The One True Way

It is really being closed-minded to insist on one way to do things? After all there are many ways to cook an egg; there are dozens of roads leading into the city; multiple views on how to handle the economy; hundreds of items to choose from a menu. Every person is unique and has their own special way to deal with life’s dealings and challenges. To expect everyone to fit into one pattern, one mindset, one routine, one cultural belief system is humanly impossible. That attitude seems opinionated at best and totally unrealistic at worst.

Yet, the Bible is very plain about the way to salvation (reunion/reconciliation with God): there is just one way – for everyone. This is terrible, unwanted news for those who like to think they are in charge and are adept at leading their own life. They like the freedom to try new and unique ways to cope and to fill the voids in their lives. But their lives are far from fulfilled; they can’t stay married for very long; they’re constantly debating and protesting for their “rights” (if they can even define what those “rights” are); criticizing those of opposing views (thus doing the very thing they claim the others are guilty of). Why can’t they see that they’re trapped by the popular,  politically-correct methods and views that are themselves opinionated, intolerant, and unrealistic?

 

To those who are tired of the trial-and-error approach to life that humans are enslaved to, God’s one way for everybody is truly good news and welcome relief. No longer do you have to wonder what others think, or what others are doing, or if your ideas will pan out. Gone is the stress and apprehension of ensuring you make the right choice every time and what the plan will be should it turn out wrong. It is good news to those of us who hate having to make multiple decisions and waiting to see how things will turn out. The God who created us is perfect enough to have provided one effectual path that is ideal for every person to complete their journey back to Him. One way that is guaranteed to succeed. The way of Christ.

Jesus Himself says that He is the (1) way, the (1) truth, and the (1) life; the only (one) way to return to the Father (John 14:6). Nice; I don’t  have to guess which honorable person of the past I need to base my thinking and behavior on. Jesus is the only choice to make. When I base by entire being on His example, His philosophies, His manners I am guaranteed to arrive at my desired destination – God the Father.

Jesus also says that it won’t be easy. We need to enter [life, now and eternal] through the narrow gate that leads to life. The majority in their obsession of following after their own faulty theories and practices head down the broad path that unfortunately leads to death and destruction. Notice that He states few (the minority) will “find” the right way. The choice to follow God’s tried and true way to life takes effort and strength of mind to persevere to the desired end.

Jesus fulfilled everything the Scriptures foretold (Matthew 5:17). He is the fulfillment of every promise God ever made (2 Corinthians 1:19-20). He is the only one who made it through human life without failing (Hebrews 4:15). That is why He was the only one worthy to enact and bring about God’s way of salvation (Revelation 5:1-5). And since no one else in all of history can make this claim, don’t you think it’s best to get in line with His way of faith, His truth of mindset, and His way of living so that you can be assured of making it safely to the other side?

Take a load off by making God’s one tried-and-true way your tried-and-true way. Trust Him to know what’s best for your life since He’s proven over and over that He has your best interests at heart. Give up the human trial-and-error method that has only proven to be empty and hollow, and follow His one, true way so you can be free to enjoy the life He created for you.

Doug

Amateurs or Professionals?

     Did you ever stop to consider that God is an amateur?  Does that offend you to think of God in that way?  To the American way of thinking, an amateur is someone that tries, but accomplishes little.  God doesn’t fit this idea, does He?

     We idolize professionals, not amateurs.  After all, if anything is going to get done, we need someone who has proven his worth.  Someone who is talented and experienced.  We are looking to follow and imitate a professional.  Therefore, we need a God that is a professional.  How dare you call God an amateur!

     Yet, look at the meaning of these two words.  In the basic sense of the word, a professional is one who engages in an activity in order to receive some kind of reward or payoff.  A professional athlete expects payment for playing a certain game.  A professional actor or actress receives money for their performance.  A professional in the business world receives a salary for services rendered.

     An amateur, on the other hand, is someone who engages in an activity for the love of it.  An amateur athlete competes because he/she enjoys the challenge and loves playing the game.  Amateur actors/actresses perform in a play because they enjoy entertaining the audience.  An amateur in the business world is called a volunteer.  They provide a service because they love helping others.

