I just had some thoughts running around my head today about tolerance and focus, in the context of doing some kind of social outreach. Sometimes you get various local religious groups partnering up with one another to use their resources more effectively in helping others.
That might be fine depending on the situation, but we need to remember to keep focused on the end goal.
The end goal is not to make people's lives better for a short time. Doing that is a means to demonstrate Christ's love to other people, but the intended end result of that demonstration should be that more souls turn to Christ! Remember that Jesus didn't do all those miracles just to heal people and improve their short lives here on earth -- he primarily did all those miracles to prove he was who he claimed to be.
So when partnering with others I think we really need to keep in mind how the gospel is going to be preached. We don't want to give the impression that all religions are equally valid and/or that's its really all about just doing the good works, because neither is true. So if Jesus is seen to be just one of the boys along with Buddha, Mohammed, Gandhi, and so on, that's a problem. Jesus is God in the flesh, come to earth to die as payment for the sins of the world. That message comes first and must not be blocked or distorted!
Imagine for a moment a diverse group of guys all working together at some event and someone says "hey you guys, tell me what you know about Jesus."
The Muslim dude speaks up: "He was a prophet like Moses."
The Catholic lady corrects him: "No, he was much more than that. He is God in the flesh and he was crucified to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Now let me tell you about the true church that he started while he was on earth..."
The Mormon guy breaks in: "You'll have to let me take it from here, because the church you belong to is not the one true church -- the church I belong to is the one true church. But before I talk about that I want to tell you about how Jesus actually came to the New World and about this guy named Joseph Smith..."
The Jewish guy interrupts: "What's wrong with you two? Jesus was a man just like any other. He claimed to be the Messiah, and he claimed to be God. He was crucified, and he died. He disciples probably stole his body to make it look like he rose from the dead. End of story!"
The Buddhist lady backs him up: "That's right. But still, he was a great moral teacher like Buddha. We can learn a lot from his teachings."
As the Jehovah's Witness guy starts to talk about Michael the archangel, the majority of the group notices the Christian guy walking back in from the front door. They see the other guy walking away down the street, obviously reading something in his hands.
"What did you tell him?" they all asked.
"I just told him the simple truth -- that I once I lived an empty, meaningless, and self-centered life, despite all that I had. I told him that Jesus is the one who showed me that sin, saved me, and gave me a new heart. Then I prayed with him for a moment. I also gave him a Bible and showed him where he can read more about Jesus. Why, what are you guys still talking about in here?"
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Zeal And Treasure
I have to tell you I got so blessed today! I met two guys from Set Free Ministries today that just blew me away. Rarely have I seen such obvious excitement and joy overflowing from a brother in Christ. These guys were just so clearly thrilled to be working for the Lord and had such a passion for Jesus and helping other people!
All I could think is "Lord, I want THAT kind of love and zeal".
One of the guys also offered up an interpretation on the parable of the treasure in the field, which I will share.
The parable goes something like this. The kingdom of God is like a treasure in a field. A man walking through the field finds it. He goes and sells everything he has to buy the field and thus obtain the treasure.
I understand the man to be a sinner such as you or I coming to Christ in repentance and receiving the greatest gift there is. But here was this man's spin on it:
Let's say the man is us, the field is the world, and the treasure is God. That doesn't really work too well, because we can't really buy God, and we really don't give up absolutely everything.
Instead let's say the man is Jesus and we're the treasure. He really did give up everything. He gave up his crown and his cloak to come down to earth and die as a sacrifice for our sins, purchasing us with his blood. We're his, and he works through us.
I don't really believe that's the intended meaning of the parable, but I still think its a very meaningful point my brother made! :-)
Grace and Peace
All I could think is "Lord, I want THAT kind of love and zeal".
One of the guys also offered up an interpretation on the parable of the treasure in the field, which I will share.
The parable goes something like this. The kingdom of God is like a treasure in a field. A man walking through the field finds it. He goes and sells everything he has to buy the field and thus obtain the treasure.
I understand the man to be a sinner such as you or I coming to Christ in repentance and receiving the greatest gift there is. But here was this man's spin on it:
Let's say the man is us, the field is the world, and the treasure is God. That doesn't really work too well, because we can't really buy God, and we really don't give up absolutely everything.
