Beginnt das Leben mit dem Ersten Atemzug?

Unlängst traf ich vermehrt auf das Abtreibungsargument, dass gemäss der Bibel das Leben mit dem ersten Atemzug beginnt. In anderen Worten, es wird somit argumentiert, dass das Leben nicht bei der Befruchtung oder in einer späteren Etappe der Schwangerschaft beginnt. Diese Art Argumentation wird gebraucht um für späte Abtreibung zu argumentieren, nämlich, dass das Leben erst beginnt nachdem das Kind geboren wurde und es zu atmen beginnt; vor diesem Moment ist es nicht wirklich "Leben" (was ist es?). Die Grundlage dieser Argumentation ist es, ganz offensichtlich, dass die Frau die Wahl hat wann sie ihr Kind abtreiben will. Keine Regierung, so sagen sie, sollte Gesetze für Gründe oder Zeitrahmen für Abtreibung bestimmen, und schon gar nicht sollten religiöse Sichtweisen oder Interpretationen anderen aufgezwungen werden.

In den folgenden Zeilen will ich auf dieses sogenannte biblische Argument eingehen, dass das Leben mit dem ersten Atemzug beginnt, und, logischerweise, eben nicht bei der Befruchtung oder irgendwann während der Schwangerschaft wie Lebensbefürworter argumentieren würden. Weil es oft religiöse Menschen sind, meistens Christen (aber nicht nur!), die das ungeborene Leben verteidigen, und weil mit diesem Argument die Abtreibungsbefürworter versuchen die Bibel für ihre Sache zu gebrauchen (oder missbrauchen), ist es in Ordnung diese Annahme und die Schlussfolgerungen, die sich darauf basieren, zu untersuchen. Für eine solche Evaluation und die Argumentation in der Abtreibungsdebatte spielt es eigentlich keine Rolle ob man daran glaubt, dass die biblische Version der Schöpfung wahr, valid, oder eben nur symbolisch oder gar falsch ist. Es spielt auch keine Rolle ob sie wissenschaftlich nicht stimmen mag. Was aber zählt ist wie eine Interpretation der Bibel gebraucht wird um für Abtreibung zu argumentieren von einem Buch welches gläubige Menschen brauchen um für das Leben (und somit gegen die Abtreibung) zu argumentieren. Lass uns dies anschauen.

Gemäss der Schöpfungsgeschichte in der Bibel "formte" Gott den ersten Menschen aus der Erde [adama] und der Mann/Mensch [Adam] wurde zu einer "lebendigen Seele" (oder Wesen) nachdem Gott ihn mit dem "Hauch des Lebens" füllte (1 Mose 2:7). Also machte der Hauch/Geist/Wind (Hebräisch Ruach) die von Gott "geformte Erde" zu einem lebendigen Wesen/Seele (Hebräisch Nefesch). In der Bibel wird Gott also als Schöpfer, Ursprung und Spender des Lebens beschrieben. Ohne Seinen Hauch gibt es kein Leben. Die Bibel erklärt die biologischen Details nicht da sie nicht die Wissenschaft des Ursprungs des Lebens aufzeigen will, sondern eine theologische: die Bibel verleiht dem Menschen unendlichen Wert, denn er ist im Ebenbild Gottes geschaffen.

Gemäss dem biblischen Bericht des Ursprung des Menschen began das Leben mit dem Hauch Gottes, und implizit somit als der Menschen zu atmen began. Es scheint also, dass dies die Behauptung bestätigt, dass "das Leben mit dem ersten Atemzug beginnt"! Es scheint klar und einfach zu sein, basiert auf dem selben Buch, das Christen gebrauchen um sich für die Heiligkeit des Lebens und somit gegen die Abtreibung (was als das Nehmen eines Lebens gesehen wird) einzusetzen. Haben also Abtreibungsbefürworter einen cleveren Weg gefunden um Christen zu beweisen, dass ihr eigenes heiliges Buch die Abtreibung erlauben würde, weil das Leben erst mit dem ersten Atemzug beginnt? Der biblische Bericht über die Schöpfung geht folgendermassen weiter.

