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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Education.
Hmm… I’m sure graduation is on the minds of many people as the semester turns the corner and graduation is coming closer and closer. But here’s something to think about:
“ . . . I shall presume to tell you, by the way, that it is a grand error, and of dangerous consequence in Christian academies, (pardon the censure from one so unfit to pass it, seeing the necessity of the case commandeth it,) that they study the creature before the Redeemer, and set themselves to physics, and metaphysics, and mathematics, before they set themselves to theology; whereas, no man that hath not the vitals of theology, is capable of going beyond a fool in philosophy. Theology must lay the foundation, and lead the way of all our studies.” Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, 58.
“ . . . I shall presume to tell you, by the way, that it is a grand error, and of dangerous consequence in Christian academies, (pardon the censure from one so unfit to pass it, seeing the necessity of the case commandeth it,) that they study the creature before the Redeemer, and set themselves to physics, and metaphysics, and mathematics, before they set themselves to theology; whereas, no man that hath not the vitals of theology, is capable of going beyond a fool in philosophy. Theology must lay the foundation, and lead the way of all our studies.” Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, 58.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sanctification
Earlier this year the faculty preached on sanctification for its yearly Faculty Lecture Series. It would be safe to say that this topic has hit me upside the head. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that there really hasn’t been any large change in my theology of sanctification. But if there has been anything gleaned in these lectures, its how that theology ought to make its way into my life and how it ought to be applied to those around me.
Sanctification is a work of God. Just like justification, sanctification is monergistic. It is God initiated. Sanctification is God sustained. No man on earth can bring about sanctification in another. The Bible is clear that it is the Lord that works in the heart of the believer which produces fruit in the believer’s life.
Romans 8:12-13, “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:12-13, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
1 Peter 1:2-4, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
Romans 6:17-18, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law.”
Even the Old Testament speaks of God as the actor of sanctification when addressing the New Covenant we have in Christ,
Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
There is no way around it. All glory is given to God because He initiates and carries out our sanctification. God works within the heart to make the believer holy. Our external works are but a mere manifestation of the work of God that takes place within.
It is important that the believer correctly respond to Bible’s teaching of sanctification. You, as a believer, must constantly be patient bearing in mind that you are not the primary agent of sanctification. You can do nothing to bring a person from A to B. You may bear a responsibility in pointing them in the right direction, but it is only the sovereign hand of God that can carry an individual’s heart from dark to light, death to life, sin to righteousness.
Be patient and eagerly rejoice with those around you when God works in a life. Continue to encourage, teach, set the example, and disciple; but never forget that you are not the primary agent of a changed heart—God is.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Mark Pakingan
Sanctification is a work of God. Just like justification, sanctification is monergistic. It is God initiated. Sanctification is God sustained. No man on earth can bring about sanctification in another. The Bible is clear that it is the Lord that works in the heart of the believer which produces fruit in the believer’s life.
Romans 8:12-13, “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:12-13, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
1 Peter 1:2-4, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
Romans 6:17-18, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law.”
Even the Old Testament speaks of God as the actor of sanctification when addressing the New Covenant we have in Christ,
Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
There is no way around it. All glory is given to God because He initiates and carries out our sanctification. God works within the heart to make the believer holy. Our external works are but a mere manifestation of the work of God that takes place within.
It is important that the believer correctly respond to Bible’s teaching of sanctification. You, as a believer, must constantly be patient bearing in mind that you are not the primary agent of sanctification. You can do nothing to bring a person from A to B. You may bear a responsibility in pointing them in the right direction, but it is only the sovereign hand of God that can carry an individual’s heart from dark to light, death to life, sin to righteousness.
Be patient and eagerly rejoice with those around you when God works in a life. Continue to encourage, teach, set the example, and disciple; but never forget that you are not the primary agent of a changed heart—God is.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Mark Pakingan
Thursday, February 11, 2010
New Semester
Wow! I haven't blogged in a long time.
But this semester has been.... A BLAST! The Lord is good and I will try and post sometime in the near future.
Mark Pakingan
But this semester has been.... A BLAST! The Lord is good and I will try and post sometime in the near future.
Mark Pakingan
Monday, December 21, 2009
Powerless
"For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:3-4
I know this is not the most "Christmasy" of texts, but believe it or not it does resound with Christmas truth; and here is why.
No matter how hard we try we will always fall short of living up to the law of God. Again, I believe every Christian will confess this; but I'm not quite sure if we live/act as if that statement is true.
