We Are Defective

As a kid I think there was a period of 10 years that any type of electronic device I received for my birthday or Christmas was in some way defective. I remember having my Sega Genesis 16 bit game system. I would get a new game and run upstairs to play it immediately. In my excitement I would rip the packaging and put the game in annnnnd......................nothing. The screen would be jumbled, the game non-responsive, it was defective. I didnt do anything to it, there were no external factors that I did to make the game like that. So of course you had to take it back and wait in the longest line possible to return for store credit.

Recently I purchased a blackberry. I was excited once again. I felt like a CEO executive, I could text with speed, search the web and get little applications to do vitually anything. Brand new in the box, turned it on, did all the instructions indicated and it worked! Well for about 3 mins and then cut off and restarted. It continuously did this till I called my wireless phone company and they sent me another one brand new. That one failed me also, so we went with a third one, which died on me also. One last time and it finally worked. When I called and asked what in the world was going on and if I DID something wrong, the tech guy told me "No, there was something inherently wrong with the phone."
UNknown to him, he was describing not just an electronic gadget but the human race as a whole. They were defective in a small or large way that affected the rest of it so that it didnt function correctly.
We are not so different. We are defective. There is something innately wrong with us. We are selfish, arrogant, self seeking people. We are born defective. The psalmist details this out in
Psalm 51:5:
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Contextually David is writing about creating a new clean heart in him. Vs. 3-4 he is telling of how he has sinned against God and that God is just in his judgement against him. He understands by verse 5 that he was "brought forth"or the Hebrew Tanak (a more direct Hebrew translation) says "I was born with iniquity" What this tells us is that we (like David) are born defective items. Now in no way does this mean that the human race is just a defective being whom GOd made a mistake. Rather its grasping at a larger theological concept that Psalm 51, Romans 5:12-24, and Romans 3:23-24 are teaching: original sin.

RC Sproul says this,
"Original sin does not mean that sin belongs to human nature...nor does it mean that the processes of reproduction and birth are sinful...rather it means that sinfulness marks everyone from birth, in the form of a heart inclined toward sin, prior to any actual sins...it is transmitted to us from Adam."

First Sproul says that original sin:

1. Marks everyone at birth (Refer to Psalm 51:5)
We know that it affects everyone and not just David. Sin knows all races, and ages.

2. The form---a heart inclined toward sin
(This is bolstered by Genesis 6:5 and Gen. 8:21-both indicate that every single inclination of man's heart is evil and that he cannot think of good--(primarily good meaning the glory of God)

3. This occurred PRIOR TO any actual sins.
(What most people want to argue is that there is a certain time when we sin (action) and we are punished for it. They tend to read scripture and where sin occurs they think of wrong actions. Hence when Paul makes lists in his epistles come time mind almost immediately. I shouldn't do this....or that... This is true but our actions STEM FROM our heart.
Jesus indicates this in Matthew 15:16-20 that out of the heart comes evil things. Not things that affect th heart FROM the outside.
(*This theory has several problems because we know that sin taints every aspect of the human heart, and mind. Biblically speaking there is nothing that supports an "age of accountability". Most responses in this area are more emotion driven rather than biblical--See Romans 5, Psalm 51:5)
So we are a defective product. Adam was our representative in the Garden, like our President represents us as a nation. Our representative fell, disobeyed God and so we fall. (See Romans 5:12-25) Tainted with sin from birth, unable to escape it.

How oh God do we remove this crimson stain? This defective product!!

Be Blessed.

Service

Well if anyone has been on the East Coast for the past 2 weeks they know that they have been covered in several feet of snow. Grant it people in New England, Buffalo, Colorado and the Antartic are probably laughing at us. Stores closed, the government even shut down for 4 days!! I know by now people are probably having cabin fever and want to get out as much as possible. Trust me though I think snow is a product of the all mighty God (as he produced the seasons) the amount of snow I believe is a consequence of the fall and fallen people). With that I am not a fan of snow. I have always disliked snow. Grant it I love to tackle people in it and used to as a kid love to get my sled out and find a steep hill, but as I have grown up I realized that I dont like it. Several reasons can be inserted here but for sake of tangents I wont dive into it. There was something taht I have learned over the past 5 days: something about service. I love a deep discussion about God, and I love studying theology. Theology for me is my main way of getting to know God more as I love to teach or turn to someone and say "hey did you know..." Theology for me isnt something thatI want to keep to myself rather share with other believers to help them in their walks, defend their faith, and be encouraged. Though theology is good I think James hit the nail on the head in
James 2:15-18 (paraphrased):
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.....and if you say Go I wish you well and do nothing...what good is it? In the same way faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead."

