I grew up in a Christian home. As far as I know, none of my forefathers called themselves anything other than Christian. Other than a few agnostics here and there, most of the people I know would call themselves Christians. Still I have met people from other religions.
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There are about 20 different major religions in the world. Even the religions at the bottom of that list have over ½ million followers. This does not count many smaller religions that do not fit into the other 20 categories. Surprisingly, Christianity is still the most popular religion in the world, but even amongst Christianity, there are many sects and a wide variety of beliefs. That raises the question, “what does it even mean to be a Christian.” In order to answer that we need to understand what the good news of the gospel message really is, because just calling oneself a Christian is not the same thing as believing the gospel of Christ. In fact, we will learn from Paul that even 2000 years ago some were already departing from the truth. Let us examine what the true gospel is and make sure we have a real Christian belief.
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The book of Galatians was a letter written by Paul to a group of churches in the region of Galatia. In that letter, Paul reminds us about what Christ did for us and the importance of the proper gospel. “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” (Galatians 1:4).
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Notice that Christ delivered us- HE took care of our sins, not we ourselves. That is why He gets the glory, not us. The next verse makes that very clear. “To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:5)
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Though Christ will change lives, our salvation comes through what He did, not what we do. Consider the following verses:
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Romans 3:25-27 “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
II Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
Romans 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
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Salvation is by grace not works, but it is also important for us to understand that the grace comes only through Jesus Christ. Paul makes it clear in Galatians that any other gospel message is not the real gospel but a perversion. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-8)
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So what does it mean to really be a Christian? Believe on Christ, trusting Him alone and give all the glory to Him for your salvation.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Godly Pleasure All Around
Our little boys are at an age when the simplest of pleasures are still exciting for them. I didn’t realize how easy it was to entertain them until a recent trip to a Pizza Ranch. We happened to be seated in a place where the boys were able to see the arcade games. There was a hunting game with deer, elk, and moose. The boys did not know it was a game but instead thought they were getting to watch a movie while they ate dinner.
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The best part came after we were done eating. We went back to the video games and they were able to see another game that had been hidden from their view earlier. They were then able to watch a race care “movie” and best of all, they got to sit in the drivers seat and turn the steering wheel and shift the gears while the watched the screen. They had no idea that most kids put a quarter into it. They are actually still young enough that they wouldn’t be able to make it go where they wanted anyway and they had a blast just pretending to drive. As I tucked them into bed that night, our oldest was still talking about driving the car.
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As I thought about our little boys I suddenly realized how people often miss out on what should be bringing them pleasure. When I was ten years old, I looked forward to getting a quarter to drive the race car game, but now the fun has wore off. Instead I find pleasure in little things like seeing my boys having fun.
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Too many miss the basic pleasure in life and become so preoccupied with trying to find pleasure that they miss out on the joy that is right in front of them. If they are not able to look forward to the next party, or the big game, or the exciting vacation, they become discouraged.
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But for someone who has put their trust in Christ, godly pleasures are all around us. For example we are to take pleasure in the beauty of nature that God has created. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (Psalm 19:1)
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For example, there can be more joy in watching a sunset with an understanding that God made it than going on an all expense paid vacation if you are burdened by guilt the whole trip. Once our relationship with God is right, we are able to find pleasure in the simplest of places. We no longer have to seek it, we find out that it is all around us.
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Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I am not suggesting that you become religious just so you can find pleasure. That is not what being a Christian is about. It is about believing in Christ whether you ever get any benefit or not. The point is that joy and rejoicing are a natural result of walking with Christ and when you are close to Him you are able to see the pleasures that you might not have even recognized before.
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Consider these Psalms that show the result of rejoicing once God’s mercy and salvation are understood. “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” (Psalm 13:5) “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.” (Psalm 35:9)
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If you are missing out on the simple pleasures of life because you have not believed on Jesus Christ, trust Him now. Often people lack joy because of guilt and they try to cover it by seeking pleasure. Rather than trying to cover up the guilt, believe in Christ for forgiveness and find that true pleasures are as close as the nearest sunset once you believe His promise of forgiveness.
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The best part came after we were done eating. We went back to the video games and they were able to see another game that had been hidden from their view earlier. They were then able to watch a race care “movie” and best of all, they got to sit in the drivers seat and turn the steering wheel and shift the gears while the watched the screen. They had no idea that most kids put a quarter into it. They are actually still young enough that they wouldn’t be able to make it go where they wanted anyway and they had a blast just pretending to drive. As I tucked them into bed that night, our oldest was still talking about driving the car.
-
As I thought about our little boys I suddenly realized how people often miss out on what should be bringing them pleasure. When I was ten years old, I looked forward to getting a quarter to drive the race car game, but now the fun has wore off. Instead I find pleasure in little things like seeing my boys having fun.
-
Too many miss the basic pleasure in life and become so preoccupied with trying to find pleasure that they miss out on the joy that is right in front of them. If they are not able to look forward to the next party, or the big game, or the exciting vacation, they become discouraged.
-
But for someone who has put their trust in Christ, godly pleasures are all around us. For example we are to take pleasure in the beauty of nature that God has created. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (Psalm 19:1)
-
For example, there can be more joy in watching a sunset with an understanding that God made it than going on an all expense paid vacation if you are burdened by guilt the whole trip. Once our relationship with God is right, we are able to find pleasure in the simplest of places. We no longer have to seek it, we find out that it is all around us.
-
Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I am not suggesting that you become religious just so you can find pleasure. That is not what being a Christian is about. It is about believing in Christ whether you ever get any benefit or not. The point is that joy and rejoicing are a natural result of walking with Christ and when you are close to Him you are able to see the pleasures that you might not have even recognized before.
-
Consider these Psalms that show the result of rejoicing once God’s mercy and salvation are understood. “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” (Psalm 13:5) “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.” (Psalm 35:9)
-
If you are missing out on the simple pleasures of life because you have not believed on Jesus Christ, trust Him now. Often people lack joy because of guilt and they try to cover it by seeking pleasure. Rather than trying to cover up the guilt, believe in Christ for forgiveness and find that true pleasures are as close as the nearest sunset once you believe His promise of forgiveness.
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