Der zweite Menschen, den Gott geschaffen hatte, die erste Frau, wurde nicht aus der Erde geformt wie der Mann (1 Mose 2:7) oder wie die Tiere (2:19), sondern von einer der Rippen des Mannes (2:21-23). Wir lesen nicht nicht davon, dass Gott den Lebensatmen einhauchte um sie zu einem lebendigen Wesen (Seele) zu machen, aber es kann gut angenommen werden, dass es so war. Gott schuf Mann und Frau gleichwertig in Seinem, Ebenbild (1 Mose 1:26-27) ohne irgend eine Art der Diskriminierung! Adam (Mann) und Adama (Erde) ist im Hebräischen ein Wortspiel, welches auf den Ursprung und das Ursprungsmaterial, aus dem der Menschen gemacht wurde, hindeutet. Die Frau, Eva (was "Leben" bedeutet), ist der Lebensspender für ihre Kinder und Nachkommen, oder, wie sie in der Bibel bezeichnet wurde, "die Mutter aller Lebendigen" (1 Mose 3:20). Sie soll ihre Kinder zeugen und Lebensspenden sein für ihre Nachkommen, und dies durch einen biologischen Prozess, der während der ganzer Menschheitsgeschichte wiederholt werden sollte. Genau so wie Gott den Samen in die Planzen und Früchte für dessen Vermehrung getan hat, so hat Gott einen brillanten "Fortpflanzungsmechanismus" (wenn sie diese technische Sprache hier erlauben) in den Mann und die Frau (wie auch in die Tiere) gelegt: der Mann spendet den Samen, die Frau empfängt diesen, trägt ihn und gebärt schlussendlich neues Leben.

Ohne, dass wir hier auf die Details der biologischen Prozesse der Befruchtung und Eierstöcke in der Gebärmutter, welches Leben hervorbringt, eingehen müssen, der biblische Bericht bestätigt zwei Dinge unmissverständlich: (1) die ersten zwei Menschen wurden von Gottes Hände geformt (Adam von der Erde, Eva von einer Rippe), und (2) jeder andere Menschen danach würde durch körperliche Intimität (auch "Sex" genannt) zwischen Mann und Frau, wo Same und Eierstöcke neues Leben kreieren, geschaffen!

Also, angenommen (oder eben nicht?) Gott haucht Seinen Atmen (Geist) nicht auf jedes "befruchtete Ei" oder "Embryo" oder "Fetus" oder "ungeborenes Kind," wir können wir sicher sein wann das Leben beginnt? Wann genau entsteht die Seele (das nicht-materielle des Menschen)? Können wir das überhaupt von der Bibel her erfahren? Es gibt also viele interessante Fragen, den man nachgehen könnte. Auf was dieser kurze Text eingehen will, ist das Abtreibungsargument von der Bibel, oder besser gesagt, von einer gewissen biblischen Auslegung. Ironischerweise, dieselbe Person, die dieses Argument macht, verlangt auch, dass keine religiöse Interpretation über das Recht einer Frau eine Abtreibung gemäss ihrer Entscheidung basiert auf Umständen haben zu wollen, entscheiden solle (niemand aber nimmt dabei das Recht oder die Entscheidung des ungeborenen Kindes ernst; wie Ronald Reagan bemerkt hat, jede Person, die für Abtreibung ist, wurde bereits geboren...) So wahr auch der eine Teil des Arguments ist, nämlich, dass in einer freien Welt keine einzige religiöse oder philosophische oder politische Sicht alleine über alle regieren soll, so falsche ist es ein philosophisches Argumenten (in diesem Falle basierend auf einer falschen Interpretation der Bibel) zu machen, welches die Abtreibung befürwortet! Es ist ebenfalls ironisch, dass dieselben Person, die Abtreibung befürwortet, dies auch eine schwierige Entscheidung nennt. Dies ist irreführend und täuschend, denn im Zentrum dieses Arguments liegt der klare Tod eines ungebornen--eine grauenvolle und unmenschliche Tat!

Also fragen wir uns, beginnt das Leben mit dem ersten Atemzug? Nein tut es nicht, nicht gemäss der Bibel. Und ich erkläre warum: Erstens, die Schöpfung des ersten Menschen zu benutzen um aufzuzeigen wie alle anderen Menschen ins "Leben" gerufen wurden (oder zu "Leben" wurden) ist einfach falsch, unlogisch und nicht biblisch. Und zweitens, der biblische Bericht zeigt, dass nachdem das ersten Menschenpaar geschaffen wurde, ein Mann und eine Frau mit dem notwendigen "Mechanismus" zur Fortpflanzung, der Rest der Menschheit würde auf eine andere Art Existenz finden, nämlich, durch die Befruchtung der weiblichen Eierstöcke durch den männlichen Samen, die dann in der Gebärmutter neues Leben hervorbringen. Was auch immer wir über den biblischen Bericht denken mögen, annehmen als die Norm oder ablehnen als etwas anderes, es ist schlicht fake und auch ungehörig von der Bibel für etwas zu argumentieren, dass die Bibel selbst ablehnt.

