If you're not aware, anxiety is sin. Check out Matthew 6 ('do not worry' isn't a suggestion) and Philippians 4:6-7.
God convicted me of something while praying today: non-anxiety can also be sin. Phil. 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Now, my car broke down yesterday. I didn't stress. But God showed me something else - I didn't pray. I didn't thank.
But now I praise God for conviction and forgiveness!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I'm pro equal marriage rights for homosexuals.
And by that, I mean, I'm all about the right of a homosexual to marry someone of the opposite gender.
That is to say, if a homosexual man wants to marry a woman - I bless that.
I'm not joking. That's what equal rights would mean.
That is to say, if a homosexual man wants to marry a woman - I bless that.
I'm not joking. That's what equal rights would mean.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Review: Keller's "The Reason for God"
How should I put this: this is simply the best, modern, popular level defense of the Christian faith.
Keller addresses the issues pertinent to our current situation: how can I know things? Why's there so much suffering? Why's there so much sin in the church? Does Christianity explain what I see and experience?
You have to think while reading this book; but I don't think that you need knowledge about Christian theology before reading it. You just have to pay attention and use your head.
Now, that might be asking too much... but thank God that he is sovereign, and he is as much the redeemer of the mind as he is of the heart.
I'm curious - if you've read this book - is it too intellectual for someone without a Christian background?
If you're a Christian and you haven't read it, and you want to be able to give a cogent reason for the faith delivered to us - read this book.
Keller addresses the issues pertinent to our current situation: how can I know things? Why's there so much suffering? Why's there so much sin in the church? Does Christianity explain what I see and experience?
You have to think while reading this book; but I don't think that you need knowledge about Christian theology before reading it. You just have to pay attention and use your head.
Now, that might be asking too much... but thank God that he is sovereign, and he is as much the redeemer of the mind as he is of the heart.
I'm curious - if you've read this book - is it too intellectual for someone without a Christian background?
If you're a Christian and you haven't read it, and you want to be able to give a cogent reason for the faith delivered to us - read this book.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wrong Beliefs about the Kingdom of God
DA Carson, or as my friends call him, 'The Don,' has a wonderful little article about this subject here.
He hits on the 'red letter Christians' movement as well.
And, in very nice British fashion, uses the word 'rubbish.'
He hits on the 'red letter Christians' movement as well.
And, in very nice British fashion, uses the word 'rubbish.'
Reformed people are bad at theology.
What I mean by that, is that, often, Reformed people are bad at living out what they claim to believe.
This is from Ray Ortland's blog:
I like Reformed theology. I believe it's what the Bible teaches. But I don't like Reformed culture. I don't believe it's what the Bible teaches.
Reformed theology is all about grace deciding to treat people better than they deserve, for the sheer glory of it all. Sometimes Reformed culture doesn't look like that, feel like that, taste like that. It gives people exactly what they deserve, as judged by the Reformed person. But who exalted him as judge in the first place? Our true Judge stepped down to become our Friend. That theology of grace must translate into the sociology of grace as we treat one another better than anyone deserves, for the sheer glory of it all.
"If our theology does not quicken the conscience and soften the heart, it actually hardens both; if it does not encourage the commitment of faith, it reinforces the detachment of unbelief; if it fails to promote humility, it inevitably feeds pride."
J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, page 15.
I'm guilty.
I really think the cure for this is daily if not hourly meditation on God's law, confession of specific sin, confession of the gospel, and focused time in thanksgiving to God. Our flesh and our enemy will not be able to puff us up with pride if our eyes are on our Lord and Savior, and our strength is constantly coming from him.
This is from Ray Ortland's blog:
I like Reformed theology. I believe it's what the Bible teaches. But I don't like Reformed culture. I don't believe it's what the Bible teaches.
