Filed under: Christian Beliefs & Culture | Tags: being saved, Christ, God, Jesus, save, savior, Sin, why
However, the thing is…God is good. (1 John 1:5) Sinless. I’ve heard sin described as, “Missing the Mark”. If God is the mark, then there is no person here that can say they’ve reached it.
God just IS good. I’m a size 8 1/2 shoe on an ideal day. These are both things that won’t change just because we will them to.
Sin is pretty much where God is NOT. But, it’d be a load off my back if he’d just resign himself to living with my sin for all eternity. But, then again…He doesn’t have to…he’s kinda God, and I’m kinda not. Which is why with all my wonderfulness, with all the goodness that I do have, I can in no way earn my way into heaven. That’s good news, or rather, that leads to the good news that we hear so much about.
I don’t have to earn my way. I’m free to be a decent, sinful person trying to live up to standards I’ve placed on myself or that Oprah and Dr. Phil promote. I’m free to seek my own pathways to God and heaven.
On the other hand, I’m free to choose to accept the fact that not one of us can rid ourselves of sin and earn a place in heaven (even if it’s just the dusty corner of heaven behind the soup cans).
I mean, even Mother Theresa sinned, folks. (1 Samuel 1:2, Romans 3:12) You didn’t know? All of which would be a sad realization unless there is a God who is better than all of us put together and yet sees us individually and loves us unconditionally
Jesus was a man that existed, lived thirty-three years and the last three years of his life preached a word that pretty much shocked the mainstream way of thinking at the time…and now. His words are echoed, amended, adjusted, re-worded and repeated by our favorite gurus (pick up a Bible and compare). This man who claimed to be the son of God (Luke 22:70), said he was one with God (John 10:30) and even utilized God’s given name (John 8:58, Exodus 3:14). This man openly welcomed those that others condemned, forgiving sins and telling them to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Who talked about forgiving your enemies and even going out of your way for them (do what?!!) (Matthew 5:39-41).
This man vehemently weeped at the funeral of a friend he knew he’d be resurrecting (John 11:33-43). This man tossed tables in the synagogue in indignation (Mark 11:15-17).
This man seems crazy!
And, yet he healed, not killed. He ran from his pursuers, and yet spoke truth in the face of those who openly laughed at him and questioned his sanity (John 8:48-52). He did a lot of stuff that most of us would be way to self-conscious to do. He changed the world.
And, STILL, without raising a sword even in his own defense he allowed himself to be taken, tortured, murdered in a completely public and gruesomely humiliating form. That kinda disintigrates the excuse that he just doesn’t understand what we’re going through.
If I believed he was a man incapable of miracles and such then this is the end to his story…and to mine. I’m on on my own, then, it seems, with maybe a God above that watches me with sheer amusement as I blindly fumble around.
But, for me, it’s just the beginning.
If I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and believe in my heart that he was raised from the dead, I will be saved. (Romans 10:9; Acts 4:12) Saved from being some leaf in the wind, saved from being my own God, saved from hell and eternal unpeaceful death. (Did I mention that I left the sugar-coating in the kitchen?)
I confess that Jesus Christ is God and that the reward he was able to earn for living a sinless life is now mY reward in exchange for the horrifying one that I have earned. I confess that God’s love for me extends even that far that he would go to such extreme extents for me. And, I believe that God is God, and able to do and has, indeed, willingly done all of these things.
The way it makes sense to me, (and if anyone has other interpretations, please let me know!)…The way it makes sense to me is that Jesus Christ is the lense through which God sees those that love him.
But, when we try to approach God through the backdoor or through some other direction, God still loves us to pieces, but that love alone does not change the fact that we approach him with our goodness, aNd with sin, aNd with our decision to come at him the way wE deem fit. (John 14:6) And, when we stand before Him, all our mess is out in the ugly open, with nothing to shield it. I’ve chosen hell, then. Chosen to be where God is absolutely not. Hell is an ugly word. But, sin is an unfathomably ugly thing.
That said, I still sin occassionally (only daily). Among other things which I will not name I can still be judgemental and choose to share what’s in my heart with less tact and compassion than that situation warrants. But, I am also learning patience, compassion and to look outward more and more. I’m learning the value of healthy relationships and their priority. I’m actually learning to take care of some things which I had previously left for others to do. And, I’m still learning…oy.
