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Devotional and Bible

A Ritual or a Relationship?

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I mentioned this book on Twitter and Facebook the other day. I haven’t finished reading it yet, but I thought I’d give you a taste. I’m sure a lot of believers can relate to this:

Here is how many Christians think of “getting saved”: they realize they’re a sinner and they need Jesus to save them. So they approach Him and ask Him to come into their heart. Of course He says, “yes,” at which time He forgives their sins, writes their names in the Lamb’s Book of Life, gives them a “certificate” of salvation (a carbon copy of which is placed in their Bible), and commences a party in heaven in their honor. If they begin to doubt later whether or not they are really “saved,” they replay in their minds that moment of conversion, assuring themselves of their sincerity and reminding themselves of the feelings they had after it.

Works great. At least until your memory fails you. Or if you start to wonder if you did it right. Or if you have deceived yourself into thinking something happened that really didn’t. And what if you begin to ask, as I did, Did I really feel sorry enough for my sin? Did my life change enough after I asked Him into my heart? Did I understand enough about Jesus, or my sin, or grace, when I prayed? Were there areas of rebellion I was unaware of?

Uh-oh. Better ask Him to come into your life again. So back you go to Jesus, asking for another “certificate.” You feel better for a while. But you’ll probably have to do it a few more times throughout your life to be sure. The only time you think you can be absolutely assured you did it right is when you are standing face-to-face with Jesus in heaven.

The Bible depicts the moment of salvation differently. Instead of asking Jesus for a “certificate” of salvation, you start believing what God’s Word says about His Lordship and His completed work at the cross. You understand that you have lived in rebellion against the rule of God and have no hope of escaping God’s wrath on your own. You “kneel” in submission to His claim on your life, and rest your hope of heaven upon Him. Picture this as hopping up into His arms, submitting to go wherever He takes you, and trusting in Him to carry you into heaven.

If at some point in the future you begin to doubt whether or not you really have put faith in Jesus, do you look backwards to try and remember that moment when you first hopped up into His arms? I suppose you could. Better, though, would be to look at where you are currently resting. If you are right now resting in His arms, knowing when you began to rest is less important than that you are doing it now. Your present posture is more important than a past memory.

Conversion is not completing a ritual, it is commencing a relationship. The assurance of ritual is based on accurate words and memory. The assurance of relationship is based on a present posture of repentance and belief.

From Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved by J. D. Greer

So that we’re not “taken captive”…

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I haven’t been stopping by here enough – so here I am, stopping by!

Yesterday and today have been filled with a lot of practical things. Needed paperwork, answering emails, and preparing for future ministry.

A laser focus?For example, I’ve been preparing for tomorrow’s Sunday School class. I’ve been meditating on the value of getting a laser-focus in on Christ as we study the Scripture.

I was reminded of this passage from Colossians 2:1-8. Paul isn’t speaking specifically about studying the Old Testament – in fact, he’s talking about something even broader. Allowing the truth of Christ to shine on all of life – to take down human tradition, show up empty philosophy, and to fill us with true knowledge and wisdom. Listen to this:

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Yes, psychology can be empty without the truth of Christ and the Gospel. But even teachers in the church can use the Bible itself to promote their own traditions and rules. How? By removing Scripture from the greater context – Jesus Himself.

I hope we can learn to see His face in our studies – because what can be greater than seeing Him?

So anyway I’m thinking through these things as I prepare – admittedly through the fog of some congestion and a few sneezes. But tomorrow is another day. 🙂

7 Ways to Look for Christ in the Old Testament

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You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…
John 5:39

All of the Bible speaks of the Saviour – Jesus Christ. Don’t forget Luke 24:44-45:

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…

So if Christ is in all of the Old Testament, how can we look for Him? If it is our passion to really see Him – then we all want to see Him clearer in all of Scripture!

7 Ways BookmarkA few months ago I developed this little tool in Spanish, and since then I’ve found it very useful. In fact, we’re using it in our Sunday school class right now. So I’ve translated it into English for you – along with a bookmark that you can print out and put in your Bible.

So here is a brief explanation of all 7. (By the way, this is basically an expansion of #4 in How to Study the Old Testament.)

