Laying False Claim
As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV
Over the years I have met far too many people that lay false claim to God's promises, particularly to grace. One would say that he or she is a "child of grace" as a means to do, say and act as they please, without concern for consequences. They practice Cheap Grace which has no real value at all. Genuine Grace always precedes and follows a sincere act of repentance. Real Grace sort of hems us into a place of reconciliation with the Father. Genuine Grace is when God gives us what we need versus what we deserve.
Years ago I would have said that people that have not gone through trouble should not speak of grace - I was wrong. People go through all sorts of hell and never realize a need for Christ or for grace. Your circumstances are irrelevant. The one real factor is to recognize your need and to respond to the aid that God is offering. Just like the salvation we have in Christ. It is always present in this world, but cannot be had unless we acknowledge a need for him. Likewise, grace is also something that is ever present, but can only be acquired by calling for it in honesty and sincerity.
People that practice Cheap Grace think of grace as a commodity. They think grace can be saved in a heavenly account or stored in a spiritual cabinet for a rainy day. The truth is that we get all the grace we need, but only for the day. Everyday there is a new supply that covers our needs. Just like manna, you can gather a lot or a little, but you will only have what you need (Exodus 16:18). I think grace (among other things) is designed that way so that we can remember to depend on the Lord everyday, for the rest of our lives.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Radical Christianity
When Jesus spoke again he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV
What separates the religion of Christianity from radical Christianity? Those involved in religion get to keep their prejudices and sin proclivities. Most times, religion boils down to nothing more than a hyped up, superficial play on individualized and flexible morality. The religion of Christianity is only a veneer of Christ that has been glued on top of the person. But, should you look beneath the covering, you will find that which religion leads to, which is fraud, bitterness and disillusionment. But radical Christianity goes beyond the surface. It penetrates our entire being, down to the core. It challenges our preconceived ideas and purges us of sin, darkness and hopelessness.
Christology without Christ will always degenerate to anger, a lack of understanding and bitterness with God. But the Radical Christian always walks in the illumination of Christ. Walking in the light of Christ will inevitably lead to freedom (John 8:36) and godly peace beyond our natural understanding (Philippians 4:7). One of the super-natural consequences of walking in the Christ Light is that we will be renewed in our minds. At that point we will be able to test and approve what God's will is (Romans 12:2).
Following Christ has never been about mere analytical belief. It has always been about belief coupled with the Lordship of Christ in the life of the follower. Walking in the light of Christ seems to me the minimum that is expected of those that claim to be Christians. But now we live in such a time that being a fully-devoted follower of Christ is actually considered Radical Christianity.
When Jesus spoke again he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV
What separates the religion of Christianity from radical Christianity? Those involved in religion get to keep their prejudices and sin proclivities. Most times, religion boils down to nothing more than a hyped up, superficial play on individualized and flexible morality. The religion of Christianity is only a veneer of Christ that has been glued on top of the person. But, should you look beneath the covering, you will find that which religion leads to, which is fraud, bitterness and disillusionment. But radical Christianity goes beyond the surface. It penetrates our entire being, down to the core. It challenges our preconceived ideas and purges us of sin, darkness and hopelessness.
Christology without Christ will always degenerate to anger, a lack of understanding and bitterness with God. But the Radical Christian always walks in the illumination of Christ. Walking in the light of Christ will inevitably lead to freedom (John 8:36) and godly peace beyond our natural understanding (Philippians 4:7). One of the super-natural consequences of walking in the Christ Light is that we will be renewed in our minds. At that point we will be able to test and approve what God's will is (Romans 12:2).
Following Christ has never been about mere analytical belief. It has always been about belief coupled with the Lordship of Christ in the life of the follower. Walking in the light of Christ seems to me the minimum that is expected of those that claim to be Christians. But now we live in such a time that being a fully-devoted follower of Christ is actually considered Radical Christianity.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Call them Forgiven
[Jesus] breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
John 20:22-23 NIV
The whole idea of “one man calling another man forgiven” sends a bit of a shiver up my spine. These words (or maybe a commission) from Jesus sounds blasphemous. I really want to correct Jesus and remind him that only God can forgive sins. I want to remind Jesus of King David's words, "Against you alone have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4). If all of our sins are ultimately against God, then it is He alone who holds our absolution. But even now, I am struggling with this. Why would Jesus would share this power with mere men?
