Sword of the Spirit – Rooted in Christ #1061

Posted on January 7, 2019 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1061

“Rooted in Christ”

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

When I want to give my wife a gift of flowers, I bring her a potted plant. I learned early on in our marriage that although appreciative of the thought and the expression of my love, she viewed cut flowers as dead plants. When you think about it, it makes sense. The difference between a potted plant and a bouquet of flowers is roots. No matter the amount of effort to preserve the bouquet, without roots they are dead.

The Word of God has much to say about roots in a spiritual sense. If we are not spiritually rooted in Jesus Christ then we are spiritually dead. Indeed, we all began that way until we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior and were made spiritually alive in Him. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—… (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Even the mightiest of trees is dependent upon a healthy root system for stability, strength, and life. A healthy root system requires a depth of properly watered good soil to provide nutrition and stability for the tree. Our environment, circle of friends, etc. define our soil conditions. Having accepted Jesus Christ decades ago I see clearly now why the Lord ripped me out of the environment I was in and moved me a thousand miles away to start in fresh soil. Had I remained in my old environment I would most likely have been like seed on rocky soil and would have been in jeopardy of falling away from the faith. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. (Luke 8:13)

Good soil comes from walking with Christ and sometimes that requires being transplanted. Was being transplanted easy and fun? In a word: No. But it was necessary and I praise God for His loving care and protection to establish me and to root and ground me in His love. …so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

Is the fruit of the Spirit of God evident in your life? …the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; (Galatians 5:22-23) If not, check the health of your roots and the health of the soil they are in. Are your roots well watered with the Living water of the Word of God? Is your soil well aerated, able to receive the life-giving breath of the Spirit of God or is it hard and compacted by bitterness, sin and unforgiveness? Are your roots weakened and dying from being infected by the fungus of impurity that you have allowed to invade your environment?

May you yield to the Master Gardener having accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener… My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. (John 15:1-8) May your life glorify God as you walk with Him, firmly rooted in Jesus Christ.

Posted in Business as Mission, Faith, Forgiveness, Holiness, Hope, Love, Peace, Salvation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Upward Call #1060

Posted on December 28, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1060

“Upward Call”

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

In August of 1954 the two fastest men who had broken the 4 minute mile, Roger Bannister and John Landy, went head to head in a race considered to be ‘The race of the century’ in Vancouver, Canada. Landy was in the lead on the last lap when he turned his head to see how far behind Bannister was. Doing so broke his stride and Roger Bannister passed him to win the race. Landy was later quoted as saying, ‘I would have won…if I hadn’t taken my eyes off the goal’.

Our reference Scripture from Philippians 3 is rich with explicit exhortation as to how we are to respond to our heavenly invitation – our upward call. Let’s examine this Scripture more closely.

…I do not consider that I have made it my own…: Paul is not talking about salvation or his eternal position in Christ here. He is talking about his sanctification – his goal of being Christ like in every facet of his life. Paul realized that he, like the rest of us, fall short of the mark that is Jesus Christ. …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (Romans 3:23,24; 1 Corinthians 10:12)

…forgetting what lies behind…: We need to learn from our past but not dwell or wallow in it. The enemy of our soul will try to entice us to return to past sins, tempting us with thoughts of sinful pleasure. If that does not work he will seek to destroy our joy in the present with thoughts of unworthiness because of our past sins. I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (Isaiah 43:25; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

…and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal…: Have you ever dropped your car keys into that bottomless pit between the console and the driver’s seat? If so, you understand what it means to strain forward to reach them in an earnest pursuit: pressing on toward the goal. This is the imagery Paul is conveying in his epistle.

We have a heavenly invitation and like Paul we should live our lives in earnest pursuit reaching for the goal of living holy, mature Christian lives this side of eternity. You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  (Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 5:48)

Paul is not striving to achieve righteousness through works. He is earnestly seeking an undivided heart for God and an increasingly closer personal relationship with Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment…(Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 64:6)

May your heavenly invitation – your upward call kindle an earnest desire to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus. May you have a Happy and Holy New Year.

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Holiness, Perseverance, Priorities, Relationship, Temptation | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – The Gift of Perspective #1059

Posted on December 17, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1059

“The Gift of Perspective”

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.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (2 Peter 3:9-14)

A story is told about a well-respected Pastor who was invited to speak at the dedication of an elaborate new church sanctuary.  Much was said about the beauty and features of the building prior to introducing the guest speaker. The Pastor quietly approached the podium and said, “It’s all going to burn”.

