Uncovering Idols (Part 1): Meteorology and the Idol of Future Control

Note: Over the next few weeks I will be posting the manuscripts from a series I am preaching titled “Uncovering Idols.”

Introduction

Last week Laura and left for Nashville, Tennessee late afternoon for a conference that was beginning the next day. It was about dinner time so we stopped in a small town in Western North Carolina named Canton. We began to notice a strange stench; to us it was a horrible smell- a smell we could not get away from (in other words it wasn’t inside coming from insider the car)

For those of you who know the area, Canton is the home of Blue Ridge Paper Products- a paper mill, and paper mills smell. Anyway, we ate and as we got back on the highway I began thinking to myself. “I wonder of the people of Canton are even aware of that smell? They live and breathe that air. I tell you this story becuase in many ways this is the way idolatry functions in our culture. It’s the air we breath.

An Important Distinction in Idols: The Overt and Covert[1]

For most people, the subject of idolatry conjures up pictures of a “primitive people bowing down before statures.”[2] We would be pretty safe to say that when most people think of “idols” they picture literal statues- which is what we might call “overt idolatry.” An example of overt idols would be “the golden calf” that the people of Israel worshiped in Exodus 32. It was a literal statue, an “overt idol.” Even today, there are people across our world who worship “overt” idols- consider Hinduisms many god’s.

Tonight we are going to focus on a different type of idolatry, one that runs rampant in our culture, a type of idolatry that may be the most dangerous because it is so elusive, so obscure, so concealed, so “covert.” See, our idols are not the “overt” idols seen in Hindu temples, but the covert idolatry of the human heart. Actually, I would argue that it’s better to understand idolatry as a posture of the heart, rather than a religious practice. Therefore idolatry is not constrained to false religions; an idol can be anything, literally.

The human heart has a powerful way of taking anything and turning it into the ultimate thing. We have this uncanny ability to take anything that gives us significance, security, comfort, safety, and fulfillment, and place it as the center of our lives. “An idol is anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”[3]

How Does Meteorology reveal idolatry?

Some of you are still trying to figure out the point of my title for this post. What does meteorology have to do with idolatry? Nothing in and of itself; but meteorology (weather reports and forecasts) reveal something that we as a people value, something we are concerned about. See, the weather report and forecast are permanent fixtures in the news. They are very practical and convenient as a reference point for “future planning.”

Let me clarify something, we are not exploring the scientific discipline of meteorology, we are examining meteorology as “cultural phenomenon.” In other words, “what does our cultures [reliance, maybe even] fascination with weather reports [and forecasts] say about who we are and what concerns us?”[4]

I thought it would be interesting to test this concept with an actual meteorologist. I had the privilege of interviewing WXII’s meteorologist Austin Caviness this past week, we talked a few minutes about “weather reports” and “forecasts.”

See, forecasting is simply, the process of estimation in unknown situations. Austin’s job is really to “prepare people for what lies ahead.” This is not wrong in and of itself. But, he quickly pointed out that “people want to it to be right, they get upset when its not.” That’s the key- how we respond when things don’t go as expected.- What does this reveal about us? I think Austin nailed it when he said; “we want to fill like we can control the things we can’t. It takes us out of our comfort zone when we can’t control our expectations for a situation. It’s a way we protect ourselves.” When our future expectations are not met, how we respond reveals what’s truly in our hearts.

See, on a much deeper level I believe that our concern with the weather reveals a deeper anxiety over the future – here is the reality of our situation;

1. Because we cannot fully see the immediate future. We don’t know exactly what will happen in the years, months, weeks, even moments to come. We can estimate.
2. But, without being able to fully see all the things ahead, we cannot control certain situations our specific outcomes in our future.

‘Meteorology’ is just one (maybe even trivial) cultural expression of an attempt to find security in the unknowns of the future. Think about insurance (being covered for the future), financial planning (making sure you have your assets alighted for the future), there are 10,000 examples of good things that we do to prepare for the unknown.

When facing the unknown – we can feel somewhat helpless. So we forecast, because the illusion of control helps us “deal with that uncertainty”. Remember, and idol is anything that we find our security, comfort, safety, and fulfillment in other than God, “anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”[5]

For many people, the illusion of “future control” can be a very covert idolatrous posture of the heart. If we are not careful our concern over the future can absorb our lives. In fact, we can begin to act as if “control” over the future gives us only what God can- security, comfort, and safety.

“Hold your future with open hands.”

The Attitude and Action of Unbelief revealing the “Idol of Future Control.”

Idolatry deeply affects the way one thinks, behaves, and lives. Idolatry always produces attitudes and actions that reveal what the heart reveres.

A.) Attitude of Unbelief: “The Idol of Future Control” is rooted in Anxious Fearfulness- Matthew 6:34

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

In this passage Jesus is addressing the disciples. He is basically saying, worrying about tomorrow is nonsensical, because today has enough to occupy our attention and it does no good to dwell on the situations of tomorrow (the inevitable, possible, or hypothetical) Honestly, we all worry about many things, but we often get obsessed with the wrong things. Almost any of your worry’s can hijack the controls of your mind. So we need to start by asking “what do I worry about”, but that will get you nothing but a big list.

1. I am worried that I won’t get that job, or job promotion.
2. I am worried because I won’t have enough saved for retirement.
3. I am worried because I have a family history of cancer.
4. I am worried because my older child has strayed away from the faith.
5. I am worried because I am getting older and don’t know if I’ll ever get married.
6. I am worried because we have been trying to have children for 3 years, and it’s not working.[6]

The list goes on and on. While these things are good to identify, we need to learn to pull the roots up on these problems. The deeper and more important question is “why do I worry about these things?” What is it in these things that you are trying to obtain? Worry assumes the possibility of control over the un-controllable. So the attitude of unbelief often leads to actions aimed at “controlling the future.” So the attitude or root of the “Idol of Future Control” is usually anxious fearfulness.

