Thursday, February 28, 2013

Salvation or Self-Deception?

In keeping with our current Sunday morning sermon series: Salvation or Self-Deception? I thought this paragraph from the book Follow Me by David Platt was fitting:

Sometimes I ask people, "How do you know that you are a Christian?" Or "How do you know you are saved from your sin?"  The most common replies I hear from professing Christians are "Because I decided to trust in Jesus" or "Because I asked Jesus to save me however many years ago" or even "Because I have given my life to Jesus."  Notice how each of these replies begin with the words, "Because I...." such responses are not wrong, and I assure you my aim is not to be the word police, but I do want to offer what I hope is a healthy reminder that you and I are not saved from our sin primarily because we decided to do something however many years ago.  Instead, we are saved from our sin ultimately because Jesus decided to do something two thousand years ago. And based upon His grace, His mercy, and His love in coming to us, sinners totally unable to save ourselves, we have been invited to follow Him.  The love of God in the life and death of Christ is the only foundation for authentic salvation.

Think about it.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Truth About Satan

In the Christian classic by C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, in which a senior demon from a highly organized, computerized Hell, instructs a junior demon in the art of winning over a young man's soul, there is this warning: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about devils.  One is disbelieve in their existence.  The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."  As Dr. Jim Denison, writes; "Our culture seems to have found a way to commit both errors simultaneously."

Movies, books, cartoons, and social media seem to play both ends of the spectrum. There is a great interest in the demonic in our culture, yet, much of it is taken as Hollywood fantasy with no regard or consideration for the reality of Satan (and demons).  The Bible teaches a real Satan (Gen. 3:1-6; Job 1; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Luke 4:1-13; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:1-6).  Not that we must look for a demon under every rock, but we must be aware of his existence and deceit (Eph. 6:12).

Remember Satan is not like God.  He is a created being.  He is limited.  Yes, he is supernatural.  He has existed for centuries, therefore he knows human nature, is super intelligent, and is the master manipulator.  He is a murderer and liar (John 8:44).  

Therefore, we have specific instructions on what to do to combat Satan.  In Ephesians 6:10-20, we are told to "put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."  Subsequently, the armor is listed as the belt of "truth," the "breastplate of righteousness," the shoes of "peace," the "shield of faith," the "helmet of salvation," and the "sword of the Spirit."

This spiritual weaponry is not man-made (2 Cor. 10:3-5). There are many misunderstandings and false ideas about how to "stand firm."  But our spiritual weapons can be summed up in one word: obedience.  Obedience comes by having our minds controlled by the truth of God's Word.  By obeying God's Word, you will stand firm "in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13).  When is the evil day?  Every day has been evil since Adam and Eve listened to Satan's temptation.  So, in the words of the Apostle Paul;"Put on the full armor of God.."

Think about it.

Remember.....he is defeated (Rev. 20:10), though for now he is the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2).



Thursday, February 14, 2013

Conversation Hearts

On this day in particular every year Sweetheart Conversation Hearts are bought, given, and eaten by the millions. Proving what we know: words are cheap!

Hundreds of times a day a judge's gavel drops to the desk and the dismal words are spoke: "Divorce granted." A marriage which began with delight has ended with disillusionment.  What began with excitement and expectation has ended with bitterness and hostility.

Of all days, this might be the best day, to ask: How can I make my words more meaningful to my spouse or significant other?  At the risk of sounding too simple....you have to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18) so that you will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). You have to understand that love is really actions not words (1 Cor. 13:4-7). All the words used to describe love in these verses (1 Cor. 13:4-7) are actions that are manifested toward another. Certainly love is a feeling, an emotion, and even words, but more than these, it is an action (John 15:13-14). Therefore, it's not what you say, but what you do that demonstrates true love.

Too many times our words can be empty, flattery, superficial, even selfish.  So beginning today, let your love be actions, and use words as needed.

Think about it!  

Friday, February 1, 2013

The Deceitfulness of Sin

In a recent session of the current Old Testament Survey Class--The Long Story Short-- that I am teaching, we were reminded of the deceitfulness of sin.  Sin is a peace thief.  It is a joy robber.  It is the destroyer of all good things in your life.  Sin--no matter its form--troubles, represses, torments, and enslaves.  Nothing good ever comes from sin.  Since the Garden of Eden Satan has deceived people with doubt, distortion, delay, denial, and ultimately death.  He whispers to us: "You will deny the pleasures, significance, rights, and privileges in your life if you are obedient to God.  To really experience life, you need to do your own thing."  There are three wrong assumptions about this lie:

1. Obedience to God is bad, limiting, and oppressive.
2. Disobedience will be fun, fulfilling, and accomplish my goals.
3. You have plenty of time to make amends with God. Timing is everything.

These are the assumptions that Satan must sell in order to succeed.  Think of Eve in the Garden:
She saw an evil as good.  She rejected God's truth, and accepted Satan's lie.  Satan's lie seemed logical, rational, and pleasurable.  She desired the forbidden.  She followed her own passions, and deluded reasoning, and took the fruit.  She ate it.  Death was the consequence (Rom. 5:12).  Not immediate biological death, but spiritual death and eventual biological death.  Adam also willingly and knowingly sinned too.

Satan is a cunning liar--a murderer. He looks to deceive us (1 Pet. 5:8) and then accuse us to God (Rev. 12:9-12).  The truth about sin is this: "After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when it is fully grown, it gives birth to death" (James 1:14-15).

Think about it.