Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 34 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and four amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has published two books - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles which he has compiled into books in PDF form.

Roles and Responsibilities Given to Men: Part 3 – Don’t Skip This!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before moving forward in our study of men’s gender-based roles, it is vital that we don’t skip the most basic role every born again child of God has while here on planet earth – being a disciple! Jesus said:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

Being a disciple means we follow Christ the person (via the Spirit), his teachings (the Scripture), and we embrace his mission (the Great Commission). This role springs from our core identity, but it is not eternal; since, in heaven we will know as we are known. At the present, we are learners (disciples).

Jesus’ method of discipleship was part teaching and part doing. He modeled the behaviors and ministry skills he wanted his followers to develop.

True discipleship must include active ministry, or we only have a Greek-style school. Being a disciple is not so much about filling our heads with knowledge as it is about developing our relationship with God and putting our faith into practice in ways that will glorify God and impact the people around us.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

We shine as lights in the world by performing good deeds in Christ’s name and by sharing the Good News about the one true Light. Disciples model God’s love in order to help people get past their objections to the message of love, the gospel. Disciples learn to share the gospel effectively, minister in the power of God’s Spirit, and generally love on people. Disciples make a point of going to where lost and unchurched are, instead of expecting them to come to us. Disciples value and model Christian hospitality as a means to extend God’s kingdom. Disciples see their neighborhoods as their mission field and invest heavily in the people who live, work, and play around them. Fishers of men have many friends outside the church. How else will we reach them?

When Dads wholeheartedly devote themselves to the pursuit of God’s kingdom, they model for their children what it means to be a Christ follower. When Dad’s include their children in reaching out (fishing for men), it teaches them what is most most important.

I have observed that children of parents who are devoted to Christ in word and deed are more likely to adopt kingdom values and commitments than the children of nominal believers.

This is not rocket science. Kids notice what their parents love and serve, and, if there is love and respect, they will imitate them. What we do is more important than what we say, because kids see through shallowness and hypocrisy in adults. They will likely reject our words, if our lifestyle does not back them up.

We Dads cannot afford to be passive or lukewarm with regard to Christ, the gospel, discipleship, and mission. There is much more at stake than our own eternal reward. We must think generationally and realize that how we live will impact generations to come.

Most parents feel the tension between being on mission and raising a family. The solution is to include the family when you are on mission. Include them when you have friends and neighbors over. Take them when you go on any kind of outreach, including visiting neighbors. Children have a way of disarming people and opening their hearts.

Model what you hope to see develop in your kids.

Figure out ways to make routine family events and celebrations missional. Have people join you at family meals. Let your kids see you share the gospel and pray for people. Let them participate when you do acts of kindness for neighbors and friends.

Our children are our most important disciples. If we fail with them, our other successes will be rather hollow. We can only give away what we possess. We must give ourselves to being a disciple, if we hope to see the same in our children. Please don’t fail to prioritize this role or you may miss everything else.

Share this post...

Embracing Our God-given Roles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
(Shakespeare,  As You Like It)

We enter the world as dependent babies and often exit as dependent old folks. In between we play many roles. Most of us, at least traditionally, become either husbands or wives and mothers or fathers. Some of us may become bosses at work. More will become employees. Some will become military leaders. Others, military followers. Some will become political leaders, maybe a president, governor, senator, or congressman or woman. Most of us will be citizens who have the privilege and responsibility of voting them in and out. All of us who live long enough will play the role of baby, child, student, teenager, young adult, and middle-aged adult. Many of us will eventually become seasoned citizens and grandparents, maybe even great grandparents!. Our roles in life come and go. They are all important, but none of them truly define us.

The only truly defining role in life, that not everyone gets to experience unfortunately, is “child of God.” From that we derive our core identity.

Born again believers are first and foremost and always God’s children. That will never change. (John 8:35) In fact, all followers of Christ can rightly claim to be “sons,” the whole lot of us – men, women, and children. This is because we find our true identity in Christ, and our relationship with Abba Father is Jesus’ relationship. He is the Son, and we are in Him; therefore, we are all sons, too. Everyone’s core identity is being God’s son.

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don’t know God, so they don’t understand that we are his children. 1 John 3:1 (NLT)

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  Galatians 4:6 (NASB)

Building out from this core identity, God gives us various roles to play over a lifetime. We must be careful not to let any of these roles begin to define us in our thinking. They do not. They are temporary, yet very important. How we fulfill them will affect our eternal reward.

First and foremost our roles come from our gender. When a baby arrives in this world, or now when we get the ultrasound results, the key question is whether “it” is a boy or a girl. Then we can accurately label “it” a “he” or “she.”

We experience life through the filter of our gender.

No one can fully know what it is like to live as a member of the opposite sex, regardless of claims to the contrary. Infusions of sex hormones may alter some things, but our chromosomes cannot be changed. Gender is assigned by God and is a determining factor in our life experience.

The wise person embraces God’s gender choice for them.

Over a lifetime, we play many different roles, some which are gender-based and some which are not. We begin as children whose main responsibility is to obey our parents. Next we move into adolescence, when we begin to take on adult responsibilities and privileges, in addition to experiencing adult temptations. Adulthood provides us with many role options – husband, father, wife, mother, breadwinner, boss, employee, leader, follower, disciple, mentor, etc. None of these roles change our core identity.

Each role carries its own responsibilities and privileges. Each of us should attempt to excel at the roles God allows us to play in life. None are insignificant or unimportant to God.

One huge problem with role playing is when we start to think that our roles define us. When those “under” authority start thinking that those “over” them are superior to them, it strikes a blow at our identity. Unfortunately, those in authority often see themselves as actually being superior and communicate that directly or indirectly to those they oversee, thus denigrating and diminishing the perceived worth of those people. This is a serious violation of the authority role. Those in authority have the responsibility to serve and build up those under their care, as well as lead them.

Since I am a man, that is the focus of this series. Women cannot experience or partake of the roles God gives to men that are gender-based, just as women have roles that cannot be experienced by men.

Two unique male roles are being a husband and a father. Each of these roles has specific responsibilities and privileges, which is the theme of this series.

These roles, when properly played, constitute a very high calling, just as being a wife and mother do. I hope this series will help you to gain a greater appreciation for manhood and stir up us men with a determination to be faithful with what God has placed in our hands. Husband and fathers are given the role and responsibility of being the loving “head” of the wife and family, respectively. Wives and children are assigned the role of being under the benevolent headship or authority of the husband or father. It takes faith and humility to properly function in any of these roles.

