Which are you?
What in the world do you mean Josh? Aren't they kind of the same thing? Well, yes and no. I admit I kind of thought so when I first began thinking through them. However, while they are both forms of waiting on the Lord, they are actually quite juxtaposed to each other in their nature. I heard reference to this general idea once recently and I began thinking about how it applied to me and how many others may have similar experiences. Which one is more biblical? While I am getting better at being "intentionally content", I have certainly spent a significant amount of time being "patiently frustrated". What's the difference?, you might ask. Let me explain.
Patiently Frustrated
Imagine you are on a subway headed to work. You are running a little behind and you are frustrated because you cannot get there any faster. Yet you know that you have no control over the situation so you sit in the back of the car, as far away from the door as possible, with an air of frustration and try to be as patient as possible, knowing it is out of your hands.
This is a flawed analogy I am sure, but I think it paints a descent picture of being "patiently frustrated" on a spiritual level. Often times we find ourselves desiring to grow in our relationship with God and yet it feels like we are spinning our wheels. Perhaps you know in your heart of hearts that God is beginning to reveal a plan for the next step in your life or He has brought a conviction about something that needs to be changed in your family, but you know that you must be careful in shepherding them through the process of that change. Maybe you are burdened for a prayer to be answered regarding a need or the salvation of a loved one.
Our tendency is to get frustrated. We know what needs to happen but we cannot make it happen as fast as we would like without potentially messing something up. Or in the case of someone's healing or salvation, we cannot do anything at all beyond prayer and sharing the gospel. So we sit and we wait, knowing that God will work it out, but frustrated that it is not happening as fast as we want it to. That is being "patiently frustrated".
The danger here is that we can make the mistake of sitting on our hands and "waiting on God" when their are things that we should be doing along the way that God has already given us permission to move on in His word.
Intentionally Content
Imagine again the above scenario. Only with a more optimistic and contended slant. This time, you don't sit at the back of the train, on your hands, and in a frustrated funk. Instead, you position yourself by the door at the part of the subway car that you know will be closest to the stairs. You anticipate the next move. You are content to wait, knowing that the next move is coming soon enough rather than sitting by idly when there are things you can do to position yourself for what is next.
Being content is not the same thing as being complacent. Complacency indicates a lack of care about the situation. You care deeply. Otherwise you would not have been frustrated in the other scenario. No, I would define being biblically "intentionally content" as worry-free, yet purposeful, action.
Paul As Our Example
A good biblical example of this would be the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 4:11-13 he says this, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Unfortunately, that last verse is often used improperly to suggest that there is nothing we cannot do whether we are gifted for it or not or if we have enough faith. Or, it can be used to push forward in action without thought and without prayer. Sometimes a misunderstanding of this scripture and others like it can bring a feeling of guilt or condemnation because if we do not experience the success we expect through prayer we begin to question our faith. As if God not moving when we think He should or how we think He should is an indication of whether we have faith or not. This is a mistake. Faith is exhibited in doing everything that we are responsible to do and then trusting God to do the rest when He sees fit and how He sees fit.
No, these are NOT what Paul is trying to convey. His contentment is the focal point of this passage. I would say that Paul was "intentionally content". Here is a man that faced resistance, physical abuse, and threat of death continually throughout his ministry yet he learned to be content in the face of it all.
He did not sit around feeling sorry for himself or questioning His faith nor did he go places or do things that the Holy Spirit had not directed. In fact, in Acts it is told that he intended to go places that the Holy Spirit definitively said no to in order that he would end up where God wanted Him. Paul did not sit around waiting for God to say go or do. Paul went and did until God said, "not here, not now". He continually did what he knew to do until God revealed what he did not know to do.
Application
Even as believers, we have a tendency to get frustrated with God's timetable. We often find ourselves sitting around saying, "when O Lord", and doing very little when there is so much that we know we should be doing. "Patient frustration" can cause us to wait with desperation, rather than hope. Often times hope and contentment is what we are so desperately waiting for.
"Intentional contentment" must be purposeful. If we are not intentional in our thought and prayer life and our meditation on God's word, while sharing the gospel and living lives worthy of that gospel, then we will lapse into despair and loose hope. These actions are things that we do not need special instructions for. The bible is clear on these things and we can do them anytime and anywhere. When God wants to give us special instruction, He will. In fact, we will often find that it is in the midst of obediently doing these other things that God will reveal the next step that we have been waiting for regarding something more specific. It is also in doing these things that faith is built and hope is found. His timing is perfect, so trust it.
Encouragement
I want to encourage you. When you find yourself "patiently frustrated", check yourself. Evaluate the other aspects of your spiritual walk and see what you are neglecting while waiting for that other thing to happen. Be "intentionally content". Do what you know to do until He shows you what you don't know to do. It is a much more pleasant and productive way to live and serve God effectively.
Being "intentionally content" does not mean that you feel nothing about your concern. It means that you have prayed fervently about the concern(James 5:16). It is biblical to pray with emotion and passion about our concerns. Now that you have done that, you must rest in God's faithfulness, obediently trusting God with every circumstance. In that place you will find great joy, peace, and contentment(Philippians 4:4-7).
I confess to you that I struggle with this. I do not want to suggest that this process is easy. I believe it is a lifestyle of habit-forming practices that you grow in over time, yet never getting it perfect. I think as long as we are in this body of flesh this struggle will always exist. So please pray for me and I will pray for you. Together, perhaps we can prayerfully encourage each other to victory more often than not.
Blessings,
Josh
Friday, February 7, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Hope and Freedom through the Lense of an Eternal Perspective
Hello all. I hope you are well. I know that I do my share of exhorting unto obedience and rebuking of behaviors or thought processes that are not biblical. While I do this with an unknown group audience in mind, I realize that my messages can be easily personalized and taken offense to as well. I confess that this is not like your typical inspirational thought for the day that people buy or subscribe to for some light extemporaneous motivation each day. There is nothing wrong with that, alongside serious time spent in prayer and meditation on the word. I have tried to think like that for this blog on occasion and I simply cannot do it consistently. It is just not who I am. Or at least it is not who I am meant to be through this blog, most of the time. One thing I can tell you for sure. All topics are important to me either because they are a struggle for me as well or because they were, and I am on the other side of that battle by the grace of God. I never blog as one who assumes he has it all together. Please know that.
My heart for this blog and my heart for you!
I think the reason I do not do well with short, inspirational thoughts is that, I think like a teacher/preacher and that's how I write as well. Since I do not preach/teach anywhere else at this point, this is my pulpit. This is my classroom. Whether I do it well is for the reader to decide. Whether people's hearts are touched and moved to read it to begin with, much less experience a change of heart or not, is also a matter for God to decide. I would not dare to pretend that I live what I "preach" here perfectly all the time. No one does. My hearts desire in life however is to develop an eternal perspective on life and live with that perspective always in front of me, interpreting all that I say and do. This desire is the same thing that drives the content of this blog.
I have two great goals in life. One is to live with a passion for the glory of God to be made known in my life through all that I say and do. Two is to inspire others to do the same. Sometimes that means challenging ways of thought or action that steal glory from God. Other times that means shining light on the hope and freedom that are found in possessing a passion for the glory of God in your own lives.
Both of these goals can only be accomplished if you and I live with an eternal perspective. This perspective can only be attained with a proper revelation of and a continuing meditation on what God has done for us in His great grace and love for us. First, let's look at a few viewpoints that do involve a strong, biblical foundation based on faith in Jesus. Consequently they are temporary or temporal perspectives.
Hope from a temporal perspective.
Real hope from an eternal perspective.
Hope that is real, is hope that is alive. It is hope that is based in a real relationship with the only true and living God. Scripture tells us that hope and peace are found in our relationship with God through faith in Jesus. Contrary to much contemporary teaching, hope and peace are found much more in suffering than in blessing. In fact many have grown in their faith and intimacy with God through trials and loss than they ever did through the good times. God's word does not tell us to ignore or rebuke our sufferings and trials in order to find hope. On the contrary, it tells us to rejoice in our sufferings. Why? Because suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.(Romans 5:3-5)
My Savior suffered in ways none of us will ever be able to comprehend. Far be it for me to suggest that I should not have to suffer or endure trials because I am a Christian when the very one who saved me, suffered and endured great trial for my salvation. Jesus said that if we are going to be His disciples we must take up our cross and follow Him(Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 8:34-35). Yet there is much hope to be had in the resurrection that followed His suffering.
God's love for us vs. our love for Him
You see, unlike every other religion in the world, our eternal perspective and hunger for God's name to be made glorious in our lives is not driven from a man-centered, gotta be good enough to get to God, type of religion. No, true believers have a different motivation. We realize that our God is better because, while everyone else is pursuing relationship with God as a means to an end, our God is pursuing us.
Even more mind-blowing than that is this. Romans 5:6-11 tells us that God pursues us even while we are still in our sinful state. That when He reaches down from heaven and draws us to himself, we are yet still in our rebellion against Him. That God sent His only Son to die for His enemies.
That is worth everything!
I am still blown away when I consider the hope that is found in knowing that the God I put my faith and hope in, is a God who chose me first. That while I was living in rebellion in so many areas, even while having religion but lacking true faith, He patiently drew me to himself. And while it was free, in that it cost me nothing initially, it was not unconditional as many assert. His love is unconditional in that He loves us in spite of ourselves. There was still a cost to be paid. The reason we call it unconditional love is because God knew that in our rebellions state we could not pay the price, yet He loved us enough to provide a perfect sacrifice in His Son(Romans 5:8).
No, there was most certainly a price. The primary condition for my eternal good was this; the price that had to be paid for my sins was Jesus' life. My eternal redemption cost Jesus EVERYTHING! It cost Him physical suffering. It cost Him communion with His Heavenly Father. It cost Him having to endure the wrath of God being poured out for the sins of all who would put their trust in Him, from creation until His return. No, there was a great cost and a huge condition to be satisfied for our redemption and Jesus satisfied that at the cross.
Now that's hope!
You really must contemplate these truths. You must honestly consider that as a Christian you are not just putting your hope and faith in any old God. You are putting your hope in a God who as Father sent His Son to die for you; as Son, came and lived the perfect life that you cannot live and died the death that you should have died for you; and as Spirit, came to dwell inside of you to change your heart and empower you to follow Jesus through radical obedience. The Holy Trinity, God in three persons loves you enough to do all this for you and for His glory.
Let's be clear. Jesus is not the means to an end. Jesus IS the end. The goal or inspiration of Christianity is not, what I get out of it, but whom I get out of it. You get to have eternal communion with your Creator, Almighty God in all His fullness; your Risen Savior, Jesus Christ; and with your Wonderful Counselor the Holy Spirit. Everything else is icing on the cake.
Do you have an eternal perspective?
That perspective will change the way you value everything else in life. It will begin to change the purpose for which you do everything in life. When you meditate on that, you can only come to one conclusion. I will give everything to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ(Philippians 1:27). That's a God I can put my hope in. That is a God for whom I will strive to filter everything I say and do through the lens of an eternal perspective. Through the lens of the gospel.
An eternal perspective brings eternal hope. An eternal perspective gives eternal purpose. If you truly have an eternal perspective, you WILL NOT be the same and you WILL NOT live the same! You WILL meditate on God's word! It WILL change your heart! You WILL repent! And, you WILL begin to desire to do NOTHING that would steal glory from the one who gave everything to bring you eternal life!
When your view on life says that God's glory in all things is where your greatest satisfaction is found, THAT is hope. THAT is freedom. THAT is an eternal perspective.
May it become in so in our lives more and more in 2014! May we live lives worthy of the gospel!
In Jesus name,
Amen
My heart for this blog and my heart for you!
I think the reason I do not do well with short, inspirational thoughts is that, I think like a teacher/preacher and that's how I write as well. Since I do not preach/teach anywhere else at this point, this is my pulpit. This is my classroom. Whether I do it well is for the reader to decide. Whether people's hearts are touched and moved to read it to begin with, much less experience a change of heart or not, is also a matter for God to decide. I would not dare to pretend that I live what I "preach" here perfectly all the time. No one does. My hearts desire in life however is to develop an eternal perspective on life and live with that perspective always in front of me, interpreting all that I say and do. This desire is the same thing that drives the content of this blog.
I have two great goals in life. One is to live with a passion for the glory of God to be made known in my life through all that I say and do. Two is to inspire others to do the same. Sometimes that means challenging ways of thought or action that steal glory from God. Other times that means shining light on the hope and freedom that are found in possessing a passion for the glory of God in your own lives.
Both of these goals can only be accomplished if you and I live with an eternal perspective. This perspective can only be attained with a proper revelation of and a continuing meditation on what God has done for us in His great grace and love for us. First, let's look at a few viewpoints that do involve a strong, biblical foundation based on faith in Jesus. Consequently they are temporary or temporal perspectives.
Hope from a temporal perspective.
- There are those who are professing atheist or agnostics that typically suffer from a naturalistic worldview. They do not believe that there is anything beyond this life. Often their view is that we are just a bunch of random particles crashing into each other. Once you die your just gone. Not much hope there. There is no real purpose to life beyond the life you are living. No hope or resolution through pain and suffering. No real answers to "life's big questions.
