A Reason to Love

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

            When I was in college, I was encouraged by a friend to take a class on Christianity.  Being a public university, what was being taught in that class was anything but Christian.  Eternal life was not understood to be our living forever in the presence of God.  It was understood as preserving this present world.  The aim of Christianity was described as not the forgiveness of sin, but the love of others.  Salvation had nothing to do with our deliverance from sin, death, and the devil, but justice being brought to all mankind.

            The professor was open enough that he allowed me to speak.  I shared with him that, if this is all there is, man has no real motivation to love others.  If the only hope we have is to fertilize the grass and feed the worms when we die, man will simply live for the day.  He will do what he can to enjoy his short life before he dies and is forgotten.

            You see, if there is no eternal life, then all of our efforts are in vain.  Even if they are good and well-intentioned, they are meaningless.  Ultimately, it makes no difference if we ever lived.  It makes no difference if anyone ever lived.  It makes no difference if we have a good life, or if we suffer.  It makes no difference if people experience justice or injustice.  It makes no difference if we destroy the earth in one hundred years, or if the earth continues on for a thousand.  In that case, we all face the same destiny, which is nothingness.

            This is the point Paul was making in the above verse.  In chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, he talks at length about the resurrection.  And he tells us that if Christ didn’t rise from the dead, our faith is futile and we’re still in our sins.

            He goes on to describe our own resurrection.  He talks about our resurrection bodies, and how they’ll be transformed.  They’ll be changed from weak bodies that are subject to death and decay into bodies that are no longer subject to the consequences of sin.

            This is our hope.  This is our motivation.  Because of the resurrection, we know that our labors in the Lord are not in vain.

            Because our death doesn’t mark the end of our existence, we know that our labors for the Lord make a real difference.  And they make a difference not only in this world, but in eternity.  As we love and serve mankind, we’re seeking not only their blessing in the here and now.  We’re seeking their eternal blessing.  We’re seeking that they too will forever enjoy the blessings of God.

            And not only is this true.  Because death doesn’t mark the end of our existence, we can remain steadfast and immovable.  We need not waver as we face the opposition of the world and even the enemy.  We know that, whatever harm they may do to us in this life, they can’t take from us the life that has been granted us by God. 

Putting Up with Falsehood

“…I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

 (2Corinthians 11:3 ESV)

            Paul expresses to the church at Corinth that he feels a divine jealousy for them.  What he meant by this is that he’s jealous for God.  He desired that the people would belong to Christ, and to Christ alone.  And, for this reason, he says that he betrothed them to one husband…to Christ.

            He feared for the people that they would be led astray from a sincere devotion to Christ. Just as Eve was deceived by the serpent, Paul feared that they too would be deceived.  And, when we see what was going on, his fear was not unfounded.

            He tells them that, if someone proclaimed to them another Jesus, if they received or accepted a different spirit or gospel, they put up with it.  So we find that, even though Paul had brought to them the message of Jesus, even though he’d brought to them the true gospel, the people were open to other teachings to which they were introduced.  Even if they contradicted the truth, the people received it without question.

            This is a danger that’s clearly seen in the American Church today.  We have the Word of God readily available to us.  Yet, even if we profess faith in Jesus, and even if we are regular at worship, we are open to other teachings.  We are open to messages that directly contradict the message of Christ.

            We encounter the stories of those who’ve had a near-death experience.  They tell us of seeing God and talking with him.  However, the message is one that contradicts Scripture.  They present to us a message of universalism.  They tell us that all people, regardless of their faith, will be saved.

            When this happens, so many of us are quick to jump on the bandwagon.  Our excitement about something that seems to confirm the reality of heaven trumps the fact that the message is wrong.  And, in this way, we open ourselves to false teaching.

            Many of us latch onto the thoughts of prominent personalities, simply because they profess a faith in God.  We listen to people like Oprah, who speaks so passionately on these matters.  We listen to the Dalai Lama, because he seems to spiritual.  And, again, even though their message contradicts Scripture, we accept it.  We accept it because it appeals to us emotionally.

            Many of us love to listen to television evangelists.  And, because they talk of Christ, because they talk of the gospel, we blindly accept everything they say.  However, we never seem to notice that the message brought by some of them is very different from the one we find in the Word of God.

