I am the first one to point out that we Christians often spend too much time discussing things like politics, gay marriage and abortion among ourselves (who aren't practicing them) and in doing so may neglect dealing with our own sin. With that said, it is amazing how quick Mayors of prominent cities are making it clear that if you don't affirm the rightness of gay marriage, you are not welcome to do business in their cities.
See article here - Thought police
It is not that there is an accusations of discrimination against gays taking place in these businesses, it is simply a matter of the head of the company holding an unpopular opinion on the issue of gay marriage. This is an amazing thing, to actually use your elected office to condemn a business because you don't like the beliefs of it's president - are you kidding?
This sounds like Iran, not the United States!
If discrimination against people for their beliefs about gay marriage becomes the norm, it can be assumed that all levels of public life: schools, business, holding office or even voting, may soon be reserved only for those with "acceptable beliefs"!
I hope there is something that can be done to turn this trend around. However, it seems there is a thick spiritual blindness that has completely over-run the logic of these folks, so that they don't see the completely un-American nature of what they are doing.
The question we will soon have to deal with as Christians is - do we want to have access to the full rights and privileges of America citizenship or do we want to stand for truth and suffer dire consequences?
Here is what Jesus said:
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If
you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you
are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the
world hates you. 20 Remember
the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his
master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they
kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
Matt. 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But
when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should
speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
May God grant us the strength to stand!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by
Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
What is a church leader's job?
Eph. 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Are you equipped for the work of the ministry?
Are you growing in unity with other believer and the knowledge of Jesus Christ?
Have you grown to be more than just a child in the faith?
Do you recognise false doctrine?
Are you able to speak the truth in love to help others mature in the faith?
Are you doing your part in the body to accomplish this all important task of edifying and loving the church of Jesus Christ?
If not, why not?
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Are you equipped for the work of the ministry?
Are you growing in unity with other believer and the knowledge of Jesus Christ?
Have you grown to be more than just a child in the faith?
Do you recognise false doctrine?
Are you able to speak the truth in love to help others mature in the faith?
Are you doing your part in the body to accomplish this all important task of edifying and loving the church of Jesus Christ?
If not, why not?
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Friday, July 27, 2012
What shall we do about this wicked and perverse generation?
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (NKJV - Bold added for emphasis)
Not that we shouldn't call sin sin and impact the culture for good by voting and other things, but God's word makes it clear that changing culture is not our primary job. What we are called to do is repent in response to His message, be baptized and go and be the church in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we proclaim the gospel to others and call them to do the same things. God uses this process to save us out of the culture and it must be assumed it is the means He will use to change the culture, if it is to be changed at all!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (NKJV - Bold added for emphasis)
Not that we shouldn't call sin sin and impact the culture for good by voting and other things, but God's word makes it clear that changing culture is not our primary job. What we are called to do is repent in response to His message, be baptized and go and be the church in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we proclaim the gospel to others and call them to do the same things. God uses this process to save us out of the culture and it must be assumed it is the means He will use to change the culture, if it is to be changed at all!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
For those who feel overwhelmed today!
2 Cor. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Such a marvelous reality - we call out to Him in our weakness and know His almighty power rests upon us!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Such a marvelous reality - we call out to Him in our weakness and know His almighty power rests upon us!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A political/moral complaint
I don't say much about politics on this blog, although theology impacts politics as much as it does everything else.
What is it that has me irritated enough today to want to comment?
I often hear from the media and certain politicians this statement: "it is time we get the the wealthy to pay their fair share". Now, I am not suggesting a slightly higher tax rate for those who earn more is all bad. However, I think the way it is expressed is quite shameful.
If I make below a certain amount of money, either because I can't work, I won't work, I lack certain natural abilities, I did not have the same opportunities as someone esle or I failed to invest in training for a higher paying career, I may pay 0% - 15% in income taxes. I have mostly fallen in the 15% tax bracket throughout my working life.
Today, if you are at the top of the earning scale, you pay as much as 35% and with the proposed Obama budget, some say you could pay as much as 43%.
So, lets consider this in terms of fairness. In the lower tax bracket, I might pay between two and ten thousand dollars a year toward our national defense, various social programs and all the many other things our tax dollars go to support. For a wealthier person, lets say who makes a million dollars a year, if after various deductions and things they ended up paying even 25% or two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in taxes, have they paid a fair share?
