Q: Instead of “criticizing” your brothers and sisters in Christ when they mess up, or when they go threw trails and tribulations turn away, why don’t you tell them they can “LEAN ON YOU”…
A: In the classic, Bill Withers version of the song "Lean On Me," the first part of the chorus says, "Lean on me, when you're not strong, And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on." This sound similar to "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:1-2)." Christians are good at "shooting" their own wounded. In other words, we can see somebody who we believe is caught in a sin and we condemn them. How many of us have heard it said that our trials and tribulations are the result some "unconfessed" sin in our lives? Or because of our sin we have "lost fellowship" with God? There is nothing loving or comforting in these beliefs and they are not even true. In fact, we allow someone to lean on us in times of trouble to remind them that they are forgiven for their sins and that God is faithful, promising never to leave them or forsake them.
The second half of the chorus goes "For it won't be long 'Til I'm gonna need Somebody to lean on." The Bible says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Cor 1:3-4)." How many Christians falsely believe that we will someday stop sinning if we just try hard enough or submit to proper rules for our lives? While we should see sin diminish in our lives as we grow in our faith we will never stop entirely. And thank God for that! Why? Because it keeps us focused on Him, His forgiveness and His faithfulness in our time of need so we can share that comfort with others in their time of need. If you are living a perfect, sinless life, what would you have in common with someone who is suffering? Nothing. People lean on us because they recognize we understand what they are struggling with. That common thread in our struggles creates a bond that creates a unity that is difficult to break. LEAN ON ME and I will LEAN ON YOU because when life gets difficult we both LEAN ON GOD! Be blessed.
Q: Unless the "Lord" "builds" the house, they labor in vain..What does that mean?
A: We have to be very careful when we look at Old Testament verses like Psalm 127:1 without a full understanding of the New Covenant (Acts - Revelation). When we see phrases like "its builders labor in vain" that is an opportunity for the flesh to get involved and for us to fall from grace to a life under some sort of law. The Apostle Paul said, "To this end I labor, STRUGGLING WITH ALL HIS ENERGY, which so powerfully works in me (Col 1:29)." As Christians our labor is not in vain because we don't labor. Whatever we do is the Holy Spirit working in and through us. This is an obedience to faith which is our response to the truth that has been revealed to us. The foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ. His life, death and resurrection accomplished two things for us. One, He fulfilled the law by walking in perfect love. Two, He died a death He did not deserve to satisfy God as payment for our sins. Now, because of the resurrection, He lives His life in and through us. This the foundation of our faith that is built upon.
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light (1 Cor 3:10-13)." Paul warns us not to lay a foundation built on our own human works. They are nothing more than wood, hay and straw. Therefore, be careful when somebody tells you that you must be obedient because it will soon be followed by the list of what you should be obedient to. They are only putting you under a yoke of slavery that even they cannot bear. A life of laboring in vain as you try with no little zeal to achieve through self effort what you already possess through faith in Christ. Our life is a life of faith, resting from our works and trusting in the work that Christ has already finished and now wants to live through us. Let the Lord finishing building His house because He has already laid the foundation. Be blessed.
Q: Salvation is "FREE" but what will it "COST" you?
A: Jesus said, "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and ESTIMATE THE COST to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish (Lk 14:28-30)." What is it that your heart desires from this world? Success, money, fame, fortune, admiration, health, sex, education, friends, family, etc. The list is varied. These are the things that the world promises and our heart desires that the individual must decide if whether or not they are worth sacrificing for Jesus. In essence they are the currency we pay with to lay a foundation in Christ. This is not like the "sacrifices" we currently see being made by those engaged in a religious festival. Trying to stop a bad habit for 40 days in hopes it pleases God is not what Jesus is talking about.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, the deepest desires of our heart for unconditional love, total acceptance and meaning and purpose to life are met by Him. Therefore, the things we once desired to meet those needs begin to lose their interest. That doesn't mean they don't hurt or that it is easy to get over not having or pursuing, but in the depths of our heart we know that letting them go is okay. Counting the cost is just another way for Jesus to stay on theme during His ministry. He talked of "losing" our life to find it. He also talked about the man who "hates" his life will "keep" it for eternal life. Ultimately, Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:26)." We love Jesus because He first loved us. If we love the things of this world more than Him, we will struggle in our walk. Those observing us will ridicule us as they see us trying to hold on to both the Lord and the world. We need to learn what we have in Christ so we will trust and depend on Him completely. It is worth the cost! Be blessed.
Q: "Repentance" and "Forgiveness", is there a difference between the two?
A: Repentance is simply turning from your unbelief in Jesus Christ to belief in Jesus Christ. This is a one time act that happens for all believers at salvation. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mk 1:15)." Forgiveness is releasing somebody from having to pay a debt they owe you that they cannot pay, thereby, freeing both of you from the bondage the debt caused. "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them (2 Cor 5:18-19)." The only sin that separates man from God is the sin of unbelief (Jn 16:9). All other sins were paid for at the cross for all eternity. Unfortunately, repentance is often taught as "I used to commit this sin, but now I don't." That begs the question, "what if I commit the sin again? Does that mean I never repented to begin with?" This is the bondage many Christians live with. They spend their entire life trying to repent of, and overcome, sin God is not counting against them.
We must realize that once we repent from our unbelief in Jesus Christ, we are given forgiveness as an inheritance of our faith. The forgiveness we have from God is not based on our ability to repent of every sin in our life. Nobody ever asked God to come down to earth as a man to die for our sins. Therefore, we don't need to keep asking Him to forgive us of every sin we commit the rest of our lives. Rather we live in thankfulness for the forgiveness we already have been given (Eph 1:7). In turn we are able to "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Col 3:13-14)." We don't wait for others to repent of the sins they committed against us. We forgive them, regardless, because we are reminded of the sins God no longer holds against us. We no longer hold them responsible to pay a debt they cannot afford the same way God canceled our debt that we could not afford. We are now free to let God live through us. And when He is doing that we are not going to be led to sin. When we do sin we can thank Him for the forgiveness we have and learn why we weren't trusting Him when we sinned. If you don't believe all your sins are forgiven it is time to repent of your unbelief. Be blessed.
Q: Is temptation a sin? Also what can Christians do to keep from "yielding" to temptations?
A: No, temptation is not a sin. Temptation only presents us with the opportunity to sin.
What Christians can do to keep from "yielding" to temptation is to remember what the Bible says in Titus 2:11-12. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..." It is the grace of God, not the law of God, that teaches us to say "no" to ungodliness. The next question is "How does the grace of God do this?" Take for example the sin of adultery, which has become "popular" in recent weeks.
The law says that adultery is a sin. Therefore, when presented with the opportunity to commit adultery, the only thing that can be said is "I shouldn't do it because it is a sin." It does nothing to teach us to say "no" to the sin only that it is wrong to do it. Furthermore, the penalty under the law for adultery is death. But, Christians have watered that down to things like confession, repentance, etc. Either way it doesn't teach you to say no unless all you want to do is avoid the penalty. However the grace of God is something different.
It is the grace of God, the Holy Spirit reminding believers of who we are in Christ, that teaches us to say "no" to ungodliness. Therefore, if presented with the opportunity to commit adultery we recognize two things. One, is it an act of love towards my spouse and the other party to engage in sex out of wedlock? No. Secondly, is the act of adultery consistent with who I am as a child of God? No. Therefore, we are taught how to say "no" to ungodliness by being reminded of who we are in Christ because of the love God has given to us. Bottom line is not simply that I don't sin because it is wrong. I don't sin because it isn't a reflection of who I am in Christ and the knowledge that the sin will not provide for me what I already have in Him. Be blessed.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Punishment withheld. Punishment yet to come!
Q: Many times in the Old Testament GOD stayed His hand from righteous punishment to peoples that broke His commandments. Yet, the end days wrath seems to be written in stone. Does not GOD have the right to change the outcome of history any way He sees fit? The second coming of Christ is a glorious, wonderful event that all of mankind waits for. BUT GOD IS GOD.
A: Absolutely, God does reserve the right to change the outcome of history. After all, He is the Creator of all things. If He were to decide to change the outcome of future events then we would have no choice, but to accept His decision. However, the Old Testament events you speak of where He withheld punishment or changed His mind are just a foreshadow of the overall End Time events you mention and a sign of His love and patience. In 1 Peter 3:20, the Bible says, "God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built." This is a sign of God's love for the inhabitants of the world during the time in which Noah was building the Ark. God said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3)."God, despite the wickedness and evil mankind was displaying, gave the inhabitants of the earth 120 years to change their ways while Noah built the Ark. The average lifespan of a person in the United States is about 78 years old depending on the source. That is still over 40 years short of the time God allowed for mankind to repent before He flooded the earth. That is an example of patience that no human is capable of showing.
Later on in the book of Genesis, chapter 18, we have the story of the Lord, on His way to judge the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, meeting with Abraham. When Abraham was made aware of the Lord's plan to destroy the cities because of their wickedness, he pleaded with the Lord to spare them. Abraham asks the Lord not to destroy the cities if there are fifty righteous people, then forty-five, forty people, all the way down to ten righteous people. The Lord patiently indulges Abraham as he keeps pleading for God not to destroy the cities. Each time Abraham asked a question God responded with, "For the sake of [number of people] I will not destroy it." First we have mankind given 120 years to repent and turn to God. Now, we have Abraham begging the Lord to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there at least ten righteous people living there. It is examples like these, on a grand scale and at personal levels, that lead to statements like Paul makes in Romans. "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed (Romans 2:5)." One must ask "How patient must God be for someone to turn to Him for salvation?"
After God destroyed the earth He made a covenant with all mankind saying, "Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life (Genesis 9:15)." It has been literally thousands of years since the Flood. If anything can be taken from all this it is that God's patience has increased as time has gone on. Unfortunately, the wickedness of mankind seems to have no end. However, rather than breaking His covenant with mankind and destroying life on earth again, God came down to us and took our wrath for us. In a prophesy about the coming of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5)."Instead of sending flood waters or burning sulfur from the sky to destroy us for our sins, Jesus Christ took the full brunt of God's wrath upon Himself! This is the ultimate act of love shown by God towards all mankind. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18)."