- Others believe in karma which essentially says "what goes around comes around". While there is certainly a principle of reaping what you sow in Christianity, it is not the same as karma. Not only does karma say you will pay for your good or bad decisions now, but that who you are in the next life is determined by how you lived this one. Not much hope there either. No hope for redemption if you have really screwed up most of this life.
- Yet another group believes in God and even in Jesus, at least theoretically or intellectually, yet they do not believe that God is sovereign in His control of everything. They tend to believe either that He does not know everything that is going to happen, but reacts according to peoples decision or that He is like the great watchmaker in the sky who created everything and set it in motion and now just sits back and watches it go. Either way, their is very little hope to be had in a God who is not the Sovereign Ruler that the Bible says He is.
- Still others have some belief in God, but put very little if any faith in the Jesus of the bible. They want their understanding of God to be whatever feels good to them. A God whom provides some semblance of hope, and yet doesn't require to much of them. A faith built on a truth that is relative. A faith that does not inconvenience them to much and still allows them to do what they want...for the most part. This most often produces false hope because while they have a faith and a hope of some form, it is misplaced on a deity that looks a lot more like the sinful creation than the creator. (Remember, we were made in His image, not the other way around.) That is not the God of the bible. Consequently, it does not exist. So while they think they have hope, they really have no hope at all.
Real hope from an eternal perspective.
Hope that is real, is hope that is alive. It is hope that is based in a real relationship with the only true and living God. Scripture tells us that hope and peace are found in our relationship with God through faith in Jesus. Contrary to much contemporary teaching, hope and peace are found much more in suffering than in blessing. In fact many have grown in their faith and intimacy with God through trials and loss than they ever did through the good times. God's word does not tell us to ignore or rebuke our sufferings and trials in order to find hope. On the contrary, it tells us to rejoice in our sufferings. Why? Because suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.(Romans 5:3-5)
My Savior suffered in ways none of us will ever be able to comprehend. Far be it for me to suggest that I should not have to suffer or endure trials because I am a Christian when the very one who saved me, suffered and endured great trial for my salvation. Jesus said that if we are going to be His disciples we must take up our cross and follow Him(Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 8:34-35). Yet there is much hope to be had in the resurrection that followed His suffering.
God's love for us vs. our love for Him
You see, unlike every other religion in the world, our eternal perspective and hunger for God's name to be made glorious in our lives is not driven from a man-centered, gotta be good enough to get to God, type of religion. No, true believers have a different motivation. We realize that our God is better because, while everyone else is pursuing relationship with God as a means to an end, our God is pursuing us.
Even more mind-blowing than that is this. Romans 5:6-11 tells us that God pursues us even while we are still in our sinful state. That when He reaches down from heaven and draws us to himself, we are yet still in our rebellion against Him. That God sent His only Son to die for His enemies.
That is worth everything!
I am still blown away when I consider the hope that is found in knowing that the God I put my faith and hope in, is a God who chose me first. That while I was living in rebellion in so many areas, even while having religion but lacking true faith, He patiently drew me to himself. And while it was free, in that it cost me nothing initially, it was not unconditional as many assert. His love is unconditional in that He loves us in spite of ourselves. There was still a cost to be paid. The reason we call it unconditional love is because God knew that in our rebellions state we could not pay the price, yet He loved us enough to provide a perfect sacrifice in His Son(Romans 5:8).
No, there was most certainly a price. The primary condition for my eternal good was this; the price that had to be paid for my sins was Jesus' life. My eternal redemption cost Jesus EVERYTHING! It cost Him physical suffering. It cost Him communion with His Heavenly Father. It cost Him having to endure the wrath of God being poured out for the sins of all who would put their trust in Him, from creation until His return. No, there was a great cost and a huge condition to be satisfied for our redemption and Jesus satisfied that at the cross.
Now that's hope!
You really must contemplate these truths. You must honestly consider that as a Christian you are not just putting your hope and faith in any old God. You are putting your hope in a God who as Father sent His Son to die for you; as Son, came and lived the perfect life that you cannot live and died the death that you should have died for you; and as Spirit, came to dwell inside of you to change your heart and empower you to follow Jesus through radical obedience. The Holy Trinity, God in three persons loves you enough to do all this for you and for His glory.
Let's be clear. Jesus is not the means to an end. Jesus IS the end. The goal or inspiration of Christianity is not, what I get out of it, but whom I get out of it. You get to have eternal communion with your Creator, Almighty God in all His fullness; your Risen Savior, Jesus Christ; and with your Wonderful Counselor the Holy Spirit. Everything else is icing on the cake.
Do you have an eternal perspective?
That perspective will change the way you value everything else in life. It will begin to change the purpose for which you do everything in life. When you meditate on that, you can only come to one conclusion. I will give everything to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ(Philippians 1:27). That's a God I can put my hope in. That is a God for whom I will strive to filter everything I say and do through the lens of an eternal perspective. Through the lens of the gospel.
An eternal perspective brings eternal hope. An eternal perspective gives eternal purpose. If you truly have an eternal perspective, you WILL NOT be the same and you WILL NOT live the same! You WILL meditate on God's word! It WILL change your heart! You WILL repent! And, you WILL begin to desire to do NOTHING that would steal glory from the one who gave everything to bring you eternal life!
When your view on life says that God's glory in all things is where your greatest satisfaction is found, THAT is hope. THAT is freedom. THAT is an eternal perspective.
May it become in so in our lives more and more in 2014! May we live lives worthy of the gospel!
In Jesus name,
Amen
Monday, February 3, 2014
Life Goes On, Death Goes On (Dedicated to a National and a Local Celebrity)
Today, February 2, 2014 was a great day in so many ways. My family and I spent some real quality time together and I wrapped it up by watching the Seahawks spank the Broncos in the Super Bowl. As I enjoyed the game I engaged in harmless banter with all the other Facebookers that were providing a running dialogue about the game. The game ended, then I saw it. In very short order, I became aware of two deaths that occurred today. One this morning and one this evening.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
First, I read that this morning the Academy Award winning actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman passed away, most likely of a heroin overdose. He was not portrayed as a junkie. Rather, he was portrayed as a man with a lot going for him, but was struggling with a drug problem. People were pouring out condolences all over Facebook for this national celebrity, loving father and gifted actor/director. Many mourned the loss of this familiar face in the entertainment industry.
Todd Martinez
The second death that I read about regarded a man that worked as a fire equipment operator for the High Point Fire Department in High Point, NC. He also worked for Guilford County EMS as I understand it. His name is Todd Martinez. Todd was not a national celebrity. In many ways, I am sure he considered himself an average joe. But, to those that knew him well, he was a local celebrity. Many knew him and many loved him. According to an article I read, along with the many, many posts on his Facebook page, I understand this man to also have been a wonderful father and husband as well as a joy to work with. He seems to have been an unsung hero in the eyes of those whose lives he impacted. Sometime in the evening while we were all preparing for or watching the Super Bowl, Mr. Martinez was out riding his bike when he was struck by an automobile. Despite a valiant effort by Fire, EMS, and Moses Cone Hospital Emergency Department personnel, this dear man did not make it. His seemed a life well lived and a life that will be missed.
Below the surface.
So why tell all this on a blog? What point am I trying to make? Well, we have all heard the phrase "life goes on". Shucks, a song was written with that title. There was a television show with that title. And it's true, life does go on, whether we want it to or not. But below the surface of life's continuing fast pace, is death.
Most people are not very aware of it. We prefer not to think about it unless we absolutely have to. By that point, we have spent so much time avoiding the uncomfortable truth that all people die, sometimes suddenly and tragically, that we don't know what to do with it when it smacks us between the eyes. However, there are a few of us, in particular lines of work, who face death all the time and are aware that it happens all too often and quite often, far too suddenly and tragically. Those in roles such as emergency workers, police, pastors, and employees of morgues and funeral homes. We do not have the luxury of ignoring death as a reality not to be faced unless absolutely necessary. It is always lurking as a truth that cannot be avoided and may very well be around the next corner.
I work in the Emergency Room at Moses Cone so I can tell you first hand what it must have been like when Todd Martinez was brought in. I can also imagine what it was like to potentially observe the heartbreak of the family, as they tried to wrestle with the idea that their loved one was gone. Oh yes. Life goes on, but death is not far behind it, and no one knows when it is coming.
WOW! Really! Your really morbid Josh!
Not really. So why in the world am I delivering this grim message you ask? I will tell you. I believe we all need to be given reason to spend a little time considering the brevity of this life. Even those of us who face it everyday have mechanisms in place to protect us on some level until that moment that we come face to face with it yet again. Believe it or not, death, loss, and grief, while never easy, are easier to deal with if you have given your response to them some thought before they happen. In fact, scripture suggests a particular attitude that we should have toward this life and it's certainty or lack there of.
James 4:13-15 gives us these instructions. James says, "Come now, you who say, "today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit", yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. instead you ought to say, "if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that".
A Word of Encouragement
I want to encourage you. I am not drawing attention to these things as an opportunity to preach or fuss. NO. These men's lives deserve the honor of not simply being used as a tool. We need to honor them by living our lives with death in mind. We need to, as the song says, "Live like we were dying". Life is short and we are but a vapor. God is in control and only He knows and controls when we will leave this earth. He calls us to live in the now. So love your families. Kiss them, hug them, bless them with kind words, and please never cease to ensure that they know by your actions and your words how much you love them.
Even more than that. Honor them by making a difference with your life. By showing love to those whom you don't know and have no specific reason to love. And if you are a professing Christian, love your enemies. Our idea of what an enemy is varies but whether it is someone you don't know well, or if it is that spouse that you can hardly stand the sight of, God still commands us to love them like Jesus did. In light of this topic we would be foolish not think on this for a moment.
Hope in Death through Christ's example.
Jesus gave it all. Jesus died for those who would believe while they were still sinners. He died for them while they were still as enemies to God(Romans 5). He did not wait for them to fix their wrongs or change. That is what Jesus asks of us as believers, to strive for unconditional love. However, once you are a believer, repentance and obedience are key evidences of true faith.
Spiritual Death
If, when you think about death, you are gripped with fear, it may be with good reason. The bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23) and that "the wages of sin is death"(Romans 6:23). If you or your loved ones do not know Jesus as Savior and Lord in a way that is evidenced by repentance from sin and obedience to His word, then not just physical, but spiritual death and eternal suffering are the end you will face. You and your loved ones have much to fear without faith in Christ. Eternal death does go on.
Spiritual Life
However, if you or your loved ones have placed your trust in Jesus and are following Him and repenting of your sins, then you have much to rejoice over. You don't have to fear death for yourself or for those you love. If you and those you love have placed your faith in Jesus then death for this mortal body is nothing more than simply stepping over the threshold of a door into an eternal dimension where there is no more pain, suffering, or sadness. You see while Romans 6:23 states that "the wages of sin is death", it also states "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". That is Good News that, when properly understood, can bring peace and joy even in life's most difficult trials, including death. Even in physical death, through Christ, eternal life does go on.
Put your trust in Jesus
So, if you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then cry out to Him to save you and start reading the Gospel of John in a bible. He will change your heart and give you "joy unspeakable and full of glory"
(1 Peter 1:8). You will repent of sin and pursue obedience willingly out of your great appreciation for what Christ did for you on the cross. If your loved ones don't know him then, once you have been saved, introduce them to Jesus in God's word and wait for God's Spirit to do the same work in them that it prayerfully has done in you.
If you are already a believer then rejoice in life and rejoice in death for both are covered by the blood of Jesus. And, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"(Matthew 5:16).
In Jesus name,
Amen
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
First, I read that this morning the Academy Award winning actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman passed away, most likely of a heroin overdose. He was not portrayed as a junkie. Rather, he was portrayed as a man with a lot going for him, but was struggling with a drug problem. People were pouring out condolences all over Facebook for this national celebrity, loving father and gifted actor/director. Many mourned the loss of this familiar face in the entertainment industry.
Todd Martinez
The second death that I read about regarded a man that worked as a fire equipment operator for the High Point Fire Department in High Point, NC. He also worked for Guilford County EMS as I understand it. His name is Todd Martinez. Todd was not a national celebrity. In many ways, I am sure he considered himself an average joe. But, to those that knew him well, he was a local celebrity. Many knew him and many loved him. According to an article I read, along with the many, many posts on his Facebook page, I understand this man to also have been a wonderful father and husband as well as a joy to work with. He seems to have been an unsung hero in the eyes of those whose lives he impacted. Sometime in the evening while we were all preparing for or watching the Super Bowl, Mr. Martinez was out riding his bike when he was struck by an automobile. Despite a valiant effort by Fire, EMS, and Moses Cone Hospital Emergency Department personnel, this dear man did not make it. His seemed a life well lived and a life that will be missed.
Below the surface.
So why tell all this on a blog? What point am I trying to make? Well, we have all heard the phrase "life goes on". Shucks, a song was written with that title. There was a television show with that title. And it's true, life does go on, whether we want it to or not. But below the surface of life's continuing fast pace, is death.
