We all have "secret sins," bad things we've done or do that we don't want others to know about. But some of our secret sins are secret because we don't recognize them in ourselves. In Luke 18, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. You know ... two men walk into the Temple (sounds like the beginning of a Jewish bad joke). The Pharisee says, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men ..." (Luke 18:11-12), but the tax collector simply prays, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). We'd call it the sin of self-righteousness, and we'd recognize it in a Pharisee ... but do we see it in ourselves?
In the basics of the Christian faith, we have the premise that all are sinners (Rom 3:23). Check. We know that we have no righteousness in ourselves (Rom 3:10). Check. We know that the only claim to righteousness we have is the applied righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). Check. So, by definition, a Christian can't be self-righteous because we already claim that we have no righteousness in ourselves and the only righteousness we have is given, not earned. So, how could we suffer from self-righteousness? Well, because we're human. And we think, while consciously agreeing we have no righteousness of our own, that unconsciously we're certainly not as bad as that guy. We know the truth; he doesn't. We're working at being Christlike; he isn't. We don't indulge in homosexual behavior or adultery or whatever evils he is, thank you, God. It's in the attitude. We're better because we found the truth and he hasn't. So we wind up in a dilemma. We claim we have no righteousness of our own. We might even think exactly like that Pharisee: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men." That is, "It is God who has gotten me here." That's a good line of thinking. The problem comes when we think we are keeping it that way, that we are superior, when it's only the indwelling Spirit of Christ that keeps us. It's a sin ... the sin of self-righteousness.
We do have righteousness not our own. We do have the Spirit at work in us. We do need to acknowledge that. And there is sin that is out there. We do need to acknowledge that. But Paul said when we measure ourselves by one another and compare ourselves with one another, we are without understanding (2 Cor 10:12). We don't serve the truth by ignoring sin in others. But we don't serve the truth by ignoring sin in ourselves. Our righteousness is not measured in comparison to any other; it is Christ's perfect righteousness in comparison to God's perfect standard. So we need to recognize our own tendency to self-righteousness in the face of knowing better while we urge others to come to the source of our righteousness ... which is not ourselves. It's a difficult balancing act, but a necessary one.
Friday, January 17, 2025
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Who Am I?
Casting Crowns asks,
We were created uniquely in the image of God (Gen 1:27). That made us special. But we fell (Gen 3:1-7). We fell hard (Rom 1:18-32). We fell fatally (Gen 2:16-17). We fell ... eternally (Rom 3:23). Why eternally? Because sin, according to Scripture, is falling short of the glory of God, an eternal infraction, an eternal death sentence. We think we're basically good. We think we're not so bad. God says, "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one" (Rom 3:10-12). Not ... even ... one.
Natural Man falls in the category of "men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" (Rom 1:18) ... the ones who are under the wrath of God. Only when we are convicted by the Spirit do we arrive at "Who am I?" Only when we see the wrath we deserve can we appreciate the mercy He provides. As long as we defend ourselves as basically "not guilty," we will fail to see the magnitude of His grace, the vastness of His mercy, and the amazingly good news that God sent His only Son to die for us.
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earthDavid asked a similar question.
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt?"
Who am I, O YHWH God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? (1 Chron 17:16)I suspect most people would have an answer. "I'm somebody." "I deserve a break today." "I'm smart and funny and, doggone it, people like me." "I am, after all, basically good." So what's with David ... or Casting Crowns? They, unlike so many today, understand reality.
We were created uniquely in the image of God (Gen 1:27). That made us special. But we fell (Gen 3:1-7). We fell hard (Rom 1:18-32). We fell fatally (Gen 2:16-17). We fell ... eternally (Rom 3:23). Why eternally? Because sin, according to Scripture, is falling short of the glory of God, an eternal infraction, an eternal death sentence. We think we're basically good. We think we're not so bad. God says, "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one" (Rom 3:10-12). Not ... even ... one.
Natural Man falls in the category of "men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" (Rom 1:18) ... the ones who are under the wrath of God. Only when we are convicted by the Spirit do we arrive at "Who am I?" Only when we see the wrath we deserve can we appreciate the mercy He provides. As long as we defend ourselves as basically "not guilty," we will fail to see the magnitude of His grace, the vastness of His mercy, and the amazingly good news that God sent His only Son to die for us.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Much More Better
We sang songs in church this week about peace. The standard message: God is with us to support us when we suffer. And it's true. I don't mean to take anything away from that. But ... I think it's incomplete. I think it's so much better than that.
We like those songs about how God is with us in hard times. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5) is a wonderful reality when we're going through pain or stress. So, we hunker down, metaphorically wrapped in the arms of God, and wait it out. But ... that's not the biblical image. Paul says, "We rejoice in our sufferings" (Rom 5:3-5). James says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2-4) When Joseph faced his brothers for their treachery, he said, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20).And of course, "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28-30). God isn't offering tolerable. He's offering profitable.
We can relax in the arms of our Savior when times get tough ... and they will. But we shouldn't just survive; we should thrive. He intends it for good. We can rejoice. So much better than merely "get by."
We like those songs about how God is with us in hard times. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5) is a wonderful reality when we're going through pain or stress. So, we hunker down, metaphorically wrapped in the arms of God, and wait it out. But ... that's not the biblical image. Paul says, "We rejoice in our sufferings" (Rom 5:3-5). James says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2-4) When Joseph faced his brothers for their treachery, he said, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20).And of course, "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28-30). God isn't offering tolerable. He's offering profitable.
We can relax in the arms of our Savior when times get tough ... and they will. But we shouldn't just survive; we should thrive. He intends it for good. We can rejoice. So much better than merely "get by."
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Good News
The fires in Los Angeles (or so) have reminded me ... of the gospel. Well, indirectly. Paul introduces the gospel as "the power of God for salvation" and a revelation of the righteousness of God (Rom 1:16-17). The gospel ... good news ... as a revelation of God's righteousness begins with some very, very bad news. We're all sinners, under God's wrath (Rom 1:18) ... without excuse (Rom 1:20). This diatribe against Man continues through another chapter and into the 3rd. No one is exempt (Rom 2:1). "None is righteous, no, not one" (Rom 3:10). "No one is good, not even one" (Rom 3:12). "By works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight" (Rom 3:20). Really bleak. And related to the gospel, to the good news, to the righteousness of God?
How is this related to the good news? How is this a display of God's righteousness, His rightness? Well, it's an interesting thing. Good news is only good if it is contrasted. Let me illustrate with the fires. Let's say you owned a house in that area and you went away for a two week vacation in some remote cabin. You had a friend take you to the airport and watch your house and pick you up when you returned. He greets you at the airport and says, "Good news! Your house is still standing!" Good news ... right. Like ... why wouldn't it be? I mean, sure, my house is still standing, but I expected it to be. "No," he says, "you don't understand. While you were gone, a fire raged through the area. Every house was burned to the ground ... but your house is still standing." Do you sense the shift? Do you feel how that news ... although the content is the same ... is better good news than "Your house is still standing"?
Paul paints a bleak picture of the plight of sinful Man, justly facing God's wrath, as part of both God's righteousness and the gospel. It's such good news because of the horrible condition we've achieved. "You can have peace with God" is all well and good if you think you deserve it, but what if you don't (Rom 5:1)? "You can be saved by faith" is fine if you've earned it anyway, but what if you can't (Rom 3:20)? "God will withhold no good thing" (Rom 8:32) takes on new meaning when we know He owes us ... judgment, not grace and mercy. By telling us the worst possible news, the magnificence of the gospel becomes truly great news ... and the righteousness of God becomes huge.
How is this related to the good news? How is this a display of God's righteousness, His rightness? Well, it's an interesting thing. Good news is only good if it is contrasted. Let me illustrate with the fires. Let's say you owned a house in that area and you went away for a two week vacation in some remote cabin. You had a friend take you to the airport and watch your house and pick you up when you returned. He greets you at the airport and says, "Good news! Your house is still standing!" Good news ... right. Like ... why wouldn't it be? I mean, sure, my house is still standing, but I expected it to be. "No," he says, "you don't understand. While you were gone, a fire raged through the area. Every house was burned to the ground ... but your house is still standing." Do you sense the shift? Do you feel how that news ... although the content is the same ... is better good news than "Your house is still standing"?
Paul paints a bleak picture of the plight of sinful Man, justly facing God's wrath, as part of both God's righteousness and the gospel. It's such good news because of the horrible condition we've achieved. "You can have peace with God" is all well and good if you think you deserve it, but what if you don't (Rom 5:1)? "You can be saved by faith" is fine if you've earned it anyway, but what if you can't (Rom 3:20)? "God will withhold no good thing" (Rom 8:32) takes on new meaning when we know He owes us ... judgment, not grace and mercy. By telling us the worst possible news, the magnificence of the gospel becomes truly great news ... and the righteousness of God becomes huge.
Monday, January 13, 2025
What For?
