Sometimes - that's all there is-------

Listening to Rich Mullins "My Deliverer Is Coming."

Right now

Today

That's all there is

That's all that's keeping it in the road

But

Really

That's all the ever kept it in the road

That all that will ever keep it in the road

I'm OK with that

How about you?

Last Words Part 4

Last Words – almost  Part 4  Uhhhhhh – More Ouch~!

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.   (2Pe 1:5-14)  ESV

“is so nearsighted that he is blind”

Lit.: is blind or short-sighted

Blind:  τυφλός,  tuphlós; to envelop with smoke, be unable to see clearly. Blind Figuratively in respect to the mind as being blind, ignorant, stupid, slow of understanding.

• The adjective typhlós denotes human and animal blindness. It then refers to objects without light or access (cf. blind alleys) and also to what is invisible or concealed.
•  In 2  Pet.  1:9 it is the unfruitful rather than the ignorant who are blind and shortsighted (cf. vv. 5-6). Rev.  3:17 complains that the Laodicean church thinks it is spiritually rich but is really blind. Only Christ (v. 18) can cure this blindness of self-deception and complacency. KTD

Nearsighted:  muōpázō;  muōpásō, from múōps, shortsighted, which is derived from múō , to shut, and ōps, the eyes. To shut the eyes, blink, to squint like one who cannot see clearly; hence by implication to be nearsighted. Used metaphorically in 2Pet. 1:9.

Some interpret this as saying that those referred to are so shortsighted they may as well be blind.  Other insert the word “or” in the verse differentiating between shortsightedness and completely blind.  I prefer the view that these folks are so shortsighted they may as well be blind.

There’s no big reason for my preference except that the overall indication is that these people are believers and as such I have a hard time considering them utterly blind.  They see but are unable to see clearly.

I am disgustingly short-sighted.  The greatest problem I have is in recognizing people when I am not wearing my glasses.  I’ve looked right at someone I know well and have not acknowledged them because although I could “see” them I could not distinguish them from anyone else at the same distance.  I have often used the phrase, “without my glasses, I’m blind.”  This, I believe, is what Peter is referring to.  It is a lack of clarity, the inability to make close distinctions, an inability to recognize things for what they are.

Ah, but it gets worse.

“having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins”

Forgotten:  “ληθη  λαβων”

• Ληθη, lḗthē:  from lanthánō , to forget. Forgetfulness, oblivion (2Pet. 1:9). This is the word from which "lethal" and "lethargy" are derived.
• Λαβων from λαμβάνω,  lambánō
•  From the basic sense 'to take,' lambánō acquires the active senses a. 'to take to oneself,' 'to receive,' 'to collect,' and b. 'to seize.'  It also takes on the more passive sense 'to acquire' and middle 'to hold or grasp something or someone.' KTD
•   Sometimes means to receive as merely a self-prompted action without necessarily signifying a favorable reception. In the NT, to actively take, and, partially in the passive sense, to receive.

The gist here is that they have not seized the fact and implications of their:

Purification (from their former sins): καθαρισμός,  katharismós; gen, to make clean.

It actually refers to the process of purification, the sacrifice of purification.

The purification of women (Luk_2:22; Sept.: Lev_14:32; Lev_15:13; see Lev. 12); ritual purification (Mar_1:44; Luk_5:14; Joh_2:6). The baptism both of John and the Lord Jesus is designated as katharismós in Joh_3:25, not that the ritual of physical baptism brought about spiritual results or spiritual purification, but only as a parallel in its results. As water cleanses the body in baptism, the grace it symbolizes cleanses the soul. Its designation as a "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mar_1:4; Luk_3:3; Act_2:38) means an identification with the forgiveness of sins. In Heb_1:3, the word denotes the objective removal of our sins by Jesus Christ (see Heb_9:22-23; Sept.: Exo_30:10; Job_7:21). In 2Pe_1:9, it refers to the actual purification accomplished in man, while in Heb_1:3 to the propitiation provided by the Lord Jesus.

