What About The Hard Sayings Of Jesus? ...

And after some disciples heard these sayings, they no longer followed Him..... Jesus never made it easy to be a follower of His and stipulated strict guidelines and requisites like denial of self, and having first priority in our hearts so much that we "hate" our parents. He also said that we "cannot come to the Father unless it has been granted.." We cannot believe in Jesus apart from grace ("Apart from Me, you can do nothing...." "This is the work of God... that you believe in Him whom He has sent."). St. Augustine of Hippo said it well: “God command what you will, but grant what you command…” If we can turn over a new leaf, make a New Year’s resolution, Boy Scout pledge, or AA pledge to change our lives, what good is regeneration? God must change us from the inside out!

What good is regeneration if we can accomplish this of our own strength and without grace working in our hearts? God opens the door of faith and kindles it within us as He quickens our dead spirit. This is called "lordship salvation" as opposed to "easy-believism" or that commitment to Christ as Lord is not required for salvation. We must receive Him for who He is! Jesus never watered down His message, contextualized it, nor dumbed it down, but told it as it is in straight talk and calling a spade a spade. He never minced words or made it easy to follow Him but discouraged half-hearted disciples who may have admired Jesus but were not ready to lay down their lives for Him.

For instance, no fornicator, murderer, liar, drunkard, homosexual, thief, or swindler will get into the kingdom. But with all these requirements, we cannot change ourselves but we must be willing to let God change us: we come as we are, but do not remain that way due to the grace of God working in our hearts. What good is regeneration if we can believe apart from it or conversion if we had the power to transform our lives ourselves? The whole point of the gospel is that God changes us and we become new creatures in Christ: a changed life as a testimony!

Salvation must be grace from beginning to end: "Salvation is of the LORD," (Jonah 2:9) and that means we do not contribute anything to our regeneration and conversion. Therefore, it is not of us and God nor of us alone but of God alone! It is the work of God on our behalf who gets the glory. Soli Deo Gloria!

What's The Big Deal With The Cost of Discipleship?

Most con men oversell or stress the pros or upside, avoiding the negatives, the cons, or downside of a new venture if they're interested in the numbers game. Jesus wasn't interested in quantity, but quality and His apostles proved Him right by turning the world topsy-turvy.   Jesus was different and didn't want those interested in a "working arrangement" in His kingdom--He wanted servants.  What would you venture to bet in order to gain the whole world?  Your soul?  Well, you are if you don't know Jesus.  I hope it's not your soul because many do see only in the mundane, here and now, and not in light of eternity. It may seem like we have to give up everything to become a Christian, but God is only testing the motives and priorities of our hearts.  But the ante is up and eternity is the bet: where we end up spending it.

Discipleship, according to Jesus is no light matter and He discouraged halfhearted disciples or followers, who didn't count the cost--one could literally lose it all, even one's life; however, Jim Elliot wrote that he is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Our portion is in the Lord, not in this life.  The world has their reward in this life with all the devil has to offer and the comforts of this world. So what's the big deal then and why should we follow Christ?  We have our souls to lose and eternity to gain while we have eternal reward and blessing in heaven, not suffering and punishment in hell. In some parts of the world, conversion may cost one his family or his life, so we should be thankful for the freedom of religion in our nation.

But Paul did say that all those who desire to live godly in Christ will be persecuted--try going against the grain and the popular world's ideas, or the current culture.  Christianity is indeed counter-cultural and we must be willing to stand up for right and vehemently oppose evil, flying our Christian colors and declaring openly where we stand and not on the sidelines but daring to be for Christ even if the world opposes us.  There is no neutral territory with the believer; he's either for or against Christ, being in the world but not of it.

But prosperity theology is heresy because we don't want our "best life now," but to reap our reward in heaven when Christ crowns us, but no cross equals no crown. We shall be compensated for all the suffering we've had in Christ as we fulfill His sufferings for the sake of the Name.  But too many still think that wealth is a sign of God's sure blessing (sometimes God does give wealth, but it's not guaranteed).  If our riches increase, though, we ought not to put our faith in them!  It 's the poor that are blessed with rich faith because they have learned to rely on the Lord.    The best opportunity to find out that the only thing you need is God, is to have only God and lose everything else: then one realizes the necessity and the sufficiency of Christ. 

The reward we look forward to in the Celestial City is to know Jesus, seeing the beatific vision and the membership in God's family.  We will find out that some who are last will be first and status in this life doesn't amount to anything in the next.  It's faithfulness that we are called to, not success.  Religion is what makes us strive for human achievement, not God's blessing. God doesn't want our accomplishments but our obedience and most of all He wants us--our hearts.  Soli Deo Gloria! 

Going One On One In Discipleship

"... Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass the on to others"  (2 Tim. 2:2, NLT).  

What is the chief function of the gospel but it to spread to all the world?  (When it is preached to all the world, then the end shall come according to Matt. 24:14.)  We all must do our part in exercising our specialized gift in the organism of the local church as it corporately fulfills the Great Commission (the chief function of the church and believer), as well as the fact that we have individual responsibilities due to our gifting. If we want to keep our faith, we must let it shine and be willing to make it known to others.  Billy Graham says we must "give it away!"    NB:  In God's economy we keep it by giving it away!   We must be people on a mission!  Some sow, some water, some reap; but God gives the increase.  We must be ever aware of the fact that it's God working in us and through us and we are just vessels or tools of honor doing God's good pleasure and will, to which we are the called according to His purpose (per Romans 8:28).

Before service comes prep.  The key to discipleship is discipline and experience or on the job training in the trench warfare of real-life--Reality 101, the divine curriculum.  Only battle-tested warriors for Christ can defeat Satan in the angelic conflict because they know the full armor of God and are not ignorant of the schemes of the devil.  His chief strategy is to divide and conquer and that's where party-politics can divide a church if not done according to the Christian worldview. "They do not reckon God in their worldview"(cf. Romans 10:4).   Literally, "there is no fear of God before their eyes"  (cf. Psalm 36:1; Rom. 3:18, NIV).   Example: the principles of the rule of law, and the concept of liberty and justice for all are paramount (the church has a duty to teach these core values as taught in Scripture).

NB: the Bible endorses no political party or type of government just so that the rule of law is observed and people's God-given rights protected. By the rule of law we must agree that no one is above the law and we are not governed by the arbitrary whims of men, but of duly passed legislation and consent of the people.  This was first delineated in 1644 by the Rev. Samuel Rutherford in Lex Rex, which means "the law is the king," [the king is not the law].   And so, true and ready discipleship includes familiarity with the Christian worldview. There should be unity concerning what the Bible does teach and note that God isn't partisan and that means we shouldn't be either (He is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality).

Paul taught the one-on-one principle or that we should invest ourselves individually into the life of someone and teach them what the Lord has taught us.  There are no shortcuts or easy formulas, just hard work, faithfulness, and discipline.  We must be gung-ho for the Lord--spiritual lukewarmness will not do.  We must follow the Lord wholeheartedly and single-minded so as not to be distracted by the world's temptations and what the devil has to offer--"Love not the world."  So, this means a full commitment or surrender is necessary without reservation, full relinquishment and I say this because most believers haven't really had their wills tested yet to see just how far they are willing to go with the Lord or how close to walk with Him.  It may turn out that we may have no friends but the Lord, and we must know how to cope spiritually with that relationship intact.

