What an unfathomable concept! The One who filled infinity from all eternity, the One who was and is and is to come, the One whose glory and beauty knows no limits, this One constricts Himself to a body of flesh and shuffles among the dust and sweat of human existence voluntarily subjected to brutality and rejection from those He came to rescue. He “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” No angel could have done this. Revealing Himself to mankind through a book, or other means would not suffice. The Word had to be made flesh to accomplish God’s desire.
The message still must be proclaimed through megaphones of flesh. While literature and media are wonderful tools, technology cannot substitute for life exchange relationships, one heart sharing with another. That is why missionaries still go and we must still send them. The word must become living, breathing and dwell among men.
But this isn’t just the privilege of missionaries. Every believer, like John the Baptist, is “sent from God” to represent Him – to be His word, His ambassadors in the dirt and daily grind of the office and job site, in grocery stores and gas stations, cafes and classrooms. You and I are sent, in the flesh, so through our witness those in our sphere of influence can experience “the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Sample Prayer: Thank you Jesus for making God known to me. Help me to declare Him to others not only by my words but also by living a life “full of grace and truth” toward those around me. Let your word become become flesh as I live it out today.
__________ Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Parenting is tough. It always has been but there is no doubt it is much harder now when society no longer even knows, let alone agrees with, plain Biblical exhortations regarding discipline and the nature of a child’s heart.
I occasionally have frustrated parents contacting me for advice and I appreciate the wisdom they show in wanting to know what God’s Word, not the lady on TV or the movie star in the magazine, has to say about how to raise godly children. Here is some material I have prepared to offer help in a few areas.
Parenting is a marathon, certainly not a sprint. But it is also the most valuable and rewarding thing you will ever do in your life – raising godly children. The rewards are great in this life and also in eternity. Get help below. The information is free but also priceless.
Somebody told me they were upset because a Christian friend accused her of being pro-abortion because she said was pro-choice. “That angers me”, she complained, “because I hate abortions but I think a person should have a choice in this matter. How come Christians think pro-choice is the same as pro-abortion?”
I can understand her frustration at being labeled as being in favor of something that she despises. Most people would consider her stance rather neutral. She is not in favor of abortion but neither does she think people should be restricted from having them if that is their choice. She is tolerant. She is correct – at least politically.
But here could be why her friend accused her of being pro-abortion simply because she was pro-choice. Think this through with me.
First of all, I know of no one that would say they are pro-abortion. No one who understands even the most basic aspects of abortion, its trauma to the woman and the death of the child, could say they are pro, or in favor of, abortion. The reason, however, some people equate pro-choice with pro-abortion is because if you look at the practical outcome of a pro-choice stance it produces the same thing a pro-abortion stand would produce. For example, a pro-choice senator asked to vote on a measure limiting abortion would vote the same way as a pro-abortion senator, if such a person existed.
Let me try to illustrate by looking at a parallel example, another hotly debated topic – gun control. Let’s assume you hate guns but you also believe people who want to own them should be allowed to freely own guns. You have a pro-choice stance. If you were forced to vote or take a stand on the issue, even though you hate guns you would have to side with the pro-gun people to oppose restrictions on gun owners. Therefore, though you would never say you are “pro-gun”, the ultimate outcome of your position is the same as the pro-gun people. In this case, pro-choice is virtually the same as pro-gun, it produces the same outcome, no limitations on the ownership or use of guns.
Apply this same template to the abortion debate. You hate abortions (guns) but you feel people should be able to freely have an abortion (a gun) if that is their choice. Therefore, the practical outcome of your stance is as if you were pro-abortion (pro-gun). As much as you hate abortion (guns) a pro-choice stance puts you squarely on the side of those who profit from the death caused by abortion (guns). If you hate guns, like we assume you do for this example, it would likely make you angry to be called pro-gun but your “neutral” stance actually advances the distribution and uncontrolled ownership of guns – the pro-gun position.
