Luke 17:11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, l who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this s foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
The account of the ten lepers holds a simple theme that I have missed for a long time. Jesus is entering a village and the outcast lepers meet Him as He is about to enter. Their skin disease would define them as someone who is unclean and separated from the people until it passed or they died. They were referred to simply as lepers. Just like we are called Americans because we live in the US, their identity lay in the fact that they lived in an unclean body.
As Jesus approaches the village, they call Him master and ask for mercy. He tells them to go and show themselves to the priest. As they went they were cleansed and the life altering leprosy was healed. Jesus had instructed, they had obeyed and mercy was shown to all of them. Only one of them however turned back to worship Jesus. Only one in ten recognized His power and majesty and on fell on his face at the feet of Jesus. Turns out he was a Samaritan which would of made him the bottom rung of the least ladder as a leper - Samaritan.
So what do make of it as far as salvation goes? Were they all healed and saved? Were they all healed, but only one saved? It amazes me how confused we have become at trying to define who is a Christian or Christ follower and who isn't. Throughout the Bible the words "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and soul and strength and love your neighbor as your self" are used to define the faithful. Jesus tells the lawyer in the parable of the Good Samaritan that this is the key to eternal life.
So back to the account, how many are worshipping Jesus? Only one. Yes they are all healed as Jesus graciously works those miracles, but there is only one man who becomes a Christian as a result. The others may become one later, but they don't here as they consume the grace of Jesus and do not return to Worship the giver of it.
Now this is the key point for us as it is a danger in 2010 in America for us to do the same as the other 9 lepers and just consume Jesus's grace, but not worship the giver even though we may casually tip our hat to Him. There is a lot of common Grace that Jesus has shown America. Alot. If you don't believe that go and spend a couple of days in places like India, Iraq, West Africa and parts of Central America where life consists mostly of a hot, dusty struggle to live a short, dismal life. The question that we all must answer is, "are we worshipping Christ?" He has chosen to give us so much grace in this World it is baffling. Our flesh will make every attempt for us to just keep on moving through life, without ever returning to the feet of the one who gave it to us. The gifts and grace of Christ are ultimately just a scent trail back to the Giver so that we can thank Him and Glorify His goodness.
So what does your life attest? Are you glad to be at His feet in Praise, or on your own way busied by something else?
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Years resolution: Increased Faith
Luke 17: 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
It amazes me how my oldest two kids feel the need to be recognized for the smallest things. In their eyes, Titanic accomplishments such as putting their dishes in the sink, picking up their dirty clothes or eating the food on their plates deserves reward and praise. I think that we all battle that same issue in our spiritual lives.
Look at the exchange between Jesus and the apostles above. they want Him to increase their faith. Contrary to more contemporary practices Jesus does not whip us a calendared and ordered process to chart a course for so that the apostles hit different levels improving faith by expected dates. Instead Jesus has some pretty stiff words for them, and us all. Jesus asks the question "Will anyone of you that has a servant that is plowing a field or tending sheep that comes in from work tell that servant to kick back and relax and be served by the master?" His answer is no. He says the master will say to that servant prepare food for me, clothe yourself properly, serve me my meal and then you can eat. he then even takes it a step further and applies this to the disciples and us.....So you also when you have done all that you were commanded, say, " we are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty".
Oh how this strikes against our pride, desire to be known and the core of our self will. If we are out plowing sowing seeds of the Gospel for the kingdom, if we are making disciples by tending sheep and we get ready to bump into God in communion, we don't stroll into His presence chest thumping. We are awed by His presence, clothe ourselves with His righteousness, serve Him first through prayer and adoration and then we are able to be rewarded with the freshness of the Spirit. he does not pass out rewards, ribbons or speeches for our actions as they represent our obedience. What He does distribute is a greater faith for all who think it Lovely to promote Christ, serve Christ and praise Christ because you get to, not because you have to. It isn't a job, it is a Joy. Our reward is not man's tip of the hat, it is God's further revealing Himself to us. It is God's desire to pour Himself into those who enjoy pouring themselves out for Him, not seeking reward but only a greater Faith in Him. He is worthy.
