Posts
Thought I would be more ready to write something today. After all, we got back yesterday morning. Only I'm still frazzled from the trip.
I confess I did not read the Quran this morning. Barely remembered to read my Bible. We did do a family time, and that went long, about an hour. My personal reading was in Luke: the Beatitudes. Our famly reading was in Matthew: the parable of the sower.
What was interesting about my personal reading was that part of it included Jesus' position on censure and reproof.
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condem not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Luke 6:37-38 Revised Standard Version
Why is it so easy for us to forget these verses? Especially when we preach from a pulpit on television? I saw another one this morning as I changed stations. There he was, waving his arms and ranting and raving about "someone else" who was/is behaving badly. I suppose I have no right to moan about them, but the message I receive from them is that they believe they are without sin. That is just not true. Not for them. Not for me.
It is easy to be an extremist. I've done it. Maybe you have, too. There are two reasons which come quickly to mind to explain extremism. The first is an ugly reason: control. Phonies often take extreme positions in order to garner a following. Suddenly, they are important. Never mind that they don't really care about what they preach about, be it faith in God or which team is going to win the NCAA Basketball Championship. They just want to be important, and taking an extreme position makes them so. In their mind. And, alas, in the minds of many others who want to believe what they say is true. God talks about this.
But understand this, that in the last days, there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovrs of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Revised Standard Version
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Revised Standard Version
The second reason I think people become extreme is fear. We are not fully settled in what we believe, and so when we hear anything contrary we become afraid and consider it a threat to be wiped out. We try to pass laws which force people to believe as we do. But that cannot work. It cannot work with faith any more than it can work with prejudice. If we are going to pass laws they should be for the good of all the people, and for the protection of all the people, not just a small group which fears for its faith. Some things just should not be against human law.
I fear for myself sometimes. I talk a good game, but I don't always live it.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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 prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21 Revised Standard Version
True, I do not do every one of those things, but I am guilty of some. So, the point?
If you really fulfil the royal law, according the the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well. But if you show pariality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," said also, "Do not kill." If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged undere the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:8-13 Revised Standard Version
It always comes down to forgiveness. How sad that it is so easy to forget that and heap condemnation upon others.
It's about forgiveness, people, and nothing else. Forgiveness is a by-product of love.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Letting You Know
Going to be away from my computer a few days. No new posts until Sunday. Catch you then.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
How DO We Get to Heaven Anyway
In talking with someone this past week the conversation turned to believing, and who is destined for heaven. When I was younger, in my twenties and thirties, I was very much concerned about this and felt a need to convert everone to my way of thinking. As I have aged I have lost much of this energy and replaced it with quiet thoughts and meditaions on what the Holy Scriptures are actually telling me. The Holy Scriptures are the inspired words of God. By this I mean that God granted wisdom to certain people to write the Holy Scriptures, which reveal who God is.
Mainly, it seems God is telling me to cease my judgments. Cease those concerns of which I have no power to control. This means the things which take place in another's heart. What does this tell me? That I cannot know the true heart of another, and with that being the case, I have no right to say who will, and will not, go to heaven - other than generically. Those whom God has forgiven and written their names in his Book of Life will share heaven with him. Those without that will not. But I have no right to guess names. My proof of this is in the Holy Scriptures. Both the Bible (which incorporates both Jewish and Christian belief systems) and, I believe, the Quran (which is the beliefs of Islam).
For Christ is the end of the law for righeousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made until salvation. Romans 10:5-10 New King James Version
Before I continue, let me remind those of you who have trouble with the text using "Jesus" instead of "God". To me, the names are interchangable. They are the same person. Jesus is called the "Son of God", which is an unfortunate phrase given that it seems to imply that Jesus is separate from God. God cannot be separate from himself. The phrase is used for a variety of reasons, but I think the most important reason is this:
Now the just shall live by faith: But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 New King James Version
What I have found in my fifty+ years is that when I don't want something to be true, I won't believe any evidence which supports it. I will deliberately misinterpret facts to suit what I choose to believe. That is what faith is, to me: choosing to believe.
I choose to believe that Jesus is God. God is Jesus. Just as I believe Barach Obama is Mr. President, and Mr. President is Barach Obama. What difference does it matter what name I use if, in my heart, I am still thinking of God? (Maybe some other day I'll go into how important a name is, but I'm trying to demonstrate a point here.) So do not get hung up when I say "Jesus". Remember, to me it is the same as saying "God". And if you believe there is only one God, then the God I call "Jesus" is the same God you call "whatever-name-you-are-comfortable-using". So let's not fight about that. Okay?
