Editorial ] When we heard the theme for our church this year, "Re-
easter 2012
joice in the Lord", the idea of "Delighting in the Law" came to us at the brainstorming table. We will admit, the idea took a little getting used to. The theme of "Delighting in the Law" sounds like a strange mixture because the two concepts -- joy and law -- seem unrelated at best, antagonistic at worst. On the one hand, law means the principles and regulations established in a community by some authority and application to its people. (Dictionary.com) In our case, that authority is God, and the body is His people. The law we are talking about is every command, demand, or statute given by God according to the Bible to His created beings. On the other hand, joy is defined as, an emotion of great delight caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. (Dictionary.com) How often do we feel an emotion of delight at the thought of rules and regulations? Did we feel elated at the passing of the law that forbids us to text and drive? More often than not, people think of rules and laws as a list of DOs and DON’Ts. Perhaps they view it as an obligation to fulfill, a joyless duty whether it is to forgive an enemy, to give up certain pleasures in pursuit of holiness, or to love a particularly annoying neighbor. And if the law of the Lord is viewed as nothing more than a list of DOs and DON’Ts, then, it is indeed a very long list and obeying all of them is a tall order, let alone to obey with delight. Yet, despite the seemingly odd combination, "Delighting in the Law" is something that crops up in Scripture time and again. We have found it in Psalm 1:2, "but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night." Also in Psalm 40:8, "I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart." Then again in Romans 7:22, "For I delight in the law of God, in my
Advisors Rev. Wilson Suwanto Daniel Loe Editors Rachel Atmadja Kenny Gozali Merissa Halim Hubert Kusdono Jocelyn Lee-Tindage Hendry Wijaya Designers Buddy Chung Harold Doryumu Eva Leony Fransisca Sugianto Vincent Yobeanto Cover Page Harold Doryumu Printing Semiwati Oei E-mail
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inner being." Evidently, obedience to God’s laws and joy are fused together. How are they fused? How are we to come to the Lord and obey in joy rather than out of a sense of duty? Why isn’t our outward obedience enough? Why do we have to actually delight in the law? Even more, how do we delight in the law?
6TH ST.
familiar. We hope that these articles will bring us a better under5TH ST.
standing of God’s law, how we can obey Him, and with what attitude we should come. After all, God’s laws are intended for your pleasure, said Dr.
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expositions about some of the commandments with which we are
Senior Pastor: Rev. Kristianto Hosea Associate Pastor: Rev. Wilson Suwanto
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Obedience, Nature of God’s Law for Christians, as well as in-depth
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Agape. We will be talking about Joyful Obedience vs. Burdensome
Indonesian Evangelical Church, Los Angeles
ANGELENO ave.
These are the questions we hope to cover in this issue of
Contributors Janice Atmadja Rachel Atmadja Steven J. Cole Lany Kiatkwankul Willy Kusdono Linda Lukminto John Piper Ferry Soendjojo Fairlyn Soetojo Rev. Wilson Suwanto
210
4TH ST.
Ravi Zacharias in his sermon. (Your Worldview in Action) God’s laws are for our benefit. He even gives us the strength to follow them so that we do not have to come to Him on our own will power. (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:2) That gives us all the more reason to rejoice and delight in His laws, especially because rejoice is the key that unlocks his demand for holiness. (Piper, What Jesus Demands of the World, p. 87) Obedience in joy produces lovers of Christ; mere followers of the law produce legalists of word play. In dealing with the law, it is our prayer and hope that we shall learn the truth
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of delighting in His law, that we might become lovers rather than legalists.
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Contents ]
Featuring The Nature of God's Laws The Seriousness of the Law Finding Joy in Obedience
11 Natur Hukum Tuhan Do you have any comments, ideas or suggestions related to
18 How Christ Fulfilled and Ended the Old Testament 21 Bagaimana Kristus Telah Menggenapi Perjanjian Lama
Agape Magazine or GII
32 Menemukan Sukacita di Dalam Ketaatan
Azusa?
43 Christian Citizenship
Please email it to
[email protected]
52 Tithing FAQ
or send it to one of our
58 Gender Role by God's Design
staff.
62 Love the Lord Your God
we're also online:
69 Nothing in Vain
www.gii-usa.org/
70 Mengajarkan Hukum Kepada Anak-Anak
agape.php
76 Comic Strips
4
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Easter 2012
5
The
word “Law” generally refers to
laws, then He is not the Ruler of the universe,
The second use of the Law is to expose our
break the Law by sinning. (Gal. 3:10-12) It
the Ten Commandments, but it
and this is impossible. Even when people
sinfulness and drive us to despair. The Law
also brings death and condemnation, and it
also refers to all the laws in the OldTestament. look to other religions, there is no religion
was given because of sins or transgressions. declares that everyone is guilty. (Rom. 3:19)
The earliest law was the one that God gave
that does not have laws. The question “why
(Gal. 3:19) This is the pedagogical use of the
This is why salvation cannot come from
to Adam and Eve, namely the prohibition
must God give law” does not make sense. It
Law. Because we are sinful by nature, every
the Law. It comes only through the Gospel.
against eating the forbidden fruit. But the
contradicts itself. It is like asking “why is the
time we hear the Law saying “Don’t,” we are
term “law” itself refers to the period after
circle not square” or “why can’t the circle be
always tempted to break it. We are always
Jesus is God who became a man. He
the giving of the Ten Commandments. For
square,” or “why must the circle be circle.”
tempted to break the Law. When the Law
lived under the Law, and He obeyed the
example, Paul says that the time of Abraham
It is an invalid question not worth answering.
says, “Do not steal,” we realize that we have
law perfectly, and therefore, His perfect
the tendency to take what does not belong
obedience satisfied the requirement of the
was the time before the law was given. (see Rm. 5:13) For our purposes, we will use the
So, why did God give the Law to sinful
to us. The Law reveals our sins, and because
Law. It satisfied God, the Law-giver. (Rom.
Law in a comprehensive way which includes
human beings?
we are sinful, instead of obeying the Law, we
5:19) Christ did not have to obey the Law
purposefully break it. This vicious cycle of
because He did not sin. Therefore, His
The first function of the Law is to restrain
being exposed to sin and breaking the Law
obedience functions like an extra credit
The question is, “Why did God give the
evil or sin. This is called the civil use of
will finally drive us into despair. Paul says this
that He can give to those whom He wants
Law?” Some people believe that if God never
the Law. Imagine a country without laws.
clearly in Romans 7:21-24: “So I find it to be
to give it. This is why He obeyed the Law
gave the law or prohibition to Adam and Eve, There will be nothing but chaos and evil.
a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close
perfectly for our sake, not for His sake.
then they would have not fallen into sin. No
Everybody will do whatever they like
at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my
law means no breaking of the law, doesn’t
without fear of punishment. The law brings
inner being, but I see in my members another
At the same time, if He wants to save sinners
it? However, it is impossible for God not to
threats of punishment to law-breakers, and
law waging war against the law of my mind and
from the curse of the Law, He must bear
give laws. God is the Owner of everything
this is effective in limiting the crimes or
making me captive to the law of sin that dwells
the curse of their disobedience. Jesus did
(Job 41:11, Ps. 50:10-12), and the Ruler of
evil deeds. People do not break the law not
in my members. Wretched man that I am!
this by dying on the cross. Again, He did not
everything. (Ps. 115:3) Being the Ruler, He
because they love good, but because they
Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
have to die because He did not sin. When
will have a set of rules. After He set the
fear punishment. In other words, the law
He died, He did it for our sakes. He became
people of Israel free from the bondage in
prevents people from becoming as evil as
No one can be saved by doing the Law. accursed for us. (Gal. 3:13) As a result, we
Egypt, God clearly told them to carefully
they can be, but it can never make people
Through the Law, we recognize that we
do not incur the curse of the Law on us
obey His rules, commandments, and statutes. good. Only the Gospel of Jesus can do so.
are sinners and law-breakers. The Law
anymore. We are free from the curse. Christ
(Deut. 5:1) Even God Himself is bound by
condemns us. The Law cannot justify us. is the end of the Law for righteousness
every commandment of God in the Bible.
6
Keeping this in perspective is helpful as
His holiness, love, truth, etc. God cannot lie, we move on to the second use of the Law.
(Gal. 2:16) It cannot give us life. (Gal. 3:21)
change, or sin. If God did not give rules or
In fact, it brings curse to us because we
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to everyone who believes. (Rom. 10:4)
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The question is does the Law have anything
to thank Him? What does He like? God
them. (John 13:34) Paul also says that by
Believers obey God’s Law out of gratitude,
to do with believers? Isn’t it true that
loves holiness, humility, unselfishness, purity,
helping one another as believers, we fulfill
humility, and joy; out of gratitude because
believers have been set free from the curse
gentleness, etc. The Law tells us the way to
the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2) Yes, the Ten
we have been saved by grace alone; out of
of the Law? Isn’t it true that Jesus has fulfilled
please and thank God. The best summary of
Commandments are still valid for believers,
humility because we do not deserve such a
the Law perfectly by His obedience? Do
the Law is in Jesus’ Words: Love the Lord
not as a way to earn salvation, but as a way
gift; and, out of joy because there is no threat
Christians still need the Law? The answer
your God with all your heart, soul, and mind;
of saying “Thank you, God.” And, we keep
of condemnation for failing to obey the Law.
is, absolutely, Yes. Christians still need
and love your neighbor as yourselves. All
every commandment out of love, not fear
Some might wonder if this fact does not
the Law. The use of the law for believers
the Law and the prophets hang on these
of punishment because Jesus has taken our
make believers lazy to obey because there is
punishment. We keep them out of gratitude
no threat of condemnation for disobedience.
to God, not out of a sense of burden.
Believers have been born again and were
is called the normative use of the Law. two
commandments.
(Matt.
22:37-40)
As it is said in the beginning of this article, The “new” Law that believers live under
given a new heart, the
it is impossible for God not to give Law. He
heart
is the law of love. For example, Jesus says
of
obedience.
is the Ruler, and therefore He gives rules. that the new commandment for believers
This is very different
For Christians, however, the Law functions
from unbelievers, who
is to love one another as Christ loved
in a different way. Believers are
still have the heart of
not saved by keeping the Law.
stone. In fact, we are
They are no longer under the
called the children of
ceremonial and judicial Law of
obedience. (1 Pet. 1:14)
the Old Testament. In other words, we don’t have to bring animals for sacrifice, or worship on
Saturday
(Sabbath),
etc.
What is the use of the Law for believers? It is to instruct them how to thank God for His gift of salvation. We have been saved by grace, and apart from keeping the Law. Now, we need to thank God. How do we know how 8
Easter 2012
Never forget that the Law is holy, good, and spiritual. (Rom. 7:12-14) Believers still have the old sinful nature, and therefore they can still sin from time to time. When they break the Law, they sin. But, the blood of Jesus has cleansed them, and God has forgiven them. Their fall into sin affects their relationship with God. It grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), but the Spirit continues to sanctify them using the Word of God. (Jn. 17:17, 15:3) They are brought closer to obedience through the examples of Jesus Christ.
What must believers do everyday? They must love God with all their beings, and they must love others as themselves. They do this not to earn salvation, but to follow the example of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, this is the only possible motive for loving God and others. If I love others because I am afraid of punishment for failing to do so, I don’t really love others; I love myself. If I love God because I fear His punishment, then I don’t really love Easter 2012
9
God with all my heart; I love my safety. learn about the God who is holy and loves undivided loyalty. The more we observe Gratitude, humility, and joy make it possible
God’s Law, the more we know the character
for us to love God and others genuinely.Yes, of God who gave us His Law. Ultimately, we still fall into many kinds of sins in our
God’s character can clearly be seen in Jesus
journey as believers. Yes, when we sin, our
Christ, the embodiment of God’s moral
hearts condemn us. But the Apostle John
perfection. For believers, keeping the Law is
reminds us that when our hearts accuse
simply following the footstep of Jesus Christ.
us, remember that we have a Mediator with God, namely Jesus Christ. Remember
This is why the Psalmist can say, “The Law of the
what He has done for us throughout His
LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony
life and death on the cross. Remember
of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
that there is no more condemnation for us. the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, Only under such circumstances can we truly
enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is
rejoice about God’s Law. No wonder the
clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD
author of Psalm 119 can say, “Oh how I love
are true, and righteous altogether.
your Law! It is my meditation all the day.” (v. 97) In
be desired are they than gold, even much fine
the Law, we can see God’s characters. When
gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings
we read “You shall not murder,” we learn
of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your
More to
about God who creates life, and sustains it, servant warned; in keeping them there is great the God who is merciful and compassionate. reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me When we read “You shall not bear false
innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your
testimony,“ we learn about the God who
servant also from presumptuous sins; let them
loves truth and hates falsehood. When we
not have dominion over me! Then I shall be
read “You shall not covet,” we learn about
blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
the God who is content with who He is, and
Let the Words of my mouth and the meditation
therefore, we must be content with what
of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O
He has given us. When we read “You shall
LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (19:7-14)
not have any other gods before Me,” we 10
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11
Kata
“Hukum” biasanya ditujukan
hukum-hukum. Setelah Dia membebaskan
menjadi sangat kacau dan jahat. Semua orang
Siklus terungkapnya kekejian dosa kita dan
kepada kesepuluh perintah
orang-orang Israel dari Mesir, Tuhan dengan
akan melakukan apa saja karena mereka tidak
pelanggaran Hukum akan mendorong kita
Tuhan, tetapi kata tersebut juga bisa
jelas memberitahu mereka untuk mematuhi
takut atas hukuman. Hukum menjanjikan
kedalam keputusasaan. Paulus berkata dengan
ditujukan kepada semua perintah yang ada
hukum-Nya. (Ulangan 5:1) Bahkan Tuhan
hukuman kenapa orang yang melanggar dan
jelas di dalam Roma 7:21-24 “Demikianlah
di Kitab Perjanjian Lama. Perintah yang
sendiri dibatasi oleh kesucian-Nya, cinta-
ini efektif untuk membatasi kejahatan. Orang
aku dapati hukum ini: jika aku menghendaki
pertama adalah perintah yang diberikan
Nya, dan kebenaran-Nya. Tuhan tidak dapat
tidak akan melanggar hukum karena mereka
berbuat apa yang baik, yang jahat itu ada
Tuhan kepada Adam dan Hawa, yang tidak
bohong, berubah, dan berdosa. Jika Tuhan
mencintai kebaikan tetapi karena mereka
padaku. Sebab di dalam batinku aku suka
memperbolehkan
buah
tidak memberikan perintah atau hukum
takut akan hukuman. Dengan kata lain, hukum
akan hukum Allah, tetapi di dalam anggota-
terlarang. Tetapi sebenarnya kata “Hukum”
maka Dia bukan pemerintah atas segalanya,
mencegah orang untuk menjadi sejahat-
anggota tubuhku aku melihat hukum lain
menunjuk kepada jaman setelah kesepuluh
dan hal ini tidak mungkin adanya. Bahkan
jahatnya tetapi tetap tidak bisa membuat
yang berjuang melawan hukum akal budiku
perintah Tuhan. Contohnya, Paulus berkata
ketika orang-orang melihat agama lain, tidak
mereka menjadi baik. Hanya Injil Yesus yang
dan membuat aku menjadi tawanan hukum
bahwa
waktu
ada satupun yang tidak memiliki perintah
bisa. Pandangan ini akan membantu kita
dosa yang ada di dalam anggota-anggota
sebelum hukum diberikan. (lihat Roma 5:13)
atau larangan. Pertanyaan “Kenapa Tuhan
dalam melihat tujuan “Hukum” yang kedua. tubuhku. Aku, manusia celaka! Siapakah yang
Untuk artikel ini kita akan memakai kata
memberikan hukum?” adalah tidak masuk
akan melepaskan aku dari tubuh maut ini?”
“Hukum” untuk menunjuk kepada semua
akal. Pertanyaan itu bertentangan dengan
Tujuan Hukum yang kedua adalah untuk
perintah Tuhan yang ada di dalam Alkitab. keberadaan Tuhan. Pertanyaan itu seperti
menunjukan keberdosaan kita dan membawa
Tidak
mempertanyakan “Kenapa lingkaran tidak
kita ke dalam keputusasaan. “Hukum”
diselamatkan dengan melakukan Hukum.
