Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The wages of sin…



The wages of sin…

I was doing some thinking about the relationship of sin, death, the cross and what is the eternal punishment.

To some this may be obvious, and I agree, yet to many I believe they have a mixed up view of sin, death the Cross and the eternal life or punishment some will face. If you ask most Christians what will happen when they die, they will say, “I will go to heaven.” If you were to ask, “How long?” I guarantee that you will receive some funny looks! If you were to ask why someone will go to hell there will usually be two answers.

1. They were sinners.
2. They did not accept Jesus.

Now granted all people are sinners. Even the redeemed are “redeemed sinners”. Yet, is it because of our “sin” we go to hell? I know some who are reading are already going, “Yes! Why even ask such a stupid question!” Yet, if you really look at what the bibles states I do not believe people go to hell for their “sin”… at least not since the Cross.

First off the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) Death was the result of the sin that Adam and Eve committed in the Garden. Death was part of the curse that came not only on mankind, but on all creation due to Adams disobedience. So the wages of sin is death.

So?

Meaning, that when we sin we will die. Wages are the payment for our sins. If you go to work at a job, then most likely you earn wages of some kind. You are getting payment for the work you do. The payment comes from the result of your work… so also death comes from the result of sin. We are paid in our debt to sin by our own life being taken by death.

So how does that effect things if you grasp what I am saying here.

From death to life not from sinful to life.

Since the death of Jesus, who had no sin and became sin for us, sin also died with Jesus on the Cross.

2 Cor 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

There really is no other meaning to this verse other than Jesus became sin for us and in that the balance of sin and death was set to right. So now the result is that it is not our sin that we should be worried about but that we will be dead. Forgiveness for sins came on the cross. I am amazed how many people argue this with me. They claim that forgiveness did not come on the cross as that would mean all people are then forgiven! Imagine that! How could Jesus’ death not forgive us yet also forgive us. I see this as a bit of double speak. Some like Calvin ran into this and realized (and confused), if all are forgiven then all are saved! Of course forgiveness does not equate salvation. You did not know that? The Christian life is not about us getting saved… yes that is part, but it is mostly about the resurrected Christ who now imparts His Life to us. Calvin simply confused forgiveness and salvation as the same thing… Forgiveness at the Cross justified us so that forgiveness could come and the resurrection gave us Life in Christ.

Romans 5: 9. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

First off, noticed when we were justified… by His blood! When did Jesus spill His blood? At the Cross! So we were justified by Jesus’ blood at the Cross

Romans 3:22-24 states this justification was given “freely by grace”.

22. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24. and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Yes, redemption came at the Cross, but life comes with the Resurrection! Again Romans 5: 10 . For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Again, notice that we have already been reconciled… when? At the Cross! Praise God! Yet, it clearly states we are not saved just by the death of Jesus, but we are saved through his Life!

Calvin missed this idea that the Cross was only part of salvation. When he saw that all would be forgiven at the Cross and realized this would me Universal Salvation, he created Limited Atonement. Now I would get into the difference between OT atonement and NT propitiation, though I believe this teaching has become mostly lost in churches today. But since Calvin confused forgiveness and salvation, he missed that we receive the Life of Christ through the Resurrection. Or if he realized that we received life, he missed that we needed the death of Jesus to set the scales to right… to justify or reconcile the debt of sin which lead to death by taking away sin in His own death… and we needed the Resurrection so that we could have the Life of Jesus which is eternal.

Sin and Death are no longer the enemy. They are subject to Jesus and sin was already dealt with at the Cross and soon death will be tossed into the Lake of Fire. Now it is not about “sins” but about dead men needing Life! We are given the ministry of reconciliation to bring others from death to Life! What a glorious calling…


Monday, March 09, 2009

Grace: Failing Forward




This weekend I have been in some interesting discussions. On one hand, I was discussing the Bodily Resurrection and hope that this discussion will go on, On the other side I was in a deep discussion with a couple of Calvinist. During the conversation it was stated that I seem to attack Calvinist. In some ways I see that as true, yet what I pointed out was that most the time Calvinist come to me and not only accuse me of all sorts of things, they also attack me on personal levels. Funny thing is I realized that I do not remember ever being attacked by anyone who is of the Arminian persuasion. Though I know I have had some interesting discussion with Arminians, I only recall about two that took it to the level that many Calvinists have. Now, please, I am not “anti-Calvinist”. I have read up on Calvinism and in my view there are some really good things Calvin taught, yet I also see some grave errors in Calvinism.

The other people who seem to often fall into the Calvinist camp but not always, are those who seem to literally “hate” anyone associated with the emerging church/conversation. These seem to attack mostly on a personal level. I was even told a couple of times I was not “saved” because I have a link to Brian McLaren’s websites… I find some humor in that as I do not recall Jesus stating that links to people can make one lose or jeopardize their salvation.

Now the point is not about my disagreement, rather in how I sometimes respond. I admit fully at times my reactions are not very good and sometimes not Christ like… In this and other areas, I see my own personal failings as a Believer in Jesus.

What I have come to realize over the years though is that we can focus on our failings and fall into self condemnation. In fact, in my own life I know that at times I am harder on myself than God is!

Failing is not a sin. Or if it is, it is not one that takes us so far out of God’s Grace that He is unable to restore us. If one looks at failing as sinful, I see that then one may miss real opportunities to grow in Christ.

When I have failed, God has not ever forsaken me. I have sometimes felt shame and not wanted to come to God and understand what happened, yet when I have pressed in, I found that God does not feel the same shame about me. In fact, God lovingly picks me up and sets me upright again and again.


Failing is part of the process of renewing out minds. If we are not failing, then we are not moving. In fact to not fail is to not try. If we are not trying then we are not able to grow!

Victories only come when we accept we fail. God is not surprised in our failings, though I do think at times He is more surprised when we do not fail.

