Who is This Jesus (The Deity of Christ) Part 1

Among the great theological debates that rage regarding Jesus and who He is, the greatest is whether or not Jesus IS God. There are some who would profess Jesus to be something less than fully God. They claim faith, yet in “who” are they believing? This short piece is designed simply to answer this incredible question - “Is Jesus God?” Further, to briefly answer the question of “why is this so important?”

Simply put, only the pure, holy, and completely uncorrupted by sin blood could possibly atone for sin. The blood of countless animals and birds never paid the sin debt for Israel. Only the pure, spotless Lamb could pay that sin debt.

And who but God is totally pure and righteous?

To that end, I am going to post a series of entries that deal with Scripture passages that, when taken all together, present a beautiful picture of the real Jesus, who is fully God.

Some say that Jesus never claimed to be God. Others rely on creative translation of selected verses to shore up their claim that Jesus is not God (or Yahweh/Jehovah). Yet a simple review of the Bible reveals a pattern that cannot be dismissed, a pattern that clearly makes the case for Jesus Christ as God.

Over the next few days, I plan to post a series of passages and a bit of comment on each in an effort to stitch together the greater picture of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who IS the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is worthy of all praise and worship. My challenge to the reader - read them, ponder on them, and pray about it, particularly as you accumulate these passages, who is Jesus?

We begin with one of the most clear, yet still controversial passages pointing to the deity of Jesus Christ.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Now, some like to move the comma, or add the word “a” based on the lack of a "definite article", yet the original language gives NO convincing reason to do either. In fact, there are several examples elsewhere that do not create controversy where there is a lack of a definite article. Yet the preponderance of Christian history and understanding agrees that the reference to "the Word" is a reference to Jesus as having the same quality as God the Father.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3

What we see here, is that the reference back to “The Word” here is clearly identifying Jesus as the Creator of all, which in the Old Testament is 100% identified as God/Jehovah.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:3

And to further reinforce this idea, let us thing a bit about one of the most powerful names God used in the Old Testament to reveal Himself - "I Am". This will be the subject of Episode 2 in this series. 

Destruction of a Nation and the Christian's Responsibility

A friend of mine posted his astonishment that America could be on the cusp of electing a bonafide "Socialist" to the office of President, from either primary party. I began to formulate a response then realized that my reply would be far more suited to a full-on blog post, so thank you Donny Parrish for kick-starting this!

"Christians" have remained silent too long. Notice that the paths of ungodliness our nation has actively pursued are 100% based in the "squeaky wheel" principal--- homosexuals have "gay marriage" because they screamed and hollered the loudest. God was "banned" from schools because the haters if God screamed and hollered the loudest.

60 million + babies have been murdered in this nation, perfectly legally because the worshippers of self/Molich screamed, hollered, and put their money where their mouth was and swayed the courts (without a single genuine constitutional basis).

And we have become (or are in the edge of) becoming a socialist nation all because of a direct violation of the 10 commandments, particularly the commandment against "covetousness"...  Those who covet what others have are screaming and hollering loudly to get what you have (without working for it). And that gave us the current President, and a few candidates who are now unapologetically pandering to the covetous culture.

And so much more.

There are three fronts in the war for the very soul of this nation---

1. We must begin ON OUR KNEES as God's children, humbling ourselves in out very knees in repentance for our own sin and ungodliness and for our failure to be the "watchmen on the wall".

2. We must be far more proactive in sharing Jesus Christ with this list and dying world. It IS NOT ENOUGH to "invite people to church".  That has NEVER been enough, not does it fulfill the Great Commission.  But just as the first front (and step) towards actually doingsomething is humility before God, we must also BE the salt and light as Jesus Commanded. We cannot live like the world, yet expect the world to act like Jesus. It just doesn't work that way! Repeat the first front!

3. And we must be willing to stand for the TRUTH, live out the TRUTH, vote for the TRUTH, even if it means our pocketbooks are affected, even if it means our "friends" might reject us, and even if it is inconvenient and painful (I do not believe Jesus promised an easy road!). Every time we bend our morality for financial or social gain, we betray our hearts and faith. The "fruits" of our faith become very evident - by their lacking of real impact.

Christianity is not a passive spectator sport, it is a way of life. If our hearts are not absolutely broken for the ungodliness (and what the Bible clearly spells out is the coming result for it), if we don't grieve for the lostness all around us, if we are not so broken that we are willing to speak up for the TRUTH, then stop pretending to be offended by all the garbage around us, and by path this nation is traveling. You are part of the problem. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (and be a part of the solution).

What IS The Gospel?

We hear a lot in this nation the term "Gospel". Those of us in ministry focus a great deal on the term - yet so many have such a limited understanding of what the Gospel REALLY is.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 "it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

In a nutshell, the Gospel is the power of God for salvation - It is the outpouring of God's Grace and mercy towards sinners. It is the testimony of the miracle wrought by God in Jesus Christ - who, as John 1:1 clearly indicates has existed alongside God the Father from the foundation of the World (without beginning or end). This Jesus who "emptied Himself" to take on flesh, to dwell among mankind (Philippians 2), who lived without sin (though tempted in all means Hebrews 4:15), and who willingly gave His life for all who would believe.

But WHY would Jesus give His life for us? Because of His great love - and because we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23).  We all deserve, even if we might seem to be relatively "moral", nothing but eternal damnation - because the wages, the just payment for sin is - Death (Romans 6:23).

I spent decades of my life with the belief that I could somehow balance out good for bad in my life. If I just did enough stuff that appeared to be the kind of stuff one just "ought" to do - then I would get entry into the "Pearly Gates".

But God...

You see, God doesn't leave folks in ignorance - He grants, through His Holy Spirit knowledge and conviction of sin. He then fulfills His promise to give us a new heart (His), and even a new mind (Ezekiel 36:26). He then regenerates us, granting us (through His Grace), faith unto salvation. The gift of Eternal Life, that is all, totally, and 100% a GIFT of God - that not a one of us could possibly brag or boast of what "we" did... Ephesians 2:8-9

And He did it all for HIS glory.

The Gospel... it isn't just words.  It isn't just a "prayer". It is a very real, tangible, and powerful change in us, brought, empowered, and sustained by the Lord of lords, the King of kings - bought by His own precious blood.

A Challenge for Today and Beyond: CD!