•  katharós, katharízō, kathaírō, katharótēs.  The group denotes physical, religious, and moral cleanness or purity in such senses as clean, free from stains or shame, and free from adulteration.
•  The purity required of the NT community is moral and personal. It consists of a dedication to God that renews the inner being. Purity of heart - which is far above purity of hands - is what counts before God.
•  Hebrews opposes to the older ritual purity the superior moral purity of the new order (9:13). Cleansing is still needed (cf. 9:22), but only Christ's blood can achieve this with its cleansing from sin (1:3) and liberation from sinful impulses (9:14).

Now, here I see an interesting thing.  The blindness suffered is a blindness to their condition in Christ as well as their obligation in Christ.

We’ve seen Peter’s admonition to practice in order to make one’s election and calling sure.  Perhaps (and I hold this) the biggest problem in not practicing is that we are not sure in our election and calling.  In this state we suffer a lack of clarity – an inability to make sound distinctions.

Not only a lack of clarity, but we are constantly tormented with a lack of assurance of which the world, the flesh and the devil all take advantage.  We don’t know, we can’t say, so in fear we freeze in place, a stationary target.

We get caught in between our Rock and a hard place (the Flesh).  Our Rock says we are His forever.  Our flesh (along with the world and the devil) says otherwise.  We are sure one moment and then terrified the next.  We are confident one day and hiding the next.  We’re a lot like Israel in the wilderness wandering around between Egypt and the Land of the Promise.  Back and forth, back and forth………

But like Israel in the wilderness, God is with us and for us.  We are His by the Word of His promise and NOT by anything we have or have not done. 

Practice = living in the truth of our election and call.  If not perfectly, at least consistently as we are able. 

Like Israel in the wilderness, these “blind” folks have seen but they don’t see.  Their shoes never wear out and yet they doubt.  They are well fed yet they fear hunger.  They are well fed but are dissatisfied with their fare.  God consistently demonstrates His faithfulness and yet they don’t SEE it.

Of course you never know if the bridge will support you until you walk on it.  This is the purpose of practice.  As we practice (however poorly), we should remember it is all in His hands, under His control.  He isn’t up there with a stop watch or a tape measure.  He grades not on the curve but on the cross. 

Have you ever seen an adult throw a child into the air and catch them and then heard the child cry out, “Do it again, do it again!!?”  This is a great picture of how you and I need to work on trusting Him.  As we practice, we are (from our point of view) taking a risk, we’re walking by faith.  While we’re in the air it might be a little frightening – but – He has promised He will be there to catch us.

Now I’m not talking about some ill-considered action taken without prayer, study and counsel.  Yes, if you step of the roof of your house, God can catch you – but when did He tell you to step off your roof?  I am talking about practicing what Peter admonishes us to practice in the verses we’re coming to.

I can sympathize with the believer who feels overwhelmed as God calls them to a mission field or a new undertaking of any sort.  It’s a little (to say the least) intimidating.  But that is not what Peter is calling us to.  And yet, all too many forget they are utterly redeemed and hesitate to risk not getting it perfect.

Near-sighted so as to be blind having too much lethargy to grasp the truth of their Redemption and live it???

Next time  - - - -

Last words - almost Part 2

Last Words – almost  Part 2  Why we should . . . .

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.   (2Pe 1:5-14)  ESV

Ever have doubts?  Ever struggle with the security of your calling in Christ?  I do.

When the flesh bombards me with urges or the world seeks to seduce me and seems so powerful or when those “spiritual forces of darkness,” seem so overwhelming and I struggle, I have doubts.

When I look at the sinfulness of my sin.  When I am confronted by the fact that, “every intention of the thoughts of his (my)heart was only evil continually,”  (Gen 6:5) I doubt.

I wonder why He called me.  I wonder why He keeps me.  I wonder if I am, “good enough,” and finding that I am not, I doubt.

But there is a sure resolution to this, a heaven sent way to confront those times of doubt and press on.  A verse 10 and 11 of our passage provide that resolution.  The answer is:

PRACTICE

Ποιέω  poiéō; [to create, make, do, act],

(I)          To make, form, produce, bring about,  cause, spoken of any external act as manifested in the production of something tangible, corporeal, obvious to the senses, completed action.