1) Presence Does this text speak of the presence of Christ? (Example: Joshua 5:13-15 – There are good reasons to believe, as you’ll see in this passage, that “the Angel of the LORD” in the Old Testament could be Christ Himself.)
2) Nature Is Christ similar or different from someone or something?(Example: Genesis 45:4-8 – Jesus was forgiving of those who hurt Him.)
3) Path ¿Is this a step closer to the coming of Christ? (Example: Esther 9:1-2 – Without the chosen people, the Messiah of Israel never would have come!)
4) Better Is Christ better or more perfect than someone or something? (Example: Deuteronomy 18:15 and Hebrews 3:1-6 – This is, of course, a major theme of Hebrews!)
5) Need Does this text show us why we need a Saviour? (Example: Genesis 5 – What a shocking difference from the paradise of Genesis 1 & 2! Death, death, death – we need a Saviour!)
6) Promise Is there a promise here about Christ? (Example: Psalm 22:16-18; John 19:23-24)
7) Praise How does this lead me to praise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? (Example: Genesis 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:1-5)

If you would like a copy of the bookmark for your Bible, just download and print out the pdf below.

Bookmark (pdf)

Give more Life to Your Life!

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I said a few words at the two closing programs for our community centres. Here’s what I said (except I’ve written it in English instead of Spanish for your convenience)…

Tiempo de VivirWho knows what the motto of our cultural centre is?

Give more Life to Your Life!

No matter what your age, gender, religion, or previous experience, you can experience more life here! More English, to communicate with other people in the world. More music to enjoy. More food — to eat! More crafts to create. More friends. More LIFE!

But, where did life come from?

Eighty eight years ago, some scientists started to talk about the “Big Bang Theory”. The idea was that the universe started with a big explosion.

But back then, most scientists (well, those that didn’t believe in God), said,“Big Bang?! No way! If the universe had a beginning, then . . . it must have had a Creator to start it going! And we don’t believe that.”

And now some scientists are trying to create new scientific models to say that the universe didn’t have a beginning after all.

But unless the universe appeared out of nothing all by itself, there are only two possibilities. It has always existed, or God has always existed. The source of everything is . . . well, rocks . . . or the source of everything is God, and he created it all.*

Look around you! (No, seriously – LOOK around you!) There’s life, there’s movement, there’s energy! Someone started the spinning top** of the cosmos spinning.

But at the same time, life seems to be fading as well. The top stops spinning. There is evil. Violence. Cancer. Flowers wilt. The car runs out of gas.

So next week is Holy Week – who has holidays? I imagine you’ll be more alive during your holidays, right?***

During Holy Week we remember a man who claimed He was God. But this man died. Life had gone. But then . . . His eyes opened . . . He moved his fingers . . . He could jump and shout. LIFE. Life had returned!

During Holy Week we remember Jesus. He said,”Life is more than food. You can’t even add to your own life. But there is such a thing as never-ending life, life that goes on, a life with forgiveness. In fact,” said Jesus, “I AM the LIFE, the only way to God.”

And so enjoy Holy Week. Enjoy your holidays (if you have any!). And I hope we’ll see you back here at the cultural centre in the future, to give more life to your life!

But think BIG! Think in purpose, freedom, life that doesn’t end. This life is only found in Jesus Christ. And if you’re not sure that you have it, I have good news to share with you, if you would like to talk.

* This is imprecise, but I think it’s accurate, if you use “rocks” as an illustration of the physical universe. No matter what you say about the beginning of the universe (here’s Stephen Hawking’s attempt to explain away a “need” for God), you can’t get around the fact that it is either the fundamental reality, or something outside of it is – by definition, God.
** trompo – a popular toy in Mexico, where a spinning top is flung out from the hand, and a string is pulled to start it spinning.
*** Funny, I got two different answers. In one community, a resounding YES! In the other community the kids preferred school!

Law vs. Love?

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Recently I was listening to a sermon series in which the speaker was talking a lot about love. Some of what he said sounded rather familiar – it was something like this:

In the Old Testament, people had to obey a lot of laws. They had to be different than the people around them. They had sacrifices and rules about food and rules about what to do about oxen.