Reformed theology is all about grace deciding to treat people better than they deserve, for the sheer glory of it all. Sometimes Reformed culture doesn't look like that, feel like that, taste like that. It gives people exactly what they deserve, as judged by the Reformed person. But who exalted him as judge in the first place? Our true Judge stepped down to become our Friend. That theology of grace must translate into the sociology of grace as we treat one another better than anyone deserves, for the sheer glory of it all.
"If our theology does not quicken the conscience and soften the heart, it actually hardens both; if it does not encourage the commitment of faith, it reinforces the detachment of unbelief; if it fails to promote humility, it inevitably feeds pride."
J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, page 15.
I'm guilty.
I really think the cure for this is daily if not hourly meditation on God's law, confession of specific sin, confession of the gospel, and focused time in thanksgiving to God. Our flesh and our enemy will not be able to puff us up with pride if our eyes are on our Lord and Savior, and our strength is constantly coming from him.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Calfskin ESV Study Bible Giveaway
The "A Boomer in the Pew" blog is giving away a premium calfskin ESV Study Bible.
Premium Calfskin - the most quality leather one can buy...
The ESVSB - the best study Bible in the world.
I want it. Let's face it: you do too.
Premium Calfskin - the most quality leather one can buy...
The ESVSB - the best study Bible in the world.
I want it. Let's face it: you do too.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wives... do WHAT to your husbands?
I recently went to a marriage seminar. It was wonderful, filled with perceptive insight - and best of all - filled with more Scripture and less psychology.
But for some reason, the word 'submit' was still avoided. I've noticed this in the recently popular 'Love and Respect' material. Now, I don't want to knock that material. It's mostly very good.
To be fair, there is a verse that's translated, 'let the wife see that she respects her husband,'; but to be accurate, the word 'respect' there is the word used for 'fear' in terms of 'fearing God.'
So what about submission? God has said, "Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything" (Eph. 5:29).
Note first, 'in everything.' That doesn't mean that a husband is JUST a spiritual leader. Hopefully he's spiritual. But he is to be a leader in all things.
But note also that submission is not merely a heart issue. But note first - it is a heart issue.
Note also that submission is supposed to reflect how the church submits to Jesus. How's that? Obedience. Yes, there is to be a heart attitude of reverence. But a wife needs to do what the church does when having a hard time with the commandments. Confess sin, praise God for the gospel, and obey in the Spirit for the glory of Christ.
And to back that up - 1 Peter 3:5-6: "for this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham"
So, ladies...
This is a hard message. But someone needed to say it. Respect is good, but it's not the whole story.
And, ladies, you can't do this. But Jesus has forgiven your sins and given you his Spirit. Walk in him.
And for the record, I still think men have a harder job (suffering for their wives' happiness in Christ - at least wives have no explicit suffering in their roles!)
But for some reason, the word 'submit' was still avoided. I've noticed this in the recently popular 'Love and Respect' material. Now, I don't want to knock that material. It's mostly very good.
To be fair, there is a verse that's translated, 'let the wife see that she respects her husband,'; but to be accurate, the word 'respect' there is the word used for 'fear' in terms of 'fearing God.'
So what about submission? God has said, "Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything" (Eph. 5:29).
Note first, 'in everything.' That doesn't mean that a husband is JUST a spiritual leader. Hopefully he's spiritual. But he is to be a leader in all things.
But note also that submission is not merely a heart issue. But note first - it is a heart issue.
Note also that submission is supposed to reflect how the church submits to Jesus. How's that? Obedience. Yes, there is to be a heart attitude of reverence. But a wife needs to do what the church does when having a hard time with the commandments. Confess sin, praise God for the gospel, and obey in the Spirit for the glory of Christ.
And to back that up - 1 Peter 3:5-6: "for this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham"
So, ladies...
This is a hard message. But someone needed to say it. Respect is good, but it's not the whole story.
And, ladies, you can't do this. But Jesus has forgiven your sins and given you his Spirit. Walk in him.