            Just as Paul was jealous for the church, so must we be jealous for one another.  We must desire one another for Christ and for him alone.  We must desire that no one in the body of Christ would be drawn away from the true faith to a generic substitute.

            Let us, then, be careful and discerning as we listen to talk of God.  Let us hold firmly to Scripture as our source of truth.  And, when something or someone contradicts the truth, let’s recognize it for what it is.

            Let us also encourage one another in this way.  Let’s faithfully share with one another the true gospel.  Let’s faithfully share with one another the true Word of God.  And let us lovingly address the false teachings and beliefs that we encounter in the body of Christ. 

A Distorted Gospel

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one…”

(Galatians 1:6-7 ESV)

            The gospel had been proclaimed to the Galatians, and they had placed their faith in Jesus.  But, now, something was different. There were people who troubled them and who wanted to distort the gospel of Christ.

            Based on the words of Paul, it seems that many in the Galatian church were turning from the true gospel.  They were, instead, turning to the other gospel being promoted among them. And this is a change that took place relatively quickly.

            Paul makes it clear that this other gospel was not truly a gospel at all.  “Gospel” means “good news.” So this new teaching being promoted among them was not something that would comfort them or fill them with hope.

            As we read on in Galatians, we find that this other “gospel” was nothing more than a system of works.  It taught the people to trust not in Christ, but themselves.  It taught them to trust in their adherence to a system of rules and regulations.

            We have the same thing happening in the church today.  Instead of trusting in Jesus and his saving work, many have begun to trust in themselves.  Even though they profess faith in Christ, and even though they claim the name of “Christian,” they are holding to a distortion of the gospel.

            For some, Christianity means holding to the Law.  They base their confidence on how well they perform.  They base it on their level of goodness, measured by the Law.

            Although the Law does reveal to us how God desires for us to live, it cannot save us.  And it in no way reveals our goodness.  In fact, the only thing it reveals is our sin.

            For some, the gospel isn’t even about salvation from sin and death.  It’s about loving people in this life.  It’s about transforming this present world into something better.

            Yes, God desires for us to love people in this life.  He desires that we stand against injustice.  However, it’s impossible to bring about heaven and earth as long as there is sin in this world. 

            There are many distortions of the gospel in our world for today.  But one thing is true of all of them: They are unable to save.  They are unable to deliver us from sin and its consequences.

            For this reason, Paul was not tolerant of those who were distorting the gospel.  In fact, he called for their judgment.  In verse 8, he says: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”

            This other gospel would not lead to the salvation of men.  It would only lead to their condemnation.  And, for this reason, it had to be opposed.

            The same is true for us today.  The false gospel being proclaimed in the world leads not to the forgiveness of those who receive it.  It leads only to their damnation.  And, for this reason, we cannot accept it as Christianity.  We cannot accept it as a reliable expression of our faith.  We must faithfully proclaim the true gospel while bringing these false teachings into the light.

           

Deserving of Reward?

“So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

(Luke 17:10 ESV)

            It’s nice to be acknowledged for the things that we do.  It makes us feel good when people honor us for our achievements.  However, in our society today, this is taken to an extreme.  We seem to feel that we deserve acknowledgement and honor for everything that we do.

            Children feel that they should be rewarded for getting good grades in school.  They feel that they should be honored for good attendance.  They fail to understand that the opportunity to receive a good education is a blessing.  And, in response to this blessing, good attendance and good grades are a duty.

In the same way, they feel that they should receive a trophy for participating in sports.   They fail to understand that it’s a blessing to be on the team.  And, in response to this blessing, a determined effort to help the team succeed is an obligation.

            The same mindset follows us into adulthood.  If we do well in college, we feel that we’re deserving of a good job.  If we perform well on the job, we feel that we deserve a grand title, a pay raise, or a promotion.  We fail to understand that having a good job is a blessing.  And it’s our duty to give our greatest effort in response to this blessing.

            We also tend to think this way in our life of faith.  We think that we should be commended by God for every act of service we perform.  Because of our service, we feel entitled to his blessing.  And we think that we should be honored by those we serve.

            Our feelings about this are so strong that, if acknowledgement isn’t given, we feel slighted.  We feel that our efforts have been in vain.  We feel devalued and disregarded.  And we tend to give up and cease in our efforts.