How true does this ring in churches today? Many times churches and Christians love to talk a good game about serving and loving, yet do the opposite. Now by all means I am not bashing the church as I am part of it. I sit through meetings, and sermons, and write sermons and have meetings on the importance of serving others. Yet in the church we can't even serve each other when they are in need. I write this from my own heart. I had the priveledge of riding around with one of our church members finding people who needed their driveway or sidewalk shoveled. These members were in the 80's and 90's and had no money to pay someone to do it. To see their faces and how happy they were to see someone care for them, love them through action was amazing. Something as simple as shoveling snow brought joy to their faces.

Theology is wonderful and strong faith is necessary, but without serving others it is useless, worthless and no good. Thats the problem James had: people who were claiming to have their faith yet doing nothing . Paul had a similar issue in 1 Thessalonians where people werent working (for wages) and relying on the wealthier believers because they just sat back and were waiting for the ressurrection to happen.

In regards to service, Jesus emphasizes the importance of servicing others:

Matthew 25:39-40: "Then the righteous will answer him Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in....when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? The King replied....whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me."

In this context Jesus is seperating the believers from the unbelievers declaring that the believers served when they didnt know they were serving Him. Their hearts were pure and so were their motives.

I have not been in church the past 3 weeks due to snow. As much as I love seeing everyone Sunday morning, worshipping and fellowshipping I had church everyday this week. Serving those who could not serve themselves. Helping those in need. Man if you could see their faces, I saw Christ. I hope and pray that I do not forget those moments. Because those are the moments where I feel like a pastor: serving my community, my church, my area to display the kingdom of God to those who have never seen it. And to remind those who have that there is still work to be done. That they are loved, valued, cared for, and watched over.

Be Blessed.

The importance of justification by faith alone

Lately I have been reading some disturbing theological things surrounding the nature of justification by faith. RC Sproul has picked up on this in his book: Getting the Gospel Right. The book details 2 documents: primarily 1: Evangelicals and Catholics together (ECT for short). This document in basic form says that Catholics and Evangelicals are uniting under the banner of several doctrinal pieces primarily: justification by faith. Hey I am one for unity as one of my favorite book says that there is "one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism;"(Eph. 4:4-5) At the same time if we are so similar and together on the doctrine of justification what was the Reformation for? Was it merely just mass hysteria and chaos over nothing? Or as some of my Catholic friends have said that it was merely a blown out of proportion with one crazy man leading and playing off the masses fears and weaknesses? What were we protesting exactly?

THis lead me first to God's word:
Ephesians 2:8
Titus 3:3-5
2 Timothy 1:8-10
Romans 4
Galatians 2:16
Acts 13:36
Genesis 15:6

All of these passages affirm the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Each verse details within context that justification (which is a legal term meaning to be declared righteous) by faith in Christ (his deity, death, and resurrection).

If this is the case where is the difference? Most Catholics I have spoken with say there is none, they were the original church, with the closes ties to Christ and dont understand why Protestants do not follow the teachings of the church. We are one and the same. But this is not the case. Hence why the reformers worked so diligently to expose this through Scripture.

So here are some questions to think about:

1. When should we as Christians dis-unify? (not be beligerent, or speak badly or tear down churches but merely not be united)

2. Do Catholics and Protestants have the same "justification by faith"? Are their differences in our doctrines on justification by faith and if so what are they?

3. Is justification by faith alone essential to the gospel? (meaning that if its not there neither is the gospel)

Be Blessed

Memories

Its close to Christmas and I am at my mom's house currently visiting my family for the holiday. As always I have to go through all the mail I receive as the places that I dont want to mail me at my actual home I leave for my mom's house. I came across 2 things: 1. An alumni letter asking me whether I missed good ol Mary Washington and how crazy it is that its been 7 months (actually 1 year for me) since we graduated. Then they asked for a donation. (Sorry UMW you have 36,000 of my money I think I'm good). 2. I received some weird high tech UMW 2.0 magazine that detailed all the cool things my college is doing while I am no longer there (ironic isnt it?). New buildings we needed like 10 years ago, a new basketball area, a new dorm area, new shops, places to hang out and eat for more social activity that is safe and on campus. Though all those things I was not bitter about this as the magazine was pretty boring but there was a picture on the back, as if you were standing in front of Monroe Hall facing the fountain at dusk. It showed the fountain and the lights lit up and it was actually quite an amazing picture. Rarely but on this time I began to think of the numerous walks I took past that fountain at night, by myself, with friends or with my girlfriend. It was one of those moments where you think of memories and smile to yourself in enjoyment. I remembered meeting my gf and taking walks with her to get to know her and her relationship with Christ. I remember walking by it at night dressed up as a clown to head to the eagles nest with friends to act like an idiot, and I remember sitting at it during grad ball just taking in the end of college life. I reflected on memories from all 3 years at UMW and it was alot of fun. I can say that I have no regrets (except maybe actually trying to get good grades..................naw!). My relationship with Christ grew immensely from it. Each pitfall, each person who told me to believe in this or that. Or Jesus was really this, the Bible says this cause I say so.....all of it made my faith grow.
I think one of the greatest joys is that memories are truly a gift from God. To sit and remember good times, and even bad times to show grow is so reminiscent of our God.
GOd remembers his promises (Gen. 9:15) He remembers and blesses those who are his (Psalm 115:12, and we remember what he has done for us(Psalm 77:11)

So take sometime and think of a period of time that not only did you create and have great memories, but also grew in your relationship with Christ. It doesnt have to be epic and have tons of melodrama, but a time where you remember, a memory of value and importance.

