There are those who simply do not want a relationship with God. They are lost forever. However, some people do want to know God but the true path has been obscured with bad teaching for some time now. Many people in the church have been trained to think that their acknowledgement of what Jesus came to earth for, is all it takes to know God. It should be obvious that an introduction to or acknowledgement of someone is not enough to claim a relationship with that person. When Jesus was preparing to leave his followers, He told them not to be afraid of His absence. At that time he promised to send another one (the Holy Spirit) who was able to live inside a believer forever. The people around Jesus had the privilege to know Him and today we have a chance to know God. The Spirit can enable us to be friends with both the Father and the Son if we will dedicate ourselves to them by faith and obedience.
The following words are for those who want to know and live with God. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him. (1 Jn 2:27) This verse is about the truth of the gospel of God and the Spirit who places this light in your life. The anointing is an OT word used for the placing of someone in God's service. It was for a lifetime and not just part-time. This word also had the meaning that something was sent from God and then received by a human. The anointing of a Christian is their experience of a new life that is sent from Heaven to be lived on earth. This is what Jesus provided for everyone who really desires to know God. The experience is our opportunity for life.
If a person will remain in the truth and keep their faith in good condition, the anointing (relationship) will never leave them. This yielding allows the Holy Spirit to constantly be teaching us what the will of God is for our life. There is great purpose in this plan. When Jesus returns for His own, they must stand in righteousness and not shrink back before God. Jesus through the Spirit is persistently holding us in His own righteousness. This is the exalted plan that allows us to be born-again into Jesus. There are sometimes jokes made about the plan of God...but it is for real. We must tell people that their untreated, natural state, is leading them into eternal death. Making no decision about God has the same result as refusing Him.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar Three - Holy Living - Part 1
We have finished a look at the first two pillars which are about Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Remember, the first two pillars, Life Everlasting and Death to the World, have been provided to us for our salvation. Within these two pillars we find the core of Christian doctrine and all Christian denominations (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant) agree on them. The five doctrines are as follows: the Trinity, deity of Christ, bodily Resurrection, atoning work of Christ and salvation by grace through faith. We find Christian unity in these areas and thank God for it.
In Hebrews 6:1, the Bible adds a few things when it encourages us to leave the elementary teachings about Christ. This list includes: repentance from acts of sin, having faith in God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection and eternal judgment. The point is that we must move on to maturity which is living and teaching about righteousness. The next three pillars are things we do here on earth which are all about righteousness. Although we are doing the works, everything is still a gift of God. They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)
Paul told us about the holy life (pillar three) that follows our death to the world, put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24) This is our chance to return to righteousness which will recast us in the image of God. To live in holiness is the goal of a real disciple and living a life of righteousness becomes our joy. To remove the world from ourselves and not replace it with holiness would leave us in a pitiful condition. Our old nature would soon refill our life with sins and leave us in worse condition.
Just as baptism symbolizes our death with Jesus, it also illustrates how we are raised into a new holy life. God has told us in the scriptures I am Holy (1 Peter 1:16) and because of our fallen condition we are separated from Him. Every individual who desires to live with the Heavenly Father must find a new life of holiness. In the same verse it states be ye holy and it is therefore imperative that we become a holy person who is set aside for service in the Lord.
Many people do not believe it is possible to live this new consecrated life. Once again we see the importance of the Holy Spirit living in us, for we cannot live a Godly life without his direct assistance. The Scripture informs us that God has given us the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17) and we must receive this gift, believing that it is ours. This pillar of Holiness is the backbone of the Christian life.
Here is what Paul said about the life of Jesus: He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness. (Romans 1:4)
The power of Jesus' life here on earth was centered in holiness so it follows that the life of a Christian also finds its existence in holiness. You could say that we must build a new life for ourselves because the old life has been put to death. The Spirit brings into our life things which were never there before. In Isaiah 11:2 we are told some of the things the Spirit would bring into the life of Jesus including: wisdom, understanding counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord. If we ask our Father to place these things in our lives, the resulting walk of righteousness will please God. The perfect life Jesus led on earth is the great example unveiled in the gospels.
In Hebrews 6:1, the Bible adds a few things when it encourages us to leave the elementary teachings about Christ. This list includes: repentance from acts of sin, having faith in God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection and eternal judgment. The point is that we must move on to maturity which is living and teaching about righteousness. The next three pillars are things we do here on earth which are all about righteousness. Although we are doing the works, everything is still a gift of God. They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)
Paul told us about the holy life (pillar three) that follows our death to the world, put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24) This is our chance to return to righteousness which will recast us in the image of God. To live in holiness is the goal of a real disciple and living a life of righteousness becomes our joy. To remove the world from ourselves and not replace it with holiness would leave us in a pitiful condition. Our old nature would soon refill our life with sins and leave us in worse condition.