Paul wrote his epistle to Rome before he ever got there. He wrote it to tell them the gospel. He says,
We tend to read Scripture in verses. Well, of course we do; it's put together that way. But we should be reading it in context. I noticed the other day that a chapter in Acts ends with "And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:" (Acts 21:40). That's no way to end a chapter. And if we're reading verse by verse, we stop before the thought is finished. Romans is a theologically dense letter, and if we're not careful, we might miss key components if we don't consider the context. Many of us can quote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Rom 1:16) without even noticing the first word is "for" and requires the previous context (and the following) to make sense of it. We shouldn't settle for "Christianity Lite." We ought to devour the Word and get all we can out of it.
I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. (Rom 1:14-15)The next verse begins with the word, "for." And the next verse. And the next verse. All the way to verse 21. Now, these "for" statements are building blocks. Starting with "I am eager to preach the gospel to you," Paul gives reasons. Why is he eager to preach the gospel? "For I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Rom 1:16a). And why is he not ashamed of the gospel? "For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16b). Do you see the sequence, the line of thinking? The gospel is the power of God for salvation. Therefore, he is not ashamed of it. Therefore, He is eager to preach the gospel. It's a cause-and-effect sequence. But there's more. How is the gospel the power of God for salvation? "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith'" (Rom 1:17). The reason the gospel is the power of God for salvation is that it reveals the righteousness of God and justification by faith. And why does it reveal the righteousness of God? Because God's wrath is revealed against our sin (Rom 1:18). Why is He angry? Because what can be known about God is plain (Rom 1:19). And how is it made plain? Because nature reveals His attributes so they are without excuse (back to "Why is God angry?") (Rom 1:20). Paul has laid out a very detailed statement here about cause and effect. The central point is the gospel. The gospel is God's power for salvation because it reveals God's righteousness. God's righteousness -- His "rightness" -- is revealed because He is angry at sin. The sin He is angry with is our refusal to honor Him -- the bad news.
We tend to read Scripture in verses. Well, of course we do; it's put together that way. But we should be reading it in context. I noticed the other day that a chapter in Acts ends with "And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:" (Acts 21:40). That's no way to end a chapter. And if we're reading verse by verse, we stop before the thought is finished. Romans is a theologically dense letter, and if we're not careful, we might miss key components if we don't consider the context. Many of us can quote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Rom 1:16) without even noticing the first word is "for" and requires the previous context (and the following) to make sense of it. We shouldn't settle for "Christianity Lite." We ought to devour the Word and get all we can out of it.
Sunday, January 12, 2025
More than Enough
Spouses cheat on spouses for a variety of reasons, but, underlying them is one, single fact. They believe that they are not getting what they want or need. They believe, to some degree or another, that they don't have enough, and they need to get it elsewhere.
In Ezekiel, God takes Israel to task for "her abominations" (Ezek 16:2). He calls her an "Adulterous wife, who receives strangers instead of her husband!" (Ezek 16:32). Okay, now, what's that all about, God? How is Israel like an adulterous wife? God talks about all He gave her (Ezek 16:3-14), but instead of being satisfied, they "played the whore" (Ezek 16:15), took what God gave them, and gave it to other nations. Their "whoring" with Egypt and Assyria and other gods ... made them an "adulterous wife."
Adultery is "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not his or her spouse" in its narrowest sense, but in a more general sense, it is giving to someone who is not their spouse that which belongs only to their spouse. And the cause is dissatisfaction. "I am not getting what I want. I want more." When we give ourselves to anything that is not God, we are adulterous. When we seek pleasure and delight from sources other than our Lord, we are adulterous. When we look to anyone or anything else to satisfy, we mimic adulterous Israel. When will we discover that He is far more than enough?
In Ezekiel, God takes Israel to task for "her abominations" (Ezek 16:2). He calls her an "Adulterous wife, who receives strangers instead of her husband!" (Ezek 16:32). Okay, now, what's that all about, God? How is Israel like an adulterous wife? God talks about all He gave her (Ezek 16:3-14), but instead of being satisfied, they "played the whore" (Ezek 16:15), took what God gave them, and gave it to other nations. Their "whoring" with Egypt and Assyria and other gods ... made them an "adulterous wife."
Adultery is "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not his or her spouse" in its narrowest sense, but in a more general sense, it is giving to someone who is not their spouse that which belongs only to their spouse. And the cause is dissatisfaction. "I am not getting what I want. I want more." When we give ourselves to anything that is not God, we are adulterous. When we seek pleasure and delight from sources other than our Lord, we are adulterous. When we look to anyone or anything else to satisfy, we mimic adulterous Israel. When will we discover that He is far more than enough?
Saturday, January 11, 2025
News Weakly - 1/11/2025
They're Still At It
Trump was sentenced for his "hush money" conviction ... which, of course, is nonsense. The sentence was ... nothing, which, I suppose, was the punishment befitting the crime. The prosecution claimed he wanted to keep voters in the dark about his alleged sex with Stormy Daniels, but the charges were around improper paperwork. He's a "convicted felon" in New York for "falsification of business records" ... which only goes to show that this was another case of weaponizing the justice system to get at a political opponent ... like scheduling his sentencing just before his inauguration. What will remain is not "falsification of business records" (ho-hum), but "sex scandal" and "hush money" and "attempting to fool the voters" ... all without a trial. Because, of course, all candidates try to keep bad publicity out of the voters' hands, adultery is immoral but not illegal, and making payments for silence is not illegal. Violating an NDA (as Stormy Daniels admits to doing) should have consequences, but, apparently, not for anti-Trump accusers. (And I'm not even a Trump fan.)
Never Forget
Biden urged Americans not to forget the January 6th attack on the Capitol. And we shouldn't ... except most Americans already have. We've forgotten that there was no insurrection; they sought to stop the certification of the vote. We've forgotten that four protesters were killed, including an unarmed, female Air Force veteran shot by a Capitol police officer. (One officer died in the riot, but not of injuries ... of a heart attack.) We've forgotten that, while there was no evidence for "widespread election fraud," there was reason to question small pockets in strategic states that could easily have turned the election with a minimal amount of fraud. The evidence was dismissed out of hand ... and forgotten. No, never forget, but be sure it's the truth you remember and not the years of lies offered by the media and the government.
Not for Prime Time
Prime Minister Trudeau ... is resigning? I guess I don't understand Canadian politics, but apparently he's facing "rising discontent" and he's insistent that his political party remain in control ... in the face of "rising discontent." Nope ... not getting it.
That Cold Day
The northeast took a real blast of cold this week. Broad swaths encountered serious cold. The nation's capital was hit with a rare snowstorm on the day Trump's win was confirmed. Would that be the proverbial "cold day in ..." well, you know?
With a Twist
After Biden broadcast the traditional clemency notices to inmates (like outgoing presidents typically do), a surprise emerged. Two federal death row inmates refused to sign the paperwork. They didn't want commutation. It may be moot. Legal precedence doesn't require their signatures. But they both claim their innocence and want exoneration, not clemency. Now, "pardon" and "clemency" are not the same, but is it just for these two to be put to death ... after being given clemency? I wonder.
Your Trusted Source for Fake News
California Governor Newsom has announced a plan to make fire illegal and assured wildfire victims he is diverting millions of dollars to fund emergency DEI initiatives. Trump has announced his plan to rename the Moon "Space America." Finally, thanks to Canada's liberal euthanasia laws, Trudeau will be humanely executed since he has exceeded his usefulness.
Must be true; I read it on the Internet.
Trump was sentenced for his "hush money" conviction ... which, of course, is nonsense. The sentence was ... nothing, which, I suppose, was the punishment befitting the crime. The prosecution claimed he wanted to keep voters in the dark about his alleged sex with Stormy Daniels, but the charges were around improper paperwork. He's a "convicted felon" in New York for "falsification of business records" ... which only goes to show that this was another case of weaponizing the justice system to get at a political opponent ... like scheduling his sentencing just before his inauguration. What will remain is not "falsification of business records" (ho-hum), but "sex scandal" and "hush money" and "attempting to fool the voters" ... all without a trial. Because, of course, all candidates try to keep bad publicity out of the voters' hands, adultery is immoral but not illegal, and making payments for silence is not illegal. Violating an NDA (as Stormy Daniels admits to doing) should have consequences, but, apparently, not for anti-Trump accusers. (And I'm not even a Trump fan.)
Never Forget
Biden urged Americans not to forget the January 6th attack on the Capitol. And we shouldn't ... except most Americans already have. We've forgotten that there was no insurrection; they sought to stop the certification of the vote. We've forgotten that four protesters were killed, including an unarmed, female Air Force veteran shot by a Capitol police officer. (One officer died in the riot, but not of injuries ... of a heart attack.) We've forgotten that, while there was no evidence for "widespread election fraud," there was reason to question small pockets in strategic states that could easily have turned the election with a minimal amount of fraud. The evidence was dismissed out of hand ... and forgotten. No, never forget, but be sure it's the truth you remember and not the years of lies offered by the media and the government.