Here is a thought for today (and every day) - maybe better a challenge: Corum Deo- to live your life each and every day before the LORD.

What does this mean? After all, God sees all things - so everything is done and lived out "before God"! Coram Deo, simply put, is to intentionally live out our lives, our decisions, our words, and our hearts with God at the forefront. It is to really grasp that God is really Omnipresent, and so we also must come to grips with the fact that not a single action or thought in our lives is beyond God's view! It is also the vivid reminder that we all must give an account one day. Whether we be lost headed for eternal judgment in Hell and the Lake of fire because we are unregenerate sinners, or we are born-again, yet living outside of our professed faith (Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commands! - John 14:15). All must give an account.

Living Coram Deo means to live out our entire lives, every moment of every day, in the presence of, and in submission to God and His Sovereign authority.

To live a life of Coram Deo means to live a life of integrity. It means we will recognize that our lives paint a picture to the world (I have preached it as our lives as a living epistle to the lost world).

Living Coram Deo means that we not only keep Christ's commands, but that we most importantly act out of love, and speak Truth even in the face of opposition.

Coram Deo will rarely be the easy way. Indeed, living every moment of our lives under awareness of God's oversight and authority will indeed put all of the trifles and struggles, temptations and frustrations in proper perspective.

How has my life today honored and glorified God? Are my decisions today pleasing to God? Are the words I choose to use going to point others to the Savior? Are the priorities I set, God's priorities?

Won't you prayerfully contemplate the challenge?

US Supreme Court vs the Word of God

I am certain I will take a great deal of heat for this post. I have little doubt I will further be labeled a hater, a bigot, evil, mean, and much worse. Somehow that doesn't really bother me. The truth is the truth, and that is what I expect in response.

Today will go down in history as either a major win for evil and the "Evil One" himself - Satan, or it will be raised up on a poll and idolized as a great day for "equality".  The problem is  - there is nothing inherently "equal" about today's Supreme Court decision, nor is there anything in our Constitution that guarantees equal results or equal outcomes for any circumstance. But this fight was never really about "equality".  The issue is much deeper and darker.

You see - the Bible clearly speak, both in the Old and New Testament, about homosexuality. Indeed, the language is quite clear time and again. Further, marriage is referenced 100% of the time in connection to male + female.  Never in Scripture has marriage been depicted as a same-sex union.  Despite hundreds of years of attempts to change the meaning of scripture, and recent decades trying to rewrite the clear language in the Bible regarding marriage and same-sex acts, the definition of marriage, both in natural law, and by God's design is one  man and one woman joined for life.

But this presents a huge problem for those who refuse to give up, and instead just keep ratcheting up their war on God. So long as the majority believe the biblical version of marriage is correct (even if they often fail to be good examples of it), those who desperately desire to practice homosexuality will be marginalized.  But there is a "solution" - it is the normalizing of what God calls abnormal.  It is a mainstreaming of what God calls an unnatural and even an abomination.

You see, even the unregenerate mind knows, down deep, that homosexuality is wrong. It is not unloving to point this out. I know - people have been "driven" to kill themselves hearing such words. I am so sorry, but people have been taking their own lives for a lot of things related to the corrupt and sinful heart. That is often how sin works - destroying you from the inside. But far too many have chosen to continue to raise their voices while at the same time, undermining reality and the truth of God's Word.

Add to the equation, there are false teachers (as the Bible warns repeatedly about) who have thrown their support behind this issue, not as a means to "grace, but as a way to fill their bank accounts and pews, and to promote themselves.

Just a few years ago, a movement began to protect the definition of marriage through a Constitutional Amendment. Many notable politicians loudly objected saying that marriage was a right for each individual state to determine. Fast forward less than a decades and what do we see - they were flat wrong.  Maybe they were as guilty as those crying out for "gay marriage"?

The Southern Baptists (of which I am not a member of) recently had their annual Convention, at which they resoundingly voted to support the biblical definition of marriage, no matter come what may. I applaud their action, though I fear this will not be universally applied among their churches.

My own association, the Baptist Missionary Association of America began the two-year process of amending our national Constitution/Articles of Agreement to include the biblical definition of marriage. The local church I lead included a very clear definition of marriage in its founding Constitution as well.

I could spend my next days and weeks weeping and mourning for this nation.  But I refuse. This nation has bought its path, much as old Israel and Judah bought their own judgment and brought down righteous wrath from God. I could get ramped up and spew my own anger all over every form of social media, but that would accomplish little. So I will simply speak/write/post the truth. John 8:32 records the reassurance that "...the truth will set you free".

God's Word also commands that I love my neighbor - and that represents nothing new. It often is a struggle to love those who would rather you be silenced or even dead because you speak the truth, but indeed the command is still there.

But I also am under conviction from the Lord God who created me, and who designed marriage, to never willfully participate in or condone sin. Again, this is nothing new, yet the very definition of sin (according to the world and to the US Supreme Court) is being altered in that ongoing rebellion against God.

One final thought that I want to share (this is my blog, so it is my prerogative!): Those who practice homosexuality, particularly those who are celebrating this landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, you may celebrate for a time, and you may even find some level of "freedom", yet you will never, ever find genuine peace.  Even if your neighborhood "church" (using the term in a very lose way) gleefully climbs on board with this decision, you will find no peace in your heart until you call your sin what it is - SIN. And the wages, the just payment for sin is death - an very real and eternal punishment that is the just and righteous Wrath of God. Sure you can live a life of denial. But the reality is there before your eyes. You can file lawsuits. You can scream and holler.  You can play your "pride parade" games, while forcing good, God-fearing people out of business for refusing to condone or participate in your lifestyle.  But you still will find no peace apart from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Period. Oh - but you say you "prayed a prayer", or that you believe in a God who is love, not a god of wrath.  You had better check your Bible again! The Word of God is clear - those who are genuinely saved by faith WILL not continue in willful sin. Repent! turning from your sins and believe in the One and Only Jesus Christ - "The Way, The Truth, and The Life".

Just because black-robed judges who have chosen to completely change the meaning of words and laws, who have decided to twist and rewrite what is not even in their legal authority to do so have chosen to condone this form of sin, does not change God, nor does it change the definition of Sin in the eyes of the One you WILL stand before in judgment.

Please, NO SNOW... Thank you LORD for the Snow!

