassion, and the revealing of His beauty and goodness in creation. These are all temporary mercies, but for the elect He is their substitution for wrath.

The most challenging verse against Jesus only dying for those He chose, is found in 1 Timothy 2:4. It reads, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Throughout the New Testament, there are two Greek words used for the English word, “will.” The first Greek word is found in 2 Peter 3:9– “boulomai.” This word refers to will as being a desire, or emotion; hence the reason why my stance is that God desires for all to be saved, but only chooses some. The second Greek word is found here in 1 Timothy 2:4– “̄theleō.” This word describes the definite plan of God that will undoubtedly occur. Again, this passage would lead to Universalism if “all” were to be undoubtedly saved. However, the meaning for “all” again refers to people from every nation and tribe. This is seen in 1 Timothy 2:2, where Paul mentions kings of all, and his call to the gentiles in 1 Timothy 2:7.

It is clear that Christ does not atone for all people. This is seen simply in the fact that if the blood of Christ covered the sins of those in Hell, those people would not be in Hell. Rather, Christ did not take the wrath intended for them and they must pay that price themselves. Another frequent misunderstanding with this doctrine is that most people who have a problem with “Jesus not being the atonement for all people,” is really not a problem with this view of atonement at all. How so? Whether you believe Jesus saves only those who choose, or whether you believe Jesus only saves the elect; the common ground of agreement is that He doesn’t save those who are condemned to hell. Therefore, the problem most people have is with God’s Sovereign Choice, not Christ’s Purposeful Redemption. Because the confrontation they find is that if God chose who would be saved, He also chose who He would allow to continue in sin; leading to condemnation. The final difficulty with this doctrine is found in a common question that has been asked by many people. The question is, “What do you tell someone who asks if Jesus died for everyone?” The answer to this, however, is simple. Jesus died for those who confess with their mouth that He is Lord, and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). Once again, whether you believe in free choice or God’s Sovereign Choice, Jesus only died for those who profess faith in Him. To one it is a work of man choosing, to the other it is the evidence of the elect. Either way, Christ redeems and atones only for those of His flock. (John 10:11).

John Piper recently updated his blog at desiringgod.org about “America’s Debt to John Calvin.” It’s a good read.

Also, check out what has been happening “This Week in Calvinism–June 19, 2009.”

Meanwhile, soli Deo gloria!

-Matthew

What a great question that has boggled the minds of millions, I am sure. Could pigs ever fly, in and of themselves? Well, how does a bird fly? A bird flies by using strong muscles to push its wings downward, which results in air being pushed down and lift being generated. With this in mind, surely the reason pigs are unable to fly has nothing to do with the lack of strong muscles. Pigs are massive animals. They weigh anywhere from 200-240 pounds, with the heaviest pig ever weighing-in somewhere around 800 lbs. For an animal to be that big, it must also have a significant amount of muscle. Then why can’t pigs fly? What’s stopping them? Well if you haven’t noticed, pigs don’t have wings! This means that even if a pig had enough muscle to pull two tons it’s own weight, it would NEVER be able to fly due to it’s lack of wings. Here’s an even greater question. Would pigs even want to fly if they could? I am not convinced that they would. Pigs lack in sweat glands. In order to stay cool, pigs roll around and dwell in mud. They also use the mud as a sunscreen to prevent sunburn. So even if pigs could fly, I am not so sure they would because they would be worried about their own personal well-being and desire for mud.

What significance does this information about pigs have with the topic of “God’s Sovereign Choice (sovereign meaning, to have complete control)?” Well, what does “God’s Sovereign Choice” mean? The doctrine of “God’s Sovereign Choice” means that it is completely and solely upon God’s choice that a man comes to salvation (John 15:16). In addition, there is no standard or good work in which a man can earn salvation or find favoritism in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6); but it is by the gracious love of God that a man comes to faith in Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). How can this be? Can’t a man choose to follow Christ upon his own ability and desires? In light of the previous note I wrote, “I’m Fallen and I Can’t Get Up: Humanity’s Radical Corruption,” there is no possible way that a spiritually dead man could choose life. Just as pigs are completely unable to fly due to their lack of wings, men are completely unable to choose Christ due to their spiritual deadness. Even if men were able to choose Christ, I am convinced that they wouldn’t because their deepest desires include sin and hostility towards God (Romans 8:7-8). Just as pigs would be drawn towards mud rather than flight because of their desire for mud, men would be drawn towards sin rather than Christ because of the corrupt desires of their heart. Even in our greatest strengths, it is as impossible for us to choose God just as it is for pigs to take flight.

