While eating breakfast the other day, my 6 year old said, “I thought it was supposed to rain today.” I asked why he thought that and he told me that he had heard it on the radio. I told him that sometimes the radio is wrong. He looked at me with complete surprise and replied, “really?”
-
The innocence if youth is refreshing, but it also reminds us that we should not believe everything we hear. As school starts, many teachers and playground supervisors are going to be drug into conflicts between students. They will have to try to figure out what the truth is as they hear two different stories about what happened. The rest of us face the same challenges as we turn on the radio or the television. Fox news and MSNBC can report and the same story, yet have different “facts” about what actually happened. If you do a quick internet search on the conflicting reporting, you will soon find that there are a number of different versions of what actually happened.
-
Of course we know that the weatherman will be wrong sometimes because he is trying to guess about things that have not even happened yet. It would be nice if we could go to a place where reports of events that have already happened and predictions about the future were always accurate.
-
There actually is such a place. You can even find it online. All you have to do is type in www.bible,com and hit a link to start reading the word of God. The Bible, whether in electronic or printed version is trustworthy and accurate.
-
The reason that the Bible is trustworthy and accurate is not because it had great editors and fact checkers. The Bible is accurate because it came from God. “For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (II Peter 1:21 NASB) When you watch Fox or MSNBC the reporting is filtered through humans with wills and agendas. The Bible, however came about as God moved men to write what He wanted them to write. He allowed them to use their own writing style, while still ensuring that what they wrote was completely accurate. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” (II Timothy 3:16 NASB).
-
When the Apostle Paul came to a city called Berea, he told them about Jesus Christ. The Old Testament scriptures speak of Jesus in many places. Just a few examples are Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 7:14, and Isaiah 53. The Bereans listened to Paul, but they realized that he may not be any more reliable than some biased reporter. Instead of just accepting whatever he said, they went and checked it out with the Bible. “And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11 NASB)
-
Notice that these Bereans did not just look up a verse or two and then agree with what Paul had said. Instead they examined (the Greek word here actually means scrutinized) the scriptures. We know that the Bible is true and accurate, but just like a biased reporter, many people take it out of context and misuse it. Since the Bible is true, we should study it carefully. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB) Men are often wrong, but God is never wrong and the Bible is God’s word.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Friday, September 4, 2015
God With a Capital "G"
Who is Jesus? Is he simply a great prophet sent to help the world, or is he actually God with a capital “G”? Some would suggest that he is the son of God, but not actually God. Others suggest that followers of God are sons of God in the same way that Jesus is. Though true Christians are God’s children, we are not deity (God).
-
The deity (Godness) of Christ is an important doctrine to consider. John 1:3 tells us Jesus made all things. Micah 5:2 tells us that he has been going forth from everlasting (existed forever). I Corinthians 10:4 speaks of Christ being with the Israelites during the time of Moses. This was nearly 1500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, and Hebrews 1:2 all show that Jesus is the creator. Consider Isaiah 44:24, “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself”. This shows that God created all things alone. Jesus is the Son of the Father. Each member of the trinity has a distinct role, yet they are all God. For example the shell of an egg is not the yoke. But the yoke, white and shell are all egg.
-
In Revelation 22:8-9, the Apostle John is reprimanded for worshipping an angel who connects himself with the prophets. Jesus Christ, however, did not rebuke people for worshipping him. Remembering that Jesus is the creator, consider Revelation 4:10-11, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
-
Not only do the elders worship Jesus, but they make it clear that he is worthy to receive glory. This is significant considering that God will not share his glory with anyone else. Consider Isaiah 48:11, “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” See also Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” In John 17:22, Jesus speaks of giving glory to his followers, that the Father had given to him. There is, however, a difference between glory given to us by Christ and God sharing his full personal glory as deity.