Das Leben beginnt bei der Befruchtung und nicht beim ersten Atemzug des bereits geborenen Kindes. Gemäss der Bibel haben zwei ungeborene Babies (Johannes und Jesus) auf einander reagiert als ihre Mütter, Elisabeth und Maria, sich begegneten (Lukas 1). Samson wurde von Gott auserwählt als er noch im Mutterleibe war (Richter 13:7), wie es auch the Prophet Jesaja (49:5) und der grosse Lehrer und Apostel Paulus war (Galanter 1:15-16). The Prophet Jeremia wurde sogar noch vor der Zeit als ihn Gott im Mutterleibe geformt hatte von Gott anerkannt (Jeremiah 1:5)! Wenn wir also die Bibel als eine Orientierung für den Ursprung des Lebens nehmen, dann soll dessen Bedeutung nicht verdreht werden um dessen Kern zu widersprechen: für den Gott der Bibel ist Mord die schlimmste Sünde gerade weil der Menschen in Gottes Ebenbild geschaffen wurde (1 Mose 5:1-2; 9:6). Das Leben ist heilig und soll nicht getötet werden (2 Mose 20:13). Auch wenn man die Bibel nicht als moralische Orientierung oder Quelle der Wahrheit akzeptiert, sie dazu zu gebrauchen um Abtreibung zu beweisen ist absurd.

Deshalb, wenn wir über die Entstehung und Fortpflanzung des Lebens reden, der Ort der Schöpfung der Menschen nach Adam und Eva ist nicht länger der Garten Eden wie im Schöpfungsbericht, sondern der Mutterleib, welche der bestgeschützte Ort auf Erden sein sollte, aber leider je nach Legislation eines Landes oder Bundesstaats zum gefährlichsten für das verletzliche, ungeborene Leben wurde. Es ist also eine falsches Argumentation zu verlangen, dass keine religiöse Interpretation über andere regieren soll, wenn die Abtreibung selbst durch staatliche Legislation legalisiert ist. Es gibt keine neutrale Position in dieser Frage. Selbst wenn das Leben mit dem ersten Atemzug beginnen würde, wäre es immer noch falsch von dieser Interpretation, dass Abtreibung biblisch gesehen okay ist zu argumentieren—es ist es nicht, denn es ist Mord, klar und simpel. Das Leben beginnt bei der Befruchtung im Mutterleib. Das Leben ist heilig—vor und nach der Geburt. So einfach ist das.

Does Life begin with the First Breath?

Recently I came across several times the pro-abortion argument that, according to the Bible, life begins with the first breath. In other words, it is argued that life does not begin at conception or at some later stage of the pregnancy period. This line of reasoning is used to argue for late-term abortion, namely, life is considered life only once the child is born and starts to breath; before that it is somehow not really life (what is it?). The basis of the argument is, of course, that the woman has the choice when to abort her child. No government, they say, should impose laws on the reasons or timing of an abortion, and certainly no religious views or interpretations should be forced on others.

In what follows, I wish to briefly elaborate on the so-called biblical argument that life begins with the first breath, and, therefore, not at conception or during pregnancy as pro-lifers would argue. Since it is usually religious people, specifically of the Christian faith (and others, of course!), who defend the unborn life and since with this argument pro-abortion advocates try to use the Bible to make their case, it is in order to evaluate this claim and the conclusion it is based on. For this evaluation and argument used in the abortion debate, it does not really matter whether or not one believes that the biblical account is true, valid, or only symbolic or even wrong. It doesn't even matter if it is scientifically accurate. What matters here is how an interpretation of the Bible is used to argue for abortion from the very Book people of faith use to argue for life (and therefore against abortion). Let’s take a look.

According to the creation story in the Bible, the first human being was ‘formed’ by God ‘of dust [adama] from the ground,’ and ‘man [Adam] became a living being’ (or soul) after God had ‘breathed into his nostrils the breath of life’ (Genesis 2:7). Hence, the breath/Spirit/wind (Hebrew ruah) of God made that ‘formed dust’ into a living soul/being (Hebrew nefesh). In the Bible God is portrayed as the Creator, Origin of and Giver of life. Without His breath there is no life. The Bible does not explain the biological details as it seeks to communicate not a science account of the origin of life, but a theological one that ascribes infinite value to human life created the image of God.