And for the record, I still think men have a harder job (suffering for their wives' happiness in Christ - at least wives have no explicit suffering in their roles!)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Do you REALLY want to be holy?
I really resonate with the phrase, "The Holiness of God." RC Sproul's book of the same title is a book I cut my Reformed teeth on, and I can't wait to see Jesus in his glorious, holy splendor.
And if someone asks me, "Do you want to be holy? So you know, you can glorify God, and stuff?"
I would zealously answer, "YES!"
But... what's that mean, exactly?
Look at this passage with me: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.
God, through Paul, said to the Christians in Thessalonica, " Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
This is a prayer Paul was praying for these Christians, and it shows us what God's desires are for our growth. Plus, it shows us what God, in his sovereign, ruling, omnipotent grace will do in our lives if we know him.
Notice this, though. The prayer is that we abound in love.
Real quick rabbit trail. The question 'which Greek love word?' frustrates me. As in 'agape' or 'phileo' or whatever. Reason I get angry is because people who apparently don't know New Testament Greek very well are telling people that they need to know Greek to know what the Bible REALLY says, you know, because the scholar-translators were trying to hide things.
The problem is this: if we separate 'love' into different categories (which NT Greek doesn't do - the scholars did it right), we relieve ourselves of some of the obligation which the word carries.
The love that we are to have for each other IS a heartfelt love. It is ALSO passionate commitment. It says, "I enjoy this person so much, because he was created for the glory of God, that I would die for him." It is all 'love' entails.
That's the kind of love we're to have. That's the kind of love Jesus had for us - and saved us through it. And that's the kind of love that God desires to, and to some degree, now, is producing, in us.
But look at the rest of the passage. There's a purpose for this love; a goal. God says, "so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
That's the purpose. Blamelessness. Holiness. And it is something Christ will accomplish - because he died for it. And God doesn't ever say 'whoops.' Jesus didn't die saying, "I sure hope this works."
The overall point is this: a lot of times those of us who emphasize holiness forget about love. Love is THE primary virtue.
And if we emphasize holiness without love - we don't understand holiness. We might even start thinking that we are holy... and sadly... that others are not AS holy as us - and then we will quench love.
But Jesus did love us and died in our place for our living with him forever. It will happen. And we are to love as he loved. And God is the only one who can produce that love, through Jesus Christ, for his glory.
So maybe we should do what Paul does here: pray.
Holy Father,
You are our Creator. You're different from everything else - above it. All glory is owed to you because everything exists because of you.
I admit that I haven't loved well. My emotions don't work like you say they should. My actions don't either, nor do my thoughts. I have broken your 2nd most important commandment, and I am guilty.
But because of Jesus' obedience - his love - and because he died in our places, you consider us as righteous people.
Thank you.
And please do what Paul prayed - make us love well, so that we will be blameless in holiness when Jesus returns in glory.
In his righteousness and blood we pray, and for his glory -
Amen.
And if someone asks me, "Do you want to be holy? So you know, you can glorify God, and stuff?"
I would zealously answer, "YES!"
But... what's that mean, exactly?
Look at this passage with me: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.
God, through Paul, said to the Christians in Thessalonica, " Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
This is a prayer Paul was praying for these Christians, and it shows us what God's desires are for our growth. Plus, it shows us what God, in his sovereign, ruling, omnipotent grace will do in our lives if we know him.
Notice this, though. The prayer is that we abound in love.
Real quick rabbit trail. The question 'which Greek love word?' frustrates me. As in 'agape' or 'phileo' or whatever. Reason I get angry is because people who apparently don't know New Testament Greek very well are telling people that they need to know Greek to know what the Bible REALLY says, you know, because the scholar-translators were trying to hide things.
The problem is this: if we separate 'love' into different categories (which NT Greek doesn't do - the scholars did it right), we relieve ourselves of some of the obligation which the word carries.
