"According To Christ"

  It happens so easily. People are led here or there. Into someones idea of spirituality or what the Bible means. There is so much information flying about that it becomes difficult to discern what is really good and healthy spiritually and what is destructive.

  "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Col. 2:8) Do you want discernment? Do you want to make sure you aren't misled? Listen to Jesus and Him alone! Too many seem to run around looking for an earthly Jesus not realizing His purpose when He was on earth. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords and rules with all authority from heaven!

  Even though we know this, still people are taken captive through philosophy and empty deception. Philosophy and empty deception reach to control your thinking and how you approach life. Philosophy and empty deception turn your attention to ideas and thoughts that help one look away from Jesus as their teacher. Too many mix philosophy and empty deception with the word of the Lord and that's how it takes one captive. Just listen to all the advice on marriage. Yet in the teachings found in Jesus and His apostles, there are simple answers of conduct and godliness. In the philosophy and empty deception of marriage advice there are great details given, hours and money spent. What if we would just do according to Christ? Would we make much more progress and be better off time-wise and financially? Once people are convinced of other ideas, it is almost impossible for them to let them go because it enslaves them. It is the structure their faith is built on.

  The tradition of men and elementary principles of the world are so easily accessed. These two elements in life make things look as if they are from the Lord and are spiritual. The result is the tradition of men and these elementary principles take the heart and thinking captive! Jesus spoke directly to the Pharisees in Matt. 15 condemning them for following principles that looked like they were from God, teaching theses principles and traditions as faith in God. It was nothing more than ceremonial! These too take people captive.

  How do we stay sure? Always ask yourself: "Is it according to Christ?" Do you want to find your purpose in life? Do you want to have real insight? Listen to Paul's power and purpose driving His life: "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ." (Col. 1:28) Why are many losing their way? What are we turning from and turning to? Paul states life is about Jesus Christ. Jesus is the mystery that has been revealed and only in Him can one find their completeness. Jesus is the wisdom and power of God. In Jesus and Him alone are found all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. No wonder people are captive, weak and hurting. If it's not according to Christ, it's powerless and unfruitful! If it's not according to Christ, your life will begin to reflect your power source in its weakness.

"Remember Your Creator"

  Today's blog is the result of teaching a Bible study. Solomon spoke: "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil day come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no delight in them.'" (Eccl. 12:1)

  Let's make a few quick observances. First, "youth". The term used is not childhood. That's a completely different word. It fits those 20-40 years of age when one is strong and in the prime of their life (Eccl. 11:9-10). A teen does not look back on their childhood and wishes for those good old days. They look forward to greater freedoms and making their own decisions, sometimes out of spite or rebellion. The young adult generally doesn't look back to their teens but forward to new opportunities and advancement easily carried away in their pursuits. The older realize lost opportunities or things forfeited because of poor decisions wishing they had done some things differently.

   Secondly, "remember". It's not just a thought about God but in the word it has the idea of 'piercing or penetrating'. In other words, you need to let your Creator pierce or penetrate your being. Why are so many 'youth' unhappy and unsettled? Look at these as they age and you find little guidance and help within the Lord's body from them. There is a serious lacking of leadership in the church. There was Someone they didn't remember in their youth! 

  Finally, "Creator". Why was the term "Creator" used instead of another term? Why did he not say, "God" or "Lord" or "Father"? The idea of "Creator" draws to mind the most fundamental relationship between God and man! If he had said "God" He is someone man makes a choice to believe in or not. If he had used "Lord" that suggests a relationship in which submission is involved. If "Father" was used it brings an intimate relationship that should be fostered and cared for. In those three nouns, it calls on a choice or decision on our part. Creator has nothing to do with our choice or submission. Creator shows your place in this world is completely dependent upon Him! Your existence and every element about you is completely dependent upon your Creator!

  We need to allow our view of our "Creator" to penetrate into our lives and heart that we realize we cannot exist without Him. You are the only you your "Creator" made and there will not be another you ever to exist. We need to allow our "Creator" entrance in our youth because the days will come in age, where life will be difficult because of age. "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is; fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." (Eccl. 12:13) You will find comfort and gentleness in your old age rather than mean and misery!! 

"Busy or Committed?"

  People are on the run. The Lord's body finds itself so busy and many think that busyness is the sign of life and love for the Lord. Just listen to people when things slow down and they say, "We aren't doing anything for the Lord!" Too many equate busyness as a sign of serving the Lord. What it really states is the sign of American lifestyles! What does America believe? Look busy even if you aren't!! We must be careful that we don't equate busyness with commitment!

