iCrucified

Sometimes it is good to reflect on the wonder and the mystery of GOD. We often (or at least I do), spend so much time immersed in Bible reading, devotional stuffs, theological study, ministry, church activities, and the like that we can become desensitized to the wonder of GOD. That is not to say that we/I deliberately begin to take GOD for granted, it just happens over course of heavy immersion sometimes. For this reason, I think it is good to be intentional (deliberate and purposeful) in our personal disciplines to help us in being mindful of our propensity toward desensitization…speaking for myself anyway. To that end, there are a few things I wish to share that are currently fueling my thoughts. I will share these thoughts in subsequent posts, but will start the conversation with this entry.

I find devotional reading (defined as disciplined, daily, structured reading) from multiple sources to be a benefit to me. Reading from multiple authors and from different styles of thinking helps keep my mind fertile and active. I am currently reading from no less than three different authors/books and have seven that I have been pulling from semi-regularly. The difference in style and thinking from book to book help me to not be too single-minded in my thinking. I wish to share an excerpt from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Walking With God Day by Day, it follows:

Great is the mystery of godliness…[1 Timothy 3:16]

If what the Bible says about Jesus Christ is right and true, then of necessity it is something that transcends human intellect and reason.  ”Quite right,” you say. “I cannot understand miracles.” Of course you cannot; no one can understand a miracle. It would cease to be a miracle if you could. “I cannot grasp the supernatural.” Most certainly you cannot. There never has been a man who could understand the doctrine of the Incarnation. I think of the Incarnation, and I take my stand on the side of the apostle Paul who said, “Great is the mystery of godliness.” My mind is too small to understand it; my intellect cannot span the infinities and the immensities and the eternities. My little pygmy reason and logic are not big enough to see or take in such a conception as the self-emptying and the humiliation of the Son of God.

I do not claim to understand it; who could understand an idea such as the Virgin Birth? It is beyond understanding; it is beyond reason. Who can understand the doctrine of the two natures of Christ, unmixed, remaining separate, unmingled and yet both there, still only one person? We cannot understand the doctrine of the Trinity-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and we should never try to do so.

The claim of the Gospel is that it is in a realm that is beyond human reason and understanding. It is a revelation, a statement that comes to us, an announcement; it is the gift of God. That is why instead of reasoning around and around in circles and trying to span and grasp the infinite and the everlasting, I say, go to Him!

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones; From The Heart of the Gospel  (pp.19-20)