Regarding John 1:29, which says, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," someone has asked the question that if sin is what sends people to hell and Jesus took away the sin as this verse says, then what sin do we have to pay for? Let me answer this by way of an illustration.
Suppose you have a mortgage for a house (a debt) and some benevolent rich person comes along and offers to pay your mortgage for you. So, he goes to the bank and out of his own checking account authorizes a cashier's check for the amount of your mortgage that you owe to the same bank. With check in hand this rich person comes and offers you the check, whose funds are guaranteed by the bank. Now, I ask, has the mortgage been paid off? Of course, the answer is a resounding "NO!" The reason the mortgage (debt) has not been paid is because the funds have not been transferred to your account. The payment is good, the check is good, and the money is guaranteed, but you still have a debt. It is not until you take the check, endorse it, and deposit the funds of the rich person's account to your account that your mortgage is paid. Even if you accept the check, but never deposit it to your own account, you still have a debt to be paid. In other words, the payment does not take effect until it is credited to your account. Likewise, the payment that Christ made at Calvary is of no effect to the person whose account it has not been applied. The funds are there, guaranteed, but until it is credited to a person by faith, there is still a debt to be paid. You can accept the payment offered by Christ or you can still choose to pay your own sin debt, which is eternity separated from God.
A vivid illustration of this taken from the Bible is that of the Passover Lamb. The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb (the payment) and apply the blood to the door posts of their houses (the transfer of funds). Suppose a person sacrificed the lamb as they were instructed to do so, but did not apply the blood as they were told. Were they "passed over" or did they pay with the death of the first born? The sacrifice itself was acceptable, but without the effectual application they would still be held accountable. You see, the sacrifice of the the lamb (not a pig, dog, cow, horse, cat, etc.) was the payment that provided salvation from the destroyer, but the application of the blood to the door posts was the transfer of payment to that household's account.
Another illustration found in the Bible is that of the serpent being lifted up in the wilderness. Because of the Israelites rebellion, God sent serpents among the people to bite them. The only cure from these bites was to look upon the brazen serpent Moses fashioned to a pole. The brazen serpent was the cure, but the people still had to look at it to be healed. The payment was made and was also guaranteed, but until the snake-bitten Israelite looked at the brazen serpent he would still have to pay with his own life. Numbers 21:9 says, "And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." Notice this verse says it was when the person looked at the serpent that he lived. He did not live because Moses made a brass serpent and placed it on a pole. Just the same, Jesus, too, was lifted up as He said He would be in John 3. However, it was not the act of lifting Him up that saves a person from their sins. His death and shed blood was the payment that God accepted for the redemption of mankind, but until that payment is transferred to an individual's account it does not resolve their sin debt.
This idea of transference has a theological term called imputation. To impute simply means to apply, transfer, or credit an account. It is a bookkeeping or accounting term in which the funds of one account are carried over to another account. There are three distinct kinds of imputation mentioned in the Bible. Adam's sin is imputed upon mankind; man's sins were imputed to Christ on Calvary; and God's righteousness is imputed to man through Christ. To have the righteousness of God imputed to an individual is solely through faith in the sacrificial payment of Christ. Paul makes this abundantly clear in Romans chapter 4. In this entire chapter Paul argues that it was the faith of Abraham that made him righteous in God's sight. Verse 3 says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted (same Greek word for imputed) unto him for righteousness." In verses 24-25 Paul relates Abraham's righteousness by faith to the Christian. He writes that these things were not written about Abraham for his sake alone, "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Did you catch the words "if we believe"? The ransom payment that Christ made at Calvary is not automatically credited to the debt of sin that we owe simply because He died on the cross. It is imputed, credited, applied, etc. only if and when we place our faith in Him.
Yes, He is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," but unless a person accepts the payment He has made and has His righteousness imputed to them they must pay their debt for themselves. There is no double payment. Either you trust in Christ alone or you pay for your sins by death and eternal damnation.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Comments
Please accept my apologies for comments not being posted for so long. I changed my e-mail address for my blogger account, but did not realize I had to change my settings to have comments sent to my new address, as well. I had not checked my old e-mail in several days and did not know there were comments waiting to be posted. I have gotten things straightened out with my blogger account and have posted any comments I have recieved. Sorry again, and thanks for reading.
David
David
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
"The Question" (part two)
Question: What is the question?
Answer: What does the Bible say?
In his book Protestant Biblical Interpretation Bernard Ramm writes, "obscure passages in Scripture must give way to clear passages." Later, he writes, "the theologian must basically rest his theology on those passages that are clear and not upon those that are obscure....Everything essential to salvation and Christian living is clearly revealed in Scripture" (pgs. 104-105).