-
Jesus prayed in John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Hebrews 1:3 speaks of Christ, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”. This is not just glory like Christ shares with us mere humans, but the actual glory of God in heaven. How could the Father share his personal glory with Jesus Christ, if God will not share his glory with another? The answer comes from Jesus’ own statements when he says in John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” Also consider his response to Philip in John 14:9, “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”
-
Jesus Christ is not a separate God from the Father. There is perfect unity between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three are as distinct from each other as a yoke, white, and shell are, yet as unified as a complete egg. All can claim deity- the right to be called God with a capital “G”.
-
The deity (Godness) of Christ is an important doctrine to consider. John 1:3 tells us Jesus made all things. Micah 5:2 tells us that he has been going forth from everlasting (existed forever). I Corinthians 10:4 speaks of Christ being with the Israelites during the time of Moses. This was nearly 1500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, and Hebrews 1:2 all show that Jesus is the creator. Consider Isaiah 44:24, “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself”. This shows that God created all things alone. Jesus is the Son of the Father. Each member of the trinity has a distinct role, yet they are all God. For example the shell of an egg is not the yoke. But the yoke, white and shell are all egg.
-
In Revelation 22:8-9, the Apostle John is reprimanded for worshipping an angel who connects himself with the prophets. Jesus Christ, however, did not rebuke people for worshipping him. Remembering that Jesus is the creator, consider Revelation 4:10-11, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
-
Not only do the elders worship Jesus, but they make it clear that he is worthy to receive glory. This is significant considering that God will not share his glory with anyone else. Consider Isaiah 48:11, “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” See also Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” In John 17:22, Jesus speaks of giving glory to his followers, that the Father had given to him. There is, however, a difference between glory given to us by Christ and God sharing his full personal glory as deity.
-
Jesus prayed in John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Hebrews 1:3 speaks of Christ, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”. This is not just glory like Christ shares with us mere humans, but the actual glory of God in heaven. How could the Father share his personal glory with Jesus Christ, if God will not share his glory with another? The answer comes from Jesus’ own statements when he says in John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” Also consider his response to Philip in John 14:9, “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”
-
Jesus Christ is not a separate God from the Father. There is perfect unity between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three are as distinct from each other as a yoke, white, and shell are, yet as unified as a complete egg. All can claim deity- the right to be called God with a capital “G”.
Friday, August 21, 2015
How Peculiar is Autism?
My friend Brian has autism. We are about the same age and I got to know him in my early teens when I bailed straw for his dad. Before meeting Brian, I did not really understand what autism was.
-
A few years later the movie “Rainman” was released. Though there were similarities between Dustin Hoffman’s character and my friend Brian, there were also differences. Each autistic person is an individual and they do not all hate K-Mart.
-
As we stacked bales I discovered something that is quite common among those with autism. Many, though not all, of those with autism like to follow a standard routine. For example, as we stacked straw, every other bale was mine and the other bales were Brian’s. I decided to help him out and take two bales in a row. I soon realized that if I did that, I had to take 3, because the next one was mine, not his. I also had to learn to stack the straw better. I would sometimes switch which side I started the stack on, but Brian’s dad had taught him to start on a particular side, so that is how we did it.
-
My friendship with Brian prepared me to relate to 2 of my nephews. My sister’s sons Josh and Matthew were also diagnosed with autism. Though there are similarities between these three people and even with Rainman, each of them is distinct and may not have the same characteristics as others.
-
My nephew Matthew cannot count cards like Rainman, but he has memorized many roads and railroads, by observing Google Earth. His brother Josh passed away this year in a car accident at the age of 18, but before he died he was elected a student ambassador for an online home school group. Rainman did not have the best social skills, and often this is characteristic of autism, yet Josh had such good online social skills that he became a mentor to other non autistic students.
-
Recently our youngest son was also diagnosed with autism. He is almost 4 and is not yet talking. Once he gets to know someone, he is quite social and he does not have to stick to a routine, yet he has other autistic characteristics.
-
Some people would describe autistic individuals as somewhat peculiar. 1 Peter 2:9 describes God‘s people, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Hundreds of years ago, peculiar meant something different than it does today. It actually meant a possession of great value. Instead of “peculiar,” the NASB says, “A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION.” The NKJV says, “His own special people.”
