Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:4-12.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

…

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:4-5 and 9-12.

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Without an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, there would seem to be inconsistent statements in today’s Scripture.

One may have trouble reconciling that Christ was “the Light of men” with “the darkness did not comprehend it”.

One may have trouble reconciling “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” with “the world did not know Him”.

One may have trouble reconciling “those who were His own did not receive Him” with “But as many as received Him”.

One may have trouble reconciling there were “those who believe in His name” with “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

But, with an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, we understand man’s natural condition to be “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  We are “dead” in sin.  Ephesians 2:1-5.    None of us is righteous, none understands, none of us seeks God, and none does good.  Romans 3:10-18.  We are hostile to God.  Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21.  We are in bondage to sin.  Romans 7:14-15.

Thus, we understand through “Total Depravity” that “the darkness did not comprehend it” and “the world did not know Him” and “those who were His own did not receive Him”.

And, with an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, we understand God’s “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”.  Because of man’s natural condition of “Total Depravity”, there is nothing in us that motivates God to choose us for salvation.  God’s election of those He chooses to save is unconditional, namely that there is no condition supplied by man whether it be works or will that motivates God to elect certain individuals for salvation.  “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

Thus, we understand through “Unconditional Election” that God saves those “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

And, with an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, we understand God’s “Irresistible Grace”, the “I” of “TULIP”.  God irresistibly draws His elect to Jesus.  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  John 6:37.  “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”  John 6:39.

Thus, we understand through “Irresistible Grace”, that for all of God’s elect and for only God’s elect, God “enlightens every man” and God causes them to “believe in His name” and God “gave the right to become children of God”.

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:1-3.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”  John 1:1-3.

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In today’s devotion, we meditate on the use of a metaphor, “the Word”, to describe Jesus.

But first, we acknowledge that today’s Scripture establishes the divine nature of Jesus Christ.  Consider the following summary provided by The Belgic Confession.

“Article 10:  That Jesus Christ is true and eternal God.

We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only begotten Son of God, begotten from eternity, not made nor created (for then he should be a creature), but co-essential and co-eternal with the Father, the express image of his person, and the brightness of his glory, equal unto him in all things.  He is the Son of God, not only from the time that he assumed our nature, but from all eternity, as these testimonies, when compared together, teach us.  …”  The Belgic Confession. 

The use of a metaphor, “the Word”, to describe Jesus reminds us that we need the perfect, complete, and eternal Word of God to describe Him.  It also reminds us of the danger of even partially basing our understanding of Jesus Christ on paintings, statues, and other representations of Jesus made by human artists.

Most importantly, such representations of Jesus made by human artists are forbidden by Scripture (the Ten Commandments).

“‘You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them;  for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”  Deuteronomy 5:8-10.

Such representations of Jesus made by sinful man give us a defective, partial, and sinful image of Jesus Christ and tempt us to trust those representations instead of solely trusting the Word of God to describe Jesus.

Consider some of what Scripture states about the Word of God describing Jesus.  

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;”  John 5:39.

“Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Luke 24:44.

“but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;  and that believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:31.

And, not only do we need the perfect, complete, and eternal Word of God to describe Jesus Christ, Jesus Himself has the words of eternal life. 

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God;  for He gives the Spirit without measure.”  John 3:34.

“Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have words of eternal life.”  John 6:68.

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 24:44-53.  The next devotion, God willing, will be Sunday, April 28, 2019.  I am going on a vacation.  “…  He leads me beside quiet waters.”  Psalm 23:2.

“Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God.”   Luke 24:44-53.

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In today’s Scripture, we have Jesus’ last words to His disciples before His ascension.

Generally, we think about three things that Jesus would want to do as we would want to do in any last words to our loved ones.  Jesus stated what was most important.  Jesus summarized His teachings.  Jesus showed His love.

Specifically, we see Jesus doing three things.  Jesus pointed out the fulfillment of Scriptures.  Verses 44-48.  Jesus promised the Holy Spirit.  Verses 50-51.  Jesus parted with a blessing.  Verses 52-53.

In one summary, Jesus, God the Son, glorified God the Father by doing His part of accomplishing God’s sovereignty.  “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”  John 17:4.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

“The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17.

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 24:13-35.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.  And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.  But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.  And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?”

…

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther.  But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.”  So He went in to stay with them.  When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him;  and He vanished from their sight.  They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”  And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.”  They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.”  Luke 24:13-17 and 27-35.

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“… “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”  John 12:21.

Today’s Scripture reveals three ways which help us to see (or recognize) Jesus.

First, the Scriptures help us to see Jesus.

“Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”  Verse 27.

Second, the Spirit helps us to see Jesus.

“They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”  Verse 32.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.”  John 16:13-14.

Third, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (“the breaking of the bread”) helps us to see Jesus.

“They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.”  Verse 35.

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood;  do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”  1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 24:1-12.

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing;  and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen.  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”  And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.  But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.  But Peter got up and ran to the tomb;  stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only;  and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.”   Luke 24:1-12.

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“He is not here, but He has risen.  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”  And they remembered His words,”  Verses 6-8.

“These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 16:25-26.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  …”  John 16:13.

“So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this;  and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.”  John 2:22.

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised,  He was able also to perform.  Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,  He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:20-24.

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”  Romans 10:9.

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 23:50-56.

“And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;  this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.  It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.  Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.

And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”  Luke 23:50-56.

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Today’s devotion is going to focus on Joseph “who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man”.

We may not be able to prevent wicked things from happening.  Joseph was not able to prevent Jesus from being crucified.

But, we should not consent to the plan and action of the wicked.  Joseph “had not consented to their plan and action” to crucify Jesus.

We may be able to do good works in wicked environment.  Joseph did a good work in going to Pilate and asking for the body of Jesus and laying Him in a new tomb.

There are good works that God has prepared us to do.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

Joseph did a good work for which he is remembered.  We are also reminded of a woman who came to Jesus Him with very costly perfume poured it on His head as He reclined at the table.  Jesus rebuked the disciples who criticized her.   “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.  Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”  Matthew 26:12-13.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12::21.

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;  love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  2 Timothy 4:5.

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 23:33-43.

“When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.  But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them;  for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.  And the people stood by, looking on.  And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others;  let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”  Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ?  Save Yourself and us!”  But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds;  but this man has done nothing wrong.”  And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”  And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:33-43.

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“They *crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left.  [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”]  Mark 15:27-28.

“Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.”  Isaiah 53:12.

We see Jesus numbered with the transgressors.  “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.”  Verse 33.

We see Jesus interceding for the transgressors, those who crucified Him.  “But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them;  for they do not know what they are doing.”  Verse 34.

And, we see Jesus both interceding and bearing the sin of the one criminal.  “And He (Jesus) said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”  Verse 43.