Then what hope is there? How is salvation even possible for man? God has had a plan since before the creation of the world.

Ephesians 1:3-5
(3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (4) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (5) he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

Verse three starts off declaring that all praise belongs to God, who has given us every spiritual blessing. This shows God’s control over all spiritual blessings. Verse four then goes on to give evidence of God’s control over all spiritual blessings by declaring that God chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (to be saved). Psalm 139:15-16 goes on even further to state, “(15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, (16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This was considered a blessing that God chose those who would be saved. Verse five proclaims that IN LOVE He predestined us. The question then rises, how is it loving if we do not have a choice? The thing is, we do have a choice. What have we done with that choice? Again, with man’s choice he has chosen nothing but sin (Romans 3:9-18). It is impossible for him to choose anything other than that, due to his radical corruption. Maybe the better question is, how could God be so loving that He would choose to save any of the people who deserve His eternal punishment? However, He does choose some that they may know of His great worth.

One very big question that arises is, why would God even tell us of this predestination? 1 Peter 1:1-2 shines some light on this topic.

1 Peter 1:1-2
(1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, (2) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

It is most likely that the scattered people, which would mean spiritual pilgrims who do not belong of this world, mentioned in this passage are under heavy persecution. This letter was written during the rule of an emperor named Nero. During the time of Nero’s rule and this letter being written, there was a fire that broke out in Rome. Immediately, in frustration and anger of their prized culture being ruined, the citizens of Rome accused Nero of the damages because of his extreme lust for building things. In response to this accusation, Nero blames the Christians. So, being that Christians were under persecution, this letter was written for the purpose of encouragement. The Christians of these different areas were longing for the home in which they belong, “New Jerusalem.” This is understood in verse 1 when he refers to them as “strangers in the world.” Peter wrote this letter, and God revealed to man His sovereign choice, for the purpose of assuring Christians of His love and His hand in their lives.

One overlying dangerous opposition that is made with the doctrine of “God’s Sovereign Choice” is that God chooses people for salvation ahead of time, knowing what they would already choose. This is known as double-handed salvation. In other words, God saves people by knowing who would first choose Him. However, this doctrine is inconsistent with the full revelation of scripture. If God is dependant on man (who is corrupt) to choose Him, that would mean that man is on an equal level with God in salvation. This makes for a very weak God, but an empowered corrupt man. More so, nobody would EVER come to salvation if it were dependant on man alone; because man is sinful at the core of who he is and unable to choose life. Can a painting say to the artist, “this is what I will be?” It’s impossible. The artist orchestrates and designs every aspect of the painting without the slightest consultation with the painting. It does not change the passion and care that the artist has for the painting; it simply means that the artist is who is in control. In His mercy and love, it is Christ who calls us unto salvation and not us who calls upon Him (John 15:16). But don’t WE actually make the choice? The answer is yes, and no. Logically, we make a choice to follow Christ. Biblically, it is actually God making that choice through us.

There must be some reason that God chose specific people, right? Romans 9:11-13 says:
(11) Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: (12) not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” (13) Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

What this passage means is that man can do nothing to earn salvation. Even before the twins were born and could do right or wrong, God had decided who He would choose. What’s the reason behind this? It was that His “purpose in election might stand.” This means at least two things (probably a lot more, but two main ones stand out to me). God selects who He selects to prove that it is Him who has the choice, and that it is not based upon man’s merit. Secondly, He does this for His own purpose and for fulfillment of His perfect plan.

So how is this fair? How can God still hold us accountable of our sins if it is Him who chooses who to reveal Himself to?
Romans 9:14-21
(14) What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! (15) For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (16) It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. (17) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (18) Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. (19) One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” (20) But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” (21) Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

It is important to realize that Paul is not rebuking those who have honest questions about this difficult doctrine, but rather he is rebuking those who arrogantly excuse their own sin and unbelief. The verses that follow Romans 9:14-21 shed a little bit more light on the topic of why God allows some to perish.
Romans 9:22-23
(22) What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? (23) What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory.