B.) Acting on Unbelief: “The Idol of Future Control” is often revealed in Arrogant Confidence- James 4:13-14

What do I mean by arrogant confidence? I mean the illusion that we know how the future ought to be, therefore we are going to bring it about ourselves. To this mindset we should be reminded of the words of James; (James 4:13-14)

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

In this particular passage James is writing to combat boastful arrogance in his readers. James is not forbidding any type of planning here, or even forbidding concern for the future altogether. But, James is warning from “any type of planning for the future that stems from human arrogance in our ability to determine the course of future events.”[7] Worriers act as if they might be able to control the un-controllable. Central to worry is the illusion that we can control things. “I am going to this town or that”, I am “going to spend a year there” and make much profit.

1. If only I could get that job, or job promotion everything would be secure.
2. If only I had enough saved for retirement we could be comfortable.
3. If only I get my diet and exercise right I can overcome our family history of cancer.
4. If only I can get my child rearing techniques right, my other kids wont turn out like my prodigal son.
5. If only I can find someone to marry I will be complete.
6. If God would give us children, we would be happy.

See, worry assumes the possibility of control over the uncontrollable. Sure you can take preventative measures to set yourself in a better place, but you cannot completely control the future. This is essentially what James is asking here, “how do you finite creatures presume to dictate the course of future events” as if you know better than God almighty. The obvious sin in this approach to this approach is having no regard for God as you plan for the future. And it’s not just that forgetting God is evil (of course it is), it’s not just that this attitude boastful, arrogant, and proud. The greater evil is that when your forget God, you assume God’s place. We were created in the image of God, in other words God built us to reflect him.

But, our sin has distorted us and how we reflect God. In other words, in our sin we even seek to reflect God in sinful ways.- What do I mean?- Let’s work this out a second. When talking about God we describe Him according to his attributes. His attributes being the characteristics or qualities that express His nature. Typically we classify God’s attributes into his moral and non-moral attributes. This is important;

1. Moral attributes: The attributes that humans share with God. (Patient, holy, truth, love, etc.)
2. Non-moral attributes: The attributes that humans do not share with God. (Self-existent, all-powerful, all-knowing, and sovereign, etc.)

Here is the point: Under the influence of sin, we tend to care less about reflecting God moral attributes (love, patience, holiness), but what we want more than anything else is to reflect him in his non-moral attributes (self-existence, all-knowing, all-powerful) When facing our uncertain, and often scary future; (think about this)

1. We would rather be All-knowing, than patient.
2. We would rather be All-powerful, than loving…

Sinfully we desire God’s non-moral attributes, because we think “control = comfort and security.[8] (This is an illusion)

Why is this devastating?

“We are but images of God, not the real thing. We are shadows and echoes. So there will always be an emptiness of in the soul that struggles to be satisfied with the resources of self.”[9] Sure, you can take preventative measures to prepare for the future, but ultimately you cannot control the future. This is always revealed when our expectations or desires for future circumstances or outcomes are not obtained. We become angry and confused, because things are not the way we wanted them. You assumed the place of God without considering that God may have other plans. Ultimately you bow down to the idol of future control rather than the only God of the universe who knows eternity in its entirety.

Let me propose to you that “the root of worry/anxiety is unbelief.”[10] Even more so, unbelief is the reason we act in arrogant confidence.

1. The Root of Unbelief: Anxious Fearfulness
2. The Fruit of Unbelief: Arrogant Confidence

Idolatry is always connected to unbelief. It is turning to anything other than God for a sense of security and comfort because we don’t trust God. Now, since the Idol of Future control is rooted in unbelief, we need to learn to fight for faith. Let’s apply some biblical doctrine as armor for the fight of faith.

Truth to Destroy the “Idol of Future Control”

1. God is in control of all things, therefore we don’t need to control the future.

Often times, “We don’t just want His word that he will be with us; we want Him to show us the end from the beginning, and prove to us that He can be trusted. We want to know what tomorrow will bring instead of being content with simple obedience on the journey.”[11] Let me be clear here. You don’t need to know the future, and most likely God is not going to show you the future. When we obsess about the future we get anxious. Anxiety is simple “living out the future before it get’s here.” This is why James says in 4:

“you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

“If the Lord wills.” This is one of the clearest texts on God sovereignty in the Bible. James is confronting his readers and arguing that we must live our lives believing that all of our plans are subject to the sovereign will of God. God is all-knowing, God is all-powerful and what God wills will be. Period. Trust that, and trust him. We are humbled when looking to the future because we don’t control it; God does. God is our hope, the future is not our hope- therefore we don’t need to control the future, we need to be content with knowing that God is in control. We must repent of our sinful desire to control the future, and walk into the future with our confidence in God, “not because the future is known to us, but because it is known to God.” We trust Him fully.

2. God will supply all of our needs, therefore we should not obsessively worry about the future.

Matthew 6:25-26 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

God provides you with life itself, we He not sustain you, provide for you? Look at the birds, they are more helpless than you…they cannot grow their own food, they cant even make a sandwich, and God provides for them. God knows what we need for life. God knows when we will die, we will die. As long as He wants us to live- will he not provide us with the necessities of life? Plus, worrying and fretting about the future will not “add one single hour to our lives, “and it will certainly not add any happiness or holiness either.”[12]

Listen to Jesus question, “and which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)

This is almost funny when you process what he is saying. You worry and fret about “how you will continue living”, and it will not add anymore time to your lifespan. Worry is a spiritual issue that must be fought with faith. We must believe that God has mercy for today’s troubles, and no matter what comes tomorrow we will have fresh mercy every morning. I think there is much wisdom in the words of C.S. Lewis on this point. He argues that we should be “living each day as though it were our last, but planning as though our world might last a hundred years.”[13] We need to learn how to hold our future with open hands. If we don’t we will continually act like the school girl who got angry at the weather man because he got the forecast wrong.

