This is a response to one student who attended a camp I taught at this summer. The question he raised "Why did you say the WWJD emphasis was not a Biblical emphasis?"
Thanks for thinking about these issues and for being concerned that what we think is according to the Bible and not just something someone has made up to sell a bunch of trinkets.
Here is why I made that statement. Many people think that the Christian life is us following the example Jesus set for us so our job is to look at how Jesus lived in the Bible and then copy his example. This is not at all what the Christian faith is. IF this is what it is then all we do is follow his example which we cannot do because of our sinful nature. Romans 8:7 "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."
IF all we have to do is follow the example of Jesus while he lived on earth then what is the reason for any relationship with Him now. IF all we need to do is ask “What would Jesus do? And then practice what Jesus did Jesus is only a good moral teacher whose example we are to follow.
What becomes of the statements of Jesus in John 15:5 when he says "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This is far more than a moral example he gave, He meant to become our very life. Paul writes something similar when he speaks in Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Casey, the Christian life is not Jesus and me. This is religious moralism. The Christian life is Jesus In me! Jesus died so the Spirit of God could take up residence in your life. (I Cor 3:16; I Cor 6:19-20) We are not meant to follow Jesus, we are meant to yield our lives so as to be filled with the Spirit of God so he will live out the life of Christ through us so the world will see the glory of Christ and not us.
So now the question must be, “How does Christ come to live in us?” To answer that let me ask another question, “Where are you most at home?” Certainly where you are most welcome correct? SO as we turn our lives over to Christ’s control and we begin to live with Him in our lives he will begin to direct us through His Word to show us how he wants us to yield to him.
When we read to not give place to anger, we recognize that His Word is directing us to confess that as sin and repent of it and seek His power to overcome it. Her is an example. IF anger is a problem in your life you look to the Word of God and read what it says about anger. You agree with God about his view on anger and then you pray and ask Christ to fill your life with his presence so you will have a growing victory over anger. SO now who is it that overcomes anger in your life? Is it you or is it Christ? Your responsibility is to yield to Christ his responsibility is to overcome your sin, for only He is powerful enough to do so.
Is this beginning to make sense? It is not your effort to overcome sin, your sinful nature will not let you win any victories and even if you did you would have room to be proud of your accomplishments. But our lives are not to point to us and our efforts but to Christ and his power. I hope you are beginning to see the truth of this. The church in America has been victimized by religious clichés that have been marketed by charlatans seeking to make money of the church. I often wonder how Jesus responds to those who are marketing his name for profit.
Question: What would Jesus do? Answer: Not buy any WWJD bracelets or coffee mugs or bible covers, etc.
I hope this helps.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Some intersting thoughts
Last night I listened to a rather challenging debate between Christopher HItchins and Alistair McGrath on the subject "Is God Good and Does Religion Poison Everything?" I have listened to several apologists debate Mr. Hitchins but one thing that has been noticeably absent from every one the debates I have viewed is the Christian Apologists almost complete lack of Biblical references in their discussion.
Some would argue that the Athiest does not believe the Bible so we should attempt to find common ground on which we can speak. This seems to make the most sense but in reality what does this do? It cuts our feet out from underneath us and leaves us, like the athiest, with no where to stand with certainty.
I continue to hear from many evangelical circles that we must work to gain common grounw with those who are oppositional to the faith. If we were to read the Scriptures we must understand that there is no common ground in this argument. They argue from their position of ,which is themselves, and we must argue as well from our position of authority. In the end it will be a clash of authorities that will take place. The issue is who's authority will stand at the end of the battle.
I have placed my life on the faith that the Scriptures will stand after the smoke of the battlefield is blown away. Let us grow to become men and women who hold to the unchanging absolutes of the Scripture no matter who else will stand with us.
Some would argue that the Athiest does not believe the Bible so we should attempt to find common ground on which we can speak. This seems to make the most sense but in reality what does this do? It cuts our feet out from underneath us and leaves us, like the athiest, with no where to stand with certainty.
I continue to hear from many evangelical circles that we must work to gain common grounw with those who are oppositional to the faith. If we were to read the Scriptures we must understand that there is no common ground in this argument. They argue from their position of ,which is themselves, and we must argue as well from our position of authority. In the end it will be a clash of authorities that will take place. The issue is who's authority will stand at the end of the battle.
I have placed my life on the faith that the Scriptures will stand after the smoke of the battlefield is blown away. Let us grow to become men and women who hold to the unchanging absolutes of the Scripture no matter who else will stand with us.
Knowing of Calvary's Love
Calvary Love
by Amy Carmichael
If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I find myself taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do," "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If, the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.
Amy Carmichael, "Calvary Love," from If, by Dohnavur Fellowship. Fort Washington, PA: CLC Ministries, n.d. Used by permission
by Amy Carmichael
If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I find myself taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do," "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If, the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.