            Jesus addresses this mindset in Luke 17.  He uses the picture of a man and his servant to make his point.  He points out that, when the servant comes in after a hard day’s work, he isn’t invited to sit down to enjoy a meal.  It’s expected that he will prepare supper, dress properly, and serve his master.  And only after his duties are completed is he able to eat and drink.

            Jesus also points out that the servant is not thanked for what he has done.  He is not thanked because he’s merely done his job.  He’s done nothing more than his duty.

            In the same way, he tells us, we shouldn’t expect commendation for the things we’ve done.  Instead, we’re to acknowledge that we’re unworthy servants.  We’re to acknowledge that we’ve done only our duty.

            This is very true.  We must always bear in mind that the only thing we deserve is death and hell.  We must bear in mind that, because of what he’s done for us, the Lord is deserving of our faithfulness.

            This can be a tough pill to swallow.  God does not owe us anything because of our service.  The simple fact of the matter is that, because of what he has done for us, God is deserving of our service.  We have been saved by his grace and mercy, and for this reason he is deserving of our honor. 

If God then honors us, it’s only because of his grace.  If he blesses us, it’s only because of his mercy.  We are nothing more than undeserving servants who’ve done nothing more than fulfill our obligations.    

A Life of No Value

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

(Acts 20:24 ESV)

            Paul was on his way to Jerusalem.  And it had been made clear to him, by the Spirit of God, what was to happen to him there.  He knew that afflictions and imprisonment awaited him.

            However, in spite of this, Paul made the statement we see above.  He says that he does not account his life of any value.  He doesn’t count it as precious to himself.  His only desire is that he might finish his course and the ministry entrusted to him by the Lord.

            Paul, you remember, had been called by Jesus to take the gospel primarily to the Gentiles.  And it’s clear that he was determined to carry out his call no matter what it meant for him personally.  He was willing to endure all things if only he might faithfully share Christ with the lost.

            He had already done so on several occasions.  He’d endured beatings.  He’d been jailed.  Yet, no matter what he faced, he pressed on.

            When I look at Paul’s words, it forces me to look at my own heart.  It causes me to ask if the same is true of me.  Am I willing to endure suffering and imprisonment if only I may finish the course, if only I may fulfill the calling, God has given me?

            No matter how faithful we are in our ministry, the fact remains that we have a natural tendency to look out for our well-being.  We have an ingrained desire to preserve our life in this world.  And, more often than not, we will do anything we can to do just that.

            If preserving our life means compromising our values, we do it.  If preserving our life means putting on a façade, we do it.  Even if we’re uncomfortable making these choices, we count our life too valuable to discard.

            This is true when it comes to our faith and our ministry as well.  We know what Christ has done for us.  And we know that we’ve been called to share this truth with all mankind.  Yet, if this means putting ourselves at risk, we’re often unwilling to take that step.

            We’re often unwilling to take that step even if our life isn’t physically threatened in any way.  We’re often unwilling to fulfill our calling if it means our reputation among men might be tarnished.  We’re unwilling to fulfill our calling if it means that others might think us foolish.

            This is an area where I’ve struggled as long as I can remember.  Growth has come, but it has come slowly.  Even though I preach and teach the Word of God regularly in the church, I’m not as quick to do so on the outside. 

            I pray that the Lord will give me the Spirit of Paul.  I pray that he will enable me to fulfill my calling no matter what it might mean for myself personally.  I pray that I might be able to say, along with Paul, that I do not count my life of any value or as precious in itself.  I pray that my only concern will be carrying out the mission to which I’ve been called.

            This is my prayer also for the people of the church.  I pray that the Lord will give to each of us this mindset.  And, as he does so, I pray that more and more people will hear the good news and receive the salvation that is given through faith in Jesus.

The Measure of Maturity

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

(1Timothy 1:15 ESV)

            What does it mean to be a “good Christian?” What does it mean to be a “mature Christian?” We tend to think that such a person has it all together.  We tend to think that he’s overcome his struggle with temptation and sin.

For this reason, when you ask this question, the response tends to focus around our actions. People might answer that a good Christian reads his Bible every day.  A good Christian prays before he eats. A good Christian is at church every week.   A good Christian serves as much as he’s able.  A good Christian lives according to the Ten Commandments.  A good Christian doesn’t cuss or drink.  A good Christian is always happy, and is always friendly and hospitable.  A good Christian shares his faith on a regular basis.