The global Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and, ultimately, the death of Jesus Christ were all punishment for sin. Thankfully, Christ's death means that God is no longer judging mankind for our sins. As I write this, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake has rocked the country of Chile. Some may see this as a judgment of God. However, I see it as yet one more wake up call for mankind to realize that God's patience will again run out some day soon. He will never again flood the earth, but He does promise that "the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:10)." God could change future events, but will extending His patience have any more effect on the hearts and minds of wicked men who have little to no interest in His offer of salvation? The Bible says that men "deliberately forget (2 Peter 3:5)" and that "men are without excuse (Romans 1:20)." There will no doubt be those who don't accept Jesus Christ as their savior and wish they had more time in which to do so. To them it would be easy for God to say, "I built an Ark, but you did not listen. I looked for ten righteous people, but you did not listen. I even sent sent my Son, but you did not listen. What else did I have to do?" The Second Coming of Christ is a glorious Day for the Body of Christ, but a Day of dread for unbelievers. Keep preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ so that some might be saved before Day of the Lord arrives.
A: Absolutely, God does reserve the right to change the outcome of history. After all, He is the Creator of all things. If He were to decide to change the outcome of future events then we would have no choice, but to accept His decision. However, the Old Testament events you speak of where He withheld punishment or changed His mind are just a foreshadow of the overall End Time events you mention and a sign of His love and patience. In 1 Peter 3:20, the Bible says, "God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built." This is a sign of God's love for the inhabitants of the world during the time in which Noah was building the Ark. God said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3)."God, despite the wickedness and evil mankind was displaying, gave the inhabitants of the earth 120 years to change their ways while Noah built the Ark. The average lifespan of a person in the United States is about 78 years old depending on the source. That is still over 40 years short of the time God allowed for mankind to repent before He flooded the earth. That is an example of patience that no human is capable of showing.
Later on in the book of Genesis, chapter 18, we have the story of the Lord, on His way to judge the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, meeting with Abraham. When Abraham was made aware of the Lord's plan to destroy the cities because of their wickedness, he pleaded with the Lord to spare them. Abraham asks the Lord not to destroy the cities if there are fifty righteous people, then forty-five, forty people, all the way down to ten righteous people. The Lord patiently indulges Abraham as he keeps pleading for God not to destroy the cities. Each time Abraham asked a question God responded with, "For the sake of [number of people] I will not destroy it." First we have mankind given 120 years to repent and turn to God. Now, we have Abraham begging the Lord to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there at least ten righteous people living there. It is examples like these, on a grand scale and at personal levels, that lead to statements like Paul makes in Romans. "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed (Romans 2:5)." One must ask "How patient must God be for someone to turn to Him for salvation?"
After God destroyed the earth He made a covenant with all mankind saying, "Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life (Genesis 9:15)." It has been literally thousands of years since the Flood. If anything can be taken from all this it is that God's patience has increased as time has gone on. Unfortunately, the wickedness of mankind seems to have no end. However, rather than breaking His covenant with mankind and destroying life on earth again, God came down to us and took our wrath for us. In a prophesy about the coming of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5)."Instead of sending flood waters or burning sulfur from the sky to destroy us for our sins, Jesus Christ took the full brunt of God's wrath upon Himself! This is the ultimate act of love shown by God towards all mankind. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18)."
The global Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and, ultimately, the death of Jesus Christ were all punishment for sin. Thankfully, Christ's death means that God is no longer judging mankind for our sins. As I write this, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake has rocked the country of Chile. Some may see this as a judgment of God. However, I see it as yet one more wake up call for mankind to realize that God's patience will again run out some day soon. He will never again flood the earth, but He does promise that "the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:10)." God could change future events, but will extending His patience have any more effect on the hearts and minds of wicked men who have little to no interest in His offer of salvation? The Bible says that men "deliberately forget (2 Peter 3:5)" and that "men are without excuse (Romans 1:20)." There will no doubt be those who don't accept Jesus Christ as their savior and wish they had more time in which to do so. To them it would be easy for God to say, "I built an Ark, but you did not listen. I looked for ten righteous people, but you did not listen. I even sent sent my Son, but you did not listen. What else did I have to do?" The Second Coming of Christ is a glorious Day for the Body of Christ, but a Day of dread for unbelievers. Keep preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ so that some might be saved before Day of the Lord arrives.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
A Meddling God
Q: My question relates to whether GOD is involved in everything. For example, there are many people unable to find employment however still manage to survive. Is GOD involved in this circumstance? I believe GOD knows what we need before we do...and instills a `sense` in us in preparation. This may be in form of an experience or task which may not prove important until the point of needing that experience/task output. My friend believes GOD does not meddle in the little things...HE gave us salvation, his instruction and the spirit.
A: If you have children, or are familiar with parents who do, you know how they deal with their children. When the children are young, the parents will take a more active role in the lives of their children in order to instruct them properly and to keep the children safe from the consequences of the poor decisions they make out of a lack of knowledge. However, as children get older and mature they will begin to make their own choices based off of the instruction that their parents have given them. The parents are always there for them in order to offer continued support and guidance, but they are not making every decision and choice for their children. This is similar to our relationship with God. The Bible says, “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people (2 Corinthians 6:16)." We have a living God. A God, like parents are with their child, who is active in our lives on an ongoing basis.
There are two competing views amongst many Christians about the role of God in our lives. One view states that God is responsible for every decision and outcome in our lives, no matter how small or trivial. A second view portrays God as almost a disinterested deity that sits far away watching all of us battle it out on our own down here on earth. However, our God fits neither of these definitions. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 it says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (KJV).” If God is responsible for everything that happens on earth than He must be responsible for all the bad choices we make, all the evil in the world and all the differing views about Him. If that is the case He is the author of confusion and thus a liar. Furthermore, if He is a God who sits far away with little to no interest or interaction with what is going on in the world, how is it that the Bible refers to Him as a living God who indwells believers, lives with us and walks among us? Belief in the first view paralyzes Christians as they struggle with every decision in their lives, believing that God’s will for them is somehow tied to the decision they make and His love for them is based on the outcome of that decision. While those believing in the second view of God end up being their own gods, relying on their own understanding and doing what is right in their own eyes.
As a living God, He most certainly can be involved in everything and it would not be unbelievable to think that He could. There are even times in scripture and in the lives of individuals that we can see where God stepped in to our lives to influence the outcomes. However, that is more consistent with a living God who, like a loving parent, reserves the right to step in and act on behalf of His children to guide them towards the proper decision or outcome. In this time of economic and personal distress we can rejoice. When people are worried about jobs, finances and the future they turn to God for the answers. What better opportunity will there be for the people of God to step in and be used by Him to either lead people to faith in Jesus Christ or restore Christians back to a level of comfort in their Savior? God knows we worry about our circumstances. That is why Jesus said, “do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (Matthew 6:31-32).” Troubling times are to be expected and God tells us that He will be faithful to see us through those times. However, that doesn’t mean that He is responsible for them.
The Bible tells us in Acts 17 that God “determined the times” and the “exact places” where every nation of men shall live. It goes on to say that “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us (Acts 17:27).” This statement applies to all mankind and is a perfect illustration of God’s love for the world. For the lost it should be encouraging to them because it confirms that while they have not come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, God is still not far from them, using the circumstances of their lives to draw them to Him. As believers we are reminded that God used our circumstances to bring us to a saving faith in His Son. And as children of God, He continues to use the circumstances of our lives, whether good or bad, to continue to reveal Himself to us and all we have in Him. While God is not responsible for every single event in our lives we can rest assured that we may someday be able repeat the comforting words of the Apostle Paul. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13).” Our circumstances may not be from God, but they can certainly lead us to be thankful because they remind us that He is there with us in the midst of them.
A: If you have children, or are familiar with parents who do, you know how they deal with their children. When the children are young, the parents will take a more active role in the lives of their children in order to instruct them properly and to keep the children safe from the consequences of the poor decisions they make out of a lack of knowledge. However, as children get older and mature they will begin to make their own choices based off of the instruction that their parents have given them. The parents are always there for them in order to offer continued support and guidance, but they are not making every decision and choice for their children. This is similar to our relationship with God. The Bible says, “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people (2 Corinthians 6:16)." We have a living God. A God, like parents are with their child, who is active in our lives on an ongoing basis.
There are two competing views amongst many Christians about the role of God in our lives. One view states that God is responsible for every decision and outcome in our lives, no matter how small or trivial. A second view portrays God as almost a disinterested deity that sits far away watching all of us battle it out on our own down here on earth. However, our God fits neither of these definitions. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 it says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (KJV).” If God is responsible for everything that happens on earth than He must be responsible for all the bad choices we make, all the evil in the world and all the differing views about Him. If that is the case He is the author of confusion and thus a liar. Furthermore, if He is a God who sits far away with little to no interest or interaction with what is going on in the world, how is it that the Bible refers to Him as a living God who indwells believers, lives with us and walks among us? Belief in the first view paralyzes Christians as they struggle with every decision in their lives, believing that God’s will for them is somehow tied to the decision they make and His love for them is based on the outcome of that decision. While those believing in the second view of God end up being their own gods, relying on their own understanding and doing what is right in their own eyes.
As a living God, He most certainly can be involved in everything and it would not be unbelievable to think that He could. There are even times in scripture and in the lives of individuals that we can see where God stepped in to our lives to influence the outcomes. However, that is more consistent with a living God who, like a loving parent, reserves the right to step in and act on behalf of His children to guide them towards the proper decision or outcome. In this time of economic and personal distress we can rejoice. When people are worried about jobs, finances and the future they turn to God for the answers. What better opportunity will there be for the people of God to step in and be used by Him to either lead people to faith in Jesus Christ or restore Christians back to a level of comfort in their Savior? God knows we worry about our circumstances. That is why Jesus said, “do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (Matthew 6:31-32).” Troubling times are to be expected and God tells us that He will be faithful to see us through those times. However, that doesn’t mean that He is responsible for them.
