Articles from this month's issue of the
Berean News

Perspective

by Larry Urbaniak

Some Thoughts About Love

Amazing Grace

I used to think America's favorite hymn, "Amazing Grace”, was a bit extreme: "... that saved a wretch like me." Wow, that’s a pretty blunt word to describe his self appraisal!

But the author was a wretch, a moral pariah. While a new believer about the year 1750, Captain John Newton had commanded an English slave ship.

                  Do you know what that meant? Ships would make the first leg of their voyage from England nearly empty until they would anchor off the African coast. There tribal chiefs would deliver to the Europeans, stockades full of men and women captured in raids and wars against other tribes. Buyers would select the finest specimens, which would be bartered for weapons, ammunition, metal, liquor, trinkets, and cloth. Then the captives would be loaded aboard, packed for sailing. They were chained below decks to prevent suicides, laid side by side to save space, row after row, one after another, until the vessel was laden with as many as 650 units of human cargo.

Captains sought a fast voyage across the Atlantic's infamous "middle passage," hoping to preserve as much of their cargo as possible, yet mortality sometimes ran 20% or higher. When an outbreak of smallpox or dysentery occurred, the stricken were cast overboard. Once they arrived in the New World, blacks were traded for sugar and molasses to manufacture rum, which the ships would carry to England for the final leg of their "triangle trade." Then off to Africa for yet another round. John Newton transported more than a few shiploads of the 6 million African slaves brought to the Americas in the 18th century.

At sea by the age of eleven, he was forced to enlist on a British man-of-war seven years later. Recaptured after desertion, the disgraced sailor was exchanged to the crew of a slave ship bound for Africa.

It was a book he found on board--Thomas Kempis' Imitation of Christ--which sowed the seeds of his conversion. When his ship nearly floundered in a storm, he gave his life to Christ. Later he was promoted to captain of a slave ship. Commanding a slave vessel seems like a strange place to find a new Christian. But at last the inhuman aspects of the business began to eat at his sense of right and wrong, and he left the sea for good.

While working as a tide surveyor he studied for the ministry, and for the last 43 years of his life preached the gospel in Olney and London. At 82, Newton said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." No wonder he understood so well grace--the completely undeserved mercy and favor of God.

Newton's tombstone reads, "John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy." But a far greater testimony outlives Newton in the most famous of the hundreds of hymns he wrote:

 

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me,

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

 

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

 

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come.

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

Ebenezers - 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

Why are we given so much information about the exodus from Egypt to the promised land? Because what happened to the children of Israel was written for our admonition. The children of Israel were the types, we are the antitypes. What happened to them is useful for us as examples, samples, models we can imitate for good, and models which can warn us of danger. The information is there to help us discern good from evil, that we should not be castaways./div>
           The children of Israel were under a very unique cloud, which symbolized the presence of God. When they passed dry-shod through the sea, it was God miraculously interceding for them. Notice it says they were baptized unto Moses and not Jehovah. This was because they would need a mediator for their covenant, who would be Moses. We also need a mediator for our covenant, someone who is greater than Moses, just as the world of mankind will require a mediator for their covenant.
           They all ate the same spiritual meat, which was manna from heaven. We remember that the manna did not fall from heaven into their laps. No, they had to get up, get out and get it. They had to diligently seek it daily or starve. The manna could not be gathered in bulk and then stored. No, the manna was meant to be found and eaten on a daily basis. So it is with us. The manna from heaven is a type of our Lord, who is the truth. Daily we need to diligently seek him out and make that truth out own as we journey to our promised land.
           The spiritual drink was the water from the Spiritual Rock. Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let them come to me and drink, for from me flows rivers of living waters.” (John 7:37, 38) The Israelites were in desperate need of water, so their mediator struck a rock and out flowed rivers of living waters. Our rock was also struck, and out flowed rivers of living water. Of course, for us to believe pure and living water pours out of a rock requires faith, which is precisely the point.
           The rest of the text deals with temptations, and the consequences of indulging in those temptations. Remember, the children of Israel were fed by manna falling from heaven and their thirst was quenched by water flowing out of a rock, yet it was not enough. No, they lusted for things which did not please God, and it all started with murmuring.
           Murmuring is guarded expressions of discontent. The progression is as follows: unchecked murmuring leads to lust, unchecked lust leads to temptation, unchecked temptation leads to indulgence, and unchecked indulgence leads to death.
           The Israelites were discontent with just manna. They remembered the multitude of foods they ate in Egypt. They lusted for the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. Most forgot that they were on a journey to a land flowing with milk and honey. Most wanted what they wanted and they wanted it now! Few had the faith to wait on the Lord.
           And so it is with us now. We, too, are pilgrims in a strange land, who are journeying to a promised land. Will we have the faith to wait on the Lord or do we want what we want right now? What happened to them is taught to us now, with the intent that we learn not to lust after evil things the way they did. Paul admonishes, “Wherefore, let them who think they stand take heed lest they fall.”
           Idolatry, fornication, falling into temptation, and murmuring are specifically mentioned as things which happened to them for ensamples to us. Now, every once in a while, I’ll sample some unfamiliar food, and sometimes, one taste induces me to spit it right out of my mouth. This is exactly the reaction we should want concerning these things.
           Admonition is the act of counseling, advising, or cautioning. We are given this information not only for an example, but also for admonition to the intent that we do the things which please our heavenly Father. When the Israelites left Egypt, they had no idea that they would wander in the wilderness for forty years before arriving at the promised and. As time progressed, they got impatient, which led to constant murmuring, resulting in falling into temptation, such as fornication and idolatry.
It is a pattern we can avoid through trust, patience, worship, fleeing temptation, and resisting the urge to murmur. Why? Because God is faithful!

