Joy to the World

Tis the season, or so they say. Just about everyone spreads the sentiment of peace and joy and brotherhood during these last few months of the year. Everyone seems to agree that this is a good thing but the atheist or the skeptic will be quick to argue that faith is not required to spread peace and love to others and that Christmas can be just as meaningful without Christ. Many Christians flounder for a response to this and tend to mumble something about commercialism or the "true" meaning of the holiday but what if I told you that both sides may be missing the point?

We read the beautiful story of the nativity in Luke one and two, and we can almost hear the chorus of angels say "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" But do we really get understand this? The meaning of the nativity and of this proclamation -like the cross itself- is tied to our past. In order to understand the right side of the Bible we need to know the left side; the Old Testament.

In the beginning God created. Now without getting into a creation argument (which is not the focus of this writing) we can see that God made man -specifically Adam and Eve. According to the book of Genesis mankind was, in those early days, perfect. We were were without sin or the knowledge of it and enjoyed a perfect communion with God. Simply put: we were truly good and there was nothing keeping us from or restraining our relationship with God.

Everything changed at the fall. Adam was given very little instruction, but chiefly he was told not to eat the fruit of a certain tree.

“Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

(Genesis 2:15-17)

This command was translated to Eve after her creation and things seemed to go as normal for a time. However, Eve chose to disobey God when temptation came to her and Adam -instead of correcting her- followed suit. In that moment their eyes were opened to evil and they “fell” from their perfect state and passed that sin nature on to their descendants, us.

This sin nature has plagued humanity ever since, it is a wedge between the creation and the Creator and makes us creatures of wrath rather than sons of glory. We're the spiritual cockroaches of the universe. The important point to remember here is that while we once enjoyed close companioship with God we are now estranged and more than that we are His enemies.

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

(Romans 8:6-8)

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened....being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

(Romans 1:20-21, 29-32)

So the world and all the people in it are naturally at odds with the God who created them. This brings us back to Luke and the angel's proclamation, “ Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” People tend to throw this verse around while pushing for unity in mankind and the brotherhood of humanity but the angels, I think, had a very different meaning in mind.

You see, they weren't here to spout empty blessings or hollow promises. They weren't here to warm hearts and calm minds. They had come to proclaim the birth of the King! Man was estranged and at enmity with God, doomed to a just punishment and eternal separation from their creator. The flames of Hell lie in front of us and we are powerless to alter our path, but God has made a way.

The story of Christmas is the story of salvation, of God come to earth in the form of man that a way to Heaven may opened to us! Jesus, that little baby in the manger, was more than the offspring of Mary. He was and is God in flesh, Deity in humanity, the infinite within the the finite. He was the same man who would grow up to face death on the Cross that we might receive life in eternity. His sacrifice paid the price for our crimes and allows God to forgive us, putting our sins on Jesus' account.

The angels didn't come to make the shepherds feel good as they cowered in that field. They didn't come to proclaim peace throughout the nations. The angels were a delegation from the King to His people in rebellion, they were messengers of His intentions of peace towards us. The goodwill toward men is His goodwill! Though we are haters of God and though we have rejected Him at every opportunity He has goodwill and peace intended for us! He extends the olive branch and offers us a way of reconciliation.

Now through Jesus Christ we can look foreword not to the unending flames of Hell but to the peace and rapture of Heaven.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”

(Revelation 21:1-7)

We need not fear tomorrow and we need to war against our maker. We who were the enemies of God have been shown peace and forgiveness. Remember this Christmas that the birth of Jesus is only understood when viewed in the light of the our past and that baby's future. God came to man when man would flee from God, He has built a bridge over the chasm we had built.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

(Luke 2:8-20)

Not Today but Tomorrow

     Are we afraid to be different? How many times have you kept your mouth shut when you should have preached because you were concerned about the reaction your words may cause? How many times have we all fretted over the possible loss of friendships or a suddenly uncomfortable work environment? Many of us are frozen over concern for our public image and unable to act as we should.

     It's understandable really. Humans are social creatures and we attach a great deal of significance to our relationships. Any effect we have on those connections can have serious repercussions in our daily lives. So yeah, the concern makes sense but it still doesn't matter. Once again it really all comes down to selfishness. Remember that the friend you don't want to offend is a lost soul headed to hell. That co-worker who might not like you anymore is God-hating wretch just like you used to be. If we really care about these people at all we need to tell them about Jesus! If we're keeping to ourselves the very thing they need because WE don't want to be uncomfortable...what does that say about us?

