Don't Blame the Devil for Everything

 December 21, 2024

Saturday

James 1:14–15 (NASB 2020) ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. ¹⁵ Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death.

The devil gets blamed for some things that he didn't do. He has no power to make us sin. He is not irresistible. The lust for sin is present before we are ever tempted. It will carry us away if it is not arrested before it gains momentum.

I helped a friend load a train car with grain while I was in high school. We had a simple system of using a stationary auger to load a car, then move the next car under the auger to fill it. I cannot imagine how much a train car full of grain weighs. Moving the cars seemed easy. We simply took a tractor, hooked up and chain to the cars and moved them one space. We had measured the space and placed a large log on the tracks to stop the cars. We didn't notice that the train cars were on a slight decline. My friend hooked up the tractor and I released the brakes on the last car. Everything was going fine until the cars quickly started going faster than the tractor. The log was split as if it were a toothpick. We had runaway train cars with no possibility of unhooking the chain from the tractor. So, I ran until I caught the last car and turned the brake until it stopped everything.

Our lust is like a heavy load on a decline. The first problem is that we can't understand how it could ever get out of hand. The second problem is that we don't notice it is out of hand when it is. It is conceived and gives birth. It takes us away from a close relationship with the Lord. It doesn't eliminate the relationship but there is no intimacy. It is like a estranged marriage. The couple remain married but there is no intimacy. Death is the lack of that relationship. 

Jesus said that He came to give abundant life. That life is one of a close relationship with the Lord. The lack of that life is a type of death.

We cannot blame the devil for all of this. We are the ones who should have evaluated the load and the decline. We should never try to resist temptation. We must flee from it. That is our responsibility. We must keep our eyes open and our ears tuned to hear the Lord tell us that we are on a slippery slope. 

Sin is no more of an accident than breaking through the barriers that warn that the bridge is out. 

Christ, the Head

 December 20, 2024

Friday

Colossians 1:18 (NASB 2020)¹⁸ He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Some time back, people asked, "What would Jesus do?" It became very popular but it often missed the point. When considering the sick, Jesus would have healed them. When considering the mentally unstable, Jesus would have cast out the demons. When considering how to get from point A to point B, Jesus might have started walking on the water. As close as we would like to be to Jesus, we will never be Him. There are many things that He would do that He doesn't expect us to do. He wants us to be disciples of Christ, not Christ Himself.

That means that He must truly be at the center of our lives. This is when we understand what it means to abide in Him. This is when we understand what it means to call Him Lord. He is the head. The rest of the body should respond to the head. 

After having back surgery a couple of years ago, I couldn't lift my foot when I walked. I would try my best to raise it, but it would not obey. After physical therapy, I could again move the foot but it took a lot of work. Even today, there is some resistance. Unfortunately, that is how we appear to Him at times. He commands and we refuse.

Jesus is the beginning- He takes priority in time. He is the first-born from the dead- He takes priority over death. He is first in all things in the sense that there is no one above Him. He is not kept first by us, He is first no matter what we do.

That means that the question of what we should do in any situation is not to ask what Jesus would do but what I should do to remain in Him. What will keep Him the head of my own life? What will keep Him the head of the church? Obviously, it is not simply following a marketing plan that draws people in. It is following Jesus individually and corporately.

Constant introspection is not healthy. It takes our eyes off of Jesus and places them on ourselves. But inspection is healthy. Here, we ask Jesus what our standing with Him is like. Are we going the right direction? He must be the one who inspects. He speaks to those who are His friends.

Jesus is the head of the church. The believers are the church. If believers don't recognize Him as the head, how will the church ever do so? He is the head.

Being Somebody

 December 19, 2024

Thursday

Luke 19:2-6 (ESV) ²  And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. ³  And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. ⁴  So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. ⁵  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” ⁶  So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

My wife and I went to a concert in Washington D.C. recently. The musical director of this concert also played keyboards and acoustic guitar in the band. We had known him almost thirty years prior at another church. So, we decided to say "hi" and to really see if he even remembered us. Well, he didn't recognize us by out looks. (Thirty years will do that for you.) But as soon as we said our names, he smiled broadly and said "Wow, I'll have to tell everyone I saw you when I get back." 

I guess all of us want to be somebody. We may not want to be famous but we want to be recognized. We want to hear that we are valuable to someone. So, can you imagine what Zacchaeus felt when Jesus called his name. He had merely climbed a tree so that he could see Jesus passing by, but the Lord Himself called him by name.

Never believe that you called on Jesus before He called on you. He made the invitation for you to know Him. He came to stay at your house. You just had to climb down out of your tree and welcome Him.

There is something else I realized. The musical director in that concert (and tour) lifted me up rather than dismissing me. I have greeted several people I knew in the past who knew me but made it very clear that they were too famous to greet me back. I know I am not famous but I still do not ever want to make people believe that they aren't important. They were all important enough for Jesus to die on the cross. How can I dismiss them?

Make sure you make people as important as you are to the Lord.

Rewards in Heaven

 December 18, 2024

Wednesday

Matthew 19:27-29 (ESV) ²⁷  Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” ²⁸  Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Somehow we have come to believe that while we are living on earth, we should expect to be paid what we are worth. Then, we expect that when we get to heaven everyone will be paid the same. Thus, many people ask, as Peter asked, when do we get our reward because our reward must come while we are on earth. 

Though this may be what we are taught, it is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus, Himself, said there would be great rewards for those who have followed Him. This is not merely for salvation which was given to us. It is after salvation as we are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The work of the Spirit within us requires that we walk in the Spirit. Though the reward is not here on earth, it is not egalitarian in heaven either. There are rewards waiting for those who have truly followed Christ.

It is often said of the dead, "They are going to their reward." While they may be going to heaven, they may not have any rewards. They have been as selfish as those who do not know the Lord. They have essentially denied  knowing Jesus by the way they have lived. They will receive heaven from the faith they received, but they did nothing with that faith afterwards. Thus, when they stand in front of the judgement seat of Christ they will receive nothing.