Instead let's say the man is Jesus and we're the treasure. He really did give up everything. He gave up his crown and his cloak to come down to earth and die as a sacrifice for our sins, purchasing us with his blood. We're his, and he works through us.
I don't really believe that's the intended meaning of the parable, but I still think its a very meaningful point my brother made! :-)
Grace and Peace
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Speaking...Or Arguing...The Truth In Love?
Recently I have angered someone because I told them, in short, that they followed a false prophet and followed a different Jesus than written about in the Bible. I supposed I can see how that would make someone angry, but we still went back and forth a bit. Through some discussion that ended up hitting a brick wall in the end, as far as I can tell, I have been accused of the following:
- Hatred. In that my comments during discussion were a personal attack against the members of the church started by this particular person.
- Rudeness. In that my words were sharp and unloving.
- Pride. In that I came across like the Pharisees who were prideful and thought they were right with God and everyone else was purposed for stoking the fires of hell.
And some other things. I didn't keep a paper trail; I just happen to remember those, along with this:
- I shouldn't let beliefs come between relationships with family.
Dead wrong.
I'm not saying believers should be jerks, but they certainly shouldn't suppress the truth just to "be nice". When someone is in a fraudulent and flawed system we should just keep quiet to keep the peace? I don't think so.
Christ said this: "Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three." (Luke 12:51-52)
Should we not tell people following the world's religions about Jesus because we might offend? Should we not warn people about false teachings and false prophets because we might offend? Should we not approach brothers and sisters who are backsliding because we might offend?
That's what the world says to do. That's not what the Bible teaches. It's not what Christ said to do. It's not what Paul said to do. It's not what Peter said to do. It's not what John said to do. I'll take their instructions over those of the world's pluralistic, relative-truth, all-paths-lead-to-God opinion.
Despite what some may claim, truth is absolutely knowable through God's Word and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, false beliefs can be positively identified. Trying to show this to people in love is not rude, not prideful, and not hateful, whether or not someone put a "Jesus sticker" on their beliefs.
In short, having a "happy" relationship with someone is less important than that someone having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ,
Having said that, I admit freely the following shortcomings of which I find myself guilty:
- I too often fail to speak up (or shut up depending on the situation) because I don't want to hurt relationships, because I fear possible ridicule, or because I'm worried about the repercussions and covering myself at work. For shame! God help me to be better in speaking the truth, preaching the gospel, and avoiding the appearance of agreeing with incorrect opinions and beliefs!
- I see that, with regarding to false teachers in particular, I have failed to heed the Word. Too often I get it into my head that I need to discuss, debate, or argue. What the Bible teaches is that we are to avoid false teachers. We are not to bless them or wish them well. We are not to give the impression that we think they have legitimate claims, doctrines, or opinions. John tells us that to do this is to share in their wicked work.
That last statement was a hard one for me, because I know that the rank and file member of some group is likely not intentionally trying to do anything "wicked". However, it follows that if they preach a false Jesus and/or a false gospel, they are spreading falsehoods and doing something wicked anyway, whether or not they mean to.
Too often already I have thought that this is where people are coming from and they need to see the light -- unfortunately, what I thought was an opportunity to speak the truth -- even if the person didn't want to hear it -- turned out to be nothing more than a distraction, keeping me from focusing on the things of God.
Thank you Lord, for using this latest altercation to open my eyes to my sin of getting sucked into that which is pointless and a clear failure to redeem the time!
Grace and Peace
- Hatred. In that my comments during discussion were a personal attack against the members of the church started by this particular person.
- Rudeness. In that my words were sharp and unloving.
- Pride. In that I came across like the Pharisees who were prideful and thought they were right with God and everyone else was purposed for stoking the fires of hell.
And some other things. I didn't keep a paper trail; I just happen to remember those, along with this:
- I shouldn't let beliefs come between relationships with family.
Dead wrong.
I'm not saying believers should be jerks, but they certainly shouldn't suppress the truth just to "be nice". When someone is in a fraudulent and flawed system we should just keep quiet to keep the peace? I don't think so.
