Q: Do you understand the magnitude of what Jesus did “For you”? Check out the video on my face book page and when you see it “thank” Him for what He did “For You”…
A: The dividing line of human history, from man's perspective is the birth of Christ (B.C.). However, from God's perspective the dividing line is His death on the Cross. Before Christ's death man could only atone for his sin through sacrifices and offerings. However, when Jesus died, God was propitiated, totally satisfied with His eternal sacrifice. Now, there is no sin standing between man and God. The sin issue is over! No more asking forgiveness. No more confession booths. No more altar calls to rededicate ourselves. No more repetitive prayers. As Jesus said, "It is finished (Jn 19:30)." The cross was the only time we were forgiven of all our sins. The cross was the only time we were cleansed of all our unrighteousness. "Christ died for sins ONCE FOR ALL, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Ptr 3:18)." Our choice is to accept what He did for us once and for all or continue to ask Him to do what He already did. Which is a response of faith? Thank you Jesus!
Q: "WHY ASK WHY"...If I ask God "why", does that mean I have no faith?
A: Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome (Gen 32:28)." God named the nation of Israel after their struggles with Him. You can't have struggles with someone, in this case God, unless you are asking Him "Why?" The Bible is full of man questioning God in his search to learn his place in God's world. The Old Testament full of man's failure and God's faithfulness. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Job, Samson and others all questioned God, but were commended for their faith. The disciples did the same thing with Jesus. Asking "why" leads to answers which leads to faith. And it isn't that we have a big faith, but have big God. We learn to trust in Him through asking Him questions. It is what He expects and wants so He can reveal Himself to us.
Q: What does it mean to walk in "Godliness"?
A: It means to live a life of trust and dependence on the indwelling Holy Spirit. Titus 2:11-12, says the grace of God teaches us to say ""No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.." The Holy Spirit reminds us of who we are in God's eyes and all that we have been given by Him through faith in Christ. Mankind was not designed to live in obedience to laws designed to control our flesh. We were designed to be indwelt by God and let Him lead us from within. The grace of God is the presence of His love in the midst of, and despite of, sin. It is understanding that we are already right in God's eyes not because of what we do, but because of who we are. The changed heart we have experienced will ultimately lead to a change in our behavior not vice versa. Instead of living a life of obeying good and repenting of evil, we are guided by God who teaches us to walk in love. And when we walk in love we're not going to sin.
Q: The bible says iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another..What does that mean?
A: Iron sharpening iron is a way in which to get a blade which has lost its edge sharp again. Blades, in terms of knives and swords, need to be sharp in order to cut and penetrate. Scripture says that the Word of God is "sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12)." Christians have Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, indwelling them. We are His "blade" to be used to penetrate the world with the truth of the Gospel. Christians sharpen ourselves through fellowship, study and prayer. This can be done in various ways. I do it through answering Chris' question everyday, through moderating an online fellowship, through my blogs and through weekly Bible Study with other Christians. We do it to keep ourselves from getting dull and to "prepare God's people for works of service (Eph 4:12)." And the "work of God is this: to believe in the One he has sent (Jn 6:29)."
In response to Christian "accountability groups":
We do need each other. However, my greatest period of growth occurred after I left the fellowship I attended after being saved because of the error being taught. One of the greatest mistakes made within the Body of Christ is the assumption that the church we attend, the pastor we sit under or those we fellowship with are teaching, believing and walking in, the truth. We all have the Holy Spirit indwelling us and are in fellowship with God because of His faithfulness, not ours. In order to be accountable to others we must have standards in which to be accountable to and, therefore, we risk focusing on our behavior rather than on our trust and dependence in the Lord. We can't have unity within the Body unless we have agreement. And that is where iron sharpening iron comes into play; believers decreasing and allowing themselves to be taught by the Holy Spirit and being led into all truth. Only then can we have true fellowship and grow in our relationship with each other and the Lord.
Q: What does it mean to have the "keys" to the kingdom of God?
A: Jesus referred to Himself as the "narrow door" and that "Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us (Lk 13:25).'" The 'keys' Peter was given was that the Gospel was opened to everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. The Gospel first came to the Jews, who rejected it. Now it was available to the Gentiles who "are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens (Eph 2:19)." Peter appeared to use those "keys" on the Day of Pentecost when he proclaimed "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39)." The call of the Lord is "Come to me, ALL you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28)." The door to salvation has been unlocked for everyone because of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. However, that door could be locked at any moment. Remember "now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2)."
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