I think that when a man confesses his sins to the Lord, he is forgiven. But when a man confesses his sins to a brother or sister in the faith, the community shares the burden of his sins and has the right (and duty) to forgive him. If we believers really are the aroma of Christ to those being saved (2 Corinthians 2:15), then I think we represent Christ in this world. And part of representing the Lord involves calling the repentant forgiven and the unrepentant accountable. And this accountability is not "judging", which too many are critical and fearful of. As long as we have called upon the Holy Spirit first, then calling a sin a sin is in keeping with the character of Christ. And likewise, calling a man or woman forgiven is also in keeping with the character of Christ.
Calling a person forgiven is not so much about absolving them as it is about restoring them. God gladly rejoices because one soul has repented. He forgives them without restraint, alms, favors or coercion because their heart has turned to Him. And we too should rejoice when someone confesses their sins and turns toward the Lord. When one tells us of their sins, they have placed their entire trust in the community of believers. And like God, we can restore them by calling them "Forgiven".
[Jesus] breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
John 20:22-23 NIV
The whole idea of “one man calling another man forgiven” sends a bit of a shiver up my spine. These words (or maybe a commission) from Jesus sounds blasphemous. I really want to correct Jesus and remind him that only God can forgive sins. I want to remind Jesus of King David's words, "Against you alone have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4). If all of our sins are ultimately against God, then it is He alone who holds our absolution. But even now, I am struggling with this. Why would Jesus would share this power with mere men?
I think that when a man confesses his sins to the Lord, he is forgiven. But when a man confesses his sins to a brother or sister in the faith, the community shares the burden of his sins and has the right (and duty) to forgive him. If we believers really are the aroma of Christ to those being saved (2 Corinthians 2:15), then I think we represent Christ in this world. And part of representing the Lord involves calling the repentant forgiven and the unrepentant accountable. And this accountability is not "judging", which too many are critical and fearful of. As long as we have called upon the Holy Spirit first, then calling a sin a sin is in keeping with the character of Christ. And likewise, calling a man or woman forgiven is also in keeping with the character of Christ.
Calling a person forgiven is not so much about absolving them as it is about restoring them. God gladly rejoices because one soul has repented. He forgives them without restraint, alms, favors or coercion because their heart has turned to Him. And we too should rejoice when someone confesses their sins and turns toward the Lord. When one tells us of their sins, they have placed their entire trust in the community of believers. And like God, we can restore them by calling them "Forgiven".
Friday, August 9, 2013
That of the Erroneous Opinion
That of the Erroneous Opinion
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
1 Peter 3:18 New Living Translation
None believers always seem to have the erroneous opinion that Christians should be better than they are, but we aren't. They think that we are delusional hypocrites, that we have an air of moral superiority, but we rarely live up to our own standards. They think that Jesus died to make us better, but that isn't true. He didn't die to make us better, he died to make us his. In a sense, it is a change of title, a change of ownership. That is the whole reality of Christendom that all non believers and so many believers have not yet been able to grasp.
The mature believer understands that while Jesus died to make us his own, the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised has come to remind us of the Word and to show us God’s will and how to live it (John 14:26). And this I fear is thoroughly beyond the grasp of the masses. This is the Lords sanctification. Over time, the Lord will use His Spirit and His Word to make us more into the people He has intended. And I imagine He has intended us to look a bit more like Christ, like the Father Himself. While the rest of the world trumpets individuality, we trumpet Christ! We seek to be pleasing to God, our Father, because He has given us everything in Christ Jesus.
No, the world does not understand. But that does not stop me from praying that they will.
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
1 Peter 3:18 New Living Translation
None believers always seem to have the erroneous opinion that Christians should be better than they are, but we aren't. They think that we are delusional hypocrites, that we have an air of moral superiority, but we rarely live up to our own standards. They think that Jesus died to make us better, but that isn't true. He didn't die to make us better, he died to make us his. In a sense, it is a change of title, a change of ownership. That is the whole reality of Christendom that all non believers and so many believers have not yet been able to grasp.