Pertanyaan yang perlu ditanyakan ialah
kotak” atau “Kenapa lingakaran tidak bisa
diberikan karena dosa dan pelanggaran. Melalui Hukum, kita menyadari kalau kita
“Kenapa
hukum?”
menjadi kotak” atau “Kenapa lingkaran
(Galatia 3:19) Ini disebut kegunaan hukum
berdosa dan pelanggar hukum. Hukum
Beberapa orang percaya kalau saja Tuhan
adalah lingkaran.” Pertanyaan –pertanyaan
untuk hal pendidikan. Karena kita berdosa
menjadi kutukan kita. Hukum tidak dapat
tidak memberikan perintah atau larangan
ini adalah sangat tidak masuk akal karena
pada dasarnya, setiap kali kita mendengar
membenarkan kita. (Galatia 2:16) Hukum
kepada Adam dan Hawa, maka mereka
bertentangan dengan definisi sendirinya.
kata “Jangan” kita selalu tergoda untuk
tidak dapat memberikan kita hidup. (Galatia
tidak akan jatuh ke dalam dosa. Tidak ada
Jadi pertanyaan ini tidaklah perlu ditanyakan.
melanggarnya. Kita selalu tergoda untuk
3:21) Sebenarnya, Hukum mendatangkan
melanggar
“Hukum”
kutukan karena kita melanggar Hukum
mereka
waktu Abraham
Tuhan
makan
adalah
memberikan
hukum berarti tidak akan mungkin bisa
“Hukum”.
Ketika
ada
seorangpun
yang
dapat
melawan perintah bukan? Tetapi tidaklah
Jadi, kenapa Tuhan memberikan hukum
berkata “Jangan mencuri”, kita menyadari
dengan berdosa. (Galatia 3:10-12) Hukum
mungkin Tuhan tidak memberikan hukum-
kenapa manusia berdosa? Tujuan Hukum
kalau kita mempunyai kecenderungan untuk
juga mendatangkan kematian, hukuman, dan
Nya kepada kita. Tuhan adalah Pemilik
yang pertama adalah untuk membatasi
mengambil sesuatu yang bukan milik kita. menyatakan kalau semua orang itu bersalah.
segalanya (Ayub
41:11,Mazmur 50:10-12)
kejahatan dan dosa. Ini disebut kegunaan
Hukum mengungkap keberdosaan kita dan
(Roma 3:19) Ini sebabnya keselamatan
dan Pemerintah atas segalanya. (Mazmur
hukum untuk hal kependudukan. Bayangkan
kecenderungan kita untuk melanggarnya
tidak
115:3) Sebagai Pemerintah, Dia memiliki
suatu negara tanpa hukum. Negara itu akan
dengan
12
Easter 2012
sengaja
daripada
mungkin
dating
dari
Hukum.
mengikutinya. Keselamatan hanya bisa datang dari Injil. Easter 2012
13
Yesus adalah Tuhan yang menjadi manusia. percaya? Bukankah benar kalau orang
akan diselamatkan karena mematuhi semua
Allahmu, dengan segenap hatimu dan dengan
Dia hidup di dalam Hukum dan Dia
percaya
kutukan
Hukum. Mereka tidak lagi dibawah upacara
segenap jiwamu dan dengna segenap akal
mematuhi Hukum dengan sempurna, jadi
Hukum? Bukankah benar kalau Yesus sudah
dan hukum-hukum Perjanjian Lama. Dengan
budimu. Itulah hukum yang terutama dan
hanya Dia yang didalam kesempurnaan-Nya
memenuhi Hukum dengan sempurna melalui
kata lain kita tidak lagi diharuskan untuk
yang pertama. Dan hukum yang kedua, yang
mematuhi semua persyaratan Hukum. Hal
ketaatan-Nya? Apakah orang Kristen masih
membawa
atau
sama dengna itu, ialah: Kasihilah sesamamu
ini memuaskan hati Tuhan yang memberikan
memerlukan Hukum? Jawabannya adalah
beribadah pada hari Sabtu (Sabbath), dll.
manusia seperti dirimu sendiri. Pada kedua
Hukum. (Roma 5:19) Yesus tidak harus
iya. Orang Kristen masih memerlukan
mematuhi semua Hukum Tuhan karena Dia
Hukum. Kegunaan Hukum untuk orang
Apa fungsi Hukum bagi orang percaya? Fungsi
tidak berdosa. Jadi, ketaatan Dia berfungsi
percaya
kegunaan
Hukum adalah untuk memberitahukan cara
seperti hal lebih yang dapat Dia berikan
normatif Hukum atau standard yang ideal.
orang percaya berterima kasih untuk hadiah
sudah
terbebas
disebut
dari
sebagai
persembahan
binatang
hukum inilah tergantung seluruh hukum Taurat
kepada siapapun yang hendak Dia berikan. Ini sebabnya Dia mentaati Hukum dengan
Seperti yang dikatakan di awal artikel,
sempurna untuk kita dan bukan untuk Dia. tidaklah mungkin Tuhan tidah memberikan
dan kitab para nabi.” (Matius 22:37-40) Hukum yang baru untuk orang yang percaya adalah
Hukum
yang
didasari
oleh
cinta.
Contohnya,
Yesus
Hukum. Dia adalah pemerintah jadi Dia pasti
berkata
Pada saat yang sama jika Dia hendak
akan memberikan peraturan. Akan tetapi
yang
menyelamatkan orang berdosa dari kutukan
untuk orang Kristen, Hukum mempunyai
orang percaya adalah
Hukum maka Dia harus menanggung semua
peranan yang lain. Orang percaya tidak
mencintai
kutukan karena ketidak taatan mereka. Yesus melakukan hal ini dengan mati di kayu salib. Sekali lagi, Dia tidak harus mati karena Dia tidak berdosa. Ketika Dia mati, Dia melakukannya untuk kita. Dia menjadi terkutuk karena kita. (Galatia 3:13) Hal ini meyebabkan kutukan Hukum tidak lagi tertanggung pada kita.Kita menjadi bebas dati kutukan.Yesus adalah akhir dari Hukum buat semua orang yang mau percaya. (Roma 10:4) Pertanyaannya sekarang adalah apakah Hukum ada hubungannya untuk orang 14
Easter 2012
perintah baru
seperti keselamatan-Nya. Kita sudah diselamatkan dengan anugrah dan bukan karena mentaati semua
Hukum.
Sekarang
kita
perlu
berterima kasih kepada Tuhan. Bagaimana kita tahu caranya untuk berterima kasih? Apa yang Dia suka? Tuhan menyukai kekudusan, kerendahan hari, ketidakegoisan, kesucian, kelemah lembutan, dll. Melalui Hukum Tuhan kita dapat mengetahui cara untuk menyenangkan
hati
Tuhan.
Rangkuman
terbaik tentang Hukum dapat ditemukan di dalam perkataan Yesus: “Kasihilah Tuhan,
mencintai
untuk sesame
Tuhan
telah mereka.
(Yohanes 13:34) Paulus juga berkata bahwa dengan membantu sesama manusia, orang percaya telah memenuhi Hukum Tuhan. (Galatia 6:2) Kesepuluh perintah Tuhan tetap berlaku untuk orang percaya, tetapi bukan sebagai jalan untuk mendapat keselamatan, melainkan sebagai cara untuk berterima kasih kepada Tuhan. Kita juga memenuhi semua perintah Tuhan berdasarkan cinta dan bukan karena takut atas hukuman karena Yesus telah mengambil hukuman daripada kita. Kita Easter 2012
15
memenuhi Hukum karena rasa bersyukur
orang tidak percaya yang masih memiliki hati
ketika hati kita menegur kita harus ingat
Tuhan dari Yesus Kristus yang merupakan
kepada Tuhan dan bukuan karena terbeban. sekeras batu. Malahan orang Kristen disebut
kalau kita mempunyai penengah dengan
penjelmaan kesempurnaan moral Tuhan.
sebagai anak-anak yang taat. (1 Petrus 1:14)
Tuhan Bapa yaitu Yesus Kristus. Ingat akan
Untuk orang percaya mengikuti Hukum
semua yang telah Dia lakukan melalui
sama dengan mengikuti jejak Tuhan Yesus.
Janganlah lupa bahwa Hukum itu kudus, baik, dan rohani. (Roma 7:12-14) Orang percaya
Jadi apa yang orang percaya lakukan setiap
hidup dan kematian Dia di kayu salib. Ingat
tetap berdosa pada dasarnya dan tetap
hari?
bahwa tidak ada lagi kutukan untuk kita.
bisa berdosa dari waktu ke waktu. Ketika
dengan keseluruhan mereka, dan mereka
mereka malanggar Hukum mereka berdosa
harus mencintai orang lain seperti mereka
Hanya dalam situasi ini kita dapat benar-
jiwa; peraturan TUHAN itu teguh, memberikan
tetapi darah Yesus telah membersihkan
sendiri. Mereka melakukan ini bukan untuk
benar bersuka cita di dalam Hukum Tuhan.
hikmat kepada orang yang tak berpengalaman.
mereka
memaafkan
mendapatkan keselamatan tetapi untuk
Tentu saja pengarang Mazmur 119:97 dapat
Titah TUHAN itu tepat, menyukakan hati;
mereka. Mereka jatuh ke dalam dosa tetap
mengikuti contoh Yesus Kristus Tuhan
berkata “Betapa kucintai Taurat-Mu! Aku
perintah TUHAN itu murni, membuat mata
berdampak terhadap hubungan mereka
dan juru selamat kita. Sebenarnya hal ini
merenungkannya sepanjang hari.” Di dalam
bercahaya. Takut akan TUHAN itu suci, tetap
kepada Tuhan. Itu menyedihkan Roh Kudus
adalah satu-satunya motif untuk mencintai
Hukum kita dapat melihat karakter Tuhan.
ada untuk selamanya; hukum-hukum TUHAN
(Ephesus 4:30) tetapi Roh tetap menyucikan
Tuhan dan sesama. Jika aku mencintai
Ketika kita membawa “Jangan membunuh”,
itu benar, adil semuanya,lebih indah dari pada
mereka
Inijil Tuhan. (Yohanes
sesama karena aku takut akan hukuman
kita dapat belajar kalau Tuhan pencipta
emas, bahkan dari pada banyak emas tua; dan
17:17, 15:3) Mereka dibawa lebih taat
jika tidak taat makan aku tidak benar-
kehidupan dan memelihara adalah Tuhan
lebih manis dari pada madu, bahkan daripada
melalui contoh yang diberikan Tuhan Yesus. benar mencintai mereka, aku mencintai
yang pemaaf dan sabar. Ketika kita membaca
madu tetesan dari sarang lebah. Lagipula
Tuhan
“Jangan bersaksi dusta” kita belajar kalau
hamba-Mu
karena aku takut hukuman Dia maka aku
Tuhan menyukai kebenaran dan membenci
itu, dan orang yang berpegang padanya
dengan rasa terima kasih, kerendahan hati, tidak benar-benar mencintai Tuhan dengan
kebohongan. Ketika kita membaca “Jangan
mendapat upah yang besar. Siapakah yang
dan kesenangan. Rasa terima kasih karena
mengingini” kita belajar kalau Tuhan adalah
dapat mengetahui kesesatan? Bebaskanlah
Tuhan yang puas dengan diri-Nya jadi kita
aku dari apa yang tidak kusadari. Lindungilah
dan
Tuhan
dengan
telah
Mereka
harus
mencintai
diri sendiri. Jika aku mencintai Orang percaya taat kepada Hukum Tuhan
Tuhan
semua hati, aku mencintai rasa amannya.
telah diberikan diselamatkan karena anugrah
Ini sebabnya pemazmur dapat berkata “Taurat TUHAN itu sempurna, menyegarkan
diperingatkan
oleh
semuanya
saja. Kerendahan hati karena kita tahu kita
Rasa terima kasih, kerendahan hati, dan
harus juga puas dengan apa yang Dia berikan
hamba-Mu, juga terhadap orang yang kurang
tidak pantas mendapatkan hadiah itu. Tentu
kesenangan
untuk
kepada kita. Ketika kita membaca “Jangan ada
ajar; janganlah mereka menguasai aku!
dengan kesenangan karena tidak ada lagi
mencintai Tuhan
dengan
Allah lain selain Aku” kita belajar kalau Tuhan
Maka aku menjadi tak bercela dan bebas
kutukan ketika gagal mentaati Hukum. Ada
sesungguhnya. Iya kita tetap bisa jatuh ke
adalah Tuhan yang kudus dan menyukai
dari
yang mungkin berpikir bahwa fakta ini akan
dalam berbagai dosa di dalam perjalanan
kesetiaan yang tidak terbagi. Semakin banyak
Engkau berkenan akan ucapan mulutku
dapat membuat orang percaya menjadi malas
kita sebagai orang percaya. Iya ketika kita
kita mempelajari Hukum Tuhan kita semakin
dan renungan hatiku, ya TUHAN, gunung
karena tidak ada lagi kutukan dan ancaman
berdosa hati kita akan menegur kita. Tetapi
tahu karakter Tuhan yang memberikan
batuku dan penebusku.” (19:8-15) [HW]
ketika tidak taat. Hal ini lain dengan orang-
rasul Yohanes mengingatkan kita bahwa
Hukum. Terutama kita dapat melihat karakter
16
Easter 2012
memungkinkan dan
kita
sesama
pelanggaran
besar. Mudah-mudahan
Easter 2012
17
1.) All the Scriptures bear witness to Christ. Moses wrote about Christ.
4.) All the promises of God in the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. That is, when you have Christ, sooner or later you will have both Christ Himself and all else that God promised through Christ.
John 5:39, 46: You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me. . . . If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. 2 Corinthians 1:20: For all the promises of God find their “Yes” in Him. That 2.) All the Scriptures are about is why it is through Him that we Jesus Christ, even where there is no utter our Amen to God for His glory. explicit prediction. That is, there is a fullness of implication in all 5.) The Law was kept perfectly by Scriptures that points to Christ and Christ. And all its penalties against is satisfied only when He has come God’s sinful people were poured and done His work. “The meaning out on Christ. Therefore, the Law of all the Scriptures is unlocked is now manifestly not the path by the death and resurrection of to righteousness, Christ is. The Jesus.” (Graeme Goldsworthy, Preaching ultimate goal of the Law is that the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, p. 54) we would look to Christ, not lawkeeping, for our righteousness. Luke 24:27:And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all Romans 10:4: For Christ is the end of the Law the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. for righteousness to everyone who believes.
The glory of Jesus Christ shines more clearly when we see Him in His proper relation to the Old Testament. He has a magnificent relation to all that was written. It is not surprising that this is the case, because He is called the Word of God incarnate (John 1:14). Would not the Word of God incarnate be the sum and consummation of the Word of God written? Consider these summary statements and the texts that support them. 18
Easter 2012
3.) Jesus came to fulfill all that was written in the Law and the Prophets. All of it was pointing to Him even where it is not explicitly prophetic. He accomplishes what the Law required. Matthew 5:17-18: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Therefore with the coming of Christ virtually everything has changed: 1. The blood sacrifices ceased because Christ fulfilled all that they were pointing toward. He was the final, unrepeatable sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 9:12: “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” 2. The priesthood that stood between Easter 2012
19
worshipper and God has ceased. 5. The establishment of civil law Hebrews 7:23-24: “The former priests on the basis of an ethnically rooted were many in number, because they were people, who are ruled directly by prevented by death from continuing God, has ceased. The people of in office, but He holds His priesthood God are no longer a unified political permanently, because He continues forever.” body or an ethnic group or a nationstate, but are exiles and sojourners 3. The physical temple has ceased among all ethnic groups and all to be the geographic center of states. Therefore, God’s will for worship. Now Christ Himself is the states is not taken directly from the center of worship. He is the “place,” Old Testament theocratic order, the “tent,” and the “temple” but should now be reestablished where we meet God. Therefore from place to place and from time Christianity has not geographic to time by means that correspond center, no Mecca, no Jerusalem. to God’s sovereign rule over all peoples, and that correspond to the John 4:21-23: “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, fact that genuine obedience, rooted believe me, the hour is coming when neither as it is in faith in Christ, cannot on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you be coerced by law. The state is worship the Father. . . . But the hour is coming, therefore grounded in God, but not and is now here, when the true worshipers expressive of God’s immediate rule. will worship the Father in spirit and truth.’” Romans 13:1: “Let every person be subject John 2:19-21: “Destroy this temple, and to the governing authorities. For there is in three days I will raise it up. . . . He was no authority except from God, and those speaking about the temple of His body.” that exist have been instituted by God.” Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.”
John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting.”
4. The food laws that set Israel apart from the nations have been fulfilled and ended in Christ.
Let us worship the wonder of Christ who unleashed these massive changes in the world.
Mark 7:18-19: “[Jesus] said to them, ‘Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him . . . (Thus He declared all foods clean).’”