Did the person who earned much more use more national defense or other U.S. government resources? Not much I wouldn't think. So, is it fair that they have to pay so much more than I do? I think we could say no, but also recognise that our current, somewhat socialized way of doing things, requires the wealthy to be taxed higher just to keep the country afloat.
With that said, it seams like we should be working hard to lower spending, so we can reduce taxes on everyone, especially those who pay the most and get the least return for their money. And, in the meantime we should be careful how we speak about those who pay most of the taxes.
Perhaps rather than saying we need to ask the wealthy to "pay their fair share", we should be saying, "if we don't get spending under control, we will have to ask those who are producing the most to dig deeper and give an even less fair amount to make up for those who pay much less than they do".
What is it that has me irritated enough today to want to comment?
I often hear from the media and certain politicians this statement: "it is time we get the the wealthy to pay their fair share". Now, I am not suggesting a slightly higher tax rate for those who earn more is all bad. However, I think the way it is expressed is quite shameful.
If I make below a certain amount of money, either because I can't work, I won't work, I lack certain natural abilities, I did not have the same opportunities as someone esle or I failed to invest in training for a higher paying career, I may pay 0% - 15% in income taxes. I have mostly fallen in the 15% tax bracket throughout my working life.
Today, if you are at the top of the earning scale, you pay as much as 35% and with the proposed Obama budget, some say you could pay as much as 43%.
So, lets consider this in terms of fairness. In the lower tax bracket, I might pay between two and ten thousand dollars a year toward our national defense, various social programs and all the many other things our tax dollars go to support. For a wealthier person, lets say who makes a million dollars a year, if after various deductions and things they ended up paying even 25% or two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in taxes, have they paid a fair share?
Did the person who earned much more use more national defense or other U.S. government resources? Not much I wouldn't think. So, is it fair that they have to pay so much more than I do? I think we could say no, but also recognise that our current, somewhat socialized way of doing things, requires the wealthy to be taxed higher just to keep the country afloat.
With that said, it seams like we should be working hard to lower spending, so we can reduce taxes on everyone, especially those who pay the most and get the least return for their money. And, in the meantime we should be careful how we speak about those who pay most of the taxes.
Perhaps rather than saying we need to ask the wealthy to "pay their fair share", we should be saying, "if we don't get spending under control, we will have to ask those who are producing the most to dig deeper and give an even less fair amount to make up for those who pay much less than they do".
Friday, July 13, 2012
More on Biblical Evangelism, from Frank Turk
Thursday, July 12, 2012
What would a radicalized Christian look like?
Muslims are called "radicalized" if they take the writings of their religion serious, not just agreeing with the Koran in principle, but living out what it teaches. We may disagree with many of those teachings and wish they would not take their beliefs so serious, but what would a radicalized Christian look like?
What would it look like if a Christian took the teachings of God, as found in the Bible, and actually lived according to them? We will use this as the definition of a radicalized Christian.
First, I suspect a radicalized Christian would read and study God's Word a lot, after all how can you follow the teachings of God's Word, if you don't know what they are. Jesus is even said to be "the Word which became flesh", so all of the Bible should be treated as words from Him!
Next, I suspect we would pray, because the Bible often tells us to!
Loving others sacrificially, that seems consistent with being a radicalized Christian.
Telling others about the one true God and His Holy Word, the Bible, would seem like a high priority to the radicalized Christian as well.
Seeing Jesus as our greatest treasure and worshiping Him - a necessity for the radicalized Christian of course!
What would happen if we lived like radicalized Christians -
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.” (NKJV)
If by radicalized Christian we mean following the teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible, then Jesus says we can have assurance that we are His sheep and will be with Him forever!
I don't mean to suggest, nor does Jesus, according to many other of His teachings, that our following is what saves us or gets us into heaven. I would also deny that any Christian follows Jesus perfectly, true followers mess up quite often, even with our best efforts to live according to his Word. Therefore, it is a good thing that salvation is 100% by grace alone, through faith alone, in the work of Christ alone. However, Jesus still makes it quite clear here and elsewhere in His Word, that those who have saving faith are the ones who listen to and follow Him, and they are also the ones who will be saved! How radical!