Just as baptism symbolizes our death with Jesus, it also illustrates how we are raised into a new holy life. God has told us in the scriptures I am Holy (1 Peter 1:16) and because of our fallen condition we are separated from Him. Every individual who desires to live with the Heavenly Father must find a new life of holiness. In the same verse it states be ye holy and it is therefore imperative that we become a holy person who is set aside for service in the Lord.
Many people do not believe it is possible to live this new consecrated life. Once again we see the importance of the Holy Spirit living in us, for we cannot live a Godly life without his direct assistance. The Scripture informs us that God has given us the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17) and we must receive this gift, believing that it is ours. This pillar of Holiness is the backbone of the Christian life.
Here is what Paul said about the life of Jesus: He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness. (Romans 1:4)
The power of Jesus' life here on earth was centered in holiness so it follows that the life of a Christian also finds its existence in holiness. You could say that we must build a new life for ourselves because the old life has been put to death. The Spirit brings into our life things which were never there before. In Isaiah 11:2 we are told some of the things the Spirit would bring into the life of Jesus including: wisdom, understanding counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord. If we ask our Father to place these things in our lives, the resulting walk of righteousness will please God. The perfect life Jesus led on earth is the great example unveiled in the gospels.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Greater Things
When the congregation needs to be motivated, we invite a rock star, dope dealer, sports figure, financial wizard, gang member or some previously ungodly winner into our church pulpit. Of course, they must denounce their old life while telling us all the juicy details of their exciting past. The church has been doing this for so many years that many of our children know that if they want attention they must do something terrible with their life.
The church is supposed to be in the image of Heaven. Do you think Heaven is a place where we will spend our days listening to braggarts tell how they lived in this nasty world? Deep down we must know that God has something greater for His people than having us tell each other how bad our lives used to be as a sinner. The church suffers from a lack of Godly lives and we should feel some responsibility to do better. It is a shame that we live any way we want after God sent His Son to rescue us from sin.
The church inappropriately honors these converted people along with anyone in the church that gives a lot of money. Folks always argue and say "it's not so". Be honest now and tell me the rich do not have their way in church business. Without doubt, God considers His business to be something greater than anything we consider important in this world. We should insist that the church seek God and make His work our work. The church is supposed to be the body of Jesus Christ and be entirely involved in God's work.
There is something even worse than honoring these worldly people. It is the way the church treats a Christian that has given over all his life to God. Honor is rare and many times they are not even encouraged. Many times, people call them foolish or stupid because they are not successful in the things of this world.
Jesus Christ came to earth for a purpose greater than dying for our sin. He came to create something that He could present to God as his eternal family. Everything on this earth is going to be burned up someday and this is the reason Jesus is building something new.
Oh, the beauty of a life walked worthy of our Lord. It should be obvious that we need our life to be in Jesus Christ. The Scripture says that Jesus was the image of the Father. We are to be in the image of Jesus and this will certainly require the help of the Spirit. The source of Jesus is the Lord God Almighty therefore our source must also be the Almighty. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being ---so that--- Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Eph 3:16) Paul says that power from God comes through the Spirit that lives in us and makes possible something greater than the normal. Many believers think that Jesus automatically dwells in your heart. The truth is that your heart must be "expanded" by the Spirit of power to make room for the life of Jesus.
God's will demands us to lay aside our own rights and place ourselves humbly in his control. To come to the Savior originally only takes a crises but to continue with Christ takes concern.
Pray to live in God's will by learning His ways,
that we will bear fruit and please God,
in love that God will give us his strength,
that we never fall away from hope in God.
And pray that we will find the desire to see the greater things that God has for us.
The church is supposed to be in the image of Heaven. Do you think Heaven is a place where we will spend our days listening to braggarts tell how they lived in this nasty world? Deep down we must know that God has something greater for His people than having us tell each other how bad our lives used to be as a sinner. The church suffers from a lack of Godly lives and we should feel some responsibility to do better. It is a shame that we live any way we want after God sent His Son to rescue us from sin.
The church inappropriately honors these converted people along with anyone in the church that gives a lot of money. Folks always argue and say "it's not so". Be honest now and tell me the rich do not have their way in church business. Without doubt, God considers His business to be something greater than anything we consider important in this world. We should insist that the church seek God and make His work our work. The church is supposed to be the body of Jesus Christ and be entirely involved in God's work.
There is something even worse than honoring these worldly people. It is the way the church treats a Christian that has given over all his life to God. Honor is rare and many times they are not even encouraged. Many times, people call them foolish or stupid because they are not successful in the things of this world.
