Old Masquerading as New
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
I read a true story about a gay couple that met with the Pastor of a large church. The couple told the pastor, "We want to get baptized. But you need to know that we are gay, and we will not be making any lifestyle changes." To me this sounds like the same obstinacy of people that claim to follow God but refuse to give up racism, hate or any other old sinful ways. How can we claim to be with Christ and continue on a path of sin?
If we have become a new creation in Christ (a human with the Holy Spirit living inside), then the moment will inevitably come where we will need to abandon our old sin behaviors. Andrew, Peter and the “Thunder Brothers” dropped their nets and followed when Christ called (Matthew 4:18-22). Levi the tax man left his business and followed Christ (Mark 2:13-14). Saul (a.k.a. Paul) left a life of religious zeal (and murder) and followed Christ. You can't be a new creation in Christ and still be the same old you. Take off the old self and put on the new says the scripture (Colossians 3:7-10). That is, make every effort and allow God to do His part in making you like Him.
No one puts on new clothes over their old filthy ones. It doesn't make much sense. But it is what many people attempt on a regular basis. Put on humility (1 Peter 5:5). Clothe yourself with Christ (Romans 13:14). Put on the righteousness of the Lord and live a new life, the one He calls us to.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
The Lord Provides
The Lord Provides
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
It is a nice thing to say that “the Lord provides”. But it is a very different thing to know it from your life experience. When you are in need, and you receive a blessing from the Lord, the saying goes from being a cliché to something real and tangible. I hate to say it, but without the test, there is not testimony. When we are in a place of need that is where we will find the goodness of the Lord.
I think it is a magnificent thing to find from personal experience that the Lord does indeed provide, but that is the simplest observation of God’s endowment. The Lord comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others
(2 Corinthians 1:4). I have to ask, “What kind of person are you if you have not given out what the Lord has given to you?” I have to ask, “Hasn’t the Lord been generous to you? If so, where is your generosity?” These questions humble me to a place of forgiving those that do not seek redemption. I am humbled to the point of blessing those that curse me and I am moved to try and Love the unlovely.
When we are living the faith to its full extent, I think we begin to look like the Sheep of Matthew 25. We feed the hungry, refresh the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit those in a place of pain.
The Lord’s provision for us is not something that should be stored away, what the Lord gives us is meant to be passed on to the man or woman standing right next to you. The whole duty of mankind is to worship the lord and to help someone live well in Christ.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
It is a nice thing to say that “the Lord provides”. But it is a very different thing to know it from your life experience. When you are in need, and you receive a blessing from the Lord, the saying goes from being a cliché to something real and tangible. I hate to say it, but without the test, there is not testimony. When we are in a place of need that is where we will find the goodness of the Lord.
I think it is a magnificent thing to find from personal experience that the Lord does indeed provide, but that is the simplest observation of God’s endowment. The Lord comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others
(2 Corinthians 1:4). I have to ask, “What kind of person are you if you have not given out what the Lord has given to you?” I have to ask, “Hasn’t the Lord been generous to you? If so, where is your generosity?” These questions humble me to a place of forgiving those that do not seek redemption. I am humbled to the point of blessing those that curse me and I am moved to try and Love the unlovely.
When we are living the faith to its full extent, I think we begin to look like the Sheep of Matthew 25. We feed the hungry, refresh the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit those in a place of pain.
The Lord’s provision for us is not something that should be stored away, what the Lord gives us is meant to be passed on to the man or woman standing right next to you. The whole duty of mankind is to worship the lord and to help someone live well in Christ.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Self Preservation
Self Preservation
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV
I read a story about a famous and very rich man. He was known for being innovative, artistic, and for living life on his own terms. Near the end of his life he gave a commencement speech to a group of college graduates. He left these words, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living the results of other peoples thinking." He said these things as if living the life of another infuriated him. And I don't think he is alone in his opinion. I think it is rare to meet a person that lives their life for the purpose of others. I think it is uncommon to meet someone that is altruistic. The fact is that we like living by our own rules. Our lives are our own, to do what we want, when we want, damn the consequences. That is the human way to live. Self preservation is what drives humanity; it is what drives each of us.
The people that follow God live differently. Their lives are an offering to God, and that is a good thing. The love of Christ compels them to abandon the old life of self indulgence in favor of a life lived out for Christ. When we gain a better understanding of God's love for us, when we respond to the leading of God's Holy Spirit, we become a conduit of God's love into this world and for each other. The Bible says that anyone who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it (Luke 17:33). All of these things sound exactly like living the results of God’s thoughts.