Christ said this: "Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three." (Luke 12:51-52)
Should we not tell people following the world's religions about Jesus because we might offend? Should we not warn people about false teachings and false prophets because we might offend? Should we not approach brothers and sisters who are backsliding because we might offend?
That's what the world says to do. That's not what the Bible teaches. It's not what Christ said to do. It's not what Paul said to do. It's not what Peter said to do. It's not what John said to do. I'll take their instructions over those of the world's pluralistic, relative-truth, all-paths-lead-to-God opinion.
Despite what some may claim, truth is absolutely knowable through God's Word and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, false beliefs can be positively identified. Trying to show this to people in love is not rude, not prideful, and not hateful, whether or not someone put a "Jesus sticker" on their beliefs.
In short, having a "happy" relationship with someone is less important than that someone having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ,
Having said that, I admit freely the following shortcomings of which I find myself guilty:
- I too often fail to speak up (or shut up depending on the situation) because I don't want to hurt relationships, because I fear possible ridicule, or because I'm worried about the repercussions and covering myself at work. For shame! God help me to be better in speaking the truth, preaching the gospel, and avoiding the appearance of agreeing with incorrect opinions and beliefs!
- I see that, with regarding to false teachers in particular, I have failed to heed the Word. Too often I get it into my head that I need to discuss, debate, or argue. What the Bible teaches is that we are to avoid false teachers. We are not to bless them or wish them well. We are not to give the impression that we think they have legitimate claims, doctrines, or opinions. John tells us that to do this is to share in their wicked work.
That last statement was a hard one for me, because I know that the rank and file member of some group is likely not intentionally trying to do anything "wicked". However, it follows that if they preach a false Jesus and/or a false gospel, they are spreading falsehoods and doing something wicked anyway, whether or not they mean to.
Too often already I have thought that this is where people are coming from and they need to see the light -- unfortunately, what I thought was an opportunity to speak the truth -- even if the person didn't want to hear it -- turned out to be nothing more than a distraction, keeping me from focusing on the things of God.
Thank you Lord, for using this latest altercation to open my eyes to my sin of getting sucked into that which is pointless and a clear failure to redeem the time!
Grace and Peace
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Heart Of A Child
I came across this poem tonight and like it:
Whatever you write on the heart of a child,
no water can wash away.
The sands may be shifted when billows are wild
and the efforts of time may decay.
Some stories may perish, some songs be forgot,
but this engraved record, time changes it not.
Whatever you write in the heart of a child
a story of gladness or care --
That heaven has blessed or that earth has defiled,
will linger unbearably there.
Who writes it has sealed it forever and aye.
He must answer to God on that great judgment day.
And, fathers do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the disciple and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
Grace and Peace
Whatever you write on the heart of a child,
no water can wash away.
The sands may be shifted when billows are wild
and the efforts of time may decay.
Some stories may perish, some songs be forgot,
but this engraved record, time changes it not.
Whatever you write in the heart of a child
a story of gladness or care --
That heaven has blessed or that earth has defiled,
will linger unbearably there.
Who writes it has sealed it forever and aye.
He must answer to God on that great judgment day.
And, fathers do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the disciple and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
Grace and Peace
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Fresh Or Canned?
A co-worker posted this.
Human: Our Father who art in heaven.
God: Yes?
Human: Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
God: But you called ME!
Human: Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father who art in heaven.
God: There, you did it again!
Human: Did what?
God: Called ME! You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven." Well, here I am. What's on your mind?
Human: But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
God: Well, all right. Go on.
Human: Okay, hallowed be thy name.
God: Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?
Human: By what?
God: By "hallowed be thy name"?
Human: It means, it means...good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
God: It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Human: Hey, that makes sense...I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before. Thanks. Thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
God: Do you really mean that?
Human: Sure, why not?
God: What are you doing about it?
Human: Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
God: Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?
Human: Well, I go to church.
God: That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
Human: Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
God: Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.
Human: Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
God: So could I.
Human: I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
God: Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and ME. I'm proud of You.
Human: Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread.
God: You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.
Human: Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
God: Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called ME, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying. [Pause] Well, go on.
Human: I'm scared to.
God: Scared? Of what?
Human: I know what you'll say.
God: Try ME.
