Though None Go With Me...

An old song we used to sing in church services, camp meetings and revivals comes to mind when I consider the thoughts I am attempting to write about. The song "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" was often used during what was referred to an an "altar call" at the end of the sermon just before closing. It was a heart clincher and would be sung repetitively until every possible emotion had been wrung out of the congregation in case that ONE person needed a trip to the front to repent of their many sins and, at last, find the flood-gates of heaven open upon them with the mercy of Jesus filling their soul. Ah, yes... those were the days. Like many people, who had more concern for the condition of their pot roast in the oven at home than attempts made by those preachers doing their due diligence to ensure that every possible sinner made it home, I would roll my eyes when another stanza would begin with "Though None Go With Me... Still I Will Follow." After five choruses the song became maudlin and sappy to me. A mere sentimental ploy by the religious professionals in hopes to increase the numbers that made them look good when it came time for turning in their reports to the district offices. No doubt many people have even considered making the trip forward to give a public profession of faith just to help make the meeting look like a success and bring it to a close! I know I have.

Since then, I've changed much of my attitudes on some of those matters. Although I realize that there are those religious professionals who use tactics to try and earn their quotas, I also know that there are many more who sincerely desire to do something that we in the church world have forgotten about in the last several decades, and that is evangelize. That's right, the "great commission" where Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature of the human race." It seems that the idea of "preaching the Gospel" has become irrelevant and even politically incorrect in this so-called "post Christian era." The notion of proclaiming that there is only one God, one Son, one faith, one baptism, with a reward for believing and a penalty for not accepting makes most people uncomfortable. After all, we have become highly educated. Accepting a more global "spirituality" that takes offense with the idea of concrete truth, where matters of faith are concerned, and embraces an "I'm OK, You're OK" philosophy has taken the place of former belief systems that upheld Christ being the only "Way" for all humanity. "Whatever works for you! " is the mantra of many in the Christian faith today. We are now taught that obeying Jesus' command to take the message of the love of God to every creature is imperialistic and intolerant, condescending and hateful towards those who live by a different religious faith. Truth is no longer relevant in our social consciousness where faith is concerned, and ridicule is the best response toward those who believe such ideas still exist, much less matter.

But now I am beginning to see myself at a juncture in life. A "crossroads" that is compelling me to once again choose the things that have importance and value in the whole sphere of my existence. The Christian faith is rising to the surface more profoundly than ever before in my consciousness, even though I previously held to the belief that it was already at the forefront. Funny how those things happen. It's almost as if I can hear that song "I Have Decided... To Follow Jesus..." being played in some corner of my mind challenging me to weigh in on these matters once again for personal clarity. Possibly because there is a new awakening in my life that is vastly different than the earlier understanding I was given about what it means to be a Christ follower. The former was based on a burdensome consciousness of my "sin" that presented God as in a state of eternal anger toward me. He sent his son to die on my behalf, so that if I would repent of my sins, I'd be given the second chance to "do better" and merit favor and blessing by keeping a volume of rules, regulations, laws and ordinances until I died. THEN he would throw my life's efforts and doings into the weights and scales to determine if I had earned my right to enter the pearly gates. That seemed fair in my earlier years and, after sins I had committed that were exposed in black and white, it was obviously the workable resolution to my guilt before God. Certainly if God commanded me to an aspired life of sinless perfection and the practice of holiness, I could certainly offer my best attempt to be and do all that. After all, now knowing that Jesus died to equip me with the power to be a better person, then a better person I would be.

Even though I had "decided to follow Jesus" I had no idea the kind of oppressive burden I would take upon my shoulders by trying to uphold such notions as "being a good christian" or following the standards of "holiness" required by certain denominations in my sphere of religous culture. It soon became clear that my greatest attempts were futile and empty to meet the prerequisites of maintaining favor with God and man. My new awareness, after years of personal study of the scriptures, is polar to that former concept, actually it stands in opposition to it. I have grown to learn that, while we were his enemies and dead in our sins, there is a LOVE that was given to the world by God backed by a promise (and God doesn't lie) to love us eternally. The promise was accompanied with proof by giving his only son as the atonement for our offenses and trespasses. This love that God offered was founded upon an oath he swore by himself and ratified with Christ so that the legal covenant could not be broken by the shallow frailty and inconsistency of man. Regardless of our personal inability to live for him, by being dead in our trespasses, how we have sinned, or how deep our guilt over wrong-doing, or hurt through victimization, we are fully justified and released to freedom from these bondages by the response of FAITH from our heart. Simple believing has changed the course of our eternal direction. Continued believing is the "work" that is required for our ongoing relationship and we are assured that even this faith is a gift from God's own heart. We even get the promise that when our faith falters, God remains unchanged, ensuring that the work he began in us will be faithfully completed. How can we NOT believe?