Most people are not very aware of it. We prefer not to think about it unless we absolutely have to. By that point, we have spent so much time avoiding the uncomfortable truth that all people die, sometimes suddenly and tragically, that we don't know what to do with it when it smacks us between the eyes. However, there are a few of us, in particular lines of work, who face death all the time and are aware that it happens all too often and quite often, far too suddenly and tragically. Those in roles such as emergency workers, police, pastors, and employees of morgues and funeral homes. We do not have the luxury of ignoring death as a reality not to be faced unless absolutely necessary. It is always lurking as a truth that cannot be avoided and may very well be around the next corner.
I work in the Emergency Room at Moses Cone so I can tell you first hand what it must have been like when Todd Martinez was brought in. I can also imagine what it was like to potentially observe the heartbreak of the family, as they tried to wrestle with the idea that their loved one was gone. Oh yes. Life goes on, but death is not far behind it, and no one knows when it is coming.
WOW! Really! Your really morbid Josh!
Not really. So why in the world am I delivering this grim message you ask? I will tell you. I believe we all need to be given reason to spend a little time considering the brevity of this life. Even those of us who face it everyday have mechanisms in place to protect us on some level until that moment that we come face to face with it yet again. Believe it or not, death, loss, and grief, while never easy, are easier to deal with if you have given your response to them some thought before they happen. In fact, scripture suggests a particular attitude that we should have toward this life and it's certainty or lack there of.
James 4:13-15 gives us these instructions. James says, "Come now, you who say, "today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit", yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. instead you ought to say, "if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that".
A Word of Encouragement
I want to encourage you. I am not drawing attention to these things as an opportunity to preach or fuss. NO. These men's lives deserve the honor of not simply being used as a tool. We need to honor them by living our lives with death in mind. We need to, as the song says, "Live like we were dying". Life is short and we are but a vapor. God is in control and only He knows and controls when we will leave this earth. He calls us to live in the now. So love your families. Kiss them, hug them, bless them with kind words, and please never cease to ensure that they know by your actions and your words how much you love them.
Even more than that. Honor them by making a difference with your life. By showing love to those whom you don't know and have no specific reason to love. And if you are a professing Christian, love your enemies. Our idea of what an enemy is varies but whether it is someone you don't know well, or if it is that spouse that you can hardly stand the sight of, God still commands us to love them like Jesus did. In light of this topic we would be foolish not think on this for a moment.
Hope in Death through Christ's example.
Jesus gave it all. Jesus died for those who would believe while they were still sinners. He died for them while they were still as enemies to God(Romans 5). He did not wait for them to fix their wrongs or change. That is what Jesus asks of us as believers, to strive for unconditional love. However, once you are a believer, repentance and obedience are key evidences of true faith.
Spiritual Death
If, when you think about death, you are gripped with fear, it may be with good reason. The bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23) and that "the wages of sin is death"(Romans 6:23). If you or your loved ones do not know Jesus as Savior and Lord in a way that is evidenced by repentance from sin and obedience to His word, then not just physical, but spiritual death and eternal suffering are the end you will face. You and your loved ones have much to fear without faith in Christ. Eternal death does go on.
Spiritual Life
However, if you or your loved ones have placed your trust in Jesus and are following Him and repenting of your sins, then you have much to rejoice over. You don't have to fear death for yourself or for those you love. If you and those you love have placed your faith in Jesus then death for this mortal body is nothing more than simply stepping over the threshold of a door into an eternal dimension where there is no more pain, suffering, or sadness. You see while Romans 6:23 states that "the wages of sin is death", it also states "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". That is Good News that, when properly understood, can bring peace and joy even in life's most difficult trials, including death. Even in physical death, through Christ, eternal life does go on.
Put your trust in Jesus
So, if you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then cry out to Him to save you and start reading the Gospel of John in a bible. He will change your heart and give you "joy unspeakable and full of glory"
(1 Peter 1:8). You will repent of sin and pursue obedience willingly out of your great appreciation for what Christ did for you on the cross. If your loved ones don't know him then, once you have been saved, introduce them to Jesus in God's word and wait for God's Spirit to do the same work in them that it prayerfully has done in you.
If you are already a believer then rejoice in life and rejoice in death for both are covered by the blood of Jesus. And, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"(Matthew 5:16).
In Jesus name,
Amen
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
A clarifying follow up to Super Bowl post/Making of a Champion/Jesus is better than Super Bowl!
Hello all.
I said previously that I would not apologize if I offended anyone. Well I would like to retract that. If I have offended anyone by being unclear in my attitude or intentions then I am sorry.
I am writing this for two reasons.
One, I just want to clarify, that I recognize my previous post regarding the Super Bowl was serious and pointed at times because the nature of the concern called for it. However, I want to be clear that it was not intended as an attack on churches or church leaders, but a strong challenge. Whether you are a church leader or not, we are all prone to blind spots. This topic likely is a blind spot for some and not so much for others. But my attitude was one of protection for all and an attack on the enemy deceiver regarding this issue. Sometimes when we attack deceptions and the deceiver we don't make it clear that those are our targets. So I wanted to clarify.
I also wanted to make it clear that this warning applies to all Christians everywhere. You may not be attending a Super Bowl party hosted at a Christian venue. If that is the case, you are in even more of a dangerous environment. Each and every Christian is ultimately responsible for guarding their own hearts. Please be careful to do so, no matter what environment you are in.
Making of a Champion
My second point is that one of my pastors shared an awesome video on FB that is particularly appropriate for this topic and I wanted to share it as well here. Thanks Pastor Dennis. If you will go to www.makingofachampion.org you will find a thirteen minute video of interviews with members of the Seattle Seahawks whom are going to the Super Bowl. There they give some of their testimony regarding their careers and how they came to be followers of Jesus. It is awesome.
Jesus is better than the Superbowl
Another awesome video is found at http://youtu.be/s8U_ewtHZdw. It is entitled "Jesus is better than the Super Bowl". In it Pastor Mark Driscoll interviews several Christian team members of the Seattle Seahawks. One of them actually coins the phrase that is the title of the video. The video is about 3 minutes.
A God glorifying opprotunity!
These videos would be terrific alternatives to the halftime show and the commercials during a Super Bowl party. These are both generally unglorifying to God and unedifying to believers. Not to mention it might just be the first time an unbeliever at your party hears the gospel. My suggestion would be to show the short piece repeatedly during commercials and then show the longer piece during the halftime show. How awesome would it be to inundate your guests all through this secular entertainment with a gospel presentation presented by the people playing the game. Praise God for the opportunity to do that!
So please. Watch it, use it, and may God be glorified through your influence by showing it.
In Jesus name,
Josh
Saturday, January 25, 2014
When I think about the Lord...and the Super Bowl
I have thoughts and concerns regarding the Super Bowl.. Can you imagine. You might think, "what doesn't he have thoughts or concerns about"? That's ok. But here's the thing. You have heard me rail on about movies, TV, and music regarding the nature of it being predominantly unglorifying to God and unbeneficial to our spiritual growth. Now I want us to consider the following question regarding these topics as they apply to the Superbowl culture. It is coming up in about a week and we should truly consider these things before we indulge in what many consider harmless. But is it?
Is the Super Bowl harmless?
The answer is no. I will make the case that it is deceitfully harmful. If so, How do they fit? Can we as believers have Super Bowl parties at home or at church, and glorify God in the process?
I would say the answer is yes. Is it happening? I would say the answer is, more often than not, no. Now many would make the following argument. We are just a bunch of Christians getting together to watch a football game. No beer, no cursing, maybe not even coarse joking or filthy language. Though that is more prevalent in "Christian" fellowship than anyone wants to admit. Just good, holy fellowship. This may be true if done at a home or in a church setting. Yet, there is more to consider than physical intake and verbal output. There is also spiritual intake and God-glorifying output.
Do you think about the Lord..in everything?
We sing a song at my church called, "When I think about the Lord"? It is a great song about remembering everything that Jesus has done for us. Everyone gets extra excited when we sing it and in the moment, I have no doubt that they are genuinely grateful and happy. The problem in this country and in our culture is that we don't generally carry that exuberance and gratitude into our everyday lives. We don't examine every decision in light of what Jesus did for us and what God commands of us in His word.
So what does scripture say about this? For me, Philippians 4:8 is a key scripture for this topic. It tells us what it is best to meditate on. Psalm 101:3-4 says this, "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil."
Those are just two. There are plenty of scriptures that speak to our eyes being the gateway to our hearts and being careful about what we look on or think on, etc. If we believe that Jesus said, "if you love me, you will keep my commands"(John 14:15-31); and if we believe that the bible is the whole council of God, infallible, inerrant, and inspired by the Holy Spirit; then we know that if a commandment is in the bible, especially the NT, then it should be heeded.
Get to the point dude!
So what are you getting at Josh. I will tell you. The Super Bowl has become a vehicle by which Satan can deliver all kinds of crudities visually and audibly into our minds via the commercials and the halftime show. I was at a past, church sponsored, Super Bowl party that, in and of itself, was harmless. Good, holy, fellowship. However, my children were there and I found myself having to audit every commercial for its appropriateness. For most of them, I had to turn heads and cover ears. To say nothing of the halftime show which encompassed a very talented artist who was singing unholy lyrics and performing dance moves that were extremely provocative. The evil and perverseness of the above mentioned Psalm 101 was prevalent. Certainly not the God-glorifying items that Philippians 4:8 would have us keep our minds on.
So don't bring your children you might say. Be careful. No where in scripture does it differentiate between what is holy for children and what is holy for adults. Every age is called to pursue holiness and to evaluate what is spiritually healthy to read, watch or listen to. I sat at the same party and watched teenagers and grown folks alike staring at the screen during the raunchy half-time show and laughing at the crudeness of the commercials. There is something wrong with that. Now don't get me wrong. I understand this is secular entertainment. However, this does not excuse our responsibility to examine everything that we engage in, in light of scripture. Especially considering that the venue I am discussing is intentionally striving to glorify God in its efforts. I in no way want to make it seem as though I am trying to tear down this church or any other. Unfortunately, Satan has done a good job of blinding even many strong Christians to the dangers of media in relationship to God's holiness and His call for us to pursue that same holiness. This is a battle cry. No one is perfect but, let's not continue making the same mistakes once we are made aware of them.
A gentle warning.
I would gently and respectfully challenge any pastor or head of a household who is hosting a Super Bowl party to consider their influence over those attending. On some level, especially that of pastor, you have the authority and responsibility to create alternatives, to the sin-filled commercials and the half-time show, that are entertaining, and yet glorifying to God. Activities that will guide the people in your care past the sinful influences and redirect their faces to God in the midst of this worldly entertainment. Then you literally get the best of both worlds. Everyone can watch the football game, which there is nothing inherently wrong with, and yet avoid the spiritual pollution of the commercials and the half-time show.
I know some will roll their eyes and see this as a wet blanket of religiosity. However, I beg you to ask the question, "If Jesus were sitting in your midst, would you still allow that stuff to be showing and taken in by those you love". I hope the answer would be a resounding NO! If not then there is something lacking in the way of intimacy between you and Christ because through the presence of the Holy Spirit, whom is equally as easily grieved, Jesus is present. Scripture makes no bones about how the Holy Trinity feels about sin glorifying material of any kind.
Please at least consider what I have said, for the spiritual well-being of you and those in your realm of influence during this time of football celebration. Explain the issues and the desire to see God glorified in all aspects of the party and then introduce some games or activities that, even if they are not directly related to God or the bible, will turn their hearts away from the worldly garbage that is on the screen in those moments discussed here.
If I have offended you or you feel like you have totally wasted your time reading this. I will not apologize. If you are offended, you probably needed to be. Your hearts and spiritual well being are more important to me than your happiness or whether you like this post or not. Recognize the power and influence of Satan in even the smallest things. If it does not bring glory to God, then it should not exist in our lives.
GLORY TO GOD ALONE!
Josh
Is the Super Bowl harmless?
The answer is no. I will make the case that it is deceitfully harmful. If so, How do they fit? Can we as believers have Super Bowl parties at home or at church, and glorify God in the process?
I would say the answer is yes. Is it happening? I would say the answer is, more often than not, no. Now many would make the following argument. We are just a bunch of Christians getting together to watch a football game. No beer, no cursing, maybe not even coarse joking or filthy language. Though that is more prevalent in "Christian" fellowship than anyone wants to admit. Just good, holy fellowship. This may be true if done at a home or in a church setting. Yet, there is more to consider than physical intake and verbal output. There is also spiritual intake and God-glorifying output.
Do you think about the Lord..in everything?
We sing a song at my church called, "When I think about the Lord"? It is a great song about remembering everything that Jesus has done for us. Everyone gets extra excited when we sing it and in the moment, I have no doubt that they are genuinely grateful and happy. The problem in this country and in our culture is that we don't generally carry that exuberance and gratitude into our everyday lives. We don't examine every decision in light of what Jesus did for us and what God commands of us in His word.
So what does scripture say about this? For me, Philippians 4:8 is a key scripture for this topic. It tells us what it is best to meditate on. Psalm 101:3-4 says this, "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil."