Man says that we live for self. And to a certain extent, this is true. Caring for (and being true to) yourself and your family is one of the highest forms of honoring God. But it is important to remember that your life stopped being yours at the cross. When God took ownership, He revealed to us that your life is safe only when we loose it in Him.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV
I read a story about a famous and very rich man. He was known for being innovative, artistic, and for living life on his own terms. Near the end of his life he gave a commencement speech to a group of college graduates. He left these words, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living the results of other peoples thinking." He said these things as if living the life of another infuriated him. And I don't think he is alone in his opinion. I think it is rare to meet a person that lives their life for the purpose of others. I think it is uncommon to meet someone that is altruistic. The fact is that we like living by our own rules. Our lives are our own, to do what we want, when we want, damn the consequences. That is the human way to live. Self preservation is what drives humanity; it is what drives each of us.
The people that follow God live differently. Their lives are an offering to God, and that is a good thing. The love of Christ compels them to abandon the old life of self indulgence in favor of a life lived out for Christ. When we gain a better understanding of God's love for us, when we respond to the leading of God's Holy Spirit, we become a conduit of God's love into this world and for each other. The Bible says that anyone who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it (Luke 17:33). All of these things sound exactly like living the results of God’s thoughts.
Man says that we live for self. And to a certain extent, this is true. Caring for (and being true to) yourself and your family is one of the highest forms of honoring God. But it is important to remember that your life stopped being yours at the cross. When God took ownership, He revealed to us that your life is safe only when we loose it in Him.
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Time is now
The Time is now
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:1b NIV
I remember while in my early twenties, thinking that belief in God was something for old people. I always thought that I would become a believer on my death bed or at some really old age, like thirty. When you are young, you carry an erroneous sense of invincibility. You think that nothing can happen to you. But a walk through a local cemetery should cure you of that fallacy. I recall visiting the grave sight of my father and took notice of the range of dates on the neighboring headstones. Someone well into their sixties was right next to a teen. There is no such thing as invincibility. Time is the only difference between those of us above ground and those beneath. Real faith in God isn't reserved for the elderly; it isn't something that only kids believe either. The time for faith is now.
I know that salvation in Christ is something that comes in God’s time. But in retrospect, I am remorseful that I did not pursue God at a younger age. I wish I had stopped spinning my wheels and embraced the Lord in my early formative years. I would love to have had God in mind in my youth, before the years began to rob me of strength and abounding joy (Ecclesiastes 12:1). If I had pursued God earlier…, I would have avoided so many pitfalls. I would not have hurt so many others. And maybe the pain I felt would have had some godly purpose beyond mere suffering. I would be more the man I should be and I might even be more mature. But God does things on His time. And that includes drawing us to Him. And for all I know, He used those failures and the suffering just for that purpose.
The fact is that it is never too late or too soon to give yourself to God. No matter if you are young or further along in years, your walk with God will be fervent, filled with vitality and overflowing with profound intimacy and learning. But you have to start today. None of us are promised tomorrow. All we have is the moment we are currently in. Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. Will you choose God today?
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:1b NIV
I remember while in my early twenties, thinking that belief in God was something for old people. I always thought that I would become a believer on my death bed or at some really old age, like thirty. When you are young, you carry an erroneous sense of invincibility. You think that nothing can happen to you. But a walk through a local cemetery should cure you of that fallacy. I recall visiting the grave sight of my father and took notice of the range of dates on the neighboring headstones. Someone well into their sixties was right next to a teen. There is no such thing as invincibility. Time is the only difference between those of us above ground and those beneath. Real faith in God isn't reserved for the elderly; it isn't something that only kids believe either. The time for faith is now.
I know that salvation in Christ is something that comes in God’s time. But in retrospect, I am remorseful that I did not pursue God at a younger age. I wish I had stopped spinning my wheels and embraced the Lord in my early formative years. I would love to have had God in mind in my youth, before the years began to rob me of strength and abounding joy (Ecclesiastes 12:1). If I had pursued God earlier…, I would have avoided so many pitfalls. I would not have hurt so many others. And maybe the pain I felt would have had some godly purpose beyond mere suffering. I would be more the man I should be and I might even be more mature. But God does things on His time. And that includes drawing us to Him. And for all I know, He used those failures and the suffering just for that purpose.
The fact is that it is never too late or too soon to give yourself to God. No matter if you are young or further along in years, your walk with God will be fervent, filled with vitality and overflowing with profound intimacy and learning. But you have to start today. None of us are promised tomorrow. All we have is the moment we are currently in. Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. Will you choose God today?
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