So for 2011, my resolution is for a greater faith in Christ. That will come only as I obey Him, serve Him and praise Him for who He is and what He has done, and what he intends to do. It comes as I acknowledge that I am an unworthy servant made worthy only through Christ.
Will you join me?
7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
It amazes me how my oldest two kids feel the need to be recognized for the smallest things. In their eyes, Titanic accomplishments such as putting their dishes in the sink, picking up their dirty clothes or eating the food on their plates deserves reward and praise. I think that we all battle that same issue in our spiritual lives.
Look at the exchange between Jesus and the apostles above. they want Him to increase their faith. Contrary to more contemporary practices Jesus does not whip us a calendared and ordered process to chart a course for so that the apostles hit different levels improving faith by expected dates. Instead Jesus has some pretty stiff words for them, and us all. Jesus asks the question "Will anyone of you that has a servant that is plowing a field or tending sheep that comes in from work tell that servant to kick back and relax and be served by the master?" His answer is no. He says the master will say to that servant prepare food for me, clothe yourself properly, serve me my meal and then you can eat. he then even takes it a step further and applies this to the disciples and us.....So you also when you have done all that you were commanded, say, " we are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty".
Oh how this strikes against our pride, desire to be known and the core of our self will. If we are out plowing sowing seeds of the Gospel for the kingdom, if we are making disciples by tending sheep and we get ready to bump into God in communion, we don't stroll into His presence chest thumping. We are awed by His presence, clothe ourselves with His righteousness, serve Him first through prayer and adoration and then we are able to be rewarded with the freshness of the Spirit. he does not pass out rewards, ribbons or speeches for our actions as they represent our obedience. What He does distribute is a greater faith for all who think it Lovely to promote Christ, serve Christ and praise Christ because you get to, not because you have to. It isn't a job, it is a Joy. Our reward is not man's tip of the hat, it is God's further revealing Himself to us. It is God's desire to pour Himself into those who enjoy pouring themselves out for Him, not seeking reward but only a greater Faith in Him. He is worthy.
So for 2011, my resolution is for a greater faith in Christ. That will come only as I obey Him, serve Him and praise Him for who He is and what He has done, and what he intends to do. It comes as I acknowledge that I am an unworthy servant made worthy only through Christ.
Will you join me?
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Empty Hands
Exodus 23:14 “Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me. 15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed.."
Exodus 34:20 "...and none shall appear before me empty handed"
Deuteronomy 16:16 “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.
It is ingrained in us that when we want to honor someone we bring them a gift, an offering of honor. We all know that you shouldn't show up at a wedding, birthday, or anniversary party without a gift to honor the one for whom the party is given. Is it possible that we have missed our daily honoring of God by passing by Him daily empty handed with nothing to offer Him?
In these passages from the Old Testament, God clearly instructs that No One will appear before Him without a sacrificial offering. Why? He is worthy of one. It is easy for us to say to ourselves that was in the OT, God doesn't care about all of that stuff now, it's all good. That would not be wise at all as God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He wants us to bring Him offerings, the key precept to understand is what that looks like in 2010.
I believe that the offering he wants me to bring before Him each day is a celebration of His once and for all sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. If we are willing to pray" God, lead me today so that my life will bring you Glory. Thank you Spirit for being my guide in that process" and then simply following His lead, our offerings will satisfy God. Only Holy offerings satisfy a Holy God. Any other religious work, outside the initiation and activation of the Spirit, is not pleasing. Why? He is after those that seek, listen and obey by faith, powered by the Holy Spirit.