As is obvious to most women, there may be nothing inherent in the man that makes him better qualified than the wife to be the head of the family. Sometimes wives have more wisdom, discerning, and leadership abilities than the husband God has placed over them. Unless the husband, in such a case, handles his headship with humility, wisdom, and grace, he may make it extremely difficult and unlikely that his wife will submit properly to him. Unless the wife understands her role and identity properly, she may find it next to impossible to follow the husband God has put in her life. We all must see that God is at work in all of these things and is bigger than we imagine.

It requires tremendous faith to be the head of a family or other organization or group, but perhaps it takes even more faith to be a follower. Husbands and fathers, especially those who are aware of their own deficiencies, may be reluctant to lead, but they must do so nevertheless. Failing to lead betrays our calling and the grace supplied to us by God. So, whether we are gifted leaders or reluctant ones, it is vital that we humbly accept the roles God gives to us. Our humility as leaders and heads can make it possible for others to develop fully under our care.

Click here to access all articles in this series.

Share this post...

Roles and Responsibilities Given to Men: Part 1 – Introduction

Introduction and Overview

We live in a time in which many minimize the God-given distinctions between men and women. Some even insist that gender is fluid and optional. The source of this dangerously flawed thinking is a deeply embedded rebellion and hatred against God.

Many people do not like how God made them and seek to overthrow his choice for them.

Without the change of heart and thinking that comes through Christ and because of our sin nature, people insist on governing their lives as they see fit, without reference to God or his ways. Even those of us who follow Christ must battle the destructive impulse to try to live independently from God. When we choose to submit to Christ’s lordship, the Holy Spirit begins to transform our thinking, which will result in a change in how we live.

The Spirit’s goal is to bring every area of our lives into alignment with God’s perfect order and will. Not only will this glorify God, but it will also maximize our fulfillment and happiness.

What does it mean to be a surrendered man? What are our unique privileges as men? What is the burden of our responsibility? This series will look at the two important roles God may give us – husband and father and the importance of leaving a positive legacy.

The New Resurrection Order

Christians live in a tension between that which was, already is, and that which is coming. Sometimes the lines blur between the last two, making life challenging to navigate.

When Jesus died on the cross, he put to death much of the old order of things and birthed a new resurrection reality.

Paul wrote:

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

When Jesus died on the cross, the following aspects of the old order of things died with him.

  1. Racism – When Jesus the Jew died on the cross, God destroyed the inherent spiritual difference between the Jews and those outside the covenant promises. Jesus’ resurrection created “one new man” in Christ – the church. All forms of racism were dealt a death blow.  (Ephesians 2:15)
  2. Legalism – The Law’s power to point out our failures and condemn us was put to death on the cross. Jesus’ resurrection gave birth to a new age of living in the power of the Spirit. There is a fundamental difference between trying hard to please God and life in the Spirit.
  3. Religion and Ritual – Sacrifice, circumcision, Sabbath observance, and the Temple were rendered obsolete after the resurrection. Jesus fulfilled all of these shadows that pointed toward his life, crucifixion, resurrection, and lordship.
  4. Gender and Socio-Economic Distinctions – When Jesus rose from the dead, he put to death the old order of things which often focused on outward distinctions, such as race, gender, and social status. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

In the new “resurrection reality,”  there is no longer male-female distinction in the Spirit.

A Dynamic Gender Tension

Jesus said that in heaven there will be no marriage because gender roles will be a thing of the past. (Matthew 22:30)

However, we now live in the dynamic tension between what is and what is to come. We live in bodies that are part of the old Adamic order of things, but we have born again spirits which are in union with God and the new resurrection reality. (1 Corinthians 6:17)

We are born into this world as either a male or a female. Our sexual identity affects us physically, emotionally, and in countless other ways. We are wired differently in our brains, have different muscular and skeletal structures, and have been given radically different functions in the reproductive process. To pretend that there are no essential differences is to be in willful denial. God separated Adam into male and female to illustrate that we need each other for completion. Together we are able more perfectly to reflect God’s image.

As Christians, we must navigate the challenging tension of the “already here – not yet” aspect of God’s kingdom. Spiritually there is no male or female, but naturally there is. How do we integrate the two?

Since God created us with the ability to interface with the natural and spiritual worlds, we are challenged to discover what aspects of each dimension have priority at the present time in a given situation.

In this natural world which we presently inhabit, we have God-given gender-specific roles. Only a man can be a father and a husband, despite the protests by the radical Left to the contrary.

To rebel against this creation order of things is to rebel against God himself.

However, to limit our understanding and application solely to the natural order of things is to miss out on some of the wonders of the resurrection and revert back to legalism.

God can take any aspect of the resurrection and apply it to our present natural reality any time he desires.

Before Christ’s resurrection, the only way to be included in God’s covenant with Abraham was to join the Jewish covenant community. This meant adhering to the Law with all its commandments and regulations. It also meant that every male had to be circumcised as an external sign of his covenant inclusion and commitment. Circumcision was uniquely male, of course, signifying that males had greater privilege and access to God. This was reinforced in the Law of Moses with regard to sanctuary access. Women were kept on the outside. Women were not regarded as reliable witnesses and not afforded the same educational opportunities as men. Their intrinsic worth was valued below men by the Law of Moses.

Jesus came to undo all these inequalities through his death and resurrection. The “one new man” created in him through his resurrection includes both male and female, slave and free, and Jew and Gentile. It blurs every distinction that formerly separated us. The church is the greatest of all melting pots.

At first, the early Christians assumed that the requirement of circumcision was still in effect. Why would it not be? It was clearly stated in the Scriptures. (Genesis 17:14)

It was shocking to Peter when he witnessed an uncircumcised Gentile named Cornelius begin to speak in tongues, proving that God filled him with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 11:15-18) Such an event demanded a revision of his practical theology. After all, our theology should be one that God follows!

Paul became the spokesman for this new theological understanding, which he clearly laid out in his Letter to the Romans. He explained that circumcision is no longer necessary under the new resurrection order of things called the New Covenant. Now what is required is faith in the finished work of Christ.

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6 (NLT)

Christ fulfilled the Law, thereby making it’s ritual aspects obsolete. True “circumcision” is now something spiritual that happens on the inside, in the heart, as a result of the new birth and the indwelling Spirit. (Philippians 3:3) For followers of Christ now to submit to outward circumcision as a means to obtain a right standing with God would be reverting to Old Covenant externals and legalism and would result in our “falling from grace.” (Galatians 5:1-4) New Covenant believers must stand on faith in Christ’s finished work or not stand at all.