Those are just two. There are plenty of scriptures that speak to our eyes being the gateway to our hearts and being careful about what we look on or think on, etc. If we believe that Jesus said, "if you love me, you will keep my commands"(John 14:15-31); and if we believe that the bible is the whole council of God, infallible, inerrant, and inspired by the Holy Spirit; then we know that if a commandment is in the bible, especially the NT, then it should be heeded.
Get to the point dude!
So what are you getting at Josh. I will tell you. The Super Bowl has become a vehicle by which Satan can deliver all kinds of crudities visually and audibly into our minds via the commercials and the halftime show. I was at a past, church sponsored, Super Bowl party that, in and of itself, was harmless. Good, holy, fellowship. However, my children were there and I found myself having to audit every commercial for its appropriateness. For most of them, I had to turn heads and cover ears. To say nothing of the halftime show which encompassed a very talented artist who was singing unholy lyrics and performing dance moves that were extremely provocative. The evil and perverseness of the above mentioned Psalm 101 was prevalent. Certainly not the God-glorifying items that Philippians 4:8 would have us keep our minds on.
So don't bring your children you might say. Be careful. No where in scripture does it differentiate between what is holy for children and what is holy for adults. Every age is called to pursue holiness and to evaluate what is spiritually healthy to read, watch or listen to. I sat at the same party and watched teenagers and grown folks alike staring at the screen during the raunchy half-time show and laughing at the crudeness of the commercials. There is something wrong with that. Now don't get me wrong. I understand this is secular entertainment. However, this does not excuse our responsibility to examine everything that we engage in, in light of scripture. Especially considering that the venue I am discussing is intentionally striving to glorify God in its efforts. I in no way want to make it seem as though I am trying to tear down this church or any other. Unfortunately, Satan has done a good job of blinding even many strong Christians to the dangers of media in relationship to God's holiness and His call for us to pursue that same holiness. This is a battle cry. No one is perfect but, let's not continue making the same mistakes once we are made aware of them.
A gentle warning.
I would gently and respectfully challenge any pastor or head of a household who is hosting a Super Bowl party to consider their influence over those attending. On some level, especially that of pastor, you have the authority and responsibility to create alternatives, to the sin-filled commercials and the half-time show, that are entertaining, and yet glorifying to God. Activities that will guide the people in your care past the sinful influences and redirect their faces to God in the midst of this worldly entertainment. Then you literally get the best of both worlds. Everyone can watch the football game, which there is nothing inherently wrong with, and yet avoid the spiritual pollution of the commercials and the half-time show.
I know some will roll their eyes and see this as a wet blanket of religiosity. However, I beg you to ask the question, "If Jesus were sitting in your midst, would you still allow that stuff to be showing and taken in by those you love". I hope the answer would be a resounding NO! If not then there is something lacking in the way of intimacy between you and Christ because through the presence of the Holy Spirit, whom is equally as easily grieved, Jesus is present. Scripture makes no bones about how the Holy Trinity feels about sin glorifying material of any kind.
Please at least consider what I have said, for the spiritual well-being of you and those in your realm of influence during this time of football celebration. Explain the issues and the desire to see God glorified in all aspects of the party and then introduce some games or activities that, even if they are not directly related to God or the bible, will turn their hearts away from the worldly garbage that is on the screen in those moments discussed here.
If I have offended you or you feel like you have totally wasted your time reading this. I will not apologize. If you are offended, you probably needed to be. Your hearts and spiritual well being are more important to me than your happiness or whether you like this post or not. Recognize the power and influence of Satan in even the smallest things. If it does not bring glory to God, then it should not exist in our lives.
GLORY TO GOD ALONE!
Josh
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Abortion and the Pro-choice Heart Condition
On January 22 1973, now over 42 years ago, we began allowing for the legalization of the murder of the unborn. This weekend their will be pro-choice efforts remembered and recognized and there will be celebrations regarding the sanctity of life. Now, before you turn me off, at least hear what I have to say. It might not be quite what you think it will be. Then again...
Last year I wrote the first version of this blog post in response to the 40th anniversary. I have been stirred horrifically regarding the subject of abortion. I have not experienced it personally but I have friends and family who have and I have strong convictions regarding the bibles' stance on the subject. In light of this I wanted to share this post again, with a few tweaks, for those who may not have read it or perhaps want to revisit it.
Someone told me last year that they were impacted in a somewhat offensive but positive way. They watched some of the videos referenced below, read what I had to say and said that, in the end, it did in fact cause some considerations regarding this controversial topic that they had not had before. I pray it will do the same for you.
Purpose
I want to make it clear from the beginning that the intent of this post is not to bash over the head those whom have had abortions. In fact, I intend to defend them. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), I have certainly made my share of past mistakes, though none of them have scarred me in the way that an abortion emotionally scars the mothers and fathers of aborted babies. The fact is that many women whom have abortions regret it after the fact, even if they are not professing Christians. They may have even gone into it kicking and screaming. There is something about having a living, breathing human being ripped out of you that leaves you never the same after that. Not only does it kill the baby but it destroys a part of the mothers life. Though not considered nearly as often, many fathers lives are also negatively impacted in a significant way as they spend the rest of their lives trying to live with the guilt and grief that is attached to the decision to abort. They are all victims of the system.
Resources
I may speak encouragingly to those whom have had abortions in another post. In the meantime, www.saveone.org is the website for a post-abortion recovery organization that could also prove helpful to you. It was started by a victim of abortion and one of my friends was the first male member of this organization as a father who was negatively affected by abortion.
If you are reading this and are interested in more info regarding the misunderstandings or outright deceit regarding the abortion industry check out the 20 minute video, To Save a Life@ http://youtu.be/MNJmpQSbFeE or buy Blood Money Film@ www.bloodmoneyfilm.com. There are a lot of resources and information at the latter website. You can also check out a mind blowing 33 minutes of interviews with people on the street who ignorantly think they are pro-choice, many of whom's minds are changed by the end of the video. You can find it at www.180movie.com or there is a tool at the top of my blog page that will actually play the video for you right there. One other resource I would mention is a book entitled "ABORTION: The ultimate exploitation of women". It discusses the idea that from the beginning abortion was created by men and promoted by men and women and that in the grand scheme of things, women are victims. What we must see above all else is that, while that may be true historically, ultimately sin created abortion and we must learn to see it for what it is and HATE it for what it is.
The pro-choice heart
My desire for now is to speak with those who are pro-choice. Those who would like to dive headlong in favor of abortions while professing Christ as Savior and Lord. I would dare to say it can't be done. If you are justifying blatant sin in the face of biblical teaching then the most likely fact is that your heart is hard toward the things of God and you have no relationship with Him. I do not write this to condemn you for as Jesus said in John 3:18, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Perhaps you are grossly misinformed either by bad teaching or your own understandings as to who God is and how He speaks on matters of the heart, which abortion most certainly is.
It must be understood regarding belief, that it is not merely intellectual ascent. If you say you believe in God, Jesus, and the bible, yet this belief does not create change in your thought life and behavior, then it is no belief at all. Belief is a revelation in your heart of who you are, as a sinner that has rebelled against your Holy Creator. Yet this Creator, who had every right to squash us all like a bug long ago, supplied, from the beginning, a resolution to this problem of rebellion, in His Son Jesus. When you begin to get a hold of these truths it will drive a willing submission to His Lordship and obedience to His commands. John 14:15-24 speaks repeatedly to the fact that those who truly love Jesus will obey Him and keep His commandments. So, if you are not doing this you are already condemned. In fact, all believers were condemned in the same way since their birth, but for the saving grace of God applied through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I pray that, by the end of this post, you will see God's heart regarding abortion as sin and no longer be able to stomach the thought of it in relation to the life giving love of God.
Is It Really Murder?
One of the Ten Commandments is "THOU SHALT NOT MURDER!" (Exodus 20:13)
Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22, "You have heard it was said to those of old, You shall not murder and whoever murders will be liable to judgement. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement". The Apostle John expounds on this in the letter of 1 John 3:15 by saying, "Everyone that hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." If Almighty God himself says that anger towards your brother is as murder in order to drive home the seriousness of the offense, then how severely do you think He feels about the actual taking of life?
Whether you are talking about an innocent adult, a guilty, murderous rapist, or an innocent, unwanted, unborn child; if this person is bringing anger, hate, guilt, or resentment into someone's life, are those not equally dire offenses in the eyes of God. Now follow those feelings one step further and actually take the life of that person and imagine the wrath of God directed toward that. Make no mistake, the bible is clear from beginning to end. When one life is taken by another, God sees it as murder and He condemns that act, if not the non-repentant person.
Who says it's a person?
Many have tried to justify this vicious act by arguing over the time table at which a fetus becomes a person. It is a ridiculous argument. Possibly the youngest surviving premature baby ever was born in November of 2010 at 21 weeks weighing just one pound. That baby is now thriving. The obscene irony is that if the doctor had intentionally killed that baby he would have gone to prison. Doctors have been tried for this. However, if that baby had been in the womb at 21 weeks and unwanted by the mother she would have been completely justified in aborting it. It is a terrifically horrendous travesty that our hearts will allow us to differentiate between the two. Only an unregenerate aka. non-Christian heart could maintain the ability to ignore this truth. I know this because God cannot stomach that thought process. In fact, He hates it.
While no man can truly know the heart of another in relation to Jesus Christ and only God is the judge as to their eternal outcome, Jesus himself makes it very clear that the fruit of our Christian walk will be representative of our relationship with Him. (Matthew 7:13-27) You cannot claim to know and be known by the God of the universe, Creator of all things, and support the destruction of what God's word says He made and formed. (Psalms 119:73) In fact, Psalms 139:13-16 says this about Gods creation of us.
"For you formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance. In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
God inspired the writer to use words and phrases like, "knitted me together", "fearfully and wonderfully made", "and intricately woven" in this scripture. These words do not indicate the carefree, emotionally uninvested efforts of some factory manufacturer on an assembly line. NO! These are the words of our Creator who took delicate care to lovingly mold us into exactly who he wanted us to be. The means by which we are conceived, who we are born to, and where we are born are no accident. Our personality, temperament, cognitive ability, and physical make up and ability are no mistake. Our God made us exactly how he intended us to be, to accomplish the purposes for which we were created.
How dare we think we have the right to destroy that!
This is the same God who said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." (Matthew 18:14) Anyone who thinks that abortion and this God of the Bible go hand in hand are deceiving themselves and have much reason to be concerned about their eternity.
God says a fetus is a person whom HE carefully crafted, and it will be God that will hold the guilty accountable regarding this travesty!
What do they know about it?
On a website called, www.abortion.procon.org This pro abortion idea was stated. Motherhood must never be a punishment for having sexual intercourse. President Barack Obama said in a Mar. 29, 2008 campaign speech in Johnston, Pennsylvania, "I have two daughters... I'm going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."
This man, our President, claims to be a Christian and yet, rather than thinking of a baby as a consequence for which responsibility should be taken, he thinks of it as a burdensome punishment that no one should have to endure courtesy of their own moral irresponsibility. That is heinous and it angers me. But he is not alone. Thousands, if not millions of people in America and around the world think just as selfishly and just as sinfully. And profess Christ in the process. Let me tell you, their eternal life is in danger.
I wonder statistically, how many pro-choice advocates have ever actually had an abortion. The evidence that I have seen and you will to if you watch the above referenced videos is that there is absolutely nothing beneficial to the mother. In fact, if they don't die, the overwhelming majority wish they had never done it. The impression is that the mother is as much a victim of the system and a victim of the peer/family pressure of others as the baby is. She is scared, confused, and very rarely has an advocate telling her both sides of the story. Although I have seen testimonies of those whom have been talked out of abortions by those who have had them. They do seem to be the rarity. Probably because news of that is not a great selling point for an abortion clinic.
Where do you stand?
Listen, I could go on and on but the primary issue is this. The moral decline of this nation and this world are spiraling out of control at break neck speed. I am speaking as strongly as I am regarding this topic because it is that serious. There is a significant demonic deception on this matter and tip toeing around the issue is not the answer. I am doing this out of a tough love that realizes that if we don't stand up and shout about this issue, there will more be babies lost, even if only temporarily. Worse yet, there will be souls lost for all eternity.
We, the true believers must continue to stand against the lies of the enemy. Not only those directed toward us but those directed at sinners or believers caught up in a huge mistake. Listen to me! If you stand on the side of the murder of the born or the unborn, whether in word or deed, in an unrepentant stance then you will not inherit the kingdom. You will not go to heaven. The bible says that God hates all evildoers and that He must and will pour out His wrath on all sinners at the judgement. (Psalms 5:4-6) That is why Jesus had to die. In order for God to be just and loving, someone had to pay the price for our sins and that is what Jesus did. He took our place so that God's wrath could be satisfied and we could still have a shot at eternity with Him. Please do not think that He will stand by idly, watch you ignore His word and selfishly do whatever you please and not do something about it. Judgement will come swiftly, horribly, and eternally if you do not surrender you life to Jesus.
Where do you stand? Will you repent in response to the heart of a loving God and His word? Or will you ignore the warnings of the bible, continue to defend the murder of defenseless children, and risk your eternal destiny.
We were all condemned at one time!
