Category Archives: The Gospel

A Mystery No More

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Colossians 1

Christ in me, the hope of glory! That was a mystery unsolved for thousands of years. How would God send a Savior? Who would it be? How would people know for sure? And how would He save the world?

That mystery began to unravel when Jesus was born. A virgin mother? A nursery in a barn? A manger instead of a crib? A carpenter? Unschooled? A preacher not a soldier? A spiritual kingdom consisting of repentant hearts and not an overthrow of Roman rule?

The clues continued to mount up… and then Jesus died. Not exactly the conquering hero everyone expected.

Jesus died. But He didn’t stay dead. He lives. And He is every bit the conquering hero God expected.

I might not be able to explain to your satisfaction how Christ lives in me, how He defeated Satan in my life and continues to defeat that snake as I grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. It may still be a mystery to you – but it’s a sure fact for me.

Christ IS in me. And my future, if it’s anything like the awesome privilege of having Jesus in my life today, promises to be glorious! Paul called it the hope of glory. Not an “I think so, or I imagine so” kind of hope. This hope is assured, cemented, true and is promised by the One who said:

And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)

Christ in me, the hope of glory! It’s a mystery no more.

Guilty As Charged

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Acts 22-25

They tried so hard to find Paul guilty of something – anything. The only charge they could back up was that he believed Jesus rose from the dead, and he pleaded guilty to that accusation. Everything else they said about Paul were lies.

Yesterday morning, our Youth Pastor spoke about what it means to follow God: Denying self. Picking up the cross.

Following God means living a life like Paul’s, that if someone wanted to condemn us, it would have to be on the basis of our unwavering belief that Jesus is alive. Following God means patterning our lives on the life of Jesus – who was perfect!

Impossible, you say. True.

But following God ought to make us a bit more perfect today than we were yesterday. WIth the help of the Holy Spirit working in us, it’s not only possible but it’s a sign we are truly following God.

I’m not talking about a works-based salvation or a holier-than-thou attitude. I’m talking about having the mind of Christ, loving God and loving our neighbor. I’m talking about crucifying my desires and allowing God to replace them with the gifts of the Spirit and His desires for me.

I pray that all of us who call ourselves followers of God will BE followers of God in such a way that when we are questioned, or accused of believing that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world (which we have accepted for ourselves), when we are put to the test and condemned for being Christians, we will stand together and proclaim:

GUILTY AS CHARGED.

Crucified

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Galatians 2:20

I used to say Galatians 2:20 was my “life verse.” I think it probably still is, although I’ve come to embrace other verses as well. But I remember sitting in the tiny room in Waco Elementary School where I gave music lessons, and coming across this verse as I read my Bible during my lunch break. It spoke to me that day in a pointed way, and I sat there and memorized it, claiming it as my life verse.

Today I read it and wonder if it is even true in my life.

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? I can’t die for my sins like Jesus did. I’ve heard it said Jesus died on “my” cross. But that cross was His. He was the only one who could hang on that cross. And because He did, I won’t have to hang on mine.

Being crucified with Christ is not the means of salvation. That was Jesus’ job.

I believe Paul was talking about what happens after we accept Jesus’ atoning work on His cross. It’s the dying we do as willingly as He died; the giving up, the surrender of the “me.” Dead men have no rights, no plans, no will of their own. A dead man is dead – not almost dead, or dead in some ways but not others.

Dead.

So I’m wonder if that describes me in my relationship with my Savior. Is the life I now live lived by faith in the One who loved me enough to die in my place? Is my walk with Him surrendered to His will? Is He my co-pilot… or the ship?

If 2:20 is my life verse (and I think I might claim it once again), then I have some soul-searching and changing to do.

God, help me truly and finally die to Connie, and allow only You to fill me, raise me up, and live through me.

Crucify the “me,” Lord.

Living Our Faith

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Acts 14, James 1-2

James tells us trials and hardships are blessings. They grow us into people who demonstrate their faith in God by what we do. I love how the Bible teaches us through words, and also demonstrates the Truth through the actions of real people.

Like Paul in Acts 14. He was stoned and left for dead because he preached Jesus. He didn’t die. Instead, he got up and walked back into the city where the people who tried to kill him were. He then left that city and continued preaching Jesus in surrounding cities. Then, and this is where I see the truth of James’ words, Paul went back to Antioch so he could preach there again.

His example speaks to what James says. Opposition to the Gospel should not silence us. It should embolden us, make us stronger, more determined to share the Good News to the people who obviously need Him.

If we claim to have faith in God, our actions ought to demonstrate that. Paul didn’t run from opposition. He ran right into its midst – twice! That is faith demonstrated. That is living faith.

