I have been processing through this thought the last couple days... "Does God prefer or want"? Now you might think it is strage that I end the sentence there. But I pose the question. I am sure you have encountered a Christian who is in the midst of making a decision and has said something along the lines of "Well, I need to know if that is where God wants me", or "I feel like like this is God's will for me". I have made statements like that before.
So I have two questions about those type of statements.
1. Do we have any biblical grounds to make statements like that?
2. Do we understand the theology in them?
This is one of those times when I believe theology is of the utmost importance, because it collides with how we live. (Theology should do that).
Now when someone says "God want's me here", I first wonder how they came to that conclusion. Was it based on a feeling they had? Did they have a sense of peace, (which is a feeling), after making a decision? Did they assume that because they had peace, it was God giving the go ahead? Is that biblical or just what we have been taught to do in America? And what about the counter end of that statement. If God wants you in this specific place, does He not want you somewhere else? Is there a place you can go that is displeasing to God? Now I am not talking about sin. I know God does not want his children (in almost all cases except for Hosea) living in sin. (Romans 8:12-17)
So, if there is a decision that has to be made, for example, should a young college grad apply to Seminary/ Grad School, go overseas with his degree, get a job in the states, or attempt to start his own business? All these are equally good things to do. There is nothing wrong in and of themselves. Now lets say the college student fervently prays all of his Senior year about the decision he will have to make. He graduates and still does not have a direction from God. But he knows what he wants. He thinks Seminary would be beneficial since he has a desire to be a pastor one day, yet he the job in the states is good as well because it is something he likes and he can start building up a resume, but going overseas would give him a vast new array of experiences and he would be serving the Lord under a mission agency, or he could just go for it and try to start his own business because he has wanted to do that since he was a kid.
What should he do?
Does God only want him to do one thing and travel one specific path?
Does God speak through our feelings?
Is God opposed to three of the paths?
How much longer should he wait on God?
Is there a wrong decision to make?
Is there a right decision to make?
The way Americans tend to approach these situations would tend to give me some answers to the questions I have. When we say things like "I am waiting on God to see if He wants me there or not", it leave me with the impression that God could want me doing something or living somewhere where I am currently not. It also leaves a connotation that we do not make a decision in the matter, for all we do is follow God's leading. It also makes me wonder how long this person will wait and what is the clear indication of God's revelation they are expecting regarding their situation? What are they expecting God do to by praying "God I want to be where you want me, not myself?"
I guess the question this all boils down to, is, what is the will of God? Does his will extend into the mundane of our lives as well as the crossroads?
I am not saying any of this is wrong. I just want to know if it is biblical. Biblically, God usually lays out the plan and tells people where he wants them to go and what he wants them to do. (Noah, Moses, Joshua, Jonah, Jeremiah, Elijah, Paul, Peter). Those were the days when God would speak directly to people and he clearly gave direction.
Today, that usually does not happen. He hasn't revealed himself in audible voices or pillars of smoke. But He has given us His word.
So biblically, how do we approach these types of crossroads in our lives? What should we be expecting from the Lord? How should we act? How do we work out our salvation with fear and trembling as God works in us?
no answers today, just many questions.
comments are highly encouraged!
JN
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
What the Church of the West needs to hear
One of the things I have been processing through lately is world views. When I say world view, i mean very simply, "the way in which one thinks about the world". I would say that almost all, if not all Americans are taught to view the world through an American Lens. As followers of Jesus, we are called to view the world as God sees it. I will call this view, a Biblical lens or World View. These two lens's are diametrically opposed to each other. Yet I find in my life and in the lives of many I know, there seems to have been a compromise between them. That compromise has been accepted as the normal way to be a Christian in America. Frankly, I am going to argue that this compromise is sin and detestable to God. I will now unlayer the two lenses, starting with the one we all share, the American World View.