The Pastor’s intent was to put everything back into perspective. The focus of our lives must be our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. It is very easy to lose that focus as individuals as well as church communities. Too great an emphasis can be placed upon the physical trappings of a building and lose the proper perspective that facilities are to facilitate ministry and not hinder it.

How many of us have striven for the biggest house or fanciest car only to resent them later. Have you ever lost your temper with your child if they broke a favorite dish or spilled something in your new car? People buy expensive clothes and jewelry yet are afraid to wear them for fear of loss or damage. Cars will rust, houses will rot, and moths eat our clothing. It’s all going to burn.

During this season of gift giving and receiving, give yourself and others the gift of perspective. Far too many of us are buying things we don’t need with money we don’t have to give to people we don’t even like in hopes of currying favor.

The gift of perspective reminds us that Jesus is the reason for the season. Our relationship with Him as our Lord and Savior is all that really matters. It is all that will last forever unto eternity. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

May you be reminded during this Christmas season of the free gift of God offered to you in the person of Jesus Christ.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8)

Merry Christmas!

Posted in Business as Mission, Faith, Hope, Priorities, Relationship, Salvation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Savior and Judge #1058

Posted on December 10, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1058

“Savior and Judge”

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Consider for a moment who Jesus is to you. When you think of Him, what image do you see? Is He always the babe in the manger, or the crucified Savior on the cross? Or do you see the risen Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father with all power and authority given to Him? And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)

During the Christmas holiday season, the birth of Christ is celebrated and we reflect on Him as the child in the manger in Bethlehem. Our children see the ‘baby Jesus’ statue in the manger scenes in our churches and homes.

Then comes the Easter season and we see portrayed the beaten, tortured and crucified Christ and we celebrate our salvation through His death and resurrection. The problem is that we have relegated Jesus to specific events during the year like President’s Day and the Fourth of July. But unlike memorial holidays from history, Jesus Christ is as alive today as He has been for eternity.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end…says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 22:13; 1:8)

We need to celebrate the Lordship of Jesus Christ every moment of every day as His stewards wholly submitted to His authority.  For this Christ child, born in the manger – this Savior of mankind who suffered and died for our sins is the resurrected Christ who will judge all mankind.

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead…For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:10

A cartoon in a recent Sunday paper showed a family going to church together. The kids rejoiced that Dad was going with them. The oldest son asked his Dad why he did not stay at home and watch football as was his apparent custom. The Dad mentioned that he now was able to DVR the game. The last frame of the cartoon shows the Dad upset at the score as he watched over the shoulder of a man in the pew in front of him streaming the game on his device during the service.

This cartoon, unfortunately, is more reality than it is fiction. Our relationship with Jesus must grow to be one of continual fellowship throughout the year. We must grow beyond that of ‘lordship lip service’ given half-heartedly at designated seasons of celebration of our faith.

May every moment of your life, your thoughts and actions, your whole being, heart, mind and soul, indicate His Lordship.

Posted in Business as Mission, Faith, Priorities, Relationship, Salvation, Worship | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Holiday or Holy Day #1057

Posted on December 3, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1057

“Holiday or Holy Day”

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Imagine going to a birthday party where all the guests arrive to exchange gifts with each other EXCEPT the guest of honor? Isn’t that what the Christmas season has become?

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26)

Happy Holidays! Merry Xmas! Xmas trees. Holiday wreaths and cards.  Season’s Greetings.  In all of the terminology there is something notably missing and its absence speaks volumes about the state of our global society.

There is a worldwide birthday celebration at this time of year and the guest of honor is not invited. His chair is empty and marked with an ‘X’. His name has been edged out in favor of generic, politically correct terminology. The tradition of gift exchange in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior has in itself become a ‘god’. The brunt of annual retail sales and the promise of greater profits have transformed the celebration of Jesus’ birth into a celebration of greed and materialism.

Man is seeking to ‘gain the whole world’ and in the process is forfeiting his soul and the Word of God asks ‘What good is it?’ Businesses are ashamed of the Jesus Christ of the season and have edged Him out in order not to offend potential revenue sources.

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:25)

God’s Word challenges you to not be ashamed of Jesus. Go beyond ‘Happy Holidays’ and be a radical. Boldly wish your customers, neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances – people you meet on the street a ‘Merry Christmas’. Don’t give in to societal pressure by spelling ‘Christ’ with an ‘X’.