What does this have to do with our topic? Not only is circumcision no longer critical in the resurrection reality that Christ introduced, but other things have changed as well. What about the distinction between men and women in God’s kingdom? Judaism offered women greater nobility and protection than other religions, but Jesus took things to a whole new level by including women in his band of disciples. He dignified women by first appearing to them after his resurrection, making them the very first to witness his resurrection glory. Women were also significant ministers in the early church.

How did Paul make the huge leap to go from including women in the band of disciples to saying there is “neither male nor female?” He saw the Spirit at work in women, just as he saw evidence of the Spirit’s work in the uncircumcised Cornelius. He also knew that there was an Old Testament antecedent. God raised up Deborah to lead Israel and command generals.

When we observe a present work of the Spirit that is corroborated by a biblical antecedent, we have the ability to declare a theology of resurrection reality. This is what Paul did regarding circumcision and regarding women.

But please do not assume at this point that I am throwing all teaching on male headship out the window. I am not. In this present male-female oriented natural world, we still have gender specific roles to play. Some of these roles are non-transferable. Others are more malleable. Hopefully this series of articles will help to shed some light on these things and help us to better understand and fulfill our gender specific roles in life.

Click here to access all articles in this series.

Share this post...

The Shape of Modern Idolatry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you been wondering, “What is wrong with people these days?” If so, you’re not alone. The world has gone crazy, literally. An old Greek saying says: “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.” There is a lot of truth to this. Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Rome that God gives idolatrous people over to a “reprobate” mind to fully embrace and applaud evil. Sin creates a temporary insanity. Giving oneself over to sin makes the condition potentially permanent. Many in this nation have become so warped and confused that they applaud and embrace the culture of death (abortion) and defend those who wish to put them to death (radical Islamists). When people go “mad,” they basically kill themselves because they have no discernment or proper judgment. This is what destroyed Hitler. His blind ambition to defeat Russia prompted him to make horrific military blunders. Evil people may be cunning, but they have no wisdom. God cannot be mocked. We do indeed reap what we sow, and the wages of sin is death.

Judging God, Rejecting Truth

Paul warned his protege, Timothy:

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4  They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

The myth and lie chasing (fake news, false religions, and much of modern education) we see in these last days is nothing new. It began a long time ago in the garden of Eden, where Satan, in the form of a crafty serpent, introduced something brand new into Adam’s and Eve’s previously protected environment – a doubt of God’s integrity and character and a denial of the truth of his spoken words. When Adam and Eve took the bait, hook line and sinker, they took their seat as God’s judge and imagined that they were the arbiters of truth, thus bringing upon themselves a just condemnation. Satan enticed them into the same sin of which he was guilty – gross insubordination birthed in pride. Their sinful desire to be equal with God opened the floodgates of sin, death, and confusion on the world. Evil has escalated since then as each succeeding generation has participated in rebellion and sin against God and other people.

Today some who call themselves Christians are taking it upon themselves to make judgments about who God is or is not and whether God really means what he says. They reject the authority of the Bible and repulse attempts by others to correct them.

This is the shape of modern idolatry. People are attempting to make God conform to their own image and preferences, instead of worshiping the one true God, as revealed in the Bible.

Trading the Great I AM for a Lesser god

When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, he revealed himself as the “I AM.” He is the “I am who I am,” not the “I am who you want me to be.”

Our big issue with God is usually that he is not who we want him to be.

The “I AM” who met Moses in the wilderness called Israel out of bondage into a land of promise, but the people rebelled because God did not do things the way they wanted or expected. God required his people to maintain an attitude of faith and obedience while suffering hardship. He wanted them to trust him, despite how things looked on the surface. God called Moses to the top of Mt. Sinai and kept him there 40 days. This did not suit the people, who demanded that Aaron make them another god who would take them back to Egypt and bondage.

The gods we make for ourselves are designed to grant us comfort and security at the expense of our faithful obedience to God and ultimate reward.

After Aaron fashioned the idol, the people immediately fell into drunken revelry and immorality.

When we make gods in our own image, they always allow us to do very ungodly things. Every determination we make to live against God’s revealed will demands that we make ourselves an idol which will say it is okay to disobey. We adopt a theology to match our morality. We fashion idols who wink at our sin.

Jesus was rejected as Israel’s Messiah King because he was not who the people wanted him to be – a military and political savior.

People still reject Jesus because he does not conform to the image they want in a Lord and Savior.

To the contrary, Jesus came to deliver people from their sinful idolatry of self and worship of false gods. The Gospel demands that we surrender utterly to Jesus, the absolute Lord, and receive his free gift of life, which became available in a most unlikely and, to many, a most offensive way. He died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins, to satisfy God the Father’s just wrath against sin and sinners.

The very idea of a blood sacrifice to appease a wrathful God offends the sensibilities of those who want to tell God how it should have been done.

Haven’t we become more enlightened than those ancient people? Aren’t we more sophisticated now? Don’t we realize that blood was not really needed? If that is what you think, you are serving a false god. The true God says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22)

Afterward Jesus rose again from the dead, which offends the logical minds of those who elevate reason above revelation.

Jesus, the I AM who became a human, requires us to lay down the lesser gods of rationalism, materialism, intellectualism, and sometimes what many call “common sense,” in order to fully follow him.

He did not come to make us comfortable or to satisfy our itching ears and intellects. He came to transform us completely, which requires us to make a radical break with everything that stands in the way of a full surrender to him. This is called repentance.

When we lay down every objection and embrace the God revealed in the Bible and his Son, Jesus the Messiah, we are ready to begin the discipleship journey in earnest.

Examples of Modern Idolatry

When we cast away the true God and make new gods for ourselves, we begin a downward slide that ends up where the United States is right now.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:21 (NLT)

Usually in the past when I have thought of what kind of people would act this way, I would think of pagans, like the ancient Romans, but today many who call themselves Christians have fallen into idolatrous deception, too. Today’s idolatry is often very subtle, which makes it even more deadly. Let’s look at some examples.

Probably one of the more popular falsehoods about God is that he never judges people.

This false god is the divine smiley face who wants everyone to have a good day. Where did this kind of thinking come from? Certainly not from the Bible and not from Jesus’ teachings. Jesus warned us:

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5  But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. Luke 12:4-5 (NLT)

Does God kill people? Yes. Does God cast people into hell? Yes. Does he judge righteously and without showing favoritism? Yes. The God of Bible does all these things, as well as love people beyond their comprehension. This is the God who is, not who some people want him to be.

