I wish that I could say honestly that I am fully obedient to my Lord, at all times in all ways. But the more I know my Lord, the more I see how far away my shortcomings take me - and thus I see ever more the need for what He has done by His suffering, death and resurrection in order to forgive my multitude of sins and to bring me back into a right relationship with Him. And so the more I know Him and understand what He has done for me and for all mankind, the more I love and admire Him and the more I desire to serve Him.
To what extent should we be obedient to Him? We who believe and thus are saved are to become increasingly like Jesus Christ. Since He is God, disobedience to any of what He has commanded is sin. Therefore we ought to be striving to be fully obedient to His words, easy or difficult, for better or for worse.
Obedience should be of utmost importance to us. Jesus Christ died for our sins. Because of His obedience to the Father, we can rejoice in the fact that we have new life in Him. We ought to willingly submit our entire lives to Him. What should happen when obedience to God becomes detrimental to our earthly lives? We must seek to be obedient all the more. There are times when this is a tremendous challenge. But if Jesus Christ commands it, that should be sufficient for us to obey.
What if we are obedient but our ministries are unfruitful? We get frustrated. Without quantitative progress, perhaps resources we need will be diverted to faster growing areas, leaving us in need. Certain fields are considered ministerial "dead zones." But even there -- especially there -- our witness to the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ must remain. As Hesselgrave wrote, "Years of patient preevangelistic endeavor may be the price of responsiveness" to the Gospel. We cannot give up. Even if there were no other reason to continue, Christ commands us to be witnesses. That alone would be enough. It doesn't make obedience easier, but regardless, we still must be obedient. Until His triumphant return, we are to be His witnesses. The sower must plant seeds in drought and in fair weather, for he never knows when the rains will come and when they will be withheld. The sower does not stop planting because the harvest is forecast to be small. Therefore let us have hope and be strengthened, obedient to our Lord and Savior. It may not be easy, but it is a worthy endeavor.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Beautiful Words
Lamentations 3:21-33
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, to put one's mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), to give one's cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.
For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.
There is such beauty and pathos in Lamentations. These verses have been special to me lately as I recognize the certainty and assurance of God's love and His plans, the yearning for what has been promised, the perseverance and looking to God through trials, and the hope that is found in Him. Through big, life-changing events and the day to day insecurities, God is faithful and unchanging. In Him is my hope and my future.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, to put one's mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), to give one's cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.
For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.
There is such beauty and pathos in Lamentations. These verses have been special to me lately as I recognize the certainty and assurance of God's love and His plans, the yearning for what has been promised, the perseverance and looking to God through trials, and the hope that is found in Him. Through big, life-changing events and the day to day insecurities, God is faithful and unchanging. In Him is my hope and my future.
Monday, June 15, 2009
On Maturing
Calling me a mature believer would be a vast overstatement. And I say that being aware that I'm not entirely aware of my faults and shortcomings and struggles. And yet my faith is so much more mature, strong and vibrant than many in the Church. Teaching all that Christ has commanded falls flat in many churches unfortunately. Can the "average Christian" in this age even explain his/her beliefs? Does s/he even know what s/he claims to believe? I'm not arguing that I am any better than others. Instead I see and point out the great chasm that separates the "average Christian", at least in this age and culture, from those who would contend for the faith and teach others and who seek to know and to follow all of Christ's commands. We need to be doing a lot more. Creating multitudes of "infantile" believers is hurting the Church in many ways. False teachers and false prophets draw away people who know no better, and somehow it becomes acceptable doctrine. Do you want a church that is able to be self-sustaining, prepared for growth, teaching truth, evangelizing, baptizing? Equip the members of the body of Christ for the work to which He calls us by the Holy Spirit. What can we do to strengthen and encourage and teach?
Another issue regarding maturity is checking our motivations. Why do you come to church, if you do? Why do you go to a particular church? Is it about Christ? Is it about worship? Is it about a feeling? Is it about the teaching?
Lord, may You build up Your Church and prepare her for Your glorious, triumphant return. May You lead us and teach us; help us to be effective followers and witnesses of Your work. May we be lights in the darkness.