According to the biblical account of man’s origin, life began with the breath of God, and implicitly, man also began to breath. Hence, it appears, it proves the claim that ‘life begins with the first breath’! It seems clear and simple, based on the very Book Christians use to argue for the sanctity of life and against abortion (which is consider taking a life). Did pro-abortionists find a clever way in trying to prove to Christians that their own holy Book should allow for abortion since ‘life begins with the first breath’? The biblical creation account continues as follows.

The second human being God created, the first woman, was formed not from the dust like man (Genesis 2:7) or like the animals (2:19), but from one of the man’s ribs (2:21–23). Here we do not read that God breathed into the formed body to make her a living being/soul, but it might as well be implied. God created male and female in His image, co-equal (Genesis 1:26-27), no discrimination! Adam (man) and adama (ground/soil) are an obvious play on words in Hebrew, pointing to the origin of man or the material he was made of. This speaks both of humble origins (and to dust we shall return), yet crowned with divinity created in God's image. The woman, Eve (meaning ‘living’ or ‘life’), is the life giver to her offspring, or, as the Bible describes her, ‘the mother of all the living’ (Genesis 3:20). She is to give birth to their children and offspring, a biological process that would be repeated throughout human history. Just like God placed the seed in the plants and fruits for their multiplication, so God installed a brilliant 'procreation mechanism' (if you excuse the technical language here) in man and woman (as well as in animals): the male gives the seed, the female received it, carries it and finally gives birth to new life.

Without going into any detail of the biological processes of insemination and fertile eggs in the womb out of which comes forth life, the biblical account simply affirms two things: (1) the first two human beings were created by God’s very hands (Adam from the dust, Eve from a rib), and (2) every other human being thereafter would be conceived by the physical intimacy, aka sex, between a man and a woman, where seed and eggs in the womb create new life!

So, if God is not, presumably (or is He?), breathing his Breath (Spirit) on each ‘fertilised egg’ or ‘embryo,’ or ‘fetus,’ or ‘unborn child,’ how can we establish when life starts? When exactly is the soul (the non-material part of human beings) formed? Can we at all establish this from the Bible? There are many interesting questions one could pursue. What this short text seeks to respond to is the pro-abortion argument from the Bible, or rather, from a certain biblical interpretation. Ironically, one person making this argument for abortion actually also claims that no religious interpretation should govern over a woman’s right to have an abortion according to her decision based on her circumstances (nobody considers the unborn child's rights or respects a choice; as Ronald Reagan has noted, everyone for abortion has already been born...) As true as one part of the argument is, namely, that in a free world not any one religious or philosophical or political viewpoint should rule over others, as wrong it is to make a philosophical argument (in this case based on a wrong interpretation of the Bible!) in favour of abortion! It’s also ironic that a person advocating abortion calls it a difficult decision to make. This is misleading and even deceptive, because at the heart of this argument is clear-cut death for the unborn—a cruel and inhumane act!

So, does life begin with the first breath? No, it doesn’t, not according to the Bible it doesn't. Here is why: First, using the creation of the first human being as the prototype of how all other human beings come into existence (become 'life'), is simply wrong, illogical and unbiblical. And second, the biblical account shows that after the first set of humans were created, one man and one woman with the necessary 'mechanisms' in place for procreation, all the rest of humanity would come into existence in a different way, namely, through the fertilisation of the female eggs by the male sperm that brings forth new life in the womb. Whatever we think or make of the biblical account—accept it as the norm or reject it as something else—it is fake and rather offensive to argue from the Bible for something the Bible itself rejects.

Life beings in the womb, not with the first breath of a born child. According to the Bible, two unborn babies (John and Jesus) responded to each other when their mothers (Elizabeth and Mary) met (Luke 1). Samson was chosen by God from his mother’s womb (Judges 13:7), and so were Isaiah the prophet (49:5) and Paul the great teacher and apostle (Gal 1:15–16). Jeremiah the prophet was known by God even before He formed him in his mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5)! So, if we take the Bible as a guide to establish the origin of life, let's not twist its meaning to contradict it in its very core: for the God of the Bible murder is the worst kind of sin specifically because humans were created in His own image (Genesis 5:1-2; 9:6). Life is sacred and should not be killed (Exodus 20:13). Even if one doesn't accept the Bible as a moral guide or source or truth, using it to prove a pro-abortion stance is rather absurd.

