Christians in democratic societies have a choice.
We can either insist that elected officials adopt Godly precepts to earn our favor …
Or we can alter our values to earn their favor.
In the long run, the former usually turns out much better.
Category: Simple Faith
Occasionally I come across those who claim – either explicitly or implicitly – that personal “revelation” can equal to even exceed the authority of Scripture.
But does this hold up?
2 Tim 3:16-17 says that all Scripture comes from God Himself and is the standard for correction and reproof – even as against other revelation we think we have received – regarding doctrine, faith and life itself.
Jesus told a story which reinforces this point. In it, a poor servant named Lazarus died and went to Abraham’s bosom, while a rich man died and went to Hell.
The rich man pleads that Lazarus be sent to give a miraculous, personal revelation to his still living brothers to warn them of Hell so they will stop being wicked.
Abraham’s response is very telling: “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets [i.e., the Old Testament], neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:31.
Is it any different today?
Why do some insist on personal revelation where God has already clearly spoken in His written Word of Scripture?
Isn’t it arrogant to expect more from God, while discounting His plenary authority of Scripture?
In fact, aren’t they just like the rich man in Jesus’ parable?
God can do what He wants and speak how He wants …
But in this parable Jesus warns us not to normally expect “revelations” from Him where we have not been willing to submit to His existing, authoritative revelation of Scripture.
It sure seems to me that Jesus, in this story, also establishes the clear hierarchy of His written Word over all other revelation …
While certainly not discounting the fact that God can and does speak many ways.
But in all cases, God stands resolute against any “revelation” contrary to His external Word of Scripture.
It’s time to reject the partial use of Scripture to construct one over-arching “Story” or “Narrative” …
To transcend or supersede all the rest of Scripture as God’s authoritative written Word.
In fact, there are many themes – and a rich tapestry of truths and narratives – immanent in Scripture.
Don’t be so easily deceived by these latest waves of ear-tickling “existential” doctrines:
Whether from relatively obscure, minor authors like Frank Viola peddling his ever-shifting “eternal purpose,” “theography,” “deeper life,” or more recent “insurgency” wares;
His buddy Jon Zens’ underlying reconstructed “gospel;” or
Or their fellow existentialist Keith Giles with his post-modern, pick-and-choose “red letter” Jesus.
More popular authors like Rob Bell and the late Rachel Evans also tried the same with their self-referential, existential notions of “love” …
As have major “theologians” like Karl Barth with his distorted, wholly subjective idea of “logos.”
Like all who tried before them, their trans-Biblical “narratives” inevitably end up crashing upon all of Scripture as God’s lasting, comprehensive and authoritative written Word …
While they and the faddish limelight they seek today is gone tomorrow.
Unfortunately, though, the wreckage they bring in other lives and churches survive long after.
God is not amused with their big lies wrapped in half truths.
Existential “Christians” use the currently faddish dislike of the word “religion” to peddle a big lie wrapped in half truth …
By claiming that Jesus is all about a “relationship” and not religion.
While it’s true that Jesus wants a relationship with us …
He wants that relationship to include all He has authoritatively revealed in His external Word of Scripture about Himself, us, His creation and so much more.
This includes His propositional truths, moral precepts and objective reality as they apply not just to us …
But also government, church, family, history, culture, economics, and everything else.
Otherwise, for such existential “Christians,” Jesus is all about them rather than Lord and creator of all …
As they seek to define Him on their own terms based on their own perceptions, sensibilities and agendas.
Don’t fall prey to a false Jesus of their own creation.
Instead, find liberty, freedom and authority on His terms, not theirs …
By surrendering all of you to all of Him, as Lord of all who’s over all.
When you begin to grasp God’s majesty and omnipotence …
You can’t help but live a life of reverence and gratitude.
Spiritual warfare is not waged in a prayer closet …
But by going forth to assault the gates of Hell.
The prayer closet is simply where we get our marching orders.
Don’t confuse God’s grace with His delight.
You can experience His grace, which is unmerited …
But then miss His delight, which comes from doing His will and obeying His commands.
If you doubt this, just do a quick online word search for “delight” in any good Bible translation.
Those who deny this distinction with their hyper-grace teachings …
Know neither the authentic God of Scripture nor His authentic joy.
When faith is reduced to little more than personal piety, then of course our politics are reduced to personal angst …
Because both are all about us rather than the Sovereign Lord of all.
No matter what happens at the polls, it’s not too late:
Learn His ways;
Repent of making it all about our own wants, needs and fears; and
Pledge to never again be embarrassed by candidates who so mockingly reflect our own poverty of spirit.
Until we get to the end of ourselves …
We’re not much good for the Kingdom of God.
What we mean by “worship” today seems to have become a distraction …
From what God means by “worship” in the New Testament.
In the original language of the New Testament, the Greek words translated “worship” mean a lifestyle of Godly sacrificial obedience and reverence …
Not music or musical performances designed to press our feel-good buttons.
In fact, there’s not a single use of those Greek words in the New Testament, or in the context of the common vernacular of the day when the New Testament was written, which even hint at such a thing.
Nope, not, nada …
Just ain’t there.
I’m all for singing God’s praises together, but let’s leave behind the self-absorbed counterfeit “worship” that’s so common today …
And begin to actually worship God by living holy lives of obedience and reverence, as He defines it.
This Sunday when you go to church, look around and make an effort to see those who have no family or are going through hard times …
Then ask if they’d like to share Thanksgiving with you and your family at your home later this month.
If space allows, also invite others in your neighborhood and community who are isolated, struggling or maybe even homeless.
This is love.
This is being the church.
You will form friendships that will last a lifetime.
Marianne and I do this each Thanksgiving – as well as throughout the year – and it has enriched our lives beyond measure.
Faith is not so hard to find …
It’s just outside your comfort zones.
For me, there’s no greater joy than seeing lives redeemed …
Through the one-on-one ministry of confession, forgiveness and surrendering our associated burdens to the Lord.
There, true repentance happens …
And freedom begins.
Faith presumes no outcome rooted in our own wishes …
But simply trusts God’s goodness.
Forgiveness isn’t saying what they did is ok …
But letting your heart fully acknowledge how wrong it really was and then release it to God.
Continue readingGod’s no thief.
He won’t take the burdens of our heart – our accumulated regrets, hurts, anxieties and wrongs – unless we give them to Him …
As an intentional act of surrender.
To give them to Him, however, we must first own them …
By honestly and fully confessing them to Him.
Because if we can’t or won’t do that …
Then they own us, and not us them.
Nor is God a cheat.
When we fully and finally release them to Him …
He always gives us peace and resolution in return.
Always!
It’s hard to give God our future …
When we keep holding on to our past.
God’s grace:
Love with conviction,
Mercy with repentance,
Freedom with holiness.
Those who claim the Bible is God’s authoritative written Word only in spots,
And by implication that they have the authority to spot the spots,
Are not teaching some new revelation but the same old deception …
Which starts by asking,
“Did God really say?”
I get so tired of the lie, repeated whenever someone wants to avoid the hard work of living by their convictions – or even having convictions – that we must not judge.
Where does Scripture make a blanket prohibition on judging?
Continue readingLove God, do what’s right …
And trust Him with the results.
Without hospitality …
There is no ekklesia.
Grace is the means …
Not the end.
Plumbline Faith 