S o u rc e : h t t p : / / w w w. d e s i r i n g g o d . org/resource-librar y/taste-seearticles/how-christ-fulfilled-andended-the-old-testament-regime
20
Easter 2012
Oleh John Piper
Kemuliaan Yesus Kristus bersinar lebih terang ketika kita menghubungkan Dia dengan Perjanjian Lama. Semua tulisan di Alkitab tertuju kepada Dia. Kenyataan ini tidak mengherankan karena Dia adalah Firman yang menjelma (Yohanes 1:14). 1.) Semua Kitab Suci memberikan kesaksian tentang Kristus. Musa menuliskan tentang Kristus. Yohanes 5:39, 46: Kamu menyelidiki Kitabkitab Suci, sebab kamu menyangka bahwa di dalamnya kamu temukan hidup yang kekal, tetapi walaupun Kitab-kitab Suci itu memberi kesaksian tentang Aku… Sebab jikalau kamu percaya kepada Musa, tentu kamu akan percaya juga kepadaKu, sebab ia telah menulis tentang Aku. 2.) Semua Kitab Suci membicarakan tentang Yesus Kristus walaupun tafsirannya tidak dinyatakan secara wujud. Tafsiran di dalam Kitab Suci menunjuk kepada Kristus dan nubuatnya dipenuhi sewaktu Dia datang dan diselesaikan dengan pekerjaanNya. “Inti seluruh Kitab Suci disingkapkan dengan kematian dan kebangkitan Yesus.” (Graeme Goldsworthy, Preaching the Whole bible as Christian Scripture, p. 54)
Lukas 24:27: Lalu Ia menjelaskan kepada mereka apa yang tertulis tentang Dia dalam seluruh Kitab Suci, mulai dari kitabkitab Musa dan segala kitab nabi-nabi. 3.) Yesus datang untuk menggenapi semua yang tertulis di dalam hukum Taurat dan kitab para nabi. Dia melaksanakan dan memenuhi hukum Taurat dengan sempurna, tanpa cacat. Matius 5:17-18: Janganlah kamu menyangka bahwa Aku datang untuk meniadakan hukum Taurat atau kitab para nabi. Aku datang bukan untuk meniadakannya, melalaikan untuk menggenapinya. Karena sesungguhnya Aku berkata kepadamu: Selama belum lenyap langit dan bumi ini, satu huruf kecil atau satu titik pun tidak akan ditiadakan dari hukum Taurat, sebelum semuanya terjadi. 4.) Semua janji-janji Tuhan di Perjanjian Lama telah diggenapi Easter 2012
21
oleh Yesus Kristus. Yaitu, ketika saudara memiliki Kristus, saudara otomatis akan memiliki Kristus dan semuanya yang dijanjikan Tuhan melalui Kristus.
jantan dan darah anak lembu, tetapi dengan membawa darah-Nya sendiri. Dengan itu Ia telah mendapat kelepasan yang kekal. 2. Imamat yang berdiri di tengah-tengah orang beribadah dan Tuhan telah diakhiri.
2 Korintus 1:20: Sebab Kristus adalah “ya” bagi semua janji Allah. Itulah sebabnya oleh karena Dia kita mengatakan Ibrani 7:23-24: Dan dalam jumlah yang “Amin” untuk memuliakan Allah. besar mereka telah menjadi imam, karena mereka dicegah oleh maut untuk 5.) Hukum Taurat telah tetap menjabat imam. Tetapi, karena dilaksanakan Kristus dengan Ia tetap selama-lamanya, imamat-Nya sempurna. Dan semua hukuman tidak dapat beralih kepada orang lain. terhadap manusia-manusia berdosa telah ditimpahkan 3. Bangunan kemah Suci yang kepada Kristus. Maka, hukum menjadi pusat beribadah telah Taurat bukanlah lagi jalan menuju diakhiri. Sekarang Kristus adalah kepada kebenaran tetapi Kristus pusat beribadah. Dia adalah adalah jalan menuju kebenaran. “Tempat” atau “Kemah Suci” Tujuan yang paling penting dari itu, dimana kita bertemu dengan hukum Taurat adalah supaya kita Tuhan. Maka orang Kristen tidak memfokuskan diri kepada Tuhan, mempunyai pusat beribadah bukan kepada penerapannya. secara geografis, tidak ada Mekah, tidak ada Yerusalem. Roma 10:4: Sebab Kristus adalah tujuan akhir hukum Taurat, sehingga kebenaran Yohanes 4:21-23: Kata Yesus kepadanya: diperoleh tiap-tiap orang yang percaya. “Percayalah kepada-Ku, hai perempuan, saatnya akan tiba, bahwa kamu akan Kedatangan Kristus telah merubah segalanya: menyembah Bapa bukan di gunung ini dan bukan juga di Yerusalem…Tetapi saatnya 1. Penyembelihan darah domba akan datang dan sudah tiba sekarang, telah diakhiri karena Kristus telah bahwa penyembah-penyembah benar akan menggenapi semua hukum ini. Dia menyembah Bapa dalam roh dan kebenaran.” adalah Kurban Domba yang terakhir dan sekali untuk selamanya. Yohanes 2:19-21: “Runtuhkanlah Bait Suci ini, Ibrani 9:12: Ia telah masuk satu kali untuk dan dalam tiga hari Aku akan mendirikannya selama-lamanya ke dalam tempat yang kudus kembali” … Tetapi yang dimaksudkan-Nya bukan dengan membawa darah domba dengan Bait Suci ialah tubuh-Nya sendiri. 22
Easter 2012
Matius 18:20: “Sebab dimana dua atau tiga orang berkumpul dalam Nama-Ku, di situ Aku ada di tengah-tengah mereka.” 4. Hukum makanan yang membedakan bangsa Israel dari bangsa lainnya telah diggenapi dan diakhiri oleh Kristus. Markus 7:18-19: Maka jawab-Nya: “Apakah kamu juga tidak dapat memahaminya? Tidak tahukah kamu bahwa segala sesuatu dari luar yang masuk ke dalam seseorang tidak dapat menajiskannya …” [Ia menyatakan bahwa semua makanan bersih/halal]. 5. Hukum-hukum berdasarkan suku bangsa yang diterapkan oleh Tuhan telah berakhir. Orang-orang kepunyaan Tuhan bukan hanya satu bangsa lagi tetapi orang-orang asing dari berbagai suku bangsa dan negara adalah kepunyaan Tuhan. Maka kehendak Tuhan kepada negara-negara tidak diterapkan langsung dari Hukum Taurat, tetapi dibangun kembali dari tempat ke tempat dan dari waktu ke waktu sesuai dengan kedaulatan Tuhan atas semua bangsa, dan sesuai dengan ketaatan sejati berakar dalam imam di dalam Kristus, bukan dipaksakan oleh hukum. Negara didasarkan kepada Tuhan bukan dengan Hukum-Nya.
kepada pemerintah yang di atasnya, sebab tidak ada pemerintah, yang tidak berasal dari Allah; dan pemerintahpemerintah yang ada, ditetapkan oleh Allah. Yohanes 18:36: “Kerajaan-Ku bukan dari dunia ini; jika kerjaan-Ku dari dunia ini, pasti hamba-hamba-Ku telah melawan, supaya Aku jangan diserahkan kepada orang Yahudi, akan tetapi Kerjaan-Ku bukan dari sini.” Marilah kita menaikan puji-pujian akan karya Kristus yang membawa [MH] perubahan yang besar ini.
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Roma 13:1: Tiap-tiap orang harus takluk Easter 2012
23
W
HY SHOULD WE AS
CHRISTIANS
EVEN BE BOTHERED BY IT?
OBEY
DOES
GOD’S
LAWS? WHY SHOUL SHOULD WE EVEN BE
IT NOT PUT A BURDEN ON US?
MAKE US LEGALISTS IF WE ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT FOLLOWING
DOES
IT NOT
GOD’S LAWS?
LET US BE CLEAR: GOD DEMANDS GRACE-MOTIVATED OBEDIENCE FROM HIS PEOPLE. OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW IS AN OUTWARD SIGN OF LOVE FOR
GOD. ONLY
WHEN ON ONE TRIES TO BE
JUSTIFIED (DECLARED RIGHTEOUS) BY THE LAW DOES ONE BECOME LEGA LEGALISTIC AS WE ARE
BY
ANO
M NY
OU
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH ALONE.
S
M
ANY PEOPLE IN THIS DAY AND AGE ARE CONFUSED IN THEIR PERCEPTION OF
GOD’S
LAWS.
SOME
CLAIM IT IS JUST A SERIES OF CLA
TEXTS WRITTEN BY SOME MEN TO CON CONTROL
SOME
CHRISTIAN
CONDUCT.
CLAIM THAT THE SOLE PURPOSE OF T THE LAW IS TO PUT PEOPLE IN
BONDAGE.
STILL
OTHERS DO NOT FEEL A NEED TO KNOW
GOD’S
LAWS
BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER THEMSELVE THEMSELVES “GOOD PEOPLE,” REASONING THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO TELL RIGH RIGHT FROM WRONG OUTSIDE OF
GOD’S
STANDARDS. THEN THERE A ARE THOSE WHO DO NOT TAKE THE LAW VERY SERIOUSLY.
RELAT ELATIVISM
HAS BECOME DOMINANT IN OUR
WORLD TODAY AND THUS PLACING INTO QUESTION THE ABSOLUTE INFALLIBILITY OF
GOD’S LAW LAWS. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF GOD’S
LAWS CAN NOT BE DISPUTED AS
THE
24
Easter 2012
INESCAPABLE NATURE OF THE
LAW
CHR HRIST
CAME TO FULFILL THE LAW (SEE
MATTHEW 5: 17).
IS MANIFESTED MAN’S INNATE AWARENESS OF
GOD’S
LAW
Easter 2012
25
MAN’S OBEDIENCE THE MANY WILL BE MADE RIGHTEOUS”
THE
(ROM. 5: 19). WE
REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW AS IT IS WRITTEN IN
BY ANONYMOUS
GALATIANS 3. CHRIST
FULFILLS THE
LAW), AND THE SIMILARITIES THAT EXIST BETWEEN THE LAWS OF
GOD AND THE LAWS OF MAN.
LAW
OR THE
HAVE NOT COME
TO ABOLISH THEM BUT TO FULFILL THEM. TRULY,
I
FOR
SAY TO YOU, UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH
PASS AWAY, NOT AN IOTA, NOT A DOT, WILL PASS FROM THE
LAW
UNTIL ALL IS ACCOMPLISHED.”
-MATTHEW 5: 17-18
T
CHRIST LAW
ALL OUR SOUL, HEART AND MIND“ AND “TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF”
40). CHRIST SUMMED UP THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
GOD” (ROM. 3: 23).
LOVE FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN.
LAW WAS MEANT TO GUIDE
THE
THEY POINT TO
CHRIST. BUT
THE
A
COLLEAGUE OF MINE,
GOD. HE
JAMES WRIGHT
RIGHTEOUS
GOD IS. WE
SAYS, “IS NOT THE
LAW OUT OF FEAR OF PUNISHMENT, BUT OUT OF
LAW
OF
GOD
BETTER
IT PERFECTLY AND WE ALL FALL SHORT.
IT
BEING; THE
IS A STATEMENT OF
DESCRIPTION OF
KIND OF
GOD HE IS.
HIS “PERSONALITY;”
HIM. IT
IT IS A
IS A STATEMENT OF THE
GOD. AND
BEING THUS;
ON THE PEOPLE BY INSISTING THAT THE
ABSOLUTE HOLINESS OF
LAW MUST BE OBEYED TO THE LETTER.
LETS US KNOW JUST HOW FAR WE HAVE FALLEN
THE TIME, MANY ISRAELITES EXPECTED JESUS TO
ON
THE CONTRARY,
AND NEED
HIM. THERE
ARE TIMES IN OUR DAY-TO-
LOVE FOR
O ANALOGY.
HE
EXPLAINS,
FATHER:
DO
WE DO, AND EVEN TO COMMIT THAT WRONGDOING
FAT H E R
CHRIST CAME. IN MATTHEW 5: 17,
TO BE JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BUT
TO BREAK THE LAW!
PARTLY.
HE
AND THE PROPHETS
CAME TO “FULFILL THE
(THE
OLD TESTAMENT).”
CAME, MAN HAD TO FOLLOW
Easter 2012
BY FAITH IN
“FOR
CHRIST. PAUL
WROTE IN
ROMANS,
AS BY THE ONE MAN’S DISOBEDIENCE
THE
LAW IS NECESSARY
“IT
IS LIKE KNOWING
YOU
OBEDIENCE IS SO THAT MAN NO LONGER NEEDS
DECLARED THAT
JAMES
ONE'S OWN BIOLOGICAL
TO LIVE BY
GOD
FRIEND
OUT OF LOVE EFFECTIVELY WITH AN
HE
IN FOR THE PEOPLE OF
MY
EXPLAINED THIS CONCEPT OF OBEYING
CONGRESS TO MAKE US REALIZE THE WRONG THAT
LAW; HIS
ARE NOT BOUND TO THE
AGAIN,
NCE
PERFECT
CAME TO FULFILL THE
LAWS REVEAL TO US HOW
GOD.
OBEY HIM BECAUSE
JESUS
GOD AND WANT
EXPLAIN THE ESSENCE OF THE LAWS OF
OF THE KIND OF
T
AS BELIEVERS
GOD. HIS
CONDEMNATION BECAUSE NO ONE CAN OBEY
PLACED HEAVY BURDENS
AND
TO KNOW
DESCRIBED AS A DESCRIPTION ITSELF? A DESCRIPTION
PHARISEES
WE
GOD
CAME UP WITH A GREAT ANALOGY TO
LAW CAN NOT SAVE US; INSTEAD IT BRINGS
HE
OBEY THE LAW BECAUSE WE LOVE
DAY LIVES WHEN IT TAKES A LAW TO BE PASSED BY
GOD AS A STAND-
(MATTHEW 22: 37-
IN TWO ESSENTIAL POINTS: LOVE FOR
WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH”
STATED
LORD YOUR GOD WITH
HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF
AT
HE LAW WAS MADE BY
BEFORE CHRIST 26
COMMANDS: “TO LOVE THE
CHRIST, “THAT
BE THE REBEL TO NULLIFY IT.
UNTIL
GOD’S EYES AS “ALL
MATTHEW 22, JESUS
SCHOOLMASTER WHOSE TASK IS TO GUIDE US TO
LAW AND THE PROPHETS FORESHADOWED
PROPHETS; I
LAW MAKES US AWARE OF HOW MUCH
THAT NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS IN
CHRIST; THE
LAW (ROM.
GALATIANS 3, PAUL
OUR LIVES AND STEER US AWAY FROM SIN.
“DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH
OBEY OUT OF FEAR OR THE FEAR OF CONSEQUENCES;
THAT THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS RESTED ON TWO
WE NEED GRACE AND MERCY, AND ALSO THE FACT
(GAL. 3:24). THE
CHRIST AND THE LAW
THE LAW? WE CERTAINLY DO; BUT WE DO NOT
BELIEVER WILL NO LONGER STRIVE TO ESTABLISH HIS
THE LAW IN ORDER TO BE DEEMED RIGHTEOUS. IN ILLUSTRATES THE LAW AS A
GOD, ARE WE THEN REQUIRED TO OBEY
BUT OUT OF LOVE. IN
3:21). THE MAN CLAIMING TO BE IGNORANT OF THE
I
BEFORE
LAW AND BECAME A CURSE FOR US SO THAT THE
OR HER OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE
(DESPITE
HAVE BEEN
F THE LAW CAN NOT EARN RIGHTEOUSNESS
IS
YOUR
?
AND THUS WE MUST OBEY IT, BUT IT DOES NOT GUARANTEE RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH
GOD.”
MANY WERE MADE SINNERS, SO BY THE ONE Easter 2012
27
FOLLOWING AND OBEYING
STUDYING GOD’S GOD
KNOW
HEART OF
COMMANDMENTS.
LAWS IS A WAY TO INTIMATELY
BECAUSE
GOD. I
HIS
GOD’S
LAWS REVEAL THE
BELIEVE THAT TO UNDERSTAND
HOW A SOCIETY AND ITS PEOPLE FUNCTION, AND TO FUNCTION WELL WITHIN IT, ONE MUST UNDERSTAND THE VALUES AND LAWS THAT GOVERN IT. WITH THE
HE
MAY KICK YOU OUT OF HIS HOUSE IF YOU DO
NOT. BUT IMAGINE THAT YOU RAN AWAY AND GOT LOST. HE WENT SEARCHING FOR YOU, FOUND YOU,
SO
IT IS
CHRISTIAN FAITH. IN ORDER TO KNOW
WHO
GOD
IS, AND TO UNDERSTAND AND
ENJOY
HIM
FULLY, WE NEED TO STUDY
LAWS.
