ChristianLiving – Page 7 – Random Thoughts

The Wicked Steward’s Wealth

wealth, money, mammon — Photo Source: cyberchurchtoday.com

In Luke 16 we find an often quoted passage of scripture:

¹³ “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (NKJV)

Mammon is a Greek transliteration of an Aramaic word meaning wealth. In this context, wealth could be bags of gold and silver coin, but it can also tradable goods such as jugs of olive oil, measures of wheat or barley, cakes of dried fig, or skins of wine.

This passage is often quoted in a sermon cautioning believers against getting caught up in the pursuit or wealth. In the prior twelve verses, Jesus tells a bizarre tale of someone who does just that. Continue reading “The Wicked Steward’s Wealth”

Hit-n-Run Evangelism

In this world which is increasingly hostile to Christians, evangelism is a touchy subject. Many churches prefer to take an, “If they’re interested, they’ll come to us” stance in order to avoid creating any sort of enmity. Matthew 28: 19 & 20 says:

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (NKJV)

These are the marching orders Jesus gave His disciples (past and present) before ascending to return to God in Heaven. In this directive are four points we need to understand. Continue reading “Hit-n-Run Evangelism”

Interpretations

People like to say that there are many interpretations of the Bible. They say this in order to justify their viewpoint when it differs from that of established thought. This is why we have SO many denominations of the Christian church. The problem is that if we allow people to interpret the Bible any way they want, in order to validate their precepts, we end up with the mess we have where denominations are constantly squabbling over points of scripture. Sniping at one another creates disunity in a body that should be perfectly united in the love of God. Some are trying to rewrite the Bible because they can’t force existing scriptures into the mold they want to follow. God does not allow us to “interpret” His word. If we change His word, it is no longer His word, but our word and we are no longer believing in God, but in a god of our own design. That is idolatry, even if we use the traditional names and images. Continue reading “Interpretations”

The Commission

The Great Commission is a topic often preached upon, but seldom followed. At least, not followed accurately. It seems many Christians feel that “evangelism” is an old-fashioned notion and modern believers don’t need to share their faith as long as they attend church regularly. Many others try to buy their way out of the commandment by financially supporting mission efforts. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it does not relieve us of the responsibility of speaking of Jesus to others ourselves.

Matthew 28 is where the most popular version of The Great Commission is found, but there are others. Each one has a different focus designed for the intended audience. Continue reading “The Commission”

The Sands of Opinion

Knowing when to trust who can be a difficult part of life. This is nothing new; Eve was deceived by the serpent in the Garden of Eden, and that serpent has been spinning lies designed to misguide ever since.

Jesus addressed this issue for His followers in His sermon on the mountain.

Matthew 7:13-20 New International Version (NIV)

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Here He uses three similes to illustrate His point: a wolf, a road, and a tree. Continue reading “The Sands of Opinion”

Missing the Mark

Imagine with me an archery range – or if bow and arrow is too strange to you, imagine a firing range and a gun. Let’s say you’re new to the sport and you’re trying to hit a target. This target is not a nickel nailed to a tree 300 yards down range, it is a clear, good sized target within reasonable range. Are you with me?

You notch up an arrow, aim and let it fly. Being inexperienced, you may end up missing the mark. You may miss the target altogether at first, but you’re trying. With each shot your aim gets better. In time you are hitting the target every time, and many land close to the bull’s eye, if not in it.

The target is in front of you but if you consistently aim 20° to the right of the target, you will not hit the target. You cannot avoid missing the mark. And you are not hitting the target because of a willful act. In doing this you cannot claim your failure is just bad aim. Continue reading “Missing the Mark”

The Test of Knowing Him

These days many people claim to be Christians and speak out on social issues claiming to be imparting a Christian stance. Some people point fingers at one another and say, “I am a true follower, you are an imposter.” How can we decide who is truly a follower of Jesus Christ and who is using that personification to promote their own agendas?

I John 2:3 gives us a very simple test that can be used to validate (or invalidate) a claim of being a true follower of Jesus. I would suggest, however, that we all use this test on ourselves before attempting to quantify anyone else.

1 John 2:3-5 (NKJV)

³Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. Continue reading “The Test of Knowing Him”

Faith and Desire: God’s Candy Store?

I have heard many Christians cite verses such as Psalms 37:4 and John 15:7 as evidence that if we believe in Jesus, God will promise to fulfill our every desire.

Psalm 37:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

John 15:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will^[^a^] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Is that claim true? Yes; but there are strings attached that many overlook or ignore (a common mistake when pulling a single verse out of context and using it to make your point) and doing so invalidates the promise.

John 15:7 is a seemingly odd verse stuck into an allegory that uses a grapevine to illustrate the relationship between Jesus and His followers. John 15: 1-8 is Jesus telling his disciples that He is the vine, they are branches. Branches that bear no fruit are snipped away and discarded. Those that do bear fruit are pruned to make them more fruitful. The passage ends with “⁸By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” And in between is that, seemingly out of place, passage offering believers the fulfillment of their wishes. Many will pull that sentence out and turn it into an All You Can Eat admission into God’s candy Store: but this is an abuse of The Word. Continue reading “Faith and Desire: God’s Candy Store?”

Rebellion

When God created mankind (Adam and Eve) he gave them dominion over all the earth, (Genesis 1:26). Satan and his minions were already here, having been expelled from the abode of God: the spiritual or high heaven, for rebelling against God (Isaiah 14:12-15). These roamed the lower heaven: our physical universe including the earth. In their innocent state, Adam and Eve had dominion over everything except Satan. Satan enticed them into rebelling against God by breaking the one rule God had set for them, “do not eat of the fruit of this tree”. In so doing, mankind relinquished dominion over the earth to Satan and brought upon themselves death.

Continue reading “Rebellion”

The Dispensation of Grace

The Word of God is divided into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The major difference between them is the way God approaches His people.

In the Old Testament, God singles out a family and builds it into a nation that is to be devoted to Him. In the New Testament, God offers a relationship with Him to everyone.

In the Old Testament, God’s favor was earned through obedience to The Law: a complex system of 613 rules. In the New Testament God’s favor is granted through accepting one condition.

In the Old Testament, keeping God’s favor was done by earning it: obeying the rules and making sacrifices as prescribed. In the New Testament, God’s favor cannot be earned, it is a free gift given to those who will believe.

In the Old Testament, the reward of God’s favor was an abundant life on Earth, in the New Testament the reward of God’s favor is eternal life with God.

In the Old Testament God’s people were (primarily) born into this standing. In the New Testament God’s people become such by seeking God regardless of their birthplace.

The Old Testament is all about The Law, the New Testament is all about grace. Continue reading “The Dispensation of Grace”