In my last post, commenting on God's work of salvation, I stated that all the work was His. Some might say that we have to "accept" it but I disagree. I think it is more like "we don't reject it". It sounds like semantics but let me explain myself.
Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." This verse tells us that we are born in sin, all have a sin nature. We are naturally sinners, all of us, from the time of conception.
1 Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned."
Romans 8:10-12, "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; There is no one who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all gone out of the way; They have together become unprofitable;"
John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit;"
Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;"
There are many more verses but I will stop there. I will give you my opinion and you can let me know what you think.
Man in his sin has no free will. The "choice" was made at the garden. From that point on his only choice is disobedience.
God in His mercy has given man a gift, the gift of salvation, paid for by the blood of His Son Jesus. The gift is for all mankind.
When I buy a gift for someone, it already belongs to them. Even if I haven't physically handed it to them, it still belongs to them. When I do hand it to them, the only thing they can do is reject it. It is already theirs, they can only reject it.
I see the same thing with God's gift. Man (natural man) can only reject it. However through the work of the Holy Spirit (God) and His Word a change is made and the new man (Spiritual) is able to "not reject it" if you will. Just for the record I believe Christians have free will.
I believe that from start to finish the idea, plan, and work of salvation is God's. If man has a hand in it (he has to "accept it") then it is works righteousness. God bless y'all real good.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Religion
I have been intrigued by the following introduction to Hebrews and verses from Romans 14:4, and Colossians 2:6-23. They are taken from Eugene H. Peterson's "The Message/Remix".
"It seems odd to have to say so, but too much religion is a bad thing. We can't have too much of God, can't get too much faith and obedience, can't get too much love and worship. But religion - the well intentioned efforts we make to "get it together" for God - can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing, and will do for us. Jesus is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith."
That is not the whole introduction but he ends with this, "The focus becomes clear and sharp again: God's action in Jesus. And we are free once more for the act of faith, the one human action in which we don't get in the way but on the way."
Romans 14:4(b) says, "If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help." This is in reference to eating or abstaining from certain foods and expecting others to do the same.
Colossians 2:6-23:
6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
11-15 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.
16-17 So don't put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ.
18-19 Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.
20-23 So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important."
In my mind these all fit together. I would like to attempt to make sense of what I'm thinking and as always I am open to being corrected if I'm wrong.
I find it interesting that the whole idea, act, and work of salvation are God's. It was His plan and His Son. It was His calling by His Word (the Bible) and His Spirit that lead us to salvation. We had absolutely nothing to do with it. Don't give me that "we had to accept it" stuff either. I don't buy that.
With all that being said, do you think that it is our job to maintain it? Many that do have given us all kinds of rules and regulations to follow. You might say the rules are only there to keep us from going too close to the edge of the cliff. It sounds to me like the Pharisees. Just like them the intention is good but the result is not. We depend on the rules of man to keep us obedient to God. Just tell me what I can do, what I can't do, and what I can get away with. Does the Spirit stop leading after we are saved? Do we somehow lose our ability to hear from God? We heard Him when we were called.
The problem with rules and regulations is that they lead to religion. Earthly things become more important than God's Word. Again, the intention is good but is it good? The church building, the form of worship, worship music, icons, all these things that were intended to represent Jesus have become more important than Jesus and what He taught! Read Isaiah 1:11-17.
My Gerbel friend puts it this way, "Hence we see that Jesus is moving us in "life" (living) as we lay aside our (worthless) man-made 'got to be a better christian' doctrines ....we really have no room to charge one another in silly rituals, nor to be an over bearing parent, to crush a young believer's faith...Nor should we let another crush our Spirit....For I am convinced that we can share God's love and message far more effectively in everyday life than in weekly meetings that close us off from (the outside world), designed to 'empower' us to be stronger, better followers who can strain the gnat but swallow a camel..."
Colossians 2:23 says, " These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting rigor of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh." Do you see my thought here? It's okay to say no!
In my Christian walk I have changed my mind about many things. I assume I will continue to as I mature in my faith. I've had many good teachers. I've held on to what they have said and I've differed with them too. It's okay to do that. The Spirit speaks to all that he indwells. He can guide us. The important thing is to let the Bible be your guide. Let what it says speak to you not what it doesn't say. Don't replace God's Word with man's wisdom or rules. It leads to religion. God bless y'all real good.
