"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
This is one of the most beloved and claimed verses in Scripture... especially now with the current economic state...
A key word in this verse to notice is "according" to his riches in glory. This speaks of being in accordance with, or in proportion to, his riches in glory. This is important because God's riches are infinite. Our riches have limitations. We can only give away or provide so much and the resources run out. But God's riches are immeasurable, so he has a never ending ability to supply for all of our needs.
I was reminded of this while reading Mark 8 this morning. In that passage Jesus has been preaching to a large crowd of 4000+ and he does not want to send them away hungry. He turns to his disciples who say, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”
Jesus then works a miracle, feeding the crowd from seven loaves of bread.
The odd thing is, this was AFTER Jesus had fed the 5000+ with five loaves and two fish. (See Mark 8:14-21). Why didn't the disciples simply say, "Lord, we know you can feed them with next to nothing..."?
I think it was because they figured the resource had been "used up" and now something different would have to happen. They did not yet understand that God could supply "according to" his riches and there would be no limit.
We can look back and see how God has supplied in the past, but then doubt that he is able to do it again in the future. We need to cling to the "according to" part of this verse and never forget that God has a never ending ability to provide for all of our needs! (Of course, another key word in there is "need", but that's another story...)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Climate Change and the Bible
On the topic of climate change and global warming, the only one whose opinion really counts is the one who has been around long enough to know—God! The one who created and sustains the earth has told us everything we need to know about climate change in His Word. Here is a summary of what the Bible says about the earth—where it’s been, and where it’s going.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
The universe was created by an intentional act of God. It is not a product of mere chance or evolutionary process. Exodus 20:11 declares, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.”
Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:7
Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Likewise, mankind is an intentional product of God. Man is unique among the created order in that he was created to bear the image of God and exercise dominion or rule over creation. Life was breathed into man by God. As result, man has a spirit, or a capacity to relate to God.
Genesis 1:31
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
God created a perfect world where there would be perfect harmony among all parts of is creation.
Genesis 3:17-19
And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Man’s sin, or willful disobedience to God’s revealed will, resulted in the first instance of “climate change” on the earth. All relationships were disrupted—person to person, man to earth, man to animals, and man to God.
Genesis 6:5-8
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
The prevalence of man’s wickedness would produce the second major “climate change” on the earth. God determined to judge the earth, yet show mercy and grace to part of his creation by sustaining them through the flood.
Genesis 7:11-12, 17-24
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights… The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits (about 22 feet) deep. And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.
A cataclysmic event occurred which change the earth forever.
Genesis 8:20-22
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."
Here we have a crucial passage relating to current climate change theories. God shows that man remains fallen, but he promises that he will not curse the earth because of man. There is a promise that seasons of seedtime (spring) and harvest (fall), summer and winter will never cease. Those teaching global warming today, (like those who taught me about the coming ice age when I was in grammar school), say that man is responsible for climate change that will scorch the earth, bringing an end to seasons, devastation of crops and wildlife, and so on. But God has made a promise that this will not happen.
Romans 1:19-21
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Creation has been adversely effected by man’s fall, hence the changing cycles we have on the earth (warming and cooling), the varying degrees of storms and natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes), periods of draught and periods of flooding. Yet, God’s plan of redemption, to save the spirits of people through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, will likewise effect creation, which will one day be redeemed and made new.
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him (Christ) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Here we see that Christ, the second and eternal person of the triune God, is the Creator. We also see that Christ is the one who “holds all things together.” The fact is, man could not change God’s creation even if he wanted to, because it is ultimately in the all-powerful hands of Christ.
2 Peter 3:5-7
For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
There will be one more episode of climate change when God brings final judgment on the earth.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
This will be another intentional act of God, even as the original creation and flood events were.
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
God will bring about a new heaven and new earth, one that will never pass away nor be corrupted for sin shall be no more.
Central to all of this is the promise that God made to Noah that He would never again curse the earth because of man. There may be climate change—global warming, global cooling—but it will be a result of natural occurrences and not “man made.”
I know this may sound like a lot of hogwash to some of you. I’m sorry to hear that, because the Bible declares, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” My prayer is that the eyes of your heart would be enlightened that you may know the hope that He has for you, if you’ll only hear it.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
The universe was created by an intentional act of God. It is not a product of mere chance or evolutionary process. Exodus 20:11 declares, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.”
Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:7
Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Likewise, mankind is an intentional product of God. Man is unique among the created order in that he was created to bear the image of God and exercise dominion or rule over creation. Life was breathed into man by God. As result, man has a spirit, or a capacity to relate to God.