            We also tend to judge ourselves by these standards.  We judge how “good” of a Christian we are based on our success at measurements such as these.  And we judge our maturity in the faith by this basis as well.  So, when we fail, it seems clear that we haven’t yet attained that status.

            Let’s be honest with ourselves: Judging ourselves by these standards, we all fail miserably.  Judging ourselves by these standards, none of us will ever be “good” or “mature” believers.  And the reason for this is that we’re sinners.  We face an ongoing struggle with the world, the devil, and our own flesh.

            When we look to Scripture, we find that this type of thinking is contrary to the very gospel we confess.   We aren’t saved by what we do.  We’re saved by trusting in Jesus, and in the sacrifice that he made on our behalf.

            A mature Christian, then, is one who sees his sin.  He’s one who acknowledges that he deserves nothing other than judgment.  However, he trusts in the promise of God.  He sincerely believes that, in Jesus, we find grace.  And he does so in spite of his ongoing struggle with the sinful nature.

            Paul is an excellent example of this.  We tend to think of Paul as one of the greatest Christians of all time.  And we think of him in this way because of what he did.  However, when we look at his words, we find that this is not how he thought of himself.

            In the above verse, he refers to himself as the foremost of sinners.  He thought of himself in this way because, previously, he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent opponent.  However, he thought of himself in this way not only because of his earlier life.

            Paul doesn’t say that he was the foremost of sinners.  He doesn’t give any indication that this status had changed in any way.  He says that he is the foremost of sinners.  In other words, even as an apostle, and even as one who was accomplishing great things for the Lord, he continued to view himself in this way.

            His struggle with sin was not a thing of the past.  We see this as we look at his description of himself in Romans 7.  This was an ongoing battle.

            Paul was a “good” Christian, he was a “mature” Christian, because of his faith.  He understood that he was saved not by what he’d done.  He was saved by Jesus.  He was saved through faith. 

            Certainly, good works are the result of our faith.  They reflect the faith that we have within.  But they are not what make us Christian, and they do not make us mature.

            So how do we know if we’re a mature Christian?  Do we know our sin?  Do we know the penalty that we deserve?  Do we believe that, by his sacrifice, Jesus paid the penalty of our sin?  Do we believe that he’s faithful to give us all that he’s promised? And do we believe this even as we continue to fail and to struggle with temptation and sin?

            

Who Is Jesus?

“Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"”

(Luke 9:18 ESV)

            Jesus posed the above question to his disciples.  And, in response, they told him that some believed him to be John the Baptist, who had been put to death by King Herod.  Some believed him to be Elijah, who was expected to precede the Messiah.  And others believed him to be a prophet of old, who had risen.

            Each of these responses reveals that the people generally held Jesus in high honor.  After all, they believed John the Baptist to be a great prophet.  And Jesus himself had said that John was the greatest of the prophets.

            Elijah was one of the greatest prophets from Old Testament times.  And, again, with the expectation that he would come at the dawn of the messianic age, it reveals that Jesus was esteemed.  The people clearly believed that he was sent by God and that he was something special.

            The Old Testament prophets were also revered.  Even though, when they lived and served among the people, they faced persecution, the people of Jesus’ day thought highly of them and their message.  So, believing Jesus to be one of the prophets who had returned to life, they believed him to have an honored position.

            However, each of these beliefs fell short of Jesus’ true identity.  When Jesus addressed the disciples, asking them who they believed him to be, Peter answered rightly.  He said that Jesus is the Christ of God.  In other words, he believed Jesus to be the fulfillment of God’s promises.  He believed Jesus to be the Savior, sent by God into the world.

            Many of us make the same mistake when it comes to Jesus’ identity.  Although our opinion of him is great, and although we hold him in high esteem, it falls short of his true identity.  It reveals that we fail to believe in him as he’s revealed to us in Scripture.

            Many of us believe that Jesus was a good teacher.  In fact, we esteem him as one of the greatest teachers, if not the greatest, to ever walk the earth.  We believe that his teachings are true and that they deserve to be taken to heart.  