If you are scratching your head at the title of this post, don't let it bother you. Just let me explain.  I am ready for Spring!  I am not alone in this sentiment by a long-shot. Just a month ago, my father began getting his boat and fishing gear ready, bringing up discussions on tactics and when/where to begin the hunt for fish, only to see a couple bouts of icy and cold weather roll in.  Then, as things begin to look like Spring (daffodils springing out), forecasts come from every direction - big winter weather event.

Sure enough, Wednesday afternoon, the medium-heavy rain transitioned to sleet, then to snow (we saw an accumulation of ½ - ¼  inch of ice plus 6-8 inches of snow at our house in Clinton). To be honest, I prayed that the forecast was wrong. I prayed for warmer weather. But God...

This morning, as I arose and peeked outside to see pristine, bright white reflection of the sun - an overwhelming feeling came on - a comforting assurance that both scripture and hymn remind us of...

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

thought they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

(Whiter Than Snow, Words by James Nicholson, Music by William Fischer)

Are your sins forgiven, are they washed by the Precious Blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ? Where else by in the power of Salvation can blood turn what is already red with sin, to a white, more pure than snow? 

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."  Acts 4:12

The Heaviness Engulfs Me

A heavy heart tonight. I won't go into details, just suffice it to say that I am grieving. I was led to a passage of Scripture when I got home that so fits whats going on. My faith has never been tested as now. I don't know what tomorrow holds. I don't know what next week or beyond holds. But I do know that God holds it all in His Sovereign hand.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ...Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

I'm ready to rejoice, without having to look over my shoulder.

I will confess - I am questioning everything in my life right now.  Ok, maybe not everything - as I don't have any doubts about my love for my incredibly patient and loving wife, Diana, or my love for my precious gifts from God - Anna and Selah. One other thing that I have absolutely no doubt about is my Savior's love for me. That being said - I am doubting pretty much each and every other part of my life. In the words of Thomas Payne in his epic The Crisis, penned in December 1776: "These are the times that try men's souls."

Another fact that I have no doubt about - is that there is a very real spiritual war going on, particularly in my own context. A war that has left me bruised and beaten, and near defeat. I have spoken both privately and publicly from the pulpit of "putting on the whole Armor of God". Boy are those far easier words to say, than instructions to actually follow! Yet it seems that my best efforts to "put on" this armor simply lead to more fights.  Further - there are "fiery darts" that are finding flesh in the "cracks" between the armor. It's my fault - I don't spend enough time with the "Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God".  I struggle with personal righteousness. The command to "pray at all times in the Spirit" sometimes gets shorted on the "all" part. And to be totally honest, I'm reaching and searching for the "peace" associated with the shoes related to the Gospel...

Indeed, in some ways - I am troubled down at the very deepest recesses of my heart and mind. Have some of Satan's darts not just found flesh, but found innermost parts?

Discouragement leading to despair is before me. But I just cannot look back. Jesus said to look back is to be unworthy of the Kingdom...

I am weak. I am broken. I'm not just far from perfect, I am at the bottom of the bottom. Yet the harder I try to climb up - the farther it seems I fall.

I now better understand what Romans 8:26 means... as my prayers seem to be so very lacking and insignificant. in fact, James 5:16 is causing me quite a bit of grief right now "...the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." I feel neither particularly righteous nor do my prayers seem very effective these days.

I'm a great finger-pointer, yet I am reminded of the wise words I first heard from a dear friend who is already waiting for us in Heaven, "remember - when you point your finger at others, there are at least three fingers pointing back at you."

But all the finger pointing in the world, even if justified, does not take away my own responsibility for my failures and shortcomings (even when I'm unaware of them).

Something has to change. I'm not demanding that God "do something" - I am fairly certain He is "doing something", whether I see it or not. But something in my life is gong to have to change.

I am trying desperately to heed the words of Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

     and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

     and He will make straight your paths.

Maybe (no - actually), the key is in the next two verses:

Be not wise in your own eyes;

     fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

     and refreshment to your bones.

I try to not think to highly of myself. In fact, another thing I have no doubt about - is my weakness and unworthiness. I try to combat evil in my life - seeking those things that are glorious to God and edifying to those around me.  Refreshment and healing?  Please...

I want to cry out to God the words of David in Psalm 51:

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

     and uphold me with a willing spirit...

But instead, I again feel more like the difficulty in prayer of Romans 8:26 - and I'm in need of the Spirit Himself interceding for me...

And any prayers the reader of this feels led to offer up - thank you.

Soft, Gushy, Dead Faith and the Modern Church

There is a disease in this nation (spreading around the globe) that is far worse than Ebola. This disease doesn't typically ravage you physical health quite as directly as Ebola or other viral diseases, yet it most certainly leads to death.

This disease is Dead Faith.

This is the disease that James wrote of in James 2 that is a faith without works. Now, let me be clear on something, I in absolutely NO way believe, follow, or endorse ANY form of works-based salvation.  Scripture is clear that Salvation is by Grace, through Faith ALONE (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Jesus Himself said that a tree is known by its fruits (Matthew 7:16, Luke 6:44).  It is the life we live in this world that demonstrates if we are "in the faith". In fact, one way of "test your faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5) is by examining our works, our behavior, our lives. Whether it be our stewardship of all that God entrusts us with (finances, life, time, faith), or how we treat others we encounter in our walk (James 2:1-8). Do we genuinely hate sin? Are we grieved when we commit sin? Are we anxious to repent when we sin? Does this sin exercised in the world around us also cause us to grieve? If the answer to any of these is no - then there is no genuine fruit produced by the Spirit in you, as the Spirit of repentance is one of the first and biggest of fruits produced when we genuinely belong to the Lord.

So where am I going with this?  Today's world, and particularly in this nation, we see many so-called "churches" proclaiming what is, in essence and practical application, a centuries (millennia even) old heresy known from several centuries back as Antinomianism (From the Greek words anti meaning "against", and nomos, which means "law" or "against the law". This is the theology/doctrine that if you have "been saved" (by calling on the name of Jesus), then you are no longer bound to, or beholden in any way to "The Law". Quite literally, it is a belief (expressed in several forms), that you have a free pass to do whatever you want, that all is "ok" once you have "asked Jesus into your heart". Some might call this explanation seriously over-simplified, but the end result is the same. Sin-filled lives that show no sign of repentance (or grieving of your spirit by sin).