     Now I ask you.  Why has God done all of the things He is known for throughout history?  In order to receive a payoff?  Or did He do them for the love of it?  Did Jesus come to this earth to be paid or to get anything for his work?  Or did he come here to show the extent of God’s love to mankind?  I think you will have to agree that everything God has done and will continue to do is motivated by His love for us.  He does it for the love of it. 

     Bring this idea home now.  In the Christian realm, why do you do the things you do?  Are you trying to earn something from God?  Or are you in it for the love of it?  What is your aim for your Christian life?

     Scripture is calling for amateurs, not professionals.  Jesus told his disciples that their distinguishing mark in the world would be the love they show toward each other (John 13:34, 35).  He leaves the impression that He calls for them to be amateurs and not professionals. The rewards disciples are looking forward to cannot be earned; but Jesus promises to grant them freely for the love of it.

            Now I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful that God chooses to be an amateur. I am infinitely and wonderfully blessed because He loves to give me all things. It’s just another example of how good He is and how amazing His grace really is.

Doug

Abraham’s Descendant

            Have you ever searched your family’s ancestry?  Genealogies have really become popular lately.  Most who trace their lineage today do so as a hobby. 

            The Jews have always placed a great deal of emphasis on their ability to trace their family line back to Abraham (the father of their faith).  They rested secure in the knowledge that God’s promises to Abraham were to be inherited by his descendants.  So it was extremely important for them to keep track of their linage.

            But Paul mentions three things about these promises to Abraham (Galatians 3:6 - 4:7) that are important for us.   (1) The Jews were not the only descendants of Abraham.  He had other children besides Isaac.  (2) God said that ALL nations would be blessed.  And (3), the promise was for Abraham’s seed (descendant) - singular, as in one person.  Why only one?  Because only one son can inherit a fathers’ estate.  But just who is this one descendant?

            ALL of God’s promises find their “Yes” (fulfillment) in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).  Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is proof positive that God has kept every promise that He ever made.  His promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus - the rightful heir.

            Now this wonderful promise has been extended to all who wish to become co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17).  The way to do that is by being baptized (immersed) into Christ.  This allows us to clothe ourselves and be united with Him (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-29).  We, in turn, become sons of God through Jesus and receive the right to inherit the same blessings He does!

            How cool to think that God would consider those in Christ to be His own children (1 John 3:1-4)!  But it is not to be taken lightly or with an attitude that we are better than others (as the Jews of Jesus’ day did).  Every part of our life must now reflect the loving, forgiving Father who adopted us into His family (Romans 8:12-17).  Once clothed with Christ, it is our purpose as sons of God to live righteously in the world and strive to bring more lost souls into Jesus.

Doug

Our Forever Father

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting [Forever] Father, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6)

               Is it correct to think of Messiah (Jesus) as our “Everlasting (Forever) Father”?  I mean the whole trinity formula (God, the Father; Jesus, the Son; The Holy Spirit, our Counselor) seems to be thrown all off if Jesus (Messiah) is our Forever Father. I understand Jesus being the Forever Son; my constant friend, confidant, and intermediary to God, the Father – the One in charge. But Everlasting Father tends to blur the lines defining the personalities and job functions. That is, on a human level it seems confusing until I struggle to remember two things:

            (1) God is an equal unit. All of His unique personalities (Father, Son, Spirit) function together in perfect harmony. They’re all on the same level of hierarchy and importance. So this passage is equating Messiah (Jesus) as being God, the Father in the flesh as one of us (Immanuel).

            (2) Father doesn’t necessarily refer to a family patriarch, or founder, or higher-ranking official. Sometimes a father is a caretaker or steward; one who sees to the needs and welfare of another. Think of a trusted servant, or adviser to a high official. Like Joseph, who claims that God has made him “father to Pharaoh” (Genesis 45:8).

            I think this second usage fits the context of Messiah’s purpose and mission most perfectly. Didn’t Jesus Himself say that He came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45)? Doesn’t He refer to Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10): a role of caretaker to lesser individuals in need? And isn’t He described as being in charge of God’s household, the church, His bride (Hebrews 2:14-18)? His ministry and atonement at Calvary attest to His task of seeing to and meeting our spiritual needs working on behalf of the entire God-head. After all, He was the fulfillment of all of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:19-20) and the perfect solution to man’s sin problem.

