(Taken from Bob Evely's blogsite, 6/22/09)
Most churches preach from the Bible, and believe the Bible is God’s Word. But if this is the case, why are there so many different opinions as to what the Bible actually means? Why are there so many drastically different interpretations, often leading to church divisions?
Just because the entire Bible is God’s Word, this does not mean we can simply reach in … grab a passage … and make it apply to our present situation. God is always the same; but this does not mean He always works in the same way in all eras. He once worked thru the Law of the Old Testament. In Galatians Paul announces freedom from the Law.God works progressively.
To properly understand what the Bible is revealing to us for our present day, we must take great care when reading it. We must always ask, “Who specifically is this being written to? Is it the Jew, or the present-day church? Or all mankind? And does this situation being described apply in the same way today?”
As we read the Bible from beginning to end we can see God working systematically through the ages, and we see Him revealing to mankind His plan in bits and pieces. Some information He revealed to the patriarchs in the Old Testament. Some things He revealed through His prophets. Some things He revealed through Christ Jesus. But some things were concealed until God was ready to reveal them through His servant Paul, after the Jews had been set aside so that the complement of Gentiles could be incorporated into the fold.
Studying individual portions of God’s Word is like analyzing a tree, and we can learn many marvelous things about the tree in this way. But sometimes we must step back to look at the entire forest, to see how all of the trees fit together to comprise the forest.
The Garden of Eden
Genesis describes the beginning of mankind in the Garden of Eden. It is interesting that despite this being a Paradise where Adam and Eve lived in the presence of God, and where there would be no death, evil existed even in this place. The serpent lived in their midst, and had access to Adam and Eve so as to tempt them. This was not a neutral setting, where Adam and Eve would simply live in obedience to God. The evil one lived among them, and tempted them.
What an interesting parallel to Jesus who was led by God to the wilderness to be tempted by the Adversary. (Matthew 4:1) Adam and Eve are “led” by God to the Garden of Eden to be tempted by the serpent. The difference is the outcome. Adam and Eve succumb to the temptation, and death enters the world. Jesus overcomes the temptation, and defeats death. Paul later makes the same comparison, and reveals to us the impact of these events. As in Adam all are dying, thus also in Christ will all live. (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Mankind Deteriorates
Once expelled from the Garden, mankind follows a steady course of self-destruction. Cain kills Abel. Evil runs rampant. In Genesis 6 we start over, with the wicked being destroyed and only the righteous Noah and his family surviving. But we read on, and mankind continues to show no promise. At Babel (Genesis 11) God finds it necessary to confuse the tongues of mankind, and scatter them.
God Chooses One Man, to Bless ALL People
From all of mankind God chooses one man, Abram (later Abraham), promising to bless all people on the earth through him. (Genesis 12:3) We see here God’s purpose or intent: To bless all people upon the earth. His method at this point is to choose one man, Abram, as His instrument (or channel) to bless all people. Later God chooses a descendant of Abraham, Jacob. He repeats His promise to bless all people through Jacob. (Genesis 28:14) God later re-names Jacob “Israel.” (Genesis 32)
To be continued...
Grace, MB
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
A Changing of the Guard
Our church family is experiencing a changing of the guard. Over the last couple years we've mourned the passing of many key people in our local congregation. Most recently a long time saint and stalwart, Vonie Mills, passed on and is now awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ for His saints. (1 Thess 4:13-18) Vonie was a women of God and her shoes will never fully be filled. She was my youth minister when I was in high school and had a big impact on my life. I would not be where I am today without Vonie. I don't remember one lesson she taught us, but I remember her life and how she lived it. Vonie lived the kind of life that I would love to be remembered for. She made people like her, that's right, she made them. They had no choice. She was authentic in her love for other people and there was no hiding it. Dale Carnegie wrote a book, "How To Win Friends And Influence People", and in that book he has a chapter titled "Six Ways To Make People Like You". Vonie lived these six principles and judging from her life they worked.