If the above principle were actually practiced, the world would be evangelized in one generation; all it takes is for everyone to commit to someone and then that person returning the favor to the Lord by doing likewise.  In discipleship, one thing is important:  keep it simple and put into practice what you learn realizing what you are or are not good at--don't get in over your head but be patient with the small responsibility God has granted you by grace.  Remember, the goal is to spread the gospel and that entails knowing the gospel (and most believers don't) and how to present it should someone ask them how to be saved.

If they don't know how to help someone else to salvation or show the way, how can they be assured themselves?   If they do get saved, we must never offer false assurance for it's not our job to grant it, but God's; we only offer reassurance. Assurance comes solely by the Word of God coupled with the testimony of the Holy Spirit per Romans 8:16 ("The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God.") and this is done by searching one's heart and examining one's fruit.   This is vital to know because the believer's assurance is a key to his witness and if he has any doubts it will stifle, cripple, paralyze, or disable his witness or it may even jeopardize or compromise his testimony and he will be neutralized as a witness and paralyzed in growth.   "Our lives are known and read by all men," (cf. 2 Cor. 3:2, NKJV)."

Confidence breeds confidence!  Love begets love; faith, faith!  Faith is not conjecture but certitude and confidence about our salvation and we need not be stunted by doubts.  Doubt is an element of faith, not its opposite!   No one has perfect faith; the best we can have is sincere, honest faith (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:5).   But being honest with them takes fortitude and courage and one step to growing in faith is to admit them and not repress them.  It's our duty to be assured and this is not a sin of presumption (it's commanded in 2 Pet. 1:10), it's faith!  We all live on the doubt-faith continuum and must overcome our fears and questions as we grow in the faith; little faith is still faith!  We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Pet. 3:18).  We go from "faith to faith in a continuum (cf. Rom. 1:17).   Doubt is an element of faith, not the opposite of it, and must be dealt with. So, the chief duty of the mentor is to build this confidence in their gift and salvation itself and prepare them to pass the baton or carry on this work of spreading the Word.   

The main error of evangelism is lack of follow-up (too many evangelists count heads and end there).  One must realize that it takes commitment and faithfulness to the person wherever needed.  We can accomplish little without a firm foundation in the Lord and this begins with the boldness to confess Christ before men, not to be ashamed of our Lord but to look for opportunities as He opens or shuts doors. Timothy was taught that he does the addition and God the multiplication (2 Tim. 2:2). Remember, investment will pay dividends.

But don't forget that the word disciple means learner and that means we are all learners and matriculated in the school of Christ and never stop learning, also that we only need be a step ahead of the learner to teach or mentor.   Anyone can do it; availability, not ability is the key, for the filling of the Spirit is what's needed and one's dependence on God for guidance, not human wisdom or fancy gimmicks to teach. When we have been discipled, we owe a debt of gratitude to that person and are eager to pass it on and share what we have come to experience in Christ--to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge.  Our mission doesn't end with making disciples, but to contend for the faith, defending it in the open marketplace of ideas in the public square.  This entails the ideals of  1 Peter 3:15 and 2 Tim. 2:25:  being prepared to defend our faith and making an effort to know the Scriptures via study or other means available 


CAVEATS:  DO NOT TEACH OVER SOMEONE'S HEAD, FASTER THAN THEY CAN LEARN, OR ASSUME TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE OR BACKGROUND INFO,  BUT DON'T INSULT THEIR INTELLIGENCE EITHER.  KEEP IT SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE, BUT NOT MORE SO!    DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOUR STUDENTS BUT KNOW WHERE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY.  WE DARE NOT GO IT ALONE AS A SPIRITUAL LONE RANGER OR LONE WOLF, BUT MUST GO ONE ONE ONE AND BE ACCOUNTABLE SUBMITTING TO AUTHORITY.  TOO MANY OF US BELIEVE OUR DOUBTS AND DOUBT OUR FAITH; WE SHOULD DOUBT OUR DOUBTS AND BELIEVE OUR FAITH!       FINALLY, KNOW, RESPECT, AND SET PERSONAL BOUNDARIES.   Soli Deo Gloria!

It Costs To Be Saved

They say that salvation is free, but it costs everything you've got.  Salvation is free but not cheap; so-called cheap grace justifies the sin, not the sinner.  It costs to be saved, but more not to be.  We must be willing and open to the idea of saying goodbye to our past and it's ties, friendships, idols, and commitments and turn over everything to Christ.  We make a clean break with our old life and old nature and venture ahead in a leap of faith with Christ in charge of our life and at the helm.  It's a clean cleavage from our past and an ever new beginning.  Christ doesn't put a new suit on the man, but a new man in the suit.  Behold, all things become new!  Christianity is not turning over a new leaf, making a New Year's resolution, or making an AA pledge, it's becoming a new person from the inside out.

Our lives are salt and light to the world and we are here to bear testimony of what Christ did for us.  But most people love their lives too much to leave them and cling to idols, which are anything that takes the place of God.  But we didn't want to be born the first time either!  We came into the world crying and throwing a fit or tantrum thinking it was worse, but not realizing it was for our good.  People don't like commitment either no matter the choice.  Marriage takes a leap of faith too!  Christ is infinitely more trustworthy than any spouse.

The real reason many people reject Christ is that they love their sin too much and don't want to leave a life of sin or even living in sin. They don't have an intellectual problem with believing, masked in smokescreens, but have a moral problem--they don't want to change their way of life and stop living in sin.  People cannot imagine a life without their sin and don't realize that the only abundant and fulfilling life is in Christ doing His will (cf. John 10:10).    That's the safest place to be!

That's why we give a testimony of how much Jesus has done for us, not how we turned around our lives and got our act together!  No one can argue your personal story of salvation:  "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!"  (cf. Psalm 107:2).  The fact is that we come to Christ, as we are, warts, blemishes, and flaws in all and He makes us into His image; i.e., we will not stay that way, though the change doesn't happen all at once, it's a process; that's why we're called a work in progress!

God owns us and we belong to Him as His own and we are never asked to give up anything in the sacrifice, that Christ didn't suffer or give up, without reward and abundant recompense--our crosses pale in comparison. Reality 101 is that we enroll in the school of suffering to complete Christ's sufferings in the body and bring Him glory from our adversities. It is an honor to suffer for the sake of the Name.   The principle is, "No cross, no crown!"   In glory, all the suffering we bore will be worth it and rewarded.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Easy-Believism Or Cheap Grace

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, (cf. The Cost of Discipleship) the famous Lutheran Nazi resistor, talked about "cheap grace." Our salvation is free, but it costs everything. "Easy-believism" refers to belief without commitment and lordship. We must accept Christ as the lord of our lives and the center of our being.

Simple acquiescence or agreement is not enough (the Romanists believe that agreement with church dogma constitutes a meritorious faith); one must believe in one's heart and decide to follow Jesus no matter the cost. Jesus said, "Take up your cross, deny yourself and follow Me" (Matt. 16:24).

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, regretted that the twentieth century would usher in Christianity without Christ and faith without repentance. Your head belief must travel 18 inches to your heart to be heart belief. True faith loves Jesus and is a living relationship with Him.