Paul's explanation is that the Law is made weak through the flesh. If we were not lost in our own fleshly lusts and desires and Law were actually attainable, it would not be weak. In fact, we would actually benefit because we would find favor in the Lord and escape judgment.
Unfortunately, we know that is not the case. All of mankind is found sinful in the flesh. The Law can only curse and condemn us into eternal hell. Our flesh makes the Law powerless.
Thankfully, that which we could not do God has been accomplished through His Son Jesus Christ. The sovereign plan of God was to send His Son in the likeness of flesh (incarnation). Without the sending of the Son, without His being made into the flesh there is no wrath-satisfying sacrifice on our behalf.
God took on human flesh and acted on our behalf. The Law that once condemned has been fulfilled in Christ for our benefit. We are no longer powerless in the Law, but have power in the cross (1 Cor 1:18).
The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ is directly tied to the Gospel. If Jesus Christ was merely man, He too would be powerless in the flesh and at the mercy of the condemning Law. But He is not merely a man. He is God in the flesh, the true God-man. All made possible because of the event in which we profess to celebrate and commemorate this Christmas season.
If we do not celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ during this Christmas season we cannot celebrate the Gospel. Paul may not have had December 25 set aside in his calendar as a day to remember the incarnation of Christ, but he did understand it's importance in the Gospel message.
Praise the Lord. That which we could not do God has done through Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas everyone.
In Christ,
Mark Pakingan
I know this is not the most "Christmasy" of texts, but believe it or not it does resound with Christmas truth; and here is why.
No matter how hard we try we will always fall short of living up to the law of God. Again, I believe every Christian will confess this; but I'm not quite sure if we live/act as if that statement is true.
Paul's explanation is that the Law is made weak through the flesh. If we were not lost in our own fleshly lusts and desires and Law were actually attainable, it would not be weak. In fact, we would actually benefit because we would find favor in the Lord and escape judgment.
Unfortunately, we know that is not the case. All of mankind is found sinful in the flesh. The Law can only curse and condemn us into eternal hell. Our flesh makes the Law powerless.
Thankfully, that which we could not do God has been accomplished through His Son Jesus Christ. The sovereign plan of God was to send His Son in the likeness of flesh (incarnation). Without the sending of the Son, without His being made into the flesh there is no wrath-satisfying sacrifice on our behalf.
God took on human flesh and acted on our behalf. The Law that once condemned has been fulfilled in Christ for our benefit. We are no longer powerless in the Law, but have power in the cross (1 Cor 1:18).
The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ is directly tied to the Gospel. If Jesus Christ was merely man, He too would be powerless in the flesh and at the mercy of the condemning Law. But He is not merely a man. He is God in the flesh, the true God-man. All made possible because of the event in which we profess to celebrate and commemorate this Christmas season.
If we do not celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ during this Christmas season we cannot celebrate the Gospel. Paul may not have had December 25 set aside in his calendar as a day to remember the incarnation of Christ, but he did understand it's importance in the Gospel message.
Praise the Lord. That which we could not do God has done through Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas everyone.
In Christ,
Mark Pakingan
Monday, November 30, 2009
Anabu sa Buena Park...
Christian: nan dyan ka ba pare?
meron akong malaking pabor at uutusin kita..
dito lang ako sa compyooter ko..
hihintayan kita
Sent at 5:13 PM on Monday
me: whoa
anong ka'ilangan mo?
kai'ilangan*
pero baka merong kayo problemo ka'se hindi ako sa bahay ko...
pinunta ko sa library.. pero malapit lang... sa tapat nang calle... sa biola.
Christian: oh pare
wala ako ren say bahay ko
Sent at 5:30 PM on Monday
me: sa'an ka ba?
Christian: pupunta kami, si jaz at ako, sa disneyland bukas.. puede kong hiiramin yung pass mo?
me: aba! expired na yung pass ko..
Christian: hahahahahahahahahaha
me: tawagan mo si mark j
Christian: ano palagay mo sa akin?!?!?! ITIM!?!?!
me: pero kinikita ni'la yung picture sa entrance
Christian: dios ko!
me: hahahaha
Christian: oo nga!
mas mukaang tayo
me: ahahaha... hmm...
Christian: sisquint lang ako sa entrance
me: sino pa ba merong pass?
Christian: diba?
me: siempre!
Christian: hindi ko alam
me: lahat nang alam ko baba'eh
Christian: wala akong pera dang hirap naman
me: alam ko...
