I lived most of my life not trusting that God loves me... even though it's the foundation of the good news found in the Bible. The church mostly reinforced that misguided perception and gave me religious prescriptives on how to better myself to earn and merit blessing and favor. "Do's and don'ts... Rules... Laws... Etc." A complete guide on how to earn and merit blessing and favor. THE most important day in my life was when I finally turned my back on these misguided and useless means of getting Gods attention and simply said to myself, "His promise is enough!" If God cannot make me and KEEP me in good standing with himself through faith alone... I have nothing else sufficient to accomplish that fact. No currency, no gift, no sacrifice, no offering, no work... nothing. It wasn't easy to come to that conclusive place, or to rest in that decision after years of depending on my own religious self-improvement (or self-righteousness). But, in time, it slowly began to sink in. I often feared when knowing I had done something wrong, out of character, or hurtful to others, as we all do from time to time, and would consider opportunities to take matters back into my own hands to try and fix things that I needed to trust God alone to accomplish. We've all found ourselves in that place. Left unchecked it can lead to becoming more deeply entrenched in every kind of irrelevant and destructive religious practice and pattern that, when applied, makes us feel better about ourselves through pride of accomplishment, but truly brings no greater position of right standing with God. What it DOES do is frustrates His goodness and grace in our lives, and cancels out the need to trust His love. There is no need to trust the promise or accomplishment of another when we depend on our own merit. And with God, you can't have a little of both!
After all these years I'm still not without that urge to fall back into this practice. I'm human... But it's become much easier to trust Gods love than it used to be, even though I'm not perfect and often get it wrong. I no longer have to live with a self-inflated notion that I am such a "good Christian" and, as a result, I am much happier and at peace for having a more realistic outlook on myself and life in general, and how it all relates to a relationship with a God who has and always will love me. I'm no longer trying to follow all the religious prescriptions for being "holy" but living to know the heart of Him who did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through of Lord Jesus Christ..."
Showing posts with label assurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label assurance. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2015
Monday, October 10, 2011
True Righteousness
Since my last entry I've been giving a lot of thought to the concept of Righteousness. Not as in the common street vernacular of "he's a righteous dude" but rather the sense of right-standing one has with God that has been bestowed as a free gift. It's the great theme of the New Testament, yet probably remains one of the hardest concepts I have ever tried to wrap my own head around. For over forty years I have parroted the phrase, "I am the righteousness of God in Christ!" as if I had a full understanding of the height, depth and width of its meaning. The older I get and the more I continue to meditate on the subject, I have to admit the less I comprehend this amazing provision and its theological perspective. Why would I say something like that? After all these years of study, schooling, practical application and ministry... one might suppose that it would become all the more clear. In some ways it has, but the journey has taken much time. The reason I unashamedly give admission to this personal matter is because, though I have claimed this truth, I have continued to try and earn good standing with God, as so many are taught to do in fundamental religious circles and denominations. In spite of this glorious truth we confess with our lips, along with the rest of Christendom, there remains an underlying distrust of its foundational tenet as spoken by God Himself.
This is most distressing when we consider the fact that what the scriptures claim God is seeking from us is FAITH, which some Bible translations define as "absolute assurance or confident trust" regarding his promised provisions. Humanity has never really been all that great at putting their faith in God. Our history has been more about us running scared than standing firm in absolute assurance or confident trust. The book of Romans is clear in chapter 3 where the Apostle Paul clarifies the condition of the human heart from God's perspective regarding this matter. The Living Bible puts it this way, "...all men alike are sinners, Jew and Gentile... No one is good - no one in all the world in innocent. No one has ever really followed God's paths, or even truly wanted to. Every one has turned away; all have gone wrong. No one anywhere has kept on doing what is right, not one. ...and they have never known what it is to feel secure or enjoy God's blessing. They care nothing about God or what he thinks of them." In so many conversations I've had through the recent years on this premise, I am responded to with a lot of, "Yes... but... "
The thought of God putting all of humanity in the same boat, so that he can show mercy upon all alike, is not appreciated by many in Christian circles, or so it appears. When our religious denominations or affiliations hold us to a standard of performance, observances and works to maintain or uphold righteousness, it creates a false sense of security that can only be measured against ourselves. This is one of the most critical issues facing the church today. The false sense of security created by this notion is repetitively addressed by the Apostle Paul in his letters to the newly established churches in the region. It was obvious by his content and intent that there were people infiltrating the Body of Christ with unscrupulous and false teachings about "true righteousness." One might think the bearers of such unwelcomed news may have sounded something like this, "...of course we believe in salvation by grace through faith! HOWEVER... there are things we MUST DO to ensure we don't lose it!" What usually follows is a list of house rules as long as a roll of toilet paper that have to be upheld according to the scrutiny of some over-seeing religious umpire chomping at the bit to wield "spiritual authority" and disqualify us from the prize. (Another topic altogether!)