This is the type of people that Jude 4 mentions within the local church that have "crept in" (have become members of that local church - fully enjoying the "privilege", without any chastisement or discipline from said local church for their unrepentant sin.

This is much like the condemnation Paul had for the Corinthian church who was turning a blind eye to the sin that was so vile, even the pagans didn't practice it (1 Corinthians 5) (for those that may not be aware - it was an incestuous relationship). By turning a blind eye, they were endorsing the sin behavior.

It is through this blind-eye, soft-sell Gospel (ask Jesus into your heart, but you do not have to submit to Him as your Lord or do as He says in His Word) that has led to ineffective witness in the world. It is why Christians and Christianity is no longer the "salt" - preserving and influencing the World with the Truth.

Jesus said, so very clearly - if you love me, KEEP MY COMMANDS!  (John 14:15) In the next chapter (John 15:10), He said that if we keep His commands, we will abide in His love.

This does not imply that we must "work" to keep our salvation or to continue receiving Christ's love. It quite simply means that if our lives reflect His commands, if we are living according to His Word, it is a sign - a "fruit" that demonstrates we are of His vine. Saving faith is a permanent faith that always produces fruit. Why else did Jesus use the illustration of the vinedresser who cuts away the unproductive branches?

And ultimately, James' words that strike the point home - faith without works is a dead, worthless, useless faith... (James 2:14-20).

What kind of "fruit" is being produced when so many "churches" (including mainline denominations) turn a blind eye to a veritable laundry-list of popular sins?
 - Homosexuality
 - Rampant Divorce
 - Adultery
 - Pornography
 - Idolatry
 - Abortion
 - Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
 - and so very much more!

What kind of "faith" do you have? What kind of church do you choose to associate with? Would Jesus even recognize either?

Anxiety, Depression, and the Joy of Salvation

I would like to preface this post with a disclaimer - I am fully aware that there is a diagnosable, treatable condition called "depression". I am in no-way dismissing the real condition, though I do propose genuine depression is far more rare than diagnosed, and is almost always complicated by spiritual matters.

David wrote, in Psalm 51 some touching words - I would like to focus a bit on verse 12:

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit..."

What was King David writing about? The context is rather telling - as David had just been confronted by Nathan the prophet over David's adultery with Bathsheba. You see, had we the power to travel back in time to observe what was going on, we would find David in a funk that most today would call "depression". But we must also realize, David was already on this path long before the adulterous affair. he was neglecting his duties as King and had, for all practical purposes, become distant and disconnected. David's spiritual slide reached a peak with the Bathsheba incident.

How many of us experience a spiritual "slide", with or without a "Bathsheba incident"? And what is the result?  Lost joy.

The symptoms are often much like David's - disconnect, depression, anxiety, fear, and sometimes much more. For the born-again believer in Jesus Christ, it sometimes leads to withdrawing from the local church, intentionally seeking flaws and faults and exploiting them for what can only be described as dividing. Sometimes the symptom for the church member is a refocus not on the Gospel, but on self - personal preferences, "my way", or a militant resistance to anything new. Fellowship with fellow believers suffers, but more troubling - this person's relationship with the Lord suffers.

What happened? Sometimes it is a simple matter of having given in to the lie that not all sins are a "big deal". We forget that scripture tells us "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The language here doesn't differentiate between "little sins" and "big sins", "bad lies" and "good lies", and so forth. All sin, but its very nature is worthy of death.

And this leads us to the vaccine for depression and loss of Joy in salvation - and that is to remind ourselves that we all are, by our nature, worthy of eternal death and separation, yet the Lord in His infinite mercy and grace chose us, draws us, and redeems us by the blood of Christ. It is that redemption that seals up another promise of the Lord - to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5).

The sad truth is, whenever we feel that the Lord is distant, that we experience depression or undue anxiety, it is nearly always the product of our own distancing ourselves. Whether from the aforementioned sin, or by allowing people to take up residence in our minds and hearts through grudges and an unwillingness to forgive. When we allow others and their attacks to bring us down to their level. When we allow the situations and issues of the day draw our eyes off our Savior and the great salvation He provided us - then we are inevitably going to loose grip on the joy of the Lord's salvation.

Let us remember - this all boils down to a very real spiritual battle going on. It is the very kind of battle that the apostle Paul wrote of in Ephesians 6:10-12 of those we are REALLY doing battle with. It isn't against people (as bad as they can behave).  We are at war with the forces of darkness led by Satan. Sometimes among his pawns we find the Atheist and Agnostic, the Pagan, the Satanist, and sometimes we find the professed Christian! Indeed, it is my experience that Satan's favorite pawns are those who claim to belong to Christ, as these are the very people we should see as examples, as the very people we can count on to bear our burdens, to lift us up, and to help us forward. This is why it hurts so much (as compared to the attacks from outside) when those we see as brothers and sisters in Christ become our antagonists.

But again - perspective is absolutely necessary - the battle is the Lord's. We are simply to stand fast (Ephesians 6) in the power, not of our own, but of the Lord. We need to dwell on those things that are pure, good, holy, and righteous. We must take on the full armor of God. We must trust the Word of God. We must fully trust in the completed work of Christ. And we must put into practice the very life He has called us to.  Is Jesus really your "all in all"? Is He really Who you are trusting?

Miss the Joy of Salvation? Feel helpless and distant from God? Then call out to Him, take on the Whole Armor of God, trust completely in Him, remember what He died to save you from. Draw near to Him.

Salvation Lost or Just Lost?

I recently heard of a young woman who had grown up "in church" who had made a profession of faith at a relatively young age, was baptized, and had "lived as a Christian" into her adult life. She had recently "decided" that she was now an Atheist.  She insists she no longer believes in God or has any "need" for all that church "stuff".

Obviously, this has caused her family some serious pain.  The question came up - "how can this be?"  After all, we believe that Jesus meant what He said when he said in his exchange with some Jewish leaders:

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:22-30

The reality is - we are faced with some real challenges. Some say that they are not too concerned about her and her eternity, after all - she "was saved and baptized" years ago. On the other side of the coin, scripture clearly says that we are known by our works/fruits. And of course, we must go back to the above passage from John 10. Jesus did clearly state that NO ONE can pluck His sheep from His hand!

