Q: Go "back" and "remember" how God brought you out of some tough situations.. let's load up this page and say, lord I "REMEMBER".
A: Lord, I remember you waking me up when I dozed off behind the wheel after a night of drinking. I remember you keeping me safe as friends and gang members fought. I remember you coaxing me to leave the party moments before the gunfire erupted. I remember you keeping the road free from obstacles and police when I was going 110 mph down the highway racing friends. I remember the look of amazement in my mom's face, that encouraged my faith, as she passed on. I remember when my ex-girlfriend didn't get pregnant after we gave in to temptation. I remember you answering the prayer of a confused teenager who thought he'd never know you. I remember you giving me the words to say when facing the ridicule and scorn of friends and family criticizing my faith and politics. I remember you saying through the Apostle Paul, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 10:12)."
Q: What is the true meaning of "Repentance"?
A: Repentance is commonly associated with "I used to do this sin, but now I don't." Only problem with that is what does it mean if you commit that sin again? Did you not really mean it the first time? It is that mistaken belief that leads many people down the path of frustration, believing God is sick of them for not changing. However, true repentance is turning from unbelief in Jesus Christ to belief in Him. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15)." The goal of a Christian is not to stop sinning, but to start trusting the Lord. Remember, "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Cor. 1:9)." As you grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, you will begin to trust and depend on Him in every area of your life. You will never rid yourself of sin entirely, but you will begin to see a decrease in the sin in your life as the Lord guides you from within. Trust the Lord.
Q: The bible says the Holy Spirit is our "helper"..What does that mean?
A: The Helper that will be with us forever is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the actual life of God, lost when Adam sinned, restored to us by faith, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a life that carries us through this life and on into eternity even after we physically die. A life that can't be lost because of the eternal consequences of the Cross (Heb. 9:12). Jesus is the only one who ever lived the Christian life. Now, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), He lives that life in and through us. Our responsibility is to rest from our attempts to live that life in the energy of our own flesh (Heb. 4:10) and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit through trust and dependence on Him (Gal. 6:8). The promised Helper Jesus spoke of was God Himself coming to live within us. The Holy Spirit discerns God's Word for us, prays for us, produces fruit in us, teaches us and seals us until the day of redemption. In Him, we have all the help we need.
Q: What does it mean to take God's name in "vain"?
A: Too often people will say taking God's name in vain is to use God in a cuss word or something like that. While that is not a good thing, it isn't what is meant by the phrase. To take God's name in vain is to take His name upon yourself as part of your new identity in Him for no reason. In other words you fail to live in response to the truth of who you now are, identified with Him. As Christians, we have a specific identity in Christ. As children of God we have been set apart from the world in order to be salt and light to the world. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness as well as blessing us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He did this so that we would not seek from the world that which only God can give us. The result of which is that we will live in total trust and dependence on Him which enables us to bear the fruit He is producing through us. Living our lives apart from the truth of who we are in Him is taking God's name in vain.
Q: As Christians is it our responsibility to "get" people saved?
A: No, it is not our responsibility to get people saved. Besides, only God knows the heart, so it would be difficult for us to tell anyway. God has revealed Himself in Creation (Romans 1), in our conscience (Romans 2) and through Jesus Christ (Romans 3). Each individual is responsible for their own salvation by responding to the evidence God has already placed in the world. A Christian's responsibility is to make ourselves available to God for Him to use us as He sees fit (Romans 12:1) in order that His desire for all mankind to be saved (2 Peter 3:9) would be fulfilled. Christians are encouraged to always "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15)." We give the evidence that has convinced us of what we believe not try and convince others of what we believe. In this way our conversations can be "full of grace [and] seasoned with salt (Colossians. 4:6)" so those we encounter will be thirsty for more about Christ.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Singled Out by God
Q: In Numbers 12 Aaron and Miriam criticize Moses. This angers God. God then admonished them and as He departed and the cloud left the tent, Miriam`s skin was suddenly covered with a dreaded disease...... Why did something happen to Miriam and no mention of any thing happening to Aaron? They both criticized Moses.
A: Hi there. Initially, when I read the passages you are speaking of in Numbers 12 my conclusion was that there is no explanation as to why God singled out Miriam for punishment. After all, the chapter begins with "Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite (Numbers 12:1)." And then later on in the chapter we read "When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam—leprous, like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy...(Numbers 12:10)" While the Bible is not clear as to why Miriam was punished and Aaron was not, one of the best ways to find an answer is to read what was written around the the passage in question. Therefore, if you look in the previous chapter, Numbers 11, we might find a clue as to why Miriam was singled out by God.
In Numbers 11, Moses is frustrated with the burden God has placed on him to deliver the people of Israel to the promised land. After wrestling with God over the issue, God tells Moses to bring elders to the Tent of Meeting. It is there that God instructs Moses that these elders "will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone (Numbers 11:17)." Once Moses did what God instructed him to do, by gathering seventy elders around the Tent, God came upon them. "When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again (Numbers 11:25)." A bit later two more men, Eldad and Medad, started prophesying in the camp. This prophesying led to Joshua confronting Moses to get the two men to stop prophesying. However, Moses replied to Joshua by saying, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them (Numbers 11:29)!" There seems to be an idea that nobody else should be prophesying to the people except for Moses and those God has already given the ability to prophesy. And that brings us to Miriam.
Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses, had been delivered out of Egypt with all the rest of the Israelites. Just after God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites safe passage across, and then destroyed Pharaoh's advancing army with the same waters, Miriam led the Israelite women in a song and dance. "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing (Exodus 15:20)." Do you notice what it says? It says Miriam was a prophetess! Therefore, Miriam had been used by God to prophesy to the Israelites. It is quite possible that Miriam was jealous that God was using other people to prophesy besides herself, directly in contradiction of what Moses told Joshua he desired. After all, the Bible records that Miriam and Aaron rhetorically asked, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us (Numbers 12:2)?" This type of questioning comes from a jealous heart and may be behind why they began speaking against Moses. It is human nature to want to be given special attention for our abilities and Miriam and Aaron were no different. Therefore, it is quite possible that God singled Miriam out for punishment because she had been used by God to prophesy, but, jealously, seemed to dislike the attention Moses was and others were getting.
There is a lesson for all of us in the example of Miriam. No, I am not saying God is going to strike us with a disease if we act like she did towards someone else. What I am suggesting is that we need only be concerned with being available to God to use us as He sees fit and not about who may or may not be getting credit for what God is doing through them. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells Peter, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me (John 21:22)." Jesus said this in response to Peter asking about what the Lord had planned for John. We don't read much more about Miriam after the episode in Numbers 12. But, her experience with God serves as a reminder to us to just be thankful that the God of this universe chooses to use us at all to advance His Kingdom. Knowing that we are born again of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, have access to God and will spend eternity with Him, should be reward enough. The Psalmist asked, "what is man that you are mindful of him (Psalm 8:4)"? I thank God everyday that He is mindful of me. The love He has shown me produces in me a loving spirit towards others void of jealousy and spite. Anything I do is God doing it through me. It is the same with any other believer being used by God. Why be jealous of another when it is isn't them who are doing anything, but God doing it through them?
A: Hi there. Initially, when I read the passages you are speaking of in Numbers 12 my conclusion was that there is no explanation as to why God singled out Miriam for punishment. After all, the chapter begins with "Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite (Numbers 12:1)." And then later on in the chapter we read "When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam—leprous, like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy...(Numbers 12:10)" While the Bible is not clear as to why Miriam was punished and Aaron was not, one of the best ways to find an answer is to read what was written around the the passage in question. Therefore, if you look in the previous chapter, Numbers 11, we might find a clue as to why Miriam was singled out by God.
In Numbers 11, Moses is frustrated with the burden God has placed on him to deliver the people of Israel to the promised land. After wrestling with God over the issue, God tells Moses to bring elders to the Tent of Meeting. It is there that God instructs Moses that these elders "will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone (Numbers 11:17)." Once Moses did what God instructed him to do, by gathering seventy elders around the Tent, God came upon them. "When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again (Numbers 11:25)." A bit later two more men, Eldad and Medad, started prophesying in the camp. This prophesying led to Joshua confronting Moses to get the two men to stop prophesying. However, Moses replied to Joshua by saying, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them (Numbers 11:29)!" There seems to be an idea that nobody else should be prophesying to the people except for Moses and those God has already given the ability to prophesy. And that brings us to Miriam.
Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses, had been delivered out of Egypt with all the rest of the Israelites. Just after God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites safe passage across, and then destroyed Pharaoh's advancing army with the same waters, Miriam led the Israelite women in a song and dance. "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing (Exodus 15:20)." Do you notice what it says? It says Miriam was a prophetess! Therefore, Miriam had been used by God to prophesy to the Israelites. It is quite possible that Miriam was jealous that God was using other people to prophesy besides herself, directly in contradiction of what Moses told Joshua he desired. After all, the Bible records that Miriam and Aaron rhetorically asked, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us (Numbers 12:2)?" This type of questioning comes from a jealous heart and may be behind why they began speaking against Moses. It is human nature to want to be given special attention for our abilities and Miriam and Aaron were no different. Therefore, it is quite possible that God singled Miriam out for punishment because she had been used by God to prophesy, but, jealously, seemed to dislike the attention Moses was and others were getting.
There is a lesson for all of us in the example of Miriam. No, I am not saying God is going to strike us with a disease if we act like she did towards someone else. What I am suggesting is that we need only be concerned with being available to God to use us as He sees fit and not about who may or may not be getting credit for what God is doing through them. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells Peter, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me (John 21:22)." Jesus said this in response to Peter asking about what the Lord had planned for John. We don't read much more about Miriam after the episode in Numbers 12. But, her experience with God serves as a reminder to us to just be thankful that the God of this universe chooses to use us at all to advance His Kingdom. Knowing that we are born again of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, have access to God and will spend eternity with Him, should be reward enough. The Psalmist asked, "what is man that you are mindful of him (Psalm 8:4)"? I thank God everyday that He is mindful of me. The love He has shown me produces in me a loving spirit towards others void of jealousy and spite. Anything I do is God doing it through me. It is the same with any other believer being used by God. Why be jealous of another when it is isn't them who are doing anything, but God doing it through them?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
My Answer is... July 26, 2009
Q: Second Time Around: Let's thank God for giving us a second chance.
A: Before coming to Christ my attitude was one of self-effort trying to please God. After accepting Christ my attitude became one of resting in His saving Grace. My attitude was look what I'm doing for you, how I went to church, how I was raised in my denomination, how I gave my money, how I confessed my sins, how I stood against sin, how I bowed down to you and how successful my life was! But, Christ said, look what I did for you, how I went to Calvary, how I was raised from the dead, how I gave My Life, how I took away your sins , how I became one of you and how successful My death was. I realized it was not about how hard I tried to reach up to God to be accepted by Him. It was about God reaching down to me through Jesus Christ with love and acceptance. God's "second" chance was really my "only" chance at having a relationship with Him. I am a new creation in Christ. The old has gone. The new has come. I now get eternity to discover all I have been given through faith in Jesus! Amen!
Q: WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TOO? The bible says Blessed is a man who doesn't walk in the "counsel" of the ungodly.What does that mean?
A: Psalm 1:1 says, "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!" This is basic instruction to not take advice from wicked people or to associate with sinners and mockers. As Christians we should take our instruction from the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us from within and will not lead us to sin (see Titus 2:11-12). We all live our lives with and amongst "the wicked," but we shouldn't get our basic instruction on how to live from them or support them in their sin. Do we listen to the world or the Lord? Do our decisions line up with scripture or not? Are we getting support and accolades from the lost or are we bearing our cross regardless of what it costs? Anybody who has come to faith in Christ has surely had to make a decision to stand for truth or stand with sinners and scoffers offering their wicked wisdom. If truth sets us free then error surely binds us. Walk in the Lord's counsel.
Q: ARE YOU REALLY SORRY? What is the difference between "Godly" sorrow and "Worldly" sorrow?
A: Sorrow is an expression of grief, sadness or disappointment. In the context of 2 Corinthians 7:10, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death," Paul is making a contrast between sorrow that leads to salvation and that which leads to death. What is salvation? Salvation is the restoration of the life of God. Therefore, one can see the contrast between life and death being made here. Godly sorrow is when the distress felt makes one repent of their unbelief in Jesus and respond to the Gospel. Worldly sorrow is when our distress leaves us in our state of spiritual death; lost, dead to God and focused on "the one who did the wrong or of the injured party (2 Cor. 7:12)." Worldly sorrow ultimately leads to the second death, eternal separation from God. That is why Paul says Godly sorrow leaves "no regret" because it leads to salvation. One can only imagine the regret felt by an individual whose worldly sorrow leaves them dead.
Q: THE QUESTION IS: WHO ARE YOU? Are you a sinner saved by grace or a saint?
A: I am a child of God, a saint. I am not a sinner saved by Grace. Identity is everything to a Christian. Look at how Paul addressed the Church in his letters. He called them "saints," including the Church at Corinth which was wrought with sin. God doesn't see me as a sinner, He sees me as His child totally cleansed of my sins for eternity and indwelt by His very life because of my faith in Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean I don't still sin. It means that God isn't judging me on the basis of my sins, but on my new life in Christ. Christians need to be who we are, not what we were. We are holy, blameless, forgiven, righteous, sanctified, justified, amongst other things, children of God. We may be a child of God who struggles with sin, but we don't identify ourselves by our struggles. "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11)."