NOT
OUT OF COMPULSION, BUT OUT
OF LOVE FOR
HIS
GOD AND LOVE ALONE.
MAN’S INNATE AWARENESS OF GOD’S LAWS REASON.)
KNOW EARTHLY FATHERS ARE NOT PERFECT IN ANY
BY
OBEYING HIM, DO YOU BECOME HIS SON?
OF
COURSE NOT, THAT'S SILLY! BUT YOU DO SO BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM, AND WANT TO KNOW HIM MORE, TO LIVE IN HIS HOUSE AND BE WITH HIM!
YOU
OBEY
HIM BECAUSE THAT IS WHO HE IS, AND IN KNOWING
W
IT
LOVE
THE
LAW
REFLECTS
NAMELY
HIS
HOLINESS.
WE
SHEER DESIRE TO KNOW OUR
HE
BECAUSE
THE
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
DIVINE
GOD;
STUDY IT OUT OF
FATHER
HAS DONE FOR US IN SENDING
AND WHAT
HIS SON JESUS
CHRIST (PSALM 119). WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT JOHN 14, CHRIST 28
IS TELLING US THE NECESSITY OF
Easter 2012
OF THE
D
OES
ROMANS 1
MEAN THAT THOSE
THE GOSPEL ARE EXEMPTED FROM PUNISHMENT FOR
THAT WILL PROVE CRITICAL ON THE DAY
FAILING TO OBEY TO THE LAW?
WILL JUDGE (V16)”
NOT
AT ALL; EVEN
THOSE PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.
BECAUSE
IN
EVERY MAN IS A MORAL LAW THAT GOVERNS THEIR LIVES; A CONSCIENCE THAT PRACTICE THE COMMON OR “BASIC” TENETS OF MORAL LIVING.
MEN
VALUE
(BASIC
CITY OR RUN A STOP SIGN, THERE WILL BE
THE LAW”
LAWS; WE
(ROM. 2: 14). COMMENTATORS ON THIS
SUBJECT WROTE:
KNOW. WE CANNOT CLAIM IGNORANCE OF SIN. AS
OR NOT THEY RECEIVED
GOD’S
GOD’S
M
AN’S
SOCIETY.
THERE
IN OUR HEARTS, THAT IS, DEEPLY ROOTED IN OUR
SHALL
NATURES, NOT IN THE LAW. THE KNOWLEDGE OF
STEAL”
WERE
THE ‘WORK OF THE LAW’ ALSO RESIDES IN THE HEART,
ACKNOWLEDGE
BECAUSE MANKIND WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF
GOD OR TO HONOR HIM. HENCE WE SEE THE
GOD (GEN 1:6,27) SINCE GOD JUDGES PEOPLE
CONSEQUENCES OF THAT DISOBEDIENCE (SEE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS KNOWN
YET
THEY
DARKENED)
(MEN
REVELATION),
WHOSE
REFUSED
TO
HEARTS
GOD’S
ARE MANY SIMILARITIES AND
GOD’S
LAW AND MAN’S
SUCH AS “YOU SHALL
AND DIVINE NATURE HAS BEEN MADE PLAIN
(GENERAL
OF
COMMANDMENTS
NOT KILL”, “YOU
CREATION
AWARENESS
LAWS MAN CREATES TO GOVERN
CONDEMNATION OF SIN, BUT THE CAUSE OF SIN LIES
SINCE
GOD.
LAWS EXPRESSES ITSELF IN THE
ROMANS 1; GOD’S ATTRIBUTES
IT IS WRITTEN IN
LAWS FROM THE
THAT END, MAN IN AWARE
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
ALREADY REVEALS
MOSAIC
LAW AND THAT INDICATES A SENSE OF
ACCOUNTABILITY TO
LAW.
“THE MOSAIC LAW
EXPLAINED THAT THE
CONSCIENCE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER
OF
TO THEMSELVES, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO NOT HAVE
GOD’S
T
PAUL
LAW IS WRITTEN IN MAN’S HEARTS AND
IN ROMANS 2, PAUL
WHEN THE “GENTILES, WHO DO NOT HAVE THE LAW,
(REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE,
HE APOSTLE
OLD TESTAMENT. TO
MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT
GOD
1614).
THEY THEREFORE ARE SUBJECT TO BE JUDGED BY IT.
IF BROKEN. IF YOU DISOBEY A LAW IN A
IT IS WITH
IS NOT THE DEGREE OF
THE REVELATION ITSELF, HOWEVER RECEIVED,
TENETS LIKE HONESTY, JUSTICE ETC) THEY ARE A LAW
SO
IT
THE WORLD WHO HAVE NOT HEARD
Y DEFINITION, A LAW HAS CONSEQUENCES
CONSEQUENCES.
ILLEGITIMATE.
IS IRRELEVANT AND
REVELATION RECEIVED, BUT RESPONSE TO
BY NATURE DO WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES
B
MOSAIC LAW
LIVING IN REMOTE CULTURES AROUND
ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE IN SAYING THAT WE DID NOT
WHO HE IS, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.” E
IS TO FALL IN TO SIN.
MORAL VALUES ARE WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS AND
(GRANTED, I
WAY, BUT THE PATTERN IS THERE FOR A
TO THEM; A DEFENSE BASED ON IGNORANCE
JUSTICE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, AND LOVE; THESE
AND BROUGHT YOU HOME. YOU OBEY HIM BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM AND HE LOVES YOU.
ROMANS 1: 24-32).TO DISOBEY GOD’S LAW
NOT
Easter 2012
29
AND A FEW OTHERS PERMEATE THE LAWS GOVERNING OUR
SOCIETY.
EQUALITY,
JUSTICE,
HONESTY,
GOODNESS AND OVERALL LOVE FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN ARE EVIDENT IN MOST LAWS IN ALMOST EVERY
WE CAN NOT DO SO WITH
SEARCHES THE HEART.
JEWS
FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE LAWS ARE
GOD’S
LAWS.
EVEN
BETWEEN AND
GOD
WITH
GOD’S
D
LAWS
’
THERE
COMMANDMENTS, WE
LOVE
GOD
AND RIGHTEOUS, BUT THEIR FRUITS SAY OTHERWISE.
IN ORDER TO
THE END, MAN’S LAWS PROMOTE SELF-
IN
HIM, AND ULTIMATELY KNOW WHO WE ARE IN HIM. EVERYDAY,
WE CONSCIOUSLY OR UNCONSCIOUSLY
OF PUNISHMENT WERE IT NOT FOR THE SAVING
LAWS THAT REVEAL MAN’S SINFUL
STATE. WE CAN LIVE PEACEFULLY BY SIMPLY OBEYING
GRACE OF
THE LAWS OF THE LAND AND BE JUSTIFIED BY IT AS
CHRIST TO BEAR THE WRATH THAT WAS MEANT FOR
A GOOD AND UPSTANDING CITIZEN.
US IN ORDER THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE RIGHTEOUS
BUT
BEFORE
REBUKED
THEM
BE JUSTIFIED AND DEEMED RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH IN
LAWS.
UNDERSTAND
GOD’S
NEED OF A SAVIOR
THAT
HIS
BREAK THE LAW. WE WILL LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR
JESUS
IN
HIM,
OBEYING
RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH IS CONTRARY TO
HOWEVER
AWARE
THE OF
BEFORE
GOD,
WHO SENT OUR
LORD JESUS
GOD.
(EPHESIANS 2:8). WE CAN ONLY
SON
GOD.
THEY WERE NOT.
S
A
LTHOUGH WE ARE NOT JUSTIFIED BY WORKS OF THE LAW BUT BY GRACE, THE
ARE
UNCHANGING
P
LAW IS NECESSARY FOR US AS BELIEVERS,
WHEREAS
EMPHASIZED
THAT
IT
IS
NOT
OUTWARD APPEARANCES THAT MAKES
(SEE ISAIAH 40:8,1 PETER 1:24-25, PSALMS MAN’S
LAWS
CHANGES
“GOOD,”
ONE RIGHTEOUS OR
TO HAVE A
GOD-CENTERED
HEART
BUT
(ROMANS
CONSTANTLY, WITH OLD ONES BEING REMOVED IN
2:28-29, GALATIANS 6:15). IN
FAVOR OF NEW ONES AND VICE VERSA TO FAVOR
MUCH LIKE THE
THE RULING GOVERNMENT, DICTATORSHIP, OR WHAT
CATHOLIC CHURCH
ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS THAT BE.
IS ESSENTIAL TO ATTAIN SALVATION WHEN IN REALITY
BOTH
HAVE
PHARISEES
THE PRESENT DAY,
OF
JESUS’
DAY, THE
BELIEVES THAT GOOD WORKS
CONSEQUENCES IF BROKEN; BUT MAN’S LAWS HAVE
ONLY FAITH JUSTIFIES US BEFORE
TEMPORAL CONSEQUENCES WHILE THE OTHER IS
PHARISEES,
ETERNAL. WE MAY GET AWAY WITH OR RATIONALIZE
PEOPLE IN BONDAGE AND GUILT BY ADDING HUMAN
30
THEY APPEAR HOLY
GOD’S LAW, WE ARE NOTHING BUT FILTHY RAGS IN
PLEASE
AND MADE THEM
LAWS
OUTWARDLY
MEN.
TO
MANY
AUL
119:89)
FOR SALVATION.
EXAMPLE, THE
EXAMPLE, O
MAN
RECEIVE PRAISE FROM AND
DIFFERENCES
MAN’S
FOR G
FOR
OR
ALSO
LAWS.
THEREFORE IN GOOD STANDING
CHAOS.
ARE
GOD IS. IN
LAW THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS AND ARE
LIKE THESE, THE SOCIETY WILL GO INTO
OWEVER,
LAWS TO KNOW WHO
BELIEVED THAT BY OBEYING THE
ATHEISTS RECOGNIZE THAT WITHOUT LAWS
H
GOD’S
JUDGES BY OUTWARD APPEARANCES BUT
COUNTRY. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THAT MOST PEOPLE
CLEARLY MIRRORED FROM
LAWS AND TRADITIONS TO FAITH AS A REQUIREMENT
BREAKING LAWS IN A HUMAN COURT OF LAW; BUT
Easter 2012
THE
CATHOLIC
GOD. LIKE
THE
CHURCH IS PUTTING
AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. SOME REGARD THE LAW IS A SET OF RULES AND REGULATIONS CREATED IN THE
OLD TESTAMENT
TIMES AND
THEREFORE NOT USEFUL FOR US WHO ARE NOW IN THE
“NEW TESTAMENT
ERA.”
AND COMMANDMENTS SHOW
BUT GOD’S GOD’S
LAWS
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LOVE FOR
US. IT SHOWS HIS MERCY AND FORBEARANCE THAT ALL SHOULD REALIZE THEIR SIN AND REPENT. THE LAW LEADS US TO HOLINESS OF
CHRIST
CHRIST
BECAUSE IT REVEALS THE
AND GIVES US A STANDARD
TO MEASURE EVERYTHING BY.
WE
NEED
GOD’S Easter 2012
31
K
EBANYAKAN
ORANG
MELIHAT
HUKUM
TUHAN
SEBAGAI SUATU BEBAN.
HUKUM-
HUKUM
TUHAN
DILIHAT SEBAGAI APA
TUHAN
MEMPUNYAI HUBUNGAN
ERAT DENGAN PERSEPSI KITA DENGAN HUKUM TUHAN.
SERINGKALI
ORANG PERCAYA MEMPUNYAI PERSEPSI
YANG BISA DILAKUKAN DAN APA YANG TIDAK BISA
YANG SALAH TERHADAP HUKUM DAN PERINTAH
DILAKUKAN SERTA KONSEKUESINYA JIKA KITA TIDAK
TUHAN
TAAT DAN BERKAT JIKA TAAT.
HERAN
BEBAN KARENA TIDAK MUNGKIN BISA MENTAATI
ORANG KRISTEN MEMPUNYAI MOTIVASI YANG BERBEDA
SEMUA HUKUM DENGAN SEMPURNA. TETAPI HUKUM
UNTUK TAAT KEPADA HUKUM
INILAH TANDANYA BAHWA KITA MENGASIHI ANAK-ANAK ALLAH, YAITU APABILA KITA MENGASIHI ALLAH SERTA MELAKUKAN PERINTAH-PERINTAH-NYA. SEBAB INILAH KASIH KEPADA ALLAH, YAITU, BAHWA KITA MENURUTI PERINTAH-PERINTAH-NYA. PERINTAH-PERINTAH-NYA ITU TIDAK BERAT. 1 YOHANES 5:2-3
KEPADA HUKUM
TIDAKLAH
TUHAN. BEBERAPA
DENGAN
MENGANGGAPNYA
SEBAGAI
YANG MENGUTUK DOSA KITA DIBERIKAN
TUHAN
TAAT KARENA RASA TAKUT AKAN HUKUMAN DAN
BERDASARKAN CINTA-NYA UNTUK KITA.
BEBERAPA TAAT KARENA INGIN MENDAPATKAN BERKAT
NYA
DARI TUHAN. TETAPI TUHAN MENGINGINKAN UMAT-
UNTUK MENGURUNG KITA MELAINKAN BATAS UNTUK
NYA
MEMBERITAHUKAN KITA KETIKA KITA JAUH DARI
UNTUK TAAT DENGAN PERASAAN SUKA CITA
ATAU TANPA BEBAN.
UNTUK
MENGERTI TAAT YANG
HUKUM-
ADALAH PAGAR YANG TIDAK DIMAKSUDKAN
STANDARD-NYA.
KETAATAN
ADALAH TANGGAPAN
DISERTAI RASA SENANG KITA HARUS PERTAMA-TAMA
ORANG BERTOBAT ATAS ANUGRAH KESELAMATAN
MENGERTI KONSEP MENEMUKAN KESENANGAN DI
TUHAN. ANUGRAH TUHAN
DALAM
TUHAN. MENEMUKAN
TUHAN
ADALAH
SUKA CITA DI DALAM
MENEMUKAN
TUHAN
TUHAN
ADALAH
KEBAIKAN
YANG TIDAK LAYAK DIBERIKAN KEPADA
MANUSIA BERDOSA. ANUGRAH
YANG SEMPURNA, DAN HUKUM YANG
DICIPTAKAN-NYA
JUGA SEMPURNA.
S 32
Easter 2012
IKAP
DAN
MOTIVASI
KITA
UNTUK
TAAT
Easter 2012
33
TUHAN
T
mendapati kesenangan di dalam kekudusan-
lambang kekudusan Tuhan. Hukum ada untuk
ADALAH
Nya. Motivasi ketaatan datang dari kemauan
menandai batas penyimpangan dari Allah.
MEMPUNYAI KESENANGAN
untuk menjadi suci dan menyerupai Dia.
Hukum mengumandangkan kehadiran Tuhan
Ketaatan adalah tanggapan yang tepat atas
dan menjelaskan sifat-Nya. Adanya hukum
ALAUPUN KITA TIDAK LAGI DIBAWAH
hadiah keselamatan Tuhan. Keselamatan
bergantung dengan adanya Tuhan karena
the believer abides in Christ. John bluntly
HUKUM,
MEMERINTAHKAN
tidak bisa didapatkan dan hanya bisa
malalui hukum Dia beroperasi. Dia tidak bisa
stated that “Whoever says ‘I know Him’ but
UMAT-NYA UNTUK TAAT KEPADA
diberikan dari Tuhan karena keselamatan
menyimpang dari hukum-Nya karena hukum-
does not keep his commandments is a liar,
DI
adalah anugrah Tuhan. Yesus lahir untuk mati
Nya kudus dan Dia pun kudus. Bersuka cita
and the truth is not in him, but whoever
KAYU SALIB, KITA TIDAK LAGI MENJADI BUDAK HUKUM
menggantikan kita dan menjadikan kita kudus
di dalam perintah Tuhan dan mentaati dengan
keeps his word, in him truly the love of God
(ROMA 6:15-23). dan benar dihadapan Tuhan. Kebenaran Yesus
senang dapat dilakukan karena bersuka cita
is perfected. By this we may know that we
MENCEMIRKAN KESEMPURNAAN
dimiliki kita karena kematian-Nya di kayu
di dalam perintah-Nya sama dengan bersuka
are in him: whoever says he abides in him
TUHAN DAN DIA MEMERINTAHKAN KETAATAN YANG
salib. Pemberian keselamatan seharusnya
cita di dalam kesempurnaan-Nya. Untuk
ought to walk in the same way in which he
SEMPURNA DARI KITA.