American World View:
This view starts with the presupposition that we, as Americans are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as stated in our Declaration of Independence. Everything we do, say, and believe flows from this core value. We believe that we are entitled to the best the world has to offer. We believe that if we work hard enough, we deserve what we get. We desire power, prestige, and popularity. This is essentially the American Dream. It is what inspired millions of men and women to flood into our country in the early 20th century, known as "the era of immigration." America is now not the only nation to view life this way, as much of the West has adopted this mentality, but we were the first. In conclusion, this world view starts and ends with us. As an individual, it starts and ends with me. The leading question an American will ask is, "How can I make my life better?" I admit, this view is very, very captivating.
The Biblical World View:
If you are a follower of Jesus, you must first and foremost acknowledge that you were dead in your transgressions and sins, separated from God and destined to an eternal punishment of God's wrath in hell. (Eph 2:1-7) All you deserve is death (Romans 3:23). But God, in His mercy and grace, has made you alive in Christ Jesus through his death and resurrection by tearing down the wall of sin that separates us from Him through the shed blood of God's perfect, holy, and righteous Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, Eph 2:14-16, Romans 8:1, 1 Cor 15) Therefore, everything in our life is an undeserved gift from God. From our salvation, to our family, to our house, to our heartbeat, EVERYTHING is a gift (Eph 1:3). We do not deserve any material or immaterial possession. Because God has called us from death to life, we have been given a new identity and purpose. We, the Church of God, are not citizens of this earth, for our true home is in heaven. We are aliens, foreigners, and sojourners. We are here temporarily as we eagerly await the coming of our Savior and King to establish his Throne on our new home, the new heaven and new earth (Eph 2:19, 2 Cor 5:1, Phil 3:20, Isaiah 65, 2 Peter 3:13, Rev 21:2-3). We are to be in the world, but not of it (1 John 2:15, Romans 12:1-3, John 17:14, 1 Cor 10:13. Eph 4:17). We are therefore God's Sons and Daughters, ambassadors for Christ, and our purpose in this life is to be ministers of God's reconciliation by making disciples of all nations by proclaiming the Gospel to every race, tribe, tongue on this planet. (Matthew 28:17-20, 2 Cor 5:18-20, 1 Cor 15:58, 2 Tim 4:1-5). This is who we are, and what God calls us to live for.
So What?
These world views are unequivocally in direct conflict with each other. We, the church of the west, have let man's ideologies infiltrate the gospel. More so than that, we have been living a lie as we have compromised our identity and purpose in this life. If we are followers of Christ, His Bride, we must view ourselves as God views us. We must live with a Biblical World view. The American Dream has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. The American Dream exalts man, and when combined with Christianity, makes God look like means to our end. He is not here for us, we are here for Him. It is not about us at all. It is about God delighting in His own glory, which is radiated in his Bride delighting in Him.
If you are a follower of Jesus and view your life with the American World View, you are sinning. This is why. God has called his Church to be His Bride. We are to delight in Him and Him alone. When we seek anything else above Him, we have just made an idol before the living God and worshiped it. It does not matter what it is, money, power, popularity, comfort, security, 401 K, retirement, leisure, vacation, family, friends, or relationships. As Paul says, we must consider all these things as nothing or more biblically, manure, compared to knowing Christ (Phil 3:7-9). When we lust after anything other than God we are also committing adultery. Our hearts are divided, and Jesus wants nothing to do with those who whore after other things. He says he will spit the lukewarm out of His mouth (Rev 3:15-16). A life of spiritual prostitution is detestable to God.
If you are reading this and have been swayed by American ideology you are not alone. So have I. It has permeated the gospel so much. We have so much to unlearn. But thanks be to God's grace. He is greater than all of this. There is still time to change. We must ask Him to change our hearts, illuminate His truth in our minds and open our eyes to see what He sees. WE NEED THE MIND OF CHRIST.
Would we walk in His footsteps and live a wholehearted life of devotion to Jesus as we worship Him holistically, with our hearts, minds souls, and strength.
