So-Called Christian Or Christian Called-So

"if the people in this country are leaders and so-called Christians.. if they are going to heaven - I'll pass".  - Jamie Fox - Entertainer

I referenced this quote yesterday but I think it bears repeating. It speaks to the problem of being a Christian in name only.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" - Matthew 7:21-23

Memorizing scripture, holding a position in a local church - wearing Christian paraphernalia - having Christian plaques in your home - they don't mean a thing. What your heart is surrendered to is what makes the difference between your being a sheep or a  goat.  (Matthew 25:32-33) 

If the natural world is watching, and it is - it cannot see the heart of those who claim to be Christian - but they can hear what we say and watch what we do. The proof in the pudding?

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35

It's love in action not merely words spoken - positions held that demonstrates our faith. Anyone can be given a Christian label - but that may be a mere distinction between not being a Muslim, Buddhist, or Jew. The label means nothing if it is not lived as a result of a person's rebirth, indwelling of the spirit and faithfulness to their calling from God the Father. 

The world is echoing Jesus' conversation with Peter in John 21.  The world is asking, "Do you love me Christian? Then show me!" Well ... do you?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Illusion Of A Christian Nation

"Never Thought I Would Live In A ‘Christian Society’ Where They Would Let Little Children Die Over And Over Again if the people in this country are leaders and so-called Christians…if they are going to heaven…I’LL PASS!!!!!" - Jamie Fox - Entertainer

Those words got my attention when I read them the other day. Contrary to what Jamie Fox thinks, I think it accurate to say that there are no Christian societies or nations in the world. There are some that have been influenced by the Christian principles espoused by God-fearing Christian men and women - for example, the United States. But even then it was flawed from the outset. Christian principles are not worth the paper they are written on if the people don't have the spiritual ability and devotion of heart to apply them. At the same time that we embraced the idea that all men are created equal by God - we also embraced the idea that some people could be enslaved and considered outside the application of those ideas. 

Is it unreasonable for people to expect declared Christians to live out their faith - not just speak the words but do the deeds?  

"one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." - James 2:16-18

I have heard the statement "You can keep your thoughts and prayers" to yourself referencing the Uvalde killings. Why - because words are cheap. It is equivalent to James "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled"  No action - just sympathy - maybe until the next thing grabs our attention. ( That is not to say that there are no Christians on the ground being Jesus to the families and communities in Uvalde)  Nor am I saying that our prayers fall on deaf ears in heaven. But mere words - fleeting as they often are - are very often spoken and forgotten soon after, being not of much help or comfort.  

Throwing money at grief is not a solution.  It is consistent with a culture that believes that money is the answer to most problems. Money is the god of this culture.  Jamie Fox, like most other people, is misinformed.  This is not a Christian society. It is a carnal society that has Christian principles at its roots and a Christian minority among its people. Our culture does not want to change hearts until after the calamity is wrought. We have the attention span of a gnat. The culture does not want to admit that it has turned its back on God but is quick to blame the people of God for the calamity its hard heart has brought on.

“These things I [Jesus]command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:17-19

Perhaps what Jamie Fox was really asking is "Does being a Christian make a difference in the events of this world?" 

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?" - Luke 6:46

So what do we do Christian? Well, we could continue to hide in a cave and hope that Jesus returns soon. Or we could let our voices be heard - stand on the Word of God and not the words of men. We could live out what we proclaim to be true. We live in dark times. Be the Light!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Forgiven Of My Sins But Not Relieved Of Their Consequences

"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." - Colossians 2:11-14

What a wonderful truth that, in Christ by faith, we have forgiveness.  Our names are written forever in the Lambs Book of Life.  But - that does not mean that there are not consequences that are birthed from those sins. I think most people that I have known are more concerned about avoiding the consequences of their sins and not the fact that they have sinned.

Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about our avoiding consequences with the exception of Christians not being tossed into the lake of fire on Judgement Day.  

"When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'” John 8:10-11

The man (not mentioned) and the woman had committed adultery.  There were consequences for those families. The woman at the well had been with five men.  There are entanglements caused by those relationships that are impossible to untangle and would ripple through the third and fourth generations. David sinned with Bathsheba and killed her husband - there were consequences.  

We all face trouble in this life. Some of it we bring on ourselves. Do you ask God to relieve you of the consequence? I don't think He is obliged to. Some would call that enabling if He did. Making it easier to continue sinning. As parents we are often guilty of that - our children make poor choices and we want to step in and relieve them of the consequences.  Believing that we are being loving and responsible parents.  Seldom are the consequences life threatening - just the source of inconvenience, but we hate to see bad things happen to our children. 