All of the other major religions in the world have a step by step plan for salvation that humans attempt to earn by works. Christ alone is the only one who says " You can't please me, only my perfect life is worthy to be judged not guilty, and my undeserving death an atoning sacrificial act serves as the due justice of man's sins." If we are honest, this frustrates us at many points because we think we have so much to offer God, as we live privileged life styles. We think surely there is something that I can do for Him in my strength. I struggle with wanting to lead and not follow as I am a pretty hard charging fellow.
My goal each day is to be in prayer before God, not empty handed, but both hands on the plow share only looking forward to the people God desires me to infect with a passion for Himself that He gave to me.
Exodus 34:20 "...and none shall appear before me empty handed"
Deuteronomy 16:16 “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.
It is ingrained in us that when we want to honor someone we bring them a gift, an offering of honor. We all know that you shouldn't show up at a wedding, birthday, or anniversary party without a gift to honor the one for whom the party is given. Is it possible that we have missed our daily honoring of God by passing by Him daily empty handed with nothing to offer Him?
In these passages from the Old Testament, God clearly instructs that No One will appear before Him without a sacrificial offering. Why? He is worthy of one. It is easy for us to say to ourselves that was in the OT, God doesn't care about all of that stuff now, it's all good. That would not be wise at all as God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He wants us to bring Him offerings, the key precept to understand is what that looks like in 2010.
I believe that the offering he wants me to bring before Him each day is a celebration of His once and for all sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. If we are willing to pray" God, lead me today so that my life will bring you Glory. Thank you Spirit for being my guide in that process" and then simply following His lead, our offerings will satisfy God. Only Holy offerings satisfy a Holy God. Any other religious work, outside the initiation and activation of the Spirit, is not pleasing. Why? He is after those that seek, listen and obey by faith, powered by the Holy Spirit.
All of the other major religions in the world have a step by step plan for salvation that humans attempt to earn by works. Christ alone is the only one who says " You can't please me, only my perfect life is worthy to be judged not guilty, and my undeserving death an atoning sacrificial act serves as the due justice of man's sins." If we are honest, this frustrates us at many points because we think we have so much to offer God, as we live privileged life styles. We think surely there is something that I can do for Him in my strength. I struggle with wanting to lead and not follow as I am a pretty hard charging fellow.
My goal each day is to be in prayer before God, not empty handed, but both hands on the plow share only looking forward to the people God desires me to infect with a passion for Himself that He gave to me.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Made in the Flesh
Ephesians 2:11 There fore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcised" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands.
We live in a world and time in which you can do almost anything if you set your mind to it and have enough capital or credit backing. Our abilities enhanced by higher education, technology and innovation have empowered humans to accomplish almost anything that we have set our mind to, or at least we think. Even in some church settings, there is a thought that we are in control of many things, even our salvation. I will never forget a conversation with a friend a couple of years ago when we were discussing salvation and baptism. He stated that he was sprinkled with Holy water as an infant and that he had always been a Christian as the sprinkling kind of certified the Spirit's work, or something like that. Where do we get these types of ideas from? Certainly not the bible. If all we need is sprinkling then why does Jesus speak so in depth of abiding, serving, suffering and following Him? He is in control of our destiny, not us. Not our denomonations (including my own) and certainly not any of our actions can please God, only Christ's works can.
AW Tozer said that an unregenerate man can no more make His salvation than he can create the universe. Amen brother. Surely we have a responsive role to answer the call of Christ to follow Him, but all of the man made traditions and efforts to create practices that bring salvation are only man made shadows of the things of God.
