Where do we stand?
I suppose many people if asked this question would think of politics. Or we would think of this or that topic.
Martin Luther in his stance on Justification and the nature of faith triumphed with the words, "here I stand I can do no other." The most important place we stand or fall is in our relation the the cross.
Jesus is the rock. All other ground is sinking sand.
If we truly believe this then we will make it the center of our lives. We succeed or fail on this point.
God stands waiting for all to enter who knock. He asks us to spread the good news of his gracious offer or reconciliation.
God is most glorified when we proclaim the justice of God seen in the gospel and free gift of grace flowing from the cross.
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
The Top 10 Articles of 2015
As 2015 will soon come to a close, it's time to look back at the articles that sparked the most interest in 2015. The list below starts with the most popular article and is based on unique page views:
- "Why I am Post-Reformed" by Danny Dowell
- "Grace which Moves" by Danny
- "Why Christianity" by Danny
- "God's Consistent Nearness to the Christian" by Michelle Dowell
- "Numbers and Names" by Danny
- "Love as Debt" by Danny
- "Unpredictability of Life" by Michelle
- "6 Articles on Grace" by Michelle
- "Trusting the Goodness of God" by Danny
- "Keeping Focus in Christianity" by Danny
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Reasonable Standards
The bible tells us that we will be judge by the standard of which we judge others. It seems quite fair and simple.
It is fair, but it is not simple. The more we really think of the meaning of the principle the more we see how often we fail.
We constantly tell others not to assume, but we constantly assume ourselves. We criticize others for missing details in their work, but we do not focus on the details in our own work.
It takes many forms, but we are often harder on others than we are on our self. Often the principles of the bible only seem easy because we lack the spiritual discernment to see our lack.
God's grace is overflowing for our lack. He knows our weakness and need for growth. We live day by day by grace even as we grow in the knowledge of our weakness.
It is fair, but it is not simple. The more we really think of the meaning of the principle the more we see how often we fail.
We constantly tell others not to assume, but we constantly assume ourselves. We criticize others for missing details in their work, but we do not focus on the details in our own work.
It takes many forms, but we are often harder on others than we are on our self. Often the principles of the bible only seem easy because we lack the spiritual discernment to see our lack.
God's grace is overflowing for our lack. He knows our weakness and need for growth. We live day by day by grace even as we grow in the knowledge of our weakness.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Focus on the Symptoms
Often in the church progress is difficult because we focus on the symptoms of sin rather than the root of sin. We focus on the problems because they are easier to notice.
Often the issue when looking at sin is that the problems can come from many sources. We often underestimate the power of the gospel in transforming issues.
Often we fail to see growth in the church because we fail to see the gospel articulated in its most full power. The gospel is the basis for all law.
Our tendency is to skip over, so the speak, the majority of the first part of Romans and then to "get into the good part" after all the groundwork is laid. The reality is the second half rests entirely upon the first.
We cannot successfully move into the second part before grasping the first part the best that we can. And this is the issue often in the church is we move too quickly past grace.
We feel we have mastered the gospel and continue to law while we have still fully not understood the gospel and grace. We must always be remind of grace. Apart from grace the law is nothing, but a series of unfulfilled standard which are too high for us to keep.
It is only sin that makes us fail to understand the depths of our transgression. And only grace that enables us to begin to keep the law.
Often the issue when looking at sin is that the problems can come from many sources. We often underestimate the power of the gospel in transforming issues.
Often we fail to see growth in the church because we fail to see the gospel articulated in its most full power. The gospel is the basis for all law.
Our tendency is to skip over, so the speak, the majority of the first part of Romans and then to "get into the good part" after all the groundwork is laid. The reality is the second half rests entirely upon the first.
We cannot successfully move into the second part before grasping the first part the best that we can. And this is the issue often in the church is we move too quickly past grace.
We feel we have mastered the gospel and continue to law while we have still fully not understood the gospel and grace. We must always be remind of grace. Apart from grace the law is nothing, but a series of unfulfilled standard which are too high for us to keep.
