The Battle With Sin.

Some have battled with sin in their blatant outward rebellion against God.

I struggle with quite the opposite.. Spurgeon describes it best.

[A cake not turned is soon burnt on the side nearest the fire, and although no man can have too much religion, there are some who seem burnt black with bigoted zeal for that part of truth which they have received, or are charred to a cinder with a vainglorious Pharisaic ostentation of those religious performances which suit their humour. The assumed appearance of superior sanctity frequently accompanies a total absence of all vital godliness.]

My pastor--{Mark Lauterbach] is so good to us to remind us of the danger of putting on an attitude of self righteousness/pride that resembles the Pharisee's...i felt most guilty of that this weekend during my baby sister's wedding weekend.

God in his gentle and loving ways, reminded me of graces so specific and so fresh.

Praise Him I am not left in my sin, Amen?

Photo Credit: Carissa Gallo

Glory Central

"abide hard by the cross and search the mysteries of his wounds.”"
-Spurgeon

There is no more important thing to God than God’s glory; and there is no better display of God’s glory than the display of God’s glorious grace; and there is no better display of God’s glorious grace than the display of the gospel; and there is no better display of the gospel than the cross of Christ. If I am to live for God’s glory I must live next to the cross. If my passion for God is to line up with God’s passion for God then I must dwell by where His passion was manifested in this universe unlike any other point in history ever: I must dwell by the cross. If my mission for God is to line up with God’s mission for God, then I must labor in light of that most glorious manifestation of His mission for making much of Himself: I must labor in light of the cross. If I am to live admiring anything, if I am to live motivated by anything, if I am to live passionate about anything, if I am to live reflecting upon anything, if I am to live rejoicing in anything, if I am to boast in anything, if I am to live because of and for anything, let it be Christ and him crucified. Let it be the cross.

Photo Credit: Matt Wahl

Steadfast Change

"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3"

This verse got me thinking about seasons of prosperity and fruit and seasons of growth. A tree doesn't always bear fruit continually (only in heaven!), and has seasons where the fruit is growing and budding.

In today's reading of 365 days with Wilberforce, the author reveals Wilberforce's perseverance in the lives of his children, in particular, his son Samuel: "'Above all, my dearest Samuel,' he wrote to his son on his tenth birthday, 'I am anxious to see in you decisive marks of this great change. I come again and again to examine his fruit trees, and see if his peaches are set, and if they are swelling and becoming larger; finally, if they are becoming ripe and rosy. I would willingly walk barefoot from this place "near London" to Sandgate, to see a clear proof of it in my dear Samuel at the end of my journey.'"

It's amazing to think about the time God invests in His children to sanctify, and to cultivate fruit in them that is glorifying to Him and for our eternal good. Daily I am reminded of God's amazing grace that continues to flow- and how short I fall continually. It seems to me that God is in the process of showing me just how much I am to depend on His grace, and on His goodness to me, because my sin continues to flare up and destroy any feelings of self-sufficiency or self-righteousness. How free we truly are in Him! His pleasure in us does not depend on our works, but on His Son Jesus, and what He did at calvary for our sins. God is merciful to me because of Jesus. And above that- because of His promise to Christ, I am "grafted" in to the blessing of Heaven. When an individual truly understands the unending faithfulness of the Lord, and that we truly are in Him, the weight of guilt is lifted and we are given wings to fly. This understanding seems to follow a deep, dark realization of our complete helplessness, and with that harrowing moment we for a moment begin to fear that God will forsake- why would He stay faithful to a wretched sinner like me who cannot escape but seems to sin right in the face of Grace? But God. To SHOW the riches of His grace. Incredible.

photo credit: carissa gallo

(Aspiring Girl = Joanna)

Reliance On Biblical Principles For Sanctification

Studying the great Romans 7 debate, I have come across some beautiful gems of Gospel truth. One of them, once again, points out the inadequacy of relying on Biblical "do's" for sanctifying work. These Biblical principles that we all have a tendency to cling to in our Bible reading are no more than the "law" as described in Romans 2,3,4,5,6,7 and so forth.

Romans 7:4

"Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God."

Doug Moo:

"[in Romans 7], Paul argues that a person's bondage to the law must be severed in order that he or she may be put into a new relationship with Christ (7:1-6)... Despite [the law's] divine origin, the law can neither justify nor sanctify."