Act in accordance with the fact that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Celebrate the season’s true meaning and give gifts to Jesus by giving to those who cannot give anything back.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me…‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40)

Enjoy the holiday by celebrating the Holy Day of our Savior’s birth and have a Merry Christmas!

Posted in Business as Mission, Priorities, Purpose, Relationship, Workplace, Worship | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Abundant Grace #1056

Posted on November 28, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1056

“Abundant Grace”

…and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14)

Have you ever thought to yourself that you deserve much better or more than what you currently have? In today’s entitled society we seem to covet more and more of what ‘others’ have and we do not want to work for it. During this Christmas holiday shopping season I see everyday how the mass merchandisers appeal to this covetous sense telling people they deserve it, so buy it even if you cannot afford it.

As I pondered this I considered what I truly deserve in God’s economy. I found myself thanking God for not giving me what I deserve because what my sinful nature really deserves is the full measure of God’s wrath. O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear…in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

God’s mercy precedes His grace. His mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. It stems from His longsuffering love and kindness toward us. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)

God’s grace is God giving us what we do not deserve. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people… (Titus 2:11)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:4-5; 8-9)

Perhaps you have done wrong to someone and they refuse to forgive you. Know this: While in this life, you are never too far from Christ’s forgiveness. You only need to call out to Him. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Psalm 51:1-2)

The enemy of your soul may tell you that you are not worthy, that your sins have been and are too great for you to even consider lifting your eyes to heaven and praying for forgiveness. These are lies from the pit of hell. In God’s mercy and love He is patiently waiting for you to come to Him. In His grace He is ready to forgive and transform your heart. 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)

Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays seem to blend together which, in a sense, they should. We have so much to be thankful for because of God’s mercy and grace bringing salvation through Jesus Christ.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Posted in Business as Mission, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Prayer, Salvation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Information Transformation #1055

Posted on November 19, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1055

“Information Transformation”

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… (James 1:22-25)

AW Tozer once stated: “We can know the right words yet never be changed. This is the difference between information and transformation.” This statement gave me pause. Why is it that given irrefutable information to change our behavior, that we instead continue in our old ways and refuse to be transformed by that information? We are informed of the dangers of using tobacco products, recreational drugs and alcohol, texting while driving, seat belt use etc. yet for many people that information fails to bring about a transformational change of behavior.

This is also evident in our spiritual lives as well. We are informed through preaching, teaching, and the reading of the Word of God – some moved to tears by what they hear. Yet, they leave the same way they came in, unchanged. I believe this is what the Bible refers to as ‘hardened hearts’ – they know the right words yet never change remaining hearers only and not doers.

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts….” (Hebrews 3:15)

Some people flat out refuse to believe in God at all despite the informational evidence all around them. The Bible says there is no excuse for this.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

As believers, if we are honest with ourselves, we will admit to having hardened our heart in some behavioral areas of our life that we refuse to change in obedience to the Word of God as well. So we too have fallen short of God’s expectation, choosing instead to be conformed to the world.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

We are inundated and bombarded with a cacophony of information in today’s connected society. Much of it is useless noise, some of it toxic falsehood and outright lies. We must discipline ourselves to quiet the ‘noise’ and spend quality time in fellowship with God. Set your phone on Do Not Disturb, turn the TV and radio off, shut down the computer devices and get into the Word in prayer. We need ‘ears to hear’ that comes by faith in order to be changed and transformed by the Truth of the Word of God.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

May you clearly hear and discern the Truth of God’s Word to you and may that Word bring about the transformation He desires for your life as He guides you in a closer walk with Jesus.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)

Posted in Business as Mission, Direction, Faith, Obedience, Prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Take Up Your Cross #1054

Posted on November 4, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                            1054

“Take Up Your Cross”

And he said to all, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:38

How do we define our cross? We know it is not a physical cross like Jesus was crucified on – so what did Jesus mean by taking up our cross?

The cross in Jesus’ day signified death by a gruesome and cruel Roman method of execution. For today’s Christian community it signifies the remission of the punishment for our sins and the eternal life we have through Jesus by His death and resurrection. We even proudly wear the symbol of the cross on our person – but are we taking up our cross daily and following Him? Let’s examine our reference Scripture further.