(II)        Figuratively spoken of a state or condition, or of things intangible and incorporeal, and generally of such things as are produced by an inward act of the mind or will; to make, cause, bring about, occasion

What is this we are to do?  Verse five makes it clear, “make every effort to supplement your faith with . . . .”  We’ll deal with later (hopefully you’ve noticed we’re moving backwards through the passage).  But we are to practice the supplementing or adding of these qualities to or with our faith.

It has been said that we are saved by faith alone but that the faith that saves is not alone.  Unfortunately many have taken this as an opportunity to add qualifications and conditions to salvation.  But Peter presupposes his audience, you and me, have faith and are saved.  So, what’s this “adding” all about?  What does, ‘the faith that saves is not alone,” mean?

It really isn’t all that complicated or difficult.  I have faith that there is a thing called gravity – therefore I do not jump off of tall buildings.  I believe that there is a thing called friction and so when I want to stop my car I apply the brakes.

I believe that Jesus is the Messiah, rightfully my Lord and that He gave His life for my sins that I might have eternal life – THEREFORE I - - - - - - -

But, I don’t THEREFORE perfectly and I have accepted that for He has covered those failings as well.  Practice doesn’t make perfect but it does bring progress and that’s just the point.  As we make progress in our walk the Him, as we grow in the consistency and effectiveness of our obedience we will become more and more secure n our relationship to Him. 

Now – our relationship to Him – depends upon Him and Him alone – but our sense of it, our experience of it is, unfortunately, is powerfully affected by our attention to and in it.  I don’t have to prove my faith to Him or anyone else - I’m the one demanding proof and the proof is in the practice not the product.  The product is always and ever dependent upon Him>PERIOD!

But our sense of that wonderful intimate relationship, our grasp on belonging to Him – that comes as we practice and watch Him produce. 

Read an almost word for word translation of verse 10:

“be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you”

This is YOU making certain – you making you certain and NOT you making His calling and choosing certain. 

Through “practicing” what Peter has laid out for us we will grow more and more confident in our calling and choosing – and more confident of it.

Now I want to give a warning here about fruit.  Some of us are to grow figs some of us grow mushrooms.  Some fruit is evident to all and some fruit, not so much.  Sometimes we don’t even see the fruit of our practice for years – and years.  Some we won’t see until He reveals it.  But we have faith He can, will and does make good use of every effort undertaken for His glory.

Zodhiates’ The Complete Word Study New Testament he writes, “Poiéō (practice) may well refer to the doing once and for all, the producing and bringing forth something which, when produced, has an independent existence of its own.

There is an old Jewish tale of a Rabbi who was maligned by a man in his town.  The man later repented and went to the Rabbi so seek forgiveness and make amends:

The Rabbi told the man, "Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a  simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the Rabbi that he had done it, the Rabbi said, "Now, go and gather the feathers. Because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers."

Huh?  Well, like those feathers, our practice is scattered to the winds.  Just as the evil words the man had spoken were gone, not to be seen, our practice, what it produces can be and often is just as elusive.  We may not see what our practice produces in the world but He does.

Our practice does however demonstrate to us and for us our faith.  Both the blessings and the tribulations that come with living for Him demonstrate the truth of His promises and His predictions.  Whether we receive thanks or curses for our practice, whether we do or don’t see the results of our practice, practice produces.

We are secure in Him- we will never be secure in us.  Until we are with Him, concerns and doubts will pop into our heads and hearts – that’s just the way we are.  But He never has any doubts!

Why PRACTICE -  Vs. 10,  “if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

Fall?   = ptaíō;  as 'to stumble against,' 'to collide with,' or, in the more usual intransitive, 'to stumble,' 'to fall,' 'to suffer a reverse,' and figuratively  'to err,' 'to sin.'

Last Words - almost Part 1

Last words – almost

Part 1

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.   (2Pe 1:5-14)  ESV

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.   v.13&14

The context from which Peter writes is critical.  We have to “flash-bask” to that day on the shore and a conversation Jesus has with Peter.

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (Joh 21:18-22)

There is a great deal going on between Peter and Jesus in this chapter of John.  It’s a pretty tough day for Peter.