The Bible tells us in Acts 17 that God “determined the times” and the “exact places” where every nation of men shall live. It goes on to say that “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us (Acts 17:27).” This statement applies to all mankind and is a perfect illustration of God’s love for the world. For the lost it should be encouraging to them because it confirms that while they have not come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, God is still not far from them, using the circumstances of their lives to draw them to Him. As believers we are reminded that God used our circumstances to bring us to a saving faith in His Son. And as children of God, He continues to use the circumstances of our lives, whether good or bad, to continue to reveal Himself to us and all we have in Him. While God is not responsible for every single event in our lives we can rest assured that we may someday be able repeat the comforting words of the Apostle Paul. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13).” Our circumstances may not be from God, but they can certainly lead us to be thankful because they remind us that He is there with us in the midst of them.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
STATE OF THE NATION 2: Christian Must See TV
Following President Obama’s annual “State of the Union” address, biblical apologist Ken Ham will soon offer his “State of the Nation” speech, highlighting how far the U.S. has wandered from its moral foundations, and calling Christians back to their biblical roots.
Ham, president of Answers in Genesis (AiG), the biblical apologetics ministry responsible for the world-renowned Creation Museum near Cincinnati, will present his speech from inside the Creation Museum and via webcast live.
“Many Christians have been duped into accepting a false idea: that there is a ‘neutral’ position they can take in regard to social issues,” Ham said. “Some Christians even accept the myth that the U.S. Constitution declares that there should be a separation of church and state. They are hesitant to inject Christian beliefs into politics.
“God’s Word, however, makes it clear that there is no neutral position,” Ham continued. “God’s people need to unashamedly and uncompromisingly stand on the Bible and its absolute standards. We need to proclaim a Christian worldview and the Gospel, all the while giving answers for the hope we have.”
Ham’s webcast (his speech is not open to the public) will touch on social issues such as abortion, “gay” marriage, origins, and the role of religion in society. He will encourage Christians to know what the Bible says on these matters, and help them understand how to defend the biblical viewpoint in an increasingly hostile environment.
“We need to learn what we can do to call America back to the only sure foundation—biblical authority,” Ham explained. “We need to stand unashamedly upon God’s Word in the face of a skeptical society and find out how we can do more than just watch our country slip into a moral quagmire.”
Friday, February 19, 2010
My Answer is ... February 19, 2010
Q: JUST TO REMIND YOU... Do know the “magnitude” of how much Jesus is in love with “YOU”?..Check out the video by K-Nine called “FOR YOU”, and it will show the deep deep love that Jesus has for “YOU”…
A: There is a word used in the better translations of the scripture called propitiation. To propitiate means to appease or satisfy. Unlike most depictions of the death of Jesus Christ, the movie the Passion of the Christ comes remarkably close to showing us what He suffered. In Isaiah 53 we read that Jesus was "pierced," "crushed," "smitten," "stricken," "despised" and "rejected." Isaiah 52:14 says "his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness." That should give all of us pause. How many of us realize that our sins deserve to be treated that way by God? Furthermore, how many of us realize that we don't even have a life to give that would satisfy God as payment for our sins? Saints, when we watch a music video trying to set the death of Christ to a funky beat and a catchy rhyme let us not bob our heads to the rhythm, but bow our heads in thankfulness. God did for us what we could not do for ourselves because He loves us.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins,we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the PROPITIATION for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (1 Jn 2:1-2)." When we sin all we can do is say thank you, Jesus. Our sins are so terrible that they deserve death. And it took the death of God Himself to pay the debt we owed Him. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was once, for all and for eternity! And "In him WE HAVE redemption through his blood, the FORGIVENESS of sins (Eph 1:7)." Because of all Jesus endured on our behalf, God no longer remembers our sins. Therefore, they do not separate us from Him any more. The next time you sin don't ask God to forgive you when He already has. Rather, thank God that because of the death of Jesus Christ you already are forgiven. ""Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13)." He did that FOR YOU! Amen.
Q: Why is "prayer" so important in a Christian's life?
A: Prayer is simply intelligent, personal and private conversation with your God where you express the desires of your heart with Him. Jesus called the disciples His "friends" because as He put it, "everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you (Jn 15:15)." God is your friend just as much as He is anything else to us. How do you talk to you friends? You simply open up to them. Why do you open up to them? Because you trust them. What do you expect from them? To listen and to give heartfelt and wise counsel. When do you talk to them? In private. Do you hold anything back when you talk? No. When Jesus was about to go to the cross the Bible tells us (Mth 26) that He "went away" and prayed. We read where as He prayed He "fell on His face" and asked God, three times, to remove the burden He had to carry. This is a perfect example of what God wants us to do.
We are to go away in private and bear our souls to the Lord. He is our friend and He wants to listen to us, comfort us and instruct us. We go away in private because it is then that we are honest and open with our God not putting on the front that can often accompany praying in public or with groups. And be thankful that you can pray unceasingly, to bring your requests to Him and be confident that He is listening because He has done everything possible for you in order to make it possible. Because our sins no longer separate us from God He is available to us anywhere at any time. We can "then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16)." God wants you to express the desires of your heart to Him without the fear of being ignored, rebuked or punished. Prayer, in many cases, is the only way to learn and get clarity on the things God has given us. Rejoice in the fact that the God of this universe is available to you at all times. Be blessed.
Q: Jesus says pick up your "Cross" daily and "follow" me..What does that mean?
A: When Jesus said this in Luke 9:23, He was speaking to spiritually dead, not born again, disciples who were steeped in the Mosaic Law. Therefore, when He explained to them that daily picking up their cross was to "deny" themselves, to "lose" their lives and not to "gain the whole world" this had significant meaning to them. Much of the Mosaic Law was not about denying yourself and was about obtaining things here on earth through the blessings of the flesh if one was obedient to it. As many of the disciples would soon find out, after Jesus' death and resurrection, their desires would change because they would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It is not much different with us today.
We are told by the world and by much of the Church not only to try and "gain the world," but that God promises it to us if we just submit to certain teachings. This is the opposite of denying yourself and picking up your cross.The cross each individual Christian bears is unique to each believer. When you accept Christ by faith, you receive everything you need for life and godliness and every spiritual blessing. This meets the deepest desires of your heart that you believed "gaining the world" would fulfill. Now, whatever it is you once chased after is what you deny yourself from seeking as you grow in Christ. You recognize it for what it is worth, nothing. Now, your desires are to be used by God to allow Him to love the world through you. You "lose" your life and gain a new one. You no longer try and "gain the world," but allow the Lord to try and "save the world" through you. And just like Jesus you may "suffer many things" and be "rejected," but you know that is the cross you bear for delighting yourself in the Lord. Be blessed.
Q: What is the "true" meaning of forgiveness? Also how do you know you have "truly" forgiven someone who did you wrong?
A: Imagine you owed me a debt you could not pay. That being the case, would you have any fellowship with me? Would you feel comfortable enough to approach me? Would you feel I loved you? Would you feel separated from me? Would you say you are sorry every time you encountered me and promise to try harder next time to pay me back? Would you live in fear... See More of me? If that is the case, how would that burden you are bearing effect those around you? Would you be difficult to be around? Would you expect them to pay the debt they owed you so you could pay your debt to me? Could you love them unconditionally? Would they want to be around you? Think about it. Now, imagine I canceled the debt you owed me. What would be your response? It would probably be "Thank you." Now, how would being released from your debt effect our relationship and the relationships you have with others?
Saints, that is exactly what Jesus' death on the cross accomplished for us. When He died He said, "it is finished (Jn 19:30)." That means paid in full. John the Baptist said Jesus was the one who "takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29)." Because of the death of Jesus God is "not counting men's sins against them (2 Cor 5:19)." For those of us in Christ we have fellowship with God because "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Cor 1:9)." We can now "approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16)." Our sins no longer separate us from God because nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:39)." The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), not an apology. It is not an act of faith to keep asking God to forgive us for sins He no longer remembers. There is no more sacrifice for sin (Heb 10:17-18). This means put away your confession booths, your 1 John 1:9s, answering altar calls, keeping short accounts, repetitive prayers, or whatever sacrifices you perform that are not accepted by God nor required by Him. It is time to "Be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20)" and believe Him!
You will never grow in your relationship with God, never experience His love for you and never "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph 4:32)" unless you believe God has forgiven you. This is the most important issue for you as a Christian. I pray that today you recognize this truth and be reconciled to God. YBIC!
A: There is a word used in the better translations of the scripture called propitiation. To propitiate means to appease or satisfy. Unlike most depictions of the death of Jesus Christ, the movie the Passion of the Christ comes remarkably close to showing us what He suffered. In Isaiah 53 we read that Jesus was "pierced," "crushed," "smitten," "stricken," "despised" and "rejected." Isaiah 52:14 says "his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness." That should give all of us pause. How many of us realize that our sins deserve to be treated that way by God? Furthermore, how many of us realize that we don't even have a life to give that would satisfy God as payment for our sins? Saints, when we watch a music video trying to set the death of Christ to a funky beat and a catchy rhyme let us not bob our heads to the rhythm, but bow our heads in thankfulness. God did for us what we could not do for ourselves because He loves us.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins,we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the PROPITIATION for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (1 Jn 2:1-2)." When we sin all we can do is say thank you, Jesus. Our sins are so terrible that they deserve death. And it took the death of God Himself to pay the debt we owed Him. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was once, for all and for eternity! And "In him WE HAVE redemption through his blood, the FORGIVENESS of sins (Eph 1:7)." Because of all Jesus endured on our behalf, God no longer remembers our sins. Therefore, they do not separate us from Him any more. The next time you sin don't ask God to forgive you when He already has. Rather, thank God that because of the death of Jesus Christ you already are forgiven. ""Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13)." He did that FOR YOU! Amen.
Q: Why is "prayer" so important in a Christian's life?
A: Prayer is simply intelligent, personal and private conversation with your God where you express the desires of your heart with Him. Jesus called the disciples His "friends" because as He put it, "everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you (Jn 15:15)." God is your friend just as much as He is anything else to us. How do you talk to you friends? You simply open up to them. Why do you open up to them? Because you trust them. What do you expect from them? To listen and to give heartfelt and wise counsel. When do you talk to them? In private. Do you hold anything back when you talk? No. When Jesus was about to go to the cross the Bible tells us (Mth 26) that He "went away" and prayed. We read where as He prayed He "fell on His face" and asked God, three times, to remove the burden He had to carry. This is a perfect example of what God wants us to do.
