Simple truths, applied Faith
Therefore anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 NIV
I used to hear people use the term, "Intellectual Ascent" in reference to people that knew about the Bible, but did not believe it. I think that term makes sense also for people that know about Christ, but do not do what he says. Do you know people that participate in Bible study and church services, but they don't seem to act on anything they've learned?
“Simple Truths, Applied Faith”. That was the motto I wanted to use if I had become a pastor. I reasoned that if a person were to thrive in this life, that person would need to stick to simplicity and action oriented faith. If an idea or message is grounded in scripture and simplicity then the Holy Spirit can use that message to speak to the hearts and minds of the layman and the intellectual. In my own life, I have never learned more than when I had to apply my faith to everyday life.
I think that understanding and faith, when used together, become wisdom. Just knowing about godly things may produce frustration, thinking that God is reluctant and useless. Conversely, a person that works with no true understanding will become arrogant about their accomplishments. They will think that they have earned something with God. But I think that a balance of intellect and works produces wisdom. If the two are properly balanced in the follower of Christ, the outcome is the ability to not only withstand the tests we will face in this life, but also face the testing we must withstand when we meet God face to face.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
How, Why and Who?
How, Why and Who?
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." Psalm 14:1 NIV
A very popular scientist and television host had these words to say about the theory of evolution; “And I say to the grownups, if you want to deny evolution and live in your world, in your world that's completely inconsistent with everything we observe in the universe, that's fine, but don't make your kids do it because we need them. We need scientifically literate voters and taxpayers for the future." And this same scientist had this to say about creation (Intelligent design), "It's just really a hard thing. You know, in another couple of centuries that world view, I'm sure, will be, it just won't exist. There's no evidence for it."
I think that the scientific community has always had trouble with faith because they seek to answer the wrong questions. Science can only answer the "how". Faith answers the "why" and the "who". Faith answers the question; “How were we created?” We were hand crafted by God as He gave us the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). “Why were we created?” To be the object of His affections, to worship Him and to do Godly good works. “Who created us?” Jehovah God.
God gave us science and minds capable of great understanding so that we can notice Him, in all that He has created (Romans 1:20). But the foolish looks at everything God has made and says that "There is no God." These people, these fools at heart, they are very much like men that look in the mirror and forget what they look like the moment they turn away (James 1:23-24). But you, you men and women of faith, you keep following what is right. If you persevere in your faith, God will keep His word and give you the Crown of Eternal Life (James 1:12).
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." Psalm 14:1 NIV
A very popular scientist and television host had these words to say about the theory of evolution; “And I say to the grownups, if you want to deny evolution and live in your world, in your world that's completely inconsistent with everything we observe in the universe, that's fine, but don't make your kids do it because we need them. We need scientifically literate voters and taxpayers for the future." And this same scientist had this to say about creation (Intelligent design), "It's just really a hard thing. You know, in another couple of centuries that world view, I'm sure, will be, it just won't exist. There's no evidence for it."
I think that the scientific community has always had trouble with faith because they seek to answer the wrong questions. Science can only answer the "how". Faith answers the "why" and the "who". Faith answers the question; “How were we created?” We were hand crafted by God as He gave us the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). “Why were we created?” To be the object of His affections, to worship Him and to do Godly good works. “Who created us?” Jehovah God.
God gave us science and minds capable of great understanding so that we can notice Him, in all that He has created (Romans 1:20). But the foolish looks at everything God has made and says that "There is no God." These people, these fools at heart, they are very much like men that look in the mirror and forget what they look like the moment they turn away (James 1:23-24). But you, you men and women of faith, you keep following what is right. If you persevere in your faith, God will keep His word and give you the Crown of Eternal Life (James 1:12).
Friday, August 15, 2014
Godly Peace
Godly Peace
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:19-20 NIV
When I think of peace, I oftentimes think of David's 23rd Psalm. I imagine being lead to safe green pastures. I can almost taste the cool refreshing waters that will restore me. This is the place where goodness and mercy will be my constant companions. And all at once I am shaken from said peace to the sound of nails and hammers, the pinch of a thorny crown and the weight of the Lord's cross. Where is the peace that God promised?
It "pleased" God to bring us peace by the blood of Christ. Or in other words, this was the necessity that destroyed enmity between God and mankind. I wonder... is this the flaw Christians have in understanding peace, if not Christianity as a whole? If you are a believer for more than a few moments, you will quickly come to the realization that there has to be more to "peace" than green pastures, still waters and the absence of hostility and danger. Maybe godly peace is not the absence of chaos, pain or danger. Maybe, godly peace is knowing that your relationship with God is secure. No one and nothing can unhinge you from God, and I think that creates a kind of "well-being" within our souls that cannot be moved by any circumstance, even the threat of harm or death.
I think we foolishly assume that godly peace equals security while on planet Earth. Maybe God intends for us to traverse the difficult paths so that we can lead others into something worth more than mere safety; to lead others to Christ, to grace, to mercy, to God our Father and into service, in spite of the circumstances.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:19-20 NIV
When I think of peace, I oftentimes think of David's 23rd Psalm. I imagine being lead to safe green pastures. I can almost taste the cool refreshing waters that will restore me. This is the place where goodness and mercy will be my constant companions. And all at once I am shaken from said peace to the sound of nails and hammers, the pinch of a thorny crown and the weight of the Lord's cross. Where is the peace that God promised?