Romans 3:10 -12 tell us of every one’s condition:

"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

When we realize that there is not one person who is “right”, and that everyone is “wrong”, we can begin to truly seek dependence on God for all things righteous. So many people, and I include myself, fight for our own “rightness”. I see that every disagreement and fight with someone else is based on our need to be right in our own eyes. In stead of allowing God to be our “rightness” or “Righteousness” we seek our own and worse, impose our standard of “rightness” on the other.

Now we do need to use some judgment, but correctly. And as one fails, if we understand that only God is “Right” then we can trust that when we are wrong or wrong another, God will set us right again.

When failing, if we accept that we will, I see that is when God will use us. In fact as we fail, God steps in and is able to do what He intended in the first place if we trust Him to do so.

I found when I fail, God lifts me up again… He lovingly dusts me off and then shows me how to succeed. If He does not, then the lesson of course is that I do not need to succeed in that area. Yet, without failings, there is no success. Without trying there is no success.

Now, what do I mean by try?

John 5:19-21 is where one needs to start in their understanding.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

Now notice what Jesus stated? Jesus did not do anything Himself but totally depended on the Father to do all things. Often we think that “trying” is what we do with our own hands. We fall into the wrong thinking that if “I” try hard enough “I” will succeed. Though one may do great things on their own, this is not how one succeeds in the Christian life. To live in total dependence on the Father as Jesus did is the only true formula to success. In living in total dependence on the Father through Jesus Christ is the only way to receive the Life of Christ. Success by man’s standards is often contrary to God’s standards.

Mark 8:35-37 asks the questions we should ask our self as to if we are truly seeking Godly success.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

These questions should point out to us if we are seeking our own success or trusting God for His. What good is worldly success if we lose our soul in the end?

God’s grace covers our failings, yet to mire in the muck of our failings instead of running to God and admitting them, we lose the opportunity to grow as God desires us. There is no condemnation for those in Christ… so there is no condemnation for the Believer if they fail. If you have failed, get up… talk to God… listen to His guidance and know that He is more concerned and loves you than you even love your own self.

I once heard a very wise man say, “If you get to the end of your rope, grease that sucker and let go! When you do, that is when you are trusting God and He will be there.” That sounds scary as we would rather tie a knot in that rope and trust our own strength and hang on. Yet, what can we do in our own strength better than God?

Trying is not about working harder, but resting in what God has done and is still doing in you as a believer. The Christian life is a lot like floating on water. Have you ever tried to float? The more you try to float the more you sink. Yet, when you relax, trust the water to float you, you do not sink. Trying in the Christian life is just like that. If we go in trying to keep our self afloat we only sink, yet, if we relax and trust God to float us, He keeps us buoyant in the Christian life. When we struggle, often it is because we are relying on our own strength and not trusting God.

When we do fail, fail forward. Do not allow your failures to keep you from growing but allow God to teach you through your failures. Failing forward is about getting up and growing from them. When we fail, one needs to use that as an opportunity to see themselves as they are and see their real need for a Savior. It allows us to walk in the Faith God gave us and to learn how to trust God more.

My prayer is that if you are reading this and are paralyzed with fear of failure, do not give up but believe God will be there. Trust that His way for you is the best for you. Give up “trying” in your own strength and begin to trust God in His.


Wednesday, March 04, 2009

The resurrection of the dead



The resurrection of the dead

I have a few preterist friends who take the resurrection as a “spiritual” resurrection and that it already has taken place. They take this view in part by viewing that Jesus already returned “spiritually” in 70ad. I do consider myself as a partial preterist though I do not suppose that I fully understand the view so in part will not address the full preterist view directly. In the discussion though I want to look at what the Bible states specifically about the “bodily” resurrection as well as look at the early church fathers view on the topic.

I start my view in Genesis.

2:15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it. 2:16 Then the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat fruit from every tree of the orchard, 2:17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.”


Now as the story continues we find that Eve is deceived and both Adam and Eve eat of the fruit and their eyes are opened and they begin to know both good and evil. At this point in Chapter 3 they are cast out of Eden before they can eat of the Tree of Life and become immortal. If they had eaten of the Tree of Life, then they could not have been redeemed.

3:22 And the Lord God said, “Now that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

So man who could have eaten of the fruit of the Tree of Life and live forever, now will die. Most biblical scholars will point out that though man did not die physically, there was a spiritual death and separation from the Presence of God and the relationship that once was at that point now was severed. My understanding of the Preterist view is that they point out that Adam was not the first to “die” physically and that Able was the first to die physically. This is true yet what is overlooked is that Able was made in the “image” of Adam. The mortality that was now impressed on Adam was passed on to his son Able.

4:1 Now the man had marital relations with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. Then she said, “I have created a man just as the Lord did!”

So instead of the dependence of the fact that Adam needed to die first man, does die as God states. Death does reign from Adam though he is not the first to die, death does take a human life and that being Able first born son of Adam.

Death begins its reign at Adam and Able is the first victim of death taking the mortal life of a human. To say that Adam needed to die first, misses that Death began in Adam and was passed on to Able. This does not mean that because Able died first, God was wrong in that the mortal body of man died the very day Adam ate of the fruit of good and evil.

Now as we press on, we see that in the Jewish view there is no doubt they believed in a physical resurrection of the dead. In fact it is considered one of the 13 principles of the Jewish faith.

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/332555/jewish/The-13-Principles.htm

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=233&letter=R


Being that the physical resurrection was also a historical view held by the Jews should be an indicator in how we should view certain passages.

Daniel 12: 1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Now this is an interesting passage that directly states that those “who sleep in the dust” will awake. Some will receive everlasting life and other shame and everlasting contempt.

