A few months ago a woman stopped me after hearing me witnessing. She wanted to express her frustration with the Church for it's (as a whole) not celebrating the Festivals. Her point was these Festivals pointed to the Messiah and now "are" to be used to confirm that Jesus is Messiah, the Christ.
Her point struck home within me. I was taken aback and began to question this possible failing in the expression of my faith. I ended up going to a Messianic Seder and I have to encourage everyone to take at least one of these in. If you are unfamiliar with them, you will be astounded. It has deeply strengthened my faith.
One of many valuable, interesting, challenging, and exciting things I learned there was that Jesus didn't drink the Cup of Elijah at the last supper (Passover feast). You can check all four of the Gospels and the rest of the NT and not find a single reference to Him drinking of the 4th cup. The 4th is the Cup of Promise - "I will make you My people." and is called the Cup of Elijah. Because Elijah was to come to prepare the way for Messiah.
Now a short side track to clear up a bit of confusion. Jesus did drink of the 2nd cup which is the cup of Judgement. After doing so He told those present that He would not drink the wine of that fruit again until His return. A couple of verses down you will then read about Jesus drinking the 3rd cup of wine! This is of course the cup of Redemption. When Jesus said He wouldn't drink of that cup (wine of that fruit) again He meant He would not carry out Judgement until His glorious return. (So all you people preaching that hurricanes and diseases are the judgement of God on a person, group or place stop now, these are products of Curse put on Creation because of Adam's sin. The target of that Curse is all of creation, any individual or group.)
OK So back on topic here. Now where in scripture do we see the Cup of Elijah was ever drank by Christ Jesus. Why? Because, since Christ was in the World then Elijah must have already come. He did come, John The Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah.
So what doest his have to do with the Festivals? Christ didn't drink the cup that pointed to (and celebrated the hope of) Elijah's coming because he had already come. We don't have to celebrate the festivals which point to and celebrate the hope of Christ's first coming because He has already been here.
To celebrate our hope of His coming is akin to denying He has already come. A farmer doesn't pray and hope for rain during or after the down pour. He may remember his hope, and celebrate that it was fulfilled, but he no longer has need to hope for it to happen. It already has. Our proof is the work of the Spirit, our Faith, transformed lives, the recorded history of His dwelling with us in the Word, and answered prayer - which wouldn't be possible if not for the the finished work of Christ at the Cross.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Today They Two Become One
Today our good friends Phil and Margie will be married, dae valente (God willing). The sun is shining and we're excited! It seems like we've been praying about this day for ages! And look HERE IT IS!!!
Thanks be to God Himself!
Also today my wife will be picking up her race kit for the Bluenose 10K. I'm not running this year. And wouldn't ya know it the weather is supposed to be good for the first time in this races' long history (this is the third year hehe).
Thanks be to God Himself!
Also today my wife will be picking up her race kit for the Bluenose 10K. I'm not running this year. And wouldn't ya know it the weather is supposed to be good for the first time in this races' long history (this is the third year hehe).
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Above and Among
While we're on the topic of women I want to mention a thought about Mary the virgin mother of Jesus. And yes she was a virgin, but I'll leave that for another day's topic.
Many people in the world nearly or even actually do worship Mary calling her things like "The Mother of God", "Co-Intercessor with Christ".... and so on. Some of this folly comes from the statement made by the Holy Spirit made through Elisabeth (the previously barren woman who the Lord God chose to mother John The Baptist) to Mary. Luke 1 :41-42
"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
Now Elisabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist at the time and John was filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit even while he was still in her womb.
OK so Mary is "blessed among women". Yes she surely was!! Does this make her worthy of worship? Not at all.
So, lets just put a nail in this topic, at least as far as Luke 1:41-42 goes. Check out Judges 5:24
"Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent."
Jael is the woman who put a tent peg through the escaping Sisera's head. She simply did what was required of her for God's people. For this the Angle of the Lord calls her "Blessed above women".
So Mary is blessed among women, and Jael is blessed above women. Yet, I've never heard of a group of people worshiping Jael.
Mary was truly blessed to carry Jesus the Son of God, but she is not the "mother of God". The triune God, including The Father, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit existed before the foundations of the world were laid. Mary was not created until just slightly more than 2000 years ago. She is not the Mother of God, but the earthen vessel who was blessed to carry Him into this world.
