MY PASSION

I have always loved books. Behind me are books that I have collected in my short stay (Almost 2 1/2 years as of this writing) in Cebu City. These include books given to me by friends, books I bought second-hand from thrift stores, books I bought that were on sale, and books that I have downloaded from the internet.

What I am holding is a Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible (NIV) that I bought at a discounted rate in Manila. It is my main "sword" and the one I lug around wherever I go.

Some of my favorite books in my shelf are Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, my KJV Life Application Study Bible, which my mom gave, my NIV Study Bible, which I bought for less than $5, a IVP New Bible Dictionary, an Unger's Bible Dictionary, which I bought from M/V Doulos, A Ready Defense and Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh MacDowell, the controversial The Gospel According To Jesus by John MacArthur, and various other books and references. I have only begun to restart my collection after having come from a long spiritual backslide (1994-2004) and I praise God for the many books that have come my way. I commit my knowledge and myself solely to God's service and glory!

MY SON

God has given us a 7.8 lb. son last January 18, 2007. This is also, incidentally, the birthday of my wife, so we have a double celebration.

His name is AEON HIZKI BAYETA CASTAÑEDA.

Aeon is the Koine Greek word that means "forever."

Hizki is the Hebrew word for "God is my strength."

Soli Deo Gloria!


From Holman Bible Dictionary:

HIZKI

(hihz' ki) Personal name meaning, “my strength” or a shortened form of “Yah is my strength.” Modern translation spelling of Hezeki, a Benjaminite (1 Chronicles 8:17).

Grace Giving

WHAT IS GRACE GIVING?

Usually, in discussions on tithing and giving, grace givers have been discussing why the tithe is not commanded to Christians. I realized that this was a negative approach on the subject, and bound to be misunderstood, as those who take the tithing position think that they are "being attacked" and accordingly go into defensive measures.

Instead of that approach, I thought it much wiser to state what we who call ourselves "grace givers" believe about giving. For starters, it is best to let the Bible speak for itself on the question: How did the New Testament church give?

Let us apply ourselves into diligently answering the question by observing certain things from pertinent passages in Scripture:

1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)

1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."

10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:1-15)

1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)

Some principles that can be gleaned from the passages given earlier:

1. The believers gave themselves first to the Lord.
2. They gave generously.
3. They gave beyond what they were able, and, in fact, Paul seemed to discourage them, and yet they pleaded to be allowed to give.
4. They gave with no regard for the traditional animosity between Jews and Gentiles (Generosity is cross-cultural!)
5. They gave willingly.
6. They gave according to their ability and desire, with no external compulsion.
7. They gave systematically (in terms of frequency, with no amount or percentage prescribed).
8. They gave as part of their worship to God.
9. They gave to address the needs of the church.

"Your giving is a reflection of how well you know God. Your giving is an outflow of your relationship with god. The more you know Him, the more you will want to give. Give yourselves 100% first to the Lord." - Ptr. Alvin Rival of GCF Cebu (paraphrased)

That's basically what giving means to the "grace giving" school. You cannot outgive God. Focus on your God: who He is and what He is, and remember what He has done for you. Give yourself first to Him. After that, you won't nitpick with percentages anymore.

HOLINESS

I have recently begun reading Jerry Bridges' classic THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS after putting it off for almost two years. The title scared me, and in a way, I was trying to close my eyes to God's call to ALL Christians to walk in holiness.

Here are some things from the book:

"No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but as surely as no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us." -Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 14

He lists two reasons why we do not readily talk of our responsibility:

1. We are simply reluctant to face up to our responsibility. We prefer to leave that to God. We pray for victory when we know we should be acting in obedience.

2. We do not understand the proper distinction between God's provision and our own responsibility for holiness.

"God expects every Christian to live a holy life. But holiness is not only expected; it is the promised birthright of every Christian. Paul's statement is true. Sin will not be our master" - ibid., p. 18

To be holy is to be morally blameless. - Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

The word signifies "separation to God, and the conduct befitting those so separated." - W.E. Vine, An Expositionary Dictionary of New Testament Words

To live a holy life, then, is to live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to the sinful ways of the world. - Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, p.20


If holiness, then, is so basic to the Christian life, why do we not experience it more in daily living?