Now it is hard to deny that “dust” refers to the physical human body. Genesis states God made man from the “dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7) and also in reference to the death of a person, Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

6. Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, 7. and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

The human body when it dies will return to dust. So Daniel in Daniel 12: 1 is clearly stating that there will be an awakening of physical bodies.

When reading the book of Job, the point many miss is at the end. Many note that Job had all restored to him, yet miss that he still lost his children at the beginning of the story. Note that in the beginning of the story:

Job 1:2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants.


Note at the end of the story when Job had all things restored, something is missing? The bible states Job was blessed even greater at the end of his life, yet something very important is missing… his original children.

Job 42: 12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.

Now if Job had been fully restored there should have been 14 sons and 6 more daughters given to him, yet, what one misses is that a major point in the story of Job, is that God does not owe man any explanation for what he does, yet, still gives us the story of Job as an explanation. In the end, Job did not lose his original sons and daughters as the underlining theme often missed is that of the Resurrection of the dead. Job would be reunited with his original sons and daughters at that time.

Carrying on with the understanding of this physical resurrection we start to notice that those living at the time of Jesus expected such a things. Some thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. (Matthew 14:2) In John 11 we have the story of Lasarus being rasied physically from the dead. Jesus even refers to Lazarus as “sleeping” and the bible explains that he had died. Martha expresses her hope in the physical resurrection to Jesus who does not rebuke her.

23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Jesus then raises the physical body of Lazarus from the grave after he was dead four days and began to stink.

This is a “shadow” of what was to come after Jesus was raised physically from the grave and ushered in the New Creation.

Which brings me into my next point. Jesus was the first fruit of the resurrection. The main point of this was expressed as the Good News. It was not the death of Jesus that surprised anyone… everyone died. It was the idea expressed by the believers that not only had Jesus died on the Cross, but that in three days had risen from the dead! This was not a spiritual resurrection, it was expressed solely as a physical resurrection. Not only do the Gospel all teach this, in the book of Acts over and over the disciples spoke of this resurrection as physical. The Gospels and the Book of Acts all speak of Jesus doing physical things with his body such as eating. Jesus even makes this very point that he was not a “spirit” or “ghost” to Thomas in Luke 24:

37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Notice Jesus even states that this physical resurrection was to fulfill what was written as I already referred to in Daniel 12.

To deny that Jesus rose physically is to deny a major teaching in the New Testament.
Paul expresses the hope we have in the physical resurrection

Philippians 3: 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

John also stated that we will be like Jesus is at the resurrection.

1 John 3: 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Paul also expresses that our bodies will be changed and glorified as Jesus was and is.

Philippians 3:21 who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.
Note Paul states that God will transform our humble bodies into the likeness of jesus’ body. Also note as I already stated, Jesus painstakenly pointed out that He did not raise spiritually to Thomas but physically.

Though I will not be so bold to state how Jesus “glorified” body is, as I think that the diescirption in the book of Revelation is more symbolic and Jesus does nto have a literal sword coming out of his mouth, I do see every indication that Jesus was raised and glorfied in a physical body and that we also will be glorified as Jesus was.

1 Corinthians is clear as to that we will have “bodies”

35But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

The last phrase is of great interest when we look at the person of Jesus. “We will bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” Jesus was born not of natural human decision or of a fathers will (John 1: 12), rather Jesus was born of Heaven. Though fully human and even more so than we are now, as Jesus was the first of the New Man and was the first fully human since Adam, was the prototype of what we will be. We are “earthly man” now though we now are “born of heaven” spiritually, yet to come to the fullness of the realization of what we will be is that we will also be in the likeness of the New Man Jesus.as He was and is….having a physical body.

To state we will only rise spiritually at the resurrection misses this verse entirely. How can we be a “spirit” when we are to become as Jesus is in his glorified state?

I see also this teaching of a physical resurrection was held by the early church fathers. Here are some quotes.

Note that these quotes are after 70ad.

John Chrysostom (347-407):

"For what position can be loftier or more secure than that in which a man has only one anxiety, 'How he ought to please God?' Hast thou seen the shipwrecks, Theodore, of those who sail upon this sea? Wherefore, I beseech thee, avoid the deep water, avoid the stormy billows, and seize some lofty spot where it is not possible to be captured. There is a resurrection, there is a judgment, there is a terrible tribunal WHICH AWAITS us when we have gone out of this world; 'we must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ'" (St. Chrysostom, An Exhortation To Theodore After His Fall, Letter II, 4).

"As then if we see any one sleeping we are not disturbed or distressed, expecting that he WILL certainly get up: even so when we see any one dead, let us not be disturbed or dejected for this also is a sleep, a longer one indeed, but still a sleep. By giving it the name of slumber He comforted the mourners and overthrew the accusation of the unbelievers. If you mourn immoderately over him who has departed you will be like that unbeliever who has no hope of a resurrection. He indeed does well to mourn, inasmuch as he cannot exercise any spiritual wisdom concerning things to come: but thou who hast received such strong proofs CONCERNING THE FUTURE LIFE, why dost thou sink into the same weakness with him? Therefore it is written 'now concerning them that are asleep we would not have you ignorant that ye sorrow not even as others who have no hope'" (Chrysostom: Omily On The Paralytic Let Down Through The Roof).

"15. . . . What did He promise? Resurrection, immortality of the body, union with angels, a place in the joyful company of archangels, and as a citizen in His kingdom, immaculate life, the good things 'which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard nor have entered into the heart of man, things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.'
16. Understand what is said, lest ye lose it: I am labouring to enable you to perceive it. The dowry of the bride then was divided into two portions consisting of things present and things to come; things seen and things heard, things given and things taken on trust, things experienced, and things to be enjoyed hereafter; things belonging to present life, and things to come AFTER THE RESURRECTION"
(Chrysostom, Homily II, After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside The Church Had Been Taken Captive).