Whenever we take the liberty of reading "between the lines" of Scripture we are allowing ourselves the dangerous opportunity to make the Bible say something that it does not say. Furthermore, we have the tendency to make it conform to some presupposition that we may have. So, I simply ask anyone reading this to clear your mind from any preconceived theological system you may adhere to and let the words of God speak loud and clearly.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:6
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:6-7
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the LORD GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
Ezekiel 33:11
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him , and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
John 1:29
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 3:16-17
"For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world....I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:33;51
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
Acts 17:30-31
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
Romans 5:18-19
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:13
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."
II Corinthians 5:14-15
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
I Timothy 2:1-5
"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."
I Timothy 4:10
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
Hebrews 2:9
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
II Peter 3:9
"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
I John 2:2
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Revelation 22:17
If it is true (and I believe it is) that obscure passages must give way to clear passages, as Ramm has written, then the clear truth of the Bible is that Jesus bore the sins of all of mankind on the cross, so that all of mankind may repent of their sins and be reconciled to God. That does not mean that all men will repent of their sins and be reconciled to God, but that God has provided the means for it to happen.
Let me illustrate. Say a person has been convicted of a serious crime and they are truly guilty. If the governor decides to offer them a pardon, they still must accept the pardon to be free from their punishment. Whether or not they accept the pardon in no way whatsoever affects the effectiveness of the governor's decision. There is a personal decision that must be made. Likewise, the death of Christ is no less effective if everyone believes or if no one believes. Jesus' death provided the way of salvation, but each and every individual must make the personal decision to believe or reject. Just because we cannot fathom why a person in his right mind would do so, does not mean that it is not so.
Simply put, if the the nature of the Scriptures are to reveal God to man (and I believe it is) then anyone who simply reads the Words of God will come to the conclusion that anyone, not just a certain group, can be saved and that everyone has the opportunity to be saved, because Christ died for all. It is God's desire for all people to repent of their sins and the only atonement for their sin is through the blood of Jesus.
My goal is to expound the previous Scriptures over the next few posts I make to further explain what the Bible plainly teaches. It is not my intention to offend or belittle anyone else's theological position, but I make no apologies for simply believing the answer to "the question."
Answer: What does the Bible say?
In his book Protestant Biblical Interpretation Bernard Ramm writes, "obscure passages in Scripture must give way to clear passages." Later, he writes, "the theologian must basically rest his theology on those passages that are clear and not upon those that are obscure....Everything essential to salvation and Christian living is clearly revealed in Scripture" (pgs. 104-105).
Whenever we take the liberty of reading "between the lines" of Scripture we are allowing ourselves the dangerous opportunity to make the Bible say something that it does not say. Furthermore, we have the tendency to make it conform to some presupposition that we may have. So, I simply ask anyone reading this to clear your mind from any preconceived theological system you may adhere to and let the words of God speak loud and clearly.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:6
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:6-7
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the LORD GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
Ezekiel 33:11
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him , and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
John 1:29
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 3:16-17
"For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world....I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:33;51
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
Acts 17:30-31
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
Romans 5:18-19
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:13
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."
II Corinthians 5:14-15
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
I Timothy 2:1-5
"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."
I Timothy 4:10
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
Hebrews 2:9
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
II Peter 3:9
"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
I John 2:2
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Revelation 22:17
If it is true (and I believe it is) that obscure passages must give way to clear passages, as Ramm has written, then the clear truth of the Bible is that Jesus bore the sins of all of mankind on the cross, so that all of mankind may repent of their sins and be reconciled to God. That does not mean that all men will repent of their sins and be reconciled to God, but that God has provided the means for it to happen.
Let me illustrate. Say a person has been convicted of a serious crime and they are truly guilty. If the governor decides to offer them a pardon, they still must accept the pardon to be free from their punishment. Whether or not they accept the pardon in no way whatsoever affects the effectiveness of the governor's decision. There is a personal decision that must be made. Likewise, the death of Christ is no less effective if everyone believes or if no one believes. Jesus' death provided the way of salvation, but each and every individual must make the personal decision to believe or reject. Just because we cannot fathom why a person in his right mind would do so, does not mean that it is not so.
Simply put, if the the nature of the Scriptures are to reveal God to man (and I believe it is) then anyone who simply reads the Words of God will come to the conclusion that anyone, not just a certain group, can be saved and that everyone has the opportunity to be saved, because Christ died for all. It is God's desire for all people to repent of their sins and the only atonement for their sin is through the blood of Jesus.