            Many of us believe Jesus to be a great example.  We think that he perfectly modeled what it means to love others.  We think that he modeled what it means to follow God.  And, for this reason, we seek to pattern our life after his own.

            Others among us believe that Jesus was a prophet.  We believe that he was more than a teacher. We believe him to be a man who spoke the very Word of God.  We believe that he revealed God’s will to mankind.

            I’m sure there are many other views to which people hold when it comes to the person of Jesus.  But, like the Jews, they fall short of his true identity.  Although we respect him, we don’t view him as the person Scripture proclaims him to be.

            Why does this matter?  It matters because we aren’t saved by our efforts to live according to his teachings. We aren’t saved by our efforts to follow his example.  We aren’t saved by believing that his words are the Word of God. 

We’re saved through faith that Jesus is the very Son of God who was born into this world that he might save us from our sin.  We’re saved through faith that Jesus, by his death on the cross, has paid the penalty of our sin.  We’re saved through faith that Jesus, by his resurrection from the grave, has defeated the power of death. 

So what do you believe about Jesus?  Who do you believe him to be?  The answer matters more than you know.

           

Necessity?

“And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?’”

                                                                  (Luke 2:49 ESV)

          When Jesus was twelve years old, his parents took him to Jerusalem for the Passover.  And, as they traveled home with a company, they failed to notice that he was not with them.  He’d remained behind.

            When they discovered that he was missing, they went back to Jerusalem where they searched for him.  And, when they found him on the third day, he was in the temple.  He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

             Mary then asked him: “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” Most of us, I believe, can relate to Mary’s feelings.  We’ve experienced the feelings of distress when one of our children couldn’t be found.

            However, Jesus’ answer to her is what I always find striking.  The ESV translates it as you read it above.  However, the NKJV translates it in this way: "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

            I’m not a Greek expert, but it seems that the most literal way to translate Jesus final question is a little more general.  I believe it could be said in this way: “Did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in the things of my Father?”

            Jesus understood that God was his Father.  And, for this reason, he was compelled to be about the things of his Father.  He was compelled to be in the house of God.  He was compelled to be present for the teaching of God’s Word.  And, as we see throughout his life, he found it necessary to engage in the ministry for which he’d been sent.  The things of God could not be avoided or neglected.

            Although Jesus is the only Son of God, although he is the Son of God in a sense that can never be true of us, it seems that we should possess the same heart and mindset.  After all, we are the children of God.  By faith, we have received his adoption as sons.

            The question I’m led to ask myself is this: Do I find it necessary to be about the things of God?  And this is a question that deserves to be contemplated by each of us.

            Do we find it necessary to be in God’s house, to worship and to hear the Word as it’s taught and preached?  Do we find it necessary to spend time in the Word and prayer on a regular basis?  Do we find it necessary to be about the Father’s business, to be about the calling he’s entrusted to us?  Do we find it necessary to take part in the fellowship of believers?   

            Even though it’s clear how this question ought to be answered, I think you see where I’m going.  It’s easy for us to make the things of God a lesser priority.  It’s easy for us to become overwhelmed by the distractions of society around us.  It’s easy for us to neglect the things of God in favor of things that are mere vanity.

            As we reflect upon the gift of God, as we reflect upon the fact that we’ve been made to be the children of God, let us sincerely search our heart.  Let’s confess to the Lord that he hasn’t been the priority in our life that he should be.  And let’s ask him to create within us a need to be about the things of God.

The Necessity of the Virgin Birth

“…but he knew her not until she had given birth to a son.  And he called his name Jesus.”

Matthew 1:25

            One of the key truths that we find in the Christmas story is the virgin birth of Jesus.  We see this emphasized, first of all, when the angel came to Mary announcing God’s plan for her.  In Luke 1:27 we’re specifically told that the angel was sent to a virgin.  And, when Mary asks the angel how she would become pregnant, the issue in her mind was that she was a virgin.

            We see this emphasized again in Matthew’s account.  We find that, when he discovered Mary was pregnant, Joseph planned to divorce her.  But an angel spoke to him in a dream, telling him that the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit.  In other words, the angel assured him that Mary had been faithful to him.  She was still a virgin.  And, for this reason, he was not to fear taking her as his wife. 