     One of the major components of our faith is self sacrifice. Ours is not a life spent on gathering inward but one of giving outward. We need to be selfless not selfish and that means letting go of our public image and social comfort. Think back to the apostles and early church fathers, they were beaten and imprisoned, accused and insulted, dragged around cities and stoned, all for the sake of the message of Christ. They didn't care about their reputation or how many friends they had, all they cared about was getting the Gospel into the ears and minds and hearts of as many people as possible. They gladly endured trials and rejoiced that they were considered worthy enough to suffer even a fraction of what Jesus went through.

     Remember that we don't live this life seeking for the rewards we can enjoy now, we are working towards eternity. Yes, things may be hard now, they may get difficult, they may hurt, they may be scary, or uncomfortable, but no matter how dark things may get for you the promise of Heaven is brighter by far! That is the hope that we look to, that is the promise that drives us. To be with God for eternity in a place that never spoils or fades and where suffering is a thing long forgotten. Don't be afraid of an uncomfortable today when tomorrow is guaranteed to be amazing.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

(Romans 8:18)

All Things New

'Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new...”'

(Revelation 21:5)

     Hello again! Happy new year to you all and I hope it was a blessed time of celebration for everyone. Coming into 2015 got me to think about the new year and newness in general. We serve a God who is not only the eternal unchanging God but one who delights in the “new.” From His perspective of course nothing is 'new' but we really mean new from our perspective. He will not leave things as they are but will, in His time, remake them so they shine anew.

     The world is old, very old, not nearly as old as some people think but compared to the average human lifespan it's darn old! The earth was formed many years ago and like your dad's old Buick, time has not been kind to it. Everything we see is in a gradual state of decline and breakdown that if given enough time would lead to nothing more than a cloud of disparate particles floating through space. The curse of sin has brought death to more than man. God however, sees a work unfinished, a canvas with only a few rough sketches and brushstrokes just waiting to be completed.

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

(Romans 8:20-22)

At the end of days when the sons of God are glorified we won't be living on this same old dusty ball. The whole of reality will be renewed right along with us into a glorious new future that we can't even imagine! How lovely is nature now while burdened by sin, how beautiful will it be when freed from those bonds and renewed by the master artist of creation?

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

(Revelation 21:1-2)

     We as well will find ourselves remade in God's final design; still ourselves and still human but glorified into a form that will last for eternity. The life of a Christian now is a struggle, a battle against the ongoing sin the beguiles and attacks us. We are freed from sin's price and it's power but in those moment we will be freed from it's presence as well! The church will never sin again and never fail their King, from that moment to eternity the relationship between God and man will never be hindered again.

“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

“For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.”

(Romans 8:29-30)

     All of this newness is yet to come but now, at this very time, we have access to another new thing, the new covenant between God and man. The covenants of the Old Testament were primarily between God and the nation of Israel. The prescribed how man could be obedient to God and thus demonstrate their faith. Unfortunately they did nothing for the state of man's soul. That all changed when Christ came to earth. He first showed us how the old law was meant to show us our need for God. The rules seen as impossible to follow really were impossible and that was the point! We could never measure up to the perfection of God and are thus in desperate need of Him and of the grace and mercy only He can give. When Christ died on our behalf and rose again a new covenant was made; Christ had paid a price so much greater than the cost of our sins that His one sacrifice was enough for all time!

“When he speaks of a 'new' covenant, he declares the first one obsolete. And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing.”

(Hebrews 8:13)

“For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God. For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance”

(Hebrews 9:13-15)

“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.”

(2 Corinthians 3:4-6)

     We look forward to a day when all thins are new, when the sins of old and the crimes of the past are no longer even a distant memory. We eagerly await that coming dawn when the glory of God lights our day and we need never fear the darkness. God is from forever and will never change nor come to His end but still He brings the joy of newness into the lives of His creations. How I long for the time when the new sun rises and we find ourselves in the never ending peace and joy of a glorious new day.

To Know What We Can't See

It seems a bit odd to think that Christianity, with it's focus on the supernatural is quite a logical and fairly simple belief. There are very few categories of being and rather simple rules. We're not asked to perform herculean tasks nor undergo protracted journeys, we're told simply to seek out a closeness with God and to allow Him His due place in our lives. Ultimately we can see that although Christianity is a very spiritual faith, it is not a mystical one.

     The best evidence for this -I think- is the Bible. Let's just talk about it's existence for one. The Bible is the Word of God, 'God breathed' as the scriptures say. He didn't leave us without information. We needn't read tea leaves or master diving rods, learn spells or contact spirits, we have no reason to follow our instincts or intuition, we need only listen to what He has said! Read the book, we see glimpses of the past and of the future, we see the world of the spirit that is all around us, we are shown what that God is in control and that the chaotic world of other beliefs doesn't exist. Furthermore God has shown us exactly what He desires from us. Unlike other faiths where we are only told what to do, the Bible shows us a God who works with us and for us (meaning for our benefit not under our direction). We needn't fear tomorrow because He is the God of tomorrow, and today, and yesterday!

