William Petruzzo

The past seven days have been the beginning of a new scripture memorization effort. The goal is not to fill my head with an index of scripture, but to apply and internalize relevant scriptures to my daily life according to my heart’s need and the Lord’s leading.

The plan has been to select a single relevant passage–one that speaks directly to my current weakness or trouble in my walk–and memorize it through daily, reflective repetition. This week, I have been closing all of my prayers with a calm and thoughtful recitation of the verse and it’s reference number.

This first week, I chose Philippians 1:6:

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.”

I will say plainly, that the recitation of this verse is powerful in the face of discouragement and self-pity. Not the recitation of it, but the believing it and reminding yourself that it’s true.

Indeed, our lives may not go as planned. We might not be comfortable. We might not even live, but the effectual grace of God will never let his blood-bought children go. We who have been elected, were call, we were justified, we are being sanctified and we will be glorified. The good work God is working in each of his children, through the cross and resurrection of Christ, will not and cannot be nullified by anything here on earth.

Which brings to mind another, equally powerful verse. Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Whew.

John Piper writes this in The Pleasures of God:

“When sin as treated as though it is inconsequential, then the glory of God is treated as inconsequential.”

This is a compelling statement worth meditating on. What was really at stake on the cross? Mankind, partially. But, the glory of God, completely. And the balance in the act is stunning. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was a dealing with sin in the most serious degree. The only act worth of the equally serious glory of God.

That’s pretty hard to wrap up in.

A few days ago I posted on the topic of being persecuted because of our own righteousness in Christ illuminating the self-righteousness, and thus unrighteousness, of the unbeliever. Today, I came across an interesting example of a similar idea.

John 12:10-11:

“the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.”

Lazarus was sick. Something Jesus knew about. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so that he would have the opportunity to be undeniably glorified in the miracle of Lazarus’ life. Jesus called Lazarus from death into life and so Lazarus was a walking testimony to the Christ Jesus. For this, the Pharisees made plans to kill Lazarus as well. Why? Because of his association to our Lord and the powerful testimony he carried with him. The powerful testimony he actually was!

Truthfully, we are not much different. All of us were “dead” in our transgressions and apart from any power of our own, Jesus commanded us from death into life. Now, much like Lazarus, we are a walking testimony to the risen Christ who has given an everlasting righteousness. A righteousness that shows the world what its righteousness really is: filthy rags.

It seems that the point is the same, an unbeliever can never find truly be comfortable in the presence of a true believer. The Cross of Christ is offensive and those exposed to its light will be offended.

I’m not a political guy, and I generally stay out of this realm. But today, I was struck with a feeling of guilt for not giving my attention in prayer and action to the issues at hand. Now, it’s too late. So, I will keep this brief in hopes that you, whoever you are, will read it and consider it.

1. It’s amazing that there is a black man in the running for president. It’s incredible to know that only 30 years ago there was still legislation for segregation, and look where we are today. Praise the Lord that racial equality has grown to this level.

2. Obama is the most radical proponent of abortion ever to run for the presidency. His views should cause anyone to shutter; especially Christians. This issue, regardless of 100 other good ideas, should disqualify him as a candidate in anyone’s mind (especially Christians).

Video…

Here is a short excerpt from one of Obama’s speeches:

There is a longer version of this video here.

Fuller perspectives…

Justin Taylor, blogger responsible for Between Two Worlds, has a good bit to say and his thoughts are more than worth reading. They should be thought about. Prayed about. Considered and taken into the booth tomorrow and used to keep Obama from being elected into the presidency.

Here are a few things worth reading:

Obama & the Freedom of Choice Act -  Senator Barbara Boxer, co-sponsor of the [the Freedom of Choice Act], has said: "The Freedom of Choice Act supercedes any law, regulation or local ordinance that impinges on a woman’s right to choose. That means a poor woman cannot be denied the use of Medicaid if she chooses to have an abortion." In other words, state governments and the federal government would be mandated to fund abortion with taxpayer money. This is what Obama has promised to sign “first thing” after his election.

Piper, Politics & Abortion – A discussion, clarification and conviction in response to one of John Piper’s recent videos and blogs.

John Piper on One Issue Politics – No one issue should qualify a candidate for office, but one issue should absolutely disqualify them. This should be read. “the endorsement of the right to kill unborn children disqualifies a person from any position of public office. It’s simply the same as saying that the endorsement of racism, fraud, or bribery would disqualify him—except that child-killing is more serious than those.”

In Conclusion…

I regret not speaking more on these issues. In many ways, Obama is a fantastic candidate. Unfortunately for millions of unborn children, there’s one issue that makes him fatal. Please, when you go to vote, consider the ears who will never hear the great gospel of Jesus Christ, because of Barack Obama’s convictions on abortion. No social reform  or political “change” is worth that.

I posted on a similar topic a few days ago.

Proverbs 13:4 says:

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
         But the soul of the diligent is made fat.

I take this to mean we can’t just wait for a hand out from God. Not that he won’t be handing out anything, but rather that he won’t be handing things to us unless we’re diligently seeking them ourselves.

In other words, if someone is lost about what to do with their life, they can’t just sit on the couch waiting for the clouds to part and a revelation to come directly from the lips of God about what they ought to do with themselves. They need to get up and prayerfully start moving and in their diligence God will speak to them.

Another example might be someone who is in a tight financial spot. They cannot just sit back and woe their plight. They need to prayerfully and faithfully move foreword, no matter how unlikely their success. Then, in their diligence and faith, God will meet them.

But I think this also speaks of a deeper need of our heart. Our soul is craving something but only those who diligently seek it will be rewarded.

Everyone craves what is only found in Jesus. But many, in their hard heartedness, will settle for temporary, flimsy satisfactions of worldly provision. They will get nothing. But the diligent who, by the grace of God, desire the superior pleasures found only in Jesus, their souls will be made fat.

That’s pretty cool. Praise God for grace greater than my hard heart.