Though a sinner, I am also a daughter of God who wants what He wants. And, I know that that other stuff is not what he wants. I know that ‘cuz he’s inspired a Bible which he purposely put here showing the good, bad, ugly and beautiful, stories that show his character…by comparing his character to what comes naturally to us.
I can’t change on my own, but once I truly decided to take Him up on his offer God poured His Spirit into me to help me along. That must sound very mystical and fantastic given the logic and knowledge gained from thousands of years of human experience… experience yielding knowledge that is consistently amended, adjusted, re-worded, reconsidered and refuted.
God is love (1 John 4:16). He’s held that title for–oh my gosh, like, forever. And, “love” is the only way I can describe God’s Holy Spirit. Somehow, God managed to share some of His Holy Spirit with me, sharing pure, undefiled love (Romans 5:5). That love compels me to love him back.
It compels me to let him lead me into the life and the lessons that he knows is best for me as an individual; (even though it may not necessarily be what is expected for me, nor compare to others’ experiences.) That love can compel us beyond our own self-consciousness, if we let it.
That love can change our world, if we let it.. If we allow ourselves the freedom to seek out who he created us to be.
Then our experiences, our hurts, our joys, our successes, our struggles, and the sin that we sincerely repent of can actually be used to change this world, or at least SOMEbody’s world for the better.
Why would I want to do that? Cuz God loves you, silly!! And, how can I honestly claim to love God, because he loves me…and then not have compassion for the love of his life…you.
The key to that is love, which is what I, too, am still being taught. Oy! oh! Oy! But, what it comes down to is that God knows the plans he has for each one of us, plans for good and not for harm. But plans for future and, for a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
=)
I’m going off of what I’ve learned from the Bible that has been reinforced in my own life. These are all the Bible verses I’m working off of: (1 John 1:5;1 Samuel 1:2, Romans 3:12; Luke 22:70, John 10:30, John 8:58, Exodus 3:14, John 8:11, Matthew 5:39-41, John 11:33-43, John 8:48-52;Romans 10:9, Acts 4:12; John 14:6; 1 John 4:16; Romans 5:5; Jeremiah 29:11)
So, I felt compelled to write this, and although it’s not the standard kind of thing for me (I’m more of a journalistic, “deep thoughts by Jack Handy” kind of writer), I’m very glad I did do it. I don’t have all the answers, so if someone has questions, just know that I’m more than happy to gain clarification for myself by asking and researching questions I have absolutely no real clue about.
God bless ya’ll!
Q.
Filed under: Christian Beliefs & Culture | Tags: ability, able, can't, God, power, Sin, talent
When we ask what God can do, we usually think of huge miracles. After all, He created heaven and earth. But, what does that mean to us? We weren’t even there when it happened. So, what we really want to know is, “What God can do…for me.” Let’s take for granted that He is all-knowing, all-powerful and that He is love. How does that apply today? To me? To you?
First, let’s cover the list of what God cannot do. Get comfortable:
1. God cannot be sinful.
“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5
A good analogy is that of heat and cold. The definition of cold is a) Marked by deficient heat; b) Being at a temperature that is less than what is required. The feeling we label as “cold” is actually our sensing a lack of heat. Just as sin is a manifestation of the lack of God’s presence. Heat can’t be cold. Light can’t be dark. God can’t be sin. But, He can allow sin to move in whatever way He plans: “The LORD works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster.” Proverbs 16:4
That’s it! Beyond that, it’s “game on!” So, now that we know God can do all things except sin, we take the limits off of what He can do in our very own personal lives.
I may live a relatively decent life; steady job, nice home, good friends and tolerable family. But, what I want out of life is to live with few regrets. I want to live!—not just survive. I want to make a difference in people’s lives. And, even if I really don’t want that, I would like to reach my greatest potential as a human being, to see the absolute best me come to life.
This is what God can do. And, you don’t even have to wait until next lifetime to live the best time of your life. No matter your socio-economic status, your star-power, your obstacles or preconceived notions about yourself (or that others have about you), God has a plan for the life you are living right now. It’s a life filled with purpose, with hope. A future.* He’s got gifts He’s given you that He wants to stir up and use properly; and He’s even got some talents in store for you that you’re not even aware of yet.
