Jesus – Page 4 – Hope and Passion Ministries

Anticipation!

Posted on June 18, 2012 by admin

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:4, NIV (1984)

Anticipation. Waiting. Excitement for something that cannot be adequately described. This is the stuff of the biblical Christian faith. We live between the tension points of what is and what will be. And what will be so grandly eclipses what is now that our God prescribed our hope as a hope that is alive (I Peter 1:3) and unsearchable (Ephesians 3:8).

Here it is in the simplest of terms, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4, NIV, 1984). Clearly, there is a sense in which Jesus Christ has not yet “appeared.” This should be obvious to us. In the world today, people exist who curse Christ, malign Christ, and try to ignore Christ. Jesus has been labeled by many a liar, or merely a prophet, or just a moral teacher. Some despise Him with a deep hatred. Some spend years of life not recognizing Him for Who He is. Surely, the full identity of Jesus in all His glory has not yet been revealed. Hence, the apostle Paul talks about the time “when Christ appears.”

For now, the true identity of Christ remains somewhat hidden. If He were honored for Who He truly is, the world would be right. Even we who have repented of sins and asked Him to be our Savior do not completely see and act on the reality of Who Christ is. Our minds know He is the Lord, but we often live with other idols. Our minds know He is King of Kings, but we often live in fear. Our minds know He is the judge, but we often make decisions based on our own desires.

No, certainly not the world – and not even we Christians – see Jesus for Who He is in the final sense of the word. This is one reason Paul declared, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (I Corinthians 13:12, ESV). Everything is somewhat fuzzy now, just a bit unclear. Isaiah said a similar thing 2,700 years ago when He prophesied about the second coming of Jesus, “And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, even the veil which is stretched over all nations. He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces . . .” (Isaiah 25:7-8a, NASB). Did you catch that first part? The covering – the veil – will be taken away so things become crystal clear. The day that happens will also be the moment death is vanquished and every source of sadness is eradicated. What a day that is going to be!

So we wait. We long for Christ to ultimately appear. When He does, the totality of His being will come to light; and none will be able to refuse it. Whether willingly or by compulsion at the sight of His unhindered glory, “Every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, . . .” (Philippians 2:10-11a, NASB). Can you imagine? Finally! All people will honor Him! His glory will shine so brightly that all will know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that He reigns victorious! No more can evil prevail, no more can sin destroy, no more can sadness come, no more can death exist; for, Christ will be conclusively revealed! John expressed it in the book of Revelation, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him . . .” (Revelation 1:7, ESV).

Let us go back now to Colossians 3:4 (NIV, 1984), “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.” Amazingly, when Jesus is consummately revealed, then every true Christian will also utterly be recognized for who he or she is. No longer will we be frustrated by our battle of the flesh against sin. No longer will people look at us and wonder how we could possibly be “children of the King.” We will, after all, be seen as truly beautiful – inside and out. How does this happen? Because, as Paul says in Colossians 3:4, “Christ is our life.” Yes, only commensurate with how truly I can declare Him to be my life now can I hope to be revealed in glory with Him someday in the future. Paul proclaimed, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3, NIV, 1984). Paul was not speaking of physical death, but death to self as the ruler of my life – death to sin. I am dead to myself and alive to Christ. I am “hidden in Him.” He is the definition of my life. Were Christ not my covering, I would stand hopeless before a holy God. Since Christ is my covering, when He appears for Who He truly is; I will too! The unblemished beauty of my life in Jesus will come to the forefront, all the sin and struggle having fallen away by His unbelievable grace. Oh, Lord, I can hardly wait for that day! We will worship you without hindrance and see the end result of what you purchased with Your blood when humans who trust You are then made completely right!

Our colossal concern between the tension points of now and then is this: Is Christ my life? Am I hidden in Him? Is He so much my obsession that He truly defines me? Am I pursuing Him like no thing and no one else? Remember this sentence from God’s Word, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.”

Self-Esteem: The Struggle

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight . . . In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, . . .” – Ephesians 1:4, 7

Without citing any statistics, I make the observation that many people struggle with the issue of self-esteem. Throughout life, we meet many people who underachieve, fail to build solid relationships, and remain generally gloomy because they do not possess a solid basis for their own worth. Similarly, we sometimes encounter those among us who overcompensate for their missing sense of value by overachieving, pushing themselves on others, or touting their strong points in an unhealthy manner. No doubt self-esteem is a problem today, but the answer may not be what you think.

Self-esteem proves elusive, and so often just beyond our reach. Why? Precisely because self-esteem as a general psychological category is invalid if unrelated to God. A person who refuses to define self-esteem in the terms God establishes will not be able to harness a genuine sense of worth. He will tend to battle with his identity. She will not have a firm foundation for living and engaging the world.

Just what is the basis for healthy self-esteem? Let’s explore the following components:

1) You have been chosen by the One who really matters – by the only One who can provide meaning for your life. Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) proclaims, “For [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world . . .” Imagine, before the world was made, God had your life in His mind. Before He formed the mountains, carved out the seas, filled the sky with stars, created elephants or any other creatures; He chose you to be His own!

The world and circumstances do not give you meaning; the God who chose you before He made the universe gives you meaning. Your worth is not wrapped up in your ancestry, your career, your intelligence quotient, or your body type. Your value is defined by the Creator, who elected you to be part of His plan long before He ever fashioned human beings or breathed life into flesh.

2) You are chosen to be holy. DO NOT STOP READING HERE. Holiness is not a lackluster, religious term; it is the most exciting thing in the universe! Holiness is rooted in the concept of wholeness. We desire wholeness of body and mind, because to be whole means that something is – in fact – how it ought to be. Brokenness goes against our nature. Broken bones are bad. Broken relationships are bad. Broken hearts are bad. We long for wholeness because our God is holy. We long for Heaven because Heaven is the place where everything is right and whole.