Not for Prime Time
Prime Minister Trudeau ... is resigning? I guess I don't understand Canadian politics, but apparently he's facing "rising discontent" and he's insistent that his political party remain in control ... in the face of "rising discontent." Nope ... not getting it.
That Cold Day
The northeast took a real blast of cold this week. Broad swaths encountered serious cold. The nation's capital was hit with a rare snowstorm on the day Trump's win was confirmed. Would that be the proverbial "cold day in ..." well, you know?
With a Twist
After Biden broadcast the traditional clemency notices to inmates (like outgoing presidents typically do), a surprise emerged. Two federal death row inmates refused to sign the paperwork. They didn't want commutation. It may be moot. Legal precedence doesn't require their signatures. But they both claim their innocence and want exoneration, not clemency. Now, "pardon" and "clemency" are not the same, but is it just for these two to be put to death ... after being given clemency? I wonder.
Your Trusted Source for Fake News
California Governor Newsom has announced a plan to make fire illegal and assured wildfire victims he is diverting millions of dollars to fund emergency DEI initiatives. Trump has announced his plan to rename the Moon "Space America." Finally, thanks to Canada's liberal euthanasia laws, Trudeau will be humanely executed since he has exceeded his usefulness.
Must be true; I read it on the Internet.
Friday, January 10, 2025
Who Are You Going to Believe?
We got a notice the other day of friends in southern California who were being evacuated for that huge fire. The coverage was incredible, with home after home aflame and no firefighters present. The winds were too high and it was an uncontrollable inferno. I saw one interview where a woman watched her home burn on the news coverage. "Yes, that's my house!" And I think of our "fires." Do we "count it all joy" or do we assume the worst?
Paul wrote,
Life can be difficult. We have a quaint little saying: "Into each life some rain must fall." That doesn't quite cover it, does it? But we get it. Bad things happen. Everyone, at some point, experiences tragedy. We who are believers have to ask ourselves, "Who are you going to believe? Your eyes, or God?" The answer will have a major impact on our response.
Paul wrote,
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:31-32)Looking at flames burning down a house, do we believe that? Watching a child die, a loved one perish, do we believe that? When a job is lost, do we believe that? When our kids are in peril, do we believe that? We have, in front of our eyes, evidence that God is withholding good things. And we have this sure confidence that He will not withhold any good thing. Who are we going to believe -- our eyes, or Him?
Life can be difficult. We have a quaint little saying: "Into each life some rain must fall." That doesn't quite cover it, does it? But we get it. Bad things happen. Everyone, at some point, experiences tragedy. We who are believers have to ask ourselves, "Who are you going to believe? Your eyes, or God?" The answer will have a major impact on our response.
Thursday, January 09, 2025
Profitable
In the Book of Acts, Paul is returning to Jerusalem after his 3rd missionary journey. On his way, he stops to talk with the elders of the church that he established at Ephesus. In that address, he says a lot of good things, but this caught my eye.
We live in a country that, technically, has a freedom of religion. Guaranteed. But ... we know that's not quite true. Especially in our times. We know there are things we're not supposed to say. We're definitely not supposed to point to Scriptures that suggest submission, especially of wives to husbands, but submission in general, or any kind of patriarchal hierarchy (e.g., 1 Cor 11:3). We're not supposed to point to Scriptures about sexual immorality and, specifically, the sin of homosexual behavior. We're not supposed to point out that sex and gender are God's work, not ours (Gen 1:27). We are not supposed to make anyone feel uncomfortable or guilty. We're not supposed to call for a change of heart or repentance. There are just some things -- critical things in the Christian message and faith -- that we're not supposed to believe, let alone state out loud.
Paul said he did not shrink from declaring the truth. That is, there was reason in Paul's day to fear stating the truth. But he did not shrink from it. Instead, he told them "anything that was profitable" and did it publicly, starting with the Gospel, which he knew was an offense (1 Cor 1:18) only removed by being silent (Gal 5:11). He wouldn't be silent. Paul would preach everything, publicly, that was profitable to them. Boldly. And, eventually, fatally. Because, he said, "I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). Are we?
And when they came to him, he said to them: "You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:18-21)It's an interesting portrait of an Apostle, of a messenger chosen and sent by God. He describes his ministry as humble and tearful and trying. The part that really caught my attention was that phrase, "I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house ..."
We live in a country that, technically, has a freedom of religion. Guaranteed. But ... we know that's not quite true. Especially in our times. We know there are things we're not supposed to say. We're definitely not supposed to point to Scriptures that suggest submission, especially of wives to husbands, but submission in general, or any kind of patriarchal hierarchy (e.g., 1 Cor 11:3). We're not supposed to point to Scriptures about sexual immorality and, specifically, the sin of homosexual behavior. We're not supposed to point out that sex and gender are God's work, not ours (Gen 1:27). We are not supposed to make anyone feel uncomfortable or guilty. We're not supposed to call for a change of heart or repentance. There are just some things -- critical things in the Christian message and faith -- that we're not supposed to believe, let alone state out loud.
Paul said he did not shrink from declaring the truth. That is, there was reason in Paul's day to fear stating the truth. But he did not shrink from it. Instead, he told them "anything that was profitable" and did it publicly, starting with the Gospel, which he knew was an offense (1 Cor 1:18) only removed by being silent (Gal 5:11). He wouldn't be silent. Paul would preach everything, publicly, that was profitable to them. Boldly. And, eventually, fatally. Because, he said, "I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). Are we?
Wednesday, January 08, 2025
The Forgotten Command
There are lots of commands in Scripture for believers to observe. Stand firm, die to self, avoid sexual immorality ... on and on. But there is one that is, somewhat, surprising. It is ... wait. Be still. Now that's a little odd, isn't it?
Isaiah wrote,
It's easy to get caught up in this frenetic world, with all its pressures and wild aims. God says "Be still." God says, "Wait." God says, "I'm the One in charge. I'm the one who does the right thing. I'm the one who will accomplish it. Wait. Wait patiently. Wait hopefully. Because I am God." And in that we can find rest, peace, new strength.
Isaiah wrote,
Those who wait for YHWH will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (Isa 40:31)"Wait," huh? The Hebrew word is interesting. It means to wait, but it includes the notion of waiting hopefully, waiting eagerly, waiting expectantly. It is translated in multiple places as "hope." So it's not a "twiddling my thumbs" waiting. It is eager anticipation ... of God. Psalm 37:7 says, "Be still before YHWH and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 46:10 famously tells us, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psa 46:10).It is a reminder that "YHWH of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psa 46:11).
It's easy to get caught up in this frenetic world, with all its pressures and wild aims. God says "Be still." God says, "Wait." God says, "I'm the One in charge. I'm the one who does the right thing. I'm the one who will accomplish it. Wait. Wait patiently. Wait hopefully. Because I am God." And in that we can find rest, peace, new strength.
Tuesday, January 07, 2025
Delight
Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7). That's an extravagant promise, isn't it? Yes ... and no. Think about it. If you abide in Christ ... if your dwelling place is in Christ ... and His words dwell in you, ask whatever you wish and He'll supply it. Why? Because you're asking for what He wants you to have. John wrote something similar. "This is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. 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). Again, very broad-sounding, but perfectly sensible. If we ask Him for what He wants, He'll always give it.
I was mulling this over recently and found it elsewhere, too. Surprisingly, it was in the Old Testament.
There are lots of books written on the importance and secrets of prayer. I think this one is perhaps neglected and certainly not practiced as much as it ought to be. We need to turn our hearts to Christ. We need to find our greatest delight in God. We need to make Jesus our greatest treasure (Matt 6:21). We need to turn aside from all our worldly desires and find our greatest joy in God's desires. How? By dwelling in Christ. By immersing ourselves in His Word. By seeking what He wants and asking for it. I think it's a critical secret to a powerful prayer life ... and an abundant life.
I was mulling this over recently and found it elsewhere, too. Surprisingly, it was in the Old Testament.
Delight yourself in YHWH, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psa 37:4)What a statement! "He will give you the desires of your heart." That means that I can wish for ... money and fame and power and ... and, of course, you see right away how off this line of thinking is because of the premise. If my delight is in the Lord, what will my desires be? They will be those things that please the Lord. They will be those things that honor and glorify God. If my greatest delight is in God, my deepest desires will be for God's best interests. And, of course, He's more than happy to give me those desires.
There are lots of books written on the importance and secrets of prayer. I think this one is perhaps neglected and certainly not practiced as much as it ought to be. We need to turn our hearts to Christ. We need to find our greatest delight in God. We need to make Jesus our greatest treasure (Matt 6:21). We need to turn aside from all our worldly desires and find our greatest joy in God's desires. How? By dwelling in Christ. By immersing ourselves in His Word. By seeking what He wants and asking for it. I think it's a critical secret to a powerful prayer life ... and an abundant life.