Let it be understood she was an obedient believer and must have been an amazing woman. Joseph must have been an incredible man as well. But I'll not be praying to either of them. My prayers go to the Father in the name of His precious son Christ Jesus.
Many people in the world nearly or even actually do worship Mary calling her things like "The Mother of God", "Co-Intercessor with Christ".... and so on. Some of this folly comes from the statement made by the Holy Spirit made through Elisabeth (the previously barren woman who the Lord God chose to mother John The Baptist) to Mary. Luke 1 :41-42
"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit: And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
Now Elisabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist at the time and John was filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit even while he was still in her womb.
OK so Mary is "blessed among women". Yes she surely was!! Does this make her worthy of worship? Not at all.
So, lets just put a nail in this topic, at least as far as Luke 1:41-42 goes. Check out Judges 5:24
"Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent."
Jael is the woman who put a tent peg through the escaping Sisera's head. She simply did what was required of her for God's people. For this the Angle of the Lord calls her "Blessed above women".
So Mary is blessed among women, and Jael is blessed above women. Yet, I've never heard of a group of people worshiping Jael.
Mary was truly blessed to carry Jesus the Son of God, but she is not the "mother of God". The triune God, including The Father, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit existed before the foundations of the world were laid. Mary was not created until just slightly more than 2000 years ago. She is not the Mother of God, but the earthen vessel who was blessed to carry Him into this world.
Let it be understood she was an obedient believer and must have been an amazing woman. Joseph must have been an incredible man as well. But I'll not be praying to either of them. My prayers go to the Father in the name of His precious son Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Dangerous Prayer Meetings?
How many of you can say you've gone to a prayer meeting and left with a fat lip? Well I can. Nah Nah Na Nah Naaaaaah! Well I guess it's not really something you'd want now is it?
Tonight I was moving some chairs and smacked myself pretty good in the face... Yup it hurt purdy bad there for a few moments. Thankfully, I was wise enough to keep my hurting lips shut and my tongue steady.
:)
Tonight I was moving some chairs and smacked myself pretty good in the face... Yup it hurt purdy bad there for a few moments. Thankfully, I was wise enough to keep my hurting lips shut and my tongue steady.
:)
Women in teaching rolls, have we been wrong?
How many times have we heard quoted 1 Timothy 2:12 "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence"?
The confusion with this verse (and the passage it is taken from) is that it seems to disagree with a lot of other passages, and lacks other scripture to support it. Scripture must be interpreted using Scripture. IE one section of scripture enlightens another section of Scripture.
Quickly I'll take a look at some sections of scripture which do show women teaching men, and having authority over them. What's more, it's plain to see these were blessed of God.
First lets look at Priscilla, who with her husband instructed Apollos. Check out Acts 18:24-30, and take particular notice of how Apollos was strengthened and his ministry became more effective through being taught by Priscilla and her husband.
Next check out Deborah the prophetess found in Judges chapter 4. Specifically verse 4 “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.” If you read the whole chapter you’ll see that Deborah honored God.
These are just two quick examples of God using women to teach and have authority over men.
So you ask, how does that fit with 1 Timothy 2:12? Well that’s a great question. To answer it we’ll have to take a look at the Greek words that have been translated “Man” and “Woman” in that verse.
The word translated to Woman in all translations I’ve read is the Greek word gunē (pronounced Goo-nay’ ) which is Strong’s number G1135 and means “a woman; specifically a wife: - wife, woman.”
The word translated to Man is the Greek word anēr (pronounced an’-ayr) which is Strong’s number G435 and means “a man (properly as an individual male): - fellow, husband, man, sir.”
So lets have a shot at 1 Tim 2:12 this way. “But I suffer not a wife to teach, nor usurp authority over the husband, but to be in silence.”
Now this seems to fit with the rest of scripture well. Particularly Eph 5:23 (men who get excited about that verse need to spend more time reading Eph 5:33 and the multitude of scripture supporting and expanding on it.) In this case the woman is being warned about how not to treat her husband in church.