"And Paul clearly testifies this, saying, 'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that subjected the same in hope: because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.' For the creation was made subject to vanity, he says, and he expects that it will be set free from such servitude, as he intends to call this world by the name of creation. For it is not what is unseen but what is seen that is subject to corruption. The creation, then, after being restored to a better and more seemly state, remains, rejoicing and exulting over the children of God AT THE RESURRECTION; for whose sake it NOW groans and travails, WAITING itself also for our redemption from the corruption of the body, that, WHEN we have risen and shaken off the mortality of the flesh, according to that which is written, 'Shake off the dust, and arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem,' and have been set free from sin, it also shall be freed from corruption and be subject no longer to vanity, but to righteousness" (Methodius, circa 311 A.D., From the Discourse on the Resurrection, Part I, VIII).

Polycarp (AD. 70-156) was a direct disciple of John. Here is his view.

"we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself." Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself HAS COMMANDED US, AND AS THE APOSTLES WHO PREACHED THE GOSPEL UNTO US, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]." (Letter to Philippians CHAPTER 6)

"But He who raised Him up from the dead WILL raise up us also" (CHAPTER II.--AN EXHORTATION TO VIRTUE)

Ignatius (AD. 67-110) Also a disciple of John:

"He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father quickening Him, even as after the same manner His Father WILL SO raise up us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus" (THE EPISTLE OF IGNATIUS TO THE TRALLIANS CHAPTER IX)


Irenaeus a disciple of Polycarp:

AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK V, XXX

"But he indicates the number of the name now, that WHEN this man comes we may avoid him, being aware who he is: ..But when this Antichrist SHALL HAVE devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord WILL COME from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom"

AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK V, XXVI, 1

"In a still clearer light has John, in the Apocalypse, indicated to the Lord's disciples what SHALL HAPPEN IN THE LAST TIMES, and concerning the ten kings WHO SHALL THEN arise, ... These have one mind, and give their strength and power to the beast. THESE SHALL make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb SHALL OVERCOME them, because He is the Lord of lords, and King of kings. ... And THEY SHALL lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and SHALL GIVE their kingdom to the beast, and put the church to flight. AFTER THAT THEY SHALL be destroyed by the coming of our Lord."

AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK V, XXXV, 1

"For ALL these and other words were UNQUESTIONABLY SPOKEN IN REFERENCE TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST, WHICH TAKES PLACE AFTER the coming of Antichrist, AND the destruction of all nations under his rule; IN [the times of] WHICH [resurrection] THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL reign on the earth, waxing stronger by the sight of the Lord: and through Him they SHALL become accustomed to partake in the glory of God the Father, and SHALL enjoy in the kingdom intercourse and communion with the holy angels, and union with spiritual beings; and those whom the Lord SHALL FIND IN THE FLESH, AWAITING HIM from heaven, and WHO HAVE suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one."

There are many more examples of the early church fathers taking the view of the literal and physical resurrection. To state that these men were ignorant and missed that it happened “spiritually” in 70ad would seem to be an insult to them and to church history.










Saturday, February 28, 2009

A snippet of a Barth Quote with a thought....





"Our challenge, as preachers, is not to master God’s word but rather to develop the skills to listen to God without despising God for speaking to us." ~ Conversations with Barth on Preaching by William H. Willimon p. 165



Interesting thought as so many see that they can "conquer" and "master" God's word. It then seems to reduce God's word into a tool and make it subject to our human will than to allow it to change us by the prompting and moving of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes am amazed when I find my theology hold me back from growing. Some seem to think this is the same thing, that knowledge = growth, yet sometimes it is the things we "think" we know that keep us from learning what we need to know to grow...

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Life Guards and Pastors...




I was just thinking about some of the Online Discernment Minstries out there today... and wonder if they realize they are like this Life Guard to the church.

Any other thoughts?

Monday, February 16, 2009

Luther on Baptism without water...





“... Besides, the Word is the principal part of baptism. If in an emergency there’s no water at hand, it doesn’t matter whether water or beer is used.” ~ Martin Luther

Oh, and if it isn't Guinness it is not an authentic baptism.

Hero

Saturday, February 14, 2009

The emerging church is dead, long live the emerging church!




The emerging church is dead, long live the emerging church!

I keep coming across articles like this one that seem to state that the emerging church is a dying movement. To me, if it is a movement or was ever a movement then great… let it die. Yet, for many of us we never saw it as a movement in the sense “movement” is often used… It is in a sense like a Tsunami as is alluded to by authors like Lenard Sweet, yet is the emerging church a wave to ride until the next one comes? In our faith are we nothing but surfers that ride the waves that come? To me that sound too much like what is warned about in Ephesians 4: 14:

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

To me it has never been a movement, as a movement does imply a passing fad or thing that comes and goes. That is why I prefer the emerging conversation as it has its roots in Genesis and runs through until Revelations. It is the conversation that starts when we come to life in Christ and guides and leads us as we learn and grow. It lifts us when we fall and scolds us when we need discipline. Mostly it loves us unconditionally with only the agenda to make us into the image of Jesus Christ. It is the loving words of the Living God that now indwells the believer.

In a sense maybe there are two things going on. If there is the “conversation” and the “church” and the church is the movement, again let it die. Yet to me I do not see how the eternal conversation started in God between the Father and Son can ever end.

One thing I notice is that there seems to be yet another branch in development. Scot McKnight has plans to start something called the Origins Project. This seems to be more of a traditional stream that is developing in the “conversation”. This is not meaning there is a spit in the overall “emerging” rather, that some are not as comfortable with some other streams, or maybe not yet ready to tread in certain areas yet. Don’t get me wrong I am all for discussion on things such as homosexuality and other controversial topics, yet to me it seems there is a difference between my view of one’s identity in Christ versus acceptance of lifestyles. (Sometime I will unpack this thought more).