Repentance is the flip side of faith and goes hand in hand with it. They compliment each other and need each other--they are different viewpoints. We are to leave the fundamentals of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. To get assurance we must examine our hearts and look at the fruit of our lives. The Word of God coupled with the testimony of the Holy Spirit will bring assurance of true faith.

Don't let anyone tell you that it is easy to become a Christian. Sure children can get saved but one must receive it as a child even if one is old. Jesus said to enter at the "narrow gate" for narrow is the gate and hard is the way that leads to life and "few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:14). Many preachers say, "Just believe! It's easy!" but the Holy Spirit must be working in the person's heart to convict them (John 16:8) and draw them to Christ (John 6:44). Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Soli Deo Gloria!

God gets all the glory and we are not the captain of our souls or the master of our fate--our ultimate destiny is in the hands of God. Arminians think this makes God look like a terrible tyrant, but in reality, He is sovereign over all.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Following Christ

Just "as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him [as Lord!]" (cf. Col. 2:6).  We are to walk in fellowship and in the truth, as "the truth is in Jesus" (cf. Eph. 4:21). The whole concept of our ethics in Christ is to follow Christ in discipleship, taking up our cross we bear, deny ourselves, and follow on to know Him as Lord and Savior.  We are to follow the example of pious believers and teachers and consider the outcome of their faith.  The faith is not so much imitation as inhabitation! We turn over a relinquished life at salvation, live an exchanged life, and enjoy a substituted life while we surrender constantly to His will, and walk in fellowship.  The Christian life is not knowing a creed, but a person.

We don't need to get educated or enlightened but transformed by the Word's power to change lives.  We shall know the truth that shall set us free, by growing in Christ and believing God, not just believing in God. Abraham believed God and it was counted unto righteousness!   Lots of believers think some saints have a surplus of the Spirit or a monopoly on His grace, but all Christians are anointed and have the fullness of the Spirit.  It's not how much of the Spirit we have, but how much of us the Spirit has.  No one has cornered the market on the gifts of the Spirit and doesn't need the body to complete the ministry and mission of the church.

Two believers can walk arm-in-arm without seeing eye-to-eye on every issue!  It is important to look for commonalities, instead of division and areas of dispute.  No one can follow Christ solo or as a spiritual Lone Ranger or lone wolf!  All Christians are under authority through the body of Christ and no one has the right to throw his weight around or lord it over the flock.  The body is in it together and must learn to interact and grow as a body corporately, as well as individually.

Do good deeds in the Spirit (we are a people "zealous of good deeds" per Titus 2:14), and not because you're a do-gooder or trying to gain the approbation of God by good behavior.  The whole summation and goal of discipleship is to follow Christ--to know Him and make Him known in a relationship of love.  The Christian walk is a matter of faith, but anyone can say he has faith, but faith isn't something you have as much as you see in action:  Paul would say I'll show you my works by faith, and James would say I'll show you faith by works.  Paul said to the Galatians that the only thing that counts is "faith expressing itself through love" (cf. Gal. 5:6, NIV).

The only test of faith is obedience per Heb. 3:18-19!  Oswald Chambers said that the value of spiritual life isn't measured by ecstasies, but by obedience; Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes."  They are correlated and go hand in hand, not to be divorced.  Faith without works is a guise and not the real thing, but a dead faith that cannot save; the Reformers taught the formula:  "We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone."

We must validate our faith by a Christian testimony and life of good works (we are saved unto good works, not because of them).  We are not saved by works, but not without them either--our faith is manifest only in obedience, for Christ said that, if you love Him, you will obey Him (cf. John 14:21).
Soli Deo Gloria!

Not An Option!

 "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"  (Acts 2:38, ESV).

NOTE:  I AM NOT IMPLYING THAT SALVATION IS A REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION BUT IF ONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY AND DOESN'T DO IT, IT IS A SIN OF OMISSION.  

Jesus was baptized with the baptism of John to inaugurate His public ministry, and when asked why:  "To fulfill all righteousness!" We are to follow in His steps.   John's baptism belonged to the Old Testament and was one of preparation for the kingdom of God.  Jesus 'ministry commenced at this time of ordination and He officially became the Christ, being anointed.   Christ was relating to us, as well as condescending, as an example.  We are subsequently commanded to follow suit and do as commanded: to be baptized ourselves as a public testimony of our salvation.

By the way, Jesus never gave suggestions or good advice, but commands or mandates; we are commanded to be baptized in the Great Commission, and it is not an option or a suggestion!  Jesus never mandated anything He didn't do!  The symbolism alone is enough to make one desire baptism, to be a witness to the community of believers that you are not ashamed to own your Lord and follow in His steps.  We should yearn to relate to Christ and be like Him.

In baptism, we declare our allegiance to Christ and are saying that He is Lord of all!  That is, we are no longer secret disciples, but can openly confess His name as it is written in Romans 10:10 that with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

One main draw of baptism in the early church was to put a slap on the face of the emperor, who fancied himself a god, but they were saying their new loyalty oath as, "Jesus alone is Lord!"  They were committing treason by refusing to say the Roman loyalty oath:  "Caesar is Lord."  This opened the door to persecution from Rome.

We must understand that the mere act of baptism doesn't save (Some believe it's the instrumental means of salvation is baptism, while others believe it is faith), but baptism is only an outward sign of an inward reality:  "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"  (1 Pet. 3:21, ESV).  It's like saying that your house saved you from the tornado because it took the brunt of the damage. Or you could say, "This verse saved me!" meaning it woke you up spiritually.

Actually, there is only one Savior to be reckoned:  "... [You] know no God but me, and besides me, there is no savior'"  (Hos. 13:4, ESV).  God alone is the Savior and will not give His glory to anyone else:  That's why we say, "Soli Deo Gloria!" which, being is interpreted as, "To God alone be the glory!"  Baptism, as an ordinance commanded by Christ, therefore, is symbolism using water to represent spiritual realities.

We should desire to share our faith and to make a public testimony real to our family of believers in order to feel part of the fellowship. We share in Christ's righteousness or "all righteousness."  Baptism is a wonderful opportunity to make our faith known and show that we are not ashamed of Jesus.  We don't merely do it legalistically because we "have to," but we should have a change of heart that makes us "want to" do it in following our Lord's good example.  It isn't one more hurdle to jump through for our salvation to be deemed legit!

Jesus needed no baptism and John demurred, but did it as our Exemplar to show us the way and give us an open door to testify publicly.  So hearing the testimony of others, how they came to know the Lord, gives us encouragement and helps us to see how people get saved in various ways, that there is no one-size-fits-all methodology.  Faith is the only commonality, and that faith must be tested, as this first step is also a test of our obedience to the Lord (if we love Him we will obey Him!).  Soli Deo Gloria!

Putting Your Hand To The Plow

"For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake"  (Acts 9:16. NKJV).

Luke 9:62 says that we should not look back after embarking on our spiritual journey to follow Christ in discipleship.  We have counted the cost, considered the pros and cons, and made the irrevocable decision to go on to know the Lord in the school of Christ, come what may, through thick and thin, and let the chips fall where they may.  No turning back!  Don't even look back--remember Lot's wife!  We have to be willing to carry our cross, which pales in comparison to Christ's and since He didn't exempt Himself, we must be willing to follow Him to the end in discipleship, as we become more Christlike through adversity; since even Christ learned obedience through what He suffered.  