INI HANYA BISA KITA
membuat orang percaya menjadi rendah
bersuka cita di dalam kesempurnaan-Nya
walked” (1 John 2:4-6). Obedience is a mark
YANG TELAH TAAT KEPADA
hati karena itu adalah ekspresi cinta dan
sama dengan mengakui dan memplokamirkan
of the Christian’s sanctification because to
pengobanan Tuhan.
atribut-Nya.
truly abide in Christ requires obedience.The
ADALAH PEMBERIAN
YANG TIDAK PANTAS
DAN TIDAK BISA DIDAPATKAN.
KRISTEN
ALASAN ORANG
ANUGRAH
DAN DORONGAN UNTUK TAAT.
W HUKUM-NYA.
MELALUI
TUHAN
PENGORBANAN
MELAINKAN HAMBA KEBENARAN
PERINTAH TUHAN
PUNYAI MELALUI
YESUS
HAL
YESUS
HUKUM DENGAN SEMPURNA.
K
eselamatan juga mencemirkan sifat Tuhan yang tidak bisa mentolerisasi
1. Ketaatan kepada perintah dosa; hanya melalui kematian Tuhan mendatangkan Anak-Nya saja kita bisa dibuat kudus kesenangan yaitu di dalam dihadapan Tuhan. Diantara atribut ilahi Tuhan, Tuhan. kekudusan merupakan salah satu yang
2. Ketaatan memperbolehkan kita untuk mengenal Tuhan. Mengenal Dia memperbolehkan kita untuk melihat kemajuan kekudusan kita. Dan
mentaati
Tuhan. Untuk bisa taat dengan suka cita
mengenal
dengan
kita harus bisa juga bersuka cita di dalam
menuruti perintah-perintah-Nya.
kesenangan yang didapati kalau
kekudusan-Nya.Kita harus bisa bersuka cita
(1 Yohanes 2:3)
kita menyadiri kekudusan-Nya. Kesenangan
di dalam status kita sebagai orang-orang
di dalam ketaatan hanya bisa datang setelah
pilihan Tuhan. Adanya hukum merupakan
K
perintah
34
di Tuhan
Easter 2012
dalam sama
simply: those who know Christ keep His commandments. That is
how the truth may abide in the believer and
more one practices obedience to Christ’s
paling jelas digambarkan di dalam hukum
esenangan
he disciple John puts it clearly and
inilah
tandanya,
bahwa
kita
Allah, yaitu
jikalau
kita
laws (to know Christ), the more one becomes aware of how far one falls short. The sanctified Christian is then comforted by the grace of God, for “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5: 20b).
3. Ketaatan merupakan lambang rahmat di dalam kehidupan orang Kristen.
Easter 2012
35
K
etaatan kepada Tuhan bukan berasal
ketaatan di dalam Tuhan kita bisa disucikan.
kebenaran yang membawa kamu kepada
dari kemauan kita karena sebelum
Paulus menulis kepada gereja Roma tentang
pengudusan.”
kita ingin Tuhan kita telah dilahirkan
kekudusan:
Roma 6:16-19
baru dengan kuasa Roh Kudus. Supaya kita
K
Y
esus berkata,“Jika seorang mengasihi Aku, ia akan menuruti firman-Ku dan Bapa-Ku akan mengasihi dia
dan Kami akan datang kepadanya dan diam
ita dibenarkan di hadapan Tuhan
bersama-sama dengan dia. Barangsiapa tidak
dan berjalan dengan Tuhan karena
mengasihi Aku, ia tidak menuruti firman-Ku;
Tuhan lebih dahulu memberikan
dan firman yang kamu dengar itu bukanlah
mentaatinya, kamu adalah hamba orang
kita kebenaran Dia (seperti yang terlihat
dari pada-Ku, melainkan dari Bapa yang
serupa dengan gambaran Anak-Nya, supaya
itu, yang harus kamu taati, baik dalam
dalam ketaatan Yesus sampai kematian-
mengutus Aku” (Yohanes 14:23-24). Di
Ia, Anak-Nya itu, menjadi sulung di antara
dosa yang memimpin kamu kepada
Nya) supaya kita bisa mengerti kebenaran
dalam perjamuan terakhir dengan murid-
banyak saudara” (Roma 8:29). Orang Kristen
kematian, maupun dalam ketaatan yang
Dia. Hanya di dalam ketaatan saja kita bisa
Nya, Yesus memberitahukan bahwa injil-Nya
yang taat kepada perintah Tuhan harus
memimpin kamu kepada kebenaran?
memahami pekerjaan Tuhan di dalam hidup
(hukum) mencemirkan tentang Dia. Perintah
“mengenakan manusia baru yang terus-
Tetapi syukurlah kepada Allah! Dahulu
kita dan mempunyai kebahagian seperti
Tuhan adalah expresi sifat ilahi Tuhan. Dengan
menerus diperbaharui untuk memperoleh
memang kamu hamba dosa, tetapi
Tuhan dalam melewati kesusahan hidup. menyadari kematian Tuhan di kayu salib,
pengetahuan yang benar menurut gambar
sekarang kamu dengan segenap hati
Yesus menjanjikan murid-murid-Nya Roh
ketaatan kita dengan hukum-Nya adalah
Khaliknya” (Kolose 3:10). Kekristenan unik
telah mentaati pengajaran yang telah
Kudus; Dia menjanjikan kalau kita mematuhi
wujud cinta kita kepada Dia. Ketaatan kepada
karena ketaatan dengan suka cita hanya bisa
diteruskan
telah
perintah-Nya, maka dia akan berada di dalam
hukum adalah tindakan cinta dan komunikasi
dilakukan dengan permberian anugrah. Kita
dimerdekakan dari dosa dan menjadi
kita (lihat Yohanes 14:21-24). Jangan salah
kita dengan Tuhan untuk mau semakin
tidak bisa memperolehnya dengan kemauan
hamba kebenaran. Aku mengatakan hal
mengerti; bukanlah karena ketaatan kita
menyerupai
manusia. Melalui ketaatan kita Tuhan lah yang
ini secara manusia karena kelemahan
maka Tuhan mencintai kita tetapi karena
hukum, Dia memberikan undangan untuk
dimuliakan, bukan kita. Kemauan kita untuk
kamu.
kamu
Tuhan mengungkapkan diri-Nya sewaktu
mempelajari sifat ilahi Tuhan dan menemukan
taat juga adalah hadiah dari Tuhan, sama
telah
anggota-anggota
kita mentaati perintah-Nya. Ketaatan adalah
kesenangan di dalam kekudusan-Nya.
seperti anugrah.
tubuhmu menjadi hamba kecemaran
lambang orang Kristen sejati karena ketaatan
karena
dan kedurhakaan yang membawa kamu
kita memisahkan kita dengan dunia yang
anugrah saja, mengapa kita harus
kepada kedurhakaan, demikian hal kamu
menentang Tuhan.
taat? Karena di dalam ketaatan kita
sekarang harus menyerahkan anggota-
bisa mengenal Tuhan, Tuhan harus terlebih
“Apakah
dahulu memilih kita. “Sebab semua orang
apabila
yang dipilih-Nya dari semula, mereka juga
kepada seseorang sebagai hamba untuk
ditentukan-Nya dari semula untuk menjadi
K
alau
kita
diselamatkan
bisa berada di dalam Tuhan dan hanya melalui 36
Easter 2012
kamu kamu
tidak
menyerahkan
kepadamu.
Sebab
sama
menyerahkan
anggota
tahu, bahwa
tubuhmu
Kamu
seperti
menjadi
dirimu
Dia.
Dengan
diberikannya
hamba Easter 2012
37
M
GOD’S
OST PEOPLE REGARD
LAWS AS
A SET OF BURDENS; A LIST OF DO’S DON’TS
AND
THAT
COMES
WITH
CONSEQUENCES IF DISOBEYED AND REWARDS IF OBEYED. GIVEN THE FACT THAT ONE’S PERCEPTIONS
obedience
to
God’s
laws are closely tied to our
perception of God’s laws. Often, believers perceive the laws and commandments of God as burdensome because it is impossible
UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN LAWS; IT IS NOT
to perfectly obey every single law. But the
CHRISTIANS
laws that condemn our sins were given
LAWS
SURPRISING
THAT
ARE
COLORED
HAVE
BY
DIFFERENT LAWS.
by God to us out of His love for us. His
OBEY OUT OF FEAR OF PUNISHMENT WHILE
commandments are not fences that are
SOME OBEY OUT OF DESIRE TO GAIN ‘BROWNIE
meant to imprison us but boundary markers
POINTS’ WITH
INTENDED FOR
to let us know where we have strayed from
LAWS IN JOYFUL
His standards. Obedience is the repentant
UNDERSTAND JOYFUL OBEDIENCE,
sinner’s response to God’s grace. God’s
WE MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF
grace is God’s unmerited favor on sinful
MOTIVATIONS FOR OBEDIENCE TO
BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE LOVE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, WHEN WE LOVE GOD AND OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS. FOR THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. AND HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT BURDENSOME. 1 JOHN 5:2-3
for
ONE’S
OF
GOD’S
O
ur attitude and motivation
SOME
HIS
GOD. BUT CHRIST
PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO
OBEDIENCE.
TO
FINDING JOY IN IS
TO
PERSON
FIND OF
CHRIST. TO
PERFECTION
CHRIST
THE PERFECTION OF LAWS THAT REFLECT
HIS
GOD’S
HAVE JOY IN IN
THE
CHRIST
human beings. Grace is a gift of God which is neither deserved nor can it be earned;
AND
HIS
HIS
PERSON.
38
Easter 2012
Easter 2012
39
it is the reason for the Christian’s joy and
Christ’s righteousness was imputed to us
we consider God’s ways far above our
truly abide in Christ requires obedience.The
motivation for obedience. Although we are
through His death on the cross. The gift of
ways. Our realization of God’s perfection
more one practices obedience to Christ’s
no longer under the law, God demands
salvation ought to humble believers because
enables us to worship Him.
laws (to know Christ), the more one
obedience from his people. Through Jesus’
it is an expression of God’s deep love and
becomes aware of how far one falls short.
sacrifice on the cross; we are no longer
sacrifice. It also reflects God’s holy nature
The sanctified Christian is then comforted
slaves of the law but slaves of righteousness
which can not tolerate sin; that only through
(Romans 6:15-23).God’s commandments
His Son’s perfect sacrifice can His wrath on
reflect the perfection of God. He demands
our sins be satisfied and we sinners made
perfect obedience in us that is made possible
holy before God. holiness is perhaps the attribute
2. Obedience allows us to know by the grace of God, for “where sin increased, Christ and knowing Christ allows grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5: 20b). us to see the progress of our sanctification. 3. Obedience is a mark of grace And by this we know that we have come to in a Christian’s life.
most clearly delineated by His laws.
know him, if we keep his commandments.
through Jesus’ perfect obedience to the law.
A
mong God’s divine attributes, His
1. Obedience to God’s In order to joyfully obey, we must rejoice commandments brings joy that in His holiness. We ought to rejoice at our is of Christ. status as people who are “set apart” for
T
God. The existence of God’s laws marks the he joy in obeying His commandments
holiness of God. God’s laws exist to mark
is the same joy that comes from our
the boundary of deviation apart from
joy in His holiness. Ultimately, joy in
(1 John 2:3)
T
he disciple John puts it clearly and simply: those who know Christ
I
t is not through human will that obedience to Christ is possible but through the help of the Holy Spirit. Even before we desired
Christ, we were reborn through the power
keep His commandments. That is
of the Holy Spirit. For us to know Christ,
how the truth may abide in the believer and
the Holy Spirit must first reveal Christ to
God. The law proclaims the existence of
the believer abides in Christ. John bluntly
us. Our desire to obey is a gift in itself;
obedience comes from finding joy in God’s
God and it explains to us His nature. God’s
stated that “Whoever says ‘I know Him’ but
much like grace. Christians who exercise
holiness. The motivation for obedience
laws show us how God Himself “operates.”
does not keep his commandments is a liar, obedience to God’s commandments “have
comes
further
He does not and cannot deviate from His
and the truth is not in him, but whoever
put on the new self, which is being renewed
sanctification, to be nearer in likeness to
laws for His laws are holy and holy is He.
keeps his word, in him truly the love of God
in knowledge after the image of its creator”
Him. Obedience is the proper response to
Rejoicing in God’s commandments and
is perfected. By this we may know that we
(Col. 3:10). Through our obedience, it is also
God’s gift of salvation. Salvation can not be
obeying joyfully is possible because to rejoice
are in him: whoever says he abides in him
not us who are glorified, but Our Maker.
earned; it was given by God out of grace. in His commandments is to rejoice in His
ought to walk in the same way in which he
Like a father disciplining his children, God is
Christ was born to die in our place in order
perfection. To rejoice in His perfection
walked” (1 John 2:4-6). Obedience is a mark
constantly molding Christians to the image
to make us holy and righteous before God. is to acknowledge and proclaim that
of the Christian’s sanctification because to
of His Son, “For those whom he foreknew
40
from
our
Easter 2012
desire
for
Easter 2012
41
he also predestined to be conformed to the
from the heart to the standard of teaching
image of his Son, in order that he might be
to which you were committed, and, having
the firstborn among many brothers.” (Rom. been set free from sin, have become slaves 8:29).
C
of righteousness. I am speaking in human hristianity is unique in that it
terms, because of your natural limitations.
acknowledges that joyful obedience
For just as you once presented your
to the law is only possible if
members as slaves to impurity and to
salvation is a gift given by God’s grace. If
lawlessness leading to more lawlessness,
salvation is something that can be earned
so now present your members as slaves to
(that is, salvation is a reward in exchange for
righteousness leading to sanctification.”
doing the works of the law), then obedience
Romans 6:16-19
to the law becomes something compulsory
W
that we do out of duty instead of love for our merciful God.
I
f we are saved by grace alone, why then must we be obedient? Because in our
e are able to be righteous and walk in the way of Christ because Christ first granted
We Americans live in a country that was founded on a revolution and in which defiance of government authority is viewed as a basic constitutional right. Benjamin Franklin proposed the following design for the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States: Pharaoh sitting in an open chariot, a crown on his head and a sword in his hand, passing through the divided waters of the Red Sea in pursuit of the Israelites. Rays from a pillar of fire in the cloud, expressive of the Divine presence and command, beaming on Moses, who stands on the shore and, extending his hand over the sea, causes it to overflow Pharaoh. Motto: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”2
us His righteousness. In obedience to God
Franklin was a deist, not an evangelical Christian. But his sentiment--rebellion to tyrants
obedience to God’s laws, we abide in
alone may we realize the work of God in our
is obedience to God--is shared by many committed Christians. Most evangelicals accept
Christ. Only through obedience in Christ
lives and experience Christ-like joy in times
the American Revolution as being a proper resistance to corrupt authority. There is a
can we be sanctified. Paul wrote to the
of plenty or in hardship. Jesus promised
difference of opinion among Christians over whether the civil disobedience of groups such
Roman church regarding sanctification:
that if we obey His commandments, he will
as Operation Rescue3 is proper or not. But the presence of the issue shows the relevance
manifest himself to us (see John 14:21-24).
of our topic: What is the proper relationship of Christian citizens toward their government?
“Do you not know that if you present Do not misunderstand; it is not through yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, obedience that we can make Christ love us,
Those to whom Peter wrote lived with a government and society that was not favorable
you are slaves of the one whom you obey, but that Christ reveals himself to us when
toward the Christian faith. Both Peter and Paul were executed at the hands of the Roman
either of sin, which leads to death, or of
we obey his commandments. Obedience is
tyrant Nero. It was not until the fourth century, under Constantine, that Christianity was
obedience, which leads to righteousness?
also a mark of a true Christian because our
afforded official legitimacy and protection by the government.
But thanks be to God, that you who were
obedience sets us apart from the world that
once slaves of sin have become obedient
rejects Christ.
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Easter 2012
Peter has just stated the general principle that Christians are to live holy lives as aliens and Easter 2012
43
strangers on this earth (2:11-12). We are
but to make sure that our normal posture
reflect the Biblical teaching that God is no
not permanent residents here but are
toward government is that of submission.
respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Deut. inherent “rightness” of the Golden Rule.