Jesus shows Peter that at the end of his life he will not be free.  We think Peter was killed in Rome under Nero.  The “stories” tell us that he requested to be crucified upside down as he did not feel worthy of the same death that his Master suffered.  But we must keep in mind that “stories” are “stories.”  That Peter was martyred is not in debate.

The point I want us to see in this Part 1 of the series is Peter’s motivation for writing the preceding verses.  It’s quite simple really, “since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon.”  I’m not going to be alive for long.

Peter considers it “right,” to remind them of their duty as believers to never grow stagnant, to continue to be conformed to the likeness of Christ.  I won’t get into some long discussion on salvation.  Suffice it to be said that the presupposition I hold and I believe Peter held is well stated by D. Bonheoffer, “Only the believing obey, only the obedient believe”.

Not questioning the faith or willing obedience of his audience Peter wants so “stir,” his audience up.  He wants not only to awaken those who may be dozing but he desires to incite, excite, and stir up all those to whom he writes, which includes you and me.

To say these are Peter’s last words would surely be silly.  But to say that this is his last and lasting admonition would probably be safe.  His end is near – his concern is for the Body and all its parts.  If he has to condense his desire for them, his pray for them, his expectation of them, this is it.

Read the passage.  In it, through Peter, the Holy Spirit provides us with a clear and exacting list of qualities of those things necessary for our growth and effectiveness.  How can we not fall to our knees in both repentance and supplication?  Repenting our laziness and distraction from them and crying out to the Lord for both the conviction, will, energy and opportunity to do what is commanded here.

Peter says,

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.”

And then writes,

“And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.”  (2Pe 1:15)  ESV

I hope and pray you will consider following this series.  I pray that His Spirit will convict and energize you to diligently seek to follow Peter’s admonition which is also an imperative from the Lord.

The next two installments will address why we don’t and why we should.

Call me "christian" no more!

Call me ‘christian’ no more!

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Yep – I’m thinking about it.  I’m thinking about answering the question, “Are you a Christian?” with a resounding, “No!!!”

Why?  Simply put, because that’s not what God calls me!

Three times the denominator “Christian” is used in scripture and at no time is it intended to be anything more than a slur.

Act 11:26   and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Act 26:28  And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"

1Pe 4:16   Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Christianós; gen. Christianoú, masc. noun from Christós (G5547), Christ. A name given to the disciples or followers of Christ, first adopted at Antioch. It does not occur in the NT as a name commonly used by Christians themselves (Act_11:26; Act_26:28; 1Pe_4:16). The believers first became known as Christians as an appellation of ridicule.

The official Roman charge against Believers was atheism.  Should we consider calling ourselves atheists?  What about “fools?”  Should we just accept the name given us by the world.  Or should we consider using the terms by which God calls us?

We might call our selves “disciples of Jesus.”  However that just tells folks we are students of a guy called Jesus.  It’s import is little more than the Pharisees’s and John’s followers were. 

How about this piece of Bible trivia – did you know that it is only in the Gospels and the Acts off the apostles that Believers are called disciples?  That’s right, after Acts the appellation is not used.  Why?  Because after the giving of the Holy Spirit Believers became much much more than mere disciples.

But, you say, we are called to make disciples!!  Absolutely true – and we can.  What we can’t do is make Believers!!!!!  Get it?  We go – we teach Christ and Him crucified – people come to hear/learn – they are disciples – then the Holy Spirit acts and they become Believers – then we baptize them.  Get it???  We are only capable of making disciples who may or may not become believers.

OK – so what now?  Well, you’ve got “Believers,” and “Saints.”  Those are the two predominant appellations we find in scripture.  Those are the most common terms God uses to “name” His people.  So whose name do you want to carry – the one given us by the pagans in Ephesus which was intended to be a slur or the names given us by God?

Is this a big deal?  Yes and no.  It is a big deal when we consider calling biblical things by biblical names.  It is a big deal when we want to be accurate and God honoring.  It is a big deal when we want to make sure that the world knows who and what we are.  In terms of our salvation – it’s not so big a deal.

The term “christian’ was intended to be a pejorative not simply a name.  It was intended to demean and insult those it was used of.  It was intended to marginalize those it was applied to.  Mmmmmmmm?  Sound familiar?   I don’t know about you but I’m tired of accepting the world’s appellation – I think I prefer God’s.

