Think Soberly
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Romans 12:3 NIV
The fool studies himself and comes to the conclusion that there is only good. The person that thinks of him or herself as “full of good” will look at the cross-work of Christ in bewilderment for it has no point or purpose for them. The fool speaks to him or her self and says that, "Faith is foolishness. I've no need for God. He does not exist (Psalm 14:1)." For them, faith is something to exploit, not to embrace. They take no pleasure in the things of God.
A person that believes in God, that is, has accepted Christ as Lord, is a person of wisdom. A man or woman of wisdom may examine themselves and err by only looking at the bad, the things that need work. Such judgment is most certainly inebriated by the thinking-ways of this world. A sound and sober self assessment must always consider the things that God will repair and that which has been imputed by Christ.
When a Christian examines his or her life, that person must always consider the position one holds in Christ. Or in other words, look at yourself with the perspective that God holds in His gaze. He looks at you and me and sees a son or a daughter that He loves. He sees living stones that remind Him of Christ. When He observes us he sees "the chosen ones", a royal priesthood and people of praise (1 Peter 2). We have been endowed with courage, understanding, power and right standing with God. And you can't ignore that which God has given.
When you make a sober self assessment, you will most certainly find something uncomfortable. But you will also find that God has begun a great work in you. And God always finishes what He starts!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
New ain't always better
New ain't always better
Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. I John 2:22 NIV
I didn't know it had a name. On the outskirts it looks like a place to build a bridge of peace and acceptance. At some level we probably need religious tolerance. But as I move from the outskirts and get closer to the center, what seemed idyllic takes on an enormous sense of spiritual poverty. I might even call it a place of modern day heresy, or apostasy... or both.
They call it Chrislam... I can barely write it; just the title sends shivers up my spine. If Christianity and Islam got together to have a kid, Chrislam would be their offspring. Chrislam is cloaked as a "God's love" movement. But underneath, it is more than an attempt to merge two religions; it is an attack on the most deeply held truth of The Faith. If you merge the two faiths, are the people that follow Islam going to take Christ as Savior and Lord? I sincerely doubt it. The only way to merge the two faiths is to remove Christ from the picture. And you would have to because the Jesus of the Bible draws a line between himself… and every one else. Jesus didn't say, "I am one of the ways, one of the many truths and one of the many ways to get life." Jesus never endorsed an alternate route to his dad. He always claimed to be the only way. What Jesus actually said was, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” (John 14:6)
Islam teaches that Jesus (among other things) was merely a great teacher. And that type of idea attempts to remove the deity of Christ and nullify Christianity. The only way to merge Christianity and Islam into a new religion is to deny Christ. And let me say that new ain't always better.
Consider the words of today's verse very carefully. These are strong words for sure, but reflect on them cautiously none the less. Today's verse says that if we deny Christ, we become antichrists. If one denies Christ, that person is a liar. And lastly, a denial of Christ is a denial of God Himself.
Without sound doctrine, we will fall away from the faith that God has delivered to us on the shoulders of Jesus. Without sound doctrine, Chrislam sounds like a pretty good idea.
Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. I John 2:22 NIV
I didn't know it had a name. On the outskirts it looks like a place to build a bridge of peace and acceptance. At some level we probably need religious tolerance. But as I move from the outskirts and get closer to the center, what seemed idyllic takes on an enormous sense of spiritual poverty. I might even call it a place of modern day heresy, or apostasy... or both.
They call it Chrislam... I can barely write it; just the title sends shivers up my spine. If Christianity and Islam got together to have a kid, Chrislam would be their offspring. Chrislam is cloaked as a "God's love" movement. But underneath, it is more than an attempt to merge two religions; it is an attack on the most deeply held truth of The Faith. If you merge the two faiths, are the people that follow Islam going to take Christ as Savior and Lord? I sincerely doubt it. The only way to merge the two faiths is to remove Christ from the picture. And you would have to because the Jesus of the Bible draws a line between himself… and every one else. Jesus didn't say, "I am one of the ways, one of the many truths and one of the many ways to get life." Jesus never endorsed an alternate route to his dad. He always claimed to be the only way. What Jesus actually said was, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” (John 14:6)
Islam teaches that Jesus (among other things) was merely a great teacher. And that type of idea attempts to remove the deity of Christ and nullify Christianity. The only way to merge Christianity and Islam into a new religion is to deny Christ. And let me say that new ain't always better.
Consider the words of today's verse very carefully. These are strong words for sure, but reflect on them cautiously none the less. Today's verse says that if we deny Christ, we become antichrists. If one denies Christ, that person is a liar. And lastly, a denial of Christ is a denial of God Himself.
Without sound doctrine, we will fall away from the faith that God has delivered to us on the shoulders of Jesus. Without sound doctrine, Chrislam sounds like a pretty good idea.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Construction Site
Construction Site
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2a NLT
I was talking to my brother Jerome. We were talking about the transformation of the believer. One comment he made was that “We are all under construction.” Indeed I even thought at one time of having a t-shirt made that announced the same slogan. But it took some time and hard knocks to come to the reality that God was not finished with me yet.
