"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"- 2 Corinthians 13.5
"And you, who were once alienated and hostile in mind, dong evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you have heard..."- Colossians 1.21-23
Lately I've been wrestling with the idea of the Old and New Covenant. The premise of covenant itself is quite simple, but the relation between the Old and New is something else entirely. But one aspect of the New Covenant is that we, as sinners, formally alienated from God because of our sin, can be reconciled with him, or brought into a better relationship with him.
In the Colossians text we can see that by continuing in the faith, we remain reconciled to God. But what does it mean to "remain in the faith?" That's a good question. I think the verse from 2 Corinthians helps us understand that. We need to test ourselves, make sure that we still have relation with Jesus. What is our relation marked by though? Well what is any relation marked by?
Being "Facebook Official." Talking every day. Seeing each other. Sharing with each other. Sacrificing for each other.
Looking at the end of the Gospel accounts we can see how Christ sacrificed for us.
Looking at our Facebook we can see our religious preference is set to "Christian."
But what abut talking? Do you honestly talk to Jesus every day? Do you have faith that he's listening?
Do you strive to see God on a daily basis? Do you see how he pours himself into the sunset that words can never do justice for?
Do you share with your Father the concerns, needs, joys and hopes that you have in your life?
Do you sacrifice anything for your relationship and faith? Do you sacrifice time to just spend it in the Word?
What about your reputation to pray over your meal thanking God for providing?
Do you ever even look at yourself, and put yourself to the test seeing what it is that Christ calls you to and if you fulfill that calling?
Examine yourself, and remain in the faith.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Out of Hope
Lately two words that I've been using a lot are "manifestation" and "stewardship." Talking about Religion as a verb will do that I guess.
Our entire theme for this year is about our actions that come from our relationship with God. Just as I act a certain way with my parents because of our relationship, or how I act with my girlfriend because of our relationship, so I act with God and all others because of our relationship.
My love for God leads for my love for others. And my love for others becomes manifest in my actions towards them and with them. I have been given salvation from God which includes his love, his grace, his forgiveness, his mercy, and I am now a steward of those, and I emulate them towards others.
But why?
I do this out of hope.
Recently I've read a couple different verses pertaining to working out of hope. In 1st Corinthians Paul writes about how we plow fields in hope for a crop. In Colossians he writes how the church in Colossae has faith in Christ and love for all their Christian brothers because of the hope they have for eternal life.
I have hope that through my stewardship of the salvation that God has given me, and the manifestation of my love for others through my actions they too can share in the joy that I find in my salvation. I hope that one day I can call them brother or sister.
It is out of Hope that I religion.
Do you have hope for something? Hope in Christ? Hope in Eternal life? Hope for salvation for all people? Are you acting on it?
Find out next time on Dragonball Z.
Or figure it out yourself, and do something about it.
Our entire theme for this year is about our actions that come from our relationship with God. Just as I act a certain way with my parents because of our relationship, or how I act with my girlfriend because of our relationship, so I act with God and all others because of our relationship.
My love for God leads for my love for others. And my love for others becomes manifest in my actions towards them and with them. I have been given salvation from God which includes his love, his grace, his forgiveness, his mercy, and I am now a steward of those, and I emulate them towards others.
But why?
I do this out of hope.
Recently I've read a couple different verses pertaining to working out of hope. In 1st Corinthians Paul writes about how we plow fields in hope for a crop. In Colossians he writes how the church in Colossae has faith in Christ and love for all their Christian brothers because of the hope they have for eternal life.
I have hope that through my stewardship of the salvation that God has given me, and the manifestation of my love for others through my actions they too can share in the joy that I find in my salvation. I hope that one day I can call them brother or sister.
It is out of Hope that I religion.
Do you have hope for something? Hope in Christ? Hope in Eternal life? Hope for salvation for all people? Are you acting on it?
Find out next time on Dragonball Z.
Or figure it out yourself, and do something about it.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Power in Simplicity
Things have been quite busy these past few weeks. Check my other blog to see a full recounting of the craziness that is campus ministry.
Recently I read through 1 and 2 Corinthians. Great books. When I started I read 1 Corinthians 1 and something stood out to me.
Many accused Paul of preaching "Cheap grace" and how salvation, "Can't be that simple." But I really like what he has to say in vv. 17-18, "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
From these verses I gathered this truth: The Gospel message is simple. Yet it is powerful. The gospel message is as simple as saying that God put on flesh, came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on a cross, and rose again three days later, all for our salvation. Incredibly simple words. Incredibly powerful meaning.
Everyone can understand the words given about the gospel, and everyone can understand that that is the message of the gospel. For those who have faith there is power in this message. But to those who aren't saved, it makes no sense.
A god? Became human? That makes no sense. Why would a god do that? And you claim it's the only god there is? The God? Your sovereign God? Your all powerful God? That's stupid to think that.
And he lived a perfect life? No one can live a perfect life. I mean I'm pretty good, but I'm not perfect, especially compared to the standard of living that your "God" gave. Even he failed in that.
He died on a cross? What? What God dies? Willingly even? Or even better, dies that kind of death? That kind of death was reserved for criminals! Those people are cursed and spat upon by all of mankind! That's like saying your God got the chair! It's reserved for murderers and thieves and rapists! Yet your God went through that? Even though he was perfect? Why?
Because he was raised up three days later? No. No one has ever come back from the dead after that long.
For my salvation? Salvation from what? I don't need salvation. I'm a pretty alright guy. Aren't I?
The message of the cross is simple. It holds profound power, power which leads to life, salvation, reconciliation with God.
Those that don't believe in it see it as nothing but lies. Yet it is a message, that when accepted, changes everything. Take this message to those that need it this week. Give them a chance for life.
Recently I read through 1 and 2 Corinthians. Great books. When I started I read 1 Corinthians 1 and something stood out to me.
Many accused Paul of preaching "Cheap grace" and how salvation, "Can't be that simple." But I really like what he has to say in vv. 17-18, "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
From these verses I gathered this truth: The Gospel message is simple. Yet it is powerful. The gospel message is as simple as saying that God put on flesh, came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on a cross, and rose again three days later, all for our salvation. Incredibly simple words. Incredibly powerful meaning.
Everyone can understand the words given about the gospel, and everyone can understand that that is the message of the gospel. For those who have faith there is power in this message. But to those who aren't saved, it makes no sense.
A god? Became human? That makes no sense. Why would a god do that? And you claim it's the only god there is? The God? Your sovereign God? Your all powerful God? That's stupid to think that.
And he lived a perfect life? No one can live a perfect life. I mean I'm pretty good, but I'm not perfect, especially compared to the standard of living that your "God" gave. Even he failed in that.
He died on a cross? What? What God dies? Willingly even? Or even better, dies that kind of death? That kind of death was reserved for criminals! Those people are cursed and spat upon by all of mankind! That's like saying your God got the chair! It's reserved for murderers and thieves and rapists! Yet your God went through that? Even though he was perfect? Why?
Because he was raised up three days later? No. No one has ever come back from the dead after that long.
For my salvation? Salvation from what? I don't need salvation. I'm a pretty alright guy. Aren't I?
The message of the cross is simple. It holds profound power, power which leads to life, salvation, reconciliation with God.
Those that don't believe in it see it as nothing but lies. Yet it is a message, that when accepted, changes everything. Take this message to those that need it this week. Give them a chance for life.
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