We are to go away in private and bear our souls to the Lord. He is our friend and He wants to listen to us, comfort us and instruct us. We go away in private because it is then that we are honest and open with our God not putting on the front that can often accompany praying in public or with groups. And be thankful that you can pray unceasingly, to bring your requests to Him and be confident that He is listening because He has done everything possible for you in order to make it possible. Because our sins no longer separate us from God He is available to us anywhere at any time. We can "then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16)." God wants you to express the desires of your heart to Him without the fear of being ignored, rebuked or punished. Prayer, in many cases, is the only way to learn and get clarity on the things God has given us. Rejoice in the fact that the God of this universe is available to you at all times. Be blessed.
Q: Jesus says pick up your "Cross" daily and "follow" me..What does that mean?
A: When Jesus said this in Luke 9:23, He was speaking to spiritually dead, not born again, disciples who were steeped in the Mosaic Law. Therefore, when He explained to them that daily picking up their cross was to "deny" themselves, to "lose" their lives and not to "gain the whole world" this had significant meaning to them. Much of the Mosaic Law was not about denying yourself and was about obtaining things here on earth through the blessings of the flesh if one was obedient to it. As many of the disciples would soon find out, after Jesus' death and resurrection, their desires would change because they would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It is not much different with us today.
We are told by the world and by much of the Church not only to try and "gain the world," but that God promises it to us if we just submit to certain teachings. This is the opposite of denying yourself and picking up your cross.The cross each individual Christian bears is unique to each believer. When you accept Christ by faith, you receive everything you need for life and godliness and every spiritual blessing. This meets the deepest desires of your heart that you believed "gaining the world" would fulfill. Now, whatever it is you once chased after is what you deny yourself from seeking as you grow in Christ. You recognize it for what it is worth, nothing. Now, your desires are to be used by God to allow Him to love the world through you. You "lose" your life and gain a new one. You no longer try and "gain the world," but allow the Lord to try and "save the world" through you. And just like Jesus you may "suffer many things" and be "rejected," but you know that is the cross you bear for delighting yourself in the Lord. Be blessed.
Q: What is the "true" meaning of forgiveness? Also how do you know you have "truly" forgiven someone who did you wrong?
A: Imagine you owed me a debt you could not pay. That being the case, would you have any fellowship with me? Would you feel comfortable enough to approach me? Would you feel I loved you? Would you feel separated from me? Would you say you are sorry every time you encountered me and promise to try harder next time to pay me back? Would you live in fear... See More of me? If that is the case, how would that burden you are bearing effect those around you? Would you be difficult to be around? Would you expect them to pay the debt they owed you so you could pay your debt to me? Could you love them unconditionally? Would they want to be around you? Think about it. Now, imagine I canceled the debt you owed me. What would be your response? It would probably be "Thank you." Now, how would being released from your debt effect our relationship and the relationships you have with others?
Saints, that is exactly what Jesus' death on the cross accomplished for us. When He died He said, "it is finished (Jn 19:30)." That means paid in full. John the Baptist said Jesus was the one who "takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29)." Because of the death of Jesus God is "not counting men's sins against them (2 Cor 5:19)." For those of us in Christ we have fellowship with God because "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Cor 1:9)." We can now "approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16)." Our sins no longer separate us from God because nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:39)." The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), not an apology. It is not an act of faith to keep asking God to forgive us for sins He no longer remembers. There is no more sacrifice for sin (Heb 10:17-18). This means put away your confession booths, your 1 John 1:9s, answering altar calls, keeping short accounts, repetitive prayers, or whatever sacrifices you perform that are not accepted by God nor required by Him. It is time to "Be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20)" and believe Him!
You will never grow in your relationship with God, never experience His love for you and never "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph 4:32)" unless you believe God has forgiven you. This is the most important issue for you as a Christian. I pray that today you recognize this truth and be reconciled to God. YBIC!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Don't MESS up your Faith
Q: I am a Christian. I just recently attended a Messianic Jewish synagogue. As a Christian is it ok to practice Jewish customs such as wearing a prayer shawl or tallit (Jewish cap). Would it be a good thing to do to learn the Christian root or do I have to be cautious of it?
A: Be very cautious of Messianic Judaism. A Christian is free to wear a prayer shawl, a Jewish cap and attend services at a synagogue. But, my question to you would be “Why would you want to?” It is one thing to study the Jewish faith and to become familiar with its practices from an academic and informative standpoint. However, it is something totally different to immerse yourself into a religion which is trying to blend the more popular traditions of Judaism and Christianity into one. The Bible clearly states that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).” As Christians we have been called to something totally different than what religion has to offer. The Lord didn’t come to blend two religions into one in order to subject us to trying to observe the practices of both. He came to blend individual Jews and Gentiles into the Body of Christ. As it is written, “His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace (Ephesians 2:15).” The attraction of Messianic Judaism, and any religion for that matter, is that it appears to offer us something to do which would be pleasing to God. However, it only reveals that those practicing the religions are unaware of the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.
Many Christians believe that if you don’t have instruction on how to live you will only end up relying on your own understanding and slipping into a life of sin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Messianic Judaism is built around practicing Jewish traditions which are built upon the Mosaic Law. There is a large part of the Christian community which believes that Jesus came to help us live under the Law and gives us His grace when we fall short of doing so. Thus, they are vulnerable to what they believe Messianic Judaism is offering them. What they fail to realize is that trying to live a life of obedience and repentance to laws designed to modify their behavior is a sin. The question remains then, “How does a Christian live if not by law?” The Bible has the answer. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12).” Christians live by faith. We are led from within by responding to the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He shows us how to walk in love. And when we are walking in love we are not going to be violating any laws because we will not be sinning against one another. And when we fail to live by faith, and sin, we are reminded that our sins are forgiven and do not separate us from God.
There is nothing wrong with learning the Jewish “roots” of Christianity. However, that does not mean that what you are being taught about Hebraic roots and Jewish traditions is correct. What I would suggest that you do is to first study about your identity in Christ. For example, how many Christians are instructed in the area of “holy living” the moment they accept Christ? This is one of the biggest errors that lead people into becoming members in something like a Messianic fellowship. Wearing the prayer shawls, the Jewish caps, participating in Jewish traditions and saying things like Yeshua instead of Jesus can sound holy and make us feel special in the eyes of God. However, would it surprise you to know that you became holy in the eyes of God at the moment of salvation? “But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22).” Much of what religion offers is geared around our best efforts to try and receive from God, through self-effort, that which we already possess through faith. When you know who you are in the eyes of God your life will automatically become a reflection of that truth as you engage the world with what you have to offer it not what you expect to receive from it.
Again, you are free to participate in the Messianic fellowship. However, as time goes on you will eventually feel further away from God then when you first started. This is because the emphasis in your Christian life will be all about what you are “doing” for God and not what He has “done” for you in Christ. Religion appeals to our flesh because it affords us the opportunity to try and pursue the blessings of God. However, it neglects the blessings we already have received through faith (Ephesians 1:3). You will end up expecting something from God He did not come to give and miss out on all that He has given you. The end result will be a life of misery and frustration as you realize the more you do for God the less you know about God. The reason people turn to traditions, Jewish or otherwise, is because they don’t know God. Both Jews and Gentile alike need to become new creations in Christ. In fact, the Bible says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).” We are something totally different than Jew or Gentile. Therefore, we don’t need to burden ourselves with the Jewish customs and traditions offered under the banner of Messianic Judaism.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
My Answer is ... February 14, 2010
Q: “STOP”…I want you to “STOP” and think about how God has brought you through some tough times..If it wasn’t for God, we would have never made it through..Check out the video by Marvin Sapp (without you) it will encourage you this day. Also thank God, “That if it wasn’t for Him (Jesus) we would have never made it through…
A: Marvin Sapp sings that he "never would have made it" and he "almost lost it all." He is thankful for God seeing him through his trials and he should be. We are told to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thes 5:18)." However, will he, you or I be thankful when we don't make it and if we lose it all? What if you were a Haitian after the earthquake? How about an Indonesia after the Tsunami? Or a resident of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina? Many in these situations lost it all after not having much to start with. Saints, Jesus told us we would have tribulation (John 16:33) and that the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous (Mth 5:45). We even may suffer for our faith. Peter said for us not to be surprised to suffer for our faith (1 Ptr 4:12). Paul talked of being content whatever his circumstances (Phil 4:11). Like all of you I would love to be immune to suffering, but it is just not going to happen in this life. We must remember that we are not of this world, but ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20).
God has us here so He can work through us to gather saints for the Kingdom. We are not here to reap the benefits of this world. Unfortunately, we are subject to the trials and tribulations of this world as we are witnesses for Him. However, we should "also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Rom 5:3-5)." Our sufferings build us up so we can then comfort others with the comfort we have received from God (2 Cor 1:3-4). Therefore, whether you make it through or not, be mindful that your circumstances are not a reflection of God's love for you or His faithfulness to you. This life is the worst it gets for believers and we have been told it would be. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20) so let us be about God's business as He does His work through us despite what the world throws at us. We have already made it through in Christ! Have a blessed weekend in the Lord.
Q: The bible says he who is not "born again" will not "SEE" the kingdom of God.. What does that mean?
A: What is birth? It is life. Being "born again" means that the life of God, lost when Adam sinned, is restored to you the moment you accept Christ by faith. All mankind is born physically alive to the world, but spiritually dead to God in their sins. Therefore, our biggest problem is not that we are sinners in need of forgiveness. Our biggest problem is that we are dead to God and in need of His life. John 3:3-6 is a perfect description of this truth. "In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.""How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."" We see Jesus equating "born of water" with flesh giving "birth to flesh." This is the natural birth we all experience. Then He equates being "born of [the] Spirit" with the Spirit giving "birth to spirit." This is being born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. We are born once, physically, and then we are born again, spiritually, at salvation.