Verse twenty-two is claiming that God could justly destroy sinners the first time they sin. Rather, He patiently endures their rebellion instead of giving them what every sin immediately deserves- eternal punishment. In addition, it claims that a sinners rejection of God is his own. God does not make man sinful, but He leaves them in the sin they have chosen. Verse 23 goes on to say that the purpose and existence of wrath is to show the supreme value of grace and mercy. How could we more fully know the glory of God’s grace if all people were under wrath? Wrath would not be as feared because it would be a common norm. How could we more fully understand God’s grace if all people were saved? Mercy would not be as understood, because it would be a common norm. Meaning that people would not even know of wrath, so what are they saved from? In order to understand the fullness of God’s mercy, you must have wrath; and to understand the fullness of God’s wrath, you must have mercy. The combination brings an understanding of fullness to God’s glory.

So what applications does this have for our lives? First off, we must realize that salvation is completely upon God’s choice, not ours (John 15:16; Romans 9:15-16). If it were dependant upon man, no one would be saved because all man are spiritually dead in their sin (Romans 3:9-18; Colossians 2:13). God being in control of salvation should be comforting to us for a couple of reasons. First off, we cannot change a sinner’s heart; nor are we called to do so. We may preach until we no longer have a voice, and study until our capacity of understanding has withered away; but it will be God who convicts and saves the sinner (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). We are called to be faithful to the Word, and to leave the rest in God’s hand. Secondly, we should be encouraged that the God of the universe has graciously shown us His love by choosing us before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:3-5), to be vessels of His mercy (Romans 9:23). Some may question whether there is even a need to share the Gospel, since God has already chosen who will be saved. This is a very dangerous concept. There are three reasons for this. First, we do not know who God will save, so we cannot determine who is chosen and who is not. Secondly, God using believers to share the Gospel with unbelievers is the main tool in which God brings people to salvation. Thirdly, God choosing a select people does not cancel out the commandment for us to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). In the grand scheme of things, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

You’re not called to world missions, you’re commanded. The great commission is not specifically directed at pastors, youth directors, and music ministers. It’s a command to every single believer of Christ to make disciples of all nations. Surely everybody is not called to travel overseas, right? Everybody is commanded to do missions, but not necessarily called to go overseas for world missions. However, everybody is commanded to partake in overseas world missions. There are three types of Christians when it comes to world missions. The best way I have heard it described is by the lowering of people into a well. The first two are summarized like this: there are those who go down into the well, and those who hold the rope for those who go down into the well; either way their should be scars on your hands. Those who lack these scars are the third group- those who are disobedient. People who are not called to leave everything to travel the world to share the gospel, partake in that mission by supporting and providing for those who do. Which ever side you are on, it should cost you something. We see this in the way the church provides for Paul and others on their missionary journeys. Paul gives up his own life for this cause, and the churches provide for him on his way. For those who are not providing or going, they are disobeying. If you are in Christ, it’s not an option. World missions is your duty.

John Piper says in his book on missions, “Let the Nations Be Glad,” that:
“Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”

In this note, I want to expound upon that statement, while explaining the purpose of life and how we glorify God in missions. To begin this, the issue of what God’s purpose was in creating the universe needs to be addressed. Some Christians say that the ultimate purpose for our existence is to have a relationship with Jesus, and enjoy fellowship with God. This is not completely true. We’re intended to have fellowship with God and a relationship with Jesus, but it’s not the end goal.

John 17:23-24
23 I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation.

The Father and Jesus are unified, Jesus and us are unified, and the Father and us are unified; all this unification for one purpose- “so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me” (V. 23). However, it doesn’t stop here. Verse 24 says, “those You have given Me.” There is a gift given here from the Father, to the Son- that gift being those whom would come to believe upon the name of Christ. What’s the purpose of this gift? “Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation.” (V. 24). Their purpose is to see His glory. From before the creation of the world, the story of life has been a love story between the Father and the Son, in which we are given to the Son to behold His glory; and worship Him for all eternity in making His glory known to the world. It’s not about us, yet we as a fallen people have a tendency of reversing things. We say that the ultimate end of Jesus dying on the cross was to pay for our sins; but that does not match up with what we just read. It was that His dying on the cross would reveal His glory to us. The fullness of God’s glory is displayed from nail to nail, with a crown of thorns, on the cross of Christ. It is the ultimate purpose of Christ dying on the cross, that His glory and worth would be known by saving sinners.

How is it that this glory is seen in our lives, and how do we live for this glory to be known? Paul has some excellent insights pertaining to this issue in his letter to the Colossians.