- “Hold your future with open hands.” -

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• [1] I am indebted to Paul Tripp for making this distinction in his book Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands (69, 2002).
• [2] Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods, xi, 2009.
• [3] Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods, xvii, 2009.
• [4] Kevin Vanhoozer, Everyday Theology, 20, 2007.
• [5] Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods, xvii, 2009.
• [6] This list is an adapted form of one found in David Powlisons book Seeing with New Eyes (115, 2003).
• [7] Douglas Moo, The Letter of James, 202, 2000.
• [8] This insight was drawn by Tim Keller in a sermon based on James 4:13-14 titled “Worry.”
• [9] John Piper, Future Grace, 94, 1995.
• [10] D.A. Carson, Matthew, 181, 1984.
• [11] Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something, 47, 2009.
• [12] Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something, 56, 2009
• [13] C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock: Cross Examination, 266, 1963.

Reflections on ‘Together for Adoption 09′

This past weekend Laura and I traveled to the “Together for Adoption” conference at Christ Community Church in Tennessee. We joined 600 others in a weekend of reflecting on the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it empowers the church for orphan care.

Looking back over the weekend I am thoroughly refreshed and encouraged that the central theme of the weekend was the gospel of Jesus Christ- not that I expected anything less, but often times the gospel message is assumed at Christian conferences. The gospel was proclaimed and applied to orphan care in a way that glorified God.

Laura and I are in the process of adopting a baby from Ethiopia. (You can read about it here or here.) While listening to the speakers I wrote down some key thoughts, things to process and develop. Below I will try to summarize the truths that impacted me most. Obviously I cannot cover everything that was helpful…

1. Theological Foundation: Adoption brings to light the reality of a fallen world, and proclaims our hope in Christ.

Scotty Smith spoke about “The Freedom of Adoption” where he reflected on the doctrine of adoption and its implications on the Christian life.  His main points were very helpful, 1.) The Freedom of Legal Rights: Adoption secures us in a state of objective blessings, 2.) The Freedom of Personal Delights: Adoption calls us into the realm of subjective wonder, 3.) The Freedom of a Missional Life: Adoption propels into the world with sacrificial hope.

At one point Smith developed the idea that ‘the very existence of orphans shows us that something has truly gone wrong in creation order.’ Exploring that thought he gave a powerful quote that is enough to drive one to worship;

“There is a day coming when the very word orphan will be eliminated from the human vocabulary.”

Is this not the point of Romans 8:18-25? That creation groans with the pains of childbirth. All of creation is, as Smith said, “pregnant with glory, and there is no possibility of miscarriage.”

2. Individual Implication: As a Christian, be careful not to find your identity or assurance in the ‘good work’ of orphan care, but in Christ alone.

Dan Cruver spoke from James 1:26-27 on the “3 Aspects of True Religion.” Those things being- 1.) Controlling the Tongue, 2.) Visiting Orphans and Widows, 3.) Being Unstained from the World. Dan did a great job of uncovering the heart issues of these three aspects, rather than focusing on the behavior that exposes them. He argued; “If the church is to be truly mobilized to care for orphans, the other two aspects cannot be neglected.”

Cruver’s message was very timely, and on point. I will not regurgitate the whole thing, but I did want to point out a very helpful warning that he gave to those of us who are adopting. From James 1 Dan argued that ‘worldliness’ is “performance based living.” This is key to understanding true religion. Because the religions of the world are based off performance. It is very easy for those who are adopting to find their identity in the great social cause of orphan care, which is very dangerous. So here is the question “where does your primary sense of identity come from?”

In many ways Kevin Twit’s (from Indelible Grace) breakout session on “Adoption and Assurance” built upon the main idea of Cruvers message. Too often Christians find their worth in what “they do.” He said, “the biggest problem Christians have with assurance comes from looking at your faith rather than looking at Jesus.” If you are always assessing what you “should do”, then you are condemned by your very definition of Christianity. Don’t get it twisted. God does not love you because you do ‘X’, you do ‘X’ because God loves you. This is something we must always fight as Christians.

3. Corporate Implication: As the body of Christ, the gospel calls us to be involved in social issues like adoption.

Scott Roley said “we holler loud against abortion,” so why aren’t we “standing up for orphan care.” In other words, how does the gospel inform our involvement in issues of social justice? Ed Stetzer pointed out that “even the un-churched know that Jesus was involved in social justice, and they often wonder why the church is not.” We cannot separate the great commission from the great commandment, these two help define the mission of the church- to proclaim Christ for salvation and to serve.

We must be careful not to separate the two. Many churches become renowned for their service, but never proclaim the message of salvation. Stetzer said, “if we loose the gospel we loose our mission.” We need to be careful because the outside world will resist one (gospel) and praise the other (social causes).

This will not be easy, as Russell Moore reminded us in the last session. “We can love the idea, but when it comes down to it” we need to follow through. He made an interesting point in closing, “we could learn much in the laboratory of orphan care how we ought to operate as the body of Christ.” There is a strong element of dying to self involved. Which will be hard for the American church because it means we must “love people more than we love stuff.”

Again, these are just some brief overarching thoughts, I would encourage you to go back and listen to these talks. The main sessions are now available from Together for Adoption;

• Dan Cruver, Adoption: Making Outsiders Insiders
• Scotty Smith, The Freedom of Adoption
• Scott Roley, Adoption and the Pursuit of Racial Reconciliation
• Ed Stetzer, The Gospel, Social Justice and the Missional Church
• Michael Easley, Orphan Care and Jesus, the Great Servant of the Poor
• Russell Moore, Adoption and the Renewal of Creation

Thank you Dan Cruver and Jason Kovacs for putting this conference together. To God be the glory.

Resources on ‘God & Money’- Tithe, Stewardship, and Proper Use.

1. Resources on Tithing

a. Extensive

Andreas J. Kostenberger, A Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of New Testament Principles (25 pages).

Andreas J. Kostenberger, A Study of Tithing in the Old and New Testaments (26 pages).

b. Concise

Andreas J. Kostenberger, To Tithe or not to Tithe?