Jesus Christ came to earth for a purpose greater than dying for our sin. He came to create something that He could present to God as his eternal family. Everything on this earth is going to be burned up someday and this is the reason Jesus is building something new.
Oh, the beauty of a life walked worthy of our Lord. It should be obvious that we need our life to be in Jesus Christ. The Scripture says that Jesus was the image of the Father. We are to be in the image of Jesus and this will certainly require the help of the Spirit. The source of Jesus is the Lord God Almighty therefore our source must also be the Almighty. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being ---so that--- Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Eph 3:16) Paul says that power from God comes through the Spirit that lives in us and makes possible something greater than the normal. Many believers think that Jesus automatically dwells in your heart. The truth is that your heart must be "expanded" by the Spirit of power to make room for the life of Jesus.
God's will demands us to lay aside our own rights and place ourselves humbly in his control. To come to the Savior originally only takes a crises but to continue with Christ takes concern.
Pray to live in God's will by learning His ways,
that we will bear fruit and please God,
in love that God will give us his strength,
that we never fall away from hope in God.
And pray that we will find the desire to see the greater things that God has for us.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar Two - Death to the World-Part 2
Jesus asked us to begin our Christian walk by being baptized, which says to the world we have been planted together in the likeness of his death. (Rom 6:5) When the church watches a believer lowered beneath the water, the are witnessing a promise that the Christian will die to this world. Sometimes this will cause panic in a person accustomed to the ways of the world but dying to the world is not as difficult as people would have you believe. Jesus has already died for us and we must only stay in Him and our death is accomplished knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him. (Rom 6:6)
The only possible explanation for people not dying to the world is that they take pleasure from the things of this world more than they honor their covenant with God. How hypocritical of these people to say with real believers I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me (Gal 2:20) but then to live their lives any way they please. When we die to the world it will bring a type of suffering into our life that the unsaved cannot understand.
Paul knew what it was to suffer in this world and when he wrote the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3) in his letters, it was not an empty greeting. These words came from a man who had known the comfort of God in his life many times. We will also receive a special comfort from the Spirit when we place ourselves into a position of suffering with our Lord. The average Believer of today is trying to keep from experiencing suffering of any kind. They strive to provide for their own comfort and spend as much time as possible in luxury. This is limiting their experience with God to accidental encounters and leaves them with no spiritual power.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matt 5:4) There is no reason for anyone to mourn unless there has been a death of something they love. Some people say that we should mourn the coming death of our unsaved friends or family. That is a good reason to mourn but when people are told that they must die to the things of this world, we see real serious mourning. It will help to remember that this type of death is only for a short time here on earth. There is a promise about our death which says we will live with God someday; for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also live with Him. (Rom 6:5)
When a person is chosen to join their life with Jesus and become one with Him, they will feel the necessity to live a clean life as a representative of God. Jesus tells us now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. (John 15:3) When the scripture says that we are clean it means that Jesus has provided for our death to self and the world. It is the selfish activities of this world which are making us unclean before God. We may wash with water to clean ourselves from physical activities, but a spiritual fire must burn our heart into ashes before we are clean from our self-indulgence. The Bible teaches we must die in order to live.
The only possible explanation for people not dying to the world is that they take pleasure from the things of this world more than they honor their covenant with God. How hypocritical of these people to say with real believers I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me (Gal 2:20) but then to live their lives any way they please. When we die to the world it will bring a type of suffering into our life that the unsaved cannot understand.
Paul knew what it was to suffer in this world and when he wrote the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3) in his letters, it was not an empty greeting. These words came from a man who had known the comfort of God in his life many times. We will also receive a special comfort from the Spirit when we place ourselves into a position of suffering with our Lord. The average Believer of today is trying to keep from experiencing suffering of any kind. They strive to provide for their own comfort and spend as much time as possible in luxury. This is limiting their experience with God to accidental encounters and leaves them with no spiritual power.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matt 5:4) There is no reason for anyone to mourn unless there has been a death of something they love. Some people say that we should mourn the coming death of our unsaved friends or family. That is a good reason to mourn but when people are told that they must die to the things of this world, we see real serious mourning. It will help to remember that this type of death is only for a short time here on earth. There is a promise about our death which says we will live with God someday; for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also live with Him. (Rom 6:5)
When a person is chosen to join their life with Jesus and become one with Him, they will feel the necessity to live a clean life as a representative of God. Jesus tells us now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. (John 15:3) When the scripture says that we are clean it means that Jesus has provided for our death to self and the world. It is the selfish activities of this world which are making us unclean before God. We may wash with water to clean ourselves from physical activities, but a spiritual fire must burn our heart into ashes before we are clean from our self-indulgence. The Bible teaches we must die in order to live.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Christian Life - God Rescues Us
Rescuing humans is something God loves to do and He is good at it. Even if we are the least needy person on the earth, we must be rescued by the Savior. The great thing is that the Lord continues to rescue Christians all through their life.
