Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ¹⁹  “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

 ²⁰  “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”  Luke 10:17-20.  (Emphasis added.)

There can be many accomplishments which can give us joy.  But, in comparison to salvation, this Scripture tells us to not even rejoice in our accomplishments, but rather this Scripture tells us to rejoice that our names are recorded in heaven.

And, this salvation is not described in terms of something that we accomplished.  But rather, this salvation is described in terms of something done for us by God:  “your names are recorded in heaven”. 

We are reminded of Ephesians 1:3-4.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

In conclusion, this is a summary of Reformed Doctrine.  It is first a focus and a rejoicing in the sovereignty and majesty of God.  It is secondly a focus and a rejoicing in God’s salvation of us through election.  God “chose us before the foundation of the world”.  God “predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ”.  Rejoice “your names are recorded in heaven”. 

 ¹⁵  “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you?  You will be brought down to Hades!

 ¹⁶  “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”   Luke 10:13-16.

Rejection should not come to us as a surprise.  I think that it is helpful to remember the following four points. 

First, Christ was rejected, and so we will also be rejected by some, by even many.  Christ even performed miracles, showing His divine goodness and power and authority, and yet He was still rejected. 

Second, those that are rejecting us are not ultimately rejecting us personally or our performance, they are rejecting Christ, the Son, and rejecting God, the Father.

Third, one of the purposes of preaching and teaching is that “… every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;”  Romans 3:19.  Even though a person rejects Christ, the preaching and teaching accomplishes the goal of justice of holding that person more fully accountable to God, without excuse.     

Fourth, we may be blessed.  “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:10 .  Rejection may be a sign that we are preaching and teaching the true Gospel.  If we are preaching and teaching a “gospel” focused on man and his goodness and his best life and free-will, then it is not as likely that we will be rejected or even persecuted.  However, if we are preaching and teaching a true Gospel based on the sovereignty and holiness of God and the “totally depraved” nature of man and predestination, then it is more likely that we will be rejected or even persecuted.

 ⁵⁹  And He said to another, “Follow Me.”  But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

 ⁶⁰  But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

 ⁶¹  Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord;  but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”

 ⁶²  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:57-62.

To all of us, Christ commands us:  “Follow Me.” and “go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 

Some may obey by leaving their home and going into the mission field.  Others may obey by moving to a different part of our country.  Others may obey by leaving their current employment and working elsewhere.  Others may obey by leaving their church and going to another church.  And, there are certainly other ways that we will apply this Scripture to obey it.

At first, it seems hard that we cannot first tend to family duties such as burying our father.  It seems harder that we cannot say goodbye.  But, it seems hardest that we cannot even look back!  Notice the emphasis of this strict discipleship by the progression from major to minor:  doing an action (burying our father) to words (saying good-bye) to just a glance (looking back).

We can speculate as to the reasons for this strict discipleship.  But, no reasons are given in this Scripture.  This Scripture just concludes:  “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  

Rather than focus on the reasons for this strict discipleship, which may be “looking back” in a sense, we should focus on following Christ.  We should focus on going and proclaiming everywhere the kingdom of God.  We should trust Christ to make us fit for the kingdom of God.

 ⁵³  But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.

 ⁵⁴  When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

 ⁵⁵  But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

 ⁵⁶  for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”]  And they went on to another village.”  Luke 9:51-56.

This Scripture for today reminds me of John 3:17:  “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

However, we do know that not everyone in the world is saved.  The very next verse states:  “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  John 3:18.  And, there are so many more Scriptures that show that there will be those who will not be saved, such that no more Scriptures are needed for the reader to agree.

But, I think the need for this Scripture today is to remember that Jesus does not need our help to either literally or figuratively “command fire to come down from heaven and consume” unbelievers.

We must have more compassion and remember that “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”  Ephesians 2:3. 

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”  Ephesians 2:4-5. 

As an example for us to have compassion and that ” the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”, let the following phrase in today’s Scripture send shivers down your spine:  “He was determined to go to Jerusalem“.  Jerusalem represented the cross to Jesus, excruciating pain, death, and separation from God the Father.  Yet, Jesus was determined to go.  It was His work of salvation, His compassion to save.

In conclusion, for us, this example and lesson is clear.  “But go and learn what this means: ‘ I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:13

Compared to this Scripture is Matthew 12:30:  “He who is not with Me is against Me;  and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”  At first reading and thought, these Scriptures seem inconsistent.

However, there is the distinction that in our Scripture for today, the person who “does not follow us” was casting out demons in Jesus’ name.  See also a similar Scripture in Mark 9:38-40.  “John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.”  But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.  “For he who is not against us is for us.”

I think Luke 11:14-23 puts it all together.