Look at what Paul is speaking of in Ephesians 2. He is talking about being saved by Christ in verses 1-10. His oint is hammered home in verse 8 where he states that "for by grace you have been saved by faith, and this is not of your own doing, it is a gift from God." He also reminds us gentiles that we were on the outside looking in at those marked of faith with circumcision. Paul then sets the stage for Jesus's Divine work by reminding that the work of circumcision was done with human hands. Praise God that he continues and says that Jesus brought down the wall of hostility that kept gentiles out of the club so to speak. Circumcision is done with human hands, Jesus actions were done by God and are unable to be done or duplicated by man. We can not win or pay back God for our grace and mercy, and we certainly can not invent another way to please God. We have indeed all earned death with the actions of our hands. True salvation comes only through the work of His spike driven, bloody hands as He hung on the Cross. Our response is "Holy Holy Holy..Lord God all Mighty". Our hope is in the Glorified risen and healed hands of Jesus Christ.
So where is your trust? Does your confidence in salvation lie in a ritual? Does it lie in an orchestrated church event of any denomination? Or can you feel and sense the Holy Spirit leading, convicting and shaping you as you follow Christ?
We live in a world and time in which you can do almost anything if you set your mind to it and have enough capital or credit backing. Our abilities enhanced by higher education, technology and innovation have empowered humans to accomplish almost anything that we have set our mind to, or at least we think. Even in some church settings, there is a thought that we are in control of many things, even our salvation. I will never forget a conversation with a friend a couple of years ago when we were discussing salvation and baptism. He stated that he was sprinkled with Holy water as an infant and that he had always been a Christian as the sprinkling kind of certified the Spirit's work, or something like that. Where do we get these types of ideas from? Certainly not the bible. If all we need is sprinkling then why does Jesus speak so in depth of abiding, serving, suffering and following Him? He is in control of our destiny, not us. Not our denomonations (including my own) and certainly not any of our actions can please God, only Christ's works can.
AW Tozer said that an unregenerate man can no more make His salvation than he can create the universe. Amen brother. Surely we have a responsive role to answer the call of Christ to follow Him, but all of the man made traditions and efforts to create practices that bring salvation are only man made shadows of the things of God.
Look at what Paul is speaking of in Ephesians 2. He is talking about being saved by Christ in verses 1-10. His oint is hammered home in verse 8 where he states that "for by grace you have been saved by faith, and this is not of your own doing, it is a gift from God." He also reminds us gentiles that we were on the outside looking in at those marked of faith with circumcision. Paul then sets the stage for Jesus's Divine work by reminding that the work of circumcision was done with human hands. Praise God that he continues and says that Jesus brought down the wall of hostility that kept gentiles out of the club so to speak. Circumcision is done with human hands, Jesus actions were done by God and are unable to be done or duplicated by man. We can not win or pay back God for our grace and mercy, and we certainly can not invent another way to please God. We have indeed all earned death with the actions of our hands. True salvation comes only through the work of His spike driven, bloody hands as He hung on the Cross. Our response is "Holy Holy Holy..Lord God all Mighty". Our hope is in the Glorified risen and healed hands of Jesus Christ.
So where is your trust? Does your confidence in salvation lie in a ritual? Does it lie in an orchestrated church event of any denomination? Or can you feel and sense the Holy Spirit leading, convicting and shaping you as you follow Christ?
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Jesus, Savior and Judge
Jude 1:5 Now I want to remind you, although you once knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
It is Christmas morning and the kids are on a sugar high and in need of a nap. A rare snowfall outside reminds me of Jesus's pure sinless life, and conversely my not so stainless deeds. Christmas songs, meals with friends, stories and talk of stables, angels and wise men are every where in good ol' Alabama. Conversations with friends, family and strangers are dominated with travel and traditions with Jesus's birth tagged on as a necessary postscript.
This morning as I celebrate the joy of Christmas, I am burdened for others. For the 25,000 kids that will die today due to starvation and preventable diseases I have sorrow. For the millions of people who think that they have belief, faith and a relationship with Jesus when all they have is a factual knowledge makes my heart hurt. Jesus is good news. At least to those who are satisfied by Him and Worship Him. Look at the words of Jude to the believers in the first century. Jesus's work made a salvation possible for all of the Israelites, but those who did not believe HE destroyed. In this one verse we see the perfect mercy and perfect Justice of Christ demonstrated. We also see the Gospel truth of our desperate need for Christ to stand in our place before God. Sinful man in the presence of a holy God without Christ's blood atoning for our sins gives us the death we all have earned. So He desires to be savior to all, but will be judge and destroyer who refuse to praise and worship the God of Mercy.