Please understand that this is bigger than being pro-choice or whether or not you have had an abortion before. This is about the fact that we are all sinners and we all deserve to go to hell. Not because of any one sin. We are not sinners in the eyes of God because we sin. We sin because we are sinners in the eyes of God. We are born guilty sinners. We all bear the guilt of Adam's sin from the moment we are conceived(Romans 5:12-21) As I said in my last post, it is his incredible mercy and grace that patiently waits for us to repent and believe.
Unless we are born again and begin living for God instead of for ourselves we cannot enter the Kingdom of God(John Ch. 3). I pray that if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that the Holy Spirit will convict your heart about that and you will cry out to God to save you. GOD LOVES YOU! That is why he sent Jesus. Make no mistake, you cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift. Romans 3:24 says that we have been "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 5:8 says that, "God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." We are all dead in our sins until God makes us alive in Christ(Ephesians Ch. 2).
If you already feel that tug at your heart to believe on Christ and begin walking in obedience then it is time. Pray to God. Tell him of your need for Him. Thank Him for saving you. If it is real, you will know because your heart will be changed. Not only should you no longer be ok with abortion or any other sin, but your desires will begin changing away from the desires for the things of the world and toward the things of God. Repentance means turning away from sin and running towards God. You will not attain perfection until you get to heaven but you should always, by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, be striving for perfection. (Philippians 2:12-13)
You cannot merit salvation by doing this. Salvation bears the fruit of obedience to God's Lordship as evidence of that salvation. Fruit that is not motivated by obligation, but by love for your Heavenly Father. Begin reading the Bible and attending a solid Bible teaching church. Your life will never be the same. If you have given your life to Jesus and you are struggling with the guilt of a past abortion, you need to know that there is freedom from guilt and healing from the pain available in this new relationship with Jesus. As you begin praying and reading your bible God will show you this and He will set you free and fill you with joy and peace, even in the midst of trials. This is the Good News of the Gospel!
As always if this post only sets one person free from the bondage of the pro-choice heart and brings glory to God in that process, then it has been worth the effort to right it and the criticism it could bring.
Love in Christ,
Joshua Newton
Last year I wrote the first version of this blog post in response to the 40th anniversary. I have been stirred horrifically regarding the subject of abortion. I have not experienced it personally but I have friends and family who have and I have strong convictions regarding the bibles' stance on the subject. In light of this I wanted to share this post again, with a few tweaks, for those who may not have read it or perhaps want to revisit it.
Someone told me last year that they were impacted in a somewhat offensive but positive way. They watched some of the videos referenced below, read what I had to say and said that, in the end, it did in fact cause some considerations regarding this controversial topic that they had not had before. I pray it will do the same for you.
Purpose
I want to make it clear from the beginning that the intent of this post is not to bash over the head those whom have had abortions. In fact, I intend to defend them. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), I have certainly made my share of past mistakes, though none of them have scarred me in the way that an abortion emotionally scars the mothers and fathers of aborted babies. The fact is that many women whom have abortions regret it after the fact, even if they are not professing Christians. They may have even gone into it kicking and screaming. There is something about having a living, breathing human being ripped out of you that leaves you never the same after that. Not only does it kill the baby but it destroys a part of the mothers life. Though not considered nearly as often, many fathers lives are also negatively impacted in a significant way as they spend the rest of their lives trying to live with the guilt and grief that is attached to the decision to abort. They are all victims of the system.
Resources
I may speak encouragingly to those whom have had abortions in another post. In the meantime, www.saveone.org is the website for a post-abortion recovery organization that could also prove helpful to you. It was started by a victim of abortion and one of my friends was the first male member of this organization as a father who was negatively affected by abortion.
If you are reading this and are interested in more info regarding the misunderstandings or outright deceit regarding the abortion industry check out the 20 minute video, To Save a Life@ http://youtu.be/MNJmpQSbFeE or buy Blood Money Film@ www.bloodmoneyfilm.com. There are a lot of resources and information at the latter website. You can also check out a mind blowing 33 minutes of interviews with people on the street who ignorantly think they are pro-choice, many of whom's minds are changed by the end of the video. You can find it at www.180movie.com or there is a tool at the top of my blog page that will actually play the video for you right there. One other resource I would mention is a book entitled "ABORTION: The ultimate exploitation of women". It discusses the idea that from the beginning abortion was created by men and promoted by men and women and that in the grand scheme of things, women are victims. What we must see above all else is that, while that may be true historically, ultimately sin created abortion and we must learn to see it for what it is and HATE it for what it is.
The pro-choice heart
My desire for now is to speak with those who are pro-choice. Those who would like to dive headlong in favor of abortions while professing Christ as Savior and Lord. I would dare to say it can't be done. If you are justifying blatant sin in the face of biblical teaching then the most likely fact is that your heart is hard toward the things of God and you have no relationship with Him. I do not write this to condemn you for as Jesus said in John 3:18, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Perhaps you are grossly misinformed either by bad teaching or your own understandings as to who God is and how He speaks on matters of the heart, which abortion most certainly is.
It must be understood regarding belief, that it is not merely intellectual ascent. If you say you believe in God, Jesus, and the bible, yet this belief does not create change in your thought life and behavior, then it is no belief at all. Belief is a revelation in your heart of who you are, as a sinner that has rebelled against your Holy Creator. Yet this Creator, who had every right to squash us all like a bug long ago, supplied, from the beginning, a resolution to this problem of rebellion, in His Son Jesus. When you begin to get a hold of these truths it will drive a willing submission to His Lordship and obedience to His commands. John 14:15-24 speaks repeatedly to the fact that those who truly love Jesus will obey Him and keep His commandments. So, if you are not doing this you are already condemned. In fact, all believers were condemned in the same way since their birth, but for the saving grace of God applied through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I pray that, by the end of this post, you will see God's heart regarding abortion as sin and no longer be able to stomach the thought of it in relation to the life giving love of God.
Is It Really Murder?
One of the Ten Commandments is "THOU SHALT NOT MURDER!" (Exodus 20:13)
Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22, "You have heard it was said to those of old, You shall not murder and whoever murders will be liable to judgement. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement". The Apostle John expounds on this in the letter of 1 John 3:15 by saying, "Everyone that hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." If Almighty God himself says that anger towards your brother is as murder in order to drive home the seriousness of the offense, then how severely do you think He feels about the actual taking of life?
Whether you are talking about an innocent adult, a guilty, murderous rapist, or an innocent, unwanted, unborn child; if this person is bringing anger, hate, guilt, or resentment into someone's life, are those not equally dire offenses in the eyes of God. Now follow those feelings one step further and actually take the life of that person and imagine the wrath of God directed toward that. Make no mistake, the bible is clear from beginning to end. When one life is taken by another, God sees it as murder and He condemns that act, if not the non-repentant person.
Who says it's a person?
Many have tried to justify this vicious act by arguing over the time table at which a fetus becomes a person. It is a ridiculous argument. Possibly the youngest surviving premature baby ever was born in November of 2010 at 21 weeks weighing just one pound. That baby is now thriving. The obscene irony is that if the doctor had intentionally killed that baby he would have gone to prison. Doctors have been tried for this. However, if that baby had been in the womb at 21 weeks and unwanted by the mother she would have been completely justified in aborting it. It is a terrifically horrendous travesty that our hearts will allow us to differentiate between the two. Only an unregenerate aka. non-Christian heart could maintain the ability to ignore this truth. I know this because God cannot stomach that thought process. In fact, He hates it.
While no man can truly know the heart of another in relation to Jesus Christ and only God is the judge as to their eternal outcome, Jesus himself makes it very clear that the fruit of our Christian walk will be representative of our relationship with Him. (Matthew 7:13-27) You cannot claim to know and be known by the God of the universe, Creator of all things, and support the destruction of what God's word says He made and formed. (Psalms 119:73) In fact, Psalms 139:13-16 says this about Gods creation of us.
"For you formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance. In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
God inspired the writer to use words and phrases like, "knitted me together", "fearfully and wonderfully made", "and intricately woven" in this scripture. These words do not indicate the carefree, emotionally uninvested efforts of some factory manufacturer on an assembly line. NO! These are the words of our Creator who took delicate care to lovingly mold us into exactly who he wanted us to be. The means by which we are conceived, who we are born to, and where we are born are no accident. Our personality, temperament, cognitive ability, and physical make up and ability are no mistake. Our God made us exactly how he intended us to be, to accomplish the purposes for which we were created.
How dare we think we have the right to destroy that!
This is the same God who said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." (Matthew 18:14) Anyone who thinks that abortion and this God of the Bible go hand in hand are deceiving themselves and have much reason to be concerned about their eternity.
God says a fetus is a person whom HE carefully crafted, and it will be God that will hold the guilty accountable regarding this travesty!
What do they know about it?
On a website called, www.abortion.procon.org This pro abortion idea was stated. Motherhood must never be a punishment for having sexual intercourse. President Barack Obama said in a Mar. 29, 2008 campaign speech in Johnston, Pennsylvania, "I have two daughters... I'm going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."
This man, our President, claims to be a Christian and yet, rather than thinking of a baby as a consequence for which responsibility should be taken, he thinks of it as a burdensome punishment that no one should have to endure courtesy of their own moral irresponsibility. That is heinous and it angers me. But he is not alone. Thousands, if not millions of people in America and around the world think just as selfishly and just as sinfully. And profess Christ in the process. Let me tell you, their eternal life is in danger.
I wonder statistically, how many pro-choice advocates have ever actually had an abortion. The evidence that I have seen and you will to if you watch the above referenced videos is that there is absolutely nothing beneficial to the mother. In fact, if they don't die, the overwhelming majority wish they had never done it. The impression is that the mother is as much a victim of the system and a victim of the peer/family pressure of others as the baby is. She is scared, confused, and very rarely has an advocate telling her both sides of the story. Although I have seen testimonies of those whom have been talked out of abortions by those who have had them. They do seem to be the rarity. Probably because news of that is not a great selling point for an abortion clinic.
Where do you stand?
Listen, I could go on and on but the primary issue is this. The moral decline of this nation and this world are spiraling out of control at break neck speed. I am speaking as strongly as I am regarding this topic because it is that serious. There is a significant demonic deception on this matter and tip toeing around the issue is not the answer. I am doing this out of a tough love that realizes that if we don't stand up and shout about this issue, there will more be babies lost, even if only temporarily. Worse yet, there will be souls lost for all eternity.
We, the true believers must continue to stand against the lies of the enemy. Not only those directed toward us but those directed at sinners or believers caught up in a huge mistake. Listen to me! If you stand on the side of the murder of the born or the unborn, whether in word or deed, in an unrepentant stance then you will not inherit the kingdom. You will not go to heaven. The bible says that God hates all evildoers and that He must and will pour out His wrath on all sinners at the judgement. (Psalms 5:4-6) That is why Jesus had to die. In order for God to be just and loving, someone had to pay the price for our sins and that is what Jesus did. He took our place so that God's wrath could be satisfied and we could still have a shot at eternity with Him. Please do not think that He will stand by idly, watch you ignore His word and selfishly do whatever you please and not do something about it. Judgement will come swiftly, horribly, and eternally if you do not surrender you life to Jesus.
Where do you stand? Will you repent in response to the heart of a loving God and His word? Or will you ignore the warnings of the bible, continue to defend the murder of defenseless children, and risk your eternal destiny.
We were all condemned at one time!
Please understand that this is bigger than being pro-choice or whether or not you have had an abortion before. This is about the fact that we are all sinners and we all deserve to go to hell. Not because of any one sin. We are not sinners in the eyes of God because we sin. We sin because we are sinners in the eyes of God. We are born guilty sinners. We all bear the guilt of Adam's sin from the moment we are conceived(Romans 5:12-21) As I said in my last post, it is his incredible mercy and grace that patiently waits for us to repent and believe.
Unless we are born again and begin living for God instead of for ourselves we cannot enter the Kingdom of God(John Ch. 3). I pray that if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that the Holy Spirit will convict your heart about that and you will cry out to God to save you. GOD LOVES YOU! That is why he sent Jesus. Make no mistake, you cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift. Romans 3:24 says that we have been "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 5:8 says that, "God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." We are all dead in our sins until God makes us alive in Christ(Ephesians Ch. 2).
If you already feel that tug at your heart to believe on Christ and begin walking in obedience then it is time. Pray to God. Tell him of your need for Him. Thank Him for saving you. If it is real, you will know because your heart will be changed. Not only should you no longer be ok with abortion or any other sin, but your desires will begin changing away from the desires for the things of the world and toward the things of God. Repentance means turning away from sin and running towards God. You will not attain perfection until you get to heaven but you should always, by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, be striving for perfection. (Philippians 2:12-13)
You cannot merit salvation by doing this. Salvation bears the fruit of obedience to God's Lordship as evidence of that salvation. Fruit that is not motivated by obligation, but by love for your Heavenly Father. Begin reading the Bible and attending a solid Bible teaching church. Your life will never be the same. If you have given your life to Jesus and you are struggling with the guilt of a past abortion, you need to know that there is freedom from guilt and healing from the pain available in this new relationship with Jesus. As you begin praying and reading your bible God will show you this and He will set you free and fill you with joy and peace, even in the midst of trials. This is the Good News of the Gospel!