Christian: o ano?
me: nakaka oo'wawa
kase lahat nang pera natin' pupunta sa paka'in at sa eschoolahan
Christian: bahala na ako
me: ok... sige na
Christian: ooh pare!
hindi na bale!
cancel na yung date namin
me: hahaha
Christian: merong siyang appointment bukas sa escuela nya
ayos!
me: ayos!
Christian: next time na lang
...
dang dude ur a fob
me: what??
u started it!!!!
hahaha
Christian: hahahaha
awesome
me: i'm gunna post that conversation on my blog
Christian: hahaha k
awesome
thanks man... fun times
gotta study too
later bro
me: lates
meron akong malaking pabor at uutusin kita..
dito lang ako sa compyooter ko..
hihintayan kita
Sent at 5:13 PM on Monday
me: whoa
anong ka'ilangan mo?
kai'ilangan*
pero baka merong kayo problemo ka'se hindi ako sa bahay ko...
pinunta ko sa library.. pero malapit lang... sa tapat nang calle... sa biola.
Christian: oh pare
wala ako ren say bahay ko
Sent at 5:30 PM on Monday
me: sa'an ka ba?
Christian: pupunta kami, si jaz at ako, sa disneyland bukas.. puede kong hiiramin yung pass mo?
me: aba! expired na yung pass ko..
Christian: hahahahahahahahahaha
me: tawagan mo si mark j
Christian: ano palagay mo sa akin?!?!?! ITIM!?!?!
me: pero kinikita ni'la yung picture sa entrance
Christian: dios ko!
me: hahahaha
Christian: oo nga!
mas mukaang tayo
me: ahahaha... hmm...
Christian: sisquint lang ako sa entrance
me: sino pa ba merong pass?
Christian: diba?
me: siempre!
Christian: hindi ko alam
me: lahat nang alam ko baba'eh
Christian: wala akong pera dang hirap naman
me: alam ko...
Christian: o ano?
me: nakaka oo'wawa
kase lahat nang pera natin' pupunta sa paka'in at sa eschoolahan
Christian: bahala na ako
me: ok... sige na
Christian: ooh pare!
hindi na bale!
cancel na yung date namin
me: hahaha
Christian: merong siyang appointment bukas sa escuela nya
ayos!
me: ayos!
Christian: next time na lang
...
dang dude ur a fob
me: what??
u started it!!!!
hahaha
Christian: hahahaha
awesome
me: i'm gunna post that conversation on my blog
Christian: hahaha k
awesome
thanks man... fun times
gotta study too
later bro
me: lates
Thursday, October 22, 2009
New Song?
Hey Guys!
Here is a song I've been listening to in my car. It's a great song that sounds like it would be fun to play one day with a full band! Anyways, the lyrics are very Gospel centered and God honoring. Enjoy!
The Fathers Love - Sovereign Grace Music
Here are the lyrics:
The Father's Love
How has the sinner been forgiven
How has the rebel been made clean
Or blinded eyes been made to see
How have the orphans been adopted
Who hated Your love and ran from grace
Despised and rejected all Your ways
Chorus
How wonderful the Father’s love
The Father’s love for us
That He would send His only Son
To come and rescue us
He has saved us, called us blameless
Guides us now and will sustain us
Oh how wonderful the Father’s love
Your mercy floods our lives with kindness
Your grace has colored all we see
And You have promised not to leave
You freely give Your Spirit to us
So we can be sure we’re sons of God
And rest in the hope of what’s to come
Bridge
Though sufferings may fill our lives
We’re confident we’re heirs with Christ
And so we cry, “Abba, Father”
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)
Here is a song I've been listening to in my car. It's a great song that sounds like it would be fun to play one day with a full band! Anyways, the lyrics are very Gospel centered and God honoring. Enjoy!
The Fathers Love - Sovereign Grace Music
Here are the lyrics:
The Father's Love
How has the sinner been forgiven
How has the rebel been made clean
Or blinded eyes been made to see
How have the orphans been adopted
Who hated Your love and ran from grace
Despised and rejected all Your ways
Chorus
How wonderful the Father’s love
The Father’s love for us
That He would send His only Son
To come and rescue us
He has saved us, called us blameless
Guides us now and will sustain us
Oh how wonderful the Father’s love
Your mercy floods our lives with kindness
Your grace has colored all we see
And You have promised not to leave
You freely give Your Spirit to us
So we can be sure we’re sons of God
And rest in the hope of what’s to come
Bridge
Though sufferings may fill our lives
We’re confident we’re heirs with Christ
And so we cry, “Abba, Father”
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)
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