Genesis 1:31
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
God created a perfect world where there would be perfect harmony among all parts of is creation.
Genesis 3:17-19
And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Man’s sin, or willful disobedience to God’s revealed will, resulted in the first instance of “climate change” on the earth. All relationships were disrupted—person to person, man to earth, man to animals, and man to God.
Genesis 6:5-8
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
The prevalence of man’s wickedness would produce the second major “climate change” on the earth. God determined to judge the earth, yet show mercy and grace to part of his creation by sustaining them through the flood.
Genesis 7:11-12, 17-24
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights… The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits (about 22 feet) deep. And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.
A cataclysmic event occurred which change the earth forever.
Genesis 8:20-22
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."
Here we have a crucial passage relating to current climate change theories. God shows that man remains fallen, but he promises that he will not curse the earth because of man. There is a promise that seasons of seedtime (spring) and harvest (fall), summer and winter will never cease. Those teaching global warming today, (like those who taught me about the coming ice age when I was in grammar school), say that man is responsible for climate change that will scorch the earth, bringing an end to seasons, devastation of crops and wildlife, and so on. But God has made a promise that this will not happen.
Romans 1:19-21
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Creation has been adversely effected by man’s fall, hence the changing cycles we have on the earth (warming and cooling), the varying degrees of storms and natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes), periods of draught and periods of flooding. Yet, God’s plan of redemption, to save the spirits of people through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, will likewise effect creation, which will one day be redeemed and made new.
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him (Christ) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Here we see that Christ, the second and eternal person of the triune God, is the Creator. We also see that Christ is the one who “holds all things together.” The fact is, man could not change God’s creation even if he wanted to, because it is ultimately in the all-powerful hands of Christ.
2 Peter 3:5-7
For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
There will be one more episode of climate change when God brings final judgment on the earth.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
This will be another intentional act of God, even as the original creation and flood events were.
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
God will bring about a new heaven and new earth, one that will never pass away nor be corrupted for sin shall be no more.
Central to all of this is the promise that God made to Noah that He would never again curse the earth because of man. There may be climate change—global warming, global cooling—but it will be a result of natural occurrences and not “man made.”
I know this may sound like a lot of hogwash to some of you. I’m sorry to hear that, because the Bible declares, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” My prayer is that the eyes of your heart would be enlightened that you may know the hope that He has for you, if you’ll only hear it.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Evangelism a la Chef Boyardee
Have you seen that commercial? You know, the one with the kid eating Beef Ravioli while the mom tries to keep the dad from saying what the voice over tells us, "There's a full serving of vegetables in every bowl of Chef Boyardee. Just don't tell them."
The implication is, of course, that if the kid knew it was good for him he wouldn't eat it. A further implication is that if a parent wants her kid to have a healthy diet, she has be be sneaky about it.
I can't help but notice that this is the same approach to evangelism that the pop evangelical church is taking on our day. We can't just tell people the good news of the gospel- that humanity's biggest problem is sin, and that belief in Christ's death and resurrection is the only way to resolve this problem. Instead, we need to repackage Jesus as the one who can cure your loneliness, relieve your anxiety, save your marriage, and assist you with any other felt need you may have. The hope is that, as long as your coming for the tasty ravioli, some of the good nutrients will sneak there way in.
Though well intentioned, the problem is that the real need facing humanity is sometimes never discussed. A different "Jesus" is presented, but he is not all that different than what is being offered by Oprah, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Scientology, or the corner bar where "everybody knows your name." The Bible may be used as a "quote book" and referenced in an effort to sanitize the teaching, but the focus is still on "what's in it for me," when it should be on God.
Such actions betray a lack of faith among pop evangelicalism - a lack of faith in both the sufficiency and efficiency of God, His Spirit, and His Word. People are being introduced to Christ without hearing of their need to "repent, turn to God, and do works in keeping with repentance." I fear the result may be, in the last day, that these people who ere active in church and thought they were "right with God" will instead hear, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
The churches repackaging Jesus to meet felt needs justify their actions with the numbers that they are producing. (One church of 7000 in Charlotte boasted about 500 people getting saved one weekend last month). Yet there is little evidence of changed livest and little evidence of spiritual impact on the community.
From what I understand about the Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli claim to having "a full serving of vegetables in every bowl," this is technically true. But in order to get that one must also take in a lot of empty calories, sodium, and even sacrifice the natural vitamin C that was in the tomatoes originally. (And yes, tomatoes are a fruit, but Chef Boyardee must be using them as a vegetable in this case.) Same is true in the church. The little bit of truth about Jesus and the Gospel is surrounded by so much other junk that, in the end, you may be no better off...
