Where Did The Excitement Go?

“What must I do to make sure God will accept me?” This was the question I was asked the other day, and which I eagerly responded to with the words of the Gospel, how God already made the way by sending His Son to pay for our sins on the Cross. The individual to whom I was talking had no problem acknowledging that he had sin and even though he did not want me to pray with him, I could see from the concentration and expression on his face, he was silently praying to ask Jesus to save him. I uttered an audible, “Amen,” and his face brightened.

To the unbeliever, so battered by sin and guilt the wonderful news that “Jesus paid it all” can be the best and most exciting news that can be heard. However, to many of us who have known salvation for a long time, this truth seems to have lost its luster. Where is the excitement in our local churches over the fact that Jesus saves and keeps? Why do we get excited mostly over spectacular experiences rather than the most spectacular event of all—Jesus saves?

Perhaps we have come too far in our Christian walk that we no longer fear condemnation, but not far enough to realize that our lives must be all about Him and not about us. We get ourselves worked up over a specific event. People come and hear the Gospel. We feel the church is being blest, but we don’t press on. We go back to our complacency—to our normal routines and are not concerned that those that just heard the Gospel are not following along in it. Have we really understood what Calvary means and ought to mean to us.

In Galatians 2:20 Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ, Nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me.” What a statement. How many of us professing Christians really understand the depth of this? Have we really understood what it means to ask Jesus to come into our hearts? Have we truly received the Lord Jesus Christ? What Paul was saying is that when we receive Jesus, we have been placed into Him and when He died on the Cross, that was the place our sinful natures were crucified as well. That is why we are to die to self daily. When we do this, how can we live in complacency? How can we ever lose the excitement that Jesus “Paid it all.”

Problems

”God won’t give us anything we can’t handle.”  I heard this the other day. It was said after the one doing the saying had related a current list of difficulties being faced. On the surface this statement seemed to be a strong statement of faith based on Biblical truth, but the longer I thought about it the more I was uncomfortable with it.  As I struggled with these uncomfortable feelings I tried to consider what bothered me most about this statement. After all, as a member of a Bible study told me, isn’t there a verse (1 Corinthians 10:13) that tells us just what that statement claims?

The more I thought about this the more I realized that I had no objection to the God part of the statement, but rather the phrase, “we can handle it”. “Of course”, comes the usual reply, “we cannot handle problems alone, but we can with God. Still, I am uneasy.  I look at 1 Corinthians 10:13 and don’t see any reference to us handling anything at all. This verse clearly puts things in God’s hands not ours.

One thing we all can count on is that we will have problems. This is not a pleasant thought, but so true and is well supported by Scripture. However, it’s what we do with our problems that makes the difference. To be sure, believers in Christ will have problems and we can, according to Romans 8:28 (And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose), perceive these problems as opportunities to see God in action in our lives. However, knowing that God orders all things to work for the good of His children is not the same thing as saying we can handle all that comes at us. At this point someone is usually quick to say that 1Corinthians 10:13 says that we all will have problems, “such as are common to man” but not to the degree as to be above, “that we are able”, which is construed to mean “that we are able to handle” said problems.  However, a careful look at this verse in context will establish that this is not what the Word of God is saying at all. Read the following:

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:1-14, KJV).

The first difficulty in the above common explanation of 1 Corinthians 10:13 is that the word “problems” is never mentioned. The writer of this passage uses a Greek word translated “temptation” (enticement to do evil), which can be alternatively translated “trials” (testing) depending on context. While it is tempting to connect “trials” with “tribulations” (and equate “tribulations” with “problems”) since the two words are often linked together throughout the New Testament (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Ephesians 3:13; Romans 5:3), we need to consider if there is no justification to do so in this case.

The context of I Corinthians 10:13, is the falling into sin of the rebellious children of Israel in the wilderness and the warning for believers in Christ not to do the same. In this light, the usage of the word “temptation” (being tested through enticement to do evil), as in the KJV of the Bible, is probably preferred, since this passage is warning against falling into debauchery (v.7), sexual immorality (v.8) tempting Christ (v.9), or murmuring against God (v.10). Verse 13 is telling us that that while we will have temptations to do wrong, God can be counted on not to allow our temptations to be greater than the ability He gives us to bear up under (endure) the temptations and therefore escape doing wrong. Verse 14 (often arranged in Bible versions as in a new paragraph) seals the matter by saying, “wherefore (consequently, since God has given the ability to resist temptation,) flee from idolatry” which includes putting one’s trust in anything, or anyone, but God which is the basis of all sin.