Monday, January 06, 2025
Jesus Hates Divorce
On the question of divorce and the Bible, there is perhaps one best-known text to which most people harken -- the so-called "exception clause." In Matthew, we have an account of the Pharisees asking Jesus, "Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?" (Matt 19:3). What a question! "Is there any cause in which it is lawful to divorce one's wife?" In His time, the Jews had a range of beliefs. One group (the school of Hillel) said a man could divorce his wife for any offense at all. She burned the toast? Out! (I exaggerate, but you get the idea.) Another group (the school of Shammai) said divorce was only allowed for adultery. "So, Jesus," they were asking, "which is it?" And Jesus's answer was ... shocking. "No," He said. Not "any reason" or "adultery," but "What God has joined together let not man separate" (Matt 19:4-6). Note that Jesus's line of reasoning was that marriage was not a human institution and was not grounded in human relationships or feelings. Marriage was a divine institution and the grounding was in the union that God built. It wasn't about fulfillment or comfort or satisfaction. It was about ... God (Eph 5:31-32).
The Pharisees were ... miffed. "Oh, yeah? Well what about Moses's instructions?" (Matt 19:7). Jesus attributed that to Moses and to the hardness of the heart (Matt 19:8). Interesting, isn't it? Now, the next verse is relevant, but ... to what? "And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery" (Matt 19:9). Jesus has already said that marriage is a divine invention predicated on a divine act of the union of two people into one. Divorce necessarily violates that union -- God's act. So what is this so-called "exception clause"? It's the "go-to" for a lot of people who want to walk the line between obedience to God and "my personal comfort." Especially today. A husband who commits "sexual immorality" today by, say, cheating on his wife or, even, watching pornography is now deemed "divorceable" as it were because that's what Jesus said ... wasn't it? No. That's not what Jesus said. Jesus said, "What God has joined together let not man separate." Jesus said the Mosaic laws on divorce were only allowed for our hardness of heart. This exception clause, then, cannot justify divorce. What Jesus was commenting on was ... remarriage. He's specific, isn't He? If a person divorces their spouse "and marries another" the violation is "adultery." (Note that "sexual immorality" is not the same as "adultery." Adultery is included under the category of "sexual immorality," but does not define that category.) So, if a marriage ends because of sexual immorality, remarriage is permitted. Otherwise, it is not.
Our world is happy to tell us that we marry for love (which, they further assure us, is "warm affection"). Our world is adamant that we need to be "happy" and "fulfilled" and if our spouse is not fulfilling those needs, we aren't merely justified in ditching them; we're practically required to. Jesus said, "What God has joined together let not man separate." That is, there is no biblical support for divorcing your spouse. If, on the other hand, a divorce happens, as in Paul's "But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace" (1 Cor 7:15), then Jesus permitted remarriage. I would suggest that ignoring Jesus's main premise that marriage is God's work and trying to edge closer to the world's "You deserve to be happy and fulfilled" arguments is not a move toward greater godliness. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin, and we believers who castigate the divorced (generally without even knowing the context) simply because they divorced are "casting the first stone," clearly something Jesus recommended against (John 8:7). But those of us who wish to be conformed to the image of Christ ought to do everything in our power to remain married at any cost to the spouse to whom God has joined us, trusting in Him rather than others.
The Pharisees were ... miffed. "Oh, yeah? Well what about Moses's instructions?" (Matt 19:7). Jesus attributed that to Moses and to the hardness of the heart (Matt 19:8). Interesting, isn't it? Now, the next verse is relevant, but ... to what? "And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery" (Matt 19:9). Jesus has already said that marriage is a divine invention predicated on a divine act of the union of two people into one. Divorce necessarily violates that union -- God's act. So what is this so-called "exception clause"? It's the "go-to" for a lot of people who want to walk the line between obedience to God and "my personal comfort." Especially today. A husband who commits "sexual immorality" today by, say, cheating on his wife or, even, watching pornography is now deemed "divorceable" as it were because that's what Jesus said ... wasn't it? No. That's not what Jesus said. Jesus said, "What God has joined together let not man separate." Jesus said the Mosaic laws on divorce were only allowed for our hardness of heart. This exception clause, then, cannot justify divorce. What Jesus was commenting on was ... remarriage. He's specific, isn't He? If a person divorces their spouse "and marries another" the violation is "adultery." (Note that "sexual immorality" is not the same as "adultery." Adultery is included under the category of "sexual immorality," but does not define that category.) So, if a marriage ends because of sexual immorality, remarriage is permitted. Otherwise, it is not.
Our world is happy to tell us that we marry for love (which, they further assure us, is "warm affection"). Our world is adamant that we need to be "happy" and "fulfilled" and if our spouse is not fulfilling those needs, we aren't merely justified in ditching them; we're practically required to. Jesus said, "What God has joined together let not man separate." That is, there is no biblical support for divorcing your spouse. If, on the other hand, a divorce happens, as in Paul's "But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace" (1 Cor 7:15), then Jesus permitted remarriage. I would suggest that ignoring Jesus's main premise that marriage is God's work and trying to edge closer to the world's "You deserve to be happy and fulfilled" arguments is not a move toward greater godliness. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin, and we believers who castigate the divorced (generally without even knowing the context) simply because they divorced are "casting the first stone," clearly something Jesus recommended against (John 8:7). But those of us who wish to be conformed to the image of Christ ought to do everything in our power to remain married at any cost to the spouse to whom God has joined us, trusting in Him rather than others.
Sunday, January 05, 2025
The Upside of the Downside
People constantly complain ... about God. Believers and unbelievers alike. God is always letting us down, failing to meet our expectations. For the skeptic, it's proof that God doesn't exist or, if He does, is a bad thing. For believers, it's reason to doubt our faith. Someone dies, someone gets sick, someone loses a job -- God failed. I've prayed and prayed and God hasn't helped me -- God failed. It is extremely common, even among the faithful. There seems to be a crisis of some sort that comes into everyone's life that gives them pause. "This," they tell me, "is not the best of all possible worlds," and God has failed. But ...
I wonder if we're missing something ... critical. Let's try a mental exercise. Let's say I have a white sheet with a single black spot on it. I hold up the sheet to you and ask you, "What do you see?" You would obviously answer, "A black spot." Why? Because ... of the contrast. Because it stands out in a sea of white. In the same way, much of life is only visible ... in contrast. Good, for instance, is only visible when there is less than good. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to operate in the midst of fear. That is, if there was no fear, there could be no courage. God offers grace and mercy. Grace is unmerited favor which, if we all merited favor, wouldn't be possible. Mercy is the withholding of just punishment which, if there was no sin or punishment due, would have no existence. You could never experience the joy of forgiveness and the love that forgiveness produces (Luke 7:47) if you never needed to be forgiven. Love itself would be greatly diminished if that was all we ever knew.
In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul says,
I wonder if we're missing something ... critical. Let's try a mental exercise. Let's say I have a white sheet with a single black spot on it. I hold up the sheet to you and ask you, "What do you see?" You would obviously answer, "A black spot." Why? Because ... of the contrast. Because it stands out in a sea of white. In the same way, much of life is only visible ... in contrast. Good, for instance, is only visible when there is less than good. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to operate in the midst of fear. That is, if there was no fear, there could be no courage. God offers grace and mercy. Grace is unmerited favor which, if we all merited favor, wouldn't be possible. Mercy is the withholding of just punishment which, if there was no sin or punishment due, would have no existence. You could never experience the joy of forgiveness and the love that forgiveness produces (Luke 7:47) if you never needed to be forgiven. Love itself would be greatly diminished if that was all we ever knew.
In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul says,
What if God, desiring to show His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory." (Rom 9:22-23)God's plan was to display His wrath and make His power known. His plan was to do it via "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction." Oh, that's bad. But Paul's point is that it was not bad in the final consideration. The sin of humanity, the rebellion of human beings, the individual transgressions of all people all serve as a platform for God to display His power and wrath and as a contrast to God's mercy. His patience and mercy are magnified in contrast to the wrath we've earned and He withheld. In the same way, all the "downsides" of life simply serve as contrasts to great virtues and gifts which, without the downsides, would become invisible to us. A fish, living in a lake, has no notion of water because it has nothing to compare to it. Humans, living in a perfect world, would have no appreciation for God's magnificence and gifts if we had nothing with which to compare them. Maybe God's not failing after all.
Saturday, January 04, 2025
News Weakly - 1/4/2025
Over-Thinking
Paul tells each Christian "not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think" (Rom 12:3). Biden apparently never read that. He is touting five accomplishments he achieved in office, including navigating the pandemic (the vaccine was available before he took office), the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson (the judge who couldn't tell you what a woman is), student loan forgiveness (which the courts stopped multiple times), and the economy (which was so bad that it was a primary factor in getting Trump elected). Nice try, Joe, but ... no. Wait! Unless he made the economy so bad Trump got elected, and that was his accomplishment? No, I doubt that's what he meant. (As an aside, what are we going to do without Brandon to kick around?)