We are quick to say that the law will not justify us (save us), but after we are "in", we quickly hug the law as our sanctifying tool. Instead, we should use the law in the same way it was used to show us our need for Christ for justification - As unregenerate sinners we only bring sin to the table. But as believer's we STILL only bring sin to the table. We can't depend on our ability to "love God and love others" but we need complete reliance on the cross. The righteousness of Christ is our only righteousness. So instead of "do" we rely on His "did".

Gospel Saturated Lyrics

Alyssa just sent me this song by a band called "Take No Glory".
The song is entitled "He Didn't Die In Vain." A few lines stood out to me that I would like to point out as being very gospel-centered:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by
Which Christ has made us free
Don’t be entangled again in a yoke of bondage
Indeed I say that if you try to attain by your own hand
Christ will profit you nothing, nothing"

Often times people point to "don't be entangled in the yoke of bondage" as more "DO". (ie-"you are a Christian, so DO!")
However, this song understands what that REALLY means... It means the next line:

"Indeed I say that if you try to attain by your own hand Christ will profit you nothing..."

Brilliant!
(Often times we rely on the Christ's work on the cross for justification, yet rely on self/self-motivation/DISCIPLESHIP for sanctification rather than...
Christ's work on the cross.)

I also love this:

"The grace of our Lord be with You
The Lord Jesus Christ
He has made us right, we’ve been justified
In the Father’s eyes"

Understanding that there is nothing we can do to lose any amount of favor/blessing from God or gain any more favor/blessing from God (which we are prone to think with our Christian living/walk.) Christ said it: "It is finished." We now have full affection from our heavenly Father. The same affection that He has for Christ.

Thank you Alyssa.

titus.

I've been reading through Titus for my Pastoral Epistles class and it's been more and more encouraging each time I read it. Both the background and the individual truths of the book are insightful.

My knowledge of Paul's journeys goes hazy after Acts. However I've learned that when Paul ended up in prison at the end of the book, he actually eventually got out. He went on more travels and was later recaptured during a more intense persecution when Nero took power, and eventually killed. However during that time, He visited the island of Crete and left Titus (a young man who he had led to Christ on his 2nd missionary journey) on the island to build up the churches that were started. The epistle to Titus was written to encourage and instruct Titus (and therefore indirectly give Titus public affirmation and a stamp of Pauline approval) in order to build up those churches so they would have an effective evangelistic presence in an unbelieving world.

There is so much to take away from this epistle, but I'll just mention one thing briefly. Paul opens up the epistle with a remarkable statement (after his usual introduction about how he is an apostle and such).

"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,"

I love it! Knowledge of the truth is effectual. What is the effect? Godliness. At times we can be frustrated with fellow believers that lack drive and obedience. We can tell them over and over "WHAT" to do... but the "what" isn't effectual. That's why sermons that simply pull Christian principles from the text and repackage them into a step by step, how-to message (the "what") doesn't lead to godliness. In fact that promotes moralism, which is a false truth. Sinners don't need to hear doable do's. They need to hear the rich truth of WHO God is and WHO we really are... They need to hear that the "do's" are not doable. They need to hear that God is just, holy, omnipotent, sovereign, and wrathful. That Christ did the "do's" to perfection. That Christ took on himself EVERY sin and also took on the full wrath of the just, holy, omnipotent God. That Christ "finished" the work. That Christ conquered death. That we take on the perfect record of "do's" with a faith in the finished work of Christ and the submission to Him as our sovereign King. That He IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
This is effectual. This leads to a supernatural heart change that grows crops of spiritual fruit.

T4G

Here is a classic ad for Together For The Gospel 2008:
(im going by myself so far. anyone coming with me?)

Deeper with God

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. - Job 13:15

The life of Job in the Bible was a testimony of God's providence, chastening, and steadfast love in the life of a man who feared Him, but was tested beyond measure. What God allowed Job to go through, seems out of line with His character- as a loving, holy, kind God who exercises holiness and righteousness. I don't understand why God works the way He does. The verse stated above is exactly that kind of perplexity that fills my mind with wonder and amazement. Though He slay me... yet will I trust Him, hope in Him, love Him.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says: "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.