-
My son has autism and is not yet able to talk. If peculiar means that he is of great value, then I would agree. In fact, people with autism have been of great value to the world. It is believed that Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton may have had autism.
-
We are all unique, whether we have autism or not. We are of value to God. In fact He loved the world and the people in it so much that He sent His son. “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.” (John 3:16)
-
A few years later the movie “Rainman” was released. Though there were similarities between Dustin Hoffman’s character and my friend Brian, there were also differences. Each autistic person is an individual and they do not all hate K-Mart.
-
As we stacked bales I discovered something that is quite common among those with autism. Many, though not all, of those with autism like to follow a standard routine. For example, as we stacked straw, every other bale was mine and the other bales were Brian’s. I decided to help him out and take two bales in a row. I soon realized that if I did that, I had to take 3, because the next one was mine, not his. I also had to learn to stack the straw better. I would sometimes switch which side I started the stack on, but Brian’s dad had taught him to start on a particular side, so that is how we did it.
-
My friendship with Brian prepared me to relate to 2 of my nephews. My sister’s sons Josh and Matthew were also diagnosed with autism. Though there are similarities between these three people and even with Rainman, each of them is distinct and may not have the same characteristics as others.
-
My nephew Matthew cannot count cards like Rainman, but he has memorized many roads and railroads, by observing Google Earth. His brother Josh passed away this year in a car accident at the age of 18, but before he died he was elected a student ambassador for an online home school group. Rainman did not have the best social skills, and often this is characteristic of autism, yet Josh had such good online social skills that he became a mentor to other non autistic students.
-
Recently our youngest son was also diagnosed with autism. He is almost 4 and is not yet talking. Once he gets to know someone, he is quite social and he does not have to stick to a routine, yet he has other autistic characteristics.
-
Some people would describe autistic individuals as somewhat peculiar. 1 Peter 2:9 describes God‘s people, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Hundreds of years ago, peculiar meant something different than it does today. It actually meant a possession of great value. Instead of “peculiar,” the NASB says, “A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION.” The NKJV says, “His own special people.”
-
My son has autism and is not yet able to talk. If peculiar means that he is of great value, then I would agree. In fact, people with autism have been of great value to the world. It is believed that Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton may have had autism.
-
We are all unique, whether we have autism or not. We are of value to God. In fact He loved the world and the people in it so much that He sent His son. “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.” (John 3:16)
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Trusting God in Tragedy
About 150 years ago there lived a wealthy businessman named Horatio Spafford. He had invested in Chicago real estate, and then lost most of it in the infamous Chicago fire of 1871. A few years later, he scheduled a vacation for his family, but had to send them ahead to Europe while he took care of some last minute business, hoping to join them later. The ship that was carrying his wife and daughters sank. His wife survived but his daughters did not.
-
Imagine the heartache he must have felt. Within just a couple of years, he had lost wealth and family. Would you be able to trust God if such an event had happened in your life? Horatio Spafford then got on another ship to go and comfort his grieving wife. While on that trip he wrote these words, “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
-
The words were set to music and became the well known hymn, “It is Well With My Soul.” Another verse of the song poetically describes Christ shedding His blood for our sins and that not just part of our sins but all of them were taken care of on the cross. In this song, we hear of a man trusting God in the midst of heartache.
-
This spring after two of my nephews were killed in a car accident, our family was sad, but we did not fall apart. Our trust in God sustained us in the midst of our sorrow. My sister and brother-in-law were a great testimony to a trust in our almighty God- so was my mother.
-
Mom called me this week and told about a friend of hers who had lost her adult son. This lady was understandably devastated, yet Mom commented on how she seemed to be taking it harder than my sister did when she lost her 8 and 18 year old sons. Mom was not being critical of her friend for her devastation, but was rather showing thankfulness that our family had such a confidence in God that we were able to face a tragedy and still say that it is well with our soul.