These provisions and claims given to a population the Bible calls "wicked, sinful, falling short, unrighteous, gone astray, lacking understanding, unprofitable, worthless, deceitful, misleading, treacherous, destructive, miserable, lacking peace and possessing no fear of God" (need I say more?) showcases that mercy must abound in God's heart. It is also obvious that mankind has a universal understanding of the dilemma we face through what the Bible reveals as a "fallen" nature. Every religion addresses the issues of human frailty, sin, and imperfection, yet fail to offer any real cure or hope for the innate brokenness we all observe at some point in life. What they DO offer is opportunity to obligate people to a path of redemption through self-help by believing in the human potential. This only engages the seeker in a chance to give themselves a "leg up" spiritually by making obligatory offerings and sacrifices for atonement by doing the works, etc. that will hopefully provide eternal bliss, Nirvana, heaven, etc. Christ offered nothing of the sort. John 6:28,29 when asked "...What are we to do to carry out what God requires?" Jesus replied,"This is the work (service) that God asks of you, the you BELIEVE in the One Whom He has sent." Jesus taught that by merely "believing" we would be not only forgiven all our sins, but transferred from eternal death unto eternal life. Why is this no longer considered "good news" for ALL mankind?

Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by ME." This very verse used to be foundational to the Christian's understanding of the necessity of spreading the good news. No doubt that some of the sayings of Jesus are hard to embrace and more difficult to accept in a politically correct society that wants to respectfully promote all things as equal in all people. Therefore, many Christians believe that all we're doing by preaching the gospel is exchanging one religion for another. If all we are offering is an opressive condemning religious life of man-made rules and regulations as a self-help prescription to cure social ills by becoming good people, then I would have to agree that we shouldn't bother. We cannot afford to become an esoteric club or private society of intellectual subscribers who see no need of others being brought to the light of Christ. It is obvious that they do not take into consideration that Christianity is about being reborn from the spiritually dead, enriched with the blessings of being God's children and the profound transformational benefits it offers by living in his kingdom. Yet more and more of todays churches are becoming mere social networking clubs more interested in recruiting for programs than evangelizing to make disciples. That is just one reason I am beginning to see more clearly why the concept of God loving us FIRST, and therefore doing the necessary work we could not do for ourselves necessary to bring us into an eternal relationship with Himself by grace through faith alone, is legitimately far superior to any other philosophy. Mere religion places the responsibility for the hope of eternal life upon our shoulders, not God's. Faith in Christ gives me the freedom to know that I am forgiven once and for all. That I have no need to fear what comes after this life is over. That I can have peace in the assurance that God loves me. And, if God is for me, who can be against me? This knowledge compels me to share it with others who also need this as much as I do. Years of study has opened my eyes to the vast number of people world-wide that have none of this assurance as a result of their fervent religious practice. So I stand by the belief that the good news must be proclaimed to every one in all the world in every generation. Call it imperialistic, call it intolerant, call it what you will. I BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the living embodiment of truth, and who the scriptures referred to as the "desire of all nations." For one, I didn't know what I needed until I was told. That is why I must, in turn, TELL! Personal darkness is overcome when the knowledge of the Light of Truth is proclaimed. If I embrace the notion that every religion holds equal merit and offers nothing better or greater than any other, that Christ has not risen, then I possess nothing and am to be pitied above all men. The blood of Christ as an offering for the sins of the world holds no meaning if it is no greater than, or just equivalent to, anything else in any other religious belief system. Sincerely, I will live my life with respect for all who differ with this opinion, and aspire to continue to grow in love and understanding toward those who do not embrace this faith in Christ. But as for me... I have decided to follow Jesus. The one mediator between God and man. And I will continue this path without shame or apology towards those who are offended by what seems to many in this day and age a foolish notion.
Though none go with me... still I will follow.

Drink deeply...

He Is the King!

I cannot allow the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, to come and go without giving voice to what I have found Him to be. He is the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. He created the universe and holds it together by the Word of His power. All things are from Him, through Him and ultimately, to Him. His is the only name given whereby a man can be saved. He is the giver of life as we know it and the security of our hope for life everlasting. He understands us fully because He stripped himself of heavenly dignity and supremacy to live on earth and identify with all things we are, to suffer as we do, and feel what we feel. This makes Him the perfect representative, mediator and advocate of our condition before God. Therefore we should hold no fear when approaching Him. Love defines Him. Mercy compels Him. Grace pours forth from His heart. Even the faith we need to believe in Him is offered to those who are called to enter His presence. Assurance in His faithfulness is the result to those who find His promises true. Peace is the gift given to all who are justified freely without works of the Law. He embraced us at our worst and gave us His best. Though we were broken, He reached from heaven and healed us. Unending friendship with the living God is the offering exchanged to those who accept His sacrifice for sins, the just for the unjust, making us gifts to God that He delights in. He is the security of our hope and the anchor for our soul when human weakness takes hold of our being, giving assurance of forgiveness and on-going cleansing by His blood. He is worthy of our praise and open confession of faith and trust. He is the Word that empowers life itself and gives it animation. He is the foundation we can build our house upon to withstand any storm that will come against it. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Deliverer of Israel. The Savior of the world. The Victor over death, hell and the grave. The Hope of nations. The first-born of many brethren and the Author and Finisher of our salvation. God incarnate who alone is worthy to open the Book of Life and reveal its contents. He is Lord of all. The Mighty God. The Giver of Good News to all who have ears to hear.
And... He IS the King!
Worship Him.