In the Quran, I read this just this morning. (I am trying to read between 20-50 lines each Sunday.)
2- The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)
[2:115] To GOD belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of GOD. GOD is Omnipresent, Omniscient.
[2:116] They said, "GOD has begotten a son!" Be He glorified; never! To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; all are subservient to Him.
[2:117] The Initiator of the heavens and the earth: to have anything done, He simply says to it, "Be," and it is.
[2:118] Those who possess no knowledge say, "If only GOD could speak to us, or some miracle could come to us!" Others before them have uttered similar utterances; their minds are similar. We do manifest the miracles for those who have attained certainty.
[2:119] We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner. You are not answerable for those who incur Hell.
In both texts I read that God is the Master. God is the Creator. God makes the decisions regarding Heaven and Hell. No where (at least in the Bible, I am early in the Quran, so I can't speak to all it says) am I aware of God telling us to issue condemnation to Hell for anyone. He will decide, and there will be instances, I think, when people of ALL faiths will be surprised at his judgments.
For instance, listen to the words Jesus, himself, spoke in this passage.
Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith (emphasis mine), He said to him (emphasis mine), "Man, your sins are forgiven you." Luke 5:18-20 New King James Version
This man's sins were forgiven him because his friends had faith. Not only did they have faith, but they had love. What else could inspire them to work so hard on this man's behalf? I believe it reasonable to assume there were some who weren't keen on them taking the tiling apart in order to let the man down. The scripture tells us that "the crowd" blocked their way.
Is that not still true today? "The crowd" would keep people from bringing others in need to God, thus making the effort an effort. And how do we bring people to God? I think we must begin by having our own faith in God.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version
The next step is to actually love the people we would bring to God. Here is something else Jesus said which is interesting. Some have tried to use this to make God out as some kind of mystical Santa Claus. The key, I think, is that the people Jesus is speaking of, are thinking (loving) the way God thinks and loves. This is what Jesus said.
Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:18-20 New King James Version
Does not God love everyone? Will not God forgive everyone?
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord God. "Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies (emphasis mine)," says the Lord God. Therefore turn and live!" Ezekiel 18:30-32 New King James Version
I have read "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked", too. I believe this speaks volumes to those extremists - of ALL faiths - who believe they are doing God some kind of favor by killing those they believe are wicked. God doesn't want them killed. He takes no pleasure from their deaths.
So what do we do?
We love people. All people. When you love someone you don't want them killed. You want them to live with God when their time comes to leave the earth. And that becomes your prayer.
It is hard to love a stranger. It is for me anyway. I can care about people who I learn have suffered disaster, but if we have never met in any way, I can't honestly say I "love" them.
I have met people on-line, though, who I have come to care a great deal over. For all I know, all of them are already in good standing with God, living their lives in faith and love. That doesn't matter. It's not for me to decide anyway. There is no way for me to see the definitive evidence. But I continue to love them all, whether they are or they are not. They are my friends now, and that is true no matter their standing with God. I love them. That is enough. They make me happy, and I hope I return the blessing. In my heart, I tell God I love them. And God hears.
Faith and love, not rules, will ultimate decide each of our fates with God. Some of us will be saved because of the faith of others, such as the paralytic man. Others are demonstrating a love and faith for God without even realizing it. This is their fate:
When the Son of Man (God - added by me) comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father (God - added by me), inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:31-40 New King James Version
You see, it begins with love. You love someone and you help them. The love you give and show them inspires them to love you in return. This flow of love connects you to God, for God is love.
We don't need to blow up abortion clinics, or insist criminals be executed, or fly planes into buildings, or shoot people over walls. That won't please God. And if we're not pleasing God, we must be displeasing him. Let us care about one another. If we truly love someone, we will act appropriately toward them.
That is what I believe.
Mainly, it seems God is telling me to cease my judgments. Cease those concerns of which I have no power to control. This means the things which take place in another's heart. What does this tell me? That I cannot know the true heart of another, and with that being the case, I have no right to say who will, and will not, go to heaven - other than generically. Those whom God has forgiven and written their names in his Book of Life will share heaven with him. Those without that will not. But I have no right to guess names. My proof of this is in the Holy Scriptures. Both the Bible (which incorporates both Jewish and Christian belief systems) and, I believe, the Quran (which is the beliefs of Islam).