There seems to be a depth that God allows His servants to suffer, that they continue to trust Him. To the unbelieving eye, this sort of relationship almost seems demented. Who would treat someone that way? In a sense, it seems as though God purposefully slays His servants, knowing that His grace will carry them through and they will be humbled, and cling to God more. God means to be glorified in our lives, for our eternal joy and to allow us to enter a relationship that is fulfilling. There seems to be a maturity that arises through trials that make no sense and cause the most intense suffering- pleading with God asking for His deliverance but He does not seem to deliver. The writer of Psalm 44 speaks of this turmoil:
8In God we have boasted all day long,
And we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah.
9Yet You have rejected us and brought us to dishonor,
And do not go out with our armies.
10You cause us to turn back from the adversary;
And those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves.
11You give us as sheep to be eaten
And have scattered us among the nations.

Here he makes his argument to God. They have been faithful to Him, and loved Him, but why is not God acting on their behalf?

18Our heart has not turned back,
And our steps have not deviated from Your way,
19Yet You have crushed us in a place of jackals
And covered us with the shadow of death.
20If we had forgotten the name of our God
Or extended our hands to a strange god,
21Would not God find this out?
For He knows the secrets of the heart.
22But for Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

At the end of the psalm, the writer places his hope in God's loving kindness and mercy. He knows that God will not be hidden forever and will one day deliver. This sort of faith can only be found in Christ Jesus, given to us by grace from God. The Christian struggles under the sculptors hand. Like Jacob struggled with God in the wilderness, so it seems that He wrestles with the sinner's heart. What love and commitment He has to continue to shower grace that we would know Him in His holiness and righteousness, and seek to flee sin, and hate that evil yet in our hearts. All for His glory- and commitment to His eternal plan to glorify Jesus Christ and make His name known to all nations.
Do not lose heart when you are tested by the fiery trial of your faith. It is not some strange thing, but is working for you an imperishable inheritance. Soli Deo Gloria.

conversion.

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

When a person is born anew and experiences repentance, his attitude about Jesus changes. Jesus himself becomes the central focus and supreme value of life. Before the new birth happens and repentance occures, a hundred other things seem more important and more attractive: health, family, job, friends..." "But when God gives the radical change of new birth and repentance, Jesus himself becomes our supreme treasure."


-John Piper, What Jesus Demands From The World

If I would have read this two years ago, I would have simply agreed and said "Yeah, of course." It wasn't until God regenerated my heart to submit to Christ as master that I truely understood what this verse meant, and therefore, the words that Piper writes hit home. The self-made fake/plastic/wax fruits have now been replaced by Holy Spirit wrought genuine/juice-filled/ripe fruits that are alien to my own exertion.

precious scripture.

Proverbs 2:1-5

My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

It would probably be best to not even make a comment about that verse. It's so powerful. However, I do want to say something in regards to "inclining your heart to understanding." Too often I read flippantly through scripture, even sharing scripture, without laboring over the dissection and in depth study of the passage. Recently, while studying passages in my Hermeneutics class, I have been humbled at how little I know scriptural background and context. God's word is precious, and I need to be "rightly dividing the Word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:16) When I search passionately for the truths of scripture then I will find the knowledge of God and I will fear him more. (Prov. 2:5) Remember what happened to Moses, Daniel, Ezekial, and Isaiah when they came to a better knowledge of God?

knowledge.

It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous or inadequate.
-A.W. Tozer

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

"12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

effectual grace?

In my last post on grace, i compared grace to a battery. Now, there actually are many that would disagree with me.
There are many who believe that God's grace is the saving gift of Christ's work on the cross, and if we accept that gift, then we have partaken of grace. However, they would argue that grace is not actually "effectual". In other words, that grace doesn't "cause" anything. They may say that God "helps" people, but they wouldn't agree that God's grace "causes" people to do anything.

There are a couple of terms that we use often to describe "effectual" grace.

1. Regeneration - The supernatural work of God's grace that causes us to repent and believe. (2 Timothy 2:25 - God grants repentence)So regeneration precedes belief, which means we aren't technically justified (saved) until we are regenerated. (Titus 3:5-6 - We are saved BY regeneration - this verse is SO clear because it not only distinguishes between the two [justification [declared not-guilty] and regeneration], but it also gives the order!)