As always if this post only sets one person free from the bondage of the pro-choice heart and brings glory to God in that process, then it has been worth the effort to right it and the criticism it could bring.
Love in Christ,
Joshua Newton
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Was Jesus more loving than today's Christians?
What is More Loving, Compromise or Truth?
In this day of relative truth and compromise of the word of God in the name of making it more palatable to the world there is a gross misconception. It is that "a loving God would never destroy sinners for desires that seem to be so natural."
That somehow God's love and Jesus' kindness that was so often exhibited in scripture must somehow mean that some truths in the bible don't apply. That if it feels natural, God must mean for us to enjoy it. Even if it directly contradicts scripture. So by that thought process, in today's culture, any Christian that calls sin, sin even if done lovingly, is still considered a judgmental, hatemonger and not acting as Jesus would have. Is that true? I would not dare suggest that all Christians deliver the truth appropriately all the time. This however, does not change the truth. Let's see how the bible connects God's love and Jesus' kindness in relationship to our repentance.
In our day, this discussion is most often had in relationship to homosexuality, but before that the same discussion was had about fornication, adultery, and even divorce. All of these sins have ben justified at one time or another based on an unbiblical understanding of love.
A Key Text
In Romans Ch. 2 the Apostle Paul is speaking regarding judgment. God's judgment of sinners and sinners' judgment of each other. In speaking to people's judgment of each other, Paul is condemning hypocritical judgment. He is condemning those who judge others for sin that they themselves are guilty of. In the grander scheme of the chapter Paul is making it clear that all are guilty of sin and that those who are impenitent (without repentance), are not followers of Christ and will be judged.
So What Is Repentance?
Repentance means to recognize actions, thoughts, or attitudes of disobedience as rebellious acts against God, to feel remorse for them, and to intentionally change directions. It means we must move away from disobedience and toward acts of biblical obedience to God and His word.
This should not be done out of biblical duty, but from the desire of a changed heart. If this is not the desire of our heart we have a problem. If we do not feel remorse and desire change when we become aware of sin in our lives, then we have reason to question our eternal destiny. A heart that has truly been captured by God will make itself evident through acts of repentance.
What Does Jesus's Kindness Look Like?
Does kindness in the scriptures suggest a compromise of truth? Let's look at a scripture that many use to suggest that Jesus tells us not to judge each other. The presumption being that Jesus did not judge the sin of the adulterous woman in the following scripture reference.
What this scripture is actually dealing with is two fold. One is the fact that the Pharisees are trying to test Jesus and catch him in something that they can hold against him. Second is that Jesus is effectively ruling out our right to punish sinners in a corporal punishment sense. Just as Jesus does at the end of this text, we are to lovingly call sinners to repentance, not beat them up or personally kill them. (Corporal punishment is given to the government later in the New Testament, not to the individual).
Jesus' kindness does NOT manifest itself in condoning the woman's adulterous ways. He shows his kindness by providing the grace of another chance to "go and sin no more". In saying this, He indirectly makes it clear that the lifestyle she was in was sinful and needed to be repented of.
What Does God's Love And Kindness Look Like?
As evidenced in the quote from Romans above, God's kindness manifests itself in loving patience and forbearance. You see, if God acted merely out of His justice and wrath, and His love and mercy did not play a role, He would be well within His rights to destroy every sinner right now and send them to Hell. In view of His holiness and our rebellion against Almighty God, that would be a righteous and just response to our sin. However, He does not do that. Romans 3:23(ESV) tells us that
2 Peter 3:9(ESV) tells us that,
It means that God's love and Jesus' kindness should not be understood as a license to do whatever feels right. It means that God has allowed us to live in spite of our sin and rebellion and sent His son to take the punishment for our sins so that all who, by His grace would believe, will be saved.
It means that Christians must not only call out sin, but continually recognize that even they, are simply sinners saved by grace. This realization should create an appreciation for their own salvation that fuels compassion in their hearts toward the lost. If that is happening then their approach to sinners or believers, whom they are calling to account, should not be one of contempt, but of grace. We as believers should be calling sinners, and believers who are sinning to repentance with all the grace by which God calls us to repentance.
It in no way means that if we are truly loving, we will say nothing at all and let people do what makes them happy. If we truly believe that people who are living in unrepentant sin, which manifests itself as a lifestyle or an attitude of disregard for biblical truth, are headed for Hell; then the least loving thing we could do is say nothing at all.
What we must help them realize is that we understand that we were lost sinners as well, just like them, until God saved us. And, that we want them to know God's saving grace in the same way that we do. We must help them understand that this life is a vapor and that they must appreciate the full weight of the eternal consequences of sin in order to appreciate their need for Jesus. We must help them understand that we do not speak the truth of God's word because we think our way is better. We do it because Jesus commanded this of His disciples before He returned to heaven(Matthew 28:18-20).
Wrap Up.
If you are reading this and everything in you is screaming, "HE'S FULL OF IT! HE IS TWISTING SCRIPTURE!" or anything else that feels angry about what I have stated here, I pray that you will go back and read it again. Read the whole of John and at least the first eight chapters of Romans. Get a real solid feel for what the bible says about sin and it's consequences. Also, for who the bible says Jesus is and why He came. If your going to reject these truths, at least know that you have studied enough to know what you are rejecting.
If you are reading this and you feel a stirring and tugging at your heart that is uneasy, not because you hate it, but because you are starting to feel as if you might actually believe it then please, read more. Cry out to God to save you. You don't need a formulaic prayer or to do anything else first. God can save you right where you are and then He will give you the continuing hunger for Him and His word and He will enable the clarity needed to do everything else. As I said before, read the Gospel of John and Romans. Get in a church that teaches through books of the bible. Meet with the Pastor and discuss your thoughts and feelings.
As always, if one life is changed by this post or any other in this blog, then it is worth the effort. I pray it will be so.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
In this day of relative truth and compromise of the word of God in the name of making it more palatable to the world there is a gross misconception. It is that "a loving God would never destroy sinners for desires that seem to be so natural."
That somehow God's love and Jesus' kindness that was so often exhibited in scripture must somehow mean that some truths in the bible don't apply. That if it feels natural, God must mean for us to enjoy it. Even if it directly contradicts scripture. So by that thought process, in today's culture, any Christian that calls sin, sin even if done lovingly, is still considered a judgmental, hatemonger and not acting as Jesus would have. Is that true? I would not dare suggest that all Christians deliver the truth appropriately all the time. This however, does not change the truth. Let's see how the bible connects God's love and Jesus' kindness in relationship to our repentance.
In our day, this discussion is most often had in relationship to homosexuality, but before that the same discussion was had about fornication, adultery, and even divorce. All of these sins have ben justified at one time or another based on an unbiblical understanding of love.
A Key Text
In Romans Ch. 2 the Apostle Paul is speaking regarding judgment. God's judgment of sinners and sinners' judgment of each other. In speaking to people's judgment of each other, Paul is condemning hypocritical judgment. He is condemning those who judge others for sin that they themselves are guilty of. In the grander scheme of the chapter Paul is making it clear that all are guilty of sin and that those who are impenitent (without repentance), are not followers of Christ and will be judged.
My primary text is Romans 2:4(ESV) in which Paul states, "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance."
A Misunderstanding
I have heard this scripture stated this way, "God's kindness leads us to repentance". You will notice that this is a misrepresentation of that text. The verse states that, "God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance". Thus, if you believe that God does not expect you to change biblically sinful behavior just because it feels natural, you have a misunderstanding of the purpose of God's kindness.
So What Is Repentance?
Repentance means to recognize actions, thoughts, or attitudes of disobedience as rebellious acts against God, to feel remorse for them, and to intentionally change directions. It means we must move away from disobedience and toward acts of biblical obedience to God and His word.
This should not be done out of biblical duty, but from the desire of a changed heart. If this is not the desire of our heart we have a problem. If we do not feel remorse and desire change when we become aware of sin in our lives, then we have reason to question our eternal destiny. A heart that has truly been captured by God will make itself evident through acts of repentance.
What Does Jesus's Kindness Look Like?
Does kindness in the scriptures suggest a compromise of truth? Let's look at a scripture that many use to suggest that Jesus tells us not to judge each other. The presumption being that Jesus did not judge the sin of the adulterous woman in the following scripture reference.
In John 8:7(ESV) Jesus says, "And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her"Now, it should be noted that most bibles have a notation stating that John 7:53-8:11, which encompasses the whole of this story, is not included in the earliest manuscripts. Whether you agree with this or not, and I am not saying that I do, the fact remains that many use this scripture as an argument against judging sin.
What this scripture is actually dealing with is two fold. One is the fact that the Pharisees are trying to test Jesus and catch him in something that they can hold against him. Second is that Jesus is effectively ruling out our right to punish sinners in a corporal punishment sense. Just as Jesus does at the end of this text, we are to lovingly call sinners to repentance, not beat them up or personally kill them. (Corporal punishment is given to the government later in the New Testament, not to the individual).
Jesus' kindness does NOT manifest itself in condoning the woman's adulterous ways. He shows his kindness by providing the grace of another chance to "go and sin no more". In saying this, He indirectly makes it clear that the lifestyle she was in was sinful and needed to be repented of.
What Does God's Love And Kindness Look Like?
As evidenced in the quote from Romans above, God's kindness manifests itself in loving patience and forbearance. You see, if God acted merely out of His justice and wrath, and His love and mercy did not play a role, He would be well within His rights to destroy every sinner right now and send them to Hell. In view of His holiness and our rebellion against Almighty God, that would be a righteous and just response to our sin. However, He does not do that. Romans 3:23(ESV) tells us that
"all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation, by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."Jesus came to take the punishment for our sins. He satisfied God's wrath toward the sin of, and removed the guilt that was due to, every believer that has ever been and ever will be. All who believe will receive the redemption that was bought for us by the blood of Christ on the cross. That is what it means that God put Jesus forward as a propitiation.
2 Peter 3:9(ESV) tells us that,
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."So What Does All Of This Mean?
It means that God's love and Jesus' kindness should not be understood as a license to do whatever feels right. It means that God has allowed us to live in spite of our sin and rebellion and sent His son to take the punishment for our sins so that all who, by His grace would believe, will be saved.
It means that Christians must not only call out sin, but continually recognize that even they, are simply sinners saved by grace. This realization should create an appreciation for their own salvation that fuels compassion in their hearts toward the lost. If that is happening then their approach to sinners or believers, whom they are calling to account, should not be one of contempt, but of grace. We as believers should be calling sinners, and believers who are sinning to repentance with all the grace by which God calls us to repentance.
It in no way means that if we are truly loving, we will say nothing at all and let people do what makes them happy. If we truly believe that people who are living in unrepentant sin, which manifests itself as a lifestyle or an attitude of disregard for biblical truth, are headed for Hell; then the least loving thing we could do is say nothing at all.
What we must help them realize is that we understand that we were lost sinners as well, just like them, until God saved us. And, that we want them to know God's saving grace in the same way that we do. We must help them understand that this life is a vapor and that they must appreciate the full weight of the eternal consequences of sin in order to appreciate their need for Jesus. We must help them understand that we do not speak the truth of God's word because we think our way is better. We do it because Jesus commanded this of His disciples before He returned to heaven(Matthew 28:18-20).
Wrap Up.
If you are reading this and everything in you is screaming, "HE'S FULL OF IT! HE IS TWISTING SCRIPTURE!" or anything else that feels angry about what I have stated here, I pray that you will go back and read it again. Read the whole of John and at least the first eight chapters of Romans. Get a real solid feel for what the bible says about sin and it's consequences. Also, for who the bible says Jesus is and why He came. If your going to reject these truths, at least know that you have studied enough to know what you are rejecting.
If you are reading this and you feel a stirring and tugging at your heart that is uneasy, not because you hate it, but because you are starting to feel as if you might actually believe it then please, read more. Cry out to God to save you. You don't need a formulaic prayer or to do anything else first. God can save you right where you are and then He will give you the continuing hunger for Him and His word and He will enable the clarity needed to do everything else. As I said before, read the Gospel of John and Romans. Get in a church that teaches through books of the bible. Meet with the Pastor and discuss your thoughts and feelings.
As always, if one life is changed by this post or any other in this blog, then it is worth the effort. I pray it will be so.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year! Kept and Sent by a Mighty God!
Happy New Year everyone!
I pray all remained safe during celebrations and travels throughout the holiday season. For the Newton...uh, Newton-White family...yes, there is a story there, but we will save that for another time. Anyway, for my family and I, 2013 held many blessings, challenges, and taught not a few lessons.
He Has Kept Us!
Rather than go into detail, I would just like to praise the one and only, true and mighty God that I serve and that looks out for me and mine. No matter the challenges along the way, the Almighty Creator of the universe has kept us yet another year. In His great mercy and kindness we have not had perfect health, but we also have not experienced many of the physical challenges and heartbreaks that many a family has to endure. Working in the ER of a hospital I can tell you, there has been much loss of life and many physical challenges in this city alone this year. I praise God that we have not had any major physical setbacks this year.