Another issue regarding maturity is checking our motivations. Why do you come to church, if you do? Why do you go to a particular church? Is it about Christ? Is it about worship? Is it about a feeling? Is it about the teaching?
Lord, may You build up Your Church and prepare her for Your glorious, triumphant return. May You lead us and teach us; help us to be effective followers and witnesses of Your work. May we be lights in the darkness.
Short But Profound
The pastor said something in his sermon a week or two ago that struck me. Although I already believed in the concept of "once saved, always saved", his logic on the topic was very simple and made great sense to me. Salvation is only gained by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. If there is nothing that we can do to earn salvation (and there isn't; we're all sinners, and the wage of sin is death), why then would there be any way to lose salvation? We are called as believers to be Christ's witness in this world, and that includes doing good works. But that's something we should be doing, and the Holy Spirit should be working in the lives of believers in this and many other ways. We still sin even though we believe, although we are being sanctified (actively, I would posit, as opposed to passively) by the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of us believers. We still live by grace and thus are able to confidently believe that the work of Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection cannot be lost - otherwise it would be scarcely better than living under the Law alone.
Of course, I do have a question about OSAS. What about apostates? How can we clearly define apostasy? Is the heart of apostasy essentially a renunciation of one's faith (saying to God, "I reject what Christ allegedly has done for me and what He allegedly calls me to do")? If so, it would make sense that apostasy would not fit under the once saved, always saved category because it would be the only real way to undo what you once claimed. Are prodigals once and always saved? The simple answer is that only God truly knows their hearts, if they are questioning or rejecting or if perhaps they never truly believed.
Some might argue that any who commits sin is rebelling against God. By so doing they would claim that the sinner willfully rejects God by rejecting His will. Thus sin (notice how I'm avoiding defining it?) would be sufficient grounds for loss of salvation. That's why it's so important to work at it after we have it. But if sin causes us to fall from a right relationship with God, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ brings atonement of our sins and brings us back into a right relationship. Would we lose and gain our salvation so easily as to sin, repent and believe time and time again? I guess that's how the living by grace comes into play. Nonetheless, I'll stick to the belief that there's only one Way to be saved. If we can't earn it, why would we possibly to able to un-earn it?
Of course, I do have a question about OSAS. What about apostates? How can we clearly define apostasy? Is the heart of apostasy essentially a renunciation of one's faith (saying to God, "I reject what Christ allegedly has done for me and what He allegedly calls me to do")? If so, it would make sense that apostasy would not fit under the once saved, always saved category because it would be the only real way to undo what you once claimed. Are prodigals once and always saved? The simple answer is that only God truly knows their hearts, if they are questioning or rejecting or if perhaps they never truly believed.
Some might argue that any who commits sin is rebelling against God. By so doing they would claim that the sinner willfully rejects God by rejecting His will. Thus sin (notice how I'm avoiding defining it?) would be sufficient grounds for loss of salvation. That's why it's so important to work at it after we have it. But if sin causes us to fall from a right relationship with God, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ brings atonement of our sins and brings us back into a right relationship. Would we lose and gain our salvation so easily as to sin, repent and believe time and time again? I guess that's how the living by grace comes into play. Nonetheless, I'll stick to the belief that there's only one Way to be saved. If we can't earn it, why would we possibly to able to un-earn it?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Epic Fail
The last two days I spent traveling to Michigan to visit a seminary and meet friends at SEND on the way home. The trip was great, learning about the school, finding that there are some ties to this new place for me, getting to know people much better, and safe travels. The rain storm I met on my way into Michigan on Thursday was also my travel buddy back through Ohio on Friday night. The roads got nasty; water laying on the road + trucks kicking up lots of thick mist + night + my car (for which people had been praying that it would get me to Michigan and back safely) = tough driving. I called a friend and asked for prayer for safe driving. An hour later, the fun began.
