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Are We to work hard?

We are exhorted in the scripture to action, not to earn salvation, but as expression of God’s working in us through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are not encouraged to sit back and let God do all of the work, but actually we are encouraged to join him actively in this process.  Nothing is greater than Jesus, who he is and what he has done for us in his death and resurrection, and we should never think that anything but Jesus gives us salvation.  This truth though, does not lead us to become inactive, but actually it leads us to be active in living out our faith in Christ.  
I am referencing how sanctification works.  We always trust in the work of Christ and what his death brought us, but that trust does not mean that we do not give effort or become passive.  The counsel of scripture says we do give effort.  Let me share just a few today:
Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

2 Peter 1:5 - "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.."

2 Peter 1:10 - "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall."

1 Corinthians 9:27 - "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified."

Philippians 3:12 - "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."

We are not called to some passive life where we sit back, but we "work out, make every effort, are diligent and practice these qualities, discipline our bodies, and we press on".  Those are just a few of the phrases. Sanctification comes when we look to Jesus and obey him as we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling".  Let's enjoy the "work out". 

Community

Community has been a "buzz" word for awhile now in christian circles.  It is discussed, analyzed, preached on, and desired by most whether they know it or not.  Like so many words, the amount of its use can lead them to lose their meaning.  I like the word and hate that its meaning has lost some impact.  This we do know - we are not meant to live alone, especially in the body of Christ - we should desire to walk through life with one another.  In the upper room just before his arrest, Jesus told the disciples these words:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:34-35

These are words about "Community/Connecting/Love/Relationship".  Living this way according to Christ is not an option, but it is a command.  We are to love and live the way he did and when we do, it gives the true evidence about who we belong to.  Our love for one another marks us "as His".

When community happens, there are some things that are evident among those people.  Here are some of those things that give evidence of Community's Reality.

1.  Models Christ's humility

Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We are not those who are focused on us, but deeply desire others to be important and seen as more important than ourselves.

2.  Driven to Connect

Hebrews 10:22-25 - "...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near".

Everyone of the "let us" phrases above are real examples of how we are to be in one anothers' lives as we move forward in faith together.

3.  Place of Compassion and Exhortation

Hebrews 3:13-15 - "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today", that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence to the end."

How often a day goes by where we do not practice this in our families, church, work place, etc.  The exhortation actually helps keep hearts softer and sensitive to holiness.  We must practice this for community to happen.

4.  Practices Honesty

James 5:16 - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.."

Uh-oh!!  This is where we really fail at building community.  The writer says that we should confess our sins to one another and as we do this, we are to pray for one another, not offer condemnation.  When this is lived out, healing happens in the safety of community.  This does not mean we confess this always to the whole church (it can in certain situations), but that within the body of believers, we should have relationships where this takes place.  It is biblical.

These are just a few significant things that make up what we would call Christian Community.  It is a great place to live.

What Stays and What Goes

For several weeks now we have been doing the fun thing of going through our stuff and having to decide what must go away and what will go with us in our return.  Some of the decisions are easy to make and some are not so easy.  Some decisions I have made, some Pam has made. Some have required discussion, some have not required any.  Some have made us a little sad and some have made us glad.  The process is normal when you move and it is similar to the process in our life with Christ.

To move forward in godliness we have to make decisions all the time as to what will stay and what must go.  Some of those decisions are easy and some are not.  Some require thought and some can be made on the spur of the moment with little to no thought at all.  Some are made in the context of accountability and some are made in time alone with God and the word. Some make decisions after getting caught in sin and some are made because we are in awe of Christ's glory.  We make these decisions for a variety of reasons, and when they are made, they push us forward in our relationship with Jesus.

The journey forward spiritually is done in the power of the Spirit's working as we submit to his Lordship and as we seek to make decisions that are in line with that relationship.  It does not happen automatically, it happens as our desire for holiness is deeply connected to his clear and present purposes for our lives.  So, as we get rid of the physical things that have made up our lives, we are also having to reflect upon that which is spiritually a part of our lives. 

In this realm, some things as well need to stay and some things need to go. 

Teenager in the House!!

          Peyton is 13 today!!  

Why I am not a Postmodern Christian

I realize that in many circles today that the title of today's blog will not win me any prizes other than more conversations with people younger than me who will try to convince me that you can use the words "Postmodern" and "Christian" together as one word.  In January I spoke somewhere on the topic of Postmodernism and mentioned at the front of the talk that my personal preference is to never use the term "Postmodern Christian" in describing myself or anyone else who is a follower of Christ.  I was ready for it, and as soon as I finished my prayer, a guy around 25 years old came quickly to see me to state his case that he was a "Postmodern Christian" and that it is perfectly legitimate to call oneself that.  The reason that I think we should not use these terms comes from a logical understanding of both words and I have strong biblical grounds for wanting to keep these words separate.

