The Highest Privilege

"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them." - Revelation 21:3

These words remind us of the coming glory of heaven, and the ultimate restoration of what was lost in the beginning (Genesis 3). However, they also reveal something deeply profound and exciting. There is the promise of walking with God again - if you read the verse again, you will notice this.

Charles Spurgeon puts it likes this:

“I do not think the glory of Eden lay in its grassy walks, or in the boughs bending with luscious fruit-but its glory lay in this, that the ‘Lord God walked in the garden in the cool of the day.’ Here was Adam’s highest privilege, that he had companionship with the Most-High.” (Spurgeon)

Thought: What does it mean for you to walk with the Lord and to know that God lives amongst us?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

God with us

"God with us in our nature,

In our sorrow,
In our lifework,
In our punishment,
In our grace,
And now with us,
Or rather with Him,
In resurrection,
Ascension,
Triumph,
And Second Advent splendor." - Charles Spurgeon 

Forgive my lack of creativity, but it has been a long and tiring Holy Week. I am sending you all this lovely prayer/poem written by Charles Spurgeon and pray that it may offer you some joy today.

Luke 24:6 - "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:"

Living in Grace

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Is it with an "I" or "E"? - Immanuel or Emmanuel?

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” - Matthew 1:23

During the Christmas season we will come across the name Immanuel on numerous occasions. However, sometimes we will see that it is spelt with an "E" and then others with an "I." So the question I am asked is: "What is the difference?" 

Here is my answer.

The Hebrew word Immanu'el means 'God is with us' and is found in Isaiah 7, which is then quoted in Matthew 1 with the same spelling or sometimes with an "E." 

So, where does the "E" come in then? The simple answer is that in Greek the name "Emmanouel" is a translation from the Hebrew name Immanuel. The New Testament was written mostly in Greek, and the Old Testament originally in Hebrew. So in order to have the Bible in one language, the Hebrew Immanuel was translated into the Greek Emmanuel. 

But the biggest question to ask is: Does it actually change the meaning? 

And my answer is: Not at all. The meaning is the same. Jesus is the Word made flesh and He is God with us.

As Charles Spurgeon says, "in this great Name IMMANUEL is eternity’s sonnet, heaven’s hallelujah, the shout of the glorified, the song of the redeemed, the chorus of angels, the everlasting oratorio of the great orchestra of the sky." 

He adds that "John Wesley died with the words "The best of all is GOD IS WITH US" on his tongue.

This Christmas season let us us not get bogged down with trivialities, but rather focus on the important truth - God is with us.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Great Enemy

The greatest enemy we will ever face, according to Charles Spurgeon, was this:

"The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation."

In response to self-righteousness, I guess we need to turn to the other extreme, which is HUMILITY and dependence on our Lord. Spurgeon added his thoughts on humility:

Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self.

It is always best to keep ourselves grounded in the love and favour of God.  This is never an attempt to keep us downtrodden, but rather aware of our humble beginnings and the incredible miracles of rising to our fullest potential.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

What's your Creed?

A Creed is simply a statement of faith. The Christian Church has adopted two main creeds over the past 2 millenia - The Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed - and both state what we believe in as Christ followers. Sadly, churches have misplaced our emphasis nowadays and we are more concerned about what our particular tradition or denomination stands for. Our Christian Creed, has been hijacked by denominational doctrine. We should be careful not to get these mixed up, lest we lose our way.

I love this quote, by Charles Spurgeon, who commented on this particular topic:

"I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, "It is Jesus Christ."~ C.H. Spurgeon

Whatever Church you worship at, please don't forget that our Creed should always place priority on Jesus Christ. He is the reason for our existence as a church in the first place.

Living in Grace
D3LM3