Let us live our faith today!

You Are Not The Exception

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Luke 12-14

Is Jesus the only way? Really? People want to believe that, if there aren’t multiple ways to God, a least they themselves will be the exception. In theory, Jesus is the Way, but God is too loving to send a good person like me to hell. Right?

That’s not what Jesus says. Jesus says the way is narrow, the invitation to the banquet comes with restrictions, the landowner demands obedience, even those rich according to their own standards will be held accountable to God’s standards.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what you think. You aren’t God. It only matters what God says about His design.

Like it or not. Believe it or not. Jesus is the only way…

And you are not the exception.

One Serious Job Description

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Matthew 10

Would you, after reading the job description for a disciple, sign up? God describes what he’s looking for in a disciple here in Matthew 10.

A disciple:
1. will be taken to court
2. will be beat up
3. will be dragged before governors and kings
4. may be turned into the authorities by their brother, father, or child
5. may be executed
6. will be hated
7. will be persecuted
8. will be saved in the end because no one can kill the soul.

Well, at least number 8 sounds good. Anyone who says being a child of God translates into good health and hefty bank accounts is lying.

The Gospel of Jesus is offensive, and if you proclaim it there will be people who hate you. The Gospel reveals our sin, our depravity, and our hopelessness. The Gospel tells us we aren’t enough, that we will never be enough. And friend, no one likes to hear that.

“But hang on,” Jesus says. “Endure to the end!”

The Gospel is worth it. Jesus is worth it. Jesus promises that when we believe in Him we are saved. Scripture says when we confess our sins we are forgiven. We’re promised that when we are weak HE is strong. When we don’t have the words, HE gives us the words. When we are helpless, HE is able.

These disciples signed up, went on a mission trip, performed miracles, told the Truth, and came back excited about being disciples. They no doubt faced opposition, but it prepared them, strengthened their faith, and in the end eleven of them went to their deaths proclaiming Jesus as the Savior of the world.

So, Christian, are you ready to put feet to your faith? Read the job description carefully. Then sign on the dotted line. You’re signing up for war. It won’t be easy. But it will be blessed beyond what you imagine. In the end, you will face Jesus and hear Him say, “Well done, my faithful servant, my warrior. Come home!”

Woe To Us All

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Luke 11

I know I probably comment on this every year when I get to this passage in God’s Word. But Jesus’ response to the lawyers’ hurt feelings is something we ought to emulate.

The lawyers didn’t object to Jesus hammering the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. But the truth of what Jesus was saying was hitting a bit too close to home for the lawyers. The lawyers, at least in their own minds, weren’t as bad as the Pharisees and they wanted to be sure Jesus made that distinction.

“Jesus, you’re starting to hurt our feelings with your ‘Woe to’s’ toward the Pharisees. We’re beginning to feel a bit threatened, unsafe, disrespected, misidentified.”

Jesus answers, “Oh, I’m sorry. Woe to you, lawyers…” and just so there would be no confusion Jesus began hammering them for their own sins. He didn’t coddle them, didn’t find them a safe place, or encourage them to stand strong, be proud, be who they were meant to be. “YOU ARE SINNERS,” He told them.

Do you honestly think Jesus would say to a man pretending to be a woman and upset because Jesus “misgendered” him, “Oh, I’m sorry, Ma’am. Sit here and let me do your nails?” No! He would say to that man, “YOU. ARE. NOT. A. WOMAN.”

The lawyers thought they weren’t as bad as the Pharisees. Today some men think they are women, some women think they are men, some people think they are cats. It doesn’t matter what you think!

Hear God say, “Woe to you.” And you know what? I think it’s time Christians did the same. So here goes. Sorry, not sorry.

XX will always be XX. XY will always be XY.
No one can change the binary gender God created: male OR female.
A male is a “he.” A female is a “she.: “They” is plural.
Woman are designed by God to carry a developing human in their wombs. Woman (not birthing persons) have babies. Men do not. Cannot.
Abortion is murder. Life begins at conception. God knew that person BEFORE he or she was planted in the mother’s womb. To end that life is murder.
There is objective truth.. There is right and wrong, good and bad, black and white.
There is truth, and there is opinion. They are not the same. And I will not pretend “your truth” is anything other than your opinion.

Call me what you want. Call me bigoted, hateful, intolerant, deplorable. I don’t care. Show me in the Bible where I’m wrong. Woe to all of us who deny what God has revealed in His Word.

Now, before you think I’m condemning anyone to hell, let me remind you what else God’s Word has to say.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Jesus died on the cross to buy your freedom from sin and mine, to break the chains of sin, to forgive us for our sins, to make us the righteousness of God. There isn’t anyone reading this post who cannot be saved. Show me in the Bible where I’m wrong.