But then Jesus came along, and changed everything. Instead of hundreds of rules, He just gave us one. “Love”.

So today, who are the people of God? They are the ones who love each other. They love their neighbours.

Today, instead of the Law, we have Love.

Law vs. Love?Now I’ve actually heard this kind of thing quite a bit. And frankly, I think it’s a little bit of truth mixed with a whole lot of confusion.

Now, are Christians people who love? Well, the Apostle John would certainly say so. Take for example this little gem:

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
(1John 3:14)

Or how about the even better known:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
(1John 4:7-8)

And what about all the other laws in the Bible? Well, remember this exchange between Jesus and a lawyer?

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

(Matthew 22:35-40)

So Jesus came with something totally new, right? All we have to worry about today is “Love”. No longer is the law important. Just love.

But there’s a problem with this idea – a big one.

You can start to see it crumble when you take a look at a similar passage in Luke:

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

(Luke 10:25-28)

Here’s a good, educated Jewish man giving the exact same answer Jesus would give. What is written in the law? Love, of course.

Wait – isn’t love the big change? Isn’t it law vs. love?

Apparently not. The idea of loving God and loving neighbour actually comes from the law of Moses. These weren’t ideas hidden in a corner of the law – even the Jews knew (whether they practised it or not) that loving God was a major cornerstone.

“Do this” says Jesus. “Do”. Well – wait – this is law language!

Well, what about all those other laws in the Old Testament (and the New – we’ll get there in a moment)? What were they there for?

Guess what. They explained what love is.

We can’t give love any definition we want. God explains to us what love looks like – throughout the Bible.

Is this just an Old Testament thing? That love and law actually go together? Let’s go back to our favourite Apostle of Love, John himself:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
(1John 5:1-2)

You mean – we love each other by loving God and – obeying His commandments? Really? But – you mean – something specific?

Well, John does mention a few commandments in the rest of his epistle:

  • Do not love the world, or the things in it (1John 2:15)
  • Do not close your heart to a brother in need (1John 3:17)
  • Test the spirits and beware false prophets (1John 4:1)
  • Stay away from idols (1John 5:21)

John talks a lot about commandments – these are just a few examples he gives.

But wait wait – this can’t be right. Didn’t Jesus Himself set aside the law and give us love instead? Remember this…

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13:34-35)

We’ve already seen that the law to love was not new. So what was new about this commandment of Jesus?

First, they were to love as Jesus loved – Jesus was giving them a new and perfect example.

Second, they were to love as disciples – Spirit-filled, redeemed, disciples.

Third, they were to be known by their love.

Love itself was not new, but it gained new meaning in a new era.

Jesus wasn’t throwing away commandments and giving us love instead. Just in the next chapter, what does Jesus say? “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

What commandments did Jesus give? Here are a few examples…

  • Do not lust (Matthew 5:28)
  • Do not divorce (except in certain cases) (Matthew 5:32)
  • Do not make oaths to make you “more honest” (Matthew 5:36-37)
  • Do not resist an evil person (Matthew 5:39)

And on and on it goes.

Love does not replace commandments. Love is the basis of them. And love is explained in them.

Love is not contrary to the law. Love doesn’t even replace the law. Love is part of the law, a summary of the law, a fulfillment of the law (if you do it!).

One more bit of proof, and then we’ll summarize.

Check out this bold statement from the Apostle Paul:

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
(Galatians 5:13-14)

We are free from the tyranny of the law, argues Paul. Attempting to keep the law in order to be saved will result in damnation.

So does that mean we set aside the specifics, and just “love”? Or does it mean that “love” saves us?

Not at all! Love is not the Gospel, it is the way of life that we aim for once we have been saved by the Gospel.

You see, there are two ways to be saved – obey the law completely (that is, love God completely every moment of the day, love your neighbour completely every moment of the day, from birth until death – except you won’t die, because you’re perfect and therefore do not deserve death) – “do this, and you will live”, or trust in the perfect righteousness of Christ.

Remember the first verse we quoted from 1John? We know that we already have life – that we have already been saved – because we love!

A Christian loves, but that’s because they’re a Christian. Love doesn’t save anyone. Love as hard as you want – and be lost without Christ.