It is only sin that makes us fail to understand the depths of our transgression. And only grace that enables us to begin to keep the law.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Keeping Focus in Christianity
Christianity has a core and a periphery. All truth is important, but not all truth is essential.
It is often forgotten in many churches what is of absolute importance and what while important is not essential. Our concern for the purity of the church should be more focused on what is of absolute importance than what is at the edge.
Often what is at the edge of Christianity dominates the discussion. Concerns about style in music or method of distributing the Lord's super or exact details of how this or that should look in the church dominate. All of these things are good and well, but they are always at the side.
The church's focus should always be at the heart of Christianity--the good news of the offer of grace to sinners because of Christ's perfect life, death, and resurrection. If we get the center of Christianity right everything else will fall into place.
It is our union with the risen Jesus which makes people better. Too often we see people trying to improve the behavior of their church by preaching law day in and day out.
Often the problem of behavior in church is not a failure to understand law, but to really grasp grace. It is grace which shows us the greatness of the love of God for us. Often we cannot truly grasp how far we are from righteousness until we see what perfect love is and perfect love does.
Often it is more grace that transforms us than law. We try to faithfully live out law because of and only because of grace.
It is often forgotten in many churches what is of absolute importance and what while important is not essential. Our concern for the purity of the church should be more focused on what is of absolute importance than what is at the edge.
Often what is at the edge of Christianity dominates the discussion. Concerns about style in music or method of distributing the Lord's super or exact details of how this or that should look in the church dominate. All of these things are good and well, but they are always at the side.
The church's focus should always be at the heart of Christianity--the good news of the offer of grace to sinners because of Christ's perfect life, death, and resurrection. If we get the center of Christianity right everything else will fall into place.
It is our union with the risen Jesus which makes people better. Too often we see people trying to improve the behavior of their church by preaching law day in and day out.
Often the problem of behavior in church is not a failure to understand law, but to really grasp grace. It is grace which shows us the greatness of the love of God for us. Often we cannot truly grasp how far we are from righteousness until we see what perfect love is and perfect love does.
Often it is more grace that transforms us than law. We try to faithfully live out law because of and only because of grace.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
6 Articles on Grace
We have many beautiful things because of God's grace: a relationship with God, life, and hope to name a few. A lot could be written about it. Here are six articles from this blog on the topic:
1. Grace which Moves. "Grace should move us to live out our Christian faith. It is our union with Jesus through faith which transforms us."
2. Grace. "Grace is undeserved. People often wonder why God chose them. Why me and not someone else? ... The name of the Lord 'I Am' denotes pre-existence. It also denotes freedom. God will do what he pleases and when he pleases. He doesn't need man to approve or care if man approves. God is perfectly good, but his goodness is not like what many men consider God. Many people view bad as good."
3. Grace on Ourselves. "It is at times the case that God is more willing to have grace on us than we are willing to have on ourselves. There is a certain type of reflection on sin which is morbid and unbiblical. Jesus' work is sufficient."
4. Law and Grace in Cycle. "Law and Grace form a cycle in the bible. Law drives us to Grace. We know we need grace because of law. Grace teaches us to love and follow law. We cannot separate the two. "
5. Common Grace. "Common grace is a term for the grace which God bestows on all mankind. This is different than a saving grace. Since all men have sinned we all deserve the wrath of God. Common grace is the good which God brings on men in this current life."
6. Cheap Grace Is No Grace. "Most articulations of grace are very interesting. However one articulation of grace is fairly ugly 'cheap grace.' Cheap grace is roughly a position that says that once saved by grace one can live as one pleases. A number of people reject grace as independent form law because of the fear of cheap grace. The reality is grace is apart from works. But by ones works you can perceive the truth of the grace. A saving faith will never be followed by a life with no fruit."
1. Grace which Moves. "Grace should move us to live out our Christian faith. It is our union with Jesus through faith which transforms us."
2. Grace. "Grace is undeserved. People often wonder why God chose them. Why me and not someone else? ... The name of the Lord 'I Am' denotes pre-existence. It also denotes freedom. God will do what he pleases and when he pleases. He doesn't need man to approve or care if man approves. God is perfectly good, but his goodness is not like what many men consider God. Many people view bad as good."