What about a non-radicalized Christian?
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
What would it look like if a Christian took the teachings of God, as found in the Bible, and actually lived according to them? We will use this as the definition of a radicalized Christian.
First, I suspect a radicalized Christian would read and study God's Word a lot, after all how can you follow the teachings of God's Word, if you don't know what they are. Jesus is even said to be "the Word which became flesh", so all of the Bible should be treated as words from Him!
Next, I suspect we would pray, because the Bible often tells us to!
Loving others sacrificially, that seems consistent with being a radicalized Christian.
Telling others about the one true God and His Holy Word, the Bible, would seem like a high priority to the radicalized Christian as well.
Seeing Jesus as our greatest treasure and worshiping Him - a necessity for the radicalized Christian of course!
What would happen if we lived like radicalized Christians -
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.” (NKJV)
If by radicalized Christian we mean following the teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible, then Jesus says we can have assurance that we are His sheep and will be with Him forever!
I don't mean to suggest, nor does Jesus, according to many other of His teachings, that our following is what saves us or gets us into heaven. I would also deny that any Christian follows Jesus perfectly, true followers mess up quite often, even with our best efforts to live according to his Word. Therefore, it is a good thing that salvation is 100% by grace alone, through faith alone, in the work of Christ alone. However, Jesus still makes it quite clear here and elsewhere in His Word, that those who have saving faith are the ones who listen to and follow Him, and they are also the ones who will be saved! How radical!
What about a non-radicalized Christian?
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
An Old Testament Altar call?
1 Kings 18:20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. (NKJV)
If money is god, follow it! If comfort is god, follow it! If safety is god, follow it! If popularity is god, follow it! If success is god, follow it! If tradition is god, follow it! If Jesus is God, follow Him!
How did Elijah resolve this dispute so that those who were speechless would be moved to action?
22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” (NKJV)
Later we read this -
36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” (NKJV)
God revealed Himself to Elijah, Israel and the false prophets by sending fire down from heaven to consume a sacrifice. Faced with the truth, a choice was necessary - "If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” God has revealed Himself to us, not by sending fire down from heaven to consume a sacrifice, but by sending His own Son down from heaven to conquer sin and death by dying on a cross, being buried and rising from the dead on the third day!
If Jesus has indeed come down from heaven, died, and risen from the dead, then He is God and we must stop "faltering between two opinions" and "follow Him"!
If money is god, follow it! If comfort is god, follow it! If safety is god, follow it! If popularity is god, follow it! If success is god, follow it! If tradition is god, follow it! If Jesus is God, follow Him!
How did Elijah resolve this dispute so that those who were speechless would be moved to action?
22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” (NKJV)
Later we read this -
36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” (NKJV)
God revealed Himself to Elijah, Israel and the false prophets by sending fire down from heaven to consume a sacrifice. Faced with the truth, a choice was necessary - "If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” God has revealed Himself to us, not by sending fire down from heaven to consume a sacrifice, but by sending His own Son down from heaven to conquer sin and death by dying on a cross, being buried and rising from the dead on the third day!
If Jesus has indeed come down from heaven, died, and risen from the dead, then He is God and we must stop "faltering between two opinions" and "follow Him"!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Two very different approaches to evangelism!
I am somewhat grieved by how I once presented the Gospel to people. In my defense, it was how I was taught, but I fear I may have done some harm and I pray the Lord would somehow undo my errors through other messengers, as I will likely not see most of those people again.
What was my error? It was presenting a gospel that was both simple and easy. Now, I don't want to present a complicated gospel, because it is not really complicated at all. However, I also don't want to present an easy gospel for the sake of making it as non-offensive as possible to those I tell about Jesus.
What am I talking about you ask?
The simple and easy gospel goes like this - Jesus wants you in heaven real bad. He won't be fully happy unless He has you and if you will agree with (believe) some facts and pray a prayer, you can be sure you will go to heaven! The Bible has a few verses that, taken out of context, make this approach seem quite reasonable.
For instance:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)
Rom. 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (NKJV)
Both of these verses are 100% true and perfectly valid for use in evangelism. However, they also fail to tell the entire story. As all scripture is true, we must be able to reconcile these with other clear teachings of the Bible. The main question we must consider is what does it mean to believe in the Biblical/saving sense in these previous passages?
