Be Patient and Be Impressed

There are three ways that people view Christ.

There are, of course, those who do not truly understand the character or will of Christ. In John 6:42-43, we learn that there were many Jews who were so puzzled by Jesus' teachings that they viewed Him as a lunatic. Even some of His own disciples, "...when they heard this, said, 'This is a hard saying; who can understand it" (John 6:60). As we see in verse 66, those confused disciples "went back and walked with Him no more." We see this reaction quite often, don't we? Atheists and those who are outside the realm of so-called Christianity and who are ignorant of the true message of the gospel see it as nothing more than foolishness (1 Cor. 1:21-24). Paul himself acknowledges, by inspiration, that "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise" (1 Cor. 1:27). Therefore, "not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called" (1 Cor. 1:26). But God has designed it this way. Only those who have truly humbled themselves will be privileged to enter the kingdom of God.

Then, there are those who have embraced Christ out of necessity or desperation. Back in John 6, when many of the disciples abandoned Jesus because of the "foolishness" of His message, He turned to the apostles and said, "Do you also want to go away?" (John 6:67). "But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (vs. 68). Did Peter, an uneducated fisherman from Galilee, understand Jesus' message any more than the other disciples? No! There was a lot that Peter didn't understand, and wouldn't understand for a while, but that was okay. He knew who Jesus was, and He knew that Jesus could provide him with the salvation he so desperately needed! Likewise, there are folks today who believe in Christ, and who follow Christ, and yet it may be that they still don't understand much of the gospel. They may understand the basic structure and message of the Word, but the essence of the Word hasn't permeated their heart yet.

Finally, there are those who have worked and studied for years to understand the gospel of Christ, and finally, it begins to all come together. No longer is the Bible just words on paper, facts to be memorized, and rules to be obeyed. It becomes something much more...something "living and powerful" (Heb. 4:12) that consumed our lives. We begin to see people differently. We begin to see the natural world differently. We begin to see our own lives differently. Our priorities shift, not grudgingly, but willingly and happily. And we become so thoroughly moved, so completely impressed, so reverently humbled and enamored and overwhelmed by the testimony of scripture, by the character and wisdom of the Almighty God, and by the promise of heaven. 

How do you view Christ? Are you unimpressed, baffled and confused by the foolishness of the gospel? Have you embraced the gospel out of necessity or desperation while continuing to struggle with faith? Or have you reached that point where Christ has consumed your life to such an extent that you see Him in everything around you?

If you're not there yet, be patient...and you will be impressed!

Remember, Thank, Praise!

The nation of Israel had endured many years of instability. Saul had managed to keep the people unified, but the latter part of his reign was especially erratic as he pursued with paranoia the Hebrew hero, his arch nemesis, the former shepherd, David. Then Saul was slain by the Philistines in battle, and the political climate really turned stormy. The former captain of Saul's army quickly made Ishbosheth, Saul's son, the king of Israel, but the tribe of Judah appointed David as its king. Eventually, Abner was slain, then Ishbosheth, and all the tribes came together at Hebron to make David the king of ALL Israel. After years of drama and disunity, David became that unifying force that was so desperately needed.

After conquering Jerusalem and making it the new (and more centralized) capital of the nation, one of David's first acts as king was to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. Not only did he have a desire to please God, and God's plan was for the ark to be in the most holy place inside the Tabernacle, this move would unify the people spiritually.

The first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem failed! When David became aware of the problem, he made the corrections and finally, the ark arrived in Jerusalem. It was a triumphant day that stirred the Jews' spiritual affections and turned their hearts to God. After offering burnt offerings and peace offerings to God, David gifted all the people with loaves of bread, pieces of meat, and cakes of raisins (1 Chron. 16:1-3). This was the Jews' first real celebration in a LONG time. There wasn't just victory. There wasn't just unity. There wasn't just peace. There was joy!

With all of this in mind, focus your attention on 1 Chronicles 16:4...

"And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel."

Now that the Tabernacle was erected and the ark safely inside, the Levites and priests could resume their God-ordained work as prescribed in the Law of Moses. David gave instructions to the Levites that we would ALL do well to heed, and no, I'm not talking about the work of ministering before the ark of the Lord. As God's people today, we ought to commemorate, thank and praise God in response to the blessings He bestows upon us.

What is most interesting here is the order...

To "commemorate" is to remember. We ought to first of all remember that our blessings are from the Lord (James 1:17). When something great happens in your life, don't pat yourself on the back. Remember that God is the source.