Jesus said that "no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" because a spiritually dead person isn't "alive" to God because they haven't accepted God's offer of life made available to them through His resurrection. Salvation is the restoration of the life of God. That is why Paul says, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins (1 Cor 15:17)." The Gospel is sin, death, forgiveness and life. When Adam sinned (Gen 3), God removed His life from Adam and he died spiritually. All mankind is, therefore, born into the world spiritually dead to God in sin. Before God could restore His life to us, He had to deal with the sin that caused His life to leave. Jesus, being God in the flesh, was the only man born with a life to give that would completely satisfy God for our sins. Thus, he was able to offer His life, as a free gift to all who receive Him by faith, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now, because of the eternal consequences of the cross, there is no sin that can cause that life to leave. That is why it is an eternal life. A life that carries us through our physical life, through death, and on through eternity. Be blessed.
Q: In a marriage what does a wife "need" from her husband and what does the husband "want" from his wife?
A: Ultimately, what a wife "needs" and a husband "wants" from each other is something neither can provide. We must be careful not to look at passages of scripture like Ephesians 5, Colossians 3 and 1 Peter 3 and see them as opportunities for the flesh. It is easy for a spouse to see "submit," "love," and "respect" and then go about trying to find ways in which to do to things in the energy of our own flesh. Thus, it can become about having sex, cooking, cleaning, holding the door open, letting one watch the game uninterrupted and so on. While all those things may be a part of a relationship and considered a form of loving each other like Christ loved the church, it is the motivation behind the actions that is the key to a marriage. If you notice, the actions that we describe as evidence of meeting a spouses needs and wants look very similar to the fruits of the Spirit.
Every human being is created with a desire to receive unconditional love and total acceptance. These were desires our God created us with. They were also desires that could only be fulfilled through a relationship with Him. And this relationship is only available through faith in Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ by faith, we have come alive to God because His Spirit, His very life, now indwells us. It is through this indwelling life that the deepest needs of our heart are met. Therefore, in a marriage, each spouse isn't trying to get from the other what they don't have to offer. Rather, they are serving one another in love with what they have received from God. It is the "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23)" that the Spirit produces through us which results in each spouse being able to submit, love and respect one another. When the love of Christ is our motivation all we desires our marriages to be will become to manifest itself. May God continue to reveal to you the blessings you already have in Christ. YBIC
Q: The bible says we(Christians) are dead to sin..Does that mean that Christians don't sin anymore?
A: We will sin until the day we go home to meet the Lord. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins (Col 2:13)." When were you dead in your sins? It was before you were saved. You were spiritually dead to God in your sins. When did you become alive to Christ? It was the moment you were born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Now, you are free to be led by the Spirit of God. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12)." It is God's grace that motivates us. God has forgiven all our sins. He is no longer judging us for our sins. We don't need to keep asking Him to forgive us for sins He no longer holds against us. To be dead to sin means that we no longer look to sin for something it cannot provide.l
The human heart has a desire to be unconditionally loved and totally accepted. Prior to salvation, we were cursed to try and get these desires fulfilled through the world and the sin it offers. Thankfully, because we couldn't meet those needs in sin it brought us to the end of ourselves and to faith in Christ. Now, that God has met those needs of our heart in Him we can now engage the world with what we have been given rather than what we hope to receive from it. Our lives are now a response to the guiding of the Holy Spirit who is loving the world through us with the love He has given to us. And when we are serving each other in love we are not going to be led into sin. The goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning, but to start trusting the indwelling Holy Spirit who constantly reminds us who we are in Christ so we can focus on being available to Him to walk in love. "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died (2 Cor 5:14)." We are compelled by Christ's love because we want to share what He has given us with those we encounter. Be blessed.
A: Marvin Sapp sings that he "never would have made it" and he "almost lost it all." He is thankful for God seeing him through his trials and he should be. We are told to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thes 5:18)." However, will he, you or I be thankful when we don't make it and if we lose it all? What if you were a Haitian after the earthquake? How about an Indonesia after the Tsunami? Or a resident of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina? Many in these situations lost it all after not having much to start with. Saints, Jesus told us we would have tribulation (John 16:33) and that the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous (Mth 5:45). We even may suffer for our faith. Peter said for us not to be surprised to suffer for our faith (1 Ptr 4:12). Paul talked of being content whatever his circumstances (Phil 4:11). Like all of you I would love to be immune to suffering, but it is just not going to happen in this life. We must remember that we are not of this world, but ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20).
God has us here so He can work through us to gather saints for the Kingdom. We are not here to reap the benefits of this world. Unfortunately, we are subject to the trials and tribulations of this world as we are witnesses for Him. However, we should "also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Rom 5:3-5)." Our sufferings build us up so we can then comfort others with the comfort we have received from God (2 Cor 1:3-4). Therefore, whether you make it through or not, be mindful that your circumstances are not a reflection of God's love for you or His faithfulness to you. This life is the worst it gets for believers and we have been told it would be. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20) so let us be about God's business as He does His work through us despite what the world throws at us. We have already made it through in Christ! Have a blessed weekend in the Lord.
Q: The bible says he who is not "born again" will not "SEE" the kingdom of God.. What does that mean?
A: What is birth? It is life. Being "born again" means that the life of God, lost when Adam sinned, is restored to you the moment you accept Christ by faith. All mankind is born physically alive to the world, but spiritually dead to God in their sins. Therefore, our biggest problem is not that we are sinners in need of forgiveness. Our biggest problem is that we are dead to God and in need of His life. John 3:3-6 is a perfect description of this truth. "In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.""How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."" We see Jesus equating "born of water" with flesh giving "birth to flesh." This is the natural birth we all experience. Then He equates being "born of [the] Spirit" with the Spirit giving "birth to spirit." This is being born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. We are born once, physically, and then we are born again, spiritually, at salvation.
Jesus said that "no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" because a spiritually dead person isn't "alive" to God because they haven't accepted God's offer of life made available to them through His resurrection. Salvation is the restoration of the life of God. That is why Paul says, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins (1 Cor 15:17)." The Gospel is sin, death, forgiveness and life. When Adam sinned (Gen 3), God removed His life from Adam and he died spiritually. All mankind is, therefore, born into the world spiritually dead to God in sin. Before God could restore His life to us, He had to deal with the sin that caused His life to leave. Jesus, being God in the flesh, was the only man born with a life to give that would completely satisfy God for our sins. Thus, he was able to offer His life, as a free gift to all who receive Him by faith, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now, because of the eternal consequences of the cross, there is no sin that can cause that life to leave. That is why it is an eternal life. A life that carries us through our physical life, through death, and on through eternity. Be blessed.
Q: In a marriage what does a wife "need" from her husband and what does the husband "want" from his wife?
A: Ultimately, what a wife "needs" and a husband "wants" from each other is something neither can provide. We must be careful not to look at passages of scripture like Ephesians 5, Colossians 3 and 1 Peter 3 and see them as opportunities for the flesh. It is easy for a spouse to see "submit," "love," and "respect" and then go about trying to find ways in which to do to things in the energy of our own flesh. Thus, it can become about having sex, cooking, cleaning, holding the door open, letting one watch the game uninterrupted and so on. While all those things may be a part of a relationship and considered a form of loving each other like Christ loved the church, it is the motivation behind the actions that is the key to a marriage. If you notice, the actions that we describe as evidence of meeting a spouses needs and wants look very similar to the fruits of the Spirit.
Every human being is created with a desire to receive unconditional love and total acceptance. These were desires our God created us with. They were also desires that could only be fulfilled through a relationship with Him. And this relationship is only available through faith in Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ by faith, we have come alive to God because His Spirit, His very life, now indwells us. It is through this indwelling life that the deepest needs of our heart are met. Therefore, in a marriage, each spouse isn't trying to get from the other what they don't have to offer. Rather, they are serving one another in love with what they have received from God. It is the "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23)" that the Spirit produces through us which results in each spouse being able to submit, love and respect one another. When the love of Christ is our motivation all we desires our marriages to be will become to manifest itself. May God continue to reveal to you the blessings you already have in Christ. YBIC
Q: The bible says we(Christians) are dead to sin..Does that mean that Christians don't sin anymore?
A: We will sin until the day we go home to meet the Lord. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins (Col 2:13)." When were you dead in your sins? It was before you were saved. You were spiritually dead to God in your sins. When did you become alive to Christ? It was the moment you were born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Now, you are free to be led by the Spirit of God. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12)." It is God's grace that motivates us. God has forgiven all our sins. He is no longer judging us for our sins. We don't need to keep asking Him to forgive us for sins He no longer holds against us. To be dead to sin means that we no longer look to sin for something it cannot provide.l
The human heart has a desire to be unconditionally loved and totally accepted. Prior to salvation, we were cursed to try and get these desires fulfilled through the world and the sin it offers. Thankfully, because we couldn't meet those needs in sin it brought us to the end of ourselves and to faith in Christ. Now, that God has met those needs of our heart in Him we can now engage the world with what we have been given rather than what we hope to receive from it. Our lives are now a response to the guiding of the Holy Spirit who is loving the world through us with the love He has given to us. And when we are serving each other in love we are not going to be led into sin. The goal of the Christian life is not to stop sinning, but to start trusting the indwelling Holy Spirit who constantly reminds us who we are in Christ so we can focus on being available to Him to walk in love. "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died (2 Cor 5:14)." We are compelled by Christ's love because we want to share what He has given us with those we encounter. Be blessed.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Head of the Household
Q: Scripturely speaking why are men deemed to be head of their homes (scriptures to confirm this please)?
A: The reasoning behind men being referred to as the head of their homes or the head of the household has many biblical origins. One of the primary scripture references is 1 Corinthians 11:3. "Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." The use of the word "head" refers to a position of leadership or great authority. While this is clear evidence that the man is in the position of leadership or authority in the home, we must be careful not to use the scriptures as an excuse to dominate others in our family. The scripture clearly says that the head of every man is Christ. Therefore, when understanding the role a man takes as head of the home that man must understand who he is in Christ and be a recipient of the love God has for him. Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)."
Mankind was created with the desires to receive unconditional love and total acceptance. God created us in such a way that He is the only One capable of meeting the deepest desires of our heart. Too often, both men and women go looking to fulfill the desires of their heart in each other. Unfortunately, they end up tearing each other apart mentally, physically and spiritually because both are expecting something from the other that neither of them can provide. It is one of the main reasons so many marriages, Christian and secular alike, fail at alarming rates. The unrealistic expectations have devastating and reoccurring effects as both individuals go from relationship to relationship searching for what they will not find. We search in vain to satisfy a spiritual need through the acquisition of physical rewards. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:15)." It is only in Christ that we will finally be able to rest in what we have been given by God through faith.