JN
American World View:
This view starts with the presupposition that we, as Americans are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as stated in our Declaration of Independence. Everything we do, say, and believe flows from this core value. We believe that we are entitled to the best the world has to offer. We believe that if we work hard enough, we deserve what we get. We desire power, prestige, and popularity. This is essentially the American Dream. It is what inspired millions of men and women to flood into our country in the early 20th century, known as "the era of immigration." America is now not the only nation to view life this way, as much of the West has adopted this mentality, but we were the first. In conclusion, this world view starts and ends with us. As an individual, it starts and ends with me. The leading question an American will ask is, "How can I make my life better?" I admit, this view is very, very captivating.
The Biblical World View:
If you are a follower of Jesus, you must first and foremost acknowledge that you were dead in your transgressions and sins, separated from God and destined to an eternal punishment of God's wrath in hell. (Eph 2:1-7) All you deserve is death (Romans 3:23). But God, in His mercy and grace, has made you alive in Christ Jesus through his death and resurrection by tearing down the wall of sin that separates us from Him through the shed blood of God's perfect, holy, and righteous Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, Eph 2:14-16, Romans 8:1, 1 Cor 15) Therefore, everything in our life is an undeserved gift from God. From our salvation, to our family, to our house, to our heartbeat, EVERYTHING is a gift (Eph 1:3). We do not deserve any material or immaterial possession. Because God has called us from death to life, we have been given a new identity and purpose. We, the Church of God, are not citizens of this earth, for our true home is in heaven. We are aliens, foreigners, and sojourners. We are here temporarily as we eagerly await the coming of our Savior and King to establish his Throne on our new home, the new heaven and new earth (Eph 2:19, 2 Cor 5:1, Phil 3:20, Isaiah 65, 2 Peter 3:13, Rev 21:2-3). We are to be in the world, but not of it (1 John 2:15, Romans 12:1-3, John 17:14, 1 Cor 10:13. Eph 4:17). We are therefore God's Sons and Daughters, ambassadors for Christ, and our purpose in this life is to be ministers of God's reconciliation by making disciples of all nations by proclaiming the Gospel to every race, tribe, tongue on this planet. (Matthew 28:17-20, 2 Cor 5:18-20, 1 Cor 15:58, 2 Tim 4:1-5). This is who we are, and what God calls us to live for.
So What?
These world views are unequivocally in direct conflict with each other. We, the church of the west, have let man's ideologies infiltrate the gospel. More so than that, we have been living a lie as we have compromised our identity and purpose in this life. If we are followers of Christ, His Bride, we must view ourselves as God views us. We must live with a Biblical World view. The American Dream has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. The American Dream exalts man, and when combined with Christianity, makes God look like means to our end. He is not here for us, we are here for Him. It is not about us at all. It is about God delighting in His own glory, which is radiated in his Bride delighting in Him.
If you are a follower of Jesus and view your life with the American World View, you are sinning. This is why. God has called his Church to be His Bride. We are to delight in Him and Him alone. When we seek anything else above Him, we have just made an idol before the living God and worshiped it. It does not matter what it is, money, power, popularity, comfort, security, 401 K, retirement, leisure, vacation, family, friends, or relationships. As Paul says, we must consider all these things as nothing or more biblically, manure, compared to knowing Christ (Phil 3:7-9). When we lust after anything other than God we are also committing adultery. Our hearts are divided, and Jesus wants nothing to do with those who whore after other things. He says he will spit the lukewarm out of His mouth (Rev 3:15-16). A life of spiritual prostitution is detestable to God.
If you are reading this and have been swayed by American ideology you are not alone. So have I. It has permeated the gospel so much. We have so much to unlearn. But thanks be to God's grace. He is greater than all of this. There is still time to change. We must ask Him to change our hearts, illuminate His truth in our minds and open our eyes to see what He sees. WE NEED THE MIND OF CHRIST.
Would we walk in His footsteps and live a wholehearted life of devotion to Jesus as we worship Him holistically, with our hearts, minds souls, and strength.
