I've been working through Deuteronomy this week for class. From blessings to curses and everything in between, this book's got it all. Undeniably there are some difficult things to swallow here. More than once the Lord commands the army of Israel to utterly annihilate the inhabitants of the Promised Land (we're talking men, women, and children). It also talks about Israel turning away from the Lord and worshiping other gods and doing every detestable thing imaginable, including mothers eating their babies! (Whoa. Intense, I know). One might conclude from this (and other Old Testament books) that this harsh and furious God is not the same one as in the New Testament. Well, let's explore a little further.
Deuteronomy means "repetition of the law." After one reading it's easy to see why. There is a lot of repetition. Why? Because the Israelites are hard-headed, stubborn, and rebellious people (just like you and me :). They are slow learners, hence the repetition. I said hence the repetition. Countless times the Israelites rebel against God, forgetting it was Him that brought them out of slavery in Egypt. They are an ungrateful bunch of complainers! If I were in God's position I'd probably smite them all with a snap of my fingers. Thankfully I'm not God because He doesn't do that. True, He gets mighty angry with them and there are always consequences for their sin, but He always gives them an opportunity to reconcile and repent. Why? Because He is teaching them grace. This is no doubt the same God we are so familiar with in the New Testament.
I cannot help but think how similar I am to those ungrateful Israelites. Like them, I have memory failure. I tend to forget all that God has done for me. He has done so much! He is constantly lavishing His grace upon me, yet I lose sight. I grumble just like those Israelites wandering in the desert. Worse yet, I turn my heart from God all too often. Yes, those Israelites were a stubborn people and so am I. I just can't seem to learn sometimes. Thankfully, our God is patient in every way. Though it may take a while, He will never stop teaching me the lesson of grace.
GrantJ
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
They're Watching Us
When the other driver cuts us off, when the boss chews into us, when our loved one is diagnosed with cancer - they are watching. Who? Non-believers. They are watching us Christians like a hawk. Somewhat puzzled, but mostly curious. They are curious of the inner peace we have when the world around us is falling apart. They wonder where our strength comes from. Deep down they sense the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is a natural attraction. Their Creator is calling them. They have a decision to make.
Unfortunately many resent the fact that our lives are reminding them of God. They willingly choose to ignore this prompting of the Spirit, hence their quick judgment and criticism when we fall. They are ready to pounce on us as a means of justifying the sin in their own lives. They label us as hypocrites and move on.
Others, by God's grace, are ready to make that decision for Christ. God has brought us into their lives just as they are approaching the precipice of trusting Him. As a result of watching us they are ready. *They are willing to place their trust in God because they have first placed their trust in us.* This only comes through a genuine relationship with them. Being real is the only way this thing goes down. The world around us is starving for authenticity. No fakers here. -Real people with a real need for a Savior. We have to be real. Forget the Christian jargon. -That's for later growth. For a new Christian (or soon to be) they need transparency. This means we admit our struggles and we accept them with theirs, reminding them that a life in Christ is the only answer.
So next time you get discouraged and wonder if you're making a difference for Jesus remember that the co-worker in the next cubicle is watching your every move. Our lives are pointing the way. We are reminding other Christians of the joy Jesus Christ brings and pointing non-Christians to a life of hope.
Keep on keepin on,
GrantJ
Unfortunately many resent the fact that our lives are reminding them of God. They willingly choose to ignore this prompting of the Spirit, hence their quick judgment and criticism when we fall. They are ready to pounce on us as a means of justifying the sin in their own lives. They label us as hypocrites and move on.
Others, by God's grace, are ready to make that decision for Christ. God has brought us into their lives just as they are approaching the precipice of trusting Him. As a result of watching us they are ready. *They are willing to place their trust in God because they have first placed their trust in us.* This only comes through a genuine relationship with them. Being real is the only way this thing goes down. The world around us is starving for authenticity. No fakers here. -Real people with a real need for a Savior. We have to be real. Forget the Christian jargon. -That's for later growth. For a new Christian (or soon to be) they need transparency. This means we admit our struggles and we accept them with theirs, reminding them that a life in Christ is the only answer.