It has occurred to me that any attempts at better securing a lasting divine provision though external activities, observations, religious rigor, rules, regulations, etc. is as deeply inordinate as assuming that, by putting on a dress, wig and high heels, a man can be transformed into a woman. Although I have applied a bit of levity to the matter, it should resonate with a greater sense of how genuinely preposterous it is to be self-assured that our feeble and fleshly religious efforts can manufacture the outcomes that only faith in God's grace was meant to secure. As I see it, only faith in Christ can result in the gift of applied grace and transforming righteousness that makes a fallen humanity into beloved children of God. Confidence in the promise of God to do ALL he has responsibly committed to accomplish on our behalf, including the ultimate end of bringing us lovingly to himself for an eternity of rest and peace is the only hope for us all. So easy... yet we resist... we run... we hide... we appeal by sacrificial offerings of promises and vows to "be good" or "try to do better." It's all unnecessary and does nothing to make the provision of God's everlasting love more secure or safe.
We should thank God daily that he is our Great Shepherd and we shall lack no good thing. Every need he fully and responsibly supplies, starting with an on-going right relationship. Even the "faith" required of us to appropriate this gift is the byproduct of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence. We can rest in the peace that passes understanding, assured that a "righteousness from God, apart from law, has been revealed... this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe... there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Rom. 3)
Well said, brother Paul...
But I must ask before I sign off... do we really believe these words? Do we read such passages, take a breath and "WISH" that it were true, as written? Or do we close the book and act like a man who has just looked into a mirror only to walk away and forget what he looks like? Are we desiring of such right-standing and favor with God, yet fearing that, due to the trappings of everything that makes us human, resign ourselves to a misconception that only in another life can such a relationship be realized? Do we continue to make promises to try harder, do better, pray more, go to church more, or faulter less in hopes of striking a deal with God to better soothe our inner guilt and secure our eternal outcome? So many of us do... and none of it is necessary, much less helpful. (AS IF OUR PROMISES TO GOD CAN ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN GOD'S PROMISES TOWARD US!!) Beloved, we are instructed in the New Testament to understand, "faith IS the victory." Faith is sufficient for receiving the on-going right standing from God we so desperately need. As our Sovereign Lord, Redeemer, Savior, Justifier and Sacrifice, he is also quite capable of KEEPING you in his loving care. John points out so clearly regarding the righteousness we lovingly abide in when he said, "Beloved, NOW we are the children of God." It doesn't get any more real or secure than that. Trust God's view of a RIGHTEOUS YOU! In other words, have faith...