  Too many are 'over-committed'. We have gotten ourselves into a state of mind that we just cannot say 'no'! We really want to slow down a little but because of our programmed lives, we feel as if we must stay busy and work or we feel lost or life becomes meaningless. In this process of overcommitment, it drains and takes its toll on marriages, relationships and ultimately the church. When this overcommitment reaches the church and someone doesn't do what we think we ought to be committed to doing, then starts the accusations that we aren't doing anything. Busy in our work, busy in our running around and busy in the church! Are we missing something?

  Overcommitment isn't a sign of laboring for Jesus! It can be a cover-up for the lack of faith or guilt. People feel guilty when they aren't busy. Why is that? When we have programs, we run the program into the ground until people are worn out and most of the time, it's the same people over and over. We can't give up the work because we would feel this guilt!

  When one is committed to the Lord and His work, you begin to work from faith knowing that the Lord will open the doors that need opening. Sometimes being "still and know that I am God" (Psa. 46:10) is what is needed. One committed to the Lord will make certain things are put in their proper priorities. We run everywhere and accomplish little. We allow people to rule over us by prodding us, making us feel guilty if we don't respond to their requests. We run our children to every event under heaven and all this busyness begins to take it toll on genuine faith. Lines become blurred. Jesus was committed to the work of His Father but He often slipped away into the wilderness (or mountains) to pray! That's commitment! 

  Maybe it's time we slow down and re-examine our lives and our faith. To work for the Lord is to trust the Lord to open up doors for His kingdom and good. In the process, families need to be strengthened spiritually, as that is working for the Lord. We need as individuals to sit and be recharged from the word of the Lord. That's committed to the Lord! Sometimes we need to reflect, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." (Rom. 9:16) 

"Seek the Truth"

  Recently a friend and brother of mine asked me to look at a link where a fellow, who was highly educated in the Greek and Hebrew language, was teaching Bible themes comparing them to how they are taught today. He had a great insight on how language is used, not only in the Greek and Hebrew but also English. He spent time diving into a particular word showing it's real meaning. He went to a few other words to show how they were used. I realized this sight was not for a beginner! To further drive home his point, he brought up a Greek scholar and quoted him as proving they both came up with the same definition and usage of this Greek word. It just so happened that my fellow co-laborer in the Lord had a copy of the book of this Greek scholar this man quoted from. We found the quote. But here's the interesting part. The Greek scholar's conclusion was not the same as this man said it was. He did make an accurate quote but it wasn't the conclusion of the Greek scholar.

  As I reflected upon this, I realized that if someone had a very limited or no knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew language (which is the majority), how could they refute this man's teachings? You couldn't but would have to accept it. His message starts getting passed around and people are being led to a conclusion of something other than what the Scriptures really teach. I was so thankful for this book to be able to search and see it for myself. This man with his great knowledge and insight to languages was misleading people with his great knowledge to a belief that he stood on and it was false teaching.

  Here's what I encourage each of us to. First, never be afraid of the word of the Lord. You don't need Greek or Hebrew to understand it! It was translated in English so that we could embrace the truth if it is the truth you are seeking. Find a good translation based on accuracy, not just some paraphrase. There are too many translations out there that are not true to the original text.

  Secondly, always allow context to determine how a word is used. Context is the most important factor in proper application of Scripture. Just because a word is used in one place one way does not mean it might be used every place in that same way. Context determines!

  Thirdly, seek the truth with all your heart and the Lord will open the door in your seeking. That's His promise. If we aren't seeking the truth or being honest with Scripture, you set yourself up to deception and the Lord will help you find that because that's what you seek (II Thes. 2:10-12).

  May God grant each us a heart of wisdom and seeking truth as we glean from His word. Be wise. Be honest. Seek the Lord with all your heart.

"How Committed Are You?"

  The Scriptures teach: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." (Prov. 3:5) Yet we go through life seeking for why things happen the way they do only to end up frustrated!

   Jesus spoke plainly: "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters." (Matt. 12:30) "And you shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30)

  Paul taught the Roman brethren that we are either slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:16-18). There are no other options. You can't be both!

  When we read Scriptures like this, it makes us realize that God is asking a 100% commitment from us. We can't be divided. We can't give God some of us. It's all or none. When things like this are taught, it scares people because people know they aren't giving 100%. That should alarm us. No wonder people are fearful of death and eternity. They know something about themselves. Then comes the statement, no one can give 100%! Really?

  The giving of your all, your complete being to the Lord and loving Him and Him alone can be accomplished. It is based on a heart and commitment with your heart. It is realizing that we "walk by faith, not by sight" commitment. To walk by faith is a trusting that the Lord will lead your path each day. The Lord will lead us away from our personal desires that cause us troubles and into His heart of grace and mercy. Too many times we follow what is convenient or easy. That's walking by sight. That's not committed 100%. To trust in the Lord with all your heart means you allow His will and word to take the highest place in your thinking and decisions. That's 100% committed. You know God will take care of you by supplying every need and what you are lacking. Saving faith takes the pressure off of you and allowing God to work through you (Phil. 2:12-14). No longer do you find yourself having to perform but trust! That's what giving your all the Lord really means. Are you really committed?