Hence, when it comes to the question of conception and procreation of life, the place of the creation of a human being after Adam and Eve is no longer the garden of Eden as in the creation story, but the mother’s womb, which should be the most protected place on earth, but has become the most dangerous place on earth for the defenceless depending on respective state legislation. Hence, it is a fake argument to claim no religious interpretation should rule over others, when abortion itself is legalised by state legislation. There is no neutral ground on this issue. But even if life began with the first breath it would still be wrong to argue from that interpretation that abortion was okay biblically—it is not, because it is murder, plain and simple.Life begins at conception in the womb. Life is sacred—before and after birth. It’s that simple.

2019 - A Year of Opportunities

Another year passed. What are your New Year's Resolutions? Or have you become a 'pessimistic realist' who thinks that it's no good? Or perhaps you have taken the new year as a reason to take important decisions and start over. It's important to learn from the past, but also to make peace with it and move on, not allowing past mistakes to hold us back. Many opportunities are ahead of us! So let's look at 2019 as a year of opportunities. 

Opportunities come in many shapes and sizes. There are big opportunities in terms of career and finance, but there are also small opportunities that sometimes make a big difference. Often people are too focused on seizing their own opportunities that they sometimes fail to see how to help others seizing theirs. And, of course, there is great benefit in helping others succeed! Regarding this important aspect of life, Tom Ziglar said the following:

Success is when you achieve the good things life has to offer. Significance is when you help someone else achieve the good things life has to offer. -Tom Ziglar

Personal success is great and important, but it's not always sufficiently satisfying. Deeper satisfaction comes from attaining significance: helping others succeed. In a 'dog eat dog' world few are brave enough to risk being disappointed if an attempt to help others fails or isn't appreciated. But in life we need to take risks. Of course, we must not waste our time, energy and resources on the wrong people and things, or, in the words of an ancient Sage with present-day relevance, 'Do not give what is holy to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine.' No other than Jesus Christ advised us not to invest where the resources will be squandered and wasted; this is simple wisdom and caution (Matthew 7:6). Every smart investor wants a return on investment. But the same wise Teacher also encouraged people 'to walk the second mile' (Matthew 5:41), i.e., to do more than is expected, to give more than is required, and to sometimes sacrifice even when a risk is involved. 

This year we should focus on making an impact in small things, helping others succeed, and thereby find significance for ourselves. There is satisfaction in seeing others succeed. First of all, of course, our own children and relatives, but beyond that also our friends and allies. But we shouldn't stop there: helping a stranger is very powerful thing. 

The story of the 'Good Samaritan' is world-famous. Again, it's a story made up by the same wise Teacher mentioned above, Jesus Christ. This ancient Hebrew way of teaching by illustration always left a powerful impact on the hearers, especially when they were personally convicted of their lack of action or their limitation in doing what is good and right. The point is that the one who helped was the one it was not expected of, one who had no obligation to help, but still made the difference. The 'good stranger' proved to be the 'good neighbour,' rather than the officials of whom more was expected. But of course they had their excuses, like we all, don't we?

We can, however, make conscious decisions to risk making a big impact in small things. Why not? Another ancient sage of the time of Christ said, 'If not I, who? If not now, when?' Hillel's words remain true. Will we take the challenge? Some opportunities will show up again, others not and we better take them when we have the chance! 

Wedding Speech Nevena and Stephen Montgomery: 'Look for the Rainbow'

In dedication to a lovely couple and because of the honour they bestowed upon me to conduct their wedding and because I was asked to make the speech available, here's a text-version (slightly extended and/or edited) of my wedding speech for Nevena and Stephen.

‘Look for the Rainbow’

Today is a great day, because we celebrate the union of two lovely people, Nevena and Stephen. Some asked whether I was able to officiate this ceremony; well, this is my first wedding; I did, however, officiate three funerals already, so nothing to worry about =;-)  

Let me start by quoting a movie, a quote Stephen, impressively, knows by heart: 

‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’

I’m not sure about Stephen’s ‘good fortune’ in terms of money, but I think we all agree that he is fortunate to have a ‘good wife’!

As many would know, this quote is the opening sentence of the book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Indeed, the story of Nevena and Stephen have a few parallels…

Some might have felt that it took them a long time to take this step of marrying each other, but—better late and right, then fast and wrong. ‘McDonald’s marriages’ (like fast-food) don’t last, nor are they healthy. Good food takes healthy ingredients, serious preparation and enough time in order to be tasty!