The Bible does picture the possibility of Christians "backsliding", as it were - engaging in sin, even returning in part to their "former selves" - but only for a short time.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit  is given, in part, for the purpose of steering, guiding, and convicting us.  A truly born-again Christian cannot live in unrepentant sin, and there are few sins like renouncing your faith - and directly denying the existence of God!

Is the above case possibly the result of a profession of faith based on emotion, or because of pressures from family or friends?  Could she have gone through the motions, yet not truly believed?

Another complicating issue revolves around her husband, an avowed Atheist who has never made a profession of faith in anything but himself.  Could the situation be the result of ignoring the cautions of 2 Corinthians 6:14 to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers?  Indeed, the Lord's admonition to avoid such entanglements (with a picture of marriage in sight) is a caution because unregenerate spouses can very much lead believing spouses down a backsliding path.

But the bigger picture goes back to the question: Can a born-again believer truly renounce their faith and truly believe there is no God? (see Psalm 14:1)  Would that not be a demonstration of a person being "plucked" from God's hand?

I submit that one cannot renounce a genuine, born-again faith in Jesus Christ.  You cannot renounce or lose what you never possessed.  Sadly, the last century and a half have seen evangelistic efforts so guided and driven by emotion, and what has become "easy believism" (a soft, often ineffective version of the Gospel that essentially says to "come as you are" and leaves out repentance and the Lordship of Christ in our lives.  It is a message that there is no expectation of real change, no expatiation of outward signs of faith that Christ and the Apostle Paul so clearly spoke of.  It is a gospel that leaves out the Sovereignty of God, any degree of sanctification, and does not demand any change in the one making a profession.  It is a dead gospel, leading to not only a dead faith, but a deceptive, faith that will lead many on that day to hear the saddest words of all  "And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." Matthew 7:23

So - what spiritual advice can be given in the above case?  I would suggest gentle persistence on the part of family and friends.  Living the genuine gospel before her, praying for her, and watching.  If her youthful profession of faith was real, the Lord will not give her peace in her latest actions.  She will be unable to remain in that condition.  On the other hand, if she is able to live out her life in her new, chosen "faith", then the answer is clear.  She needs Jesus.  

Again - you cannot lose what you never had.

What Do We Cling To?

In checking the church mail at the Post Office this morning, I encountered a gentleman who appeared to me to be 80+ years old and in bad health.  His voice sounded like a someone with a serious case of pneumonia, and indeed he was coughing almost constantly.  He also had an oxygen bottle "in-tow".  He was pleasant enough when I said hello.  He coughed and extended a hand to shake.  In the course of the short chat that followed, I learned that he was just over 60 years old and was a lifelong smoker.  He had a laundry list of reparatory troubles and I assured him that I would pray for him.  While fairly friendly, his attitude changed when I brought up church and the Lord.  He acted uncomfortable and it was then he decided it was time to go.

I watched as he climbed in his pickup truck with his mail and his little oxygen bottle, closed the cab door, and lit a cigarette.  My mind then turned this into an object lesson...

This gentleman was being destroyed physically by holding on to cigarettes.  Even at the point of constant coughing and the need to have oxygen all the time, he would not turn loose of that vice.  Exactly how much different is sin in our lives?

Sin is the ultimate root cause of death.  It was by the sin of one man that death entered in (Romans 5:12).  It is for sin that we all deserve nothing less than both physical death and spiritual death.  For far too many, the sin is more important than the sickness and death it brings.  Even professed "Christians" continue to hold on to certain sins that they perceive as maybe "less bad".  Particularly sad are those who, leaning on Jesus' words when He said that no-one can pluck His sheep from His hand (John 10:28), continue in glaring sin, seemingly unrepentant towards their actions and behaviors (or their inaction).  They seem to want to "continue in sin that grace might abound" (Romans 6:1).

And much like this gentleman I met this morning - whether a professed Christian or not, most - when confronted with the things of God - even the mention sometimes, causes them to recoil and either get angry or flee.

God's Word does not list "denial" as a method of overcoming sin in our lives. Only is clinging to Jesus Christ with all of our hearts, minds, and souls can we have hope of defeating that which is killing us eternally.  Only through the poured out blood of the Lamb of Christ can wash away our sins and cut the chains to our very slavery to sin.

It is only by genuine, redeeming faith (a gift from the Father, by His Grace) that we can, as Romans 8:37-38 tells us, be victorious overcomes.  But we must give up clinging to those things that are destroying us - give up the sin that we so desperately seem to want to dwell in - and instead, draw near to the One who gave His life on the cross of Calvary for you.  Cut the chains of slavery.  Repent!  Believe!

What are you clinging to?

Ezekiel 16 - Forgetting What We Were...

I just finished studying Ezekiel 16, and I just wanted to share a few thoughts that somewhat overwhelmed me as I was studying and praying through the chapter.  You might want to take a moment to read before continuing on this post:

Ezekiel 16

When we think about the context of Ezekiel's writing - of all that he had witnessed with his eyes, and more dramatically - the amazing visions and experiences God had placed before him... is it any wonder many thought of Ezekiel as somewhat "odd"?  But the message God had for His people was incredibly clear.  God was fed up with the unfaithfulness of His people.  He had brought (and was continuing to bring) judgment on the Jewish people because of their unfaithfulness.

I find it interesting how many of us like to point fingers at outside forces - from government to a corrupt and godless society, schools, and so much more - yet we utterly fail to look in the mirror.  The people Ezekiel was called to minister to - a job that would have been utterly overwhelming for anyone - were hard hearted - they wanted to point fingers and blame others.  They cried yet didn't cry for the right reasons.  They refused to recognize the "why" of their suffering.  But God, through chapter 16, points to the very core of the "why".  This chapter also reveals the "why" of our cultural ministry troubles today, the decline of Christianity in the United States (the US is statistically the only nation in the world where Christianity is in decline).  God opens the curtain of confusion to reveal the real cause of it all - and it wasn't the idolatry the people and the priests played (though those were key symptoms - and itself was worthy of utter death and destruction).  The core of the matter is found in the last verse 22:

"And in all your abominations and your shorings you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your blood."

The people of Ezekiel's time had forgotten all that God had done for them from the very beginning.  They had become, in their minds, self-sufficient.  They had no further need for God.  So they became just like the rest of the ungodly world around them.