God chose us to be holy. Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) goes on to declare, “He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy . . .” When we aim in life for anything other than holiness, we end up disheartened. When we stake our value on something other than God’s definition of our intent, we end up feeling lost. Our purpose is to be like God and to live for His intention – holiness.

Many people mistakenly aim for happiness as their general life goal. Genuine joy will never be ours if happiness is the main pursuit of our hearts. Happiness is a by-product of holiness. Joy follows a soul that is settled on its purpose – the pursuit of God. No matter how some may try to get around it, we were chosen to be holy.

The exciting thing is that every believer can be holy through Jesus Christ! Whether you are a website designer, a teacher, a waiter, a neurosurgeon, a homemaker, an accountant, a salesman, or a mailman; we all have access to the genuine basis of self-worth – holiness. The purpose of God for human life puts all professions, all talents, all IQ levels, all socioeconomic statuses, and all personality types on level ground. We come to God through Jesus and fulfill the reason for living – holiness. Praise God that no circumstance can hold you back from your purpose!

3) You receive from Jesus Christ all that is necessary to live out your purpose. Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) declares, “In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” The tricky thing about self-esteem is that I cannot earn my worth. Self-esteem would be better known as “Jesus-esteem.” All my value is wrapped up in the God who made me, forgave me, and enables me to be holy.

The root behind “redemption” is the notion of being bought back – being ransomed. Jesus’ death and resurrection paid for our release from sin. Not only am I forgiven, but sin no longer reigns over me. I am pronounced holy because Jesus bore the penalty of my sin. I begin the pursuit of personal holiness because Jesus defeated the power of sin on my behalf. The Holy Spirit living in me gives me what I need to be a conqueror of wrong!

4) Ironically, if you search for self-esteem by looking in yourself, it will evade you. If you focus on the greatness of God, you will find your worth. Your Creator said, “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2, NIV). God Himself clearly esteems the person who is humble – the person who looks more at God than the self. Despite the world’s twisted thoughts, humility is the precursor of personal worth. God values the person who not only believes the Bible, but literally trembles at its truth. A human could have no more value than the esteem of God Almighty! Look to Him. Do not just consider the verses of Scripture included in this article as wise words of self-help; reckon them as the unfailing, living words of the Creator – able to change your life!

You ARE valuable . . . because of God. He chose you before the world was made that you might be holy. Through Jesus you have the power to live. Keep the eyes of your heart on the greatness of God. Consider His Word infinitely powerful. Talk to God now. Mention these verses to Him. Let Him give to you Jesus-esteem.

Jesus, Why Did You Let Your Friend Die?

Posted on April 30, 2012 by admin

“Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” – John 11:14 (ESV)

Some of the most difficult words in the Bible to wrap our minds around are these words of Jesus Christ to His disciples, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe” (John 11:14, ESV). Yes, Jesus actually implies here that He was pleased that Lazarus died before Jesus went to him to heal him. In fact, the word Christ used for “I am glad” is the same word translated as “rejoice” in Philippians 4:4 (ESV), “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Jesus purposefully allowed Lazarus to die – to cross that dark chasm between this world and the next – and to face his earthly body’s demise. We ask, “Why did you do that, Lord, when the sisters of Lazarus both told You he was ill?” They sent word directly to You. They turned to You. They asked You to intervene. They even reminded You, Jesus, of how much You cared for Lazarus when they said, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3, ESV). And God, You confirmed Your love in John 11:5 (ESV), “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” So, why? Why the seemingly disturbing words of John 11:6 (ESV), “So, when [Jesus] heard that Lazarus was ill, [Jesus] stayed two days longer in the place where he was”? God, why did you hesitate? Knowing a man you loved was suffering and about to die, why did You not run to Him? Or why did You not heal him from a distance as You did the official’s son of John 4:46-54? Lazarus was clearly Your friend, but You allowed him to suffer and be put in the grave.

In God’s economy, something is obviously more valuable than immediate healing or relief. In His scheme of things, Jesus deemed His hesitation to heal more valuable than the expected answer to prayer. He saw a greater glory. He looked beyond what eyes can see and what minds tend to perceive. He calls us – in this situation – to look to a place much deeper than comfort or human expectation. God calls us to an economy of souls and eternal realities. Christ made clear two reasons for His refusal to heal Lazarus before his first experience with death: 1) the increased belief of His disciples, and – more broadly – 2) the glorification of God and the Son of God.

When all was said and done, we discover that many people came to believe in the Son of God as a result of Jesus finally raising Lazarus from death. In fact, some of the people who came to a place of belief were the very Jewish friends who had gone to the tomb to weep with Mary and console her (John 11:31, 45). In other words, the people who had been carefully brought by God to a place of grief and somber reflection were now face-to-face with the Giver and Re-Giver of Life! Would these mourners have been receptive to healing from sickness only (as Jesus had performed many times)? Or was it their confrontation with the finality of death and its icy grip that was necessary for eternal belief? When Jesus decided to delay His arrival at the home of Lazarus, was it really because He knew an encounter with death was the only way for some to behold the Author of Life? Was it really Christ’s love for the eternal souls of men that drove Him to allow His beloved friend, Lazarus, to pass through the veil of death?