των  πιστων = the believers

ἅγιος  hágios; = saints

οι ηγορασμενοι = the redeemed

λαος θεου = people of God

δουλοι χριστου = servants of Christ

δουλος ιησου χριστου = servant of Christ Jesus

It’s time we took back our true name!  No, this isn’t a matter of salvation but it is one of correctness and scriptural accuracy.  We are:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1Pe 2:9-11)  ESV

I think it’s high time we considered claiming our true status, our real name.  Nick names can be good or bad.  In the case of the word Christian – there was no good intent in its being applied to those who follow the Lord or Lords.  Things haven’t changed much over time except that we’ve accepted the appellation of the world’s ridicule as some kind of a warped badge of honor.  I for one have a problem with that!

anti-Christs

Anti-Christs    060212 B

Mmmmmmm?

1Jn 2:18-19  Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.  (19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Antichrist; The great booger-bear of the faith?  Maybe not!

Sure, we see THE antichrist in the Revelation to John and we get all clammy and scared.  BUT come on guys – we've got to accept that though there may well be a biggy – there are lots and lots of smaller antichrists – and there have always been!

What do we do about them?

First, we let them go. John says they do and will go out from us – they will not continue with us.  Why would that be?  He doesn't say we kick them out, rather they leave.

I wonder if what is happening is that things get just too uncomfortable for “them.” 

Today, in a lot of “churches,” there are no boundaries and no expectations.  Doctrine is fuzzy at best and an undefined state of  “loving Jesus,” seems to be the be all and end all.  Or, in some cases just an unqualified “believing (on or in) Jesus,” is enough.

However we must first ask whether or not this Jesus that is loved and/or believed in is the Jesus of scripture.  As David Smith once said to me, “There are a lot of guys named Jesus but just one Lord and Redeemer.”

To believe in the Jesus who is the Lord, one must believe in what He believed in.  One cannot claim to be His while at the same time contradicting not only what He taught but what He believed as well.

He believed in God, the Spirit and God's right to demand obedience and service from His creation.  He also believed that God's requirement for righteousness/holiness was legitimate.  He believed in the God of judgment, wrath, justice, mercy and grace.  He believed in a God who says what He means and means what He says.  He believed in a God who is sovereign, omnipresent, omnipotent, holy and righteous.

He believed that there was truth and only one truth.  He believed that right and wrong were never relative.  He believed that God deserved our submission and service right up to and including death.

Now, is that the Jesus we hear of and read about in popular “christian” literature?  I don't think so – not much at least.  Actually, most contemporary “christian” literature is more about us that it is about Him.  It is more about what we can expect from Him than what He demands of us.  It's more about our place in the grand scheme instead of our place at His feet.  It's six easy steps, one fantastic formula, a process, disciplines – but very little discipleship.  It's not about serving Him as much as it is about sucking as much out of Him as we can.

Whoa be it to the teacher who demands a slave attitude towards God.  And yet, Jesus not only believed in that, but lived it.

The God in whom Jesus believed is great and awesome and frightening.  The God we believe in is a great co-pilot, helper, designated runner, etc.  He's just not God anymore.

John and his folks were fortunate.  Their antichrists left.  Unfortunately, it seems that we will go to any length to keep ours.  We will soft-pedal, obfuscate, dally, waiver, waffle, concerning the biblical doctrines so that as few people as possible are offended and as little as possible is expected.

The cry, “You need a relationship with God,” is just dumb.  There has never been and never will be anyone or anything that does not have a relationship with God.  Whether it a relationship whose nature you want, is entirely another matter.  Redeemed or damned, everyone has a relationship with God.

Then there is, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.”  That's probably one of the favorite taunts thrown out to those in hell.  Yes, God loves His creation and He has plans for every speck of it.  Some of those plans are great, some, not so much. 

Then again, His plans for me may parallel those He had for Job or Stephen or Peter.  Ooops!  Not such an exciting prospect. 