1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile
3. Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.
This is not religion, this is living out what the bible teaches. It's being authentic. It's loving others. It's doing unto others as you've have them do unto you. It's being like Jesus.
Vonie, you will be missed.
Grace, MB
1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile
3. Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.
This is not religion, this is living out what the bible teaches. It's being authentic. It's loving others. It's doing unto others as you've have them do unto you. It's being like Jesus.
Vonie, you will be missed.
Grace, MB
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Our part in salvation...?
My understanding of this subject has so radically changed over the last few months, I look back at some of the blogs I've posted and shudder. I'm sorry for throwing you so many curve-balls but consider who wrote the bible (men inspired by God), and then consider who wrote these blogs (a mere man inspired on occasion by God but usually inspired by my own flesh and stupidity) That being said I do feel my understanding of the scriptures is growing and moving in the right direction, so don't exit this blog until you've read the rest of the story.
If God grants us the faith to believe, and it's a gift, not of works lest anyone should boast(Ephesians 2:8-9), and it's Christ's faith, not ours that justifies us with God, and makes us righteous in His sight(Romans 3:22), then what's our part in this whole process?
Our part is this...believing in or on Jesus Christ as the Messiah (the chosen One). What I understand now is that the object of our faith is not determined by God. God gives us the ability to believe in something greater than ourselves but we are not forced to accept the God of the Scriptures nor His Son - Jesus.
Romans 1:21 says, "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God,..."
Paul says the God of the Hebrew scriptures was not automatically implanted into their faith, they never came to an understanding of "The God" and instead made up their own "gods". Granted sometimes God makes people blind to who He is on purpose (Romans 9:21), but we don't know who those people are.
Romans 3:25 says, "...through the deliverence which is in Christ Jesus..." or John 3:16 "...that whosoever believeth in Him..."
We shouldn't take for granted that "Jesus" is the object of man's faith. There are so many distractions in this world competing for our time and affections. Paul understood this and alluded to those who have faith in the wrong object (Person).
Romans 1:25 "who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
Grace, MB
If God grants us the faith to believe, and it's a gift, not of works lest anyone should boast(Ephesians 2:8-9), and it's Christ's faith, not ours that justifies us with God, and makes us righteous in His sight(Romans 3:22), then what's our part in this whole process?
Our part is this...believing in or on Jesus Christ as the Messiah (the chosen One). What I understand now is that the object of our faith is not determined by God. God gives us the ability to believe in something greater than ourselves but we are not forced to accept the God of the Scriptures nor His Son - Jesus.
Romans 1:21 says, "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God,..."
Paul says the God of the Hebrew scriptures was not automatically implanted into their faith, they never came to an understanding of "The God" and instead made up their own "gods". Granted sometimes God makes people blind to who He is on purpose (Romans 9:21), but we don't know who those people are.
Romans 3:25 says, "...through the deliverence which is in Christ Jesus..." or John 3:16 "...that whosoever believeth in Him..."
We shouldn't take for granted that "Jesus" is the object of man's faith. There are so many distractions in this world competing for our time and affections. Paul understood this and alluded to those who have faith in the wrong object (Person).
Romans 1:25 "who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
Grace, MB
Sunday, May 31, 2009
You know you're saved because....
How do you know when you are saved? That was the big question on our last post, thanks for your responses, they were interesting. As I've pondered this question in the interim I've changed some in my understanding. I'll try to keep this as simple as possible.
If your answer to this question does not contain Jesus Christ's death and resurrection , then your answer is incomplete. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 10:9-10) There is no act or service on our part which guarantees our salvation other than the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. All other answers involve either our efforts or feelings which can not satisfy God nor be trusted. We know we are saved because of the fact that God's Son (God Himself depending on how you look at it) died for our sins and resurrected 3 days later. We are justified (seen as innocent) in God's sight, made righteous, or forgiven depending on how you look at it. This is every bodies standing before God throughout the world at this very moment. Only those who have been called/predestined before the foundation of the world receive that position and live the abundant life God has chosen for those who realize their salvation. (Romans 8:30)
John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (NKJV)
John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (NKJV)
That is why Paul gives us our commission in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." In other words, be at peace with God, cause He's at peace with you. God has in fact given us the faith to even believe. (Romans 12:3) Isn't His grace even more astounding than you first thought?