3. Grace on Ourselves. "It is at times the case that God is more willing to have grace on us than we are willing to have on ourselves. There is a certain type of reflection on sin which is morbid and unbiblical. Jesus' work is sufficient."
4. Law and Grace in Cycle. "Law and Grace form a cycle in the bible. Law drives us to Grace. We know we need grace because of law. Grace teaches us to love and follow law. We cannot separate the two. "
5. Common Grace. "Common grace is a term for the grace which God bestows on all mankind. This is different than a saving grace. Since all men have sinned we all deserve the wrath of God. Common grace is the good which God brings on men in this current life."
6. Cheap Grace Is No Grace. "Most articulations of grace are very interesting. However one articulation of grace is fairly ugly 'cheap grace.' Cheap grace is roughly a position that says that once saved by grace one can live as one pleases. A number of people reject grace as independent form law because of the fear of cheap grace. The reality is grace is apart from works. But by ones works you can perceive the truth of the grace. A saving faith will never be followed by a life with no fruit."
Friday, November 14, 2014
Complexity in Life and Faith
Life is full of complexity. You see the multifaceted nature of everything when you study something for a day, or a year, or even decades. That's how long it takes to truly attempt to learn all the details of something at times.
The same goes for knowing the Bible, God, and living a Christian life. Often people want it to be simple: Hear the message once and respond, and that's it. Or go to church, and you've got it. Those are good thing, but there's more.
The gospel is simple in a way. But it also has a beautiful depth to it too. When you accept Christ, all you need to know are some basic truths. But after that, growing in knowledge is important.
What more is there to grow in knowledge, you may be asking. Here's a starter list to help you see what topics there are:
Learning about these things can aid in living in a Christian way.
The same goes for knowing the Bible, God, and living a Christian life. Often people want it to be simple: Hear the message once and respond, and that's it. Or go to church, and you've got it. Those are good thing, but there's more.
The gospel is simple in a way. But it also has a beautiful depth to it too. When you accept Christ, all you need to know are some basic truths. But after that, growing in knowledge is important.
What more is there to grow in knowledge, you may be asking. Here's a starter list to help you see what topics there are:
- Grace. The true meaning of grace.
- Law/Commands/Sin. How this relates to grace, too, but we must first see why we need and are given grace. And learning how God's commands really are good for us.
- Wisdom. Since life is complex, sometime discernment and good judgment are needed. The Bible helps us in learning wisdom.
- Love. What it means to truly live out those two commands. It is active and much more. I've created a list of 6 posts on loving others.
- How God has related to humans throughout history. This includes feeling loved and accepted by Christ if you're a Christian.
- The Trinity.
Learning about these things can aid in living in a Christian way.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Law Fulfilled in Christ
The ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ. The whole sacrificial system and system of ritual purity was made obsolete as Jesus perfectly kept the entirety of the law and gave himself up for us.
Jesus' perfect life, death, and resurrection marked the end of the need for the keeping of the sacrificial and ritual law. In fact the New Testament goes further saying that it is a sin to suggest others need to keep the ritual law as part of a walk of faith. It is a stumbling block which minimizes the absolute nature of Jesus' victory over death.
In Jesus we are a new creation awaiting the eternal joy of fellowship with God in heaven. We should not doubt our salvation as if our sin can keep us from God. Our righteousness is Jesus who is in heaven seated at the right hand of God.
Our works flow from faith through the world of the Spirit of God in us. Our works are acts which naturally flow from our salvation, not part of our salvation.
We can trust in Jesus' saving blood and then move to works. Focusing on works without a focus on grace is foolish. Because works flow from grace, it is our union with Christ which produces works.
Often it is easy to look at our life and try to think how we can be better followers of God. There is some truth to the approach, but often it is better simply to look to God and be transformed by his nature and grace.
Good works naturally flow from a transformed heart. Often the approach of looking at our life and thinking how we can live better has little effect because it does not change the fundamental issues in our heart. If we look to God and his nature and love, this changes us and often has more affect than simply looking at our life and asking how we might live better.