For example Jesus defines saving belief/faith in the following ways:
John 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (NKJV)
Matt. 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (NKJV)
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (NKJV)
Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Matt. 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)
Is Jesus' offer of salvation simple? Yes, if He is Lord, set all your plans aside and follow Him, no matter what the cost! That is simple, but it is not easy!
Imagine the first sermon preached by Peter after Pentecost. Jesus has just been killed by the Jewish and Roman leaders and even the common people sided with the powers that be over the Messiah. With this hostile atmosphere in mind consider Peter's invitation to the people:
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (NKJV)
OK, so what would it be like to come forward and say, "I believe, I repent, I think Jesus is God, baptize me please - now"! Are you asking them to do something safe? Wouldn't it be better to ask everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes, so those who might cause the new believers grief won't know who has sided with Jesus over the ruling powers, both Jew and Gentile? What if you could pray a prayer and keep your old traditions and friends as they were? Wouldn't it be better to not make waves in your family or at your job? Would they or we be helping people if we make it sound like they can have their life as they want it and heaven also?
May it never be! A life not lived sold out to God through Christ, according to His word, in the power of the Holy Spirit is no prize! It really is better and necessary that we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, or as Jesus says, we can't have Him!
Here me please - I am not talking about salvation by our works, but rather salvation by grace through faith in Jesus' work on the cross, that results in us doing works, because we do believe He is Savior and Lord!
Now, I want to make one final and very important point: Not only is Jesus' way of salvation both simple and hard at the same time, it is actually impossible (without His supernatural help) and for that reason it is 100% God glorifying, unlike the simple, easy and unfortunately less thorough method I once presented!
Why/how would anyone give up the visible things and relationships of this world for an invisible kingdom?
Here is what Jesus said:
John 6:43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (NKJV)
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (NKJV)
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (NKJV)
Luke 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (NKJV)
Romans describes our unwillingness to accept God's terms like this:
Rom. 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (NKJV)
So, if I want to make salvation both simple and easy, I can ask people to agree with some facts about Jesus, confess that He is Lord with their mouth and assure them of their salvation.
Or, I can present a simple and yet humanly impossible way of salvation that sounds more like this: If you believe Jesus is Lord and He died on the cross for your sins, then follow Him in the power of the Holy Spirit, according to His word and you will be saved. In presenting this simple, yet not so easy gospel, I can expect those God convicts and converts through His word and Spirit to accept it, even though every bit of human logic would say it is too hard!
A reasonable question - will I ever run off someone God is saving, through His word and Spirit, by telling them they should follow Jesus with all they have and be always learning more of what His will is through His word, so they can rightly obey, worship and glorify Him?
For further study, here are some other texts that refute the concept of a God who is just desperate to have us, as opposed to the true/Biblical God who commands us to believe upon Jesus for salvation and to live for His purposes and glory, according to His word, in the power of the Holy Spirit: Acts 17:30, John 15:16, 2 Cor. 5:20, Eph. 2:8-10, 2 Tim. 1:8-11, 2:8-10, 4:17-18, 2 Pet. 1:1-11, Phil. 1:27-29, 2:12-13, Matt. 28:18-20.
Your comments are welcome -
What was my error? It was presenting a gospel that was both simple and easy. Now, I don't want to present a complicated gospel, because it is not really complicated at all. However, I also don't want to present an easy gospel for the sake of making it as non-offensive as possible to those I tell about Jesus.
What am I talking about you ask?
The simple and easy gospel goes like this - Jesus wants you in heaven real bad. He won't be fully happy unless He has you and if you will agree with (believe) some facts and pray a prayer, you can be sure you will go to heaven! The Bible has a few verses that, taken out of context, make this approach seem quite reasonable.
For instance:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)
Rom. 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (NKJV)
Both of these verses are 100% true and perfectly valid for use in evangelism. However, they also fail to tell the entire story. As all scripture is true, we must be able to reconcile these with other clear teachings of the Bible. The main question we must consider is what does it mean to believe in the Biblical/saving sense in these previous passages?