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:2-5

What is wisdom but understanding and perspective about life events. Not a bad thing to have.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

All I Am Saying Is Give Peace A Chance

 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" - Jeremiah 17:9

Reading about the Uvalde massacre is deeply distressing for everyone - not just in Texas - not just in the United States - but in the world.  It is senseless violence that reeks havoc in the lives of so many. The killing of innocents rends the heart of the fiercest of all of us. So the world will do what it does. Some will say we must prevent people from buying guns like the ones used in most mass murders. Some will say that we need police present in places where there are vulnerable people. Many will say that we need more laws. But this I know, laws do not prevent violators from violating them. Laws do not change hearts.  Let's look at what the Word of God says about those who separated from God.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." - Galatians 5:19-21

That is what is in the hearts of people who are lost - without God - without Jesus - without the Spirit. And as Paul reminds us - we too were once lost without hope - but now we are washed, sanctified, justified. 

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

 Laws do not change hearts - they, at best, limit the acting out of what is in the heart - but thousands sitting in our jails and prisons would suggest - laws are marginally effective in deterring criminal behavior.

The answer is one that our culture refuses to embrace - it's faith in Jesus.  John Lennon wrote a song with a lyric that goes "all we are saying is give peace a chance". But what is the source of that peace?

"Peace I [Jesus] leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27

I doubt that is the "peace" John Lennon was referring to - but it is the Peace that the world needs. It is the peace that the world rejects. The world does not get better on its own - it gets darker - revealing its true self. The world needs a heart change. The only way that will happen is faith in Jesus.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

That doesn't mean we should not take corrective actions in light of the threats of violence that we face. We should, but as Christians we need to understand there is a better answer. An answer, unfortunately that the world will reject until the day Jesus returns. The Spirit in us is the only way to give true peace a chance. That sounds too easy - it is not easy - it requires surrender by faith. The wisdom of God is foolishness to the natural man. Once anyone yields their heart to Jesus, they have given Peace a chance.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." -Galatians 5:22-25

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

It's Hard to Be Humble

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8

“Self-awareness is not sin, and it can be produced by nervous emotions or by suddenly being dropped into a totally new set of circumstances. Yet it is never God’s will that we should be anything less than absolutely complete in Him. Anything that disturbs our rest in Him must be rectified at once, and it is not rectified by being ignored but only by coming to Jesus Christ. If we will come to Him, asking Him to produce Christ-awareness in us, He will always do it, until we fully learn to abide in Him.” OSWALD CHAMBERS - My Utmost For His Highest

When God calls you to something, that something will always be bigger than you are.  It will always exceed your ability, capacity, strength, wisdom, and skill.  There is never a time when you will not be stretched in your faith ..  challenged in your trust … God calls us to what we can’t do by ourselves, but can do if we trust Him.  One of the Biblical examples that is very often re-told is Peter on the water.  (Matthew 14) Jesus called him out of the boat.  As long as his eyes were fixed on the One who called him he was OK, but as soon as things shifted to himself and what he could do, he was in trouble.  Walking on the water is contrary to the physical laws of this world, but it is not a difficult thing to the law Giver .. the One who tells the sea to be still.

I heard a definition of humility the other day … “humility is not thinking of yourself as less than others or God, but it is not thinking of yourself at all.”  Mac Davis, a singer in the ‘70s sang a song that went …. “Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble when you are perfect in so many ways!”  It is possible to take pride in our humility.  I have seen more than one man or woman, who when praised for their apparent service and sacrifice to the Lord, have stood there beaming … a big smile on their face … Do not accept praise for what God has done .. the only credit you should receive is for saying ‘yes’ to God.  Remember you, yourself, cannot do what He has called you to, so how can you take credit for it?

There are a few verses on the Bible that serve to summarize the essence of God’s intent for me .. Prov 3:5-6 (Trust God not yourself) .. Matt 22:37-39 (Love God .. love others) …  Matt 16:24 (Pick up Your Cross … follow Jesus’ example) …  Joshua 24:15 (Choose who you will serve) … Joshua 1:8 (Meditate on the Word)   Obviously there are many more verses … but these address the core of the Christian life.

Walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7) … and let your light shine before all men (Matt 5:16)

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Let Him Who Thinks He Stands Take Heed

"Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' So he said, 'Here I am.' And He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.'” - Genesis 22:9-12

These verses were part of a sermon this last Sunday about worship. When I heard them I was reminded of the principle that God sees the heart. When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint the new King.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'” - 1 Samuel 16:7

As for Abraham - he had already sacrificed Isaac in his heart and given his heart fully to God. There was no need to do any more.  He could have killed Isaac as an act of works doing what he was told but resenting God all the while. That is what many people do - they praise God with their lips and actions but their hearts are not devoted to him. (Isaiah 29:13) 

I think for many Christians our struggle is not with overt - external sin - but with our thought life - sins of the heart. Living the Pharisaical life - "white-washed tombs filled with dead men's bones". We look good on the outside but forget that God sees the heart - and sin is committed in our hearts - first - and expressed on the outside second. It is so easy for us to dismiss the sins of the heart. Jesus spoke to His disciples about them. He raised the bar on what it meant to sin against God and others.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." - Matthew 5:27-28

The Apostle John wrote about the same principle - "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." - 1 John 3:14-15

Why do I write about this? Because it is a common problem that we all struggle with - temptation tests the heart. The test that Abraham faced is the same test that we face. 

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Keeping God At Arm's Length

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." - James 4:8

I was thinking about the days - well years really - before I placed my faith in Jesus. People always thought I was a nice guy - polite - considerate - pretty smart. I really didn't give God much thought - sometimes on Sunday - but hardly ever the other 6 days of the week.  I never gave Jesus or the Spirit a thought. I kept God at arm's length. Kept my distance. No interest in the Bible. I went church because I had to - not because I wanted to. When I was there - my body was present but my mind was elsewhere.  The sermons and singing were like muffled background noises. The words lack meaning and were most often indistinguishable.  Know anybody like that?

Like teenagers I see today - texting someone during church - eyes fix on their phone - totally disengaged from the church service. What if you had to check your phone at the door when you went in to the service? But wait - some people don't own a printed Bible and if they do they leave it on the shelf or table at home. Perhaps as to not disturb the "dust". But I digress!

But then - one day - the Gospel made sense to me - to us, actually, Martie and me. Not gradually but more like a bolt of lightning. A jolt of electricity. Suddenly God was near - Jesus was relevant  - the Spirit was at work.  I wouldn't have described it that way on that day. No it was more like my thinking became clear. Like being in math class and suddenly you understand a formula - you have an "Ah ha" moment. But my understanding was deeper than a math formula in my mind. The understanding of who Jesus is and why I needed to yield my life to Him as Lord travelled all the way to my heart. It didn't just change my mind - it changed my life.

So many people had been talking to me about Jesus from 1969 to 1976 - but it was like the sermons and the singing - it was just noise - and something I really didn't want to listen to. But on the "fateful" or should I say "faith filled" Sunday - it suddenly made sense - and I could not hear it enough.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 5:5-6

There is a song by Andrae Crouch, Take Me Back

"Take me back, take me back dear Lord To the place where I first received you. Take me back, take me back dear Lord where I First believed.

I feel that I'm so far from you Lord But still I hear you calling me Those simple things that I once knew, Their memories keep drawing me.

I must confess, Lord I've been blessed But yet my soul's not satisfied. Renew my faith, restore my joy And dry my weeping eyes."

I no longer wanted God to be at arm's length - but I wanted to be as close as I could get. And still do to this day.  How about you?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Resisting The Temptation To Be A Herodian

 

"Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, 'Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.' So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar’s.' And He said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.'" - Matthew 22:15-21

(FYI)

"At the time of Jesus, there were certain groups—the Pharisees, the Herodians, and the Sadducees—that held positions of authority and power over the people. The Herodians held political power, and most scholars believe that they were a political party that supported King Herod Antipas. The Herodians favored submitting to Herod, and therefore to Rome, for political expediency." - From Got Questions

When you join the military you take an oath that says ....

"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

That commitment is in the context of our Constitution, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) - Military Law and a commitment to seek God's help to do it. (Isn't that curious?) Now, the orders we swear to obey must be "lawful" orders. In other words, obeying the orders we receive  must not be contrary to the Constitution or the UCMJ. If they are in violation, then we are not bound to obey them. With me so far?

Was it lawful for the Jews to pay taxes to Rome. Jesus answered - the money belongs to Caesar - but your heart must belong to God. The first greatest commandment - Matthew 22. The first four of the ten commandments - Exodus 20. Everything we do must be in the context of our allegiance to God and His commandments. If man's law is contrary to what God has said, then it is unlawful. God's law trumps man's law.