We believer often fall into the same trap, a trap of our own making.  When things get hard, when trials come, where do we turn?  Do we turn to God and His people, or do we turn from God and the church and pursue the world's "answers"? When things are going well, and blessings are in abundance, do we rejoice in the Lord, but actually dive head-first into the world?

I'm sure many readers of this blog have encountered people who only seem interested in "church" when they have a specific need - they are sick, they have money problems, they have other issues - but let them have a few dollars in their pocket and a reasonable amount of health, and they disappear - until they need something.

On the flip-side, we also know people who, when things are well, they are a relatively happy and regular part of the local church, but let things get a little tough - let their financial house start to falter, or their family situation get disrupted, and suddenly God and His church falls way down the priority list.

What is the cause?  One could easily and accurately apply Ezekiel 16.  Let us not lose track of WHY God brought (or better - allowed) the horrible judgments to come to His people - with so many slaughtered, still countless more dead due to disease and famine, and a remnant carried into captivity - it wasn't because God is unrighteous - it is because He expects better from His people. He expected the Hebrew people to remember Him, to be faithful to Him - who is the only truly 100% faithful one. He wanted them to remember all He had done for them - and remember that any and all good that the people had ever experienced was from Him.

God just wants people to be FAITHFUL...

So while we may point fingers of blame everywhere (except in the mirror), lets stop and pray - Dear Lord, there is a reason that so much seems to come against me.  Lord - I hate to see the ugliness that seems to be so big a part of this world and culture we live in.  But God - I also understand that some of it may very well be because I have failed to be faithful - faithful in all things.  Lord, I know that I often forget to be thankful for all that you have done for me - and all that you continue to do on my behalf that I may not (in this life) even recognize.  And Lord - I need to remember what I was before you drew me near, opened my eyes, and granted me, through your Grace, the faith to believe - to trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse me of all unrighteousness.  I need to remember the great price you paid for me - a price I could not pay.  Lord, I need to remember the consequences you redeemed me from.  And Lord, I need to recognize that often - my problems are the result of my own unfaithfulness, my own pride, my own unwillingness to do things YOUR way.  Lord - in Jesus Name, I pray that you will help me to overcome my unfaithfulness and to be true to You in all parts of my life.  Amen.

Where You There?

Jesus was preached...
                               ...were you there?

The Word of God Proclaimed...
                              ...were you there?

God was glorified...
                              ...were you there?

The Holy Spirit was present...
                              ...were you there?

Someone needed to hear your encouragement...
                              ...were you there?

Someone needed a hug...
                              ...were you there?

A young preacher poured his heart out...
                              ...were you there?

A broken heart was mended...
                              ...were you there?

The Lord spoke...
                              ...were you there?

In local churches, brothers and sisters in Christ assembled, sung songs and hymns of praise (Ephesians 5:19),  the Gospel was proclaimed (Acts 15:35), and many who profess the name of Christ were absent.

In a church somewhere - those assembled rejoiced as another soul came to saving faith...

In a local church, a life was changed...

Maybe in YOUR church...
                              ...were you there?

More Than You Can Bear?

There are several verses of Scripture that are so abused as to make them take on a whole, incorrect life of their own.  One such verse is 1 Corinthians 10:13.  If I had a dollar for every time I have heard well-intentioned folks (including some preachers!) who have said that this verse means that "God won't put more on you than you can handle", I could make at least a sizable house payment!  So lets just take a look at the verse:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

 First off - this verse is Paul addressing the sin, and the great temptation to sin in the Corinthian culture.  Sin was all around the believers - pretty much any kind of fleshly fulfillment one could imagine was available and even promoted in the city of Corinth - a major city with a reputation for "the flesh".  But the kind of sins really isn't as important as the fact that members of the Corinthian church were giving in to them.

So Paul is addressing temptation to sin, not simply all the burdens and hardships we might face.

Second, Paul wrote that WITH temptation (God does allow us to be tempted), He also gives a way of escape - in other words - temptation WILL come - even strong temptation.  But, no temptation He allows in our life are more powerful than the way of escape He will always provide.  Or more simply - regardless of the temptation we may face, there is always a way to avoid giving in.

It's a shame that so many Christians make this passage into a proof that God won't gives us more trouble than we can handle, yet they regularly give in to temptation to the sins that "so easily beset them".  Or - they place blame on God for somehow not stepping in to prevent them from sinning.

Every bad/sinful decision we make - God has an alternative, even if we refuse to see it and follow it.  One of the classic examples I have heard and like to use:  A recovering alcoholic struggles with temptation to drink again.  Depending on where he or she works and lives, they might pass by bars and liquor stores regularly.  The way of escape is to not stop in the first place - don't put yourself in a position to even experience the added temptation!

The point is, don't put yourself in a position to have your temptation level ratcheted up!  That being said - there are some episodes of temptation that can surprise you.  One can mistype a web site URL by one letter and sometimes find themselves on a nefarious web page with pornography or other immoral content.  All at once, some might experience temptation - yet there is a simple "way of escape" - close the window!  If that doesn't work - turn off the computer!  Pull the power cord!  You do not have to continue gazing at the content.

If you particular sin might be called gluttony - maybe you should avoid buffet restaurants!

Maybe your particular weakness is related to spending money.  If so - then maybe bookmarking your favorite places to shop is a bad idea!

I must say from my own personal experience - God can and indeed will allow you more than you can bear - alone.  Many times I have been in situations that I could not have endured on my own.  But God gave me the path to endure.

You CALVINIST!

I have been called many things in my life!  Sometimes those names have been honest errors in saying my real name.  But more often than not, the names I have been called have been meant to be derogatory in nature.  One name with such meaning I have been called is "fundamentalist" - and while some might consider that an insult, I take it in a rather positive way - because that would imply that the one calling me that term sees me as someone who sticks to his Bible and is unmoving.  I think that is a good place to be!

But I have been called another term that is also (when coming from some) meant as a very negative term.  This word will mean little to most people, but it carries a train-full of connotation for many others, particularly in my own associational work.  That term is 

"CALVINIST"

I have no plans of launching into a full-blown theology lesson on the meaning of the term.  I do want to touch on a few aspects though, that the reader of this blog might at least be able to understand the reason this term could be taken as an insult.