Christ did all he could to discourage halfhearted seekers and fans or groupies, He wanted serious students and worshipers, not admirers, who wouldn't get discouraged by hardship.  Christ was honest enough to warn us and didn't exempt Himself from hardship, adversity, and suffering.  Christ made several "hard sayings" that made several of his disciples turn back and no longer follow Him.

The point is that we don't want to have half-finished, derelict towers because we failed to count the cost and ended up not willing to pay the price of discipleship.  Salvation is free, but not cheap; easy-believism or cheap grace (which justifies the sin, not the sinner) is unbiblical and the only faith that will do is Lordship salvation, accepting Christ as Lord of all and submitting to His will for our lives. We don't submit part-way, for Christ demands our all and we need to be like Joshua and Caleb "who wholly followed  the LORD."

We should never resent adversity or trouble, for the Lord knows the way we take and when we have passed the test, we shall come forth as gold. "The LORD knows the way that I take, and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:12    Life is full of trouble as the spark flies upward, says Job 5:7. Job  14:1 says life is short and full of trouble.  Psalm 34:19 (ESV) says "many are the afflictions of the righteous."   

No one escapes life trouble-free, and we must learn some lessons the hard way because we didn't listen or pay attention.  In the end, we will be able to comfort those who suffer likewise and be able to say assuredly, that we've been there and done that!  The suffering we've endured is like feathers in our cap and we will be rewarded for suffering for the kingdom's sake and in the name of Jesus, especially if we are persecuted or suffer shame or martyrdom.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Lukewarm Profession

 "I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart" (Jer. 24:7, NASB). 
 "And I will give you a new heart, ad a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules"  (Ezek. 36:26-27, ESV).

There is a vast difference between the reality of faith and the profession of faith.  Jesus said there would be many who will say on the Day of Judgment, "Lord, Lord...."  But He never knew them! They trusted in their works, not in Christ!   Lukewarm water has no medicinal or marketable value and is good for nothing:  Jesus compared this to the believers at the apostate church of Laodicea, whom He rebuked and charged with being lukewarm.

There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian, but there are lukewarm believers, who profess but don't have a living, growing relationship with the living God.  Jesus knows where believers stand, for they have made a stand for Him and Jesus is able to keep them in the Father's hands securely.   But there are many in the church who are like Judas, who merely go through the motions and talk the talk like believers, but haven't had a change of heart to follow on to know Him.

Some Christians need revival and have gone astray like lost sheep, but they still have a permanent relationship with the Lord.  Jesus will never spew them out of His mouth, but they may need to get reacquainted with the Lord and to walk closer to Him.  We don't become Christians merely by asking Jesus to come into our hearts, but by penitent faith.  When you accuse someone of being lukewarm, you are denying that he is saved.

Being out of fellowship is not to be equated with being lukewarm, for then many would flirt with that danger repeatedly. Some need to grow up and learn the basics and how to walk in the Spirit, so that they will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  If anyone loves the world, John says in 1 John 2:15, the love of the Father is not in him.  Even when a believer is out of fellowship, he never loses that love for Jesus deep down and knows something is not right.

The whole point of Christianity is that it's a relationship (or a walk) with Christ (not just a cliche) and this means progressing from a knowledge of a creed to a knowledge of a person!  You can be converted to the program and even be a do-gooder in the eyes of the church and still not be converted in the heart, though you profess the right dogma.  Those who are lukewarm are merely pretenders to the faith and a Christian is one who has a "sincere faith" and knows the Lord!

One needs to possess faith, not just profess it.  The "lukewarm" professor referred to in Revelation is not the same one that may be "halfhearted," and needs to get over spiritual complacency, laxity, or self-satisfaction and learn to grow in Christ; this is using two metaphors against each other and pitting one text against another. You cannot be a halfhearted or carnal Christian as a category of the believer--there's no such person, though they can be halfhearted or carnal at times.  He's not asking us to get more enthusiastic but to be filled with the Spirit as Christ lives in us.  There are no "lukewarm" genuine believers, such as referred to in Revelation, that are in danger of being spewed out of Christ's mouth or cast into hell--these are people who make a profession of faith but have no inward reality or relationship.

Nothing done in the Lord is in vain, and these "believers" are doing their works in the power of the flesh, not the Spirit.  Christ is merely comparing lukewarm water to that which is useless like the works done in the flesh.  He is not merely admonishing them to get more excited or put more zeal into their works, but to let Christ work through them as He lives in their hearts.  The Christian life is not an imitation--for the unbeliever can do that--but primarily inhabitation, whereby Christ lives in us and about the relinquished, surrendered, exchanged, and yielded life in Christ.  The backslidden Christian is never happy and this doesn't refer to him.

We tend to think that emotionalism or sentimentality is the key and those who are emotional have the edge, while stoics are somewhat retarded spiritually.  The litmus test of spirituality is not how we wear our feelings on our sleeves, nor our ecstasies, but our obedience.  Jesus said that if we love God we will obey Him. Samuel told Saul in 1 Sam. 15:22, NKJV:  "...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams."  Bonhoeffer said, "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes." 

We are to love God, but the test of love is obedience.  You cannot judge believers by their emotional state; only God sees the heart and whether it's in the right place.  We are not saved by emotionalism, intellectualism, nor legalism--nothing we feel, think, nor do--but by an act of faith, which anyone can carry out.  Faith in Christ is what gratifies God: "Now without faith, it is impossible to please God..."  (Heb. 11:6, HCSB).

In sum, Christ would rather have relationships with those who don't know Him and are honest about it, and with those who do know Him, but not with those who pretend to know Him; for He doesn't know where they stand and whom they will serve.  As it says of those who refuse to stand up for the truth in Jeremiah 9:3, don't be neutral but confess Christ unashamedly.   Take a stand, stand up for Jesus, show your Christian colors--dare to be a Daniel, who stood alone!  Soli Deo Gloria!

Stewards Of The Mysteries Of God

"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy"  (1 Cor. 4:1-2, ESV).

God has revealed to us believers a quota or portion of divine truth to be used for His glory, and in His name.  We are all stewards of it and will give account for what has been revealed to us--we are not judging God's truth, but it is judging us!  If we have come up with some strange idea or a truth no one else realizes, it is not of God. Remember what Jesus said:  "To whom much is given, much is required."  We are never to make light of the revelations and insights God has granted us by grace. Truth with a capital T can be ascertained and we are in the Great Quest to find it and apply it to our lives the best we know; for to know the right thing or duty to do and be remiss or derelict in it is sinful.  Jesus said, that we shall know the truth (which is in Jesus per Eph. 4:21) and it shall set us free per John 8:32.

God only reveals mysteries to us so that they may benefit the body as a whole, not to give us inflated egos or that we might become conceited or arrogant, even condescending in our fellowships and relationships.  When we pass along the truths God has revealed to us, He grants more and illumines us to a higher degree.  Illumination is not salvation, but we grow in illumination and enlightenment as we mature in Christ--sharing in the mind of Christ Himself.  The complete mind of Christ is manifest in Scripture for us to study for all eternity since we are incapable in our finite mind to apprehend the infinite mind of God.  His mind is called the Ultimate mind, and this means there is more to the cosmos than matter and energy--there are spirit and mind, or what we might term the Logos, as Jesus is called in John 1:1.