Q: THE QUESTION IS: First things First....The bible says seek "First" His kingdom....What does that mean?
A: Jesus made this statement in Matthew 6, in the midst of His "Sermon on the Mount." He made it right after declaring it is the pagans who worry about what to eat, drink and wear. The theme of the Sermon was not to give us marching orders on how to live in order to get God to bless us with the things pagans worry about. Jesus was trying to bury us under the impossible standards of God so we would turn to Him by faith. The last half of the verse says, "and all these things will be given to you as well." In Christ, we already have everything we need for life and godliness. We are told later in Scripture to be content with food and clothing. A reminder of what Jesus was trying to get across to His audience by telling them not to worry about tomorrow or the concerns of this world. God knows what we need to make it in this world. In Christ, we spend our lives discovering (seeking) what it is we already have been given through our faith in Christ. God will make sure we have everything else.
A: Before coming to Christ my attitude was one of self-effort trying to please God. After accepting Christ my attitude became one of resting in His saving Grace. My attitude was look what I'm doing for you, how I went to church, how I was raised in my denomination, how I gave my money, how I confessed my sins, how I stood against sin, how I bowed down to you and how successful my life was! But, Christ said, look what I did for you, how I went to Calvary, how I was raised from the dead, how I gave My Life, how I took away your sins , how I became one of you and how successful My death was. I realized it was not about how hard I tried to reach up to God to be accepted by Him. It was about God reaching down to me through Jesus Christ with love and acceptance. God's "second" chance was really my "only" chance at having a relationship with Him. I am a new creation in Christ. The old has gone. The new has come. I now get eternity to discover all I have been given through faith in Jesus! Amen!
Q: WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TOO? The bible says Blessed is a man who doesn't walk in the "counsel" of the ungodly.What does that mean?
A: Psalm 1:1 says, "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!" This is basic instruction to not take advice from wicked people or to associate with sinners and mockers. As Christians we should take our instruction from the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us from within and will not lead us to sin (see Titus 2:11-12). We all live our lives with and amongst "the wicked," but we shouldn't get our basic instruction on how to live from them or support them in their sin. Do we listen to the world or the Lord? Do our decisions line up with scripture or not? Are we getting support and accolades from the lost or are we bearing our cross regardless of what it costs? Anybody who has come to faith in Christ has surely had to make a decision to stand for truth or stand with sinners and scoffers offering their wicked wisdom. If truth sets us free then error surely binds us. Walk in the Lord's counsel.
Q: ARE YOU REALLY SORRY? What is the difference between "Godly" sorrow and "Worldly" sorrow?
A: Sorrow is an expression of grief, sadness or disappointment. In the context of 2 Corinthians 7:10, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death," Paul is making a contrast between sorrow that leads to salvation and that which leads to death. What is salvation? Salvation is the restoration of the life of God. Therefore, one can see the contrast between life and death being made here. Godly sorrow is when the distress felt makes one repent of their unbelief in Jesus and respond to the Gospel. Worldly sorrow is when our distress leaves us in our state of spiritual death; lost, dead to God and focused on "the one who did the wrong or of the injured party (2 Cor. 7:12)." Worldly sorrow ultimately leads to the second death, eternal separation from God. That is why Paul says Godly sorrow leaves "no regret" because it leads to salvation. One can only imagine the regret felt by an individual whose worldly sorrow leaves them dead.
Q: THE QUESTION IS: WHO ARE YOU? Are you a sinner saved by grace or a saint?
A: I am a child of God, a saint. I am not a sinner saved by Grace. Identity is everything to a Christian. Look at how Paul addressed the Church in his letters. He called them "saints," including the Church at Corinth which was wrought with sin. God doesn't see me as a sinner, He sees me as His child totally cleansed of my sins for eternity and indwelt by His very life because of my faith in Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean I don't still sin. It means that God isn't judging me on the basis of my sins, but on my new life in Christ. Christians need to be who we are, not what we were. We are holy, blameless, forgiven, righteous, sanctified, justified, amongst other things, children of God. We may be a child of God who struggles with sin, but we don't identify ourselves by our struggles. "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11)."
Q: THE QUESTION IS: First things First....The bible says seek "First" His kingdom....What does that mean?
A: Jesus made this statement in Matthew 6, in the midst of His "Sermon on the Mount." He made it right after declaring it is the pagans who worry about what to eat, drink and wear. The theme of the Sermon was not to give us marching orders on how to live in order to get God to bless us with the things pagans worry about. Jesus was trying to bury us under the impossible standards of God so we would turn to Him by faith. The last half of the verse says, "and all these things will be given to you as well." In Christ, we already have everything we need for life and godliness. We are told later in Scripture to be content with food and clothing. A reminder of what Jesus was trying to get across to His audience by telling them not to worry about tomorrow or the concerns of this world. God knows what we need to make it in this world. In Christ, we spend our lives discovering (seeking) what it is we already have been given through our faith in Christ. God will make sure we have everything else.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Lord is our Halo
Q: I am interested in understanding the relationship of halo[s] with biblical principles. Are halo[s] something created by God? If somebody tells you that you were born with a halo around you, then also says to read Ephesian 6:10 about the whole armour of God what are they really saying?
A: According to its definition, a halo is an "aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing." We usually see individuals who have been given honor by man depicted with a circle of light over their heads or around them to signify glory of some sort. In fact, many pagan religions use halos to glorify the leaders of their systems of belief. However, the idea of a halo is not something that lines up with biblical principles. In biblical terms the only individual worthy of glory or veneration is Jesus Christ. It was Jesus who said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12)." If there is any "light," figuratively speaking, that surrounds anybody it is only because they have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ and He is shining through them as that person bears the fruit of the Spirit God is producing through them. Even more telling is that if we don't have Christ indwelling us we not only don't have anything resembling a "halo" surrounding us, we are in complete darkness; void of any light at all.
Nobody is born with a halo surrounding them. That gives the impression that there are people who come into this world worthy of respect or awe simply because they exist. Again, Jesus was the only individual born worthy of being exalted and worshiped. The Bible records that His birth was the fulfillment of prophecy by declaring, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us (Matthew 1:23)." If all mankind is in darkness, apart from Christ, then it stands to reason that Jesus was, and is, the only person ever born with light around them because He is the Light. The Gospel message itself relies on the fact that all mankind is born into this world in the dark, spiritually dead to God, in sin. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:22 that "in Adam all die..." This means that because of Adam's sin the life of God left him and, subsequently, everyone who has ever been born into this world, other than Jesus Christ, is born dead in sin, without the life of God indwelling them. Yet, the Bible goes on to say in that same verse that "in Christ all will be made alive." Therefore, the life of God that left Adam is restored in Christ. We go from darkness to light by placing faith in Christ.
As a believer we are now in the light because we have the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, indwelling us. Since we have the indwelling life of God within us to guide us and lead us we have access to the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-11 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." When Jesus was being tempted by the Devil in the desert, His "weapon" of choice was not one of aggression, but one defensive in nature. If you read Luke 4, every time the Devil tempted Jesus what was His response? Whenever the Devil tempted Jesus, the Lord responded with "it is written." Jesus was quoting scripture to foil the devil's schemes. It is the same with us. As we learn to trust in and depend on the Lord, and His indwelling Spirit, we will be able to resist the Devil as well through our knowledge of God's Word and the discernment of the Holy Spirit. As you continue to read in Ephesians 6 it says that our battle is not with flesh and blood, but "against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12)." The Devil attacks our minds because if he can get control of our minds, our bodies and actions will soon follow.
While concepts like halos may sound innocent to the average person, they can be used by the Devil as subtle lures to deceive those unable to discern his schemes. The example of light and darkness mentioned earlier is perfect to understand this. If you are in a dark room, without any light source to guide you, the chances of you navigating safely through the darkness is impossible. You will be grasping aimlessly at anything to guide you and stabilize you without knowing if what you are holding on to is safe or leading you in the right direction. You just hope it gets you through the darkness. That is why Jesus is so important. He is like the flashlight in that dark room. He, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, shines a light on the darkness so you can navigate through the darkness with little problem. Concepts like halos are lures that can deceive people into believing things about God that are not true. The error can lead you down a path of false religion and dependence on things God did not intend for you to put faith in. The concept of halos is not biblical, but the concept of light is. As Jesus said to His disciples, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light (John 11:9-10)." When we walk with the Lord we do not walk with the light of a halo surrounding us. When we walk with the Lord we do not stumble because we have His light guiding us from within.
A: According to its definition, a halo is an "aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing." We usually see individuals who have been given honor by man depicted with a circle of light over their heads or around them to signify glory of some sort. In fact, many pagan religions use halos to glorify the leaders of their systems of belief. However, the idea of a halo is not something that lines up with biblical principles. In biblical terms the only individual worthy of glory or veneration is Jesus Christ. It was Jesus who said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12)." If there is any "light," figuratively speaking, that surrounds anybody it is only because they have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ and He is shining through them as that person bears the fruit of the Spirit God is producing through them. Even more telling is that if we don't have Christ indwelling us we not only don't have anything resembling a "halo" surrounding us, we are in complete darkness; void of any light at all.
Nobody is born with a halo surrounding them. That gives the impression that there are people who come into this world worthy of respect or awe simply because they exist. Again, Jesus was the only individual born worthy of being exalted and worshiped. The Bible records that His birth was the fulfillment of prophecy by declaring, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us (Matthew 1:23)." If all mankind is in darkness, apart from Christ, then it stands to reason that Jesus was, and is, the only person ever born with light around them because He is the Light. The Gospel message itself relies on the fact that all mankind is born into this world in the dark, spiritually dead to God, in sin. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:22 that "in Adam all die..." This means that because of Adam's sin the life of God left him and, subsequently, everyone who has ever been born into this world, other than Jesus Christ, is born dead in sin, without the life of God indwelling them. Yet, the Bible goes on to say in that same verse that "in Christ all will be made alive." Therefore, the life of God that left Adam is restored in Christ. We go from darkness to light by placing faith in Christ.
As a believer we are now in the light because we have the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, indwelling us. Since we have the indwelling life of God within us to guide us and lead us we have access to the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-11 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." When Jesus was being tempted by the Devil in the desert, His "weapon" of choice was not one of aggression, but one defensive in nature. If you read Luke 4, every time the Devil tempted Jesus what was His response? Whenever the Devil tempted Jesus, the Lord responded with "it is written." Jesus was quoting scripture to foil the devil's schemes. It is the same with us. As we learn to trust in and depend on the Lord, and His indwelling Spirit, we will be able to resist the Devil as well through our knowledge of God's Word and the discernment of the Holy Spirit. As you continue to read in Ephesians 6 it says that our battle is not with flesh and blood, but "against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12)." The Devil attacks our minds because if he can get control of our minds, our bodies and actions will soon follow.
While concepts like halos may sound innocent to the average person, they can be used by the Devil as subtle lures to deceive those unable to discern his schemes. The example of light and darkness mentioned earlier is perfect to understand this. If you are in a dark room, without any light source to guide you, the chances of you navigating safely through the darkness is impossible. You will be grasping aimlessly at anything to guide you and stabilize you without knowing if what you are holding on to is safe or leading you in the right direction. You just hope it gets you through the darkness. That is why Jesus is so important. He is like the flashlight in that dark room. He, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, shines a light on the darkness so you can navigate through the darkness with little problem. Concepts like halos are lures that can deceive people into believing things about God that are not true. The error can lead you down a path of false religion and dependence on things God did not intend for you to put faith in. The concept of halos is not biblical, but the concept of light is. As Jesus said to His disciples, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light (John 11:9-10)." When we walk with the Lord we do not walk with the light of a halo surrounding us. When we walk with the Lord we do not stumble because we have His light guiding us from within.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A Healthy Well-balanced Misconception
I was reading a book that included the question, "How do I find a good church?" The author then went into about four pages of how to identify what he calls a "healthy well-balanced church." Amidst the answers he was giving was the following quote:
"We know we have discovered a good church if God is worshiped in Spirit and in truth through prayer, praise and the proclamation of the Word; if the oneness we share in Christ is tangibly manifested through community, confession and contribution; and if the church is equipping its members as witnesses who can communicate what they believe, why they believe, and Who they believe..."
Now, on the surface I don't have much disagreement with what has been said here. However, what church would not claim to fit all of the above-mentioned attributes? No church is going to say they don't pray, praise and proclaim. No church will deny they encourage attendees to get involved in some form or another. And, again, I doubt any church will say they aren't equipping the membership to be a witness and communicate what they believe. But, there is a fundamental error in this way of thinking. That error is that the first thing a believer must understand is not to be occupied with finding a church, but recognizing that they are the Church. The church is not a place we go, but it is who we are in Christ.
The Bible tells us that Christ's "purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (Ephesians 2:15-16)." The Church is not an organization to belong to or a building to congregate in. The Church is individual Jews and Gentiles who have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding this fundamental truth, to a great extent, diminishes the desire to have to ask how to find a church. There is a long standing tradition in the Christian community that says you have to go to church if you are Christian. This is not biblical in my opinion. The book of Hebrews says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)." This verse is often used as irrefutable proof that Christians are commanded to go to church. However, going to church and fellowship are two different things. I, for one, know that as a believer you have a desire to be around fellow Christians to encourage and be encouraged. But, while belonging to a local church may be the norm it is not the fulfillment of scripture.
