People don’t earn God’s approval or receive life and salvation because of anything they’ve done. Rather, the only reason they receive life and salvation is because of God’s kindness through Christ. There is no other way.
Many Christians are tired of hearing this teaching over and over. They think that they learned it all long ago. However, they barely understand how important it really is. If it continues to be taught as truth, the Christian church will remain united and pure — free from decay. This truth alone makes and sustains Christianity. You might hear an immature Christian brag about how well he knows that we receive God’s approval through God’s kindness and not because of anything we do to earn it. But if he goes on to say that this is easy to put into practice, then have no doubt he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and he probably never will. We can never learn this truth completely or brag that we understand it fully. Learning this truth is an art. We will always remain students of it, and it will always be our teacher.
The people who truly understand that they receive God’s approval by faith and put this into practice don’t brag that they have fully mastered it. Rather, they think of it as a pleasant taste or aroma that they are always pursuing. These people are astonished that they can’t comprehend it as fully as they would like. They hunger and thirst for it. They yearn for it more and more. They never get tired of hearing about this truth.
– Martin Luther
Month: November 2008
The Times They Are A-Changin’
With proper dues to Bob Dylan, “The times they are a-changin'”. I found that glaringly evident when, earlier this week, someone sent me the following video that was oringianlly presented to a gathering of SONY executives.
When I watch this video I find myself wondering about the implications for the church, especially as it relates to our mission to extend the Gospel to the ends of the Earth. Some things are exciting, others a little unnerving. See what you think.
I’d be interested in any thoughts that come to mind.
Prerequisites for Effective Prayer
In order to have an effective prayer life Scripture teaches that there are certain prerequisites. Among them:
1. Relationship
We must have a relationship with God the Father, which comes only through a relationship with Jesus. (John 14.6) The preface to the Lord’s Prayer makes a distinction between those who have a right to call God Father and Hypocrites (those who claim the name but have no real interest in or connection with God), and Pagans (those who worship the things of the earth: Nature, self, etc.). Only those who are Children of God are promised that their prayers will be heard. (See Matthew 6.5-9)
2. Reflection
It is required that we come with some understanding of who God is, and who we are; that God is Holy and Almighty, and we sinners and needy.
3. Righteousness
James 5.16 tells us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. There must be some elelment of righteounsess in our lives.
Righteousness defined is: right actions motivated by genuine faith. Both components are necessary. Faith comes first, as a gracious gift from God. It is not something we muster, but receive. But our faith, if it is genuine, will express itself through outward behaviors. These behaviors themselves merit us nothing, but are evidences of Faith; they are evidences of a relationship with the Father.
Conclusion
There are requirements in prayer, such as asking, and asking for right things in accordance with God’s Will, and asking with right motives. But those are not what this post is about. This post addresses some prerequisites, conditions of our lives enabling us to pray effectively.
The first of these three prerequisites is enduring, it does not change back and forth. (However, if one does not have a relaionship with God through Jesus, that status can be changed. But once changed, God does not forget those whom he knows. John 10.28-29)
The last two can change somewhat. While we are not likely to “un-know” what we know; and once declared righteous by God through faith in Christ (see Galatians 3.6) we do not loose that status, there are actual or functional aspects to both Faith and Righteousness. Reflection is the exercise of Faith, which like a muscle needs to be used to be strengthened, otherwise it may experience something like atrophy. Righteousness is the active living out our faith.
If our prayer lives are dull or ineffective, we would do well to examine if we are negligent in either of these areas.
What About Gay Marriage?
Anger at the disproportionate number of African Americans who voted for California’s same-sex marriage ban “has been widely noted”, says Jeff Jacoby in the Boston Globe. But “for sheer hatefuless” the “hatemongering” directed against Mormons for pushing the ballot measure can’t be beat. (See The Week for full article.)
I’ve watched the news with some amazement at the craze taking place in the streets of California. I have little sympathy for the protesters, at least for the position that is mobilizing them. But I find myself reacting the the charges they levy: bigotry and fear.
While concerned about the cultural repercussions if “gay marriage” receives constitutional support, I don’t believe I live in “fear”. In one sense, if this measure passes, some things will become more vividly clear, such as those who are committed to Biblical standards concerning marriage and those who are not. The words of the Apostle Paul come to mind:
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of Life. ” (Philippians 2.14-16)
In other words, those who maintain the characteristics of godliness shine like stars against the dark backdrop of the culture. Therefore, if this measure passes in California, and elsewhere, it is not a cause for fear, necessarily, but an opportunity to shine in contrast.
However, Paul’s words also cause me a little discomfort.
First, while faithful believers may stand firm and shine in contrast to darkness in the culture, there are others who share our opposition to same-sex marriages who do not shine in the same way. In fact, some don’t shine at all. They are just what they are accused of being: bigoted and fearful. I’m not sure that the differences of standards behind the sharing of moral/political positions are always so obvious to those who hold the opposing view. How, then, can we stand out like stars shining in the darkness, when some who stand with us are only a different shade of darkness from the culture they oppose?