My goal is to expound the previous Scriptures over the next few posts I make to further explain what the Bible plainly teaches. It is not my intention to offend or belittle anyone else's theological position, but I make no apologies for simply believing the answer to "the question."
Thursday, October 11, 2007
"The Question"
One of my professors at Bible college always asks, "What is the question?" From the very first day of class with him in your freshman year, this question is drilled into your way of thinking. The answer to "the question" is the basis for all that we do and believe as Christians. So, what is the question? It is, "What does the Bible say?" I know that that is not a very earth-shattering, mind-blowing revelation, but all we believe about the way we should live, the doctrines we teach, and the truths we preach must be supported by the plain teaching of what the Bible says.
I bring this up, because there are many people who call themselves Christians who fail to read and interpret the Bible for what it says. Instead of taking a passage of Scripture and simply believing what it says, they make up their own interpretation by either adding or taking away words and ideas in order to make it fit their own system of belief. Rather than letting the Bible shape their thinking and understanding, they twist the words of Holy Writ to try to make it conform to their preconceived notions and their own peculiar religious views.
Let me digress for a moment. I want to make it clear that I believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. Yes, there are various forms of figurative language throughout the Scriptures, but its purpose is to impart some literal truth. I believe that the very nature of Scripture is for the purpose of revealing God to man. I believe that in the Bible God says exactly what He means and means exactly what He says. I do not believe that a person has to have a college-level education to be able to understand what is written in the Scriptures. I do believe that there are some things that cannot be understood apart from the guiding of the Holy Spirit, but I believe there are some things that a person can figure out for themselves. For example, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" is something that is self-explanatory. The most uneducated person can hear that and know what is being said. My four-year-old son can even figure that out. I also believe that there are some things we will never know in our finite minds this side of Heaven.
Without a proper system of hermeneutics (interpretation) anyone can make the Bible say anything. By way of illustration, I can prove that God is a female, because Psalm 48:3 says, "God is known in HER palaces for a refuge." Even without changing anything, I have totally misinterpreted this verse by ripping it right out of its context to make it fit a preconceived idea. (Please note: I do not truly believe that God is a woman.) The "her" in this passage actually refers to Mount Zion, but unless you read it in context you would not know that.
I say all of that to say this: Whenever we try to make the Bible say something that contradicts what is plainly written, there is something wrong with our interpretation, not the other way around. The very first rule of hermeneutics is that if the plain sense makes perfect sense, seek no other sense. If the Bible says one thing and it does not fit my predetermined theological system, I do not have the liberty to add anything to it or take anything from it, so that I can maintain what I believe, even if it goes against logic and reasoning. I am positive that God knew what He meant to say and the Holy Spirit recorded it precisely the way it was supposed to have been recorded.
This has turned into a longer introduction than I intended, but I feel that to say what I am going to say this foundation has to be laid. However, I will have to finish it in another post in the next couple of days. Think about what has been written so far and be sure that you believe what you believe because it is plainly written in the Scriptures. Remember, "What does the Bible say?"
I bring this up, because there are many people who call themselves Christians who fail to read and interpret the Bible for what it says. Instead of taking a passage of Scripture and simply believing what it says, they make up their own interpretation by either adding or taking away words and ideas in order to make it fit their own system of belief. Rather than letting the Bible shape their thinking and understanding, they twist the words of Holy Writ to try to make it conform to their preconceived notions and their own peculiar religious views.
Let me digress for a moment. I want to make it clear that I believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. Yes, there are various forms of figurative language throughout the Scriptures, but its purpose is to impart some literal truth. I believe that the very nature of Scripture is for the purpose of revealing God to man. I believe that in the Bible God says exactly what He means and means exactly what He says. I do not believe that a person has to have a college-level education to be able to understand what is written in the Scriptures. I do believe that there are some things that cannot be understood apart from the guiding of the Holy Spirit, but I believe there are some things that a person can figure out for themselves. For example, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" is something that is self-explanatory. The most uneducated person can hear that and know what is being said. My four-year-old son can even figure that out. I also believe that there are some things we will never know in our finite minds this side of Heaven.
Without a proper system of hermeneutics (interpretation) anyone can make the Bible say anything. By way of illustration, I can prove that God is a female, because Psalm 48:3 says, "God is known in HER palaces for a refuge." Even without changing anything, I have totally misinterpreted this verse by ripping it right out of its context to make it fit a preconceived idea. (Please note: I do not truly believe that God is a woman.) The "her" in this passage actually refers to Mount Zion, but unless you read it in context you would not know that.