Jimmy Carter, RIP
Former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100. You may have not been impressed with him as a president. You may have disliked his politics, but no one can question his humanitarian work, and that is his most vivid legacy. Rest in Peace.
Anti-Murder Regulation
In New Orleans, a driver intentionally drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street during the New Years Eve celebrations and killed 10 people, injuring another 30. The event echoed a a similar event in Germany last week just before Christmas. Lawmakers are scrambling for new automobile regulation to stem this new tide of mass murders by car. Oh, wait, no ... for some reason that's not happening.
The Real Story
This week there was a mass shooting outside of a Queens nightclub, another mass shooting outside of a Montenegro cafe, the discovery of 150 homemade bombs at a home in Virginia, along with the New Orleans car attack now labeled a "terror attack" that caused, among other things, the postponement of the Sugar Bowl, a suicide by exploding Tesla Cybertruck and, obviously, more. Some think it indicates the need for better gun control. I'd suggest there's a much, much bigger problem, and it is not that "people are basically good."
Your Most Trusted Source for Fake News
On the passing of Jimmy Carter, the Bee reports that Biden has finally claimed the title of worst living president. Of course, at the same time, we learned that Jimmy Carter will not be attending Trump's inauguration. That's gotta hurt. Finally, in order to further their "sanctuary state" status, California has announced mass deportations ... of U.S. citizens. You know, to decrease the invasive influence of American culture and all. Nice move, Mr. Newsom.
Must be true; I read it on the Internet.
Paul tells each Christian "not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think" (Rom 12:3). Biden apparently never read that. He is touting five accomplishments he achieved in office, including navigating the pandemic (the vaccine was available before he took office), the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson (the judge who couldn't tell you what a woman is), student loan forgiveness (which the courts stopped multiple times), and the economy (which was so bad that it was a primary factor in getting Trump elected). Nice try, Joe, but ... no. Wait! Unless he made the economy so bad Trump got elected, and that was his accomplishment? No, I doubt that's what he meant. (As an aside, what are we going to do without Brandon to kick around?)
Jimmy Carter, RIP
Former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100. You may have not been impressed with him as a president. You may have disliked his politics, but no one can question his humanitarian work, and that is his most vivid legacy. Rest in Peace.
Anti-Murder Regulation
In New Orleans, a driver intentionally drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street during the New Years Eve celebrations and killed 10 people, injuring another 30. The event echoed a a similar event in Germany last week just before Christmas. Lawmakers are scrambling for new automobile regulation to stem this new tide of mass murders by car. Oh, wait, no ... for some reason that's not happening.
The Real Story
This week there was a mass shooting outside of a Queens nightclub, another mass shooting outside of a Montenegro cafe, the discovery of 150 homemade bombs at a home in Virginia, along with the New Orleans car attack now labeled a "terror attack" that caused, among other things, the postponement of the Sugar Bowl, a suicide by exploding Tesla Cybertruck and, obviously, more. Some think it indicates the need for better gun control. I'd suggest there's a much, much bigger problem, and it is not that "people are basically good."
Your Most Trusted Source for Fake News
On the passing of Jimmy Carter, the Bee reports that Biden has finally claimed the title of worst living president. Of course, at the same time, we learned that Jimmy Carter will not be attending Trump's inauguration. That's gotta hurt. Finally, in order to further their "sanctuary state" status, California has announced mass deportations ... of U.S. citizens. You know, to decrease the invasive influence of American culture and all. Nice move, Mr. Newsom.
Must be true; I read it on the Internet.
Friday, January 03, 2025
A Good New Year's Resolution
I was reading an article about things intelligent people do. The first thing the article listed was they will change their minds when confronted with valid information that contradicts their thinking. That is, the intelligent thing to do when you discover that you're wrong is not to defend it; it's to change it.
In Romans 12, Paul writes,
How do we renew our minds? It is first and foremost accomplished in opposition to worldly thinking. So, it is in submission to Christ instead of "brave" self-determination. It is in living in nonconformity to this world rather than embracing the world's values. It is by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) and in the Word (Eph 5:26). It is in prayer rather than self-sufficiency (Php 4:6) and death to self rather than self-centeredness (Eph 4:22-24). It is in trusting the Lord rather than leaning on our own understanding (Prov 3:5-6). It's not ... normal. If we're operating on "normal," we're not renewing our minds. We need to change our way of thinking to conform to Him and His Word rather than the more comfortable, yet fatal, way of the world.
In Romans 12, Paul writes,
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:1-2)That "therefore" refers to the entire 11 chapters that preceded it -- 11 chapters of the truth of the Gospel (Rom 1:16-17) that includes the problem of the sinfulness of humans (Rom 1:18-3:20), the solution of justification by faith apart from works -- by faith in the propitiation of the Son who died for us (Rom 3:21-31) -- and more, concluding with "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen" (Rom 11:36). "Therefore," Paul writes. On the basis of this Gospel and God's righteousness, surrender your bodies as a living sacrifice as an act of worship. Then, "Step One." Don't conform to earthly thinking. Don't shape yourself by worldly wisdom. Don't be like the world that hates God. Instead ... "be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Like that article's notion of intelligent people, we're supposed to change our thinking by submitting to the truth. According to Paul that truth is not the world's version.
How do we renew our minds? It is first and foremost accomplished in opposition to worldly thinking. So, it is in submission to Christ instead of "brave" self-determination. It is in living in nonconformity to this world rather than embracing the world's values. It is by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) and in the Word (Eph 5:26). It is in prayer rather than self-sufficiency (Php 4:6) and death to self rather than self-centeredness (Eph 4:22-24). It is in trusting the Lord rather than leaning on our own understanding (Prov 3:5-6). It's not ... normal. If we're operating on "normal," we're not renewing our minds. We need to change our way of thinking to conform to Him and His Word rather than the more comfortable, yet fatal, way of the world.
Thursday, January 02, 2025
Contradicting Jesus
Jesus said, "No one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18), clearly one of the times that Jesus spoke erroneously. Why would I even suggest such a thing? Well, Jesus also spoke of the "good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:21) and the guests who were gathered for the feast, "both bad and good" (Matt 22:10) -- just two examples. So obviously Jesus was wrong when He said there was no one good but God. This is one of those cases that 1) honest believers have to look at and 2) decide whether we have a viable Bible or not. And it's just one.
The world (and a goodly number of self-identified Christians) will tell us that the Bible is a "good book," but "let's not go overboard." It's fine as far as it goes, but it's made by humans and, therefore, contains mistakes, errors, contradictions, even lies. Genesis offers us a "Creation story" that is clearly myth, as science today has shown. The God of the Old Testament is clearly the fabrication of an ancient, superstitious civilization that Jesus has demonstrated isn't that mean ol' God at all. The Bible clearly contradicts itself, and that, alone, makes it not divine, but human. Therefore, we get to figure out what is and isn't true. We get to shape the Bible and God Himself to what we "know" to be true.
The problem, of course, is that what we know about God and His Son, Jesus, and all that constitutes "Christianity" comes from the Bible. If that's only partly true, then Christianity is a construct of our own making. There is no actual, solid ground on which to stand. No "leading of the Holy Spirit" gives firm footing (since said "Holy Spirit" comes from the pages of the Bible and appears to lead different people in different directions that would require a reliable Bible to discern). We who believe do great harm by calling Christ a liar, by assuring others that Paul was wrong when he said Scripture was "breathed out by God" (2 Tim 3:16-17 ESV), by telling us that sin is no big deal in contradiction to God's original "you shall surely die" (Gen 2:17), the vast array of the Hebrew sacrificial system ordained by God, and, finally, Christ's own sacrifice for sin. Minimizing God's Word is, in the end, fatal to Christianity, slipping it in among all sorts of other "valid" religions and really not worth arguing about. It is, without a doubt, a dangerous, if not fatal place to stand. Christians, we need to accept that there are texts that appear to contradict and then see how they correlate rather than contradict. Playing Scripture against Scripture is futile. And a Scripture that is questionably true is useless.
The world (and a goodly number of self-identified Christians) will tell us that the Bible is a "good book," but "let's not go overboard." It's fine as far as it goes, but it's made by humans and, therefore, contains mistakes, errors, contradictions, even lies. Genesis offers us a "Creation story" that is clearly myth, as science today has shown. The God of the Old Testament is clearly the fabrication of an ancient, superstitious civilization that Jesus has demonstrated isn't that mean ol' God at all. The Bible clearly contradicts itself, and that, alone, makes it not divine, but human. Therefore, we get to figure out what is and isn't true. We get to shape the Bible and God Himself to what we "know" to be true.
