I have been swamped with things to do since I got back into town, but I did want to get some dialogue going on this issue of where do we look for assurance as Christians - to a past decision or to our current lifestyle. TJ sent a comment which included both scripture and his own testimony on the issue so I thought I would let his words serve as the next post in the discussion. I hope he doesn't mind?
Here it is -
Good to have you back from the sunshine state, brother. I can affirm your view from experience, having went to the "alter" and said oh, I don't know, maybe 5 or so "repeat after me sinner's prayers". Each time I quickly reverted to same old me- And could not understand why. Had my heart been changed to love God's Word, my plight could have been diagnosed easily by passages such as EPH 4:1-5, and the many statements Jesus Himself said about what a real disciple of His looked like: They will bear their cross and follow Him (LUKE 14: 27 and 33) They will desire wholly to follow God's commandments (John 14:15) though they will also fall short, ever driving them Back to Jesus. They will desire His Word (John 14:23-24), as the Scripture combined with His Spirit in us is how God has chosen to speak to us. And because of the indwelling Spirit, the will burn for and proclaim the great name of Jesus the Christ (John 15:26, 16:14), as that is what the Spirit Does.
Also, though I could be wrong, I really take issue with the every head bowed every eyes closed slip up your hand if you JUST RECEIVED SALVATION secret ballet thing the church has invented as the process of profession. For one I can find that way of doing it nowhere in Scripture, and two, if that's the only way I'll do it, I'd doubt it, judging by descriptions of rebirth in the Bible. If I'd just won the lotto, you couldn't sit me down or shut me up. Ah, but it's only eternal life and sonship of Almighty God.
One interesting thing about when God truly Graced me with Life- I was on a bunk, listening to a radio sermon about the song of Zacharias from Luke 1. I heard the preacher read verse 77 and instantly-- hard to word, but like I was shown in the span of seconds how I really was, how God really was, how much trouble i was in because of that, all my wickedness, all His goodness,despair and hopelessness-and then I was shown Jesus and the TRUTH of it ALL. My sins were paid for by the same One I once upon a time called MYTH! I was shown my total unworthiness of His love. And you know what, beloved? I NEVER ASKED A THING. In fact, as I recall, all I could manage for awhile was two words-thank you. And I've not been the same since. Failings? Yes. Do I still follow? Yes. I love Jesus, because He first loved me-enough to give me His Spirit so I COULD love Him. That was Dec. 17, 4 years ago. So yes, it was one moment in time, but that moment will stretch into eternity. Amazing, I can't even grasp that, yet know it as FACT. tj
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Christianity - a decision or a way of life?
"Pray the prayer", "ask Jesus into your heart", "go forward", "walk the isle" and even the very biblical language "repent and believe", all have the tendency to emphasise a one time event that makes a person a Christian. It is true for any of us that we were once not a Christian, so if we are now a Christian, then there must be a moment in time when we became a Christian and some means by which it happened.
However, I propose that the scripture does not encourage us to look to our decision for our identity as Christians, but rather to our walk or lifestyle as Christians.
Eph. 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 5 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (NKJV)
I will write more on this later this week and would encourage anyone who has the time/desire to do so to consider the question and participate by sharing your insights/comments. Thanks
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
However, I propose that the scripture does not encourage us to look to our decision for our identity as Christians, but rather to our walk or lifestyle as Christians.
Eph. 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 5 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (NKJV)
I will write more on this later this week and would encourage anyone who has the time/desire to do so to consider the question and participate by sharing your insights/comments. Thanks
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Friday, August 12, 2011
Vacation is over!
I have been in Florida visiting family. It is good to be back. Nothing spiritual to blog yet, but just for fun -
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Personal and Corporate Identity in Christ
You could ask many people in America if they are Christians and get a yes answer. If you to follow up with a question about church membership and participation, many of the same people would say something like, "well my faith is a personal thing" or "I worship God in my own way" or "I believe in God, not church".
As I have written previously on this blog, there is no affirmation of this kind of Christian in the NT. The Christian life as revealed/described in the Bible always assumes believers are under the authority of and participating in a local church. Therefore, we can say with confidence that anyone who calls themselves a Christian and chooses not to participate in a local body is either not a true believer or needs to be exhorted to begin looking for the church where God would have them grow and serve. Being unable to participate is another issue, but it is clear when God calls someone to Christ he also calls them to participate in a local body of believers. The result of true salvation should always be a personal and corporate identity in Christ.
There is another possibility. What about the person who attends and participates in a local church, but has no personal relationship with the Lord? This is the person whose entire religious experience is the corporate one. They have no idea what to do outside church and official activities, because for them that is all there is. This person will serve on committees, make meals for people, share prayer requests and maybe even teach at the children's level where it tends to be pre-packaged, but they don't personally know the Lord. This may be the more difficult situation to address, because you can see if someone is not participating in the corporate church life and exhort them to start, but it is hard to see if someone knows the Lord when they are going through the motions at church.
As churches have become more and more activities oriented the unsaved church participant has many opportunities to appear Christian to themselves and others. What can we do to help people see themselves as they are and come to true faith in Christ?