In the following verse, it seems possible that Paul was preaching in a lion's den although it would be difficult to focus on the message. The message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it and I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. (2 Tim 4:17-18) He does tell us plainly that the Lord will rescue us from attacks. There is a wonderful feeling of gratitude that floods us when He does save us out of a situation that we could never handle.
One beautiful evening my wife and I were strolling down a long tree lined driveway when suddenly everything changed to "life-threatening." The neighbor owned a vicious guard dog that was chained to his storage building. This evening was different as the dog ran from behind the trees and started his attack. With teeth bared, he came down the middle of the lane running faster and faster. At about 200 feet, I pushed my wife behind myself and braced for the collision. At the distance where the dog was about to leap for the kill, the teeth disappeared and the ears stood up. A look of fright came over the animal and he veered off to the left just missing us. Without slowing, the dog headed straight for home and was never seen again. Immediately, everything returned to normal.
Trained killers are not usually frightened when attacking a target. Unfortunately, a killer is looking for each of us. The devil is the vicious killer and he wants to devour every Christian. Praise God, we can be assured that the Savior will rescue us from every attack just as He did Paul. There are times when we see trouble coming and we have time to pray. However, when trouble does come as a surprise we are secure because nothing can surprise our Savior. Thank the Lord, He watches over His children.
In the following verse, it seems possible that Paul was preaching in a lion's den although it would be difficult to focus on the message. The message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it and I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. (2 Tim 4:17-18) He does tell us plainly that the Lord will rescue us from attacks. There is a wonderful feeling of gratitude that floods us when He does save us out of a situation that we could never handle.
One beautiful evening my wife and I were strolling down a long tree lined driveway when suddenly everything changed to "life-threatening." The neighbor owned a vicious guard dog that was chained to his storage building. This evening was different as the dog ran from behind the trees and started his attack. With teeth bared, he came down the middle of the lane running faster and faster. At about 200 feet, I pushed my wife behind myself and braced for the collision. At the distance where the dog was about to leap for the kill, the teeth disappeared and the ears stood up. A look of fright came over the animal and he veered off to the left just missing us. Without slowing, the dog headed straight for home and was never seen again. Immediately, everything returned to normal.
Trained killers are not usually frightened when attacking a target. Unfortunately, a killer is looking for each of us. The devil is the vicious killer and he wants to devour every Christian. Praise God, we can be assured that the Savior will rescue us from every attack just as He did Paul. There are times when we see trouble coming and we have time to pray. However, when trouble does come as a surprise we are secure because nothing can surprise our Savior. Thank the Lord, He watches over His children.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar Two - Death to the World-Part 1
There is great joy when children return from summer camp and explain how Jesus has saved them from their sins. Unfortunately, many people live with the idea that the subject is closed and they do nothing else to please God with their life. We should enjoy telling sinners they can have eternal life, but we must also inform people that they must die to the ways of the world before they will partake of this new life.
Look at what scriptures say, Know ye not, that so many of use were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Even so,we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4) Death to this world is the most overlooked truth in the Bible. Christians are being taught (whether outright or by apathy) that it is alright to participate in worldly activities if we simply dedicate them to God. This is wrong because Jesus tells us plainly that we are not to involve ourselves in worldly things, Ye cannot serve God and mammom. Therefore, I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. (Matt 6:24) Our dedication to the world will always take us away from God and this explains the spiritual apathy in many church people today.
The Lord wants us either hot or cold, not lukewarm. When we give up the world it is a sign that Jesus lives in our heart and that we have been crucified with Him.
The Scripture tells us many times that we aer to consider ourselves dead to this world. This allows time for us to turn other people toward God and keep them from falling into Hell. Paul said, For we which are dead are delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:11) Our naturally selfish nature is the reason we do not want to give up the things of this world. We desire anything that makes us feel comfortable or appeals to the five senses of flesh. Many treasures may be stored up in heaven if believers will use their resources to reach the lost.
Long ago, Eve disobeyed God simply because something was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise. (Genesis 3:6) This uncontrolled desire of hers led to the death of all mankind. Our uncontrolled desires will lead us to the same end. Paul stated that to be carnally minded is death. (Romans 8:6) It is essential that we give up the things of this world, in order to inherit the wonders of eternity.
The Lord has sent the Comforter to us and we find our peace in Him rather than in the things the world provides. Because we are in a position of nonconformity with the people around us, there is extra pressure placed on us. Jesus said it like this, if ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19) It should be clear to us that we will not be liked by some people because we behave like Jesus. This explains why may of the popular new church groups who look and act like the world do not suffer the rejection spoken of by Christ. When professional church people spend their time forming groups that are acceptable to the world, they make Jesus a liar because He said the world hateth you.