The problem, of course, is that what we know about God and His Son, Jesus, and all that constitutes "Christianity" comes from the Bible. If that's only partly true, then Christianity is a construct of our own making. There is no actual, solid ground on which to stand. No "leading of the Holy Spirit" gives firm footing (since said "Holy Spirit" comes from the pages of the Bible and appears to lead different people in different directions that would require a reliable Bible to discern). We who believe do great harm by calling Christ a liar, by assuring others that Paul was wrong when he said Scripture was "breathed out by God" (2 Tim 3:16-17 ESV), by telling us that sin is no big deal in contradiction to God's original "you shall surely die" (Gen 2:17), the vast array of the Hebrew sacrificial system ordained by God, and, finally, Christ's own sacrifice for sin. Minimizing God's Word is, in the end, fatal to Christianity, slipping it in among all sorts of other "valid" religions and really not worth arguing about. It is, without a doubt, a dangerous, if not fatal place to stand. Christians, we need to accept that there are texts that appear to contradict and then see how they correlate rather than contradict. Playing Scripture against Scripture is futile. And a Scripture that is questionably true is useless.
Wednesday, January 01, 2025
Unrecognizable
Note: I write this today on the 32nd anniversary of my marriage to my beloved wife. I think you will see it's intentional. I love my wife.
Love is universal. It exists in every culture, everywhere humans exist. While various languages refer to it in various ways, the idea is everywhere. And, of course, biblically that's a certainty because "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Since God is omnipresent, love must be, too. So ... why is it a specific sign of Christmas, for instance, while in so many other places and times and interactions, it's absent ... painfully so? Why are there bullies and mean people and wars? And why have we, in our day, equated "love" and "sex" as if they're the same? Do we even know what love is?
First Corinthians contains the famous "love" chapter. In it, Paul describes (not defines) love (1 Cor 13:4-8). He lists many of its qualities. And our world sees it and even makes art of it to hang on our walls.
It seems to me, though, that the love that Paul describes is completely foreign to our current culture ... and possibly every culture prior to it. Paul describes it as "patient and kind." Yeah, okay. But "does not insist on its own way"? Of course it does. I mean, how many guys have used "love" as a coercion to get sex? "Honey, if you loved me, you'd ..." We know people love us if they give us what we want, right? Not arrogant? "Is not irritable"? Try to prove that from so many "loving" relationships. Love rejoices with the truth? Only as long as it's the truth we like and not the one we don't. Verse 7 has a list of "all things" that love does -- bears, believes, hopes, endures. Is that even remotely the case? Do we actually bear all things for those we love? Do we actually believe the best of those we love? Or do we cave when it gets difficult and get suspicious at any hint of something negative? The description ends with "Love never ends." Now, that's right out. We all know that love has a time limit, that love has a "best if used by" date, so to speak. "We loved each other once, but we fell out of love."
Imagine what it would look like if, at least, followers of Christ were marked by love of that kind (John 13:35). Imagine if we loved as Jesus loved (John 15:12). Imagine if we loved sacrificially, without seeking our own interests, rejoicing in truth, bearing and believing all things. Imagine if we loved one another with a love that didn't end. What would marriages look like? What would churches look like? What would friendships look like? What would families look like? It would be revolutionary ... because very few of us today recognize that kind of love.
Love is universal. It exists in every culture, everywhere humans exist. While various languages refer to it in various ways, the idea is everywhere. And, of course, biblically that's a certainty because "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Since God is omnipresent, love must be, too. So ... why is it a specific sign of Christmas, for instance, while in so many other places and times and interactions, it's absent ... painfully so? Why are there bullies and mean people and wars? And why have we, in our day, equated "love" and "sex" as if they're the same? Do we even know what love is?
First Corinthians contains the famous "love" chapter. In it, Paul describes (not defines) love (1 Cor 13:4-8). He lists many of its qualities. And our world sees it and even makes art of it to hang on our walls.
Imagine what it would look like if, at least, followers of Christ were marked by love of that kind (John 13:35). Imagine if we loved as Jesus loved (John 15:12). Imagine if we loved sacrificially, without seeking our own interests, rejoicing in truth, bearing and believing all things. Imagine if we loved one another with a love that didn't end. What would marriages look like? What would churches look like? What would friendships look like? What would families look like? It would be revolutionary ... because very few of us today recognize that kind of love.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Conflict Strategy
Every one us experiences difficulties, trials, crises. Things can and do go wrong, and we need to muddle through somehow. So what do we do? Well, hopefully, we strategize. We buy insurance, install anti-virus apps, hire police, you know, all the methods we use to circumvent problems. And all of that is fine. Then we face an event and try to figure out the best way forward. Fine and good ... except, is it ... best?
In the Bible, God warned against a common concept.
We're often facing battles alone. We often see our plans as sufficient and our resources as enough and fail to seek God. It's a sure way to fail. Our first strategy should be to seek the Lord, to rely on His wisdom and power and resources. If you aren't praying in times of crisis, you're really missing out. We should be marked as a people of prayer.
In the Bible, God warned against a common concept.
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek YHWH! (Isa 31:1)The problem wasn't seeking help. The problem was relying on human methods rather than ... seeking the Lord. I love that story in 2 Chronicles about Judah's King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 20:1-30). He was told a vast army was marching on them, and Jehoshaphat sent for aid from surrounding allies. Oh, no, he didn't. It says, "Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek YHWH, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah" (2 Chron 20:3). This terrified king sought God and urged his people to do the same. He didn't think up some carefully planned strategy; he turned to God. The resulting story is really fun. God told him, "You need not fight in this battle ... tomorrow go out to face them, for YHWH is with you" (2 Chron 20:17). "The battle is not yours but God's" (2 Chron 20:15). So Jehoshaphat pulled out his play book and ... put the choir in front (2 Chron 20:21), and they watched God deliver Judah.
We're often facing battles alone. We often see our plans as sufficient and our resources as enough and fail to seek God. It's a sure way to fail. Our first strategy should be to seek the Lord, to rely on His wisdom and power and resources. If you aren't praying in times of crisis, you're really missing out. We should be marked as a people of prayer.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Among Us
We can all likely cite examples of churches gone wrong. False teachers, horrible leadership, absolute heresy taught as truth, on and on. There are entire websites dedicated to ferreting out the errors in modern Christianity. But ... it's God's church, the Body of Christ. Did this kind of thing catch Him off guard? Was He unable or unwilling to fix it?
The truth is, most of the New Testament was written to correct error in the Church. As early as the beginning, error was sneaking in. As early as the Book of Acts, the Apostles were fighting heresy. Jesus warned, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matt 7:15). Yes, the concept of "a wolf in sheep's clothing" comes from the lips of Jesus Himself as a warning against false teachers in the flock. Paul warned the Ephesians that "after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). John wrote about "antichrists" who "went out from us" (1 John 2:19). So, no, it wasn't a surprise to God. Apparently, we're supposed to expect it and deal with it.
Scripture does not record a single incident where an heretic was executed (except, perhaps, by God). There isn't even a record of an excommunication. But Scripture has a lot of tough talk and sharp confrontations between believers and false teaching. And I wonder ... are we ... too soft? In church history, heretics have been known to be executed, and I'd suggest that's not the right approach. But Jesus told the church at Thyatira they needed to repent from tolerating a false prophetess in their church (Rev 2:20). We're talking here about self-professed believers teaching false doctrine, and you and I have been told we shouldn't question their salvation, shouldn't be unkind, shouldn't be confrontational. Is that biblical? Jesus was confrontational (e.g., Matt 23:13-36). Paul was confrontational (e.g., 1 Cor 5:1-5; Gal 2:11-14). It appears to me that confrontation of false teaching, especially of those who consider themselves religious, is a serious responsibility of God's people. I'm not sure we're doing anyone any favors by being nice to false teachers among us.
The truth is, most of the New Testament was written to correct error in the Church. As early as the beginning, error was sneaking in. As early as the Book of Acts, the Apostles were fighting heresy. Jesus warned, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matt 7:15). Yes, the concept of "a wolf in sheep's clothing" comes from the lips of Jesus Himself as a warning against false teachers in the flock. Paul warned the Ephesians that "after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). John wrote about "antichrists" who "went out from us" (1 John 2:19). So, no, it wasn't a surprise to God. Apparently, we're supposed to expect it and deal with it.
Scripture does not record a single incident where an heretic was executed (except, perhaps, by God). There isn't even a record of an excommunication. But Scripture has a lot of tough talk and sharp confrontations between believers and false teaching. And I wonder ... are we ... too soft? In church history, heretics have been known to be executed, and I'd suggest that's not the right approach. But Jesus told the church at Thyatira they needed to repent from tolerating a false prophetess in their church (Rev 2:20). We're talking here about self-professed believers teaching false doctrine, and you and I have been told we shouldn't question their salvation, shouldn't be unkind, shouldn't be confrontational. Is that biblical? Jesus was confrontational (e.g., Matt 23:13-36). Paul was confrontational (e.g., 1 Cor 5:1-5; Gal 2:11-14). It appears to me that confrontation of false teaching, especially of those who consider themselves religious, is a serious responsibility of God's people. I'm not sure we're doing anyone any favors by being nice to false teachers among us.