No man has a monopoly on knowledge of the truth and is an island or rock in himself, but must learn from the body of Christ, as all share gifts for the benefit of the body.  To be a spiritual Lone Ranger (one who doesn't submit to any authority other than himself or is unbowed), or a spiritual lone wolf is in danger of going astray and doing his own thing, which is another name for sin per Isaiah 53:6 (ESV), which says, "All we like sheep have gone astray...."  People who are not sheep, or have no shepherd guiding them, are like goats in Jesus' analogy and goats do not act like sheep, who are helpless, but can fend for themselves.

If a Christian thinks he's a shepherd and not a sheep, he must be a sheep first, and he never really stops being a sheep, even though he's a shepherd; He can tell if he's a shepherd by seeing if anyone is following him or if he exhibits leadership ability. If he thinks people should listen to him, he should see if they do first!

In summation, the student is not above his teacher, according to the Word, and God is judging how good and faithful of a student one is, as well as how good and faithful a teacher the shepherd is--whether he teaches the truth and practices what he teaches, that is.  Soli Deo Gloria!

"How Does This Man Know ..?"

They really wondered how Jesus could be so wise, having never learned (been taught)--He was self-taught by God. Some people have only second-hand knowledge of God and not a first-hand experience from walking with Him.  1 John 2:27 (ESV) says:  "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.  But as his anointing teaches you about everything--and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you--abide in him." Psalm 119:99 (ESV) says, "I have more understanding than all my teachers...."

Christians are not meant to be dependent on teachers forever but come of age spiritually enough to learn to be noble enough like the Bereans, who searched these things out for themselves what Paul taught.   Some believers that aren't even teachers are mighty in the Scriptures because they have learned to abide in the Word--it doesn't take high intelligence or any arcane knowledge.  When you meet a genuine believer, you will find out that he has had first-hand encounters in the Word and has learned to attend to it to hear God speaking to him.

There is nothing to be privy to except a basic reading skills and good study techniques.  We are not Gnostics claiming a secret knowledge that is necessary for salvation, but when we are able to discern good and evil (cf. Heb. 5:14) we can then be ready for the meat of the Word. The childish believer balks at learning the things of God in depth and remains an infant in the faith.  Deacons are called to "hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience [not reluctant to study the deeper truths]" (cf. 1 Tim. 3:9, ESV). The Bible is not abstruse and its basic message of salvation can be comprehended by children.

The simplicity of Scripture is a mystery and inscrutable to unbelievers who don't have the Spirit to enlighten them and show them the way. The way of salvation is not complicated nor a mystery to unravel, but the wise in this world, don't see its wisdom.  1 Cor. 1:25 ESV, says, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men").  God makes the world's wisdom foolishness.  All it takes is to be teachable and receptive, having a willing spirit, an open mind, and a needy heart.

When we are in heaven we will know what we cannot know in the flesh and every question will be answered to our satisfaction (Jesus said that "in that day" we "shall ask [Him] nothing").  We cannot know the secret things of God because they are none of our business, but that which is revealed in Scripture belongs to us forever (cf. Deut. 29:29).  As Jesus quoted the prophet in John 6:45 (ESV): "They shall all be taught of God"

No prophecy is of any private interpretation and that means we have the privilege to interpret Scripture, but not to fabricate our own truths--God is not going to give us a personal revelation of the meaning of a passage or prophecy that He doesn't give to others--we are to avoid strange teachings and people claiming special links to God that makes them infallible like the pope does.  It is the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit that shows us the light in the Word and opens the eyes of our hearts.  We must learn to depend upon the leading of the Spirit and not depend on our own wits.

In summation, the aim of the teacher is to teach others and equip them to be able to pass on that which is committed unto them and spread the Word, and ultimately and hopefully so that they can also teach others and exponentially increase the ministry, rather than arithmetically. When they believe they don't need you anymore, that is good news and a blessing--the fulfillment of a ministry; we don't want them to become dependents!  2 Timothy 2:2 says to entrust these things to faithful men who will be able to pass them on to others.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Where's Your Faith, Peter?

Peter saw Jesus walking on the water but doubted it was Him, even after Jesus announced:  "I AM." Jesus reaffirmed His identity but Peter wanted to put Him to the test and see if he could walk on water as evidence.  Now, it is easy to look at Peter's weaknesses, but often he stood as the spokesman of the group or the point man.  He showed that he wasn't afraid of an apparition or ghost, as the others did and took up Jesus at His challenge to "come" to Him on the water.  Peter did step out, which proves he took the leap of faith that is required for salvation, no matter how weak our faith, we need to step out!  Peter knew this was no great challenge to the Lord and showed great faith in even venturing out, though he did falter.

When Peter walked on water he didn't debate the pros and cons of obeying the Lord or the consequences of his act of faith, he just did it.  It is the same with us, just do it!  God will give you the faith if you step out keeping your eyes on Him.  Peter knew nothing of Newton's laws of gravitation and even though he had no idea of its formulation he knew that water couldn't hold him up and that something was supernatural in his act of walking on water.  In correspondence to our walk, God asks us to step out unto the water and storms of life in faith and to "walk on water," as it were, or do the impossible.  With God all things are possible and we know the one who made the rules and can suspend them at will or overrule them according to His will and plan.  If we are walking with Christ we are able to walk on water and do whatever God requires of us, no matter how unrealistic it seems to us at the time, because God makes all things beautiful in His time.

When we have faith in God's power, He can work His power in us and there is no such thing as a small task to ask God to do or a small favor, because they are all small to Him, because He is so big. Peter did take a few successful steps into the unknown in spite of the storm and waves on the lake, but he failed to follow through on his faith.  Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith-- this is where he failed and we need to learn a lesson.  The moment Peter took his eyes off the Lord he began to sink. He focused on the circumstances and not on the power of God and His providence and care.  When we get sidetracked by the cares of this world we can't walk toward Jesus as our goal to come to Him in faith.

This story is analogous to our salvation experience when we first experience God.  Isaiah 45:22 exhorts us:  "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth...."  Hebrews 2:9 says:  "But we see Him...."  Jesus bids us come to Him! He is the great  Pursuer of our souls. Even if we start to sink Jesus will lend His hand to rescue us so that we won't utterly drown in the evils of the world and our flesh once we have made the decision to come to Him in faith.  Just like in the story Jesus is coming after us as He foresees our predicament and destiny. We don't have to know all the rules of engagement to come to Him, but just know that it is Him who is calling us and putting our faith in Him, not in our ability to adjust or cope with the call. In other words, it is not how much faith we have, but the object of our faith that saves--faith doesn't save, Jesus does!  When the Hound of Heaven chases you, be ready to respond in due faith. Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God according to Hebrews 11:6.  Note that Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!"  Our faith must be directed towards Him and, if it is sincere, He will save us.

Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but an element of it; no one has perfect faith, but only sincere and unfeigned faith.  The problem with most Christians is that they refuse to admit their doubts and fears and to thereby get healed of them. Just like Jesus asked Peter why he doubted, it is vital that we confront our doubts and resolve them rather than run from them.  People are ashamed to doubt and don't know that God can answer their questions and can give them great faith. We don't need great faith to do great things, for having faith the size of a mustard seed can even move mountains. We never do great things, says Mother Teresa of Calcutta, we only do things with great love.  God is the one who makes our labors great and we have nothing to boast about. "...[Y]ou have done for us all our works" (Isaiah 26:12 ESV).

Peter did a great thing is attempting to walk on water and God may call us to do some great and even unusual or questionable task that takes faith in our walk with Him. We cannot look down on or judge Peter because he sank, because we have never even made one step on the water ourselves.  It is too easy to criticize when you've never tried it yourself.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"  (Phil. 4:13).  "For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." (Rom. 15:18).   Soli Deo Gloria!

Obligatory Obedience Of Discipleship

"[T]hrough whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations"  (Romans 1:5, ESV).
"And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?  So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief [note correlation]"  (Hebrews 3:18-19, ESV). 

Here's an anecdote of a believer who had come full-circle (Is he Catholic or Protestant, or Protestant acting like a Catholic?):  "I don't believe in the infallibility of Scripture anymore, but I still believe in Jesus as my Lord!"/"O how does he exercise His Lordship?"/ "Through the teachings of the Church!" (Who and what is he obeying?)

In the incident with the rich young ruler who said he had obeyed the commandments; however, the ultimate test was whether he would obey the Lord Himself, according to John MacArthur.

The issue is how does Christ extend His authority over us.  We are not to be rule-obsessed like the Pharisees but have a personal link to the Lord, take His yoke of love, and follow His will as the fulfillment of the Law.  The Lord exercises His Lordship over us through the Word (as a check on all other authority), through the body of Christ, and through all legitimate authority (even government, unless civil disobedience is called for out of Scriptural reasons), i.e., we cannot say we obey the Lord if we are disobedient to our superiors who have the rule over us (we submit one to another in the love of Christ) and we are rogues, doing their own thing and going their own way, as it were.

Protestants go a step beyond obedience to the authority of the church over them by obeying the Lord as revealed in Scripture via a personal relationship, i.e., knowing the Lord--unlike the rich young ruler who obeyed rules, but not the Lord Himself.  Protestant means:  I dissent, I disagree, I protest. Protestants are not at the mercy of Church dogma as infallible.

Thinking you can believe without obedience is called easy-believism and its gospel as the no-lordship gospel.  "Christ will not save anyone He cannot command," says A.W. Tozer.  And will not barter away his claim to lordship and ownership of us.  He couldn't be our Savior if He were not Lord of all (cf. Acts 10:36).  John MacArthur says "follow Me" refers to unconditional surrender to His lordship. True salvation is free, but it is not cheap, because the Bible doesn't teach "cheap grace" or "cheap peace," the terminology of this heresy if you will, because it cost God everything to redeem us, and He wants all of us in return. "I call it heresy," says A. W. Tozer about this gospel in vogue that dumbs down and domesticates the biblical evangel.

Obedience ultimately also means submission to authority, but some believers are reluctant to follow suit or go there--we are all under authority in the body of Christ and no one is the man in charge, except Christ Himself.  We have leaders who are also under authority!  "[We] have turned everyone to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6b, ESV).

Since we are creatures and God is our Creator, we owe Him all our obedience by virtue of this alone, whether there is a heaven or not. Even Satan has to obey when commanded and seeks permission for his mischief.  Religious people who simply go through the motions and memorize the Dance of the Pious don't please God by their religiosity.  God seeks obedience from a "noble and good heart."  1 Samuel 15:22 says:  "...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran pastor who was executed in a concentration camp by the Nazis for his Christian stand, said eloquently and succinctly:  "Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes."  They are linked and correlated and go hand in hand in a complementary manner, they can be distinguished but not separated;  there is no such class of believer who is perpetually or habitually disobedient--obedience is not an option and the Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion!   And we can obey only by the power of Christ working in us (cf. Col. 1:29). God's power is always there to enable us to do His bidding and the power of the Holy Spirit is always on hand to kick in when needed--but we must remember it is His energy not the energy of the flesh. Paul says in Romans 15:18 that he "will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through [him] to bring the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed [actions can speak louder than words and prove our testimony]."

Faith is simply about trust and obedience and learning to walk in them.  I love the hymn "Trust and Obey" which stresses this definition of faith.   Isaiah 1:19 says in one version, "If you consent and obey you shall eat of the best of the land..," and in the NLT, "If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat..,"  or "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat of the good of the land... (ESV)." Jesus admonished his disciples in John 14:21:  "He who has my commandments and keeps them [obeys], it is he who loves me."  Part B of the Great Commission is to "obey" or "observe" His teachings or commandments! We are not done when we make a convert, but must train them as disciples or followers of Christ--they must be learners and students in the school of Christ, in which they have matriculated upon salvation.   Jesus' commands are not burdensome according to 1 John 5:3 (compared to the yoke of the Law of Moses), and his burden is light (cf. Matt. 11:29).  Only when we submit to His yoke will we find our Sabbath rest.

Jeremiah 4:8 says that Israel didn't "know the rules of the LORD!"  What does God require?  Deut. 10:12-13 (ESV) says it in a nutshell:  "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statues of the LORD which I am commanding you this day for your good."  One of my favorite verses is Micah 6:8 says:  "Her has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  This refers to ethics, brotherly relationships, and fellowship with God.  Jesus summed up the deeper requirements of the Law in Matt. 23:23 (ESV) as follows:  "...[And] have neglected the weightier matters of the law:  justice, and mercy, and faithfulness."

The point is that we cannot do the Law nor fulfill its demands, even though Israel promised to do them rather than plead for mercy in Exodus 24:3 (ESV) as follows:  "... All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do [obey again]."  The point of the Law is to point out our sin according to Paul in Romans 3:20 in the Phillips translation:  "Indeed the straightedge of the law shows us how crooked we really are." Other versions render it: "... [F]or by the law is the knowledge of sin;" "... [Since] through the law comes knowledge of sin." C. S. Lewis aptly said that we don't know how bad we are till we've tried to be good, and we can't be good till we know how bad we are!  This is a paradox and worth thinking about, because the closer we get to God, the more we realize our unworthiness and His grace and mercy.  Luther said the Law is a hammer that smashes our righteousness and a mirror that shows our faults.  Why didn't Israel realize that they couldn't keep the Law?  Only Jesus was able to and He did it on our behalf so we don't have to but can have His righteousness imputed to our account and be considered justified (or just as if I'd done it!).

What kind of attitude should we have in obedience?  Deut. 26:16 says, "...You shall be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul."  David says in Psalm 40:8 that he "delights to do [His] will."  We do not obey begrudgingly or because we think we have to, but because we want to; we now have a heart of flesh willing to obey God, instead of a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). "... For the love of Christ constrains us" (2 Cor. 5:14). We are not inclined or biased to good anymore and need to be set free, because we are not born free (we are slaves to sin and the sin nature).  Our attitude determines our altitude spiritually and we need constant "attitude checks" or "spiritual check-ups."  We have the choice to choose our attitude and it should be one of joy in suffering because we are counted worthy. We are not free to disobey at will or our discretion, but free to obey the will of God.