(also Romans 8:30 - "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified") - the call precedes the justifying. This is really important because this verse also shows us that grace is irresistable. Those who he predestines HE WILL CALL. Those who he calls HE WILL JUSTIFY.

2. Sanctification - The supernatural work of God's grace that causes obedience. (John 17:17 -Jesus asks the Father to grant sanctification to his followers) (Philippians 1:6-7 - If God began a work in us then HE WILL COMPLETE IT) (Philippians 2:13 - It is God who causes us to desire to obey and causes us to obey)

NOW

with all that being said, I have always had trouble with Paul's closing statements in all of his epistles (except Romans). He always says, "grace be with you." It never really made sense because I used to take a take a different view of grace. But when you look at Paul's closing words with "effectual grace"-colored lenses, it makes complete sense.

Paul's closing sentences in the following letters:

1 Corinthians: "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you."

2 Corinthians: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Galatians: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers, Amen"

Ephesians: "Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptable"

Philippians: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Colossians: "Grace be with you."

1 Thessalonians: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

2 Thessalonians: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

1 Timothy: "Grace be with you."

2 Timothy: "Grace be with you."

Titus: "Grace be with you all."

Philemon: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Hebrews: "Grace be with all of you."

What kind of grace? The kind of grace that has the power to supernaturally transform people to deny sin, desire to do good, and obey.

tranforming knowledge

Thanks Monica (and J.I. Packer) for a great reminder about how head knowledge, without action, is useless.

However, I would like to balance that thought with what I believe to be even a greater epidemic with Christians today. The epidemic that I speak of is... ignorance.

According to J.I. (and Monica's post) doctrine without action is useless. But there is a bigger problem... The sad truth is that most Christians don't even have any doctrine to start with. In fact, many Christians champion the fact that one doesn't need doctrine! He simply must live out biblical principles.

This thinking completely ignores scripture. Scripture teaches us that God transforms us by doctrine.
Jesus prayed to the Father...

John 17:17

"Sanctify them in your truth, your word is truth."

2 Corithians 3:18

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

We can't be changed without beholding God. How do we behold God? How does he reveal himself? His character?

In his word.

Sanctification starts with renewing our minds.

J.P. Moreland said: (thanks to my new friend Austin at Grace for introducing me to Moreland and the other pure philosophers)

“The mind is the soul’s primary vehicle for making contact with God. And it plays the foundational role in the process of maturation and spiritual formation...the mind.”

If we forget the mind and focus soley on the "do", then we become like Martha. Remember Mary and Martha when Jesus was over? Martha "doing, doing, doing". Mary sitting and listening. Who did Jesus commend? Mary, for listening.

Those who focus soley on the do without the constant beholding and learning are focused on law. It's similar to the pharisees - always focused on "do". Instead we focus on grace. The effectual grace that transforms us - santifying us by beholding God's glory through the deep truths of His character in scripture.

bound.

O to grace how great a debtor, daily i'm constrained to be, let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

-Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
(Robert Robinson)

the battery.

So to expound on the topic of grace, i wanted to share another analogy of how I now view grace compared to how I used to view grace. I always thought of grace as a present (which it is). But that is the image that came into my mind. However more and more it is developing into much more than simply a gift. Grace is alot like a battery, giving (actually causing) me the ability to do things in which I would be unable to do on my own without it.

"Underlying this mistake is a misunderstanding of grace. Grace is not simply the leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon. this is plain, for example in 1 Corinthians 15:10. Paul descibes grace as the enabling power of his work: "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward toward me did not prove vain; but I labored harder than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God which is in me." Grace is not simply the pardon of Paul's sins, it is the power to press on in obedience."

-John Piper

It's kind of like if the energizer bunny were to say: "Wow, I have so much stamina! Energizer should be lucky to have me in their commercials. I'm thankful that they've given me this job, so in return im going to give as much energy and endurance as possible to show my gratitude!"

1 Peter 4:11

"whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. "

to reiterate.

"The Christian faith is not about the "things we do""

-Daniel Neiditch

So Daniel comes in with a bang.

It is actually ironic that he write on that topic, because it has been something that I've been meditating on alot lately. There is so much scriptural content to choose from that I don't know where to begin. So, I guess I'll start where Jesus started (which is something I posted on before):

Matthew 5:3

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Not, "Blessed are the righteous", but "poor". Poverty in spirit is coming to God with empty hands - spiritual bankruptcy.