Let's face it, maybe we ought to want to see the antichrists leave.  Maybe we ought to pray that they are either converted or that they just go away.  Of course, as long as they're warm and safe and comfortable, they'll stay.  As long as the expectations are not too great and the boundaries aren't too clear, they'll stay. 

I have to wonder what it was that was getting those antichrists to leave in John's day.  What were they experiencing as the church that provoked the antichrists to hit the road? 

Was it sound doctrine?  Was it an expectation that they would mortify the flesh?  Was it a demand that they not compromise with culture?  Was a refusal to meet the desires of the flesh? 

Somehow they had a situation that was repellant to the antichrists.  Why can't we?  Why don’t we? 

Finger Thinking 060512

William Gurnall wrote:

Indeed there is no duty in the Christian's whole course of walking with God, or acting for God but is lined with many difficulties, which shoot like enemies through the hedges at him, while he is marching towards heaven: so that he is put to dispute every inch of ground as he goes.   Gurnall, William (2010-04-09). The Christian in Complete Armour (Complete & Unabridged) - The Ultimate Book on Spiritual Warfare (Kindle Locations 125-127).  . Kindle Edition.

This is how things looked to Gurnall – way back then.  It seems it’s not so much the case today – is it?   Let me ask you (and myself), “What’s so tough about being a Christian today? “

Now, if your thoughts fly to the political, social and cultural – well, you have a point.  But what concerns me is that the political, social and cultural stuff is not the point – nor the problem.

Consider:

Sin moves by drawing the mind away from God, enticing the affections and twisting desires and paralyzing the will, thus stunting any real Christian growth.   One of the most frightening truths that Owen wants the believer to recognize is that “Your enemy is not only upon you . . . but is in you also.”  Part of understanding the battle against sin is seeing that the enemy, so to speak, is not only external, but internal, which is why Christians often have conflicting desires within them.  Owen, John; Kelly M. Kapic; Justin Taylor; John Piper (2006-10-16). Overcoming Sin and Temptation (p. 27). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

This is a critical point we must grasp.  Sanctification is about us, individually.  Our battle starts within and though we remove ourselves far from the world and the devil, sin goes where we go.  Could it be that as the world (and the church) church has compromised the truth and the duty of the believer we are more inured to, more callous about and less sensitive to sin?  Are we allowing a cloak of worldliness to fall around our shoulders?  Are we comfortable with a certain amount of impurity mixed with the gold?

I really think we are.  I believe that we have grown shallow or we have remained so callow in our faith that unless it’s grossly rejected by “most people,” we don’t see it as much of a sin.  I am reminded of a lesson I heard on the 10 Commandments.  When the speaker got to the tenth he simply said that this included, “Not even wanting to do the first nine.”  The first commandment is all about God the last is all about “me, mine, I.” 

 

I believe that we have been become so calloused that sin has little meaning.  And yet sin – especially covetousness permeates our culture.  The “American Dream” has morphed into a deadly and pernicious virus clouding our judgments and hindering our sensitivity.  We have succumbed to the “more, bigger, better” lies as well as the “got to’s” of marketing.  I know, I used to swim in it where now I simply wade in it.  We have been fooled into accepting, however unconsciously, that what we have (or don’t have), where we go (or don’t go) is a measure of our value and the all of our meaning.

We have ceased to be in and not of the world.  Perhaps it’s time for an Exodus?  But if we don’t see or feel the slavery we live in why would we want to leave?  Unfortunately I fear that until we experience our Pharaoh who knows not Joseph we will not want to leave.

This is not something new.  We can identify great men and women of faith in history but we find few “peoples” of faith.  We revel in reading of Spurgeon and Owen and Gurnall but they are stellar singularities in the Christian sky.  We seem to think that just “accepting Jesus” (an utterly unbiblical concept) puts us on the right side of the fence.  We are, of course, wrong.

How sensitive are you to sin?  How deeply does it pain you to discover it?  What are those sins that trouble you?  Are they biggies?  Would you refuse to steal the car of your dreams but not be bothered when you envy someone who owns one?  Would you refuse to steal money to have more, bigger, better but scowl at someone who had it?