According to John MacArthur, faith is manifest in obedience only.  James said, "I will show you my faith by my deeds," while Paul is saying, "I will show you my deeds by faith." We are saved by faith alone, according to the reformers, but not a faith that is alone (that would be antinomianism).   Without deeds our faith is suspect!  The obedience of faith saves, but works are no substitute for faith, because, even though we are not saved by works, we are not saved without them either. Matthew 7:17 says we shall know them by their fruits. We must bear fruit in keeping with our repentance and so prove our faith (cf. Acts 26:20: "... [Performing] deeds in keeping with their repentance"). Luke 3:8 says, "Bring forth fruits in keeping with your repentance."  Obedience is evidence of faith, not its substitute, and God is not against works, just those done in the flesh (cf. Isaiah 64:6).  The faith you have is the faith you show is James' key point.  Remember, we are judged by our obedience (i.e., our deeds or works per Romans 2:6), not our faith.  God is not interested in our achievements or accomplishments, but in our obedience only!

When God tests us, it is for our own good and it is an honor because He trusts us to pass the test and obey Him.   You might wonder if you are obedient.  Acts 5:32 (ESV) says, "And we are witness to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."  Jesus said, "If any man wills to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine..."  (John 7:17).  Jesus said in John 17:3 that eternal life is knowing Him; likewise to know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to obey Him--because we now want to do God's will from the heart! Again I reiterate 2 Cor. 5 v. 14: "For the love of Christ constrains [or compels in ESV] us...."  Though the believer is capable of disobedience out of failure or because he is human, he possesses a supernatural yearning to obey and please God. As David said in Psalm 40:8 (ESV), "I desire to do your will, my God; your law is with my heart."The ultimate result of knowing Him is to desire to be like Him in sanctification and a growing and living faith.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Go Ye Therefore ....

Those are words out of the Great Commission of our King in Matthew 28:19-20, and it is given to the church universal and local to be fulfilled as a body working in Christ using the various gifts of the Spirit, and each doing his or her part as God gives the opportunity. Our marching orders, as it were, are reiterated by the way in all three synoptic gospels and in Acts.   Many Christians think that when it says "Go ye therefore and make disciples..." it means that they have to go somewhere. Some don't want to become Christians because they think God will send them to Africa.  An apostle is actually a "sent one" and some of us are fighting on the home front.  Actually, in the Greek, it means "as you are going" make disciples!  

This means that we surrender our everyday life to a commitment to look for each opportunity God gives an open door that we can utilize.  Or you could say as we are going about our daily activities.  We are to be busy doing everything in the name of the Lord and to His glory in our daily tasks and routines.  We need to "practice the presence of God," as the sixteenth-century, humble, Carmelite monk in a French monastery named  Brother Lawrence, called it, and just be sensitive to His promptings and leading--seize the day and don't regret a lost opportunity.

To whom much is given, much is required (cf. Luke 12:48); therefore no one is overwhelmed and in a position, he cannot bear or get a handle on or grip on.   Before we talk to someone about the Lord, it is advisable to talk to the Lord about the person.  The Great Commission, it has been said, is not an option to be considered, or The Great Suggestion, but a command to be obeyed.  God gives no suggestions in Scripture and this is not the Great Suggestion, as some are deluded to believe.  The Great Commission was important enough to be at the conclusion of each synoptic gospel  (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47 and in Acts 1:8).  The book of Acts begins with the command to go into all the parts of the earth with the gospel as witnesses.  Jesus said that as soon as the gospel had been preached to every nation He would return.

"Go ye therefore and make disciples" means evangelism, and we must all have a mission and vision for the future ("For without a vision, the people perish," says Proverbs 29:18).  "Baptizing them" means to bring them into the fellowship of the body and accept them--giving them the "right hand of fellowship." Baptism is the initiation whereby we proclaim publicly our faith.  "Teaching them" entails discipleship; this never ends either.  Follow-up is too often forgotten in today's church--getting them saved is only the beginning.   I have heard it said that a great Christian has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

The message we preach (per 1 Cor. 2:2 is "Christ, and Christ crucified") is to be the gospel message about Jesus--that God settled the sin nature and personal sins question once and for all by the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son. The sin question's remedy is justification by the blood and the fact that we have sin natures is delivered by the cross of Christ. Saved from the penalty of sin and delivered from the power of sin!  The way of salvation should be simple and straightforward:  We are saved by grace alone (no merit involved); through faith alone (faith as a gift and no works involved); and in Christ alone (not in the leadership or church dogma or even yourself).

Christianity is more than dogma or creed to be believed; it is a lifestyle and relationship with the living Christ and we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (get a spiritual workout). We cannot work for our salvation--we show works as proof of it (we are not saved by works, and not without them either--dead faith--without works--doesn't save).  We are not saved by works, but unto (i.e., foreordained) works ("For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto [for the purpose of] good works...").  (James 2:17 says:  "Faith without works is dead".)  The Reformed formula was:  "Saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone [without works]."

The gospel is profound, yet not too difficult for the child to understand.  It put to shame the wisdom of this world.  Paul said he got his gospel from Jesus Himself and Romans is the most complete dissertation on salvation in the Bible--a compendium on the subject.  When we get a handle on the gospel message we can share it and leave the results to God. We all need to pray for doors to open and for the right words to use; even Paul did!  Don't be a bystander or stand on the sidelines;  do your part because no gift is insignificant, even waiting on tables like Philip and Stephen did.  What is most effective is when we make our message our own and give a testimony that cannot be refuted:  "I was blind, but now I see." Let us proclaim with Paul in Romans 1:14-16:  I am a debtor, I am ready, and I am not ashamed! We cannot always choose our place of service but must learn to bloom where we are planted and be a sower of the Word.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Why Study the Bible?

 "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing shall cause them to stumble" (Ps. 119:165).
"If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction" (Ps. 119:92).
"I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil" (Ps. 119:162).


The discipline of teleology is the study of the purpose or design of things and unbelievers don't like to hear that there is a purpose behind the universe or creation, but that it is just a big cosmic accident of the forces of nature.  For instance, the so-called design of earth (Anthropic principle) is perfectly fit for human habitation--is that an accident?  This is one of the proofs for the existence of God, that it seems obvious to the objective person that there is a purpose for everything--telos, or purpose, is anathema to the secularist.  Case in point:  the purpose of dirt is to grow grass; the purpose of grass is to feed cattle; the purpose of cattle is to nourish man--this is where the equation breaks down, because we can't agree on the purpose of man without religion entering the picture and then we see the big picture.  The three questions:  where did we come from? Why are we here?  And where are we going?

Now, the question at hand, why study the Bible?   It should not be an academic issue or discipline to entertain us (like in a trivia game) or increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.  During the Enlightenment gentlemen used to have the hobby of discussing theology, the queen of sciences,  among themselves to pass the time--it was assumed everyone had a working knowledge of the Bible and could take part.  Having a great knowledge about the Bible is not necessarily a compliment, because the Pharisees did too--it's what you apply that counts with God!  Knowledge about the Bible is a prerequisite to knowing the Bible; it is necessary, but not sufficient to know God--the goal.