You see, only if the Son of God is glorified – or seen for Who He really is – will men and women find eternal life. God’s glory is our salvation! While some mistakenly believe God to be selfish for demanding to be glorified, He is actually working in our best interest. We were designed for real life beyond the grave. We were made to be resurrected at the Return of Christ and to live forever on the re-created earth and in the new heavens. At the time of the sickness of Lazarus, perhaps Jesus had in mind to walk with these Jewish friends of Mary someday in a place vanquished of mourning, pain, illness, mistreatment, separation, misery, and death. Perhaps Jesus knew that His dear friend, Lazarus, could handle illness, disappointment, and earthly death because Lazarus valued eternal life the most. Perhaps Lazarus is in Heaven now rejoicing with all the men and women who entered their eternal home because of his first encounter with death and subsequent resurrection. Perhaps both Jesus and Lazarus reckoned temporary suffering linked to saved people as more profitable than temporary relief linked to lost people.

Here is something to think about: though Lazarus was raised from the grave on the fourth day after dying, he still had to die an earthly death again. For him – as for us – eternity is the real hope. So, when Jesus says to your request, “I will wait a little longer,” what will your response be? To be desperately disappointed? Or to realize He is working a plan aimed at His glory so that human beings can be given what we do not deserve – forever to thrive in unmitigated perfection?

Two Bloody Robes Tell the Story

Posted on April 3, 2012 by admin

And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. – Matthew 27:28 (ESV)

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. – Revelation 19:13 (ESV)

The scene immediately preceding the crucifixion of Jesus is heartbreaking and gruesome. It ought to be deeply pondered by every person to let its reality sink in. And then, one incident in particular needs to be tied to its victorious outcome. The scene at the end of God’s Word – in the book of Revelation – is both a fitting, glorious conclusion and a sobering, devastating reality. To those who truly apprehend and order their lives according to real faith in Jesus Christ, the theme traced from the first century to the end of earthly history is one of mystery and majesty. To those opposed to the Christian Gospel, the theme – while perhaps scoffed at – is, in truth, the greatest reality with which one must deal.

Let’s travel from the first century to the end of time using one, simple thread. We shall see things quite easily as we stick to one part of both accounts – a robe. Though countless details exist, let us focus on this one component in order to cut to the heart of what is both similar and different about two historical events, one of which is yet to take place.

In the first scene, Jesus has been arrested, Judas has committed suicide, and Pilate has delivered Christ to be crucified. After Jesus was beaten, the governor’s soldiers began a mockery of Jesus. Matthew 27:27-31 (ESV) records the grievous details:

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

Note with me, please, the first action of scorn the soldiers pursued: the placement of a scarlet robe on the beaten, bleeding body of Jesus. This robe was part of a greater scheme to belittle both the Person and the claim of Christ. The main point of contention here is the perception by some that Jesus was the King of the Jews. The soldiers would taunt Jesus concerning His real identity. Apparently believing Him to be a fool instead of royalty, they gave him a robe, a crown of thorns, and a reed for a staff. Then they knelt before Him in disdain, mockingly calling out, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

Can you imagine Jesus Christ, bleeding on his back and sides beneath that robe and bleeding on His head from under the crown made of thorns? Can you envision Him holding a reed for a scepter as the soldiers spit on Him and rail at Him in hatred? Poor Jesus! How our human hearts ache at the thought of the misery and shame He endured. And yet, what makes this event most amazing is its display of the unimaginable patience of God. How could the Son of God – who is equipped with the power to calm the seas and able to raise men and women from the dead – how could He now restrain Himself to bear the unjust cruelty of these moments? He could – and He did – because of the power of His mercy. Jesus knew what He had to experience on our behalf so we would not have to bear the punishment of our own sin. He withstood the wrath of God and the weight of our sin for us. All of the suffering and scorn He went through was in order to take our place. We deserve to be taunted by Satan for our sin, but Jesus endured the ridicule of Satan, even though He had never done a thing wrong.

Amazing love is what restrained the arms of Jesus so that He did not tear off the scarlet robe and destroy the soldiers in one flash of justified wrath. In boundless compassion, Jesus restrained the full revelation of who He is and chose not to cast off the crown of thorns to show the world His real power. Jesus wore the robe, soaked as it was with His own blood, from the beating He took. Christ wore the robe, though it was placed on Him by those who refused to believe he deserves a real, most regal robe.

Fast forward to the end of time. Plough ahead to the return of Jesus to this earth a second time. We have the privilege of looking to an historical event before it happens, because our timeless God recorded it for us in His word. Hear the words of the apostle John in Revelation 19:11-21 (ESV):

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Perhaps all that can be said after a careful reading of this account is, “Wow!” Understand, friend, that the One on the white horse, with eyes as fire, with a sharp sword proceeding from His mouth, and wearing a robe dipped in blood is none other than Jesus Christ. He does not sound like the Jesus who bore the ridicule of Roman soldiers. No longer are people kneeling before Him to make light of His claim to kingship. No! All the forces of evil and followers of Satan are being slain by the sword Jesus now wields from His mouth. His robe now rightly declares His true nature – as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

And before anyone should think this scene is too gory, recall what our perfectly Holy God endured on and around the cross. The Righteous One restrained Himself and carried the due punishment of unrestrained, unrighteous humans. In those moments, God displayed His mercy. All the while, though, God remained just. For all His attributes exist in perfect balance at all times. He was able to display mercy in the most real way because His divine justice is also real. At the end of history, we shall witness the fullest revelation of His justice in much the same way we witness the fullest revelation of His mercy at the Cross.

Jesus will then rightly wear a robe that John tells us is “dipped in blood.” What a fitting reminder! Jesus once wore a robe soaked in the blood from his undeserved punishment. Now He wears a robe dipped in blood as He judges and makes war. No more restraint. Evil must be banished. All those choosing not to submit to the plan of righteousness must be judged so that goodness may prevail forever. And as our Jesus rides His white horse to the final battlefield with the armies of Heaven following behind, He is adorned with a robe to remind us of the reason we get to be part of the victory – the first, dismal robe He once wore! His loving restraint during the season of His suffering results in our sharing in the victory of the final dismissal of evil from the universe. None will mock Him then! The full revelation of His kingship is here!

Whether the blood of this second robe is representative of Jesus’ own blood shed for us long ago, or it is representative of the blood of His enemies who are now being judged, one fact remains: the Jesus of mercy is also the Jesus of justice. He makes all things right.

What must He have thought that day the soldiers put that pitiful robe on His bleeding back? Was He envisioning the robe He would one day wear as He rides the white horse to the final war against evil? Was He looking at the soldier and the crowds thinking, “I will wear this robe so you have the chance to be saved from the wrath my second robe will bring?” We don’t know exactly. We only know He loves us and promises to bring justice in the end. Either I put my sin at the Cross with Him at the time of the first robe, or I endure the punishment of my own sin starting with His wielding of the sword as He dons the second robe. He is the same Jesus; I must make a choice. Which robe?

Why Did Jesus Say, “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

Posted on March 22, 2012 by admin

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Mark 15:34 (ESV)

Jesus is God. In fact, Jesus is the active agent in the creation of the universe. John 1:1-3 (NIV) says of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” At one point in human history, Jesus stepped into the world He created and “made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14, NIV) The main reason He did so was to die on the cross for our sins. That event presents a seeming mystery.

The question is, “If Jesus is God, why did He cry out on the cross before His death, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Since Christ is the second person of the Trinity, why did He – at the very least – feel that God had forsaken Him? How does this make sense?

We need to remember the main purpose of His death. Although Jesus died so that we can have eternal life, the reason we gain that inheritance is because our sins are taken away from us. The main mission of Jesus Christ on the cross was to pay the price for our iniquity. II Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) says it beautifully and precisely, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Did you catch the depth of this miraculous statement? God made Jesus to be sin on our behalf! Christ took upon His own body the sins of the world. 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) declares, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.” Clearly, Jesus became a sin offering so that He could bear the weight of our wrong.

Now let us consider the main consequence of sin – separation from God. We, like our progenitors, Adam and Eve, are naturally driven from the presence of God when we stand opposed to His righteousness because of our sin. After disobeying the Lord, Adam and Eve “hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God and among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8, ESV) In the same way, each one of us – as we stand in our sinfulness – is separated from the Only One who gives us true joy and meaning. Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV) proclaims, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” The purpose of Jesus shedding His blood on the cross was to cure our main problem – being separated from God. Jesus came to reconcile us with our Creator. Every human heart desires ultimately to be at peace with God, and that is exactly what we receive through Jesus and His cross. The apostle Paul reminds us, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

Before we get back to the mysterious cry of Jesus on the cross, let’s bring home to our own hearts the theology discussed above. In a very real sense, true Christians discern the awful nature of sin. When we break God’s heart by sinning, we can hardly stand the weight of our own guilt. We know the pangs of conviction that remind us just how serious it is to defy the Almighty. And with the knowledge of the devastation of our own transgressions, can we begin to imagine what the weight of the collective sins of the world would feel like? Every wrong thought, word, and action of all sinners combined was placed on Jesus when He hung upon the cross. If my own sin produces such a terrible feeling, how must have the collective sin of the world felt falling on one Person, Jesus Christ?

Though He is God, Jesus also took on human flesh. Walking this earth as 100% God and 100% man, Jesus knew the pangs of fleshly emotion and distress. So, as He hangs on the cross being the sin offering for the whole world, He experiences on our behalf the outcome of sin – separation from God. His human nature endures a tragedy beyond description – the bearing of the penalty of the sins of the world. Suffering the separation we deserve, Jesus Christ calls out in deepest spiritual pain, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

For that unimaginable, paradoxical cry I am grateful beyond words. The truth is that I should have to wail, “My God, my God, you have good reason to forsake me.” But instead, perfect Jesus cries to His Father because of us. He willingly chose to be our sin offering so that we never have to know what it is like to be forsaken by God!

The barrier between us and God was torn when Jesus died. Mark 14:38 (ESV) “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” That old, thick curtain that stood between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was ripped in half by God! I imagine He could not wait to get His fingers on that which stood between us and a full, unhindered relationship with Him. With joy, He tore that curtain, for Jesus had borne our separation so we could come close to our God!

Sin Brings Death: Does That Make God Mean and Selfish?

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23 (NIV)

The consequences of sin are not the result of a mean God who delights in making miserable those who oppose Him. The consequences of sin are the result of human opposition to the definition and parameters of the only genuine life available. God created the universe out of nothing at the beginning of time. As much as we may or may not like the fact, God made it all and logically defines it all. Every bit of meaning and every operational standard for the world flows from its Creator. When we rebel against that rightful intention and those uniquely plausible standards, we shun the only life that can make sense and bring authentic joy.

For too long the church of Jesus Christ has allowed the world to think God is simply bossy and unreasonably selfish. It is time we proclaim that God is the Definer of Reality. If we go against His plan, there is simply no other plan to which we can turn except a corrupted version of the real system. God made all reality; there is no other existence outside of Him. Evil is a perversion of His good. Satan is a created being who rebelled. Therefore, when we reject God’s plan, the only option is to become miserable and purposeless. There exists no separate created order where we can define the ways of life and righteousness. We are in God’s cosmos.

Think of it in terms of the simplicity of an automobile. When I drive one, I must operate the vehicle according to the designer’s thoughts. For instance, I will be in big trouble if I say, “Instead of the brake pedal, I choose to use the left turn signal to stop the car.” A severe crash may ensue. Similarly, I won’t be going anywhere if I decide, “I don’t care what the manual says; I am using the radio volume control to accelerate the vehicle.” We find we must operate the automobile according to the designer’s plan if we want a chance of effective driving. When it comes to effective living, we must operate according to the plan of the Grand Designer, the God of the Bible.

Death is the result of sin because God is the Giver of Life. If I go against the Creator, there exists no other life to which I can turn. Death is the only other option. It reminds us of Peter’s response to Jesus’ question when many disciples were walking away from the Lord because of His hard teachings, “You do not want to leave, too, do you?” Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68, NIV). In other words, Peter was clearly stating that there exists no one else to turn to for true and everlasting life. If we walk away from Jesus, we walk to destruction.

The Good News is found in Romans 6:23 (NIV), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” After we have turned away from God and die spiritually, that death can be overcome by God alone. Only He can make dead people live. Sick people may have a chance at helping themselves get better, but dead people can do nothing to bring back life. It takes God to restore spiritual life. That is precisely why God put on human flesh and came to our world. As a human, Jesus could pay the price for the sin of people; as God, He can give life back to us. The turning away from God is resolved by turning back to Him in the Person of Jesus Christ. Look to Jesus today. He can forgive your sin and give you a new chance to live according to the only plan that works.

Why Did God Make People?

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works. – Psalm 104:31 (NIV)

A three-year-old recently asked his mom, “Why did God make people?” How should this loving mom answer her son? Why exactly did God make people? Let’s explore the answers and then put them into toddler terms.

Adult Discussion:

God is self-existent. He is the great “I Am.” God was not created by anyone, but rather He created all things out of nothing by His Word (Exodus 3:14; Psalm 33:6,9; Hebrews 11:3). He is eternal and self-sustaining, never growing tired or weary and of infinite understanding. (Isaiah 40:28) When we combine the thought of His eternality with the statement “God is love,” we realize He must have been love always – even in eternity past (1 John 4:8). He certainly was and is love! Because He is triune (1 Peter 1:2), we realize that Father, Son, and Spirit have been in perfect relationship – loving one another always.

When we combine the information above, we discern a few things we can rightfully say to a child about God. We want to be careful not to minimize God by giving children wrong answers. Let’s begin the children’s discussion with the first two points of four:

Children’s Discussion:

1) God did not create us because He was lonely. The Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit have loved one another forever. God was never alone because He is three persons in One! The Father and Son and Spirit could always talk and be together.

2) God did not create us because He needed us. God does not need anything or anyone. We are the ones who need Him for everything! We would not even be able to breathe if God wasn’t causing our bodies to work (Acts 17:25). God does not need sleep or vitamins or food or anything. He made everything, but no one made Him! He is always strong enough to hold the whole world together and He never even gets tired.

Adult Discussion:

God’s creation brings Him glory. It is right that the holy, self-existent God of the universe be magnified and shown for who He truly is. Psalm 19:1 (NIV) tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” The grandeur of creation gives us hints of God’s greatness. How much more, then, do human beings show God’s greatness? For, Psalm 8:5-6 (NIV) proclaims of man “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.” We, as humans, are placed over creation. Therefore, we sound forth by our existence the glory of God even more than other created things. We are made in God’s own image. Colossians 1:16 affirms that absolutely everything was made by Jesus and for Jesus. Our purpose is wrapped up in Him. Very clearly, Psalm 104:1-30 (NIV) declares the greatness of many facets of God’s creation and then culminates with the statement in verse 31, “May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works.” We see again here that God’s creation is for His glorification, and He rejoices in what He has made.

Children’s Discussion:

3) Even though we think a lot about ourselves because we are sinners, the world and people are supposed to make us think about God. He is the only One powerful enough to make everything, and He deserves to be thought about. A cute little ladybug should make us think about Jesus and all the neat things He makes! The stars at night should make us think about God and how He is so big and how He is everywhere! Just like ladybugs and stars should make people think about Jesus, our life should make people think about God, too! We were made to point people to how awesome God is!

Adult Discussion:

Revelation 21:1-7 (NIV) shows us what is God’s final plan for both the cosmos and human beings. Having come the first time to earth to stand in our place and pay the price for our sin, Jesus will return to earth a second time to finally and completely remake the world as He intended it before we willfully rebelled against His plan. These verses amazingly reveal to us the heart of God. We are able to see what God desires once our sin and its effects are totally removed from the picture. What God always wanted is spelled out clearly in verses 3-5: “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” We realize here what we lost after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. We lost our true, unbroken walk with God Almighty. Though we can currently have relationship with Him through Jesus, and His Spirit comes to live in us; there is a day coming when God the Father will “set up shop” right with us! With no fear, regret, or sorrow, we shall walk unhindered with God – always in His incomparable presence!

Children’s Discussion:

4) God made us so that we could have Him as our very best friend! He knows we are the most happy when we are very, very close to Him. On this old Earth, people do not love Jesus like they should. We forget about God too much. We are selfish. But in the New Heavens and New Earth, God will take away sin and all the sad things. No one will want to be apart from Jesus. He will be closer to us than ever, and that is why everyone will be happy forever! No one will get hurt or fight or be sad. Since this is what God wants to happen – and since He will make it happen one day – we should try to make Him our best friend now. He made us to feel right and happy when we walk very close with Him.

The End of the World as We Know It

Posted on January 10, 2012 by admin

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?” – II Peter 3:11 (NIV)

A definite, predetermined, cataclysmic event awaits us. It is not far off, as understood in the context of God’s plan. The world knows it will happen; though people may refer to vague and remote catastrophes such as the earth falling into the expanding sun after a few billion years, or a massive asteroid impact, or dreaded and deadly nuclear war, or a black hole disaster, or any other number of proposed life-ending episodes.

No matter what people propose as the method, something in human nature points to a general feeling of the temporary nature of this world as we currently know it. In their suspicion of final destruction, humans are right. However, the circumstances and the ultimate result are critical.

The infallible Word of God reports to us the glaring and glorious reality: everything of this earth as we know it will be destroyed. Peter is specific, “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (II Peter 3:10, NIV). As straightforward as this message is and as threatening as it sounds, God tells us to look forward to this earth’s end (II Peter 3:12). Why? Because the dissolution of what is imperfect and painful means a rebuilding into what is perfect and delightful. Jesus must clear the old to make room for the perpetually new!

Getting back to the heartbeat of Peter’s theme of introspection here, we listen to him say once again, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?” Wow. This is one serious, life-altering question. Everything of this earth and heavens is going to be consumed by fire – absolutely everything. What, then, should be my focus? What should my life look like? What should constitute the moments of my days, the thoughts of my mind, and the affections of my heart?

My life would be quite radical in comparison to the average life if I honestly lived by the proposition that this current world system is headed for a colossal undoing. Does the constant redecorating of my house just to keep up with current trends really matter? Does a scratch on my new car bother me more than the sin in my own heart? Is my investment in another vacation or summer home important compared to my investment in the seeking of lost souls in this life? Are hours of television viewing a worthy endeavor compared to the saturation of my mind with the living Word of God? To put it another way, what am I doing? What kind of person am I?

A temptation of the enemy is to get us to live moments in light of the here and now, rather than in light of the immense change just on the horizon. Hebrews 10:37 (NIV) describes it this way, “For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay.'” He will come in just a very little while. Though the end of this current world seems so far away, it comes upon us quickly. Our timeless God does not view events as we do. He knows Jesus will be coming back soon. We need to listen to God’s truth and prepare ourselves in light of what He knows – not what our opinion or feeling is. We may not sense the return of the Lord while we brush our teeth in the morning, but the truth remains. Though I do not always feel the reality of the impending eradication of the world, I need to operate according to that truth.

The entire Bible is God’s Word. Everything will be destroyed. Then righteousness will reign in the Person of Jesus Christ. So, what kind of person should I be?

When We Almost Can’t Believe God Would Still Love Us

Posted on November 15, 2011 by admin

Have you ever had jumbled emotions? Have you ever known a fact to be true from a rational perspective, but your heart could not wrap itself around the concept? Have you ever hoped for something, but were unable to completely believe it could happen? Have you ever been caught between belief and disbelief? If so, then you fit right in with the human race, including Christians throughout the millennia.

So how does God deal with these lackluster emotions of ours? In His perfection – His holiness – does He understand our wavering and our doubts? Let us go to a Psalm of David to investigate. Since every word of the Bible is God’s Word, we shall see from His heart how He reacts to our raw emotion.

Remember that David is in the lineage of Jesus. In fact, the very first verse of the book of Matthew proclaims, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, . . .” God spoke of David early in his life that he was, “A man after [God’s] own heart” (I Samuel 13:4, NIV). David slew Goliath with a motivation to defend the name of the Lord. As king, David denounced idolatry. His overall being exuded a love for God and a trust in His providence.

However, David allowed his own fleshly desires to get the best of him at one point in his life, and he committed adultery with Bathsheba. In a futile attempt to dismiss his sin, David then had Bathsheba’s husband murdered. To what depths the man of God sank! Had he not grasped the grace of God, how could he have survived the horror of his sin? Yet, we find David to be a man fully repentant, crying out to God in Psalm 51 as he confesses his sin and trusts God for his future hope and restoration.

Keeping all this in mind, we move to Psalm 138, a song David wrote in affirmation and adoration of his Lord. It is the last verse, however, on which I want to focus. Psalm 138:8 (NIV) says, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the work of your hands.” What a beautiful and strange statement. It seems just a bit paradoxical that David would both affirm God’s providence in his life and beg God not to desert him. The shepherd boy-turned-king seems to have some juxtaposed emotions here. He boldly declares that the Lord will fulfill His purpose for David’s life. He reminds us that God’s love never fails. Then, in the very next phrase, David pitifully asks God to not abandon him – since David is the work of God’s own hands.

Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever proclaimed God’s truth to yourself, but then turned around and asked God if He would really stay? Have you ever wanted to believe, but then you needed to express your weakness in believing? By including this passage in His inspired Word, I think that God wants us to know that He understands our mixed-up emotions. He hears our human hearts. He is allowing us to see – through David – that our Lord is faithful to even wavering people. Of course, David knew God and put his ultimate hope in the Lord; but David also knew the pangs of unworthy feelings.

Surely, as David penned the words, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me,” he recalled his terrible sin. Perhaps tears welled up in David’s eyes as he declared God’s unfathomable love to make sense of the life of a man who failed so miserably. Just to know that God had a divine purpose for a sinner could have driven David – as us – to a fountain of cleansing tears. And so, David continues by reminding himself that God’s love “endures forever.” The Lord’s love continues through failure, heartache, rebellion, hopelessness, attack, instability, and disbelief. Despite everything that would seem to push back its tide, God’s love rolls on.

Finally, the frailty of David’s sweetly broken heart comes through as He asks God to not abandon him. How Jesus longed to wrap His arms around David at that point and assure Him that He died to recreate David. Jesus gave His life to make David a beautiful creation – despite his weakness. How fitting it is that one of Jesus’ titles is “The Son of David.” What grace God has to identify with someone such as David. God is declaring that He does not give up on us. Even when we cannot quite grasp His grace – even when we waver between emotions – God is there holding us. I can just hear Jesus saying, “No, David, I will not abandon you.” Similarly, the Lord reminds us in Hebrews 13:5 (NIV), “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

In this verse tucked away at the end of Psalm 138, it’s as if David could hardly believe in the love of God to continue with him. It seemed too good to be true. But, we know that David did “get it” way down deep inside. We, too, know that God understands His love’s almost unbelievable nature. God is patient with us, and He allows us to express our need. He loves us over all the range of emotion that His grace produces.

Life-Building: Will You Crash or Stand?

Posted on November 2, 2011 by admin

What do followers of Jesus have in common with those who do not follow Jesus? Two things are for sure: we both invest in our lives and we both suffer. Jesus directly addressed these two issues when He taught the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. He also clearly expresses the one thing the wise and foolish builders do not have in common – the end result of life as a whole. At the surface – and from a bird’s-eye view – much can appear similar when it comes to working through life and enduring all the nasty things the world can bring. However, a marked difference exists. For one person, the result is everlasting endurance; for the other, it is final destruction.

Keep in mind that Jesus is not simply a storyteller or a kindly teacher. Jesus is God . . . and the Creator and Designer of reality. When He speaks to the issues of life, He knows what He is talking about! This parable is not just an inspirational speech; this teaching is Truth. Do you want to be hit square between the eyes with what matters? Do you want to face actuality head-on? Do you want to take the blinders off and be real about your soul and destiny? Then listen to the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV):

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had is foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

My mathematical mind so prone to symmetry immediately notices the similarities and differences between the two types of “life builders”:

hear

actually lives out

hear

3) Both types build. Both are at least spending minutes, hours, days, and years doing what is necessary to survive. Both must toil, eat, relate, and plan for the future. Both are occupied. One, however, is immersed in his own desires. The other is going about the business of living according to authentic biblical principles.

4) Both experience hardship. Notice the careful wording of Jesus here. The wise and the foolish builders each experience the same three difficulties: rain coming down, streams rising up, and winds blowing and beating against what they have built. Building a life wisely on the Word of God is no guarantee of a carefree life. This world system is broken by sin, and everyone in it experiences adversity. Do not think God has abandoned you because distress arises. No, think rather that – for now – you are stuck in a broken world.

5) The major difference between the two groups emphasized here is the ultimate outcome of life-building. Living out God’s Word is likened to erecting the house of your life on a solid, rock foundation. The rain, streams, and wind cannot destroy such a life; for the foundation is the Rock Himself, Jesus! The Maker of weather is greater than weather’s effects. So, too, Jesus is the Maker of life. He is certainly greater than life’s effects. When we build according to Him, no tragedy can annihilate us and no annoyance can dissuade us. Our lives will stand! In great contrast, the life of one who hears but does not actually obey will fall; and the crash, says Jesus, will be great. That final demise is assured because any foundation other than Jesus is likened to sand. Sand subsides in the end. As the rains come down, sand begins to shift. The house built without adherence to the Word of God gives way; it is not able to withstand the accumulation of blasts from this broken world. In the end, its crash is great; its demise is sealed. How great is the disintegration of a life completely lost because of the refusal to walk in alignment with the God who made everything and defines the parameters for true and successful living!

Which kind of builder will you be? Wise or foolish? Both hear the Word of God. Both build and endure hardship. Only one kind actually lives out the Word, and only the same survives.

Truly Wonderful

Posted on October 20, 2011 by admin

Jesus had just finished teaching in the temple about His lordship over all creation, when the disciples exited the grand structure with Him. The temple in the first century was of a quality that is said to have exceeded that of the Seven Wonders of the World. Its stones measured 37′ X 12′ X 18′ and the perimeter of the whole area was nearly one mile. The historian, Josephus, described its magnificence, “The front was all of polished stone, in so much that its fitness, to such as had not seen it, was incredible, and to such as had seen it, was greatly amazing.” The temple was built of white marble – with plates of gold in the front – and its courts were a succession of terraces. Herod the Great had expanded this temple to twice the size of the Solomon’s temple. What an overwhelming edifice it surely was!

With the magnificent nature of the physical structure in mind, we read of the disciples’ reaction as they leave the temple with Jesus, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” (Mark 13:1, ESV) The disciples were focused on what their eyes beheld – to the neglect of what their spirits should have homed in on. The disciples’ recognition of the beauty of the structure is not wrong, but surely Jesus at this particular time desired their hearts be preoccupied with the greater reality.

How quick we are to notice what is outwardly pleasing. How apt we are to acknowledge stylish clothes, beautiful houses, expensive decor, and pretty faces. All the while, the Lord wants us to be quick to focus on inward beauty – the reality of His ultimate reign in every facet of life. What constitutes true excellence is an unbroken connection to Jesus, and acknowledgement of Him – the Maker of all things beautiful. God wants us to see that the preeminence of Jesus in anything is what makes that thing fitting and grand. A homely face or a crippled body is beautiful when Jesus is Lord to the people who view it – when the physical structures and bodies are seen as temporary, yet Jesus is exalted as the eternal Hope of Glory!

The disciples called attention to the stones and building by calling them wonderful, a term with a Greek root meaning, “of what sort or quality.” In other words, they were exclaiming, “What manner of building is this!” The same Greek term is used in Matthew 8:27 (ESV) of Jesus after His disciples had experienced His miraculous calming of the Sea of Galilee when their ship was about to sink. They marveled at Him and said, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey Him?” How appropriate to marvel at Jesus, who made the wind and sea and, therefore, controls it completely. How fitting to be amazed at Jesus, who is the center of our worship. But does it take a storm to marvel at His power? When surrounded by all that allures, why do we lose our way?

Our Lord was quick to set the disciples straight in drawing their attention away from the temple structure and to a bigger plan. He responded, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Matthew 13:2, ESV). The destruction of earthly Jerusalem and the temple would surely come in A.D. 70 under Titus, son of Roman emperor Vespasian. Jesus longed for His disciples to base their lives on the eternal reality of God’s unshakeable kingdom. Temple rituals could not save. All the sacrifices offered through the years only pointed to the ultimate, saving sacrifice of Jesus Himself. He is the temple! He is the center of our worship and adoration! In Him, we enter God’s presence!

Remember Jesus cleansing the temple of the money-changers and all their items? After exhibiting such zeal, the Jews asked Jesus, “What sign do you show us for doing these things” (John 2:18, ESV) His response was, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19, ESV). The Jews became confused and could not understand how Jesus could restore a temple in three days that took half a century to build. But, the Bible is clear: Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. (John 2:21) A group of religious people were fixated on tradition, ornate things, and what the eyes could see. Jesus’ focus is salvation – the offering of Himself for sin and His doubtless victory over death. We ought to concentrate on Him and not all that glitters or appears religious or outwardly pleasing.

The culmination of the temple’s purpose is seen unequivocally in the amazing book of Revelation. We gain from this unbelievable future event a clearer understanding of why Jesus is intent on pushing our focus to true, spiritual majesty. The apostle John was given a vision by God of the New Jerusalem, and we rejoice in this truth of Revelation 21:1-4 (NASB):

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer by any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.

John then goes on to describe specifics of the city, the New Jerusalem, in Revelation 21:10-11,22 (NASB, emphasis mine):

Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple

Did you see it? Eternally, the physical temple is replaced by the One it was pointing to all along, our Jesus! How He must have longed for His dear disciples to be obsessed with His beauty and love instead of the outward appeal of costly structures and rituals. Let us walk with Jesus – and as we do – let us say to Him, “What a wonderful Savior and what a wonderful hope!” Let us fix our eyes on spiritual loveliness – that of a heart fully yielded to the Savior. He is the magnificent temple!

What Fallen Bridges Tell Us About God

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

On August 1, 2007, the I-35W Bridge in Minnesota collapsed into the Mississippi River, killing thirteen people and injuring 145 others. This human tragedy is devastating, with consequences of death. Research points to miscalculation of gusset plate width as the reason the bridge collapsed.

Gusset plates are thick sheets of steel that provide strength at the intersection of beams. Apparently, the gusset plates used on the I-35W Bridge were not thick enough to support the added weight of construction vehicles and concrete that would come with time and use. It is essential for engineers to use exact calculations and mathematical formulas when building bridges. The physical universe only accepts true and accurate work; otherwise, disaster ensues. In medicine as well as construction, precision is necessary. Diabetics suffer physically and may die with a miscalculation of insulin dose, for example. The Creator of the universe has chosen to have the physical world operate according to mathematical and physical laws; this situation reflects His unchanging, reliable disposition.

Supernatural God runs the natural world with serious precision. Proper functioning requires uncompromised accuracy. If God has made this true of the natural realm, how much more is it true of the supernatural realm; for, the supernatural is more real than the physical! God Himself is supernatural, and the One from Whom all reality flows. His spiritual working requires exactitude to the same or greater degree than His tangible working. Certainly, the consequences of spiritual errors are infinitely graver than even the catastrophe of inaccuracy in the physical world. Injury and death are horrors, for sure; but the calamity of a lost soul in eternity trumps all earthly afflictions.

And so, with an urgent heart, the Apostle Paul calls to us in Philippians 1:9 (NASB), “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.” Do you see the connection here between love and knowledge? To Paul – and to God – love is not a feeling. Love grows in real knowledge. The building of a spiritual life requires unequivocal accuracy. If we think bridge building requires right engineering processes, how much more does soul building require right spiritual processes?

Our relationship to God must be built on truth! We need to study His Word as an engineer studies math and science to ensure design and construction according to reality. Our spiritual lives must be built on right knowledge. This will require sacrifice of time and effort. The risk is not physical injury or death, but spiritual injury and eternal death. The stakes are high, and it is time for Christians to take seriously the call for our love to abound in real knowledge and all discernment.

The church of Jesus Christ seems to be missing the call to methodical, intentional, and precise training in spiritual knowledge. Dean (2010) comments on the problems presented in the National Study of Youth and Religion,

We “teach” young people baseball, but we “expose” them to faith. We provide coaching and opportunities for youth to develop and improve their pitches and SAT scores, but we blithely assume that religious identity will happen by osmosis, emerging “when youth are ready” (a confidence we generally lack when it comes to, say, algebra). (15)

We would not allow our loved ones to drive over bridges that we knew were designed without proper knowledge of or regard for mathematical principles. We trust that bridges are designed by professionals who have invested much time and effort into a solid education in the field of engineering. Here are some pivotal questions: Are we allowing our loved ones to drive over spiritual bridges designed and built on patchwork theology? Are we truly investing in a serious understanding of God as revealed in His Word? How much time do we spend intentionally growing in real knowledge? Do our children know sports better than the revelation of God Almighty? Do we require they know algebra well, but settle for a haphazard understanding of the things of God?

Jesus once said to an earnest inquirer named Nicodemus, “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” (John 3:12, NASB) In other words, the earthly points to the heavenly, which is far deeper and greater. Think bridges – fallen bridges. What is God saying to us through the physical, mathematical knowledge required for safety? He is telling us to get serious about biblical knowledge. Fallen souls are far more costly than fallen bridges.

Reference: Dean, K. C. (2010) Almost Christian: What the Faith of our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.