However, there is an even stronger reason that some would say being pro-choice is equivalent with being pro-abortion. If I am pro-choice, I am saying I am in favor of a person having the right to make whatever choice they desire – either option – keeping the child or aborting the child as long as it is that woman’s choice. I am pro her keeping the baby if that is her choice. But, I am also pro aborting the child if that is her choice. If I am “pro”, or in favor of, only one choice then there really is no choice. To truly be pro-choice I must be in favor of either option – keeping or aborting the child. Therefore, to be pro-choice says I am pro, in favor of, abortion in the case where that is the woman’s preferred choice. In that case I am pro-abortion. I cannot say I am pro-choice if I do not support one of the two choices available. So, quite literally, while I might hate abortions, if I am pro-choice I am also pro-abortion at least on occasions where the woman chooses to end the child’s life. If abortion is her choice then abortion is my choice for her – or I am not truly pro-choice.
While it may be frustrating to have people align you with something you hate so much, in reality, your stance is one that fosters abortions and, at least in some cases, is pro, or in favor of, abortions. If you are not in favor of abortions even if that is the woman’s choice then you are not pro-choice. If you are in favor of abortions when it is the woman’s choice then you must admit that, at least sometimes, you are in favor of abortions, or pro-abortion. There is no neutral stance on this issue. Think about it. I would love to hear your comments and if there are any fallacies in the reasoning or something I am missing, please point it out.
__________________ Proverbs 6:16-17
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, …
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
________________
Run from…, run to… flee (run from) temptation but pursue, run after, righteousness, … etc. We are running a race but notice we are not meant to run this race alone. We are to be running with others – “along with” other believers. The NLT translates it like this, “Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” We are to choose our associations carefully (those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart), but we are to associate with others in our Christian walk.
Our pursuit of the Lord is not a “Lone Ranger”, “Me and Jesus Got Our Own Thing Going” affair. A believer who chooses to isolate himself from the Body of Christ will not grow to be a balanced, healthy believer any more than any human being who is cut off from outside contact grows to be balanced and well adjusted. We need each other. God designed it that way. It is not good that man be alone.
Following Jesus is more than just a matter of believing it is a matter of belonging – belonging to His Bride, His Body, His Church. In those “iron sharpens iron” relationships God applies heat and friction to our life, like we do to a knife when sharpening it, to sharpen us, rub off rough spots and smooth offensive aspects of our nature and character.
A knife that pulls away from the whetstone every time there is friction, or it gets hot or uncomfortable, will remain with a dull edge. Something will always be missing, incomplete. A believer that pulls away from relationship every time they are disappointed or their needs are not met or they are challenged, will remain dull, weak in their spiritual life. Something will always be missing, incomplete.
_______________ Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Acts 1:20 [speaking of Judas and how he betrayed the Lord] “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘let another man take his office.’
______________________________ Someone asked, “If Adam’s sin was all part of God’s plan then his disobedience was actually fulfilling God’s will and therefore, not really sin.” Can it be sinful to do the will of God? In the same way here, it was prophesied that Judas would deny the Lord. This was part of God’s plan of salvation for mankind and yet Judas is condemned for carrying out God’s plan. Doesn’t that seem unjust?
The answer isn’t really that difficult to understand.
It should be obvious it is never God’s will that man sin. God doesn’t even tempt us to sin (James 1:13). But God understands our hearts. He knows and remembers what we are made of – dust. Through His foreknowledge of future events and His complete understanding of our hearts, it is not difficult for Him to foretell our actions. Just as a parent can often predict which child will obey and which will disobey, God, who knows the hearts of all men, was able to predict how Adam would respond and Judas’ behavior. The idea of God knowing the hearts of me is even referred to later in this same event when deciding who would take Judas’ place. “And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, … Acts 1:24.
They were praying, Lord, just as you knew the heart of Judas and were able to predict his failure, you know the heart of these candidates to take his place. In your foreknowledge, guide this selection process and help us choose one who will not fail.