Yet to me to say that the emerging church is dying or dead misses that in some places I believe it is just now taking off and though morphing a bit, it is not dying yet… let alone dead.

People will talk of scandals that happen or as usually cast false accusations against us, but in the end it is not against us it is against the idea of the exchange of ideas without attacking and demeaning the other. At the core this is the issue with those who are against the emerging ideals and if that is the best that they can do, we will be doing well for a long time.



Presence of the Lord





Saturday, February 07, 2009

More thoughts on the emerging church.




I just read an article which the Emergent Village Twitter feed via Global Voices. Emergent Village raised the idea that there is an Emergent Islam. Now, before someone jumps to conclusions (and you know who you are LOL!) this does not mean the Tony Jones has set up a new camp in Morocco and changed to the Islamic faith. No, the idea that many miss is that other faiths are emerging as the Christian faith is. Now this is a side of emerging that is probably the most controversial and may be considered by some the most dangerous. It is the idea of questioning or "deconstructing" one's faith. Yet, many miss this is not just a "emerging Christian" phenomenon. In fact it is happening in many other faiths such as Judaism and Islam.

These religions are also looking at their belief systems and some in them are even challenging the systems and sometimes even the authorities. I point of interest to me is that all of these religions are based in the Biblical Patriarchs. In one way I see this as just a sign of the times. We are on a major time of "shaking" which I see is the prophetic "shaking" spoken in Luke 21:25-27

25. "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Now don't get me wrong I do not mean this like the Left Behind series... though I believe in the Resurrection with the bodily return of Jesus to bring the regeneration of all things, I do not believe in the Rapture theory that we will be whisked away and not face tribulation. I also am a partial preterist though I see some of the prophecies as "near/far" meaning that though they have been fulfilled in one sense the often are fulfilled in a fuller sense later. (Some other time I will go into that deeper). Yet saying all that I point to this verse in that we now live in a time were people are living in fear and signs are all over that great changes are about to happen. I think that even that we in the USA have just voted a new president over his promise or "Change" should be an indication... though I do not see that this "Change" is coming as expected.

Yet, I do see that there is a shaking that has come where people of Islam, Judaism and Christianity are looking for something greater. I point of interest is that there is a rise in Messianic Muslims who are looking for the return of Jesus to set things right. Now debate whether this is the True Messiah could be very interesting, the point is that Jesus seems to be more and more a focal point in this time. The "heavenly bodies" to me could be the powers that run this worlds system being of a spiritual nature. These powers are being shaken in their authority and challenged on many levels. Not all call Christian is of true faith. There is much that is man-made that needs to be shaken as that is not of Christ will fall away.

It is an interesting and yet terrifying time. For some it is exciting as we see this unfolding of God's hand doing His works, yet it is also a time that could be terrifying for some that do not have the security of knowing the True God. The end times will come with judgment. For the faithful this judgment will be a time of the Blessed Hope yet for those without Jesus this will be a time of fear and condemnation. We need to be missional minded to reach those we consider as "others" for Jesus. This means to look for what God is doing in people which often we might not expect God is doing anything in. Also, this is a time where prayer is of the most importance, and that we seek God for direction and a heart to see His work in all around us so we can bring reconciliation to them.

Friday, February 06, 2009

The emerging church






I have tried to write about what the emerging church is for about 5 years now. In the past I have done a few different posts on this:

http://wordofmouthministries.blogspot.com/2008/11/last-dying-gasp.html
http://wordofmouthministries.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-is-to-become-of-emerging-church.html

Of course there is many more than these but these are the most recent attempts to explain what the emerging church is to me.

Now when you ask someone who is in the emerging church (EC) (Though I prefer emerging conversation I will be using the more common term) one will get a variety of different answers. Some see it as exploring the Body of Christ as a community. Critics of course see this as being too ecumenical as the EC is more open to different traditions in the Christian faith than they are. Yet, this is not the same as watering down the theology of the Christian faith to “get along”, rather in my experience it seems most of those involved have a deep grasp of their theology and still are open to discuss with open hands the differences and commonality that bonds us as believers.

Recently I attended Trail Blazers Ministries in Bozeman MT and there you will find that we all have different backgrounds. Some are from the Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, AoG, Church of Christ and myself being from the Vineyard. I am sure there are others so if I left you out I apologize. In this divers background we discuss openly our differences which is at times a challenge…

One challenge is when we do not agree. It is easy to just pull up our own theological security blanket and hide under it and not listen and try to understand where the other is coming from. I may not agree Baptism is necessary for salvation or with the Preterits view in some of its conclusions, yet to listen I can gain insight to their view and better understand why or how someone come to their conclusions.

The other challenge it that sometimes the other’s view has strong points that I have not fully considered. In that I often must return to the drawing board of my own theology and take another look at my own view to see if they hold up as strong as I believe they do. Sometimes I am amazed that I need to change a view and sometimes I am amazed I find my view as stronger.

Disagreement is not a sin. Hating someone you disagree with is a sin. (1 John 4:20-21) Yet also a discussion is needed so that the Truth will come out. (You can’t read Acts without noticing this.) The challenge also in to love the other we disagree with. I see this in practice at Trail Blazers Ministries.

EC is not about a single person’s view on homosexuality or whether the bible is inerrant versus authoritative. It is the community of believers exchanging ideas, thoughts, their weaknesses, their strengths, and mostly their love for one another despite all of these things.

We must remember no one but Jesus has sole and complete knowledge of all Truth is. As a believer we have an advantage that we know The Truth personified in Jesus.

Now for some the EC is about being missional, which in itself has many different definitions. For example there are a few different definitions as this article states: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/march/16.56.html If in the general sense meaning that we see that we are part of the bigger view of God as opposed to a “self centered” identity as far as a church I would say yes we are missional. Of course I think it almost impossible for any church not to have some self centeredness. This attempt at not allowing the mission of the Church as a whole to be about us is one of the core things I see the EC as doing.