A few years after I was saved I left a church that would have described itself as a "healthy well-balanced" church. When I attended we prayed, praised and proclaimed. I was involved in various community outreaches and church groups. One might say I was doing my Christian duty. The only problem is that as I grew in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, I soon realized that this church was not anywhere close to proclaiming truth. And that is what gets me about the opening quote I referred to. Without a level of maturity and the discernment from the Holy Spirit you can pretty much judge a churches worth by the fervor in which they meet all these supposed standards. But, that doesn't mean all they do is in accordance with truth and a natural byproduct of Christ living through them. After I left this church I was without a church "home" for many years. But, it was in that time that I grew the most in my relationship with God. Why? Because I had the Holy Spirit who was leading me into all truth.
Realizing that I am a part of the Church because of my faith in Jesus Christ I soon learned that I don't need to be a part of a local gathering of saints in order to fulfill those things identified as attributes of a healthy well-balanced church. I fulfill those things every day in my walk with the Lord. I pray to God everyday in that I "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present [my] requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)." Nearly thirteen years in the Lord learning to trust Him more with my life is evidence that I am aware that I "have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in [my] body (1 Corinthians 6:20)." This public blog is a great way to "proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28)." I am able to be a witness and can communicate what I believe with the world. My point is not to discourage anyone from finding a group of like-minded believers to fellowship with on a consistent basis. I attend a weekly fellowship myself as well as belong to an Internet fellowship of people who do not have the traditional church home. My point is to encourage the individual believer not to focus on where they park their bodies once or twice a week, but to focus on their own personal relationship with the Lord so that they can be used by God on a daily basis. When the time comes the church home will materialize. If it doesn't, be encouraged that you are still part of the Body.
"We know we have discovered a good church if God is worshiped in Spirit and in truth through prayer, praise and the proclamation of the Word; if the oneness we share in Christ is tangibly manifested through community, confession and contribution; and if the church is equipping its members as witnesses who can communicate what they believe, why they believe, and Who they believe..."
Now, on the surface I don't have much disagreement with what has been said here. However, what church would not claim to fit all of the above-mentioned attributes? No church is going to say they don't pray, praise and proclaim. No church will deny they encourage attendees to get involved in some form or another. And, again, I doubt any church will say they aren't equipping the membership to be a witness and communicate what they believe. But, there is a fundamental error in this way of thinking. That error is that the first thing a believer must understand is not to be occupied with finding a church, but recognizing that they are the Church. The church is not a place we go, but it is who we are in Christ.
The Bible tells us that Christ's "purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (Ephesians 2:15-16)." The Church is not an organization to belong to or a building to congregate in. The Church is individual Jews and Gentiles who have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding this fundamental truth, to a great extent, diminishes the desire to have to ask how to find a church. There is a long standing tradition in the Christian community that says you have to go to church if you are Christian. This is not biblical in my opinion. The book of Hebrews says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)." This verse is often used as irrefutable proof that Christians are commanded to go to church. However, going to church and fellowship are two different things. I, for one, know that as a believer you have a desire to be around fellow Christians to encourage and be encouraged. But, while belonging to a local church may be the norm it is not the fulfillment of scripture.
A few years after I was saved I left a church that would have described itself as a "healthy well-balanced" church. When I attended we prayed, praised and proclaimed. I was involved in various community outreaches and church groups. One might say I was doing my Christian duty. The only problem is that as I grew in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, I soon realized that this church was not anywhere close to proclaiming truth. And that is what gets me about the opening quote I referred to. Without a level of maturity and the discernment from the Holy Spirit you can pretty much judge a churches worth by the fervor in which they meet all these supposed standards. But, that doesn't mean all they do is in accordance with truth and a natural byproduct of Christ living through them. After I left this church I was without a church "home" for many years. But, it was in that time that I grew the most in my relationship with God. Why? Because I had the Holy Spirit who was leading me into all truth.
Realizing that I am a part of the Church because of my faith in Jesus Christ I soon learned that I don't need to be a part of a local gathering of saints in order to fulfill those things identified as attributes of a healthy well-balanced church. I fulfill those things every day in my walk with the Lord. I pray to God everyday in that I "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present [my] requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)." Nearly thirteen years in the Lord learning to trust Him more with my life is evidence that I am aware that I "have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in [my] body (1 Corinthians 6:20)." This public blog is a great way to "proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28)." I am able to be a witness and can communicate what I believe with the world. My point is not to discourage anyone from finding a group of like-minded believers to fellowship with on a consistent basis. I attend a weekly fellowship myself as well as belong to an Internet fellowship of people who do not have the traditional church home. My point is to encourage the individual believer not to focus on where they park their bodies once or twice a week, but to focus on their own personal relationship with the Lord so that they can be used by God on a daily basis. When the time comes the church home will materialize. If it doesn't, be encouraged that you are still part of the Body.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
There are no Good people!
Q: When I witness to non-believers I go through some of the 10 commandments to see if the non-believer is a `good person`. A typical question would be `How many lies have you told?` Response would be `many`. So then I would ask,`What do you call someone who tells lies?` Response `A liar`....So my question is,`If someone does something good regardless of the lies or sins that person committed, does it make that person `good`?` I having some trouble with that logic. I see many Christians witness this way including myself and I want [to] understand the logic behind calling someone who lies a liar and then declaring them a bad person in God`s eyes but yet that person could have done something good and so with that logic I have to declare that person good. Feel free to rephrase the question. I hope you understood.
A: The use of the law, when talking to an unbeliever, is not necessarily to show them they are a "bad" person. The law is to show them they are dead in their sins so they will turn to Christ for salvation. "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24)." Declaring whether someone is good or bad is a human standard too often reliant on the subjective nature of those doing the judging. For instance you used someone lying as an example of them being a bad person. However, lying isn't always bad. Take the example of Rahab, the prostitute. When the king of Jericho told her to bring out the spies Joshua had sent, she replied, "when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went (Joshua 2:5)." Her lying was commended by God to the point where the author of Hebrews listed her among those being recognized for their faith (Hebrews 11:31). I mention Rahab not to condone lying, but to show that our behavior isn't necessarily the key to how God views us. Most unbelievers do not see themselves as sinful because each person does what is right in their own eyes. And if they aren't robbing, stealing, killing, are paying their taxes, doing right by their family and friends, etc., they don't see themselves as sinful, much less in need of a Savior.
In God's eyes it isn't a question of whether people are good or bad, but whether they are dead in sin or alive in Christ. Jesus was greeted by a man who called Him, "Good Teacher." Jesus responded to the man with, "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone (Mark 10:18)." In that context it is easy to see that no man or woman is good from God's standpoint. The book of Romans sums it up this way, "All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:12)." Regardless of whether we are a believer or an unbeliever we all sin. Thus, by human standards, we are either bad all the time or we bounce from good to bad dependent on what we do in a particular moment in time. The fact is that all mankind comes into this world dead to God in sin and in need of His life. "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)." When you use the 10 commandments with an unbeliever, hopefully, they will see that when they match their lives up against God's standards they fail miserably. The only conclusion they can come to is what must they do next? That is when you can share the Gospel with them.
God is not judging the world on the basis of what we do. He is judging the world on the basis of who we are. You, obviously, are aware that Christians still sin and, therefore, could be labeled as being bad. Thus, you are confused about revealing to an unbeliever they are "bad" because of their sin when Christians could be considered just as "bad" because of ours. The difference is that we are aware we are sinners and have turned to Christ for salvation. When God looks at Christians He doesn't see us as good or bad, but He sees us as totally righteous children of God because of our faith in Christ. "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:4)." If you are in Christ, then the law has done its work in your life. Just like a mirror shows us how dirty we are so we can clean ourselves, the law reveals our sin so we can turn to Christ and be cleansed of our sins and receive His life. "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law (Galatians 3:25)." A Christian lives by faith in Christ to lead them and guide them from within through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The goal of matching the deeds of an unbeliever up against the standards of God's law is to show them their condition of spiritual death in hopes they will turn to, and accept, God's one and only provision of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus Christ. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48)." God demands perfection not our best efforts. Most unbelievers think themselves to be basically good. But, basically good is not good enough. It may score them points in the eyes of their fellow man, but it won't save them from the wrath of God. Most unbelievers compare themselves to other people. Thus, depending on who they compare themselves against, they most often conclude that they are okay. And then they project that onto God assuming He must see them the way they see themselves. However, the law is God's contribution to mankind's best efforts to try and be like Him. If we want to be like God, apart from Christ, we must completely obey His commandments, without fault, our entire lives. The only conclusion we can reach is that we cannot do it. And that is exactly what God wants us to conclude. But, in His love, God gave the solution, Jesus Christ.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life (Romans 5:8-10)!" Keep preaching the law to unbelievers. Properly used, it will show an unbeliever just how unlike God they are in hopes that they will turn to Christ by faith. Remember, anything good you do is Christ doing it through you. And any bad you do has been forgiven forever at the Cross by the death of Jesus Christ. Amen!
A: The use of the law, when talking to an unbeliever, is not necessarily to show them they are a "bad" person. The law is to show them they are dead in their sins so they will turn to Christ for salvation. "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24)." Declaring whether someone is good or bad is a human standard too often reliant on the subjective nature of those doing the judging. For instance you used someone lying as an example of them being a bad person. However, lying isn't always bad. Take the example of Rahab, the prostitute. When the king of Jericho told her to bring out the spies Joshua had sent, she replied, "when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went (Joshua 2:5)." Her lying was commended by God to the point where the author of Hebrews listed her among those being recognized for their faith (Hebrews 11:31). I mention Rahab not to condone lying, but to show that our behavior isn't necessarily the key to how God views us. Most unbelievers do not see themselves as sinful because each person does what is right in their own eyes. And if they aren't robbing, stealing, killing, are paying their taxes, doing right by their family and friends, etc., they don't see themselves as sinful, much less in need of a Savior.
In God's eyes it isn't a question of whether people are good or bad, but whether they are dead in sin or alive in Christ. Jesus was greeted by a man who called Him, "Good Teacher." Jesus responded to the man with, "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone (Mark 10:18)." In that context it is easy to see that no man or woman is good from God's standpoint. The book of Romans sums it up this way, "All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:12)." Regardless of whether we are a believer or an unbeliever we all sin. Thus, by human standards, we are either bad all the time or we bounce from good to bad dependent on what we do in a particular moment in time. The fact is that all mankind comes into this world dead to God in sin and in need of His life. "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)." When you use the 10 commandments with an unbeliever, hopefully, they will see that when they match their lives up against God's standards they fail miserably. The only conclusion they can come to is what must they do next? That is when you can share the Gospel with them.
God is not judging the world on the basis of what we do. He is judging the world on the basis of who we are. You, obviously, are aware that Christians still sin and, therefore, could be labeled as being bad. Thus, you are confused about revealing to an unbeliever they are "bad" because of their sin when Christians could be considered just as "bad" because of ours. The difference is that we are aware we are sinners and have turned to Christ for salvation. When God looks at Christians He doesn't see us as good or bad, but He sees us as totally righteous children of God because of our faith in Christ. "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:4)." If you are in Christ, then the law has done its work in your life. Just like a mirror shows us how dirty we are so we can clean ourselves, the law reveals our sin so we can turn to Christ and be cleansed of our sins and receive His life. "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law (Galatians 3:25)." A Christian lives by faith in Christ to lead them and guide them from within through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The goal of matching the deeds of an unbeliever up against the standards of God's law is to show them their condition of spiritual death in hopes they will turn to, and accept, God's one and only provision of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus Christ. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48)." God demands perfection not our best efforts. Most unbelievers think themselves to be basically good. But, basically good is not good enough. It may score them points in the eyes of their fellow man, but it won't save them from the wrath of God. Most unbelievers compare themselves to other people. Thus, depending on who they compare themselves against, they most often conclude that they are okay. And then they project that onto God assuming He must see them the way they see themselves. However, the law is God's contribution to mankind's best efforts to try and be like Him. If we want to be like God, apart from Christ, we must completely obey His commandments, without fault, our entire lives. The only conclusion we can reach is that we cannot do it. And that is exactly what God wants us to conclude. But, in His love, God gave the solution, Jesus Christ.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life (Romans 5:8-10)!" Keep preaching the law to unbelievers. Properly used, it will show an unbeliever just how unlike God they are in hopes that they will turn to Christ by faith. Remember, anything good you do is Christ doing it through you. And any bad you do has been forgiven forever at the Cross by the death of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Friday, July 17, 2009
My Answer is... July 17, 2009
Q: Did you find it? The bible says, he who has "found" his life will lose it and he who has "lost" his life for my sake will find it..What does that mean?