What we know of postmodernism stands in direct contrast to Christianity just as modernism did.  Let me state my case here with some of the major tenants underlying PM: 1.  Knowledge is flawed - They say we cannot fully really know things with certainty and are against anything claiming to be the final thought on something.  2.  Truth is not Universal  - PM's would say that truth is in the eye of the beholder in how they personally see the world and not in any kind of real and objective truth. We each define our own truth.   3.  There is no true ultimate authority, but man - Since there is no real truth and we cannot fully know things, this leaves man as the ultimate decider of what is right and wrong.  Each person gets to decide who makes the rules and most often that means - us.  4.  All of the first 3 mean - PM is highly Man-centered.  This means that experience becomes the ultimate standard.  They are driven by what is inside of them and their world only and nothing beyond self can be an objective standard.  

Though I could easily add a few more points, these 4 serve as a basis of what we do know of Postmodernism. So, I have to ask this question:  What do those 4 things have to do with Christianity?  We believe that God is knowable, that Jesus is the only truth, that God is the only authority, and that the world is to be Christ-Centered.  Those stand in direct opposition to what serves as a foundation for PM.  

I prefer to describe Postmodernism and Christianity in this way - I am a Christ follower who lives and ministers in a Postmodern World.  It keeps them separate where they need to be, but points to the reality that we follow Christ only, as we minister in the postmodern world. The younger generation can, not all of them, want to put the two terms together, but I think they need to be kept separate, and should be kept separate.  Two specific passages shape my thinking on this.  Here they are:

     Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

We are not to conform to the pattern of the world, its way of thinking, speaking, and living.  We are to be different.  We are not to live and speak as the world does, but as Jesus thought, spoke, and lived on earth.  The world's way and Jesus' are not the same and it should not be for us either.  Our lives are to be transformed away from the pattern of the world and into the character and mind of Christ.  This does not mean that we live in the "bubble", but we remain very engaged in the culture.  

The second verse makes a much stronger case: 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, " 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete".

Paul says that we are to be aggressive as we face the "arguments and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God". PM is an argument and an opinion that raises itself against the knowledge of God, of that, we cannot really deny. Paul says every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God must be destroyed.  The very tenants of PM attack the possibility of knowing God and we cannot sit back and just let it be so without addressing what is wrong with it.  What is wrong in PM we should point out.  PM is a stronghold that pervades our western societies and its flaws and untruths must be exposed.   We do not do this with meanness but in the manner Peter instructed, "..but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:15-16).  We are called to engage culture, speak to its wrong philosophies and do so with both intelligence and kindness.  I love ministering in this postmodern world and the opportunities we gain with PM's mindset.  There are real bridges we can build in spiritual conversations with people through PM.  I just want us to put PM where it belongs, just one of many other things throughout the ages against the gospel.  It is not for the gospel, but we can minister effectively within the PM World.   

What I have written is why we should be careful to call ourselves "Postmodern Christians".  We are to be driven by scripture alone and when we know the truth, we work at destroying the arguments and lofty opinions raised against Christ.  

It is also why I only want to be called a Christ-follower without all the other labels.  Let's make it clear who we are and who we follow.   

 

Turning 10

            Dillon is 10 today, June 12!!

20 Years and Counting

 June 11, 1988-2008

Don't we look beautiful?  Well, at least one of us does.  Today marks 20 years of marriage with the most godly, wonderful, beautiful and faithful friend I have.  It helps that she kisses good too.    

Proverbs 18:22 - "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord."        I have found a prize this side of heaven in my wife.  Favor upon Favor is mine from God.      

A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. 

Proverbs 12:4

She is my crown, because she is of noble character.

"May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:18 

My cup (and children) runneth over, and I rejoice in the wife of my youth (though we are not so young anymore).

I am blessed with the awesome of experience of 20 years of marriage to my Pamela.  

Seeing Extraordinary Things

In Luke 5:26, at the end of the story of the healed paralytic, the people who witnessed the event said these words, "We have seen extraordinary things today."  These words have led me to think about my own life and experience and it led me to a question, this one - "When is the last time that I have been somewhere in the presence of Jesus, and I left saying, "Today, I have seen something extraordinary".  Why is that?  Could it be that we see our experience with him always in a controlled manner or could it be that we don't really have big expectations from his presence.  Our experience is always normal, controlled and contained, and well - lifeless.  I have to ask a question:  Do we like Jesus more when he is tame or when he is unleashed?  The Pharisees in the story had a real problem with Jesus as he lived unleashed from the rules of the religious establishment.  The Pharisees wanted to control God and what happens in that relationship with him, and the best way to do that is with rules.  When we live this way, we miss out on the moments like Luke 5.  Where is the expectation of extraordinary?  So, do we want to see the extraordinary things of God?  If so, then we need to let him have complete control and freedom in our lives.  We hold ourselves back.  Q:  What could happen, if a whole group of people wanted to live in the unleashed nature of the Spirit's power?  Maybe we would say that we have seen "extraordinary" things more often.