I was driving on I-80 near Youngstown, Ohio. For whatever reason, I hadn't remembered to get directions back to Indiana. When I saw a road sign for PA 422, I took it without thinking that I should wait to get on it a little later in my trip. It's around 11pm. As I'm following 422 through some towns, my car dies. Thankfully it drifts to a safe spot on the side of the road. The rain is coming down really hard at this point. I call my family and ask their advice. They look up a phone number for a towing company that should be nearby. The tow truck is on its way but can't seem to find me. As I wait near an intersection, a man comes down from the bar a half block up the street. He asks what the problem is and says he'll fix it for twenty bucks - cheaper than a tow truck would be. I'm stuck, I'm waiting for the tow truck, and now there's a guy hounding me for money. I was hoping for a good Samaritan to give it a jump start.
After a while the tow truck driver calls and says he can't find it and he's been up and down the street I said. The guy from the bar gets my car to start. I give him a few bucks (all that's in my wallet) for helping me. But it's not the twenty he wanted, so he stays in my car and says lets go to an ATM. Feeling like I don't have much choice, we go up the road to a gas station. I have to let the car idle while I go in, afraid that it might not start again. As I'm about to go into the gas station grudgingly, the car dies again. I really don't want to pay this guy any more, but I don't think I can get rid of him any other way. The tow truck driver calls back and says that the place I named where it broke down was way out of his area. Apparently I'm not in the town I thought. The guy gets someone to come over and give the car a jump. Thankfully I had jumper cables. After a few minutes it starts. So I get him the twenty dollars he's been after. I hope that he doesn't drive off before I return. I give him the money and we part ways. Somehow my car makes it the rest of the way back home.
About a minute down the road I realize what just happened. Why did I take that detour? Why did my car die? Why did he come down? I read less than a day earlier about the paralytic in Acts. The apostles didn't have money to offer but they shared the gospel - the greatest gift of all time. I met that man to share Jesus Christ with him, but I didn't do it. In my time of stress and trial, it crossed my mind once, briefly, and I didn't act on it. I confess, I repent, but what if that man never again has a chance to hear the Gospel?
Lord, merciful and gracious beyond our understanding, help us to be Your lights in this world. May You find a way to reach every man, woman and child with Your message, that none who would turn to You for salvation remain without a witness.
I was driving on I-80 near Youngstown, Ohio. For whatever reason, I hadn't remembered to get directions back to Indiana. When I saw a road sign for PA 422, I took it without thinking that I should wait to get on it a little later in my trip. It's around 11pm. As I'm following 422 through some towns, my car dies. Thankfully it drifts to a safe spot on the side of the road. The rain is coming down really hard at this point. I call my family and ask their advice. They look up a phone number for a towing company that should be nearby. The tow truck is on its way but can't seem to find me. As I wait near an intersection, a man comes down from the bar a half block up the street. He asks what the problem is and says he'll fix it for twenty bucks - cheaper than a tow truck would be. I'm stuck, I'm waiting for the tow truck, and now there's a guy hounding me for money. I was hoping for a good Samaritan to give it a jump start.
After a while the tow truck driver calls and says he can't find it and he's been up and down the street I said. The guy from the bar gets my car to start. I give him a few bucks (all that's in my wallet) for helping me. But it's not the twenty he wanted, so he stays in my car and says lets go to an ATM. Feeling like I don't have much choice, we go up the road to a gas station. I have to let the car idle while I go in, afraid that it might not start again. As I'm about to go into the gas station grudgingly, the car dies again. I really don't want to pay this guy any more, but I don't think I can get rid of him any other way. The tow truck driver calls back and says that the place I named where it broke down was way out of his area. Apparently I'm not in the town I thought. The guy gets someone to come over and give the car a jump. Thankfully I had jumper cables. After a few minutes it starts. So I get him the twenty dollars he's been after. I hope that he doesn't drive off before I return. I give him the money and we part ways. Somehow my car makes it the rest of the way back home.