Be blessed!

Do You Delight?

The Book of Psalms as I later found out in seminary is best translated the Book of Praise. It is a book of praise becasue well God is praised constantly. There are 2 kinds of Psalms: sad ones and happy ones. So then how is the Book of Praises about praises in the sad ones. I'm glad you asked, as the Psalmist shows us that the laments always move to praise. For example many lament Psalms start out with "why does this crap happen, why do you turn away, why do you abandon me?" (I wish God would be like: Do you want some cheese with that wine?" I know cheesy! No pun intended) So the pattern is consistent: Psalm that start with lament end in praise, and we see this movement throughout.
Second important thought: Psalm wasnt written by David (alone!). There were many psalmist as indicated by the beginning of the majority of the Psalms.

So into the meat:

Psalm 1 gives a contrast between 2 kinds of people. Now this Psalm reminds me of a John book (Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, etc) because he makes clear distinctions between 2 different kinds of people: People who love God and people who do not.

Psalm 1 does this also:
vs. 1:
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked...But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night"

So a man is blessed when he does not walk in the way of the wicked but rather when he DELIGHTS in the law of the LORD.

To delight: a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy

law-contextually the law is not necessarily the Mosaic Law, rather it is God's commands, or as RC Sproul says the "whole of Scripture" The Hebrew actually says "teachings"

So a man is blessed when he takes pleasure in the commands of Yahweh. How do we take pleasure in God's commands? First we need know what joy our LORD takes in us:
1. He loves us unconditionally
2. He is always available
3. He values us
4. He never abandons us
5. He hears us
6. He loves us unconditionally
7. He is in control of all things
8. He is irresistable
9. He loves you unconditonally

Did you catch the pattern. God delights in YOU! He created us all with the purpose of loving HIM. That was our original creation. We were in the Kingdom of God--God's people, under God's rule, in God's place. God created man in his image, and after creating them blessed (Gen. 1:26-27) them, setting them apart from every other being in the garden. All was very good, in Ephesians 1:4 it says that before creation he chose YOU!

We can take delight in God because He takes delight in us first.

So the righteous man delights in God's law, obviously the contrast is true, the wicked hate God's law. They despise it, and want nothing of it.

Notice what the righteous man also does: "he meditates on it day and night"

Meditate:to engage in thought or contemplation, reflect.
The Hebrew here gives meditate--studies or recites (which makes sense knowing Jewish customs of recitation in the synogogue)

So the man delights in God's teachings, and reflects on it day and night.

When have you reflected on a passage of Scripture? Now this doesnt mean you need to go into seclusion for 2 weeks and recite a passage. Rather our Christian culture jumps from one verse to another without really taking the meaning of it, nor the meaning to the individual seriously.
Here is a goal you should try:
Read a passage of Scripture, how ever long you want. Then reflect on it throughout the day. How did it fit into your day: did you have an experience that reflected that passage, a conversation? Did it apply to something you thought about, saw, touched, read in another book? Just reflect on it for once and see where that takes you. It might just help reduce the stress level of so many people. It gives renewal, just see Psalm 19:8-" The teaching of the LORD is perfect, renewing life." (JPS Hebrew)

If this Psalm is correct, we have joy in God's teachings (Scripture) and we should and want to meditate on it daily (prayer, reflection).
The benefits are detailed in the rest of the passage:

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

So do you delight in the teachings of God? Do you meditate daily?
Be Blessed!

A Mediator....

I have decided to embark on a new journey. Like numerous Christians I enjoy the New Testament immensely and love Greek. I could spend hours over Paul books and jump into the Gospels at will. Problem is that 77% of the Bible is the Old Testament, and another problem is that many Christians are very weak on their Old Testament knowledge and reading. I am one of those people. Sadly it took a seminary course to stir my interest and mind into reading it, which explains my first statement: I am on a new journey. Now by all means I have read the Old Testament before but not with the clarity that seminary has provided.
As my reading goes I have been in the book of 1 Samuel. Now in the Hebrew Bible Samuel is not separated. The reason for this isnt some deep theological ramification but rather they couldn't fit both of the books onto one scroll so they divided it up. Then stinky Westerners were like hey these should be two books??!!! Deep I know! Anyway, 1 Samuel is broken into 3 main parts--simply focusing on the 3 main/important characters:

Chapters 1-7 focus on Samuel (notice how they contrast the faithful Samuel to Eli the disobedient priest).
Chapters 8-15 focus on Saul and his kingship, battles, and eventual fall from the LORDs grace.
Chapter 15-30 focus on David

Now that we have all the background out of the way check out this cool passage I came across a day ago and has just stuck in my mind.