What I’ve said here is not hate. In fact, I can honestly say I love you enough to be truthful with you. Jesus loved those lawyers enough to confront their sin. It would be hateful to go along with anyone’s sin, because sin separates us from God now, and in eternity. My friend, my heart’s desire is that you experience the Truth of God’s Word today; whether for the first time, or with a revived energy for proclaiming the Truth. Woe to us if we don’t.

What Do You Mean You Don’t Know Me?

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Matthew 5-7

If there were no other Scripture than the Sermon on the Mount, and if people everywhere did what Jesus said, our world would not be in the shape it’s in. I mean, who can argue with controlling your anger, being a faithful spouse, treating people with kindness and respect, giving to the needy, living by the Golden Rule? This is good stuff!

I read recently that even Gandhi memorized Jesus’ entire sermon.

But taking out God’s rules for living and separating those from the person of Jesus Christ is the difference between building a life on sand and building a life on the Rock. You won’t survive the storm on sand.

Living a good life – even living a really good life – will mean nothing in eternity if Jesus doesn’t know you.

It would be like a person going into a bank to close out a savings account, only to find there is nothing there because he’s put all his money in his mattress in a house that has burned to the ground. The man might argue, “But I saved almost a million dollars,” only to hear the owner of the bank say, “But not with this bank. I don’t even know you.”

The things Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount ought to be lived out in the lives of all believers. An honest person will look at Jesus’ words and admit it’s impossible to live like that 24/7. And that would be true if the foundation of your life is self, religion, academia, or whatever.

But if your foundation is Jesus and his work on the cross on your behalf, living the truth of the Sermon on the Mount becomes more and more possible every day. When you and I are wearing Jesus’ righteousness, living the way Jesus lived becomes second nature. Maybe not immediately. But walk with Jesus for a while. He rubs off on you!

My prayer is that you are laying up treasures in heaven. Because one day you will want to cash in your account. When you stand before God, I pray He will welcome you with open arms and call you by name. It would be awful if he turns you away, and you hear yourself argue, “What do you mean you don’t know me? I’ve done a lot of good things.”

But you’ll know the answer to that question, and the life you built on sand will crumble.

A Hard-fast, Immovable, Beautiful Line

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John 3

There is a popular notion that Jesus didn’t condemn people while He was on this Earth. John 3:17 says as much:

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:17)

Even Andy Stanley says Jesus drew circles, not lines. But if we read all of what Jesus said to Nicodemus (and I hope you do), we’ll see Jesus was actually drawing a very important line. (not circles, Andy).

He wasn’t here to condemn the world because the world had already condemned itself. People sin. People are guilty. People are condemned by their sin. Jesus plainly says those who believe in Him are the ones not condemned.

Using the analogy of law, a guilty verdict rightly condemns a prisoner to death. Jesus’ death pays that sentence, leaving the believer not condemned any longer. The believer is forgiven, debt paid, not guilty, free.

On the other hand, those who don’t believe are rightly condemned by their own actions, and will pay the death sentence themselves.

That’s the line Jesus drew. Condemned/Not condemned; death/life; darkness/light.

That line Jesus drew is belief in Him. It’s not a circle. It’s a hard-fast, immovable, beautiful line.

Truly Free

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Malachi

There is so much in this wonderful book. But if we take only one thing away from it, we’ve got to understand God will be honored, respected, obeyed, and worshiped alone. He’s not fooled by good works or fancy words. He recognizes the pure and the contaminated. He will not accept anything less than what He demands – no exceptions.

That fact should cause us to fear Him. It’s His way or hell.

But He is not a tyrant. He’s not a slave-driver. He is love. He is just. He is a friend and a father. What we seem to have trouble grasping is that His way is what is best for us. It’s better than anything we can come up with on our own. Your best plans, your most favorite dreams, are nothing compared to what God offers.

It’s like a prisoner chained to a wall saying, “I don’t want freedom on God’s terms. I’d have to give up my chains. I’d have to move out of my cozy cell. I’d rather paint a picture of the sky on my wall than step out and see it for myself. I’d rather hug a mannequin than be embraced by God.”

You’d think that prisoner has lost his mind. Especially since you’ve seen the sky and know how beautiful it is.

Well, my friend. I have seen the sky. I have been embraced by God through the blood of His Son, Jesus. I am free from the chains of sin because I have repented of those sins, and I am forgiven. Why wouldn’t I want that for you, too?

For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will lead them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:1-2)

That’s what God, through the prophet Malachi, wants us to take away from his book. There are only two sides to this coin called life. Choose wisely. There is only one way to be truly free.

HIs name is Jesus.