Thursday, February 3, 2011

Keep Learning and Growing

"What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin." -- Romans 3:9

Bible study is such a vital part of learning and growing as a Christian. It's important for everyone -- whether the person is a new Christian or one who was raised in the church and "always" a Christian. That's something longtime Christians sometimes fail to recognize.

I was fortunate that the first Bible study I attended was filled with longtime Christians. I was also incredibly insecure because the first Bible study I attended was filled with longtime Christians. They seemed to flip right to the passages and just know all the history behind certain sections of the Bible. I was embarrassed that I didn't. Though I'd been a Christian for a while, I'd never done more than read the Bible. I didn't even really know how to study the Bible.

But I learned. And I learned. And I'm still learning. I realize now that I'll never know everything I really need to know. I'll never fully understand everything -- at least not on this side of heaven. I can't imagine a time when I stop trying to learn and grow in His Word. I wish everyone felt the same way.

Sadly, many longtime Christians think they know it all. They don't attend Bible studies because, they insist, they've studied it before. They don't do any more than maybe read their Sunday school lesson because they've heard it before. I could go on and on. In their own minds, they know everything there is to know about being a Christian.

They don't. None of us do. We're all sinners -- equally so whether we are new Christians or old Christians. That's the beauty of God's grace and mercy. He doesn't play favorites. We are forgiven when we accept Christ's gift of salvation. We are His children. He loves us all. And as His children, we should continue to seek His advice and counsel.

That's what Bible study really is all about. No matter how many times I read the Bible, I gain fresh insights every day. It's amazing to me how I can reread a passage and find something completely new. Of course, it was there all along. It's just that now I needed it and God pointed it out. That's the beauty of His Word.

Don't ever stop studying and learning and growing. He has a wealth of blessings just waiting for you to discover - whether you're a new Christian or one who has been around a while.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Believe God

"What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar."

-- Romans 3:-4a

It is so easy to believe what everyone else says, especially when they say it again and again and again. Their comments take over our minds and we fall right in line with what other people do and say. Most of the time we probably aren't even aware it.

We let other people's opinions shape our views and our values. We allow our past experiences to determine who we are today and will be tomorrow. We believe the worst of ourselves and think we can never be better than we are. All of it is just plain wrong.

"We must determine to allow nothing and no one to shape us, not even our personal experiences." Francis Frangipane wrote that in his book, The Three Battlefields. Beth Moore quoted it in her book and now I'm repeating it again. Maybe you can pass it on too. It's that important.

Frangipane goes on to write, "In truth, who is ruling our lives, God or our experiences?" He makes a good point. Just think about Paul. He'd done all he could to destroy the early Christians. He'd even been present when Stephen was stoned to death. Yet, Paul turned his life around after Jesus met him on that road. What if Paul had refused to try when he was first rebuffed by the Apostles? What if he'd decided he wasn't worthy to do Jesus' work because of who he'd been?

We are worthy not because of who we are but because of who He is. When God calls us to do something, whatever it might be, He'll provide us with the skills and means to do it. Why do we doubt? Why do we believe the naysayers over God? Why do hold their opinions as more valid that the voice of our Creator?

Satan loves to plant doubts in our minds. He's quick to point out all our faults, frequently using those around us to help him. He'll remind you of everything you've ever done wrong, every time you've ever failed, and every insecurity you've ever had. Satan wants to drive a wedge between you and God. Don't let him.

Believe God in all things and at all times. Believe Him. No matter where you've been or what you've done, God can and will restore you. Ask and you will receive. He forgives those who repent and call out to Him. Do not let your personal experiences or the comments of nonbelievers convince you that you are not worthy to be His child and do His bidding.

"Everything is possible for him who believes."

 --Mark 9:23b

Believe.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Past

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,..." -- Romans 3:23

There's a controversial sign outside the Community at Lake Ridge church in Mansfield, Texas. The sign says, "Jesus Does Not Care." Some folks have been horrified at its message. Others have asked questions and watched the short video at Jesusdoesnotcare.com.

The pastor said he wanted to stir things up. I think he did -- in a really good way. Sometimes we have to be blunt, to shock people into taking notice, so they can see truth. So many of us have past sins draped over us like a funeral cloth. We can't see how anyone could ever forgive our pasts. It's like we think Jesus didn't really mean us when He sacrificed Himself for all believers.

When I talk about sinners, I'm not just referring to drug addicts, prostitutes or thieves. I also mean the person who told a lie this morning and the one lost her temper at lunch and the one who didn't help the homeless teen she passed on the way home from work. I'm talking about all of us. Because we are all sinners. That sin leads to death. It doesn't matter if it was a "little" sin or a "big" sin. The consequences are the same. Without Jesus, we are doomed.

The point of the sign and the video is that Jesus doesn't care about your past or mine. When we come to the cross, when we ask God's forgiveness and accept Jesus' gift, we are forgiven. The slate is wiped clean. He doesn't see it anymore. Jesus doesn't care about your past.

What Jesus cares about is us. He cares how we live our lives today and tomorrow and all the days between now and the time we go home. He knows we can't change what we've done. But we can learn and grow and use those experiences to reach out and draw other people toward Jesus.

This is a controversial sign with, frankly, a controversial message. I'm not surprised that some folks got a little upset. We may know that Jesus died for everyone but some people -- whether intentionally or unintentionally -- still act like His gift was only for certain people. But the Bible clearly says no sin is too big that God won't forgive it. I know. It's an amazing love that is just so far beyond anything any of us can comprehend.

This sign has started a dialogue. I'm glad. Maybe the words and the message will open church doors for people who believed they weren't welcome. And maybe the people already inside can open their hearts, hold out their hands and draw the newcomers inside.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Sin Doesn't Justify Itself

"Why not say -- as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say -- 'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is deserved." -- Romans 3:8

Does the way something is done ever justify the good that could come from it? Is it okay to sin because our sin will cause God to look better? This was the argument in Paul's day and it's something that comes up in today's world, too.

There was the preacher who carried on an affair with a member of his congregation. His wife suffered in silence as church members whispered. Some even thought the church should keep him as a preacher because, despite his continuing sin, he was "a good preacher." So, he could teach others about God's laws but he couldn't -- or wouldn't -- attempt to live by those laws.

Don't get me wrong. We are all sinners. We all fail each and every day. But sin that is deliberate and continuing isn't okay. Did God look good? You tell me. The preacher sounded good but his actions told others believers can do anything because they're forgiven. That's not what God intends. He wants us to try and do good, then seek His forgiveness when we fail.

It's that old Robin Hood thing we have going on. We applaud the underdog who takes from the rich and gives to the poor. Except he was a thief. Did he use his spoils for good? Sure. But did that justify his actions?

Or what about the person who kills an abortion doctor to "stop the killing." Except that he just did what he accused the doctor of doing -- commit murder. He might say one murder is okay if it stops many others. But is murder ever okay? Not according to the Bible. Vengeance belongs to God, not man.

Others look at Christians from the outside before they ever look at the inside. What do they see? Do they see a good person who sometimes falls down? Or do they see a bad person trying to justify his actions? God deserves our best. Willful sin, no matter the excuse, is just wrong.