As usual the answer is keeping church as simple and Christ/Word centered as possible. If we emphasize personal sanctification for each follower of Jesus and teach the full counsel of God, then we must assume the word will do its work as lost people get saved and saved people mature. Is there a risk that focusing on personal spiritual growth will cause corporate participation to decline? Absolutely not, because as people really mature they become more and more aware that the Christian life is a call to both the Lord Jesus and to the local body. If people were serving in programs without knowing the lord and they get saved, they may then get less involved in programs, because they are finally being led by the Lord. I hope we are OK with that!
By contrast, if corporate programs and service opportunities are emphasized over Bible teaching for personal spiritual growth there will be negative consequences. The corporate identity may be seen as a matter of personal comfort/choice, not an imperative from scripture, if people loose interest or find other things to do they won't see any problem with leaving. Also, the church participant who does not know the Lord may never hear the truth so as to be exposed as lost and be saved.
True Christian faith is by definition both a personal and corporate identity in Christ. However, only by teaching the whole counsel of God for the purpose of convicting/converting the lost and exhorting/growing the saved can we be sure we are doing our part to avoid the tragedy of people thinking they are Christians when they are not - whether they are sitting in the pews or staying home.
As I have written previously on this blog, there is no affirmation of this kind of Christian in the NT. The Christian life as revealed/described in the Bible always assumes believers are under the authority of and participating in a local church. Therefore, we can say with confidence that anyone who calls themselves a Christian and chooses not to participate in a local body is either not a true believer or needs to be exhorted to begin looking for the church where God would have them grow and serve. Being unable to participate is another issue, but it is clear when God calls someone to Christ he also calls them to participate in a local body of believers. The result of true salvation should always be a personal and corporate identity in Christ.
There is another possibility. What about the person who attends and participates in a local church, but has no personal relationship with the Lord? This is the person whose entire religious experience is the corporate one. They have no idea what to do outside church and official activities, because for them that is all there is. This person will serve on committees, make meals for people, share prayer requests and maybe even teach at the children's level where it tends to be pre-packaged, but they don't personally know the Lord. This may be the more difficult situation to address, because you can see if someone is not participating in the corporate church life and exhort them to start, but it is hard to see if someone knows the Lord when they are going through the motions at church.
As churches have become more and more activities oriented the unsaved church participant has many opportunities to appear Christian to themselves and others. What can we do to help people see themselves as they are and come to true faith in Christ?
As usual the answer is keeping church as simple and Christ/Word centered as possible. If we emphasize personal sanctification for each follower of Jesus and teach the full counsel of God, then we must assume the word will do its work as lost people get saved and saved people mature. Is there a risk that focusing on personal spiritual growth will cause corporate participation to decline? Absolutely not, because as people really mature they become more and more aware that the Christian life is a call to both the Lord Jesus and to the local body. If people were serving in programs without knowing the lord and they get saved, they may then get less involved in programs, because they are finally being led by the Lord. I hope we are OK with that!
By contrast, if corporate programs and service opportunities are emphasized over Bible teaching for personal spiritual growth there will be negative consequences. The corporate identity may be seen as a matter of personal comfort/choice, not an imperative from scripture, if people loose interest or find other things to do they won't see any problem with leaving. Also, the church participant who does not know the Lord may never hear the truth so as to be exposed as lost and be saved.
True Christian faith is by definition both a personal and corporate identity in Christ. However, only by teaching the whole counsel of God for the purpose of convicting/converting the lost and exhorting/growing the saved can we be sure we are doing our part to avoid the tragedy of people thinking they are Christians when they are not - whether they are sitting in the pews or staying home.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Israel's Monergistic Deliverance!
A reality check - How Israel became God's people -
Israel exists as a people because of a promise made long ago by God to Abraham and His descendants (Gen. 12-17).
Israel's would have ceased to exist as a people during a great famine had God not used the sins of their forefathers (selling their brother Joseph) to provide a miraculous salvation for His people (Gen. 37-50).
God brings Israel out of Egypt after four hundred years of slavery because of His promise to Abraham (Exod. 2:24).
God uses means that are 100% of His power and for His glory as He delivers Israel, in spite of their initial reluctance to be delivered (Exod. 5:21)
In the passage below we pick up the story as Israel has already witnessed the many plagues God brought on Egypt to deliver them and they are currently experiencing His presence as He leads them by a cloud in the day and pillar of fire by night (Exod. 13:21-22).
If God is going to take their faith and/or works into account, or if He expects their salvation to come by a synergistic cooperation between Him and them - would they be delivered at all!
Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (NKJV)
God's plan to glorify Himself in saving Israel and further judging Egypt will not be held hostage by Israel's fear, sinful attitude, or lack of power to deliver themselves. Rather, they are told to "stand still" and "hold their peace" ("hush up" is a good synonym), as they watch God bring salvation totally by His hand - again!
Synergism, where God does His part and man does His part, does not seem to be God's way of deliverance for Israel and I hope it is not His way for saving me!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Israel exists as a people because of a promise made long ago by God to Abraham and His descendants (Gen. 12-17).