The implication is, of course, that if the kid knew it was good for him he wouldn't eat it. A further implication is that if a parent wants her kid to have a healthy diet, she has be be sneaky about it.
I can't help but notice that this is the same approach to evangelism that the pop evangelical church is taking on our day. We can't just tell people the good news of the gospel- that humanity's biggest problem is sin, and that belief in Christ's death and resurrection is the only way to resolve this problem. Instead, we need to repackage Jesus as the one who can cure your loneliness, relieve your anxiety, save your marriage, and assist you with any other felt need you may have. The hope is that, as long as your coming for the tasty ravioli, some of the good nutrients will sneak there way in.
Though well intentioned, the problem is that the real need facing humanity is sometimes never discussed. A different "Jesus" is presented, but he is not all that different than what is being offered by Oprah, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Scientology, or the corner bar where "everybody knows your name." The Bible may be used as a "quote book" and referenced in an effort to sanitize the teaching, but the focus is still on "what's in it for me," when it should be on God.
Such actions betray a lack of faith among pop evangelicalism - a lack of faith in both the sufficiency and efficiency of God, His Spirit, and His Word. People are being introduced to Christ without hearing of their need to "repent, turn to God, and do works in keeping with repentance." I fear the result may be, in the last day, that these people who ere active in church and thought they were "right with God" will instead hear, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
The churches repackaging Jesus to meet felt needs justify their actions with the numbers that they are producing. (One church of 7000 in Charlotte boasted about 500 people getting saved one weekend last month). Yet there is little evidence of changed livest and little evidence of spiritual impact on the community.
From what I understand about the Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli claim to having "a full serving of vegetables in every bowl," this is technically true. But in order to get that one must also take in a lot of empty calories, sodium, and even sacrifice the natural vitamin C that was in the tomatoes originally. (And yes, tomatoes are a fruit, but Chef Boyardee must be using them as a vegetable in this case.) Same is true in the church. The little bit of truth about Jesus and the Gospel is surrounded by so much other junk that, in the end, you may be no better off...
Storm Stories
Over the last week there has been a lot in the Charlotte and Raleigh news looking back at some past storms. It was 20 years ago when Hurricane Hugo wrecked havoc on Charlotte and points west, and 10 years ago when Hurricane Floyd brought great flooding to Raleigh and points east.
We hear stories of survival, as well as stories of the lasting impact these storms have had on the state.
Yesterday at church we heard a message on "Til the Storm Passes By" from Matthew 14:22-32. As I've been thinking about the message I saw four ways we need to respond to the storms that come in life, be they storms sent our way by God, as a result of our own sin, or as a result of living in a sin-stained world.
1) LOOK - Look up to the Lord in the midst of the storm. Often the storms that come distract us and, in an effort to find release, we turn to everything BUT the Lord. We might look for help from others, from ourselves, or from secular ideas. We need to be sure we look to the Lord as our first resource and not our last resort.
2) LEAN - We need to entrust ourselves to God in the midst of the storm remembering that nothing happens by mistake and nothing catches God by surprise. We remember that we are not to lean on our own understanding, but to remember that He is sovereign over all things and that all things are working together to accomplish His good purposes. Lena on the truth that God is good, He always does what is right, and He always does what is best.
3) LEARN - Never let a good storm go to waste. Se each one as a learning opportunity. How could I have better prepared for this storm (spiritually and emotionally)? How is this storm going to change my life and conform me more to the image of Christ? Did this storm come as a result of my own foolish decisions, or was it something sent by God to train me?
4) LEAD - We don't experience storms in a vacuum. What we are experiencing is also being experienced by others. A storm may be an opportunity for us to exercise our spiritual gifts and strengthen others as we bear up under the storm together. {perhaps in a storm God will use you to help others to LOOK, LEAN, and LEARN.
We hear stories of survival, as well as stories of the lasting impact these storms have had on the state.
Yesterday at church we heard a message on "Til the Storm Passes By" from Matthew 14:22-32. As I've been thinking about the message I saw four ways we need to respond to the storms that come in life, be they storms sent our way by God, as a result of our own sin, or as a result of living in a sin-stained world.
1) LOOK - Look up to the Lord in the midst of the storm. Often the storms that come distract us and, in an effort to find release, we turn to everything BUT the Lord. We might look for help from others, from ourselves, or from secular ideas. We need to be sure we look to the Lord as our first resource and not our last resort.