D.A. Carson, Are Christians Required to Tithe?

2. Resources on Stewardship

Tim Keller, Stewardship: Kingdom, Mission, and Money- Part 1.

-         Leaders Guide

-         Participants Guide

Tim Keller, Stewardship: Kingdom, Mission, and Money- Part 2.

-         Leaders Guide

-         Participants Guide

3. Resource on the Proper use of Money

John Piper, Money: The Currency of Christian Hedonism

Mike Bullmore, What We Should Do with Our Money

4. Other Helpful Links

Generous Giving: Online Library

Desiring God: Resources on Money

Edmund Clowney and Tim Keller on Gospel Centered Preaching and Teaching

One of the things I try to use my blog for is pointing teachers and preachers to good gospel-centered resources. Resources that help one grasp and teach the Bible with a Christ-centered focus. It’s been said that ‘preaching and teaching- instruct the listener on how to read, study, and understand the Bible.’ Therefore it is important that we as teachers help our listeners grasp the gospel of Jesus Christ with all its implications. (2 Timothy 1:13-14)

Reformed Theological Seminary has posted a wonderful (and free) lecture series on iTunes University that helps one understand how to teach and preach with a Christ-centered focus. These lectures were recorded in a seminary classroom taught by Dr. Edmund P. Clowney and Dr. Timothy J. Keller. Here are the titles of the lectures;

1. Introduction to the Christ-Centered Model and an Introduction to the Christ-Centered Exposition.

2. Expounding Christ: Structure of Redemptive History (1)

3. Expounding Christ: Structure of Redemptive History (2)

4. Applying Christ: Introduction Into Christ-Centered Application

5. Applying Christ: Getting to Christ

6. Expounding Christ: Structure of Redemptive History (3)

7. Expounding Christ: Telling God’s Story, Narrative Analysis

8. Applying Christ: Getting Down to Earth (1)

9. Applying Christ: Getting Down to Earth (2)

10. Expounding Christ: The Parable of the Prodigal Son

11. Expounding Christ: Christ and the Law

12. Applying Christ: Getting Inside Their World (1)

13. Applying Christ: Getting Inside Their World (2)

14. Expounding Christ: Christ in the Psalms

15. Expounding Christ: Christ in Wisdom Literature

16. Adoring Christ: Spiritual Reality

17. Expounding Christ: Asking Questions, Discourse Analysis

18. Adoring Christ: Communion With God

The “unofficial” notes for this class can be found here.

I would recommend that every pastor and teacher listen to these lectures (in the car, while walking, while mowing the grass…). I don’t care if you have been teaching or preaching for 30 years, don’t ever think that you are beyond learning.

One of the biggest hindrances to the gospel is non-Christian preaching- moralism, legalism, self-help, and vague religious talk. This tragedy of non-Christian preaching and teaching happens in pulpits and classrooms all across American Christian churches and seminaries, and is often done in ignorance.

Here is a good resource for sharpening your gospel focus in teaching. Use it.

Luke 15:11-32 and “A Father with Two Lost Sons”: What it means to be a child of God, in the family of God.

In almost every Bible Luke 15:11-32 has the heading “The Parable of the Prodigal Son”, which indirectly causes many readers to focus on the younger rebellious son, which misses the point of the whole story. This is really a parable about “A Father with Two Lost Sons”, both of which are prodigals. The father is compassionate and merciful. Both sons are lost, but in different ways. These are two seemingly different sons who, beneath the surface, are essentially the same. My point, this parable focuses on the entire family, the relationships among family members. If we read the parable through these lenses I believe it has implications it has for us as “Children of God” (individually) and implications on what it means to be in “the family of God” (corporately).

You see, Jesus was a masterful story teller. There are very powerful reasons why he chose to tell this parable in the setting of a family. There were cultural distinctives that his hearers would have picked up on. The context of biblical material is always important in helping one understand the story.

A Few Cultural Distinctives

During this time period the basic idea of family was much different than it is today. In modern Western culture we think in terms of a “nuclear family” of individual people (Father, Mother, Children), for Jesus original hearers the family was a larger extended unit of people. Unlike our culture, their idea of intimate family members would consist of grandparents, the married children’s families (the in-laws), their unmarried son’s and daughters, the male and female hired servants, and the family slaves. There was a reason for this. In those times you did not survive unless you had a strong intact, cohesive family group. The family was a means of survival. In many ways the family functioned on a corporate (by this I mean, a body of people who act as a unit) level- as a means of livelihood. There was security in being a part of a family. This is hard for us to understand in our day when so many of us are independent. In that day wealth and livelihood was measured by land, cattle, and means of production. It was crucial that the family fortune stay in tact.

Beyond that, there was a cultural understanding of sonship that is important to understanding the parable. The son’s of the patriarch were held in special honor. The son’s were heirs. As an heir you guarded the Family Heritage. As a son you carried the family name, and your name was an important part of your identity. Your name stood for your values and beliefs. The sons also guarded the Family livelihood, tightly connected to the “family business.” This is particularly interesting in the case of the “elder son.” The elder son was to carry on the family business once the father was no longer able to run the household. This was one of the reasons that the elder son got the majority of the inheritance. Being an elder son was more of an “office” than anything else. But more importantly, for the purposes of the parable, the elder son was also expected to serve as a family mediator. He was to protect the family and their assets to prevent the breakup of the family.

Commentary on Luke 15:11-32

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’

This is unimaginably disrespectful and hateful. By saying “give me my inheritance”, the younger son was saying (to his father) you are more valuable dead. Give me what your life is worth. I do not care about the livelihood of our family. I want no part in our heritage. I don’t care about the family name. Most importantly, I want to cut off my relationship with you. This is a death wish.

And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

No one would give the younger son anything. He had exhausted all of his resources. He was poor, hungry, and needy. Not to mention that there was a famine, so no one has anything to give him. No one has anything to sustain his life. So much so that he longed pig feed.