Many Christians who hear this think that they are being selfish by following the Lord with the expectation that there will be rewards in heaven. Of course, they can be. If they have done this for themselves rather than following Jesus they are no better than the Pharisees who expected to be rewarded for keeping the law. However, that does not negate what the Bible says about those rewards in heaven. The rewards that are placed in heaven cannot expire but they can be lost. 

The rewards in heaven are greater than our imaginations. It seems ridiculous to put a monetary value for a place where money means nothing. Obviously, Jesus wasn't telling the Peter that the rewards in heaven would be a hundred mothers and fathers along with land and houses. It is more than we can grasp so Jesus put it in some terms we could.

So, make sure that you do everything with the Lord in His name. Yet, know that there are rewards waiting on you.

"Gut" Decisions

 December 17, 2024

Tuesday

Genesis 25:29-34 (ESV) ²⁹  Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. ³⁰  And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) ³¹  Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” ³²  Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” ³³  Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. ³⁴  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

There is something to be said for "gut" reactions:

The "science of gut reactions," often referred to as the "gut-brain connection," explains how signals from the gastrointestinal tract, via the vagus nerve, can directly influence our brain function, impacting emotions, mood, and even decision-making, essentially allowing us to experience "gut feelings" when processing information or facing situations; this connection is facilitated by a complex network of neurons in the gut, sometimes called the "second brain," which communicates with the central nervous system through neurotransmitters produced by gut bacteria.  (from an AI on the internet)

It appears that Esau had a gut reaction. He was hungry, possibly extremely hungry. He was willing to sell something that was his for his lifetime for something that would only satisfy him until the next meal. He let his "feeling" overrule any rational thought. Thus, he lost something much more valuable than a meal.

Isn't that true for a lot of things? People will trade their health for drugs. They will trade their future education for a new car. They will trade their children for a nice house (they work too long and never see their children). They will decide against salvation to continue a hedonistic lifestyle. 

Life is always about trades. You are always deciding to do one thing over another. You are always asking whether something is worth it. "Gut" reactions can lead you to emptiness. All things need to be evaluated at the moment of decision and good decisions involve the future.

If Esau had truly considered what he was giving up, he would have gone hungry a little longer. Was there no place he could get something to eat? Weren't Isaac's servants likely to give him something if he asked? It seems that he overreacted to his starving to death.

Jacob took advantage of the situation. He asked for something great that he could not get any other way. He asked for the older son's birthright. And he got it for a single meal. Later, Esau will say that Jacob cheated him out of his birthright. It appears that Jacob knew his brother all to well. He knew when to ask and what to ask for.

How many people will fill their lives with regrets because they traded off something valuable for something so temporary that it won't hardly be remembered later? 

Press On toward the Goal

 December 16, 2024

Monday

Philippians 3:14 (ESV) ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

There is a lot of talk of people being distracted. They are distracted by their cell phones while they drive. People pick up their cell phones the moment they are stopped at a light to check their messages. People try to text as they drive. They browse the internet while at work. They miss their children's ball games to win the approval of those at work. Are they simply distracted by their cell phones, computers and work? I don't think they are distracted so much as they lack focus.

Once you have lost your focus, anything else will take your attention. Those who forgot that their focus should be arriving at their destination safely can text all the way where they are going. Those who forget why they are at work, can use any unsupervised moment for personal reasons.

The Christian life should be focused on being a disciple of Jesus and making disciples for Jesus. It can't focus on entertaining the members of the church. It can't focus on pleasing the members of the church. It can't focus on feeding the members of the church. It can't focus on anything but discipleship.

One of the problems with this is churches will spend an untold amount of money to advertise and make themselves look attractive without making any disciples. Many pastors would be content to have ten thousand in attendance but not make even one disciple. They have lost their focus.

On the other hand, many Christians don't know what a disciple is. They think that a disciple is simply someone who claims Jesus as Savior and attends church more than others. They can't imagine taking up their crosses daily because they have no idea what that is. The same is true for loving others, forgiving, knowing God's word and obeying God's word. They are scared of those who say that God speaks to them for they have never had that experience. They come to church to hear an uplifting message. They love to be with people who are just like them.

We all must focus on the Lord. We must all focus on obeying Him. We must all focus on what it is to be a disciple. We must all focus on making disciples for Him. We should do this with such force that we "press on. toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God."

We All Have a Shelf Life

 December 15, 2024

Sunday

2 Timothy 4:6 (NASB 2020) ⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

We all have a shelf life. Some have a longer time than others. We try not to think about it. Some of us are forced to recognize it. Whether it is our age or a catastrophic illness, we know the time of our departure is around the corner.

Some people work so that they can retire. They want to retire when they can do whatever they want for the rest of their lives. There is no retirement from the Lord. There may be a time that whatever you have done for Him can't be done anymore. For instance, there will come a time when you will no longer be able to dig wells for people who do not have an adequate water supply. You will be unable to make trips around the world to preach. You may come to a time when you aren't able to preach. This should be an impetus to buy every moment to do what you can for as long as you can.

The question you must ask yourself is: Am I being faithful in doing what the Lord has told me to do as soon as the Lord told me to do it? You can't put anything off until tomorrow because tomorrow isn't promised to you.

God gave us warning signs to help remind us that we have a limited amount of time. We see the lines in the mirror. Our hair turns grey or turns loose. Our joints make noises. Our energy level drops.

Being poured out as a drink offering represents a life that is totally used for God's glory. It is more than anticipating death. It is running to the very end.

And yet it is always knowing that the end might just be around the corner.

Do You Hear Me, Now?

 December 14, 2024

Saturday

Mark 4:9 (ESV) ⁹ And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

A cell phone company advertised with the question, "Can you hear me, now?" They were saying that you could be heard on their network and not on others. Essentially, Jesus is saying the same thing.

Nearly all of the people who were around Jesus' teaching had ears and could hear. If they were deaf, Jesus healed them. They could hear, but did they? As a preacher I am bombarded by people who will repeat the truisms of the world after I have preached the word of God that refutes that truism. Their past understandings drown out the word of God. So, they may have physically heard me but hearing is more than a physical response to sound waves. The hearing that Jesus speaks of involves the heart.

Jesus made this statement at least twice. We do not know how many times He may have said it without it being recorded in the gospels. He said it when speaking of John the Baptist. (Matthew 11:15) He told them that John was Elijah that had come. Most of the people evidently didn't hear Him because Jesus was plainly saying that made Him the Messiah.

