Romans, Countrymen...

Some like paint-drying. Some like grass-growing. Some like cat-bathing. Some even like room-temperature-coffee...

Them's all good and great...however, I get jazzed about 8,000 pages of J.M.Boice's Expositional Commentary on Romans!

Anyone else? Anyone?

What are you reading? Fiction, non-fiction, prose, poetry, history, biography? Lewis, Knowles, Zacharias, Fitzgerald, Miller, Paul the Apostle...? Who are you reading and how are they shaping your heart, soul, mind and strength? Even Sherlock Holmes has strengthened my faith.

Though nothing replaces the extremity of style, topic, personal challenge and truth as the Word.

Representin' the Text...

Jesus discussed creation in Genesis. Mark 10

Jesus compared his journey to Jonah's. Matthew 12

He also spoke about Sodom. Matthew 11

He referenced the Prophet Daniel. Matthew 24

Noah's Ark is discussed. Matthew 24

Jesus quotes Isaiah (several times). Matthew 24

He notes hells reality. Mark 10

He acknowledges the reality of Moses and gives him credit for the Torah. Mark 12

Though I realize this is an oversimplified deduction...is it possible to acknowledge that Jesus is who He claimed to be, 'the way, truth and life' and not believe in the creation story? or Noah and the flood? or the reality of Hell? or Jonah and the whale?

Did Jesus lie and simply 'play along' with the ancient tales in order to connect with His audience? In His human nature did He truly believe in these fictitious stories? Did He truly fulfill hundreds of prophecies, live a miraculous-sinless life, raise from the dead and yet misrepresent the OT? If so, then do these theories alter His righteous character?

Do you doubt the trustworthiness of the OT and yet follow Christ? Then ask yourself - 'What insight do I have, above and beyond the Christ, the Scriptures, the Spirit, that allows me a more 'trustworthy' vantage point than that of the Creator?'

Now if Jesus is the Messiah.
And He assumed the reality of even the wildest OT stories.
And you believe in Jesus.
Then it stands to reason that you can trust the entirety of the Scriptures.

'I praise You, Father...that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants' (Matthew 11:25) - the wisdom of this world doesn't compare to the open heart and mind of the faithful.

Word of Beard

'Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!' Psalm 107

Six times within this psalm this phrase is repeated almost directly. Six times we're told that in the midst of pain, hunger, stormy destruction, wandering in wastelands, distress and darkness, rebellion, distance from God in our souls, etc...Six times we're reminded that in these conditions His love is yet unfailing and eternal.

His wonders are apparent in the sand and the trees and your children and the existance of, awareness of and desire for...love. His love endures forever - Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Go Ahead...Point that Finger

'Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?' Job 40:8

'If this God allows ________ to happen he is clearly not a God I want to follow.' Many of us have heard or even said this regarding some offense or pain that affects us personally, philosophically, emotionally. That God is unfair, unjust or simply blind and ineffective in real life...this is usually our own attempt at making sense of life yet in the process putting our wisdom and worldview far above the Eternal God.

My view of justice is based on 30 years of life in Midwest America, a democratic-republic, ideas of equality, tolerance, rational explanations and a loving God in a naturalistic environment. I have one legal, cultural, social, religious point of view in world full of views. Who am I to corner the market on justice? Who am I to stand outside creation and point a finger, scolding the Lord for living out to a system I don't fully understand?

But our thoughts are not like His. Our ways are not like His. (Isa. 55:8)

We will never understand each and every action taking place upon the earth and beyond. Though when we're united with Christ our minds/attitudes/hearts/worldviews are renewed and can begin to fathom His total sovereignty over the good and the bad, the righteous and the evil.

'Good teacher,' says a young man to Jesus who immediately corrects him, 'No one is good - except God alone.' If no one is inherently virtuous but the Lord can we really justify our imperfect actions and thoughts and beliefs in light of perfection? Now if you don't believe in God then who cares about justification right? But if there is a God, as all of creation signifies, then discrediting His righteousness is a far more dangerous undertaking.

Aaahh - 'to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.' (Tim. 1:17)

Word of Beard

'Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?' Job 40:8

This is the Lord's thunderous response to Job and his friends.

He either is or He isn't sovereign over the universe and all it's happenings. If He is then He is perfectly just in all His ways, he makes no mistakes, falsely accuses no one and yet is wise in how He allows pain and suffering to affect our lives. If He isn't...

Good ole Christian...

'Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.'

Knowing your Bible isn't simply what every good Christian should do is it?

Paul says that 'skillfully dividing the word - handling it rightly' tests and approves us as faithful, unashamed disciples. It shows whether we are on the right track, speaking truth in context, not wavering or babbling fluff. He reminds Timothy of the Gospel he taught, he reminds him to beware false teachers, he even passes on a 'trustworthy saying' and all this before challenging him (us) to handle the Word of Truth with eternal care.

Jacob Neusner explains how Jewish students wrestle with the word, 'This one proposes, that one disposes. This one forms a proposition in response to what the Torah says, and that one says why this one is wrong...' and so on to form a symphony of students attempting to handle the Scriptures carefully.