How much tribulation, sorrow and hunger (spiritually or physically) do we really suffer?  How much are we really persecuted or rejected?  When was the last time you really examined yourself?  When was the last time you were moved to repentance.  Mine was just about five minutes ago – but then writing this makes me more sensitive than I was an hour ago.

We are indeed like the church of Laodicea.  We are neither hot nor cold – BUT we are comfortable – aren’t we.  Tolerance, as the world defines it is a sin.  But intolerance as demonstrated by the “church” may be just as big a sin.  When my intolerance is focused more outwardly than inwardly, I believe it is a sin.  “The Joneses” won’t have to answer to me; I won’t have to answer to “the Joneses but we will both have to answer to God.  So why am I so consumed with what they are doing instead of what I am or am not doing?

Yeah – I’m back on the old “log and speck” thing.  For me, the sins of another are as important as specks.  There is nothing I can do about them and little they can do to me.  My “log’ on the other hand can kill me or get me killed.  It obscures my vision, impairs my judgment and hinders my right actions.  It is very important as it affects me and my walk with Him.

We are called to be holy.  We are called to learn and live righteousness.  We are not called to do these things in comparison to others but in comparison to God.  Yes, we are redeemed from our failure, our rebellion but the call to holiness is not diminished, the expectation of our focus and efforts is not weakened.  We are to be growing in righteousness not wallowing in comfort and complacency.

This “walk” we are called to, this growth in righteousness can never be comfortable.  Therefore I have to wonder, if we are indeed comfortable, are we even walking the Way?  If we are troubled by the sins of the world are we troubles by our own?  Which of the two is our priority?  We all know which one should be.  But no one wants to repent of stuff that others find no problem with.  Huh?

OK, let’s take TV.  Let a mother and father come under a conviction that TV is more bad than good and that what is offered as entertainment on it is not something they want in their home and then let them share with others this conviction and they are immediately seen as, well, weird.  Let a group of believers come under conviction that owning property and a building is not as good stewardship as many think and they become, well, weird.  Let someone decide that bowing to “fashion,” or ‘convention,” in matters of dress and they are, well, weird.

Now a tough question.  Has not this complacency, this callousness concerning sin caused our weaker brothers and sisters to stumble?  Where we are tolerant do we not teach a bad lesson?  Where we are speck focused, are we not laying trip-wires?  Has our attitude of, “it’s not a big sin,” not muddied all the waters?  Hasn’t our failure to teach biblical self-examination and the mortification of sin left many many believers ill-equipped to live the live they are called to?

Perhaps we need to be convicted of our insensitivity to conviction.  We want to be “better” Christians when perhaps we ought to realize that it is only in Christ we are Christians at all.  What is an acceptable level of sin to you?  Yes, it is forgiven – but our liberty cannot be a license for liberality. 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psa 51:17 

When did we last cry out for God to break “our’ spirit and make “our” heart broken and contrite? 

How about this as a thrice daily prayer:

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  (24)  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!    Psa 139:23-24

I fear that if we are not somehow turned to be consumed with our sin we will be consumed by it.  I fear that if we are not obsessed with righteousness we will be continue to be obsessed with comfort and complacency.  I fear that until we are willing to face the shame of our sin we will not fully appreciate the shame He bore for our sin.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."  And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.   1Pe 1:14-19  

Let us "entertain" you ?????

Let us “entertain” you?

Richard Baxter wrote a short work on the need for believers to be cautious in what they read.  Today, there are more forms of entertainment and leisure habits than just reading.  Between TV, movies, concerts, seminars and talk radio, we are overrun with opportunities to be entertained and gather information.

However, if we are to grow in righteousness we need to be very very careful what we put in our minds and who we allow to put it there.  We must remember that not one iota of data enters our minds that does not have some influence be it immediate or cumulative.

Baxter presents these questions: 

Remember that it is not just books we need to be cautious about

While reading ask oneself:

1. Could I spend this time no better?

2. Are there better books that would edify me more?

3. Are the lovers of such a book as this the greatest lovers of the Book of God and of a holy

   life?

4. Does this book increase my love to the Word of God, kill my sin, and prepare me for the life

   to come?

Ouch!

Entertainments are not in and of themselves evil or bad.  They are however, like candy and not fit for a regular diet. 