Drink Deeply
This is most distressing when we consider the fact that what the scriptures claim God is seeking from us is FAITH, which some Bible translations define as "absolute assurance or confident trust" regarding his promised provisions. Humanity has never really been all that great at putting their faith in God. Our history has been more about us running scared than standing firm in absolute assurance or confident trust. The book of Romans is clear in chapter 3 where the Apostle Paul clarifies the condition of the human heart from God's perspective regarding this matter. The Living Bible puts it this way, "...all men alike are sinners, Jew and Gentile... No one is good - no one in all the world in innocent. No one has ever really followed God's paths, or even truly wanted to. Every one has turned away; all have gone wrong. No one anywhere has kept on doing what is right, not one. ...and they have never known what it is to feel secure or enjoy God's blessing. They care nothing about God or what he thinks of them." In so many conversations I've had through the recent years on this premise, I am responded to with a lot of, "Yes... but... "
The thought of God putting all of humanity in the same boat, so that he can show mercy upon all alike, is not appreciated by many in Christian circles, or so it appears. When our religious denominations or affiliations hold us to a standard of performance, observances and works to maintain or uphold righteousness, it creates a false sense of security that can only be measured against ourselves. This is one of the most critical issues facing the church today. The false sense of security created by this notion is repetitively addressed by the Apostle Paul in his letters to the newly established churches in the region. It was obvious by his content and intent that there were people infiltrating the Body of Christ with unscrupulous and false teachings about "true righteousness." One might think the bearers of such unwelcomed news may have sounded something like this, "...of course we believe in salvation by grace through faith! HOWEVER... there are things we MUST DO to ensure we don't lose it!" What usually follows is a list of house rules as long as a roll of toilet paper that have to be upheld according to the scrutiny of some over-seeing religious umpire chomping at the bit to wield "spiritual authority" and disqualify us from the prize. (Another topic altogether!)
It has occurred to me that any attempts at better securing a lasting divine provision though external activities, observations, religious rigor, rules, regulations, etc. is as deeply inordinate as assuming that, by putting on a dress, wig and high heels, a man can be transformed into a woman. Although I have applied a bit of levity to the matter, it should resonate with a greater sense of how genuinely preposterous it is to be self-assured that our feeble and fleshly religious efforts can manufacture the outcomes that only faith in God's grace was meant to secure. As I see it, only faith in Christ can result in the gift of applied grace and transforming righteousness that makes a fallen humanity into beloved children of God. Confidence in the promise of God to do ALL he has responsibly committed to accomplish on our behalf, including the ultimate end of bringing us lovingly to himself for an eternity of rest and peace is the only hope for us all. So easy... yet we resist... we run... we hide... we appeal by sacrificial offerings of promises and vows to "be good" or "try to do better." It's all unnecessary and does nothing to make the provision of God's everlasting love more secure or safe.
We should thank God daily that he is our Great Shepherd and we shall lack no good thing. Every need he fully and responsibly supplies, starting with an on-going right relationship. Even the "faith" required of us to appropriate this gift is the byproduct of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence. We can rest in the peace that passes understanding, assured that a "righteousness from God, apart from law, has been revealed... this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe... there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Rom. 3)
Well said, brother Paul...
But I must ask before I sign off... do we really believe these words? Do we read such passages, take a breath and "WISH" that it were true, as written? Or do we close the book and act like a man who has just looked into a mirror only to walk away and forget what he looks like? Are we desiring of such right-standing and favor with God, yet fearing that, due to the trappings of everything that makes us human, resign ourselves to a misconception that only in another life can such a relationship be realized? Do we continue to make promises to try harder, do better, pray more, go to church more, or faulter less in hopes of striking a deal with God to better soothe our inner guilt and secure our eternal outcome? So many of us do... and none of it is necessary, much less helpful. (AS IF OUR PROMISES TO GOD CAN ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN GOD'S PROMISES TOWARD US!!) Beloved, we are instructed in the New Testament to understand, "faith IS the victory." Faith is sufficient for receiving the on-going right standing from God we so desperately need. As our Sovereign Lord, Redeemer, Savior, Justifier and Sacrifice, he is also quite capable of KEEPING you in his loving care. John points out so clearly regarding the righteousness we lovingly abide in when he said, "Beloved, NOW we are the children of God." It doesn't get any more real or secure than that. Trust God's view of a RIGHTEOUS YOU! In other words, have faith...
Drink Deeply
Sunday, October 24, 2010
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...
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...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Christ Is the End of the Law
In a perfect world all Christian converts would be taught the concepts of Romans 10 prior to being given a Bible. Also, those raised in churches would be established in the same theological principles from this text to help ensure the foundation on which their faith is based is in Christ ALONE.