We face that challenge every day. There are laws in this country - and around the world - that are in conflict with the Bible - God's revelation to mankind with respect to how we should live and do and be. The choice is always just as clear as holding a quarter in our hand and seeing George Washington's image on it.

There are some who have done some horrific things and justified them in the name of God - when those things were clearly contrary to His Word. It's like the saying that "if you put lipstick on a pig - it is still a pig." Wrong is wrong no matter what label you put on it. Just because people declare something to be right - maybe even pass laws saying it is right - does not make it so. Everything in the context of the Word of Truth. As Christians, we must resist the temptation to go along for the sake of expediency like the Herodians. Go along to get along. Trying to avoid our comfortable lives being disrupted because we resist rendering to man what is God's.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Never Go To Bed With Dirty Feet

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10

We were meeting with a few Christian friends last night. When we meet we discuss the sermon from the previous Sunday. That is a healthy habit. All too often I have heard a sermon and before I hit the exit door of the church, I had already put the truths I had heard coming from the pulpit out of my mind. Ever happen to you? 

Well the subject had to do with the Great White Throne judgement in Revelation 20.  We talked about our freedom in Christ - that we have access to the Holy of Holies because of the sacrifice made, once for all, by our Great High Priest - Jesus. That our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life. That, on that day, we will stand free of guilt because Jesus paid it all. We have been acquitted by His blood on the cross.

Our conversation drifted to the reality of the sins that we still commit, even though we are saved from those sins by faith. A gift of Grace. I was reminded of Jesus washing the Disciples feet and Peter resisting - I think because he did not feel worthy.

"Then He (Jesus) came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, 'Lord, are You washing my feet?' Jesus answered and said to him, 'What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.'  Peter said to Him, 'You shall never wash my feet!' Jesus answered him, 'If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.' Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!' Jesus said to him, 'He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.'” - John 13:6-10

The point is that we who are born again are "bathed". We are "clean" before God. As we go through our day, are "feet" get dirty from walking in the "dust" of the world. We need to wash our feet (confess our sins) and remember the great salvation we have, from even those sins, because of Jesus. That we should not consider them as "nothing" because we are saved, but be intentionally aware of those sins and praise God for our new life in Christ. Being intentional about acknowledging our sin before God (1 John 1:9) and never go to bed with dirty feet.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Life, Liberty, Happiness By Whose Definition?

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." -  Galatians 3:28

Certainly you understand the point the Apostle Paul was making. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. We are all the same from God's perspective and in His creative intent. So why would Paul need to write it, aside from the fact that it was inspired by the Spirit of God. Well, because that thinking is contrary to the nature of man - apart from God.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - Preamble to Declaration of Independence

Totally consistent with Galatians 3:28 don't you think?

"Dred Scott decision a legal case in which the U.S. Supreme Court on March 6, 1857, ruled (7–2) that a slave (Dred Scott) who had resided in a free state and territory (where slavery was prohibited) was not thereby entitled to his freedom; that African Americans were not and could never be citizens of the United States; and that the Missouri Compromise (1820), which had declared free all territories west of Missouri and north of latitude 36°30′, was unconstitutional."

A Supreme Court ruling in the same country that declared that all men (people) are created equal ruled that they are not. That they are not endowed with certain rights. And even if they are, man has the power to deny them their rights. 

The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the Civil War. The Proclamation changed the legal status of more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans from enslaved to free.

A proclamation that may have change things from the governments perspective but did not change the hearts of men.

Why the history lesson? Cultures may decide to deny what God has said is right and true, but that does not change the truth. Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. The decision struck down many U.S. federal and state abortion laws.

The argument being the fetus has no rights - because it is not a human being - the woman can do with it what she chooses as if she was having a tooth pulled or a wart removed. After all - the fetus is part of her body.  The people who endorse that thinking, I am certain, are against gun violence and murder of living - breathing men and women. So if we decide when a human being is a human being, then we can do what we want with - whatever it is before then.  

My point is not to raise a discussion on abortion rights but to encourage you to see that it is the same manner of thinking in 1857 and 1973 and today. That even though we know the right to do - we choose what we think is the best, most advantageous for us. That thinking started in the Garden and prevails in the heart of sinful man and will until Jesus returns. 

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

We might wear a cross around our necks, a WWJD bracelet on our wrists, sit in a pew and say "amen" every Sunday, and our hearts may still be far from God. Be careful that you don't "drink the culture's Kool-aide". Go along to get along. Embrace what is clearly contrary to the will and purpose of God. Be the Light in a dark world!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Double Jeopardy

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh" - Romans 8:1-3

Are you familiar with the term "Double Jeopardy"? Double jeopardy definition, the subjecting of a person to a second trial or punishment for the same offense for which the person has already been tried or punished. If you are found guilty and later it is determined that you are, in fact, innocent, you can be acquitted. But if you are found innocent of a charge and later found guilt, you cannot be tried again.