The other time He said it was after the parable of the soils. He spoke of the seed being distributed on the path, on the rocks, in the weeds and on good soil. These were two times that people really needed to get what He was talking about. Too many times, someone will say, "That was a great sermon, preacher, " when they didn't understand a word of it. They interpreted it in their own way which may not have been the message that was intended.

People assume they will understand or that they won't understand. They do not recognize the effort that may be needed to really hear the message. If the message isn't understood, they will ignore it, explain it in their own terms or think it is about someone else and, therefore, doesn't concern them. I wonder how many times Jesus heard, "Too bad the people who really needed to hear your message today weren't here!" The people who need to hear the message are always here. They just don't always hear the message.

Sometimes the immaturity of people keeps them from receiving a message. Paul certainly addressed that when he told the Corinthians that they weren't able to handle the deeper teaching he would love to give them. In other words, Paul could teach it but they wouldn't hear it.

People who don't hear the message but attend worship leave the church building the same way as they walked in. Their main goals were to sing the songs that are familiar and see the people who are just as familiar. They think this is what the Christian life is all about. They gossip, backbite and hate in the name of Jesus. Thus, they prove they haven't heard the message.

"Your preaching to the choir, preacher!" Yes, I know. Those who have taken the time to read this blog are tuning their ears to hear. But think about this for just one moment: Is there more that you haven't heard and would hear if you stop and contemplated what was said? 

You just might find that you'll hear better, too.

What Is That to You?

 December 13, 2024

Friday

John 21:20-22 (NIV) ²⁰  Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") ²¹  When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" ²²  Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

It is common to point out what others are doing wrong and how they are privileged because we want to be told that we are better than them. People fill the internet with each error made by preachers but do not tell how these error finders are making disciples. They leave out the part of how they are following Christ. Yes, the Bible says there are false prophets but it spends most of the time telling people how they can follow Christ. The Bible urges us to follow Christ beyond taking on false prophets.

Maybe there is a Youtube channel that says, "Here are the preachers and churches that have it right," but I haven't found it. It seems that anyone who has any notoriety will get on one of these negative channels as having gotten it wrong. It seems that preachers that I admire sometimes are a part of castigating other preachers. Those of us without these channels need to say, "What is that to me? I just need to follow Christ!" 

I can find no place where that Bible encourages people to criticize others as part of being a disciple. I find that being a disciple is a full-time effort. Hating mother, father, wife, children and your own life doesn't really leave room for criticizing others. Giving all that you have to the Lord and going wherever He leads takes a focus on the Lord that few others have. Pointing out the errors of others intensely must cause us to take our eyes off of the Lord. And without Him we can do nothing.

We aren't known to be followers of Christ because we are better than others or are better at pointing out the errors of others. We have been given a "new commandment." It is one of love for each other. I find none of that in these criticisms.

I hope this blog is not a criticism of those who criticize. I hope that it is urging all who read it to pay attention to how they follow the Lord. I pray that we will focus on the truth so well that the lies are evident. That is really the problem, isn't it? People have flocked to those who are teaching errors because they haven't adequately heard the truth. How will they know the truth if we don't teach and preach it? How will they hear the truth if the Holy Spirit doesn't bring conviction? How will they see the truth if we aren't living it?

So, there are preachers and churches and attenders of these churches who aren't doing what they should. What is that to you? Just follow Jesus.

The World's Peace vs. Jesus' Peace

 December 12, 2024

Thursday

John 14:27 (NIV) ²⁷  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

People don't think of peace unless they have lost it. Therefore, peace is no problems or, at least, unaware of problems. This peace is fleeting. It is not theirs to possess. It belongs to circumstances. This is the peace the world gives.

Jesus gives a different kind of peace. It comes from Him rather than from circumstances. This peace will not come if it is simply put in a storeroom to be retrieved when needed. At that moment, the stored peace can't be found. 

No, this peace is one that comes when fully engaged with Christ. It is a peace for the disciple of Christ. The average Christian who calls Jesus Lord but cannot demonstrate Jesus' lordship does not know this peace. This is the peace of abiding in Him. This is the peace of hating father and mother and wife and children and even your own life. This is the peace of taking up the cross daily. This is the peace of owning nothing because it all belongs to the Lord. This is the peace of being a slave to all.

This peace is rare only because those who truly follow Christ are rare. This Christian has both feet in God's kingdom. The world cannot take anything that this Christian values because it all belongs to Christ. This Christian has all of his or her treasures stored in heaven. This Christian has received Jesus' peace.

Of course, those who look at the cost of this peace sometimes say that it is too expensive. It is like anything else that you choose to buy. Are you willing to pay the price? If not, it is, indeed, too expensive. 

Thus, trouble and fear frequently remain with those who depend upon the world's peace.

You Don't Really Need to Go to Church; Do You?

 December 11, 2024

Wednesday

Why aren’t people coming to church? It’s simple. We told them not to.

We told them that they could never earn their salvation. We told them that their works were like dirty rags. We told them that there was nothing they could do to get God to love them more. And they believed us.

What is the use of going to church after you have faith in Christ and have been baptized? We certainly told these people incorrect information. However, we may never be able to correct our errors. They aren’t coming to church so that we can.

Some people come to Christ, get baptized and stay at that level of maturity all of their lives. They will admit that they don’t know what the Bible says and, therefore, believe all the junk that comes from social media and friends. They will adopt the values of the society they are in because that is the easiest way to get along this their society. They know they are going to heaven, so why not live this way?

They do not realize what believing in Christ really is. They are merely not objecting to Christ as Savior. They have no intention of following Him. They hear the words of self-denial and think that is giving a couple of dollars to the guy begging at the corner.

These people cannot imagine an abundant life that includes going wherever the Lord leads, giving whatever the Lord asks for, doing whatever and whenever the Lord calls, and putting all others ahead of themselves. They are like people receiving the greatest gift that could ever be given but they think the box is so exquisite that they don’t want to open it.

Going to church is something that is done when it is convenient. It should never be a sacrifice. And if it isn’t fun, it shouldn’t be done that often. And what’s the harm? It isn’t like there are any rewards for sacrifice in heaven, are there?