A Daughter's Heart

One of the most difficult experiences in this life for a mother is to see her children in pain.  I have had this experience more times that I care to think about.  I have always had the notion that moms were suppose to fix things, to make everything all right.  The older I get the more I realize not only is this an impossible task, it’s just plain wrong.  It is not always in a child’s best interest to “make it better.”  Sometimes the struggle and the pain bring about results that would never occur if they had been removed.  This is true in many aspects of life but even more so in the spiritual realm.

As I look back on my life I can see that the trials and painful experiences that the Lord has allowed in my life, have increased my dependence upon God.  They have drawn me closer to Him in a way that I would never have experienced if I had been allowed to go through life without conflict and trials.  God has taught me that self-reliance is a detriment in this narrow way.  Total dependence on Him is what is required.  I’m not there yet, but my Father continues to work on that with me.

As a parent, this concept is so foreign to us.  From the time our children are born we are working with them to get them to the point of independence.  We may not think of it, but each word, each step they take is bringing them closer to the point when they can be independent from us.  As they move in that direction we feel a sense of satisfaction that we are doing our job well.  We work to give them wings so that they can one day soar without us. 

Yet in the spiritual world God works totally opposite to the natural.  As His children we come to Him usually far too independent for our own good.  Our Father sets out to teach us total dependence upon Him.  As a parent of children who have given their lives to God, I have to pull back and rethink how to mother them in that light.  It means not stepping in and trying to “fix” things when trials come their way.  It means being there to listen and comfort them, but allowing them to grow from the pain.  It means praying for them and asking God to see them through no matter what that means. Ultimately, it means placing my children in God’s hands and leaving them there.  It means allowing Him to do whatever he sees fit with my children to get them to the point where they are totally dependent upon Him.  It means trusting God when I do not understand what He is doing.

This is not an easy process for a mother, but it can be a joy filled one as we see our children mature and grow spiritually.  When we witness them weathering the storms of life and coming out stronger on the other side it once again confirmed that we can trust God not only with our own lives, but with the lives of our children.  That is a great comfort to me as a mother and it is also one of my greatest joys to see my children weathering the storms of life and growing closer to their Father as a result of them.  My Father has promised he will never let me go and He will see me through life’s toughest battles…and He will do the same for my children and for that I am eternally grateful.

Roy's Reflections

        I did a double take! I couldn’t believe what I had seen. About 50 miles from Chicago, in the middle of nowhere, right next to the Interstate overpass, was a perfectly paved street with a cul-de-sac ending very close to the toll road.

        There were no houses or housing developments for miles and miles. To my absolute amazement, this was a cul-de-sac to nowhere!

        I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent some time there! Life feels like it’s going nowhere. Our efforts are ineffective. Our words don’t connect. We’ve taken a long trip down the wrong road that leaves us on the cul-de-sac to nowhere.

        What do we do when we find ourselves in such a place? It is so easy to just give up and live in this nowhere land. Is there any word of comfort or encouragement for us in this quandary?

        First, let’s remember that many of God’s servants found themselves in a cul-de-sac to nowhere. Remember Elijah’s pity party, when he thought no one else was faithful to God and that all his efforts were futile? (1 Kings 19) Do you recall John the Baptist, in prison and about to be beheaded, sending his servants to inquire if Jesus truly was the Messiah? (Matthew 11:1-6) We are not alone when feel these things. But we also need to realize that they may not be an accurate assessment of reality!

        Second, let’s make sure we’re spending time in the presence of God and his Word asking him to reveal his will to us. This may be an opportunity for God to reveal his mission for us in a clearer way so that we can serve him more effectively. (Mark 1:35-39)

        Third, is there sin in our lives that is blocking the work of God? Sin entangles and traps us, allowing Satan to sidetrack or derail God’s work in our lives. Let’s get rid of it so we can serve God with an undivided heart. (Hebrews 12:1)

        Fourth, let’s partner with a believer of the same gender who can encourage us and hold us accountable. A fellow believer can help us keep on track, sharpen our focus, and pick us up when we fall. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

        Fifth, let’s remember to always praise God. In the worst of our nightmares, we still have a God who is glorious and who will bring ultimate deliverance that will far outweigh any hardship, frustration, or cul-de-sac we temporarily find ourselves in. (Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:18)

        Being on a cul-de-sac to nowhere leaves us feeling desperate and helpless. It is not to be trivialized. If this is your current address, don’t give up and live there. It’s not a dead end, it’s a cul-de-sac! It’s a place to turn around and get back on track doing and being what God wants and expects from you.

 

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