When there have been financial challenges God has made a way. Many across the country and most certainly in this city have seen all kinds of financial setbacks this year. I praise God that He knows our daily struggles before they come and that He has provided an answer that is waiting for just the moment that it is needed.
Yes, there is NOTHING too big for my God. Yes, there are NO surprises to my God. There is no one like Him. He knows the beginning from the end because He has declared it to be so(Isaiah 46:9-11). Whether good or bad in our eyes, He ALWAYS has a purpose for it and works it out for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose(Romans 8:28), even if we don't understand it or it doesn't seem so very good in the moment. TRUST HIM! He is just in all His ways and all His ways are right!(Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 145:17)
He Has Sent Us!
There are plans on the horizon. Things that God has been building us up for that I believe are going to happen soon. There will no doubt be challenges along the way but I know my God is faithful, patient, and always on time. I strive to be patient as well, not acting before He says to, but also not hesitating when He says act. I can certainly think of times that God has laid something on my heart and I have hesitated.
My prayer is that this year I will be bolder, more obedient, and that I will grow in my faith to do and to grow as I do. I do not want to be status quo. I want this year to be full of loving submission and obedience to my God that accomplishes mighty things for His glory.
I have a goal to read through the entire bible this year. Believe it or not I have not done that. Oh I have read much of it, but never the whole thing from beginning to end. A former great preacher and author in the 1800's in England named J.C. Ryle is know for many quotes, but this one I saw today and is appropriate to the topic. He said, "Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive reading." I would agree and that is my goal. I have a plan to read the bible and another thick theological work this year in their completion and I pray God gives me the grace to do it.
I have the goal to develop my prayer life more. Not just privately but publicly for others. As I said, I work in a hospital. What greater opportunity is there to pray for the sick and needy and give God an opportunity to respond in their lives in whatever way He sees fit. God uses answered prayers to draw people in and I want to be a part of that process.
I also pray that I will be bolder in my witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ verbally in my workplace, my neighborhood, and beyond. Please pray for me that the boldness with which I speak to the truth of the gospel and peoples need for it here in this blog, would transfer to my personal walk in face to face interaction. It is much harder there, but I desire to do it. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "pray that a message may be given me and that I may speak boldly as I ought"(Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:4)
Last but not least, I desire to lead my family closer in their knowledge and understanding of God and His word.
God has provided opportunity and begun a work in this area. I pray that He will continue to open the hearts of my wife and children and that we will grow in grace and obedience to God as a family. There is much room for improvement among us all, most especially myself. I must grow if I am to lead effectively. Please pray to that end.
How has He kept you? How is He sending you?
Notice these questions are presumptive. You see there is no doubt that God has been involved in your life this year and He will most certainly be involved in the year to come. I want to encourage you, if you have not already, to take a little time and reflect on the year. Remember the ways that God has kept you this year. Count your blessings and recognize the areas that God has helped you to grow whether in trial and tribulation or through His many blessings. Then consider HIS purposes for you in this new year. We are not talking New Year's resolutions. I mean genuine time spent on your knees and in His word asking God what HIS PLANS are for your life this year. Rather than asking for your hearts desire, consider what HIS hearts desire is.
One thing is for certain. Two commands apply to every believer. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teaching them all that I have commanded you".(Matthew 28:19-20) Christ also gave this command, "You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before all men,so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven".(Matthew 5:14-16)
Whatever else you do with your life in this year, these commands are universal. They can be included in any circumstance. They could also be summed up as they were by Jesus in this passage, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself".(Matthew 22:36-40) Everything else we do, and that God expects of us hangs on these two commandments.
Live a life worthy of the Gospel!(Philippians 1:27) May you have a blessed and highly fruitful year in your life, for the kingdom of God and for the Glory of God!
Thanks be to God!
Amen.
I pray all remained safe during celebrations and travels throughout the holiday season. For the Newton...uh, Newton-White family...yes, there is a story there, but we will save that for another time. Anyway, for my family and I, 2013 held many blessings, challenges, and taught not a few lessons.
He Has Kept Us!
Rather than go into detail, I would just like to praise the one and only, true and mighty God that I serve and that looks out for me and mine. No matter the challenges along the way, the Almighty Creator of the universe has kept us yet another year. In His great mercy and kindness we have not had perfect health, but we also have not experienced many of the physical challenges and heartbreaks that many a family has to endure. Working in the ER of a hospital I can tell you, there has been much loss of life and many physical challenges in this city alone this year. I praise God that we have not had any major physical setbacks this year.
When there have been financial challenges God has made a way. Many across the country and most certainly in this city have seen all kinds of financial setbacks this year. I praise God that He knows our daily struggles before they come and that He has provided an answer that is waiting for just the moment that it is needed.
Yes, there is NOTHING too big for my God. Yes, there are NO surprises to my God. There is no one like Him. He knows the beginning from the end because He has declared it to be so(Isaiah 46:9-11). Whether good or bad in our eyes, He ALWAYS has a purpose for it and works it out for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose(Romans 8:28), even if we don't understand it or it doesn't seem so very good in the moment. TRUST HIM! He is just in all His ways and all His ways are right!(Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 145:17)
He Has Sent Us!
There are plans on the horizon. Things that God has been building us up for that I believe are going to happen soon. There will no doubt be challenges along the way but I know my God is faithful, patient, and always on time. I strive to be patient as well, not acting before He says to, but also not hesitating when He says act. I can certainly think of times that God has laid something on my heart and I have hesitated.
My prayer is that this year I will be bolder, more obedient, and that I will grow in my faith to do and to grow as I do. I do not want to be status quo. I want this year to be full of loving submission and obedience to my God that accomplishes mighty things for His glory.
I have a goal to read through the entire bible this year. Believe it or not I have not done that. Oh I have read much of it, but never the whole thing from beginning to end. A former great preacher and author in the 1800's in England named J.C. Ryle is know for many quotes, but this one I saw today and is appropriate to the topic. He said, "Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive reading." I would agree and that is my goal. I have a plan to read the bible and another thick theological work this year in their completion and I pray God gives me the grace to do it.
I have the goal to develop my prayer life more. Not just privately but publicly for others. As I said, I work in a hospital. What greater opportunity is there to pray for the sick and needy and give God an opportunity to respond in their lives in whatever way He sees fit. God uses answered prayers to draw people in and I want to be a part of that process.
I also pray that I will be bolder in my witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ verbally in my workplace, my neighborhood, and beyond. Please pray for me that the boldness with which I speak to the truth of the gospel and peoples need for it here in this blog, would transfer to my personal walk in face to face interaction. It is much harder there, but I desire to do it. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "pray that a message may be given me and that I may speak boldly as I ought"(Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:4)
Last but not least, I desire to lead my family closer in their knowledge and understanding of God and His word.
God has provided opportunity and begun a work in this area. I pray that He will continue to open the hearts of my wife and children and that we will grow in grace and obedience to God as a family. There is much room for improvement among us all, most especially myself. I must grow if I am to lead effectively. Please pray to that end.
How has He kept you? How is He sending you?
Notice these questions are presumptive. You see there is no doubt that God has been involved in your life this year and He will most certainly be involved in the year to come. I want to encourage you, if you have not already, to take a little time and reflect on the year. Remember the ways that God has kept you this year. Count your blessings and recognize the areas that God has helped you to grow whether in trial and tribulation or through His many blessings. Then consider HIS purposes for you in this new year. We are not talking New Year's resolutions. I mean genuine time spent on your knees and in His word asking God what HIS PLANS are for your life this year. Rather than asking for your hearts desire, consider what HIS hearts desire is.
One thing is for certain. Two commands apply to every believer. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teaching them all that I have commanded you".(Matthew 28:19-20) Christ also gave this command, "You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before all men,so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven".(Matthew 5:14-16)
Whatever else you do with your life in this year, these commands are universal. They can be included in any circumstance. They could also be summed up as they were by Jesus in this passage, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself".(Matthew 22:36-40) Everything else we do, and that God expects of us hangs on these two commandments.
Live a life worthy of the Gospel!(Philippians 1:27) May you have a blessed and highly fruitful year in your life, for the kingdom of God and for the Glory of God!
Thanks be to God!
Amen.
Friday, December 20, 2013
What's Christmas all about anyway?
The Question.
"What IS Christmas all about?" That is the question I never asked that God just recently truly brought to bear on my heart and mind. It's not that I did not know the story that was revealed to me. I simply had not thought of it from this perspective. Others don't know the story at all or have any idea of this perspective.
My exposure.
I grew up Southern Baptist. From there I have been associated with a non-denominational church for the last nineteen years. In neither of these environments was Advent or Lent something that was practiced or taught as a theme throughout the holiday seasons. At least not at the Southern Baptist churches I remember.
It is important to note that I am not saying this in order to insult or slight those ministries in any way. I have learned from both, the first of which, my father was the pastor. Advent seems to be one of those seasonal faith themes that is practiced more by some churches than others. Is does not seem fair to narrow it down by denomination because I am using a wonderful Advent app in my ipod that is based on the Advent curriculum from The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. This church, led by Dr. David Platt, is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. I say all that only to give some background as to my experience and exposure to this faith based, seasonal celebration.
Surprise!
The word Advent means "to arrive". As I am learning, Advent is a time of the year, if done right, that ties the story of the birth of Christ into the entire biblical historical narrative of the bible. Now I have learned much about this narrative and the importance of understanding that, the story of our redemption bought by Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection runs from Genesis to Revelation. However, I had never considered the ways in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus into this world as it's own little moment, without ensuring that we are remembering and sharing with others it's place in the grand scheme of redemptive history. This was a surprise to me. I had never really thought about it. Partially, because it is not something I am accustomed to hearing every year at Christmas.
The Greater Question.
The fact is that Advent is the answer to the question, "What's Christmas all about?" So if someone asks the question, can you answer it? Greater still the question should be, will you tell them even if they don't ask? Will you start the conversation? What will you tell them?
The Answer.
The answer to this question, "What is Christmas all about?" should never simply be, "It's about the birth of Jesus." Yet this is the typical understanding and response. While it is true, it is incomplete. The answer should be that Christmas is about the coming of a Messiah, a deliverer, a rescuer. This then should prompt the questions, "What's a Messiah?" "Why do I need a deliverer?" "What do I need to be rescued from?" Then, if they don't ask those questions, we should suggest them. Then we answer them.
There are many verses and ideas that are involved in this answer. If it is being taught or studied through over the month of December they should all be meditated on and this Advent App is a great way to do that. It has an introduction that fleshes out the plot. It then has six parts that are broken down like this: 1.) the promise of His coming, 2.) the promise of His birth, 3.) the promise of His life, 4.) the promise of His death, 5.) the promise of His resurrection, and 6.) the promise of His eternal reign. Then an epilogue of promises kept. All of these promises are crucial to the over all historical narrative of the story of redemption.
Now, if we are in general conversation and this topic comes up do we need a six point response? Of course not. However, It is a prime opportunity for a basic gospel presentation in which the birth of Jesus is included. For example:
"This is what Christmas is all about. The creator of the universe created man in his own image to fellowship with him, that man might glorify the name of Almighty God. God blessed man and gave him much authority over the earth with just a few instructions. Man disobeyed God thus bringing the curse of sin, death, and destruction into the world to be experienced by all of creation. But from the beginning God knew this would happen and had already put in place, a plan of redemption that would defeat the curse of sin. God's plan was His very own Son, Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, God provides prophecies about the coming of His Son. His Son would be known as the Messiah. A righteous branch springing up from a broken or cut down tree. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. God's son, Jesus Christ, conceived of the Holy Spirit, would be born of a virgin and live a perfect life of obedience to God, being both fully man and fully God. He would not be esteemed. He would be despised and rejected, eventually being crucified by His very own people, the Jews. He would die on a cross, taking the punishment for and removing the guilt, of the sins of all who would believe. But on the third day, Jesus would be risen from the dead by the power of God's Spirit, thus defeating death and making His righteousness available also, to all who would believe. After a little more time with man, Jesus would ascend to the right hand of the Father and there He would remain, praying for His people and directing the Holy Spirit whom He would send as our comforter and helper. One day, He will return again. This is the second Advent. On that day He will complete the story, destroying evil and all of it's sources and taking all those whom have believed to reign with Him forever in glorious perfections and endless worship."
Or something like that. It doesn't have to be quite that detailed but wouldn't it be awesome to have such a comfortable handle on the basics of the redemptive narrative, from beginning to end, that you could do that. What I just wrote is maybe a minute or two worth of explanation. I just wrote that off the top of my head. I don't tell you that to brag. It is certainly not perfect. I tell you that to say that I am better at writing it, than saying it out loud and I could not possibly give you all the scripture references for that little quote from memory. But, there is something exhilarating about being able to write something like that down. Because I know it means that this story is really getting on the inside of me. That is humbling and thrilling all at the same time.
I want to encourage you to consider this. Consider making Christmas not only about Jesus' coming as a baby, but that you would take this season as an opportunity to consider the entire story of what the Holy Trinity has done for us in this grand narrative. Remember, by our time table, we think of what God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit did, are still doing, and are going to do. By God's time table, it is already finished. From beginning to end, the story has been told.