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) ¹⁰  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Knowing God's Grace

 December 10, 2024

Tuesday

Hebrews 12:15 (NASB 2020) ¹⁵ See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

The person with the root of bitterness has held onto his or her hurt. That might mean that there is a lack of forgiveness. It may mean that there is a lack of recognition that these hurts are being held onto.

Life is not always sweet for any of us. There are disappointments that may start out small but grow bigger and bigger. The person who never got married may resent the loneliness. The person who considers himself ugly may resent the perceived rejection received from that ugliness. There may be no one to forgive. And that's why it is so hard to recognize.

Most people grew up with either an expectation in their lives in how their lives would turn out. The circumstances they have faced have prevented that expectation. Those who saw themselves as bosses are extremely discouraged to find that they have never been a boss. Those who saw themselves as rich are filled with despair in their poverty. Those who thought life will be grand when they have children running around in the house cry out to God, asking "why?" when they can't have children.

Noticing that others have those things they only hoped for makes things worse. It isn't that they necessarily begrudge those around them getting their hopes, they simply become bitter over the fact that these others got what they wanted and they didn't.

At the base of the root of bitterness is a belief that they didn't deserve the life they have. They see themselves as good as those who received what they never had. The bitterness comes against circumstances rather than others.

This is why an assessment of what has been given to them must always be addressed. Counting only the bad things that happen will bring about a root of bitterness. Acknowledging the good things that happen will dispel that bitterness. 

Recognize that all people have bad things happen. Those whom you know that don't appear to have bad things happening are not showing those bad things that have happened. They may be rich but have relationship problems. They may be famous but have no friends. They may appear to be the happiest people you have ever known but have been betrayed by those close to them. Their happy faces may be facades that cover up their disappointments.

What do you truly deserve? The answer will be different for each person. Some will say good health and enough money to make ends meet. Some will say a happy family and friends. The truth is that we think we have been good enough to deserve these things. But our own goodness has nothing to do with what happens in our lives. 

And so we miss God's grace. The very fact that you are reading this blog is a testimony to God's grace. Somehow you have had access to a computer. Somehow you went to school and learned to read. Somehow you have the leisure time to read this blog. God's grace is all around you. It is yours to share with others.

Knowing God's grace kills the root of bitterness.

Trying to Find a Life

 December 9, 2024

Monday

Matthew 16:25 (NASB 2020) ²⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Many people are looking for a life. Some try to find it in their careers. They sacrifice everything to climb the ladder of success. If or when they reach the top, they don't find it fulfilling. It certainly isn't abundant.

Others may try to find a life in the lives of an idol. They will change their schedules and pay enormous amounts of money to sit in an audience among thousands of other fans. They will stand in long lines just to get an autograph. Not ever really getting to know their idol keeps them going. It is the fantasy of knowing their idol that becomes their lives.

Still others try to find a life in money and possessions. They want the best of everything. They want the big bank account that goes with it. In the end they realize that it isn't everlasting. They take none of it with them when they leave this world. So, they donate to charitable causes that will put their names on buildings or name funds after them. But even this is left behind.

So many people want to be famous themselves. The internet has placed this within their reach. They have YouTube channels and podcasts and fill Tik-Tok with their experiences and opinions. Others know their names but they know very few people. Being famous isn't a life.

Yet, as long as people can't see the life that Christ offers, they will hold onto lives that are not lives at all. They cannot understand how giving away their lives will actually gain them a life. They think that faith in Christ is going to boring church services, living lives of self-sacrifice and serving others. They cannot imagine that this can have more meaning than they can find in anything that they chased. They can't imagine that church services will become exciting. The Bible will become something read daily. Sacrifice won't seem like sacrifice. And serving others will become meaningful. 

In short, people can't imagine that the Holy Spirit will come to inhabit them and real, abundant meaningful life will emerge without those pursuits that promised life but never delivered. They can't imagine being changed.

The world has set a trap for people. It tells them that life is found in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. It seeks to conform Christians into this image if it loses them at some point. But this life is like driving down a road making good time with little traffic not knowing that the bridge is out ahead. The destination that is hoped for isn't the destination that will be reached. People who drive off a bridge don't realize that until it is too late.

Forgive Even If You Never Forget

 December 8, 2024

Sunday

Matthew 6:14–15 (NASB 2020) ¹⁴ “For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.

You forgive but you can't forget. Some think that forgetting is the true test of forgiveness but it isn't. Forgetting a wrong is dementia not forgiveness. Forgiveness would mean very little if it was merely forgetting. The wrong that was committed against you has left a deep wound. The wound must heal. It will never heal without forgiveness. Healing is more than forgetting the pain. It is knowing that the pain was caused and never bringing it up again. That is much more than a human can do by himself.

Every human being was created in the image of God. That image has been indelibly imprinted on us with the characteristics of God. However, each and every one of those characteristics were corrupted when we sinned. Yes, all have that sin nature passed down to them from Adam. We have made justice into revenge. Revenge is never satisfied. Revenge does more than remembers. It consciously brings up the hurts and rehearses them to make them worse than they originally were. Those who hold onto revenge have corrupted the image of God who forgives so severely that they cannot come into His presence. They reject the forgiveness of God because that will require that they forgive.

Do Christians have trouble forgiving? Absolutely, but they will be chased by their unforgiveness if they truly belong to the Lord. He will continue to remind them. He will continue to convict them. They will be tortured by their unforgiveness. 

When the moment comes that they forgive, they will still remember. They will also remember that they have forgiven that hurt against them. They will accept the characteristic and strength of God to forgive. It will be a testimony of God working inside of them. They will know His presence and His strength will flow through them. They will be released from their torment. They will still remember what was done if they are asked about it. They just won't force themselves to bring it up. They won't rehearse the pain. They won't continue to fall into the pit of revenge.

Don't expect to forget what happened to you. Your ability to forgive yet remember will be the true strength of God's forgiveness in you. When you know how He forgave what was done to you, you will know what His forgiveness is like when He forgave you. 

Hearing What You Have Never Heard Before

 December 7, 2024

Saturday

Hebrews 5:13 (NASB 2020) ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.