We don’t want God to judge anyone because we don’t want to be judged. We want God to accept everyone, because we want him to accept us. If we think this way it proves two things: we do not know our own sinfulness and we do not understand why Jesus had to die.

God has to judge sinful people because he hates sin. Jesus chose to die in order to endure God’s just punishment for our sin, making it possible for us to be reconciled to God and experience his mercy. If God does not care about sin and judgment, then Jesus died for nothing and the Gospel is meaningless.

Another false god we sometimes create is the one who not only winks at our immorality, but actually approves, and maybe even applauds, it.

Paul wrote:

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31  They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32  They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:28-32 (NLT)

Those who engage in sex outside of marriage often adopt a theology that says that God is fine with what they are doing. They may say that they still feel the presence of God’s Spirit and still know they are loved by him. Therefore, their behavior must be okay with God. Such logic denies God’s character and his words.

This idolatrous thinking reveals that we do not understand the difference between God’s love for us and his approval of our actions. It shows that we do not grasp the difference between God’s patience and his discipline.

After King David sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband, God affirmed his ongoing love for David while at the same time he pronounced a terrible sentence upon him and his family, which ended in the death of family members and thousands of others. David suffered immensely for his sin, despite the fact that God forgave him and had mercy on him. God’s people always will reap the ugly consequences of sin, despite and because of how much God loves us. The author of Hebrews states that God disciplines those he loves. (Hebrews 12:6) One of God’s chief aims in this life is conform us to Christ’s image in order to bring glory to himself. God does not wink at our sin. He is committed to set us free from its grasp.

A third form of idolatry believes that God makes mistakes in how he created us, which we can “fix” by rejecting his created order.

Many people reject some aspect of themselves. We might not like our looks, our hair, our intelligence level, our personality, etc. Some reject their gender, thinking that they are a colossal mistake, and opt for an operation to rectify things. No operation can change us at the cellular level, where our DNA has permanently stamped us as either male or female.

Rejection of our sexual identity and function is rebellion against the Creator.

It is just one more idol we raise against the true knowledge of God. Sin has indeed brought confusion and chaos into the world, even at the sexual identity level, but true freedom will never come at the expense of God’s truth. His truth sets us free. (John 8:31-32) Only by embracing God and surrendering our confused selves to him can we experience genuine freedom. Only God has the power to restore what sin has broken.

The Way Back to the One True God

  • Repent. Repentance means we change how we think. Instead of idolizing our opinions and preferences, we choose to agree with what God says. We call out sin for what it is. We stop making excuses and idols. We accept God’s judgment of sin. We accept that we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior. (Revelation 3:3)
  • Believe. Faith is based on our conviction that God has integrity and love for us and that his words are true and trustworthy. The Gospel is the greatest good news ever! It states that we can indeed escape God’s judgment by placing our trust in the One who already bore it – Jesus, the Lamb of God. Faith always results in action. Those who believe in Jesus will surrender their lives to him and begin the discipleship journey, devoting the remainder of their lives to his service. (Hebrews 11:6)
  • Follow Christ. The choice to make the Bible our supreme authority in life (under the direction of the Holy Spirit) is one of the most important and profound steps any follower of Christ will make. Until you start down this road, you will always be susceptible to elevating your own opinions, desires, and preferences above God’s revealed truth and his will. (John 17:17)
  • Rely on the Holy Spirit. He will lead us into all truth (John 16:13) and give us the ability to live the Christ life. Greater is he who is within us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) The secret of Christianity is that God lives his life through us.
  • Join a local church. A church is a group of people who are taking the same faith journey. We need each other’s encouragement, correction, and assistance. No person can successfully go it alone. Find a church that preaches the gospel, loves people, and encourages you to be a disciple. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
  • Stand strong against temptations. Life is full of opportunities for us to abandon truth and obedience to God in the pursuit of what seems to be in my best self-interest. Jesus told his disciples that they must die to any and everything that might get between them and utter devotion to Christ. This is where the rubber meets the road. This where many of us falter. This is where we must pick ourselves back up and press forward. (James 4:7)
  • Make disciples. Once we become a follower of Christ, God wants us to become part of his mighty army of disciple makers. This means we teach others to follow Christ as we do.

Prayer

Lord, I realize now that in some areas I have made and served a false image of you. Please forgive me. I want to know who you really are. Holy Spirit, teach me and lead me into all truth, that I might know God and obey him more fully. I commit myself to serve you alone, O Lord. Amen.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 (ESV)

 

Share this post...

Is it okay for a follower of Christ to be a Mason?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I were to ask you if it is acceptable for a Christian to be a Satanist, you would laugh at my woeful lack of understanding. Surprisingly, many people who profess Christ are members of a satanically inspired group called the Masons.

It is just as outlandish for a follower of Christ to be a Mason as it would be to be a Satanist.

Let me explain.

The devil seldom appears as he truly is. Deception is his main game. The Apostle Paul wrote that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light in order to deceive the naive. (2 Corinthians 11:14) In the Garden of Eden, the devil appeared as a talking serpent in order to convince Eve that God was not to be trusted. (Genesis 3:4-5) Satan always tries to reverse the truth, presenting himself as good and the true God as evil. This is exactly the position of the Masons.

Albert Pike wrote quite a bit of material on the Masons and is regarded as an authority on the subject by the Masons. Wikipedia claims the following.

Pike first joined the fraternal Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1840. He next joined a Masonic Lodge, where he became extremely active in the affairs of the organization. In 1859 he was elected Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite’s Southern Jurisdiction.[10] He remained Sovereign Grand Commander for the remainder of his life (a total of thirty-two years), devoting a large amount of his time to developing the rituals of the order.[18] Notably, he published a book called Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in 1871, of which there were several subsequent editions. This helped the order grow during the nineteenth century. He also researched and wrote the seminal treatise Indo-Aryan Deities and Worship as Contained in the Rig-Veda. In America, Pike is still considered an eminent[19] and influential[20] Freemason, primarily in the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction.[21]

Here are some relevant quotes from Pike’s works.

Lucifer, the Light-Bearer! Strange and mysterious name to give to the Spirit of Darkness! Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! Is it he who bears the light, and with its splendors intolerable blinds feeble, sensual or selfish Souls? Doubt it not! [Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Prepared for the Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree, for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, and Published by Its Authority (Richmond, Virginia: L.H. Jenkins, 1871, Reprinted 1944): 321.]

The true name of Satan, the Kabalists say, is Yahweh (GOD) reversed; for Satan is not a black god, but a negation of God…the Kabala imagined Him to be a “most occult light.” [Ibid: 102, 704.]