I’m sure that this difference is all the more distorted because many of us who are driven by Biblical standards are also tainted, to some degree or another, with the sins of bigotry and fear. Our righteous motives are blended with unrighteous, sometimes even without our being conscious of the mixture. To whatever extent this is true, the shine on our star is dimmed, at least somewhat.
Second, Paul’s words encourage us to do everything without complaining or arguing. I’m not sure that from the perspective of the gay community, and their allies, that we Evangelicals have lived up to that counsel. I’m not sure even from my own perspective that we’ve met that standard.
Certainly the most militant proponents of “gay rights” don’t want to hear any Evangelical voice (nor do they support our right to a voice), but I am not confident we have exhausted all the means to express our voice. We have used politics and the media to protect our position. But have we expressed the full grace of the gospel with equal effort? I’m not talking about a cheap grace that simply overlooks sin and calls it acceptable. I’m talking about the demanding gospel that demonstrates brokenness over our own sin – past and present – the experience of forgiveness in Chirst that reconciles us to God AND moves us out to love a broken and decaying world. While this verse in no way mitigates our responsibility – and right – to stand up for righteous things, I have to wonder, if we lived out the gospel, if this was our primary voice, if there would be as many of our opponents who would hope we would just “shut up”. Our civil rights are not abrogated, but we must not mistake exercsing our common civil rights as that which makes us stars. It is the gospel embraced, lived out, and faithfully expressed, that makes us shine. I suspect that is a voice that would be more readily heard.
Let me conclude with this: Many people are quite clear as to what their position is, but not as well thought out about the “why’s” behind the positions.
Honestly, that is probably true of me. I’ve given some thought, perhaps more thought than some others have, to this issue, but I’ve been pretty set in my position without wondering if there were some aspects I have been neglecting. To the extent I have failed to clearly think through this polarizing issue, remaining ignorantly contented in my position, I suspect I am exercsing a form of bigotry. And to the extent that I am willing to maintian my position without discerning how the gospel can be brought to bear to bring about reconciliation and greater resolution, I am failing to shine. I am not suggesting compromise and retreat, but reflection and humility.
Dr. Geri Huminski has written a thought provoking article for Harvest USA titled: What About Gay Marriage? Harvest USA is an uncompromising Evangelical ministry that reaches out to those who are effected by sexual addictions. They offer a perspective, both experientially and biblically, that I don’t find elsewhere. This article has helped me think more clearly about this culture defining issue. I am still not sure I am ready to embrace all that is suggested (particularly in regard to taxes and shared benefits), but it is helping me think through both my “what” and my “why’s”.
My hope is that I will be more shaped by the gospel and the advancement of the Kingdom of God than by the mere maintaining of the political status quo. I suspect my “position” won’t change much, but maybe my shine can get a polish.
God Made Us to Pray
While studying this afternoon I stumbled upon this thought from J.I. Packer:
It is not too much to say that God made us to pray; that prayer is (not the easiest, but) the most natural activity in which in which we ever engage; and that prayer is the measure of a man in God’s sight. ‘What a man is alone on his knees before God,’ said the saintly Murray McCheyne, ‘that he is, and no more.’
Hi Ho, Hi Ho… It’s Off to the Polls I Go
Call me old fashioned, but I don’t open presents before Christmas morning. And I don’t vote before election day. That’s not a point of pride. It’s just what I do. I am comfortable that way.
I go off the the polls this morning comforted by these thoughts:
1. I am confident about the “class” of both major candidates. Unlike in the last couple of elections, I don’t expect the loser to act with sour grapes, and threaten lawsuits to prolong the race. I recognize that the election is likely to be close, and therefore perhaps not resolved tonight. I understand there is widespread concern about voter fraud that needs to be rectified, which may require some additonal time. But I am not expecting a poor loser who will, even years later, still claim to have had the election “stolen”. This year will be a refreshing change.
2. Regardless of who wins, God is still in control. While he has not promised that all things will go to our liking, or even that we will experience only bliss if we follow Christ, nevertheless, my hope is in him. My aim is to align myself to His eternal purpose, not to try to sway him to my determined purposes.
My prayer: “Your will be done, not mine, O Lord.”
Gridiron Warriors
The final game of my sons’ 2008 football season has come and gone. While in most respects it was a disappointing season for their teams, both of them accounted for themselves fairly well.
This picture above was taken after the final game – a “W”. It was special because our younger son, Matthew, a Freshman, who plays TE and DE, was invited to dress out with the varsity. This is the first time our boys have been on the same team, so we thought we would take a picture. Also somewhat unique is that Matthew was given #1, while Andrew, a Junior, wears #2.
GRACE & PEACE 