So then, once we’re saved, do we ignore specific commands and just “love”? Well, let’s see if Paul alludes to any commands in the rest of the chapter:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will 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 keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(Galatians 5:16-23)

Yeah, he mentioned one or two things. Pretty specific things.

What’s the difference? Why are we not “under the law”?

Well, we’re free from it because we are already perfect in Christ. We’re free from putting on an “external show” of our “righteousness”. We’re empowered to obey God by the Spirit. It’s all the difference in the world.

In summary (and why this is so important!):

  • Love does not replace law – it is the law. That means that loving God and loving your neighbour will never save you. It will never make you righteous before God. We love because we are saved, we’re not saved because we love. If we ask people to completely define themselves by love, we’re putting the burden of the law back on them (Acts 15:10)!
  • Love does not replace the law, it fulfills the law. The law explains what love is. A lot of people seem to want to lift “love” out of the Bible and make it mean whatever they want. Love interpreted by psychology. Love explained by modern culture. Love through the filter of how I feel today. How about – love defined by the One who is love? Love points to the Bible, it doesn’t make it irrelevant (Romans 13:7-10).

The command to love is perhaps the best way to demonstrate how lost and sinful we are. We have disobeyed the greatest commandments – repeatedly. Everyone knows love is a good thing – but no one lives it every day.

And so love points us to Jesus – who loved perfectly – and died because of His love for the Father and for us. And He freed us from the law.

As believers in Christ, we are given His perfect righteousness. And He changes us. His Spirit empowers us to love. Not in order to meet some standard of external obedience. Not to reach God with our own goodness. But to express a joyful, free, giving love from the heart.

It’s not law vs. love. We are free from its burden – and so free to really learn to love and obey in all the power and grace of God.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2Corinthians 13:14)

John 1 – The Word was God

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It’s about time I gave you an update on the “memorize the Gospel of John” project!

The bad news is that I have fallen behind – only having memorized about half of what my goal was.

The irony is that I’ve actually found John easier so far than Philippians – I’m thinking it’s because so far the verse length is shorter.

Anyway, I’m carrying on and would like to catch up, but for the time being I’m just trying to keep up with a normal schedule.

The Prologue of John is a masterpiece of literature, describing eternal truths and God’s invasion of light into a dark world with expert skill.

Unfortunately, a lot of the discussion of John 1 has been highjacked by the decision of the Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) to render John 1:1 as “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”

If you bring up the topic with a Jehovah’s Witness, you’re likely to hear a long speech about why the Greek supports adding “a” before the word “god”.

But you don’t need to go to the Greek to be suspicious (to say the least) of such claims, never mind that Greek scholars from around the world would disagree with this highly unusual version of the verse.

Earlier this month this chapter was mentioned in passing in a Sunday service as we learned about the Biblical teaching on the Father, Son and Spirit. Standing on the foundation of the monotheism of the Old Testament, it’s reasonable to ask – is the Word (Jesus – see John 1:14) a false god or a true God (1Thess 1:9; Jer 10:10)?

It’s clear that John doesn’t think Jesus is a false god. And as every good Jew, he would know how many true gods there are (count them on 1 finger).

The Father, Son and Spirit cannot be three gods – they are one God. One Being, three Persons.

The context of the passage and the Bible as a whole overwhelmingly support this conclusion as well – and the correct translation of John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Recently I read an article pointing to verse three: All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

This of course points to Jesus as Creator with the Father (remembering that God created the world by Himself – see Isaiah 44:24). But someone might say,”Oh, that just means the Word was created first, and then everything else was made.”

But this is not a possible explanation, if you take a moment (or a few minutes, in my case!) to wrap your mind around the language. I’ll let you read the article yourself rather than explaining further.

The Greek is important, but it’s not necessary to know Greek to realize that John was claiming that the Word-made-flesh was God Himself.

But for an introduction to the Greek, check out John 1:1, “The word was a god” (and in Spanish here). More excellent resources can be found here.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are ubiquitous here. As light shone into the world when Jesus came, may light shine into their hearts, and the hearts of many who do not yet worship the One True God.

Jehovah's Witnesses in Ixtapaluca
JWs by their literature stand talking to passersby today in our neighbourhood.
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