Christianity. Most unbelievers recognize the
pilgrims journeying toward heaven. It would
10:17). Laws should protect citizens from sin
We can use this Biblical ethical standard
have been easy for his readers to conclude
(for example, pornography and prostitution
as the basis for legislating proper morality
that we therefore have no civic responsibility
laws, drug laws, etc.).The fact that something
in our democratic, pluralistic country. Thus
here on earth. Perhaps they would have
is illegal will restrain many who otherwise
Peter and other Biblical texts show that the
concluded that they could disregard and
may be tempted to engage in the particular
government is ordained of God to promote
activity.
justice. Although Peter doesn’t touch on it
The government should promote
disobey human government, since they
were citizens of heaven, not of this earth. justice and peace by upholding law and and
by
maintaining
specifically, a result of promoting justice will
So Peter anticipates and counters this
order
reasonable
The real debate is, which morality
be promoting peace and order in society. 1
wrong conclusion by showing how Christian
national defense. Peter writes (2:14) that
should we legislate? Some Christians believe
Timothy 2:1-2 states that we should pray
citizens must live:
kings and governors are “for the punishment
that we should institute the Old Testament
for kings and those in authority “in order
of evildoers and the praise of those who
law in our society (stoning adulterers, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life
do right.” Paul talks about the government
homosexuals, rebellious children, etc.)! I
in all godliness and dignity.” For us to live a
“bearing the sword” as an avenger who brings
cannot deal at length with this question
quiet and tranquil life, the government must
God’s wrath upon the one who practices
but, briefly, my view is that in a democratic, maintain adequate national defense so that
evil (Rom. 13:4). This points to the power of
pluralistic society, if the value of a law would
we are not overrun by some totalitarian
“Submit” (2:13) is a dirty word to
the state to use capital punishment, as well
only be accepted by those who have already
power that would rob us of our peace
Americans, but it is a favorite with Peter. In
as lesser punishment, to bring about justice
accepted Christ and God’s Word (for
and liberty. And internally the government
fact, it dominates much of the rest of this
for all. The Old Testament often talks about
example, laws against adultery, blasphemy, should not interfere with religious liberty,
epistle (it occurs in 2:13, 18; 3:1, 5, 22; 5:5; the role of the king in promoting justice and
or Sabbath-breaking), we should not push to
within the bounds of human safety and
the concept is implicit in 4:12-19). It is a
legislate it, even if it is Biblical. But we can
rights. Thus government should promote
work to legislate many Biblical standards
justice and peace in society.
righteousness in society.
military word, meaning to put oneself under another in rank. We will look more at the
The government does this (in
which have broad social value and can be
meaning of submission later in this message, part) by legislating morality. Don’t let
argued for apart from an appeal to the Bible. What does it mean to submit to human
but for now I will briefly say that submission
anybody sell you the idea that we shouldn’t
Laws against abortion, laws protecting the
is an attitude of respect that results in
legislate morality. That is precisely what
handicapped and the elderly, laws against
obedience to authority and positive good
the government does, and rightly so. Laws
pornography and child abuse, and many
deeds. While there are exceptions, we need
against murder and theft are moral and
other such issues, can be argued for on the
to be careful not to run to the exceptions, Biblical. Laws against racial discrimination
grounds of basic human rights, apart from
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Easter 2012
government? Peter includes three elements:
Easter 2012
45
out into the highways and bring them in--
for government authorities. Since God
When Israel was sent into exile in Babylon,
A. Submission means obedience to the laws of
and that’s what I’m doing.” Another minister,
ordained government authority, to despise
their situation was parallel to that of
the state.
pressed for time and not finding a parking
such authority is to despise God Himself.
Christians today, in that they were strangers
space, parked in a no parking zone and put
and aliens in a foreign land, looking to be
The basic meaning of the word
a note on his windshield: “I have circled the
“submit” is “obey.” Christians must obey the
block 10 times. I have an appointment to
laws of their government unless those laws
keep. Forgive us our trespasses.” When he
“That by doing right you may silence the
houses there, plant gardens, take wives and
force them to disobey God. “Kings” we can
returned, he found a citation along with this
ignorance of foolish men” (2:15). Peter is
raise children.Then He added, “And seek the
apply to federal laws; “governors” we can
note: “I’ve circled this block for 10 years. If
not referring to the government leaders
welfare of the city where I have sent you
apply to state and local laws.To give practical
I don’t give you a ticket, I lose my job. Lead
as “foolish men,” but rather to the willfully
into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf;
examples, we need to pay our taxes and
us not into temptation.” Submission means
ignorant who slander Christians as evildoers
for in its welfare you will have welfare” (lit.,
comply with traffic laws (Ouch! Ouch!).
obeying the law.
(2:12). “To silence” means, literally, to
“peace”).
C. Submission means positive good deeds.
restored to their promised land. God told Jeremiah (29:5-6) to tell the exiles to build
muzzle. The idea is that by our active good With regard to taxes, this means properly reporting your income and following
B. Submission means showing respect to
deeds, we take away the basis for criticism of
That’s good counsel for Christians who are
governmental authorities.
Christianity from those who oppose it.
exiled as strangers and aliens in this wicked world: Build houses, live in them, plant
the rules to compute what you owe. There is nothing wrong with taking legitimate
You can obey with a rotten attitude. But
Paul wrote to Titus (3:1-2), “Remind them
gardens, raise families, seek and pray for
deductions. In fact, it’s poor stewardship not
Peter says that we are to “honor all men,”
to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be
the welfare of the cities where we live. Buy
to do so! With regard to traffic laws, some
and specifies, “Honor the king” (2:17). But
obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to
property, work to improve the schools, help
Christians take a strict constructionist view
what if he’s a scoundrel? Even if we can’t
malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, out in community projects, be good citizens.
and never exceed the speed limit. I take a
respect a leader because he is corrupt or
showing every consideration for all men.”
Submitting to government means that we
loose constructionist view--I get in the fast
immoral, we should respect his office. Again,
When Christians live like that in the midst of
obey the law, respect authorities, and do
lane and go with the flow! If you’re regularly
this isn’t an American tradition. We make
a pagan culture, it is a powerful testimony. On
good deeds in our communities.
getting traffic citations, it probably shows
jokes about our political leaders, portraying
the other hand, when professing Christians
that you need to amend your ways.
them a buffoons or idiots. Political satire is
disrespect authority, when they disobey
Thus the purpose of government
accepted fare. I confess that some of the
the law, or when they just withdraw from
is to promote justice and peace in society.
I heard of one minister who got
things politicians do invite satire! Jesus called
society and live unto themselves without
The meaning of submission to government
stopped for speeding. He told the officer that
Herod a fox, so there may be some basis for
doing good deeds, it leaves a bad taste in the
includes obedience, submission, and good
he was on the Lord’s business. The officer
taking a swipe at certain political leaders. But
mouths of those who are prone to criticize
deeds.
replied, “I read the same Bible. It says to go
we need to be careful to promote respect
Christianity.
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Easter 2012
Easter 2012
47
to the Biblical principle of obedience to
in this hostile world runs from 2:12 through
The black radical, Stokely Carmichael,
government authority based on how bad the
chapter 3. It is implicit in this section
was once asked, “When the world is the
ruler may be.
dealing with our responsibility as Christian
way you want it, what will it be like?” After
citizens. When it comes to politics, we need
brief reflection, he answered, “Men will love
Peter knew that his readers (including
to remember that while God uses civil
one another.”4 That can’t happen apart from
us!) would not inherently gravitate toward
government to accomplish His purposes
the Gospel. Our love for fellow Christians
the idea of being submissive to pagan rulers
(thus it is proper for Christians to serve in
and our submission and honor toward
A. Since God ordains civil government, by
(let alone, to good Christian rulers!). He
political leadership and be involved in the
government officials is a powerful witness.
submitting to it, we submit to Him.
could hear us object, “But we’re free in
political process), evangelism is His primary
Thus we submit “for the Lord’s sake.”
Christ! We don’t have to obey a pagan
means of dealing with world problems and
tyrant!” Thus Peter wrote (2:16), “Act as
bringing lasting change. If we get sidetracked
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake” (2:13). There are at least two ideas inherent in this phrase:
Paul plainly states, “Let every person be
in subjection to the governing authorities. free men, and do not use your freedom as For there is no authority except from God, a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves and those which exist are established by
of God.”
Thus the purpose of government
into winning political victories for our cause, is to promote justice and peace in society. but do not win men and women to Christ, Submitting to government means obedience, we ultimately fail.
respect, and good deeds. The reason we submit is for the Lord’s sake. Finally,
God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God” (Rom. 13:1-
Just as a train is only truly free when it
I struggled with why, in the context
2a). He even states that rulers are ministers
runs on the tracks, so human beings are only
of our relationship to government, Peter
of God (13:4, 6). Daniel 2:21 states that God
free when they obey God. True freedom
adds the command, “Love the brotherhood”
“removes kings and establishes kings” (see
is living righteously in submission to God.
(2:17). It seems to me that it relates to the
also Dan. 2:37; 4:17; 5:18-19, 26; Jer. 27:5-
Anything less means that we’re enslaved to
underlying theme of our public witness. We
8; Ezek. 29:19-20; John 19:11). He directs
sin. Thus for the Lord’s sake, because He
are to love even our enemies, of course. But
Peter differentiates between God
even pagan kings according to His sovereign
ordained and established government for
Peter singles out our love for the Christian
and the king: “Fear God, honor the king.”
purposes (Prov. 21:1; Isa. 45:1-7; 46:10-11).
the benefit of the human race, we submit to
brotherhood because if Christians fight
The emperor deserves appropriate honor,
Him when we submit to civil government.
among themselves, the watching world
but he is not on the same level with God. If
shrugs its shoulders and says, “Why become
he violates his responsibility which has been
Remember, both Paul and Peter wrote when the debauched, godless Nero was
B. Since Christians are identified with
a Christian? They’re no different than anyone
given to him by God, then the believer is
on the throne. Daniel lived under the
God, our submission to government
else.” The same is true if we do not show
responsible to confront that violation (Dan.
ruthless Nebuchadnezzar. Since both rulers
bears witness for God.
proper honor to all men, including those in
5:18-28) and, if it comes down to it, to obey
civil authority.
God rather than men (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29).
obviously fell far short of the ideal, we must conclude that we cannot make exceptions 48
Easter 2012
The theme of our witness as aliens Easter 2012
49
Commentators struggle with the words translated “human institution” or
fails, we disobey the government and submit
be hesitant to think that God has entrusted
elect a government that fears God and not
to our punishment.
the revolutionary task to us. And yet at the
society. This is one of the purpose that we
same time, we are responsible to speak out
want the readers to know because we have
“ordinance of man” (2:13). They literally
5
read, “human creature” or “creation.” Each
What do we do if the government
against evil, whether it be practiced by rulers
a presidential election coming up this year.
of the other 17 uses of the word “creation”
merely allows evil, rather than mandates it
or other citizens (Matt. 14:4; Dan. 4:27; 5:18-
We can start reading or watching the news
in the New Testament refers to God’s
(such as killing babies through abortion)? I
28).
to find out more about the candidates and
creation, not to something man creates. think that we then confront the government
their plans if they are elected. Of course we
Thus many scholars translate it, “Be subject
with its evil, we appeal to individuals not to
do not forget to pray for the United States
to every human creature.” But this doesn’t
do the legalized evil, and we work through
to have a leader that obey the Laws, God’s
fit with the following context and it is
legal channels to overthrow the evil.
J. I. Packer wrote, “It is a paradox of
difficult to understand how we are to submit
Abortion is more complicated than rescuing
the Christian life that the more profoundly
to everyone. I would suggest that Peter uses
slaves during the Civil War or Jews during
one is concerned about heaven, the more
this phrase to accomplish two things. He
World War II, since the baby is still inside
deeply one cares about God’s will being
demotes the emperor and his government
the mother and can’t be rescued apart
done on Earth.” Sir Frederick Catherwood,
Citizenship. 30 August 1992.
from being absolutely sovereign, in that
from the mother. I appreciate the courage
a Christian member of the European
www.fcfonline.org/content/1/
he (and it) are creations, not the Creator. and convictions of those who participate
Parliament, put it: “To try to improve society
sermons/083092m.pdf>
But he also gives dignity to each ruler and
in Operation Rescue, but I cannot argue
is not worldliness, but love. To wash your
government, in that he is created by God, Biblically that it is the moral responsibility of
hands of society is not love but worldliness.”
the Christian Faith.” Lippincott,
and thus worthy of our honor.
Christian citizens should be good citizens.
1971. Page 9.
every Christian to violate the law as they do.
6
7
The main way we do that is by submitting to our human government.
Thus there is a fine balance
Is it ever right for Christians to
that Christians must maintain, between
participate in a revolution to overthrow a
respecting the man and his office, but
government? Obviously, God sets up and
not respecting him more than God. If it
takes down rulers, and He does it through
comes to a tug of war between God and
people. But should Christians be a part of
Hopefully from the article we just read
government, we must follow God. If the
such, for example, when the government is
above, we understand the importance of a
government forces us to disobey God, we
evil, such as Nazi Germany or Communist
government. A government is not an entity
first appeal to the government, if possible. China? I tend to agree with John Calvin,
made by humans, but it is an entity that is
If we have opportunity, we confront the
who states that the only command given to
built by God. As a citizen of the United State
government with its wrong. But if all that
Christians is to obey and suffer, so we should
and Christians, we should use our right to
50
Easter 2012
Laws. [MH] Endnotes: 1. Source: Cole, Steven J. Christian
2. Grounds,Verno. “Revolution and
3. Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation 4. Carmichael, Stokely. Grounds. Page 89. 5. Calvin, John. “Institutes.” Westminster Press. IV:XX:31. 6. Packer, J. I. Christianity Today. 19 April 1985. Page I-4. 7. Catherwood, Sir Frederick. Ibid, page I-4, 5. Easter 2012
51
advantage.We also have a financial obligation
in addition to giving 10% of your monetary
to the support of our church. Tithing keeps
income / tithing, just like giving Him the first
the doors to God's house open for all.”4
part of your day in a quiet time and taking one day in seven to focus on worship and
2. How much should I tithe? Can it be more or less than 10%?
rest.
4. Is there a difference between and offering and you give this amount or not, make sure you tithing do give something to the work of God (see donation? The tithe is 10% of your income. Whether
Malachi 3:8-10). Give because you want to, The tithe is simple. It is one tenth of your not because you have to. God loves a cheerful
income that God commands you to give
giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). The amount is
towards his work (Numbers 18:24). It is
between you and the Lord. Realize that we
given by the Christian as something that
Compiled by Deacon Ferry Soendjojo
are just the steward of all the blessing that
already belongs to God.
1. Why is it important to tithe?
He has poured upon us.
Leviticus 27:30, 32 – "30Every tithe of the
“First and foremost, God tells us in His
as an expression of honor and gratitude.
Word to tithe. We are to obey Him, thus we
‘Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with
are to tithe. Even if it doesn’t make sense to
the firstfruits of all your produce: then your
us, God is smarter than we are and His ways
barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats
are higher (Isaiah 55:8-9). He knows that
will be bursting with wine’” (Proverbs 3:9–
tithing is for our own good and that is why
10). 3
He tells us to do it.” 1
“Tithing teaches us obedience. When God asks us for something, we should be willing
“Tithing honors the Scriptural principles of
to give it freely and gladly. It teaches us
generously providing for religious leaders, trust. Surrendering ten percent of our gross giving to those in need, and laying up income is scary, especially if we have little to treasures in heaven.” 2
begin with.We are taught discipline by tithing, too. Doing something difficult routinely
“Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged
takes discipline. When we can be disciplined
to give the first part of our resources to God
with our money, we have a tremendous
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Easter 2012
land, whether of the seed of the land or of God’s wisdom as to how much we should
the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. 32 And every tithe of herds and
give (James 1:5). Many people believe that
flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass
the Old Testament tithe is a good principle
under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to
for believers to follow. Giving 10% of your
the Lord."
“Each of us should diligently pray and seek
income back to God demonstrates your thankfulness to Him for what He has
Offerings are exactly what it implies.There
provided and helps you to remember to rely
is no set amount to make it an offering. It
on God instead of on riches.” 5
is anything over the 10% that God requires that you decide to give because of your love
3. Do services for the church count as tithing?
for God and your thankfulness for what He has done for you.