Because of this we have a great hope that carries us through every difficult time and with joy, drives us to share this awesome story with a lost and dying world that many of them may come to possess this same great hope and share this gospel with that same joy!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Josh
"What IS Christmas all about?" That is the question I never asked that God just recently truly brought to bear on my heart and mind. It's not that I did not know the story that was revealed to me. I simply had not thought of it from this perspective. Others don't know the story at all or have any idea of this perspective.
My exposure.
I grew up Southern Baptist. From there I have been associated with a non-denominational church for the last nineteen years. In neither of these environments was Advent or Lent something that was practiced or taught as a theme throughout the holiday seasons. At least not at the Southern Baptist churches I remember.
It is important to note that I am not saying this in order to insult or slight those ministries in any way. I have learned from both, the first of which, my father was the pastor. Advent seems to be one of those seasonal faith themes that is practiced more by some churches than others. Is does not seem fair to narrow it down by denomination because I am using a wonderful Advent app in my ipod that is based on the Advent curriculum from The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. This church, led by Dr. David Platt, is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. I say all that only to give some background as to my experience and exposure to this faith based, seasonal celebration.
Surprise!
The word Advent means "to arrive". As I am learning, Advent is a time of the year, if done right, that ties the story of the birth of Christ into the entire biblical historical narrative of the bible. Now I have learned much about this narrative and the importance of understanding that, the story of our redemption bought by Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection runs from Genesis to Revelation. However, I had never considered the ways in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus into this world as it's own little moment, without ensuring that we are remembering and sharing with others it's place in the grand scheme of redemptive history. This was a surprise to me. I had never really thought about it. Partially, because it is not something I am accustomed to hearing every year at Christmas.
The Greater Question.
The fact is that Advent is the answer to the question, "What's Christmas all about?" So if someone asks the question, can you answer it? Greater still the question should be, will you tell them even if they don't ask? Will you start the conversation? What will you tell them?
The Answer.
The answer to this question, "What is Christmas all about?" should never simply be, "It's about the birth of Jesus." Yet this is the typical understanding and response. While it is true, it is incomplete. The answer should be that Christmas is about the coming of a Messiah, a deliverer, a rescuer. This then should prompt the questions, "What's a Messiah?" "Why do I need a deliverer?" "What do I need to be rescued from?" Then, if they don't ask those questions, we should suggest them. Then we answer them.
There are many verses and ideas that are involved in this answer. If it is being taught or studied through over the month of December they should all be meditated on and this Advent App is a great way to do that. It has an introduction that fleshes out the plot. It then has six parts that are broken down like this: 1.) the promise of His coming, 2.) the promise of His birth, 3.) the promise of His life, 4.) the promise of His death, 5.) the promise of His resurrection, and 6.) the promise of His eternal reign. Then an epilogue of promises kept. All of these promises are crucial to the over all historical narrative of the story of redemption.
Now, if we are in general conversation and this topic comes up do we need a six point response? Of course not. However, It is a prime opportunity for a basic gospel presentation in which the birth of Jesus is included. For example:
"This is what Christmas is all about. The creator of the universe created man in his own image to fellowship with him, that man might glorify the name of Almighty God. God blessed man and gave him much authority over the earth with just a few instructions. Man disobeyed God thus bringing the curse of sin, death, and destruction into the world to be experienced by all of creation. But from the beginning God knew this would happen and had already put in place, a plan of redemption that would defeat the curse of sin. God's plan was His very own Son, Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, God provides prophecies about the coming of His Son. His Son would be known as the Messiah. A righteous branch springing up from a broken or cut down tree. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. God's son, Jesus Christ, conceived of the Holy Spirit, would be born of a virgin and live a perfect life of obedience to God, being both fully man and fully God. He would not be esteemed. He would be despised and rejected, eventually being crucified by His very own people, the Jews. He would die on a cross, taking the punishment for and removing the guilt, of the sins of all who would believe. But on the third day, Jesus would be risen from the dead by the power of God's Spirit, thus defeating death and making His righteousness available also, to all who would believe. After a little more time with man, Jesus would ascend to the right hand of the Father and there He would remain, praying for His people and directing the Holy Spirit whom He would send as our comforter and helper. One day, He will return again. This is the second Advent. On that day He will complete the story, destroying evil and all of it's sources and taking all those whom have believed to reign with Him forever in glorious perfections and endless worship."
Or something like that. It doesn't have to be quite that detailed but wouldn't it be awesome to have such a comfortable handle on the basics of the redemptive narrative, from beginning to end, that you could do that. What I just wrote is maybe a minute or two worth of explanation. I just wrote that off the top of my head. I don't tell you that to brag. It is certainly not perfect. I tell you that to say that I am better at writing it, than saying it out loud and I could not possibly give you all the scripture references for that little quote from memory. But, there is something exhilarating about being able to write something like that down. Because I know it means that this story is really getting on the inside of me. That is humbling and thrilling all at the same time.
I want to encourage you to consider this. Consider making Christmas not only about Jesus' coming as a baby, but that you would take this season as an opportunity to consider the entire story of what the Holy Trinity has done for us in this grand narrative. Remember, by our time table, we think of what God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit did, are still doing, and are going to do. By God's time table, it is already finished. From beginning to end, the story has been told.
Because of this we have a great hope that carries us through every difficult time and with joy, drives us to share this awesome story with a lost and dying world that many of them may come to possess this same great hope and share this gospel with that same joy!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Josh
Monday, December 2, 2013
Do You Hear What I Hear?
King David's love for God's creation
King David was a great psalmist. Many of the psalms in the bible are attributed to him. In Psalm 19:1-2 David says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."
Before King David was king, he was a shepherd. He had the pleasure of lying out under the night sky and observing the constellations, maybe seeing a shooting star here and there. During the day he watched the sun move across the sky. He probably observed those neat moments when the sun and moon both appear to be in the sky at the same time.
In this day, we are so busy that we don't even notice the sun except to be bothered by it's brightness and put on sunglasses. At night, especially in the city, you have to work really hard to see the stars. We still seem to be fairly enamored by the moon and it's phases. Not to mention when it gets really big or takes on some beautiful and unusual color as it reflects the suns' light or is eclipsed.
Childlike love for creation
The greatest way to enjoy the glories of the day and night sky are through the eyes of a child. For me those eyes first came in my oldest son Ryan. When Ryan was a toddler and learning to speak, his first word was moon. He loved the moon. He would ask for it and when he saw it, his face would light up as big and bright as the moon itself. But when it went out of sight, he would get sad. His whole countenance would change. To this day he still loves nature and science.
Taking creation for granted
I believe David's appreciation for the life of the sky was as vibrant as that of Ryan's with just one difference. A young child does not realize that they are looking at the very handiwork of God. Do you? As adults we get so busy with day to day life that we very rarely look up and appreciate God's handiwork. We certainly don't think of it as declaring God's glory. Oh from time to time, on a peaceful night and somewhere that there aren't many lights, I can get a good look at the sky. When I do, I actually remember, to some degree, the awe and wonder that is God's creation.
Do you take God's creation for granted? I know I do. I don't spend nearly enough time appreciating and expressing gratitude for what God has given me. My boys Ryan and Alex know that nature is God's handiwork but at ages ten and six, I can already see them enjoying it, but not with the same awe and wonder that they did when they were smaller.
Teach your children!
What about your children? That's where we come in. Not only do we need to make a consistent effort at appreciating the splendor of the trees, the birds in the air, and the stars in the sky but we must remind our children. We must help them never to forget that, not only is nature there, but it is crying out "look at the majesty of God's creation!" "Glorify Him for He has done great things!"
Once you hear it, teach your children to be active participants. Ask them, "do you hear it?" "Do you hear what I hear?" The heavens are declaring it. All of nature is declaring the glory and majesty of our Almighty Creator. Now obviously this is something we learn to see with our eyes and perceive with out hearts by God's grace. However, we must teach our children to desire to do the same.
Creations revelation, Our rejection.
Romans 1:18-21 states, and I paraphrase, that the very condemnation that necessitates a Savior is ours, because what can be known about God is plain in the things that have been made. It says that we are guilty and without excuse because we know and yet we reject our Creator. This is known as general revelation.
At the fall, Adam and Eve decided that what God had provided wasn't good enough if they could not take of the one tree that they were instructed to leave alone. God's creation has been crying out to us about himself since the beginning. We have been rejecting God's provision and God's authority ever since. That is why we are all guilty, condemned, and damned to hell. That is why Jesus had to come to earth, take on flesh, live the life of perfect obedience that we could not live and die the death that we should have died. He took our punishment by becoming sin and taking all the wrathful response to that sin that belongs to us. He satisfied our debt.
Good news!
The good news is, HE IS RISEN!!! He conquered death. Now his righteousness and victory over sin are available to us so that we can have eternal life. Isn't that amazing. We rejected God. Yet, He sent His Son to live righteously and die to take the punishment for our sins; then raised him from the dead so that we could have access again to the Father for all eternity.
All we have to do is repent and have faith. By God's grace we can have that childlike faith that once again appreciates all that God has done for us and yearns to obey Him. If you have never known this gift of faith that leads to belief, repentance, and eternal life, you can have it. Cry out to God. He hears our cries and He can save you and change your life right now.
May we all come with childlike faith and learn to enjoy the majestic handiwork of our Heavenly Father, from creation to the cross, once again.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
King David was a great psalmist. Many of the psalms in the bible are attributed to him. In Psalm 19:1-2 David says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."
Before King David was king, he was a shepherd. He had the pleasure of lying out under the night sky and observing the constellations, maybe seeing a shooting star here and there. During the day he watched the sun move across the sky. He probably observed those neat moments when the sun and moon both appear to be in the sky at the same time.
In this day, we are so busy that we don't even notice the sun except to be bothered by it's brightness and put on sunglasses. At night, especially in the city, you have to work really hard to see the stars. We still seem to be fairly enamored by the moon and it's phases. Not to mention when it gets really big or takes on some beautiful and unusual color as it reflects the suns' light or is eclipsed.
Childlike love for creation
The greatest way to enjoy the glories of the day and night sky are through the eyes of a child. For me those eyes first came in my oldest son Ryan. When Ryan was a toddler and learning to speak, his first word was moon. He loved the moon. He would ask for it and when he saw it, his face would light up as big and bright as the moon itself. But when it went out of sight, he would get sad. His whole countenance would change. To this day he still loves nature and science.
Taking creation for granted
I believe David's appreciation for the life of the sky was as vibrant as that of Ryan's with just one difference. A young child does not realize that they are looking at the very handiwork of God. Do you? As adults we get so busy with day to day life that we very rarely look up and appreciate God's handiwork. We certainly don't think of it as declaring God's glory. Oh from time to time, on a peaceful night and somewhere that there aren't many lights, I can get a good look at the sky. When I do, I actually remember, to some degree, the awe and wonder that is God's creation.
Do you take God's creation for granted? I know I do. I don't spend nearly enough time appreciating and expressing gratitude for what God has given me. My boys Ryan and Alex know that nature is God's handiwork but at ages ten and six, I can already see them enjoying it, but not with the same awe and wonder that they did when they were smaller.
Teach your children!
What about your children? That's where we come in. Not only do we need to make a consistent effort at appreciating the splendor of the trees, the birds in the air, and the stars in the sky but we must remind our children. We must help them never to forget that, not only is nature there, but it is crying out "look at the majesty of God's creation!" "Glorify Him for He has done great things!"
Once you hear it, teach your children to be active participants. Ask them, "do you hear it?" "Do you hear what I hear?" The heavens are declaring it. All of nature is declaring the glory and majesty of our Almighty Creator. Now obviously this is something we learn to see with our eyes and perceive with out hearts by God's grace. However, we must teach our children to desire to do the same.
Creations revelation, Our rejection.
Romans 1:18-21 states, and I paraphrase, that the very condemnation that necessitates a Savior is ours, because what can be known about God is plain in the things that have been made. It says that we are guilty and without excuse because we know and yet we reject our Creator. This is known as general revelation.
At the fall, Adam and Eve decided that what God had provided wasn't good enough if they could not take of the one tree that they were instructed to leave alone. God's creation has been crying out to us about himself since the beginning. We have been rejecting God's provision and God's authority ever since. That is why we are all guilty, condemned, and damned to hell. That is why Jesus had to come to earth, take on flesh, live the life of perfect obedience that we could not live and die the death that we should have died. He took our punishment by becoming sin and taking all the wrathful response to that sin that belongs to us. He satisfied our debt.
Good news!
The good news is, HE IS RISEN!!! He conquered death. Now his righteousness and victory over sin are available to us so that we can have eternal life. Isn't that amazing. We rejected God. Yet, He sent His Son to live righteously and die to take the punishment for our sins; then raised him from the dead so that we could have access again to the Father for all eternity.
All we have to do is repent and have faith. By God's grace we can have that childlike faith that once again appreciates all that God has done for us and yearns to obey Him. If you have never known this gift of faith that leads to belief, repentance, and eternal life, you can have it. Cry out to God. He hears our cries and He can save you and change your life right now.
May we all come with childlike faith and learn to enjoy the majestic handiwork of our Heavenly Father, from creation to the cross, once again.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
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