In Christ we have been given a great inheritance. God "has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)" and "has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)." If we have all this through our faith in Christ what more is there for us to receive outside of our relationship with God? The answer is nothing. Our inheritance includes the unconditional love of God (Romans 8:38-39) and His total acceptance of us (Romans 15:7). It is when we are receiving all God has for us through our relationship with Jesus Christ that the other passages dealing with marriage and being the head of the home are put into proper perspective. In Ephesians 5:22-23 we read where wives are to "submit" to their husbands "as to the Lord" and the "husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church." There are similar passages in Colossians 3 and 1 Peter 3. As was mentioned earlier, Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Therefore, through us we can serve others with the love that God has given to us.
When we are serving others in love we will not be sinning against them. That truth alone will help a man love His wife as Christ loved the church because He is not looking for her to serve him and try to meet needs she cannot. He will be serving her with the love of Christ. Consequently, she will be submissive to him. And when a woman is experiencing the same love of God through her own relationship with Him, she will be serving her husband in love. And the consideration and respect she wants from her husband will be experienced by her. God made woman from man and then said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Genesis 2:24)." A husband and wife can only become one flesh when they are both resting in, trusting in and depending on God as their source of everything they say and do. It is then and only then that both spouses will be motivated to submit, love, respect and honor each other in the way in which Christ did so for the Church. The key to remember is that "this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:10-11)."
In Christ we have been given a great inheritance. God "has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)" and "has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)." If we have all this through our faith in Christ what more is there for us to receive outside of our relationship with God? The answer is nothing. Our inheritance includes the unconditional love of God (Romans 8:38-39) and His total acceptance of us (Romans 15:7). It is when we are receiving all God has for us through our relationship with Jesus Christ that the other passages dealing with marriage and being the head of the home are put into proper perspective. In Ephesians 5:22-23 we read where wives are to "submit" to their husbands "as to the Lord" and the "husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church." There are similar passages in Colossians 3 and 1 Peter 3. As was mentioned earlier, Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Therefore, through us we can serve others with the love that God has given to us.
When we are serving others in love we will not be sinning against them. That truth alone will help a man love His wife as Christ loved the church because He is not looking for her to serve him and try to meet needs she cannot. He will be serving her with the love of Christ. Consequently, she will be submissive to him. And when a woman is experiencing the same love of God through her own relationship with Him, she will be serving her husband in love. And the consideration and respect she wants from her husband will be experienced by her. God made woman from man and then said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Genesis 2:24)." A husband and wife can only become one flesh when they are both resting in, trusting in and depending on God as their source of everything they say and do. It is then and only then that both spouses will be motivated to submit, love, respect and honor each other in the way in which Christ did so for the Church. The key to remember is that "this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:10-11)."
Saturday, February 6, 2010
My Answer is ... February 6, 2010
Q: JESUS I WANT TO SAY “WITHOUT YOU” MY LIFE WOULD BE A DISASTER..SO I WANT TO STOP AND “THANK” YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE…
A: Like many of us, I thought I would find meaning and purpose to life in my friends, my family, a successful business, a relationship and even through belonging to a church. I figured that through cultivating these areas of my life I would satisfy the deepest desires of my heart. Ultimately, I discovered that nothing could be further from the truth. All I accomplished was deeper exploration into the never ending depths of sin. Drunkenness, fornication, worldly gain, meaningless religious traditions and constantly trying to please others to earn their acceptance led me to the end of myself. As I exclaimed in frustration one day, "God, if this is getting to know you, I will never know you." We often hear people encourage us to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, to get back on that horse and when you're at the end of your rope to tie a knot and hang on. All of them paint a picture that getting through this life and fulfilling our needs is tied to us trying our best and rededicating ourselves endlessly to whatever we feel we need to do to make it through.
But, what I found was that when you get to the end of your rope, let go! It is the only way you will ever fall into the loving Hands of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus, when He walked this earth repeatedly tried to bury those who He spoke to under the law so that they would come to the end of themselves. He wanted them to realize that no matter how hard we try we will never satisfy the needs of our heart in this world. His goal was to get us to ask, "Who then can be saved (Mt 19:25)?" When I responded to the Lord knocking at the door of my heart my entire life changed. I was no longer running blindly into the world trying to get from it what it couldn't provide. I was set free to receive from God all He had created for me to have in Him. Now, instead of running with the world, I am running against the world trying to get them to turn from their ways and come to faith and rest in the only provision God has provided, Jesus Christ. I would not be where I am today, speaking this to you all, WITHOUT YOU JESUS! Thank you!
Q: What is the difference between walking in the "spirit" and the "flesh(old-sinful nature)"?
A: The Bible says, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Gal 5:16)." And that "if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law (Gal 5:18)." What is living by the Spirit? "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..(Titus 2:11-12)." The Spirit guides us away from gratifying the sinful nature by leading us back into the truth of who we are in Christ as a result of His love for us. When we are serving others in love, with the love God has given to us, we will not be sinning against them. That is why it says there is no law. Because when there is law there must rewards for obedience and penalties for disobedience. Many Christians like to say we must be "obedient to His Word." This is the beginning of falling from grace (Gal 5:4) because we then must define what we must be obedient to. Therefore, we insert all sorts of man made or biblical rules and laws to observe. This leads to a reliance on ourselves and not the Holy Spirit.
We are told to be "filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18)." This means to be controlled by Spirit. And when we are controlled by the Spirit we aren't going to be fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Jesus didn't come to show us how to live a life of obedience only to give us grace when we fall short of doing so. We are told to enter the Sabbath rest (Heb 4:9), a daily rest from our self-righteous works which are actually acts of disobedience (Heb 4:11). Christians must be aware of the fact that we are free and that everything is permissible. Yes, everything, including sin. But, we are told "do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Gal 5:13)." And that while everything is permissible "not everything is beneficial" and "to not be mastered by anything (1 Cor 6:12)." We must realize that "everything that does not come from faith is sin (Rom 14:23)." If you're trying to live an "obedient" life, even if it is religious in nature, you are sinning. Sinning is not just sins of the flesh, it is also an attitude of pride that believes you can be obedient to all God commands (even with Jesus' help). The righteous live by faith (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11). When we are living by faith we will not be gratifying our sinful nature. Trust the Spirit to live the life only He can live through you. Amen!
Q: The bible says, my food is to do the "will" of the Father...How do you know you are walking in Gods "will"?
A: You know you are walking in God's will when you realize that the deepest desires of your heart for unconditional love, total acceptance, meaning and purpose to life are met in Him. What is a will? It is the "promised eternal inheritance" we have "now that he (Christ) has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Heb 9:15)." When does a will go into effect? "In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living (Heb 9:16-17)." What is the inheritance we have received as a result of the death of Jesus Christ? "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Ptr 1:3)" and He "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3)."
It is the knowledge that God has met the desires of our heart that manifests itself in our resting from trying to fulfill these desires outside our faith in Christ. That leads us to becoming "living sacrifices" and to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world (Rom 12:1-2)." We are able to "give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thes 5:18)" because we are resting in His sufficient grace. Therefore, instead of trying to get from the world those things only God can supply we are able to be available to Him to fulfill His ultimate will. And that is that He is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Ptr 3:9)." God's will is not so much about where you live, who you marry, what job you take or what you do minute by minute. His will is for you to "make every effort to rest (Heb 4:11)" in what you have been given through faith in Christ so He can live His life through you. In that way we can say, "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved (1 Cor 10:33)." Amen!
Q: The bible says don't be "lukewarm"....What does that mean?
A: A "lukewarm" Christian, according to John in Revelation 3, is the Christian focused on wealth and material gain. In other words, it is the individual who is trying to obtain the blessings of God through a lifestyle of obedience and repentance. They may become "rich" in the flesh, but are not "rich" in the Spirit. The Church in Laodicea was this kind of Church. Paul expanded on the church in Laodicea in Colossians. He said the church was characterized by being deceived by "fine sounding arguments (Col 2:4)" and taken "captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Col 2:8)." How many Christians believe and teach we must obey the Ten Commandments (Mosaic Law), that the Sermon on the Mount was Jesus giving us instruction on how to live as Christians or that long observed traditions are ordained by God? These are the philosophies that deceive and are fine sounding because they are based in scripture, but void of context and meaning.
Those who have subjected themselves to these teachings may know scripture, may have received many blessings and have the respect of all around them. However, they don't know their God. Their whole lives revolve around their own behavior and the behavior of others because they believe it to be a sign of holiness or the mark of a "good" Christian. They believe it to be about church attendance, tithing, confessing sins, church activity and getting others to duplicate their behavior. All the while their eyes are off of Jesus which is just how Satan wants it. If he can get you focused on what you, or others are doing, you aren't focused on what Jesus has done and wants to do through you. We don't live by traditions, commandments or laws designed to modify our behavior in order to maintain or obtain the blessings of God and avoid His curses. We live by faith in the indwelling life of God who has given us everything we need for life and godliness and leads us from within.The quicker we realize this truth the sooner we become "hot" and not "lukewarm." Be blessed.
Q: The bible says "pray" for our governmental authorities...So it it wrong to "criticize" our president?
A: No, it is not wrong to criticize our president. When Paul writes, in 1 Timothy 2, about praying for "kings and all those in authority" it is so "we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim 2:2)." The first century Christians lived in an environment hostile to them and their faith like many believers do today. Remember, it was the Jewish and Roman authorities that put Jesus to death. Many of Paul's writings were done from prison were he was put there because of his faith. He, as were many apostles and disciples, was later put to death because of His faith. Paul, even criticized the Roman authorities when he was imprisoned without a trial (Acts 16:37). Hebrews 11 reminds us of many saints who suffered terribly at the hands of the authorities because of their faith. And we need look no further than the Middle East, Africa and Asia, to name a few places, to find saints today who are suffering, at the hands of local authorities, to levels as great as any Christian has endured throughout history.