2) LEAN - We need to entrust ourselves to God in the midst of the storm remembering that nothing happens by mistake and nothing catches God by surprise. We remember that we are not to lean on our own understanding, but to remember that He is sovereign over all things and that all things are working together to accomplish His good purposes. Lena on the truth that God is good, He always does what is right, and He always does what is best.
3) LEARN - Never let a good storm go to waste. Se each one as a learning opportunity. How could I have better prepared for this storm (spiritually and emotionally)? How is this storm going to change my life and conform me more to the image of Christ? Did this storm come as a result of my own foolish decisions, or was it something sent by God to train me?
4) LEAD - We don't experience storms in a vacuum. What we are experiencing is also being experienced by others. A storm may be an opportunity for us to exercise our spiritual gifts and strengthen others as we bear up under the storm together. {perhaps in a storm God will use you to help others to LOOK, LEAN, and LEARN.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Why Micheal Jackson Went To Hell
The last few days I have seen a number of comments made about MJ on various blogs and message boards. Many are ripping into him because he was a "child molester," a "freak," and any number of other things. Several are saying he deserves to be in hell because of what he did.
Of course, he was never convicted on child molestation charges. As for being a "freak," well, "freakiness" is in the eye of the beholder. But what about those who charge that he should be in hell for what he (allegedly) did?
I do believe in a literal hell. I also believe many (probably most) people are there (and going there). Jesus warned, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." But if Micheal Jackson is in hell (and I do mean "if"), it is not because he was a "child molester" or a "freak."
Hell is the eternal destiny of anyone who does not measure up to God's perfect standard of holiness. Uh-oh. That's a a problem. That's a problem because no one is able to do that! Under those circumstances, even the best of the best of us wouldn't make it because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
But God, in his grace and mercy, provided a way that we could have our sins forgiven, be declared righteous, and avoid the sufferings of hell. That was done through his Son, Jesus Christ, who died to take the penalty for our sin and rose again so that God's righteousness could be credited to our account.
In order to appropriate this work of Christ, however, one must exercise saving faith. That means we confess our need of a savior, repent, and embrace Christ and His gift of everlasting life. Everyone who does that will be saved. Anyone who does not do this cannot be saved.
The bottom line is IF Micheal Jackson is in hell today, it's not because he was a child molester or freak. If he is in hell today he is there for the same reason millions of others are- he failed to accept the gift of eternal life, by faith, offered through Jesus Christ.
Ultimately people don't go to hell for what they do, but for what they don't do. When they don't embrace Christ as Savior, they perish.
As for Micheal Jackson, based upon the life he lived, one would question whether or not he had a vital, personal relationship with Christ. We will know it by fruit. We are told to be fruit inspectors. And even then, Jesus warned "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Ultimately it was between Micheal and the Lord, and in the last moments of life we never know what happens in a person's heart and mind. That's why I have to say "if." For Micheal's sake I hope he was made right through faith.
The purpose of this post, ultimately, is to get us all to think about what really effects our eternal destiny. It is what we do? Is it what we don't do? Neither one... It is a matter of God's grace at work in us to lead us to call upon him with the assurance that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." And, "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Of course, he was never convicted on child molestation charges. As for being a "freak," well, "freakiness" is in the eye of the beholder. But what about those who charge that he should be in hell for what he (allegedly) did?
I do believe in a literal hell. I also believe many (probably most) people are there (and going there). Jesus warned, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." But if Micheal Jackson is in hell (and I do mean "if"), it is not because he was a "child molester" or a "freak."
Hell is the eternal destiny of anyone who does not measure up to God's perfect standard of holiness. Uh-oh. That's a a problem. That's a problem because no one is able to do that! Under those circumstances, even the best of the best of us wouldn't make it because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
But God, in his grace and mercy, provided a way that we could have our sins forgiven, be declared righteous, and avoid the sufferings of hell. That was done through his Son, Jesus Christ, who died to take the penalty for our sin and rose again so that God's righteousness could be credited to our account.
In order to appropriate this work of Christ, however, one must exercise saving faith. That means we confess our need of a savior, repent, and embrace Christ and His gift of everlasting life. Everyone who does that will be saved. Anyone who does not do this cannot be saved.
The bottom line is IF Micheal Jackson is in hell today, it's not because he was a child molester or freak. If he is in hell today he is there for the same reason millions of others are- he failed to accept the gift of eternal life, by faith, offered through Jesus Christ.
Ultimately people don't go to hell for what they do, but for what they don't do. When they don't embrace Christ as Savior, they perish.