Amy Carmichael, "Calvary Love," from If, by Dohnavur Fellowship. Fort Washington, PA: CLC Ministries, n.d. Used by permission
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Devotion for today
Evening: Psalms 77:1-2 (NIV)
1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
These are desperate times but where are the desperate people of God? Seldom do we hear of God’s people saying such things as the psalmist does in our text this evening. Perhaps we have grown far too complacent in our walk with God. Perhaps we really do not want God to invade our world with his Word and ways. Perhaps we want heaven in the afterlife but we do not cherish God in this one. Perhaps we have far too many other ideas to pursue and pleasures to seek after.
How long has it been since you have spent the night as this psalmist speaks of? How long has it been since you did not allow your eyes to close in sleep because you needed to engage with the Most High?
Nights spend in prayer because God seems far away, hours spent in searching after God in desperate prayer, where are they? Have they gone the way of family altars where parents and their children learned to cherish the Word of God as they worshipped in their homes? O we need a day when we will once again pursue the God who has pursued us. Perhaps it will come on the heels of economic catastrophe or climactic changes. Or perhaps it will come as we decide to once again cherish the things of God over the things of this world.
1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
These are desperate times but where are the desperate people of God? Seldom do we hear of God’s people saying such things as the psalmist does in our text this evening. Perhaps we have grown far too complacent in our walk with God. Perhaps we really do not want God to invade our world with his Word and ways. Perhaps we want heaven in the afterlife but we do not cherish God in this one. Perhaps we have far too many other ideas to pursue and pleasures to seek after.
How long has it been since you have spent the night as this psalmist speaks of? How long has it been since you did not allow your eyes to close in sleep because you needed to engage with the Most High?
Nights spend in prayer because God seems far away, hours spent in searching after God in desperate prayer, where are they? Have they gone the way of family altars where parents and their children learned to cherish the Word of God as they worshipped in their homes? O we need a day when we will once again pursue the God who has pursued us. Perhaps it will come on the heels of economic catastrophe or climactic changes. Or perhaps it will come as we decide to once again cherish the things of God over the things of this world.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
May 29 Devotional THought
Evening: Job 42:10-13 (NIV) 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. 12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.
In this passage tonight we see something that is mostly missed by those who just read the Bible but not study it. You will notice that the Scripture says that God gave him twice as much as he had before. We find something that seems to be wrong in this passage.
In all other things Job received twice as many cattle and sheep and camels as he had before but when it comes to his children he only received the same number as before. Why this discrepancy? Here is the reason. Remember that Job was regularly praying for his children and offering sacrifices for them daily.
His children heard from Job’s lips about his God and they must have trusted in their father’s God. Here is how we know. When God blessed his life after his suffering he had only seven sons and three daughters, the exact number he had before. If they were believers before they died then he really did not lose them so God only had to bless Job with the same number again for him to give him twice the number.
How important is it to lead lives that will lead our children to trust in God no matter what. Job’s direction of his children made an eternal difference in their lives. SO we too who are parents need to lead lives that are setting the example for our children to follow.
In this passage tonight we see something that is mostly missed by those who just read the Bible but not study it. You will notice that the Scripture says that God gave him twice as much as he had before. We find something that seems to be wrong in this passage.
In all other things Job received twice as many cattle and sheep and camels as he had before but when it comes to his children he only received the same number as before. Why this discrepancy? Here is the reason. Remember that Job was regularly praying for his children and offering sacrifices for them daily.
His children heard from Job’s lips about his God and they must have trusted in their father’s God. Here is how we know. When God blessed his life after his suffering he had only seven sons and three daughters, the exact number he had before. If they were believers before they died then he really did not lose them so God only had to bless Job with the same number again for him to give him twice the number.
How important is it to lead lives that will lead our children to trust in God no matter what. Job’s direction of his children made an eternal difference in their lives. SO we too who are parents need to lead lives that are setting the example for our children to follow.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Daily Devotional Thought
Morning: Psalms 61:1-3 (NIV) 1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."
Do you see a pattern in our readings this week? It seems most of the time we are in desperate need for God to deliver. There are moments of peace but they last only briefly in our struggle to walk with God in this fallen world. How can this be? If we were really obeying God this should not be the case should it?
The answer to this question is, “Yes this is as it should be.” If Jesus spent his time on earth offering up loud cries and petitions to God then how should we face anything less? We live in a world that is set against everything we seek to obey and honor. God has designed it to be so. He knows how quickly we would run from him if things were running smoothly so He determined our steps and sees to it that we have numerous opportunities to cry out to Him for his deliverance.
Is your heart growing faint? God has designed it to be so that you would see his deliverance and find Him to be your sole source of strength.
Do you see a pattern in our readings this week? It seems most of the time we are in desperate need for God to deliver. There are moments of peace but they last only briefly in our struggle to walk with God in this fallen world. How can this be? If we were really obeying God this should not be the case should it?
The answer to this question is, “Yes this is as it should be.” If Jesus spent his time on earth offering up loud cries and petitions to God then how should we face anything less? We live in a world that is set against everything we seek to obey and honor. God has designed it to be so. He knows how quickly we would run from him if things were running smoothly so He determined our steps and sees to it that we have numerous opportunities to cry out to Him for his deliverance.
Is your heart growing faint? God has designed it to be so that you would see his deliverance and find Him to be your sole source of strength.
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