That which we must say to a crowd is—We worship a God, but it is the God that one adores without superstition. To you, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say this, that you may repeat it to the Brethren of the 32nd, 31st, and 30th degrees—The Masonic Religion should be, by all of us initates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the Luciferian Doctrine. If Lucifer were not God, would Adonay whose deeds prove his cruelty, perdify and hatred of man, barbarism and repulsion for science, would Adonay and his priests, calumniate him? Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay is also god. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two gods: darkness being necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive. Thus, the doctrine of Satanism is a heresy; and the true and pure philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonay; but Lucifer, God of Light and God of Good, is struggling for humanity against Adonay, the God of Darkness and Evil. [Albert Pike, “Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World” (July 14, 1889), as recorded by Abel Clarin de La Rive, La Femme et l’Enfant dans la Franc-maçonnerie Universelle (1894): 588.]

Freemasonry is a secret society. This is because they have something to hide. They force members to swear self-maledictory oaths that pledge their secrecy. Why? Jesus did everything in the open. Christians should not swear oaths, should not swear self-malediction, and should never be part of any group that calls the devil good and the true God bad. Freemasonry deceives its own members.

“The Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them; but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry.” (Morals and Dogma, p.819) Albert Pike, [1871 Morals and Dogma: Council of Kadosh: XXX. Knight Kadosh.

Freemasonry is essentially a cleaned up paganism, which places a Bible front and center to deceive the naive.

According to accredited Masonic historians, the lodge claims to be a revival of the ancient philosophy of Egypt, Phoenicia and other pagan nations. These all practiced a secret worship in honor of a sun god (Lucifer). While pagan societies sponsored public worship directed toward idols, the priests, rulers and philosophers always maintained a different, secret worship centered around a sun god. This latter was designated as the “Mysteries.” These “Mysteries” were revived by the “Masonic fathers” at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

In other words what formerly constituted the mysteries of freemasonry. In every feature they are identical. Dr. Mackey, Masonic authority, states they are the “same in substance, being derived from one source and celebrated in honor of the same dieites.” Pierson says plainly “…we readily recognize in Hiram Abiff the Osiris of the Egyptians, the Mithras of the Persians, the Bacchus of the Greeks, the Dionysiius of the Fraternity of the Artificers, the Atys of the Phrygians, whose passion, death and resurrection were celebrated by these people.” [http://www.jesusdelivers.com/the-demonic-roots-of-freemasonry]

Freemasonry incorporates parts of various pagan religions while pretending to be above and inclusive of all religion. As such it is explicitly anti-Christ. Jesus said that he alone is the way to the Father. (John 14:6) He is not one of many ways to God. He is the only way. Freemasonry asserts that its members can come to God using any religious pathway.

Below is a great summary of why Christianity and Masonry are completely incompatible. It is found in GotQuestions.org. (https://www.gotquestions.org/free-masonry.html)

Salvation from Sin:

The Bible’s View: Jesus became the sinner’s sacrifice before God when He shed His blood and died as the propitiation (payment) for the sins of all those who would ever believe (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8, John 3:16).

Mason’s View: The very process of joining the Lodge requires Christians to ignore the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. According to Freemasonry, a person will be saved and go to heaven as a result of his good works and personal self-improvement.

The View of the Bible:

The Bible’s View: The supernatural and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures—that they are inerrant and that their teachings and authority are absolute, supreme, and final. The Bible is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Mason’s View: The Bible is only one of several “Volume(s) of Sacred Law,” all of which are deemed to be equally important in Freemasonry. The Bible is an important book, only as far as those members who claim to be Christians are concerned, just as the Koran is important to Muslims. The Bible is not considered to be the exclusive Word of God, nor is it considered to be God’s sole revelation of himself to humankind; but only one of many religious sourcebooks. It is a good guide for morality. The Bible is used primarily as a symbol of God’s will, which can also be captured in other sacred texts, like the Koran or Rig Vedas.

The Doctrine of God:

The Bible’s View: There is one God. The various names of God refer to the God of Israel and reveal certain attributes of God. To worship other gods or to call upon other deities is idolatry (Exodus 20:3). Paul spoke of idolatry as a heinous sin (1 Corinthians 10:14) and John said that idolaters will perish in hell (Revelation 21:8).

Mason’s View: All members must believe in a deity. Different religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc.) acknowledge the same God, only call Him different names. Freemasonry invites people of all faiths, even if they use different names for the ‘Nameless One of a hundred names,’ they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all.

The Doctrine of Jesus and the Trinity:

The Bible’s View: Jesus was God in human form (Matthew 1:18-24, John 1:1). Jesus is the second person of the trinity (Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:9-11). While on earth, He was fully human (Mark 4:38, Matthew 4:2) and fully divine (John 20:28, John 1:1-2, Acts 4:10-12). Christians should pray in Jesus’ name and proclaim Him before others, regardless of offense to non-Christians (John 14:13-14, 1 John 2:23, Acts 4:18-20).

Mason’s View: There is no exclusivity in Jesus Christ or the Triune God who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; therefore there is no doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ. It is deemed to be un-Masonic to invoke the name of Jesus when praying, or mention His name in the Lodge. Suggesting that Jesus is the only way to God contradicts the principle of tolerance. The name of Jesus has been omitted from biblical verses that are used in Masonic rituals. Jesus is on the same level as other religious leaders.

Human Nature and Sin:

The Bible’s View: All humans are born with a sinful nature, are totally depraved, and need a Savior from sin (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5, Ephesians 2:1). The Bible denies that because of the Fall, humanity has within itself the capacity for moral perfection (1 John 1:8-10, Romans 1:18-25).

Mason’s View: Through symbols and emblems, Masons teach that man is not sinful, just “rude and imperfect by nature”. Human beings are able to improve their character and behavior in various ways, including acts of charity, moral living, and voluntary performance of civic duty. Humanity possesses the ability of moving from imperfection toward total perfection. Moral and spiritual perfection lies within men and women.