As we die to this world, we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit will comfort us when the world hates us, lead us when we don't know where to turn, and show us the way to life through our dying to this world. Because of God's perfect plan when we give up things of this world, we will find a treasure trove of life beyond this world. All this is possible in order to honor God through our walk with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Look at what scriptures say, Know ye not, that so many of use were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Even so,we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4) Death to this world is the most overlooked truth in the Bible. Christians are being taught (whether outright or by apathy) that it is alright to participate in worldly activities if we simply dedicate them to God. This is wrong because Jesus tells us plainly that we are not to involve ourselves in worldly things, Ye cannot serve God and mammom. Therefore, I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. (Matt 6:24) Our dedication to the world will always take us away from God and this explains the spiritual apathy in many church people today.
The Lord wants us either hot or cold, not lukewarm. When we give up the world it is a sign that Jesus lives in our heart and that we have been crucified with Him.
The Scripture tells us many times that we aer to consider ourselves dead to this world. This allows time for us to turn other people toward God and keep them from falling into Hell. Paul said, For we which are dead are delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:11) Our naturally selfish nature is the reason we do not want to give up the things of this world. We desire anything that makes us feel comfortable or appeals to the five senses of flesh. Many treasures may be stored up in heaven if believers will use their resources to reach the lost.
Long ago, Eve disobeyed God simply because something was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise. (Genesis 3:6) This uncontrolled desire of hers led to the death of all mankind. Our uncontrolled desires will lead us to the same end. Paul stated that to be carnally minded is death. (Romans 8:6) It is essential that we give up the things of this world, in order to inherit the wonders of eternity.
The Lord has sent the Comforter to us and we find our peace in Him rather than in the things the world provides. Because we are in a position of nonconformity with the people around us, there is extra pressure placed on us. Jesus said it like this, if ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19) It should be clear to us that we will not be liked by some people because we behave like Jesus. This explains why may of the popular new church groups who look and act like the world do not suffer the rejection spoken of by Christ. When professional church people spend their time forming groups that are acceptable to the world, they make Jesus a liar because He said the world hateth you.
As we die to this world, we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit will comfort us when the world hates us, lead us when we don't know where to turn, and show us the way to life through our dying to this world. Because of God's perfect plan when we give up things of this world, we will find a treasure trove of life beyond this world. All this is possible in order to honor God through our walk with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Walking in the Light
It’s a wonderful feeling to walk in the light. Just staying out of the darkness makes us feel good but pleasing God is really great. Paul said, Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. (Eph 5:9,10) Walking in the light pleases our Lord but this verse says we can find other things that please Him. There is a fruit, that God loves, and we produce it when the Spirit directs our life in this old world.
The Old Testament writer knew this when he said, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6) Every Christian can produce fruit by living a godly life and allowing the Spirit to have priority as He directs our path. We must trust what God is doing even without the specific details. Living a life that pleases God MUST be done with complete faith.
Learning about ourselves and others is a result of spiritual light. We will never really know about ourselves until Jesus lives in us. Most of us know that our fallen nature has two basic needs before the Almighty; we are talking about our sins and our daily walk with Jesus. John says it this way, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) Jesus dealt with our sins long ago but walking in the light is accomplished as we continually yield to the Spirit of Jesus.
Remember that God’s light is different than the lights of this world. When we are in darkness on earth a light can be seen from a great distance. This is not true in the spiritual world. A person in spiritual darkness can be standing close to God’s light on earth but still be in total darkness. God’s children must have His light in their heart in order to see his light around them. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Cor 4:6) It almost sounds like there is creation going on when we walk with our Savior.
Jesus is the light of our life. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:4) The Lord talks to us through the Scriptures. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Ps 119:130) The Spirit reveals the meaning of the Scriptures to us and we begin to understand the great Gospel plan. The light is never about comparing our life with others, it is about accepting the life of Jesus into ourselves. Jesus told His disciples to, put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. (John 12:36)
It is surprising that more people are not seeking the Light of God. The real beauty of our life in the light is that God wants to help us succeed with our “Walk in the Light.”
The Old Testament writer knew this when he said, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6) Every Christian can produce fruit by living a godly life and allowing the Spirit to have priority as He directs our path. We must trust what God is doing even without the specific details. Living a life that pleases God MUST be done with complete faith.
Learning about ourselves and others is a result of spiritual light. We will never really know about ourselves until Jesus lives in us. Most of us know that our fallen nature has two basic needs before the Almighty; we are talking about our sins and our daily walk with Jesus. John says it this way, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) Jesus dealt with our sins long ago but walking in the light is accomplished as we continually yield to the Spirit of Jesus.