Peter understood this wrestling and challenged believers to remember, 'If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God' (1 Peter 4:11). Be a student of Truth. Handle the word well. We all teach it the moment we share it with one, one-hundred or one-thousand people.

So continue doing your best with skill.
Constantly present yourself to God for service.
Live daily with an attitude defined by the grace and truth of Christ.
Pray continuously that you may proclaim it clearly, as Paul eagerly desired.

2 Timothy 2:15
Judaism's Theological Voice - Jacob Neusner

Word of Beard

'If I have put my trust in gold - if I have rejoiced over my great wealth - if I have highly regarded nature so that my heart was secretly enticed to worship...then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.' Job 31:24-28 RDV

Yet, when our trust, wealth and worship are His and His alone...How ridiculously good are even the worst of times because we know that He Is, He Was and He Will Be.

Total Loss...

The words, 'I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ...' Those words hit hard as I read them again.

Several years ago we experienced a fire in our apartment building that destroyed 100% of our neighbors goods and over 50% of our own.

We experienced loss of belongings, memories, overall a sense of safety. My wife and I along with our one year old were at a loss.

Our ministry director, the director of the camp where this took place, was eternally gracious. Our church body was infinitely gracious as well. Friends were equally gracious. Families were a blessing. Individuals we hardly knew were like shining stars.

However, one young lady in particular comes to mind always when reading the above passage. A twenty-something single woman, having been saving for a vacation the sum of around $600 chose to consider her vacation a loss compared to loving Christ.

The Spirit prompted her to think, 'How can I save for vacation when they don't even have a place to call home?' So her vacation fund became our rebuilding fund.

Knowing Christ is knowing the body. Her act of devotion and compassion in response to the Spirit will always goad me into going to Jesus with open hands and returning to His people with helping hands. I came into the world naked and I will leave that way...nothing is mine.

Everything is a total loss, burned in fire, compared to knowing Christ.

Philippians 3:7-14

God-Man-Morality

'I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.' (Leviticus 11:44)

The breath of God in His creation of man imparted the Holiness of God into His new creation. Paul confirms that the moral law of God truly is written on our hearts. This is wild! Knowledge and experience of holiness is within each of us and has been all along.

All of nature speaks of Gods revelation of Himself, His will, His kingdom and His holiness...everyone is left without an excuse. Regardless of culture, time period, race, gender...there are clearly acts that are good and those that aren't, period. On that note Peter, the trustworthy and imperfect disciple of Christ, speaks to the church:

'As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do...' (1 Peter 1:14-15)

And so that no one can brag saying they've become holy due to their own efforts, we know that, 'we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all' (Hebrews 10:10).

God is the standard that never changes. This isn't legalism, you and I are welcome to do as we please, we're free to conform to the worlds standard. However, what pleases us doesn't become the standard. God is holy and holiness doesn't change. Our standards are to be transformed into His.

The Truth of the moral freedom within each of us didn't develop through time via monkey-men, although it's reality has been slowly revealed by the Spirit and set in Scripture. It was instilled in us from the beginning of time, before time began. It was revealed to man as man moved about.

In Christ truth was codified eternally through his sacrifice on our behalf and our breathing in and out of this reality awakens our hearts, souls and minds to Truth as it was, is and will be.

Half-Monkey-Man-Morality

I overheard a discussion in the philosophy section of a bookstore the other day regarding the trustworthiness of the moral standard coming from the Bible. That a 3,500 yr. old book couldn't possibly speak into the lives of modern men and women.

They went on to describe the development of morality as it appeared in nature. Evolving along with the monkey-men hundreds of thousands of years ago. Half-man/half-monkey and various combinations therein slowly discovered right and wrong. What was acceptable and what was intolerable. Basic good and evil.

I find it interesting that these individuals find the moral aptitude of half-monkey-men living hundreds of centuries ago more acceptable than a coherent system of moral law recorded only 3,500 yrs. ago, without the help of the half-breed.

Hm. Interesting as well that half-monkey-men could figure out the basic tenets of good and evil and yet many of us, a much more evolved and advanced version of these creatures have come to the conclusion that there is no standard of right and wrong. That each person may define it for oneself.

Thanks monkey-man and your evolutionary counterpart...but I'll stick with the reality of the divine moral code written on our hearts, experienced in the world, recorded in Scripture and modeled in the Trinity.

Lord of...what the!?

Is it possible to be a follower of Christ, called to BE Christ-like - and yet hold to a low-commitment, low-involvement, low-investment attitude and lifestyle in the body, in your faith?

Now I'm not so sure this is a question of salvation, though that alone is a matter to be dealt with in 'fear and trembling.'

If Jesus is Lord of All 'with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him' (1 Peter 3:22) - and if true disciples are called to such a high commitment as to hate their 'father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters' and thus 'carry their cross' after 'counting the cost' (Luke 14:26-28)...then a low view of Christianity isn't much of an option is it.