Services for the church is considered as giving God the firstfruits of other resources
Deuteronomy 16:10 – Then you shall keep Easter 2012
53
the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God
in God's principles of finance.That way, they'll
strong leadership that seems to be lacking in
of inner commitment — or lack of it. It is
with the tribute of freewill offering from
understand that tithing is God-ordained, not
many marriages, husbands need to take the
material and financial surrender prompted
your hand, which you shall give as the Lord
just a personal desire that one spouse is
lead regarding tithing.
by spiritual surrender. However, if couples
your God blesses you.
trying to impose on the other. Giving should
do not tithe because one spouse objects to
come from the heart. As such, tithing is not a
If the unbelieving spouse is the husband, the
tithing, the subject should be placed "on the
An offering is something you decide. The
law but, rather, an indicator of obedience to
believing wife should submit to his wishes
back burner," until they are able to discuss
amount is not set. It is given according to the
all of God's laws. Because the tithe's purpose
and trust that her submissive attitude will
and study the principles of tithing together. 7
blessings you believe God has blessed you
is to be an individual or family testimony of
win him to the Lord (see 1 Peter 3:1-6).
with. This offering is given to the work of
God's ownership, it was never intended that
Remember it is not the money but the
God as well. It is a way you say, “Thank you!”
everyone should give the same amount or
6. What if I can’t pay my bills? Is attitude of the heart about which the Lord tithing still mandatory?
in the same way but that each should give
is most concerned. If wives have made
When we willingly surrender a tenth of our
Donations are monetary, or things you
bountifully and cheerfully (see 2 Corinthians
commitments to give and their husbands
income, especially when we believe we can't
have purchased, that you give to someone
9:6-7).
object to giving, God sees the desire of the
afford to, we're telling God, "I believe You
wives' hearts to tithe and He will honor that
will take care of me and provide for me."
in need. It is your decision to help the poor, to meet the needs of the needy, and to love
The problem becomes more complicated
commitment, even though wives honor their
God wants for us to be able to look beyond
your neighbor.
when one spouse is an unbeliever. Since it is
husbands' wishes. God will bless because of
our circumstances and rely on Him for our
the responsibility of the husband to be the
the wife's attitude, not because of giving.
needs. "Consider the ravens: they neither
This, again, is something you determine to
leader in his home, if the wife is an unbeliever,
do. There is no set amount, no determining
husbands must obey the Lord's direction.
However, a wife might still ask her husband
nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how
factor except your own heart. 6
Husbands need to realize, however, that the
to let her give an amount smaller than the
much more value are you than the birds!
Lord is more concerned about the wife's
tithe for at least a year. If, at the end of the
(Luke 12:24)
5. What if one spouse wants to tithe and the other doesn’t?
soul than about money. If tithing becomes
year, the family is worse off financially as a
an obstacle to the wife, husbands should
result of giving, she will agree to stop giving. The Bible does not mention anything about
Because tithing involves money, it is a
consider not tithing temporarily in order
If the family is better off, the husband may
"pausing" tithing. Neither does it say that we
prime candidate for controversy between a
to win their wives to the Lord. Husbands
agree to give more. In Malachi 3:10, the Lord
will go to Hell if we do not tithe.
husband and wife. However, if both spouses
need to counsel their wives, pray with
says to test Him in this thing (tithing). Often
are Christians, they should have a desire to
them, and seek their opinion and direction
this is just the opportunity for God to prove
Many people have observed that after they
please the Lord.
but according to God's Word the decision
Himself real to a doubting spouse.
stopped tithing, their finances seemed to get
sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse
is ultimately the husband's. Because most It's important for both spouses to be trained 54
Easter 2012
wives in America today are looking for the
Giving the tithe is the outward expression Easter 2012
55
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not relu uctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
worse. In the Book of Malachi, God promises
spiritual food (i.e. where you go to get your
that if you do not rob Him of your tithing, spiritual food). If you do not go to church He will rebuke your devourers and protect but still wish to tithe, then pray to God and allow Him to direct you as to where you
you.
should send your tithe. 9
If you cannot live off 90% of your income, 1 Marrazo, Cortni. Why It’s Importatnt to Keep Tithing in Tough Economic then you cannot live off 100%. It does not require a miracle for you to get through the month. I think that if you sit down and look at your budget, you will see that you can make it while giving at least 10%. Read the Bible and take from it what you will, and if you tithe, do it out of love for God, not guilt. 8
9 Why is Tithing Important? Advanced Training Institute Internationals.
TimesFaithTalk970.
2 Why is Tithing Important? Experts123.
3 Ibid 4 Christian Tithing: What Does the Bible Say
7. Can tithing only go to my local church? Typically, the tithe should be given to the local church where you worship. These gifts support your pastor and ministry staff members who are actively serving you, and they help maintain the work of the church in your community. As God prospers you and directs you, additional gifts can be given to other ministries that are advancing the
About Tithes? Essortment. 5 Should We Tithe off Our Gross or Net Income? GotQuestions.org 6 Baker, Greg. What is the Difference between Christian Tithes, Offerings, and Alms? Fitly Spoken. Jan. 09, 2012.
says bring all the tithes into the storehouse.
7 Crown Financial Ministries. Tithing When Your Spouse Objects. Focus on the Family.
The storehouse is where you obtain your
8 Ramsey, Dave. Dave’s Advice on Tithing
Gospel. The bible is very specific in Malachi 3:10. It
56
and Giving. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.
Easter 2012
J
esus said, “If anyone loves me, he will
commandments are an expression of His
keep my word, and my Father will love
divine nature. In light of Christ’s death on
him, and we will come to him and make
the cross, our obedience to His laws is an
our home with him. Whoever does not
expression of our love for Him. Obedience
love me does not keep my words. And the
to the law is an act of love; we are in effect
word that you hear is not mine but the
communicating to God our desire to be
Father's who sent me” (John 14:22-24). In
more and more like Him. By giving us His
His last moments with His disciples before
laws, He gives us an open invitation to
the crucifixion, Christ identified His Word
study His divine nature and to find joy
(His laws) as a reflection of Himself. God’s
in His holiness. Easter 2012
57
and hell; Christ and Satan; orthodoxy and
We can conclude that monism is more into
heresy; Christianity and paganism; traditional
wholeness than holiness; and do you see how
family and alternative family; authority and
monism presents a challenge and a stumbling
submission; and finally, it comes to our
block to accept Biblical views of relationship
subject here which is male and female. role? The most important role of the Father Monism looks out and sees the males
and the Son is that this relationship role is all
oppressing and abusing the females and
about manifesting authority and submission;
says, “The only solution to that problem of
and in the very center of the redemptive
oppression and domination and abuse is to
history, Christianity has this glorious picture
eliminate all distinctions between male and
of the Son, coming not to do His will but the
that
female, husband and wife, and to tolerate all
will of the Father who sent Him.
monism believes that all
decisions in human relationship.” Monism
is one – no distinction,
looks out and sees homosexuals being
all humanity is one, and
mistreated and abused by heterosexual. So
all
one.
how do you eliminate that? You eliminate
Monism believes that our
all distinction between homosexual and heterosexual; and you tolerate all decisions.
mean?
It
means
religions
are
great problem is that we have forgotten that we are one (we suffer from spiritual amnesia and if we could only be reminded that we are all one,
This is the second and most obvious ideological stumbling block for people in our cultures when it comes to male/female
In contrast, Christianity believes that there
role in our church and cultures. Broadly
is a Creator/creature distinction; God is
the egalitarian view says that a man and
monism believes that the solution to this
the Creator, and we are the creatures. woman, male and female are created equal Christianity believes that we are only in all respect. It argues that Genesis 1:26 one in Christ (that you are either in -27 makes no distinction between male and
great problem, that we have forgotten that
Christ or out of Christ, and humanity is not
female; that they are both ontologically and
we are one, is to look within.
one apart from Christ). Christianity believes
functionally equal. It goes on to say that it
that there is one truth and one way that is
was the fall that brought distinction and
The fundamental worldview clash between
Now, how does monism become one of
in Jesus Christ. Christianity believes that our
hierarchy into human relationships. And they
Christian theism and pagan monism comes
the stumbling blocks to gender roles?
great problem is sin which is alienation from
argue that in Christ, in Galatians 3:28 that
into bold relief in the area of gender-role
Because monism believes that all is one, it
God; and finally, Christianity believes that the
equality is restored through redemption
issues. What is monism? M-o-n-i-s-m really
denies the distinction between the Creator
only solution to this great problem of sin is
in Christ. They argue that Galatians 3:28
and the creatures; right and wrong; heaven
to look away from self and turn to Christ.
Here are the modern stumbling everything would be solved). And finally, blocks to gender roles 2:
just means “oneism”. What does it really 58
Easter 2012
Easter 2012
59
expresses the grand truth that in Christ the
responsibility of loving authority over the
this tradition of male leadership that we see
and marriage which are learned from
faults and sinful male/female hierarchy has
female, and the female is to offer willing and
in the Old Testament as well as in 1 Timothy
Ephesians 5:22-24:
been abolished, so that there is no legitimate
glad-hearted, submissive assistance to the
2:8-15. In all these ways, we respond to the
distinction in God’s kingdom between female
man. Genesis 1:26-27 indicates male and
assertion of egalitarianism, but egalitarianism
and male. Full male and female equality is
female created in God’s image, but Genesis
is indeed one of the major obstacles to
restored. Dignity is given back to women.
2 makes it clear that their humanity finds
embrace the Biblical approaches to genderrole issues.
expression differently in a relationship of Notice how egalitarianism buys into the
- Headship is the divine calling to a husband to take primary responsibility for being Christ-like, servant-leadership, and protection and provision at home.
complementarity with the female functioning
- Submission is the divine calling to a wife
monistic view: the problem was distinction, in a submissive role under the leadership and
to honor and affirm her husband’s leadership
and distinction did not exist in God’s original
authority of the male. The fall does indeed
but were brought into the world through sin. disrupt this plan, but it doesn’t disrupt the And so sin becomes distinction, and holiness
plan by introducing hierarchy. It introduces a
is non-distinction.The only crime left, as said
sinful expression of that hierarchy in which
today, is discrimination.Also in egalitarianism, there is on the woman’s part, a desire to they point to 1 Corinthians 12:7 and argue
usurp God-given authority and, on the man’s
that this distribution of God’s gifts to women
part, a temptation to use his authority in an
is yet another proof that God’s spiritual
abusive way. This role distinction continues
design is for total ontological and functional
even in the redemption in Christ, as you
equality between man and woman. They give
have seen in Ephesians 5:22-23 as the role
Biblical examples of female equality with
of husband and wife is discussed. And finally
males such as female leadership in Israel, to respond to specific arguments from the female participation in Jesus’s ministry, and
egalitarian position, first of all, we look at
female involvement in the early church.
Israel’s political and religious structures. They are almost exclusively male in their leadership and this by God’s calling and
In Genesis 1:26-27, we see an equality of essence and a distinction of role. Male and female both created equal in dignity, value, essence, and human nature, but male and female distinct in role. The man is given the 60
Easter 2012
command. Second, notice if we view Jesus as breaking the cultural expectations and norms; why didn’t He choose women amongst His twelve disciples? His choice of all male disciples suggests that He endorses
Referring to John Piper’s article 3, we can
and help carry it through according to her
conclude this subject of male/female gender
gifts.
role with two definitions (these principles
Footnote:
are applicable to both married couples and
1.
singles): - Authority refers to the divine calling of spiritual, gifted men to take primary
2. 3.
responsibility as elders for Christ-like, servant-leadership, and teaching in the church.
4.
Professional Woman Vital Statistic. http://www.pay-equity.org/PDFs/ ProfWomen.pdf Duncan III, J. Ligon. “Modern Stumbling Blocks to Gender Roles” Piper, John. “Affirming the Goodness of Manhood and womanhood in all of Life.” Other source: www..cbmw.org
- Submission refers to the divine calling of the rest of the church, both men and women, to honor and affirm the leadership and teaching of the elders and to be equipped by them for the hundreds of various ministries available to men and women in the ministry for Christ. These definitions are intentionally parallel to the definition of headship and submission Easter 2012
61
eorang bayi perempuan telah dilahirkan di dalam satu keluarga besar yang menyembah
patung
buddha,
dan
yang juga mempercayakan roh-roh yang meninggal berterbangan di udara sekitar anggota keluarga yang masih hidup dalam dunia. Selain juga mempercayakan roh-roh tersebut, dalam saat-saat tanggal, bulan dan tahun tertentu mereka sembayang atau menyembah kepada roh-roh itu. Semua 62
Easter 2012
Easter 2012
63
pengajaran mengenai kepercayaan keluarga
dalam dunia ini. Seakan-akan ada dorongan
keberadaan manusia yang lemah. Manusia
harus mengingatnya tapi juga dalam usia
ini telah berada di benak pikiran dan hati
yang cukup besar kepada Annie untuk
yang tidak sanggup menyelamatkan dirinya
dua belas tahun perintah Tuhan ini harus
bayi perempuan ini, Annie, dalam melewati
mengambil keputusan masuk dalam kelas
dari murka Tuhan karena dosa-dosa yang
dilakukan. Sudah waktunya dalam keluarga
kehidupannya.
yang mempelajari kekristenan.
diperbuat dan sudah berada di dalam diri
Annie
sejak dilahirkan. Tuhan yang begitu berkuasa
istimewa yang dimasak dengan demikian
menyiapkan
makanan-makanan
Dalam usia yang kesepuluh tahun Annie
Pelajaran kekristenan yang Annie pelajari
mengetahui dan melakukan yang terbaik
rupa, disusun dengan begitu rapinya diatas
mengikuti dan mempelajari pengetahuan-
membuat
untuk
untuk semua manusia ciptaanNya adalah
meja. Semua anggota keluarga Annie begitu
membuka sebuah buku yang dinamakan
mengorbankan Anak satu-satunya dilahirkan
repotnya menyusun meja dalam posisi
Alkitab. Dalam mempelajari
di dalam dunia untuk mengorbankan diriNya
tertentu menghadap keluar pintu depan,
pengetahuan dalam sekolah dasar yang juga memberikan pilihan-pilihan kepada
anak-anak
mempelajari
murid
dia
semakin
tertarik
mati di kayu salib
dengan menaruhkan
cara
dan dalam hari yang
foto
nenek
dan
Sangat
ketiga Dia bangkit
kakek
Annie
yang
Alkitab guru agama juga
agama
mengajarkan
buddha, islam, katolik
berdoa.
dan Kristen. Seorang
menarik sekali dalam
dari
kematian
sudah
guru
mepelajari
sudah
menebus
Setelah selesai semua
didalam
tidak
kelas
meninggalkan
kelas
selama
anak-
anak
murid
sedang
menikmati istirahat
waktu dan
kepada Tuhan yang
dosa-dosa manusia,
keberadaan
berbeda
dengan
yang saat ini ada di
atau
agama-agama lainnya.
surga dan juga di
meja tersebut, satu
tidak
dalam hati orang-
persatu
anggota
orang
orang yang percaya
keluarga
berdiri
Berdoa
bermain-
yang
mengharuskan
main diluar kelas. Guru ini
berdoa
meninggal. barang
makanan
di
harus dalam posisi tertentu
kepada-Nya sebagai Roh Kudus. Mengenal
bergiliran dengan memegang hio berhadapan
atau harus berhadapan dengan sebuah
Tuhan, Annie semakin mencintai Tuhan Yesus
meja dan foto-foto nenek dan kakek Annie,
nilai-nilai hasil ulangan murid-murid. Annie
patung seperti agama buddha, atau harus
yang dia kenal dan berusaha melakukan
dan mulai menutup mata berdoa kepada
mengunakan
menanyakan
mengunjungi tempat yang orang menganggap
perintah-perintahNya.
roh-roh mereka. Orang tua Annie memulai
kepada guru tersebut agama apa yang harus
suci. Annie mempelajari doa kepada Tuhan
dia pilih sebagai pelajaran agama didalam
hanya membutuhkan sikap hormat dengan
Perintah yang sangat menarik dalam hati
yang mereka percaya tersebut. Hati Annie
kurikulum sekolah dasar. Dengan penjelasan
pikiran dan hati kepada Tuhan, menutup mata
Annie adalah cintailah Tuhan Allahmu dengan
berdetak lebih cepat seperti dia sedang
yang lengkap, Annie berbicara dalam hatinya
dan melipatkan tangan. Semakin Annie berdoa
sepenuh hatimu, dan dengan sepenuh rohmu
berolah raga, pikirannya semakin takut dan
begitu
tentang
tiap-tiap hari, semakin dia memikirkan Tuhan
dan pikiranmu. Ini adalah yang pertama
melarangnya untuk melakukan penyembahan
Tuhan yang mengasihi ciptaannya dan
dalam kehidupannya. Tuhan yang dia pelajari
dan yang terbesar. Perintah Tuhan yang
itu. Sepertinya hanya Tuhan Yesus yang
mengorbankan dirinya untuk semua manusia
adalah Tuhan yang penuh kasih mengetahui
begitu tertarik untuk Annie bukan saja dia
bisa dia cintai dalam hatinya, rohnya dan
sedang mengamati dan memberikan
64
kesempatan
menariknya
Easter 2012
mengetahui
dulu dalam berdoa dan menyembah roh-roh
Easter 2012
65
yang sudah dia mencintai, Tuhan Yesus.
tuanya. Walaupun dia tahu saat Annie melakukannya, hati dan pikirannya hanya
Hari dan tahun berlewat begitu cepat, Annie
kepada Tuhan Yesus.Yang sangat penting buat
sudah mengunjungi gereja yang berada dekat
Annie adalah pergi kegereja menyembah dan
rumahnya setiap hari minggu.Dia senang sekali
mendengarkan Firman-Nya.
karena orang tuanya membiarkannya pergi ke gereja menyembah dan mendengarkan
Annie
firman-firmanNya. Dengan satu persyaratan
pengetahuan lebih dalam tentang Tuhan, saat
dalam kehidupan Annie adalah dia harus
itu dia memasuki sekolah katolik dengan
melakukan
harus
pilihan orang tua. Alasannya adalah sekolah
membawa sebuah tempat yang dalamnya ada
katolik itu adalah sekolah yang sangat bagus
arang-arang hitam dan ditaburkan wangian
untuk pendidikan dan masa depan anak.
cairan dan kemudian dibakar. Annie harus
SMP dan SMA Tarakanita II adalah tempat
“Penyuguhan”, Annie
membawanya
kesetiap
ruangan-
ruangan seluruh rumahnya. Setelah selesai dia harus menaruhkan tempat itu ke meja yang
bertumbuh
dewasa
dengan
untuk Annie meluaskan pengetahuanpengetahuannya
untuk
masa
depannya masuk universitas. Annie
mengeraskan
hatinya
selama
berada dalam satu
disekolah itu untuk
pikirannya. Buat Annie untuk sembayang dan
kamarnya. Orang tua Annie mengikutinya
ruangan
berdoa
menyembah nenek dan kakeknya yang sudah
duduk
penyembahan
gereja katolik di depan
meninggal adalah menghianati Tuhan Yesus
betapa pentingnya untuk Annie melakukan
nenek
patung yang semua
yang sangat dia cintai.
penyembahan itu kepada nenek moyangnya.