1 Samuel 2:25
"If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death."

There are 2 parts to this I will tackle the first part then write a second blog for the second part.

Part I. God as mediator

*Whats amazing about this verse is that it displays that when we sin against another person, God may mediate for us. Contextually this verse is Eli the High Priest rebuking his sons because they were sleeping with the temple women, and they were taking the consecreated meat and chowing down. Its kinda like if the Jewish temple hired frat boys??!!!!
Eli is saying that though there will be a need for mediation between people who have disputes, if you offend God WHO will intervene on YOUR part??

We know in this story that the 2 sons were the offenders. Eli knows they have done wrong, it was being spread around EVERYONE knew!! He is telling them guys yes you can hurt others but there will be mediation but who will stand up to you when you have NO MEDIATOR.

And this is why reading the OT and then the NT is so useful:
1 John 2:1-2:
"I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

If anybody does sin (Grk. here is Harmatia--to miss the mark or deviate from the path)
We have offended God---with what?? Our sin. We loved sin, our body/flesh loves sin and wants to perform it. By nature we were sinners, from our very birth we were sinners (Eph. 2:1-2; Rom.), So we have offended a holy righteous God. So going back to 1 Samuel---Eli asks WHO will intercede?
I like the direct Hebrew translation of this "who can obtain pardon for himself?"

Ladies and gentlemen John answers this question without a doubt:
"we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense..."
"we have an advocate to the Father..." NASB
"we have an advocate who pleads our case..." NLT

We have one who pardons us from our offense to God. One who brings peace between the relationship between God and man (most translations have the term propitation--this is what that term means). Who redeems, who purchases us, who makes us right before God and who is OUR MEDIATOR: Jesus Christ.

Eli recognized there was no sacrifice that would remove the offense they had incurred. He knew that it would wash away the sin they committed. Hence why he is so worried, my sons you have offended God, who will stand in your place to plead your case, to help, save, redeem you?

Well we have the perfect lawyer: Jesus Christ. He plead our case with God and won. He was the mediator, the ONLY mediator between God and man. Not merit, not status, not how much money we owned, it was only because of His grace and goodness.

I close with this wonderful Paul verse found in 1 Tim. 2:1 before he launches into his discourse on how graceful God is:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Be Blessed!

Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo Gloria is a phrase that means "To God Alone the Glory". Primarily used by reformers it was a rallying cry for the Protestant Reformation (5 Solas-fide,gratia,Christo,Scriptura). It means that no matter what God gets the glory and ONLY Him. This is not just a cry theologically but its practical. The Westminister Shorter Catecism question 1 asks what is the chief end of man? Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Our sole purpose on this earth is to glorify God and enjoy that.
To illustrate this I came across a wonderful passage that just made me want to jump up and down and just made me feel good.
Psalm 105:1-6,8,11

"Oh give thanks to the LORD;call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
²Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
³Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
⁴Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
⁵Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
⁶O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

⁸He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
¹¹saying,"To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance."

This passage says that we are to sing, to praise and to find glory in His name. The amazing part of this psalm is that it brings up so many connections with our New Testament. We see the covenant being remembered by GOd (which is a theme from Genesis to Revelation).

Vs. 6- tells us that the offspring of Abraham his servant (which brings to mind the promise that we have through Abraham as we are His children in Galatians 3:15-25) and we are His chosen ones (Jacob or Israel) which we can see from Eph. 1:4.

The vs. 11 gives us the promise of the "promised land" (eternal life in heaven can easily be trasnferred here as the covenant promised to thousands of generations from Abraham (see Galatians 3 again) we are given the promised land through Christ due to God's promise. That is exciting to me!!

Man to glorify God and enjoying that forever? Isn't that were our joy is derived and so then as this life is short and we know the pursuit of all this is "hebel" (futile, absurd or meaningless) our pursuit should always be of enjoying this life given as a gift and using it to glorify God with all things. I wish I did this more, I wish I would let the pursuit of all other things cease or be turned down so that I may enjoy the gift that I have in Christ. That I may pursue Him, glorify Him in action, but also with my heart, my mind and all that I have. But I know at the same time that because of Christ and His righteousness, His glory, and His indwelling inside me and my drawing closer to him (do not mistaken this for a works or merit based comment) and absolutely finding joy in that. If I took everything I did and dedicated it to the glory of God how would my life change? How would yours?

So then how are you doing this? Comment if you like

Be Blessed