I would not be willing to stake my life on the validity of this argument, but it does seem to resolve confusion issues with this verse. I also have to give credit where credit is due. This argument was developed primarily from the work of Gregory Koukl at In Plain Site.org. in his article "Should Women Teach In Church" as you will clearly see when you read it. Also Glenn Miller's intensive work at Christian-ThinkTank.com has opened my eyes to things I had previously missed. I almost included information about Junia in this post but I'm not completely sold on her apostleship yet.
The confusion with this verse (and the passage it is taken from) is that it seems to disagree with a lot of other passages, and lacks other scripture to support it. Scripture must be interpreted using Scripture. IE one section of scripture enlightens another section of Scripture.
Quickly I'll take a look at some sections of scripture which do show women teaching men, and having authority over them. What's more, it's plain to see these were blessed of God.
First lets look at Priscilla, who with her husband instructed Apollos. Check out Acts 18:24-30, and take particular notice of how Apollos was strengthened and his ministry became more effective through being taught by Priscilla and her husband.
Next check out Deborah the prophetess found in Judges chapter 4. Specifically verse 4 “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.” If you read the whole chapter you’ll see that Deborah honored God.
These are just two quick examples of God using women to teach and have authority over men.
So you ask, how does that fit with 1 Timothy 2:12? Well that’s a great question. To answer it we’ll have to take a look at the Greek words that have been translated “Man” and “Woman” in that verse.
The word translated to Woman in all translations I’ve read is the Greek word gunē (pronounced Goo-nay’ ) which is Strong’s number G1135 and means “a woman; specifically a wife: - wife, woman.”
The word translated to Man is the Greek word anēr (pronounced an’-ayr) which is Strong’s number G435 and means “a man (properly as an individual male): - fellow, husband, man, sir.”
So lets have a shot at 1 Tim 2:12 this way. “But I suffer not a wife to teach, nor usurp authority over the husband, but to be in silence.”
Now this seems to fit with the rest of scripture well. Particularly Eph 5:23 (men who get excited about that verse need to spend more time reading Eph 5:33 and the multitude of scripture supporting and expanding on it.) In this case the woman is being warned about how not to treat her husband in church.
I would not be willing to stake my life on the validity of this argument, but it does seem to resolve confusion issues with this verse. I also have to give credit where credit is due. This argument was developed primarily from the work of Gregory Koukl at In Plain Site.org. in his article "Should Women Teach In Church" as you will clearly see when you read it. Also Glenn Miller's intensive work at Christian-ThinkTank.com has opened my eyes to things I had previously missed. I almost included information about Junia in this post but I'm not completely sold on her apostleship yet.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Study, Tools and My Changing Attitudes
So, I'm making the change from the Amplified (AMP) translation of the Bible to the KJV, specifically the previously mentioned Evidence Bible. The AMP is great in that it spells out concepts and meanings for a modern English reader who might have a hard time picking up from the KJV. However, like all things man-made it's got some "issues" [errors]. The KJV is the most accurate English text of the Bible available. This can be confirmed by study on your own. Reading it ought reveal this to you, however you can study the topic as well. Many people will be offended by the above statement. If you let me know about your offense, as my Pastor would say "I'll pray for you".
Simply reading what KJV says, and then comparing it to NIV, NKJV, AMP, The Message... and so on will show you there are grave differences between the translations. Seeing as KJV was the only English version available for 400 years, and God promised to preserve His Word it seems that KJV must be authentic.
OK so that's why I've made the switch to KJV. And to soften your hearts I will re-state that the Evidence Bible KJV is much easier to read having the Thees and Thous removed. The rest of the language is the same however.
Now how am I able to go from modern translations back to KJV and still maintain my study? Well with some serious help from the Holy Spirit for sure. Without Him there can be no revelation and learning anyway.
That being said a GREAT tool I've been using is E-Sword which is a fantastic and FREE Bible software suite. You can download, legally and free, bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, Strong's Concordance and Lexicon, maps, graphics, study guides.... on and on. I now study with E-Sword open to the KJV+ bible, which is KJV with Strong's Numbers. Then I click on or hover over a word I don't understand and Strong's gives me the Hebrew or Greek word it was translated from and the meaning of that Hebrew or Greek word - not the meaning of the English word. This has deepened my study wonderfully!