While this explanation of 1 Corinthians 10:13 can be expanded to include “problems” in that problems can indeed provide an enticement to sin (in particular by testing Christ, and by murmuring against God), the truth is, not that problems are being handled but rather that temptations are being endured. Should anyone think that this is splitting hairs or indulging in semantics, consider that the expression, “We can handle (or manage) all that God gives or allows to come our way” opens us up to placing trust in our abilities rather placing trust in God, which in turn, leads to the idolatrous notion that we have the ability to work out any adverse circumstance that comes our way. Such an interpretation leads to nothing but frustration, and often abandoned faith, when we are overwhelmed by situations we cannot manage. Contrast this with the wonderful truth that God is in control of all our circumstances, using them for our good while giving each of us the ability to remain true to Him.

So, rather than saying, “God won’t give me anything that I can’t handle”, I prefer the expression, “God won’t give me any situation, He won’t go through with me (Hebrews 13:5)”, for this implies that He is the faithful One that will enable me to be faithful to Him.

Perceptions

There are few things as entertaining on TV or DVD as what my wife and I witnessed the other night. Tired of all the commercials on regular TV we got out a DVD from our “stash”. The story was about a displaced Canadian Mounty and his wolf that go around Chicago solving crimes. This particular episode featured a pack of dogs the wolf befriended. The show is hardly realistic but it is lighthearted and amusing, but our real entertainment came through the reaction of our eight year old Jack Russell/Poodle, Pippin. From the time the dogs first appeared on the screen, Pippin was in her protective mode. Whenever, the dogs appeared Pippin barked out her warnings for them to stay clear of her territory. She was not about to let them take over our house. When the dogs barked she barked. When the dogs ran out of sight on the screen, Pippin went behind the TV to see where they went. She was sure they had to be somewhere, lurking. Despite my attempts to reassure her, Pippin remained vigilantly on guard until the show was over. To Pippin those images on TV were real. We humans in the room couldn’t stop laughing.


I began to think how this compares to how people perceive reality. Pippin, who has absolutely no concept of electronic gadgets, saw what she interpreted in her doggie brain as real. Nothing on my part would convince her otherwise. Her eyes and ears told her there were dogs coming into the room and that was it. She had no way of knowing that what she saw was not real. Perception is based on interpretation of information gathered through the senses. Pippin’s senses could only give her some of the facts, leading to faulty conclusions. Similarly, we people make conclusions about the world about us. While we make judgments to the best of our ability, relying on our senses and past experiences, what we perceive is not always accurate especially when our perception involves matters of a spiritual nature. Paul called this “seeing through a glass darkly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). As Pippin could only see part of the picture, so it is with us as we try to understand the total picture of the world that surrounds us.

Happily God has provided us with His Word to assist us in interpreting true reality. Nothing else can help us interpret what is right and what is wrong. Nothing else can show us what is in actuality true. God’s Word can provide guidance for each step we take, helping us avoid the pitfalls of going in wrong directions. God’s Word validates what is true and right. God’s Word is the basis for strong faith and sound doctrine.

However, there is a growing tendency within Christian circles to interpret the dealings oneself without going first to Scripture. Note the rising popularity of “Christian” self help books that contain wit and wisdom from the secular world, but little Scripture and little, if any, Gospel. Huge ministries have been built, based on warm stories that make people feel good, but intentionally leave out any mention of sin and Jesus’ substitutionary atonement on the Cross (which are seen as divisive). While many may feel encouraged and even strengthened by such as these, without the guidance of God’s Word, they are basing their faith on an inadequate perception of reality that will ultimately fail them. Much hardship and heartache could be avoided if they would validate the truth of what they are being taught rather than deferring to individuals they consider being experts. Scripture needs to be our guide, for it is the only way by which we can validate truth. To think otherwise is to consider Scripture inadequate.