JN
Friday, June 3, 2011
pride and humility
Recently I have been living inwardly in such a dichotomy. Life has been awesome up here in Alaska. I feel like God is brining me to a place where nothing satisfies but Him. I have enjoyed fellowshipping with believers, reading and studying the Word, the glory of his creation, and my prayer times in isolation. But in the midst of all of this, there has been a battle going on in my heart. Pride has been competing with loving God. The last few months, the Lord really has been revealing to me my role in His Kingdom. Actually, to say that more accurately, I have begun to believe the role he has declared for me in His Kingdom. Satan hates this. When God's sons and daughters walk in their identity in Christ, there will always be opposition. This is the battle. The enemy wants us to boast in things other than Christ... good things! If he can get us to boast in our God given gifts and talents then we have just turned from bringing glory to God to trying to bring glory to ourselves.
The battle lies within. And it lies without. I believe that true humility comes when our eyes are fixed on Jesus and our boast is in Christ and Christ alone.
As the author of Hebrews says, "Fix your eyes on Jesus" and as Paul says
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14
thats all for now.
JN
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Rob Bell and other thoughts
I finished Love Wins by Rob Bell yesterday.
After finishing one of the most controversial books that has come out in a long time, I still didn't know what to think about Rob Bell. I, like many, have heard Rob Bell labeled as a false teacher, heretic, apostate, and other terms like that. In fact, men I know, love and respect have used those words to describe him. But what does it mean to be a heretic? When is it right to label someone that? I will talk about that in another post.
What Bell came out and said he believed was, that God cannot be loving and send people who do not believe in Him to a hell where they will be tormented forever. So Bell reconciles what I think the scriptures teach about hell (punishment and suffering) by saying he believes that no one will be punished in a place like that. He goes on to say that those who choose God will be in heaven, but some of us who decide to live selfishly and not follow God will be allowed to do so. God will somehow separate them from those who have chosen to follow God. But they will not suffer. That is the key of what Rob believes about hell. Hell is the experience any human will have if they choose to live for themselves compared to following Jesus. According to Rob, there is no lake of fire and no eternal torment. The "torment" or "hell" is not enjoying life up to the potential that God created life to be enjoyed. So this place is filled with people who don't want to live for God. They won't suffer God's wrath and they are able to live out their eternity with out God. It reminded me of an eternal version of what John Lennon describes in the song "imagine". The details of whether Bell believes one can re-choose God post death are left open, but definably not ruled out. The gates to New Jerusalem are left open, as Bell says in the book.
Like Bell, there have been other great minds have held similar views on God. C.S Lewis may have been one of them.
What saddens me is that any unregenerate, non- believing person would LOVE a God like this. This God is a God with no consequences. This an All-You-need-is-love God that doesn't punish anyone. Every human being, myself included, would love to not see others be punished. But is this biblical? I don't think it is.
Rob Bells gospel is a prime example of what post modern people want: a hippe, humanistic, "all-you-need-is-love", tolerant God who give everybody what they want. I don't think this is how God reveals Himself in the Bible. Sin is serious to God. Just look at the cross. Read Revelation 20, it talks pretty descriptively about hell.
In conclusion, I think Bell has some great things to say about living for Christ. His conclusion on hell is very different from the classical doctrine. I think he is wrong. But Bell is preaching Jesus. He is all about Jesus and living for Jesus. He believes in hell, just not the punishment or torment part. Is there a place for this in the evangelical Christian world? I think there is. If this book gets people into the bible to see if Rob is right, then i think that is great. I hope Love Wins forces people to examine for themselves what they believe scripture teaches about hell. Is bell a heretic or false teacher? No. I don't think he is. I think he is wrong and misguided. But he is not saying all roads lead to heaven. He is not saying pray to Budda or Muhammed. He is saying Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and true life is found in Christ.
JN
After finishing one of the most controversial books that has come out in a long time, I still didn't know what to think about Rob Bell. I, like many, have heard Rob Bell labeled as a false teacher, heretic, apostate, and other terms like that. In fact, men I know, love and respect have used those words to describe him. But what does it mean to be a heretic? When is it right to label someone that? I will talk about that in another post.