"Calvinism" is based on the teachings of the forefather of what we know today as Presbyterianism.  John Calvin was a preacher and minister of the Reformation in the 16th Century.  He was a somewhat controversial figure of his time, and likely even more so today!  When you hear the term "Reformed" or "Reformed Theology" today, it is an implication that someone or a church holds to a greater or lesser extent to the theology espoused by John Calvin.  One might even hear the theology explained by means of the acronym "TULIP".  What many who casually throw these terms around actually have a view that is far more extreme than Calvin himself espoused, this is still the easiest means to grasping what his theological system consists of:

Total Depravity of Man - the view that mankind is sinful by nature.  Another term used would be "Total Inability", meaning a man cannot redeem himself - because of the corruption of sin.

Unconditional Election - the view that god does not base his election on anything He sees in an individual, without any consideration of merit.

Limited Atonement - Jesus died for the elect.  Though Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient for all, it was not "efficacious" for all.

Irresistible Grace - When God calls his elect to salvation, they cannot resist. 

Perseverance of the Saints - You cannot lose your salvation.  Because the Father has elected, the Son has redeemed, and the Holy Spirit has applied salvation, those who are truly saved are eternally secure.

I remember a series of articles in the Independent Baptist publication Sword of the Lord that decried all things pertaining to "Calvinism" and "TULIP" as evil and a abomination, yet as the writer took each of the "petals" of TULIP, he ended up defending several of the points!  Indeed, most conservative Baptists believe in at least two of these "points of Calvinism", and many (whether they admit it or not) actually believe 3 or even 4 points!  

I believe that the debate regarding Calvinism (or Reformed Theology), particularly among Baptists today, is more of a distraction than a genuine issue worthy of the volumes written, conferences held, arguments and debates engaged, and damage done.  And I believe that the pain and trouble is more the result of perception and misunderstandings (because of the limits of the human mind, or simply out of preconceived ideas and taught hate), than genuine differences of opinion.

I will say this - I have found myself very interested in this subject for quite some time.  The more I have read, study God's Word, pray about it, and discuss it, the more interested I have become.  Systematic Theology was one of my favorite seminary classes, in no small part, due to the subject of at atonement/salvation and how it comes about.  I have found myself vacillating in my heart, trying to reconcile the concept of God's total and perfect sovereignty, with the picture of mankind's free will as pictured in the Bible.  Then, some time ago, the Lord gave me an incredible peace.  In fact, I have referred to this "place" in my life, this calm and comfort on this subject as "my peaceful place".

I believe the first, and likely biggest, obstacle to that "peaceful place" for most is that we try to view everything from a human point of view.  Lest we forget, the Bible was given by God, through men.  God gave us all we need to understand what we need to understand (need to know basis).  The Bible is sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  So within God's Word, we can find all the answers we need to any theological question we might have a need an answer to.

God is Sovereign.  I have found very few professing Christians who would argue that.  God is in control  NOTHING happens, good or bad, outside of God's divine and sovereign will.  Nothing.  Even the fall in the Garden of Eden happened as a part of God's Will.  That in no way makes God the author of Sin or evil.  It simply means that, within the perfect plan of God, this had to happen that ultimately God would be glorified.  The garden event proved that God is not just a great puppetmaster.  But how does this play into the "Calvinist" moniker?

It all goes back to God's point of view.  God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and so much more.  He is not restrained by place or time - and thus yesterday, today, tomorrow, the 6 days of Creation, and the end of this earth - and indeed all of eternity, is "present tense" for God.  We cannot really grasp the infinite with our finite minds.  But this is a necessary starting point.

Then we bring in the "TULIP" and begin to dissect them, from the viewpoint of God who is beyond time and place, and who is sovereign:

Total Depravity - which does not mean people are incapable of good acts/deeds.  It simply means we are incapable of pleasing God.  Humanity, even the most vile, still was made in the image of God - and because of that, we can "do good".  But we are, from birth, incapable of redeeming ourselves before the eyes of a perfect and sinless God.  God said "Be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).  God is perfect, therefore He has every right to demand perfection.  The amazing thing is - while we are incapable of being perfect, He provided the means to be counted as righteous, through His Son Jesus Christ!  This point is the least disagreeable to most Baptists and biblical Christians/evangelicals in general.  There is no salvation without Jesus Christ!

Unconditional Election - another point that, when viewed from God's perspective, is hard to argue with.  Romans 9:11 points out God's election in the line of Abraham to continue His plan - electing them for the purpose before their birth.  Romans 9:15 is the most direct statement of all regarding God's election of people. 

On the flip-side of this point is a concept called "double-predestination".  This was not something contrived by John Calvin, but by some who followed his theology to an extreme (most often referred to as "Hyper-Calvinists" or "Super-Calvinists" who take God's election to the extreme to say that God specifically creates people both to be saved, and to be condemned.  Unfortunately, this is a stretch (at best) of scripture, and at worst - is putting words in God's mouth.  Yes, God "elects"/predestines - not based on any merit He sees, but according to His will.  But scripture also says that "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9).

The question then begs - how can one reconcile God doing all the choosing, with what the Bible also depicts as mankind being held accountable for his decisions?  How can the Bible, which clearly shows freedom of will (God ALLOWED Adam to fall - Adam CHOSE sin and rebellion, God didn't force him, or even tempt him - though God did use the fall)?  This is likely one of the factors that I have had to search for "peace" on the most.  But again, I also fully trust that the Bible is 100% reliable -the very Word of God.  If the Bible describes both human responsibility and free will, as well as God's total sovereignty (ponder and pray about John 6:44 - that clearly says no-one can come to Jesus unless the Father calls them), then I just have to believe that God works His perfect will, using man's freedom to choose, just as He used Adam's sin and fall to His will.  Another way of looking at it - I have yet to find anyone from any educational level who can explain how Jesus Christ could be fully God and Fully man, yet that is what the New Testament describes.  This is a fact (known as the hypostatic union).  We just have to have faith that it is so.

God chooses us.  Why?  We cannot guess.  Yes, He knew us before the foundation of the world.  And He orders the paths of our lives to bring us to the point of His will, knowing how we will "decide" in each case.