A: Matthew 10:39 says, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Salvation is the restoration of the life of God. We are spiritually dead in sin before we come alive to God in Christ. Prior to that point in our life our desires are our own; driven by the flesh. We don't have any alternative, but to sow to our flesh. However, when God restored His life to us, that we lost in Adam, and we became new creations, our whole life changed, including our desires. We begin to see the world through the eyes of the Lord and realize the importance of sharing the Gospel. In this process the life we once lived of trying to gain the world slowly starts to disappear. We have gained eternal life and lost our earthly life. We now live "for [his] sake" and not our own. We may suffer the loss of friends, family, careers and more for the sake of Christ, but we have been given so much more in Him. We have lost our lives, but have been given the very life of God!
Q: As a Christian what is our ultimate "purpose"?
A: Purpose, by definition, is an end to be attained. Our purpose as Christians is to allow the Lord to live the Christian life through us so as to be a light to the dark world. The reason God has given us everything for life and godliness and blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ is so that we can rest from our works and become living sacrifices to Him. In this way we don't spend our lives trying to get earthly and fleshly blessings from Him, but rather be a blessing to others for Him. As we live a life of trust and dependence on Him we can be the ambassadors of Christ that we truly are. We are representatives of the Kingdom of God here on foreign soil. In this way the scriptures can be fulfilled when it says, "His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (Eph. 2:15-16)." God's purpose is for Jew & Gentile to be one in Christ.
Q: "Move out my way"! The bible says "speak" to the mountain and it shall "move"..How do we apply that statement to our lives?
A: We don't apply it to our lives. We aren't little gods with the power to move mountains. Jesus said, "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there and it will move (Mat. 17:20)." This wasn't a statement that we have faith to move mountains, but a statement of how small our faith is. Besides, it isn't how big our faith is, but how big our God is. Faith is only as good as the object of our faith. And the object of our faith is Jesus Christ. Paul said that "if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing (1 Cor. 13:2)." Even if you could move mountains with your faith it is nothing apart from love. And we cannot love apart from knowing that "We love because he (God) first loved us (1 Jn 4:19)." Again, it all comes back to God, who showed us what love is by sending Jesus Christ. And it is Jesus who is "the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2)." We have faith in Him and His ability, not in ourselves.
Q: I DIDN'T MARRY YOU! The bible says honor thy mother and father. Should your parents have the "right" to make decision in your marriage?
A: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Gen 2:24)." When a man, or a woman, leaves his or her parents it is to be "united" with his wife. United means to "form a single whole or unit." Therefore, they "become one flesh." This means that the married couple makes the decisions. Parents, depending on the situation, can and should be a resource for the marriage as they have wisdom and experience to offer. But, they don't have a "right" to make a decision in your marriage. If a parent has done their job and trained a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it (Prov. 22:6;Eph. 6:4). In the best case scenario, you will have a Christian marriage, grounded in the Lord, with parents on both sides available to offer guidance when asked. Parents must trust the Lord to guide their children when they've been married as well as trust Him themselves to guide them away from controlling the marriage.
A: Matthew 10:39 says, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Salvation is the restoration of the life of God. We are spiritually dead in sin before we come alive to God in Christ. Prior to that point in our life our desires are our own; driven by the flesh. We don't have any alternative, but to sow to our flesh. However, when God restored His life to us, that we lost in Adam, and we became new creations, our whole life changed, including our desires. We begin to see the world through the eyes of the Lord and realize the importance of sharing the Gospel. In this process the life we once lived of trying to gain the world slowly starts to disappear. We have gained eternal life and lost our earthly life. We now live "for [his] sake" and not our own. We may suffer the loss of friends, family, careers and more for the sake of Christ, but we have been given so much more in Him. We have lost our lives, but have been given the very life of God!
Q: As a Christian what is our ultimate "purpose"?
A: Purpose, by definition, is an end to be attained. Our purpose as Christians is to allow the Lord to live the Christian life through us so as to be a light to the dark world. The reason God has given us everything for life and godliness and blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ is so that we can rest from our works and become living sacrifices to Him. In this way we don't spend our lives trying to get earthly and fleshly blessings from Him, but rather be a blessing to others for Him. As we live a life of trust and dependence on Him we can be the ambassadors of Christ that we truly are. We are representatives of the Kingdom of God here on foreign soil. In this way the scriptures can be fulfilled when it says, "His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (Eph. 2:15-16)." God's purpose is for Jew & Gentile to be one in Christ.
Q: "Move out my way"! The bible says "speak" to the mountain and it shall "move"..How do we apply that statement to our lives?
A: We don't apply it to our lives. We aren't little gods with the power to move mountains. Jesus said, "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there and it will move (Mat. 17:20)." This wasn't a statement that we have faith to move mountains, but a statement of how small our faith is. Besides, it isn't how big our faith is, but how big our God is. Faith is only as good as the object of our faith. And the object of our faith is Jesus Christ. Paul said that "if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing (1 Cor. 13:2)." Even if you could move mountains with your faith it is nothing apart from love. And we cannot love apart from knowing that "We love because he (God) first loved us (1 Jn 4:19)." Again, it all comes back to God, who showed us what love is by sending Jesus Christ. And it is Jesus who is "the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2)." We have faith in Him and His ability, not in ourselves.
Q: I DIDN'T MARRY YOU! The bible says honor thy mother and father. Should your parents have the "right" to make decision in your marriage?
A: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Gen 2:24)." When a man, or a woman, leaves his or her parents it is to be "united" with his wife. United means to "form a single whole or unit." Therefore, they "become one flesh." This means that the married couple makes the decisions. Parents, depending on the situation, can and should be a resource for the marriage as they have wisdom and experience to offer. But, they don't have a "right" to make a decision in your marriage. If a parent has done their job and trained a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it (Prov. 22:6;Eph. 6:4). In the best case scenario, you will have a Christian marriage, grounded in the Lord, with parents on both sides available to offer guidance when asked. Parents must trust the Lord to guide their children when they've been married as well as trust Him themselves to guide them away from controlling the marriage.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What not to Wear
I came across the latest edition of the Denver Catholic Register. The headline across the top read, "Does God care what I wear to Mass?" Now, I am not Catholic, but I know that the topic of dress has been an issue in both Catholic and Protestant circles for years. My initial response to this question is "God doesn't care about what a person wears." Now, don't get me wrong, I am not encouraging Christians to not take any care in how they present themselves. Nor am I trying to say, as one Christian in the article puts it, that "God doesn't care what I wear to church as long as I'm there." My point is that we have to ask ourselves why are you dressed a certain way or do you think your dress is consistent with how a child of God should dress? We have to ask these types of questions because it is too easy to judge people for their dress. When we look at others we most often come to one of two possible conclusions. We either are better than they are, which is pride, or we are worse then they are, which is condemnation. Both of which come from the pit of Hell. Furthermore, both are attitudes that arise from subjecting ourselves to law.
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12)." In the article mentioned above, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput is quoted as saying, "I think the Lord is always displeased if we dress immodestly." What is this based on? I think the ones who are displeased are those around a particular person more so than God. While I understand what the Archbishop is saying, one must ask, "How does one dress in order to please God?" You see how we can get into the putting ourselves back under law? Besides, if the Lord is displeased with immodest dress the opposite must be true as well. He must be pleased with modest dress. First, what is immodest and modest dress. Secondly, doesn't this tend to make each of us compare ourselves to one another by how we dress? Of course it does. We have all heard the term "Sunday Best" to describe those people who wear their best outfits to church. In my experience, this was not something motivated by the Holy Spirit, but something originating from the flesh and the desire to be "recognized" by others.
Think about it. If I wear a 3-piece suit to church is the attention going to be on me or God? If a woman wears a stunning outfit, capped off with a flamboyant hat to match, is the attention on her or on God? And who decides what is acceptable to God and what is not acceptable? As a man, I have attended church where some of the women have dressed in a manner that they served to be more of a stumbling block to the men in attendance than they were edifying God or the Body of Christ. Yet, on the flip side, I have seen people dressing as though they were the one that we all came to church to see. In general, I have no problem with a pastor, or in this case an Archbishop, addressing the issue of dress. However, it all needs to be put in its proper context. The Apostle Paul talked about submission to the basic principles of this world which is what can happen when we venture into topics like what one wears to church. However, Paul's response was quite telling. "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:23)."
I don't think Paul was encouraging Christians to not take into consideration how they dress. Most everything we do as Christians should be filtered through our identity in Christ. This will help us to decide if what we are doing will cause attention to be directed to me or to God. I believe that the answer to how one dresses is directly tied to their understanding of the Gospel message and how God sees us. So, when a pastor or laymen brings up the subject of what to wear it should not be in the context of condemnation as seems to be the case in this article and in my own personal experience. It should be in light of who we are as children of God. As mentioned earlier, we need to ask ourselves if what we are wearing is a reflection of who we are in Christ. Honestly, I wouldn't tell someone to not wear a suit, but I would question why someone would wear a mini-skirt or sloppy, baggy jeans to church as well. But, we should look at it as a teaching opportunity. Thank God that these people have found their way into your midst and allow the Lord to work through you to show them compassion and love. And pray that He gives you the opportunity and the words to talk to them in a caring, but instructive manner. Remember, the best teacher is experience. And we all, at one time or another, did something, be it how we dressed or something else we did, that wasn't a reflection of our status as God's children. The way we dress is the byproduct of who we are and what we believe inside. It isn't about changing someones clothes as much as it is about getting God inside them to change their heart. That will lead to outward changes which will automatically start to take place in their life.
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12)." In the article mentioned above, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput is quoted as saying, "I think the Lord is always displeased if we dress immodestly." What is this based on? I think the ones who are displeased are those around a particular person more so than God. While I understand what the Archbishop is saying, one must ask, "How does one dress in order to please God?" You see how we can get into the putting ourselves back under law? Besides, if the Lord is displeased with immodest dress the opposite must be true as well. He must be pleased with modest dress. First, what is immodest and modest dress. Secondly, doesn't this tend to make each of us compare ourselves to one another by how we dress? Of course it does. We have all heard the term "Sunday Best" to describe those people who wear their best outfits to church. In my experience, this was not something motivated by the Holy Spirit, but something originating from the flesh and the desire to be "recognized" by others.
Think about it. If I wear a 3-piece suit to church is the attention going to be on me or God? If a woman wears a stunning outfit, capped off with a flamboyant hat to match, is the attention on her or on God? And who decides what is acceptable to God and what is not acceptable? As a man, I have attended church where some of the women have dressed in a manner that they served to be more of a stumbling block to the men in attendance than they were edifying God or the Body of Christ. Yet, on the flip side, I have seen people dressing as though they were the one that we all came to church to see. In general, I have no problem with a pastor, or in this case an Archbishop, addressing the issue of dress. However, it all needs to be put in its proper context. The Apostle Paul talked about submission to the basic principles of this world which is what can happen when we venture into topics like what one wears to church. However, Paul's response was quite telling. "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:23)."
I don't think Paul was encouraging Christians to not take into consideration how they dress. Most everything we do as Christians should be filtered through our identity in Christ. This will help us to decide if what we are doing will cause attention to be directed to me or to God. I believe that the answer to how one dresses is directly tied to their understanding of the Gospel message and how God sees us. So, when a pastor or laymen brings up the subject of what to wear it should not be in the context of condemnation as seems to be the case in this article and in my own personal experience. It should be in light of who we are as children of God. As mentioned earlier, we need to ask ourselves if what we are wearing is a reflection of who we are in Christ. Honestly, I wouldn't tell someone to not wear a suit, but I would question why someone would wear a mini-skirt or sloppy, baggy jeans to church as well. But, we should look at it as a teaching opportunity. Thank God that these people have found their way into your midst and allow the Lord to work through you to show them compassion and love. And pray that He gives you the opportunity and the words to talk to them in a caring, but instructive manner. Remember, the best teacher is experience. And we all, at one time or another, did something, be it how we dressed or something else we did, that wasn't a reflection of our status as God's children. The way we dress is the byproduct of who we are and what we believe inside. It isn't about changing someones clothes as much as it is about getting God inside them to change their heart. That will lead to outward changes which will automatically start to take place in their life.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Honor your dad by Honoring your Father
Q: I`ll tell you right now, this is a long question. This isn't necessarily a general question, but one very specific to my situation. I don`t mean to burden you with something that you`d probably suggest I ask the pastor of my church, but there is no church I`m regularly attending and no pastor that I know well enough to trust their judgement. And I've never been good at praying and knowing if/when prayers are answered. If answering my question is something you`d rather not do, that`s fine. I`ll understand. But I figured I`d ask on here anyway because, based on the questions and answers I've read on this website, I sincerely trust the judgement of those who are giving the answers.
As far as my question, it concerns the commandment to honor thy parents. Basically, my dad has always been, for lack of a better word, a jerk to myself and my mom. It`s not in a physically abusive way. It`s more emotionally abusive, in the sense that, with any situation dealing with money, his interests always get put ahead of anyone else`s.
He's always made plenty of money, and it`s not like I`d ask for a million dollars. Believe me, I've never asked to be spoiled or showered with gifts or anything. But he would just always put his financial well-being, I should say more like excessive financial well-being, above anyone else`s emotional or, really, overall well-being, I guess is the best way to describe it. And his financial well-being was never in jeopardy, he`s just very selfish and possessive with the money he makes. And although he does give to certain church organizations, he also denied his adopted sister financial help a couple years ago, citing a lack of money, which he could've got if he really wanted to, and allowed her to die from cancer. His mood can change whether he is feeling giving or not. Even with my mom having a bad back and when she really shouldn't be working, he forced her to get a job by not giving her any money for anything except some for groceries, and even then she`d have to borrow from me. He didn't even help pay for her chiropractor visits.