The love that we are to have for each other IS a heartfelt love. It is ALSO passionate commitment. It says, "I enjoy this person so much, because he was created for the glory of God, that I would die for him." It is all 'love' entails.
That's the kind of love we're to have. That's the kind of love Jesus had for us - and saved us through it. And that's the kind of love that God desires to, and to some degree, now, is producing, in us.
But look at the rest of the passage. There's a purpose for this love; a goal. God says, "so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
That's the purpose. Blamelessness. Holiness. And it is something Christ will accomplish - because he died for it. And God doesn't ever say 'whoops.' Jesus didn't die saying, "I sure hope this works."
The overall point is this: a lot of times those of us who emphasize holiness forget about love. Love is THE primary virtue.
And if we emphasize holiness without love - we don't understand holiness. We might even start thinking that we are holy... and sadly... that others are not AS holy as us - and then we will quench love.
But Jesus did love us and died in our place for our living with him forever. It will happen. And we are to love as he loved. And God is the only one who can produce that love, through Jesus Christ, for his glory.
So maybe we should do what Paul does here: pray.
Holy Father,
You are our Creator. You're different from everything else - above it. All glory is owed to you because everything exists because of you.
I admit that I haven't loved well. My emotions don't work like you say they should. My actions don't either, nor do my thoughts. I have broken your 2nd most important commandment, and I am guilty.
But because of Jesus' obedience - his love - and because he died in our places, you consider us as righteous people.
Thank you.
And please do what Paul prayed - make us love well, so that we will be blameless in holiness when Jesus returns in glory.
In his righteousness and blood we pray, and for his glory -
Amen.
Friday, February 13, 2009
What IS the Kingdom of God, anyway?
I've addressed this a few times already. But Jesus talked about it a lot, so I figure I can do so without apology.
But what IS the Kingdom of God? Of what does it consist?
You remember the parable of the Sower and the seed, right? Click here for it.
Now, the way that parable is usually preached draws our attention to this question: "What kind of soil... are YOU???"
I submit that that is not a bad nor inappropriate question, but not Jesus' focus. In verse 11, he calls this teaching a secret of the Kingdom of Heaven. So this parable is about the Kingdom of Heaven - Jesus' Kingdom - Jesus' reign.
Now here's the absolute shock - Jesus says his reign will be invisible until the end, have varying effects, and will consist in a message!
It will be invisible 'til the end: people's reaction to Jesus' reign will be different. Even those who 'bear fruit' will do so as a result of the reign of Jesus, our Savior and God. The emphasis isn't on differing quantities of fruit - it's on Jesus' reign being invisible until the end.
It has different effects: not only does Jesus cause fruitbearing of differing amounts - all within a normal range - but he also governs a world in which his Kingdom is beset by his enemies - and his reign is not yet made visible.
Now here's my point: Jesus' reign now consists in a message - HIS message. After all, did the Lord not say, " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away"(Matt. 24:25)? Is the future effect of eternal salvation not governed by the message which he was sent by the Father to deliver?
It is. True Christianity is therefore about words - specifically - about God's words. And in these words, Jesus' reigns and changes the world - indeed, the eternities of people.
This should give us occasion for two things -
1) Wonder. Let us wonder and worship at Jesus' sovereign power in reigning through his word!
2) Speak the truth. Jesus delivered a word for us. How is it that we might not pay attention? And if we do pay attention, how is it that we might not speak his words? If we say we care and don't speak - we don't care.
But thank God that he reigns through his words - and he transforms us by them! Pay attention!
But what IS the Kingdom of God? Of what does it consist?
You remember the parable of the Sower and the seed, right? Click here for it.
Now, the way that parable is usually preached draws our attention to this question: "What kind of soil... are YOU???"
I submit that that is not a bad nor inappropriate question, but not Jesus' focus. In verse 11, he calls this teaching a secret of the Kingdom of Heaven. So this parable is about the Kingdom of Heaven - Jesus' Kingdom - Jesus' reign.
