Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

In my daily devotional reading for 6 April (John 18:1-19:42), my curiosity was stirred when I came across this verse which I never really took note of. My journal entry:

Scripture

John 18:38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 

Observations

Here is a case of a secret believer. With Nicodemus, a Pharisee, they were moved to do what's right although remaining secret believers. They took courage to ask for Jesus' body.

Application

Is Joseph of Arimathea (and Nicodemus) acceptable to God? He is a secret believer. Yet he was given the gracious opportunity to bury Jesus. Is anything too bad for God to forgive? 


In the same reading earlier was the story of Apostle Peter's denial of Jesus three times. Not once, but three! This reminds me of the grace of God that covers a multitude of our sins. Even with Peter's three denials of Jesus, he was forgiven and restored. He went on to become one of the greatest disciple of Christ that ever lived!



Romans 5:8-9 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

I think we barely understand the extent how much our Heavenly Father loves us! Yet many of us harbour doubts in our mind whether we are truly forgiven, or whether we need to do more to earn God's love. The greatest mystery and wonder of the Christian faith is that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, only that we accept what God did through His Son, by sacrificing Him on the cross for our sins so that we can be forgiven. John 3:16-18.


With that in mind, the reading for 7 April (1 Peter 4:1-11) makes sense. Verse 8: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 

When we understand this love (agape), we understand why Apostle Peter said "love covers over a multitude of sins." He was the recipient of that forgiveness and love. With that, he could love others. How does one practices verse 8-11, unless he has received the love of God that overflows out from his heart deep within. Apostle Paul in these verses exhorted us to:



1. Love each other deeply - love covers a multitude of sins
2. Offer hospitality without grumbling
3. Use whatever gifts to serve others
4. Speak the words of God
5. Serve with the strength God provides - so that God may be praised

Response

Lord, thank You for that reminder. I am thoroughly loved by YOU! Help me love others as close as I can to the way You would love them!

Journal - 30 Mar 2011 - Luke 20:1-8 - Asking the Right Question

My journal entry yesterday from our Bible Reading Planner was fascinating as I look at how Jesus handled opposition.

For those who are unaware, DUMC encourages the use of a journal when we spend time daily with God, writing down our thoughts. We use the process SOAR (Scripture, Observation, Application and Response).

S

¹ One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ² “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”

 ³ He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, ⁴ John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”

 ⁵ They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

 ⁷ So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”

 ⁸ Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

O

Although the context of this passage is in a negative sense of wanting to trap Jesus, let me turn it around positively.

Here we see the principle of  Matthew 10:16 "Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

Sometimes, it is not our answers that will solve the matter. It is the conclusion of the one who asks when asked back!

A

Often we are too quick to give an answer. If we are to take time to think about how to help the person by asking the right question, it would have benefitted him alot more because he owns the answer by thinking it through. What a powerful principle! The power is not in the answers because answers can be easily found in the days of internet. It is in the right question. I have often encourage those in my MAG (Mentoring and Accountability Group) to ask good questions. "What do you think?" is often my reply. We use the QC process, one question and one contribution from each person. What is one question you would like to ask the group for their collective wisdom and what is one contribution you would like to give to the group. This will encourage a culture of not just receiving, but giving as well to the group. It also encourage every person that learning to ask the right question in life is the key to our spiritual growth. Right question produces the right answer!

R

Lord, give me the wisdom of Matthew 10:16 when I deal with opposition. Teach me to listen well, pray and help the person come to his own conclusion where possible. Amen!

Journalling Chain

In my last regular fortnightly MAG meeting (Mentoring and Accountability Group - about 10 men), our discussion centered around a 'holy discontent' with the lack of discipline in journalling for some. They started well in the year and sort of waning currently. Statistically, this seems to be the case for the church as a whole as well. The spirit is willing but the flesh weak! This is where discipline and accountability steps in. This discontent resulted in strict accountability by holding each person accountable everyday for the next 30 days. We caution each other that although we are to guard against legalism, we also recognize the need for harsh discipline "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Co 9:27)

The idea is not so much the task of journalling but spending regular daily time with God everyday. An indispensable manna from heaven which is sufficient for each day Because we are by nature lazy and the sinful body resist what is spiritual and good (Romans 7), we will always be in that battle between our spirit and our flesh. This is where being a part of the Body of Christ means, that we are to help and encourage one another. This would include rebuking, correcting and encouraging when necessary.

So as of 26 Sep, we devise a system of accountability for five men who seriously want to do something about their daily time with God. A will sms B when he has done his journalling. B will likewise do the same to C, and C to D, and finally D to E.

E will then sms me, being the leader of this MAG. So I eagerly wait for a daily sms from E, which to their benefit, I have been receiving an sms everyday from E since 26 Sep, that is now almost two weeks! Well done, brothers!

Something more interesting is this. B cannot sms C (and so on in the chain) until these two conditions are fulfilled.

1. B has received an sms from A.

2. B has himself done his journaling.

This chain can only be completed when everyone fulfill the two conditions. This means, anyone not doing his part will break the chain. The pressure is on, but it is a good pressure.

Someone else in the MAG, F, who himself has found journalling an enriching experience, decides to throw in a further encouraging incentive. I will forward E's daily sms to F everytime I receive it. If F receives this everyday for 30 days, he will take us all out for a big makan (feast)!

Now, that's the most encouraging and generous gesture yet!

In fact, a group of leaders from one subzone in PJ North 1 who heard this testimony in our leaders' meeting last Tuesday, decided to give this sms accountability system a go. It has worked for them now in the last four days. I hope they will keep it up for 30 days!