"It seems odd to have to say so, but too much religion is a bad thing. We can't have too much of God, can't get too much faith and obedience, can't get too much love and worship. But religion - the well intentioned efforts we make to "get it together" for God - can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing, and will do for us. Jesus is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith."
That is not the whole introduction but he ends with this, "The focus becomes clear and sharp again: God's action in Jesus. And we are free once more for the act of faith, the one human action in which we don't get in the way but on the way."
Romans 14:4(b) says, "If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help." This is in reference to eating or abstaining from certain foods and expecting others to do the same.
Colossians 2:6-23:
6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
11-15 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.
16-17 So don't put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ.
18-19 Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.
20-23 So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important."
In my mind these all fit together. I would like to attempt to make sense of what I'm thinking and as always I am open to being corrected if I'm wrong.
I find it interesting that the whole idea, act, and work of salvation are God's. It was His plan and His Son. It was His calling by His Word (the Bible) and His Spirit that lead us to salvation. We had absolutely nothing to do with it. Don't give me that "we had to accept it" stuff either. I don't buy that.
With all that being said, do you think that it is our job to maintain it? Many that do have given us all kinds of rules and regulations to follow. You might say the rules are only there to keep us from going too close to the edge of the cliff. It sounds to me like the Pharisees. Just like them the intention is good but the result is not. We depend on the rules of man to keep us obedient to God. Just tell me what I can do, what I can't do, and what I can get away with. Does the Spirit stop leading after we are saved? Do we somehow lose our ability to hear from God? We heard Him when we were called.
The problem with rules and regulations is that they lead to religion. Earthly things become more important than God's Word. Again, the intention is good but is it good? The church building, the form of worship, worship music, icons, all these things that were intended to represent Jesus have become more important than Jesus and what He taught! Read Isaiah 1:11-17.
My Gerbel friend puts it this way, "Hence we see that Jesus is moving us in "life" (living) as we lay aside our (worthless) man-made 'got to be a better christian' doctrines ....we really have no room to charge one another in silly rituals, nor to be an over bearing parent, to crush a young believer's faith...Nor should we let another crush our Spirit....For I am convinced that we can share God's love and message far more effectively in everyday life than in weekly meetings that close us off from (the outside world), designed to 'empower' us to be stronger, better followers who can strain the gnat but swallow a camel..."
Colossians 2:23 says, " These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting rigor of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh." Do you see my thought here? It's okay to say no!
In my Christian walk I have changed my mind about many things. I assume I will continue to as I mature in my faith. I've had many good teachers. I've held on to what they have said and I've differed with them too. It's okay to do that. The Spirit speaks to all that he indwells. He can guide us. The important thing is to let the Bible be your guide. Let what it says speak to you not what it doesn't say. Don't replace God's Word with man's wisdom or rules. It leads to religion. God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Set Apart
I was at the grocery store today. While I was there I thought I would try to pick out the shoppers that are Christians. I guess there should be something that sets them apart from the unbelievers. A different hair style? Different clothes? Do they buy different items? Smell different? Christians don't smoke so all non-smokers must be Christians. I didn't see anyone carrying a Bible. The cars in the parking lot all looked normal. Some of them had fish symbols on the back, I guess they belonged to the non-smokers.
Please forgive me for being so sarcastic. The point I'm trying to make is this, what does a Christian look like? How are we set apart? There have been times when someone has said to me, "You must be a Christian because you ......... I've also heard, "I thought you were a Christian, why did you .......
We need to get a picture of what a Christian life is and what it is not. It's not a life of strict rules, regulations, dos, and don'ts. That's what the world/unsaved think. Do this, don't do that, don't smoke, drink, or chew, or hang around with women who do. Is that the best way we have to show who Jesus is, what he's done, and why we follow Him? Read Colossians 2:16-23.
1 Peter 1:15 says, "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." Romans 12:1 says, "...to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." The question then is this, what does it mean to be holy?