There is another growing tendency in Christian circles that is perhaps more dangerous than the first in that it  has permeated churches that claim to be Bible believing and Bible teaching. This is the tendency to exalt experience over Scripture instead of using Scripture to validate experience. What God has told us in His Word, doesn’t seem to be enough on which to base our faith. Some kind of spectacular experience seems to be required as well. Witness the tremendous popularity of books that emphasize extraordinary experiences in an effort to bolster faith. Apparently, what God has revealed us in Scripture is inadequate. People want to hear from those who have visited heaven. Others have gained comfort from reports of loved ones now deceased but have returned in some way to comfort those that are bereaved. While such stories are said to be Biblical in that they claim not to contradict Scripture, they are in fact extra-biblical giving information that God has not chosen to include in His Word. Consequently believers are asked to accept as truth, things that by nature remain in doubt.

In addition, churches are increasingly made vulnerable to misleading by those who claim to have a prophetic gift. Dreams and visions have replaced prayer and study as the means to add to or interpret  understanding of the Bible. The written Word of God has become secondary to experience and as a consequence such a church becomes vulnerable to strange and even heritical teachings. The practice of making sure that everything taught within a church must line up entirely with Scripture must never be abandoned. Experiences that add to what God has revealed in His Word should never be placed on an equal basis with Scripture.

We need to get back to seeing God’s Word as the sole authority for faith and practice. We need to study and cherish it. We need use it as a lens to interpret and validate experience, not the other way around. Only through God’s Word will we know truth. Anything that does not line up with God’s Word is false. God’s Word must come first if we are going to avoid making false conclusions and avoid being to be like Pippin, chasing things that aren't there.

Apologies

A well-known conservative radio commentator makes unwise, unthinking, insulting crude remarks, and while facing repercussions, he apologizes. While, he still strongly disagrees with the person who was the brunt of his comments, he is sorry if he hurt her. This has prompted one commentator from the left to make apologies for comments he have made as well. However, he is quick to point out that his comments were not as bad as those by the person referred to above. It is interesting how seldom we hear  apologies like these. The person is sorry, but...Why is there always the need for qualiffication. Wrong is admitted, but intentions were sincere. Apologies such as these leave us with the feeling nothing has changed. The offender has been caught at some discretion, is open to consequences, and is sorry, but the sorrow expressed does not indicate any significant promise for modification of behavior.

Similarly, the radio preacher who predicted the end of the world has gone public with his apology. He now sees it was sinful to make such a prediction. He now agrees with those that quoted the verse in Matthew that states no man knows the time of Christ’s return. He is promising to return to Bible study and to the ministry of preaching the Gospel which appears to be good news to those of us hopeful that this preacher’s radio network will once again support the cause of Christ. However, this man never apologizes for the faulty system of Bible study that led him to his erroneous remarks. He makes no mention of the harm he has done to Bible preaching churches across America by his open condemnation of them, nor does he mention  that he has reduced the Gospel of Christ that invites whosoever will to come to a “hope so” religion. Has anything really changed?

The Bible talks about the need for genuine repentance. It was the essential part of John the Baptist’s teaching and was proclaimed by Jesus Himself, and it is not to be confused with a simple apology that expresses real or feigned sorrow. Biblical repentance does not justify actions and goes beyond sorrow, proving it is genuine by producing change. True repentance is not just saying you are sorry, but that you will hereafter be different. The apologies cited above are strong in the word department but appear to be weak on actions.

The Bible clearly states that all men (and women) are sinners. That is, we are all going after our own ways, instead of seeking God. Romans chapter one describes us as not glorifying God, turning from Him, refusing to give Him the thanks He deserves. The message of the Bible is that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God and this sin brings the just result of death—physical and spiritual. Salvation from the penalty of sin comes only when we turn from our own efforts and accept the provision God has made for us by sending His Son to die on the Cross at Calvary. John chapter one tells us to receive Christ and believe on His Name. Apologizing for sin is not enough. We need to repent. We need to turn from depending on our own heart’s desires and receive the living God into our hearts. We need to change. This is possible only by the grace of God.

It is sad to say, however, the message of repentance is no longer preached by the majority of churches today. To talk about sin and the Cross is not popular to many churches not wanting to appear irrelevant, that leave sin and the Cross out of their teaching. In so doing they are leaving out the one message that can change people’s lives for all eternity. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, includes the fact that we are sinners in need of a Savior Who died on the Cross for us, and that receiving--believing in Him brings eternal life. The Gospel is nothing to be ashamed of. It needs no apology.