            Finally, we’re told in the above verse that Joseph didn’t know Mary (he didn’t have sexual relations with her) until she had given birth to a son.  So, even though Joseph took Mary as his wife, she remained a virgin until the child was born.  Again, the emphasis is on the fact that Jesus had no human father.  Although Joseph was his father in the sense that he raised Jesus and cared for him, it was the Holy Spirit who fathered Jesus.

            Even though we’re very familiar with this truth, it’s one that’s denied by many in our society today.  There are many claims made when it comes to Jesus’ birth.  For example, some claim that Joseph was Jesus’ actual father, while others say that Jesus was fathered by a Roman soldier. 

            It might be easy for us to think that it doesn’t really matter.  We might be tempted think that, regardless of the identity of Jesus’ father, he did everything that was written of him in Scripture.  Regardless of his father, he worked miracles.  Regardless of his father, he revealed to us the Father.  Regardless of his father, he taught us to love.  And regardless of his father, he died on the cross.

            However, when it comes to the message of salvation, the virgin birth of Jesus is essential.  In fact, we can’t separate the two.  If Jesus had been fathered by a man, he would be powerless to save.

            It’s because of his supernatural conception that Jesus was free of sin.  If Jesus had been fathered by a man, he would’ve been born in sin like the rest of us.  And if Jesus was a sinner, he would be subject to the consequences of sin and powerless to save.  But, because his father was God, he was not born in sin.  And, throughout his life, he remained without sin.

            It was this, it was his sinlessness, that enabled him to become the sacrifice for our sin.  As we read in Hebrews 7:26-27: “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”

            It’s also because of the virgin birth that Jesus is the Son of God.  We see this in verse 35 of Luke 1, which says: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-- the Son of God.”

            If Jesus had been fathered by a man, he would be a mere man.  Even if he had certain giftings, which you and I do not possess, he would be no greater than us.  It’s because he was conceived by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is holy.  It’s because he was conceived by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Son of God.

            So as you hear this Christmas story once again this week, and as you reflect upon it, may you realize the importance of the virgin birth.  If Jesus had not been conceived of the Holy Spirit, had he not been born of a virgin, he would be powerless to save.  But, because he was conceived by the Spirit, he is the Son of God, he is without sin, and he was able to offer himself up for the sin of the people. 

The Essence of Christianity

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

(John 14:6 ESV)     

Many people, today, define Christianity in a purely moralistic sense. The Christian Faith, to them, is defined by loving our neighbor.  It's defined, to them, by the golden rule.  So they tend to think that Christianity is very much like the other major religions in the world today.  And for this reason, they tend to have a universalist view of salvation.   

     Even though Jesus did command us to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40), even though he told us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27-28), and even though he told us to to do to others as we'd have them do to us (Matthew 7:12), this doesn't define the Christian faith. Even though God has given us the Law and shared with us how he desires for us to live, this doesn't define what it means to be a Christian. It's much more than a system of rules.

Those who define Christianity in this way often fail to understand Jesus’ purpose in being born into the world. Although he is a good teacher, and even though he is a wonderful example for us to follow, this is not the primary reason he came.  God had already given his Law through Moses.  And God had continually reached out to his people through the prophets.  Even though they were sinners, the example of godliness was displayed by many of the great men of faith.  

Jesus came into the world for a much greater purpose.  As the angel told Joseph in announcing Jesus’ birth, he came to save his people from their sins.  And this was a task that could be accomplished by no one else.

The way he did this was by giving his life on our behalf.  Jesus himself stated this in Mark 10:45 where he says: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” By dying on the cross, he paid the necessary ransom to secure our salvation.  

This blessing is then received by us through faith in Christ.  It’s not something we earn by our goodness or by our love.  As Jesus stated to Nicodemus in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Those who define Christianity as love, those who define it by a system of morals, tend to deny what Jesus clearly tells us in verses such as the one above. They deny that Jesus is the only way of salvation. They deny that he is the only way to the Father.

If this were the basis of the Christian faith, there would be no purpose in having a separate religion.  If this were the basis of the Christian faith, there would’ve been no purpose in Jesus’ birth.  And if this were the basis of the Christian faith, there would’ve been no purpose in his suffering and death.   The principle of love, a message of morals, is found in every other faith on the face of the earth.  