To be holy means to be separated unto God, the result being conduct befitting those so separated. Some Bible translations use the word sanctification. Sanctification is separation of the believer from evil things and ways. I would say set apart from the "world" or "earthly ways".
When I say earthly ways, what am I talking about? There are many Scriptures that tell us. The one that comes to mind for me is this, Colossians 3:5-10. It says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Paul then goes on to say in verses 12-14, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
How important is love? Matthew 22:37-40 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is just like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Of course this love is extended to enemies too. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus says, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Read 1 Corinthians 13, the "love" chapter, apply it to your life and include your enemies. Wow!
Let me take some lines out of Romans chapters 12-15 to bring this entry to a close. We should not be conformed to this world but transformed by renewing our minds. We shouldn't think too highly of ourselves. Our love should be genuine, outdoing one another in showing honor. We should be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. We should contribute to the needs of the saints and show hospitality. If you are wronged, do not avenge yourself. A Christian overcomes evil with good, feeding a hungry enemy. Pay taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to whom it is due. We should welcome one who is weak in faith. Don't pass judgement on each other over special days, eating, or abstaining from, certain foods. "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (Rom.15:1,2) We should live in harmony with one another and be servants.
There is so much more. How does all this compare with the wisdom of the world? How does it compare with your experience? Living this way would truly set you apart. I think it would be noticed too. God bless y'all real good.
Please forgive me for being so sarcastic. The point I'm trying to make is this, what does a Christian look like? How are we set apart? There have been times when someone has said to me, "You must be a Christian because you ......... I've also heard, "I thought you were a Christian, why did you .......
We need to get a picture of what a Christian life is and what it is not. It's not a life of strict rules, regulations, dos, and don'ts. That's what the world/unsaved think. Do this, don't do that, don't smoke, drink, or chew, or hang around with women who do. Is that the best way we have to show who Jesus is, what he's done, and why we follow Him? Read Colossians 2:16-23.
1 Peter 1:15 says, "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." Romans 12:1 says, "...to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." The question then is this, what does it mean to be holy?
To be holy means to be separated unto God, the result being conduct befitting those so separated. Some Bible translations use the word sanctification. Sanctification is separation of the believer from evil things and ways. I would say set apart from the "world" or "earthly ways".
When I say earthly ways, what am I talking about? There are many Scriptures that tell us. The one that comes to mind for me is this, Colossians 3:5-10. It says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Paul then goes on to say in verses 12-14, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
How important is love? Matthew 22:37-40 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is just like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Of course this love is extended to enemies too. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus says, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Read 1 Corinthians 13, the "love" chapter, apply it to your life and include your enemies. Wow!
Let me take some lines out of Romans chapters 12-15 to bring this entry to a close. We should not be conformed to this world but transformed by renewing our minds. We shouldn't think too highly of ourselves. Our love should be genuine, outdoing one another in showing honor. We should be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. We should contribute to the needs of the saints and show hospitality. If you are wronged, do not avenge yourself. A Christian overcomes evil with good, feeding a hungry enemy. Pay taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to whom it is due. We should welcome one who is weak in faith. Don't pass judgement on each other over special days, eating, or abstaining from, certain foods. "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (Rom.15:1,2) We should live in harmony with one another and be servants.
There is so much more. How does all this compare with the wisdom of the world? How does it compare with your experience? Living this way would truly set you apart. I think it would be noticed too. God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I Confessed Already
Rudy Baga's blog titled "There are two shackles around the ankles of many Christians"(Monday Aug.13), is a must read. I have linked to his blog. With apologies to him, I would like to try and reinforce his article.
1 John 1:9 has lead to a huge misunderstanding. It reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This one verse has lead many Christians to think that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven. Note that I said "Christians". These are ones who have already confessed, agreed with God that they were sinners in need of His grace, and received it.
Now, if it's true that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven, then can I assume that all unconfessed sin will not be forgiven? Again I am referring to a Christian. Can I assume that Jesus' blood only covered my sins up to my "birth from above" and after that I have to confess for the sins I commit afterward to be forgiven? If I have one unconfessed sin, I'm going to hell. Is that your understanding?
For the sake of this article I would like to define confession as I believe most Christians would define it. I believe most would define confession as asking forgiveness of sins committed.