What Bell came out and said he believed was, that God cannot be loving and send people who do not believe in Him to a hell where they will be tormented forever. So Bell reconciles what I think the scriptures teach about hell (punishment and suffering) by saying he believes that no one will be punished in a place like that. He goes on to say that those who choose God will be in heaven, but some of us who decide to live selfishly and not follow God will be allowed to do so. God will somehow separate them from those who have chosen to follow God. But they will not suffer. That is the key of what Rob believes about hell. Hell is the experience any human will have if they choose to live for themselves compared to following Jesus. According to Rob, there is no lake of fire and no eternal torment. The "torment" or "hell" is not enjoying life up to the potential that God created life to be enjoyed. So this place is filled with people who don't want to live for God. They won't suffer God's wrath and they are able to live out their eternity with out God. It reminded me of an eternal version of what John Lennon describes in the song "imagine". The details of whether Bell believes one can re-choose God post death are left open, but definably not ruled out. The gates to New Jerusalem are left open, as Bell says in the book.
Like Bell, there have been other great minds have held similar views on God. C.S Lewis may have been one of them.
What saddens me is that any unregenerate, non- believing person would LOVE a God like this. This God is a God with no consequences. This an All-You-need-is-love God that doesn't punish anyone. Every human being, myself included, would love to not see others be punished. But is this biblical? I don't think it is.
Rob Bells gospel is a prime example of what post modern people want: a hippe, humanistic, "all-you-need-is-love", tolerant God who give everybody what they want. I don't think this is how God reveals Himself in the Bible. Sin is serious to God. Just look at the cross. Read Revelation 20, it talks pretty descriptively about hell.
In conclusion, I think Bell has some great things to say about living for Christ. His conclusion on hell is very different from the classical doctrine. I think he is wrong. But Bell is preaching Jesus. He is all about Jesus and living for Jesus. He believes in hell, just not the punishment or torment part. Is there a place for this in the evangelical Christian world? I think there is. If this book gets people into the bible to see if Rob is right, then i think that is great. I hope Love Wins forces people to examine for themselves what they believe scripture teaches about hell. Is bell a heretic or false teacher? No. I don't think he is. I think he is wrong and misguided. But he is not saying all roads lead to heaven. He is not saying pray to Budda or Muhammed. He is saying Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and true life is found in Christ.
JN
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
thoughts on "the christian life"
Here are some scattered thoughts i've been processing through lately.
Ive been thinking about what it means to follow Jesus in this American culture. The question "what does it mean to daily love God" keeps coming up in conversation. I don't really know the answer to that question. But I have a lot of questions about that question.
Is it more than being faithful to one spouse for life?
Is it more than living based on what you need rather than what you want?
Is it more than giving to the needy?
Is it more than being honest and having integrity with your money, your word, and your commitments?
Is it more than being a hard worker at your job, supporting a family, and not cheating the system to put a little extra away.
Frankly, I know many unbelievers whose lives look a lot like what I just described.
I think there has to be more to following Jesus than that.
But is it just reading the bible, praying daily, and fellowshipping with other believers?
Is it speaking the gospel to those who do not believe?
I feel like there is more to loving God than this. But I don't know. I often feel like these things are elementary in the faith. Whenever I am asked the question or ask the question "how are you doing in your faith" usually one of the answers above follows. "This is what i've been reading in the Word. or i need to grow in my prayer life. or i need to be a better steward of my money."
But i think there is more than that. I dunno, maybe there is not. Life seems pretty simple. Enjoy God. Try to enjoy your job. Enjoy people. Wait for Jesus to come back. I don't know what else there is.
Any thoughts on this one, please comment.
JN
Ive been thinking about what it means to follow Jesus in this American culture. The question "what does it mean to daily love God" keeps coming up in conversation. I don't really know the answer to that question. But I have a lot of questions about that question.