So, as we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember the true message of Jesus’ birth.  Although God wants us to love, and although he wants us to live a moral life, Jesus didn’t come to instill these values.  He came that he might save us from our sin.  He was born into the world that we might come to the Father.

Salvation from What?

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

(Matthew 1:21 ESV)

            As we remember the account of the first Christmas, the truth contained in the above verse is familiar.  However, even though we know it well, it’s one that many of us fail to comprehend rightly.  What I mean is that we believe Jesus to be the Savior.  But we’re looking for him to save us from something other than sin.

            We fall into the same trap as the Jews in Jesus’ day.  They expected the Savior to be a political ruler.  They expected him to save them from their bondage to Rome.  So, when Jesus appeared on the scene, he was not what they expected.  And, as a result, they failed to receive the blessing he came to provide.

            I remember taking a course in college, which focused on Christianity in modern times.  The expectation was not that Jesus would save us from sin.  The expectation was that Jesus would overturn all of the evils of this present world.

            We often think the same way.  We look to Jesus, but not for salvation from sin.  We look to him to help us in times of financial struggle.  We look to him to help us with health issues.  We look to him to help our loved ones as they approach the time of their death. 

            Please don’t misunderstand me.  There’s nothing wrong with taking our present needs to Jesus.  In fact, he invites us to do so.  The problem comes when we look to him only for salvation from our present struggles, and not for the salvation he came to bring.

            This is what so many of us do.  We look to Jesus to help only with our worldly needs.  And, when he fails to do so, or when he fails to answer our prayers in the way we expect, we get angry with him.  We deny his love.  We deny his power.  In some cases, we turn completely away from him.

            We must understand that Jesus came into this world to save us from our sin.  This, you see, is our greatest need.  Because of our sin, we’re destined only for death and hell.  But, because of his coming into the world, because of his sacrifice, the forgiveness of sin and eternal life have been made available to all who trust in him.

            At the end of this age, all of the evils of this life will come to an end.  They will be no more because they are the consequence of sin.  Suffering and death are a part of the world in which we live because of the fall of man in the beginning, and because of our ongoing sin.

            However, when sin is no more, the consequences of sin will be a thing of the past.  When we are made to be like Christ, no longer will we endure the suffering of this age.  We will live forever in a place where there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

            So as we remember Jesus’ birth, and as we remember his salvation, let us remember from what he came to save us.  His coming doesn’t mean that our life will be perfect in the here and now.  Our current problems don’t reflect his failure to save us.  Jesus came into this world to save his people from their sins. 

The Sword of Christ

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

Matthew 10:34

            As we enter the Christmas season, this verse is one that should be addressed.  It should be addressed because it flies in the face of everything we tend to think and believe about Jesus.   After all, isn’t he the Prince of Peace?

            Jesus is absolutely the Prince of Peace.  We know that, by his death and resurrection, he stands victorious over sin, death, and the devil.  We know that, being justified by faith, we have peace with God.  And we know that, in the end, those who’ve received the grace of God will live in a state of absolute peace.  We will live in a place where there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

            However, in the meantime, Jesus has come not to bring peace, but a sword.  He goes on to say that he’s come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  He says that a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.

            Many of us have seen this truth play out first hand.  Often, there are some members of a family who have faith in Christ and others who don’t.  And this difference places them at odds with one another.

            An extreme example I witnessed was a Pakistani who studied at the same college I attended.  He had come to faith in Christ and was baptized.  And, because of this, he was disowned by his family.

            We don’t typically experience anything this extreme.  However, members of our family often fail to understand our faith in Christ.  They are often less than accepting of the way that we live our life.  And this makes our family life less than harmonious.

            Jesus doesn’t desire to disrupt our families.  But this is a natural result when some possess faith in Christ and others do not.  It’s a natural result when some reject the gospel and the salvation Christ has provided for them.

            For this reason, Jesus reminds us in verses 37-38 that we must love him above all else.  He tells us that if we love father or mother more than him, we’re not worthy of him.  If we love son or daughter more than him, we’re not worthy of him.  And if we love our own life more than him, we’re not worthy of him.

            As we face this sword, as we encounter this kind of division in our family, we must remain faithful to Christ.  Regardless of the impact that it has upon our family life, we must remain true to him.  Yes, we must love our family as well.  But our love for them must not cause us to compromise our faith.  It must not pull us away from the Lord. 