Jesus' perfect life, death, and resurrection marked the end of the need for the keeping of the sacrificial and ritual law. In fact the New Testament goes further saying that it is a sin to suggest others need to keep the ritual law as part of a walk of faith. It is a stumbling block which minimizes the absolute nature of Jesus' victory over death.
In Jesus we are a new creation awaiting the eternal joy of fellowship with God in heaven. We should not doubt our salvation as if our sin can keep us from God. Our righteousness is Jesus who is in heaven seated at the right hand of God.
Our works flow from faith through the world of the Spirit of God in us. Our works are acts which naturally flow from our salvation, not part of our salvation.
We can trust in Jesus' saving blood and then move to works. Focusing on works without a focus on grace is foolish. Because works flow from grace, it is our union with Christ which produces works.
Often it is easy to look at our life and try to think how we can be better followers of God. There is some truth to the approach, but often it is better simply to look to God and be transformed by his nature and grace.
Good works naturally flow from a transformed heart. Often the approach of looking at our life and thinking how we can live better has little effect because it does not change the fundamental issues in our heart. If we look to God and his nature and love, this changes us and often has more affect than simply looking at our life and asking how we might live better.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Growth and Admitting Flaws
Often in the Christian life our spiritual growth is hindered because we won't admit flaws. We cannot grow in areas if we refuse to admit we need to grow in areas.
The message of the bible is that man is under the curse of sin. The biblical ethic is so high that an honest understanding of its requirements tells us that we constantly fail.
God has grace on us and counts feeble attempts as a keeping of the law through the purifying blood of Jesus. Grace covers all our transgressions. We should not seek to sin because we have grace. If we are truly saved by grace the grace of God that saves us will naturally make us desire to do good works.
Grace which saves comes from our union with Jesus through faith in his death. The same union with Jesus that comes through faith also begins to change us degree by degree to be like Jesus.
It is faith in the cross which saves us and it is also faith in the cross which is the power which pushes us to grow in grace. Often it is easy to think that salvation and sanctification are caused by two different causes. We are saved and now need to figure out how to live.
Of course there is a need to figure out what Christian life entails, but the element behind both is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The link between justification and sanctification is that both events are tied together and driven by the same element faith in the work of Jesus.
Post: Our Way
The message of the bible is that man is under the curse of sin. The biblical ethic is so high that an honest understanding of its requirements tells us that we constantly fail.
God has grace on us and counts feeble attempts as a keeping of the law through the purifying blood of Jesus. Grace covers all our transgressions. We should not seek to sin because we have grace. If we are truly saved by grace the grace of God that saves us will naturally make us desire to do good works.
Grace which saves comes from our union with Jesus through faith in his death. The same union with Jesus that comes through faith also begins to change us degree by degree to be like Jesus.
It is faith in the cross which saves us and it is also faith in the cross which is the power which pushes us to grow in grace. Often it is easy to think that salvation and sanctification are caused by two different causes. We are saved and now need to figure out how to live.
Of course there is a need to figure out what Christian life entails, but the element behind both is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The link between justification and sanctification is that both events are tied together and driven by the same element faith in the work of Jesus.
Post: Our Way
Friday, August 8, 2014
We Never Get Past Faith
The Christian life begins with faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Often we think now we have mastered the basics of the faith now we will move into the deeper substance.
But you see we are very forgetful and the basics of the Christian faith are everything. We do not start the Christian life by faith and continue by works. We start by faith and must continue by faith at every moment.
There is never a time when a Christian can move past the basics. We are weak. But when we are weak in Christ we are strong. If we feel we are strong we deceive ourselves and are weak.
You see all strength is found in God alone. In our weakness we can rest in grace. We were saved by grace and live each moment by grace.
If we do not see this we are blind to the depth of the law. The law is so deep and our weakness of heart so strong we are blind if we do not realize that we need grace each day.
Infinite grace flows from God. It is grace and focusing on the goodness of God by which we grow in sanctification. That is why often teaching on law and how to live well has no impact.
You see we usually know right and wrong very well and it does us little good. It is by looking to God in love that we are changed to be who we were always meant to be.