Human: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
God: What about Ann?
Human: See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!
God: But, your prayer, what about your prayer?
Human: I didn't...mean it.
God: Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it?
Human: Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.
God: No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are...well, I can change that.
Human: You can? How?
God: Forgive Ann. Then, I'll forgive you, and the hate and the sin, will be Ann's problem, not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Human: Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with you. [Sigh] All right, all right, I forgive her.
God: There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
Human: Hmmmm. Well, not bad! Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
God: Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? Go on.
Human: Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
God: Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
Human: What do you mean by that?
God: You know what I mean.
Human: Yeah. I know. Okay.
God: Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
Human: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
God: Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?
Human: No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me...how do I make you happy?
God: You just did.
Grace and Peace
Human: Our Father who art in heaven.
God: Yes?
Human: Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
God: But you called ME!
Human: Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father who art in heaven.
God: There, you did it again!
Human: Did what?
God: Called ME! You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven." Well, here I am. What's on your mind?
Human: But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
God: Well, all right. Go on.
Human: Okay, hallowed be thy name.
God: Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?
Human: By what?
God: By "hallowed be thy name"?
Human: It means, it means...good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?
God: It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Human: Hey, that makes sense...I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before. Thanks. Thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
God: Do you really mean that?
Human: Sure, why not?
God: What are you doing about it?
Human: Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
God: Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?
Human: Well, I go to church.
God: That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
Human: Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
God: Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.
Human: Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
God: So could I.
Human: I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.
God: Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and ME. I'm proud of You.
Human: Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread.
God: You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.
Human: Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
God: Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called ME, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying. [Pause] Well, go on.
Human: I'm scared to.
God: Scared? Of what?
Human: I know what you'll say.
God: Try ME.
Human: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
God: What about Ann?
Human: See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!
God: But, your prayer, what about your prayer?
Human: I didn't...mean it.
God: Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it?
Human: Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.
God: No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are...well, I can change that.
Human: You can? How?
God: Forgive Ann. Then, I'll forgive you, and the hate and the sin, will be Ann's problem, not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Human: Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with you. [Sigh] All right, all right, I forgive her.
God: There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
Human: Hmmmm. Well, not bad! Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
God: Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? Go on.
Human: Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
God: Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
Human: What do you mean by that?
God: You know what I mean.
Human: Yeah. I know. Okay.
God: Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
Human: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
God: Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?
Human: No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me...how do I make you happy?
God: You just did.
Grace and Peace
Monday, October 19, 2009
What Lies Beneath
Recently someone was unsure how I might feel about them because of a lifestyle choice they made. Now before I continue, I must say that the point of this post is not to say anything about any specific behavior, but something much more important than that. So, for the sake of example and having something in your head, pick something from the list: a college guy choosing to live and sleep with his girlfriend before getting married, or an older man choosing to turn to the bottle to drown his sorrows and forget his problems, or a young girl choosing to sell her body for money, or a teenager choosing to center his life around smoking pot, or two men/women choosing to "marry" each other, and so on.
The point here in these examples -- examples that we see every day in the world -- is that these are people who have chosen to live outside the will of God. But that's not the central issue! The lifestyle, choice, behavior, whatever you want to call it, is not the real problem. Sure, many people might focus on it and try to correct it if the person's particular choice is not "normal" by the world's standards. But the fact of the matter is this:
Cleaning up a sinful lifestyle apart from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ does no good.
It's like what Duncan said (roughly) in one of his sermons: "A lot of people tell me 'I got a lot of sin in my life right now; let me go clean that up and then I'll come to your church.' No, that ain't it. Come as you are, get right with God through Jesus, and he'll do the cleaning up."
Duncan hit the nail on the head. Hard.
You could be Mr. Goody Two Shoes "Christian" Boy your entire life. You could go to church every weekend, twice. You could go to several midweek Bible studies. You could give all your extra money away and then some. You could spend all your free time serving at the church or in the community. But if you are not born again from above through the power of the Holy Spirit, it doesn't matter one bit. All the "good works" and "good behavior" people do will not save them. Only the power of God working in their lives after realizing and admitting spiritual bankruptcy can do that.
Only after that new birth can a person really begin to have a changed life that means something, because only then do they have a changed heart.