“¹⁴  And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed.

 ¹⁵  But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”

 ¹⁶  Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.

 ¹⁷  But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.

 ¹⁸  “If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?  For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

 ¹⁹  “And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?  So they will be your judges.

 ²⁰  “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

 ²¹  “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed.

 ²²  “But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.

 ²³  “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.”  Luke 11:14-23.

First, we read “a house divided against itself falls”.  In other words, someone who is ruled by Satan is not going to cast out demons.  Only a person who is not ruled by Satan will cast out demons.  And, if that person is not ruled by Satan, that person must have been saved into the kingdom of God and will thus be on the same side as the disciples.

Second, the statement “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.” refers to the antithesis between believers and unbelievers.  “Do not be bound together with unbelievers;  for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”   2 Corinthians 6:14-15.  

Going back to the Scripture for today, the lesson for us is that we will see those who are involved in other ministeries.  They may belong to other churches, even other denominations.  We may not be good at their work, and we may not even fully agree or understand the importance of their work.

1 Corinthians Chapter 12 recognizes this skepticism tendency to dismiss those who are not like us, and this chapter corrects it.  “And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”;  or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  1 Corinthians 12:21. 

But, we must realize:  “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

Today’s devotion is Luke 9:37-45 which covers the event of Jesus casting out the demon in the boy which the disciples could not do. We focus on the following sentence in verse 43: “And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. …” Luke 9:43.

Jesus’ miracle had the result that people were amazed at the greatness of God.

May God show us His greatness!  May we read about God’s greatness in Scripture, particularly about His Son, Jesus Christ!  May we show the greatness of God through our works and words, being God’s workmanship!

” ‘O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?”  Deuteronomy 3:24.

“You said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire; we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives.”  Deuteronomy 5:24.

“I prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.”  Deuteronomy 9:26.

“For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God!”  Deuteronomy 32:3.

“Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.”  Psalm 51:1.

“Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.”  Psalm 66:3

“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth.”  Psalm 69:13

“[The Greatness of God] “Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.”  Isaiah 40:1

“[God’s Vengeance on the Nations] Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength?” It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”  Isaiah 63:1

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;”  2 Corinthians 4:7

Particularly as Calvinists, it is our particular passion to ascribe greatness to God.

Most “christians” are willing to ascribe greatness to God in creation. However, few are willing to fully ascribe greatness to God in the areas of sovereignty and salvation.

Most “christians” want to elevate man’s goodness over God’s greatness.

Most “christians” want to talk more about man’s free-will to choose or reject God and to secure his own salvation or fall from grace, than they want to talk about God’s greatness in His sovereign election, substitutionary atonement by and through Christ, irresistible grace, and preservation of the saints for whom God handles all the points of salvation.

Most “christians” want to elevate God’s lovingkindness over God’s justice.

Most “christians” speak only of God’s greatness as some kind of “great Santa Claus” at man’s beck-and-call. Few “christians” speak of God’s greatness in punishing His enemies.

As Calvinists, let us not seek to be like all other “christians”. Let us be willing to be unique, retaining “the salt” within us. Let us fully ascribe greatness to God.

 ³⁰  And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,

 ³¹  who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

 ³²  Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

 ³³  And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here;  let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not realizing what he was saying.

 ³⁴  While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

 ³⁵  Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One;  listen to Him!”  Luke 9:28-35.

The right focus of this Scripture is Jesus, His glory, and the identification and command of God:  “This is My Son, My Chosen One;  listen to Him!”

And yet, “Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here;  let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”.

Like Peter, we too can lose the right focus and be eager to build tabernacles.

So, what kind of tabernacles do we build?  Moses represents the Law.  Elijah represents signs.  We build a tabernacle of doctrine through which we focus on the Law.  We build a tabernacle of doctrine through which we focus on signs.  “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;”  1 Corinthians 1:22.

Jesus admonished those who sought after signs.  “But He answered and said to them, ” An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign;  and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;”  Matthew 12:39

Paul admonished those who sought after the Law.  “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:1-5.  “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”  Romans 4:13-15.

So, as in “no sign will be given it”, and as in “where there is no law, there also is no violation”, Moses and Elijah disappeared.  “And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.”  Matthew 17:8.  

“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;  but we preach Christ crucified …”  1 Corinthians 1:22-23.  “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2.

We also remember the Scripture of the last devotion.  “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  “But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:26-27. 

How easy is it for us to take our eyes off of Jesus and our ears off of His words!  We would rather do things, like build tabernacles, and prove our own righteousness through the Law or tickle our own desire to be amazed and amused through signs.

But, in conclusion, we read the right focus including the command:  “This is My Son, My Chosen One;  listen to Him!”