About a minute down the road I realize what just happened. Why did I take that detour? Why did my car die? Why did he come down? I read less than a day earlier about the paralytic in Acts. The apostles didn't have money to offer but they shared the gospel - the greatest gift of all time. I met that man to share Jesus Christ with him, but I didn't do it. In my time of stress and trial, it crossed my mind once, briefly, and I didn't act on it. I confess, I repent, but what if that man never again has a chance to hear the Gospel?
Lord, merciful and gracious beyond our understanding, help us to be Your lights in this world. May You find a way to reach every man, woman and child with Your message, that none who would turn to You for salvation remain without a witness.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A View of the Puzzle
I think I understand how parts of my calling might fit together. It's sketchy at best, but I'd like to at least write it down somewhere. In no particular order, here are some topics about which I'm passionate with regards to the church: evangelism, holiness, discipleship, contending for the faith, meaningful outreach (as opposed to social justice as an end in itself), missions in various forms, and cultural Christianity. What might I do with any or all of it? A whole lot of things, to be overly general. I've considered working in foreign missions, young adult ministries, pastoral ministries (though not any time soon from what I can tell), camping/outdoor ministries and various evangelical Christian organizations.
I think my field might be working with cultural Christians. Some people would argue that there are more urgent mission fields to tackle - those with little or no Christian witness whatsoever. Who should bother preaching to the burnt-over areas when so many have never heard the Gospel for the first time? There is a problem in that assumption, though. Many people claim to be Christians because it is the culture in which they live. Saying you're a Christian doesn't mean that you've ever experienced the risen Christ in your life. Christ explains in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Calling yourself a Christian isn't sufficient. There are so many people who call themselves Christians but do not know Christ. Going to church isn't going to save you. Doing good works isn't going to save you. Believing in Jesus Christ, in what He's done, placing your faith in Him for salvation and professing Him as Lord and Savior - in Christ alone is salvation. Sadly, even going to church for years does not necessarily mean that you will hear the gospel message or know how to respond if it is presented. The Lord desires our hearts and our lives as a living sacrifice, not ritual or religiosity or legalism. How many cultural Christians have never heard of a difference between religiosity and a personal relationship with our Creator and Redeemer? Certainly there are effective, thriving churches regardless of their denomination. Orthodox, liturgical, charismatic and emergent churches all have hidden unbelievers. Are you just a Sunday morning Christian, then your duty for the week is done? There is so much more than that, if you are willing to take a step of faith and seek the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength. Maybe I'll get to be a revival preacher; maybe I'll get to be a light where the light has all but gone out. I don't know how it will work out, but it seems like I have a little more direction for now. I trust in the Lord my God, and it's sure to be an adventure. If you have never put your faith in Christ, I pray that you take that step and find some solid believers to help you learn and grow. To Him be the glory forever!
I think my field might be working with cultural Christians. Some people would argue that there are more urgent mission fields to tackle - those with little or no Christian witness whatsoever. Who should bother preaching to the burnt-over areas when so many have never heard the Gospel for the first time? There is a problem in that assumption, though. Many people claim to be Christians because it is the culture in which they live. Saying you're a Christian doesn't mean that you've ever experienced the risen Christ in your life. Christ explains in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Calling yourself a Christian isn't sufficient. There are so many people who call themselves Christians but do not know Christ. Going to church isn't going to save you. Doing good works isn't going to save you. Believing in Jesus Christ, in what He's done, placing your faith in Him for salvation and professing Him as Lord and Savior - in Christ alone is salvation. Sadly, even going to church for years does not necessarily mean that you will hear the gospel message or know how to respond if it is presented. The Lord desires our hearts and our lives as a living sacrifice, not ritual or religiosity or legalism. How many cultural Christians have never heard of a difference between religiosity and a personal relationship with our Creator and Redeemer? Certainly there are effective, thriving churches regardless of their denomination. Orthodox, liturgical, charismatic and emergent churches all have hidden unbelievers. Are you just a Sunday morning Christian, then your duty for the week is done? There is so much more than that, if you are willing to take a step of faith and seek the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength. Maybe I'll get to be a revival preacher; maybe I'll get to be a light where the light has all but gone out. I don't know how it will work out, but it seems like I have a little more direction for now. I trust in the Lord my God, and it's sure to be an adventure. If you have never put your faith in Christ, I pray that you take that step and find some solid believers to help you learn and grow. To Him be the glory forever!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Missional
There's something about the term "missional" that seems to make me shudder each time I hear it. Ideologically, a missional lifestyle sounds great to me. I believe that the Great Commission is a call that applies to all believers regardless of class, vocation, gender, age or position. The pastor, the teacher, the missionary, the lawyer, the mechanic, the student, the waitress - whoever you are, whatever you are doing, wherever you are - as a member of the body of Christ, you are called to help fulfill the Great Commission. Step out in faith and make connections with others. If someone hadn't said and done things in your life, how would you have heard? You can go and do likewise. Share Christ's love with others. Live in light of the truth of the Gospel - you were bought for a price and are no longer your own; Christ died and rose again for you and for all humanity. Make the most of every opportunity that you are given to glorify the Lord. Every part of your life has the potential to be God-honoring.