Drink deeply.

Who Can Separate Us?

I recently saw a profile post on Facebook that read something like this... "Sin separates us from God! Be careful what you do!" That remark gave us all enough rope to hang ourelves. Considering who the remark came from I was not in the least surprised by the comment. I used attend church with the person many years ago and the mindset found in this fellowship was riddled with guilt, fear, condemnation and shame over EVERYTHING in life. It didn't take long for me to recognize that fact, and I didn't stick around for deeper indoctrination. Didn't put on the three piece navy blue suit, cut my hair, shave my mustache, subscribe to reading the King James Version only, or drink the Kool-Aid. What I did experience there was a group of loving, sincere, caring people who are afraid to think outside the box of their organization and it's leaders. To do so would be calling fire upon their heads and certain eternal condemnation that not even God himself could help them escape from. Unfortunately, a common dilemma in the kingdom of God everywhere.

So be it. Some people can't live outside the box and seem to be created with a personality that just accepts their lot in life content with what they have or haven't been handed. I'm not that way at all and have often questioned why it's the case. Neither do I believe that this is the kind of "contentment" called for in believers lives according to the New Testament. For years I've believed it might be easier to live in a mindset that doesn't question anything. Period. Especially authority. How easy to just open my mouth and let somebody else take the responsibility to pour in what they believe I must have to live or survive. But for some reason, this has never been a possibility for me. Even though I have truthfully tried to follow such prescriptions. I question everything. I question gladly. And I suffer the consequences of my questioning from the leaders, organizations and even followers who require the kind of blind conformity to be considered as stable and safe among the "family of God." I have even gotten to the point in my life where I lived in remorse and regret for the fact that my personality would not let me just sit back and coast in the fellowship of the unquestioning faithful. But I guess even that inability carries a purpose.

These groups thrive on control. Their organizations have to be fed like stoking a coal furnace in the dead of winter if the climate of desired expectations in measured success will be met. Success being measured in units like, how many people come to church faithfully when the doors are open, or how many give a full ten percent tithe AND more in dutiful offerings, or volunteer to keep the machines programs operational. All the "success" is motivated by and maintained through necessity using fear, guilt, condemnation and shame to keep the humble followers confined to their churches service and financial feeding.

This is done by keeping the concept of the "law of sin and death" ever present and dangling before the terrified eyes of the sheep. Always presenting and representing the notion that their relationship with God is constantly teetering on every little action or infraction to maintain stability. One false move... one missed step... one unintentional slip of the tongue... three absences from church in a four month period... on and on it goes. And because shame is that which is managed by "anointed" leaders, who (like Congress members) stand outside the regulations they require of their flocks, judging, criticism and condemnation becomes the sole core of the consciousness that pervades their circles. Even the followers develop a fine art at learning how to point fingers at those who hit or miss the mark required to remain in good standing with their fellowship.

The fact is, we all fail. We all fall short. We all are rendered helpless in gaining God's favor through our ability and strength or personal uprightness. To recognize this is to see that we need the help of one higher than ourselves. To recognize this truth fully is to come to the realization that our helplessness must render all power to God alone for assistance. This means that our awareness of "sin" is met head on with the fact that God is totally aware of our inability to "do better" or "quit sinning" and has a prescription for the solution when faith alone is brought into the equation to gain relationship.

It's a fact that sin can mess up our lives and circumstances, but it is not the factor that causes our relationship with God to cease to exist as many believe and teach. Sin, because of Grace, is no longer able to get in the way of our relationship with God. Ever hear, "Where sin does abound, grace does much more abound"? Does that mean that we should no longer care about our actions and their outcomes and live as though there are no consequences to anything? Absolutely not! But we are no longer to live in fear of eternal consequences for the earthly offenses we commit that causes us problems throughout the course of life. The Bible is clear in that "After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even point a finger? DO you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! ... not even the WORST SINS LISTED IN SCRIPTURE. None of this phases us because Jesus loves us." (Romans 8. Message Bible)

Rather than remind one another of our faults, sins, stumbling, frailties and offenses with a promise of the curse of the laws just punishment for our failure, we should forever be joyously proclaiming, "WHO CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS!!" This is the good news of reconciliation that we have been called to give witness to until his return.