I am certain to find some disagreement with the opinion I am about to share. But first some scriptural context.

"For the death that He (Jesus) died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God." - Romans 6:10

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Roamns 5:8

"But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification" - Romans 5:15-16

We who have been saved by the blood of Jesus by confessing that He is Lord and believing God raised Him from the dead have eternal life. Listening to a sermon on the Great White Throne Judgement, I was reminded that there is no double jeopardy with God in Jesus.  Jesus was declared guilty on my behalf. Because of Jesus, I was acquitted. I cannot be retried for my offenses because I have been ransomed thought the Cross. I hear people speak about our sins being laid bear in front of that throne as if I might be tried again - but there can be no re-trial. The case has been closed. My name has been written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Can I get a hallelujah?

At the same time, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's words.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" - Romans 6:1-3

Sin and the temptations that precede it, will haunt us until the day we see Jesus. But because of my faith in Jesus, I am a child of God and nothing can change that.  

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Too Close For Comfort

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

Do you know that verse? If you are not careful you can just breeze right past it as you read Matthew. I don't think that any of us really consider what taking up our cross means. Oh, we want to be known as Jesus followers - but we perhaps that means being one of the crowd - following at a distance - not getting too close - just close enough for the comfort of being associated but not to the point of personal denial - abandoning who we are in our in our culture - in our day to day life. 

Have you ever heard someone say "That is my cross to bear"? Referring to some hardship - perhaps a persistent one. One that will not go away and wears on us - physically or mentally - or both. This past Sunday I heard a song that I had not heard before about such times. This is an excerpt.

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy And the hill would not be hard to climb. He never offered a victory without fighting. He said help would always come in time. Just remember when you're standing in the valley of decision And the adversary says give in, Just hold on. Our Lord will show up And He will take you through the fire again I know within myself that I would surly perish If I trust the hand of God, He'll shield the flame again." - Through the Fire, Cynthia Weil, David Foster, Tom Keane

When Jesus said the we are to pick up our cross - Jesus did not say it would not get heavy - that it would not be hard to bear. But what he did say was this.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28-29

That means that we will labor and will be heavy laden - that our cross will get heavy. But we don't have to "go it alone". As a born again Christian there is spiritual relief in the face of natural hardship. It is always "in stock". You never will go to look for it and find the "shelves are empty". But that depends upon which "store" you are shopping in. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in "all" our ways - in every circumstance - in those times when the cross is so heavy that our knees are weak - and when that happens - we should go to our knees and look to the One who can give us rest and take us through the fire again. I don't the circumstances of the person reading this but I do know the Lord who is faithful to be present in times of trouble. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Living A Sinless Life - How Is That Working For You?

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16

Tempted as we are, yet without sin. As I read those words again last night, a new insight came to me. Has that ever happened to you ? You have read a verse so many times and then one day it seems that the Spirit gives you understanding. Not as it applies to other people - but as it applies to you . Like the Pharisee's attitude toward the tax collector.

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18:10-14

We have to be careful that we don't understand scripture in the way that the Pharisee did. A guide for judging others.  There is only One who is sinless - that is Jesus.  He was tempted like we are but the difference is that He did not sin and we do - still. Salvation is not making these mortal bodies impervious to temptation and sin.  I am still tempted and I still sin. Does my confession surprise you? It shouldn't. As a Christian, I am not sinless - but I do sin less. I find that most of my sins are internal - thoughts, attitudes and not overt - actions taken.  Sins that are hidden from the view of man but not from the mind of God. Jesus spoke to that as well.

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." - Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28

We all struggle with sin but we are no longer condemned because of it. We don't have an excuse to continue to sin.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? " - Romans 6:1-2

We must not be content that we still struggle with sin but must continue to battle with it with the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). And not failing to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Watching The World From The Other Side Of The Road.

 "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion." - Luke 10:30-33

Are you distressed by the apparent escalation of evil today? The disregard for human life that seems rampant all over this world. The lack of direct involvement because those not affected don't want their world to be disrupted? Looking at those tragedies from the other side of the road. Like you, I have been watching it on television and reading about so many places where lives are being turned upside down - or worse lost. I am reminded of the the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Recall, Jesus shared the parable in response to a question.