Finally, does God’s foreknowledge mean he is responsible for the actions that He predicts.? Not anymore than the weatherman is responsible for the rain when he predicts it. Knowing what will happen, even if it is a certainty, is not causal. I know for certain the sun will rise tomorrow but certainly I cannot claim to have made it come up because I know that it will happen. No, man is still left to follow the nature of his own heart and reap the reward or consequences of following it.
____________________ Job 40:8 “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Romans 9:19-21
One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
2 Corinthians 2:17
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
Philippians 1:15-18
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, … 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, … 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
—————
I used to wonder how you could “preach Christ out of selfish ambition”, “out of envy and rivalry”, with “false motives”. Going into ministry is not usually thought of as a road to fame and fortune although it obviously is lucrative for some today. Apparently in Paul’s day, too, you could “peddle the word of God for profit”.
The longer I’ve been at this pastoring thing the more I’ve seen a subtle temptation that can lead to “selfish ambition” and “peddling the word of God”. When you have been blessed, like I have, to pastor wonderful and gracious people they frequently encourage you, tell you how much God has used you to help them and generously express their love and appreciation. It is tempting to begin to look for those strokes, live for them and long for them. Suddenly you are ministering to meet a need in you instead of allowing God to meet the needs of others through you – selfish ambition. Slowly you can even begin to believe you are as wonderful as people say you are. Because you are so awesome you “deserve” things the average person would consider excessive. We could all point to modern examples of ministries where avarice and greed are justified, even touted as God’s stamp of approval.
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, was glad the gospel was being preached even if the motives were impure so I will be too BUT, I certainly don’t want to be one “peddling the word” or preaching out of wrong motives. I want to, in Christ “speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God” ministering “out of love” for God and others. I am often, very often, reminded of a little story, can’t vouch for how true it is, that has helped me in this area.
When Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States, a close friend came to him with these words, “Woody, now that you have been elected President, you are going to have lots of people around you telling you what a great man you are. Just remember, you and I know better.”
While I am grateful for sweet folks who will share how God has used me to bless them and I am always greatly encouraged when I hear such a report (so keep them coming 🙂 but if something inside starts believing “I am awesome!” I remind myself, “God and I (and my wife) know better.”.
Stay humble. Stay sweet. Stay useable.
__________________________ James 4:6
… God sets himself against [the] proud, but gives grace to [the] lowly.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
_______________________
You’ve seen the sad scene repeated on the evening news. A broken person interviewed in front of the charred remains of their home. They are grateful to be alive but they lost everything! Their entire life lies in smoldering ruins behind them.
It may come as a surprise to many Christians that they will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and the Bible says some will find their life work consumed and destroyed by fire.
“But I thought all my sins were forgiven!”. They are. The judgment seat of Christ is not a matter of being judged for sin, like in a court of law, but rather, a judging for reward, more like the judging of an art exhibit. Reward will be handed out based upon what we did with what God gave us – talent, resources, opportunities, abilities, skills.
According to 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, our works will be subjected to fire which will destroy all the works of the flesh leaving only what we did of eternal value – those treasures we stored in heaven. Some will lose everything yet they “will be saved” because of their faith in Christ.
This awareness caused Paul to live deliberately rather than casually (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). It created a sense of urgency in his ministry and message. A wise person, aware of the coming flames, will store treasure where it is safe.
Lord, it is so easy to be distracted by the “stuff” of this world – accumulating it, maintaining it, upgrading it, protecting it, replacing it, etc. I want to be wise enough to live for eternity, living for THAT day not this day. Father, when the fire is applied to my life I want to have something left to present to You.
_________________________ 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
From World Magazine’s Blog:
Lia, a 12-year-old girl from Toronto, was assigned to come up with a persuasive speech for her seventh grade class. Teachers told her the topic she chose was “too big,” “too mature,” “too controversial,” and if she went forward with it she would not be allowed to advance to the schoolwide competition or beyond.