For Christ is the end of the law for righeousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made until salvation. Romans 10:5-10 New King James Version
Before I continue, let me remind those of you who have trouble with the text using "Jesus" instead of "God". To me, the names are interchangable. They are the same person. Jesus is called the "Son of God", which is an unfortunate phrase given that it seems to imply that Jesus is separate from God. God cannot be separate from himself. The phrase is used for a variety of reasons, but I think the most important reason is this:
Now the just shall live by faith: But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 New King James Version
What I have found in my fifty+ years is that when I don't want something to be true, I won't believe any evidence which supports it. I will deliberately misinterpret facts to suit what I choose to believe. That is what faith is, to me: choosing to believe.
I choose to believe that Jesus is God. God is Jesus. Just as I believe Barach Obama is Mr. President, and Mr. President is Barach Obama. What difference does it matter what name I use if, in my heart, I am still thinking of God? (Maybe some other day I'll go into how important a name is, but I'm trying to demonstrate a point here.) So do not get hung up when I say "Jesus". Remember, to me it is the same as saying "God". And if you believe there is only one God, then the God I call "Jesus" is the same God you call "whatever-name-you-are-comfortable-using". So let's not fight about that. Okay?
In the Quran, I read this just this morning. (I am trying to read between 20-50 lines each Sunday.)
2- The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)
[2:115] To GOD belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of GOD. GOD is Omnipresent, Omniscient.
[2:116] They said, "GOD has begotten a son!" Be He glorified; never! To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; all are subservient to Him.
[2:117] The Initiator of the heavens and the earth: to have anything done, He simply says to it, "Be," and it is.
[2:118] Those who possess no knowledge say, "If only GOD could speak to us, or some miracle could come to us!" Others before them have uttered similar utterances; their minds are similar. We do manifest the miracles for those who have attained certainty.
[2:119] We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner. You are not answerable for those who incur Hell.
In both texts I read that God is the Master. God is the Creator. God makes the decisions regarding Heaven and Hell. No where (at least in the Bible, I am early in the Quran, so I can't speak to all it says) am I aware of God telling us to issue condemnation to Hell for anyone. He will decide, and there will be instances, I think, when people of ALL faiths will be surprised at his judgments.
For instance, listen to the words Jesus, himself, spoke in this passage.
Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith (emphasis mine), He said to him (emphasis mine), "Man, your sins are forgiven you." Luke 5:18-20 New King James Version
This man's sins were forgiven him because his friends had faith. Not only did they have faith, but they had love. What else could inspire them to work so hard on this man's behalf? I believe it reasonable to assume there were some who weren't keen on them taking the tiling apart in order to let the man down. The scripture tells us that "the crowd" blocked their way.
Is that not still true today? "The crowd" would keep people from bringing others in need to God, thus making the effort an effort. And how do we bring people to God? I think we must begin by having our own faith in God.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version
The next step is to actually love the people we would bring to God. Here is something else Jesus said which is interesting. Some have tried to use this to make God out as some kind of mystical Santa Claus. The key, I think, is that the people Jesus is speaking of, are thinking (loving) the way God thinks and loves. This is what Jesus said.
Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:18-20 New King James Version
Does not God love everyone? Will not God forgive everyone?
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord God. "Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies (emphasis mine)," says the Lord God. Therefore turn and live!" Ezekiel 18:30-32 New King James Version
I have read "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked", too. I believe this speaks volumes to those extremists - of ALL faiths - who believe they are doing God some kind of favor by killing those they believe are wicked. God doesn't want them killed. He takes no pleasure from their deaths.
So what do we do?
We love people. All people. When you love someone you don't want them killed. You want them to live with God when their time comes to leave the earth. And that becomes your prayer.
It is hard to love a stranger. It is for me anyway. I can care about people who I learn have suffered disaster, but if we have never met in any way, I can't honestly say I "love" them.
I have met people on-line, though, who I have come to care a great deal over. For all I know, all of them are already in good standing with God, living their lives in faith and love. That doesn't matter. It's not for me to decide anyway. There is no way for me to see the definitive evidence. But I continue to love them all, whether they are or they are not. They are my friends now, and that is true no matter their standing with God. I love them. That is enough. They make me happy, and I hope I return the blessing. In my heart, I tell God I love them. And God hears.
Faith and love, not rules, will ultimate decide each of our fates with God. Some of us will be saved because of the faith of others, such as the paralytic man. Others are demonstrating a love and faith for God without even realizing it. This is their fate:
When the Son of Man (God - added by me) comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father (God - added by me), inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:31-40 New King James Version
You see, it begins with love. You love someone and you help them. The love you give and show them inspires them to love you in return. This flow of love connects you to God, for God is love.