Is this not the story of humanity? We were created to live in fellowship with God. That was our original home. But, our first parents, Adam and Eve cut off their relationship with our Heavenly Father and were exiled. We (as the human family) have been in spiritual exile ever since. Like the younger brother many people around us live in famine, and nothing in this world can sustain life. So many people try and fill their emptiness with pig feed.

“But when he came to himself (came to his senses), he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! (He was going to die) I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. (He acknowledge his folly towards God and his Father)

Here is an extremely important acknowledgment of the younger son;

I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.

This is huge! He knows that intentionally broke off his relationship with his father, with his whole family. He had no care for their well being. He had no respect for the family name. He had even wasted his whole inheritance, the family wealth. He had basically said to his father- you are more valuable dead to me.

As he comes back he knows, “I am not longer worthy to be called you son.” And he’s not. He has given up all rights to be a part of the family. He has given up all rights to ever have his fellowship restored. They owe him nothing. Yet, he plans to do the only thing he can do, plead with his father, have mercy on me, at least treat me as a servant. “Treat me as one of your hired servants.”

This “servant” language is key to understanding what is going on. He is basically planning on saying “let me attempt, at least make an effort repay you for everything I have done. Let my work, not only move me towards repaying you, but also let it be a sign of my repentance.”

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, (the father’s robe, as head of the household) and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand (place the family seal on back on his hand), and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it (they rarely ate meat- livestock = wealth), and let us eat and celebrate (lets have the biggest party this family has ever seen).

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’

That’s the good news. That’s a picture of the Gospel. I am not worthy to be called a son! But the father has mercy when he repents and makes the declaration, “You are now my son. You are now part of the family.”

And they began to celebrate.

Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

Remember, the oldest son in the family had a special occupation to secure the families wealth and unity. He was to act as a mediator in these situations. But he refuses, and walks out of the family home. Think about it. The younger son has wasted his inheritance. So allowing the younger son back into the family came at the expense of the elder brother. He would have to sacrifice his riches.

But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out (the father came out to bring the young rebellious son home, and now goes out to bring the older self righteous son home) and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you,

There is that “serve” word again. Don’t miss this. When the younger son returned home, he asks that his father would make him a servant (to pay his way back into the family), now the older son is basically saying the opposite, that he has earned his place in the family in a life of service. He declares, “I have been your servant.”

And I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came (notice, he does not say “my brother”), who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he (the father) said to him, (being rich in mercy and compassion) ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Now, the elder brother represented the religious leaders that were in Jesus audience; he “never” disobeys any of the father’s laws. In the end, he is the one who misses the feast of salvation rather than his rebellious brother. See, the younger brother knew he was lost. The greatest danger to the elder brothers is that they do not know that they are lost.

Jesus ends the parable there. The elder brother is left outside the celebration. Jesus was using this story to teach us that all of humanity is lost- Either in rebellion or self-righteous religion. The whole human family is lost in sin. Jesus was also saying that the heavenly father is compassionate and merciful. Lastly, Christ was saying that he would be the true and greater elder brother. His audience might or might not of picked up on this at the time, but think about it.

Jesus the True and Greater Elder Brother

As Jesus proclaimed- “No one comes to the father but through me.” I mentioned earlier about the importance of sonship in that culture. In their family the elder son got the majority of the inheritance. Like the younger son, we as humanity have thrown away our inheritance, which is our relationship with the father. Colossians 1:15 tells us that Jesus “is the first born of all creation.” He is humanities true and greater elder brother. Unlike the elder son in the parable, Jesus comes and searches for us while we are prodigals. While are dead in our trespasses and sins, wandering in a famined land. That’s why Jesus came. Jesus brings us home. He brings the lost to their senses.

In the same way that the elder son was to serve as the family mediator, Jesus serves as our mediator. He mends the broken relationship back to the Father through his perfect life and sacrifice. As the elder son’s job was to continue and protect the family business. God is in the business of redemption, of brining the lost prodigals and the proud self-righteous back into the family feast. And Jesus is always (As we read in Luke) “about his Fathers business.” Unlike the elder brother in the parable, Jesus celebrates when we come home. Jesus gave his life to give you and I the riches we do not deserve. Unlike the elder brother of the parable, Jesus gladly shares with us the riches of His father. He was slaughtered so that you and I could be reconciled and brought into the family of God. That’s the good news of our Elder Brother Jesus Christ. This has massive implications on our lives as “Children of God” in the “Family of God.”

As Children of God we are given the status of sons

“Sonship” is not an automatic universal given. Not everyone is a “child of God.” Now, there is a sense in which all human beings are God’s “offspring” by virtue of being created by Him, in His image (Acts 17:29). But we as Christians, we actually have a relationship with God as Father, and only we have the status of children of God.  As Galatians 3:26 says “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” This is a gift. Not something you earn, or loose. It is a gift, for those who are “in Christ.” In other words, it is only through faith in Christ that God adopts us into his family. Our status as children of God is secure in Christ.

As sons we have a deep security because we are part of the family through Christ. Like the younger son who said,  “I don’t deserve the status of sonship.” We also do not deserve sonship in the family of God because of sin. But like the father in the parable, the heavenly Father is compassionate and merciful when we come to him in realization that we are lost. Some of us rarely apply this security to your daily walk. Like the younger son we often get in the attitude of “I want to pay you back, God.” when we sin. Or some of us are like the older brother who try and use our obedience to get out of God what we want (“God, I have done all these things- I deserve so and so.” Or- on the negative end, “God I cannot believe this is happening to me, after all I have done for you?”). In other words, we attempt to justify ourselves before God by our morality. But there is no security in that mindset, in that mindset you are basing your security on your performance, and you will fail.