I would ask each of you this Christmas a tough question. Do you really believe that Christ was born on Christmas to die as a sacrifice? Do you believe that their was a tiny baby that had the weight of the whole world and your eternal destiny on His shoulders? If you at the core of your heart believe that then I praise God for His grace so press into Him as we celebrate deliverance that Christmas symbolizes.
If those questions seem foreign or like a fairy tale I pray that He would draw you into His grace. Ask Him this Christmas to draw you into the Love and grace he offers.
It is Christmas morning and the kids are on a sugar high and in need of a nap. A rare snowfall outside reminds me of Jesus's pure sinless life, and conversely my not so stainless deeds. Christmas songs, meals with friends, stories and talk of stables, angels and wise men are every where in good ol' Alabama. Conversations with friends, family and strangers are dominated with travel and traditions with Jesus's birth tagged on as a necessary postscript.
This morning as I celebrate the joy of Christmas, I am burdened for others. For the 25,000 kids that will die today due to starvation and preventable diseases I have sorrow. For the millions of people who think that they have belief, faith and a relationship with Jesus when all they have is a factual knowledge makes my heart hurt. Jesus is good news. At least to those who are satisfied by Him and Worship Him. Look at the words of Jude to the believers in the first century. Jesus's work made a salvation possible for all of the Israelites, but those who did not believe HE destroyed. In this one verse we see the perfect mercy and perfect Justice of Christ demonstrated. We also see the Gospel truth of our desperate need for Christ to stand in our place before God. Sinful man in the presence of a holy God without Christ's blood atoning for our sins gives us the death we all have earned. So He desires to be savior to all, but will be judge and destroyer who refuse to praise and worship the God of Mercy.
I would ask each of you this Christmas a tough question. Do you really believe that Christ was born on Christmas to die as a sacrifice? Do you believe that their was a tiny baby that had the weight of the whole world and your eternal destiny on His shoulders? If you at the core of your heart believe that then I praise God for His grace so press into Him as we celebrate deliverance that Christmas symbolizes.
If those questions seem foreign or like a fairy tale I pray that He would draw you into His grace. Ask Him this Christmas to draw you into the Love and grace he offers.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
2 types of People
3 John 9:..Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority 10 So if I come I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself.
When you boil it down, there are two types of people. First John clarifies those two extremely broad categories in the life of two men who existed back in the first century. John also gives the markers of those men's lives and who it is that they follow.
Diotrophes
Markers:
1) Put Himself First
2) Did not acknowledge God given authority and wants to rule his way according to his rules
3) Talked wicked made up nonsense against others to elevate himself
3) Did not welcome and love the brotherhood..in fact he expels those that welcome and serve others.
Demetrius
1) Imitates good not evil; that is he humbly serves God and his brothers
2) His life's testimony is clearly revealing the Glory of Christ as he serves and builds others up in truth
So we have two people walking down two diverging paths. One patterned after Satan and one patterned after Christ. The big question is which person are you and which path are you walking down? It is a pretty important question don't you think? It is tough and it hurts I know, but it is something that we must face as the eyes of God watch over our souls.
A puritan prayer of self-deprecation from Valley of Vision.
O lord, My every sense, faculty, member, affection, is a snare to me,
I can scarce open my eyes but I envy those above me, or despise those below.
I covet honor and riches of the mighty, and am proud and unmerciful to the rags of others;
If I behold beauty it is to bait lust, or see deformity, its stirs up loathing and disdain;
How soon do slanders, vain jests and wanton speeches creep into my heart!
Am I comely? What fuel for pride!
