I am not the typical “math is fun” guy that goes beyond counting money. In fact I had real challenges with math subject from high school through campus life; But one thing I remember is calculus; probably because I was a fun of Professor Calculus in Tin tin comic books. I was taught that Calculus is a branch of mathematics which helps us understand changes between values that are related by a function.
Functions and Graphs
If the value of a quantity, A, is dependent upon the value of another quantity, B, then we say A is a function of B. Examples: The loudness of a stereo (L) is a function of the position of the volume knob (V) and The rate of a chemical reaction (R) is a function of the temperature (T). We can write this functions as L(V) and R(T) respectively.
Linear (straight line) Equations
One of the important types of equation is that of a linear function, that is: Y (X) = MX + C The value of c is a constant and is the intercept on the y axis, the value of m is the slope or gradient of the line. Other Equations included Quadratic Equations, Higher Polynomials, Rational Functions, Trigonometric Functions, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions.
One thing was common with these functions: – Calculating the slopes or gradient of the curves. There was the Graphical methods (I enjoyed plotting graphs), Numerical Methods and Differentiation method which was magical.
Derivatives (Differential Calculus)
Differentiation (calculating the Derivative or slope of a function ) allows us to find the “rate of change” at any point. For example, it allows us to find the acceleration or rate of change of X (velocity) with respect to Y (time) on a graph of Y against X which is the Gradient of the curve y(x) at given pint X.
A German philosopher and mathematician called Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz introduced the Leibniz’s notation “dy/dx” that represents the amount that y changes instantaneously when there is a change in x. That is the derivative of y (with respect to x) written as dy/dx, and pronounced “dee y by dee x”.
Differential Calculus in the bible
The book of James gives us some insight on applying this differential calculus to our Christian walk.
James 4:7-8. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
The Devils can flee
James 4:7 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”.
This verse represents the fact that Once submitted to God , then resisting the devil (change in X) will result to the Devil fleeing (change in Y).
We can present this on a graph of Y against X. On the X axis = resist the devil and Y axis = he will flee from you. We can deduce that the more you resist the devil the more he flees from you. If you want the devil to flee further, resist him the more.
Satan employs various strategies to attack our faith and assurance in God. He will use lies, trials and temptations. It’s important that we do not get ignorant of Satan’s schemes. Remember he has been there since the creation of the world and is quite experienced. His strategies are in the three areas of temptation of Sin in first John: Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.
“ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).
Lust of the flesh – temptations that makes the flesh feel satisfied. Referring to what the body desires without regard to the will of God and anything craved excessively or inappropriately. (Galatians 5:19-21 gives some examples of the “works of the flesh”
Lust of the Eye – visual appeal with desire or pleasure that we shouldn’t look upon. Referring to to those things we literally see and those we perceive, imagine or put our “mental” eyes. Coveting and materialism are good examples.
Pride of life – the arrogant spirit of self-sufficiency that brings attention and Glory to self with the desire for recognition, applause, status, and advantage in life. Pride itself is one of the sins that God hates most. It is the sin that made Lucifer (the beautiful angel) turn into Satan (the adversary). (Isaiah 14:14).
Eve (Gen 3:6), even Jesus himself (Mat 4:3-10) and every human in history has been tempted in this areas.
On our own we cannot defeat Satan’s schemes and we are warned to “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1Pe 5:8)
Resisting the devil is not a passive “avoid sin” kind of life. We need to be active on the defense and offense. We need to walk in the spirit “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Gal 5:16). We need to always be prayerful and Walk in Christ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as we have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.(Col 2:7) And “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”.( Eph 6:11)
We need the power of God which is availed to us through Christ. When Christ died and rose again Satan was defeated, Jesus delivered the final blow at Calvary
1 John 3:8, “The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.”
Hebrews 2:14, “Christ took on human nature that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Colossians 2:15, “God disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.”
God drawing near to you
James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
This scripture represents the facts that when you Draw nigh to God (change in X), and he will draw nigh to you (change in Y).
We can present this on a graph of Y against X. On the X axis = Draw nigh to God and Y
axis = He will draw nigh to you. We can deduce that the more you draw nigh to God the more he draws nigh to you. If you need more of the presence of God, seek him more. The depth of your hunger will determines the height of your revival.
The more we seek of God the more he is found of us because.. He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6). All human kind have a deep longing for the presence and the Glory of God. There is an innate longing of the human heart for something outside itself, something transcendent. Ecclesiastes 3:11 refers to God’s placing of “eternity in man’s heart.” God made humanity for His eternal purpose, and only God can fulfill our desire for eternity.
Our relationship with God should not be cautious and passive. There is a big difference between not wanting to offend Jesus and loving Him with a passion. The desire to not offend is cautious, but a loving heart only has eyes to eagerly follow and to please.
“The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” (Psalm 14:2).
“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29)
MOSES: Leading 6 million people and the status that comes with that nor performing miracles in Egypt was satisfying to Moses. He wanted more than miracles and fame. Exodus 33:13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech you, let me see your glory. And Moses got to know the ways of God while the sons of Israel only got to experience the acts of God. Psa 103:7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. No other prophet has been like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.
DAVID: Far above the Status and Fame of a King, David had passion for God and God sought him .. a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people .1 Sam 13:14
PAUL: With all that characterize an apostle: Miracles, Signs and wonders had one passion of knowing Christ. Paul was after the Giver and not the Gifts “…that I may know Him” Php 3:10. He Considered many things loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ.
What is the greatest passion of your heart? Who consumes your thoughts and fans the flame in your heart? God’s greatest passion is that we will search for him as a lost treasure: to believe in him and then passionately long to know and love him more and more. He created us and allowed us to be where we are in our time and season that we might seek him
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:26-27
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