But you see we are very forgetful and the basics of the Christian faith are everything. We do not start the Christian life by faith and continue by works. We start by faith and must continue by faith at every moment.
There is never a time when a Christian can move past the basics. We are weak. But when we are weak in Christ we are strong. If we feel we are strong we deceive ourselves and are weak.
You see all strength is found in God alone. In our weakness we can rest in grace. We were saved by grace and live each moment by grace.
If we do not see this we are blind to the depth of the law. The law is so deep and our weakness of heart so strong we are blind if we do not realize that we need grace each day.
Infinite grace flows from God. It is grace and focusing on the goodness of God by which we grow in sanctification. That is why often teaching on law and how to live well has no impact.
You see we usually know right and wrong very well and it does us little good. It is by looking to God in love that we are changed to be who we were always meant to be.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
The spirit of Christianity
Christianity is not a religion which promotes isolation. It promotes fellowship and unity.
Often in life we find there are goods which the value of is diminished when there are many examples. If there were a thousand Mona Lisa paintings each an exact replica painted by the same artist each painting would be of little interest.
Rarity often heightens the value of things in the world. Christianity it is the opposite. It is fellowship and sharing which heightens the value.
The nature of grace is that it is free and infinite. You cannot hide it in isolation if you have it. It must be shared.
Grace which is hidden is lessened because in hiding the grace we lose track of its meaning. You see we don't simply believe things because we believe them; we believe things because we do them.
If we hide grace and act as if it is not important to share eventually our understanding of grace will weaken and we will be the poorer for it. Grace which we do not have some desire to share is not grace which is properly understood.
Grace is most glorious when shared and sharing grace increases its worth, not diminishes it.
Often in life we find there are goods which the value of is diminished when there are many examples. If there were a thousand Mona Lisa paintings each an exact replica painted by the same artist each painting would be of little interest.
Rarity often heightens the value of things in the world. Christianity it is the opposite. It is fellowship and sharing which heightens the value.
The nature of grace is that it is free and infinite. You cannot hide it in isolation if you have it. It must be shared.
Grace which is hidden is lessened because in hiding the grace we lose track of its meaning. You see we don't simply believe things because we believe them; we believe things because we do them.
If we hide grace and act as if it is not important to share eventually our understanding of grace will weaken and we will be the poorer for it. Grace which we do not have some desire to share is not grace which is properly understood.
Grace is most glorious when shared and sharing grace increases its worth, not diminishes it.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Grace on Ourselves
It is at times the case that God is more willing to have grace on us than we are willing to have on ourselves. There is a certain type of reflection on sin which is morbid and unbiblical.
Jesus' work is sufficient. It is not an elevation of our sin to say that it might not be forgivable but a devaluation of Jesus' work.
His work is infinite in value and nothing can compare to it. We delude ourselves to place our sin in comparison to Jesus' merit.
Of course works should flow from our lives. But they are based on what God has done for us. Works flow from grace. Grace is what produces works.
On a practical level nothing is more practical to Christian living than the perfect life of Jesus and his death on the cross. It is grace which has far more real practicality than a sermon filled with suggestions on living.
Jesus' work is sufficient. It is not an elevation of our sin to say that it might not be forgivable but a devaluation of Jesus' work.
His work is infinite in value and nothing can compare to it. We delude ourselves to place our sin in comparison to Jesus' merit.
Of course works should flow from our lives. But they are based on what God has done for us. Works flow from grace. Grace is what produces works.
On a practical level nothing is more practical to Christian living than the perfect life of Jesus and his death on the cross. It is grace which has far more real practicality than a sermon filled with suggestions on living.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Beautiful Simplicity
Post by
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
One beautiful aspect of the gospel is its simplicity. Those who are in need of grace (which is everyone—although many people don't consciously acknowledge that about themselves), are told in the Bible to go to Christ, ask him for forgiveness and for him to be a part of their life, and he will stand in your place and make you strong in ways that matter.
What a reason for peace and joy. So much in life can be disappointing—the fact that we are not in total control of everything is hard to bear. But being reminded who really is in control, and his nature, is soothing.
