the clarity of truth

How wondrous it is that God has given us the ability to understand and know the timeless truth found in His word. It is a truth that is not so bound by culture that we are left without hope to comprehend. It is a truth that is available by the power of His spirit so that we can see clearly the faith which He has given us. It is a truth that leads us to the clear and timeless gospel itself.

For, even as Paul wrote of himself and of all believers, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God...(1 Cor 2:12 NASB).”

Indeed, we can know the things freely given to us by God. And, as we submit ourselves to leaders who shepherd us toward this truth, we as the church also have the divine right and responsibility to verify the gospel preached to us, as did those in Berea. “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so (Acts 17:11 NASB).” Because “As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed (Gal 1:9 NASB)!”

Let us continue to study the clear and powerful word of God and let the Spirit of God continually renew our hearts.

the cross

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2 NASB).”

The cross of Christ is the centerpiece of scripture. It is by the cross we have been made free from condemnation. It is by the cross we have forgiveness. It is by the cross we have a future. Everything we are, and everything we will be depends on the very death of Christ on that cross.

How easy it is to fail to remember the toxic state of sin that is ours, which necessitates the substitution God has provided. We search and we struggle to find some goodness in humanity. We desire a way for seemingly nice people to cooperate with the work of God on this earth merging the wisdom of the human and divine, but it is impossible. Jesus Christ crucified and risen is where we must turn first and foremost. All good deeds and human effort must shy in comparison to the message of the gospel, and all good action must eventually lead to the proclamation of the gospel.

Let us never under emphasize the blessed redemption we have in Christ Jesus based on the atoning sacrifice He has made on the cross.

hope

Where do you find hope? Is it in the circumstances of life? Or the physical legacy you leave? Is it in money? Is it in blessing others?

Many would quickly say hope should be in something greater. But, if this is true. If we as Christian people (yes, we are Christian people) do believe there is something more, than how do we respond?

We respond by recognizing that our ultimate hope is not in this lifetime. Yes, we do now experience the redemption of our inner person, yet someday, our redemption will be complete, spiritually and physically. Romans 8:23 says “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (NASB).” It is the hope of the future resurrection. The completeness of our salvation in glory with Christ Jesus.

You have the opportunity to respond to your redemption by spreading the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ as you remember the hope of the future which cannot be taken away.

community

The word community is popular among people of faith. It signifies a common identity, a common purpose. People, living together in harmony and peace, sharing their lives and dreams together.

One may venture into the Holy Scripture and see such demonstrations of community as early Christians “… began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need (Acts 2:45 NASB). “

People were taken care of. Their needs were met. But is this all?

To understand what community should be, you must understand the purpose of it. Its purpose is not to become a binding interpretive authority over Scripture. It is not to bring peace on earth. It is not just to meet superficial needs. It is to build up Christian people in the faith under the headship of Christ, for

“we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love (Eph. 4:15-16 NASB).”

Let us build each other up, help each other grow and work together in unity under the headship of Christ, where true community lives.

new catholicism

Is it possible that in an effort to counteract the license and abuse of the gospel of Jesus Christ, evangelical Christians, whether knowingly or unknowingly choose to usher in a new catholic order, where salvation is not merely understood as salvation by grace through faith alone, but in addition grace is understood to be administered through works?

This is demonstrated when some insist that in order to be a Christian, certain action must be performed.

The difference is ever so subtle, yet it seems to counteract the truth we see in Scripture in Rom 3:10 “as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; (NASB)”

True righteousness must be an outflowing of faith, not a prerequisite, for we understand that “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:8-9 NASB).” The chapter then proceeds to discuss works in their proper place.

How important it is for us to understand the relationship the gospel has with good deeds, that such needs are a necessary byproduct, not a prerequisite of the wonderful salvation we have been given.