Is it more than being faithful to one spouse for life?
Is it more than living based on what you need rather than what you want?
Is it more than giving to the needy?
Is it more than being honest and having integrity with your money, your word, and your commitments?
Is it more than being a hard worker at your job, supporting a family, and not cheating the system to put a little extra away.
Frankly, I know many unbelievers whose lives look a lot like what I just described.
I think there has to be more to following Jesus than that.
But is it just reading the bible, praying daily, and fellowshipping with other believers?
Is it speaking the gospel to those who do not believe?
I feel like there is more to loving God than this. But I don't know. I often feel like these things are elementary in the faith. Whenever I am asked the question or ask the question "how are you doing in your faith" usually one of the answers above follows. "This is what i've been reading in the Word. or i need to grow in my prayer life. or i need to be a better steward of my money."
But i think there is more than that. I dunno, maybe there is not. Life seems pretty simple. Enjoy God. Try to enjoy your job. Enjoy people. Wait for Jesus to come back. I don't know what else there is.
Any thoughts on this one, please comment.
JN
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
life
so its 2 am. i have a 10 page research paper due tomorrow at 2:15. well, i guess that would be today. i got tired of writing it so, naturally, i am doing something else. i took a 5 hour energy drink at 11 and it didn't really work at first, but now i feel awake. i got a lot of thoughts tonight.
i am amazed at life. life constantly changes, and so do our relationships with people. i have only been out of high school 2 years, and there have already been a few people who have entered into my life, made a lasting impression, and are slowly leaving.
i haven't been home in about 4 months. this has been the longest stretch of time since i moved to ohio. i miss home, but its more than that. i feel like a piece of me is there, waiting for the rest of me to return. i know who that piece is, but i need to return to familiar faces and places in order to feel whole again. i know i am speaking metaphorically and all of me is right here in ohio. i just feels like once i step of that airplane, i will be able to go "oh yeah. now i remember".
God has a way of using people and places to teach us about life. a familiar voice can bring so much comfort and peace. the same with a familiar scent or sight.
i am learning how once you really start to love people, you never fully separate. there are times of long absences, but love bonds people together forever.
i think that is all i got for now. im gonna get back to that paper. my mother is probably reading this and i know she would probably want me to. and i dont wanna get an F.
JN
hi mom. :)
i am amazed at life. life constantly changes, and so do our relationships with people. i have only been out of high school 2 years, and there have already been a few people who have entered into my life, made a lasting impression, and are slowly leaving.
i haven't been home in about 4 months. this has been the longest stretch of time since i moved to ohio. i miss home, but its more than that. i feel like a piece of me is there, waiting for the rest of me to return. i know who that piece is, but i need to return to familiar faces and places in order to feel whole again. i know i am speaking metaphorically and all of me is right here in ohio. i just feels like once i step of that airplane, i will be able to go "oh yeah. now i remember".
God has a way of using people and places to teach us about life. a familiar voice can bring so much comfort and peace. the same with a familiar scent or sight.
i am learning how once you really start to love people, you never fully separate. there are times of long absences, but love bonds people together forever.
i think that is all i got for now. im gonna get back to that paper. my mother is probably reading this and i know she would probably want me to. and i dont wanna get an F.
JN
hi mom. :)
Sunday, April 24, 2011
reflections on easter
so today is easter. about the 1,981st one since humanity started celebrating it. i was thinking today about the holiday. over dinner the practice of communion came up. i live in a predominantly Anabaptist area, and communion takes place about once or twice a year around here. this is much different from my home church in Massachusetts, which was Baptist, that celebrated communion monthly. one person thought communion monthly was a good idea. another said she would like it weekly. someone else made the comment that weekly was to much. that it would become a ritual if we did it that much.
and that made me think.