When a Christian takes the oath of Freemasonry, he is swearing to the following doctrines that God has pronounced false and sinful:

1. That salvation can be gained by man’s good works.
2. That Jesus is just one of many equally revered prophets.
3. That they will remain silent in the Lodge and not talk of Christ.
4. That they are approaching the Lodge in spiritual darkness and ignorance, when the Bible says Christians are already in the light, children of the light, and are indwelt by the Light of the World—Jesus Christ.
5. By demanding that Christians take the Masonic oath, Masonry leads Christians into blasphemy and taking the name of the Lord in vain.
6. Masonry teaches that its G.A.O.T.U. [Great Architect of the Universe], whom Masonry believes is the true God of the universe, is representative of all gods in all religions.
7. Masonry makes Christians take a universalist approach in their prayers, demanding a “generic” name be used so as not to offend non-believers who are Masonic “brothers”.
8. By swearing the Masonic oath and participating in the doctrines of the Lodge, Christians are perpetuating a false gospel to other Lodge members, who look only to Masonry’s plan of salvation to get to heaven. By their very membership in such a syncretistic type organization, they have severely compromised their witnessing as Christians.
9. By taking the Masonic obligation, the Christian is agreeing to allow the pollution of his mind, spirit, and body by those who serve false gods and believe false doctrines.

As you can see, Masonry denies and contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture on numerous issues. Masonry also requires people to engage in activities which the Bible condemns. As a result, a Christian should not be a member of any secret society or organization that has any connection with Freemasonry.
Share this post...

Faith’s Reward

 

 

 

 

 

Faith is the lynch pin upon which hangs our salvation. The author of Hebrews spent an entire chapter illustrating this (Hebrews 11), which he summarized as follows.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

Faith is the central thing God is looking for in us. We really don’t bring a whole lot to the table when we approach God besides faith. As we covered in the first article in this series, faith is loyalty to God because we are convinced that he is absolutely trustworthy. Faith honors God. Our faith opens the door for everything else. God sends his Spirit to indwell and transform those who believe, propelling us toward God’s goal for our lives – that we become like Jesus.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29  For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:28-29 (NLT)

God’s honor and glory is always the most important thing, but, since our Lord is the kindest and most loving Being, he always chooses to share what he has with those who trust in him.

Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8) administered by the Spirit of God, who is also called the Spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13). We cooperate with God’s gift and Spirit by choosing to believe the gospel message of his resurrection from our hearts and giving Christ our full allegiance.

The Christian life can be thought of as an opportunity to display our loyalty to Christ, no matter what we may encounter.

Thinking of faith as allegiance helps make sense of why God allows us to face and endure difficulties, tests, and trials of our faith. As we maintain our faithfulness in the midst of these things, it brings great glory to God. And God, the most generous beings of all, will not let such allegiance go unrewarded.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4  and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5  And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 6  So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:3-7 (NLT)

Therefore, the difficulties and tests we face in life are not pointless exercises in frustration and futility. Quite the opposite, seen in the correct light, they are God-given opportunities to earn eternal reward by maintaining loyalty to our unseen God.

Jesus accomplished this when he died on the cross. He kept his eyes on the reward by faith, which gave him the strength and endurance to continue faithful to the end.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT)

Never cast away your faith. It has a great reward.

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36  Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)
Share this post...

Faith Is Boldly Courageous

 

 

 

 

 

By its nature, faith takes action. God is not fearfully passive, and neither are people of faith. Faith is convinced that what God says is true and lives accordingly. When we know that God is our Creator – Sustainer – Redeemer – Provider – Lord who keeps his promises, it gives us an enormous amount of confidence. If God will always be with us and has our back in every situation, we know that we can act boldly and courageously. If we know that God is ultimately in control of every situation, we can joyfully encounter the unknown and thrive in the midst of uncertainty. If we are convinced that death cannot defeat us, that life extends beyond the grave, and that Jesus holds the keys of hell and death, we can boldly face death and suffering.

Faith is known by its boldness and courage.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about Gideon, the timid man that God converted into a mighty warrior and leader of Israel. I will not recount the story here, but I encourage you to read it in its entirety. (Judges 6-7) Suffice it to say that God took a man who was afraid of his enemies and too timid to lead and made him into a fearless warrior who led Israel to victory in a battle against ridiculous odds. It was possible because God convinced him that he would always be with him. When God is with us, it is enough. That is what he told Moses (Exodus 3:11-12), Joshua (Joshua 1:5), and what he tells us. (John 14:16-17)

The first key to boldness and courage is knowing that God will always be with us.

A second component of the boldness and courage that belong to faith is being sure to what God has called us to do and embracing it.  Going back to Gideon, it took quite a bit of convincing to get that man to buy into God’s seemingly outlandish plan, but when he did, there was no turning him back. The steps in Gideon’s development were as follows:

  1. The Call. God called Gideon a mighty warrior and proceeded to give him a job to deliver Israel from her enemies. The call seemed crazy to Gideon, but he was willing to go with God on a faith journey. God revealed himself to Gideon as Jehovah-Shalom, the God who is peace, as he set him on a collision course with the enemies of God. God gives us peace as we stand strong in faith against God’s enemies.
  2. The First Test. God commanded Gideon to confront the idolatry in his family and tribe. If he could face the wrath of his own people, it would help prepare him to take on a vast enemy army. God was with him and protected him after he tore down the community altar to a false god.
  3. The Commission to Do the Impossible. God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle against an enemy whose forces were astronomically larger than his. It made no sense, but God went to great pains and was very patient with our reluctant hero in order to convince him that it was really God asking him to do this. Once that happened, Gideon was fearless. Faith enters our hearts when we know for sure what God wants us to do.
  4. The Victory. Gideon followed God’s specific instructions and led 300 God-selected men against an army of 135,000. That is 450 to 1! Numbers do not matter to God. All that matters to him is having people who boldly and courageously follow him.

Jesus called his disciples to go to “war” against equally impossible odds. The Jewish leaders and the Roman empire opposed them and their message. Jesus taught his disciples to boldly face death and persecution as his representatives, which they did. The early disciples were convinced that the Spirit of God was with them, that the gospel message would eventually triumph, and that death and pain were nothing to be feared. As John wrote:

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.” Revelation 12:10-12 (NLT)

My friends, I hope this meditation does not seem to be to you a lesson in ancient history. The accuser of the brethren, the devil, is still at work. We see him in operation on a daily basis as the politics of the day plays out. Our president has been constantly accused of being treasonous and illegitimate since his election. Those who follow the media have heard the chorus for his impeachment literally “day and night.” Those who vilify and curse authority are at war with God himself, who is the one who appoints all authority.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. Romans 13:1-2 (NLT)

Whether or not leaders are righteous, we are still called to respect and obey them whenever they do not command us to do things that oppose God’s commands or our conscience. We should not think for a moment that the Left is merely opposing our president. We are in the midst of a movement to overthrow all vestiges of Christianity in our country.