So next time you get discouraged and wonder if you're making a difference for Jesus remember that the co-worker in the next cubicle is watching your every move. Our lives are pointing the way. We are reminding other Christians of the joy Jesus Christ brings and pointing non-Christians to a life of hope.
Keep on keepin on,
GrantJ
Monday, April 19, 2010
Progressive Christians
I just came across a church website that boasts about being "progressive Christians." In this sense they're using "progressive" in place of liberal. I don't understand. Why not say liberal? Why disguise it? Does saying "progressive" make it more attractive? I'm conservative. I guess that makes me "non-progressive" (going nowhere?) by their definition. Anyway, rabbit trail....
I find this whole concept of "progressive Christian" confusing and concerning. God's message is complete. It's in the Bible. It does not change. True, our relationship with Him is ongoing, but what it means to be a Christian stays the same, regardless of the direction of our society or time period. The progressive movement is progressing in the wrong direction, subtly shifting from the Word of God. They would prefer to say they are simply more tolerant or more culturally relevant to today.
A red flag should go up when you hear a church talking about being relevant. Now of course a good sermon is going to be relevant. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the entire church movement itself being more concerned with the relevance of Christianity to today's society. Here is the truth: The Truth can stand the test of time no matter what time period it's in.
The problem is that we're in the entertainment age and the church has fallen victim. Too many churches do a disservice to their congregations by entertaining them instead of giving them the meat of the Word. Too many Christians are settling for an easy-peasy message that goes down nicely and sits well in their tummy. A church leader worth following will not back down from the tough topics and will stay grounded in the Word.
As I was perusing this progressive church's website I decided to read the sermon that was preached on Easter Sunday. Sadly, there was no mention of why Jesus had to die. The resurrection was mentioned, but not the death. You can't talk about the resurrection without talking about why He had to die in the first place:
The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Further, it says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Christ came and died as our substitute (Romans 3:24-25) because as sinners we deserve death. Since we are united with Christ, our old sinful self died at the cross. We are now united in His resurrection! (Romans 6:5). Although we still sin we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6). We are alive in Christ (Romans 6:8).
How can a pastor not talk about the death which leads to the resurrection on Easter Sunday??! I'll tell you. Because that means he'd have to address sin.
We should beware of any group that claims to be "progressive" Christians. There is no need to stray from the Word. The message of salvation is in full. No need to add to it or take away. Any progression in this regard is progress in the wrong direction.
GrantJ
I find this whole concept of "progressive Christian" confusing and concerning. God's message is complete. It's in the Bible. It does not change. True, our relationship with Him is ongoing, but what it means to be a Christian stays the same, regardless of the direction of our society or time period. The progressive movement is progressing in the wrong direction, subtly shifting from the Word of God. They would prefer to say they are simply more tolerant or more culturally relevant to today.
A red flag should go up when you hear a church talking about being relevant. Now of course a good sermon is going to be relevant. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the entire church movement itself being more concerned with the relevance of Christianity to today's society. Here is the truth: The Truth can stand the test of time no matter what time period it's in.
The problem is that we're in the entertainment age and the church has fallen victim. Too many churches do a disservice to their congregations by entertaining them instead of giving them the meat of the Word. Too many Christians are settling for an easy-peasy message that goes down nicely and sits well in their tummy. A church leader worth following will not back down from the tough topics and will stay grounded in the Word.
As I was perusing this progressive church's website I decided to read the sermon that was preached on Easter Sunday. Sadly, there was no mention of why Jesus had to die. The resurrection was mentioned, but not the death. You can't talk about the resurrection without talking about why He had to die in the first place:
The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Further, it says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Christ came and died as our substitute (Romans 3:24-25) because as sinners we deserve death. Since we are united with Christ, our old sinful self died at the cross. We are now united in His resurrection! (Romans 6:5). Although we still sin we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6). We are alive in Christ (Romans 6:8).
How can a pastor not talk about the death which leads to the resurrection on Easter Sunday??! I'll tell you. Because that means he'd have to address sin.
We should beware of any group that claims to be "progressive" Christians. There is no need to stray from the Word. The message of salvation is in full. No need to add to it or take away. Any progression in this regard is progress in the wrong direction.
GrantJ
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