I'm going to be touching on Junia and my thoughts on women's roles in the Church. I'm surprised to learn myself that many of us have been terribly wrong on this issue. I must confirm my new understanding with more study before I post it here. However I encourage you all to study these things as well.
*please note, I have not indicated here that any translation is "evil." However, I do have serious problems with those who would add/take away from God's Word. I have personally been able to learn from several translations myself, including KJV, NIV, NKJV, and the AMP. I don't have the required knowledge to compare the various translations here. However, after having studied several myself, I have seen disagreement between them. This does not jive well with the "be of one mind" statements that Paul gives us. The Word is without error (John 10:35, Mat 5:18). If there is disagreement between the texts of different versions then we have added in error and should be ashamed and are justified in being terrified of the coming Wrath!
All this being said, I will likely from time to time still link to AMP verses if I feel it clarifies the point for those who might not understand. Though I hope to link more to the Hebrew or Greek, but that's a hope right now.
Simply reading what KJV says, and then comparing it to NIV, NKJV, AMP, The Message... and so on will show you there are grave differences between the translations. Seeing as KJV was the only English version available for 400 years, and God promised to preserve His Word it seems that KJV must be authentic.
OK so that's why I've made the switch to KJV. And to soften your hearts I will re-state that the Evidence Bible KJV is much easier to read having the Thees and Thous removed. The rest of the language is the same however.
Now how am I able to go from modern translations back to KJV and still maintain my study? Well with some serious help from the Holy Spirit for sure. Without Him there can be no revelation and learning anyway.
That being said a GREAT tool I've been using is E-Sword which is a fantastic and FREE Bible software suite. You can download, legally and free, bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, Strong's Concordance and Lexicon, maps, graphics, study guides.... on and on. I now study with E-Sword open to the KJV+ bible, which is KJV with Strong's Numbers. Then I click on or hover over a word I don't understand and Strong's gives me the Hebrew or Greek word it was translated from and the meaning of that Hebrew or Greek word - not the meaning of the English word. This has deepened my study wonderfully!
I'm going to be touching on Junia and my thoughts on women's roles in the Church. I'm surprised to learn myself that many of us have been terribly wrong on this issue. I must confirm my new understanding with more study before I post it here. However I encourage you all to study these things as well.
*please note, I have not indicated here that any translation is "evil." However, I do have serious problems with those who would add/take away from God's Word. I have personally been able to learn from several translations myself, including KJV, NIV, NKJV, and the AMP. I don't have the required knowledge to compare the various translations here. However, after having studied several myself, I have seen disagreement between them. This does not jive well with the "be of one mind" statements that Paul gives us. The Word is without error (John 10:35, Mat 5:18). If there is disagreement between the texts of different versions then we have added in error and should be ashamed and are justified in being terrified of the coming Wrath!
All this being said, I will likely from time to time still link to AMP verses if I feel it clarifies the point for those who might not understand. Though I hope to link more to the Hebrew or Greek, but that's a hope right now.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
The Walk, As It Stands
Be still, and know that I am God says Psalm 46
Wherefore (therefore) take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. says Ephesians 6:13
The last two weeks have been a struggle. I've got to learn to be still and know that He is God.
With that being said, I'm heading out for a run.
Wherefore (therefore) take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. says Ephesians 6:13
The last two weeks have been a struggle. I've got to learn to be still and know that He is God.
With that being said, I'm heading out for a run.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Combating the False Promises of Pornography
Combating the False Promises of Pornography is a good article found at Crosswalk today.
Sorry for the lack of posts. We've been working on our house and trying to get caught up on sleep.
Sorry for the lack of posts. We've been working on our house and trying to get caught up on sleep.
Friday, April 21, 2006
How do you answer this?
So often I'm confronted for my "fundamentalist" beliefs, and my strict belief in the inerrancy of the Word with a simple, annoying but stupefyingly effective statement. Effective in shutting down a rewarding conversation that is.
"I don't limit God to what I can understand."
Often I interpret this to mean, "I don't believe the Word and my imagination is much more interesting and it fits with my personal values so....."
Just now reading at AiG's website I saw written the "right" (at least I hope so!) answer to this ridiculous statement.
Paul Taylor of AiG-UK answers this with "I don’t limit God at all. The limit that I apply is this: I limit myself to what God has written."
I don't limit God, I limit myself to what He has written. Brilliant!