"And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, 'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, 'What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?' So he answered and said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'  And He said to him, 'You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.' But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'" - Luke 10:25-29

Jesus seeing his heart knew that the lawyer did not consider those like the man in the ditch his neighbor and worthy of his personal sacrifice.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." - John 15:13

The man in the ditch was a Jew just like the lawyer - so it was not like he was someone of another race or living in another country. He might have lived next door or in the same neighborhood. He was ignored by the very ones who, because of their "declared" faith should have been the first to help. But, instead, it was a Samaritan - someone despised by the Jews. 

So the question that we are faced with is this. Are we willing to be a neighbor? Jesus asked the lawyer - 

"'So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?' And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'" - Luke 10:36-37

And Jesus is saying the same thing to Christians today.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Frustration Of Failing

"Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.  Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord." - Psalm 25:5-7

 “If Jesus Christ is going to regenerate me, what is the problem He faces? It is simply this— I have a heredity in which I had no say or decision; I am not holy, nor am I likely to be; and if all Jesus Christ can do is tell me that I must be holy, His teaching only causes me to despair. But if Jesus Christ is truly a regenerator, someone who can put His own heredity of holiness into me, then I can begin to see what He means when He says that I have to be holy. The proper action on my part is simply to agree with God’s verdict on sin as judged on the Cross of Christ. And redemption means that I can be delivered from the heredity of sin, and that through Jesus Christ I can receive a pure and spotless heredity, namely, the Holy Spirit.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

 Have you ever watched your child trying to do something that was beyond their ability, requiring you to step in and help them?  It was not because of their lack of effort, they just did not possess the capacity to accomplish the task for any number of reasons .. manual dexterity, knowledge, experience … etc.  They needed help from an outside source.  Sometimes they will look to you and ask for help, but other times they will just keep trying until the frustration of failure causes them to give up.  

That is the way it is with the our new life.  We can’t live it on our own.  We can try to be righteous, to not sin, but it is beyond us.  We need help from an outside source.  The question is, "Are we willing to accept that help or do we insist that we can do it on our own?" Perhaps if we just try harder.  Someone once said “the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over in the same way expecting a different outcome.”  

If we are trying to be holy, to live rightly, to not do something that we know is wrong, and we fail, over and over, perhaps we have chosen the wrong way of solving our problem.  Perhaps we are trying to do something by ourselves that is impossible to do. God, the Father, sent His Son to do what we could not do. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us live the life we could not live.  To guide us in all truth. (John 16:13)  He gave us the Word to reveal His Truth (2 Timothy 3:16) … to show us and teach us the way we should live, by the power of the Spirit and His Word.  I was going to quote more verses from Psalm 25, but instead I want to encourage you to read it, in its entirety.  Make it your prayer to the Lord today .. maybe every day.   

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

 

For Such A Worm As I!

 "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12

  

"Alas! and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sov’reign die, Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?" - Alas! and did my Savior bleed, Public Domain

My daughter and I were installing attic stairs for a widow Saturday.  It was a promise that I had made 2 years earlier. Attic stairs are low on the priority scale when compared to needing plumbing - a roof -  a foundation. Time flies - as we were installing stairs in our own home two weeks ago, I was reminded (let's say the Spirit reminded me) of a commitment I had made to her.  So I contacted her and asked of she still need the rickety stairs replaced and she did.  So why pictures of a worm?

My Sawz-All (cuts through nails) gave up the ghost in the middle of removing the old stairs. Mandi made a run to Home Depot to get a new one and I sat on the front porch waiting on her. As I sat there I saw a worm crawl of out the flower bed next to the porch onto the sidewalk. The heat index was over 100. I knew that the worm was headed for its demise. That is when the Proverbs 14:12 came to mind.  That worm's choice - if worms can make choices - may have seemed right.  Its instincts may have been telling him to keep going - that what it was seeking was just ahead. But it was on a fool's errand. The worm would be dead in a matter of minutes. Natural selection you say? Maybe. Avoidable - only if it turned around which it had no intention of doing - or unless there was some intervention.  

I got up the bench and with the flick of my hat, catapulted the worm back into the flower garden. The second picture shows the worm crawling back into the earth from whence it had come. We are just like that worm. Making choices that seem right to us - prompted by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life. Natural selection you ask?