            Think of what a wonderful blessing this promises then. God the Father, as Jesus the Son is continually looking after and taking care of our every need by the power of His Holy Spirit living within us – forever! As Everlasting Father, Jesus’ blood continues to cleanse those who walk with Him in the light (1 John 1:7). As Everlasting Father, Jesus continues to interpret our prayers­­ (Romans 8:26) and work out good things for our benefit (Romans 8:28). ­­­­­­As Everlasting Father Jesus has our eternal home prepared for our arrival in Heaven (John 14:1-3). As Everlasting Father we have the power/strength to handle anything that comes our way (Philippians 4:13) and the confidence to know that Satan can’t stand against us (James 4:7). The list of blessings is literally endless since He is our Everlasting [Forever] Father.

            Isn’t it time you returned to the Father? He is longing for your return so He can celebrate (like in Jesus’ story – Luke 15). Put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27) and/or get back on track with the Spirit and let Him guide you into all holiness. He promises to be the perfect guardian and caretaker of your soul. And you’re promised an eternity of blessings to experience alongside Him by doing so.

Doug

If I Were Jesus

     Looking back on Jesus’ life and ministry, I have noted several ways in which I think Jesus could have improved things.  Not that anything He did was wrong, mind you.  But I can’t help seeing how He could have had it a bit easier if He had been willing to do and say certain things differently.

     For example, He was the Son of God.  Well then, He needed to exert Himself a little more forcefully.  Buy some nice clothing.  Purchase a house or building in which to hold His classes and seminars.  Challenge His critics to debates.  Eat healthier food.  He should have taken James’ and John’s advice to call down fire on that Samaritan village (Luke 9:51-54).  That would have forced everyone around to take notice of who He really was.

     Yet, I guess He wouldn’t have been able to fulfill His purpose for coming which He said was to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).  And His example of service where He washed the disciple’s feet (John 13:1-17) was perfect.  I’ll have to admit, He couldn’t accomplish this by exerting Himself the way I thought He should.

     Well, then, how about another example.  Jesus was the Son of God.  Therefore, He should have spent His time with the learned scholars of His day, not with the peasants and indigent folk.  I mean, what could a diseased leper ever do to help His kingdom?  They weren’t even allowed near the city.  And tax collectors; those cheats.  Could they really be happy with a smaller income and a teaching profession?  Come on, now.  Jesus should have spent more time convincing those who spent their days studying the Law and Prophets.  He could have easily proven His power with a few choice miracles and “whipped” those guys into the spiritual shape God intended for them.

     Yet, I guess He wouldn’t have been able to fulfill His stated mission which was to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  The Jewish religious leaders didn’t know they needed to be saved.  It was the common folk who understood their need for a Savior.  I’ll have to admit, He would have been casting His pearls before swine if he had done it my way.

     All right then.  Let’s try another example.  Being the Master and Teacher, He should have been more careful than to get too close with any of His students and disciples.  The rule is that leaders cannot rule over their subordinates if they bring themselves down to a lower level of authority.  But Jesus compromised His higher position by building intimate relationships with anyone and everyone that He came into contact with.  After all, respect is earned, not granted.

     Yet, I guess He wouldn’t have been able to fulfill His purpose of showing us how much He loves us by acting any other way (John 15:9).  We know what love really is because Jesus came to earth and demonstrated true love to those He came to serve and to save.  I’ll have to admit, He has provided an extremely high standard for us to attain to that wouldn’t have been if He had done things my way.

     So, I guess I wouldn’t change anything Jesus did or said.  The way He did things turned out to be perfect after all.  I can see that what needs to happen is for me to change the things I do and say so that they match what Jesus did and said.  In this way, I will be fulfilling the very same purposes that He was - to serve, seek the lost and love everyone.  And isn’t that what God has been trying to get me to understand all along?  That I need to be like Jesus; that I must reflect Him to everyone I come into contact with every day; that I need to fit my words and deeds to match His; that I cannot rest until I am just like Jesus.

Doug

Prepared For Jesus

     I knew a man that was involved in building houses.  I asked him what the most difficult part of the house was to build.  “It’s impossible to describe the time and energy that goes into planning,” he said.  “The actual construction of the house is easy once the plans are in print.”