It "pleased" God to bring us peace by the blood of Christ. Or in other words, this was the necessity that destroyed enmity between God and mankind. I wonder... is this the flaw Christians have in understanding peace, if not Christianity as a whole? If you are a believer for more than a few moments, you will quickly come to the realization that there has to be more to "peace" than green pastures, still waters and the absence of hostility and danger. Maybe godly peace is not the absence of chaos, pain or danger. Maybe, godly peace is knowing that your relationship with God is secure. No one and nothing can unhinge you from God, and I think that creates a kind of "well-being" within our souls that cannot be moved by any circumstance, even the threat of harm or death.
I think we foolishly assume that godly peace equals security while on planet Earth. Maybe God intends for us to traverse the difficult paths so that we can lead others into something worth more than mere safety; to lead others to Christ, to grace, to mercy, to God our Father and into service, in spite of the circumstances.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Performance Christianity
Performance Christianity
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12 NIV
Do you ever get caught up in "Performance Christianity"? I know I do. Far too many times I think that my relationship with God is measured by every "good act of service". If I do Christian things and think Godly thoughts then God loves me. If I do sinful things and think selfishly, then God loves me not. Some may even think that doing good things adds points and bad things take away points from the love bank. But that is not how God interacts with those that love Him.
At work, my daily performance determines whether I can remain employed. In sports, performance determines whether you can remain on the team. But with God, your relationship with Christ is the determining factor. You are His by Christ, or you aren’t. If you belong to God, then your life should reflect that, should reflect the Father living in you. If we place all our trust in Christ and develop a life attitude of confession and repentance, then we are indeed separated from the guilt of our sin. How far are we removed? Well, what is the distance between the end of the east and the start of west? And this removal of sin is not a reflection of our piety; it reflects the work of Christ!
I you are facing some hard circumstances in life you might think that God has forgotten about you. You may think that He is angry with you over your failures. Or even worse, you may think that you need to earn God's love. But if you love Him, repent and believe in His son, and there will no longer be any resentment. God was never surprised at our failures. That’s why we have grace.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12 NIV
Do you ever get caught up in "Performance Christianity"? I know I do. Far too many times I think that my relationship with God is measured by every "good act of service". If I do Christian things and think Godly thoughts then God loves me. If I do sinful things and think selfishly, then God loves me not. Some may even think that doing good things adds points and bad things take away points from the love bank. But that is not how God interacts with those that love Him.
At work, my daily performance determines whether I can remain employed. In sports, performance determines whether you can remain on the team. But with God, your relationship with Christ is the determining factor. You are His by Christ, or you aren’t. If you belong to God, then your life should reflect that, should reflect the Father living in you. If we place all our trust in Christ and develop a life attitude of confession and repentance, then we are indeed separated from the guilt of our sin. How far are we removed? Well, what is the distance between the end of the east and the start of west? And this removal of sin is not a reflection of our piety; it reflects the work of Christ!
I you are facing some hard circumstances in life you might think that God has forgotten about you. You may think that He is angry with you over your failures. Or even worse, you may think that you need to earn God's love. But if you love Him, repent and believe in His son, and there will no longer be any resentment. God was never surprised at our failures. That’s why we have grace.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Our Holy Father
Our Holy Father
"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matthew 6:9 NIV
As Christians, we have a privilege that no one else in the world can boast; we get to call God our “Father”. But I wonder sometimes if familiarity (this gift of son ship and daughterhood) has caused us to take God for granted? Maybe we sometimes forget the rest of this sample prayer; “Holy is your name”?
God is “Father”, but He is also holy. There is no one like Him. Or, you can think of it this way… Before Christ, we were the children of wrath. We represented everything that God isn’t. Or, have you forgotten that there is not a person on earth that does right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20)? God is Holy and He cannot make His home with someone that is not covered with the blood of Christ. You may ask, “Is God loving?” The answer is yes. You may wonder, “Does He forgive?” And the answer is yes, yes. But all of the things we need to get close to God are out of our hands, other than a total and radical reliance upon Christ. And a radical reliance on him shows itself in a changed mind, a changed heart and a changed life.
I am thankful for the ministry of Christ (taking the guilt of mankind on himself in order to reconcile us to God). I am grateful that God is a worthy and exalted Father. For I cannot imagine anyone else who could (or would) make me innocent by the blood of His son. Who else would give so much to buy His enemy out of the grip of sin? None but a heavenly Father, whose name shall always remain holy.
"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matthew 6:9 NIV
As Christians, we have a privilege that no one else in the world can boast; we get to call God our “Father”. But I wonder sometimes if familiarity (this gift of son ship and daughterhood) has caused us to take God for granted? Maybe we sometimes forget the rest of this sample prayer; “Holy is your name”?
God is “Father”, but He is also holy. There is no one like Him. Or, you can think of it this way… Before Christ, we were the children of wrath. We represented everything that God isn’t. Or, have you forgotten that there is not a person on earth that does right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20)? God is Holy and He cannot make His home with someone that is not covered with the blood of Christ. You may ask, “Is God loving?” The answer is yes. You may wonder, “Does He forgive?” And the answer is yes, yes. But all of the things we need to get close to God are out of our hands, other than a total and radical reliance upon Christ. And a radical reliance on him shows itself in a changed mind, a changed heart and a changed life.
I am thankful for the ministry of Christ (taking the guilt of mankind on himself in order to reconcile us to God). I am grateful that God is a worthy and exalted Father. For I cannot imagine anyone else who could (or would) make me innocent by the blood of His son. Who else would give so much to buy His enemy out of the grip of sin? None but a heavenly Father, whose name shall always remain holy.
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