[That is not the definition and if you read Rudy's blog, he defines it for you. He says, "First of all the word for “confess” in the original Greek, means to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent, (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). This gives a little different feel than what we typically think of with confession."]
I only bring this up because of a conversation I had the other night. The person I spoke with believes unconfessed sin will land you (Christian) in hell!! I am talking about a born again Christian women who has been a believer for a long time!
When I disagreed with her she immediately asked if I believe in the doctrine of eternal security (once saved always saved). The implication was that I believe a person who has professed faith in Jesus can live a sinful lifestyle and still go to heaven. I was misunderstood. However I am in good company because Paul was misunderstood too. Read Romans chapter six. Verses one and two state, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
True born again believers do not want to live a sinful lifestyle, 1 John 5:18. I am not saying that they don't sin. When Christians sin they can be comforted that Jesus took care of it, 1 John 2:1.
Why do Christians want to be in control of their salvation? Why can't we be comfortable with the work that Jesus did? (I had a pastor friend ask me that question.) As a Christian, did you provide the way of salvation, restoring your relationship with God? Did God not call you? Wasn't it God's work? His plan? His Son? His Spirit? His Word? What makes you think you have to sanctify yourself?
Christian! ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM!!!! Use your freedom to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, bretheran; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."
Christians do not need to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. He remembers our sin no more. Read Psalm 103:11,12. Read Isaiah 1:18. Read Romans 8. However, just like our earthly parents, we feel bad for being disobedient to our Father (one who is "unsaved" wouldn't care). We say I'm sorry ,not for forgiveness, but for peace of mind, or a restored relationship, and we move forward in our walk with Him.
This article didn't quite go in the direction I had planned. I'm guessing that is a good thing. Even so, as always, let me know what you think. God bless y'all real good.
1 John 1:9 has lead to a huge misunderstanding. It reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This one verse has lead many Christians to think that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven. Note that I said "Christians". These are ones who have already confessed, agreed with God that they were sinners in need of His grace, and received it.
Now, if it's true that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven, then can I assume that all unconfessed sin will not be forgiven? Again I am referring to a Christian. Can I assume that Jesus' blood only covered my sins up to my "birth from above" and after that I have to confess for the sins I commit afterward to be forgiven? If I have one unconfessed sin, I'm going to hell. Is that your understanding?
For the sake of this article I would like to define confession as I believe most Christians would define it. I believe most would define confession as asking forgiveness of sins committed.
[That is not the definition and if you read Rudy's blog, he defines it for you. He says, "First of all the word for “confess” in the original Greek, means to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent, (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). This gives a little different feel than what we typically think of with confession."]
I only bring this up because of a conversation I had the other night. The person I spoke with believes unconfessed sin will land you (Christian) in hell!! I am talking about a born again Christian women who has been a believer for a long time!
When I disagreed with her she immediately asked if I believe in the doctrine of eternal security (once saved always saved). The implication was that I believe a person who has professed faith in Jesus can live a sinful lifestyle and still go to heaven. I was misunderstood. However I am in good company because Paul was misunderstood too. Read Romans chapter six. Verses one and two state, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
True born again believers do not want to live a sinful lifestyle, 1 John 5:18. I am not saying that they don't sin. When Christians sin they can be comforted that Jesus took care of it, 1 John 2:1.
Why do Christians want to be in control of their salvation? Why can't we be comfortable with the work that Jesus did? (I had a pastor friend ask me that question.) As a Christian, did you provide the way of salvation, restoring your relationship with God? Did God not call you? Wasn't it God's work? His plan? His Son? His Spirit? His Word? What makes you think you have to sanctify yourself?
Christian! ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM!!!! Use your freedom to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, bretheran; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."
Christians do not need to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. He remembers our sin no more. Read Psalm 103:11,12. Read Isaiah 1:18. Read Romans 8. However, just like our earthly parents, we feel bad for being disobedient to our Father (one who is "unsaved" wouldn't care). We say I'm sorry ,not for forgiveness, but for peace of mind, or a restored relationship, and we move forward in our walk with Him.