At times I have gotten off kilter. I have considered my position with God and thought to myself, “I have arrived.” And in short time I’d loose my temper or experience physical pain or find myself in humbling circumstances. Then with severe clarity God would use these events to show me that I have so far to go. I could hear Him in my head saying that, “There is no time for laurel resting with me. All you’ve done is reap, the hard work has been done by others (John 4:38). Son, its time for you to begin the work I have set aside for you.” And God being the Master Architect that He is, He begins hauling away that which is not on His blueprint and building a new foundation with His Spirit.
While God continues His work, I sometimes wonder how much more I can take. I wonder if He keeps going, I won’t even be me any longer. And that may be His point and purpose. He intends to make me into something so grand, that I’ll simply need to wait and see the finished creation. God is changing you into something so amazing we can only wait in anticipation to see the end outcome.
We are both in the hands of the Master Builder and He is in process of building us into something great. The next time I see a believer struggling, I should remember that God is working on them. He is changing them into something that will bring Him glory. I need to remember that those who belong to Him are under construction.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2a NLT
I was talking to my brother Jerome. We were talking about the transformation of the believer. One comment he made was that “We are all under construction.” Indeed I even thought at one time of having a t-shirt made that announced the same slogan. But it took some time and hard knocks to come to the reality that God was not finished with me yet.
At times I have gotten off kilter. I have considered my position with God and thought to myself, “I have arrived.” And in short time I’d loose my temper or experience physical pain or find myself in humbling circumstances. Then with severe clarity God would use these events to show me that I have so far to go. I could hear Him in my head saying that, “There is no time for laurel resting with me. All you’ve done is reap, the hard work has been done by others (John 4:38). Son, its time for you to begin the work I have set aside for you.” And God being the Master Architect that He is, He begins hauling away that which is not on His blueprint and building a new foundation with His Spirit.
While God continues His work, I sometimes wonder how much more I can take. I wonder if He keeps going, I won’t even be me any longer. And that may be His point and purpose. He intends to make me into something so grand, that I’ll simply need to wait and see the finished creation. God is changing you into something so amazing we can only wait in anticipation to see the end outcome.
We are both in the hands of the Master Builder and He is in process of building us into something great. The next time I see a believer struggling, I should remember that God is working on them. He is changing them into something that will bring Him glory. I need to remember that those who belong to Him are under construction.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Free Street
Free Street
If the son makes you free, you are free indeed. John 8:36
I am on a new path. I have been on this street for some time, but the name has eluded me until recently. It is sort of like driving on a street and not knowing the name of the street until you come to a cross roads. There, at the intersection was a large sign that said "Free St".
In the past I have been tripped up, sort of lost on Legalism Ave. The more I tried to be good, the more I followed the rules, the worse I became. In short, trying to be good was killing me. When I was on Legalism Ave, I was miserable and I think I made everyone around me miserable too (God Bless my poor wife for what she has had to endure while living with me). I used the law to try and acquire freedom, but it didn't work. Legalism's power resides in its uncanny ability to point out failures. And all I did on Legalism Ave. was illuminate my sin and failures. I think it a good thing to have gotten acquainted with my sins. But thank goodness that Legalism came to a dead end. I had to choose one direction or the other. I could leave everything I learned and head towards Faithless Lane or embrace God, in spite of the troubles and head to Free St.
You know, the first stop on Free St. was a place named Acceptance. Before, I only knew the letter of the law and the harshness of judgment. But along came freedom... I was suddenly free to love God and be loved by Him. And God's love always lifts us to a place called Joy. But no one get's to Joy without having started with Christ, for he is where freedom begins.
If the son makes you free, you are free indeed. John 8:36
I am on a new path. I have been on this street for some time, but the name has eluded me until recently. It is sort of like driving on a street and not knowing the name of the street until you come to a cross roads. There, at the intersection was a large sign that said "Free St".
In the past I have been tripped up, sort of lost on Legalism Ave. The more I tried to be good, the more I followed the rules, the worse I became. In short, trying to be good was killing me. When I was on Legalism Ave, I was miserable and I think I made everyone around me miserable too (God Bless my poor wife for what she has had to endure while living with me). I used the law to try and acquire freedom, but it didn't work. Legalism's power resides in its uncanny ability to point out failures. And all I did on Legalism Ave. was illuminate my sin and failures. I think it a good thing to have gotten acquainted with my sins. But thank goodness that Legalism came to a dead end. I had to choose one direction or the other. I could leave everything I learned and head towards Faithless Lane or embrace God, in spite of the troubles and head to Free St.
You know, the first stop on Free St. was a place named Acceptance. Before, I only knew the letter of the law and the harshness of judgment. But along came freedom... I was suddenly free to love God and be loved by Him. And God's love always lifts us to a place called Joy. But no one get's to Joy without having started with Christ, for he is where freedom begins.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Believe
Believe
For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him would have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NIV
One might think that believing is well enough, but it isn't. There is more to believing in Christ than mere cognizance, for even demons claim belief (James 2:19). I think we assume closeness with God just because we have learned about Him, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I can read all about a man, knowing the facts and accomplishments of his life. But if I have never met him, never spent significant time with him, how can I know the fine details of his identity? You need an ongoing personal encounter to know the truth.