Let's read Romans 10:4 from the Amplified Bible. "For Christ is the end of the Law - the limit at which it ceases to be, for the law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled, - That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him - as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him."
Well, you'd think that would just about settle it. However it doesn't.
For thousands of years people have been wrangling and fighting, arguing and dividing themselves from one another over this matter.
Adhere to the Law, or trust in Jesus?
How about a little Law, a little Jesus? Better?
How about... follow the laws that matter to me and trust in Jesus to help me do it?
How about... follow and uphold the laws that I'm strong in... thing that I KNOW I won't break, like adultery and murder or homosexuality, and when I stumble and fail in less severe areas, I can remind myself and God that I'm not TOTALLY depraved. I AM A GOOD PERSON!
Unfortunately, this is exactly the means by which so many so-called "christians" have been taught to function in their relationship with God. Which is completely dysfunctional. Since I was raised in a church that openly taught this manner of relating to God, where even the non-verbal communication smacked with the same focus on our works and performance, I found that in my own walk with God, the most difficult thing for me was TRUSTING Christ. It wasn't sufficient.
I was from a church whose members didn't "rededicate" but would completely backslide and get "saved" all over again. It was a vicious cycle. And it didn't take long for me to grasp the fact that everyone was watching to see if I would live my life according to THEIR expectations and Biblical prescriptions. Soon enough I was fully aware that I couldn't pass inspection with my peers or with God. I was forever being reminded by those around me and therefore getting "saved" again at least once a year. Always at campmeeting... didn't everyone?
Still, I needed something greater than "be good and go to church" to anchor my soul and provide a means of daily assurance that God loves me. Every week in Sunday school as children we joyously sang, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." and yet was taught to live without the assurance of that very fact and to embrace the fear that comes with poor performance.
As a youngster and even a young adult who had been so steeped in this theological tradition, it all seemed to make sense. Verses from the Bible, "Be ye holy as I am holy." (Strong command.) To hear the requirements of the Law and commandments read from pulpits and Sunday school teachers followed by the fierce threat of retribution in passages like Deuteronomy 29:20 "The Lord will not pardon him... and all the curse that is written in this book shall settle on him; the Lord will blot out his very name from under the heavens... single him out for ruin and destruction... " was certainly what being in a relationship with God is all about. I mean, there it was in black and white.
When children hear "Jesus Loves Me" from an early age accompanied by the requirement to adhere to the Law with the punishments featured in Deut. 29 as the consequence for disobedience all in the same breath, the end result is often disasterous. It was for me.
This theological mentality followed me throughout childhood into my teen years and eventually into adulthood. I would try and do good and go to church. If I sinned, or even missed church for that matter, I was hanging from a cliff by a broken sapling with a short root system. Doomed. The cycle was endless, viscious and merciless.... it left me with no alternatives than to try and do BETTER and go to church more often! Pray harder, do more! I would pray and remind God of the good that I HAD done, believing that God was a rewarder of our works. I lived under the guilt of my sins and offenses continuously because I took the Law and commandments seriously. "Thou shalt not..." was often "Thou just did!"
After years of being as "good" a Christian as I could be, faultering all along the way, I had to face the fact that something wasn't working. I decided to step aside from my traditions and read the Bible for myself but differently this time. Asking the Holy Spirit to take off the denominational filters that kept my views locked tightly into these spiritual prescriptions of required obedience to the Law as my means of obtaining "heaven" as the reward, I picked up my Bible and started again. I searched the scriptures for something more than I had been taught. God, in His mercy, began opening my eyes to the truth about GRACE.
The book of Romans in the New Testament finally began to reveal the reality of "Jesus loves me this I know.... For the Bible tells me so" from the viewpoint of God Himself. Romans 3:20 "For NO PERSON will be justified - make righteous, acquitted and judged acceptable - in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For (the real function of ) the Law is to make men recognize and be be conscious of sin. v. 21 But NOW the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from law..." v. 22 " Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ, the Messiah, for all who believe. For there is no distinction, v. 23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. v. 24 All are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is provided in Christ Jesus."