     The spiritual world, though mysterious, is also quite simple. We don't have a hierarchy of deities, we don't have various groups or beings, and we don't have several warring factions. We have God, His Angels, Satan, the Demons, and us. That is it! So many people want to make the spiritual so much more unusual and difficult, but really we have only two factions of two types of created beings. There are no other deities or powers to be concerned with and like the physical world there are only two camps: those with God and those against. Furthermore there are not mystical powers to be concerned with, objects hold no energy and can be neither good nor evil, angels and demons can only operate in prescribed manners, and with the exception of very obvious miracles God uses mostly mundane means to accomplish His goals. I understand the desire for a more “interesting” world but frankly it just isn't real.

     Reality as we see it and comprehend it falls under the same understanding of simplicity. We are not lost spiritual wanderers or recycled ghosts. We are not simple fauna animated by chance and electricity. We are not advanced animals haunted by false spiritual lies or burdened with impossible eternal purpose. We are created beings who have rebelled and are now worthy of wrath. Servants and slaves who threw off the mantle of the just King and pursued their own wicked desires. That same King who could have wiped us out and been completely justified, chose instead to save us. He chose to save us though it meant His own Son had to die. God chose to love us all, rather than kill us all.

   I want a simple life. I want to live where the only mystery is what tomorrow holds and maybe, what's for dinner. I'm so grateful we don't live in a world turned about by many a changing winds and tides, one where myriad powers vie for the control and praise of weak humanity. I'm so glad we have the path laid out for us and salvation and eternity granted to us if we would only follow. I'm glad for my God who loves me enough to die for me. I'm grateful for this simple, wonderful life.

The Two Reasons

     I was listening to Alistair Begg the other day, and he made an excellent point. There are ultimately only two reasons why anyone rejects the cross of Christ: either they consider themselves too good and have no need of a savior or they think themselves so horrid that God can do nothing with them. All the atheistic showboating aside, that's really what it boils down to. The amazing thing about Christianity is that unlike every other religion, Christ counters both perspectives. All the world religions foster one of two things; either pride in the works you have done toward 'heaven' or despair at your inability to do what you perceive must be done. Again, Christianity confronts and defeats both of these ideas.

     Lets look at pride and self fulfillment. Many of the world's beliefs will tell you that you have to work your way to heaven, that eternity is for those who earn it or that you are the author of the better you. All you need to do, they say, is follow these rules or fulfill these requirements or do this list of actions and -BAM- you're in heaven. The side effect of this mentality is pride, and why not? If I'm doing all this great stuff that makes me such a great or at least spiritually successful person why not think highly of myself? Well Christianity asks this question: what is the entry requirement for heaven? What's the answer? Complete and total perfection! All your works, all your efforts, all that stuff you hold up and think so highly of...pointless. Nothing you do and nothing you say will ever -EVER- be enough. Kind of kills any hope of personal pride doesn't it? This thought spits right in the face of self-fulfillment, you aren't good enough and you can't possibly be good enough.

     Now a look at sorrow and despair (which you may very well find yourself at given the previous paragraph). There are quit a few people that would say, “God can't possibly save me or want me, look at all that I've done!” First of all let me just say that although I'm sure many people actually think this way, I'm also certain that many others are simply masking pride with false humility. Their 'humility' is a way of being unique, “I'm so bad, not even God can help me,” and a way of deflecting having to actually think about things. Back to the point though, The Bible tells us that humanity is utterly depraved, sinful from its birth and incapable of saving itself; but it doesn't leave us there. We see that God uses that fact, the very idea that we are all totally sinful, as a means for hope! It's not just you. Everyone is impossibly far from God, there is no one who is closer and no one who is further away! God can do all things and you're sin makes you no less capable of receiving His grace than anyone else! When we understand that God's grace is meant for the hopeless we can see our sorrow turn to joy and our despair to gratitude.

     We see here one of the many wonderful and unique things about our faith, that God has answers for every perspective. That He has a plan for everyone and everything. He did not slack in His revelation nor did He forget what we would need. We cannot be prideful, it is all too apparent that we are far from perfect and in desperate need of a savior; but we need not despair, God is the hope for the hopeless and the shelter for the lost.   

To Whom Do We Compare?