Am I deformed? What an occasion for repining!
Am I gifted? I lust after applause!
Am I in authority? how prone to abuse my trust, make will my law,
exclude others enjoyments, serve my own interests and policy!
Am i inferior? how much I grudge others preeminance!
Am I rich? how exalted I have become!
Thou knowest that all these are snares by my corruptions,
and that my greatest snare is myself.
I bewail that my apprehensions are dull,
my thoughts mean, my affections stupid,
my expressions low, my life unbeseeming;
Yet what canst thou expect of dust but levity,
of corruption but defilement?
Keep me ever mindful of my natural state,
but let me not forget my heavenly title,
or the grace that can deal with every sin.
11 Beloved do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself.
When you boil it down, there are two types of people. First John clarifies those two extremely broad categories in the life of two men who existed back in the first century. John also gives the markers of those men's lives and who it is that they follow.
Diotrophes
Markers:
1) Put Himself First
2) Did not acknowledge God given authority and wants to rule his way according to his rules
3) Talked wicked made up nonsense against others to elevate himself
3) Did not welcome and love the brotherhood..in fact he expels those that welcome and serve others.
Demetrius
1) Imitates good not evil; that is he humbly serves God and his brothers
2) His life's testimony is clearly revealing the Glory of Christ as he serves and builds others up in truth
So we have two people walking down two diverging paths. One patterned after Satan and one patterned after Christ. The big question is which person are you and which path are you walking down? It is a pretty important question don't you think? It is tough and it hurts I know, but it is something that we must face as the eyes of God watch over our souls.
A puritan prayer of self-deprecation from Valley of Vision.
O lord, My every sense, faculty, member, affection, is a snare to me,
I can scarce open my eyes but I envy those above me, or despise those below.
I covet honor and riches of the mighty, and am proud and unmerciful to the rags of others;
If I behold beauty it is to bait lust, or see deformity, its stirs up loathing and disdain;
How soon do slanders, vain jests and wanton speeches creep into my heart!
Am I comely? What fuel for pride!
Am I deformed? What an occasion for repining!
Am I gifted? I lust after applause!
Am I in authority? how prone to abuse my trust, make will my law,
exclude others enjoyments, serve my own interests and policy!
Am i inferior? how much I grudge others preeminance!
Am I rich? how exalted I have become!
Thou knowest that all these are snares by my corruptions,
and that my greatest snare is myself.
I bewail that my apprehensions are dull,
my thoughts mean, my affections stupid,
my expressions low, my life unbeseeming;
Yet what canst thou expect of dust but levity,
of corruption but defilement?
Keep me ever mindful of my natural state,
but let me not forget my heavenly title,
or the grace that can deal with every sin.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Open Hearts
1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But f if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Most things in life are really pretty obvious. As a father of four, I now know that if a baby is crying and isn't sick or in need of changing, it needs to be fed. God designed it that way and it is obvious to those who look into such scenarios.
Having just returned from celebrating Christmas with my family in Honduras, where there is 70% unemployment and poverty and 54% abject poverty, God has reinforced some more things that are obvious. God used the scripture above to reinforce my convictions about caring for the marginalized, because they are His children and are made in His image. Looking at babies being raised in dusty shacks without a father, money, water, education or security breaks my heart and it should. This scenario is rampant around the world and is a result of man's sin.
Rampant, broken poverty is not how God planned for His created beings to be raised. He always has a victorious plan to overcome our sinful drifting away from His will. His plan to lift up our brothers and sisters is clear in the passage above and is initiated and activated by Christ. John is very clear and directly implies that if Christ is in you, you will not close your heart against those in need. He charges those that follow Him should not do so in an empty and stale religious role with only lip service, but in their actions that are an overflow of their awe with Christ! The bible is clear that He found each of us in our spiritual poverty and fed us because of His love. If we have Him and His love, we will act as He did. Our actions follow our salvation they do not create it.