"For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." 1 John 2:16

But thank God for His Spiritual Selection. God has intervened in our lives as we were headed to our doom. Crawling across a sidewalk on a hot Texas day - thinking that we were in our right mind headed for something good.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." - John 3:16-19

Do you know any worms crawling on the sidewalk?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Accused Of Being Just Like Your Father

"Philip said to Him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?'" - John 14:8-10

“If the Son of God has been born into my human flesh, then am I allowing His holy innocence, simplicity, and oneness with the Father the opportunity to exhibit itself in me?  Whatever our circumstances may be, that holy, innocent, and eternal Child must be in contact with His Father. Is God’s will being fulfilled in that His Son has been formed in me (see Galatians 4:19), or have I carefully pushed Him to one side? The more a person knows of the inner life of God’s most mature saints, the more he sees what God’s purpose really is: to “…fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” (Colossians 1:24). And when we think of what it takes to “fill up,” there is always something yet to be done.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

This new life we live, it is a journey, we did not arrive at our destination on the day of our salvation.  Have you discovered  that you grow in your faith more through your struggles than through your victories.  That, as you mature, you will become more dependent upon on God and not less.  Unlike your physical birth where you grew to be independent of your parents, with your spiritual birth, as you grow, the oneness with the Father, Son and Spirit becomes more evident.  As a young boy, I can remember one day my mother, who divorced my father when I was 2 years old, said to me, “Stop doing that, you are just like your father.” She was speaking out of a broken heart - something that I did not understand. But I felt ashamed as if I had done some terrible thing.  Today, as a Christian, I would like nothing more than to hear someone say, “You are just like your Father – your Father in heaven”.  How about you?  

By the way, the good news about my mom. Years later she was born again and lived out her life being a light to everyone around her - including Martie and me.  She was instrumental in leading many to the Lord - including Martie and me. God is Good, all the time!  

So how about you my friend?  Are you content with your faith and walk?  Don’t be. Are being accused of being like just like your Father?  You should be!  After we are born again, we begin a journey that does not end until we arrive at the feet of Jesus.

Is God reflected in your character? How you live your life? Your speech. Your actions. Is your love for God and others evident. I hope so. Or would people be surprised to find out that you are a child of God? I hope not!

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." - Ephesians 5:1-2

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Patience - Reflecting Faith And The Fruit Of The Spirit In You

"Though it tarries, wait for it…" —Habakkuk 2:3

“Patience is not the same as indifference; patience conveys the idea of someone who is tremendously strong and able to withstand all assaults. Having the vision of God is the source of patience because it gives us God’s true and proper inspiration." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

Patience is  a reflection of faith and not our self restraint.  Our willingness to wait on God, even when our common sense tells us that we need to act … to do something on your own.  Let’s look King Saul’s lack of patience and what it cost him.

“Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure…” - 1 Samuel 13:7-14  

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit.  Put another way, your ability to demonstrate godly patience is a function of the depth of your faith and trust in God.  The Apostle James wrote 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. " - James 1:2-3

King Saul’s faith in God was tried and tested and he was found wanting.  His choice to act on his own .. put himself in the place of God and the prophet … cost him his kingdom.  Has anyone ever “tried your patience”?  Having your patience "tried" means that you are about to get angry about something or toward someone or you are unwilling to wait on someone or something.  The Bible is clear about how Christians are to live and relate to others.  But, we often forget that the Bible assumes that you, Christian, are living by faith submitted to the leading and power of the Spirit and you are not making the mistake of trying to live the life of faith in your own strength and wisdom .. Like King Saul.

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31

What are your waiting for?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

One Breath Away From Glory

"If the dead do not rise, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” - 1 Corinthians 15:32

Now this is a topic that people don’t really want to talk about or dwell on.  It's the elephant in the room.  It is sobering, really.  This mortal life that we live is all we know, isn’t it?  Life beyond the grave is something we know about by faith.  Some people try to talk to people on the "other side", I suppose as a way to give the living assurance that there really is life after death.  And because of the fear of death, for ages, people have been seeking ways to promote longevity.  Some even have themselves “frozen in time”, literally, with the hope that some day someone will figure out a way to unfreeze them and give a healthy life back to them.  People are desperate.  Wealthy people are even more so. Guess what – everyone in your generation is going to die, one way or another.  

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”  Hebrews 9: 27-28

God doesn't tell us where, when or how we will breath our last breath, just that death is inevitable for all of us. It is inescapable.  Many people try and have tried to hold on to their youth … it is all in vain.  Aging is something that is going to happen – just like death.  I was looking at the pictures on the shelves above my desk the other day when I realized that most of the people in those pictures had passed away. Some Christians and, unfortunately, some not. 