We don't need to blow up abortion clinics, or insist criminals be executed, or fly planes into buildings, or shoot people over walls. That won't please God. And if we're not pleasing God, we must be displeasing him. Let us care about one another. If we truly love someone, we will act appropriately toward them.
That is what I believe.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Who Am I
There is a tendency for people, when they are granted positions of priviledge and power, to forget where they came from and who they really are before God. This is true of all people, of all races, of all religions, of all faiths. It is a very real danger which they must guard against at all times. Sometimes, being "humble" is a conscious act.
And it isn't just true of those who are granted these positions. People like me are just as susceptible to the power of self-importance as anyone else. How easy it is to spout of what we believe to be great words of wisdom to the "masses", while we slowly but surely deviate from our own teachings.
The Apostle Paul wrote concerning this very thing.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prices? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to thers, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 New King James Version
What Paul is talking about regarding the running and fighting are analogies to the athletics of the time, which included running and a form of boxing. While training for these events, runners would run without a specific destination (with uncertainty). The goal was to build endurance and strength. Boxers would practice their punches, often without a sparring partner (beats the air). So, too, Paul said he worked at disciplining himself physically, as well as spiritually. Why? because it is the physical which weakens first, and then our spirits have a tendency to follow.
Time and again I find it interesting that there is only one sin Jesus directly condemned over and over and over again. Hypocrisy. And in the Gospel of Luke he warns us of it.
Beware the leven of the Pharisees, which is hypcrisy. For there is nothing coverd that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be hard in the light, and what you have spken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:1-3 New King James Version
I was reading in the Quran earlier this morning, and came across this.
2- The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)
[2:84] We made a covenant with you, that you shall not shed your blood, nor shall you evict each other from your homes. You agreed and bore witness.
[2:85] Yet, here you are killing each other, and evicting some of you from their homes, banding against them sinfully and maliciously. Even when they surrendered, you demanded ransom from them. Evicting them was prohibited for you in the first place. Do you believe in part of the scripture and disbelieve in part? What should be the retribution for those among you who do this, except humiliation in this life, and a far worse retribution on the Day of Resurrection? GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
If you get past the specifics of these two lines you see the same problem Paul and Jesus spoke of: hypocrisy. Agreeing to live by one set of standards, but then actually choosing to live by another.
It is what I worry about most regarding my own life. You see, no matter what I put down on paper, or into a computer, and no matter what words come out of my mouth, I know the thoughts in my head. I know the desires of my heart. And I often succumb to them.
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:34-37 New King James Version
Luke records a parable Jesus told regarding two men who presented themselves at the temple. One was a religious leader, a Pharisee, and he thanked God for his righteousness, that he was not like the tax collector who stood near. The other?
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" Luke 18:13 New King James Version
Sometimes I fear that I am the first man.
And it isn't just true of those who are granted these positions. People like me are just as susceptible to the power of self-importance as anyone else. How easy it is to spout of what we believe to be great words of wisdom to the "masses", while we slowly but surely deviate from our own teachings.
The Apostle Paul wrote concerning this very thing.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prices? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to thers, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 New King James Version
What Paul is talking about regarding the running and fighting are analogies to the athletics of the time, which included running and a form of boxing. While training for these events, runners would run without a specific destination (with uncertainty). The goal was to build endurance and strength. Boxers would practice their punches, often without a sparring partner (beats the air). So, too, Paul said he worked at disciplining himself physically, as well as spiritually. Why? because it is the physical which weakens first, and then our spirits have a tendency to follow.
Time and again I find it interesting that there is only one sin Jesus directly condemned over and over and over again. Hypocrisy. And in the Gospel of Luke he warns us of it.
Beware the leven of the Pharisees, which is hypcrisy. For there is nothing coverd that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be hard in the light, and what you have spken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:1-3 New King James Version
I was reading in the Quran earlier this morning, and came across this.
2- The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)
[2:84] We made a covenant with you, that you shall not shed your blood, nor shall you evict each other from your homes. You agreed and bore witness.
[2:85] Yet, here you are killing each other, and evicting some of you from their homes, banding against them sinfully and maliciously. Even when they surrendered, you demanded ransom from them. Evicting them was prohibited for you in the first place. Do you believe in part of the scripture and disbelieve in part? What should be the retribution for those among you who do this, except humiliation in this life, and a far worse retribution on the Day of Resurrection? GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
If you get past the specifics of these two lines you see the same problem Paul and Jesus spoke of: hypocrisy. Agreeing to live by one set of standards, but then actually choosing to live by another.
It is what I worry about most regarding my own life. You see, no matter what I put down on paper, or into a computer, and no matter what words come out of my mouth, I know the thoughts in my head. I know the desires of my heart. And I often succumb to them.