So when those who are not in Christ and making "shocking" lifestyle choices, their Christian friends and family may have much to say against their external behavior and condemn it very harshly, but that's not really justified in my opinion. If someone is outside of Christ, it doesn't really matter what they are doing in their life -- denying Jesus as Lord and Savior is denying Jesus as Lord and Savior -- no matter what.
Getting right with God through Jesus is the biggest and only issue that needs to be addressed in anyone's life! Anything beyond that gets taken care of as the person grows spiritually in Christ.
So to my brothers and sisters out there, focus not on condemning or correcting behaviors in your unsaved friends and family, but rather keep showing them the love of Jesus, keep praying for them, and keep preaching Christ crucified. These are the things that attack the real problem. After all, Christ suffered and died to restore relationships with God, not to make rule-following robots that don't love him! The line really is right -- "no religion, just a relationship."
Grace and Peace
The point here in these examples -- examples that we see every day in the world -- is that these are people who have chosen to live outside the will of God. But that's not the central issue! The lifestyle, choice, behavior, whatever you want to call it, is not the real problem. Sure, many people might focus on it and try to correct it if the person's particular choice is not "normal" by the world's standards. But the fact of the matter is this:
Cleaning up a sinful lifestyle apart from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ does no good.
It's like what Duncan said (roughly) in one of his sermons: "A lot of people tell me 'I got a lot of sin in my life right now; let me go clean that up and then I'll come to your church.' No, that ain't it. Come as you are, get right with God through Jesus, and he'll do the cleaning up."
Duncan hit the nail on the head. Hard.
You could be Mr. Goody Two Shoes "Christian" Boy your entire life. You could go to church every weekend, twice. You could go to several midweek Bible studies. You could give all your extra money away and then some. You could spend all your free time serving at the church or in the community. But if you are not born again from above through the power of the Holy Spirit, it doesn't matter one bit. All the "good works" and "good behavior" people do will not save them. Only the power of God working in their lives after realizing and admitting spiritual bankruptcy can do that.
Only after that new birth can a person really begin to have a changed life that means something, because only then do they have a changed heart.
So when those who are not in Christ and making "shocking" lifestyle choices, their Christian friends and family may have much to say against their external behavior and condemn it very harshly, but that's not really justified in my opinion. If someone is outside of Christ, it doesn't really matter what they are doing in their life -- denying Jesus as Lord and Savior is denying Jesus as Lord and Savior -- no matter what.
Getting right with God through Jesus is the biggest and only issue that needs to be addressed in anyone's life! Anything beyond that gets taken care of as the person grows spiritually in Christ.
So to my brothers and sisters out there, focus not on condemning or correcting behaviors in your unsaved friends and family, but rather keep showing them the love of Jesus, keep praying for them, and keep preaching Christ crucified. These are the things that attack the real problem. After all, Christ suffered and died to restore relationships with God, not to make rule-following robots that don't love him! The line really is right -- "no religion, just a relationship."
Grace and Peace
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Baggage And The Bible
Do we let Scripture transform us or do we let us transform Scripture?
One thing we all do when we approach Scripture is bring our own baggage with us. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly can be. Its a bad thing when we block God's Word from transforming us because we want it to fit into what we already believe to be true. Its a bad thing when we dismiss the truth of God's Word because that truth is hard to hear. Its a bad thing when we plug our ears to it because it tells us to do things we just don't want to do.
Let me give some examples that have popped into my head:
- As an American, I live in a nation that has crazy wealth. We are the richest people on the planet. Even those we might consider poor in this country have so much more than those in many many parts of the world. Yet how many Americans think they're rich? Very few. We think we're entitled to so much material crap and so many services that most of the people in the world just don't have. That blinds us when we read about how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God and how the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
- The world is filled with atheists, deists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, in-name-only Christians, and so on. Many in these groups preach the same thing the "politically correct" talk show hosts and politicians preach -- there are many paths to God and all are equally valid -- you have your way and I have mine. We should just be tolerant of one another. And so on. That kind of mentality affects us when we read about our good works being filthy rags in the sight of God, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, that Christ died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and so on.
