Monday, March 31, 2008
Christian Joy
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Faith=Righteousness
In Romans 4, where St. Paul is talking about Abraham being justified by faith, he goes on to say that “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5). Because of our unrighteousness as sinners we are unable to enjoy life eternal. Therefore we must need righteousness to enter into the Kingdom of God. There is no perfect act of contrition or any amount of works that man can do to right himself with God. Nor do works capitalize or assure us of our salvation. I will tell you what assures you of your salvation: That Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose again! That single thing is what assures you of your salvation. St. Paul goes on further to say that Abraham is “the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness may be credited to them” (Romans 4:11). See that? Abraham is the father of all who believe, not the father of all who do just works, or the father of those who believe but in addition to that assure themselves they are the seed of Abraham by the works they do. Unfortunately, the Book of James muddies this situation for many people.
The problem is that many read James and take him as saying that faith +works=salvation. When he is promulgating the law of God, but in doing so showing that indeed faith=salvation but that a true faith shows its fruit. The one believing in Jesus will be spurned by the Holy Spirit to do good works. Certainly a man who says he is a Christian yet runs around defaming others, or worse murdering without remorse is no Christian. James was warning against those who would label themselves as such yet live a life of sin glorification which spurned no good fruit for others to take example from. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:1-2). Take serious note of what Paul is saying here: Because of what Christ did, the works of God, and through faith we are saved. Indeed it took a work for me to be saved, but thanks be to God it wasn’t me who had to accomplish this task. Jesus Christ, the Word of God is also the Work of God. Upon that cross where Jesus died, I am redeemed through a work. And by faith I may live my life in that work, and that faith spurns good works, but only because they are done in Christ. What does this discipleship mean? Does it mean we must abandon our lives at home and all become missionaries abroad? No. To deny oneself is to understand that this world and its promises have nothing to offer. It is the first step, by God, that we are able to enter into faith, or discipleship. Taking up ones cross does not mean we are to run stupidly into the Middle East and be executed for our beliefs. It simply means to shoulder the things that come along with being a Christ, including the burdens. And if you are to glorify God in death, then may it be glorious to Him. To follow Jesus is to focus strictly on the cross. It means that everything you do, you interpret through the cross.
Yet, we are humans, and we screw up. Luckily, we are covered by grace through faith. Yet this faith does not ask us to be quiet and to sit at home and say, “Whew, it’s over.” Nowhere in the Bible does it promise a happy, healthy, wealthy lifestyle in following God. In fact it states just the opposite. Jesus told His disciples that the world would hate them because it hated Him first. From a world-view there is no joy in that. But the Christian sees the joy in giving it all up for Jesus, and that is how we are happy in this life.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
We walk THROUGH faith...
6So we are always of good courage. We know that(H) while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for(I) we walk by faith, not(J) by sight. 8Yes, we are of good courage, and we(K) would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to(L) please him. 10For(M) we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,(N) so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Great Resources
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Law and Gospel
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Change the world
There's a lot of talk about changing the world going on out there. Being it's a presidential election year, you are almost guaranteed to hear talk of change and promises of change. It becomes comical to listen to rather quickly because real change is hardly ever delivered. For me as a Christian, knowing non Christians may very well be reading this, I take comfort in seeing change take place. The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which literally means to turn around, to change. The idea of repentance is to have that change of heart that transforms you inside. A change in humanity was needed from the outset. Once sin and death entered the world it needed to be addressed and defeated. One popular question I receive in talking to non Christians and even some Christians is if God knew humanity would sin, why would He create/why wouldn't He stop it? Almost as though God hadn't thought about how His creation would screw up and be in need of saving. So I like to turn the question around. The same scripture that claims humans chose to screw up also shows us God knew we would, but because of His love created anyway. God is love and in that love He creates. We can see that in examples of everyday life. Revelation 13:8 shows us that Jesus is the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross has eternal consequences, past, present, and future. God created knowing the cross would have to happen. So I like to ask, why would God have created knowing He would undoubtedly have to take the form of man and suffer for us? The answer: God is love. It is THAT love that changes the world. Don't be labeled a hateful evangelical Christian because you have pet sins, but let sinners (of which you are even as a Christian) know that your sin is not better or worse than theirs. The only reason people should look unfavorably upon Christians is because they faithfully proclaim the saving name of Jesus Christ to the world. Want to change the world? Tell some who doesn't believe about the love of Christ found in the gospel. That's how real change will take place in this country and this world. Do not hammer people, do not beat them with verses, simply share the Gospel with them and why they need it, let God do the rest. Always keep that door open and let them know you'll always try to answer questions. The old saying goes "Kill them with kindness." Well kill sinners with love. We all need love, and "there is no greater love than this, that a man should lay his life down for his friends." Go out there and change the world.