There are times for all of us that we read familiar passages from the Bible and see something we have never noticed before. Where did that come from? Why didn't we notice this before? It is the same reason that people will hear something taught and ask why I have never taught this significant revelation before. I have, but they weren't ready for it.

Just like a juicy steak won't appeal to a baby, some of the essential spiritual teachings won't appeal to us. We filter these things out because we have no means of processing them. As we mature, or I should say, if we mature, we become ready to "hear" what we haven't heard before.

Since Paul and the author of Hebrews chastise people for not being ready to hear after they have had a sufficient time to mature, we should recognize that we have something to do with our readiness. It isn't like a child simply not being "reading ready" before we teach them to read. Peter encourages his readers:

1 Peter 2:2 (NASB 2020)² and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Craving the word of God is not natural in the flesh. It is essential in the Spirit. It is a discipline that must be maintained. Disciplines themselves are not natural. It is not natural that a person exercises. The body would rather sit at rest. It takes discipline to exercise. It takes time with discipline to make a significant change. The same is true of our spiritual selves. We have lived in the world among a people in the flesh more than living with Christians who are themselves disciplined to be in the Spirit. Thus, we must make the decision to set our minds on the Spirit and crave the word of God. This is when our eyes begin to be opened and we become ready for the solid food of God's word.

The positive note on this is that "hearing" something that you believe you never heard before proves that you are maturing or you would not have heard it now. So, continue to "hear" what you have never heard before.

Don't Put Jesus First

 December 6, 2024

Friday

Luke 14:26 (ESV) ²⁶  “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

It is common to hear Christian leaders urging people to put Jesus first. I think that is a misconception of our relationship with Him. It isn't so much wrong as it is limited. To put something first is to put it at the top of a list of other things. It may give it value or even priority but that isn't what Jesus seems to be saying here. There is no mention of love in this verse. Hate is the central word. It places everything on the list that Jesus gave us in a different category. He is not first among the loved but "the Only" set apart from the other things that may be loved. In other words, He is in a category all by Himself. He is not on a list with other people or things.

This is why we don't understand the word "hate" used here. Jesus wasn't telling people that His disciples must refrain from loving family, others and even their own lives. He was setting Himself in a different place from that love. He is central to all that we are if we are His disciples. That is beyond simply stating that a person is saved. This is truly following Him. Very few people get to this place in their lives even if they are saved.

Matthew 10:37 (ESV) ³⁷  Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

This verse speaks of being worthy of Him rather than being a disciple. The word here for love means "a strong kinship type of love." A person is not worthy of Jesus if their kinship with their family is stronger than that with the Lord. The word "worthy" means deserving of. Of course, none of us is deserving of Jesus. When it comes to love, we must make sure that our love exceeds that of all other people or things. Again, this is not the conception of first. This is the ranking of an amount. While I may put someone first because I love them more, it still refers to an amount of love rather than a place with others in that category. 

So, we should place Jesus in a whole other category. It is so different that those whom we love do not rank in this category. Otherwise, we will be making excuses when we choose to be disobedient to the Lord. We will say, "I love you, Jesus, but I can't give like you have told me to because my family wants something," or "I love you, Jesus, but I can't serve you because my family needs me now."

Remember there was a man who told Jesus he needed to bury his father before he could follow Jesus. Most don't understand the Lord's attitude here. It seemed that Jesus should have allowed him to bury his father before he followed Jesus. That wasn't the case. Why not?

Have You Noticed How Much You Have Sacrificed to the Lord?

 December 5, 2024

Thursday

Matthew 19:27 (NASB 2020) ²⁷ Then Peter responded and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?”

If we have served the Lord we wouldn't notice what we have sacrificed to do so. We would be so amazed to be in His presence that nothing we do will seem like a sacrifice. There are rewards that go beyond our imaginations in heaven but that is merely the result of serving. It is not the glory of His presence.

When people are in love they hardly notice the sacrifices that are being made for the ones they love. Our response to the Lord is one of love. Noticing the sacrifices turns the attention back on us. We notice our sacrifices and want to know what is in it for us. We have forgotten the privilege of having someone who loves us deeply. 

When people are in love, they lose track of time. They only notice what they are doing at that very moment in the presence of the one they love. It doesn't matter how much sleep or expense or sacrifice or work that needs to be done to please the one they love. 

It is natural to think that you have served the Lord much more than others and there should be some payday coming soon. In fact, it is natural to think that you are the only one truly serving the Lord. Elijah would think that. Peter is thinking something like that. He is thinking that this small band of disciples are the best of the best when it comes to serving Jesus. 

When the married couple continue to evaluate what they should receive according to what they have done for each other, the relationship takes a turn from loving the other person without measure to loving with measure. This is true in our relationship with the Lord. We have essentially lost the love we had for the Lord when we first came to know Him. We are seeking the benefits and thinking we have paid way too much for what we are getting.

This is the moment we are vulnerable to leaving the Lord even if it doesn't look like it to others. Sure, we may continue in church but we back off from having the fervency that we once had. Yes, we are present but our hearts are not all His anymore.

Is it time to sell out again? Is it time to admit that the love you once had is not the love that you have now for the Lord? Is it time to cry out to the Lord asking Him to restore what you once had?

Just one more question: Have you been noticing how much you have sacrificed for Him?

Did I Abide in Christ?

 December 4, 2024

Wednesday

John 15:5 (NIV) ⁵  "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

We should never be elated or sad because of the observed results of our work. Whether we win ten people to Christ or no one comes to Christ for weeks on end, our attitude toward it all should remain the same. The question after seeing what appears to be a failure should be: Did I remain in Christ? If I did, there will be fruit. If I didn't, any fruit that appears will be no fruit at all.

Abiding in Christ is remaining with Him. It is walking with Him, listening to Him and absolutely obeying Him. It has no room for own ideas that spring up because we want to do something creative. All of the creativity should come from the One we are abiding with. 

That doesn't mean that we won't study and work very hard. But that study and work will be done with the Lord rather than separated from Him. We can't say: Lord, you remain here while I go do something fantastic for you. No, our response is simply, "Here I am Lord, send me."