For instance, I found out a few months ago that I am a songwriter. I have no musical background, but so far I have three pretty amazing compositions under my belt and another on its way.** This isn’t me bragging on me, but on the all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-loving Lord, Jesus Christ. I’m sharing only one example of a personal trait that this ex-administrative assistant probably would have never discovered. It’s a pursuit that’s come through building a relationship with the God in heaven who knows me better than I know myself.
What God can do is more than we can orchestrate for ourselves. His offer is more satisfying than comfort, money, power or influence; He offers an opportunity to find out who you were really made to be, and live the life for which you were designed. But, as always, the choice is yours.
*“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
** find samples at http://libraryofintelligentdesigninc.blogspot.com/
Filed under: Christian Beliefs & Culture | Tags: Christ, Christian, Christianity, forgiveness, gift, God, grace, Heaven, helium, Jesus, mercy, Sin
Non Christians’ chance in Heaven; a snowball’s chance in hell.
If I knew, for certain, that following doctor’s orders would avert the negative outcome of my life-threatening disease, how would I respond?
“Well, doc, that prescription doesn’t sync with my current lifestyle. What are my other options?”
Hmm…probably not. Instead, I’m gonna take that horse-sized pill three times a day ‘til I die rosy cheeked at the unnatural age of 156.
Well, the bad news is that not one of us is capable of slaying every underlying fear, unacknowledged addiction and accepted/harmful family legacy that keeps us from being the absolute best person we can be. All that “weakness” is called sin and it’s a crippling disease that holds us back. And, you have the right to be mad at it! Yeah! Cause it’s the worst kind of fatal. The for-sure-you-ain’t-getting-no-second-chance-so-you-best-address-it-now kind of fatal. We all share it; whether believer, non-believer or I-don’t-know-what-I-am-so-I-call-myself-a-Christian believer.
So, it’s a good thing we’ve been given exclusive access to the top Physician! His credentials? Oh, He raises people from the dead…sans stethoscope and “STATs!” And, if you believe in a heaven where He reigns, why wouldn’t you believe His direction in getting there? Or—to get back on metaphorical track—why would you try to guess your way to a happy ending by concocting your own remedy?
And, if you don’t have an inkling of hope in the Christian idea of God’s grace and a rich heavenly home, then why are you reading this article?
Jesus Christ wasn’t shy about the truth, because He knew that, “The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.” John 14:10. Nor was He hesitant to reveal the diagnoses of death for Lazarus, the sin of adultery to the woman at the well (John 11:11-15; John 4:17-18 ) or the sin of pride of the Pharisees.
Now, was Jesus rubbing their faces in the dirt? Was He giving them spiritual wedgies? He tells us in John 12:47 that that job has not been placed on His shoulders. Judgment is Someone Else’s department (down the hall and to the right).
He’s just here to give us the helping hand that we desperately need, if we only admit it.
Why didn’t Christ shy away from these truths? Because He also held the cure. “I came that you might have life, and might have it abundantly. (John 10:10)” “I Am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6).
Whether you adhere to the label of “Christian,” or not, unless you’ve given your life to Christ and relying on the gift of His death and the justification of His resurrection…well, you’re not following the doctor’s prescription. Simply stated, if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. See Romans 10:9 for the dosage and directions (and it’s not even in fine print).
The right answers are not always going to conform to our schedules, our priorities, to our likes and our dislikes. But, since when has the truth been convenient for everyone? The good news is that we don’t have to grope around for our own path to fulfillment; or be our own gods, bearing every consequence and outcome on these two puny shoulders.
Nor do we have to live condemned lives as a sign of our piety as is practiced even in non-Christian belief systems. Upon accepting Christ’s gift, we rely on the fact that our struggles lead to affective and personally fulfilling lives, that through genuine repentance our sins are forgiven and our approach to the world around us forever changed for our and others’ good. And when this vibrant life ends, we get the ultimate high…a place prepared in heaven by a friend who we’ve known, and who knows us individually, personally and completely. (John 15:11, John 14:2-3,20)
- Quo Elbert
for more commentary on this subject find this and other articles on Helium.com.