So, help yourself, spend daily time God!

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 22:1-30

Another tough one on application. But I found some interesting insights and applications.

Quite a few laws handled here in this chapter which can be categorised into:

1. Acts of charity and good neighbourliness , in the care of strayed or fallen cattle, and lost cloak (v 1-4)

2. For the preservation of order and distinction (v9-11) - cross dressing and needless mixtures

3. For the preservation of birds (v6-7)

4. For the preservation of life (v8)

5. For the preservation of the commandments (Numbers 15:37-41)

6. For the reputation of a wife abused if she was innocent (v13-19), but for her punishment if she is guilty (v 20-21)

7. For the preservation of the chastity of wives (v22), virgins betrothed (v23-27), or not betrothed (v28-29) and against incest (v30)

On item 1, it is interesting to note that the cattle and cloak of a person is important, one as a source of his livelihood and the other his source of protection against the cold. They must be returned even at personal cost or inconvenience of looking after it temporary until it's found by the owner, or returning it ourselves.

Let me mention that the standard is even higher in Exodus 23:4-5 "If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it."

Here the act of charity is extended to an enemy. How much more it is required for our neighbour? We are to do good to all men. If God gave such concern and attention to an animal that has gone astray, how much more we need to do that for fellow men when they have gone astray from God?

James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Today's reading reminds me of the character and attributes of God, that through these laws, we are aware of His heart for everyone, especially the poor and needy, and those lost without eternity. Do we give such attention and eye to those around us? "Lord, open my eyes that I may see." This is precisely what Rev C.B. Samuel preached about this weekend in church.

Why you must keep journalling ......

Well done, those of you who have been journalling faithfully. Our definition of 'faithful' is when you journal at least 4 times a week. Just a heads-up to encourage you faithful readers of this blog.

If you have finished using up a Growth Journal since January 2009, you will receive a brand new journal. Make sure you inform your Cell Leader, but don't ask him yet until he bring this up to the group! This is your privilege information. This should happen in the next two or three weeks.

If you have been journalling faithfully (according to the definition above), you will receive something from Senior Pastor! (Secret .... won't tell you what it is) :) This will happen by early August.

If you keep this on until end of the year, you will receive a BIG incentive at the end of the year. Again, secret ..... :) Won't tell you what that is.

Of course, we keep journalling not because of the reward. Let me remind everyone again, from my very first post in this blog:

The heart of journalling is to encourage YOU to go to the Word of God daily to feed YOURSELF on His Wisdom and Truth. It is to allow the Word of God to study us and to transform us more and more into His Likeness!

But a little incentive and reward helps of course. After all, we are only HUMAN! :)

Disclaimer: Sorry, this is only for DUMC members. Membership has its privilege.

Journalling as a Personal Development Tool

I came across this website about journalling as a personal development tool. Let me quote from it and to give an idea that this is also used as great tool in the corporate world. Very insightful on how you can use your own growth journal in the same way for your personal development.

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Journaling is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to accelerate your personal development.  By getting your thoughts out of your head and putting them down in writing, you gain insights you’d otherwise never see.

Beyond sequential thinking

While your brain is technically capable of processing a great deal of input simultaneously, your conscious thoughts play out in a certain sequence.  One thought triggers the next, which triggers the next, and so on.  Sometimes these sequences have a few branches, but they’re still subject to linear time, and at any given moment, you’re following one of those branches.  These thought sequences have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and it’s nearly impossible to see the big picture overhead view of a sequence while you’re stuck in playback mode.

This is where journaling can provide huge advantages.  Journaling allows you to break free of sequential thinking and examine your thoughts from a bird’s-eye view.  When you record your sequential thoughts in a tangible medium, you can then go back and review those thoughts from a third-person perspective.  While you’re recording the thoughts, you’re in first-person mode. But when you’re reading them, you can remain dissociated instead of associated.  This dissociative view, when combined with what you’ve already learned from the associative view, will bring you much closer to seeing the truth of your situation.

Here are 3 other powerful benefits of journaling:

Solve tricky problems.  

Some problems are very difficult to solve when you’re stuck in an associative, first-person viewpoint.  Only when you record the situation and then re-examine it from a third-person perspective does the solution become clear.  Sometimes the solution is so obvious that you’re shocked you didn’t see it sooner.

Gain clarity.  A great time to turn to your journal is when you’re just not clear about what to do. Should you quit your job to start your own business?  Should you marry your current romantic partner?  Are you on the right track financially?  It’s amazing how much clearer things become when you explore them in writing.

Verify your progress.  It’s wonderful to go back and re-read journal entries from years ago and see how much real progress has been made.  When you’re frustrated that your life doesn’t seem to be working out as you’d like, go back and read something you wrote five years ago — it will totally change your perspective.  This helps you in the present moment too by reminding you that you are in fact growing and changing, even when it feels like you’re standing still.

Source: http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/07/journaling/

Notice the small line at the bottom of the page?

Notice the small line at the bottom of the page in your growth journal?

"How will I be different today because of what I have just learned?"

It is so important for that question to be asked at the end of every journalling session.

Truth by itself will not change life. It is truth applied that does. While we are encouraged to study and know more of the Word of God, it is imperative that we apply the truth in daily living. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we are to heap more and more knowledge into our head. We may end up as a person with a big head but a small heart. Knowledge must renew the mind so that we are transformed by it (Romans 12:2).

2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Word of God is active and will seek to influence and transform us.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

"How will I be different today because of what I have just learned?"