I say all of that to say this: Whenever we try to make the Bible say something that contradicts what is plainly written, there is something wrong with our interpretation, not the other way around. The very first rule of hermeneutics is that if the plain sense makes perfect sense, seek no other sense. If the Bible says one thing and it does not fit my predetermined theological system, I do not have the liberty to add anything to it or take anything from it, so that I can maintain what I believe, even if it goes against logic and reasoning. I am positive that God knew what He meant to say and the Holy Spirit recorded it precisely the way it was supposed to have been recorded.
This has turned into a longer introduction than I intended, but I feel that to say what I am going to say this foundation has to be laid. However, I will have to finish it in another post in the next couple of days. Think about what has been written so far and be sure that you believe what you believe because it is plainly written in the Scriptures. Remember, "What does the Bible say?"
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Busy Man
For those who may read this blog and do not know, I am a full-time student at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. August 31 was the first day of my fourth semester in class. This semester my course load totals 13 hours. I take my education seriously and try to do the best that I possibly can. If a person is going to serve God, I believe they should do it with all their might, including the training that goes into serving.
In addition to attending school full time, I also have the responsibility of supporting my wife and my four children, which requires that I work full time as well.
I say all that to say this, keeping up with this blog is the least of my priorities. If I do not post something it is not because I have fallen off the face of the earth. I will do my best to try to write something at least on a monthly basis, but I am making no promises or guarantees. If you have any comments on any posts I make or have made feel free to send them. I will publish all comments that do not contain vulgarities and that are written in good taste, even if they contradict something I may believe.
Thanks for reading the thoughts of an unashamed fundamental Baptist.
If you are interested, here is list of my classes this semester:
- Biblical Foundations of Ministry
(otherwise known as philosophy of ministry)
- Church Growth Strategies
- Cross-Cultural Communications
- Soteriology (the study of the doctrine of salvation)
- Eschatology (the study of prophecy)
- Principles of Christian Living
(developing a discipleship program)
In addition to attending school full time, I also have the responsibility of supporting my wife and my four children, which requires that I work full time as well.
I say all that to say this, keeping up with this blog is the least of my priorities. If I do not post something it is not because I have fallen off the face of the earth. I will do my best to try to write something at least on a monthly basis, but I am making no promises or guarantees. If you have any comments on any posts I make or have made feel free to send them. I will publish all comments that do not contain vulgarities and that are written in good taste, even if they contradict something I may believe.
Thanks for reading the thoughts of an unashamed fundamental Baptist.
If you are interested, here is list of my classes this semester:
- Biblical Foundations of Ministry
(otherwise known as philosophy of ministry)
- Church Growth Strategies
- Cross-Cultural Communications
- Soteriology (the study of the doctrine of salvation)
- Eschatology (the study of prophecy)
- Principles of Christian Living
(developing a discipleship program)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Growing Up or Growing Cold
A thermometer is an interesting object. If the temperature is 70 degrees and it rises to 80 degrees a thermometer must pass through degrees 71 through 79 before it reaches its destination. It does not automatically jump from 70 to 80, even though it may seem like it sometimes. The same goes with a clock. If the clock reads 7 o'clock it must pass through every minute on the clock to get to 8 o'clock. Time may fly when you're having fun, but every minute must be counted for. The same goes with a compass and each of its degrees or an elevator and each floor of a building. There are no shortcuts to be had.
The life of a Christian is the same as a thermometer, clock, compass, or an elevator. If we are to grow and mature in our walk with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we must grow one step at a time. We do not automatically become a grown-up Christian. Isaiah 28:9-10 says, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." In this instance the people of Judah were mocking Isaiah, because he was teaching the same truths and lessons over and over like you do with a child until, hopefully, they will learn and grow. The image presented here is that of a brick layer who must build his building one row of bricks at a time. Even though Isaiah was being mocked there is an important truth here. You only grow step by step. Sometimes those steps may be longer than others, but you still must put one foot in front of the other. The Apostle Paul put it this way, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." God instructs us in His Word that we, too, are to move towards perfection. While that is not a reality in this sin-filled world, we are to strive for that. It is only done little by little, step by step.