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:34-37 New King James Version
Luke records a parable Jesus told regarding two men who presented themselves at the temple. One was a religious leader, a Pharisee, and he thanked God for his righteousness, that he was not like the tax collector who stood near. The other?
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" Luke 18:13 New King James Version
Sometimes I fear that I am the first man.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Way I Understand God's Names
I had meant to only post here on Sundays. However, I am reading a book, The Faith Club, by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner, and some of the things they had to deal with before they could complete their work are striking chords with me.
One is the charge that Christians do not worship a single God. We talk about The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit as if these were three separate Gods, or pieces of God. We use inaccurate analogies, such as a three-stand rope. With every effort to explain our monotheist view we only encourage others to believe we're talking about three different beings.
So, despite being highly uneducated compared to most, I will attempt at demonstrating how we can say Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and still be talking about God. One God.
In keeping with the Christian tendency to use silly analogies, let me use a familiar name to most. Barach Obama.
Barach Obama is a single person. Yet he has different names. Not titles. Names. How so?
Should we of the American Public address him face-to-face, we would call him Mr. President. Whatever else we might say about him when not addressing him personally, when we do talk to him we would say, "Mr. President."
He is still Barach Obama. A single person.
Michelle Obama, and the president's close friends and family, most likely call him, Barach. I certainly can't see his wife calling him, "Mr. President." Perhaps in public, at a function, but in private he is Barach.
He is still Barach Obama. Mr. President. A single person.
The president's children call him Dad, Daddy, Father, or something of the like, I'm sure. Again, at a function they may use his formal title. But at home, together, he is Daddy.
He is still Barach Obama. Mr. President. Barach. A single person.
So it is with God.
Our names for God do not reference different gods. Neither do they reference "parts of God". They identify God acting in one of his many capacities.
The Father
God created everything. How he went about it is still up for speculation. That he did it, should not be. (For some it is, and for others they are convinced he had nothing to do with it - because they don't even believe he exists. Different issue.) God is also in charge of everything. How he administers things is also something which can be debated. That he is in charge, should not be.
God is holy. He is in charge. He is Creator. He is Master. However you wish to view it, there is no one of greater importance than God. When addressing God in this capacity, Christians use the term, "Father." We (Christians) believe that God granted humanity this term of affection by means of what he did in forgiving us.
The Son
We (Christians) believe that God personally indwelt a physical human being called Jesus. There was no other spirit than his own in that body. His purpose in doing this was to offer himself as the sacrifice for humanity's sins. That being done, justice was satisfied and he could welcome all of humanity back into his arms.
When we speak of God paying for our sins, we speak of God acting as The Son. He is still God. Just as "Barach" is still "Mr. President."
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is how we (Christians) think of God when he addresses us personally. This is done on a spiritual level we cannot fully comprehend. We know God convicts us of sin when we go wrong. We know God comforts our hearts when we are grieved. We know God inspires us to works, both great and small. It is God's activity in our personal lives which we refer to as "The Holy Spirit."
But God is still God. There is only one God. Sometimes he touches our hearts to guide us, or comfort us. He has taken it upon himself to pay for humanity's sins in order that humanity may abide with him forever. He is majestic and in charge. He is all of these things, and much, much more. If we wanted to, we could probably come up with a hundred names for God.
But there would still only be God. One God. With many names.
.
One is the charge that Christians do not worship a single God. We talk about The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit as if these were three separate Gods, or pieces of God. We use inaccurate analogies, such as a three-stand rope. With every effort to explain our monotheist view we only encourage others to believe we're talking about three different beings.
So, despite being highly uneducated compared to most, I will attempt at demonstrating how we can say Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and still be talking about God. One God.
In keeping with the Christian tendency to use silly analogies, let me use a familiar name to most. Barach Obama.
Barach Obama is a single person. Yet he has different names. Not titles. Names. How so?
Should we of the American Public address him face-to-face, we would call him Mr. President. Whatever else we might say about him when not addressing him personally, when we do talk to him we would say, "Mr. President."
He is still Barach Obama. A single person.
Michelle Obama, and the president's close friends and family, most likely call him, Barach. I certainly can't see his wife calling him, "Mr. President." Perhaps in public, at a function, but in private he is Barach.
He is still Barach Obama. Mr. President. A single person.
The president's children call him Dad, Daddy, Father, or something of the like, I'm sure. Again, at a function they may use his formal title. But at home, together, he is Daddy.
He is still Barach Obama. Mr. President. Barach. A single person.