Now, she divorced him 1 1/2 years ago, and has been struggling to make it on her own ever since. I live with her at the moment, oh and I have two younger brothers that live with my dad whom he treats fine, and am probably going to be helping to take care of her for the rest of her life. I`m 23 and she`s 49. Which is fine, I don`t have a problem with that. I have a strange confidence that I will be financially blessed and will be able to take care of her easily. I do have a problem with the way he`s treated me and her though.
The thing is, I want to have a normal relationship with him. And it`s not that I can`t. I could call him, email him, visit him right now if I wanted. But I guess I feel that there is a conflict of interests, because even though I want everything to be normal, I don`t want to pretend that everything is fine and dandy with the way he`s acted and is still acting, because it`s not. I think that, just as there are consequences for people`s actions and decisions, there should be consequences for his. I don`t want to make it seem as though there shouldn't be and that I just accept his decisions as the right ones. And I`m not sure what to do. It`s impossible for me to not feel at least some sort of resentment towards him for his actions, some of which still affect me. My mom of course feels the same way, and my dad actually feels that my mom is the one that destroyed their marriage, at fault for everything, etc. Trust me, she`s always tried to do as much as she could for us. He just never felt that it was enough.
So my question is, is it possible to `honor` my dad and have a normal relationship with him even with the way my mom and myself have been treated and our current feelings for each other? If so, how? If it`s better that I just not have any sort of relationship with him until he `learns his lesson`, that`s fine, I can accept that. But I want to forgive him and move on and have a normal relationship, and I could right now if that`s what I should do, but I don`t know how to, or if I even should, with my mom and myself in less than ideal situations, especially vulnerable situations financially, largely because of him, and with the fact that he sees nothing wrong with anything he`s done. He considers himself to be a very generous `Christian` person. Again, if this is too much to try to answer, that`s fine. I`ll understand. Thanks.
A: Let me begin by expressing my sorrow for the difficult situation you are having with your dad. It may not be of comfort to you, but you are not alone in your struggles. Many people, Christian or otherwise, experience problems dealing with one or more of their parents. I am not sure if you will ever have a "normal relationship" with your father. My primary reason for saying that is because it takes two people to have a relationship and the definition of normal can mean different things to different people. In your case it appears that by "normal relationship" you mean one where your dad spends his money to your liking. If he would have spent his money on the things you felt he should have, and in the manner in which you feel he should, it seems you would not be as upset with him. But, you must realize it is his money to do with as he pleases. If there is some problem your dad has that leads to him spending his money in the manner he does then, ultimately, that is something he will have to work through with God. However, you are an adult now, and since you say you feel you will be able to take care of your mother as she grows older, be thankful for that.
The Bible says that "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)." It doesn't say that those things God is using are good things. From our perspective they may be good, bad or somewhere in between. We may not even understand or ever see the outcome of what God has done. But, in your case be thankful that as bad as you feel your father has been to you, your mom and your family, you called him a jerk, that you seem to have made it to adulthood relatively unscathed by it all. That is something to be thankful for. My suggestion is that you forgive your dad for whatever wrongs you feel he has perpetrated against you and your family and move on with your life before you are consumed by the anger and frustration you feel towards him. In other words, press on, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13)." You can't change the past or control the behavior of others. In fact, your dad may not even think he has done anything wrong and may feel his actions are justified. Instead of wishing to control your dad's behavior, be an example to him by the way in which you behave towards him.
A close friend of mine once told me a story of how God revealed to him the power of forgiveness. My friend likes to fish without a pole, choosing to hold the fishing line in his hands as it dangles in the water. He tells of God reminding him of how it felt when a fish would grab the other end of the line and struggle to get free. Both he and the fish were locked in battle until either the fish broke free of the line or my friend wrestled it in the boat. My friend realized that as long as he held on to that line he was in bondage to the fish just as much as the fish was in bondage to him. Your anger and frustration towards your dad has you in bondage. Until you let that go you will miss out on what life has in store for you. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Do you realize how much God, in Christ, has forgiven you? Every sin you will ever commit, from birth until death, was taken away for eternity at the cross. Therefore, we are told to extend the forgiveness we have received from God with those we encounter in life. I don't know how much your dad knows about how you feel about him. But, imagine what might happen to your relationship with him if you started bearing the fruits of kindness, compassion and forgiveness towards him.
You may not realize this, but as a Christian, and I am assuming you are one, you have a Father in Heaven. I would encourage you to explore all that you have been given by God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ. You have unconditional love, acceptance, meaning and purpose to life because of your faith in God. Money issues are a concern for all of us, especially the way things are going at the present time. God is aware of what you are dealing with. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)." Do you think the God of the Universe, who came to this earth as a man to die for you, cannot provide for you and take care of you? Let your Heavenly Father work in your heart to convince you that your focus should be on all He has given you and not what you desire from your earthly father. The fear that you have about finances and what your dad is not doing to alleviate those fears, can, and will, take your focus off God and His faithfulness to you. If you want to "honor" your dad, treat Him the way God has treated you. God in His love, according to 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, not proud, not rude, is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. Be that way with your dad. Share with him the love God has toward you and perhaps then you will begin to have the "normal relationship" you are longing to have with him. It all starts with you understanding your relationship with God, in Christ, and how God sees you and feels about you.
As far as my question, it concerns the commandment to honor thy parents. Basically, my dad has always been, for lack of a better word, a jerk to myself and my mom. It`s not in a physically abusive way. It`s more emotionally abusive, in the sense that, with any situation dealing with money, his interests always get put ahead of anyone else`s.
He's always made plenty of money, and it`s not like I`d ask for a million dollars. Believe me, I've never asked to be spoiled or showered with gifts or anything. But he would just always put his financial well-being, I should say more like excessive financial well-being, above anyone else`s emotional or, really, overall well-being, I guess is the best way to describe it. And his financial well-being was never in jeopardy, he`s just very selfish and possessive with the money he makes. And although he does give to certain church organizations, he also denied his adopted sister financial help a couple years ago, citing a lack of money, which he could've got if he really wanted to, and allowed her to die from cancer. His mood can change whether he is feeling giving or not. Even with my mom having a bad back and when she really shouldn't be working, he forced her to get a job by not giving her any money for anything except some for groceries, and even then she`d have to borrow from me. He didn't even help pay for her chiropractor visits.
Now, she divorced him 1 1/2 years ago, and has been struggling to make it on her own ever since. I live with her at the moment, oh and I have two younger brothers that live with my dad whom he treats fine, and am probably going to be helping to take care of her for the rest of her life. I`m 23 and she`s 49. Which is fine, I don`t have a problem with that. I have a strange confidence that I will be financially blessed and will be able to take care of her easily. I do have a problem with the way he`s treated me and her though.
The thing is, I want to have a normal relationship with him. And it`s not that I can`t. I could call him, email him, visit him right now if I wanted. But I guess I feel that there is a conflict of interests, because even though I want everything to be normal, I don`t want to pretend that everything is fine and dandy with the way he`s acted and is still acting, because it`s not. I think that, just as there are consequences for people`s actions and decisions, there should be consequences for his. I don`t want to make it seem as though there shouldn't be and that I just accept his decisions as the right ones. And I`m not sure what to do. It`s impossible for me to not feel at least some sort of resentment towards him for his actions, some of which still affect me. My mom of course feels the same way, and my dad actually feels that my mom is the one that destroyed their marriage, at fault for everything, etc. Trust me, she`s always tried to do as much as she could for us. He just never felt that it was enough.
So my question is, is it possible to `honor` my dad and have a normal relationship with him even with the way my mom and myself have been treated and our current feelings for each other? If so, how? If it`s better that I just not have any sort of relationship with him until he `learns his lesson`, that`s fine, I can accept that. But I want to forgive him and move on and have a normal relationship, and I could right now if that`s what I should do, but I don`t know how to, or if I even should, with my mom and myself in less than ideal situations, especially vulnerable situations financially, largely because of him, and with the fact that he sees nothing wrong with anything he`s done. He considers himself to be a very generous `Christian` person. Again, if this is too much to try to answer, that`s fine. I`ll understand. Thanks.
A: Let me begin by expressing my sorrow for the difficult situation you are having with your dad. It may not be of comfort to you, but you are not alone in your struggles. Many people, Christian or otherwise, experience problems dealing with one or more of their parents. I am not sure if you will ever have a "normal relationship" with your father. My primary reason for saying that is because it takes two people to have a relationship and the definition of normal can mean different things to different people. In your case it appears that by "normal relationship" you mean one where your dad spends his money to your liking. If he would have spent his money on the things you felt he should have, and in the manner in which you feel he should, it seems you would not be as upset with him. But, you must realize it is his money to do with as he pleases. If there is some problem your dad has that leads to him spending his money in the manner he does then, ultimately, that is something he will have to work through with God. However, you are an adult now, and since you say you feel you will be able to take care of your mother as she grows older, be thankful for that.
The Bible says that "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)." It doesn't say that those things God is using are good things. From our perspective they may be good, bad or somewhere in between. We may not even understand or ever see the outcome of what God has done. But, in your case be thankful that as bad as you feel your father has been to you, your mom and your family, you called him a jerk, that you seem to have made it to adulthood relatively unscathed by it all. That is something to be thankful for. My suggestion is that you forgive your dad for whatever wrongs you feel he has perpetrated against you and your family and move on with your life before you are consumed by the anger and frustration you feel towards him. In other words, press on, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13)." You can't change the past or control the behavior of others. In fact, your dad may not even think he has done anything wrong and may feel his actions are justified. Instead of wishing to control your dad's behavior, be an example to him by the way in which you behave towards him.
A close friend of mine once told me a story of how God revealed to him the power of forgiveness. My friend likes to fish without a pole, choosing to hold the fishing line in his hands as it dangles in the water. He tells of God reminding him of how it felt when a fish would grab the other end of the line and struggle to get free. Both he and the fish were locked in battle until either the fish broke free of the line or my friend wrestled it in the boat. My friend realized that as long as he held on to that line he was in bondage to the fish just as much as the fish was in bondage to him. Your anger and frustration towards your dad has you in bondage. Until you let that go you will miss out on what life has in store for you. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Do you realize how much God, in Christ, has forgiven you? Every sin you will ever commit, from birth until death, was taken away for eternity at the cross. Therefore, we are told to extend the forgiveness we have received from God with those we encounter in life. I don't know how much your dad knows about how you feel about him. But, imagine what might happen to your relationship with him if you started bearing the fruits of kindness, compassion and forgiveness towards him.
You may not realize this, but as a Christian, and I am assuming you are one, you have a Father in Heaven. I would encourage you to explore all that you have been given by God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ. You have unconditional love, acceptance, meaning and purpose to life because of your faith in God. Money issues are a concern for all of us, especially the way things are going at the present time. God is aware of what you are dealing with. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)." Do you think the God of the Universe, who came to this earth as a man to die for you, cannot provide for you and take care of you? Let your Heavenly Father work in your heart to convince you that your focus should be on all He has given you and not what you desire from your earthly father. The fear that you have about finances and what your dad is not doing to alleviate those fears, can, and will, take your focus off God and His faithfulness to you. If you want to "honor" your dad, treat Him the way God has treated you. God in His love, according to 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, not proud, not rude, is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. Be that way with your dad. Share with him the love God has toward you and perhaps then you will begin to have the "normal relationship" you are longing to have with him. It all starts with you understanding your relationship with God, in Christ, and how God sees you and feels about you.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Our Daily Bread
A popular pastor was doing a sermon on the "Lord's Prayer, " Matthew 6:9-15, and was giving the usual talk about conditional forgiveness which I have disagreed with in the past. Our forgiveness is not conditional on our ability to forgive those who have sinned against us. This prayer was in the Old Covenant before Jesus died on the cross. Forgiveness in the New Covenant, after Christ's death, is a possession of every believer. We, in turn, forgive others with the forgiveness we have already received in Christ. However, I noticed something different today that I hadn't really thought about before. In verse 11, it says, "Give us today our daily bread." I have seen many Christians take this verse and apply it to things like daily devotions, quiet time or whatever one does for daily Bible study. There is nothing wrong with this, but if the part of the prayer about forgiveness was something that is not applicable to a believer in the New Covenant, then, perhaps, the portion about "daily bread" is not applicable either.
The entire prayer seems to be centered around asking God for different things; His will be done, our daily bread, forgiveness of sins and delivering us from evil. When it comes to the "daily bread" portion of the prayer my thoughts lead me to another passage in the Gospels. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35)." Later in the same chapter He reiterated this statement. "I am the bread of life (John 6:48)." If Jesus is the bread of life and the "Lord's Prayer" asks God for "our daily bread," then isn't safe to say that we already have our daily bread? A believer has already come to Jesus. The Holy Spirit of God, His very life, indwells a believer from the moment of salvation into eternity. In other words, we have Jesus, therefore, we have "our daily bread." And just like with forgiveness, we do not have to ask God for what we already have in Christ.