Patti and used to watch the show The Glimore Girls.  We were really caught up in their story and the characters.  That is until somehow we began to ask, “What’s the message behind the entertainment?”  As we looked at the characters, the situations they faced and the decisions they made we were shocked that we had never noticed exactly how dysfunctional and sad the show really was.  Where we had laughed we now dropped our jaws and shook our heads in despair.

Remember 24?  Did you get hooked?  What was the message in that show?  What about My Name is Earl?  Anyone up for a cup of Karma?

“Oh, Michael,” you say, “it’s just TV (or books or movies, etc).”  True – but the intent of these shows is to get you to suspend your incredulity and accept, at least some of it, as real.  The only show I can remember that didn’t do that was Dragnet.  You can still catch this on Hulu.  It’s dull, slow and stiff – but, it’s more real than anything since.

What about “reality” shows?  Is that really reality?  Are these “real” people?  Sure they are – but stick a camera crew with anyone and no matter how “real” they are, their “reality” changes.

Even the “News” here in America is a joke.  Do a search on the net for British news shows.  You’ll learn things about our country that are true – that you’ll not hear of US news shows.

Remember that old song, Be Careful Little Eyes What You See?  Well if you think you’ve outgrown it you are fooling yourself.  The “entertainment” industry is first about making money.  Secondly it is about changing culture.  Kirks’ kissing O’Hura is an example – though a good one. 

A mother selling marijuana to support her family is a bad one (Weeds).

Hey, in the end, it’s up to you.  If you want to eat candy all the time and don’t think it will have a deleterious effect – OK.  But just keep in mind that even a tiny piece of leaven affects the whole lump of dough.  A brief exposure to radiation over a long period of time will get you dead.  Arsenic, mercury and lead are necessary but taking in small portion over a long time will kill you.

I was once told by a friend of mine that as they watch a TV show or movie they woulkd always ask, “If the Lord was sitting here, would I change the channel?”

Here’s a challenge.  There’s a show called, The Big Bang Theory.  If the title doesn’t warn you off, watch it – but – take notes.  What preoccupies the characters?  What would you say are their fundamental beliefs?  Notice any stereo-types?  What “world-view” can you pick up?”  Should what makes you laugh make you laugh?

If you don’t want to take the challenge, here’s what WikiP has to say concerning how “religion” is addressed on the show:

Religion plays a minor role in the series. Sheldon was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household. He refers to his childhood as "hell", and a recurrent theme is his conflict with his devout mother, Mary, whose creationist beliefs often clash with Sheldon's understanding of evolution. In "The Lunar Excitation", Sheldon mentions his promise to Mary to attend church once a year. In "The Wheaton Recurrence", after scoring a spare in bowling, Sheldon happily exclaims "Thank you, Jesus! ...as my mother would say." In the episode "The Zarnecki Incursion", Sheldon can be heard exclaiming "Why hast thou forsaken me, o deity whose existence I doubt?"

Howard and Raj are Jewish and Hindu, respectively, and semi-observant, apparently defying many religious customs without worry. They frequently flout dietary prohibitions and tend to give each other grief about them--Raj quotes from the Talmud after Howard eats pork, and Howard sharply says he holds his tongue when Raj eats a Big Mac. Still, Raj mentions reincarnation and karma, and Howard celebrates at least some Jewish holidays and refuses to get tattoos so he "can be buried in a Jewish cemetery". Howard's mother is a caricature of an over-protective Jewish mother.

Neither Leonard's nor Penny's religious convictions are made clear. Leonard approaches Christianity with less skepticism than Sheldon. Penny has expressed belief in ghosts, astrology, psychics and voodoo. Bernadette is Catholic, and is frequently seen wearing a necklace with a cross. And Amy is agnostic, stating in "The Lunar Excitation" that she understands the notion of a deity but is skeptical of one that would take attendance.

In the end, what gets in your mind is up to you – but I encourage you to ask, “Why do I find this entertaining?”  and “Would I invite the Apostle Paul over for pop-corn to watch this with me?  or  “What would an unbelieving acquaintance think of my witness if we were watching this together?”

You may not make you brother or sister stumble – why would you want to make yourself do so?