Hey this answer can't be worse than the one I usually give which goes something like this "Grrr.... do you realize what you just said? You think you can dream more than God can reveal?... Grrr....." Actually, most times it's much worse even than that. Doh!
"I don't limit God to what I can understand."
Often I interpret this to mean, "I don't believe the Word and my imagination is much more interesting and it fits with my personal values so....."
Just now reading at AiG's website I saw written the "right" (at least I hope so!) answer to this ridiculous statement.
Paul Taylor of AiG-UK answers this with "I don’t limit God at all. The limit that I apply is this: I limit myself to what God has written."
I don't limit God, I limit myself to what He has written. Brilliant!
Hey this answer can't be worse than the one I usually give which goes something like this "Grrr.... do you realize what you just said? You think you can dream more than God can reveal?... Grrr....." Actually, most times it's much worse even than that. Doh!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
The Evidence Bible
I've just ordered The Evidence Bible from Amazon.ca
You'd think I have "enough" bibles here in the house. :) This one seems to do what so many other translations have promised - translate the KJV into something that is easily readable but also does not add or take away from the Word. Not only does it retain the power of the Word, but it also includes great witnessing tools throughout.
It should be here early next week. Looks like it's time to break in an other new Bible. :)
You'd think I have "enough" bibles here in the house. :) This one seems to do what so many other translations have promised - translate the KJV into something that is easily readable but also does not add or take away from the Word. Not only does it retain the power of the Word, but it also includes great witnessing tools throughout.
It should be here early next week. Looks like it's time to break in an other new Bible. :)
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
God of Justice and Mercy
Why did God the Father let God the Son to die for our sins?
I wonder how many times that question has been asked in the last 2000+ years. I doubt any of us could even come close with a guess. It's a question I've asked many times. I've found and been given several reasons, and most were true. There was so much accomplished on the Cross that there is a multitude of things that God did it for.
Just so we're all on the same page, He came, died, and rose again to pay the price for the sin debt of the world. The world is stained with sin, He came to wash that stain out (not off, but that's another topic) with is very own Blood. So we could be clean in the sight of God.
That's the why He did it, that was His purpose. But, we ask, why did the Lover of Our Souls have to DIE!?!
This is my paraphrase of a message I heard on the radio today - if I could remember the name of the preacher I surely would give credit. This isn't mine, but I agree with it. I of course will use my own style in presentation.
Well God says He's a just God. He also says He can not lie. So since we have all sinned, and the wages of sin is death then we all need to die. Period, right? Well... God also says He's a merciful God. And, He cannot lie. So we must all be given mercy and go free then right? We can do whatever we want because God is merciful and so He must forgive us. Period, right?
The truth my friends is this. God is both just and merciful. If He were all just we would all be put to death and have no hope. If He were all merciful we would live in a world where anyone could do anything, hurt anyone and God would honor it. Neither option is very pleasant is it? So, since God is also the source of wisdom, and therefore all wise, He has the only solution. HE has paid the price for OUR sin debt. Because He wants to have fellowship with us, and He can not fellowship with the unrighteous, He has had to make us righteous. We cannot do this for ourselves. However, because He is also just, the debt had to be paid. The only one who could pay the debt was He Himself. We corrupt, vial beings could not pay the debt we have incurred. So He has paid it for us.
Thereby He honors His eternal character, and ensures we have a future with Him.
Jesus HAD to die, to pay the price for our sin because God is BOTH just, AND merciful. There is no other way to satisfy both characteristics of our heavenly father. Our part in this is to believe in Christ which means to believe so much that we rely on Him. Not simply know He's real, as the demons all know He's real and they do not share in the redeeming blessing from His work on the Cross.
I wonder how many times that question has been asked in the last 2000+ years. I doubt any of us could even come close with a guess. It's a question I've asked many times. I've found and been given several reasons, and most were true. There was so much accomplished on the Cross that there is a multitude of things that God did it for.
Just so we're all on the same page, He came, died, and rose again to pay the price for the sin debt of the world. The world is stained with sin, He came to wash that stain out (not off, but that's another topic) with is very own Blood. So we could be clean in the sight of God.
That's the why He did it, that was His purpose. But, we ask, why did the Lover of Our Souls have to DIE!?!