Our current President claims to be a Christian. However, he supports things like abortion, the homosexual agenda, many paths to heaven and a foreign policy that many describe as giving aid and comfort to an enemy that wants no less than our conversion to their faith or at the very least our submission to it. And he is taking our money in many instances to support these ideas. It is this type of agenda that could, and has, led to a hostile environment for Christians. We have a government "of the people, by the people and for the people." When it does not govern in the ways in which we feel are a reflection of ourselves we not only should criticize it, but it is our duty to do so. Thankfully, God is in charge of it all. But, that does not give us permission to sit on our hands while the world around us gathers against us. My prayer is that the President listens to the Holy Spirit he claims to have indwelling him because, so far, his actions are not consistent with a man who has had an encounter with the living God. Be blessed.
A: Like many of us, I thought I would find meaning and purpose to life in my friends, my family, a successful business, a relationship and even through belonging to a church. I figured that through cultivating these areas of my life I would satisfy the deepest desires of my heart. Ultimately, I discovered that nothing could be further from the truth. All I accomplished was deeper exploration into the never ending depths of sin. Drunkenness, fornication, worldly gain, meaningless religious traditions and constantly trying to please others to earn their acceptance led me to the end of myself. As I exclaimed in frustration one day, "God, if this is getting to know you, I will never know you." We often hear people encourage us to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, to get back on that horse and when you're at the end of your rope to tie a knot and hang on. All of them paint a picture that getting through this life and fulfilling our needs is tied to us trying our best and rededicating ourselves endlessly to whatever we feel we need to do to make it through.
But, what I found was that when you get to the end of your rope, let go! It is the only way you will ever fall into the loving Hands of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus, when He walked this earth repeatedly tried to bury those who He spoke to under the law so that they would come to the end of themselves. He wanted them to realize that no matter how hard we try we will never satisfy the needs of our heart in this world. His goal was to get us to ask, "Who then can be saved (Mt 19:25)?" When I responded to the Lord knocking at the door of my heart my entire life changed. I was no longer running blindly into the world trying to get from it what it couldn't provide. I was set free to receive from God all He had created for me to have in Him. Now, instead of running with the world, I am running against the world trying to get them to turn from their ways and come to faith and rest in the only provision God has provided, Jesus Christ. I would not be where I am today, speaking this to you all, WITHOUT YOU JESUS! Thank you!
Q: What is the difference between walking in the "spirit" and the "flesh(old-sinful nature)"?
A: The Bible says, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Gal 5:16)." And that "if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law (Gal 5:18)." What is living by the Spirit? "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..(Titus 2:11-12)." The Spirit guides us away from gratifying the sinful nature by leading us back into the truth of who we are in Christ as a result of His love for us. When we are serving others in love, with the love God has given to us, we will not be sinning against them. That is why it says there is no law. Because when there is law there must rewards for obedience and penalties for disobedience. Many Christians like to say we must be "obedient to His Word." This is the beginning of falling from grace (Gal 5:4) because we then must define what we must be obedient to. Therefore, we insert all sorts of man made or biblical rules and laws to observe. This leads to a reliance on ourselves and not the Holy Spirit.
We are told to be "filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18)." This means to be controlled by Spirit. And when we are controlled by the Spirit we aren't going to be fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Jesus didn't come to show us how to live a life of obedience only to give us grace when we fall short of doing so. We are told to enter the Sabbath rest (Heb 4:9), a daily rest from our self-righteous works which are actually acts of disobedience (Heb 4:11). Christians must be aware of the fact that we are free and that everything is permissible. Yes, everything, including sin. But, we are told "do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Gal 5:13)." And that while everything is permissible "not everything is beneficial" and "to not be mastered by anything (1 Cor 6:12)." We must realize that "everything that does not come from faith is sin (Rom 14:23)." If you're trying to live an "obedient" life, even if it is religious in nature, you are sinning. Sinning is not just sins of the flesh, it is also an attitude of pride that believes you can be obedient to all God commands (even with Jesus' help). The righteous live by faith (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11). When we are living by faith we will not be gratifying our sinful nature. Trust the Spirit to live the life only He can live through you. Amen!
Q: The bible says, my food is to do the "will" of the Father...How do you know you are walking in Gods "will"?
A: You know you are walking in God's will when you realize that the deepest desires of your heart for unconditional love, total acceptance, meaning and purpose to life are met in Him. What is a will? It is the "promised eternal inheritance" we have "now that he (Christ) has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Heb 9:15)." When does a will go into effect? "In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living (Heb 9:16-17)." What is the inheritance we have received as a result of the death of Jesus Christ? "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Ptr 1:3)" and He "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3)."
It is the knowledge that God has met the desires of our heart that manifests itself in our resting from trying to fulfill these desires outside our faith in Christ. That leads us to becoming "living sacrifices" and to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world (Rom 12:1-2)." We are able to "give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thes 5:18)" because we are resting in His sufficient grace. Therefore, instead of trying to get from the world those things only God can supply we are able to be available to Him to fulfill His ultimate will. And that is that He is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Ptr 3:9)." God's will is not so much about where you live, who you marry, what job you take or what you do minute by minute. His will is for you to "make every effort to rest (Heb 4:11)" in what you have been given through faith in Christ so He can live His life through you. In that way we can say, "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved (1 Cor 10:33)." Amen!
Q: The bible says don't be "lukewarm"....What does that mean?
A: A "lukewarm" Christian, according to John in Revelation 3, is the Christian focused on wealth and material gain. In other words, it is the individual who is trying to obtain the blessings of God through a lifestyle of obedience and repentance. They may become "rich" in the flesh, but are not "rich" in the Spirit. The Church in Laodicea was this kind of Church. Paul expanded on the church in Laodicea in Colossians. He said the church was characterized by being deceived by "fine sounding arguments (Col 2:4)" and taken "captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Col 2:8)." How many Christians believe and teach we must obey the Ten Commandments (Mosaic Law), that the Sermon on the Mount was Jesus giving us instruction on how to live as Christians or that long observed traditions are ordained by God? These are the philosophies that deceive and are fine sounding because they are based in scripture, but void of context and meaning.
Those who have subjected themselves to these teachings may know scripture, may have received many blessings and have the respect of all around them. However, they don't know their God. Their whole lives revolve around their own behavior and the behavior of others because they believe it to be a sign of holiness or the mark of a "good" Christian. They believe it to be about church attendance, tithing, confessing sins, church activity and getting others to duplicate their behavior. All the while their eyes are off of Jesus which is just how Satan wants it. If he can get you focused on what you, or others are doing, you aren't focused on what Jesus has done and wants to do through you. We don't live by traditions, commandments or laws designed to modify our behavior in order to maintain or obtain the blessings of God and avoid His curses. We live by faith in the indwelling life of God who has given us everything we need for life and godliness and leads us from within.The quicker we realize this truth the sooner we become "hot" and not "lukewarm." Be blessed.
Q: The bible says "pray" for our governmental authorities...So it it wrong to "criticize" our president?
A: No, it is not wrong to criticize our president. When Paul writes, in 1 Timothy 2, about praying for "kings and all those in authority" it is so "we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim 2:2)." The first century Christians lived in an environment hostile to them and their faith like many believers do today. Remember, it was the Jewish and Roman authorities that put Jesus to death. Many of Paul's writings were done from prison were he was put there because of his faith. He, as were many apostles and disciples, was later put to death because of His faith. Paul, even criticized the Roman authorities when he was imprisoned without a trial (Acts 16:37). Hebrews 11 reminds us of many saints who suffered terribly at the hands of the authorities because of their faith. And we need look no further than the Middle East, Africa and Asia, to name a few places, to find saints today who are suffering, at the hands of local authorities, to levels as great as any Christian has endured throughout history.
Our current President claims to be a Christian. However, he supports things like abortion, the homosexual agenda, many paths to heaven and a foreign policy that many describe as giving aid and comfort to an enemy that wants no less than our conversion to their faith or at the very least our submission to it. And he is taking our money in many instances to support these ideas. It is this type of agenda that could, and has, led to a hostile environment for Christians. We have a government "of the people, by the people and for the people." When it does not govern in the ways in which we feel are a reflection of ourselves we not only should criticize it, but it is our duty to do so. Thankfully, God is in charge of it all. But, that does not give us permission to sit on our hands while the world around us gathers against us. My prayer is that the President listens to the Holy Spirit he claims to have indwelling him because, so far, his actions are not consistent with a man who has had an encounter with the living God. Be blessed.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
What God Doesn't Know
Q: The meaning of Genesis 18:20-21. I have checked several of my own sources, but none cover this. The LORD knows everything. Maybe the Hebrew is not translated well. Thanks for your help.
A: Genesis 18:20-21 reads, "Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."" The fact that it says God didn't know if the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was as bad as the outcry was saying it was doesn't take away from His omniscience. For instance, take a human example. If you're a parent and you hear your children roughhousing in another room you are able to hear what is going on and can probably make a good guess as to what they are doing. Yet, you don't have the details of exactly what they are doing. That is similar to the outcry God heard from Sodom and Gomorrah. If the parent chooses to go see what damage the children are causing they are perfectly able to do so. That doesn't take away from their role as parents. That is similar to what God was doing as He was responding to the outcry. Many times, as a parent, you don't want to see what your children have been doing because you fear the havoc they have caused. A perfectly holy God can't stand the presence of sin. Therefore, it makes sense that He would not exercise His full omniscient powers because He didn't want to be confronted with the level of sin that was taking place.
This example in Genesis 18 is not the only example we see where God refrains from using His omniscient ability. In Genesis 2, the Bible records the time when God let Adam name the animals. "He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name (Genesis 2:19)." Why does it say God wanted to see what Adam named the animals? Didn't He already know what Adam would name them? In Genesis 3 we have two more similar examples of God not exercising His all knowing abilities. After the Fall it says the Lord was walking through the Garden. Then we read, "But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you (Genesis 3:9)?"" Why would an all knowing God not know where Adam and Eve were located? Once He finds Adam and Eve, Adam says that they hid from God because they were naked. God replies, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from (Genesis 3:11)?" Again, didn't God know what had just happened? We shouldn't use these examples as evidence to question God's omniscience, but as proof that He is a living God.