But now, as you took this important step of marrying, we trust you both can say with Jane Austen, ‘I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.’ But you do deserve the best and all of us wish you the best.

And even if, perhaps, certain things were difficult at times, here’s a good philosophy also found in Jane Austen’s book.

‘You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.’ 

In other words, forget the bad stuff, forgive the mistakes and remember only the good things!

Finding the right person and doing things right is crucial to life and happiness. We all admire your faithful love and patience towards each other on your journey to this special wedding day, and we only wish you the very best.

Perhaps the weather this week reflects this precious union of a British–Bulgarian Covenant (the BBC): a bit of rain, a bit of sunshine, or perhaps, we can say, British rain and Bulgarian sunshine. Now, whenever you see rain meet sunshine, look for the rainbow! Always, ‘Look for the rainbow.’ Marriage contains both ‘rain’ and ‘sunshine,’ good times and difficult times, but we must always look for the rainbow! ‘Look for the rainbow’

The rainbow is God’s symbol of His everlasting love towards humanity despite our failure and shortcomings. This love should be reflected in our marriages. Marriage is a covenant commitment, a life-long union of love, acceptance and forgiveness. No marriage works without genuine love and gracious forgiveness.

Nevena and Stephen are both Christians and have the same basis for their marriage. They believe that God brought them together and that His Word, the Bible, is their guide in life. This marriage is, therefore, a divine appointment, not a human coincident.

Having a happy marriage brings tremendous stability and security to life, especially for children. Children need this secure environment in order to flourish and develop into responsible and good people, and such that can make a positive contribution to society and the world. And certainly, there is a need for more people who bring peace and healing to our suffering world. We need people who are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Ecclesiaties 4:9–12 

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the now who falls when there is not another to life him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is mpg quickly torn apart.

Two are better than one. For they help each other, support each other, and understand each other. And they forgive each other, forget but learn, and continue without regret.

The prophet asked, ‘How can two walk together unless they agree?’ (Amos 3:3). Unity is essential and it is found in the love of God and the forgiveness of Christ.

But it’s not all that easy. After over ten years of marriage and four children, I find being a good husband and father the most important, yet at times the most challenging role in life. Lawyers and doctors study for years in order to master their life-long professions, yet how much do we prepare for our life-long commitments of marriage and parenting?

It’s not all that easy, but we must make it work—and if that biblical covenant commitment is the basis, combined with love, forgiveness and patience, it will work.

A comedian said something like this: ‘marriage is two people working out problems they wouldn’t have if they weren’t married.’ So, what’s the point, some might ask?

The point is, that two are better than one. Loneliness is a terrible thing. God didn’t make us to be lonely, but to live in honest, meaningful relationships of trust, support and understanding. 

Today, as in the time of Jesus 2,000 years ago, people discussed marriage with a wrong motive: they sought a way ‘to get out’ of marriage, but Jesus showed them the way ‘to stay in.’ Jesus wants marriage to work and reflect the love of God. Jesus referred people back to God’s creation order: marriage is a divine institution of a man and a woman created in the image of God, brought together by God and living together under His guidance and counsel.

Marriage is to reflect the love of God towards humanity, it serves as the example of partnership and commitment to children growing up around parents. Love is the centre of marriage because love is the essence of God’s being—and the solution to humanity’s many problems.

Mother Theresa said, ‘If you judge people, you have no time to love them.’ In reverse order, we might say, If you love people you don’t have time to judge them. ‘Judge not,’ said history’s greatest Teacher of Love, Jesus Christ (Mt 7:1). Through her life and deeds, Mother Theresa showed the world how to truly love with God’s love—may her memory be blessed, and may we follow her example. Working in the midst of terrible suffering, Mother Teresa kept looking for the rainbow as she served the poor and needy empowered by God’s love. We too must, ‘Look for the rainbow.’

The Beatles sung, ‘All you need is love,’ but they meant a hippy or jappy love, that is based only on emotion or the spur of the moment, a life of human origin, not with God as its divine source. But what we need, and what the world needs, is a divine, strong love, that is selfless, sacrificial, and giving.

Here is what love is: love never fails, love is patience, love is kind; it is not arrogant, it seeks not its own; love is giving, love is sharing, love is generous; love forgives and doesn’t hold on to a wrong suffered against another; it never gives up; it rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things—love never fails; ultimately, there remains faith, hope and love—and love is the greatest of these three.