-
Mom’s phone call reminded me that not everyone- not even every Christian- has such a confidence in God. The book of Job tells about a man who lost his possessions, his family, and his health, yet refused to curse God. Throughout the book, Job and his friends try to figure what God is doing and why. They all speak some truth, but they also say a lot of things that are totally wrong. Finally at the end, God speaks and reminds Job that he was not there when God made the earth. God then goes on to explain so many things that God does, that man does not understand. The point is that God is stronger and wiser than we are, and we should therefore trust Him no matter what.
-
As we realize who God is- as we understand both His justice and His mercy- as we understand His chastening and His love- it becomes easy to trust Him no matter what happens. That does not mean we always enjoy the testing that we experience, but it does mean that we trust Him when it comes.
-
I cannot help but think of a couple of my Mom’s favorite Bible verses. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
-
Trust God and realize that the only way to be right with Him is to have your sin paid for. Then realize that the only one who can pay for your sins is Jesus Christ. Therefore, believe on Him as your Lord and Savior.
-
For more information visit www.southtownchurch.com
-
Imagine the heartache he must have felt. Within just a couple of years, he had lost wealth and family. Would you be able to trust God if such an event had happened in your life? Horatio Spafford then got on another ship to go and comfort his grieving wife. While on that trip he wrote these words, “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
-
The words were set to music and became the well known hymn, “It is Well With My Soul.” Another verse of the song poetically describes Christ shedding His blood for our sins and that not just part of our sins but all of them were taken care of on the cross. In this song, we hear of a man trusting God in the midst of heartache.
-
This spring after two of my nephews were killed in a car accident, our family was sad, but we did not fall apart. Our trust in God sustained us in the midst of our sorrow. My sister and brother-in-law were a great testimony to a trust in our almighty God- so was my mother.
-
Mom called me this week and told about a friend of hers who had lost her adult son. This lady was understandably devastated, yet Mom commented on how she seemed to be taking it harder than my sister did when she lost her 8 and 18 year old sons. Mom was not being critical of her friend for her devastation, but was rather showing thankfulness that our family had such a confidence in God that we were able to face a tragedy and still say that it is well with our soul.
-
Mom’s phone call reminded me that not everyone- not even every Christian- has such a confidence in God. The book of Job tells about a man who lost his possessions, his family, and his health, yet refused to curse God. Throughout the book, Job and his friends try to figure what God is doing and why. They all speak some truth, but they also say a lot of things that are totally wrong. Finally at the end, God speaks and reminds Job that he was not there when God made the earth. God then goes on to explain so many things that God does, that man does not understand. The point is that God is stronger and wiser than we are, and we should therefore trust Him no matter what.
-
As we realize who God is- as we understand both His justice and His mercy- as we understand His chastening and His love- it becomes easy to trust Him no matter what happens. That does not mean we always enjoy the testing that we experience, but it does mean that we trust Him when it comes.
-
I cannot help but think of a couple of my Mom’s favorite Bible verses. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
-
Trust God and realize that the only way to be right with Him is to have your sin paid for. Then realize that the only one who can pay for your sins is Jesus Christ. Therefore, believe on Him as your Lord and Savior.
-
For more information visit www.southtownchurch.com
Friday, July 24, 2015
More Than Baby Parts
Is Planned Parenthood good or bad? That debate has been raging in America for decades. Recently another scandal has erupted with video showing that Planned Parenthood has been selling body parts from aborted fetuses.
-
How outraged a person becomes over this scandal often depends on whether they regard the fetus as a human baby or as a clump of cells.
-
If the fetus is not human, why is there a market for their body parts? If they are simply a cluster of tissue then a cluster of animal tissue would be just as valuable. If they are really human, then they are valuable for human research.
-
Do the mothers who have the abortion know what is happening to the remains of their babies? Many who defend abortion suggest that the baby is part of the woman’s body so it is her choice. If that were true, then it would be wrong to sell these babies without her consent. Women’s rights advocates should be very concerned by this.