Of course, the work must be covered in prayer. We should pray, "Lord, don't let me try to get ahead of You. Don't let me get behind You. Lord, let me stay with You." Then, if the result is good or bad, it is the Lord's result. Then, you can honestly give Him the glory regardless of the results. Sometimes we can't see the results. In fact, we may never see the results while on this earth for some of the things we do. We simply remain in Him and trust that we will bear much fruit because of Him rather than us.

So, the next time you evaluate your work, don't look at the results. Always ask, "Was I abiding in Him the whole time?" Then, praise Him for He will do something great even if you can't see it.

Emptying Yourself from Self Loathing

 December 3, 2024

Tuesday

The Oxford Dictionary defines narcissism as: excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance. 

Now, I have a twist on this. Many people have trouble forgiving themselves for the things they have done. In fact, they think of this frequently and lament over their failures constantly. They are spending time think of themselves negatively but they are still dwelling on themselves. Is this a back-handed way of being a narcissist? 

I have often tried to convince people they are forgiven. Some simply do not accept it. They have locked themselves in a prison in which they can't escape for the jailer will not give them the key. I have wondered: Do they remain in this condition to keep themselves from repeating their mistakes? Regardless of the reason, they will not let themselves out of their own lack of forgiveness.

I have often told them that they are forgiven on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus. If God accepts this payment for their sins and they won't, they have a higher standard than God. In other words, there is no way they can ever forgive themselves. They have given themselves a life sentence.

But this morning I was thinking of someone who won't forgive himself. He spends time trying to put himself down and calling himself a failure at every opportunity. He is spending so much time condemning himself that he has little time to consider others. If a narcissist focuses too much on himself, this man has nailed it as a narcissist.

Humble people are not people who think little of themselves. They are people who think of others more than they think of themselves. Thus, not forgiving self is a form of pride. While normal pride seeks to tell others how much better a person is. This one spends the same amount of time telling others how bad he is. The truth is that the unforgiving narcissist hasn't emptied himself of himself. He is continuing to fill himself with himself.

The person who refuses to forgive himself must admit that he is focusing on himself. He must accept the payment of Jesus to God as the forgiveness that he needs. He must know that God has forgiven him and quit thinking of himself so much. He must set his mind on the Spirit who thinks as God thinks. The failures of the past cannot continue to be dug up and hung around his neck. For if God has declared him forgiven, who can legitimately condemn him.

There is no way a person can look to the interests of others as long as he is constantly thinking of himself. Therefore:

Philippians 2:4-7 (NIV) ⁴  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

What Has Your Heart?

 December 2, 2024

Monday

Matthew 19:16-22 (NIV) ¹⁶  Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" ¹⁷  "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." ¹⁸  "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, ¹⁹  honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" ²⁰  "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" ²¹  Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." ²²  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

If this young man came into the church today, we would be so excited just to have a young man who appears to be fervent for the Lord that we wouldn't challenge him in what keeps him from the Lord. We would have run after him saying, "That's okay. Just come to church when you can." But Jesus was willing to let him walk away rather than remain at a distance because of his money.

Many times I have been told that I shouldn't mention money in the church because that might run people off. I disagree. There is no might about it! It will run people off! But is attendance at church the main goal? Is it better to have a full church building who have something between them and the Lord or a sparsely attended church with people truly committed to the Lord. And even that is a dilemma. A fully committed church will not be sparsely attended because it will attract people who are coming closer to the Lord. A fully committed church isn't satisfied with leaving people in the state they are in. It seeks to remove the obstacles. It seeks a deeper walk with the Lord. It is full of testimonies because God has worked in the lives of the members.

I would have liked the story of this young man to have a happy ending. I would have liked to hear that he repented, gave away all that he had a followed Jesus. We have no record of this and I believe the Bible would have recorded such an event. He went away sad because he loved his money more than Jesus. Money had his heart.

On the other hand, a widow came and gave her last two cents. What happened there?

One Reason We Aren't Making Disciples Like We Should

 December 1, 2024

Sunday

I lead discipleship groups. Twelve of us meet to study God's word, discuss what we are struggling with from that word, confess where we have failed and show how we are becoming more like Christ. (That last part is observed rather than stated.) This morning I was thinking of the people in one of my present groups. A couple of them are struggling to continue. The course is not hard but the practice of what I am leading is beyond human abilities. These people need to admit it and go forward saying, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." They do not have the strength to live the Christian life without His strength.

It is here that I realized one of the weaknesses in our discipleship. We have given people courses without seeing if they are observing the teachings in those courses. We have assumed that all that people need is knowledge. Thus, they have bookshelves full of Bible studies they have done but aren't acting much different than the world around them. Knowledge is not the key to discipleship! A disciple is not a disciple until he or she becomes like the Master. That is not what is going on.

The number of silver tongued preachers who are failing should tell us that knowledge  is worthless without application. These preachers are being caught in their sins and the people who catch them have lost someone they saw as an example of how they should live. The churches these preachers pastored are reeling from the blow of losing the leader they thought built the church to what it is. Each of these preachers knew what to do but did not do it.

Our failure is in thinking that a person will become a disciple because he or she has the knowledge that is in the Bible. Knowing what to do is important but it is not the ultimate goal. 

The scribes and Pharisees knew what to do.

Matthew 23:2-3 (ESV) ²  “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, ³  so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

Jesus wanted to warn us about people who don't do what they preach. Their preaching may be solid but their practice reveals that they are not truly disciples. They were actors in a role. They did things to be observed. It did not come from their hearts. They remained unchanged even though they knew all the things they should do. Their practice was on the outside and their hearts remained untouched.

This is why discipleship leaders must be people who are always growing on the inside by the power of Christ. They, we, must be examples that what is known of the Christian life must be done.

We should have the practice of the Apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) ¹  Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Our discipleship will always be lacking until we do.

Where Have All the Good Employees Gone?

 November 30, 2024

Saturday

Does it seem that more and more disappointments come from poor customer service? It seems like it to me.