Remember that God’s light is different than the lights of this world. When we are in darkness on earth a light can be seen from a great distance. This is not true in the spiritual world. A person in spiritual darkness can be standing close to God’s light on earth but still be in total darkness. God’s children must have His light in their heart in order to see his light around them. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Cor 4:6) It almost sounds like there is creation going on when we walk with our Savior.
Jesus is the light of our life. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:4) The Lord talks to us through the Scriptures. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Ps 119:130) The Spirit reveals the meaning of the Scriptures to us and we begin to understand the great Gospel plan. The light is never about comparing our life with others, it is about accepting the life of Jesus into ourselves. Jesus told His disciples to, put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. (John 12:36)
It is surprising that more people are not seeking the Light of God. The real beauty of our life in the light is that God wants to help us succeed with our “Walk in the Light.”
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Christian Life - Suffering is Good for Christians
This is very difficult to explain to Americans because we enjoy such a wonderful life. Some poor cultures believe that suffering is necessary in order to please God. We know that God does not require our suffering but that does not mean it is not good for us. Suffering will make changes in our soul that nothing else can make. When you meet a person that has suffered greatly they are hard to forget.
Chen is a small Chinese man who was working in Israel for six months. His goal was to take some money back home to his family that was living in poverty. Only one person in the church was able to speak with him but he never missed a service.
Our church began a two month class to teach the basics of Christianity. Chen attended every class with his friend interpreting for him. During the last class, the subject was suffering with Christ when we witness to the unsaved. Everyone was asked to give an illustration from their own experience. When it became Chen's turn, the teacher stopped the class long enough to ask the interpreter if Chen was clear on the subject at hand. After quite an exchange of language, the interpreter looked up and paused. Finally, he said, yes he understands. He then went on to say that Chen had been beaten up, screamed at, whipped several times and put into jail for refusing to deny Jesus.
This little man brought tears to our eyes that day and he will be hard to forget. Although, we could not see it from the outside, Chen had decided to follow our Savior without any reservations. For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6,7
Suffering can put steel in our soul if we sell out completely to the Gospel. If we want faith that has been proven genuine then suffering is good for us. No matter what kind of trial we face, remember to act in such a way as to bring honor to our Lord.
Chen is a small Chinese man who was working in Israel for six months. His goal was to take some money back home to his family that was living in poverty. Only one person in the church was able to speak with him but he never missed a service.
Our church began a two month class to teach the basics of Christianity. Chen attended every class with his friend interpreting for him. During the last class, the subject was suffering with Christ when we witness to the unsaved. Everyone was asked to give an illustration from their own experience. When it became Chen's turn, the teacher stopped the class long enough to ask the interpreter if Chen was clear on the subject at hand. After quite an exchange of language, the interpreter looked up and paused. Finally, he said, yes he understands. He then went on to say that Chen had been beaten up, screamed at, whipped several times and put into jail for refusing to deny Jesus.
This little man brought tears to our eyes that day and he will be hard to forget. Although, we could not see it from the outside, Chen had decided to follow our Savior without any reservations. For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6,7
Suffering can put steel in our soul if we sell out completely to the Gospel. If we want faith that has been proven genuine then suffering is good for us. No matter what kind of trial we face, remember to act in such a way as to bring honor to our Lord.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar One-Life Everlasting-Part 3
As we begin the walk of a Christian life we become aware of a problem. When newly washed Christians resume their everyday life in this corrupt world, they usually find a few sins that are difficult to remove from their activities. If these sins are ignored they will gradually pull a person back into a worldly life.
Peter warned us when he said if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse. (2 Peter 2:20) It is very dangerous to allow any sin to stay unattended in your life because it will always detract from your walk with God. Our old nature is always with us and will cause problems until we die. These problems can be a reminder that we need the Lord's help. The same power that saved us will stay with us always if we just call on Him. Our faith in Jesus is the path that can lead us through this world and into heaven some day.
You can see why it should be a priority of the church to encourage us to stay clean from all sin. We do have a two part defense against falling back into sin. Our first line of resistance is the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us and is always alert to our problems. When something in our life is not right, He works tirelessly to urge us to clean it up. Usually we have no desire to commit immoral things, but there are always things like intolerance or selfishness that the Spirit wants to help us remove from our activities.
Another provision we have is going to God in prayer; asking Him to forgive us and to help us not to repeat the offense. Living a life for God has its own secure aspect being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Ro 5:10) Although our Savior lived a perfect life the Spirit will lead us to emulate the life of Jesus demonstrated while on earth. Of course our life is never without sin and that is why the Bible says we are "saved by His life."