Many Christians are concerned with what they perceive to be the increasing secularization of popular culture today. They express concern that Christianity will one day become hated and persecuted in America as it is in much of the world. That day may not be far off. (Life Site News)

Those who seek to conserve the founding values of our nation were described by then President Obama as “bitter” people” who cling to guns, religion, and hatred of those unlike them. This does not do justice to the Christians I know who oppose the godless drift of our culture and nation, but who care about their neighbors. As the nation rapidly shifts to a “Progressive” (shall we be honest and say, “communist”?) mindset, those who hold to Christ and his teachings are being positioned more and more like a group of people who stand in the way of enlightened progress. It is not hard to imagine the nation turning on us. I believe that we must prepare ourselves for the persecution that is surely coming. My friends, the Last Days are upon us.

Whether or not such a Last Days scenario actually develops in the near future, followers of Christ are called, like Gideon, to face up to a seemingly unconquerable foe, our culture, with courage and zeal.

We are not fighting with conventional weapons of war. We do battle in the spiritual realm.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

Part of the genius of Christianity is that we overcome by spiritual means – the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and courageous faith often leading to martyrdom.

Perhaps we will one day take our place in the history of Christianity alongside other martyrs. We shall see. Be strong in faith.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14  And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
Share this post...

Faith Versus Magic

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus taught that people utter whatever fills their hearts. This applies to truth tellers and liars. What is inside is going to come out. We might think of the mouth as the pressure vent of the soul.

For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35  "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36  "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37  "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:34-37 (NASB)

When we hear people lie, curse, mock, belittle, accuse, and vilify authority, we know that what fills their hearts is inspired by Satan, who is the arch rebel, liar, and destroyer.

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13  “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14  “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15  “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16  in their paths are ruin and misery, 17  and the way of peace they have not known.” 18  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:12-18 (ESV)

In contrast, when love for God and his truth fills us, it will be revealed in words of affirmation, praise, and faith.

Faith is the conviction that God is loving, kind, powerful, and utterly trustworthy and true to his promises. When we receive a promise from God by faith, it is the most natural thing in the world to share it aloud.

The night I first came to believe in Jesus, I immediately told my friends and dorm mates who were still awake. How could I not? I had just met the Creator of the universe, the risen Lord! I discovered that he is knowable and loves us! Everyone needs to know this, and I had to tell it. When we see how loving, kind, and generous God is, we want to tell others.

Making a good confession is the overflow of a grateful heart.

Over the years, however, I have observed another type of “confession” of faith that to me seems more like an attempt to control God and get the outcome we want through saying the right words. People who do this seem to believe that God will not bless us unless we maintain a correct attitude and expression of faith, which includes saying the proper faith words and not speaking words of doubt or unbelief. Although there is some truth to this position, I believe it tends toward what I call “magical” thinking and treats making a faith confession like reciting an incantation.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines an incantation as “a written or recited formula of words designed to produce a particular effect.” Many people confess words of faith in this manner, thinking that, if they say the right words over and over, being careful to avoid any negative words of doubt, God is bound to do what they confess.

Some even go so far as to say we create our own reality through our confession. This firmly plants on our shoulders the responsibility to obtain what God has promised by saying the right things. It portrays God as a rather stern legalist who blesses people if they keep the rules, but withholds blessings when they slip up. I strongly disagree with this view. We are already blessed with all blessings in Christ. Gaining this understanding causes faith to well up in our hearts, which will result in our confessing that faith. We don’t have to manipulate God through clever words to get his blessings. They are already ours.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

Unenlightened people over the centuries have tried to use religion to control outcomes. Witchcraft by definition is an attempt to control people and situations through using spells, incantations, curses, and other means that employ the activity and power of demon spirits and evil. Those who try to control and use malevolent beings and power for their own purposes have to make an allegiance with the “dark” side. The Bible expressly forbids this. We should certainly never attempt to manipulate the powers of evil on our behalf. Neither should we think that God can be so manipulated. We serve him; not he us.

The God revealed through Christ and the New Testament writings is so completely committed to us that it is strange to think that anyone would believe that he requires us to say things “just so” in order to get him to bless us.

While our words are extremely important, God is not a stern taskmaster who is looking for any slip up in order to deny us what we need and want. I have been around many people who are battling cancer, but who are afraid of saying the “c” word, lest by doing so they somehow give that disease power over them. This is a very harmful form of magical thinking. Either we have cancer or we do not.

We need to be realists who accept that in our fallen world we have to face the reality of sickness and death. In fact, we cannot be healed unless we are first sick.

People who cannot even admit they are sick are living in a form of self-deception. Fear is usually the culprit that leads to such behavior. I remember hearing of a case when a young man’s family would not allow any person in the room with him as he was in the last stages of dying from pancreatic cancer, unless their confession of faith and healing was in alignment with the family’s. They apparently feared that a visitor’s unbelief might block his healing. How tragic. People who loved this young man were not allowed to comfort him as he prepared to transition into eternity. It is a very different thing to encourage a person to be healed and to prepare someone to die well. Dying is part of our human experience, and doing so in faith and peace is a mighty testimony, just as healing is. Think about it: healing is always a temporary stay of our confrontation with death.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) )

The God of the New Covenant is the initiator of our salvation. He chose us to be his friends and family before the world began. Christ died for us when we were still his enemies. (Romans 5:8-10) God gave us his best, his own Son, freely and without reserve.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Romans 8:31-32 (NLT)

Why would we think that he would be hesitant to bless us, and maybe even refuse to heal or provide for us, unless we perfectly profess a testimony of faith?

What many people fail to grasp is that God is predisposed to bless us. Christ earned our blessings for us.

He is not looking for reasons to withhold good things from us. He has already given us all blessings in Christ. He does want us to grow in our trust in him and his promises. He may take us through some difficult tests and trials in life to develop faith in us, but he is a loving Father who carefully superintends the entire process.

I suppose that people try to use a good confession to “make” God bless them because they do not know or believe how much God loves them.

Their view of God does not line up with how the Bible presents him. For example, Abraham and Sarah both laughed at God’s promise that they would have a son in their old age, but God did not reject them or take back his word. Jacob complained that everything was against him, just before discovering that God had actually been working continually behind the scenes to give him the biggest blessing of his life – seeing Joseph again and having all his family’s needs supplied during a terrible famine. Gideon struggled with unbelief, but God did not cast him off. Jeremiah struggled with despondency at times, but God still used him mightily. Peter actually denied the Lord three times but was restored because he believed that Jesus still loved him. Thomas refused to believe that Jesus rose from the dead until our Lord appeared physically to him and told him to put his hand in his side and his finger in the nail holes. Does this sound like a God who would cut off a blessing to us if we fail to properly confess faith or dare to say the dreaded “c” word?