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are you saved, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God; not of works lest we should boast." (NKJV)
Here's another question you can respond to or ponder. If our faith is given to us by God, not of anything we've done to warrant it, then what's our responsibility in our salvation and why should we even try to tell others the good news?
Grace, MB
If your answer to this question does not contain Jesus Christ's death and resurrection , then your answer is incomplete. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 10:9-10) There is no act or service on our part which guarantees our salvation other than the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. All other answers involve either our efforts or feelings which can not satisfy God nor be trusted. We know we are saved because of the fact that God's Son (God Himself depending on how you look at it) died for our sins and resurrected 3 days later. We are justified (seen as innocent) in God's sight, made righteous, or forgiven depending on how you look at it. This is every bodies standing before God throughout the world at this very moment. Only those who have been called/predestined before the foundation of the world receive that position and live the abundant life God has chosen for those who realize their salvation. (Romans 8:30)
John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (NKJV)
John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (NKJV)
That is why Paul gives us our commission in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." In other words, be at peace with God, cause He's at peace with you. God has in fact given us the faith to even believe. (Romans 12:3) Isn't His grace even more astounding than you first thought?
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are you saved, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God; not of works lest we should boast." (NKJV)
Here's another question you can respond to or ponder. If our faith is given to us by God, not of anything we've done to warrant it, then what's our responsibility in our salvation and why should we even try to tell others the good news?
Grace, MB
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
How do you know that you are saved?
I recently had this question posed to me by my uncle. When Ted asks me questions like this I know somethings up. There's something he wants me to see. Ever had that experience? You just know that person is up to something, why would they ask that question? What are they up to? So before I tell you the rest of the story, let me give you some time to answer that question and post a comment or email. There's no right or wrong answer, and no need to write a book. Thanks for your time, have an awesome day with the Lord.
How do you know your saved? or How do you know you are a child of God?
Grace, MB
How do you know your saved? or How do you know you are a child of God?
Grace, MB
Monday, May 4, 2009
You're Forgiven
My favorite show growing up as a kid was "Happy Days". I can still remember the trouble Fonzie had saying "I'm sorry". You know, Fonzie was no different than most of us. Saying "forgive me" or "I'm sorry" is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Seeking forgiveness can not be avoided in this lifetime, we can be such idiots. However there is one person we will never need to ask forgiveness from, God!
Romans 6:10 says, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;"
Ever since I came to an understanding of God's grace, my salvation being secure, I've never asked God to forgive me for my sins. Why should I, they've already been forgiven.
Hebrews 10:14 says "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."
Now I must say I have on numerous occasions told Him I am sorry, and honestly I may have slipped and said "forgive me", but that's a moot point. Why ask forgiveness for something that's already been forgiven. I think the sinners prayer ought to be edited to say, "Father, thank you for Your forgiveness, I definitely need it. Thanks for giving me the faith to believe in you and trust you. From now on I submit to Your authority and ask that You be my Leader and I will follow. Thanks again, in Jesus name, Amen." The sinners prayer is no magic bullet, it's a guide, in fact, if you feel you need to say the sinners prayer to be saved, I question your readiness for it.
Grace, MB
Romans 6:10 says, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;"
Ever since I came to an understanding of God's grace, my salvation being secure, I've never asked God to forgive me for my sins. Why should I, they've already been forgiven.
Hebrews 10:14 says "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."