When I was in seminary, I heard that UPS liked to hire seminary students. They were honest and hard-working. It made sense to get employees like that. Of course, they couldn't hire all the seminary students but they did hire a lot. I actually thought they might get in trouble for religious reasons but there weren't any protests. UPS worked their employees very hard. They also paid well. Those who didn't want to work hard didn't care that much about the pay. Seminary students were willing to sacrifice so that they could earn enough money for seminary and take care of their families. Since they were among the few who wanted to work that hard, no, they didn't get into trouble.

The more we shrink from Christianity as a society; the fewer hard workers there will be. A hedonistic society wants to indulge itself. Hard work is a sacrifice. It denies the pleasures of the day.

On the other hand, the Christian works for the Lord. This means that he or she treats the boss or the customer like the Lord. The greater reward is not in the money. It is in the treasures stored in heaven awaiting this person who has served as such. Organizations run by Christians often have incredible customer service. Of course, that means the customers must be reasonable too. Very few things are well done instantly.

And it should be that way. Each Christian should work with the intensity of working for the Lord. I know what you're thinking. This is easy to say on Saturday. Maybe so, but Monday's coming.

Colossians 3:23–24 (NASB 2020) ²³ Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, ²⁴ knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Who Should We Thank for the Money Given to the Church?

 November 29, 2024

Friday

Churches operate from the freewill offerings of people. That's what you will hear from many churches. Is that what Paul would say?

Philippians 4:10-20 (ESV) ¹⁰  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹²  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³  I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ¹⁴  Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. ¹⁵  And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. ¹⁶  Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. ¹⁷  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. ¹⁸  I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Let's take a look at what Paul has said. Paul tells them that he is grateful for their gifts but they were unnecessary. He has learned the secret of having much and having little. In other words, his ministry was untouched by their gifts. He would continue to serve the Lord regardless of their gifts. It is not the gifts that give him strength. It is the Lord. Yes, he is thankful for their faithfulness. He seeks their benefit that comes from giving rather than his own. He tells them that their gifts have been pleasing to God. He also wants them to know that God will supply their needs richly.

Preachers sometimes tell the congregations things like, "We will not be able to do all the things we planned to do if you don't give." The preachers are correct in this. However, does God plan things that He doesn't supply the resources to complete? And if He doesn't supply the resources to complete something, should we understand that God was depending on the people to supply but they failed Him? So that, when someone fails God, God just changes His plans?

Remember what happened to Abraham's father.

Genesis 11:31-32 (ESV) ³¹  Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. ³²  The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.

So, God decided that His people didn't need to settle in Canaan because Terah stopped short of where he was going, right? Absolutely not!

Genesis 12:1-4 (ESV) ¹  Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ²  And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³  I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ⁴  So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

God assigned the task to Abraham. He was not going to be stopped because of disobedient people. 

So, God may do something differently because people are disobedient but He is the One moving in the hearts of people to command them. If one doesn't give, another will take his place. If there isn't enough money, then it must be done with less that was originally planned. It is God who assigns the tasks and God who supplies the resources. 

Therefore, we can praise God as Paul did.  ²⁰  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

So, I thank God that you have been obedient in your giving. I thank Him because He has supplied through you. Praise God that He is giving us this opportunity!

The Mind Set on the Spirit

 November 28, 2024

Thursday

One of my staff had a guy come into his office and say, " I just had a dream that you needed prayer. I don't know what it is about but I felt like I needed to come and pray for you." This couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. The staff member was under tremendous strain.

Should these kinds of encounters be unusual? I don't think so.  If Christians possess the Holy Spirit, then shouldn't He lead us to do things? Didn't He lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil? Paul and his companions were led by the Holy Spirit not to enter Bithynia. Instead, He led them to Macedonia. Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to preach the message at Pentecost. Yes, there are several times that the Holy Spirit led people. So, why not now?

The answer seems trite. We are so often led by the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 (NASB 2020)¹⁷ For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.

Thus, we quench the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NASB 2020) ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit, 

Essentially, "quench" is a present imperative. This means that it is a command to stop quenching the Spirit. Evidently, quenching the Spirit is our default. Thus, it will take that renewed mind that determines the mind needs to be set on the Spirit.

Colossians 3:2 (NASB 2020) ² Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

So, set your mind on the Spirit. Tell the Spirit you will obey when He speaks. Then, ask if there is anyone you need to contact today. Is there something that you need to do today? Is there something you need to confess today. Is there someone to ask for forgiveness? Is there someone you need to forgive? This will not come up naturally. It will only come when you are sensitive to and obey the Spirit because your mind is set on the Spirit.

So, is it?

Are All People Basically Good?

 November 27, 2024

Wednesday

Are all people basically good or are they basically bad? Many people want to say that most people are basically good. There is some merit to that thought. After all, all of us were created in the image of God. That image is seen in His characteristics that have been imprinted into us. Thus, we have love and justice and mercy and generosity and each of the characteristics of God. But wait, there was the Fall. When mankind sinned the image of God was corrupted. Thus we have hatred and vengeance and mercilessness and stinginess. So, which is it? Are people good or bad?

Let's face it: Every time we attempt to do something universally benevolent, there are people who abuse that benevolence. Our church has a large food pantry by which we give out tons of food each week. The people drive up, tell us how many people are in their families and we give out an appropriate amount of food. It is not unusual to put food in a BMW, Lexus, new luxury pickup truck or Mercedes. Sure, they may not have the money for food because they are paying for these luxury vehicles. They have absolved themselves of the responsibility to pay for their own subsistence. Almost none of the people putting this food in their vehicles have autos as nice as some of those coming for food.

Are these people bad? Not really. They are taking advantage of a system but they aren't really breaking any laws. They may old ladies across the street and speak kindly of the Lord. 

Honestly, if people were all good, socialism would work. It doesn't because all of us are corrupted. Some will not work and others will join their lack of working when they find out they are doing all the work. Both of these stands show the corruption of our good.

So, all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  All of us have been corrupted. There is not anyone who is purely good. That includes me and you. It is not hypothetical. It is not theoretical. It is real.

Maybe this is the reason we need to always forgive others. Each of us will do something that will hurt another person whether we recognize what we have done or not. Each of us needs forgiveness for something. When someone does something that hurts us, we must remember that we aren't perfectly good either. We give mercy from the image of God imprinted in us. We forgive on the basis of the blood of Jesus too. That sin against us was paid by the blood of Jesus.