We are all sinners.  We have all violated the Law of God.  But, how do we respond when we're confronted by the Law?  Do we flee?  Or do we repent and follow Christ? To hear this message, click on this link: http://princeofpeacebeulah.org/messages/11-15-2015-fleeing-from-the-law/

Hang On!

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Matthew 24:13

            As believers, we know that Jesus has assured us of his return.  For example, in John 14, he tells his followers that he’s going to prepare a place for them.  And, knowing this, they could be assured that he would return for them.  He would return for them that they might be with him where he is.

            Yet, when we think of the return of Christ, when we think of the end of the end of this age, it seems rather scary.  It seems scary because of his description of the events surrounding the end.  One of the places we see this description is the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew.

            When asked by his disciples about the signs of his coming and the end of the age, he tells them that many will come in his name, claiming to be Christ, and lead many astray.  He tells them that they will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  He says that nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.  Yet, even as they see these signs being fulfilled, they should understand that the end is not yet.  In Mark’s account of these words, Jesus says that this is beginning of birth pains.

            Most of the ladies reading this know what he means.  As they come to the end of their pregnancy, they begin to experience labor pains.  Yet, even though they know the baby is coming, they have no idea how long it’ll be until the child is born.  They know that there is much more pain ahead.

The same is true for us.  When we see these signs, we know that the end is coming.  But we also know that we will experience much more hardship before it arrives.

            Jesus goes on to say that his followers will be delivered up to tribulation.  He says that they will be put to death.  He says that they’ll be hated by all nations.

            Jesus says that many will fall away.  And not only will they turn from Christ.  They will also betray one another and hate one another. 

            False prophets will arise and lead people astray.  Lawlessness will increase, and the love of many will grow cold. 

            Based on this description of the end, as well as others that we read in Scripture, it sounds absolutely terrifying.  It’s safe that, if at all possible, we’d prefer to escape these hardships.  However, as we get closer and closer to the end, we must be prepared for what is to come.

            Yet, even though the end does seem scary, it brings with it a great hope for believers.  This is what we see in the above verse.  Jesus tells us that the one who stands firm until the end will be saved.

            Even in the face of these hardships, we have the hope of his salvation.  We know that we’ll be delivered from this world of sin.  We know that we’ll be saved from this world of suffering and death.  And we know that we’ll enjoy eternity in the presence of our Lord.

            Let us, then, remain strong.  Let us remain faithful as the end approaches.  Let us endure as the signs of the end are fulfilled among us.  Let us not throw away this eternal hope to escape momentary trials.

The Patience of God

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance .”

(2 Peter 3:9 ESV)

            As believers, it’s easy for us to get frustrated as we watch our world go to pot.  We see all of the evil in our world.  We see the world’s rejection of Christ.  And this makes us wonder why the Lord hasn’t put an end to it.  We wonder why he hasn’t come back, ushering in the new heavens and the new earth.

            We fail to realize that this is a sign of God’s grace.  Even though it’s right for us to be concerned about the evil in our world, and even though it’s easy for us to get discouraged as we watch our world drift further away from Christ, we must understand that God’s desire is for the salvation of all men.

            This, then, is why he waits.  As we see in the above verse, the Lord isn’t slow to fulfill his promise.  What we perceive as sluggish is, in reality, an expression of his patience.

            The end will come.  At the right time, God will bring it about.  However, in the meantime, God is giving man the opportunity to repent.  His patience is allowing more opportunity for the gospel to go forth and for the Spirit of God to work in the heart of man.

            Because of this, we should not become discouraged as we await the fulfillment of his promise.  Even though we’d all love to be free from this world of sin, and even though we’d love to be experiencing eternity in a place free from the consequences of sin, we should revel at the Lord’s patience.  We should rejoice because the day of grace continues.

As the people of God, we must share the heart of God.  Even though we long for his promise to be fulfilled, and even though the end of evil is something to be desired, we shouldn’t yearn for fate of the wicked to come quickly upon them.  Knowing that God is giving man the opportunity to repent, knowing that he desires the salvation of all, we should seek the salvation of the lost.  We should make use of the time God is giving to the world by carrying out the call he’s given us.  We must make use of the day of grace by proclaiming the message of grace to all creation.