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) and you have an opportunity to be saved today if you will give up your ways for His. Paul wrote that the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (1 Cor 15:45) This means that Jesus has to power to restore mankind back to God one soul at a time. Only people that desire to know God and live his kind of life will be given the opportunity to enjoy God in a personal way.
One of the most controversial verses in the Bible says Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (James 2:24) An old argument over-simplifies salvation when it says "faith alone" and nothing that man can do will bring anyone to salvation. This verse simply means that people who are really born again will always produce good works and that we do not have the ability to be saved without action on our faith. The scriptures tell us that even the devil's believe but they certainly will never enter heaven. Our salvation must include obedience if we wish to spend eternity with God. The power is in the life that Christ lived for us and His death on the cross. Oh! What a savior who has provided it all for us but we must have more than a head knowledge...our life must change.
Peter warned us when he said if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse. (2 Peter 2:20) It is very dangerous to allow any sin to stay unattended in your life because it will always detract from your walk with God. Our old nature is always with us and will cause problems until we die. These problems can be a reminder that we need the Lord's help. The same power that saved us will stay with us always if we just call on Him. Our faith in Jesus is the path that can lead us through this world and into heaven some day.
You can see why it should be a priority of the church to encourage us to stay clean from all sin. We do have a two part defense against falling back into sin. Our first line of resistance is the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us and is always alert to our problems. When something in our life is not right, He works tirelessly to urge us to clean it up. Usually we have no desire to commit immoral things, but there are always things like intolerance or selfishness that the Spirit wants to help us remove from our activities.
Another provision we have is going to God in prayer; asking Him to forgive us and to help us not to repeat the offense. Living a life for God has its own secure aspect being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Ro 5:10) Although our Savior lived a perfect life the Spirit will lead us to emulate the life of Jesus demonstrated while on earth. Of course our life is never without sin and that is why the Bible says we are "saved by His life."
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) and you have an opportunity to be saved today if you will give up your ways for His. Paul wrote that the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (1 Cor 15:45) This means that Jesus has to power to restore mankind back to God one soul at a time. Only people that desire to know God and live his kind of life will be given the opportunity to enjoy God in a personal way.
One of the most controversial verses in the Bible says Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (James 2:24) An old argument over-simplifies salvation when it says "faith alone" and nothing that man can do will bring anyone to salvation. This verse simply means that people who are really born again will always produce good works and that we do not have the ability to be saved without action on our faith. The scriptures tell us that even the devil's believe but they certainly will never enter heaven. Our salvation must include obedience if we wish to spend eternity with God. The power is in the life that Christ lived for us and His death on the cross. Oh! What a savior who has provided it all for us but we must have more than a head knowledge...our life must change.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Christian Life - Pleasing God
Anyone who is a Christian has a deep desire to please God. Sometimes it seems strange to us but people of other religions also want to please Him. Our heartfelt dilemma is that humans can never please God with their own energy. There must be a reason why God cannot fellowship with us. Paul says it this way, I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Rom 7:18)
There was a succesful middle aged American Jew from Chicago that decided to give up everything in his life for a cause. John's dream was to serve God, so he moved to Israel and began learning how to live a holy life. After three years in Israel and working every waking minute to make his dream come true, an opportunity for me to interact with John arose.
While standing on a jetty watching the waves of the Mediterranean wash against the rocks, my Gentile thoughts were interrupted by the banging of pots and pans behind me. It was a sight watching John, dressed all in black, standing on a rock attempting to "drown" his cookware. He did not look happy and his shoes were getting wet. John had a rope attached to a large net bag with about ten pots and pans in it. No matter which way he tossed the net full of pans onto the water, they refused to sink. In a kosher kitchen all the cookware must be made in Israel (The Holy Land). Any pans made in another country, must be taken to a body of water larger than 100 meters and submerged. When removed from the water, the "foreign" pans were considered purified for use.
John exlained that the pans were a small problem. For three years his failures to please God were becoming a weight that he could hardly carry. John was discouraged knowing that his three years of hard work had moved him no closer to God. When I asked him if a person became sanctified when pushed under the water, John thought for a minute. Finally he said that a soul was much more difficult to make righteous.
Many Christians are also working hard under their own strength to please God. If you are struggling to live a Christian life, let me tell you something that will change your life and make it a lot easier. If you believe the Spirit of Jesus can bring godliness into our lives, then ask Him to take the burden of pleasing God and allow the Holy Spirit to do it through you. If you will be still and know that He is God, you will most assuredly find peace.
There was a succesful middle aged American Jew from Chicago that decided to give up everything in his life for a cause. John's dream was to serve God, so he moved to Israel and began learning how to live a holy life. After three years in Israel and working every waking minute to make his dream come true, an opportunity for me to interact with John arose.