The first key element in Jesus’ statement has to do with our desire to follow Him: ‘If anyone would come after me…’ When we first accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we have this desire to leave our old sinful way of life behind and to learn to be more like Jesus and to live our lives in obedience to His Word. But there is an internal war being waged between our flesh and our newly justified spirit. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17)

This leads into the second key element in Jesus’ statement – denying our flesh. ‘…let him deny himself…and follow me.’ The desires of our flesh can hinder and interfere with our acting on our desire to follow Jesus. Remember the rich young man and others who came to Jesus with a desire to follow Him but were hindered by the cares of this world.  Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:16-30)

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” (Luke 9:59, 61)

The cross is both a symbol of death and obedience. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8)

A Christian’s life of following Jesus is characterized by the process of sanctification – obediently being set apart and made holy. This leads us to third key element in Jesus’ statement which deals with this process. ‘…and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ When we deny our flesh and take up our cross, we die ‘little deaths’ by crucifying the desires of the flesh that war against and hinder our ability to follow Jesus in obedience to His Word.

Are you willing to crucify the desires of your flesh that hinder a closer walk with Jesus? Can you say ‘No!’ to the lusts of the flesh, the idols and unimportant ‘priorities’ in your life that presumptuously take first place over following Jesus?

May each day bring you into a closer walk with Jesus.

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Holiness, Obedience, Priorities, Salvation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – False Witness #1053

Posted on October 22, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                 1053

“False Witness”

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)

Many of our elected officials, Congressmen and Senators alike, achieved a new behavioral low point during the recent confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh. For many, their agenda was clear – he was not to be confirmed and when they could not fault the integrity of his work as a judge, they attacked him personally. False witnesses emerged and he was treated as guilty, being convicted in the court of the media and public opinion without due process.

Justice Kavanaugh is not ashamed of his Christian faith so how he was treated should not come as a surprise. Jesus was clear that His servants are not above their Master and that they would be treated the same by those of the world.  It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. (Matthew 10:25)

Throughout history, false witnesses have been used to further an evil agenda.

King David often prayed for help against false witnesses. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. (Psalm 27:12; 109:2-3)

Jezebel arranged it so that Ahab could get Naboth’s property which he had refused to sell to the King. … And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. (1 Kings 21:13)

Stephen was stoned to death because of his faith on the testimony of false witnesses. …and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, (Acts 6:13)

Jesus was also the victim of an evil agenda using false witnesses. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. (Mark 14:55-56)

If you openly profess your faith in Christ and let your light – the light of Christ in you – shine in the darkness of this world then you are subject to being falsely accused by those with an agenda to silence your testimony. Live a life of integrity, walking in faith in the power and presence of Jesus. Don’t give the world stones to throw. …having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:16)

The midterm elections are upon us. Exercise your power and God-given privilege to overcome evil by voting your Christian values. Get out and vote! Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Encouragement, Morality, Trials | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sword of the Spirit – Not One Iota #1052

Posted on October 15, 2018 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1052

“Not One Iota”

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17-18)

I am disheartened when preachers and evangelists, people that I have admired, suddenly take a turn in their theology and begin to compromise the Truth of the Word of God in order to make it more palatable or relevant to current societal trends and norms. One such Pastor recently taught that Christians need to unhitch from the Old Testament and another is teaching that there is no such thing as Hell among other heretical statements.

In my finite, simplistic mind I view the Old Testament as a new coloring book with white pages covered in black stencil imagery. The message on each page is clearly conveyed as the outline of the Gospel plan of God. Then with the advent of Jesus Christ in the New Testament each page is brilliantly colored in. Not one iota or dot was changed – only fulfilled. Jesus filled in the blank spaces in Living Color.

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. (Galatians 3:24; Romans 3:31)

Our government has been systematically distancing or unhitching our society from the Law of God for decades. Must our churches also fall into that trap? Our government is removing references to the Ten Commandments from all public places. Will we take them out of our churches too?

When society seeks to deny God’s plan for salvation through Jesus it must also remove the Law whose purpose is to drive us to Christ. The logic is evident albeit flawed: Take away the Law and there is no transgression and therefore no need for Jesus.

For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.… if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 4:15; 7:7)

Martin Luther stated it this way: ‘The principal point of God’s law is to make men not better but worse; that is to say, it shows unto them their sin, that by the knowledge thereof they may be humbled, terrified, bruised and broken, and by this means may be driven to seek grace, and so to come to that blessed Seed.’

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Test everything preached, weighing it in the balance against the Truth of the Word. But test everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

May you stand on the solid Truth of the uncompromised whole Word of God – the rock that is Jesus.

Posted in Business as Mission, Direction, Faith, Words | Tagged , | Leave a comment