Now here's the absolute shock - Jesus says his reign will be invisible until the end, have varying effects, and will consist in a message!
It will be invisible 'til the end: people's reaction to Jesus' reign will be different. Even those who 'bear fruit' will do so as a result of the reign of Jesus, our Savior and God. The emphasis isn't on differing quantities of fruit - it's on Jesus' reign being invisible until the end.
It has different effects: not only does Jesus cause fruitbearing of differing amounts - all within a normal range - but he also governs a world in which his Kingdom is beset by his enemies - and his reign is not yet made visible.
Now here's my point: Jesus' reign now consists in a message - HIS message. After all, did the Lord not say, " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away"(Matt. 24:25)? Is the future effect of eternal salvation not governed by the message which he was sent by the Father to deliver?
It is. True Christianity is therefore about words - specifically - about God's words. And in these words, Jesus' reigns and changes the world - indeed, the eternities of people.
This should give us occasion for two things -
1) Wonder. Let us wonder and worship at Jesus' sovereign power in reigning through his word!
2) Speak the truth. Jesus delivered a word for us. How is it that we might not pay attention? And if we do pay attention, how is it that we might not speak his words? If we say we care and don't speak - we don't care.
But thank God that he reigns through his words - and he transforms us by them! Pay attention!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Evangelism Article
There's a wonderful article on evangelism HERE.
It's right. Except for the infant baptism thing.
Read it, especially if you're reformed.
It's right. Except for the infant baptism thing.
Read it, especially if you're reformed.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Legalizing Polygamy
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/01/21/8101186-ap.html
Now, that's just consistency.
And the end of it is throwing out any sort of morality altogether. Either there is an absolute, personal, knowable standard - or there's no standard at all.
Read: It's the Bible or nothin'.
Now, that's just consistency.
And the end of it is throwing out any sort of morality altogether. Either there is an absolute, personal, knowable standard - or there's no standard at all.
Read: It's the Bible or nothin'.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
To the preacher and critical people
And I am both a preacher and a criticizer...
our Lord has said, "Disaster is upon you lawyers, as well, since you load people with burdens that are hard to carry, and you don't raise one of your fingers to help carry the burdens!" (Luke 11:46)
Oh that we would all help each other... that you'd help me and I you. None of us can change our inward sinfulness - only Christ. We need cleansing within, and only One can clean us.
our Lord has said, "Disaster is upon you lawyers, as well, since you load people with burdens that are hard to carry, and you don't raise one of your fingers to help carry the burdens!" (Luke 11:46)
Oh that we would all help each other... that you'd help me and I you. None of us can change our inward sinfulness - only Christ. We need cleansing within, and only One can clean us.
Is what you believe consistent with itself?
A 'worldview' is pretty much the lenses through which a person interprets reality. It's the big 'grand story' that explains everything in reality.
Christianity is a worldview.
Naturalism is a worldview. It says that everything that exists and that happens can be explained through observable, natural causes. It thus denies the existence of anything immaterial or spiritual.
Postmodernism is a worldview. It says that truth cannot be known, and therefore to judge anyone's worldview as false is impossible.
Nihilism is a worldview. It says that there's no meaning in anything. It's atheistic. It says that morality doesn't exist. It leads to despair, for beauty, meaning, morality are all subjective and ultimately pointless.
There are only two worldviews that are consistent with themsleves. Christianity and Nihilism.
Christianity is a worldview.
Naturalism is a worldview. It says that everything that exists and that happens can be explained through observable, natural causes. It thus denies the existence of anything immaterial or spiritual.
Postmodernism is a worldview. It says that truth cannot be known, and therefore to judge anyone's worldview as false is impossible.
Nihilism is a worldview. It says that there's no meaning in anything. It's atheistic. It says that morality doesn't exist. It leads to despair, for beauty, meaning, morality are all subjective and ultimately pointless.
There are only two worldviews that are consistent with themsleves. Christianity and Nihilism.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Starting Points...