-
Many expectant mothers have been excited to see the first ultrasound pictures of their baby. These pictures make it very clear that this is not just a clump of tissue. It has been suggested that a mother see an ultrasound before making the choice for an abortion. Others have suggested that such a step would place undue guilt on the mother. Would it have been wrong to personalize the Jewish prisoners and thus placed guilt on those conducting medical research in the Nazi concentration camps?
-
The answers to these questions will likely generate anger from those on both sides of the debate. If these babies are really human, then that is understandable. Still the debate is not as simple as whether or not the baby is human- it is also a debate about when the baby becomes a human.
-
It is not up to me to decide when the baby is human. Instead we should look at what God’s word says on the subject. Isaiah 44:24 says, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all alone” (NASB). No doubt God formed us in the womb, but beyond that, He knew us personally even before that. Read what He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 NASB)
-
A baby in the womb is clearly a human. The whole Planned Parenthood and abortion debate should thus center around this one question: “When is it okay to kill an innocent human?” Some would answer, “when the mother’s life is at stake, or when many others can be saved by sacrificing this one life for research.” Those are often difficult debates if your goal is to preserve as many lives as possible, but if someone answers that it is okay to kill an innocent person simply because they are an inconvenience, then we should all be appalled.
-
How outraged a person becomes over this scandal often depends on whether they regard the fetus as a human baby or as a clump of cells.
-
If the fetus is not human, why is there a market for their body parts? If they are simply a cluster of tissue then a cluster of animal tissue would be just as valuable. If they are really human, then they are valuable for human research.
-
Do the mothers who have the abortion know what is happening to the remains of their babies? Many who defend abortion suggest that the baby is part of the woman’s body so it is her choice. If that were true, then it would be wrong to sell these babies without her consent. Women’s rights advocates should be very concerned by this.
-
Many expectant mothers have been excited to see the first ultrasound pictures of their baby. These pictures make it very clear that this is not just a clump of tissue. It has been suggested that a mother see an ultrasound before making the choice for an abortion. Others have suggested that such a step would place undue guilt on the mother. Would it have been wrong to personalize the Jewish prisoners and thus placed guilt on those conducting medical research in the Nazi concentration camps?
-
The answers to these questions will likely generate anger from those on both sides of the debate. If these babies are really human, then that is understandable. Still the debate is not as simple as whether or not the baby is human- it is also a debate about when the baby becomes a human.
-
It is not up to me to decide when the baby is human. Instead we should look at what God’s word says on the subject. Isaiah 44:24 says, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all alone” (NASB). No doubt God formed us in the womb, but beyond that, He knew us personally even before that. Read what He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 NASB)
-
A baby in the womb is clearly a human. The whole Planned Parenthood and abortion debate should thus center around this one question: “When is it okay to kill an innocent human?” Some would answer, “when the mother’s life is at stake, or when many others can be saved by sacrificing this one life for research.” Those are often difficult debates if your goal is to preserve as many lives as possible, but if someone answers that it is okay to kill an innocent person simply because they are an inconvenience, then we should all be appalled.
Friday, July 10, 2015
God Decides What is Right
The United States of America is known as the most powerful nation on earth. It has been said that our military is able to fight two wars at the same time. Further, in spite of a recent recession, our nation is still one of the most stable countries economically. Still doomsayers are making a lot of money selling reports about the impending economic collapse of America. I do not know if they are right or wrong, but I do know that as powerful as our nation is, God is more powerful.
-
As patriotic as I am, it is comforting to know that my ultimate security is not in my nation but in my God. That brings comfort in a couple of ways. First, if our nation were to fall apart, my God would still be just as powerful as He is now. Further, if our nation continues to gain power and influence and uses that power and influence for evil instead of good, it still will not be more powerful than God.
-
Many of us were saddened over the recent Supreme court decision that essentially reversed the Defense of Marriage act. Some of the sadness centered around the idea that the definition of marriage has been changed. From a strictly legal standpoint, that may be true, but we as Christians need to look a the broader perspective. No manmade law can change God.