Our God is a God who interacts with His creation. We see an example of Him almost being human-like in His response to the sin going on in Sodom and Gomorrah. It is as if He was taking His time in dealing with it because He knew what would have to be done once the depths of their sin was revealed. The same way many of us put off having to perform an unpleasant act. We see Him taking the time to learn from Adam as he named the animals, not unlike a loving Father allows his child to name the family pet. One could say that when He didn't know where Adam and Eve were at in the Garden that He was giving them privacy. Yet another attribute that we as humans can relate to. Now, these conclusions could be mistaken. However, there are only so many ways an infinite God can relate to His finite creations. Whether there are translational errors or just our lack of understanding we should take comfort in the fact that our God is a God who relates to us and interacts with us on a personal level. These are all acts of love on His part not moments to call into question His omniscience.
In 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter often referred to as the "love" chapter, we get a perfect description of God's love. In verse 4 we see that "love is patient." How patient was God when He listened to Adam name all the animals? How patient was God as He took His time going to Sodom and Gomorrah, even allowing Abraham the opportunity to plead with Him on behalf of the two cities (Genesis 18:22-33)? Love "does not delight in evil (1 Corinthians 13:6)." His actions towards Sodom and Gomorrah as well as banishing Adam and Eve from the Garden after their sin is, in reality, an act of love. Sin gone unpunished only increases and spreads. Eventually, it can be accepted as normal, ignored, tolerated and even promoted. God acting in ways that make Him seem less than God does not take away from the fullness of Him as God. It serves as a way in which we can get to know Him and have a relationship with Him. His ultimate expression of love is seen in Jesus Christ. Jesus, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:6-7)." If God can make "himself nothing" in order to become a man, it shouldn't surprise us if He occasionally is seen to not be using His omniscient powers in order to interact with man. Be blessed.
A: Genesis 18:20-21 reads, "Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."" The fact that it says God didn't know if the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was as bad as the outcry was saying it was doesn't take away from His omniscience. For instance, take a human example. If you're a parent and you hear your children roughhousing in another room you are able to hear what is going on and can probably make a good guess as to what they are doing. Yet, you don't have the details of exactly what they are doing. That is similar to the outcry God heard from Sodom and Gomorrah. If the parent chooses to go see what damage the children are causing they are perfectly able to do so. That doesn't take away from their role as parents. That is similar to what God was doing as He was responding to the outcry. Many times, as a parent, you don't want to see what your children have been doing because you fear the havoc they have caused. A perfectly holy God can't stand the presence of sin. Therefore, it makes sense that He would not exercise His full omniscient powers because He didn't want to be confronted with the level of sin that was taking place.
This example in Genesis 18 is not the only example we see where God refrains from using His omniscient ability. In Genesis 2, the Bible records the time when God let Adam name the animals. "He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name (Genesis 2:19)." Why does it say God wanted to see what Adam named the animals? Didn't He already know what Adam would name them? In Genesis 3 we have two more similar examples of God not exercising His all knowing abilities. After the Fall it says the Lord was walking through the Garden. Then we read, "But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you (Genesis 3:9)?"" Why would an all knowing God not know where Adam and Eve were located? Once He finds Adam and Eve, Adam says that they hid from God because they were naked. God replies, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from (Genesis 3:11)?" Again, didn't God know what had just happened? We shouldn't use these examples as evidence to question God's omniscience, but as proof that He is a living God.
Our God is a God who interacts with His creation. We see an example of Him almost being human-like in His response to the sin going on in Sodom and Gomorrah. It is as if He was taking His time in dealing with it because He knew what would have to be done once the depths of their sin was revealed. The same way many of us put off having to perform an unpleasant act. We see Him taking the time to learn from Adam as he named the animals, not unlike a loving Father allows his child to name the family pet. One could say that when He didn't know where Adam and Eve were at in the Garden that He was giving them privacy. Yet another attribute that we as humans can relate to. Now, these conclusions could be mistaken. However, there are only so many ways an infinite God can relate to His finite creations. Whether there are translational errors or just our lack of understanding we should take comfort in the fact that our God is a God who relates to us and interacts with us on a personal level. These are all acts of love on His part not moments to call into question His omniscience.
In 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter often referred to as the "love" chapter, we get a perfect description of God's love. In verse 4 we see that "love is patient." How patient was God when He listened to Adam name all the animals? How patient was God as He took His time going to Sodom and Gomorrah, even allowing Abraham the opportunity to plead with Him on behalf of the two cities (Genesis 18:22-33)? Love "does not delight in evil (1 Corinthians 13:6)." His actions towards Sodom and Gomorrah as well as banishing Adam and Eve from the Garden after their sin is, in reality, an act of love. Sin gone unpunished only increases and spreads. Eventually, it can be accepted as normal, ignored, tolerated and even promoted. God acting in ways that make Him seem less than God does not take away from the fullness of Him as God. It serves as a way in which we can get to know Him and have a relationship with Him. His ultimate expression of love is seen in Jesus Christ. Jesus, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:6-7)." If God can make "himself nothing" in order to become a man, it shouldn't surprise us if He occasionally is seen to not be using His omniscient powers in order to interact with man. Be blessed.
Monday, February 1, 2010
A Different Heaven
Q: Do saved Jews go to a different heaven than gentiles?
A: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)." If all Christians are one in Christ Jesus, regardless of their ethnic heritage, do you think there is multiple heavens for them? No, there are not different heavens for "saved Jews" and "saved gentiles." If there were different heavens than Romans 2:11, "For God does not show favoritism," would be in question. Furthermore, one could make the argument that there could be different heavens for members of the different Christian religions like Catholicism and Protestantism. A person could even go as far as to suggest different heavens based off of skin color. Where does it stop? Besides, there really isn't anything in the Bible that refers to Jews who accept Christ as "saved Jews." The Bible speaks, specifically, of the Body of Christ as being something totally void of ethnic and cultural labels.
"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 (Ephesians 2:15-16)." When the Apostle Paul is speaking of God creating "one new man out of the two," he is not speaking in terms of individuals, but rather in terms of Jews and Gentiles. From God's perspective there are only three types of individuals, Jews, Gentiles and the Church, made up of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Christ as their Savior. Throughout much of history Jews and Gentiles have been at odds with one another. God set the Jewish people apart from the rest of the world so He could establish and bring forth His plan of redemption for all mankind, Jesus Christ. Because the Jews were the "apple" of God's eye, protected by Him and in a covenant relationship with Him, it separated the Jews from the Gentile world and hostility developed between the two. Therefore, God came to this earth to bring them together through faith in Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, many Jews rejected Jesus Christ, their prophesied Messiah, and the Gentiles didn't believe they were dead in their sins much less recognizing their need for a Savior. "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-24)." The same attitude exists today among unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. However, we only preach one Gospel because there is only one Savior and one body of believers. That is the brilliance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It can be preached all over the world and received by anybody willing to accept it regardless of their different ethnic, cultural and, even, religious background. That is why the Bible speaks of Jew and Gentile believers as "no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household...(Ephesians 2:19)." All believers are one in Christ with one destination and that is all of us going to one heaven to spend eternity with our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands (Revelations 7:9)." Imagine the glorious site when all believers from all over the world, from every moment in time, are gathered together in heaven in the presence of Jesus Christ. What a glorious site to behold. We live in a time that yearns for unity, for love and for peace on earth. Yet, the means by which most try to obtain this goal is through accepting and promoting that which separates all of us. Religious, ethnic, cultural and racial differences cannot not be ignored or emphasized in pursuit of this goal. And that is why it will never be achieved through human effort. The only way to bring everybody together in peace and harmony is through preaching the Gospel. It is only when the hearts of individuals are changed through coming alive to God in Christ that what divides us falls away as what unites us comes forth.
A: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)." If all Christians are one in Christ Jesus, regardless of their ethnic heritage, do you think there is multiple heavens for them? No, there are not different heavens for "saved Jews" and "saved gentiles." If there were different heavens than Romans 2:11, "For God does not show favoritism," would be in question. Furthermore, one could make the argument that there could be different heavens for members of the different Christian religions like Catholicism and Protestantism. A person could even go as far as to suggest different heavens based off of skin color. Where does it stop? Besides, there really isn't anything in the Bible that refers to Jews who accept Christ as "saved Jews." The Bible speaks, specifically, of the Body of Christ as being something totally void of ethnic and cultural labels.
"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 (Ephesians 2:15-16)." When the Apostle Paul is speaking of God creating "one new man out of the two," he is not speaking in terms of individuals, but rather in terms of Jews and Gentiles. From God's perspective there are only three types of individuals, Jews, Gentiles and the Church, made up of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Christ as their Savior. Throughout much of history Jews and Gentiles have been at odds with one another. God set the Jewish people apart from the rest of the world so He could establish and bring forth His plan of redemption for all mankind, Jesus Christ. Because the Jews were the "apple" of God's eye, protected by Him and in a covenant relationship with Him, it separated the Jews from the Gentile world and hostility developed between the two. Therefore, God came to this earth to bring them together through faith in Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, many Jews rejected Jesus Christ, their prophesied Messiah, and the Gentiles didn't believe they were dead in their sins much less recognizing their need for a Savior. "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-24)." The same attitude exists today among unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. However, we only preach one Gospel because there is only one Savior and one body of believers. That is the brilliance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It can be preached all over the world and received by anybody willing to accept it regardless of their different ethnic, cultural and, even, religious background. That is why the Bible speaks of Jew and Gentile believers as "no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household...(Ephesians 2:19)." All believers are one in Christ with one destination and that is all of us going to one heaven to spend eternity with our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands (Revelations 7:9)." Imagine the glorious site when all believers from all over the world, from every moment in time, are gathered together in heaven in the presence of Jesus Christ. What a glorious site to behold. We live in a time that yearns for unity, for love and for peace on earth. Yet, the means by which most try to obtain this goal is through accepting and promoting that which separates all of us. Religious, ethnic, cultural and racial differences cannot not be ignored or emphasized in pursuit of this goal. And that is why it will never be achieved through human effort. The only way to bring everybody together in peace and harmony is through preaching the Gospel. It is only when the hearts of individuals are changed through coming alive to God in Christ that what divides us falls away as what unites us comes forth.
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