Confessing what we believe should be an natural response of a heart full of faith, not a contrived and contorted means to earn a blessing from a hesitant God.

Faith comes first, then the confession. When we get it backward, we start trying to confess our way to faith. Real faith knows it already has what God has promised and is unafraid to say so.

Magical faith is not sure that God can be trusted to bless us on his own and believes it must constrain God by properly saying incantational faith words.

Consider the following passage.

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22  And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23  And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25  And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Mark 9:21-25 (ESV)

The father of this demonized boy had very imperfect faith, but he knew enough to come to Jesus and not let go. That was what Jesus was looking for.

If saying, “I believe; help my unbelief!” is all it takes to persuade Jesus to help us, this is a bar most of us can get over.

Jacob was riddled with doubts and fears for most of his adult life, but his relationship with God was real and was based on God’s choice of him. (Romans 9:13) As he prepared to meet his brother Esau after years of being apart, he was terrified that his brother was going to harm him, as he promised he would do years earlier. The 400 armed men with Esau did nothing to calm his fears. The night before this reunion, Jacob wrestled with an angel from God. The angel overpowered him and commanded him to let him go, but Jacob said these very important words.

...“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:26 (ESV)

Faith is a personal relationship with God. It understands that God’s heart is to bless us because he has chosen us before the foundation of the world and loves us dearly. Faith knows that since God has already given us Jesus, all other blessings come with him. Faith knows that it can hold tight to God until it receives all the blessings God has already given us in Christ. Faith knows that God loves us and is the greatest giver of all.

Faith rests in God’s loving generosity. It has no use for magic.

Share this post...

Faith Produces Good Works

 

 

 

 

 

There is an apparent conflict between faith and works in the Bible. Paul taught that we are saved or made right with God by faith “apart from works.” (Romans 3:28) James, on the other hand, stressed that good works are necessary and actually prove the reality of our faith. (James 2:18) Is it possible to reconcile these two seemingly opposite views? Certainly, and it is not even difficult.

Paul meant that our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross and in his resurrection makes us right with God, something keeping the Law could never do (Galatians 2:16), since we are unable to keep its requirements (Romans 8:3). In other words, Christ’s work on our behalf saves us, if we put our complete trust in him. Jesus confirmed this way of thinking by his response to a direct question.

Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29  Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." John 6:28-29 (NASB)

For Jesus (and us), putting one’s confidence and allegiance in him was a “work.” Faith in Christ requires that we follow him and his teachings. It means being radically committed to the kingdom of God. It is not mere intellectual assent or passive acknowledgement of his person and ministry. It is indeed a work because it produces something.

Faith resides in the heart and is manifested through our words and deeds.

Even Paul, the apostle of grace, acknowledged the necessity of the work of faith called verbal confession in order to be saved. He wrote…

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)

The work of confessing Christ publicly testifies to or gives evidence of the reality of the faith that resides in our hearts.

A public confession of allegiance to Christ moves us beyond a “safe” and perhaps non-committal silent assent to a realm in which misunderstanding or persecution may follow.

Faith by its nature proves or reveals itself by its words and deeds.

But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19  You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2:18-20 (NASB)

Simply confessing Christ is not sufficient, however, unless it is accompanied by a changed life.

Saying we believe is much easier than living out our faith.

Our churches are filled with professing Christians who show little demonstrable difference that Christ has made in their lives besides church attendance. How we live is the litmus test for what we actually believe. That is why Jesus warned us that we will be judged for what we say and do.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37  for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV) 

"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Matthew 16:27 (NASB)

The faith that saves us is based on Christ’s good works, not ours.

The faith that saves us requires that we take hold of Christ in our hearts, confess our allegiance to him with our mouths, and live accordingly as his disciples. Any breakdown in the sequence reveals that our supposed “faith” is counterfeit.

Jesus told his disciples that we will be judged for how we treat the “least of these my brethren” – the poor, sick, imprisoned, naked, and hungry… the marginalized, despised, and neglected members of society. (Matthew 25:31-46) Paul admonished the church to live in harmony with our confession of faith in Christ.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6  whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7  so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8  This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. Titus 3:5-8 (NASB)

The early Christians were known for fearlessly confessing Christ in the face of persecution and serving the poor and the sick. What are we known for?

Share this post...

Faith Prays

 

 

 

 

 

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8  "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9  "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10  "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:7-11 (NASB)

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

Prayer and faith are inseparable. If we believe God loves us, rewards whose who seek him, answers our prayers, and is faithful to his promises, we will pray. The absence of prayer betrays an absence of faith, which probably has at its root a flawed or damaged relationship with Abba Father.

Many people feel awkward in God’s presence, not feeling truly assured that they are welcome and beloved, even though the Bible clearly teaches this.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NASB)

To be effective in prayer, we must learn to come confidently and often into God’s presence to spend time with him, listen, worship, make petitions, declare, and give thanks.

We may need for the Spirit to set us free from our fears of rejection or unwarranted guilt and shame. Satan desires to cloud our relationship with God by telling us we are unworthy to be welcomed into His presence. Jesus delivered us from all condemnation by taking our guilt and judgment upon himself, enabling us to have confidence with God.

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:33-34 (ESV) 

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:16-18 (ESV)

Once we have confidence to pray, it is important to align ourselves with God’s will and not simply ask for what we want.

Prayer is a way for us to gain God’s perspective and heart as well as to share our heart, concerns, needs, and desires with him. If we pray according to his will, we can be confident he will grant our petitions. He will not give us something that will ultimately hurt us.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)

When we pray in faith according to God’s will sometimes God will answer immediately, but much of the time he requires that we persevere in prayer. Faith perseveres. Jesus addressed this aspect of the prayer of faith.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2  He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3  And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4  For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6  And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7  And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:1-8 (ESV)

A long-term commitment to prayer is a sure sign of faith.

The absence of persevering prayer indicates an absence of faith, according to this parable.

While it is true that faith is a matter of the heart, it is also true that it is revealed by what it does. Faith believes that God is real, his promises are true, that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient to give us access to God, that God loves and cares about us, and that he will answer our prayers, even though it may take a while.

We need to ask ourselves what our prayer life says about our faith and our relationship with Abba Father. If you are like most of us, there is a lot of room for improvement. Why not ask the Holy Spirit to begin to develop a stronger prayer life in you?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I want to be more confident and committed to prayer. Help me come boldly and continually into God’s presence. Help me to pray according to your will. Let me make a difference on this earth through my prayer life. Amen.

Share this post...
Share this post...