Faith cannot and should not be your own and nothing more. What does the life of a "Sunday morning Christian" show to the world? It shows that the believer, if indeed the person has truly been saved, is a lazy and greedy servant. He or she refuses to give to the Lord what Christ already bought with His blood. It is by living out our entire lives as a testimony to our Lord and Redeemer that He is glorified. Yes, sin will be apparent at points in our lives, but Christ is the focus. Sin can even be a powerful part of our testimonies because of how Christ takes our brokenness, our ugly "real person" traits, and changes us. It's not about integrating the lingo into your vernacular - everyone and everything is so "blessed" or needs or involves "mercies" or "grace." Just live for your Lord with every part of your being, every moment. If that sounds unpleasant to you, it's time to evaluate who you are and what you claim to believe. If work time is being compartmentalized and separated from your identity in Christ, it's time to make a decision about who you are in light of Christ. There are no time-outs for sin sprees. He calls us to be willing to give up all that we have to be with Him - are we up for the challenge?
An interesting website that provides an overview of missional churches and missional living is Friend of Missional. As I understand it, missional ideology has a lot to do with non-institutionalized Christian living with a focus on reaching out to everyone everywhere and fulfilling the missio dei. Splendid. But be sure to keep it Christian. There is so much "borrowed" from other religions that should have no part in the Christian life or practice. For example, why would Christians practice yoga? We must not draw people in with pseudo-Christianity. Living missionally can be done and can be effective. As believers, wherever you are and whatever you do - be salt and light in this lost and dying world.
Faith cannot and should not be your own and nothing more. What does the life of a "Sunday morning Christian" show to the world? It shows that the believer, if indeed the person has truly been saved, is a lazy and greedy servant. He or she refuses to give to the Lord what Christ already bought with His blood. It is by living out our entire lives as a testimony to our Lord and Redeemer that He is glorified. Yes, sin will be apparent at points in our lives, but Christ is the focus. Sin can even be a powerful part of our testimonies because of how Christ takes our brokenness, our ugly "real person" traits, and changes us. It's not about integrating the lingo into your vernacular - everyone and everything is so "blessed" or needs or involves "mercies" or "grace." Just live for your Lord with every part of your being, every moment. If that sounds unpleasant to you, it's time to evaluate who you are and what you claim to believe. If work time is being compartmentalized and separated from your identity in Christ, it's time to make a decision about who you are in light of Christ. There are no time-outs for sin sprees. He calls us to be willing to give up all that we have to be with Him - are we up for the challenge?
An interesting website that provides an overview of missional churches and missional living is Friend of Missional. As I understand it, missional ideology has a lot to do with non-institutionalized Christian living with a focus on reaching out to everyone everywhere and fulfilling the missio dei. Splendid. But be sure to keep it Christian. There is so much "borrowed" from other religions that should have no part in the Christian life or practice. For example, why would Christians practice yoga? We must not draw people in with pseudo-Christianity. Living missionally can be done and can be effective. As believers, wherever you are and whatever you do - be salt and light in this lost and dying world.
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