For example Jesus defines saving belief/faith in the following ways:
John 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (NKJV)
Matt. 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (NKJV)
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (NKJV)
Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Matt. 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)
Is Jesus' offer of salvation simple? Yes, if He is Lord, set all your plans aside and follow Him, no matter what the cost! That is simple, but it is not easy!
Imagine the first sermon preached by Peter after Pentecost. Jesus has just been killed by the Jewish and Roman leaders and even the common people sided with the powers that be over the Messiah. With this hostile atmosphere in mind consider Peter's invitation to the people:
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (NKJV)
OK, so what would it be like to come forward and say, "I believe, I repent, I think Jesus is God, baptize me please - now"! Are you asking them to do something safe? Wouldn't it be better to ask everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes, so those who might cause the new believers grief won't know who has sided with Jesus over the ruling powers, both Jew and Gentile? What if you could pray a prayer and keep your old traditions and friends as they were? Wouldn't it be better to not make waves in your family or at your job? Would they or we be helping people if we make it sound like they can have their life as they want it and heaven also?
May it never be! A life not lived sold out to God through Christ, according to His word, in the power of the Holy Spirit is no prize! It really is better and necessary that we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, or as Jesus says, we can't have Him!
Here me please - I am not talking about salvation by our works, but rather salvation by grace through faith in Jesus' work on the cross, that results in us doing works, because we do believe He is Savior and Lord!
Now, I want to make one final and very important point: Not only is Jesus' way of salvation both simple and hard at the same time, it is actually impossible (without His supernatural help) and for that reason it is 100% God glorifying, unlike the simple, easy and unfortunately less thorough method I once presented!
Why/how would anyone give up the visible things and relationships of this world for an invisible kingdom?
Here is what Jesus said:
John 6:43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (NKJV)
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (NKJV)
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (NKJV)
Luke 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (NKJV)
Romans describes our unwillingness to accept God's terms like this:
Rom. 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (NKJV)
So, if I want to make salvation both simple and easy, I can ask people to agree with some facts about Jesus, confess that He is Lord with their mouth and assure them of their salvation.
Or, I can present a simple and yet humanly impossible way of salvation that sounds more like this: If you believe Jesus is Lord and He died on the cross for your sins, then follow Him in the power of the Holy Spirit, according to His word and you will be saved. In presenting this simple, yet not so easy gospel, I can expect those God convicts and converts through His word and Spirit to accept it, even though every bit of human logic would say it is too hard!
A reasonable question - will I ever run off someone God is saving, through His word and Spirit, by telling them they should follow Jesus with all they have and be always learning more of what His will is through His word, so they can rightly obey, worship and glorify Him?
For further study, here are some other texts that refute the concept of a God who is just desperate to have us, as opposed to the true/Biblical God who commands us to believe upon Jesus for salvation and to live for His purposes and glory, according to His word, in the power of the Holy Spirit: Acts 17:30, John 15:16, 2 Cor. 5:20, Eph. 2:8-10, 2 Tim. 1:8-11, 2:8-10, 4:17-18, 2 Pet. 1:1-11, Phil. 1:27-29, 2:12-13, Matt. 28:18-20.
Your comments are welcome -
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Questions regarding salvation
According to the Bible -
Does anyone deserve to be saved?
Is anyone actively seeking, loving or obeying God, by their own choice and power alone?
Does God's nature (love, justice, holiness, mercy, etc.), require He save or try to save anyone?
If someone never heard the gospel and perished in their sin, could they charge God with being unjust?
If some heard the gospel and were saved and others did not hear it and perished in their sin, could they charge God with being unjust?
Is God currently trying equally hard to save all people?
Has God always been trying equally hard to save all people?
Has any one person or group of people ever had an advantage regarding salvation?
Is God involved in the calling and sending of missionaries?
Does someone who has the gospel presented to them in person have an advantage over someone who does not?
If you went to heaven and another person didn't - why?
If God choose to save some people by bringing them the gospel through His word and the work of the Holy Spirit and choose to leave some people in their willful rebellion/sin and it's consequences, for His own self-glorifying reasons, could He be charged with being unjust by anyone?
If you answered no to the last question, then you are at least logically OK with the foundational truth of a reformed view of salvation! Now, you must decide if it is the Biblical teaching regarding salvation?
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