He is either Lord of all in which you count all as nothing or He is Lord of nothing in which you count yourself as all.

Have you counted the cost of discipleship? If you have concluded that you can fit Jesus into your schedule then I will boldly challenge that your calculator sucks. Your count is off. What if Jesus only half commited himself to his mission, to salvation, the kingdom, to you? What if Paul only squeezed in holiness when it fit into his schedule...sounds depressing and illogical right?

Check your: use of time - gut honest desires - legalistic tendencies - pragmatism in the church - cynical attitude - materialistic cravings - spiritual hunger and knowledge - love of God/others...

If you have counted the cost, or are wrestling with the price of salvation in a sanctified life...then the call to be a 'living sacrifice' is terrifyingly refreshing. Your schedule is shaped by Him. Your purpose abounds. Your heart transforms. Your passion grows. Your grace overflows. Your love for God and for others is on display. You are carrying the cross. You aren't perfect. You won't be perfect on earth. You will hit a low spiritual season. However you are highly-committed.

Word of Beard

'Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.' 2 Chronicles 19:7

Jehoshaphat appointed judges among the Israelites and called them to a terrifyingly healthy fear of God in light of their divine responsibility. The apostle Paul does the same in the N.T. assuring us that righteousness only comes through a healthy fear of the Lord and especially those in leadership who carry a heavier burden.

God is never wrong. Never forgetful. Never unjust, unfair or curmudgeonly. He is Holy. Period.

Paul & Piper

John Piper, in his blog, discusses the paradox of man's choice/Gods will in Philippians 2:12-13 - we work while God works.

This is a spiritual mystery we're actually capable of practicing in real time. We may not understand our role in salvation and sanctification as designed by God but Paul models it and the Spirit guides it...so we can faithfully trust this paradox and live it.

God powerfully works in us. (1:6)
We fearfully work towards Him. (2:12-13)
Paul divinely models it. (3:10-14)
His sovereign will is fulfilled eternally: past, present and future. (Rom. 8:28-30)

Starflyer, My Son & the Kingdom

My son ran into the kitchen the other day ridiculously excited about finding a toy saxophone. In and out of every room. Under the couch. Beneath his bed. Digging deep within a toy-box...and there it was.

He earnestly sought after it.

We had been listening to a favorite band of mine - Starflyer 59 - and he wanted to partake. He wanted to contribute to the song.

His excitement and joy reminded me of my own passion to be a part of what God is doing right here and right now. That I get to be a part of His story, His people, His work here on earth and into eternity. His song of creation, redemption, kingdom.

I don't always hear the song. It dissipates amidst clanging symbols, anxious groans and my own music charts. My son heard the music.

I don't just want to hear the music either. Like my son, I want to be a part of the band.

Paths

One of the most terrifying chapters in the Bible is found in the Book of Job. Bildad, in an attempt to crush Jobs apparent pride, describes the fate of the man who rallies against God, flounders in sin and falls short of righteousness...he will be:

snuffed out, the light in his home will burn out, weakened, his schemes ensnare him, calamity is hungry for him, disaster is ready when he falls, death's firstborn eats at his limbs, he will be marched off to king of terrors, burning sulfur engulfs his home, roots dry up, he is forgotten, driven to darkness, no survivors or offspring, to the East and West men are appalled by him...a trap lies in his path. (Job 18)

Job, however, is prepared in heart and soul and mind for such torment. He knows that 'the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.' (Job 17:9)

He is faithful and in turn is confident - not prideful - of his righteousness before God. The wicked may stumble along their path toward the 'King of Terror' - but Job will follow divine suffering down the path that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is a horrifying yet convicting chapter to read. Impossible to bypass without reflection on my own journey...my own path. I might ask you as well:

1. What path are you on? Do you walk by faith or by your own strength? (2 Cor. 5:7) - Not all 'paths' lead to the same destination. There are only two: that which Bildad describes and that which Job holds on to.
2. Are you in constant terror from the evil one?
3. As a believer you will suffer, yet have no reason to fear torment...Do you know that He protects you before and behind. (Psalm 139)
4. Cry out for Jesus. Repent. Seek Truth. Ask for divine justice and protection with an honest heart. (Romans 10:9-10) - And then rest in His salvation.

A Great Job

'My witness - advocate - intercessor - friend...'

Job is confident that his friends sitting with him in ash and dirt trying to comfort through confrontation are in the wrong. He's also confident that in the heavenly realms there is One who is working to right the unimaginable wrongs he is suffering through.

He doesn't abandon his faith because God has already proven Himself. He mourns, cries-out, pleads his case, defends his sinlessness, even hopes for death...but he doesn't abandon what he's known to be true.

As the apostle Paul said - there is One God, One Mediator between man and God...Jesus Christ, the One who is, was and is to come. The second person of the Trinity worked on Jobs behalf and is now interceding for us. For the good of all those who know Him and have responded to His call!

This is our God...a God who never changes.

From Job 16:19-21 NIV/NKJV