So it is with God.
Our names for God do not reference different gods. Neither do they reference "parts of God". They identify God acting in one of his many capacities.
The Father
God created everything. How he went about it is still up for speculation. That he did it, should not be. (For some it is, and for others they are convinced he had nothing to do with it - because they don't even believe he exists. Different issue.) God is also in charge of everything. How he administers things is also something which can be debated. That he is in charge, should not be.
God is holy. He is in charge. He is Creator. He is Master. However you wish to view it, there is no one of greater importance than God. When addressing God in this capacity, Christians use the term, "Father." We (Christians) believe that God granted humanity this term of affection by means of what he did in forgiving us.
The Son
We (Christians) believe that God personally indwelt a physical human being called Jesus. There was no other spirit than his own in that body. His purpose in doing this was to offer himself as the sacrifice for humanity's sins. That being done, justice was satisfied and he could welcome all of humanity back into his arms.
When we speak of God paying for our sins, we speak of God acting as The Son. He is still God. Just as "Barach" is still "Mr. President."
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is how we (Christians) think of God when he addresses us personally. This is done on a spiritual level we cannot fully comprehend. We know God convicts us of sin when we go wrong. We know God comforts our hearts when we are grieved. We know God inspires us to works, both great and small. It is God's activity in our personal lives which we refer to as "The Holy Spirit."
But God is still God. There is only one God. Sometimes he touches our hearts to guide us, or comfort us. He has taken it upon himself to pay for humanity's sins in order that humanity may abide with him forever. He is majestic and in charge. He is all of these things, and much, much more. If we wanted to, we could probably come up with a hundred names for God.
But there would still only be God. One God. With many names.
.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
It's Time For Christians to Take Back Their Faith
The Gospel of Hatred has been preached since preaching began, I'm sure. It's always there, lurking like an invisible slime which ultimately suffocates those infected by it. But it has become so widespread now that it seems when the general public thinks of Christians, they think intolerance, hatred, unforgiveness, and host of other dark things which should never be associated with our faith. Kind of like the child molestations by clergy. It doesn't take many instances for a reputation to spread. And there are many instances. Certain other faiths are also struggling with their image due to extremists who may not even actually believe.
What distresses me is that many Christians, who I know to be Christians, are caught up in this Gospel of Hatred. How sad and terrible that it is so easy to drift from the Commission we were given and preach the wrong gospel.
For those of you who are wondering, I am specifically speaking of the radio and television preachers who, as far as I am concerned, have become as the Church of Ephesus.
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 'I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.'" Revelation 2:1-4 New King James Version
We, as Christians, were given a great and wonderful commission: to preach God's Gospel, which is the Gospel of Christ. And what have we done? We have allowed perverts to infiltrate our pulpits. We have allowed the Gospel of Hatred to become our message to the world. It is time for us to return to our first love, which is Christ. Which is God.
And what is our commission?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 New King James Version
Now, before you go spouting off the Ten Commandments, or anything else, let us refresh our memories on the commandment Jesus gave us.
"These things I command you, that you love one another." John 15:17 New King James Version
Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:38-40 New King James Version (emphasis mine)
So what is Jesus telling us? That instead of going line by line through the scriptures looking for dos and don'ts, we can boil the entire thing down to God. God is love. He loves all of us. ALL of us. That includes the Hitlers and Bin Ladens and Presidents and murderers and child molesters and everyone. You. Me. We are ALL included.
And the way we are to treat one another is how we want to be treated. So, if you are preaching hatred, intolerance, and damnation to people who are gay, or liberal, or who support some legislation you think is evil, you are preaching the WRONG GOSPEL!
Do you realize what dangerous footing you have put under yourself? If not, then let me remind you of something else Jesus said.
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37 New King James Version
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!"" Matthrew 7:21-23 New King James Version
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hyprocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5 New King James Version
Consider Jesus' response to the woman who was brought to him after being caught in the act of adultery. (I find it interesting that the man was not brought.)
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:7 New King James Version
So, what am I saying? That we should not accuse people of sin?
Yes.
That is not the gospel with which we have been commissioned. Only God is authorized to convict people of sin.
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revaled this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 16:17 New King James Version
Our task is NOT to tell people they are going to hell. It is to tell people God forgives them when God convicts them in their heart that they need forgiveness. We tell people God forgives them. When they ask us exactly what it is God is forgiving them of, we send them to God to ask.
The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of God which is the Gospel of Love.
God wants us all to come to him. We drive people away with lies every time we speak hatred and intolerance to them. Woe to us for doing that.