"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19)." When we partake in the "Lord's Supper," it is a reminder that Jesus died, the breaking of the bread, to take away our sins. But, even more important is the fact, raised from the dead, Jesus, the "bread of life," now lives inside every believer. We are the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit. We have our daily bread, Jesus, because He now indwells us. The whole of the New Covenant is a description of what we now have because of our faith in Christ. And what we have is God Himself who has restored His life to us as a free gift. God promises, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)." If He never will leave us or forsake us this means that He will be with us on a daily basis. And if He is the bread of life, with us every day and will never leave us, we can be confident that, in Him, we have "our daily bread."
One of the definitions of bread is sustenance. And sustenance is a "means of sustaining life." Jesus is our daily bread, our means of sustaining life. That goes hand in hand with salvation, which is the restoration of the life of God. Because of Christs death, burial and Resurrection, the life of God, once lost in Adam, is now restored to those who have come to Christ by faith. And because of the eternal consequences of the cross, that life we now have is an eternal life. A life that will carry us through the rest of our natural lives, through death, and on into eternity. Our daily bread is Jesus, who sustains us by His life forever. "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you (John 6:27)." Regular food is food that spoils, but the bread of life, Jesus Christ, is the food that endures to eternal life. As Christians we were once spiritually dead in sin, hungry for the food, spiritual life, we did not have. When we came to Jesus we will never go hungry because we have received the bread of life. Unlike the Lord's Prayer, we do not ask God for what we already have. We, in turn, feed the world with the bread of life they so desperately are in need of.
The entire prayer seems to be centered around asking God for different things; His will be done, our daily bread, forgiveness of sins and delivering us from evil. When it comes to the "daily bread" portion of the prayer my thoughts lead me to another passage in the Gospels. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35)." Later in the same chapter He reiterated this statement. "I am the bread of life (John 6:48)." If Jesus is the bread of life and the "Lord's Prayer" asks God for "our daily bread," then isn't safe to say that we already have our daily bread? A believer has already come to Jesus. The Holy Spirit of God, His very life, indwells a believer from the moment of salvation into eternity. In other words, we have Jesus, therefore, we have "our daily bread." And just like with forgiveness, we do not have to ask God for what we already have in Christ.
"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19)." When we partake in the "Lord's Supper," it is a reminder that Jesus died, the breaking of the bread, to take away our sins. But, even more important is the fact, raised from the dead, Jesus, the "bread of life," now lives inside every believer. We are the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit. We have our daily bread, Jesus, because He now indwells us. The whole of the New Covenant is a description of what we now have because of our faith in Christ. And what we have is God Himself who has restored His life to us as a free gift. God promises, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)." If He never will leave us or forsake us this means that He will be with us on a daily basis. And if He is the bread of life, with us every day and will never leave us, we can be confident that, in Him, we have "our daily bread."
One of the definitions of bread is sustenance. And sustenance is a "means of sustaining life." Jesus is our daily bread, our means of sustaining life. That goes hand in hand with salvation, which is the restoration of the life of God. Because of Christs death, burial and Resurrection, the life of God, once lost in Adam, is now restored to those who have come to Christ by faith. And because of the eternal consequences of the cross, that life we now have is an eternal life. A life that will carry us through the rest of our natural lives, through death, and on into eternity. Our daily bread is Jesus, who sustains us by His life forever. "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you (John 6:27)." Regular food is food that spoils, but the bread of life, Jesus Christ, is the food that endures to eternal life. As Christians we were once spiritually dead in sin, hungry for the food, spiritual life, we did not have. When we came to Jesus we will never go hungry because we have received the bread of life. Unlike the Lord's Prayer, we do not ask God for what we already have. We, in turn, feed the world with the bread of life they so desperately are in need of.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
My Answer is... July 12, 2009
Q: The bible says take "every" negative thought "captive"...What does that mean?
A: 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Our actions follow our thoughts. If we focus on good things and truth we will eventually see it manifested in our deeds. And vice versa. The Corinthian Church was so carnal that Paul wrote at least two letters to them regarding it. If we are focusing on negative things that will most likely lead us to sin in some way. Scripture says the natural comes before the spiritual. When things are going bad or we are sinned against our first response is often to be sow to our flesh. We want to inflict the same pain and suffering on others as they have towards us. But, the way we take a thought captive is to make it a "prisoner" to the truth of the Scripture. Any time we act we should ask ourselves if what we are doing is consistent with who we are as children of God? If not change it. If so, continue on.
Q: Which way are you going?..The bible says walk in the "spirit" not the "flesh"...How do we(Christians) apply that statement to our lives?
A: Mankind was created by God to live in dependence on Him. Whenever we refuse to live in dependence on Christ, through the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are forced to depend upon Satan and the things of this world. God is the initiator and we respond to His leading. Jesus did, and said, nothing unless the Father told Him (John 5:19,30; 12:49, 8:28; 14:10-11). And He tells us what to say and do through the Holy Spirit. We respond accordingly. This is the only way to bear the fruit of the Spirit. We must rest from what we are doing and trust in what God is wanting to do through us. We are told to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 3:16-20). This means to be controlled by God. When this happens we are being controlled by the love of God. God's love is an action taken on behalf of man (1 Cor. 13). When we realize the love God has for us we, in turn, share that love with others. In that way we won't be sinning against others by walking in the flesh, but serving them in love.
Q: Are you alive?..The bible says the righteous shall "live" by faith..How do we(Christians) apply that statement to our lives?
A: Yes, I am alive. Salvation is the restoration of the life of God, lost when Adam sinned, made available through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I now live by trusting in the indwelling Holy Spirit, the life of God, to live out the Christian life through me. I don't live a life of repentance and obedience, but a life of faith and trust. Faith puts the focus squarely on Jesus and what He did for me and off of me and what I do for Him. Under grace Christ says look at what I did for you, went to Calvary, was raised from the dead, gave My Life, took away your sins, died for your sins, saved the lost world, suffered for evil-doers, became one of you, raised the dead, spoke in love and how successful my death was. I enter into these truths by faith trusting in my secure position in Him. Are we willing to enter into the New Covenant with full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:19-23)? We must be willing to die to self-effort and rest in the saving grace of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 4:9-11)?
Q: Believer" or "Disciple"...Is there a difference?
A: You could make the argument there is no difference in the sense that "disciples" call themselves "believers." However, Satan knows Jesus is God, saw Him die on the cross and be resurrected from the dead. But, we know he is not a disciple. Knowledge of, and belief in, the facts surrounding Jesus does not a disciple make. You have to put faith in what you believe. Do you believe, and accept, that Jesus died and rose for you? That is what separates the believer and the disciple. A disciple is a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another. Very few dispute the existence of Jesus, but only those born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Christ are true disciples. They, we, are the ones who "contend for the faith," give a "reason for the hope" we have and, as His sheep, "know His voice" and follow Him. Disciples believe, but those who believe aren't necessarily disciples.
A: 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Our actions follow our thoughts. If we focus on good things and truth we will eventually see it manifested in our deeds. And vice versa. The Corinthian Church was so carnal that Paul wrote at least two letters to them regarding it. If we are focusing on negative things that will most likely lead us to sin in some way. Scripture says the natural comes before the spiritual. When things are going bad or we are sinned against our first response is often to be sow to our flesh. We want to inflict the same pain and suffering on others as they have towards us. But, the way we take a thought captive is to make it a "prisoner" to the truth of the Scripture. Any time we act we should ask ourselves if what we are doing is consistent with who we are as children of God? If not change it. If so, continue on.
Q: Which way are you going?..The bible says walk in the "spirit" not the "flesh"...How do we(Christians) apply that statement to our lives?
A: Mankind was created by God to live in dependence on Him. Whenever we refuse to live in dependence on Christ, through the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are forced to depend upon Satan and the things of this world. God is the initiator and we respond to His leading. Jesus did, and said, nothing unless the Father told Him (John 5:19,30; 12:49, 8:28; 14:10-11). And He tells us what to say and do through the Holy Spirit. We respond accordingly. This is the only way to bear the fruit of the Spirit. We must rest from what we are doing and trust in what God is wanting to do through us. We are told to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 3:16-20). This means to be controlled by God. When this happens we are being controlled by the love of God. God's love is an action taken on behalf of man (1 Cor. 13). When we realize the love God has for us we, in turn, share that love with others. In that way we won't be sinning against others by walking in the flesh, but serving them in love.
Q: Are you alive?..The bible says the righteous shall "live" by faith..How do we(Christians) apply that statement to our lives?
A: Yes, I am alive. Salvation is the restoration of the life of God, lost when Adam sinned, made available through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I now live by trusting in the indwelling Holy Spirit, the life of God, to live out the Christian life through me. I don't live a life of repentance and obedience, but a life of faith and trust. Faith puts the focus squarely on Jesus and what He did for me and off of me and what I do for Him. Under grace Christ says look at what I did for you, went to Calvary, was raised from the dead, gave My Life, took away your sins, died for your sins, saved the lost world, suffered for evil-doers, became one of you, raised the dead, spoke in love and how successful my death was. I enter into these truths by faith trusting in my secure position in Him. Are we willing to enter into the New Covenant with full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:19-23)? We must be willing to die to self-effort and rest in the saving grace of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 4:9-11)?
Q: Believer" or "Disciple"...Is there a difference?
A: You could make the argument there is no difference in the sense that "disciples" call themselves "believers." However, Satan knows Jesus is God, saw Him die on the cross and be resurrected from the dead. But, we know he is not a disciple. Knowledge of, and belief in, the facts surrounding Jesus does not a disciple make. You have to put faith in what you believe. Do you believe, and accept, that Jesus died and rose for you? That is what separates the believer and the disciple. A disciple is a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another. Very few dispute the existence of Jesus, but only those born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Christ are true disciples. They, we, are the ones who "contend for the faith," give a "reason for the hope" we have and, as His sheep, "know His voice" and follow Him. Disciples believe, but those who believe aren't necessarily disciples.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Bless my Business
Q: What type of business/company does God bless? (I am starting a home-based business, and I`m asking God to bless and prosper it. So I`m wondering how I should run it or use it... for example, I should honor the Sabbath, give tithes from my income, be honest, etc.)
A: I must admit that I believe the premise of your question is off. Far be it from me to say what God blesses and what He doesn't. But, God is more interested in you understanding the blessings He has already given you, as an individual, through your faith in Jesus Christ more-so than anything else. Ephesians 1:3 states, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." This is referring to the inheritance we have received as a result of the death of Jesus Christ. In other words, what mankind needs is not a prosperous business as a result of our attempts at obedience, but we need to be restored to God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the past ten years I have been involved in at least three home-based businesses and inquired about many others. Many of my peers were Christians and seemed to believe that the Bible encourages and even promises success at our ventures if we just exhibit enough faith or dedication in our walk with God. This turned me off of the businesses because it gives the subtle indication that God wants Christians gaining the world as a result of their faith or obedience.
Granted, that may not be your motivation or the motivation of many involved in home-based businesses. But, the attitude is prevalent in the industry. At the time I was heavily involved in home-based businesses, a relative of mine gave me a teaching by a popular pastor geared towards motivating me. The teacher used the well-known passage from Philippians 4, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)." His belief is that this passage teaches Christians that God will bless our plans in life because of our faith in Christ. I turned off the CD player when I heard him go down this path. This passage, no passage in the New Covenant, even slightly suggests that God desires Christians to have prosperous businesses. Instead, this passage teaches us to be content in life regardless of whether things are going as planned or not. It is about us understanding that since God has "given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)" we do not need to be concerned about how our businesses or our life is going at a particular moment in time. If you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing and been given everything you need for life and godliness, through your faith in Christ, what more do you need from God?
The fact is that if you don't believe God has sufficiently blessed you then your only alternative is to seek what you don't feel you have from the world. And what the world offers can only be achieved through some form of sin. For many Christians they will turn to a life of self-effort in order to get God to bless them. When you ask about honoring the Sabbath or giving tithes of your income this is an indication that you may believe God will bless you through law-keeping of some sort. Christians are not under law of any kind, much less expected to keep the Sabbath or tithe. "So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ... (Romans 7:4)." How does one expect to be blessed by God through obedience to something they are dead to? God does not require Christians to keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath is not a day of the week, but a daily attitude of resting from our self-righteous acts designed to get God to bless us. "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his (Hebrews 4:9-10)." Furthermore, you will not find any passage in the New Covenant that teaches a believer to tithe.
Many Christians are taught, as I was at one time, that God demands we tithe a percentage of our income to Him. And if we do He will "throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:10)." And if we don't tithe our income we are labeled as "robbing God." Well, who wants to rob God? Nobody. Therefore, we willingly part from our money in order to be blessed by God and avoid His wrath. This teaching destroys the love of God because Christians are operating in fear of Him in hopes that He will bless them for their perceived obedience. However, these are Old Covenant passages, written to the nation of Israel, hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. Christians are encouraged to "give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)." When you have everything, you willingly share it with those around. And that is what Christians have in Christ. We not only give of our time, treasure and talent to advance the Gospel message, we are giving God to the lost world. We do this out of a heart of thankfulness because of all we have, not out of a wanting heart looking for further blessings.