Thank God for our true and greater elder brother, Jesus Christ. As a true believer, as a son and daughter you are secure! You are not a servant who earns favor before God. You have been given a secure legal sonship in Christ. This is a legal relationship that you can rest on. Does this mean that we don’t need to be obedient? Certainly not! But it does change our motivation for obedience. The point of being obedient is not to make yourself feel secure in your relationship with God. Once you realize that you have been given the status of sonship, something you do not deserve, it will promote obedience. So obedience is a response to God’s grace.

As Children of God we experience the relationship of sons

Being brought into the family of God, through Christ, gives us complete access to our loving Father. As we read in Galatians 4:4-7; “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

“Abba Father” is an intimate name for God. As sons we have unconditional intimate access just as a child has access to a father like no one else in this world has. Like the father in the parable, our God is compassionate and merciful. As true believers you will always be his children, and therefore never have to worry about your access to him. The fathers love for you is not based on your performance, but on Christ’s perfect obedience. When you are in Christ, God sees you in Christ. In other words, God now treats you as if we are “only sons”, like Jesus. Jesus says in John 17:20-24, “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one.” In other words, we can approach God with the same boldness as Christ, because we have the status of sons.

As Children of God we gain the full inheritance of sons

Our inheritance is life- it is relationship with God. When Christ removed the curse we deserved, he gave us the riches and authority that he alone deserved. As sons we have authority over sin. Unless we remember the riches set before us we will be anxious and even despairing in this life. We need to remember that our inheritance of life is guaranteed. It’s not something to be earned (like the elder brother in the parable thought), it is ours as sons.

As you grow in your Christian life more and more sin will be revealed in your life. But here’s the thing, you realize that all sin looks about as good as pig feed in light of the feast promised to us in Christ. This should give us boldness to conquer sin. Romans 8 reminds us that; “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death…For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”

That should give you boldness over sin. You are a child of God. This not only has massive implications on your personal walk, but also ties in to how we function as a church family. We are not just members of some organizational group. We are a family. In a family there is not just one point of contact, like there is in a “quilting club” or “car club.” The gospel touches every area of our lives. As believers we are brought into the family of God together. This is a family, and like a family we share life, we are a unit. Our fellowship with one another is a gift of grace, because, like a family, these relationships go deeper than any other human relationships.

In the family of God there Should be Commitment to the Family Livelihood

We belong to each other in Jesus Christ. Period. There are going to be times when all of us act like younger brothers, there are going to be times when all of us act like elder brothers. In the same way that you did not choose your siblings, you do not choose your brothers and sisters in Christ. They come with the family. There is a bond. We would all acknowledge that there are people in God’s family that you would never choose as friends, but you are family. Remember that we have a compassionate father, and a sacrificial elder brother- therefore, what God did for us, we owe to each other. The more we realize we have received, the more we can give.

In the Family of God there Should be Transparency among Family Members

You can’t fool your brothers and sisters. They know what you are really like! Like I said, all of us have “younger brother” and “elder brother” tendencies in our lives. So I encourage everyone to be honest with each other, hold each other accountable, gently call each other out. We need to realize that God has created this church family reality through Christ, and it is for your good when you participate. Plus, this is only possible in Christ. Why? Well, when your security is based on Christ, and not how others perceive you its a lot easier to build meaningful relationships. In Christ we are enabled to be transparent because we don’t fear rejection from our Christian brothers and sisters. There is security in the family of God.

In the Family of God there Should be Transformation of Lives

In many ways, you and I are largely the product of your family. You are largely shaped by the people you spend the most time with. You will only change if you are “re-familyed.” You need to get to know people, not just come to church classes, but really intimately being with each other. This is costly. Being closely involved with other people will be time consuming, complicated, and messy. Close relationships make it more likely to that you will sin against someone or someone will sin against you. Therefore you will need times of confession and forgiveness.

Close relationships push us to die to ourselves. It’s in these close relationships that we begin to see the younger brother or elder brother spirit revealed in our hearts. But that is God’s plan- that we grow together. In many ways, sanctification is a group project. Thank God, for what he has done in Jesus Christ to make s part of this glorious family reality. Our true elder brother is Jesus Christ. He came to earth to sacrifice himself so that we could become sons of God. This is what turns us into a family, and this is what guides us in our relationships with each other.

Bibliography

1. The Prodigal God- Tim Keller

2. The Parables- Brad H. Young

3. Interpreting the Parables- Craig L. Blomberg

4. The Gospel of Luke- Joel B. Green (NICNT)

5. The Gospel of Luke, Vol. 2- Darrell L. Bock (BECNT)

6. God, Marriage, and Family- Andreas J. Kostenberger

7. Marriage and Family in Ancient Israel- Chapter by Daniel L. Block

8. Life Together- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

9. How People Change- Timothy S. Lane, Paul D. Tripp

Thoughts and Cautions on using the term “Free Will”.

Human freedom, or “free will” is a subject that we need to discuss with clarity and precision. In these discussions it is important to determine the nature and extent of human freedom. When most people talk about “free will” they have in mind the idea of uninfluenced, absolutely unaffected choices. No one has this type of freedom, no one.

For an absurd example, if I decided I wanted to fly, I could not. Flying is not part of my essential nature. A moral example, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). God is always perfectly true and cannot be less than God, and therefore cannot lie.

The idea of “absolute freedom” is a myth and absolutely impossible.

“Free Will”- Philosophical and Theological Considerations

Philosophically speaking, if humans had the absolute power to the contrary, we could thwart the plans of God, and we cannot (Job 42:2). Therefore, we need to be precise when we talk about human “freedom.”

“Free will” is a philosophical term (not a biblical term), and affirming the idea of absolute “free will” in humanity is very difficult to defend. The term “free will” is often unnecessarily confusing and requires too many qualifications.  Human freedom, in the absolute sense, must entail that human choices are entirely free from divine constraint or influence. This is problematic on many levels.

We are free, in a certain sense, but not absolutely. Any notion of freedom that we adopt must include the idea that our decisions are based on underlying reasons, and I think most of us would affirm that they are.