- There are those who claim that monogamous, or even any, homosexual relationships are not against God's will. There are those who also claim abortion is not against God's will. They shout the mantras of "Equality!" and "Choice!". Those ideas affect us also when we read God's commands.
- There are many who embrace the evolutionary theory, despite the fact its a very shaky theory at best. It isn't even compatible with the idea that sin and death entered the world because of Adam's disobedience. Yet that's okay because some atheist scientists with a God-hating agenda to push support it. Embracing such things affect us when we read about our origins, our purpose, and our very nature.
But there's something very sad about those examples I just cited. They don't come from the mouths of unbelievers only. They also come from the mouths of CHRISTIANS -- or so-called Christians at the least.
In that light I must say there is something terribly wrong with:
- Putting self, safety, security, comfort, and worldly pursuits above God, which says "God, you're number TWO, or THREE, or FOUR...and I don't really BELIEVE you when you say you'll take care of me."
- Denying that Jesus is the only way to heaven, which says "God, your sacrifice on the cross is WORTHLESS and I can get to heaven on my OWN."
- Abandoning God's commands for the sake of man's ideas, which says "God, your commandments are nice, but I'd rather do things MY WAY."
- Dismissing God's explanation of origins because some man thinks he has one that doesn't involve God, which says "God, I think WE are smarter than YOU."
I want to vomit now. This is the kind of crap we tell God when we make ourselves the authority instead of his word.
So why do it?
Because it tells us what we DON'T want to hear. That we're depraved and in desperate need of a savior. That we're not in control. That we don't know everything. That we're not the greatest beings in the universe. That we do live in a fallen and broken world. That our hearts lie to us. That some, maybe many, maybe all, of our friends, family members, and co-workers are going to hell. That we need help. That we're weak. That we need to tell people about Jesus even though its hard for us. That we're not basically good. That God doesn't want to be put in a box. That there is something more to life than entertaining ourselves. That we should spend our time and money better. That we don't really earn anything. That people will hate us. That we will suffer through trials. That God hates lukewarm, lip-service paying, I'll believe in you as long as you don't change my heart and my life, nonsense from people.
Should I go on?
So what if we don't want to hear it? Is our baggage THAT important to us? Do we insist on believing in a God only on OUR TERMS? Why, when We can have ETERNAL LIFE through Christ. When we can have a RELATIONSHIP with the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE. When we can serve the LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS? That trumps EVERYTHING we could possible bring to the table and into our reading of the Word.
Let's all pray to have our hearts and minds opened more and more to the transforming power of God's Word as he speaks to us through it.
Grace and Peace
One thing we all do when we approach Scripture is bring our own baggage with us. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly can be. Its a bad thing when we block God's Word from transforming us because we want it to fit into what we already believe to be true. Its a bad thing when we dismiss the truth of God's Word because that truth is hard to hear. Its a bad thing when we plug our ears to it because it tells us to do things we just don't want to do.
Let me give some examples that have popped into my head:
- As an American, I live in a nation that has crazy wealth. We are the richest people on the planet. Even those we might consider poor in this country have so much more than those in many many parts of the world. Yet how many Americans think they're rich? Very few. We think we're entitled to so much material crap and so many services that most of the people in the world just don't have. That blinds us when we read about how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God and how the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
- The world is filled with atheists, deists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, in-name-only Christians, and so on. Many in these groups preach the same thing the "politically correct" talk show hosts and politicians preach -- there are many paths to God and all are equally valid -- you have your way and I have mine. We should just be tolerant of one another. And so on. That kind of mentality affects us when we read about our good works being filthy rags in the sight of God, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, that Christ died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and so on.
- There are those who claim that monogamous, or even any, homosexual relationships are not against God's will. There are those who also claim abortion is not against God's will. They shout the mantras of "Equality!" and "Choice!". Those ideas affect us also when we read God's commands.
- There are many who embrace the evolutionary theory, despite the fact its a very shaky theory at best. It isn't even compatible with the idea that sin and death entered the world because of Adam's disobedience. Yet that's okay because some atheist scientists with a God-hating agenda to push support it. Embracing such things affect us when we read about our origins, our purpose, and our very nature.
But there's something very sad about those examples I just cited. They don't come from the mouths of unbelievers only. They also come from the mouths of CHRISTIANS -- or so-called Christians at the least.