I have to admit that I get frustrated in my own life. I want to grow up and be as mature of a Christian as possible, but there are times when I don't want to put forth the effort that is required to reach that goal. There are times when I don't want to read my Bible. There are times when I don't want to pray. There are times when I don't want to go to church. I know, though, that in order to grow in the Lord I must do those things. Sometimes it is a struggle and other times it is an all-out war raging between my flesh and my spirit. Each time that I win one of those battles I grow a little more Christ-like. Each time I overcome my flesh I am moving closer to perfection. It is hard at times, but it is worth it. I know that I must go through each stage of maturation, just like a thermometer must go through each degree and the clock must pass through each minute. Growing up comes in stages, not in leaps and bounds.
Likewise, growing cold towards the Lord is a process. It does not happen automatically for a saved person. Each time a Christian hardens his heart or quenches the leading of the Holy Spirit, he grows a little more colder towards God. Most Christians don't abruptly start missing church and quit reading their Bibles and praying. It usually happens over a course of time. When we lose those battles to the flesh it becomes easier to to give in the next time, and so on until we don't put forth any effort at all. Our hearts do not turn to granite overnight. Again, growing cold comes in stages, just like the thermometer, clock, or compass.
Each and every Christian is either growing up or growing cold. Are you pressing for the prize to be found in Christ Jesus, or are cooling off more and more each day. No one can say that they are at the point of full maturity in Christ, at least not in this life. We all must examine our hearts and determine what is taking place there. The hymnist wrote, "I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day." We must strive daily to gain those new heights. Are you gaining ground or are you losing it? Are you striving or skidding? Are you growing up or growing cold?
The life of a Christian is the same as a thermometer, clock, compass, or an elevator. If we are to grow and mature in our walk with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we must grow one step at a time. We do not automatically become a grown-up Christian. Isaiah 28:9-10 says, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." In this instance the people of Judah were mocking Isaiah, because he was teaching the same truths and lessons over and over like you do with a child until, hopefully, they will learn and grow. The image presented here is that of a brick layer who must build his building one row of bricks at a time. Even though Isaiah was being mocked there is an important truth here. You only grow step by step. Sometimes those steps may be longer than others, but you still must put one foot in front of the other. The Apostle Paul put it this way, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." God instructs us in His Word that we, too, are to move towards perfection. While that is not a reality in this sin-filled world, we are to strive for that. It is only done little by little, step by step.
I have to admit that I get frustrated in my own life. I want to grow up and be as mature of a Christian as possible, but there are times when I don't want to put forth the effort that is required to reach that goal. There are times when I don't want to read my Bible. There are times when I don't want to pray. There are times when I don't want to go to church. I know, though, that in order to grow in the Lord I must do those things. Sometimes it is a struggle and other times it is an all-out war raging between my flesh and my spirit. Each time that I win one of those battles I grow a little more Christ-like. Each time I overcome my flesh I am moving closer to perfection. It is hard at times, but it is worth it. I know that I must go through each stage of maturation, just like a thermometer must go through each degree and the clock must pass through each minute. Growing up comes in stages, not in leaps and bounds.
Likewise, growing cold towards the Lord is a process. It does not happen automatically for a saved person. Each time a Christian hardens his heart or quenches the leading of the Holy Spirit, he grows a little more colder towards God. Most Christians don't abruptly start missing church and quit reading their Bibles and praying. It usually happens over a course of time. When we lose those battles to the flesh it becomes easier to to give in the next time, and so on until we don't put forth any effort at all. Our hearts do not turn to granite overnight. Again, growing cold comes in stages, just like the thermometer, clock, or compass.
Each and every Christian is either growing up or growing cold. Are you pressing for the prize to be found in Christ Jesus, or are cooling off more and more each day. No one can say that they are at the point of full maturity in Christ, at least not in this life. We all must examine our hearts and determine what is taking place there. The hymnist wrote, "I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day." We must strive daily to gain those new heights. Are you gaining ground or are you losing it? Are you striving or skidding? Are you growing up or growing cold?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Scars
While trying to cut the top off of a pop bottle, my 9 year-old nephew recently cut one of his fingers nearly to the bone with a utility knife. He had been repeatedly told to put the knife away and to leave it alone. Ignoring the instructions of his father, he reaped the consequence of disobedience. He will most likely carry a scar on his finger as a result of his willful and deliberate act of rebellion.
A couple of weeks ago my 4 year-old son suffered second-degree burns to the back of his legs and to three fingers on one of his hands after falling into a campfire. Fortunately, and by the grace of God, the actual fire had burned down and only hot coals remained. Otherwise, he would have suffered more serious and more numerous burns.
My son's mishap was not the result of rebellion or disobedience, but was simply an accident. He had his shoes on the wrong feet and got tripped up and backed into the fire ring and landed in the hot coals. He, too, will most likely carry the scars of this event for the remainder of his earthly life.