We are, as Wayne Grudem states, free to “make willing choices, choices that have real effects.” But this should not be confused with absolute freedom. As Christians we affirm that God ordains all things- everything. See Isaiah 46, “I will accomplish all my purpose.”

John Frame provides some good discussion boundaries in his article “Determinism, Chance, and Freedom.”

Basic human intuition reveals that we choose among various alternatives, but it never reveals to us that any of our choices are absolutely uncaused. In fact, Scripture contradicts this notion of “absolute freedom”, by ascribing divine backing to human decisions (Exod. 34:24, Is. 44:28, Dan. 1:9, John 19:24, Acts 13:48, 16:14), even when humans make sinful choices, God is not surprised (Gen. 45:5-8, Ps. 105:24, Luke 22:22, Acts 2:23-24, 3:18, 4:27-28, Rom. 9:17). But, this does not eliminate human responsibility.

Also, Scripture also contradicts “absolute freedom” by teaching that human decisions come from ones inner desires (Luke 6:45), and by teaching that the human heart is not free from God’s influence (Ps. 33:15, Prov. 21:1).

Finally, In Scripture, the basis of human responsibility is not absolute freedom, but God’s sovereign right to evaluate the conduct of his creatures (Rom. 9:19-21), and the knowledge (Luke 12:47-48, Rom. 1:18-32) and resources (Matt. 25:14-29) God has given to each person shows that in Scripture there is an important relation between responsibility and ability, but the abilities in view here do not include the absolute ability to choose opposite courses of action.

I agree with Martin Luther here; “I wish the word “free will” had never been invented. It is not in the Scriptures, and it were better to call it “self-will” [In my opinion, human volition, or human responsibility, anything other than free will].

“Freedom”- Towards Clarity

I think Don Carson makes some important points to affirm when talking about human freedom.

First, “human freedom cannot involve absolute power to the contrary; that is, it cannot include such liberal power that God himself becomes contingent.” To affirm absolute freedom one must also agree that God is always reacting to the actions of humans in order to fulfill his purposes. Even more so, it means that God cannot know in advance what free choices human beings would make. This is heretical.

Secondly, human freedom must be discussed in relation to the fall of mankind. Our wills are not truly free because they are enslaved by sin (John 8:34). Therefore, true freedom is only found in perfect obedience to God. Perfect obedience is not possible by sinful humanity, yet was accomplished by Christ. This is why we believe true freedom is found in Christ, and in Christ alone. Anthony Hoekema put it like this;

“Man’s true freedom, which he lost in the Fall, is restored in the process of redemption. [I take this to mean that total freedom, to be obedient to God, will ultimately be restored in the resurrection body] When the Holy Spirit regenerates a person, renews the image of God in him or her, and begins in him or her the work of sanctification, that person is enabled to turn to God in repentance and faith, and to do what is truly pleasing in God’s sight…Redemption therefore means deliverance from the bondage of the will; the regenerated person is no longer a slave to sin.”

For more, here is an excellent post on “Free Will” by John Piper.

Resources on engaging the “New Atheists”- Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett.

Here are a few good resources on engaging the “new atheist” movement that I have bookmarked over the last year or so;

1. Tim Keller- “New Atheists: How should Christians Respond” (Video)

2. John Piper- “Making Room for Atheism” (Article), and sermon clip “Atheist Worldview” (the whole sermon is titled “In Him was Life”)

3. Albert Mohler- Lectures on New Atheism (Video)

Lecture 1: The New Atheism and the Endgame of Secularism
Lecture 2: The New Atheism and the Assault on Theism
Lecture 3: The New Atheism and the Defense of Theism
Lecture 4: The New Atheism and the Future of Christianity

These lectures were later published as a book titled, “Atheism Remix.”

4. Gary Habermas- The Plight of the New Atheism: A Critique (Journal Article)

5. William Lane Craig- God is Not Dead Yet (Magazine Article)

Speak the truth in love…

The Gospel and Evangelical Pietism!

I am currently finishing a book called “Jesus, Made in America.” In this book Stephen J. Nichols traces Jesus in American culture. He shows how Jesus has been shaped by our cultural sensibilities throughout American history. It is a fascinating read.

I am not going to regurgitate the book for you, but I do want to expound on one key point. Nichols points out that the evangelical church champions personal pietism. What is pietism?

Simply put, this strand of pietism places all emphasis on personal experience, champions devotion, focuses on practice- and often times ignores doctrine.

When doctrine is ignored pietism is extremely dangerous. Actually, in my opinion pietism by itself- is anti-gospel.

Nichols writes;

“Pietism leads us to say that imitating Christ is far better than having a right set of beliefs about who Christ is. Pietism leads to viewing Christ primarily from the lens of personal experience rather than the lenses of Gospel pericopies or of theological formulations.”

This is almost humorous. I don’t know how someone can even imitate Christ unless they have a right set of beliefs of who He actually is? Plus, the main aim of the Christian life is not to imitate Christ, but to trust in Christ. My fear is that too many Christians trust in themselves, and even attempt to justify themselves by their “imitation of Christ.”

The gospel is at stake.

The sad thing is that many contemporary Evangelical Christians lean more on their devotion to Christ, rather than Christ Himself. Catch the subtle nuance here- it’s huge.

Leaning on your “devotion to Christ” tells you that your Christian identity and self-worth are based on how hard you work, or how moral you are. This is not the Gospel. This is when personal pietism becomes a deadly idol.

Here is a good post to help you think through this issue in your own life. “The Gospel vs. Religion”- (via Nathan Finn)

Our Decision to Adopt and the Work of God!

Laura and I have decided to begin the adoption process- hoping to adopt a baby from Ethiopia. If you would like, you can follow our journey here. We are very excited!

I truly believe that God has worked in our hearts and lives, individually and together, in showing us the joy and priority of adoption.

For me, the journey began in college. I will never forget when I visited an orphanage in Guatemala City, Guatemala almost 6 years ago. In this specific orphanage there were hundreds of children who had been abandoned by their parents for various reasons.