The other definitions I would say that do not fit is that we are trying to be a seeker friendly or purpose driven model redressed as missional. It is not that those models are wrong it is just that the EC have chosen to grow the church the hard way; one person at a time without gimmicks. I don’t think we are just out to grow our church and have done outreaches were we did not even mention our church as to make it seem we had an agenda other than love or serving someone else.

Another point that wraps much of this up is the idea of approaching others without an agenda. This is admittedly tough yet how many times have we approached someone or engaged in a conversation with a whole other conversation in our own minds. We begin to “prospect” the other as someone we might invite to church or if they are “saved” or not… yet with all this dialog in our own minds we often miss that we are to love the other person whether they are saved or not. If one can forget the other voices which for the most part are not “God’s Voice” I believe one can start to hear what God might desire for that person. In that the conversation can center on Love for the other as God has more love for others than we could ever muster.

So once again, I write in a feeble attempt to explain the EC yet feel that much is left out. The only way to truly understand it is to become part of it and engage in the teaching of Jesus as he stated, “"`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt 22:37-40)

Monday, February 02, 2009

Someone hacked one of Ingrid's sites....

Apparently someone has hacked Ingrid’s site. Though we may have fun and push the limits at times with that fun on the Online Discernmentalist Mafia we do not believe in hacking in other’s sites. I am asking that whoever may have done so to never do so again and to return her site to how it was, if possible.

Again, this is serious and I am truly saddened that anyone would do this let alone place my name as if I was part of it. Hacking is wrong, illegal and unethical.

We are not amused and see this a truly crossing the line.

Unfortunately, if this behavior continues, I will close the Online Discernmentalist Mafia site down.

I have already been falsely accused about hacking someone else's site so really this does more harm to me than helps.

iggy aka I. Todyaso

How critics view the emerging church vs. reality




(Here's the reply the teacher received the following day)

Dear Mrs. Jones,I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room,and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole.
It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith


Two thoughts...

1. Check your kids homework.
2. Often the critics of the emerging church see things how they view their world and has nothing to do with reality.

iggy

Thursday, January 15, 2009

The God hidden in the book of Esther



I was pondering over what to write about next and decided to go through the hidden mysteries in the Book of Esther. Interestingly, Ester means, “ hidden” which should give us a hint that there is more to this book than just a story.

Some compare the time of this book with what was happening in Nazi Germany as the book revolves around the story of the extermination of the Jews.

Here are some interesting things about the book of Esther:

1. There is no mention of the name of God in the book.
2. There is no reference to worship or faith.
3. There is no mention or prediction of the Messiah.
4. There is no mention of heaven or hell.
5. There is nothing "religious" about it.


Even Martin Luther believed it should not be part of the Canon.


The name Esther gives us a clue: it means "Something Hidden"! And if one digs deeper into the story one will actually find that though no mention is there of these things… their imprint is through out the book itself.


The story can be taken in view of flesh against Spirit. Much as the story of Esau and Jacob was the story of flesh against Spirit. In fact Haman was a descendant of Esau, as Esau was the father of the Amalekites whom Saul failed to destroy as God commanded him to. This of course was the motivation of Haman who was attempting in proving God wrong when God declared, “… "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." (Exodus 17:16)


Though no outright mention of God or The Messiah, here are some interesting prophecies in Esther it seems that God is hidden within the text itself. Throughout the book there is acrostics that spell YHWH. One is found in Chapter 5:4, “"let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him." In that the words in Hebrew broken down all start with the letter YHWH. This also appeared in 5:13; “Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” In the words “Yet all this availeth me nothing” again we find the acrostic YHWH.


Now personally I do not take things like the Bible Code that seriously yet this does seem to garner my interest a bit.


The story itself is truly amazing, as it is the story of Israel in total surrender to God for deliverance in the person of Esther. In a sense I personally see that as representing the Church now. In a sense a Christians we are to bring salvation to those who God redeemed at the Cross. We are all “Esthers” in that we being the Bride of the King need stand up and be who we are.
For you see that Esther represents the human spirit with it’s fears and desire to hide ourselves and Mordicai represents the Holy Spirit who admonishes Esther with these words:


4:12. When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, 13. he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"


We have come to a royal position as believers in Christ for such a time like this. We need respond as Esther did in faith:


15. Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16. "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
17. So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions.


When we step out in faith, God will do the work that needs be done.

We can carry this thought out a bit more as Xerxes, would represent the “Christian” and Esther the “human spirit”. Haman is the sin that dwells in us. If we are not careful we like Xerxes can allow sin in unaware, for Xerxes did not even know he signed the death warrant for the Jews. Yet, it is God Himself through the Holy Spirit that can expose this sin we cannot see and as I stated Mordecai represents the Holy Spirit.


All would be lost without the Holy Spirit and though God is not mentioned, the Story is of our own salvation… even to the point that Esther is adopted by Mordicai… for we to as Gentile believers are adopted by God as Esther was adopted by Mordicai.

In the end Haman is hung on a gallows… did you catch that? Haman representing sin is hung on a gallows… as Jesus who became sin for us, was hung on a cross. Sin was out to destroy God’s people and in the end, sin itself is destroyed.


(Much of this information I have gathered over the years. I want to thank those teachers who showed me these things and more, though I wish I could know for sure who you were.)














Tuesday, January 06, 2009

My thoughts on global warming




Coming out of -40 degree windchill factor week I am not so sure that there is global warming... I know some will say that this proves it, yet I am not convinced that if there is global warming that it is man made or can be blamed on cattle and sheep.