Before Christ saved me at age 34, I was not as aware of the needs of the world as I am now. Why is that? I used to spend the majority of my life trying to make enough money to insulate myself and my family from it! I wanted to create a world within the world, were we would live in complete happiness as we travelled and enjoyed all that the world could offer us. If you read the end of 1st John chapter 2, you will see John's charge that anyone who loves the world and the things of this world does NOT have the LOVE of the FATHER. Pretty straight forward. Either we cherish Christ and his will or we cherish the world's temporary vanity and ignore the fact that many thousands of people die daily from preventable diseases and lack of food. His blessings are to be shared as we serve those in poverty.
Choosing to ignore the facts of what is going on in the world and God's plan to minister to it doesn't make it go away. Just like a baby that is lying in its crib doesn't stop crying in hunger just because you ignore it and hope someone else takes care of it.
Most things in life are really pretty obvious. As a father of four, I now know that if a baby is crying and isn't sick or in need of changing, it needs to be fed. God designed it that way and it is obvious to those who look into such scenarios.
Having just returned from celebrating Christmas with my family in Honduras, where there is 70% unemployment and poverty and 54% abject poverty, God has reinforced some more things that are obvious. God used the scripture above to reinforce my convictions about caring for the marginalized, because they are His children and are made in His image. Looking at babies being raised in dusty shacks without a father, money, water, education or security breaks my heart and it should. This scenario is rampant around the world and is a result of man's sin.
Rampant, broken poverty is not how God planned for His created beings to be raised. He always has a victorious plan to overcome our sinful drifting away from His will. His plan to lift up our brothers and sisters is clear in the passage above and is initiated and activated by Christ. John is very clear and directly implies that if Christ is in you, you will not close your heart against those in need. He charges those that follow Him should not do so in an empty and stale religious role with only lip service, but in their actions that are an overflow of their awe with Christ! The bible is clear that He found each of us in our spiritual poverty and fed us because of His love. If we have Him and His love, we will act as He did. Our actions follow our salvation they do not create it.
Before Christ saved me at age 34, I was not as aware of the needs of the world as I am now. Why is that? I used to spend the majority of my life trying to make enough money to insulate myself and my family from it! I wanted to create a world within the world, were we would live in complete happiness as we travelled and enjoyed all that the world could offer us. If you read the end of 1st John chapter 2, you will see John's charge that anyone who loves the world and the things of this world does NOT have the LOVE of the FATHER. Pretty straight forward. Either we cherish Christ and his will or we cherish the world's temporary vanity and ignore the fact that many thousands of people die daily from preventable diseases and lack of food. His blessings are to be shared as we serve those in poverty.
Choosing to ignore the facts of what is going on in the world and God's plan to minister to it doesn't make it go away. Just like a baby that is lying in its crib doesn't stop crying in hunger just because you ignore it and hope someone else takes care of it.
Monday, December 6, 2010
What is Truth?
John 18:37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him."
About once a month, I turn on Fox news or CNN to see the "news". I am usually frustrated by what I hear. For the vast majority of the discussions, there are people on opposing sides of politics, issues or ideologies battling over the hot topics of the day. What is amazing is how opposing sides use "truths" like slanted statistical work and expert economists to prove their point and establish their version of truth. The only problem is that the opposing side has a different set of stats and different experts that they believe firmly plant the truth in their corner. Most of these discussions end with each side yelling at each other to look at the facts, and the moderator saying we are out of time when the person they agree with the most gets in their best shot. It makes me wonder: Does any body really know what truth is?
Pilate in His examination of Jesus asks this same question. What is Truth? The irony of the situation is tense. Pilate is talking to The TRUTH. The only TRUTH. Pilate is interested and knows that something large is at work as the Jews are trying to kill an innocent man. He senses scandal and he is trying to figure out who or what to believe. Pilate makes one huge mistake.