You know, I was thinking about how we should present the Gospel tonight. And I really just had a thought. I mean, surely it's not wrong to seek comon ground, or to start with creation and explain everything....
But really, the good news is about a person: Jesus. It's about him being God. And it's about our Creator freely choosing to die in the place of his creations - for their being with him forever. And it's about him rising to dead and ruling the world forever.
That's good news. And that's the glory of God.
But really, the good news is about a person: Jesus. It's about him being God. And it's about our Creator freely choosing to die in the place of his creations - for their being with him forever. And it's about him rising to dead and ruling the world forever.
That's good news. And that's the glory of God.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Hellworthy
The nice guy neighbor with the nice family whom he loves - if he loves them for any other reason than the glory of God -
is guilty of rebellion against his maker - just as the man who is living a homosexual lifestyle.
And deserves hell.
And it's because neither of them is giving God the honor due him.
There's only one man who ever did glorify God like we all should.
His name is Jesus.
And he forgives all those who submit themselves to him as Creator, King, God.
is guilty of rebellion against his maker - just as the man who is living a homosexual lifestyle.
And deserves hell.
And it's because neither of them is giving God the honor due him.
There's only one man who ever did glorify God like we all should.
His name is Jesus.
And he forgives all those who submit themselves to him as Creator, King, God.
Prayer Circles
Here's a helpful tip regarding prayer: think of your life as concentric circles of involvement.
So the inner circle is you. Then the next outer one is your spouse. The next outer one is your immediate family. The next outer one is your local church. The next is the Church. The next is your country. The next is our world.
I start in the inner circle and work my way out. In each circle I have four categories of prayer -
-the manifestation of God's rule (Kingdom) for his glory)
-casting up my anxieties regarding that circle
-confessing sins in each circle
-thanking God for what he's doing in each circle
So the inner circle is you. Then the next outer one is your spouse. The next outer one is your immediate family. The next outer one is your local church. The next is the Church. The next is your country. The next is our world.
I start in the inner circle and work my way out. In each circle I have four categories of prayer -
-the manifestation of God's rule (Kingdom) for his glory)
-casting up my anxieties regarding that circle
-confessing sins in each circle
-thanking God for what he's doing in each circle
Hypocrisy about Prayer
So I was going to say something about how we need to pray...
but then I thought, maybe I should say this instead: what's easier for you, criticizing others or turning the sword of God's holy word on yourself (Hebrews 4:12)
and confessing your sins to others (James 5:16)
?
but then I thought, maybe I should say this instead: what's easier for you, criticizing others or turning the sword of God's holy word on yourself (Hebrews 4:12)
and confessing your sins to others (James 5:16)
?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Light and Darkness
Today, part of my daily Scripture reading was 1 John 1. I do hope you'll read it. It begins thus:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
What a punch this has! Jesus IS eternal life. He is God made flesh to show his glory to man to save him! And John proclaims Jesus to people he's not with - and that results in a mystical bond, a friendship, a camaraderie, a love between not only the people - but with God himself.
And that - being in the presence of God the Father and of God the Son with our brothers and sisters in Christ through the Holy Spirit - THAT brings us to fulness of happiness.
Let's look at the message of Jesus as recorded by John. Again, this is God's word. Don't skim it.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say 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 we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
If we're with God in the light, we're truth-tellers, we enjoy the camaraderie of God's Church, and Jesus' blood cleanses us.
But what's this 'light' vs. 'dark' business? Should we just assume we know what it means?
Perhaps this will help us understand the passage.
Darkness is associated with judgment from God, a lack of understanding, the bringing of fear, and gloom. And even Satan. It is associated with hiding one's actions - sinning.
Light is associated with grace from God, wisdom, righteousness, truth and confession, trust in God, the LORD himself, Jesus himself, and the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus.
How'd I get that? Click here.
Now, that helps, doesn't it?