The mature believer understands that while Jesus died to make us his own, the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised has come to remind us of the Word and to show us God’s will and how to live it (John 14:26). And this I fear is thoroughly beyond the grasp of the masses. This is the Lords sanctification. Over time, the Lord will use His Spirit and His Word to make us more into the people He has intended. And I imagine He has intended us to look a bit more like Christ, like the Father Himself. While the rest of the world trumpets individuality, we trumpet Christ! We seek to be pleasing to God, our Father, because He has given us everything in Christ Jesus.
No, the world does not understand. But that does not stop me from praying that they will.
Friday, August 2, 2013
A Good Friend
A Good Friend
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Psalm 18:24 NIV
Several years ago I used to lead a Bible study group for a church I attended. All of the study group leaders had a "coach". But I was sort of the lone wolf among the others because I didn't have an official coach for over five years, that is, until John was assigned to me (John isn't his real name). We met only two times. On our third meeting John was stern; I think he was attempting to assume the role of leader between the two of us. He said, "Eric, take a few days to think about what I am about to say... You need to decide what you want to get out of our time together." I told him, "I don't need time to figure it out. I want a friend." I only heard from John one time after that... he asked me for money.
After dealing with John I felt foolish and immature. I had bought into the idea that other Christians were my brothers, sisters and mothers (Mark 3:35). And if you can believe it, I believed that we believers would show the world who we are by the love we have for each other. But the reality that came upon me was that my walk with the Lord would be just that, me and Jesus alone. I felt gullible, but I was okay with the idea that I would continue to be the lone wolf while other Christians had a connection of some type. I knew I would always be on the outside and they were the impenetrable clique.
My lone wolf approach to Christianity was challenged by one of my current study groups. Ester quoted James 5:14 and said, "The Lord's word has such wonderful promises, but so few believe. Let's believe Him and pray right now. We should pray for Eric right now!" If you can believe it, Nancy brought oil, and Dorsey anointed my head. Ester and her husband Andy held me close. As I tilted my head down to pray, I could see all the hands of Nancy, Aaron, Naomi, Andy, Doc and Sandy coming toward me... I think I finally understand the idea of Christian brothers, sisters and mothers. And they did all of this for me, I believe, because of another friend I have that is even closer still.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Psalm 18:24 NIV
Several years ago I used to lead a Bible study group for a church I attended. All of the study group leaders had a "coach". But I was sort of the lone wolf among the others because I didn't have an official coach for over five years, that is, until John was assigned to me (John isn't his real name). We met only two times. On our third meeting John was stern; I think he was attempting to assume the role of leader between the two of us. He said, "Eric, take a few days to think about what I am about to say... You need to decide what you want to get out of our time together." I told him, "I don't need time to figure it out. I want a friend." I only heard from John one time after that... he asked me for money.
After dealing with John I felt foolish and immature. I had bought into the idea that other Christians were my brothers, sisters and mothers (Mark 3:35). And if you can believe it, I believed that we believers would show the world who we are by the love we have for each other. But the reality that came upon me was that my walk with the Lord would be just that, me and Jesus alone. I felt gullible, but I was okay with the idea that I would continue to be the lone wolf while other Christians had a connection of some type. I knew I would always be on the outside and they were the impenetrable clique.
My lone wolf approach to Christianity was challenged by one of my current study groups. Ester quoted James 5:14 and said, "The Lord's word has such wonderful promises, but so few believe. Let's believe Him and pray right now. We should pray for Eric right now!" If you can believe it, Nancy brought oil, and Dorsey anointed my head. Ester and her husband Andy held me close. As I tilted my head down to pray, I could see all the hands of Nancy, Aaron, Naomi, Andy, Doc and Sandy coming toward me... I think I finally understand the idea of Christian brothers, sisters and mothers. And they did all of this for me, I believe, because of another friend I have that is even closer still.
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