     We are none of us perfect, and all a work in progress. It can be disheartening, falling down again. We push and we struggle and we try for every inch of holiness and still we have so far to go. Worse yet is the sight of those who are “further along” than we are. It would be easy to get lost in the comparison. It would be easy to see yourself as less, or wrong, or even to doubt your salvation because you're not moving as quickly or as far.

     Don't let that happen. We must remember that we all started at different places, at different times, and as different people. We all walk our own road to heaven so to speak and it would be folly to compare the paths. Don't confuse what I'm saying by the way, there is only one way to heaven and to God, namely through Jesus Christ, but what I'm saying is that no one walks the same steps on our journey. Some of us had the blessing of growing up in Christian homes with Christian parents or having a great biblical church to attend or having great teachers to learn from; others did not. Some people started in more shadowed worlds, or eventually found themselves there. Some of us have more dust to shake off than others.

     What is important is not your position on the journey but that you're making it all! Whether you're a baby Christian experiencing God for the first time or an elder nearing the end of a lifetime with Jesus, we're all going home. Don't worry so much about how much more work God has to do in you, the greatest saint is a horrid creature when compared to God.

     Ultimately God is the one to compare ourselves to, the one and only standard. We may be saddened when we compare our black soul to another's shining white but when laid before God we are all just shades of gray, only He is perfect! It should be a humbling and a hopeful thing to see ourselves compared to the Holy God. We appear so much worse and He appears so much better. Let that remind you that we are all just travelers on the journey, no one any better than another, and to all of us God has blessed us greatly with salvation undeserving.

     If we can keep a right perspective on ourselves and others we will be better prepared not only to continue our own journey but to help out others with theirs. That perfect saint you see may be battling demons inside that are tearing him apart or that struggling new Christian with the course mouth may be just bursting with the love of God! Remember that our only comparison should be vertical, Man to God. Forget how others may look to you or how you may look to others, ask God to help you see everyone -yourself included- as He see's them. That's how to move forward, onward and upward, to eternity.

Dual Citizenship

     I love my country. I thank God that He has so blessed me that I live in a place that -at least officially- recognizes personal liberty. Where I can openly practice my beliefs and share them with those around me. A nation where I need not fear violence should I speak out against the common beliefs of society. I am blessed that I may seek my future as I see fit, where I may read what I want, say what I want, and think what I want. I am blessed to be so free. I am free to worship my God how I so chose. I am free to gather with my brothers and sisters in the Lord every Sunday. I am free to choose the path of my life and the path of my soul. I am free.

     My country is not perfect. Like every earthly institution it involves people, and people are never perfect. Those in charge of our governance have made mistakes and many of them quite public and quite tragic. Those who did the best they could are intermixed with those who simply did what they wanted. We have held up the noble as heroes and cast down the innocent as villains. My country is not perfect, but it has such great potential. At its heart is the Constitution, a document that outlines a government protected -as much as possible- from strife and greed and power-mad fools. Our laws were drafted with God in mind, for a nation of people who knew that God ruled His creation and that leaders were at best delegated ministers. We have made mistakes, we have made poor choices, but we try. We try our best to do our best, and as a whole we have done rather well.

     I love my country, but my country is not my home. These green fields and busy streets, these blue skies and lofty buildings, these empty plains and busy cities are not my destiny. This beautiful land where nature takes the stage and man's ingenuity raises lofty structures high into the clouds is not enough for me. This land, that I love, is not my final home.

     I am a Christian. This life you see is an illusion, for I died long ago. My heart may keep on beating but I laid myself down on the alter of heaven and died along with Christ that I may live with Him as well. This life, this soul, this existence has been bought and paid for by the sacrifice of one far greater than I. His blood, the blood of Jesus, has paid my way out of darkness and into light. My name has been written down in the records of a higher citizenship. My home is with the Lord. When the grand display of this present world is faded, when Christ returns to claim His own or when my time has run its course and I am left an old and failing form, when every one of our grand designs has crumbled into dust, then I will find the pathway to eternity open and the doors to heaven waiting for me at last. I will walk the streets of gold and follow the pathways of the stream that flows from the throne of God. I will know peace, for heaven is my home.

     I love my countries. This nation that God has blessed me to be a part of is a wonderful earthly place, imperfect and flawed but granted such grace. My heavenly home will be the fulfillment of our every dream. I love my country, but I know this place is not my home. I will fight for its honor, I will support its good and I will decry its evils, but most of all I will hold to it with a loose hand. Every rolling hill and vast city, every reaching mountain and endless suburb will fade and come to its end in due time. My God has blessed me with this nation and I thank Him for it, but I will not cling to it nor let it distract me from the forever that awaits. This whole wonderful terrible world we live in has a deadline, an expiration date, an end; I will keep my eye on the endless.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ...”

(Philippians 3:20)