"Knowledge puffs up, but love [is what] edifies," according to 1 Cor. 8:1.  But this is the kind of knowledge that doesn't contain discernment or wisdom, knowledge of God (cf. Hos. 4:1,6)  "A people without discernment ["understanding" in NIV]   perish" (Hos. 4:14).   One of the worst sins is knowledge without character, according to Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, because it is a fact that knowledge can be dangerous and a little knowledge is worse than none.  Half-educated people are more dangerous than illiterate ones. What you know ought to be so!   Some people know just enough to be dangerous.  Don't get me wrong--ignorance is not bliss, but we must be careful to see Bible knowledge as a means to an end, and not the end itself.  It's not a contest to see who the most about the Bible--knowing the Bible is different and knowing and loving the Author is the paramount goal.  More knowledge equals more responsibility too!

We are not to compare or commend ourselves with others because accumulated knowledge can be a byproduct and just because someone knows a lot doesn't mean that is the goal.  Knowledge is a tool for the preacher and part of his trade and he is to teach others to become independent of him and learn to fend for themselves, as it were, and someday know how to study on their own--because they love the Bible, not because they want to get smart.  The Bible is sufficient to teach us everything we need to know to live a victorious Christian life and grow into a mature believer, producing much fruit.  The Bible is also known for its clarity because its main message is clear to the simple-minded and hidden from the "wise" out of the wisdom of God, because of the condition of their heart and will.

You can't teach someone to love the Bible--he must practice it and apply it himself to learn this and he will learn gradually to appreciate it.  He has to grow into this.  One should learn to study the Bible so that he can get "Aha!" moments or epiphanies  (I can remember the exact day when God opened the Scriptures to me and I couldn't stop reading them)  One can then sense  God is speaking to Him, because this is the way God has promised to reach out to us and speak to our needs.  "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth"  (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV).

With the privilege of interpreting Scripture, comes the responsibility to do it right and not to fabricate our own truths!  The Word also "equips" us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17)!  We should all be able to say with the psalmist,  "O, how I love Thy Law, it is my meditation all the day"  (Ps. 119:97).   Soli Deo Gloria!

What Is Fellowship?

When believers get together, what should be the topic of conversation?  (Jesus, as much as possible!) Is it real fellowship when they just talk sports or the weather or news events?  [N.B. I am not referring to fellowship with the Father and the Son, but fellow brethren.] Genuine fellowship (from the Greek word koinonia which means having something in common: Christians have Christ, a mission, ministries, purposes, the Bible, etc. in common)  which is two fellows in the same ship, as it were facetiously, is when honesty, authenticity, and real sharing takes place in the name of the Lord ("For when two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them," reads Matthew 18:20).  Sometimes it involves confession or empathizing and/or sympathizing.   Consoling each other as an example is fellowship (we are comforted so that we can comfort others--2 Cor. 1:20), but that can even take place even among nonbelievers in a technical sense. 

There is fellowship, and then there is fellowship.  What we ought to have in common is not the weather or our team, but our Lord.  Is the Spirit of the Lord present is all that matters, and if you have discernment in the Spirit you should be able to tell if the Holy Spirit shows up or is a "no-show" to your fellowship.  Sometimes all it takes is the mention of His name because He is not far from each of us and is in us already.

But we stifle the Spirit and hamper His free expression and quench His presence by our conversation--we need to be sensitive to what is pleasing in His sight (cf. Psa. 19:14).  The Spirit does not lie, exaggerate, jest, or tease, etc., but is full of love and that is the key to His presence in essence--Christians love the brethren, and His Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are the Sons of God.  The believers will know if they had fellowship, but an outsider would not be able to judge or discern, for he is unaware of spiritual things and blind spiritually.

There is no limit as to how far we can go into the realm of the Spirit if we but open the door and be willing to confess Him before man and be open and free in our spirit ("Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,' says 2 Cor. 3:17). When we are having fellowship, we are equal in God's eyes and there is neither Greek nor barbarian, slave nor free,  male nor female, etc.  Rank has its privileges, but not in Christ--we kiss our social position goodbye.  There is often a so-called esprit de corps of the Holy Spirit, you might say.   The possibilities are limitless and sometimes even ecstasy and euphoria are possible, as well as the other extreme end of the spectrum which is grief--some people don't feel they are really friends till they have cried together, not laughed together.

In summation, we must differentiate between surface-level chitchat and real genuine fellowship, which is not a given, even among believers--they may be out of fellowship with God.  We must put Christ into it or be inspired or led by Him in our conversation.  We share our walk and can relate to each other as to how we are doing, which is also key; but NB:   There is no fellowship (in my interpretation of Scripture) with an unbeliever:  "For what does light have in common with darkness?  What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"  (2 Cor. 6:14-15).  Soli Deo Gloria!

Are We Faithful to Our Church?

The issue we must face sooner or later in our walk is, "Are we to remain faithful to our church, as opposed to our Lord and our personal faith?"  Here's a case in point:  After many years and many ties to a church,  one finds out that he doesn't agree with the church dogma and it is a compromise on his faith to cooperate, where he doesn't feel he can grow in Christ according to his faith, even though he may have the opportunity to serve in that church--what is most important?

To cite an example:  My grandmother, God bless her soul, stayed faithful to one church for most of her 96 years, seeing the coming and going of countless pastors, programs, and opportunities.  I don't know whether she knew it or not, but the church had become quite liberal, theologically speaking, and I don't think she realized it (she may have felt she was just too old to start over in another church and thought maybe she could influence them more than they her).

In my own walk, I am glad I'm not where I was when I was young and knew nothing of doctrine.  It seems like I was at a different stage at each church and God had a purpose for me being there, but then called me out to move on in a spiritual promotion, as I matured. Thank God I'm still not going to the Lutheran church of my youth where I would probably be a somebody by now, but the church would be nowhere.

The issue is whether one should be in a church where he can serve, or where one can grow.  One deserves accolades for faithfulness, but not if he disregards principle or his faith to do it--his primary concern should be to grow in the Lord, his priority in service.   I believe that, if you seek to grow, the serving will come naturally, and we shouldn't tend to promote ourselves or to presume on God that he has to put us into service--He will call us in is timing. 

In the early church, there was no alternate church to go to if one disagreed, for example; one had to stick it out through thick and thin.   We recall the carnal Corinthians who split into factions, and Paul labeled that a fruit of the flesh.  Sectarianism ("I am of Paul, I am of Peter, I am of Apollos, etc.) is a sin and not in God's original design for the local church.  The Bible does teach the local body's autonomy and independence from other churches, and the individual responsibility of the believer for his own faith--he cannot say that the church told him so, and pass the buck, so to speak.

It is good to downplay denomination quarrels and not be so dogmatic about doctrines that divide--we should seek unity and not division--avoiding the Bible-club mentality.  We all need to under authority and be accountable so that we don't go off on our own tangent and get flakey. The key to doing this is to remain in fellowship with other believers and know the basic doctrines of the Scriptures as a grounding in the truth to stabilize ourselves.

We don't want to leave a fellowship for petty differences or for minor doctrines (don't major on the minors), but leave room for some disagreement--we can disagree, without being disagreeable; just don't be divisive, argumentative, or quarrelsome in the body and known as a trouble maker--keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace as Eph. 4:3 exhorts.  Soli Deo Gloria!