-
I fear that too many Christians have reacted as if a simple court decision changed an all powerful God. No court- no nation- is that powerful. Regardless of how the state defines marriage, God’s word has not changed. This message is important to both those who are celebrating the Court’s decision and to those who are discouraged by it. God has not changed and no human law can change God’s standard of morality.
-
Let us be reminded of God’s power: “O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?” (II Chronicles 20:6).
-
The apostle Paul ministered during a time when another superpower controlled the world. The Roman Empire was not Christian and it did not get its morality from the Bible, yet he told the early Christians to pray for their leaders and to submit to their authority (see Romans 13 and I Timothy 2). Even though we are to pray for our government leaders and submit to their authority, there is another authority that is even more important- God’s authority. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
-
Our Christianity should not be used as an excuse to rebel against an ungodly government, but we must also realize that right and wrong are determined by God, not secular laws. For example, it has been legal to tell lies, commit adultery, and to get drunk long before our latest supreme court decision, yet we as Christians should never condone those activities even though they are legal. At the same time, it is not our job to stop every non-Christian from doing those sins. Instead it is our job to point out that sin is a reality in all our lives and that God will judge sin. In fact, all sin- including homosexual behavior- is so serious that it separates us from a holy God, yet God loved us so much that He sent His son to pay for our sins. “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.” (John 3:16)
-
Not everyone will agree that homosexual behavior, getting drunk, or committing adultery are wrong, but as Christians we must remember that it is God who decides what is right or wrong, not society or any powerful government.
-
As patriotic as I am, it is comforting to know that my ultimate security is not in my nation but in my God. That brings comfort in a couple of ways. First, if our nation were to fall apart, my God would still be just as powerful as He is now. Further, if our nation continues to gain power and influence and uses that power and influence for evil instead of good, it still will not be more powerful than God.
-
Many of us were saddened over the recent Supreme court decision that essentially reversed the Defense of Marriage act. Some of the sadness centered around the idea that the definition of marriage has been changed. From a strictly legal standpoint, that may be true, but we as Christians need to look a the broader perspective. No manmade law can change God.
-
I fear that too many Christians have reacted as if a simple court decision changed an all powerful God. No court- no nation- is that powerful. Regardless of how the state defines marriage, God’s word has not changed. This message is important to both those who are celebrating the Court’s decision and to those who are discouraged by it. God has not changed and no human law can change God’s standard of morality.
-
Let us be reminded of God’s power: “O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?” (II Chronicles 20:6).
-
The apostle Paul ministered during a time when another superpower controlled the world. The Roman Empire was not Christian and it did not get its morality from the Bible, yet he told the early Christians to pray for their leaders and to submit to their authority (see Romans 13 and I Timothy 2). Even though we are to pray for our government leaders and submit to their authority, there is another authority that is even more important- God’s authority. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
-
Our Christianity should not be used as an excuse to rebel against an ungodly government, but we must also realize that right and wrong are determined by God, not secular laws. For example, it has been legal to tell lies, commit adultery, and to get drunk long before our latest supreme court decision, yet we as Christians should never condone those activities even though they are legal. At the same time, it is not our job to stop every non-Christian from doing those sins. Instead it is our job to point out that sin is a reality in all our lives and that God will judge sin. In fact, all sin- including homosexual behavior- is so serious that it separates us from a holy God, yet God loved us so much that He sent His son to pay for our sins. “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.” (John 3:16)
-
Not everyone will agree that homosexual behavior, getting drunk, or committing adultery are wrong, but as Christians we must remember that it is God who decides what is right or wrong, not society or any powerful government.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Trust and Follow the King
Rachel Dolezal recently made headlines as a white person who identifies as black. Bruce Jenner now identifies as a woman, though he was born a man. These examples make headlines, but there is another identity crisis that is not being talked about- those who identify as Christian, but who really are not.