Colossians 1:24-29
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church. 25 I have become its minister, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

Paul says he is “completing in [his] flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body…” (V. 24). What is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Paul does not mean he is paying more of the debt for sin, and if he did that would be heresy. That would imply that Christ’s death on the cross was in vein, and not capable of paying for the sins of those the Father gave Him. So what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Philippians 2:25-30 sheds some light on the issue. Apaphroditus has been sent by the church in Philippi to bring a gift to Paul. In doing so, Apaphroditus almost dies from sickness. After arriving and bringing the gift to Paul, Paul sends Apaphroditus back to the church in Philippi saying these words:

Philippians 2:29-30
29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

The key phrase present in this passage that sheds some light on the passage in Colossians is found in the phrase, “to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me” (V. 30). The Greek word for the phrase “make up” in Philippians means the same thing as the Greek word for “completing” in Colossians. Apaphroditus was making up what was lacking in Philippi’s ministry- they were unable to go, so he went on their behalf. Apaphroditus went on Philippi’s behalf, risking his life, to show the church’s care and value for Paul. Paul is telling us to go to the world on behalf of Christ, risking our lives, to show Christ’s love for the church- while sharing in Christ’s suffering. Why share in His suffering? As we addressed earlier, the cross was the picture frame for God’s glory to be displayed to the whole world. In that suffering, we see His glory. Our lives as followers are intended to be a compass that always points towards Him; which occurs in the sharing of His suffering.

Look at the examples throughout time of faithful followers laying down their lives for Christ’s glory, in His suffering, to be displayed.

Peter, the apostle of Jesus, denied Jesus three times before being filled with the spirit or seeing Christ resurrected. What happened to Peter after those things occurred? Church tradition says that Peter and his wife were crucified for testifying of their faith in Christ. However, Peter was not just simply crucified. He requested that he be crucified upside-down because he was not worthy to share in the same crucifixion of his Lord and Savior.

Watchman Nee, a Chinese author and Church leader during the early to mid-1900’s, was put in prison for the last 20 years of his life and severely persecuted for his faith in Christ. During his time in prison, his wife died- in which she was the only person allowed to visit him. While prison censorship did not allow him to mention the Lord’s name in his letters, in his final letter he wrote of his joy in the Lord: “In my sickness, I still remain joyful at heart.” Watchman Nee was practicing the word of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Before his death, Nee slipped a piece of paper under his pillow which stated the following:
“Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ.”

The final story is of a Masai Warrior named Joseph. Joseph came to know Christ while walking on a dirt road in Africa, where a stranger had shared the gospel with him. In excitement, Joseph rushed back to his village, going from door-to-door, sharing the good news of Christ. However, the villagers responded in hostility. The men of the village held him down while the women took barbed wire and whipped him with it. They drug him out by a bush and left him to die. Upon waking up, Joseph wondered if he had said something wrong, or maybe missed something in telling the story of Jesus. He regained his strength and returned to the village to share Christ again. Upon re-entering the village and proclaiming Christ crucified, he was attacked once again- ripping open wounds that had just began to heal. A second time he was left by a bush to die. By some miracle, Joseph regained his strength and returned to the village to share Christ a third time. Immediately upon being seen by the villagers, and before he could even say a word, Joseph was attacked a third time. As Joseph blacked out and possibly breathed his last breaths, the last thing he saw were tears strolling down the faces of the women beating him. Joseph later woke up in a hut where the same people who had viciously beat him, were now nursing him and attempting to save his life. As a result of his suffering, the entire village came to know Christ.

Missions exist because worship doesn’t. The purpose of life is to worship God through making His glory known among the world, by the laying down of our life to reflect the glory of His suffering. This is why we are commanded to go- we are created for worship, and there are those who don’t. The only way that people are going to see the glory of God in the sufferings of Christ is if His followers live in such a way that says their treasure is in Heaven, and not here on the earth. Following Christ demands self denial and taking up of each individual’s cross, which should point others to His cross. Whether we live or die, the centrality of our life should be exalting Christ. If we live, we labor for Christ; if we die, we gain Him whom we labored for and served. We are His messengers appointed to fill up His afflictions among the nations. We haven’t been called to go… we’re commanded.