Knowing Christ is sort of a labor of love. I need to wade through a multitude of misconceptions and lies that surround him before even getting a glimpse of the real Jesus. Foremost, I need to get over his outrageous claims; "Can he really rebuild the temple in three days? Is he really "from heaven" or just an illegitimate child?" Jesus' claims about himself are so radical that he is either a megalomaniac, crazy or... they are true. And when one finds that his claims are true, is that enough? I don't think it is.
Until you have added the essential ingredient, simply believing in him is useless. The missing ingredient is y.o.u. Until you have invested yourself into God, you will never know Him. I wonder how many people follow the sacraments, keep the law and speak the lingo and think they have God's approval? God could raise up stones to follow the law and offer platitudes. But what the Father really desires is you, all of you, the real you.
Just maybe, belief is when we place ourselves completely in God's hands, no matter the cost. At least, that is what Christ did, and I imagine God would expect nothing less from us... to fully believe.
For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him would have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NIV
One might think that believing is well enough, but it isn't. There is more to believing in Christ than mere cognizance, for even demons claim belief (James 2:19). I think we assume closeness with God just because we have learned about Him, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I can read all about a man, knowing the facts and accomplishments of his life. But if I have never met him, never spent significant time with him, how can I know the fine details of his identity? You need an ongoing personal encounter to know the truth.
Knowing Christ is sort of a labor of love. I need to wade through a multitude of misconceptions and lies that surround him before even getting a glimpse of the real Jesus. Foremost, I need to get over his outrageous claims; "Can he really rebuild the temple in three days? Is he really "from heaven" or just an illegitimate child?" Jesus' claims about himself are so radical that he is either a megalomaniac, crazy or... they are true. And when one finds that his claims are true, is that enough? I don't think it is.
Until you have added the essential ingredient, simply believing in him is useless. The missing ingredient is y.o.u. Until you have invested yourself into God, you will never know Him. I wonder how many people follow the sacraments, keep the law and speak the lingo and think they have God's approval? God could raise up stones to follow the law and offer platitudes. But what the Father really desires is you, all of you, the real you.
Just maybe, belief is when we place ourselves completely in God's hands, no matter the cost. At least, that is what Christ did, and I imagine God would expect nothing less from us... to fully believe.
Believe
Believe
For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him would have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NIV
One might think that believing is well enough, but it isn't. There is more to believing in Christ than mere cognizance, for even demons claim belief (James 2:19). I think we assume closeness with God just because we have learned about Him, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I can read all about a man, knowing the facts and accomplishments of his life. But if I have never met him, never spent significant time with him, how can I know the fine details of his identity? You need an ongoing personal encounter to know the truth.
Knowing Christ is sort of a labor of love. I need to wade through a multitude of misconceptions and lies that surround him before even getting a glimpse of the real Jesus. Foremost, I need to get over his outrageous claims; "Can he really rebuild the temple in three days? Is he really "from heaven" or just an illegitimate child?" Jesus' claims about himself are so radical that he is either a megalomaniac, crazy or... they are true. And when one finds that his claims are true, is that enough? I don't think it is.
Until you have added the essential ingredient, simply believing in him is useless. The missing ingredient is y.o.u. Until you have invested yourself into God, you will never know Him. I wonder how many people follow the sacraments, keep the law and speak the lingo and think they have God's approval? God could raise up stones to follow the law and offer platitudes. But what the Father really desires is you, all of you, the real you.
Just maybe, belief is when we place ourselves completely in God's hands, no matter the cost. At least, that is what Christ did, and I imagine God would expect nothing less from us... to fully believe.
For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him would have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NIV
One might think that believing is well enough, but it isn't. There is more to believing in Christ than mere cognizance, for even demons claim belief (James 2:19). I think we assume closeness with God just because we have learned about Him, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I can read all about a man, knowing the facts and accomplishments of his life. But if I have never met him, never spent significant time with him, how can I know the fine details of his identity? You need an ongoing personal encounter to know the truth.
Knowing Christ is sort of a labor of love. I need to wade through a multitude of misconceptions and lies that surround him before even getting a glimpse of the real Jesus. Foremost, I need to get over his outrageous claims; "Can he really rebuild the temple in three days? Is he really "from heaven" or just an illegitimate child?" Jesus' claims about himself are so radical that he is either a megalomaniac, crazy or... they are true. And when one finds that his claims are true, is that enough? I don't think it is.
Until you have added the essential ingredient, simply believing in him is useless. The missing ingredient is y.o.u. Until you have invested yourself into God, you will never know Him. I wonder how many people follow the sacraments, keep the law and speak the lingo and think they have God's approval? God could raise up stones to follow the law and offer platitudes. But what the Father really desires is you, all of you, the real you.
Just maybe, belief is when we place ourselves completely in God's hands, no matter the cost. At least, that is what Christ did, and I imagine God would expect nothing less from us... to fully believe.
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