Therefore, people are not basically anything. They are all good at times and all bad at times. We and they are all sinners at times.

Romans 5:12 (NASB 2020)¹² Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—

Confession that Opens the Doors of Heaven

 November 26, 2024

Tuesday

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) ¹⁴  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Jesus, our great high priest, has passed through the heavens. Why is heavens plural? Well, the thought was that the area where the clouds are is part of the heavens. The area where the stars are  is part of the heavens. And the place of God's presence was the third heaven. Thus, when it says that Jesus passed through the heavens, He is passing through where God's holy presence resides.

The high priest would pass through the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur to sprinkle the blood of sacrificed animals on the altar. This is clearly saying that beyond all of the sprinklings of all the high priests who ever walked through the Holy of Holies, Jesus has been the completion of the recognition of sacrifices made. "Passed" is a perfect participle. This means that the action was completed in the past but has forever results. Thus, no other sacrifices will ever be necessary for the forgiveness of our sins.

So, we hold fast or "seize" our confession. That word is the same that was used when those opposing Jesus wanted to arrest Him. They wanted to hold onto Him and never let Him go. This word is in the present tense which means that it is always ongoing. Therefore, we are holding onto our confession and never letting it go.

Confession is singular here. Each person may have a confession but that confession is the same as everyone else's confession. It is simply this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for my sins in whom I believe and follow by repenting of my sins and obeying His commands. This confession opens up heaven's doors for us to the God of mercy and grace.

If you don't make that confession while you are alive and in this body, you will never be able to make that confession to God after you die. Of course, these aren't magic words but they are the confession of our lives that grants us confidence before God.

Can you make that confession now? I hope so.

A Politically Correct Bible

 November 25, 2024

Monday

There is a difference between a translation of the Bible and a version of the Bible. Typically a translation is done by one person. A version is done by a group of people. Yes, it appears that the versions of the Bible you have been reading have come from a committee. Of course, "For God so loved the world that He didn't send a committee."

There are good reasons to have a committee. It depends upon the knowledge of all of the people on the committee in choosing how the Bible is "translated." Thus, there will be less heresy than is possible from an individual. The negative side of a committee is that many times compromises are made to keep everyone happy. Therefore, a version of a Bible can become politically correct.

Let's take an example. Most versions of the Bible say that Paul, Peter and James called themselves bond- servants of the Lord. 

Romans 1:1 (NASB 2020) ¹ Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

2 Peter 1:1 (NASB 2020)¹ Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

James 1:1 (NASB 2020) ¹ James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

The word used is slave. Bond-servant is only accurate when someone understands what a bond-servant is.

According to Collins Dictionary a bond-servant is: 1.a person who serves in bondage; slave. 2. a person bound to service without wages.

Thus, a bond-servant is a slave. He is owned by a master and is bound to obey the master. Yet, bond-servant sounds much more politically correct. The sound of servant sounds like someone who serves under his own authority and might even get tips. That is not the meaning of this word.

Our gospel often sings "and now I am happy all the day." But being a slave isn't all about happiness. It is service without question. It is abandoning your own will to do the will of another. It has nothing to do with focusing on yourself. The focus is on the Master.

On the other side, it is not drudgery because the Master loves you and wants the very best for you. That very best is found in following Him. Following Him is the life of a slave.

There are lots of pluses in being a slave. You never look for another job. You always have the same Master. You don't need to worry about your needs for the Master provides.

For all the books that tell us how to grow a church and set priorities and develop visions, the secret is still found in becoming a slave. It is His church, His priority and His vision.

Honestly, I want to be a slave. I call myself one. I want to fully comply as a slave. I am tired to trying to do things without the Master's directive. I don't want to be able to lose anything because nothing belongs to me. I don't want to be concerned about the economy or my retirement account. I am His slave all the days of my life.

Yes, I am a slave even if that isn't politically correct.

Helping Others with the Bible

 November 24, 2024

Sunday

Years ago, there was something called a "Baptist Bookstore." Later their name was changed to Lifeway. Today, they don't exist. They were good for browsing Bible translations and commentaries. Sure, I can still get them online but there was something about picking up the commentaries and reading a few explanations. I really don't know a good place I can do that today.

Anyway, I was in this Baptist Bookstore and noticed a man looking at Bibles. He seemed confused so I asked if I could help him. (No, I didn't work there.) He had recently become a Christian and wanted a Bible. (Why the person who led him to the Lord didn't offer to get him one is a mystery.) So, I asked him what he wanted to do with the Bible. He didn't know. He thought he could go into a Christian bookstore and buy a Bible. He didn't know that there were so many. I have to admit that it was confusing. I asked if he wanted just a Bible or he wanted something that explained the Bible. He wanted the latter. I suggested an NIV Study Bible. He thanked me and went to check out.

Where does someone like that go today? Sure, he can go to a bookstore. That secular bookstore will have all sorts of translations. There will not be any filter that would reject those that are deviations from the original languages. Those who are not familiar with the Bible will not know a word-for-word translation from a thought-for-thought translation. A paraphrase might even be thought to be a translation. 

Will a person ask for help when choosing a Bible? Many will not. So, what will the new Christian do if he or she doesn't receive a good Bible from someone who knows which Bible is needed? This is a very important question if we are to make disciples. Jesus said: 

John 8:31 (NASB 2020)³¹ So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples;

A person cannot truly be a disciple of Jesus without continuing in His word. The way each of us does this is through the Bible. 

Maybe this is a calling God is giving someone who is reading this blog. You would start your own blog reviewing each of the Bible translations and advising people whether each one is a good translation based on where they are in their spiritual maturity. It will take a mature person to evaluate each translation. It will take some scholarship to be able to read the Greek and Hebrew. It may take more than one person to form a team that will do this evaluation for those who need a good Bible.

There are no more Baptist Bookstores left. Sure, I know that some will say that the new Christian's church can help him. The problem with that idea is that many in churches today don't read their own Bibles. They know nothing about which translation is good or not. You can't learn to read the Bible from people who don't read the Bible.

I believe God is calling someone to join with others to help those who need a Bible and need to know how to use it. Maybe that's you.