-
Just calling oneself a Christian does not mean someone is really a follower of Christ. Acts 11:26 tells us that the disciples were first called Christians in the city of Antioch. Often when we hear the word “disciple,” we think of the 12 men who closely followed Jesus Christ, but as we look at the Gospels, we see that there were many disciples. These were people who followed Christ in order to learn from Him.
-
Christ taught much moral truth. Truth that showed that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but Jesus also proclaimed the message of the kingdom. Jesus Christ shines as a bright light in a dark world of sin. Matthew 4:16-17 says, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."“ (NKJV)
-
The darkness of sin shows a need for repentance. After calling for repentance (a turning from sin) Jesus tells of the kingdom. In fact that kingdom message was a message that He told His disciples to share. In Luke 9:2 Jesus sends the 12 disciples to preach the kingdom and then in vs. 60 He tells another man to do the same. So why is the message of the kingdom so important? Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. Thus a true Christian is someone who recognizes that Christ is the King and thus has the authority of a king.
-
As we understand that Jesus Christ is the king, we also need to understand that without Him there is no real Christianity. The very word “Christianity” has the word “Christ” in it and that is no accident. Christianity must be all about Christ. In fact the very way of salvation from sin- the way to eternal life is centered in Christ. Consider John 3:16 “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.” The word “belief” in John 3:16, means to have faith in, to entrust, to commit. When a Christian believes in Jesus Christ, they are trusting and committing to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
-
They are also understanding that Christ is their only hope. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6 NASB) The apostle Peter when speaking of Jesus Christ said, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NASB) In order to be a real Christian, you must be trusting in Jesus Christ and no one else. That means you cannot be trusting in your pastor, your priest, your parents, or even yourself.
-
That last on is probably the hardest. As Christians we understand our behavior should be different because we are following the King of kings. We must also realize it the King who makes us Christians, not our behavior. Ephesians 2:8-10 explains it best, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (NASB)
-
Our works do not save us, the King does, but once we follow the King, we should be doing what He says to do. Are you just calling yourself a Christian, or are you trusting and following the King?
-
Just calling oneself a Christian does not mean someone is really a follower of Christ. Acts 11:26 tells us that the disciples were first called Christians in the city of Antioch. Often when we hear the word “disciple,” we think of the 12 men who closely followed Jesus Christ, but as we look at the Gospels, we see that there were many disciples. These were people who followed Christ in order to learn from Him.
-
Christ taught much moral truth. Truth that showed that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but Jesus also proclaimed the message of the kingdom. Jesus Christ shines as a bright light in a dark world of sin. Matthew 4:16-17 says, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."“ (NKJV)
-
The darkness of sin shows a need for repentance. After calling for repentance (a turning from sin) Jesus tells of the kingdom. In fact that kingdom message was a message that He told His disciples to share. In Luke 9:2 Jesus sends the 12 disciples to preach the kingdom and then in vs. 60 He tells another man to do the same. So why is the message of the kingdom so important? Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. Thus a true Christian is someone who recognizes that Christ is the King and thus has the authority of a king.
-
As we understand that Jesus Christ is the king, we also need to understand that without Him there is no real Christianity. The very word “Christianity” has the word “Christ” in it and that is no accident. Christianity must be all about Christ. In fact the very way of salvation from sin- the way to eternal life is centered in Christ. Consider John 3:16 “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.” The word “belief” in John 3:16, means to have faith in, to entrust, to commit. When a Christian believes in Jesus Christ, they are trusting and committing to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
-
They are also understanding that Christ is their only hope. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6 NASB) The apostle Peter when speaking of Jesus Christ said, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NASB) In order to be a real Christian, you must be trusting in Jesus Christ and no one else. That means you cannot be trusting in your pastor, your priest, your parents, or even yourself.
-
That last on is probably the hardest. As Christians we understand our behavior should be different because we are following the King of kings. We must also realize it the King who makes us Christians, not our behavior. Ephesians 2:8-10 explains it best, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (NASB)
-
Our works do not save us, the King does, but once we follow the King, we should be doing what He says to do. Are you just calling yourself a Christian, or are you trusting and following the King?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