To be in the light... what's it mean? To trust Jesus. To cling to Jesus. To love Jesus, delight in Jesus, and to obey Jesus.
It means to be vitally, vibrantly connected to the life-giver, our creator, Jesus, the Son of the living God.
And if we are, as the song says, we have mystic, sweet communion with Jesus and his people; we have forgiveness of sins; we have eternal life!
Now, I should state, this isn't about wavering between dark and light based on our actions. It's about who we are. It's the gospel. Come to the Light of the World! He will justify you. He will cleanse you. He will be your delight and your joy and your loving King!
Wow. Praise the LORD!
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
What a punch this has! Jesus IS eternal life. He is God made flesh to show his glory to man to save him! And John proclaims Jesus to people he's not with - and that results in a mystical bond, a friendship, a camaraderie, a love between not only the people - but with God himself.
And that - being in the presence of God the Father and of God the Son with our brothers and sisters in Christ through the Holy Spirit - THAT brings us to fulness of happiness.
Let's look at the message of Jesus as recorded by John. Again, this is God's word. Don't skim it.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say 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 we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
If we're with God in the light, we're truth-tellers, we enjoy the camaraderie of God's Church, and Jesus' blood cleanses us.
But what's this 'light' vs. 'dark' business? Should we just assume we know what it means?
Perhaps this will help us understand the passage.
Darkness is associated with judgment from God, a lack of understanding, the bringing of fear, and gloom. And even Satan. It is associated with hiding one's actions - sinning.
Light is associated with grace from God, wisdom, righteousness, truth and confession, trust in God, the LORD himself, Jesus himself, and the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus.
How'd I get that? Click here.
Now, that helps, doesn't it?
To be in the light... what's it mean? To trust Jesus. To cling to Jesus. To love Jesus, delight in Jesus, and to obey Jesus.
It means to be vitally, vibrantly connected to the life-giver, our creator, Jesus, the Son of the living God.
And if we are, as the song says, we have mystic, sweet communion with Jesus and his people; we have forgiveness of sins; we have eternal life!
Now, I should state, this isn't about wavering between dark and light based on our actions. It's about who we are. It's the gospel. Come to the Light of the World! He will justify you. He will cleanse you. He will be your delight and your joy and your loving King!
Wow. Praise the LORD!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
I'm Batman
Right now, I'm watching The Dark Knight, which I must say, I think is one of the best movies of all time.
I think one of the reasons that dudes like stuff like this has to do with our makeup as men. We all want to be Batman. Or Jack Bauer. Or Iron Man. Or James Bond. Or Mark Driscoll, Tim Keller, or even John Piper.
Reason? Those guys exercise authority. Are courageous. They're everything we want to be.
In other words, we want to be them.
But notice something particular about Batman: he's villified. He sacrifices everything he is - a social life, friends, love, esteem - to do what's right.
Are we that way? Or do we want a reward? Recognition, I think, is one of the carrots the devil dangles in front of us.
Even when we're motivated to do good, Kingdom activities. Why do we do them? To honor Christ? Or to honor ourselves?
But maybe we need to be more like Batman. Die to everything we want to do everything Jesus is worth.
I think one of the reasons that dudes like stuff like this has to do with our makeup as men. We all want to be Batman. Or Jack Bauer. Or Iron Man. Or James Bond. Or Mark Driscoll, Tim Keller, or even John Piper.
Reason? Those guys exercise authority. Are courageous. They're everything we want to be.
In other words, we want to be them.
But notice something particular about Batman: he's villified. He sacrifices everything he is - a social life, friends, love, esteem - to do what's right.
Are we that way? Or do we want a reward? Recognition, I think, is one of the carrots the devil dangles in front of us.
Even when we're motivated to do good, Kingdom activities. Why do we do them? To honor Christ? Or to honor ourselves?
But maybe we need to be more like Batman. Die to everything we want to do everything Jesus is worth.
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