I think we need to be reminded of the cross more, not less. If doing communion weekly would become a ritual, then we have completely missed Jesus. If our response to weekly communion is apathy, then our souls are what Jesus called the Pharisees "white washed tombs."
i look around at our world today, it seems that Christianity is getting significantly less tolerated than it used to be. more countries are becoming closed to the gospel, Islam is spreading like wildfire, and relativism is the God of the west. so when a holiday like Easter is still celebrated, it makes me think.
i was searching the web the other day and i came across a term i had never herd of before. New Atheism. Basically, it is a movement of atheism which encourages atheists not just to live with religion, but to actively oppose it. CNN described it as follows: "What the New Atheists share is a belief that religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises."
That is just scary. three of the four leading proponents of New Atheism are, you guessed it, Americans. Richard Dawkins, the lone Brit of the bunch, wrote a book a few years back entitled "the God Delusion." Our American rights will not be inalienable much longer.
it is just crazy to see the world just as the bible depicts it. Christians truly are foreigners here. The world system operates totally anti God.
so as today is easter, i was thinking that we, the Church, need to live louder lives. especially in the west. we can't be ashamed of what we believe. God has blessed us with an incredible freedom to meet in public, fellowship, and partake in celebrate of our risen Savior. we are not in danger of being sawn in half like many believers in communist and Muslim countries are today.
i was thinking about the words of Paul today. "If Christ has not been raised, then you are to be pitied more than all men." That is so true. I don't know if we realize it, but often times we live like that. I live like that. The church of the West lives as if the gospel is just a story to make us feel better about life. We live as if it isn't real. We live as if the words of the Bible are dead words that carry no meaning beyond bringing us temporary comfort. We live as if Jesus is still buried in a tomb somewhere in Jerusalem. But the verse doesn't end there.
"Christ has indeed been risen!" "Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord because you know your labor is not in vain."
It is not in vain because we do not serve a dead God. We serve a God who is very much alive. A God who is very much on the throne. And a God who more real than the world around you.
we need to wake up America. We are called to more than this. He deserves it.
JN
and that made me think.
I think we need to be reminded of the cross more, not less. If doing communion weekly would become a ritual, then we have completely missed Jesus. If our response to weekly communion is apathy, then our souls are what Jesus called the Pharisees "white washed tombs."
i look around at our world today, it seems that Christianity is getting significantly less tolerated than it used to be. more countries are becoming closed to the gospel, Islam is spreading like wildfire, and relativism is the God of the west. so when a holiday like Easter is still celebrated, it makes me think.
i was searching the web the other day and i came across a term i had never herd of before. New Atheism. Basically, it is a movement of atheism which encourages atheists not just to live with religion, but to actively oppose it. CNN described it as follows: "What the New Atheists share is a belief that religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises."
That is just scary. three of the four leading proponents of New Atheism are, you guessed it, Americans. Richard Dawkins, the lone Brit of the bunch, wrote a book a few years back entitled "the God Delusion." Our American rights will not be inalienable much longer.
it is just crazy to see the world just as the bible depicts it. Christians truly are foreigners here. The world system operates totally anti God.
so as today is easter, i was thinking that we, the Church, need to live louder lives. especially in the west. we can't be ashamed of what we believe. God has blessed us with an incredible freedom to meet in public, fellowship, and partake in celebrate of our risen Savior. we are not in danger of being sawn in half like many believers in communist and Muslim countries are today.
i was thinking about the words of Paul today. "If Christ has not been raised, then you are to be pitied more than all men." That is so true. I don't know if we realize it, but often times we live like that. I live like that. The church of the West lives as if the gospel is just a story to make us feel better about life. We live as if it isn't real. We live as if the words of the Bible are dead words that carry no meaning beyond bringing us temporary comfort. We live as if Jesus is still buried in a tomb somewhere in Jerusalem. But the verse doesn't end there.
"Christ has indeed been risen!" "Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord because you know your labor is not in vain."
It is not in vain because we do not serve a dead God. We serve a God who is very much alive. A God who is very much on the throne. And a God who more real than the world around you.
we need to wake up America. We are called to more than this. He deserves it.
JN
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