Then, once you recognize and remember the SOURCE of your blessings, thank Him. Don't just have a thankful disposition, express your thanks. After all, when you do something for someone, it's always nice to hear them say "thank you." So don't assume that God knows you're thankful. Say it! Thank the Lord, and mean it from the bottom of your heart.

If you've commemorated and thanked God, your thoughts will not only be centered on God, you will most likely find yourself admiring God's goodness and will be overwhelmed with affection for Him. God is so good to me. How could the mighty Creator of heaven and earth even take notice of me, much less show such kindness to me? Wow! God is good! The result? Praise Him! Worship Him! 

Like the Israelites of old, we are all encumbered with hardship in this life. We are faced with instability, stress, drama, discouragement, and so many other things that distract us from God. But let's not fail to recognize God's blessings. In fact, let's take full advantage of those times of joy and spiritual awakening by remembering God, thanking Him, and praising Him, thus prolonging our joy and implanting those positive, spiritual affections deep in the soil of our heart.

Losing Your Identity

There is a lot of talk these days about identity theft. It isn't uncommon for people to have their most personal information stolen, their bank accounts drained, and their credit ruined by some tech-savvy criminal. Not only do such actions wreak havoc on our finances, we are left feeling very uncomfortable...as if someone has invaded our privacy. The point is: we take great pride in our identity.

Of course, we don't have to have our identity stolen by a criminal to know that our identity is one of our most prized possessions. One of the greatest frustrations in life (and the most awkward) is when someone doesn't approve of some innate part of our character and insists that we give up or lose that part of our identity in order to please them. These comments shatter our self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

As important as our identity is to us, and as much as we want to be accepted for who we are, the main objective of Christianity is to change your identity. Notice these two verses in Ephesians...

"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh - who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision..." (2:11).

"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk..." (4:17).

The Ephesian church consisted primarily of Gentiles. In other words, these were people who didn't have a Jewish heritage. Instead, they grew up in pagan societies and homes. If a Jew was converted to Christ, they did have to make some changes, don't get me wrong, but if a Gentile was converted to Christ, they had to make a lot of changes - the way they spoke, the way they dressed, the way they viewed God, the way they did business, the way they interacted in society, their schedules, and their sense of morality. They, more than the Jews (in general), completely lost their identity when they agreed to faithfully follow the Lord.

Imagine having to lay aside your former self and start from scratch. Maybe you don't have to imagine. Maybe you know how difficult that is. Maybe you've been working on that transformation.

Or maybe your attitude is: "God should accept me as I am, and so should you." Maybe you're too attached to your identity. Maybe you don't like the idea of God "stealing" your identity. Listen closely: that's the very essence of Christianity. We must deny self (Mt. 16:24), be transformed according to the will of God (Rom. 12:1-2), and allow Christ to live through us (Gal. 2:20). As a Christian, it's not longer about you; it's about magnifying CHRIST by your words and actions (Phil. 1:20-21).

God won't accept anything less.

The Atheists' Sad But True Claim

This picture (at left) accompanied a recent article on foxnews.com. Apparently, a group called American Atheists Incorporated is putting up billboards along key highways that attack both Christianity and Mormonism, pleading with drivers and viewers to instead accept atheism on the basis that it is "simply reasonable."

If you haven't already, take a look at this billboard and the atheists' accusations against Christianity. As you can see, they refer to the God of the Bible as a Sadistic God, label Jesus as a Useless Savior, and contend that Christianity is a religion of hate, despite our assertion to the contrary (which is, I believe, aimed at our condemnation of the sin of homosexuality). As a Christian, it is frustrating to see such false allegations plastered on billboards like this, but honestly, it's not surprising. We can't help how people interpret the nature of our God or the purpose of the gospel. Even the Jews of the first century who heard and witnessed Jesus, were angered by His teachings and viewed Him as a "useless savior."

However, what really bothers me is how American Atheists Incorporated condemns Christianity on the basis that there are "30,000+ Versions of 'Truth.'" This bothers me, not because the Atheists are saying it, but because it's true. What REALLY bothers me is that not only is it true, but the majority of those who call themselves "Christians" are accepting of this division and even HAPPY about it.

Roman Catholic. Greek Orthodox. Lutheran. Presbyterian. Methodist. United Methodist. Episcopalian. Baptist. Southern Baptist. Free-Will Baptist. Missionary Baptist. Pentecostal. Oneness Pentecostal. Assembly of God. Church of God. Christian. And on, and on, and on, and on.