Love is what made us Christians. Why should we withhold it from others?
Love people! That is the commandment of Christ.
Let's follow it.
What distresses me is that many Christians, who I know to be Christians, are caught up in this Gospel of Hatred. How sad and terrible that it is so easy to drift from the Commission we were given and preach the wrong gospel.
For those of you who are wondering, I am specifically speaking of the radio and television preachers who, as far as I am concerned, have become as the Church of Ephesus.
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 'I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.'" Revelation 2:1-4 New King James Version
We, as Christians, were given a great and wonderful commission: to preach God's Gospel, which is the Gospel of Christ. And what have we done? We have allowed perverts to infiltrate our pulpits. We have allowed the Gospel of Hatred to become our message to the world. It is time for us to return to our first love, which is Christ. Which is God.
And what is our commission?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 New King James Version
Now, before you go spouting off the Ten Commandments, or anything else, let us refresh our memories on the commandment Jesus gave us.
"These things I command you, that you love one another." John 15:17 New King James Version
Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:38-40 New King James Version (emphasis mine)
So what is Jesus telling us? That instead of going line by line through the scriptures looking for dos and don'ts, we can boil the entire thing down to God. God is love. He loves all of us. ALL of us. That includes the Hitlers and Bin Ladens and Presidents and murderers and child molesters and everyone. You. Me. We are ALL included.
And the way we are to treat one another is how we want to be treated. So, if you are preaching hatred, intolerance, and damnation to people who are gay, or liberal, or who support some legislation you think is evil, you are preaching the WRONG GOSPEL!
Do you realize what dangerous footing you have put under yourself? If not, then let me remind you of something else Jesus said.
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37 New King James Version
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!"" Matthrew 7:21-23 New King James Version
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hyprocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5 New King James Version
Consider Jesus' response to the woman who was brought to him after being caught in the act of adultery. (I find it interesting that the man was not brought.)
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:7 New King James Version
So, what am I saying? That we should not accuse people of sin?
Yes.
That is not the gospel with which we have been commissioned. Only God is authorized to convict people of sin.
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revaled this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 16:17 New King James Version
Our task is NOT to tell people they are going to hell. It is to tell people God forgives them when God convicts them in their heart that they need forgiveness. We tell people God forgives them. When they ask us exactly what it is God is forgiving them of, we send them to God to ask.
The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of God which is the Gospel of Love.
God wants us all to come to him. We drive people away with lies every time we speak hatred and intolerance to them. Woe to us for doing that.
Love is what made us Christians. Why should we withhold it from others?
Love people! That is the commandment of Christ.
Let's follow it.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
In the Beginning
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 New King James Version
I started with the first first in my Bible on purpose. It symbolically represents the beginning of this blog. I guess it's my way of asking for God's favor.
The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 New King James Version
Isn't that the way of it? God creates something. Then it is damaged, ultimately losing its form.
I expect I was a beautiful baby. All the others I've seen are, so why not? As a very young person it must have been wonderful to look into innocent eyes which could not comprehend wrongdoing. Then I aged. I learned wrongdoing. I learned violence. I learned how to do harm.
All of these things I learned damaged me. They hurt others, but they damaged me. No longer was I innocent. No longer was my spirit beautiful to behold. I had become without form, and void.
Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. Genesis 1:3 New King James Version
On the morning of my 19th birthday, 4:00 a.m. to be precise, God put light in my heart and began the process of recreation. Unfortunately, while he was able to accomplish the same task with the world in seven days (six - the seventh day he rested), it has taken much longer with me. And God doesn't get much rest in the process. In August of this year it will be 34 years since that fateful morning when I began to cease to be void and take on new form. The new form will ultimately be the same form as Christ himself. But it's taking a long time.
I would like to believe that there has been much progress over the past few years. Tragedy and distress have finally got my attention enough for me to pay attention and learn something. What I have learned best is the simplicity of God's gospel. His gospel is one of love and forgiveness. Not condemnation and hatred. So that is what I focus on.
Forgiveness is a major theme with God. The Old Testement, created by Jewish writers, reveals it over and over and over again. It's the entire New Testament gospel.
I have been reading the Quran. It is from this website. The Translator is Dr. Rashad Khalifa. I began reading it last Sunday and continued this morning. Here is some of what I read today. It is from a portion titled, 2-The Heifer (Al-Baqarah).
[2:30] Recall that your Lord said to the angels, "I am placing a representative (a temporary god) on Earth." They said, "Will You place therein one who will spread evil therein and shed blood, while we sing Your praises, glorify You, and uphold Your absolute authority?" He said, "I know what you do not know."