A sermon that digs too deep into all the meanings of words in different languages in biblical texts or too deep into another topic that is true but not a message of hope in who God is, may miss an emphasis on what people really need to hear the most—that simple message of hope. That message is full of grace that's needed for people who know or see the depth of sinful nature.
Both new and old Christians need to hear that. The beauty of the gospel will never grow old, even when we do.
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
One beautiful aspect of the gospel is its simplicity. Those who are in need of grace (which is everyone—although many people don't consciously acknowledge that about themselves), are told in the Bible to go to Christ, ask him for forgiveness and for him to be a part of their life, and he will stand in your place and make you strong in ways that matter.
What a reason for peace and joy. So much in life can be disappointing—the fact that we are not in total control of everything is hard to bear. But being reminded who really is in control, and his nature, is soothing.
A sermon that digs too deep into all the meanings of words in different languages in biblical texts or too deep into another topic that is true but not a message of hope in who God is, may miss an emphasis on what people really need to hear the most—that simple message of hope. That message is full of grace that's needed for people who know or see the depth of sinful nature.
Both new and old Christians need to hear that. The beauty of the gospel will never grow old, even when we do.
Monday, April 28, 2014
A Time for Truth
Often we live in a world which does not care for truth. Unity is all that matters and we could not care of the details.
Often we can let anything go so long as there is peace. The bible meets this and tells us that there are some things worth fighting over.
Not every fact is worth fighting over, but some are. We can as Christians if we feel it is right have a disinterest in arguing fine points of exegesis or not coming to clarity on what a certain text is about. This is fine.
But in many central things such a disinterest is sin. We cannot have disinterest in the central and essential.
Errors related to Justification, the Trinity, the fully divine and fully man nature of Jesus, and other central issue cannot be easily passed over. There can be grace in these debates for people with doubts, but the debates cannot be passed over.
Sometimes we feel not apt to speak in debates. Often the errors are expounded by people of great rhetoric or intellect. But it is not we who win debates but God.
If God is for us no one can be against us. On a number of occasions I have entered debates on important topics I was sure I could not win.
Sometimes I was right and sometimes I was wrong and won the debate which I felt I had no ability to win. You see it is never we who win debates, but God who wins when he chooses to work through us.
Often we can let anything go so long as there is peace. The bible meets this and tells us that there are some things worth fighting over.
Not every fact is worth fighting over, but some are. We can as Christians if we feel it is right have a disinterest in arguing fine points of exegesis or not coming to clarity on what a certain text is about. This is fine.
But in many central things such a disinterest is sin. We cannot have disinterest in the central and essential.
Errors related to Justification, the Trinity, the fully divine and fully man nature of Jesus, and other central issue cannot be easily passed over. There can be grace in these debates for people with doubts, but the debates cannot be passed over.
Sometimes we feel not apt to speak in debates. Often the errors are expounded by people of great rhetoric or intellect. But it is not we who win debates but God.
If God is for us no one can be against us. On a number of occasions I have entered debates on important topics I was sure I could not win.
Sometimes I was right and sometimes I was wrong and won the debate which I felt I had no ability to win. You see it is never we who win debates, but God who wins when he chooses to work through us.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Reflection on Self and Others
Often you see people assume a great coherence of thought of themselves and others. We assume we are highly logical beings whose thought all meshes together and assume so of others.
It is one of those things which is often not the case. It is actually very normal for people to have disparate ideas with degrees of contradiction in their thought.
We often think about ideas in isolation and while the contradiction is often not very high in our thought it does exist. Sometimes others might point out the error and it is easy to become defensive.
Often what we need is grace and humility. Humility to admit that we are wrong on things. We cannot grow if we refuse to admit our errors.
Grace on ourselves is also very important. Sometimes we don't want to admit we are wrong because we are too tough on ourselves. We have more judgement against ourselves than God does and so we can't accept our flaws because of the guilt we feel.
It is normal to be wrong in life. Truly great thinkers are great not because they are never wrong but because they have the humility to accept they have made mistakes and grow.
We all have errors and issues. The question is just if we are willing to accept them and learn from them as we become aware of the errors and issues.