As for Micheal Jackson, based upon the life he lived, one would question whether or not he had a vital, personal relationship with Christ. We will know it by fruit. We are told to be fruit inspectors. And even then, Jesus warned "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Ultimately it was between Micheal and the Lord, and in the last moments of life we never know what happens in a person's heart and mind. That's why I have to say "if." For Micheal's sake I hope he was made right through faith.
The purpose of this post, ultimately, is to get us all to think about what really effects our eternal destiny. It is what we do? Is it what we don't do? Neither one... It is a matter of God's grace at work in us to lead us to call upon him with the assurance that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." And, "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Empty the Canister
We have a canister style vacuum cleaner that has to be emptied often. If you don't empty the canister (or change the bag on the other models) what happens? You lose suction! Sometimes I'll be vacuuming and notice it isn't picking up so well... I'll look and, sure enough, the canister is full... Once it is empty the vacuum returns to full power!
It is the same way in the Christian life. As we walk through life we pick up a lot of trash that starts to fill the canister in our hearts and minds. The more dirt that goes in the less power we have. We have to keep the canister clean if we want to have fill power.
1 John 1:9 promises us that is we confess our sin (empty our canister) God forgives us and cleanses us... This restores us to full spiritual power. How full is your canister today? If you sense you don't have "full power" in Christ, maybe its time to take a trip to the dumpster and empty the canister!
Prayer Lessons from a "Dog"
I must confess that one obstacle I've often wrestled with when it came to prayer is my theology. I know that God is "all-knowing" and "unchanging." If so, why pray?
The cliche answers, of course are, "We pray because God tells us to" and "Prayer changes us," but that is not always enough to drive us to truly labor in prayer.
I'm learning, however, that in some way prayer DOES have an impact on God. This is most obvious in Abraham's intercession for Sodom, and Moses' intercession for Israel. I also see it in Matthew 15:21-28.
In the story, Jesus and his disciples are spending time in "gentile territory." A Canaanite woman comes to Jesus and asks for help with her demon possessed daughter. Jesus seems to just ignore her. The disciples get tired of her and say to Jesus, "Just give her what she wants so she will leave us alone" Jesus says "no" because he is here to minister to Israel.
When she persists he says, "I can't take the children's bread and feed it to dogs." In other words, "I need to spend my energy on ministering to Israel - God's people - not you."
Wow. What an insult! And coming from Jesus! How would you respond?
The woman says, "even the dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall from the table."
Jesus responds with amazement at her great faith, praises her for it, and heals her daughter.
The lessons for me: I see three characteristics in the woman: 1) Boldness - she came to Jesus for help knowing full well that Jews and Gentiles have no dealings with each other. 2) Persistence - when Jesus ignores her she implores him all the more, and worships him. 3) Humility - after Jesus basically called her a "dog" (which was the common way Jews referred to Gentiles then), she admitted she wasn't worthy, but a just a few crumbs would satisfy.
As it all unfolds I see that the woman's boldness, persistence, and humility moved Jesus to respond. There is a delicate balance there, and it something I need to strive for in my prayers.
The cliche answers, of course are, "We pray because God tells us to" and "Prayer changes us," but that is not always enough to drive us to truly labor in prayer.
I'm learning, however, that in some way prayer DOES have an impact on God. This is most obvious in Abraham's intercession for Sodom, and Moses' intercession for Israel. I also see it in Matthew 15:21-28.
In the story, Jesus and his disciples are spending time in "gentile territory." A Canaanite woman comes to Jesus and asks for help with her demon possessed daughter. Jesus seems to just ignore her. The disciples get tired of her and say to Jesus, "Just give her what she wants so she will leave us alone" Jesus says "no" because he is here to minister to Israel.
When she persists he says, "I can't take the children's bread and feed it to dogs." In other words, "I need to spend my energy on ministering to Israel - God's people - not you."
Wow. What an insult! And coming from Jesus! How would you respond?
The woman says, "even the dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall from the table."
Jesus responds with amazement at her great faith, praises her for it, and heals her daughter.
The lessons for me: I see three characteristics in the woman: 1) Boldness - she came to Jesus for help knowing full well that Jews and Gentiles have no dealings with each other. 2) Persistence - when Jesus ignores her she implores him all the more, and worships him. 3) Humility - after Jesus basically called her a "dog" (which was the common way Jews referred to Gentiles then), she admitted she wasn't worthy, but a just a few crumbs would satisfy.
As it all unfolds I see that the woman's boldness, persistence, and humility moved Jesus to respond. There is a delicate balance there, and it something I need to strive for in my prayers.
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