Let’s face the facts here. We are born with a disease . This isn’t just any old normal disease. No, this disease is forming and dwelling in the center of our hearts even before we are born. The infection has already taken place, and from the moment it entered into the world all things in existence were radically altered due to it’s devastating effects. Life became shorter, the world began to literally decay, and pain and suffering became common to all. What is it? What is this disease that has plagued creation more than any cancer or fatal virus? It’s been called many things, but the best description I have found is “Humanity’s Radical Corruption.” There is something about the human nature that is at the core of it’s existence, evil and corrupt. From the moment that Adam and Eve rebelled against God (Genesis 3), a wave of erosion has swept across all of creation. The result from this catastrophe was that every child from birth would have only one passion and pleasure: Sin (Ecclesiastes 9:3). John Macarthur says it like this;

“It means children do not come into the world seeking God and righteousness. They do not even come into the world with a neutral innocence. They come into the world seeking the fulfillment of sinful and selfish desires.”

Where is this doctrine rooted Biblically, and how could anyone say something so terrible about one of the most precious and innocent gifts that is given by God?

Psalm 51:3-5

(3) For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

(4) Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge.

(5) Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Although children are one of the greatest gifts given by God, maybe they are not as innocent as we think. I remember at the age of two when I first came into contact with Pepsi-cola. My mom had given it to me in a baby bottle and it wasn’t but a matter of minutes before I had guzzled down every last drop. The following day my mother gave my baby brother an identical baby bottle. From previous experience, I was inclined to believe that Pepsi-cola was in that bottle. Therefore, being driven by my sinful and selfish nature, I stole my brother’s baby bottle only to find that the beverage inside was baby formula and NOT Pepsi-cola. Not only did my sin surface in the act of stealing, but I also expressed a very nerve wrecking temper-tantrum after discovering that my loot did not consist of Pepsi-cola. The uniqueness of this story is that no one had taught me to be selfish, it came as natural to me as breathing and blinking.

Scripture goes on to even further say that we are spiritually dead in our sins. This is consistently seen through out scripture.

- Colossians 2:13

(13) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sin,

- Ephesians 2:1-3

(1) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (2) in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (3) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

Imagery of this spiritual death is seen in Ezekiel 37:1-14. Ezekiel the prophet comes across a valley of dry bones in which the “Sovereign LORD” commands him to prophesy to the bones declaring, “’Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” (vv. 4b-6). After prophesying to the dry bones, they come to life. The Sovereign LORD then speaks to Ezekiel, “”Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ ” (vv. 11-14).

In light of these scriptures, especially Ezekiel 37:1-14 where God claims “I have done it, declares the LORD,” man is unable to save himself or choose life solely upon his own ability. A dead man cannot bring himself back to life, nor can a spiritually dead man make himself spiritually alive; for a spiritually dead man is nothing more than dry bones. Rather, it is “God who made you alive with Christ.” (Colossians 2:13).

If we are indeed sinful from the time of birth, radically corrupted in the inner-most parts of our being, and spiritually dead in our sins; does this mean we can do no good? This is a tough question to answer. The answer is actually yes, and no. In and of ourselves, we are capable to do some good but it will ultimately be a rebellion against God. Let me explain. If you are looking at it in relation to the perspective of man, yes we are able to perform acts of civil virtue. Meaning, we can do “good” things from the perspective of man. This means that a non-believer can donate to a charity, care for the sick, or feed the hungry. However, in relation to the perspective of God, man can do no good apart from Christ. In and of ourselves (meaning apart from Christ), every deed performed by man is a violation of God’s law because it was not done in submission to Him. Romans 14:23 says, “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” In addition, even our greatest works are considered to be filthy rags before the righteousness of God (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, man is capable of civil virtues but completely incapable of doing good in the sight of God, apart from the work of Christ.

What significance does this doctrine of Humanity’s Radical Corruption have for us? To start, we are a completely defiled and evil people. There is not an ounce of good in us apart from the saving grace of God (Romans 3:9-26). From the moment of birth, sin is just as present in our veins as blood. At the core of who we are, we love darkness (John 3:19) and are hostile toward God (Romans 8:7-8). Unless God cures a man’s blindness to sin and draws him to Christ, he will never find in his own desires to repent (turn away) from sin and devote his life to supremely valuing and following Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:3-7); for we are slaves to sin (John 8:34). For the unrepentant heart there will sadly be nothing but eternal, just, and holy punishment (Romans 2:5). Those who the Father draw unto Him, believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and repent of their sins will have eternal life (John 6:44, Mark 1:15, John 3:16).