It is one of those things which is often not the case. It is actually very normal for people to have disparate ideas with degrees of contradiction in their thought.
We often think about ideas in isolation and while the contradiction is often not very high in our thought it does exist. Sometimes others might point out the error and it is easy to become defensive.
Often what we need is grace and humility. Humility to admit that we are wrong on things. We cannot grow if we refuse to admit our errors.
Grace on ourselves is also very important. Sometimes we don't want to admit we are wrong because we are too tough on ourselves. We have more judgement against ourselves than God does and so we can't accept our flaws because of the guilt we feel.
It is normal to be wrong in life. Truly great thinkers are great not because they are never wrong but because they have the humility to accept they have made mistakes and grow.
We all have errors and issues. The question is just if we are willing to accept them and learn from them as we become aware of the errors and issues.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Life, Death, and Paradise
"The impression of the decisive contrast between life and death is often still so strong in our life that we have but little eye for the light which Christ's message radiates, and this is true also in regards to the transition from death to life." G. C. Berkouwer
Death is in the secular world the ultimate enemy. You can read of modern computer scientists and others hoping to escape death by in some what surviving or preserving their body to have their psyche uploaded into a computer.
In Christianity of course for those with faith death is merely a gateway to be with Jesus. To the sinner who repented on the cross Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
You see if we see with perfect faith death is not the enemy for the Christian but merely the beginning of a new chapter of peace in the presence of God.
The sadness exists in death of course that our work is done, but it is mixed with joy. It is truly difficult to see the bible's perspective at times as our faith is weak.
But God's grace is always with us. He loved us while we were still his enemies and he knows our frame.
Death is in the secular world the ultimate enemy. You can read of modern computer scientists and others hoping to escape death by in some what surviving or preserving their body to have their psyche uploaded into a computer.
In Christianity of course for those with faith death is merely a gateway to be with Jesus. To the sinner who repented on the cross Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
You see if we see with perfect faith death is not the enemy for the Christian but merely the beginning of a new chapter of peace in the presence of God.
The sadness exists in death of course that our work is done, but it is mixed with joy. It is truly difficult to see the bible's perspective at times as our faith is weak.
But God's grace is always with us. He loved us while we were still his enemies and he knows our frame.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Not Worthy
A lot of people in the world say they are "not worthy" of God's grace or forgiveness. I suppose that is the point. They are not worthy but God wishes to forgive them anyway.
You see God is a God who wishes to forgive. He already knows you are not worthy.
He knows who you are and what you have done and wishes to forgive. You see and meet many people in the bible who do not understand why people are forgiven.
Jonah does not understand why the Ninevehites are forgiven. Why are so many sinners forgiven by Jesus? Surely he should not forgive these terrible people.
You see the point is God forgives who he wishes. And he wishes to forgive all that want forgiveness. He will not turn any away who knock at his door.
There is more grace in God than there is sin in you.
You see God is a God who wishes to forgive. He already knows you are not worthy.
He knows who you are and what you have done and wishes to forgive. You see and meet many people in the bible who do not understand why people are forgiven.
Jonah does not understand why the Ninevehites are forgiven. Why are so many sinners forgiven by Jesus? Surely he should not forgive these terrible people.
You see the point is God forgives who he wishes. And he wishes to forgive all that want forgiveness. He will not turn any away who knock at his door.
There is more grace in God than there is sin in you.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
The Relationship of Justification and Works
Theology has a movement from grace to works. Works are based on grace.
We first meet God in faith through grace and then we can move to works. You see works are a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot start with works before we understand and accept grace. You see it is not humanly possible to please God.
It is the Spirit of God that enables us to grow and begin to keep his commandments. Each day we grow a bit by faith.
It is our union with God through faith that enables us to grow. We become a bit more like God as we walk through the Christian life.
The Spirit enables us to see things as God sees them and start to live as God wishes us to live.
The law of God is burdensome to the natural man because he does not like the will of God. As a man begins to walk with God through faith he begins to see the wisdom of God's ways.
Ultimately he begins to see the law as not just wise but sweet. You see God's law protects human happiness rather than hinder it.