   

"Life After Death"

  It is simply amazing how we seem to approach life after death. I grew up with teachings that once we die, we go to this place of Paradise and await judgment. The teaching arose out of Luke 16 in dealing with the rich man and Lazarus. However, what seems to escape notice is Jesus is speaking of something before His death. Another thing is the term Paradise is never mentioned in the context but we have charts and books written about it using the idea of Paradise when Jesus never uses the term in this context.

  What happens once we die? If it were easy to put with a verse that simply states it, that would end it but it's not that simple. But yet it is that simple. How do we, people under the new covenant of God, come up with the idea that we will be judged? Where do we go (I am speaking only of those faithful in Christ) once we die?

  First, let's look at where we go. Paul states in Phil. 1:23 that he desires to depart and be with Christ. John wrote what he saw in the book of Revelation and in Rev. 6:9, the souls of those who had died because of the word of God, are seen as under the altar in heaven. Paul writes to the Thessalonians that at the coming of the Lord, He will bring with Him those who have died (I Thes. 4:14). I realize there are other elements involving the resurrection day, but we are simply looking at what happens to the saint when they die. In II Cor. 5:6-8, Paul speaks that while we are in our body, we are absent from the Lord and he preferred to be absent from the body and be with the Lord. In these few verses, we have a teaching that depicts when a saint dies, they go and be with the Lord. We need to believe that.

  Secondly, will we be judged? As one surveys the New Testament, it becomes evident that the unrighteous are the one who gain the wrath of God. Paul reminds the brethren in Rom. 2:1-5 that those who are stubborn and unrepentant are storing up God's wrath for themselves. The Hebrew writer points out that those who sin intentionally after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for their sins but a terrifying expectation of judgment (Heb. 10:26-27). Paul reminds the Thessalonians that God has not destined us (the saint) for wrath but for obtaining salvation through Jesus Christ (I Thes. 5:9). The church at Rome was taught that Jesus would be our Savior from the wrath of God (Rom. 5:8-9). We are under a covenant with God. This covenant from heaven speaks: "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Heb. 8:12) No sin. Nothing to be tried for if Jesus has forgiven us. Why do we teach we will have to give an account? Many pull from verses like II Cor. 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." Many are quick to point out it says we will give an account for the deeds of the body but there is one word I want you to see: "Whether"! That word is a coordinating conjunction meaning "either, or". It's not both!!! Either the good or either the bad! We are under a covenant with the Lord. He made His promise to not remember our sins against us. What does that leave us with?

  Do some studying on your own. Think as you study. As Paul reminded the Thessalonians about those who were afflicting them and causing them suffering that the Lord will be revealed from heaven and He will deal out His punishment on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel. They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord. What about the saint? He will be glorified in them!!! (II Thes. 1:6-10) This is such good news. Stop fearing eternity and embrace the covenant that you came under in Christ Jesus the Lord. Fear is for the impenitent and unbelieving!  

"Life"

  Only Jesus can give one life. Not human life but a life that comes only from God. It is a life of awakening. It a life of power and sustaining against evil. A life that reaches beyond the physical. It is a life that has nothing to do with one's circumstances and everything to do with God. Jesus said it was the Father who raises the dead and gives them life and the Son gives life to whom He wishes (John 5:21). Jesus taught that He came to give God's life in abundance (John 10:10). And how was that new life going to be accomplished? By laying down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

  Jesus explains that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone. It's simply a grain of wheat with no life! But if it dies it bears much fruit (John 12:24). When we look closely at this, Jesus was speaking of Himself first and then about all those who want God's life from Him (John 12:25). Jesus knew His hour of death was quickly approaching but also was His resurrection of life!

  What does all this mean? It teaches us that our life with the Father and His Son begins at and is sustained in the cross of Christ! Life begins when one looks closely and embraces the death of Jesus because He alone has risen to fullness of life and it took the cross to bring that about. We need to realize that the cross is the way to life!! His cross must be the way to our life!! The cross is not about death but about life. Listen to Paul: "I've been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20) Paul lives through the dying with Jesus. Jesus lives. Paul died and he lives with Jesus because Jesus alone possesses eternal life!

  Why do we struggle so? Why do we fail? Maybe our failure is because we haven't died with Jesus? Maybe we haven't given ourselves over completely, realizing we were immersed (baptized) into Christ and into His death (Rom. 6:3-4)? If you haven't died, you cannot have life. You remain alone producing in your life what you are by yourself! Jesus died and arose to life. He beat death and He alone possesses that life and will give that life to whom He wishes. And to whom does He wish to give that life? To those who have died with Him because there they find life and bear much fruit in His life.