Bridges also notes 3 basic problem areas in the struggle with sin:

1. Our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We are concerned about our own "victory" over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God.

"God wants us to walk in obedience - not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. This is not to say that God doesn't want us to experience victory, but rather to emphasize that victory is a by-product of obedience." - ibid., p. 21

2. We have a misunderstood "living by faith" (Galatians 2:20) to mean that no effort at holiness is required on our part.

3. We do not take some sin seriously. We have mentally categorized sins into that which is unacceptable and that which may be tolerated a bit.

God has called every Christian to a holy life. There are no exceptions to this call... Because God is holy, He requires that we be holy. - ibid., p. 25

See the implications of that?

The "comfort zone" we prefer is to be a slight notch above everyone else, but this is not God's standard. We are only fooling ourselves that way.

"Many Christians have what we call "cultural holiness." They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God." -ibid., pp. 26-27

"But sometimes, even when we know what is right there is a reluctance on our part to do it. The right action may involve sacrifice, or a blow to our pride (for example, when we know we should confess a sin to someone), or some other obstacle." - ibid, p. 26

In chapter 2, Bridges studies holiness as God's indispensable attribute. He writes:

"Holiness is one of his attributes; that is, holiness is an essential part of the nature of God. His holiness is as necessary, for example, as His wisdom or His omniscience. Just as He cannot but know what is right, so he cannot but do what is right....God's holiness then is perfect freedom from all evil..The holiness of God includes His perfect conformity to His own divine character." (ibid., pp. 26-27)

”Because God is holy, He can never excuse or overlook any sin we commit, however small it may be.

“Sometimes we try to justify to God some action which our own conscience calls into question. But if we truly grasp the significance of God's perfect holiness, both in Himself and in His demands of us, we will readily see we can never justify before Him the slightest deviation from His perfect will. God does not accept the excuse, "Well, that's just the way I am," or even the more hopeful statement, "Well, I'm still growing in that area of my life."

“No, God's holiness does not make allowances for minor flaws or shortcomings in our personal character…

“Because God is holy, He cannot ever tempt us to sin…Probably none pf us ever imagines that God is actively soliciting us to do evil, but we may feel that God has put us in a situation where we have no choice.”- ibid., p. 30

”Because God is holy, He hates sin. Hate is such a strong word we dislike using it. We reprove our children for saying they hate someone. Yet when it comes to God’s attitude toward sin, only a strong word such as hate conveys the adequate depth of meaning. Hatred is a legitimate emotion when it comes to sin. In fact, the more we see ourselves grow in holiness, the more we hate sin…As we grow in holiness, we grow in hatred of sin; and God, being infinitely holy, has an infinite hatred of sin.

“We often say. “God hates the sin but loves the sinner.” This is blessedly true, but too often we quickly rush over the first half of the statement to get to the second. We cannot escape the fact that God hates our sins. We may trifle with our sins or excuse them, but God hates them.

“Therefore every time we sin, we are doing something God hates. He hates our lustful thoughts, our pride and jealousy, our outbursts of temper, and our rationalization that the end justifies the means. We need to be gripped by the fact that god hates all these things. We become so accustomed to our sins we sometimes lapse into a state of peaceful coexistence with them, but God never ceases to hate them.

“We need to cultivate in our hearts the same hatred of sin God has. Hatred of sin as sin, not just as something disquieting or defeating to ourselves, but displeasing to God, lies at the root of all true holiness. We must cultivate the attitude of Joseph, who said when he was tempted, ‘How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?’ (Genesis 39:9)

“In the deceitfulness of our hearts, we sometimes play with temptations by entertaining the thought that we can always confess and later ask forgiveness. Such thinking is exceedingly dangerous. God’s judgment is without partiality. He never overlooks our sin. He never decides not to bother, since the sin is only as small one. No, God hates sin intensely whenever and wherever he finds it.” ” - ibid., pp. 31-33

All these lead to a question: what are the implications for claiming to be a follower of a holy God who hates sin? We profess to be Christians: does this show in our lives? Frankly, the questions that crop up scare me...and shame me.