In that light I must say there is something terribly wrong with:
- Putting self, safety, security, comfort, and worldly pursuits above God, which says "God, you're number TWO, or THREE, or FOUR...and I don't really BELIEVE you when you say you'll take care of me."
- Denying that Jesus is the only way to heaven, which says "God, your sacrifice on the cross is WORTHLESS and I can get to heaven on my OWN."
- Abandoning God's commands for the sake of man's ideas, which says "God, your commandments are nice, but I'd rather do things MY WAY."
- Dismissing God's explanation of origins because some man thinks he has one that doesn't involve God, which says "God, I think WE are smarter than YOU."
I want to vomit now. This is the kind of crap we tell God when we make ourselves the authority instead of his word.
So why do it?
Because it tells us what we DON'T want to hear. That we're depraved and in desperate need of a savior. That we're not in control. That we don't know everything. That we're not the greatest beings in the universe. That we do live in a fallen and broken world. That our hearts lie to us. That some, maybe many, maybe all, of our friends, family members, and co-workers are going to hell. That we need help. That we're weak. That we need to tell people about Jesus even though its hard for us. That we're not basically good. That God doesn't want to be put in a box. That there is something more to life than entertaining ourselves. That we should spend our time and money better. That we don't really earn anything. That people will hate us. That we will suffer through trials. That God hates lukewarm, lip-service paying, I'll believe in you as long as you don't change my heart and my life, nonsense from people.
Should I go on?
So what if we don't want to hear it? Is our baggage THAT important to us? Do we insist on believing in a God only on OUR TERMS? Why, when We can have ETERNAL LIFE through Christ. When we can have a RELATIONSHIP with the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE. When we can serve the LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS? That trumps EVERYTHING we could possible bring to the table and into our reading of the Word.
Let's all pray to have our hearts and minds opened more and more to the transforming power of God's Word as he speaks to us through it.
Grace and Peace
Friday, October 16, 2009
The New Canaan?
I had a few thoughts fly by.
We look at some of the people and practices in the Old Testament and think "how wicked". However...
...sacrificing unborn babies to the false god Choice is no better than sacrificing children to the false god Molech.
...worshiping the false gods of Money, Power, Pleasure, and Comfort is no better than worshiping the false gods of Chemosh, Dagon, Asherah, or Astarte.
...engaging in casual sex because it feels good is no better than engaging in ritual sex for a good harvest.
And so on. I mean, really, we live in a culture that typically...
...is hell bent on rebelling against God.
...doesn't believe in a real place called hell.
...accuses people of being unloving or even hateful when they say that Muhammad, Joseph Smith, and others were false prophets.
...thinks saying Jesus is the only way to heaven is completely intolerant.
...considers people bigots when they call homosexuality sin.
...fails to acknowledge there is even such a thing as sin.
...doesn't believe in absolute truth or that truth is knowable.
...thinks the world came from nothing and people came from goo -- yet those that claim to believe this often think that somehow their life still matters.
So look around the world today and ask yourself if it really looks better or worse than ancient Canaan. I think the latter.
Praise God for salvation through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Praise God for His Word and His truth! Please Lord keep us strong in the faith among a chaotic world that forgets about you or flat out denies your existence.
Grace and Peace
We look at some of the people and practices in the Old Testament and think "how wicked". However...
...sacrificing unborn babies to the false god Choice is no better than sacrificing children to the false god Molech.
...worshiping the false gods of Money, Power, Pleasure, and Comfort is no better than worshiping the false gods of Chemosh, Dagon, Asherah, or Astarte.
...engaging in casual sex because it feels good is no better than engaging in ritual sex for a good harvest.
And so on. I mean, really, we live in a culture that typically...
...is hell bent on rebelling against God.
...doesn't believe in a real place called hell.
...accuses people of being unloving or even hateful when they say that Muhammad, Joseph Smith, and others were false prophets.
...thinks saying Jesus is the only way to heaven is completely intolerant.
...considers people bigots when they call homosexuality sin.
...fails to acknowledge there is even such a thing as sin.
...doesn't believe in absolute truth or that truth is knowable.