When our focus is on ourselves, our businesses and our desire to be blessed by God, we are not focused on God, on Christ or all we have already been blessed with in Him. I don't say all this to discourage you from pursuing your desired goal of a prosperous business. But, I would not focus on whether or not God will prosper your business based on what you do for Him. I would focus on how you can be a blessing to others you come in contact with as you grow your business. God has blessed us to be a blessing to others. Jesus said, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17)." God's desire is to save the world through Christ. And He does that by using Christians, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, sharing the blessings they have in Christ with others. And the best way to get us resting from trying to be blessed by God was for God to bless us with everything in Him. When we are no longer seeking worldly blessings we can focus on God blessing others through us with what He has given us in abundance. I hope your business is successful, but I pray that you don't see your business as an opportunity for God to bless you, but as an opportunity to bless others with the God who has blessed you with the gift of Himself.
A: I must admit that I believe the premise of your question is off. Far be it from me to say what God blesses and what He doesn't. But, God is more interested in you understanding the blessings He has already given you, as an individual, through your faith in Jesus Christ more-so than anything else. Ephesians 1:3 states, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." This is referring to the inheritance we have received as a result of the death of Jesus Christ. In other words, what mankind needs is not a prosperous business as a result of our attempts at obedience, but we need to be restored to God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the past ten years I have been involved in at least three home-based businesses and inquired about many others. Many of my peers were Christians and seemed to believe that the Bible encourages and even promises success at our ventures if we just exhibit enough faith or dedication in our walk with God. This turned me off of the businesses because it gives the subtle indication that God wants Christians gaining the world as a result of their faith or obedience.
Granted, that may not be your motivation or the motivation of many involved in home-based businesses. But, the attitude is prevalent in the industry. At the time I was heavily involved in home-based businesses, a relative of mine gave me a teaching by a popular pastor geared towards motivating me. The teacher used the well-known passage from Philippians 4, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)." His belief is that this passage teaches Christians that God will bless our plans in life because of our faith in Christ. I turned off the CD player when I heard him go down this path. This passage, no passage in the New Covenant, even slightly suggests that God desires Christians to have prosperous businesses. Instead, this passage teaches us to be content in life regardless of whether things are going as planned or not. It is about us understanding that since God has "given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)" we do not need to be concerned about how our businesses or our life is going at a particular moment in time. If you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing and been given everything you need for life and godliness, through your faith in Christ, what more do you need from God?
The fact is that if you don't believe God has sufficiently blessed you then your only alternative is to seek what you don't feel you have from the world. And what the world offers can only be achieved through some form of sin. For many Christians they will turn to a life of self-effort in order to get God to bless them. When you ask about honoring the Sabbath or giving tithes of your income this is an indication that you may believe God will bless you through law-keeping of some sort. Christians are not under law of any kind, much less expected to keep the Sabbath or tithe. "So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ... (Romans 7:4)." How does one expect to be blessed by God through obedience to something they are dead to? God does not require Christians to keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath is not a day of the week, but a daily attitude of resting from our self-righteous acts designed to get God to bless us. "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his (Hebrews 4:9-10)." Furthermore, you will not find any passage in the New Covenant that teaches a believer to tithe.
Many Christians are taught, as I was at one time, that God demands we tithe a percentage of our income to Him. And if we do He will "throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:10)." And if we don't tithe our income we are labeled as "robbing God." Well, who wants to rob God? Nobody. Therefore, we willingly part from our money in order to be blessed by God and avoid His wrath. This teaching destroys the love of God because Christians are operating in fear of Him in hopes that He will bless them for their perceived obedience. However, these are Old Covenant passages, written to the nation of Israel, hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. Christians are encouraged to "give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)." When you have everything, you willingly share it with those around. And that is what Christians have in Christ. We not only give of our time, treasure and talent to advance the Gospel message, we are giving God to the lost world. We do this out of a heart of thankfulness because of all we have, not out of a wanting heart looking for further blessings.
When our focus is on ourselves, our businesses and our desire to be blessed by God, we are not focused on God, on Christ or all we have already been blessed with in Him. I don't say all this to discourage you from pursuing your desired goal of a prosperous business. But, I would not focus on whether or not God will prosper your business based on what you do for Him. I would focus on how you can be a blessing to others you come in contact with as you grow your business. God has blessed us to be a blessing to others. Jesus said, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17)." God's desire is to save the world through Christ. And He does that by using Christians, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, sharing the blessings they have in Christ with others. And the best way to get us resting from trying to be blessed by God was for God to bless us with everything in Him. When we are no longer seeking worldly blessings we can focus on God blessing others through us with what He has given us in abundance. I hope your business is successful, but I pray that you don't see your business as an opportunity for God to bless you, but as an opportunity to bless others with the God who has blessed you with the gift of Himself.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Is President Obama a Christian?
The Bible says "do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1)." As Christians, we have to follow the evidence regardless of where it takes us or what conclusions we have to make. Those conclusions may not make us feel good. They may even lead us to decisions that are uncomfortable and unpopular. But, if the truth is what we are after we have to trust God to reveal it to us. Even the contents of this video have to be searched out to see if the claims it makes are true.
Jesus said, "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'(Mark 7:20)" We all stumble from time to time in our words and our deeds, but a constant pattern of behavior is good evidence to what a person believes in their heart. Christians are well known for our disagreements. But any Christian worth their salt doesn't deny that Jesus is the only way to the Father and that He is God in the flesh. If there were more ways to heaven than through Christ, I believe God is smart enough to reveal this to us. The Bible says that "God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)." Therefore, He can't possibly be behind the belief that there are more ways to Him than through Christ.
Who stands to benefit from the confusion brought on by the belief there are more ways to God than through Christ? It is Satan himself. Satan only wants two things. First, he wants believers to lose the joy of their salvation and live a life of frustration, doubt, guilt and apathy. If He can't snatch you from God's hand he will at least try to make your life miserable. Secondly, Satan wants unbelievers to stay in the dark, blinded to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Misery loves company and Satan doesn't want to be in Hell alone. Satan is the god of this world. And 2 Corinthians 4:4 plainly tells us that "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."
It is easy to dismiss the faith of another if we do not share the same worldview. It would be dangerous of me to make broad sweeping generalizations about another person simply because I don't share their views. Furthermore, only God knows the heart of another. But, we know that what is in the heart of someone is usually revealed in what they say they believe and what they support. If you claim you are a Christian yet deny the basic truths of the faith, what conclusion can we draw about that person other than to say they are not truly a Christian? Jesus is either God in the Flesh and the Savior of the world or He isn't. There is only one way to the Father in Heaven or many ways. Logic insists that you can't have it both ways. You don't have to believe in Jesus Christ and God will honor your decision. But, don't say that you do believe in Him as your Savior and then deny the truths which make Him a Savior. Test the Spirits and I promise you will realize that Jesus was telling the truth when He responded to the high priest questioning Him:
"The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied." Matthew 26:63-64
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Trimming the Hedges
I have a friend currently serving in Iraq for the U.S. Army. Being Independence Day many people took the opportunity to send him blessings for the service he is performing for us and the country. One individual, in particular, took the time to ask God to put a "hedge of protection" around him to keep him safe. Great sentiment. Of course we all want him and all our servicemen and women to be safe. However, I have heard this phrase about God's "hedge of protection" so often I wondered where it came from. I noticed in the book of Job where Satan is challenging God by saying that the only reason Job is such a good servant and fears God is because, "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side (Job 1:10)?" In other words, Satan is saying to God that Job is only serving God because God protects him. Well, we know that God allows Satan to test Job to prove Job's faithfulness is not solely tied to God's protections and blessings. But, how many Christians toss around this phrase as though it is a sort of good luck charm?
I think there is a sense within the Body of Christ that God doesn't expect us to get harmed or suffer in any way. Now, I believe God can and does protect people in supernatural ways on occasion. After all, He is God. He can do that if He desires. But, on more than one occasion we see where the Bible tells us that suffering, up to and including death, is to be expected for Christians. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33)," and that God "sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45)." Later on in Scripture, Peter says, "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering (1 Peter 4:12)." My point is that while God may protect individuals from harm it is not something we should expect or make a doctrine out of as though Christian suffering is abnormal. As I have just shown, suffering is to be expected simply for living in this sinful world and definitely if you are proclaiming Christ. Unfortunately, this belief that Christians have a "hedge of protection" around them has other potentially dangerous ramifications.
Think about this for a moment. If you believe that God puts a "hedge of protection" around you to protect you from suffering, and the schemes of Satan, how will you feel when you don't believe God protected you? I read yesterday that the unemployment rate in the United States is at 9.5%, a 26 year high. I don't know the exact numbers, but how many Christians are wrapped up in that percentage? No doubt thousands of Christians are unemployed, losing their homes and suffering right along with the unbelievers. Did God remove His "hedge of protection" and put everything they have in Satan's hands? If He did, how would you know. But, the danger I alluded to is that Christians may feel that God is condemning them for their lack of obedience or for some sin they have in their lives. After all, much of Christianity teaches some form of legalistic Christianity that makes God out to be this mean-spirited task master who demands the impossible and hands out punishment for failure to live up to His standards. I guess passages like Romans 5:9 and Romans 8:1 are ignored or quickly forgotten. If we are saved from God's wrath and face no condemnation for being in Christ why do we act as though we are subject to it?
God forbid something happens to my friend in Iraq. But, if anything does happen to Him, will we shake our fist at God for not protecting him? Or worse, will my friend be accused of somehow sinning against God which resulted in God removing His "protection"? Where does it stop? Ironically, scripture not only tells us to expect suffering, but that our sufferings turn us back to God. Paul, struggling with sin in his life concluded, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:24-25)!" The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to approach God "so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16)." When suffering touches your life do not look at it as God removing His protection from you, but as a time to draw close to God and let Him remind you of all you have in Him through faith in Jesus Christ. And if that doesn't help, remember the reason God allowed Satan to test Job in the first place. "There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:8)." Just like Job, because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we are blameless and upright in God's eyes. Whether or not we are tested by Satan or the trials of life we can rest assured that God loves us and is there with us in the midst of our suffering.
I think there is a sense within the Body of Christ that God doesn't expect us to get harmed or suffer in any way. Now, I believe God can and does protect people in supernatural ways on occasion. After all, He is God. He can do that if He desires. But, on more than one occasion we see where the Bible tells us that suffering, up to and including death, is to be expected for Christians. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33)," and that God "sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45)." Later on in Scripture, Peter says, "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering (1 Peter 4:12)." My point is that while God may protect individuals from harm it is not something we should expect or make a doctrine out of as though Christian suffering is abnormal. As I have just shown, suffering is to be expected simply for living in this sinful world and definitely if you are proclaiming Christ. Unfortunately, this belief that Christians have a "hedge of protection" around them has other potentially dangerous ramifications.
Think about this for a moment. If you believe that God puts a "hedge of protection" around you to protect you from suffering, and the schemes of Satan, how will you feel when you don't believe God protected you? I read yesterday that the unemployment rate in the United States is at 9.5%, a 26 year high. I don't know the exact numbers, but how many Christians are wrapped up in that percentage? No doubt thousands of Christians are unemployed, losing their homes and suffering right along with the unbelievers. Did God remove His "hedge of protection" and put everything they have in Satan's hands? If He did, how would you know. But, the danger I alluded to is that Christians may feel that God is condemning them for their lack of obedience or for some sin they have in their lives. After all, much of Christianity teaches some form of legalistic Christianity that makes God out to be this mean-spirited task master who demands the impossible and hands out punishment for failure to live up to His standards. I guess passages like Romans 5:9 and Romans 8:1 are ignored or quickly forgotten. If we are saved from God's wrath and face no condemnation for being in Christ why do we act as though we are subject to it?
God forbid something happens to my friend in Iraq. But, if anything does happen to Him, will we shake our fist at God for not protecting him? Or worse, will my friend be accused of somehow sinning against God which resulted in God removing His "protection"? Where does it stop? Ironically, scripture not only tells us to expect suffering, but that our sufferings turn us back to God. Paul, struggling with sin in his life concluded, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:24-25)!" The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to approach God "so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16)." When suffering touches your life do not look at it as God removing His protection from you, but as a time to draw close to God and let Him remind you of all you have in Him through faith in Jesus Christ. And if that doesn't help, remember the reason God allowed Satan to test Job in the first place. "There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:8)." Just like Job, because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we are blameless and upright in God's eyes. Whether or not we are tested by Satan or the trials of life we can rest assured that God loves us and is there with us in the midst of our suffering.
Friday, July 3, 2009
My Answer is... July 3, 2009
Q: Do you love Him(Jesus)? Let's load up this page and tell Jesus how much we love Him.
A: The Bible says that Jesus, "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Phil. 2:7)." Jesus made himself nothing. We, humans, are nothing! Is that not a humbling statement? How many of us get prideful over our supposed accomplishments in life? In, turn, we tend to believe we are great in God's eyes or look down on others because of them. But, for Jesus to become like man, who is nothing in comparison, shows just how much God loves us. What else can we do, but say "thank you, Jesus"? We love Jesus because He first loved us. We are only able to love others because He showed us what love is. Our spouses, friends, family, pets, etc cannot give us this type of love because they don't have it to give. The Psalmist asked, " what is man that you are mindful of him...(Psalm 8:4)?" Jesus did for us what we cannot do for ourselves so that, through faith in Him, He could bring us to God. For that I am eternally thankful. I love you Jesus!