Most in the denominational world never question denominationalism.

Some even say that it's GOOD that we have so many choices...as in we get to choose the church and the faith that best suits us. Us. Me. We. Our. I. Prefer. Like. Feel. Me. Me. Me.

It's time we focus our minds HUMBLY on God. What does God say? How does God want me to live? What is HIS truth? Not my intepretation of His truth, or my church's intepretation, or that church's interpretation of His truth. What is HIS Truth???

You wanna know the saddest part of it all? Jesus Himself warned us.

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be ONE, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:20-21).

When God's people are unified - perfectly unified (1 Cor. 1:10) just as the Father and Son are perfectly unified, working together according to the pattern of God's word (John 17:17; 1 Cor. 4:6) - our unity will serve as a testimony to the world that there is a God and that Jesus is His Son. But when God's people are divided, disjointed and denominational, we're making it that much harder for others to believe in the gospel. Our carnality - for denominationalism is predicated on carnality (1 Cor. 3:3) - is ruining our credibility. Denominationalism and division displease God, but the Devil loves it.

Will this problem ever go away? No. But don't be a part of the problem; have the courage and fortitude to be a part of the solution.

When Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38), Jesus didn't say, "There are 30,000+ versions of truth." Actually, He didn't answer that question right then and there. But what I do know is that He constantly affirmed ONE truth (Jn. 14:6; 17:17). Become part of the solution by seeking (Mt. 7:7), hearing and obeying (Jas. 1:22) the truth..and don't stop until you're absolutely sure you've found it, and then keep pressing forward, learning, growing, changing, and losing yourself in Christ!

Predestined HOW?

"...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Eph. 1:4-5).

This is a controversial text. In fact, any verse that mentions the word or concept of predestination is going to incite controversy and debate among religious people. There are those who see this passage in Ephesians and conclude that God has predestined each individual to be either saved or lost. The Calvinists take it a step further, arguing that God's predetermined plan negates man's free-will. After all, if we can make our own choices, then God isn't truly sovereign. While I strongly disagree with the Calvinist's concept of predestination, it is clear that the Bible does teach predestination. The question is not whether we are predestined, but HOW we are predestined.

In many ways, this is a complicated study. However, I like to keep things simple, especially when I'm writing articles for my blog. So I'm not going to analyze every aspect of this issue, nor will I address every detail of the above passage. What I'd like to do instead is direct your attention to another passage in the very same chapter...

"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise..." (Eph. 1:11-13).

In verse 11, we are once again told that all saints are saints because we've been predestined to be saints, but the specifics of our predestination are outlined in verses 12-13. God predestined, or predetermined, that those who hear the word of truth, trust in Christ, and believe, are sealed by the Holy Spirit (marked as saved). So as the old saying goes, God predestined the plan, not the man. It's not that each individual was predestined to be saved or not saved; it's that those who would subject themselves freely to the conditions of the gospel of Christ were predestined to be saved.

EVEN IF one argues that the man has been predestined, or more accurately, foreknown, what this passage proves beyond a shadow of a doubt is that we do maintain free-will. The language of verses 12-13 makes that point very clear. 

hear, trust, and believe in Christ = series of free-will choices

Are you choosing today to hear the Lord, to trust Him, and to believe Him? Please do!

Did Saul Inquire?

As I was reading in 1 Chronicles 10 this morning, I noticed something that I hadn't noticed before...

"So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse" (1 Chron. 10:13-14).

The point is made that Saul consulted a medium for guidance, but did not inquire of the Lord. So not only was it wrong for him to partake in the sin of sorcery, but in so doing, he failed to seek help and mercy from the One who could actually give it - GOD!

But here's what is especially interesting about this point. In 1 Chronicles, Saul's death (and the reasons for his death) are being summarized after the fact. In 1 Samuel 28, we find the actual narrative. Notice what is written in 1 Samuel 28:5-7...

"When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.' And his servants said to him, 'In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.'"

I had always assumed that Saul had inquired of the Lord, but the Lord had chosen not to answer Saul on account of his unfaithfulness. I had this image of King Saul pouring out his heart to God, seeking His counsel, and yet it was too late - Saul's fate (at least in the physical sense) was sealed; he was to be taken out of the way, and David brought in to fill his place.