And whenever we fall short of this divine love, we can simply turn back to God and receive His love from Him so as to be able to give it to others, first to our family and then all others around us. Therefore, ‘Look for the rainbow.’

1 John 4:19 

we love, because God first loved us.

Nevena and Stephen, you have lovely families and plenty of good friends around you, who love you, support you and believe in you. We are always here for you! Never forget that.

And always remember to look for the rainbow, the sign of God’s everlasting love for humanity despite our failures and shortcomings.

‘Look for the rainbow.’

Empowered by God

The last two posts on our EYC theme, 'a distinctive generation modelling righteousness in the nations' dealt with 'holding fast the Word of life' and being 'dedicated and renewed to do God's will.' Both of these posts imply action. We are to be doers of the word, not mere hearers (Jas 1:22). Talk is cheap, but action is required. While holding fast the Word of life and experiencing the renewing work of the Word and the Spirit are curical factors that enable us to do God's will, there is more that God has to offer. If we understand the wealth of what God has given us, what our inheritance in Christ is, and how God empowers us today, we will not be unfruitful like the vineyard of God Isaiah lamented about (see Is 5). Let's hear it from the apostle Peter:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted 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. 

--2 Peter 1:2-4 NASB

These are remarkable truths. First of all, God's divine power has granted us EVERYTHING for life and godliness - yes, EVERYTHING! There is nothing we lack in that new creation existence once we are born-again by the Spirit of God (Jn 3:3-5; Tit 3:4-7). All things have become new (2 Cor 5:17) through the incorruptible seed of God (1 Pet 1:22-25). The Spirit is God's very presence in us! By giving Christ for us, God has given us all things freely (Rom 8:32). 

Here's the problem: we don't always experience this fullness and start to doubt God's word. The appropriate response, however, is to abide in His Word and understand the truth that will set us free (Jn 8:21-32). Once deception is exposed, we can embrace the truth that we love and it empowers us to live in these 'new-creation realities,' as Dr Jonathan David calls is so well. Only by this 'divine power' Peter speaks about, can we live the God-life. Only as we learn to live empowered by His Spirit can we experience the fruit of the Spirit. It is no longer the self life but the divine life that controls us, the life in the Spirit that sets us free from the life of the flesh and sin (see Rom 8:1-4). This is life in the new creation!

But Peter rightly stresses the importance of the 'true knowledge' of Christ. At that time there was a powerful movement called Gnosticism distorting the true Gospel. Today, too, we are up against all kinds of heresy and false teaching, and we better know the true knowledge of God. This is not some mysterious strange stuff given to a few select only; no, it is the plain truth of Scripture, available to us all. That's why it is crucial to study and meditate on the word day and night (Ps 1). That kind of study must be guided by the Spirit who reveals His truth to us, which is the light on our path (2 Pet 1:19-21; cf. Ps 119:105).

Peter also exhorts us to add certain values to our faith (2 Pet 1:5-7), for with such we will not stumble, nor be unfruitful: moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These beautiful attributes or qualities enable the God-life to express itself fully. Note the parallels to the fruit of the Spirit Paul lists in Galatians (5:22-23). The Spirit empower us to life this divine life. God has given us His divine nature and His precious and magnificent promises - this is the way to escape the corruption in this world. That's why, to refer back to the previous articles, we need to hold fast to the Word of life and be renewed in our mind to understand God and His will properly and fully.

Take a look at Paul, the great apostle. The secret to His fruit in God's kingdom was his dependency on God's Spirit and life as a new creation. Two sets of Scriptures stand out: Colossians 1:29 and Eph 3:20, and 2 Cor 5:17 and Gal 2:20. In the first set of Scriptures Paul emphasises that his work is done according to the power of God working within him. In the second et of Scriptures, Paul shows that he truly knew the life of being crucified with God; he no longer lived, but Christ live in him (Gal 2:20). He understood that Christianity was about Christ and His enabling power based on His imputed righteousness (the righteousness given in Christ) and the new creation (2 Cor 5:17).  All of this great salvation is 'by grace through faith' (Eph 2:8) and towards the purpose of doing God's will (Eph 2:10). 