This is my paraphrase of a message I heard on the radio today - if I could remember the name of the preacher I surely would give credit. This isn't mine, but I agree with it. I of course will use my own style in presentation.
Well God says He's a just God. He also says He can not lie. So since we have all sinned, and the wages of sin is death then we all need to die. Period, right? Well... God also says He's a merciful God. And, He cannot lie. So we must all be given mercy and go free then right? We can do whatever we want because God is merciful and so He must forgive us. Period, right?
The truth my friends is this. God is both just and merciful. If He were all just we would all be put to death and have no hope. If He were all merciful we would live in a world where anyone could do anything, hurt anyone and God would honor it. Neither option is very pleasant is it? So, since God is also the source of wisdom, and therefore all wise, He has the only solution. HE has paid the price for OUR sin debt. Because He wants to have fellowship with us, and He can not fellowship with the unrighteous, He has had to make us righteous. We cannot do this for ourselves. However, because He is also just, the debt had to be paid. The only one who could pay the debt was He Himself. We corrupt, vial beings could not pay the debt we have incurred. So He has paid it for us.
Thereby He honors His eternal character, and ensures we have a future with Him.
Jesus HAD to die, to pay the price for our sin because God is BOTH just, AND merciful. There is no other way to satisfy both characteristics of our heavenly father. Our part in this is to believe in Christ which means to believe so much that we rely on Him. Not simply know He's real, as the demons all know He's real and they do not share in the redeeming blessing from His work on the Cross.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
180
180 is the number of degrees the Lord has turned me from my past.
180 is the number that attempts to condem me.
180 is a curse I know God alone can turn into blessing.
180 is part of the name of something that, God willing, will be used to bring many to Christ's saving Grace.
Stay tuned into Him.
180 is the number that attempts to condem me.
180 is a curse I know God alone can turn into blessing.
180 is part of the name of something that, God willing, will be used to bring many to Christ's saving Grace.
Stay tuned into Him.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Are You Legalistic? I sometimes am.
Here's a great article that talks about what true legalism is and isn't. You know as I continue to face this test and these trials I'm constantly tempted (I think that's the right word) to fall into legalism.
I ache to be completely, 100% obedient to the Word. This isn't legalism. However, sometimes my motivation moves from pleasing God to hoping to gain favor with Him and have this affect events here on Earth. This IS legalism.
"See Daddy, I was really good today! Can I now have that candy?" This is a legalistic motive for following the rules.
"Daddy, even though I didn't see You all day I did the things I know (because You've told me) You'd want me to do. Just to say 'I love You'." This is obedience.
The impact of the difference is immense. It's a lesson that we all likely struggle with. Again, as with everything else about our relationship with God, it's a heart issue. Obeying the "rules" is not bad. Obeying the rules to look good is. Obedience is an act of worship and love.
I ache to be completely, 100% obedient to the Word. This isn't legalism. However, sometimes my motivation moves from pleasing God to hoping to gain favor with Him and have this affect events here on Earth. This IS legalism.
"See Daddy, I was really good today! Can I now have that candy?" This is a legalistic motive for following the rules.
"Daddy, even though I didn't see You all day I did the things I know (because You've told me) You'd want me to do. Just to say 'I love You'." This is obedience.
The impact of the difference is immense. It's a lesson that we all likely struggle with. Again, as with everything else about our relationship with God, it's a heart issue. Obeying the "rules" is not bad. Obeying the rules to look good is. Obedience is an act of worship and love.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Death of a friend
This morning I learned that a good friend died of a heart attack last evening. He was very well loved by those who's lives he touched. However, I'm not sure he knew the Lord. I suspect that he had done a bit of thinking about it though. He seemed to be familiar with some concepts. There is hope that he had trusted Him at some point in his life. I regret that I had never (that I remember) prayed for him to come to the Lord.
The last conversation I had with him was to thank him for being such a good friend of mine. I'm thankful I was able to tell him that. It seems so often that when people die we are left with unfinished business with them.
I loved him as a friend, I will miss him. The Lord is good.
The last conversation I had with him was to thank him for being such a good friend of mine. I'm thankful I was able to tell him that. It seems so often that when people die we are left with unfinished business with them.
I loved him as a friend, I will miss him. The Lord is good.
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