The Beginning Of Winter

I don’t know about most people, but I don’t need  a calendar to tell me when winter begins but rather the first significant snow. Accordingly, winter has finally begun for us in these mountains with a six inch snow fall on March the first. I want to say something clever about the ground hog being wrong this year(he supposedly predicted six more weeks of winter), but I'm not sure how to interpret things. While today’s storm certainly fits into the framework of the prediction of more winter, but can one say we’re having more winter when we essentially haven’t had any yet. But as for today, I suppose the ski slopes are happy—if they are still open. Yes, winter finally came. Skimobiles were out in force as if to make up for lost time. Snow ball fights are breaking out. It is a virtual winter wonderland outside. Now I’m ready for spring.

It is interesting how events affect different people in the same area. Truthfully, I haven’t missed the shoveling of, and the driving in, the frozen precipitation. But many people in our area are dependent on snow for their living. The area ski slopes have been having nothing resembling a banner year to say the least. Snow plowing businesses are also suffering. The local skimobile shop appears to have a surplus of machines on hand. I’ve heard that retail stores cannot move their inventory of snow blowers. Anyone want to buy a snow shovel, cheap? It’s hardly been used.

I’ve lived long enough in these mountains to know, however, how things can quickly change.Last year we had record snows. This year our first significant winter snow has come in March (the one in October doesn’t count). Next year, who knows? Maybe I should search out bargains on snow blowers. I might get a good deal. Besides, this winter is not over yet (according to the calendar). These mountains commonly have had snow storms well into April. One year we had snow on Memorial Day--ten inches. I even remember flurries on a Fourth of July (It’s amazing how the older I get I remember things others don’t seem to recall).

But whatever happens, it is clear that it is not in anyone’s control. I can hope for an early spring. Others may want more snow. Whatever happens, not everyone will be pleased.The lack of snow has benefitted some while hurting others. At any rate, the forecast is for 50 degree weather by the weekend. The snow we have will probably not be around long which pleases those like me, but not those who need the snow. However, neither my wishing, nor anything else I can do, will change what will happen. And so it is with so many things in our lives. Such events are beyond our control.

It is comforting, however, to know that there is One for Whom nothing is out of control. Those of us who are in Christ have a heavenly Father, Who is never taken by surprise. All natural events occur according to His will (not global warming). Nothing takes Him by surprise. I can try to anticipate, plan and even worry, but only God knows what will happen. How blessed it is to trust in the One Who knows what tomorrow will bring because He is already there.

This has been a year for me to learn to trust our heavenly Father. But how can one trust Him unless he first knows Him? The first step in trusting is in accepting what He has done for us on the Cross. It all comes down to this Truth: Jesus died for our sins so that whosoever receives His provision for sin will have forgiveness and a relationship with the One Who created all that there is to see. While most things are out of our control, it is so wonderful that we can trust the One Who is in control.

Open Minds

When I taught in a Christian School in Virginia, our school administrator was originally from Buffalo. When it came to snowy days in the wintertime, we knew there would be no days off unless the conditions were really bad. There would be the most ominous of weather reports but, Mr. S would say, “Let’s wait to see if the snow really comes, before cancelling school”. And often, despite the predictions, no snow came and we had school. One winter was exceptionally snowy for Central Virginia. We actually did have some school snow days, but Mr. S still held his ground and would not issue a school closing until there was significant snow on the ground. After all, when you are from Buffalo, what is a few inches of fresh white powder? One day Mr. S was out of town. The high school principal was in charge. There was a forecast for heavy snow. This man, who had been raised in the South, called off school for the day. No snow came. Not even a flake. Upon his return, Mr. S was not happy.


How many times do we make decisions as did this Southern gentleman, before we have all the facts? We hear rumors and pass judgment. We see clever advertisements and vote for an attractive candidate. We read about proposed changes to our society and jump to conclusions. How much difficulty, we could have avoided if we were only willing to wait until we had all the facts? It pays to be reserve judgement and our decision until we have all the facts.