Hal
Annie tetap menolak melakukannya, hal
Annie lakukan tiap
Annie harus mengambil tindakan segera
yang Annie lakukan membuat orang tua
jam 6 sore dan tiap-
apa yang harus dia lakukan saat-saat dia
Annie dengan keras memberikan perintah
tiap hari. Annie satu saat
sudah mendapatkan giliran menghadap meja
dengan mengatakan kalau Annie menentang
menanyakan dirinya kenapa
sembayang tersebut. Annie menatap orang
kepercayaan mereka, Annie bukan lagi
hanya dia saja yang harus melakukan
tuanya dan dengan cepatnya dia menaruh
anggota
menanggis
hal tersebut. Annie dengan setia melakukan
kepada Tuhan Yesus dia bisa berdoa dan
hio tersebut, lalu lari masuk kedalam
dan
pertolongan Tuhan
hal itu hanya untuk menyenangkan orang
menyembah-Nya. Tuhan yang Annie percaya
66
Easter 2012
disampingnya
dan
keluarganya. Annie
berdoa
minta
menjelaskan
tempat moyang.
ini
harus
orang
di
dalam
menyebutnya
patung Maria. Di dalam pikiran dan hati Annie, dia harus menunjukan sebagai saksi yang baik di sekitar temantemannya dan guru-gurunya bahwa hanya
Easter 2012
67
dan Annie cintai adalah Tuhan yang tidak
tangisan dan puasa Annie berdoa pada Tuhan
berbentuk patung atau tempat, karena Tuhan
kalau temannya bisa terima keselamatan
itu tidak dibatasi dengan tempat dan waktu. Tuhan Yesus yang sudah ditawarkan dari Dia ada dimana-mana terutama di surga dan
Nothing In Vain By Willy Kusdono
Tuhan. Dengan keajaiban kuasa Tuhan,
hati anak-anakNya yang percaya kepada-Nya. akhirnya teman Annie menerima Tuhan Yesus dan dibaptis di gereja dimana Annie
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Waktu sudah ditetapkan oleh orangtua
menyembah Tuhan Yesus tiap-tiap minggu.
Annie selesai SMA, Annie harus pergi
Annie memuji nama Tuhan Yesus dan
The message in the verse, Proverbs
“say-so” over everything that I did in my life.
jauh ke negara asing untuk meneruskan
berterima kasih kepada-Nya, karena belas
3:5-6, has been a commandment from the
Whether or not I thought this job would
pendidikan dalam universitas. Saat-saat Annie
kasihan dan cinta kasih-Nya sangatlah besar.
Lord that I have kept throughout the years
benefit to me, if it wasn’t part of the Lord’s
of my life. Various times I have been faced
plan, then it would, in a matter of fact, be
mempelajari pengetahuan keperluan major yang sangat disukainya di Amerika, Annie
Annie mengetahui dan mempercayakan
by trials, but trusting in the Lord is what has
in vain. If my new business was not part of
mengenal dan tertarik dengan seorang pria
Firman-firman dan janji-janji Tuhan, perintah
been able to help me push through the bur-
God’s plan for my future, then I knew that
yang menurut hatinya sangat baik. Mereka
Tuhan yang selalu Annie ingat seumur
dens. One event in my life where I had to
He would lead me towards another path.
menjalin hubungan baik sebagai teman dekat. hidupnya adalah
utilize this commandment was during times
Thankfully, my new business has proven to
Saat-saat Annie berada dengan teman dekat
of starting a new business. I knew that in or-
be a part of God’s plan. Even through con-
itu, dia selalu rindu mengenalkan Tuhan yang
“ Love the Lord Your God with all your
der to provide for my upcoming, future fam-
tinuous trials, my business has been able to
sangat dia cintai dengan sepenuh hati, roh
heart and with all your soul and with all
ily, I would need an occupation that would
fulfill the needs of my family.
dan pikiranya. Setiap saat Annie menjelaskan
your mind.This is the first and greatest
fulfill the needs and necessities of my family.
Tuhan Yesus, Annie berdoa dengan harapan
commandment”
With the future unknown, I trusted in the
(Matthew
22:
37:38).
Many times, God’s plan does not work in the favor of a person’s plan.
It
dekatnya. Dia percaya dengan sepenuh
Selama
hati, bahwa Tuhan mumpunyai kekuasaan
perintah Tuhan itu, semakin keadaan dalam
Lord and let Him take care of all my worries. may be difficult to accept the truth that the Everything was in God’s plan. Whether my Lord has already set another path in one’s new business would be a success or failure life. Still, trusting in the omniscient God can
yang sangat besar untuk menyelamatkan
kehidupannya menguji dia untuk mencintai
was His decision. As I waited for God’s plan
seseorang. Annie berjanji untuk tidak akan
Tuhan lebih lagi atau mencintai semua yang
bernikah dengan seorang pria yang dia kasihi
ada di dunia yang fana ini. Dengan kekuatan
andaikan orang tersebut menolak Tuhan
dari Tuhan saja Firman dan perintah-Nya
for my future to unravel, I kept another verse, not seem to be clear at first. Trusting your Psalms 127:1, in my mind, which says, “Unless life completely into God’s hands and leavthe LORD builds the house, the builders la- ing His will to fulfill what your future holds
Yesus. Sudah 8 tahun lewat dengan cepat
bisa dilakukan oleh Annie dan orang-orang
bor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over
does not mean that you can just “be lazy”.
Annie mendekati teman dekatnya kepada
yang sudah diberikan keselamatan dari Tuhan
the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” This
First doing your part and then leaving the re-
Tuhan Yesus dan Firman-firmanNya. Dengan
Yesus.
verse meant to me that God had the final
mainder in the hands of God will determine
Tuhan Yesus pun akan menyelamatkan teman
68
Easter 2012
Annie
berusaha
melakukan
guarantee the best for us, even though it may
Easter 2012
69
Kita semua pasti menyadari jika tidak ada
yang harus diterapkan untuk mengatur
aturan dan hukum yang mengatur masyarakat
jalannya kehidupan masyarakat yang terlibat
pasti akan terjadi kekacauan dan kehancuran
di dalamnya. Demikian juga, sebagai bagian
di dalam masyarakat tersebut. Setiap rumah
dari keluarga Kristus, kita juga mempunyai
tangga, sekolah, perkumpulan, gereja ataupun
suatu hukum untuk mengatur kehidupan
negara pasti mempunyai standard dan hukum
orang-orang Kristen agar berjalan sesuai
70
Easter 2012
Easter 2012
71
dengan kehendak Tuhan. (Ulangan 6:1-3) Dan
hadapi. Orang tua harus mempersiapkan
hukum Tuhan dari sejak usia dini (mungkin
hukum itu adalah Firman Tuhan dimana kita
anak-anak mereka dan menetapkan suatu
dari sejak mereka sudah mulai belajar
tahu bahwa Firman Tuhan tidak akan berubah
landasan yang kuat dan tidak akan goncang
berbicara) karena anak-anak itu seperti
dari dulu sampai selamanya. Oleh sebab itu
dalam menghadapi tantangan dari arus
sponge, mereka dengan cepat menyerap apa
orang tua harus mendidik anak-anak yang
jaman ini yang semakin hari semakin besar.
saja yang mereka dengar, lihat, dan pelajari.
dititipkan Tuhan untuk mengenal Firman
Seperti sebiji buah jika kita tanam di tanah yang subur, disirami, dan diberi pupuk dengan
Doa adalah kunci dan perisai utama bagi
rajin, niscaya biji itu akan tumbuh menjadi
anak-anak Tuhan untuk mengenal dan
suatu tanaman yang akan menghasilkan buah
berkomunikasi dengan Tuhan. Orang tua
yang baik. Demikian juga dengan anak. Jika
harus mengajarkan pada anak-anak bahwa
dari kecil mereka sudah dibiasakan berdoa, doa adalah nafas orang Kristen. Jadikan membaca Firman Tuhan, dan menerapkannya
doa sebagai prioritas dalam kehidupan
dalam hidup mereka, mereka akan tumbuh
rumah tangga dan bagian dalam setiap
menjadi anak-anak yang mencintai Tuhan. aspek dan kehidupan keluarga. Dengan
Tuhan dan hidup di dalamNya sejak usia dini. Di dalam Ulangan 6:7, “haruslah engkau mengajarkannya
berulang-ulang
kepada
Secara kita sadari ataupun tidak, dunia
anak-anakmu dan membicarakannya apabila
bergerak dengan begitu cepat ke arah
engkau duduk di rumahmu, apabila engkau
modernisasi di segala aspek dalam kehidupan
sedang dalam perjalanan, apabila engkau
kita. Anak-anak jaman sekarang jauh lebih
berbaring dan apabila engkau bangun.” Tuhan
kritis dibandingkan dengan anak-anak jaman
memerintahkan semua orang tua harus
sebelumnya. Oleh karena itu tantangan
dengan rajin mendidik anak-anak mereka
sebagai orang tua pun semakin besar di
mengenal ajaran, hukum, dan perintah Tuhan
jaman yang semakin modern ini. Orang tua
sehingga anak-anak mempunyai konsep
pun harus lebih peka dan bijaksana dalam
yang Biblical tentang hal yang benar dan
mengatasi tantangan yang anak-anak sekarang
salah.Orang tua harus mulai mengajarkan
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Easter 2012
Di dalam Amsal 22:6 dikatakan, “Didiklah
demikian anak-anak dapat belajar untuk
orang muda menurut jalan yang patut
bergantung pada Tuhan dan berkomunikasi
baginya, maka pada masa tuanya pun ia tidak
dengan Tuhan.
akan menyimpang dari pada jalan itu.” Jika
pusat dalam setiap sisi kehidupan mereka.
Biarlah Tuhan
menjadi
anak sudah mempunyai landasan yang kuat di dalam Firman Tuhan, mereka pasti bisa lebih siap dan teguh berdiri menghadapi tantangan dari dunia ini. Walaupun mungkin mereka bisa jatuh ke dalam berbagai-bagai
Orang tua harus membiasakan anak-anak
pencobaan
mereka
untuk membaca Firman Tuhan karena
ataupun dari dunia ini, pasti mereka lebih
Firman Tuhan itu seperti pelita yang akan
peka untuk mendengarkan teguran dari
menerangi hati dan pikiran anak-anak Tuhan.
dari
teman-teman
Tuhan dan berbalik kepada jalan Tuhan. Jika Firman Tuhan sudah tertanam dalam hati anak-anak, pada saat mereka menghadapi masalah, Firman Tuhan akan bekerja di dalam hati mereka untuk memberikan kekuatan, Easter 2012
73
teguran ataupun penghiburan bagi mereka.
ajaran mereka. Bukan hanya mereka tidak
Banyak sekali tersedia Alkitab anak-anak
akan mendengarkan nasehat orang tua
yang menarik dan gampang dimengerti
mereka, tetapi mereka akan menjadi anak-
oleh anak-anak. Orang tua juga dapat
anak pemberontak. Oleh karena itu, orang
membaca Alkitab bersama-sama mereka dan
tua haruslah berusaha dengan sungguh-
membantu mereka memahaminya. Orang
sungguh
tua tidak memerlukan gelar Theology untuk
sesuai dengan buah-buah roh (Tetapi buah
mengajarkan Firman Tuhan kepada anak-
Roh ialah: kasih, sukacita, damai sejahtera,
anaknya dan jangan hanya mengandalkan
kesabaran, kemurahan, kebaikan, kesetiaan,
sekolah minggu yang hanya satu kali seminggu
kelemahlembutan, penguasaan diri – Galatia
mengajarkan Firman Tuhan kepada anak-
5:22-23). Jangan menjadi orang tua yang
anak. Tugas gereja hanya membantu tugas
memaksa anak mereka berkelakuan baik
orang tua mengajarkan Firman Tuhan kepada
hanya untuk menjaga nama baik dan muka
anak-anak mereka dan bukan tanggung
keluarga saja atau hanya untuk dilihat orang.
menjalani
kehidupan
whether what you have done was a part of God’s plan. On the other hand, attempting to exhibit total control over a task or trial without letting the Lord regulate and or-
mereka
jawab sepenuhnya yang dapat menggantikan tanggung jawab utama orang tua. Setiap orang tua harus bisa mempertanggungjawabkan sendiri kepada Tuhan atas anak-anak yang hanya dititipkan Tuhan di tangan mereka.
chestrate His plan will prove everything you have done to be in vain. Overall, one’s trust in the Lord is what is necessary for leaving the burdens up to the Lord. Without this yang besar di dalam dunia modern ini. primary trust, one will not be able to lift up Pantau juga pergaulan mereka. Orang tua his or her future in the hands of God in the perlu mengetahui latar belakang teman-
first place. If one loves the Lord with all of
teman anak-anak mereka terutama anak-
his or her heart, he or she should be able
anak yang sudah beranjak remaja karena
to trust the Lord with whatever troubles he
mereka lebih mendengar perkataan teman-
or she faces. This is because the Lord will
teman daripada orang tua mereka. Ajak
have complete control over anything that
anak-anak beraktifitas yang sehat seperti
obstructs one’s path. This trust in the Lord
outing bersama-sama keluarga Kristen yang
should not come with anxiousness or anxi-
lain, atau berolah raga bersama-sama, dll. ety, but with peace, comfort, and joy, knowing that God’s plan is always the right plan for all
Orang tua harus menjadi contoh bagi anakanak mereka dalam menjalani kehidupan sehari-hari. Anak-anak tidak akan mendengar nasehat orang tua mereka, jika kelakuan
Pantau juga internet yang mereka lihat
mereka tidak sesuai dengan perkataan dan
karena dunia maya mempunyai peranan
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Easter 2012
Sebagai orang tua Kristen yang sudah
of us. Whether God’s plan turns out to be
mengenal kebenaran Firman Tuhan, kita
an immediate “yes” or results in a long wait,
harus meneruskan iman kepercayaan kita di
one should always be patient but remain at
dalam Kristus kepada anak-anak yang telah
peace, even when trusting the Lord with the
dipercayakanTuhan di tangan kita. Kalau orang
most important and impactful decision of his
tua gagal dalam mendidik anak-anak mereka
or her life. Because only God knows the fu-
dalam Firman kebenaran Tuhan dan gagal
ture for each and every one of His children,
membangun karakter Kristus dalam hidup
we should trust the Lord joyfully with all our
anak-anak mereka, apakah bedanya orang
hearts and let Him orchestrate His power
tua “dunia” dan orang tua Kristen? [END]
over every aspect of our lives. [HK] Easter 2012
75
Taken From www.atimetolaugh.com.au
Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com
Taken From www.atimetolaugh.com.au
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Easter 2012