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Love Letters
Paul claimed,
How it is, then, that we aren't convinced of His Word? God, essentially, dictated love letters to us. We read them, nod our heads, and dismiss them out of hand. I know. You're thinking of the liberals of this world. "Yeah, why don't you guys take this stuff seriously?" I am ... and I'm not. I'm talking about all of us. We all, to some degree, fall short of taking the book as written. We all read God's letters, God's explanations, God's instructions, God's revelation of Himself, and we say, "Well, that's pretty good, but ..." Seriously, did God actually create the heavens and the earth, or was that natural processes, modern science is right, and we've all bought some lies? Did God actually send His Son to die for our sins, or was that some ancient blood ritual dreamt up in earlier times and certainly not what any real God would do? Does He actually hold that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God" (1 Cor 11:3), or have we figured out a better way now? Really? "Wives submit to your husbands"?? He doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain! So many clear texts and we, each of us, take them ... more or less.
Imagine if you wrote letters to someone you cared about and they did that with your letters. "Well, you said you liked pizza, but I know pizza isn't healthy, so I'm pretty sure that wasn't accurate. You said you'd love me forever, but that's not really possible, so I'm sure you meant 'for a while.'" They would end up with a false understanding of who you are. When they do that with God's word, we end up with a false understanding of who God is and what He said. In human terms, that's delusional; in biblical terms, it's idolatry.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)That's quite a comprehensive claim. Paul argued that the Old Testament was God's actual word. But Paul's claim went beyond that. He claimed "all Scripture" was God's actual word. So, when Peter declared Paul's writings to be Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16), that automatically meant that Paul's "all Scripture" included ... Paul's writings. And Paul said it was sufficient. "That the man of God may be complete." So when we hold up the Bible as authoritative and sufficient, we aren't talking about the paper, the ink, or the library of books. We're talking about God -- His efforts, His breath, His overseeing. The Bible is God's written word, the things He intended us to know to be complete. Our confidence isn't in Paul or anyone else; it's in God.
How it is, then, that we aren't convinced of His Word? God, essentially, dictated love letters to us. We read them, nod our heads, and dismiss them out of hand. I know. You're thinking of the liberals of this world. "Yeah, why don't you guys take this stuff seriously?" I am ... and I'm not. I'm talking about all of us. We all, to some degree, fall short of taking the book as written. We all read God's letters, God's explanations, God's instructions, God's revelation of Himself, and we say, "Well, that's pretty good, but ..." Seriously, did God actually create the heavens and the earth, or was that natural processes, modern science is right, and we've all bought some lies? Did God actually send His Son to die for our sins, or was that some ancient blood ritual dreamt up in earlier times and certainly not what any real God would do? Does He actually hold that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God" (1 Cor 11:3), or have we figured out a better way now? Really? "Wives submit to your husbands"?? He doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain! So many clear texts and we, each of us, take them ... more or less.
Imagine if you wrote letters to someone you cared about and they did that with your letters. "Well, you said you liked pizza, but I know pizza isn't healthy, so I'm pretty sure that wasn't accurate. You said you'd love me forever, but that's not really possible, so I'm sure you meant 'for a while.'" They would end up with a false understanding of who you are. When they do that with God's word, we end up with a false understanding of who God is and what He said. In human terms, that's delusional; in biblical terms, it's idolatry.
Saturday, December 28, 2024
News Weakly - 12/28/2024
Exactly the Point
Jesus, they tell us, was born into a "profoundly dysfunctional family." How so? Well, have you read His genealogy? Yes, Jesus was born into a family whose history included ... sinners. But ... which of us wasn't? We are all, then, born into "profoundly dysfunctional families." The Gospel writers didn't hide it. Jesus didn't hide it. In fact, Jesus said He came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). He came expressly for those of us from "profoundly dysfunctional families."
Principles Schminciples
Trump, as we all know, won the election, so Biden, like so many, ejected principles and stood on expedience. The Dems were calling for more judge appointments and Biden vetoed the bill. More judge appointments would only be good if the Dems were doing it.
On Display
Denzel Washington got baptized at The First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ this week, and received his training license to become a minister. He's planning to fulfill a prophecy from a hairdresser when he was 20 that he'd travel the world and preach the gospel to millions. We know, of course, that fame and greed and pride and power all can consume "the seed" before it actually germinates (Matt 13:1-23), so we should pray for Mr. Washington.
Your Best Source for Fake News
After being named "Antisemite of the Year" (actual story), the Bee reports she was horrified to learn that Christmas was started by the birth of a Jew. In another Christmas story, Kamala Harris asked, "Ok, who got me the MAGA hat?" while Jill Biden stifled her laughter. Finally, ABC plans to run a disclaimer on their news shows saying, "For legal purposes, don't believe anything we say." I have to wonder how many other news outlets would offer the same advice if they were honest.
Must be true; I read it on the Internet.
Jesus, they tell us, was born into a "profoundly dysfunctional family." How so? Well, have you read His genealogy? Yes, Jesus was born into a family whose history included ... sinners. But ... which of us wasn't? We are all, then, born into "profoundly dysfunctional families." The Gospel writers didn't hide it. Jesus didn't hide it. In fact, Jesus said He came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). He came expressly for those of us from "profoundly dysfunctional families."
Principles Schminciples
Trump, as we all know, won the election, so Biden, like so many, ejected principles and stood on expedience. The Dems were calling for more judge appointments and Biden vetoed the bill. More judge appointments would only be good if the Dems were doing it.
On Display
Denzel Washington got baptized at The First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ this week, and received his training license to become a minister. He's planning to fulfill a prophecy from a hairdresser when he was 20 that he'd travel the world and preach the gospel to millions. We know, of course, that fame and greed and pride and power all can consume "the seed" before it actually germinates (Matt 13:1-23), so we should pray for Mr. Washington.
Your Best Source for Fake News
After being named "Antisemite of the Year" (actual story), the Bee reports she was horrified to learn that Christmas was started by the birth of a Jew. In another Christmas story, Kamala Harris asked, "Ok, who got me the MAGA hat?" while Jill Biden stifled her laughter. Finally, ABC plans to run a disclaimer on their news shows saying, "For legal purposes, don't believe anything we say." I have to wonder how many other news outlets would offer the same advice if they were honest.
Must be true; I read it on the Internet.
Friday, December 27, 2024
Hated
It never ceases to amaze me that people hate the Gospel. It is, after all, good news. Too many don't think so ... even self-professed Christians. Apparently, they define "good" in a different manner than God does ... than Jesus does. Because the Gospel as presented in Scripture in general and by Christ in particular isn't good news at all to so many.
It isn't someone's "tradition," some denominational preference, some human construction that says, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt 7:13-14). It isn't some misguided Paul or anyone else. It's Christ. The words of Jesus. Jesus said many will enter destruction. Jesus said few will find life. But, they tell me, if that's true, it's not "gospel" -- it's not "good news." "The good news," they tell me "is that God forgives everyone." Well, that certainly sounds nice, but ... it's not what Jesus said. Jesus said He came to be a ransom for many, not all (Matt 20:28). That requires that not all be ... ransomed. God claimed, in fact, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" (Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30). Doesn't sound like, "It's okay; everyone gets out of jail free." Jesus warned that "many" will believe they are His servants, but be removed from His presence because He never had a relationship with them (Matt 7:22-23). That's Jesus, not Paul, not Baptist tradition, not some false interpretation. According to Paul, it is God's will to display His power and wrath on vessels of wrath prepared for destruction (Rom 9:22). That, God believes, is good. It's also good to display the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy (Rom 9:23). That, too, God believes, is good.
It's interesting that Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Rom 1:16). It's interesting first because he felt he had to make the declaration. Apparently there were those who thought he should be. And why was he not ashamed of the Gospel? I mean, if Paul believed not everyone was saved, shouldn't he be ashamed? Paul was hated for the gospel. Shouldn't he be ashamed? No. Because the gospel is not a "feel good" message. It is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16). Because "in it the righteousness of God is revealed" (Rom 1:17). God's righteousness is first revealed in God's wrath against sin (Rom 1:18-21). The Gospel, then, is first good news because it is about God and His righteousness. If God and His righteousness are not good news to you, then, the Gospel is not good news to you. That doesn't mean it's not good news. It means there are those who are hostile to God (Rom 8:7) and don't know "good" when they see it (Mark 10:18; Rom 3:12). The Gospel is not good because everyone sees it and everyone benefits. It's good because, first and foremost, God's righteous is revealed in it. Not everyone is going to think that's good. That doesn't make it not good.