Lia, however, would not be swayed, and once her teacher heard her presentation, she declared her the class winner. But when Lia spoke before the entire school she was initially disqualified because of her topic. Later, one of the judges who was offended by the speech stepped down, and the remaining judges reversed their earlier decision and declared Lia the school’s winner and representative in a regional competition. She didn’t win the next round, but later found out that her speech, which has been posted on YouTube, was a winner in another way.
Lia’s mom told Bound4Life:
“Lia wasn’t really that upset though, especially when she considered that the only difference between winning the competition and not winning was having a couple extra pictures taken and being given a small trophy. Lia has a much bigger trophy—somebody commented to us on our YouTube account that her aunt watched Lia’s video and decided to NOT have an abortion because of it. Yay God! Others have commented that they either never thought of the issue before or were pro-choice—but now they have changed their opinions. So, having a life saved is the best trophy ever!”
1 Corinthians 15:28
When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
____________
What an unbelievably awesome peek into the future! God the Father, the source of all power, has invested that power in Jesus to accomplish two purposes – to save mankind (Matthew 28:18) and to destroy the enemies of God. (1 Corinthians 15:25)
Once the last enemy, death, is destroyed Jesus is going to submit Himself to God, return the authority invested in Him to the Father. Imagine what a day that will be!
I see it like this. The King gives His Son all the resources necessary to go rescue His Bride and defeat every enemy that threatens her (since no enemy threatens the King Himself). The Son launches on this quest which has now lasted 2000 years. Upon retrieving His bride and destroying the last great threat, death, He returns home the conquering hero. Cheers of the angelic hosts and praises from the court await but He is not as interested in power or authority as He is interested in the goal of His quest, his beloved bride.
During what will surely be the most elaborate and glorious ceremony the universe has ever witnessed, Jesus will return the scepter, the authority, that the Father gave Him. The Father will once again become all in all, to the sheer joy and delight of all creation and Jesus will be free to spend time (eternity) with the object of His affection, His Church.
What anticipation, the hope to one day be in the crowd that participates in this spectacle! To be there as “the Lamb that was slain” receives “the reward of His suffering”.
Think of this! Jesus was not tortured and brutalized to gain power or recognition. He lays all that back at the feet of the Father. He did this because of love for you and me. That does not make us special (we know we aren’t deserving of such sacrifice) but it makes Him oh so special, so wonderful. What a Savior!
It also reminds me to hold lightly to any position, power or authority God invests in me since any position or power or authority is temporary. It is on loan from God and must one day be returned to Him. It is a stewardship – caring for that which belongs to another – for which I will give account.
_____________ 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [27] For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. [28] When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
_______________
Based on this passage I’ve heard people say “God won’t give us more than we can handle”. I’ve heard it applied to struggles in relationships, finances, health, most any area of life that can be overwhelming. Not only does this verse NOT promise that “God won’t give us more than we can handle”, it actually says the opposite.
Paul, the apostle who wrote this, was given more than he could handle. In 2 Corinthians 1:8 he says that while ministering in Asia “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure …” so God will allow more to come into our lives than we can handle. Why? Paul explains that in the next passage.
“This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”. God will regularly “give us more than we can handle” so we can learn to trust Him and not our own strength.
But this passage does not even say God will limit the power of temptation in our lives to something we can handle. It does say that when an overwhelming temptation comes He will provide a way of escape. The way we “bear” up under the temptation is by taking the way of escape.
The conclusion: Though God may not send the overwhelming trials nor the temptations into our lives (James 1:13) He WILL definitely allow us to experience more than we can handle so we learn to flee temptation and learn to trust Him in times of stress.
_____________________ Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
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What an unfathomable concept! The One who filled infinity from all eternity, the One who was and is and is to come, the One whose glory and beauty knows no limits, this One constricts Himself to a body of flesh and shuffles among the dust and sweat of human existence voluntarily subjected to brutality and rejection from those He came to rescue. He “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” No angel could have done this. Revealing Himself to mankind through a book, or other means would not suffice. The Word had to be made flesh to accomplish God’s desire.
She is tolerant. She is correct – at least politically.