Reflecting on these two incidents, I was reminded how sin will leave scars in a person's life. It does not matter if the sin was a willful, intentional, and deliberate rebellion against God just like the behavior of my nephew. It also does not matter if the devil causes us to stumble and we commit an act of sin out of ignorance or in a moment of weakness. Sin leaves scars no matter the reason we sinned in the first place. We must keep in mind that our adversary the devil "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Satan is not out to play cat-and-mouse games with us. He is compared to a "roaring lion" who is out to devour and destroy us. Anyone who thinks they can play around with sin and not pay the price is only fooling themselves. Yes, the pleasures of sin are for a season, but the consequences will last a lifetime. It only takes one "mistake" of sin to destroy a person's future. Even though we have been promised that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins," does not mean that we are free from the physical consequences of sin. Webster defines a 'consequence' as "a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause."
Hopefully, my nephew will learn not to play with knives and to obey the instruction of his parents. Likewise, I hope my son will realize the dangers of fire and will be more cautious when he is near one. If not, then the scars these two young boys bear will be all for nought. They will have endured tremendous pain simply for the sake of suffering. Likewise, if we suffer from the effects of our sin and we do not take heed and learn from our mistakes we are the Bible's description of a fool. "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly."
A couple of weeks ago my 4 year-old son suffered second-degree burns to the back of his legs and to three fingers on one of his hands after falling into a campfire. Fortunately, and by the grace of God, the actual fire had burned down and only hot coals remained. Otherwise, he would have suffered more serious and more numerous burns.
My son's mishap was not the result of rebellion or disobedience, but was simply an accident. He had his shoes on the wrong feet and got tripped up and backed into the fire ring and landed in the hot coals. He, too, will most likely carry the scars of this event for the remainder of his earthly life.
Reflecting on these two incidents, I was reminded how sin will leave scars in a person's life. It does not matter if the sin was a willful, intentional, and deliberate rebellion against God just like the behavior of my nephew. It also does not matter if the devil causes us to stumble and we commit an act of sin out of ignorance or in a moment of weakness. Sin leaves scars no matter the reason we sinned in the first place. We must keep in mind that our adversary the devil "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Satan is not out to play cat-and-mouse games with us. He is compared to a "roaring lion" who is out to devour and destroy us. Anyone who thinks they can play around with sin and not pay the price is only fooling themselves. Yes, the pleasures of sin are for a season, but the consequences will last a lifetime. It only takes one "mistake" of sin to destroy a person's future. Even though we have been promised that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins," does not mean that we are free from the physical consequences of sin. Webster defines a 'consequence' as "a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause."
Hopefully, my nephew will learn not to play with knives and to obey the instruction of his parents. Likewise, I hope my son will realize the dangers of fire and will be more cautious when he is near one. If not, then the scars these two young boys bear will be all for nought. They will have endured tremendous pain simply for the sake of suffering. Likewise, if we suffer from the effects of our sin and we do not take heed and learn from our mistakes we are the Bible's description of a fool. "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly."
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
"Me First" Christianity
"And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:57-62
The two disciples that Jesus was speaking with in this passage share a lot in common with the majority of Christians, including myself at times, that I see in the world today. People say that they want to follow Jesus and be one of His disciples, but there is usually something that prohibits them from being fully surrendered to His calling. In both of these cases, family and friends came in the way of these disciples' walk with Christ. The typical Christian in our churches today are no different than these two men. In our present day and age, education, vocation, relaxation, and self-gratification are the usual culprits for hindering a person's walk with the Lord. You see, many people, past and present, want to do want they want to do, go where they want to go, be who they want to be, and serve how they want to serve without ever considering how or what God would have them do, go, be, and serve. It is apparent that today's Christian has no desire to live a holy life that is pleasing to God, especially if they must give up something that brings them pleasure in order to do so. Every where you turn you see Christians who love the world more than they love their Savior. The Bible makes it crystal clear that you cannot serve God and still hold on to the things of this sin-filled world. The Scriptures also make the unmistakable claim that you cannot follow the Lord and have your own way about things at the same time. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." It is impossible follow Christ until you have denied all right to your self and crucified your own fleshly desires. Jesus could not have made it more clear.