At one point during the day we were taken into a room lined with cribs, a small room where the workers attempted to care for 20-30 infants. This was a powerful moment that has been seared into my mind. I will never forget it.

I walked through the room with tears streaming down my face- wondering “who will care for these children?” “Who will hold them and let them know that they are loved?” “Who will nurture these children as they grow older?” I can see, and feel it, like it was yesterday. What I did not understand at the time was how God would use this moment later.

Looking back at that experience as a college student in the Guatemalan orphanage, I remembered that I was not only weeping over the abandoned children, but over the fact that there was very little I could do.

The words of Jesus are so powerful here- I wish I could have whispered them to each one of those precious children;

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

The raw emotion that adoption stirs in my heart has only grown as I have studied the theology of adoption. Adoption one of the metaphors Paul uses in the New Testament to express the multifaceted grace of God shown to us in salvation. (See here)

The very word translated adoption in your New Testament is a compound of two words, “son” and “placing.” Adoption in the New Testament is a term that denotes the legal act of transfer into a new family- “the placing of a son.”

With this transfer come all of the attending privileges and responsibilities of being part of the family. Adoption is a powerful image because the adoptee is taken out of his previous state and placed in a new relationship…thus, the adoptee starts a new life as part of his new family. The new family embraces their adopted son or daughter as their own. (Great resource here)

For the Christian- images of salvation should be so blatant and obvious here because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When Christians are adopted into the family of God- it is through, and only through Jesus Christ. There is no ‘natural tie’ between sinners and a Holy God. Our spiritual adoption is a decision of God. God adopts us, orphans, out of His free love. We are given the rights of sons and daughters- as heirs!

For me, this truth has illuminated the biblical mandate and given me a solid foundation to accompany the emotion I felt six years ago in the Guatemalan orphanage.

I am in total agreement with Russell Moore when he writes;

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ means our families and churches ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans…as we become more attuned to the gospel, we’ll have more of a burden for orphans.” (Adopted for Life, 18)

Pray for us as we begin our adoption journey. Ultimately, pray that we trust in Christ- because he is the one who blazed this trail.

Jonah 3:10- “Does God Repent?”

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented (some translations read ‘repent’) of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”- Jonah 3:10

A Perspective from Biblical Theology

Too often the prophets are thought of mainly as predictors of the future. But the truth is that they were mainly forthtellers, for they spoke forth the word of God over against the rising tide of idolatry, apostasy, and sin of the nation.

Now, some care must be taken to distinguish between the prophetic words that were unconditional and unilateral versus those prophecies that were conditioned on the responses of the person(s) addressed.

The unconditional promises of God were the Abrahamic, Davidic, and new covenants- wherein God alone obliged himself to fulfill what he had said.

But all other words of declared judgment had an expressed or unexpressed contingency clause in their words of certain doom.

So, while Jonah gave a confident message that in forty days judgment would come to Nineveh, he had an awful feeling that if they repented, God would relent, and the judgment would be held off for a period of time.

Ultimately we find out that a century later, the same nation, in another generation, felt that the prophet Jonah had cried wolf, and judgment finally came.

The principle for asserting this kind of interpretation can be found in Jeremiah 18:7-10.

“If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.“

The implications follow;

Kiser notes: “Whenever the Lord announces that a nation is to be destroyed, and that nation repents, then God will not bring the disaster he had threatened them with, despite the fact that there were no contingency clauses- no “if’s” or “unlesses” directly listed with the threat. However, just as true was the reverse situation: God may declare his blessing on a nation only to find that nation cares very little, if at all, for him. God will then rescind his word of promise to bless that people by bringing disaster on that nation he would have blessed had they responded differently.”

Perspective from Linguistic Data

The words used to translate the Hebrew verbs sub and niham have caused considerable debate about the immutability of God.

Here is the key: the verb sub (to turn) is used to describe the people of Nineveh’s repentance. It has the idea of “changing direction” and “repenting of evil ways.”

While the verb niham is used of God repenting (relenting) has the idea of being moved to pity- having compassion. He, in his longsuffering, takes it upon himself the evil which is the wages of man’s sin. According to Bladwin verses 8-10 give us a deep theological picture of God;

8. “Let each man turn”
9. “God may be moved to pity”
10. “God saw that they had turned, so God relented.”

Allen translates it as follows,

“When God saw their reaction, how they turned (sub) from their wicked ways, he relented (niham) and did not carry out the punishment with which he had threatened them.”

While the English term ‘repent’ conveys the idea of a change in behavior from worse to better, the Hebrew word niham refers rather to a decision to act otherwise. The English word ‘relent’ conveys the actual message clearer.

God relenting here reveals God’s earnest desire to be true to his own immutable character- as revealed in Jeremiah 18:7-10. God’s action in relenting does not challenge the doctrine of immutability, for immutability simply states that;

a. God is unchanging in His being and character.
b. God is unchanging in His purposes and will.

We need to distinguish between God’s eternally unchanging character and how we understand His actions towards us humans- who exist in time.

What we do see however is that God is free to decide how he will relate to humans. In being consistent with his attributes and purposes- God relents from His anger when a sinner repents. (2 Peter 3:9)

This is accomplished without ramifications to his Holy character because of Christ’s work on the cross. (Romans 3:25)

Note: I think John Piper sums it up well here;

“God’s repentance is not like man’s. I take that to mean that God is not taken off guard by unexpected turns of events like we are. He knows all the future. (“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them,” Isaiah 42:9). Nor does God ever sin. So his repentance is not owing to lack of foresight nor to folly.

Rather, the repentance of God is his expression of a different attitude and action about something past or future—not because events have taken him off guard, but because events make the expression of a different attitude more fitting now than it would have been earlier. God’s mind “changes,” not because it responds to unforeseen circumstances, but because he has ordained that his mind accord with the way he himself orders the changing events of the world.”