OK… this is how silly this all is… Some are actually suggesting taxing farmers if they have over 100 cattle or sheep because they fart… errr I mean their flatulence add to global warming. How stupid is all this getting? And BTW I do mean the cows not the farmers though I am sure they do also.

Actually the Global Warming is soooooo yesterday…. now many scientist believe we are entering an ice age.
Back in the 70’s they stated we were going into an ice age and if one looks at the record lows since August the trend is lower than normal temps.
I believe the earth has cycles… dry years/ wet years… warm years/cold years…. I think that most of the hubbub about losing the arctic ice is the fault of volcanic activity and has nothing to do with man…

It seems Yellowstone Park is getting ready to give a big belch soon… is that man’s fault? Are cows farting man’s fault… I mean back over 150 years ago they did not filter any smoke and millions of buffalo farted all across the plains for hundreds of years if not thousands… I guess later that caused the Dust bowl and great depression and the stock market crash years later… and it was all man’s fault for letting buffalo’s fart….

The only real change man was doing to the atmosphere was that we thinned the ozone layer back in the 80’s and 90’s… I know that was true as that was the age of Hair Bands… Since Grunge came about, it killed the whole hair spray image and now the ozone layer is said to be fine…

Hair Bands… are evil… and not green…. Cow farts are natural and farmers should not be taxed $175 per cow.
I say with all the money Al Gore must have made as he "invented the Internet" we should tax Al Gore for all his farts and every time he expels a breath (like when he talks) and we could fix the deficit and global warming at the same time.
iggy

Monday, January 05, 2009

Galatians 6



Galatians 6

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.

6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[b] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the last installment of my study through Galatians. I am a little sad as this is one of my favorite books. Chapter 6 sums up the book as Paul brings the letter to a close.

In this day of Online Discernment Ministries (ODM) one can see why Paul exhorts us to us gentleness to bring someone who we see is in sin to restore them. Though Paul at times used strong words and often a caustic tone toward those who tried to persuade the Galatians away from Grace, one can see in his words the hurt and love he had for the churches of Galatia. Gentleness is a reflection of the kindness of God Paul wrote of in Romans 2 and it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. Often some think much to highly of themselves and disregard others as a less worthy of the Grace that saved them. So gentleness toward others is our vocation in the ministry of reconciliation. Often some think that we should only be kind to other believers… yet if one looks at the verse itself, Paul does not make a distinction whether one is a believer or not… he simply states:

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Notice also that a major reason is that we also may fall into the temptation that person is trapped in. So with a humble heart and kindness we are to reach out to those who are trapped in sin.

Humility is core to the Gospel. Jesus modeled humility in the very Incarnation and death for we who deserved judgment and wrath. In this simple act of humility we also need to realize that thinking too highly of our “self” cut across the grain of the Gospel and in fact impedes not only the Gospel but our own growth. We need to constantly check our own hearts and actions, and not look at others for some imaginary level of spirituality. To do so we deceive ourselves in two ways.

1. That we are doing better that someone else.
2. That we are doing worse than someone else.

Either of these can lead on to a false sense of worthiness and deceive one to think that they are doing better or worse that where God has them at that time. In this way, we can take “pride” (this is the godly type that is of proper self worth in respect to our position in Christ Jesus) in our own growth and journey as we see from where we came to where God has led us. One can look at the milestones of their life to see how God has changed their hearts and minds and rejoice in God transforming them into the image of Christ.

If one needs a sense of perspective on their position they need only look at Jesus for the standard we all miss and in that understand the kindness and gentleness of God and His love for us. In this way we share the goodness we receive from God with God and other may see God in us our hope of Glory.

Though works is not part of us getting saved, and we cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit ourselves, only bear it, our actions do reflect where we are and show if we are in Christ or not. To act in ways contrary to God’s will and continues to do so reflects that they may not come to salvation and will end in destruction. Yet, if we persist in doing good we will have the reward of eternal life. This good is not of our own works, but the out working of God in and through us. So Paul exhorts all believers to continue in doing the good works of God. Interestingly Paul states “especially” to those in the family of believers. How unfortunate that often the ones we should love the most, being our family we treat the worst at times.

There is some speculation that Paul wrote this letter or at least this last part with his own hands. Some state that he may have had problems with his eyesight, though I once heard an excellent sermon by Jason Clark of Sutton Vineyard speak of Paul’s hands. In this sermon he spoke of the many beatings, stonings, his tent making and other things Paul went through and did. In that one naturally hold their hands up to protect themselves, Jason speculated that Paul’s hands took major beatings and were most likely injured during his life. One clue is in verse 17:

17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Either way, Paul personally wrote the message himself.

Again, Paul warns of doing things to show one is more godly that others and that this motive is not of God. They do this for the reason so that others will accept then and that they may get the glory if someone is converted to their way. Sadly I confess that at times when I have witnessed my motives have not been pure and that I too have sought to get glory out of someone else’s conversion. Of course that is wrong and to read this does bring up some pain in my own actions in the past. God alone should get the Glory in someone’s salvation.

What we do in the flesh means nothing… so Paul states “15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” Again sadly we forget that what counts is that we are a new creation… the old is gone the new is here.

This new creation is that we are now in the New Israel who is Jesus Himself. For only in Christ do we receive peace and mercy and only through Christ can we give peace and mercy of God to others.

And so now I close with the prayer of Paul to my readers.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers [and sisters]. Amen.

I hope to have this all availabe in Word and PDF format so you can download the whole commentary if you desire.


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Falling off the edge of the world!