As an example, here is a link to a blog of a pastor in Georgia who wants to let people know how they can dress as cool as he dresses (http://yckg.wordpress.com/2007/07/09/how-to-dress-as-cool-as-me/). This guy is more concerned with a person's wardrobe than he is about the destiny of their soul. Instead of trying to encourage people how look and act like the world, why does this man not encourage people how to be more like Christ. I suppose if he did that, though, he would not be so "cool" anymore and no on would want to follow him. In effect, he is saying, "Jesus, I will follow you if you will allow me first to dress as hip as I can." Give me a break. God is not fooled or impressed by such immaturity.
If we are to lead others to the Savior of this world we must be dedicated to Him. The people of this world are not impressed with Christians who look, talk, think, dress, and imitate them in every possible way and then say that they are not of the world. The world wants to see something different and distinct. They want to see people who have convictions and are willing to abide by and stand up for those convictions. More importantly, though, God wants His children to be devoted entirely to Him and Him alone. He wants Christians to be "unspotted from the world." God said that "whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." He also said, "If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him."
There was another man in the Bible who said "me first," but his attitude was entirely different than that of the other two. Paul, writing to Timothy, said, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." Oh, how we should all want our Lord and Savior to emanate from within us so that we, too, would be examples for the lost world! That will only happen, though, when we surrender every area of our life to follow and serve Him. Are you surrendered to Jesus, or in your heart are you saying "me first"?
The two disciples that Jesus was speaking with in this passage share a lot in common with the majority of Christians, including myself at times, that I see in the world today. People say that they want to follow Jesus and be one of His disciples, but there is usually something that prohibits them from being fully surrendered to His calling. In both of these cases, family and friends came in the way of these disciples' walk with Christ. The typical Christian in our churches today are no different than these two men. In our present day and age, education, vocation, relaxation, and self-gratification are the usual culprits for hindering a person's walk with the Lord. You see, many people, past and present, want to do want they want to do, go where they want to go, be who they want to be, and serve how they want to serve without ever considering how or what God would have them do, go, be, and serve. It is apparent that today's Christian has no desire to live a holy life that is pleasing to God, especially if they must give up something that brings them pleasure in order to do so. Every where you turn you see Christians who love the world more than they love their Savior. The Bible makes it crystal clear that you cannot serve God and still hold on to the things of this sin-filled world. The Scriptures also make the unmistakable claim that you cannot follow the Lord and have your own way about things at the same time. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." It is impossible follow Christ until you have denied all right to your self and crucified your own fleshly desires. Jesus could not have made it more clear.
As an example, here is a link to a blog of a pastor in Georgia who wants to let people know how they can dress as cool as he dresses (http://yckg.wordpress.com/2007/07/09/how-to-dress-as-cool-as-me/). This guy is more concerned with a person's wardrobe than he is about the destiny of their soul. Instead of trying to encourage people how look and act like the world, why does this man not encourage people how to be more like Christ. I suppose if he did that, though, he would not be so "cool" anymore and no on would want to follow him. In effect, he is saying, "Jesus, I will follow you if you will allow me first to dress as hip as I can." Give me a break. God is not fooled or impressed by such immaturity.
If we are to lead others to the Savior of this world we must be dedicated to Him. The people of this world are not impressed with Christians who look, talk, think, dress, and imitate them in every possible way and then say that they are not of the world. The world wants to see something different and distinct. They want to see people who have convictions and are willing to abide by and stand up for those convictions. More importantly, though, God wants His children to be devoted entirely to Him and Him alone. He wants Christians to be "unspotted from the world." God said that "whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." He also said, "If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him."
There was another man in the Bible who said "me first," but his attitude was entirely different than that of the other two. Paul, writing to Timothy, said, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." Oh, how we should all want our Lord and Savior to emanate from within us so that we, too, would be examples for the lost world! That will only happen, though, when we surrender every area of our life to follow and serve Him. Are you surrendered to Jesus, or in your heart are you saying "me first"?
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me Jesus, take me now
All to Jesus I surrender
Make me, Savior, wholly thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine
All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me Jesus, take me now
All to Jesus I surrender
Make me, Savior, wholly thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine
All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me
Friday, July 06, 2007
Christians and Smoked Brisket
After reading the title to this entry, you may be asking what do briskets and Christians have to do with each other. In this post I will attempt to link the two together to provide an interesting illustration.
First, let me say that I love smoked brisket. I have a smoker at home and try to smoke something at least once a month if financially able to do so. Nothing, according to my taste buds, is more palatable than a good heaping portion of brisket that has been cooked long and slow over hickory or mesquite smoke. A brisket, however, has not always been so favorable to those doing the cooking or the ones doing the consuming. In times past this hunk of meat was simply thrown out and was not used for anything, because the meat is very tough and stringy. The brisket comes from the area of the neck between the shoulders of a cow or steer. Cooked in a traditional manner, you would have to chew for a week to be able to swallow a piece of this meat. In most cases it is good for nothing and fit only for the garbage heap, not the table.