[2:31] He taught Adam all the names then presented them to the angels, saying, "Give me the names of these, if you are right."
[2:32] They said, "Be You glorified, we have no knowledge, except that which You have taught us. You are the Omniscient, Most Wise."
[2:33] He said, "O Adam, tell them their names." When he told them their names, He said, "Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth? I know what you declare, and what you conceal."
[2:34] When we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam," they fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused, was too arrogant, and a disbeliever.
[2:35] We said, "O Adam, live with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom generously, as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you sin."
[2:36] But the devil duped them, and caused their eviction therefrom. We said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On Earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile."
[2:37] Then, Adam received from his Lord words, whereby He redeemed him. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
Of course, I am ignorant, on my own, but this is what I read from this short passage. "He redeemed him." That's forgiveness. To me, it appears the Quran begins speaking of God's forgiveness very early. If I am correct in my understanding, then the Quran is also telling us forgiveness is an important attribute of God.
Forgiveness bespeaks love. Without any love there can be no forgiveness. The greater the presence of love the greater the capacity to forgive. This is important to remember. For me, anyway.
To be loved by anyone is to be loved by God. To be forgiven by anyone is to be forgiven by God. Where God does not forgive, there is no forgiveness. Where God does not love, there is no love.
This is what I believe.
I started with the first first in my Bible on purpose. It symbolically represents the beginning of this blog. I guess it's my way of asking for God's favor.
The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 New King James Version
Isn't that the way of it? God creates something. Then it is damaged, ultimately losing its form.
I expect I was a beautiful baby. All the others I've seen are, so why not? As a very young person it must have been wonderful to look into innocent eyes which could not comprehend wrongdoing. Then I aged. I learned wrongdoing. I learned violence. I learned how to do harm.
All of these things I learned damaged me. They hurt others, but they damaged me. No longer was I innocent. No longer was my spirit beautiful to behold. I had become without form, and void.
Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. Genesis 1:3 New King James Version
On the morning of my 19th birthday, 4:00 a.m. to be precise, God put light in my heart and began the process of recreation. Unfortunately, while he was able to accomplish the same task with the world in seven days (six - the seventh day he rested), it has taken much longer with me. And God doesn't get much rest in the process. In August of this year it will be 34 years since that fateful morning when I began to cease to be void and take on new form. The new form will ultimately be the same form as Christ himself. But it's taking a long time.
I would like to believe that there has been much progress over the past few years. Tragedy and distress have finally got my attention enough for me to pay attention and learn something. What I have learned best is the simplicity of God's gospel. His gospel is one of love and forgiveness. Not condemnation and hatred. So that is what I focus on.
Forgiveness is a major theme with God. The Old Testement, created by Jewish writers, reveals it over and over and over again. It's the entire New Testament gospel.
I have been reading the Quran. It is from this website. The Translator is Dr. Rashad Khalifa. I began reading it last Sunday and continued this morning. Here is some of what I read today. It is from a portion titled, 2-The Heifer (Al-Baqarah).
[2:30] Recall that your Lord said to the angels, "I am placing a representative (a temporary god) on Earth." They said, "Will You place therein one who will spread evil therein and shed blood, while we sing Your praises, glorify You, and uphold Your absolute authority?" He said, "I know what you do not know."
[2:31] He taught Adam all the names then presented them to the angels, saying, "Give me the names of these, if you are right."
[2:32] They said, "Be You glorified, we have no knowledge, except that which You have taught us. You are the Omniscient, Most Wise."
[2:33] He said, "O Adam, tell them their names." When he told them their names, He said, "Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth? I know what you declare, and what you conceal."
[2:34] When we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam," they fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused, was too arrogant, and a disbeliever.
[2:35] We said, "O Adam, live with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom generously, as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you sin."
[2:36] But the devil duped them, and caused their eviction therefrom. We said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On Earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile."
[2:37] Then, Adam received from his Lord words, whereby He redeemed him. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
Of course, I am ignorant, on my own, but this is what I read from this short passage. "He redeemed him." That's forgiveness. To me, it appears the Quran begins speaking of God's forgiveness very early. If I am correct in my understanding, then the Quran is also telling us forgiveness is an important attribute of God.
Forgiveness bespeaks love. Without any love there can be no forgiveness. The greater the presence of love the greater the capacity to forgive. This is important to remember. For me, anyway.
To be loved by anyone is to be loved by God. To be forgiven by anyone is to be forgiven by God. Where God does not forgive, there is no forgiveness. Where God does not love, there is no love.
This is what I believe.
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