I bet some of you have thought I fell off the edge of the world. Well in a way I have as I seem to have gotten more and more sick in the last 3 weeks to the point I finally went in to see a doctor. He stated that I may have pneumonia and then gave me antibiotics, cough medicine and eye drops for an eye infection I have also. Yet here I am... feeling mostly better... well at least better than I did two days ago as I spent the entire night coughing my lungs out. I felt like I had done 1000 push ups as my abs and back hurt like anything. On top of all this I also had my homework to finish up and hand in a rough draft of my essay that is due in 3 weeks. I had not even started writing until Sunday when it was due. Somehow I was able to round up over a 1000 words and wonder if I am going to have to cut out some of the essay to stay under the 1700 word limit! Thank God for the gift of gab I guess. I wanted to thank all of you that knew this was going on for your prayers and words of encouragement.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Because some ruin it for the rest...


I am back to moderating my comments as some seem fit to come here and make inappropriate comments again. I hope to allow comments to go unmoderated soon, but as there are some that seem to want to spread lies and I see no need to let them do so here.


Friday, December 12, 2008

Biblical Hope. Does God Hope?




Biblical hope is trusting in that what God has done will come as it was promised. Jesus’ return is the Blessed Hope… For Jesus is our Hope… to say that “hoping it happens” is not biblical hope at all… Biblical hope is to “anticipate with confidenc or expectancy.” I think God placed His Hope in Christ Jesus… and knowing that His desires would come to fulfillment in the Hope that is and comes through Christ Jesus. Do a word study on “Hope” in the bible and you will see what I am saying. Often “Faith” and “Hope” are translated from the same word from Greek.

I think God anticipates with expectancy that which he began in Christ Jesus before the Creation of the world… or as the writer of Hebrews put it…

Hebrews 11: 1. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

I see God hoped to redeemed all people and it is by faith in Christ he planned to do this and was certain it would work.

I hope you do not disagree that God held in total confidence that His Hope for us would save us… For it is His Hope we receive as all things are a gift from God… for if salvation is of God alone as you state you believe, then Hope is from God and of God and imparted to us through Jesus Christ… If the hope as some state is only produced from human effort it is Godless hope and does nothing for us.

I will also add that all godly things come from God. As with righteousness and holiness, hope is also a gift of and from God. Our hope is not as this world hopes it is God's hope imparted to us. Otherwise to say we have "hope" in Christ, by your definition leaves us with uncertainty.





Tuesday, December 09, 2008

God Hates Shrimp!


Jon Trott recently wrote about how Fred Phelps and co. came to Chicago and do their hate based protest. Unfortunately there was an issue where it seems "God Hates Fags" Fred Phelps changed their date of protest so many showed up to do an anti-protest a few days before. Jon was the only one that was able to attend and hold signs to counter the hate protest. I want to thank Jon for being there when so many could not be.


Now in the comments was something that really made me laugh... and I hope that it will make us think about our attitudes toward others.


(Yes I changed this post a bit. The first sentence just read wrong to me and sounded like Jon had invited Fred P to come to Chicago, he most definitely did not!)

Friday, December 05, 2008

Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay... what do you think?

Thanks to Worship Trench blog for sharing this. If Coldplay did not rip off Joe Satriani then this is a huge coincidence. It is also a very cool video... maybe they should collaborate?

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Galatians 5


Galatians 5

1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." 10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Freedom…This is the truth that comes when one is free in Christ Jesus. One is no longer a slave to sin but free to live righteously in Christ. How sad that we forsake what the Cross and Resurrection gained for us. So many turn to the law to receive a righteousness it cannot give. They willingly take upon themselves the yoke of slavery and claim they are free!

In Matthew 11:29 Jesus tells us to take His yoke upon us. In the time of Jesus many Rabbis would call out to gain followers by saying, “Take my yoke upon you” This was a way of saying, “Follow my teachings.” They taught strict rules and called for their disciples to live lives of holiness. This seems to those who do not know Jesus, to be a good thing, yet it is slavery to the Law that leads only to death. Galatians 3:24 already taught us that the Law was a schoolmaster to lead us to the Life in Christ Jesus. It was to bring us to maturity which comes by faith. Yet, it seems that some find security in seeking their own righteousness instead of trusting in Christ Jesus.

The yoke that God gave to Abraham was circumcision. This was to show that God’s people we set apart to Himself. Yet, here Paul states that to set one’s self under part of the Law makes them obligated to obey the whole Law. Many teach grace and then negate it by teaching one must be obedient. This is true if one understands obedience is that of Christ and not of our own. For it is of the obedience of Christ that we are made righteous. (Romans 5:19) How if one is made righteous by the obedience of Christ Jesus can one suppose they can make themselves more righteous? It is as if some believe they can add to Christ Jesus’ righteousness… and in doing so negate the only righteousness they have. For one cannot trust in Jesus and trust their own righteousness to be saved. Paul speaks strongly and rather boldly of those that follow the way of the circumcision and tells them to cut it all off for all its worth which is nothing.

So many start out trusting Jesus, and fall into corrupt teaching. They start with the purity of Christ alone and then are taught to add their own works. Worse they are taught they must produce fruit… We are not fruit producers but fruit bearers. The branch cannot produce fruit without the vine.

The higher Law of Love is what we are called to. Paul states, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Sadly many fail to do this but appoint themselves as judges of righteousness forgetting that no one is right with God. Only Jesus is truly righteous. We must live by the Holy Spirit in total dependency. In that way we only find freedom; freedom from sin and its wages which is death. It is easy to spot those who are not free and follow the sinful nature. They practice the very sins they claim to be against! “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Paul paints a sad picture. There are some of these judges that have even confessed they have a hard time not hating people who live free in Christ. They practice rage and cause dissension… and glory in their factions. Yet… even with all this how glorious is the contrast of those who live by the Spirit and practice Grace.

Those that live by the Spirit bear the fruit of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control” and as Paul states; there is no Law against these things.

Yet, also as we live by the Spirit we need be careful to not become proud and fall into the trap of the flesh. We must not become conceited that we are better than others. Humility is the conduit of Grace. Without humility, we cannot bear the very fruit we seek to bear.