But as we read in 1 Chronicles 10, Saul didn't really inquire of the Lord. While some may look at this as a blatant contradiction, I'd like to see it as a commentary on Samuel's account, and here's what I conclude: even though Saul went through the motions of inquiring of the Lord, his heart wasn't truly invested in the prayer, he lacked true humility, and was not sincerely interested in the Lord's will. Or perhaps, even though he prayed and besought God outwardly, he was unwilling to repent and change his ways.

"Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Peter 3:11-12).

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

There are people today who, like Saul, may pray outwardly to God for answers and for help, and yet because they are unwilling to align themselves with the plan and purpose of God, God doesn't hear them. To put it another way, there are folks who are inquiring of God outwardly, but they're not inquiring of God inwardly. 

So here's the question for you (and for me): are we living how we want to live (rather than how God wants us to live) all the while expecting God to hear our prayers and have a relationship with us? Are we praying for His guidance all the while ignoring His word which He gave to guide us? 

Or are we truly humble in His presence, living faithfully and obediently to His word and thus enjoying the blessing and privilege of prayer and the peace that results?

Hopefully, the latter is true in your life.

Don't Beat Yourself Up

I'd like to begin by directing your attention to the parable of the Pharisee & the tax collector, which can be found in Luke 18:9-14. Although this parable is well-known in religious circles, many often walk away from this parable with a false and very dangerous assumption.

"Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

In this parable, we see a contrast between two men: the Pharisee and the tax collector. While the Pharisee exhuded arrogance unbecoming of any child of God, the tax collector freely acknowledged his shortcomings and humbly sought God's mercy. The Pharisee in this parable was condemned by Jesus. The tax collector went home "justified."

Many read this parable and conclude that all of us fall into one of two categories. Either we are arrogant and self-righteous like the Pharisee or we are humble like the tax collector. Either we boast about our good works and see ourselves as better than everyone else (the Pharisee), or we beat ourselves up and see ourselves as nothing but perpetual sinners and failures (the tax collector). Remember, this parable was intended, not to degrade righteous people, but to humble self-righteous people (vs. 9). Thus, the tax collector is not being held up as a model for us; he is being used to further enrich and deepen the ugliness of arrogance in religion by way of contrast.

To put it another way, Jesus isn't saying that we must always carry with us a self-defeating attitude, and that if we don't, we must be self-righteous like the Pharisee. He's simply telling us not to be self-righteous like the Pharisee. That's the point of the parable.

Consider with me the following statements and tell me which category these statements fall into; do these statements reflect (a) self-righteousness (like the Pharisee), or (b) the self-defeating attitude many impose upon the tax collector?

"For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord" (1 Cor. 4:4).

"Therefore let us, as many as are mature (perfect in the KJV), have this in mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you" (Phil. 3:15).

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

"But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39).

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1 John 5:4).

Do these four statements denote arrogance? Or, do we see a self-defeating attitude? Which is it?

If we believe that we are innocent, and that there are no sins currently staining our souls, are we arrogant (1 Cor. 4:4)? Is it arrogant to see ourselves as mature Christians (Phil. 3:15)? Is it self-righteous to say that we have been faithful to God and will have heaven as our home (2 Tim. 4:7-8)? Is it haughty to claim that we are faithful and obedient servants of the Most High God (Heb. 10:39)? Are we just like the Pharisee in Luke 18 if and when we make the claim that we have overcome the world and have confidence before God (1 John 5:4)? Based on the way many interpret the parable in Luke 18, the answer is "yes."

Or maybe there's a third category. Maybe it's possible for one to be a confident child of God, walking in the light, mature in the faith and assured of salvation without being either arrogant or self-defeating.

Dear reader, we ought not read Luke 18:9-14 and conclude that we must always beat our breast like the tax collector, or that we must always see ourselves as nothing more than wretched, helpless sinners. The tax-collector had sinned, and was honest about his sin, and we should be just as humble and just as honest when we have sinned. But it is possible to walk in the light and be faithful. It is possible for my life not to be characterized by sin as it once was (1 John 3:6-10). 

Either we are the sanctified people of God, set apart from the world and distingued as God's special people (John 17:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:9-10), or we're not.

I could go on, but for now, I'll step down from the soapbox. Those of you who follow this blog know that this is an issue I've dealt with in the past, and the fact is, I'll probably deal with it again in the future. But I'll leave you with one final comment: when God says that He forgives you, believe it, and when God says that when you're forgiven, you're walking in the light of His presence, believe Him. Otherwise, you're not being humble; you're doubting God's promises.