This article didn't quite go in the direction I had planned. I'm guessing that is a good thing. Even so, as always, let me know what you think. God bless y'all real good.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Lead From the Front
It's amazing, the things I hear that cause me to stop and think. This past Sunday I heard a preacher on the radio say something to the effect of, lead from the front not from behind. That statement really grabbed my attention.The idea is that it is better to lead from the front by example than to lead from behind with a whip.
I decided to discuss it further with my Wednesday night group this week. Two incidents from the Bible came to mind. The first was the woes to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 and the other was Jesus washing the disciple's feet in John 13.
In Matthew Jesus says of the scribes and Pharisees to, "...practice and observe whatever they tell you - but not what they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others." Later He says, "..you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." Are you feeling the love? Are you familiar with this side of Jesus? Wait, there's more.
In verse 23 He goes on to say, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel." You need to go to your Bible and read this. He calls them whitewashed tombs full of dead people's bones, unclean, serpents, and a brood of vipers. Then he asks, "..how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?"
Paul in Galatians asks, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?" We were once "slaves" to the law. We were in "bondage". Does this conjure up images of a slave master standing over you with a whip to keep you in line? In Christ we have been set free!! Amen? Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5:12, "For I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves." How's that for love and tolerance? He's angry!
Leading people from behind with rules, regulations, and restrictions will not work.
Read Colossians 2:16-23, it refers to those things as "human precepts and teachings".
Paul goes on to say, "seek the things that are above", and "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth."
Jesus lead from the front. Take a look at John 13. This is a familiar passage. This is where Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus finishes the washing and asks them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example."
Paul lead from the front. 1 Corinthians 4:16 says, "I urge you then, be imitators of me." Again in chapter eleven, verse one, he says, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." In Philippians Paul tells them to "join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."
Timothy was encouraged to lead from the front. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Are you leading from the front? Are you not only following Jesus' example but setting an example for others? Are you loving, merciful, gracious, and kind? Are you a servant? I'm not just talking about serving other believers but also those outside the church. Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
I know there's a time to be firm. We cannot tolerate sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. Jesus was firm with the ones who should have known better. We should be too.
I didn't reach this point in my faith because someone stood over me with a whip ready to strike the moment I stepped out of line. I don't have to look over my shoulder, I only need to gaze toward the front. God bless y'all real good.
I decided to discuss it further with my Wednesday night group this week. Two incidents from the Bible came to mind. The first was the woes to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 and the other was Jesus washing the disciple's feet in John 13.
In Matthew Jesus says of the scribes and Pharisees to, "...practice and observe whatever they tell you - but not what they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others." Later He says, "..you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in." Are you feeling the love? Are you familiar with this side of Jesus? Wait, there's more.
In verse 23 He goes on to say, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel." You need to go to your Bible and read this. He calls them whitewashed tombs full of dead people's bones, unclean, serpents, and a brood of vipers. Then he asks, "..how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?"
Paul in Galatians asks, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?" We were once "slaves" to the law. We were in "bondage". Does this conjure up images of a slave master standing over you with a whip to keep you in line? In Christ we have been set free!! Amen? Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5:12, "For I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves." How's that for love and tolerance? He's angry!
Leading people from behind with rules, regulations, and restrictions will not work.
Read Colossians 2:16-23, it refers to those things as "human precepts and teachings".
Paul goes on to say, "seek the things that are above", and "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth."
Jesus lead from the front. Take a look at John 13. This is a familiar passage. This is where Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus finishes the washing and asks them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example."
Paul lead from the front. 1 Corinthians 4:16 says, "I urge you then, be imitators of me." Again in chapter eleven, verse one, he says, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." In Philippians Paul tells them to "join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."
Timothy was encouraged to lead from the front. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Are you leading from the front? Are you not only following Jesus' example but setting an example for others? Are you loving, merciful, gracious, and kind? Are you a servant? I'm not just talking about serving other believers but also those outside the church. Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
I know there's a time to be firm. We cannot tolerate sin in our lives or the lives of other believers. Jesus was firm with the ones who should have known better. We should be too.
I didn't reach this point in my faith because someone stood over me with a whip ready to strike the moment I stepped out of line. I don't have to look over my shoulder, I only need to gaze toward the front. God bless y'all real good.
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