What is Enough

  There are significant places in the world, geographical places, where significant events happened that changed the course of history.  Yesterday, I visited one such place.  The picture on the left is the actual room where Martin Luther translated the Bible into German.  Hidden in the Wartburg Castle for 10 months (from May 4, 1521 to March 1, 1522) and during that time, not all of it,  he translated the bible into German.  Luther wanted the bible available to all the German people .  Using the text of Erasmus, a special edition of the New Testament in Greek and also using a Latin Translation, Luther translated the Bible into the common language of the people and at the same time set pushed the Reformation further along.  It was great standing in that room.

Life changing moments usually happen in simple places, but always by people who are convinced that Jesus alone is the cause they will live for.  It was the case with Luther.  His passion led him to the truth, and that truth changed him to the point that he could do nothing else but live for it and make it known.  The unleashing of the truth in the language of the people changed the course of history and we are still being impacted by its unleashing.  

The other picture is a church in Erfurt where Luther preached.  

As I write today, my wish for myself is not that I rise to some place in history, but that I would be a person who would make a stand for what is right, fight for it, and be willing to do whatever is necessary to stand for it.  That is all that we can really do.  Knowing the truth and living for Christ must be our passion.  What results from where that passion leads to, or what it costs us, or if the kingdom is ever impacted - only God knows those things and they are all up to him.  It does not matter the results, it is the glory of his fame that matters.  As obedience flows out of us willingly, it honors God and that is enough to satisfy us.  That is enough.

Where Does Jesus Want us to be

In April, I wrote a blog entitled, "Culture or Subculture" where I dealt with the struggle we all face in whether we will create a subculture of Christianity that isolates us from the lost world or will we find ways where we engage the culture with our faith in Christ and what he has done for us.  Jesus spoke about this in John 17 while he prayed for the disciples and for those to come after them.  Let's look at this prayer. 

John 17

14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.20 I do not ask this for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

Remember, this is Jesus' prayer for us (look at verse 20 for proof).  So, where does Jesus want us to be.  Where are we to engage our lives.  I want to break down the passage.

              We are not of this world.  We, as his children are in him, that is our spiritual position -"in him".  And because we are in him, we are not of this world.  For the fact that we are not of the the world- it hates us.  That does not mean the people of God cannot have impact, they can.  Just look at Acts 2 where they were enjoying the favor of all the people. We are aliens in this world. Strangers, who can have real influence.

              but...We are in the World.  Jesus wants us in the world, not removed from it (vs. 15).  Because we are in him, we live our lives as Jesus did - He was sent into the world, and so are we sent into the world.  That means mean engage culture, not move away from it.  We are to be like him, not of the world, but in it.  Are you in it?

              The necessity of the Word of God.  How do we then, not being of the world, but being in it and being sent into it, how do we protect ourselves and our holiness as we engage our lives with lost people.  How do we have influence without being influenced.  What will protect us from the snares and influence of the world?  Jesus says 3 things about the word of God and how it will help us.  Here they are:

                           We have been given his Word.  It is not distant or hidden.  He has given his Word to us. It is available.

                           His Word is the truth.  Impacting culture will not happen if we don't understand that truth alone is found in Christ.  It is not found in the popular books, but it is found in the scripture. 

                           The truth of the word will sanctify us.  The word of God cleanses us and brings a depth to our lives where we will actually have something to say to people.  The truth of Christ brings real change and power in the process of sanctification.  The working of the word and the Holy Spirit sanctify us to become more and more like Christ.

              The Prayer of Jesus.  Jesus' prayer from so long ago is written here, and its power still goes with us today and covers us.  It is a prayer that will continue for the church in every generation and is one that covers us daily.  His prayer that night was that as we engage in our lost culture and take the gospel to them, not ask them to come to us first.  

                           To keep us from the evil one.  The great thing about Jesus prayer here is that he has overcome the enemy through his death on the cross and to know that he is praying that the evil one would be kept away.

 

No doubt the world can be a dangerous place.  Kids can lose their innocence so quickly with all the things that they are exposed to at such an early age.  I think we do all we can to protect that innocence for as long as we can.  There comes a time though, where we all have to moveout of the "Christian Culture" bubble and find our lives intentionally intersecting with the lives of non-believers.  No doubt, they are not like us, but we are sent into the world, just as Jesus was sent into the world.

Let's engage our lost culture.