Israel's would have ceased to exist as a people during a great famine had God not used the sins of their forefathers (selling their brother Joseph) to provide a miraculous salvation for His people (Gen. 37-50).
God brings Israel out of Egypt after four hundred years of slavery because of His promise to Abraham (Exod. 2:24).
God uses means that are 100% of His power and for His glory as He delivers Israel, in spite of their initial reluctance to be delivered (Exod. 5:21)
In the passage below we pick up the story as Israel has already witnessed the many plagues God brought on Egypt to deliver them and they are currently experiencing His presence as He leads them by a cloud in the day and pillar of fire by night (Exod. 13:21-22).
If God is going to take their faith and/or works into account, or if He expects their salvation to come by a synergistic cooperation between Him and them - would they be delivered at all!
Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (NKJV)
God's plan to glorify Himself in saving Israel and further judging Egypt will not be held hostage by Israel's fear, sinful attitude, or lack of power to deliver themselves. Rather, they are told to "stand still" and "hold their peace" ("hush up" is a good synonym), as they watch God bring salvation totally by His hand - again!
Synergism, where God does His part and man does His part, does not seem to be God's way of deliverance for Israel and I hope it is not His way for saving me!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Monday, August 1, 2011
The blessing of the Holy Spirit in us!
Numbers 11:29 Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” 30 And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel. (NKJV)
This passage comes from when the nation of Israel has just recently been delivered from bondage in Egypt by God through great and miraculous signs. God has also provided everything they need for life in the wilderness until they enter the promised land. However, as if they suffered from selective amnesia they begin to complain to Moses about God's provision and even suggest they would be better off back in Egypt!
Moses feels the strain as he appears to be the only faithful one in the camp and calls out to God for help. This brings up some questions - Why is Moses faithful while others rebel? How can God bring help for Moses in leading this group?
In order to help Moses restore order to the camp God tells Moses to pick seventy elders (Num. 11:16), we might think they are picked because they are good/equipped to help, but God makes it clear how they will become able to help: "I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and put the same on them" (Num. 11:17).
It is Joshua seeing two of these elders prophesying in the Spirit that leads to the interchange between Moses and Joshua in the passage above (Num. 11:29-30). Moses clearly recognizes the the blessing of having the Spirit upon God's people. It is also obvious that this special work of the Spirit was an uncommon occurrence and can surmise it is part of why Israel's history is one of almost constant rebellion.
As much as we like to make heroes of OT servants of God, and it is right to affirm their faithfulness under God's call/empowerment, it is quite clear that it is the presence of the Holy Spirit as given by God that sets Moses apart. This is consistent as we see other OT prophets and kings, like David having the Spirit upon them in a special way.
The contrast between what OT Israel had of the Spirit's work and what we have in Christ should cause us to cut them some slack and be very thankful for the blessing of the Holy Spirit in us!
Now for those who are God's people in Christ -
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (NKJV)
We are all permanently sealed for and guaranteed our inheritance because of the Holy Spirit in us!
1 Cor. 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
Rom. 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
We are all empowered to live in ongoing hope through the Spirit in us!
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (NKJV)
We are all empowered for God's service by the Holy Spirit in us!
If we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ -
Oh how blessed we are to have the Spirit in us!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
This passage comes from when the nation of Israel has just recently been delivered from bondage in Egypt by God through great and miraculous signs. God has also provided everything they need for life in the wilderness until they enter the promised land. However, as if they suffered from selective amnesia they begin to complain to Moses about God's provision and even suggest they would be better off back in Egypt!
Moses feels the strain as he appears to be the only faithful one in the camp and calls out to God for help. This brings up some questions - Why is Moses faithful while others rebel? How can God bring help for Moses in leading this group?
In order to help Moses restore order to the camp God tells Moses to pick seventy elders (Num. 11:16), we might think they are picked because they are good/equipped to help, but God makes it clear how they will become able to help: "I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and put the same on them" (Num. 11:17).
It is Joshua seeing two of these elders prophesying in the Spirit that leads to the interchange between Moses and Joshua in the passage above (Num. 11:29-30). Moses clearly recognizes the the blessing of having the Spirit upon God's people. It is also obvious that this special work of the Spirit was an uncommon occurrence and can surmise it is part of why Israel's history is one of almost constant rebellion.
As much as we like to make heroes of OT servants of God, and it is right to affirm their faithfulness under God's call/empowerment, it is quite clear that it is the presence of the Holy Spirit as given by God that sets Moses apart. This is consistent as we see other OT prophets and kings, like David having the Spirit upon them in a special way.
The contrast between what OT Israel had of the Spirit's work and what we have in Christ should cause us to cut them some slack and be very thankful for the blessing of the Holy Spirit in us!
Now for those who are God's people in Christ -
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (NKJV)
We are all permanently sealed for and guaranteed our inheritance because of the Holy Spirit in us!
1 Cor. 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
Rom. 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)
We are all empowered to live in ongoing hope through the Spirit in us!
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (NKJV)
We are all empowered for God's service by the Holy Spirit in us!
If we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ -
Oh how blessed we are to have the Spirit in us!
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
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