However, is this what being open minded is all about. All too often, there are those who have the necessary facts but refuse to make a decision. They pride themselves at being open-minded when in actuality they are just being indecisive. What they see as an indication of having a strong character is a sign they really have a weak one. There is reason to be open-minded until all the facts are in as was the man from Buffalo, but note he did not stay open-minded, but made a decision, and once his decision was made, he stuck to it. In this way one he avoided the a hasty decision made by the Southern gentleman. Open-mindedness must not be a cover for not making a decision when facts are available.
One’s open-mindedness can also be a cover for laziness. When the necessary facts are available, but the person refuses to gather them, perhaps he is just being lazy or procrastinating refusing to make a decision. In effect, though he already has made one. Open-mindedness can be of value, but can keep us from taking actions we ought to take.

One cannot be truly open-minded about God. When you think about it, you either believe in Him or you don’t. You either receive Him or you don’t. The facts necessary for a decision are all around us according to Romans chapter one. In this case the non-decision is a decision to reject God’s invitation to a relationship with Him. To say one is open-minded only covers up the matter.

God does not seek to prove His existence. He simply states it as in Genesis 1:1. However, God does invite us to prove His goodness as we accept His promises. The only proof we receive is when we receive God into our lives. All Creation points to His existence. His Word points to His goodness. His Son on the Cross points to His love. One either rejects or receives. Any delay only brings unnecessary heartache, loss and pain.

Some wise guy has said, “Show me a person with an open mind, and I’ll show you a person with a hole in his head.” In the case of receiving or rejecting Christ, this statement is not far off the mark.

Cheer Up, Things Could Be Worse

When I was down in the dumps a friend told me, “Cheer up, things could be worse.” So I cheered up and sure enough, things got worse.


So you’ve heard that one, right? But how many of us are afraid of getting our minds off our problems because if we do so, somehow according to our thinking, things might get worse, as if our worrying somehow fends off disaster. The believer in Christ does not need to bear his burdens alone in fear and worry. As the old song says, “Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.” God has promised to be with us, to guide and protect us. So, why do we have such a difficulty in worries about tomorrows and in particular things that never come about. We worry about the “could be” so much that we miss out on the blessings that are all around us.

Now I want to be clear on something, before I go much further. At this point I may sound to you like I writing the Positive Thinking Doctrine, and this might be the case except for one thing. I am writing about the promises of God, but in order to have the promises of God you must be the child of God. To be the child of God you must repent and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, Who died on the Cross in your place for your sin, and in believing you receive Him into your life. To give the promises of God without preaching the Cross is a deep error that has tremendous consequences. Without the Cross we have no claim to the promises of God.

But what are God’s promises? Some teach that if we think rightly and claim it that God will make us prosperous in all our ways. However, 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us taht we will go through testings (difficult times) just as do unbelievers. There is no promise of unending prosperity for the believer in this life. On the contrary, there is the reminder that we will often have conflicts, persecutions and distress. And why should we think otherwise, this is after a world of sin that will someday melt away and be created anew. So what advantage is there to being a believer in Christ? The answer is in the second part of 1 Corinthians 10:13. With the difficulties, God make a way for us to escape. In other words, we are not apart from His love.

I never realized this truth of God’s presence during the middle of adversity as much as I did during the days that followed Hurricane Irene. The night before the storm, I prayed for God’s protection over us and that the storm would dissipate before reaching us, that is, I asked the Lord to spare us any difficulty from Irene. This was not to be so. The night following the storm I had every reason to expect from the reports of the extent of the flood that everything we had, was probably gone. However, I had an unexplained peace, that even if we had lost everything, it was ok. The day after the storm, I found, yes, there would be hard days of work ahead to repair the damage left from Irene, but that most of what was important to us had been spared. I felt an overwhelming presence of God’s love and that He was teaching me, “I love you. Do you love me enough to trust my love?”

1 Corinthians 10:13 proved true for us. We were not spared the difficulty of Irene. But God did provide a way for us to overcome. In the weeks that followed the storm, we continued to have difficulties, and I did my usual amount of worry about each one, until I remembered how God had spared our house. Wouldn’t He take care of these relatively minor difficulties as well?

If you know Christ, cheer up. Even if things get worse, He will be with you. Turn your worries over to Him.