Q: God helps those who help "themselves"..IS THIS A TRUE STATEMENT?
A: No. This popular sentiment is not biblically based. If we could help ourselves then there would have been no need for Jesus to have come to save us. Furthermore, it implies that God is a responder to us. Besides, what is it we our helping ourselves with? The statement is so open ended that you can fill in just about anything you want and then claim God is going to assist you. God initiates and we respond. We didn't ask Him to send Jesus to live a perfect life, die for us and be resurrected. But, we do respond to this loving act through faith. God's love towards us is not conditional on what we do. God is faithful, not us. His power is revealed in our weakness, not our strength. He never leaves us nor forsakes us even if we fail. Paul said he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him. This means that in spite of the highs and lows of life, God is there with us through them all. We must rest from "helping ourselves" and let God work in us to produce His fruit through us!
Q: YOU"(Christians) are "Justified"..but why are You feeling " Guilty"?
A: If a Christian is feeling guilty it is probably because he has "forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins (2 Pet. 1:9)." Guilt comes from the devil because he is the "accuser of our brothers." Every time you sin Satan wants you believing that Jesus didn't take that sin away at the Cross. He runs up to God saying, "look at what they just did." And God replies each time, "It is finished (John 19:30)." Christians for 2,000 years have been paralyzed by not knowing that "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more (Heb. 10:17)." This leads to false beliefs like loss of salvation, losing fellowship with God or something else. God is reconciled to you because of what Christ did on the cross. You ARE forgiven even before you sin. Your sins do not separate you from God. God has cleansed us from our guilty conscience (Heb 10:22). Put away your short accounts, confession booths, etc. Be reconciled to God!
Q: Salvation is "Free" but what will it "Cost" you?
A: When my mom was dying from cancer I did things for her I never thought I would have to do. I fed her, gave her medicine and cleaned up after her. Some thought it was my way of giving back to her for all she did for me. No, it was my way of thanking her for all she did for me my entire life. I couldn't pay her back. I gave up my time, my money, many things to minister to her needs. My mom dedicated her entire life to me and my family without us asking her to do so. So it is with Jesus. Salvation is free to me, but it cost Jesus His life. In return, I live a life of thankfulness serving Him as He lives His life through me. I am doing things for Him that I never thought I would do. I find myself giving up my time, my treasure and my talent in order to advance the Kingdom. It has cost me time with, and a degree of acceptance from, my friends and family. I realize now what is important. It wasn't easy, but I didn't care what it cost to thank mom. I don't care what is cost me to thank Jesus.
Q: The bible says don't be "conformed" to this world..What does that mean? ..And how do we(Christians) apply that statement to our life?
A: Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This follows verse 1 which tells us to be "living sacrifices." A Christian becomes a living sacrifice by resting from their self-righteous works and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them from within. This only happens when we realize all that we have been given by God through faith in Christ. Therefore, we no longer look for love, acceptance, meaning and purpose to life from the world, because all the world has to offer can only be received through some form of sin. We renew our minds through the continual process of discovering the inheritance we have received from God through the death of Jesus Christ. The byproduct is total dependence on God as we realize how much His love satisfies the deepest desires of our heart. In turn, we are able to serve others in love because we aren't looking for them to give to us what they do not have to offer.
A: The Bible says that Jesus, "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Phil. 2:7)." Jesus made himself nothing. We, humans, are nothing! Is that not a humbling statement? How many of us get prideful over our supposed accomplishments in life? In, turn, we tend to believe we are great in God's eyes or look down on others because of them. But, for Jesus to become like man, who is nothing in comparison, shows just how much God loves us. What else can we do, but say "thank you, Jesus"? We love Jesus because He first loved us. We are only able to love others because He showed us what love is. Our spouses, friends, family, pets, etc cannot give us this type of love because they don't have it to give. The Psalmist asked, " what is man that you are mindful of him...(Psalm 8:4)?" Jesus did for us what we cannot do for ourselves so that, through faith in Him, He could bring us to God. For that I am eternally thankful. I love you Jesus!
Q: God helps those who help "themselves"..IS THIS A TRUE STATEMENT?
A: No. This popular sentiment is not biblically based. If we could help ourselves then there would have been no need for Jesus to have come to save us. Furthermore, it implies that God is a responder to us. Besides, what is it we our helping ourselves with? The statement is so open ended that you can fill in just about anything you want and then claim God is going to assist you. God initiates and we respond. We didn't ask Him to send Jesus to live a perfect life, die for us and be resurrected. But, we do respond to this loving act through faith. God's love towards us is not conditional on what we do. God is faithful, not us. His power is revealed in our weakness, not our strength. He never leaves us nor forsakes us even if we fail. Paul said he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him. This means that in spite of the highs and lows of life, God is there with us through them all. We must rest from "helping ourselves" and let God work in us to produce His fruit through us!
Q: YOU"(Christians) are "Justified"..but why are You feeling " Guilty"?
A: If a Christian is feeling guilty it is probably because he has "forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins (2 Pet. 1:9)." Guilt comes from the devil because he is the "accuser of our brothers." Every time you sin Satan wants you believing that Jesus didn't take that sin away at the Cross. He runs up to God saying, "look at what they just did." And God replies each time, "It is finished (John 19:30)." Christians for 2,000 years have been paralyzed by not knowing that "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more (Heb. 10:17)." This leads to false beliefs like loss of salvation, losing fellowship with God or something else. God is reconciled to you because of what Christ did on the cross. You ARE forgiven even before you sin. Your sins do not separate you from God. God has cleansed us from our guilty conscience (Heb 10:22). Put away your short accounts, confession booths, etc. Be reconciled to God!
Q: Salvation is "Free" but what will it "Cost" you?
A: When my mom was dying from cancer I did things for her I never thought I would have to do. I fed her, gave her medicine and cleaned up after her. Some thought it was my way of giving back to her for all she did for me. No, it was my way of thanking her for all she did for me my entire life. I couldn't pay her back. I gave up my time, my money, many things to minister to her needs. My mom dedicated her entire life to me and my family without us asking her to do so. So it is with Jesus. Salvation is free to me, but it cost Jesus His life. In return, I live a life of thankfulness serving Him as He lives His life through me. I am doing things for Him that I never thought I would do. I find myself giving up my time, my treasure and my talent in order to advance the Kingdom. It has cost me time with, and a degree of acceptance from, my friends and family. I realize now what is important. It wasn't easy, but I didn't care what it cost to thank mom. I don't care what is cost me to thank Jesus.
Q: The bible says don't be "conformed" to this world..What does that mean? ..And how do we(Christians) apply that statement to our life?
A: Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This follows verse 1 which tells us to be "living sacrifices." A Christian becomes a living sacrifice by resting from their self-righteous works and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them from within. This only happens when we realize all that we have been given by God through faith in Christ. Therefore, we no longer look for love, acceptance, meaning and purpose to life from the world, because all the world has to offer can only be received through some form of sin. We renew our minds through the continual process of discovering the inheritance we have received from God through the death of Jesus Christ. The byproduct is total dependence on God as we realize how much His love satisfies the deepest desires of our heart. In turn, we are able to serve others in love because we aren't looking for them to give to us what they do not have to offer.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Made Holy!
A friend of mine made the following observation about holiness after his participation in a discussion board about the subject.
" But my point of view is that holiness is imputed to us in the same way our justification, righteousness and sanctification is.. church often tells us to be holy but it seems to me that making something holy is Gods business.. We can adopt certain behaviors and call it holiness.. we can wear robes, shave our heads, etc… but are we holy on account of that or by participating in some ritual? (sic)"
That is one of the main problems of the modern day Church. We are holy simply through faith in Christ. When you talk about "how do we get holiness" your natural tendency is to determine what to do and what not to do. It is law repackaged. In today's Church, unfortunately, holiness is determined based on the individual denomination or school of thought one subjects themselves to. How many Christians spend their entire lives trying to gain through obedience what they already have been given by God through faith in Christ? I don't know if this misunderstanding of holiness is because people aren't saved, thus don't know the truth or if they never take the time to read the scriptures so readily available to them. I won't judge the hearts of believers, but when it comes to issues like the holiness of believers, if you don't know you are already holy why don't you know?
The Bible clearly talks about the holiness of the believer as a present possession of ours through faith in Christ. It is not something achieved through diligent self-effort through obedience to rituals, laws, tenants, doctrines or anything else designed to modify our behavior. In fact the Bible talks of something quite different. In 1 Peter 2 we read that "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ... But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:5, 9)." This is a description of people who are already holy in God's eyes. There is nothing written here to indicate what must be done to achieve holiness. The inheritance of a believer, established as the result of the death of Jesus Christ, is full of many things that we can only receive through faith.
Often times we here the attempt to achieve holiness hidden within spiritual sounding language. One of the most popular terms thrown around within Christian circles is "Progressive Sanctification." Progressive Sanctification is described as the journey of producing less and less the acts of the sinful nature. Now, I agree that as a Christian matures in the faith they should see sin diminishing in their life. However, the goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning and call it becoming holy. If it is you have to ask one question, "How do I become more holy?" There in lies the trap of Satan. In order to become increasingly holy you must define what to do and what not to do as I mentioned earlier. This is putting yourself under law because the law deals with matters of the flesh. And scripture is clear that "The law was added so that the trespass might increase (Romans 5:20)." In other words, when you are under law sins will increase. This is the exact opposite result those who teach progressive sanctification believe in. You can't produce less and less the acts of the sinful nature by trying not to produce the acts of the sinful nature. Why? "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14)." I don't think one would mistake sin being your master as becoming more holy!
Rather, Christians are already seen completely holy by God. We are called saints. Saints comes from us being sanctified. And sanctified is another way of saying holy! As we trust in Him we will not seek out sin because we know that it cannot give to us what we already have in Christ. "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10)." We "have been made holy." This is written in the past tense to prove to us that our holiness is something we already have received, not something to achieve through self-effort. "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11)." We "were sanctified." Again, a reference to something that has already taken place in our lives. Our holiness is something we have imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It is imperative that Christians realize that we don't become who we are through progressive sanctification (holiness training). We become who we are through trust and dependence on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God has given us everything and sees us as holy so we would get our focus off of ourselves and squarely on to Him. This is the only way we can be used by Him to reach the world with the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
" But my point of view is that holiness is imputed to us in the same way our justification, righteousness and sanctification is.. church often tells us to be holy but it seems to me that making something holy is Gods business.. We can adopt certain behaviors and call it holiness.. we can wear robes, shave our heads, etc… but are we holy on account of that or by participating in some ritual? (sic)"
That is one of the main problems of the modern day Church. We are holy simply through faith in Christ. When you talk about "how do we get holiness" your natural tendency is to determine what to do and what not to do. It is law repackaged. In today's Church, unfortunately, holiness is determined based on the individual denomination or school of thought one subjects themselves to. How many Christians spend their entire lives trying to gain through obedience what they already have been given by God through faith in Christ? I don't know if this misunderstanding of holiness is because people aren't saved, thus don't know the truth or if they never take the time to read the scriptures so readily available to them. I won't judge the hearts of believers, but when it comes to issues like the holiness of believers, if you don't know you are already holy why don't you know?
The Bible clearly talks about the holiness of the believer as a present possession of ours through faith in Christ. It is not something achieved through diligent self-effort through obedience to rituals, laws, tenants, doctrines or anything else designed to modify our behavior. In fact the Bible talks of something quite different. In 1 Peter 2 we read that "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ... But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:5, 9)." This is a description of people who are already holy in God's eyes. There is nothing written here to indicate what must be done to achieve holiness. The inheritance of a believer, established as the result of the death of Jesus Christ, is full of many things that we can only receive through faith.
Often times we here the attempt to achieve holiness hidden within spiritual sounding language. One of the most popular terms thrown around within Christian circles is "Progressive Sanctification." Progressive Sanctification is described as the journey of producing less and less the acts of the sinful nature. Now, I agree that as a Christian matures in the faith they should see sin diminishing in their life. However, the goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning and call it becoming holy. If it is you have to ask one question, "How do I become more holy?" There in lies the trap of Satan. In order to become increasingly holy you must define what to do and what not to do as I mentioned earlier. This is putting yourself under law because the law deals with matters of the flesh. And scripture is clear that "The law was added so that the trespass might increase (Romans 5:20)." In other words, when you are under law sins will increase. This is the exact opposite result those who teach progressive sanctification believe in. You can't produce less and less the acts of the sinful nature by trying not to produce the acts of the sinful nature. Why? "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14)." I don't think one would mistake sin being your master as becoming more holy!
Rather, Christians are already seen completely holy by God. We are called saints. Saints comes from us being sanctified. And sanctified is another way of saying holy! As we trust in Him we will not seek out sin because we know that it cannot give to us what we already have in Christ. "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10)." We "have been made holy." This is written in the past tense to prove to us that our holiness is something we already have received, not something to achieve through self-effort. "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11)." We "were sanctified." Again, a reference to something that has already taken place in our lives. Our holiness is something we have imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It is imperative that Christians realize that we don't become who we are through progressive sanctification (holiness training). We become who we are through trust and dependence on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God has given us everything and sees us as holy so we would get our focus off of ourselves and squarely on to Him. This is the only way we can be used by Him to reach the world with the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
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