Before man meets God he believes the law hurts or hinders his happiness, but the law actually enables human happiness.
We first meet God in faith through grace and then we can move to works. You see works are a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot start with works before we understand and accept grace. You see it is not humanly possible to please God.
It is the Spirit of God that enables us to grow and begin to keep his commandments. Each day we grow a bit by faith.
It is our union with God through faith that enables us to grow. We become a bit more like God as we walk through the Christian life.
The Spirit enables us to see things as God sees them and start to live as God wishes us to live.
The law of God is burdensome to the natural man because he does not like the will of God. As a man begins to walk with God through faith he begins to see the wisdom of God's ways.
Ultimately he begins to see the law as not just wise but sweet. You see God's law protects human happiness rather than hinder it.
Before man meets God he believes the law hurts or hinders his happiness, but the law actually enables human happiness.
Monday, February 24, 2014
The Radical Nature of Christianity
The church at the current time has lost the radical nature of Christianity. I once spoke to a sincere person who said that he was almost completely sanctified.
I am sure this person’s faith is quite sincere but it is really a loss of the law of God. His will is we are perfect as he is perfect.
If we think we are nearly perfect we are in denial about the nature of man. Paul called himself the chief of sinners. You see modern theologians wish to be clever and turn this into Paul's pre-Christian self.
Let us give them that even though they are wrong. Now we must deal with the teachings of the bible which are very clear such as 1 John 1:8-10:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."
Really it is folly to say we are without sin. You see the need to say we are without sin is also irrelevant. We should desire to live rightly but there is more grace in God than sin in us.
You see the grace of God is infinite and we need simply to rest in grace. Resting in grace enables following the law rather than hindering it.
I recently wrote a post on my older blog on a Christian's value before God: A Christians Value Before God
I am sure this person’s faith is quite sincere but it is really a loss of the law of God. His will is we are perfect as he is perfect.
If we think we are nearly perfect we are in denial about the nature of man. Paul called himself the chief of sinners. You see modern theologians wish to be clever and turn this into Paul's pre-Christian self.
Let us give them that even though they are wrong. Now we must deal with the teachings of the bible which are very clear such as 1 John 1:8-10:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."
Really it is folly to say we are without sin. You see the need to say we are without sin is also irrelevant. We should desire to live rightly but there is more grace in God than sin in us.
You see the grace of God is infinite and we need simply to rest in grace. Resting in grace enables following the law rather than hindering it.
I recently wrote a post on my older blog on a Christian's value before God: A Christians Value Before God
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Irony and Oneself
Man is fallen. The fallen nature of man often deflects the teaching that all mankind is fallen. It as if we think the bible speaks to others and not ourselves.
You see we are fallen. The bible doesn't so much confront others as us individually. It meets each person about their state.
You see if we look at our self and think we are fully rational we deceive ourselves. But we have grace. We rest in grace day by day.
Grace allows us to live with the irony of our lives. Our lives are often a mess and grace tells us it is not where we are but who we trust and where we are going.
You see the bible frees us to follow God. We don't need to pretend we are perfect. God knows we are not.
It is the great folly of men to keep hiding their faults from God as if he does not know. When man ate of the tree in the garden and fell, God confronted man. It was no use for man to hide.
But we often hide. Instead God welcomes us to stop hiding and freely live by grace. Our righteousness is secure in Jesus and this frees us to follow him day by day without needing to fear our standing before God.
You see we are fallen. The bible doesn't so much confront others as us individually. It meets each person about their state.
You see if we look at our self and think we are fully rational we deceive ourselves. But we have grace. We rest in grace day by day.
Grace allows us to live with the irony of our lives. Our lives are often a mess and grace tells us it is not where we are but who we trust and where we are going.
You see the bible frees us to follow God. We don't need to pretend we are perfect. God knows we are not.
It is the great folly of men to keep hiding their faults from God as if he does not know. When man ate of the tree in the garden and fell, God confronted man. It was no use for man to hide.
But we often hide. Instead God welcomes us to stop hiding and freely live by grace. Our righteousness is secure in Jesus and this frees us to follow him day by day without needing to fear our standing before God.
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