Now I must say I have on numerous occasions told Him I am sorry, and honestly I may have slipped and said "forgive me", but that's a moot point. Why ask forgiveness for something that's already been forgiven. I think the sinners prayer ought to be edited to say, "Father, thank you for Your forgiveness, I definitely need it. Thanks for giving me the faith to believe in you and trust you. From now on I submit to Your authority and ask that You be my Leader and I will follow. Thanks again, in Jesus name, Amen." The sinners prayer is no magic bullet, it's a guide, in fact, if you feel you need to say the sinners prayer to be saved, I question your readiness for it.
Grace, MB
Friday, May 1, 2009
What is Faith?
Recently I read one of the best devotions on faith. From a practical side this devotion finally answered the question for me, "what does faith really mean?". Enjoy!
Titus 1:1-2 "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,"
Faith is not conjuring up, through an act of your will, a sense of certainty that something is going to happen. No, it is recognizing God's promise as an actual fact, believing it is true, rejoicing in the knowledge of that truth, and then simply resting because God said it.
Faith turns a promise into a prophecy. A promise is contingent upon our cooperation, but when we exercise genuine faith in it, it becomes a prophecy. Then we can move ahead with certainty that it will come to pass, because "God...does not lie." from Days of Heaven upon Earth.
I often hear people praying for more faith, but when I listen carefully to them and get to the essence of their prayer, I realize it is not more faith they are wanting at all. What they are wanting is their faith to be changed to sight.
Faith does not say, "I see this is good for me; therefore God must have sent it." Instead, faith declares, "God sent it; therefore it must be good for me."
Faith, when walking through the dark with God, only asks Him to hold his hand more tightly. Phillip Brooks
(Streams in the Desert. L.B. Cowan, 1997. p 177 May 1)
"Faith is not conjuring up, with an act of your will, a sense of certainty." This statement is what caught my attention. I've said before but it's worth repeating, the faith we have in our Savior Christ Jesus is not something we came up with, it was given to us. John 6:43-44 says, "Jesus said, "Don't bicker among yourselves over me. You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me-that's the only way you'll ever come."" (The Message) Isn't this all the more reason to celebrate the faith you do have, appreciating it all the more because it was given? I think we struggle with our faith after we initially find it because we stop there. If we would continue pursuing God by reading His promises in His Word, our faith would turn into action and hope. The more I learn of God the more grateful I am of His grace, realizing my insignificance and His all-importance.
Grace, MB
Titus 1:1-2 "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,"
Faith is not conjuring up, through an act of your will, a sense of certainty that something is going to happen. No, it is recognizing God's promise as an actual fact, believing it is true, rejoicing in the knowledge of that truth, and then simply resting because God said it.
Faith turns a promise into a prophecy. A promise is contingent upon our cooperation, but when we exercise genuine faith in it, it becomes a prophecy. Then we can move ahead with certainty that it will come to pass, because "God...does not lie." from Days of Heaven upon Earth.
I often hear people praying for more faith, but when I listen carefully to them and get to the essence of their prayer, I realize it is not more faith they are wanting at all. What they are wanting is their faith to be changed to sight.
Faith does not say, "I see this is good for me; therefore God must have sent it." Instead, faith declares, "God sent it; therefore it must be good for me."
Faith, when walking through the dark with God, only asks Him to hold his hand more tightly. Phillip Brooks
(Streams in the Desert. L.B. Cowan, 1997. p 177 May 1)
"Faith is not conjuring up, with an act of your will, a sense of certainty." This statement is what caught my attention. I've said before but it's worth repeating, the faith we have in our Savior Christ Jesus is not something we came up with, it was given to us. John 6:43-44 says, "Jesus said, "Don't bicker among yourselves over me. You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me-that's the only way you'll ever come."" (The Message) Isn't this all the more reason to celebrate the faith you do have, appreciating it all the more because it was given? I think we struggle with our faith after we initially find it because we stop there. If we would continue pursuing God by reading His promises in His Word, our faith would turn into action and hope. The more I learn of God the more grateful I am of His grace, realizing my insignificance and His all-importance.
Grace, MB
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