While standing on a jetty watching the waves of the Mediterranean wash against the rocks, my Gentile thoughts were interrupted by the banging of pots and pans behind me. It was a sight watching John, dressed all in black, standing on a rock attempting to "drown" his cookware. He did not look happy and his shoes were getting wet. John had a rope attached to a large net bag with about ten pots and pans in it. No matter which way he tossed the net full of pans onto the water, they refused to sink. In a kosher kitchen all the cookware must be made in Israel (The Holy Land). Any pans made in another country, must be taken to a body of water larger than 100 meters and submerged. When removed from the water, the "foreign" pans were considered purified for use.
John exlained that the pans were a small problem. For three years his failures to please God were becoming a weight that he could hardly carry. John was discouraged knowing that his three years of hard work had moved him no closer to God. When I asked him if a person became sanctified when pushed under the water, John thought for a minute. Finally he said that a soul was much more difficult to make righteous.
Many Christians are also working hard under their own strength to please God. If you are struggling to live a Christian life, let me tell you something that will change your life and make it a lot easier. If you believe the Spirit of Jesus can bring godliness into our lives, then ask Him to take the burden of pleasing God and allow the Holy Spirit to do it through you. If you will be still and know that He is God, you will most assuredly find peace.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar One-Life Everlasting-Part 2
Man has a sin problem in which he has a sin nature that keeps him from reconciling with God. Because God has requirements that man cannot meet through the law, what then is our resolution? How does man reconcile with God? Consider the following three words as a resolution to our sin problem.
First an atonement (to make amends for sin) is necessary and therefore Jesus died on the cross to provide it for fallen man. The scriptures tell us that without shedding of blood there is no remission. (Heb 9:22) and that Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. (Heb 9:28) This historic death of Christ was the blood sacrifice given for the atonement of mankind. His payment to God for the sins of man is the keystone which holds everything together and we remember the cross of Christ everyday of our life. A Christian will feel obligated to personally identify with the offering that was made on our behalf.
The second word is repentance, which is brought about by the sorrow we feel when the Holy Spirit shows us how far we are from the Kingdom of God. To repent means we will change our life in order to please the Lord. Paul tells us that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation (2 Cor 7:10) When we have a radical change of attitude toward God it will cause a totally new life for us. Jesus tells us to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The Holy Spirit regenerates us as we continue to maintain our grateful attitude and have faith in Jesus Christ. The turning from our natural ways of sin to the righteousness of God is called repentance.
The third word for a solution to our problem is justified, which means that God will accept us into his family just as if we had never sinned at all. Some people believe the Judge will set them free from their sins but it is really more than that, because we will never stand before the Judge at all if we are His child. Actually God repented from his wrath toward us and granted us his grace because of Jesus Christ. We now belong to Jesus and you could say that Christians are being judged during our service on earth. The Bible says, when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor 11:32)
We must never forget that our freedom came at a terribly high price and our liberty must be used for God's service. Now we can see the gift of Jesus Christ as the center of God's plan for us. Jesus has provided everything needed to regenerate the eternal life of mankind and this reconciliation to God is what gives a Christian their great hope for eternity.
First an atonement (to make amends for sin) is necessary and therefore Jesus died on the cross to provide it for fallen man. The scriptures tell us that without shedding of blood there is no remission. (Heb 9:22) and that Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. (Heb 9:28) This historic death of Christ was the blood sacrifice given for the atonement of mankind. His payment to God for the sins of man is the keystone which holds everything together and we remember the cross of Christ everyday of our life. A Christian will feel obligated to personally identify with the offering that was made on our behalf.
The second word is repentance, which is brought about by the sorrow we feel when the Holy Spirit shows us how far we are from the Kingdom of God. To repent means we will change our life in order to please the Lord. Paul tells us that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation (2 Cor 7:10) When we have a radical change of attitude toward God it will cause a totally new life for us. Jesus tells us to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The Holy Spirit regenerates us as we continue to maintain our grateful attitude and have faith in Jesus Christ. The turning from our natural ways of sin to the righteousness of God is called repentance.
The third word for a solution to our problem is justified, which means that God will accept us into his family just as if we had never sinned at all. Some people believe the Judge will set them free from their sins but it is really more than that, because we will never stand before the Judge at all if we are His child. Actually God repented from his wrath toward us and granted us his grace because of Jesus Christ. We now belong to Jesus and you could say that Christians are being judged during our service on earth. The Bible says, when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor 11:32)
We must never forget that our freedom came at a terribly high price and our liberty must be used for God's service. Now we can see the gift of Jesus Christ as the center of God's plan for us. Jesus has provided everything needed to regenerate the eternal life of mankind and this reconciliation to God is what gives a Christian their great hope for eternity.
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