     All of life is the same way.  Every important step requires preparation.  In school we must learn the basics before going on to the “good stuff.”  At work, we must go through training before we can do the job properly and safely.  Preparation is the hardest, most tedious and frustrating thing we will go through in life, yet it is also the most important.  Without preparation, we will not be able to succeed at anything in life. 

     When Jesus came to “seek and save the lost,” He didn’t just appear on the scene.  God had His people go through a long period of preparation ahead of time.  In looking back at God’s planning stages, His love for us is plainly obvious.

     There were the sacrifices to teach that sin carries a death sentence - and that God will accept a substitute in our place.  God’s choice of Abraham teaches us the importance that faith plays.  Through the Law of Moses, we see how far our sinfulness is from His holiness.  The Tabernacle rituals depicted the role of the Messiah in bringing us back to God.  And the prophets told God’s people how to recognize the Savior when he arrived to finish the plan.

     Centuries of hard work, patience and love for God.  And even so, most of God’s people were not ready.  The disciples misunderstood.  The people Jesus was sent to save crucified Him.  Not until 50 days later did 3,000 of them realize what they had done.

     And what about you?  Have you prepared yourself to take advantage of what Jesus has offered?  Are you ready to live like Him everyday and so fulfill God’s purpose for your life?  Are you ready for when he returns again?

     God went to a lot of trouble to save you from your sin.  Learn from all of this and start preparing for the final journey.  It will happen sooner than you think.

Doug

Jesus Rules!

            “What is wrong with people today?”  “How can someone plant a bomb and kill hundreds of innocent people?”  “How can a mother take the life of her own child?”  “How can two people who say they love each other be so cruel to one another?”  I hear these and other questions all the time.  I’ve often asked them myself.  I call these “why” questions.  The answers that go with them are “I don’t know” answers, because only God knows the reasons.

            The only explanation that makes sense to me is that, for many people, God’s principles are out-of-date, impractical and irrelevant.  His people, due to mixing their religion with cultural norms and biases, have perverted the truth about Him so that whatever makes them feel good or bad becomes the standard for right and wrong.  The doubters, God-haters, and social critics consider Christians and their religion to be promoters of bigotry, hatred, violence, and misinformation. And, honestly, who can blame them when those who claim the Name live opposite of what He stands for?

            So it should be obvious why all of these frightening things are happening.  Satan rules in the lives of most people!  Who else can cause so much hatred and chaos?

            Somehow these people (whether in Christ or out) have to be convinced to replace the Deceiver (lies) with their original Ruler (truth); the One they recklessly traded away because they couldn’t see how the Bible applies to their lives today or because it doesn’t affirm their feel-good belief-system or their comfort-zone laziness.  They have to be convinced that God’s principles and Jesus’ teachings make sense and work in every aspect of 21st century living – even if it causes the majority to rise up against them and publicly ridicule them, or to categorize them as “billy-goat herders,” and unenlightened, closed-minded and judgmental hypocrites.  We must all come to understand that God’s way is the only way if we are to get rid of these distressing acts of crime and violence.  And fortunately we have the very thing we need to accomplish this.  God and His Word: the only thing that can defeat Satan.

            The Apostle Peter says it this way; “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3, 4).

            Notice that we get this power through knowledge.  That means Bible study – not just a cursory reading or storing up trivial facts.  And especially not allowing someone else to tell us what it says or means. We personally must gain the knowledge necessary to use God’s power and effectively teach others so that they also may be able to use it to escape from the Deceiver. 

            By participating in the divine nature (acting like Jesus) we can let the world know that Jesus rules! This is the only way to be free of the effects of Satan’s rules. But it’s going to take total commitment. It will mean being willing to stand against the ridicule, slander, name-calling, and ostracizing that is sure to come. For those who choose to put God first in this way, remember that you are blessed and have a better place to look forward to than your irreligious critics do. And for those who try to avoid the negativity that loyalty to Christ generates, just remember who you will have to be spending an eternity in turmoil with.

            Make doubly sure that Jesus rules in your life, not public opinion. Get to know Him better day by day through personal experience and practice regardless how others around you choose to live.  And look forward to a comfortable eternity of being free from the troubles, chaos, and hatred caused by those who have chosen Satan’s rule.

Doug