...thinks the world came from nothing and people came from goo -- yet those that claim to believe this often think that somehow their life still matters.
So look around the world today and ask yourself if it really looks better or worse than ancient Canaan. I think the latter.
Praise God for salvation through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Praise God for His Word and His truth! Please Lord keep us strong in the faith among a chaotic world that forgets about you or flat out denies your existence.
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Idle Hands
Lord forgive my idle hands
That the devil takes under his command
To do nothing for your kingdom's sake
But rather your Son's heart break
Thank you for holding on tight
And not letting go without a fight
To pull me out of the pit I jumped in
When I betrayed you for my sin
When far from you I surely stumble
Thank you Lord for keeping me humble
And bringing me back to your embrace
As I bathe in your mercy and your grace
Thank you for again showing me
Why you bled and died upon that tree
I need clear cut reminders that you bought
Me, a member of a stubborn stiff-necked lot
And that for me to be free you gave your all
So the next time that I trip and fall
Please pick me up and help me to stand
And forgive this sinner his idle hands
That the devil takes under his command
To do nothing for your kingdom's sake
But rather your Son's heart break
Thank you for holding on tight
And not letting go without a fight
To pull me out of the pit I jumped in
When I betrayed you for my sin
When far from you I surely stumble
Thank you Lord for keeping me humble
And bringing me back to your embrace
As I bathe in your mercy and your grace
Thank you for again showing me
Why you bled and died upon that tree
I need clear cut reminders that you bought
Me, a member of a stubborn stiff-necked lot
And that for me to be free you gave your all
So the next time that I trip and fall
Please pick me up and help me to stand
And forgive this sinner his idle hands
Sunday, October 11, 2009
English Is A Crazy Language
I ran across this in "How To Choose A Translation For All Its Worth," an excellent book by Gordon Fee and Mark Strauss. Neither one of them wrote this part as far as I know:
There's no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.
We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, two geese. So one moose, two meese? One index, two indices?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend, that you comb through the annals of history but not a single annal? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?
If teachers taught, why didn't preacher praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? If you wrote a letter, perhaps you bote your tongue?
Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? Park on driveways and drive on parkways?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lot and quite a few are alike? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell another?
How you noticed that we talk about certain things only when they are absent? Have you ever seen a horseful carriage or a strapful gown? Met a sung hero or experienced requited love?
Have you ever run into someone who was dis-combobulated, grunted, ruly or peccable? And where are all those people who ARE spring chickens or who would ACTUALLY hurt a fly?
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling out and in which an alarm clock goes off by going on.
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, isn't a race at all).
That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I end it!
There's no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.
We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, two geese. So one moose, two meese? One index, two indices?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend, that you comb through the annals of history but not a single annal? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?
If teachers taught, why didn't preacher praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? If you wrote a letter, perhaps you bote your tongue?
Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? Park on driveways and drive on parkways?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lot and quite a few are alike? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell another?
How you noticed that we talk about certain things only when they are absent? Have you ever seen a horseful carriage or a strapful gown? Met a sung hero or experienced requited love?
Have you ever run into someone who was dis-combobulated, grunted, ruly or peccable? And where are all those people who ARE spring chickens or who would ACTUALLY hurt a fly?
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling out and in which an alarm clock goes off by going on.
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, isn't a race at all).
That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I end it!
Friday, October 2, 2009
E-Mail Of The Year
A co-worker sent this out (lifted from elsewhere):
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
"Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning."
"You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride."
"You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job."
"You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams."
"You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card."
"You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps."
"You want me to do all this and then you tell me ... I CAN'T PRAY?"
Pray for prayer to be brought back into schools. Pray for God to be brought back into schools. Pray for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed once again in the finest learning institutions. Pray for revival in the church and awakening across the land.
Grace and Peace
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
"Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning."
"You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride."
"You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job."
"You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams."
"You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card."
"You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps."
"You want me to do all this and then you tell me ... I CAN'T PRAY?"
Pray for prayer to be brought back into schools. Pray for God to be brought back into schools. Pray for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed once again in the finest learning institutions. Pray for revival in the church and awakening across the land.
Grace and Peace
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