Psalm 15:16-17

"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise."

It's not the sacrifice that brings God pleasure.

Check out what Paul said about his obedience:

Philippians 3:7

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith"

Growing up, I had such a limited view of grace. I saw it simply as the gift of atonement if I wanted to accept it. But now, I am overwhelmed to vastness of grace. Not only does grace provide a subsitute punishment, but the grace which comes from the cross is sent forward to the future to each step that I take in my Christian walk. Each obedient step ISN'T a gift from ME TO GOD. Each obedient step that I take is a gift from GOD TO ME. Each step is grace... The grace of sanctification. This in not our own doing. We are NOT paying God back for Christ's work on the cross. IN FACT we are earning up MORE DEBT for each step!

So when Christians view their obedience as either a payback or even a gift to God. Their are actually mistaken, because we have nothing to offer God. And this goes back to what Daniel was saying. Christianity is not about "do, do, do".

John Piper says it this way (in his book, The Pleasures Of God) "to please God is to come to him to get and not to give... He is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him."

and

"My hope as a desperate sinner, who lives in a Death Valley desert of unrighteousness, hangs on this biblical truth: that God is the kind of God who will be pleased with the one thing that I have to offer - my thirst."

It's not our grace given to God. It's His grace given to us.

So don't focus on the "do". Focus on the one who "did" for us. HOW? Study the character of God in scripture. Become satisfied with God, by getting to know who He is and how he works. HOW? read/study/meditate on the doctrine of scripture, and not just the application passages.

Random Thought

No picture, no verse, no quote. The Christian faith is not about the "things we do" or the "things we don't do". We are not super-spiritual just because we are doing so many "good things" and we are not super-spiritual just because we are not doing certain sins. It is easy to get caught up in a routine or system where it becomes all about "do, do, do" or "don't, don't, don't" and slowly forget about the One whom we are supposed to be glorifying. Our lives/walks should demonstrate a love for Christ and be centered around Him, not ourselves and our own accomplishments. This faith is a race and it is a struggle. We are being set apart by God for His own purpose. It is foolish to think that we can speed that process up by things that we do or won't do. Be active in the faith because we love Christ and want to glorify Him-not just because it is another thing to do. We cannot make the faith a list that simply gets checked off when things are/aren't done. Remain humble and know that we do mess up at times and experience trials, but that God is constantly in control and is changing us day by day to conform us more to His Son. It is not about us.

action.

C.J.Mahaney's final message at the New Attitude Conference. "Discerning How To Apply"
This was a great message dealing with "hearing" and "doing" of the Word, and sanctification vs. justification.

You can download it or simply listen online.

disconnected.

i like the way that "stephen the levite" (a christian hip hop m.c.) describes sanctification in a song off of his album "To die is gain":

"Disconnected. Perspective corrected. Mind no longer blind to the prime directive. Eyes open wide - yo I spy deception. With a plumb line the Bible is lie detection...

...Im in the world but I've been disconnected. I've parted ways with old friends - disconnected. I'm separate, I'll say it again - disconnected."

Ezekial 36:27

"And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Philippians 2:13

"for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

ski trip

This is my first post on this blog. I am encouraged by what it has become; a place for accountability, teaching, sharing, fellowship, discipleship and love. Praise God. To all who post and read, continue to do so and pray that we may build each other up by the awesome power of God.
This year's water ski trip was very encouraging in that it showed all in attendance at the worship and preaching services, the great and mighty power of God. We had the opportunity to share in fellowship and worship with a church that truly desires to glorify our Lord. Faith Bible Church was used by God to show, not only the kids but also the leaders what a church who lives for God looks like. Thank you FBC and Praise God!
The preachers, Chris Mueller and Scott Artavanis were amazing. They were faithful to preach the word. Praise God! Mr. Mueller taught about the Sovereignty of God and on Life and Death from Ephesians 2. Then to close, Mr. Artavanis preached from 1 Thessalonians 1 and showed us some qualities of true believers.
My encouragement to all who had the privilege of joining us at camp is to not let yourselves get back to your old habits. Live for Christ! Be imitators, examples, & witnesses of Christ and repent always, for sin separates us from our Holy Lord, all while waiting for the 2nd coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Strive to be like the faithful Thessalonians!