Unless you are trying to maintain an organization that's having trouble keeping people or getting them to do what you require to run it, there's no reason to continually remind people that sin separates us from God. It doesn't. The fact that we retain FAITH during the course of our lifetime through the best and worst of it all is the necessary power that keeps our hearts filled with grace and our eyes on the prize of eternal life. When we do good... we believe. We we fail... we CONTINUE to believe. Sin is an ever present grinding reality in our fallen human nature. We are always aware of it's presence within. Remember, "where sin does abound, grace does much more abound!" But even through times of sin, FAITH is the VICTORY in Christ Jesus. Not our DOING. Don't be filled with anxiety about what you cannot control. Rest in the promise that God has made a way where there is no way. All because HE LOVES US!

Be honest, don't you wish you could make as many people as possible grasp this reality? Doesn't your heart break over the religious bondage that permeates our churches? Do you ask yourself how to promote the liberty that is only found through faith alone in Christ?

There needs to be a re-telling of the gospel in this generation.
May it start here. With me. And if I can't proclaim with absolute conviction and assurance the words of the Apostle Paul "Who can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?" as the foundation for all other things to be built upon, I have nothing to offer but more religious rope to hang ourselves with.

Drink deeply.

For Heaven's Sake!

For heaven's sake! Why is it so difficult to grasp the fact that God loves us? I have tried for years to make people aware of the reality of this fact, and yet I am continually met with a response that sounds something like this, "Oh, I believe God loves me, but just in case..." At that moment of confession, I am inundated with reasons why the "believer" doesn't really believe at all due to offenses, sins, infractions, misdeads, slips, etc. that are perceived to have caused them to cross over the line of ever being fully accepted. That lack of certainty in the back of the mind that allows one to embrace the fact that, in spite of God being loving, merciful, gracious, etc. this particular misstep was just the one necessary to bring God's capacity to willingly forgive to the point of no return. Yet we read in Hebrews 11 about the great people of faith whose stories are filled with every kind of sin imaginable, but we somehow still choose to envision ourselves as having fallen further down a road of no return than "those people". The scriptures are supposed to be showcasing the life stories and struggles of men and women we can fully identify with, so that when it comes to trusting God's ability to love us as much, we will grasp that loving us should be no different that loving any of them. These are stories of people named Abraham, Samson, David and Solomon, who lied, cheated, murdered, lusted, committed adultery, dishonored their parents, stole, lived in total debauchery and had no seeming character to speak of. Yet, the book of Hebrews still speaks of them from God's perspective as having faith, regardless of their sins and moral failures with full acceptance and right-standing before him.
God spoke to Old Testament prophets of a future time when he would "make a new covenant with his people, not like the one made with their forefathers (Moses)" but a covenant with a strategic PROMISE being that "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." This covenant being spoken of by Old Testament prophets was also recalled by the writer of the book of Hebrews in the NT as being the foundation of the Christian faith. It is the covenant promise we have been given to trust in, cling to, rely on and accept as giving us unbroken eternal friendship with a just and holy God, who we have been estranged from due to being dead in our sins and tresspasses. This covenant makes provision for us being in a continued state of potential future sins and doesn't offer the believer condemnation for the fact that they fail in any way, shape or form. We bring our sins, misdeads, failures, iniquity, willful rebellion (whatever you want to call it) to the feet of Jesus in simple confession and admittance of the fact, and we are cleansed. Just that easy. This is not to say that we are without consequence for our choices and decisions. We may take a course of action that might send us to prison, but the earthly consequence can have no eternal bearing of condemnation upon the individual where God is concerned. The slate can and is wiped clean.
One of the things I find interesting is that the Old Testament Law had a provision for sins that we might be unaware we committed. Still, our ignorance of such conditions being made on our behalf is often crippling to the relationships of people who cannot trust in the ongoing grace and mercy of God being applied to their lives. But it is available. It doesn't cease. Our fearful minds seem to readily embrace that God would be more understanding and willing to love us if we would stop doing some particular behavior. Or if we would promise to stop some behavior, or to have never done it to begin with.
To believe that our ongoing upright behavior is required to maintain God's friendship and love toward us is to believe that his gifts are not a gift at all, but a response to our works. If this is the case, we have just earned the very benefits and options of this covenant that were promised to come FREELY without our contribution.
For heaven's sake... let God love you as he intended to. The way he provided for you to receive his abundantly rich blessings is not through your self-efforts and moral uprightness. It is sincerely and truly a gift of his grace through faith.
Let this give you peace and rest. May you be freed from the anxiety and fear that accompanies the belief that God is going to do something bad to you for the things you have done in your life. "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through him might be saved." Jn 3:17
For heaven's sake... that means YOU!
Drink deeply