Reading those words was both wonderful and tormenting at the same time when I began to face the fact that I had never allowed myself to "take the plunge" and place the whole of my faith in Christ alone without depending on myself to add anything additional to the equation for being saved. It was terrifying because my former traditions had me locked into the mentality of "I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!" But reading the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:28 "For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by FAITH independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of law). - The observance of the Law hand nothing to do with justification." and further in Romans 4:5 "But to one who not working (by Law) trusts (believes fully) in Him Who JUSTIFIED THE UNGODLY, his faith is credited to him as rightouseness - the standing acceptable to God."
I could go on forever, but know I must stop somewhere and pick up on this again later...
Needless to say, in my story, I learned that it is vital to life itself to cease from trusting in my own useless and unfruitful efforts, works, deeds, rules, regulations, etc. and find the value and freedom in being acceptable with God on HIS terms through simple faith in Christ.
We will never be good enough to merit favor, blessings, gifts, or right standing with God. It's impossible. It's like a three year old climbing onto a ten inch step stool to try and reach the ceiling. But what is impossible with man is POSSIBLE with God through trusting Jesus.
The Law was simply meant to show us our inability to EVER be right with God. It showed us our failures and need for something that we could never provide for ourselves.
God knows this fully... we often act as though it somehow surprises Him that we miss the mark. It doesn't.
But He loves us anyway and sent Jesus to prove it and be the means to bridge the gap between the Laws requirements and our inability to meet them.
By placing the whole of our faith in Him... Christ is the end of the Law.
If you're caught in the same endless frustrating cycles like I was, give consideration to the
message in this blog.... the Law is not your master, and following it's endless demands and requirements is not your means to acceptance with God.
You're free from it.
Consider that your need to believe that personal goodness is necessary to go to heaven later is not as important as trusting Christ for a right relationship with God here and now. Heaven is the outcome of that simple faith.
Drink deeply.
JP
Let's read Romans 10:4 from the Amplified Bible. "For Christ is the end of the Law - the limit at which it ceases to be, for the law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled, - That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him - as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him."
Well, you'd think that would just about settle it. However it doesn't.
For thousands of years people have been wrangling and fighting, arguing and dividing themselves from one another over this matter.
Adhere to the Law, or trust in Jesus?
How about a little Law, a little Jesus? Better?
How about... follow the laws that matter to me and trust in Jesus to help me do it?
How about... follow and uphold the laws that I'm strong in... thing that I KNOW I won't break, like adultery and murder or homosexuality, and when I stumble and fail in less severe areas, I can remind myself and God that I'm not TOTALLY depraved. I AM A GOOD PERSON!
Unfortunately, this is exactly the means by which so many so-called "christians" have been taught to function in their relationship with God. Which is completely dysfunctional. Since I was raised in a church that openly taught this manner of relating to God, where even the non-verbal communication smacked with the same focus on our works and performance, I found that in my own walk with God, the most difficult thing for me was TRUSTING Christ. It wasn't sufficient.
I was from a church whose members didn't "rededicate" but would completely backslide and get "saved" all over again. It was a vicious cycle. And it didn't take long for me to grasp the fact that everyone was watching to see if I would live my life according to THEIR expectations and Biblical prescriptions. Soon enough I was fully aware that I couldn't pass inspection with my peers or with God. I was forever being reminded by those around me and therefore getting "saved" again at least once a year. Always at campmeeting... didn't everyone?
Still, I needed something greater than "be good and go to church" to anchor my soul and provide a means of daily assurance that God loves me. Every week in Sunday school as children we joyously sang, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." and yet was taught to live without the assurance of that very fact and to embrace the fear that comes with poor performance.