We are not called to do good things in our own strength and than take credit for it, we are called to do God's will in His power and give glory to God. In two words, we are to glorify and testify. Our lives must reflect God and glorify Him, and then we are able to testify of Him to others. The light that we shine before men must be such that it draws people to God and to glorify Him (Mt 5:16). This is possible by living in His divine power that has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. Learning to abide in the Vine (Christ) as branches (disciples) by abiding in His word and presence, is the key to bearing fruit (see Jn 15:1-16). And please note, we are called and chosen to bear lasting fruit, not quick fruit that looks good but then soon fades away and comes to nothing. Only what the everlasting Word of God establishes will last into eternity. Only that which is done in the will of God endures forever. All else will fade and vanish (see 1 Jn 2:15-17). Let us therefore seek to live in His divine power and bear fruit for His glory and according to His purpose!

Dedicated and Renewed to Do God's Will

'A distinctive generation modelling righteousness in the nations.'

EYC 2014 was a great week of learning about God and experience Him to be equipped to live out our conference theme. In the midst of corruption, sin and decay, we must know that 'God is for the righteous generation' (Ps 14:5b NASB). Our efforts to live pure are not in vain. God is looking for a people who live in righteousness. But growing up in a sinful society, we are all shaped, to different extents, by our environment and need renewing of the mind. The Apostle Paul has this to say to us:

Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 

--Romans 12:1-2 NASB

There's a lot in these two verses; let's unpack it step by step.

Firstly, there are God's mercies. Paul had just elaborated for eleven chapters on the great salvation of God's mercy in Christ Jesus. God had given His everything in Christ and with it everything He has and is (8:32). This is ample evidence that God is for His people (v 31). Although all humanity is under sin, God provided a plan of redemption and that plan is in Christ. By faith in Him people can be saved. That Gospel must be received as people hear it. Once born-again, people must learn to live by the Spirit and get rid of fleshly, sinful lifestyles. In all this, the Spirit empowers us to please God. Based on all these great mercies of God in Christ, Paul urgent the believers to be dedicated to God as 'a living and holy sacrifice.' In terms of the Temple, a sacrifice was a dedicated item of worship. It belonged to God alone and serve a sole purpose. Because Christ was the substitutionary sacrifice for our sin in His death on the cross, we are living sacrifices to God. We must only die to sin and can live for God. Christ sets people free from sin to live for righteousness  But we must choose to live in this way and can do so by the Spirit (see Romans 6--8). In fact, true worship is such a lifestyle. Most people think about music, instruments and songs when they hear 'worship,' but for Paul it was a lifestyle acceptable or well-pleasing to God, a lifestyle of righteousness. Only a life in the Spirit and in holiness can please God; flesh and sin cannot. That life in the Spirit is a life of righteousness and holiness. Hence, Paul wants us to be dedicated!

Secondly, there is a crucial step we need to commit to: renewal of the mind. We cannot be a distinctive generation without realising how wrong the worldly patterns and values are and change if there are any of them in us. We cannot be an example to the world and live like them. We cannot 'Christianise' worldly stuff and think the outsiders will be drawn to Christ - it's not going to happen. We are called to be different. We are not to be conformed to this world, but to be renewed to become like Christ. Our highest calling is to be like Christ (see Romans 8:29). In fact, the purpose of election and predestination is conformity to Christ (cf. Eph 1:4). While theologians forever argue what predestination is, we forget its very purpose: to be holy and blameless.

Another aspect of the renewal of the mind is the ability to understand God's will. In fact, it's impossible to understand God's will with worldly thinking. Paul makes clear that the direct outcome of a renewed mind is the understanding of God's will (Rom 12:2). Only a renewed mind that thinks with divine patterns can understand the will of God. It is therefore crucial to find the ways our mind can be renewed. Our primary source of truth is, of course, the Bible itself, as it reveals the nature and ways of God. Together with the Word we have God's Spirit as His active Agent who teaches us and leads us into all truth (Jn 16). Only the truth can set us free (Jn 8:32) and that truth is found in the Word and teaching of Christ (v 31) and the Spirit is our primary Guide. Word and Spirit in us is the covenant commitment of God towards His people (Isa 59:21). 

Thirdly and finally, being dedicated to God and being in the process of renewal, means little if it doesn't lead to doing God's will. We are to be doers of the word, else we would deceive ourselves (Jas 1:22). People who think they are doing God's word but in fact are not, are indeed deceived. It's nothing more than a mental perception which leads to deception if we don't act and live according to God's word. But renewal of our mind through His Word and Spirit is, of course, the key to make us able to obey Him and live a lifestyle pleasing to Him. God Himself empowers us to live the way He wants. And only that kind of obedience will make sure that our lives are indeed built on a solid foundation, so that the storms of life cannot drag us down (see Mt 7:24-27).