It isn't someone's "tradition," some denominational preference, some human construction that says, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt 7:13-14). It isn't some misguided Paul or anyone else. It's Christ. The words of Jesus. Jesus said many will enter destruction. Jesus said few will find life. But, they tell me, if that's true, it's not "gospel" -- it's not "good news." "The good news," they tell me "is that God forgives everyone." Well, that certainly sounds nice, but ... it's not what Jesus said. Jesus said He came to be a ransom for many, not all (Matt 20:28). That requires that not all be ... ransomed. God claimed, in fact, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" (Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30). Doesn't sound like, "It's okay; everyone gets out of jail free." Jesus warned that "many" will believe they are His servants, but be removed from His presence because He never had a relationship with them (Matt 7:22-23). That's Jesus, not Paul, not Baptist tradition, not some false interpretation. According to Paul, it is God's will to display His power and wrath on vessels of wrath prepared for destruction (Rom 9:22). That, God believes, is good. It's also good to display the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy (Rom 9:23). That, too, God believes, is good.
It's interesting that Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Rom 1:16). It's interesting first because he felt he had to make the declaration. Apparently there were those who thought he should be. And why was he not ashamed of the Gospel? I mean, if Paul believed not everyone was saved, shouldn't he be ashamed? Paul was hated for the gospel. Shouldn't he be ashamed? No. Because the gospel is not a "feel good" message. It is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16). Because "in it the righteousness of God is revealed" (Rom 1:17). God's righteousness is first revealed in God's wrath against sin (Rom 1:18-21). The Gospel, then, is first good news because it is about God and His righteousness. If God and His righteousness are not good news to you, then, the Gospel is not good news to you. That doesn't mean it's not good news. It means there are those who are hostile to God (Rom 8:7) and don't know "good" when they see it (Mark 10:18; Rom 3:12). The Gospel is not good because everyone sees it and everyone benefits. It's good because, first and foremost, God's righteous is revealed in it. Not everyone is going to think that's good. That doesn't make it not good.
Thursday, December 26, 2024
It's A Wonder
I was thinking the other day about the popular Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life. You know the story. George Bailey is your quintessential "everyman." He has dreams. He has plans. He's going to go places. He wants to build things, to do things. But ... life intervenes for George. At 12 he saves his brother from drowning and gets an infection in one ear. Later, saving the pharmacist from accidentally poisoning a customer, he gets hit and loses the hearing in that ear. He suspends his trip to see the world when his father dies suddenly and he has to manage the Building and Loan, at least until his brother can take over. Except his brother, who eventually saves a troopship by preventing a kamikaze attack, gets married and takes a job with his father-in-law's firm, so George once again sets his dreams aside for the people of Bedford Falls and the Building and Loan. George's life was a series of delayed gratification, canceled dreams, and setting aside his own desires for the benefit of so many others. His nemesis, Mr. Potter, was the opposite. Potter did what Potter wanted to gain power and wealth, and nothing but George Bailey got in his way. You remember the story. Billy loses some money, George is facing jail time, and decides he's better off dead. Heaven sends an angel who shows George what it would have been like if he'd never been born. It's bleak. So George returns to face the music, and everything turns out okay.
The story today would look radically different, wouldn't it? We tell our children "Dream big" and "Don't let anyone get in the way of your dreams" and "Be true to yourself." We declare that the ultimate good is you be you -- you love you. Overlay our modern ethic against It's a Wonderful Life, and George would be the loser. He gave up all that stuff when he should have never jumped in after his brother, never interfered with Mr. Gower, never stayed on at the Building and Loan. George failed at every turn to pursue his own dreams and take care of himself first. Loser. Then there's Mr. Potter. Now there's a hero of modern values. He did what he wanted, gained what he wanted, pursued what he wanted. He didn't let anyone get in his way. If it wasn't for the fact that we still hold rich people in low regard, Potter would have been today's hero in that movie.
Christ set self aside to clothe Himself in flesh, live a perfect life, and die for our sins. He asks us today to follow Him. His path of taking up a cross and following Him (Matt 10: 38-39) flies in the face of modern ethics even more than George Bailey did. Is it possible, then, that our society's view of taking care of #1 first is not God's view? We who call ourselves Christians -- Christ followers -- probably should not be living lives whose values come from the world, but from the One whose name we bear. And that's a life lived outwardly -- giving self up -- rather than one lived for ourselves. Very strange by today's standards.
The story today would look radically different, wouldn't it? We tell our children "Dream big" and "Don't let anyone get in the way of your dreams" and "Be true to yourself." We declare that the ultimate good is you be you -- you love you. Overlay our modern ethic against It's a Wonderful Life, and George would be the loser. He gave up all that stuff when he should have never jumped in after his brother, never interfered with Mr. Gower, never stayed on at the Building and Loan. George failed at every turn to pursue his own dreams and take care of himself first. Loser. Then there's Mr. Potter. Now there's a hero of modern values. He did what he wanted, gained what he wanted, pursued what he wanted. He didn't let anyone get in his way. If it wasn't for the fact that we still hold rich people in low regard, Potter would have been today's hero in that movie.
Christ set self aside to clothe Himself in flesh, live a perfect life, and die for our sins. He asks us today to follow Him. His path of taking up a cross and following Him (Matt 10: 38-39) flies in the face of modern ethics even more than George Bailey did. Is it possible, then, that our society's view of taking care of #1 first is not God's view? We who call ourselves Christians -- Christ followers -- probably should not be living lives whose values come from the world, but from the One whose name we bear. And that's a life lived outwardly -- giving self up -- rather than one lived for ourselves. Very strange by today's standards.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Christmas Stories
There are lots of Christmas stories. Rudolph, Santa, stories about angels among us, even a Die Hard movie. (Bet you didn't know that was a Christmas movie.) But, honestly the only real Christmas stories come from the Gospels. Mark's Gospel skips the origins episode, so to speak. He starts with John the Baptist preaching about Jesus. But we have others. The most famous Christmas story comes from Luke alone. Luke covers Gabriel's announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), the trip to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7), the shepherds and the angels (Luke 2:8-21), all stuff that form our clearest images of the Advent. Matthew adds the wise men (Matt 2:1-12), but that wasn't at Christ's birth (Matt 2:7,16). Still, we count it as part of our Christmas story.
What about John's Gospel? He doesn't have that ... does he? I consider John's account to be the most important -- of having the most import. Here's what John writes.
What about John's Gospel? He doesn't have that ... does he? I consider John's account to be the most important -- of having the most import. Here's what John writes.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (John 1:1-3)There we have His "origins" -- existing as God from all eternity. Don't miss that. Then John writes,
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)That, dear readers, is the Christmas story. Stables and wise men, shepherds and angels, announcements and declarations, they're all part of the story, but the actual story is God ... became flesh. God's best expression of Himself -- the Word -- became flesh. He dwelt among us. The One who made the world became part of His world (Heb 1:1-2). The eternal God emptied Himself and became a servant ... who came with the express purpose of dying for us (Php 2:5-8). Tinsel and treats are fine. Songs and services are great. But ... "God with us." That's the real Christmas story, regardless of how many wise men there were, where the stable was, or whether or not the angels sang or spoke. God with us. Isn't it sad that we can get bored with that concept?
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Christmas Carol Quiz 2. Just Because.
Look, these are busy days before Christmas, and, while I am a little pressed for time and a little lazy, I actually enjoy this kind of thing. So I'm offering this special ... reprise of a post from 2006.
I've received these carol quizzes over the years and I enjoyed them. I thought you might as well. (Again, the answers will be in the comments, so if you want to play, don't look there yet.)
1. Bleached Yule
2. Castaneous-colored Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration
3. Singular Yearning for the Twin Anterior Incisors
4. Righteous Darkness
5. Arrival Time: 2400 hrs -- Weather: Cloudless
6. Loyal Followers Advance
7. Far Off in a Feeder
8. Array the Corridor
9. Bantam Male Percussionist
10. Monarchial Triad
11. Nocturnal Noiselessness
12. Jehovah Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers
13. Red Man En Route to Borough
14. Frozen Precipitation Commence
15. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle
16. The Quadruped with the Vermillion Proboscis
17. Query Regarding Identity of Descendant
18. Delight for this Planet
19. Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings
20. The Dozen Festive 24 Hour Intervals
I've received these carol quizzes over the years and I enjoyed them. I thought you might as well. (Again, the answers will be in the comments, so if you want to play, don't look there yet.)
1. Bleached Yule
2. Castaneous-colored Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration
3. Singular Yearning for the Twin Anterior Incisors
4. Righteous Darkness
5. Arrival Time: 2400 hrs -- Weather: Cloudless
6. Loyal Followers Advance
7. Far Off in a Feeder
8. Array the Corridor
9. Bantam Male Percussionist
10. Monarchial Triad
11. Nocturnal Noiselessness
12. Jehovah Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers
13. Red Man En Route to Borough
14. Frozen Precipitation Commence
15. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle
16. The Quadruped with the Vermillion Proboscis
17. Query Regarding Identity of Descendant
18. Delight for this Planet
19. Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings
20. The Dozen Festive 24 Hour Intervals
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