However, when you take this otherwise worthless piece of meat, and cook it at a low temperature (approx. 150 - 225 degrees) for an extended amount of time (12 - 16 hours) an amazing transformation takes place that is not seen by the human eye. A brisket literally changes its chemistry. It is transformed from something detestable to something delectable. It changes from something worthless to something exceptional. This piece of beef that was once thrown out with the entrails metamorphoses into one of the most tender, tastiest cuts of meat. A brisket is genuinely changed from the inside.
I am smoking a brisket for my son's birthday party tomorrow and, as I was preparing the meat with seasonings, it occurred to me how much a Christian and a smoked brisket share with one another. Before a person places their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are as worthless and vile as a brisket once was. In the fifth chapter of the book of Galatians the apostle Paul says, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like." When writing to the Corinthians Paul, giving the same basic list of the deeds of the flesh, says, "and such were some of you." Man is a corrupt, wretched, reprehensible creature.
However, like a brisket meeting smoke and time, when a person meets Jesus Christ and gives their life to Him, they, too, are changed from the inside. An amazing change takes place within their hearts. They are the ones whose chemistry is rewritten. They have now become something delectable to the Lord's taste rather than something detestable. They are the one's who are transformed from something worthless to something exceptional. Paul went on to say to the Galatatians that, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul said, "but ye are washed, but ye are sacntified, but ye are justified" to the same people he said "and such were some of you."
People want "proof" that Jesus is who He says He is. The only evidence they need is the change in the lives of the people who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The only way for someone to produce the fruit of the Spirit is to have their lives totally changed. Paul, in Second Corinthians, says that if a person has trusted in Jesus that he is a totally new creature and the old person he was has passed away. Only one person can make such a change in a person's life and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. So, the next time you are savoring a piece of smoked brisket remember the change that that brisket under went and examine your own life to see if you have been transformed.
First, let me say that I love smoked brisket. I have a smoker at home and try to smoke something at least once a month if financially able to do so. Nothing, according to my taste buds, is more palatable than a good heaping portion of brisket that has been cooked long and slow over hickory or mesquite smoke. A brisket, however, has not always been so favorable to those doing the cooking or the ones doing the consuming. In times past this hunk of meat was simply thrown out and was not used for anything, because the meat is very tough and stringy. The brisket comes from the area of the neck between the shoulders of a cow or steer. Cooked in a traditional manner, you would have to chew for a week to be able to swallow a piece of this meat. In most cases it is good for nothing and fit only for the garbage heap, not the table.
However, when you take this otherwise worthless piece of meat, and cook it at a low temperature (approx. 150 - 225 degrees) for an extended amount of time (12 - 16 hours) an amazing transformation takes place that is not seen by the human eye. A brisket literally changes its chemistry. It is transformed from something detestable to something delectable. It changes from something worthless to something exceptional. This piece of beef that was once thrown out with the entrails metamorphoses into one of the most tender, tastiest cuts of meat. A brisket is genuinely changed from the inside.
I am smoking a brisket for my son's birthday party tomorrow and, as I was preparing the meat with seasonings, it occurred to me how much a Christian and a smoked brisket share with one another. Before a person places their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are as worthless and vile as a brisket once was. In the fifth chapter of the book of Galatians the apostle Paul says, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like." When writing to the Corinthians Paul, giving the same basic list of the deeds of the flesh, says, "and such were some of you." Man is a corrupt, wretched, reprehensible creature.
However, like a brisket meeting smoke and time, when a person meets Jesus Christ and gives their life to Him, they, too, are changed from the inside. An amazing change takes place within their hearts. They are the ones whose chemistry is rewritten. They have now become something delectable to the Lord's taste rather than something detestable. They are the one's who are transformed from something worthless to something exceptional. Paul went on to say to the Galatatians that, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul said, "but ye are washed, but ye are sacntified, but ye are justified" to the same people he said "and such were some of you."
People want "proof" that Jesus is who He says He is. The only evidence they need is the change in the lives of the people who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The only way for someone to produce the fruit of the Spirit is to have their lives totally changed. Paul, in Second Corinthians, says that if a person has trusted in Jesus that he is a totally new creature and the old person he was has passed away. Only one person can make such a change in a person's life and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. So, the next time you are savoring a piece of smoked brisket remember the change that that brisket under went and examine your own life to see if you have been transformed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)