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,    I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  -  Psalm 119:14-16

I am not trying to be morbid – or insensitive to those who have lost loved ones.  My objective is to get you to think about your life.  Jesus told a parable – recorded in Luke chapter 12 – about a man who had an abundance and wanted to keep it for himself for the future.  The thing was, he had a very short future – his days were up – he was going to die that night.  What are you putting your faith and hope in.  Most of us go to sleep expecting to awake in our bed the next morning – what if you open your eyes and you find yourself in heaven instead?  We should live our lives like today is the last day. If it was, then the earthly issues we worry about would fade into in-significance.  Each breath you take is a gift from God.  And each breath you take is one step closer to Glory.  

In light of our mortality – we should live for God like there is no tomorrow – there might not be.  Scare tactic? No.  Truth.  It’s time to get busy and live with an awareness of the realities of life and the Hope we have in Jesus.  Being young doesn't mean you have time. Being older does not mean you are out of time. 

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:33-34

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Importance of Discipleship

 

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we are taught." Author Unknown

Martie and I visited the Brazos Bend State Park some days ago. Beautiful and peaceful. As we walked along a trail we came upon a tree stump and fastened on the slanted cutaway of that stump was a wonderful bronze plaque with that quote on it. It immediately caught my attention as I saw it as a timeless truth. With both with a natural and spiritual application.

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

It reminded me of the importance of Christian discipleship. Why I write these devotions. Jesus' emphasis on teaching others the precepts of the faith. Discipleship is not like teaching someone the three R's -  Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic. Those are subjects in school that appeal to the intellect of the student's mind. No, Discipleship appeals to our spiritual nature and speaks to our hearts. Eternal truths that are outside the bounds of human reasoning and will.  We are Discipled so that we will understand and embrace Spiritual Truth. When we understand spiritual truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in our hearts, we will love in the same way that God loves us.  Particularly in the context of the two greatest commandments.  

"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'” - Matthew 22:37-39

And when we love in the manner in which the Lord has commanded, our desire will be to preserve and protect others - not matter race, color, creed - we will want the best for mankind and be willing to lay our lives down for their good and God's glory.  All of that sitting on a stump along a nature trail in Texas. I wondered how many people have walked by that stump and did not even see the plaque. And how many people who did, wondered for a moment at its meaning and then walked on. To rephrase that quote, look at it in reverse.  

We are taught so we might understand. We love that which we understand. We conserve or protect or embrace that which we love. God and others. Standing next to that plaque, I wonder how many people heard the gentle voice of the Spirit of God saying "Consider your ways Christian"! 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Is Jesus Your Lord or Merely Your Savior?

I heard a testimony of a young woman today. She made the statement that for so many years Jesus was not her Lord, just her Savior. That gave me pause for considering whether that ever applied to me.

Salvation is a miracle of God - no question. It is fantastic - something of eternal consequence for everyone who is born again by faith. But that is only the beginning of our new life in Christ.

"if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." - Romans 10:9-10

Isn't it curious that Paul wrote that we must confess that Jesus is Lord in addition to believing that God, the Father, raised Him from the dead.  I quote those verses so often in my writings. But there it is - Jesus is Lord. What exactly does that mean in the way I live my life? 

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

Allow me to answer my question. If Jesus is Lord then I must be willing to sacrifice my desires and follow Jesus - in obedience to His commands - His Leading. So what gets in the way? Why does being saved seem to be so easy, as much as I struggled with yielding to the draw of the Spirit, when compared to submitting to the Lordship of Jesus?

Let me ask another question.  Is there anything that you value more than Jesus? Most probably there is. It could be money, reputation, relationships, or possessions. Something that has pushed Jesus aside and taken His place as lord - with a small "L".  Jesus had quite a few somethings to say about that. 

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:26-27

Our love for even our family should be subordinate (look like hate in comparison) to our love for God.  The greatest commandment. There is so much more to our faith than Salvation. It is but the beginning. And whatever that "thing" is that you love more than Jesus, I want to encourage you to lay it down at the foot of the Cross.

In Matthew 19, a young man asked Jesus how he could have eternal life. He recounted how he had satisfied the law with respect to man. But Jesus told him that what he had done. What he took pride in was good but not enough - God must be first in his life - give up all that he loved more than God and follow Jesus. And the young man went away sad. We might agree with the idea in our minds but that agreement must make its way to our hearts. There must be life change and not just mental assent. "Mental assent" is when one tries to act as if they are in faith when they are really still in hope. Hope comes before faith. It takes faith to lay our love for the world down and follow Jesus.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone