“Called” – From Romans 8:29-30

And with Romans 8:29-30, we come to the passage that makes many-a people a bit squeamish. These verses say,

“For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those who He justified He also glorified.”

So…to answer any immediate or lingering questions, let’s champion this right now – yes, the Bible does teach on predestination. It’s right here in Romans 8 (among other places). It is backed up by the Greek and the original context of Scripture. To deny this Truth, is to deny both the Gospel, and the inerrancy of the Scripture – specifically 2 Timothy 3:15-17. It’s also to try and slam the Scripture into your own system…without letting the text speak for itself.

NOW…before you get upset…or jump the gun – let’s flesh this out. There is something very important here…

Does being predestined by God mean that we are mindless automatons? That no decision we make is actually ours to make? Certainly not! There is absolutely an element of free will to the life of human beings. There has to be. Because God does not sin. It was in God’s sinlessness, that he was able to bear our sins on the cross, and be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity (1 Peter 2:24, 3:18). We cannot, as the people of God, get hung up on predestination. God is both sovereign and omnipotent (Revelation 1:8). To not acknowledge that God is involved in the process of salvation (RE: predestined, called, justified, and glorified from the verses above) and have an intimate knowledge of His plan for humanity is, at the very least, to doubt the very character of God (Habakkuk 1:13, James 1:17). And that is dangerous water, my friends – as this Gospel Truth is at the core of the Gospel.

I liken it to this. Let’s say we were in a class room setting right now, with me being the teacher, and you the student. If I came to you, and handed you a marker to go write on the board…who initiated that action? Me – the teacher did. I came to you, and handed you the marker. Your taking of the marker is your choice. You could refuse – and in the spiritual sense, most do. But God, being separate from our perception of time, knows who is going to take the preverbal marker. It’s as Ephesians 2:8-9 says – we are saved by grace, through faith – not of ourselves. It is the gift of God. God extends to us the gift. To everyone! John 3:16 says For God to loved THE WORLD. The Greek word for world is cos-mos – where we get our world for cosmos. The universe. God loves all the people He’s created. That is indisputable. But not all are chosen. Not all choose to respond to the calling of the gift of God.

This isn’t easy…or fun to grasp. Because the truth of the matter is that one has to come to grips with the notion that God does love in a very unique way. Though God loves the world…He loves His people more. He loves those that take the preverbal marker more. Look at 1 John 3:1 – “Behold what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” Behold the manner of love God has given us – that He calls His people, those who respond – the children of God. THAT love, is far greater than the common grace love that humanity enjoys (I Timothy 4:10). That is the love I encourage you to desire today.

If the Lord is calling out to you…if He is extending you the preverbal marker…take it. The Lord desires for all to be saved…and He chastens those He loves. Chastening can be painful if you resist. Respond to the Lord. Your life will be far better for it.

Wait…All Things Work Together? For Good? (Romans 8:28)

We live in a world today, in which many people claim that they believe in God. Some of them will go so far as to say that they believe God may be the Creator of the universe. Many will even attest to there being some sort of eternal rest waiting for them, when they pass from this life to the next. They generally believe the notion that it’ll all work out in the end. Or I’m a good person – I haven’t cheated on my wife, or taxes. I’m a good kid. I do what I’m told…etc. They generally believe that it’ll all work out in the end, for whatever reason – simply because they’re a good person and don’t think that a loving God would ever REALLY punish a good person.

As biblical counselors, we will get these types of people in our office. Outside of the assumptions that these folks have about God, His relationship to, and oversight of us – the main stream church of today is pumping out individuals that have no real concept of who Christ is, and what His sacrifice means. The complete Gospel-work is not taught – thus we have “professing believers,” roaming about, with no real clue about the work that Christ is doing. They have no clue as to how things work together for good and who that applies to – as they have no concrete concept of what they have been saved from, and what their response should be. So let’s examine that thought process – what the Bible says about how things work together – and for good!

Romans 8:28 (ESV) says – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

One of the reasons I have a large appreciation for the E.S.V. (English Standard Version) of the Bible – is its clarity. I believe that rings true here. The verse is very clear. Paul is referring to blood-bought and paid for, regenerated Christians. Those who are born again, and subscribe to what was known, in that day and age as The Way. And it says that it is for those who love God, that all things will work together for good.

It is important to note, for the sake of clarity, what the verse does not say. It does not say that all things work together for the good of those who believe, or have faith, in God…but for the good of those who love God! There is a huge difference there. James chapter 2 reminds its reader that even the demons believe in the Oneness of God and its implications. To simply have faith – is not enough. There must be a response, in love. Well how do we know when we love God? A powerful and provoking question…but not one without answers.

-We know we love God when we strive to honor Him with every part of ourselves. There is a willing, intense desire to do this. This is a reflection of a heart attitude.
-We know we love God when we strive to honor Him for the right reasons. Our righteousness is but filthy rags before the Lord. We must love Him because it reflects how much He loves us (1 John 4:19). We must love Him because, in doing so, it reflects Him in us.
-We know we love God when it is our desire to do so both visibly…but also invisibly – in the quietness of our own hearts and private response. When we seek to surrender out thoughts to God, and not just our actions.
-We know we love God when we seek to respond humbly – even when He sovereignty ordains what we think are bad things that happen to us (the book of Job).

Friends – it’s an eternal-life threatening thing, to not love God. Matt 25:31-46 makes it clear that those who choose to not love God will be cursed, and suffer His justice and wrath for eternity. But we know it does not have to be this way! There is hope – and it is this hope we must pass on to our counselee’s. We must remember that what we perceive as bad or harmful to us, are God ordained. He has planned these things for our good, as Romans 8:28 tells us. And James 1:12 reminds of the benefit of the response, in love, saying, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

These verses are a call to arms. We, as biblical counselors, must live and practice this Truth. And in turn, share it with those who misunderstand the circumstances of their lives. Their good behavior is not enough. Their faith in trial is not enough. Their giving is not good enough. It must be a heart level attitude of love for God. It has to come from the heart.

Lord…help us to desire to love You. And in that desire, Father, change our hearts and our actions to look more and more like You.

Romans 5 – Revisited: What Is Death?

As I and we continue our journey through Romans – I thought it wise, once again, to revisit Romans chapter 5. Romans 5 is filled with Truth – some of that Truth being in question in many churches that claim they adhere to the Gospel. I believe we would do the Word and ourselves a disservice to not take a look back and address the issue of death from this chapter, how it pertains to counseling, and the life we strive to live daily: a victorious life in Christ.

Romans 5:12-17 (ESV) says, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”

Recently, I was talking with some individuals who began to call death into question. This has become a popular notion in our culture…in everything from seeker driven church which refuses to discuss it, to Rob Bell, saying that God, being a God of love, would never actually send anyone to hell (eternal death and separation from God) – completely ignoring God’s justice. And while the individual(s) I was discussing this with were not going that far…they made the assertion that death does not actually mean separated by sin from God by our very nature – but that it’s our destiny. That it is man’s destiny to be separated from God by sin, but that “we do not have a part in original sin” (their exact words, not mine). They maintained that a still born, for example, was actually sinless as they are not affected by original sin, and never had a chance to commit a sin. They also went so far as to say, that once regenerated, one can live a sinless life as well. There is a level of truth to this, but even that must be understood properly in the context of progressive sanctification, and becoming more and more like Christ as we mature in Him. However – that is an entirely different discussion, we’ll save for another day.

Death must be understood properly. When Romans 5 (above) speaks of death – it refers to the 3-fold facet of it. First, a experience a current, spiritual death. Because Adam committed original sin, in human terms, we experience separation from God, apart from regeneration. This is an irrefutable fact found through out the Scripture. Some specifics for you to think through though, are Ephesians 2:1-2 and Ephesians 4:18 for some specific references. Second, we now experience a physical death from our human bodies. Adam was not originally subject to death, but through sin, it became a physical reality (Hebrews 9:17). Thirdly – eternal death, which touches on number one (just mentioned), but has its own, eternal reality. Revelation 20:15 is clear. There is a hell. That hell is eternal, never ending separation from the salvation that each is offered. This is the ultimate form of death for those who choose to reject the offer of regeneration (Romans 1:18-20). To ignore these pieces of the concept of death is literally, to ignore the Scripture and doubt its infallibility. It is bringing ones own conclusions to the text, as opposed to letting it speak for itself.

When the Romans 5:12 says so death spread to all men because all sinned – it means exactly what it says. The result of Adam’s initial sin is that all who enter the human race, enter it sinful…that we have inherited the sinful nature that took hold of humanity from Adam. It is not a particular sin, but the propensity toward sin, born from our inherent sin nature. A sin nature that we have from the moment of conception. Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” There has not been a moment, since’ Adam sinned, that humanity has not been sinful. It is a Scriptural imperative that, to be denied is again, to doubt the Word of God itself.

It is crucial, when counseling, that we ensure our counselees understand this concept of death and the eternal application it holds. There is Gospel-Truth contained in this area that must be understood correctly, in order that counselees fully understand what salvation entails and regeneration constitutes us being saved from – a reality of sinfulness that none of us can escape from, of our own volition. That is why behavior modification (the changing of behavior with out any heart change back toward or initially to the Person of Christ) is simply not enough. We have an inherent sinfulness that manifests at the moment of conception that only the grace of God can save us from. Paul David Tripp says in his devotional book Whiter Than Snow: “It is only when you begin to accept that your greatest need is something with which you came into the world that you will begin to hunger for the help that only God can give you.” It is when we can walk counselees to a place of responding to Christ in acknowledgment of this – which we can really begin to address the root problems that they are facing. It is then, through prayer and supplication before Christ, that a hunger for righteousness will manifest. It is when we begin to live in this knowledge – which we are truly able to walk victoriously in Christ.

There are some tough Truths in here. A lot to chew on and a lot of implications to think through. But I believe the Scripture speaks for itself. It does not need me reading things into it, that are not there. It was my goal, not to do that, with these thoughts. If there are questions or thoughts you have based on this – I am very interested in dialogue. Let’s consult the Word of God and wade through them together.

Context is Key

Let me open by apologizing. To those of you who’ve subscribed to the feed, or follow actively through RGCC – I am sorry for my absence. This is a week to week commitment that I’ve made – that I had to choose to set down for a little while, for a number of other life priorities that got moved to the forefront. However – in the last week, I have diligently worked to get myself back to a place of more overall, stabilization, and am thrilled to be able to put some thoughts back down, outside of my own personal time, with the Lord.

Before diving back to Romans, I thought it crucial that we look at a subject that is not simply crucial to our reading of the Scriptures themselves, but in understanding what it is we are reading – in the light of the rest of Scripture. Specifically – I am talking about hermeneutics and context. To have a truly adequate view of God, self, sin, and the reality in which we currently live – we must first adequately view God’s Word. To do this, we must understand that there is an overall context that must be acknowledged.

Luke 24:27 details Jesus explaining to two of His disciples the Scripture, on the Road to Emmaus. The Bible says of this discussion: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” What we have received here is a foundational context about the Bible, or a unifying hermeneutic. Brass tax, it’s saying that Christ Jesus, Himself, is the Bible’s unifying element. It’s all about Him.

With that in mind: the context of God’s Word is key. Each word is part of a verse, each verse part of a chapter, each chapter – a book, and so on. To divorce a verse, verse fragment, multi-verses of Scripture and the like, from the remainder of the verses around it, without acknowledging the overall context of the particular passage, is sinful. It is misrepresenting the thoughts of God. We must not let our thoughts, concerns, feelings, or desires govern how we interpret the Word of God. We must let the Scripture speak for itself. As believers, it is crucial that we avoid what Peter talks about in 2 Peter 3:16 – “as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” We must not act as the self-deceived, untaught, or unstable people do.

J.I. Packer once said on this subject: “We cannot arrive at a true understanding of God’s Word by detaching texts from their context to find personal meaning in them, and be feeding them into the world of our private preoccupations and letting the world impose new senses on old phrases.”

Why is he bringing this up and addressing it so directly – I am sure some people may be asking. We live in troubling times. People like their ears tickled. We have respected preachers forming new perspectives on Paul, and out right doubting core, Scriptural doctrines – such as the existence of hell. We have people that misinterpret the context of verses in order to make a point that is not there. In the last 48 hours, since the announcement of the death of Osama Bin Laden – I have seen Proverbs 24:17-18 used and abused, nearly 20 times (I went and counted to be specific and realistic). Nearly 20 times! I am literally aghast at this. The verse itself, says, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.” Now…is there a command to not be thrilled and overjoyed in this verse, when ones enemy is defeated? Yes. Obviously – that’s what the passage specifically says. But what is it actually talking about? When you examine the actual context of the passage itself, it’s referring to a heart attitude. This proverb is specifically telling us not to gloat and well up with a sense of pride over fallen enemy. It’s a call to humility! It is a call to ensure our hearts are humble before Christ, Who authored the victory in the first place! What this is saying then, to make it relevant to our discussion here – is that we should not be dancing on Osama Bin Laden’s grave. We should not be burning pictures of him. We should not belittle him. We are called, after all, to love our enemies. To share the Gospel with them and have conduct that is befitting a child of God. HOWEVER…this does not mean that we do not rejoice, humbly, in God’s justice. God is a God of justice. Revelation is very…very specific in regards to God’s justice. God was clear on his sense of justice with Pharaoh and multiple other leaders / instances through out the Bible. To see evil dealt with by our Lord is something that should prompt us back toward humble-awe, and appreciation of our Savior. It should prompt us to rejoice in the destruction of a force of evil, that was and is anti-Christ in its nature. Does this mean we should be thrilled at the death of a man? No. It means we should be thrilled to see God work in a mighty way, removing a great force of persecution from His people. Far too many believers, in the last 48 hours, have been miscontextualizing this verse – and leading others down a path of deception. I won’t accuse anyone of doing this intentionally. Many of those that have done this are individuals in the Biblical, specifically Biblical counseling, world, that I admire and respect. But the truth is – presenting this verse in the way it has been, either divorced from, or without mention / explanation of its overall context, is wrong and misleading…and needed to be addressed somewhere as many were content to state their point, and move on without dialogue.

Is this a popular thought process? No. But neither is the doctrine of hell. Neither is Romans 8:28-30. Neither is the fact that that people will spend eternity separated from God if they choose to not respond to what can be clearly seen all around us about God, His calling to all people, and His promises of salvation (Romans 1:18-32, Revelation 20:15). We must…must…look at the facts of Scripture and what they say – not what we want for them or hope for them to say. Anything short of this…is sin.

Please know…I didn’t intend to offend anyone with this. My hearts desire on this frontier was to draw you back to God’s Word – the whole of it, and recognize it as such. A complete work – with an encapsulation of the whole person of God…including His love, holiness, AND His justice. I hope as you, and all of us, consider the events in our world right now, and look at them through the eyes of Scripture, not our presuppositions. It is a key to accurately living the Christian life, without falling into the traps the enemy has set to ensnare God’s people.

Romans 8:26 – The Wall and Our Intercessor

Romans 8:26 (ESV) – “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

As disciplers and / or biblical counselors…sometimes we simply need to be encouraged. We are frequently pouring ourselves out, and, if you’re anything like me…occasionally see yourself hitting the wall. It’s when we hit that wall, and really can’t do anymore, we need to make it a priority, more than usual, to disciple ourselves…to preach the Gospel to ourselves.

Romans 8:26 promises us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness! It is because of sin that there is weakness in our bodies. It is because we engage with both our sin, as well assist others in engaging with theirs (by pointing them to Christ), that we find ourselves in this place of weakness, in need of being propped up by the Spirit. Here is a Gospel Truth from Romans 8: the Holy Spirit will be there in our hour of need. Period.

One of the ways the Spirit meets that need is interceding on our behalf. If I may pose a question to you…how often do you consider the Spirit or Jesus’ intercession on your behalf (Hebrews 2:17-18)? I can say…that up until about 6 months ago…I did not think about it that often. What struck me though, was having to step up to the plate, myself, and intercede on the behalf of someone else. Though guilty on a number of frontiers, I requested…more specifically fought…for grace for a client I was ministering too. In that same week, that I heard a friend, in a prayer, mention Jesus Christ – “our Intercessor” as he closed. It was as if I had remembered something I had long forgotten. Since that time…I have often incorporated Jesus Christ, our Intercessor into my own prayer life. I am often, very intentional about ensuring I submit my requests and praises, in the Great Name of our Intercessor. And for me…it’s in remembering this…in remembering that I am not alone…that Jesus is intercessing for me before the throne of Heaven, and the Spirit is groaning for me and for my full restoration, in a manner that is too deep for words…that I am refueled. This acknowledgment is living out Gospel Truth. This is one of the ways the Word of God is living and active…as we are intentional in living out Truth!

Please…let me encourage you to join me in this. Remember this Gospel Truth…call it to memory, and praise our Savior through it, in prayer. 1 John 5 even tells us HOW to pray on this frontier! 5:14-15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” We must pray according to His will. We must seek to exemplify ourselves through the eyes of His will. We must submit our requests knowingly, through Jesus, our Intercessor, with the heart level intention of doing our part in living out His will for us, with the correct attitude. And the Lord promises that if we do that – He will hear us…we know that we will have the requests we have asked of Him. THAT is encouraging news. And more importantly than that…a promised, Gospel Truth He has given us to live by from the Lord – who desires the best for His people.

I hope you’ll join me in making it a priority to remember both Jesus’ and the Spirit’s intercession on our behalf. I hope in remembering that – you’ll grow in your appreciation of His cross-work…and in that, find the encouragement we all need when you begin to approach the wall.

The Gospel According to Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:12-17 (ESV) – So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

In the spirit of doing a self-inventory, I’d like to pose some personal, theological questions to you…for you to consider about yourself.

-Are you ruled by the flesh? Do the desires of this world appeal to you more than the things of the Lord?

-Do you understand what it means to be a debtor to sin?

-Do you believe you are led by the Spirit? Do you rebel against the Spirit when He prompts you toward righteousness?

-Do you believe you are an heir with Christ, and an adopted son or daughter of our Savior?

-Do you have any idea, as to what any of this actually means?

If you are honestly asking yourself these questions…they very well may be tough to answer. Though saved by grace, sons and daughters – adopted by our Savior, heirs of Christ…we still have a sin nature. We still have the old man, warring against the new man. Sometimes we still live as though we are debtors to sin, dead within it, and no longer alive in Christ. These are attacks of the enemy. It is the enemy preying on your weaknesses…insinuating to you, that Christ is not sufficient, and that your works dictate the state of your adoption in Christ. We must, must, must, combat this with the Gospel. Romans 8:17 again reiterates that as heirs with Christ…as believers – we will suffer with Him and for Him. It is in this suffering that the believer finds their ultimate glory; because we suffer, we’re mocked, we’re abused, for the sake of Christ. It is in the Gospel we find this strength – in claiming the blood of Christ that He has offered, in response to His initial call to you, in your life. It is in knowing the Words of the Gospel – and claiming their Truths as ours, as His children. It is in crying out to our Savior to strengthen and deliver us – trusting that the life we live, trials we face, and eventual glory we’ll enjoy, are bettering us, for His glory. They we are being made more and more like Him.

Final question…Do you know Jesus? Do you hear Him calling to you now? Have you been listening, and rejecting? Are you ready to be an heir of Christ and die to yourself? Are you tired of persecution, with no one throwing you a rope or support? It’s in the Gospel…the answers to all these things, are found. It’s in the Gospel, Jesus offers you a hope, a way, and a secure place. It’s up to you to respond.

Romans 8:1-2: We Are No Longer Condemned

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV) says: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ. For the law of the Spirit has set you free in Christ Jesus for the law of sin and death.”

The believer and follower of God is to be one who lives a life through, and is dedicated to service of the our Savior – Jesus Christ. As verse 2 states, there is freedom from sin and death. We are no longer condemned to that sin and death, because, as Christians, our place is IN Christ! Once we are regenerated, we are unable to be separated from Him, as we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

As a discipler / biblical counselor – you are going to meet folks who struggle in this area. Many have a difficult time understanding how, as they continue to sin, and suffer earthly consequences of sin, are no longer held under condemnation. As counselors, we must come along side these folks, and show them the Truth of the Gospel in this area.

When Romans uses the word “condemnation” (this word appearing only 3 times in the NT, all of which are in Romans), its use is in regards to a judicial setting, specifically as the opposite of justification (which is discussed at length later in this same chapter, RE: 8:28-30 – ESV). Condemnation refers then, to a guilty verdict for sin (in this, specific use), as well as the penalty that verdict demands. That is why an understanding of this subject is crucial – for there is NO condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ. No sin that a true believer commits – past, present, and / or future – can or will be held against us in the courtroom of Heaven! We claim this as Gospel Truth, as Christ and His righteousness have been imputed to believers through His voluntary work on the cross.

Too many churches today propose a works-based theology, which breeds a works-based mentality…which breeds Christians who get stuck on this issue of condemnation and earning our place in Christ. We must share the Truth of the Gospel seen here in Romans 8:1-2. We must show those who struggle with this mindset, that our works are meant as outwards signs of inward faith – and when we respond to Christ in inward faith…that we are justified, and no longer condemned, thanks to our loving Savior (Eph 2:8-9 – ESV).

Do you live in the light of justification? Do you know how? Have you searched the Scripture to see what this justified life looks like?

I’m going to take time time plowing through Romans 8. There is a lot here – and I believe there are multiple facets that warrant some attention. I’m looking forward to continuing this study, and examining the practical applications we can glean from this portion of God’s Word.

1 Peter 4:12-14: Suffering Biblically, As A Christian

1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV): “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

As Christians – we should not be surprised that we face trials. As a matter of fact, the above verse practically tells us to expect them, and reminds its readers that this is not something strange occurring, but an active facet of living the life of a follower of Christ.

When you are involved in discipling others, as all Christians are called to be doing (Matt 28, 1 Timothy 2), facing trials is often a subject of discussion. That fact that believers face trials, is something that baffles many of those who are called or claim to be “Christians” in today’s world. Many of today’s Christians have been influenced heavily, by our psycholigized culture. They have been taken in by a thought process, propagated by those churches that are not teaching a complete Gospel – whose focus is on helping their congregates have 5 steps to healthy, happy living, a purpose driven existence, and living their best lives…NOW. All of these are disturbing trends in the larger church, today – and all of them are corruptions of the Truth of the Gospel, and God’s Word as a whole.

1 Peter 4, above, reminds believers that we should not be surprised when trials enter our lives. And when they do – we should rejoice, as we are sharing in the suffering of Christ! The Lord has called us to this type of conduct and appropriate response through His Word. One of my favorites to consider on this subject is Malachi 3:2-3 (ESV), which says, “But who can endure the day of His coming, and who can stand when He appears? For He is like a Refiner’s Fire and like Fullers’ Soap. He will sit as a Refiner and Purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.” I use this passage specifically, as it addresses what is occurring within the life of the believer, and also addresses those that teach an incomplete Gospel.

Malachi 3, in context, was written to the sons of Levi. The sons of Levi were quite instrumental in leading Israel astray…teaching their own revisionist versions of the law…much like our false teachers of today, who propagate a health and wealth, relative, incomplete gospel where the truth of our state as sinners, and our need for redemption, outside of ourselves, is barely mentioned. And much like the sons of Levi – we, as Christians, will face the temptation to stray into wayward teaching, we will face trials, and in this process – have the choice to remain in sin, or become purified by our Savior.

We must strive to be more like our Savior! The fire of these trials will burn off our iniquities as we seek to exemplify Him, much like refining fire does to gold – causing it to become more pure. As believers – our state of becoming more pure, is to become more like Jesus Christ, Himself.

So I exhort you – don’t be surprised when you face trials! Embrace them as a joyful experience to grow into further Christ-likeness! Embrace 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 (ESV) as a way of living. The Word of God has given us all we need to persevere in life and Godliness. It’s our obligation to know these things, and respond accordingly.

Romans 6: Slaves to sin, no longer!

Romans 6:17-20 (ESV) says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.”

Did you know, fellow believer, that you were once a slave to sin? When you think of a slave…what comes to mind? Please…think about that for a moment…

When Romans 6 uses the word slave – it’s originating from the word “doulos.” Doulos has a number of serious implications with it, which we’ll discuss in a moment – but generally, it is employed in relationship to being owned by, belonging to, and being wholly subordinate to one’s master. To bring this home then…the Bible makes it expressly clear – we were once owned by sin, belonged to sin, and were completely subordinate to our sin – which was our master as long as we dwelled in it, apart from Christ.

Romans 6 continues though – that once we become obedient from the heart (the heart / desire change I often refer to away from the world, and to Christ in response) we have been set free from sin, and made slaves to righteousness / Christ! If there was ever Someone to be a slave to, it is certainly Jesus Christ. It is this level of obedience that He demands from His people. Well…what does this obedience / slavery to Christ look like? For that, we return to the word doulos. First, the world connotates absolute obedience (Matt 8:5-9, Luke 7:2-10) to one’s master. In our case – Jesus Christ. This is unquestioning obedience, and for the believer – absolute respect of Scripture like 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Also, compulsory obedience (Luke 6:46). Our immediate responses should be both to desire to respond, as well as physically respond in Christ-likeness always. Thirdly, this slavery to Christ entails consistent, immediate obedience (John 13:16). We should be unwavering in this way. Fourth – as the Bible tells us that we cannot serve two masters (Matt 6:24), our obedience must be exclusive to He and He alone. If our slavery and servitude to Christ is not exclusive, we are willingly engaging in idol worship and sinning against the Lord. Finally, our obedience should be loyal (John 15:20). Our Savior demands absolute loyalty, born in a desire to do so, to Himself.

This is what putting off of the old man, and putting on the new man looks like in practicality. This is what it means to put away the things of this world, and focus solely on Christ. Unwavering obedience and willing slavery, in humility, to Jesus Christ.

Where are you in this commitment? Have you examined yourself before the Lord in this way? Are you able to communicate this to those you disciple? Are you living it yourself? Are you a willing-slave to Jesus Christ?

Our Place In Christ, By Christ In Our Place: Romans 5

Romans 5:6 (ESV) says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.”

If there was ever a place to find hope in God’s Word, it is in this verse, and some of those that follow it.

Before we respond to the call of Christ, and become regenerated – we are weak…without strength. We’re spiritually dead, and completely incapable of doing anything to change this situation, in and of ourselves, apart from the initial draw of Christ, causing our ability to respond in heart and desire change (John 6:44, Eph 2:1). But praise God…our Savior, that He, at the right time, sent His only Son, Who died for us, the ungodly.

How truly encouraging it is to know that God always had a plan. That He planned a right time. Galatians 4:4a says “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son…”. This is an aspect of the unwavering love our Savior has for us. It is a love that is thankfully not based on how lovable we are, or even should be – but a love that is consistent with the character of God the Father, Himself. A love so awesome, He sent a member of the Trinitarian Godhead, His Son), to die for us – the desperately unlovable due to our sinful state (Romans 3:23).

God’s love reveals He had a specific, perfect timetable with exact religious, cultural, and political specifications to herald His coming – to ensure that His will would be perfectly executed. This awesome step, was but one (albeit large step) in a series of steps that is the sovereign plan of God for His people, and for humanity. This perfectly illustrates that nothing is out of the scope of God’s sovereign will, and foreordained knowledge.

As disciplers, which we, all regenerated believers, are called to be in the Great Commission of Matthew 28, it is our obligation, biblical responsibility, and (should be) our great joy of sharing this hope with all those we have the opportunity to do so with. There should be no greater pleasure than sharing the hope we have in Christ with those that desperately need to hear it. To minister the Gospel in this fashion to a hurting heart is a privilege unlike any other, which should be more than something we simply view as a responsibility. This should be our hearts desire.

Believers…disciplers…is delivers this hope of the Gospel your hearts desires? Do you find you long to be God’s servant and tool in this way? And if not…have you examined your heart before our Savior, as to ascertain why not?

Or do you have a hurting heart? Did you need to hear this hopeful Truth? My encouragement to you: run to Jesus. There is nothing you are enduring or experiencing that is out of the scope of His knowledge and understanding. There is a reason. And there is a way out…if your hope is in Christ, and not in someone else, something else, or yourself. Run to Jesus.