As a youngster and even a young adult who had been so steeped in this theological tradition, it all seemed to make sense. Verses from the Bible, "Be ye holy as I am holy." (Strong command.) To hear the requirements of the Law and commandments read from pulpits and Sunday school teachers followed by the fierce threat of retribution in passages like Deuteronomy 29:20 "The Lord will not pardon him... and all the curse that is written in this book shall settle on him; the Lord will blot out his very name from under the heavens... single him out for ruin and destruction... " was certainly what being in a relationship with God is all about. I mean, there it was in black and white.
When children hear "Jesus Loves Me" from an early age accompanied by the requirement to adhere to the Law with the punishments featured in Deut. 29 as the consequence for disobedience all in the same breath, the end result is often disasterous. It was for me.
This theological mentality followed me throughout childhood into my teen years and eventually into adulthood. I would try and do good and go to church. If I sinned, or even missed church for that matter, I was hanging from a cliff by a broken sapling with a short root system. Doomed. The cycle was endless, viscious and merciless.... it left me with no alternatives than to try and do BETTER and go to church more often! Pray harder, do more! I would pray and remind God of the good that I HAD done, believing that God was a rewarder of our works. I lived under the guilt of my sins and offenses continuously because I took the Law and commandments seriously. "Thou shalt not..." was often "Thou just did!"
After years of being as "good" a Christian as I could be, faultering all along the way, I had to face the fact that something wasn't working. I decided to step aside from my traditions and read the Bible for myself but differently this time. Asking the Holy Spirit to take off the denominational filters that kept my views locked tightly into these spiritual prescriptions of required obedience to the Law as my means of obtaining "heaven" as the reward, I picked up my Bible and started again. I searched the scriptures for something more than I had been taught. God, in His mercy, began opening my eyes to the truth about GRACE.
The book of Romans in the New Testament finally began to reveal the reality of "Jesus loves me this I know.... For the Bible tells me so" from the viewpoint of God Himself. Romans 3:20 "For NO PERSON will be justified - make righteous, acquitted and judged acceptable - in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For (the real function of ) the Law is to make men recognize and be be conscious of sin. v. 21 But NOW the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from law..." v. 22 " Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ, the Messiah, for all who believe. For there is no distinction, v. 23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. v. 24 All are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is provided in Christ Jesus."
Reading those words was both wonderful and tormenting at the same time when I began to face the fact that I had never allowed myself to "take the plunge" and place the whole of my faith in Christ alone without depending on myself to add anything additional to the equation for being saved. It was terrifying because my former traditions had me locked into the mentality of "I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!" But reading the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:28 "For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by FAITH independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of law). - The observance of the Law hand nothing to do with justification." and further in Romans 4:5 "But to one who not working (by Law) trusts (believes fully) in Him Who JUSTIFIED THE UNGODLY, his faith is credited to him as rightouseness - the standing acceptable to God."
I could go on forever, but know I must stop somewhere and pick up on this again later...
Needless to say, in my story, I learned that it is vital to life itself to cease from trusting in my own useless and unfruitful efforts, works, deeds, rules, regulations, etc. and find the value and freedom in being acceptable with God on HIS terms through simple faith in Christ.
We will never be good enough to merit favor, blessings, gifts, or right standing with God. It's impossible. It's like a three year old climbing onto a ten inch step stool to try and reach the ceiling. But what is impossible with man is POSSIBLE with God through trusting Jesus.
The Law was simply meant to show us our inability to EVER be right with God. It showed us our failures and need for something that we could never provide for ourselves.
God knows this fully... we often act as though it somehow surprises Him that we miss the mark. It doesn't.
But He loves us anyway and sent Jesus to prove it and be the means to bridge the gap between the Laws requirements and our inability to meet them.
By placing the whole of our faith in Him... Christ is the end of the Law.
If you're caught in the same endless frustrating cycles like I was, give consideration to the
message in this blog.... the Law is not your master, and following it's endless demands and requirements is not your means to acceptance with God.
You're free from it.
Consider that your need to believe that personal goodness is necessary to go to heaven later is not as important as trusting Christ for a right relationship with God here and now. Heaven is the outcome of that simple faith.
Drink deeply.
JP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