Limited Atonement - which is likely the most controversial of all the "5 points of Calvinism", again is not so complicated in my mind (though I have some strong differences of opinions with Calvinists).  Staunch Calvinists would say "Jesus died for the elect only", and would mean that at face value.  They dismiss the biblical terms such as "for the sins of the world" or "taking on the sins of the world".  While they would be accurate in using context and language to defend that these really meant "from all nations", I believe this is too narrow (even if in the final product, it might very well be the result).  Jesus death is sufficient to redeem each and every soul that comes to saving faith.  Period.  His love is sufficient.  Were every human being from all time come to saving faith, Jesus' blood would have been sufficient.  Likewise, if only one soul every came to salvation, His blood would still have been exactly right.  Because of God's foreknowledge and election, Jesus' shed blood covers all who would believe.  Scripture just as clearly says that many will never believe and will be sentenced to everlasting destruction and torment in Hell and the Lake of Fire.  Jesus Blood did not redeem them (though it most certainly would have been sufficient had they trusted).

Indeed - many say that this point, Limited Atonement", is an obstacle to an evangelism - like selling property you don't have right to sell.  I counter that with - we do not know who will and who will not be born-again.  We just have the command to GO!  And if we have the heart of Christ, we too will seek to warn all, sharing what Christ did to make salvation available.  It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict and change their heart.  I do not have the right to withhold the Gospel form anyone!

Irresistible Grace - I will admit, my view on this point is based as much or more on my own personal experience than on any other source (including the Bible). Some verses that help to paint a picture of this point would include Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 9:16, John 6:28-29, Acts 13:48, John 1:12-13.  But while these passages are somewhat convincing, long before I ever read them in context of salvation, I grasped this concept.  In my own testimony - that very moment on that February afternoon, when all at once, I was absolutely filled with the knowledge that I was lost.  I knew without a doubt that I was guilty - regardless of how much I had hoped the divine scales of righteousness would tip in my favor - I knew that, were I to die - I would spend eternity in Hell separated from God. But the conviction didn't end there.  While I can look back through the lens of my salvation at previous times I had experienced conviction, this one time - I didn't have a "yes or no" question before my.  I could only see one option - and that was to completely trust Jesus, begging Him to forgive me, and to help me turn from sin in my life (repentance).  I honestly (and it is still so incredibly vivid today) could see no other option than "YES LORD!"   I had no choice.  Yes, some would argue that I still could have said no.  But I really could not even fathom in that moment anything but crying to to Jesus!

But ultimately, the fact remains - regardless of one's position on any of these points - God knows who will and who will not be saved.  Regardless of your view on how God elects or on what he "predestinates", without a doubt, all who will be saved, will be saved!  How God brings that about is His business, but I know that He has chosen the "folly (or foolishness) of preaching" (1 Corinthians 1:21).

And finally - we come to the last "point" of Calvinism - Perseverance of the Saints.  This is another of those seemingly clear realities of scripture. John 10:27-28 is among my favorite passages in the Bible, where Jesus clearly said not only that His sheep hear His voice, but that no one will snatch them out of His hand!  No-one!  Philippians 1:6 says that  it is God who has begun and WILL complete that "good work" in us.  Fundamentally - you cannot lose something you never had in the first place.  Unfortunately, over the last century+, we have seen a massive flow of "decisions" that were little more than emotional response to emotional questions.  There were no outward signs, no genuine repentance, and no live change.  Scripture says that all of these are evidences of salvation.  But even then, we can manually bring temporary change in our lives that can be false signs.  But the genuine, born-again believer has the Holy Spirit as a permanent resident in our hearts.  We may grieve Him at times, and there is "sin unto death" that can result in God removing us before we do further harm.  But clearly, the Bible says we cannot lose salvation.

So - am I a "Calvinist"?  No.  I am a Christian.  I am not like the Corinthians who Paul admonished for identifying with the preacher instead of with Christ.  But lets be honest.  I believe that God is sovereign, and in His will and plan, He elects, he directs our paths, He does the saving (I am completely unable to save myself), He does the keeping (in the palm of Christ's hand), He convicted me by His Spirit in a way that gave me no other alternative than to trust Him.  And I firmly believe that Christ's payment on the Cross of Calvary was sufficient for any and all who have, do, and will believe on Him for eternal life.  We are all held accountable for what we do with Jesus.  And somehow, in God's perfect and sovereign will, He saved me, and I believe He will save you too if you will listen to His voice (remember what Jesus said!).

Anything beyond that - particularly the "HOW" - I am not God and I cannot begin to fully grasp.

I may be accused of trying to "ride the fence".  I don't see it that way.  I firmly believe the illustration that one of my seminary professors used in discussing theology - He described theology is a pendulum.  It swings form extreme to the opposite extreme.  The truth is somewhere in the middle, and just maybe God is the only one who fully grasps the big picture.  I just know in whom I have trusted.  And the desire of my heart is to tell others of Jesus' saving work on the cross.  Jesus said "repent and believe the Gospel".  That is the message we are to proclaim to all.  And let God save who He will save.

What Do I Mean By "Lonely"?

I have been asked about the title of this blog - "what do you mean by "lonely"?  Let me clarify, lest someone get hung up in the wrong "perception"...

I have a loving wife in Diana who indeed fulfills the example of "an help-mate" as God created wives to be.  I have two absolutely awesome daughters that mean the world to me in Anna and Selah that give me great joy.  I have a family spread out in all directions that I love and respect, as well as a circle of friends both in and out of the ministry who support me, pray for me, and lift me up.

But most importantly, I have a Savior who died to set me free from sin.  Who paid my debt in full through His precious blood, and who has indeed sent the Great Comforter, the Holy Spirit - who dwells in me, and who is with me always.  This is MY Savior, who promised to never leave me or forsake me - so I totally understand that I am never ever TRULY alone!

But in this world of ministry, especially when serving as the only pastor/staff, of a small and spread out congregation, separated by miles from the nearest other pastor who can grasp the specific context I minister in.

Some have described pastoring as standing as an "island in the sea".  It has taken me quite some time to begin to wrap my mind around that illustration.  Another way of describing it - think about your own local church.  Everyone has a pastor... except for one person:  the pastor.

Not a day goes by that the Lord skips showing me His goodness and grace.  Indeed, not a day goes by that I am short of things to be thankful for.

And while I have never been asked to suffer as the Apostle Paul suffered for the sake of the Gospel, I do understand day-by-day at least in a small part, just how difficult and how "lonely" ministry can be.

But I also have the confidence and the surety that I am exactly where the LORD wants me, doing exactly what HE wants me too!  And for that, I wouldn't trade a thing!