Pilate turns away from Jesus. He leaves the truth and walks outside to the Jews. Christ is proclaiming the Gospel to him, but he is not listening. He is too busy trying to fix the situation. He wants to do his job, appease the Jews and get back on with life. With the way, the truth, and the life in human flesh ministering to him, he thinks it best to turn away and go haggle with the Jews outside. What a tragedy.
The tragedy of turning from Christ and Truth is not limited to Pilate by any means. There are many people who would even call themselves Christian today who don't believe the FULL Gospel. They would argue that the bible isn't real, Hell isn't real and that a Loving God would not ever Judge any one. They would tell you God exist as a partner that fuels their dreams of a better life, and is acccepting of all sins and understands our need to sin. There are other people who think that "we need to make Jesus more saleable in today's culture". They try to rationalize the miracles, commonize the salvation and make everyone feel good about themselves. In various different ways, many people have heard the Gospel and turned away from it. Like Pilate they have tried to negotiate their own safe middle ground. They have tried to be the judge of "What is Truth" themselves and establish that as religion in their lives.
Truth is this: God alone is Holy and righteous. We have been separated by Him by our sins. Following Christ alone out of our sins, and into life as we wage war against sin is the only way to escape a certain coming death as He alone is supreme. Death and judgement are certain. The Gospel is an urgent Truth that needs to be communicated with a passion.
Please do not turn away from the Truth if Christ as savior. Don't modify him to fit your life. Praise Him and His Truths.
He is the Yes and Amen!
About once a month, I turn on Fox news or CNN to see the "news". I am usually frustrated by what I hear. For the vast majority of the discussions, there are people on opposing sides of politics, issues or ideologies battling over the hot topics of the day. What is amazing is how opposing sides use "truths" like slanted statistical work and expert economists to prove their point and establish their version of truth. The only problem is that the opposing side has a different set of stats and different experts that they believe firmly plant the truth in their corner. Most of these discussions end with each side yelling at each other to look at the facts, and the moderator saying we are out of time when the person they agree with the most gets in their best shot. It makes me wonder: Does any body really know what truth is?
Pilate in His examination of Jesus asks this same question. What is Truth? The irony of the situation is tense. Pilate is talking to The TRUTH. The only TRUTH. Pilate is interested and knows that something large is at work as the Jews are trying to kill an innocent man. He senses scandal and he is trying to figure out who or what to believe. Pilate makes one huge mistake.
Pilate turns away from Jesus. He leaves the truth and walks outside to the Jews. Christ is proclaiming the Gospel to him, but he is not listening. He is too busy trying to fix the situation. He wants to do his job, appease the Jews and get back on with life. With the way, the truth, and the life in human flesh ministering to him, he thinks it best to turn away and go haggle with the Jews outside. What a tragedy.
The tragedy of turning from Christ and Truth is not limited to Pilate by any means. There are many people who would even call themselves Christian today who don't believe the FULL Gospel. They would argue that the bible isn't real, Hell isn't real and that a Loving God would not ever Judge any one. They would tell you God exist as a partner that fuels their dreams of a better life, and is acccepting of all sins and understands our need to sin. There are other people who think that "we need to make Jesus more saleable in today's culture". They try to rationalize the miracles, commonize the salvation and make everyone feel good about themselves. In various different ways, many people have heard the Gospel and turned away from it. Like Pilate they have tried to negotiate their own safe middle ground. They have tried to be the judge of "What is Truth" themselves and establish that as religion in their lives.
Truth is this: God alone is Holy and righteous. We have been separated by Him by our sins. Following Christ alone out of our sins, and into life as we wage war against sin is the only way to escape a certain coming death as He alone is supreme. Death and judgement are certain. The Gospel is an urgent Truth that needs to be communicated with a passion.
Please do not turn away from the Truth if Christ as savior. Don't modify him to fit your life. Praise Him and His Truths.
He is the Yes and Amen!
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