The Strength Test

Not getting lost at Wolf Creek

 29“Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

I recall a scripture quote from a friend of mine from a few years back of how one cannot enter a strong mans house unless he first subdues the strong man.  Of course, my friends quote was in reference to a certain southern California college football team and how good they were at the time, but I think this verse holds true for us today.  Do we really know how strong we are?  I'm talking physical and emotional strength here.  Every now and then we hear a story of someone who overcame whatever obstacles were in front of them to persevere in their endeavor.  Each year, here in Oregon, we hear of more than a few brave souls who somehow lose their way in the Oregon wilderness and end up none the worse for wear.  Now, I'll tell you, I've hiked a few of our Oregon trails and there are parts of the Oregon wilderness that are no joke.  I know a man who purchased some fancy GPS locator device for when he and his sons go hiking and camping...smart man.  Yet, what makes a strong man?  Is it  our own physical strength which powers us through all we come across?  Maybe, but I believe there is something to be said for the man who thinks his way through a tough situation as well.  So sets up the classic battle...brains or brawn?  Consider the man Jesus, was He Himself a strong man?  Well, most would say that Jesus was lowly and meek.  Perhaps, but remember that all through His lifes challanges He could at any time called upon legions of angels to deliver Him from whatever it was He was facing.  As Nathanial said of the man Jesus, "can anything good come out of Nazareth?"  Indeed it can!  So, how strong are you?  I'll tell you that the apostle Paul, not being counted among the worlds strongest, definately knew where his own strength came from.  For, according to Paul, he could do anything "Through Christ who strengthens me."  Paul didn't read about this in some self help book, but came to his realization through the revelation of the Father in his own life.  We might very well ask ourselves, what is it that I can do through Christ Jesus?  Well, I think that the possibilities are endless.  

13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4: 13 NKJV 

Not too long ago, I was in conversation with a friend of mine who offered a unique take on the words of Paul we find in Philippians 4:13.  Instead of assuring ourselves that we can indeed do all things through Christ Jesus, let us instead proclaim that Christ IS our strength.  More importantly, Christ IN US is our source of strength.  Again, it is Paul who assures us that this view of Jesus is at all possible.  It is Paul who proclaims that it is Christ who lives on today in those who trust in Him {Galations 2:20}.  So, when we procalim that Christ is our strength, we are speaking the truth.  Everything we see and experience in our daily lives, we do as Christ Jesus who lives on in us.  Therefore, whatever obstacles which we may encounter in our lives, and there will be many, we can confidently say that by the strength of Christ Jesus in us we have the strength to see it through until the end.  That is, we have the strength of Christ Jesus to see us through.  Believe me, Jesus will never discriminate that the trials we are facing  are too big or small for Him to handle.  That's not who Jesus is.  There have been plenty of times where I thought that I had failed my own spiritual strength test.  However, I came to the realization that I was thinking about it all wrong.  Echoing the words of Paul, I would acknowledge the promises of Jesus then tell Him, Jesus "I" can do all of these things with you.  No, THROUGH Christ Jesus I can persevere.  It is only through Christ in us where we gather our own strength to tackle what it is we are facing.  I've never seen a challange that Jesus backed down from.  

43The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

John 1: 43 - 46 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

The God You Never Knew

7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4: 7 - 8 NKJV

I recently made the comment to a legalistic brother that we must serve two Gods in our christian faith.  Not only do we serve that God which the institutional church tells us awaits us whenever we mess up and do something wrong.  He is there, sitting in heaven, waiting to correct us with some correction for our own sin.  Then there is the God who not only provided for the forgiveness of our sins, but the resolution of our relationship with Him.  Which of these Gods do you serve?  Well, for the longest time I served that God which the church told me awaited me in eternity.  That is, if I was a good christian soldier and lived a holy, God centered life.  Well, I'm here to tell you, that version of God messed me up.  In fact, I left the church I had been attending for some time because of this version of God.  The thing is, I could never measure up to the life I was told He had in store for me.  Sure, I was created in His image and He loved me, but He was also distant from the life I lived.  He, and Jesus for that matter, were both seated in heaven looking down upon me making sure that I walked the christian walk.  If I didn't walk the walk which Jesus had, then there was obviously something wrong with me.  This is where the stern side of God came through, to correct me whenever I messed up.  Trust me, I've been through a lot of Gods correction.  So, does that make me a better christian in the end?  Was God able to somehow whip me back into shape?  Well, many a well meaning legalistic christian would claim that these were but battle scars of the christian life.  Really?  Did God love me enough to forgive my sins but yet correct me when I sinned again?  This is the first God, the God of the legalistic church.  It is here where I had to step aside from the church and search my heart for who God really was.  Because, up to this point I had been missing Him entirely.  I failed to see how my heavenly Father could have affection for me, a sinner.  Well, a sinner saved by His grace. 

6For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 6 - 8 NKJV

It wasn't until after I stepped away from the church that I was introduced to the God I had never known.  That's right, despite many years in the church it seems that I still didn't know my own heavenly Father.  I knew the stories of Him that I had heard in church, but this had only been someones idea of God which they wanted me to hear.  Don't get me wrong, God and God 2.0 are very similar, but there are indeed differences.  I remember listening in amazement as a friend related to me that the God he knew was not a God of correction and seperation, but one of love and relationship.  This was exactly what I had been missing!  What herecy was this?  Believe me, this sounded more and more like the God I had been searching for most of my life.  This was a God who was intimately involved in the life of the children He loved, not seperated from me as I had been told for so long.  I liked this version of God much better.  The problem was, there was a division among the christian friends I knew of which God was our true Father in heaven.  It is for this very reason that I commented to my brother recently.  Another thought to consider is this, what if God has always been there waiting for His children to return once again to Him?  I could totally see that happening.  Could it be that we have been fed the wrong information about God?  Well, if that's true then the issue becomes less about our heavenly Father and more and more about ourselves and how we see Him.  My friend is very well versed in scripture and can quote many a verse to defend his own view of the God of the legalistic church.  Despite there being scriptures telling a different view of the same God, he sticks to his guns.  I get it.  He may very well be in that same place I was when I left the church, still searching for a God he never knew.  A question I have asked my friend more than once is, why isn't the church teaching the love and relationship of the God I have come to know?  Well, that might not fill too many seats on a sunday.  Think about it, what good is a sermon on being more like Jesus when you already are like Him {Galations 2:20}?  What good is that sermon on seeking Gods forgiveness for our own sins if we are now dead to sin {Romans 6:6}?  Anybody see where I'm going here?  God, in His amazing love for us, has not only provided for the forgiveness of our sins, but for our own relationship with Him as well {John 17:23}.  What I have come to realize is that it was never God who changed over time, as He is the same forever.  No, what changed was the way WE came to see Him.  Far from being the God of stern correction and lack of intimacy which we have been taught for so long, He is instead a Father who is intimately involved in everything we do.  This is the God I know.


20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
John 17: 21 - 24 NKJV

~Scott~

A Man Thing

27“You have heard that it was said ito those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5: 27 - 28 NKJV

I recently had the opportunity to share a part of my own story of that part of my life stuck in the addictions of pornography.  Even though I had my own misgivings about making this part of my past public, the motive that drove me was that maybe one of these men would find my words helpful.  After all, for all that I have been through in the throes of my struggle, if I can help one man recognize the evils of this "man thing" then I've accomplished something.  To my surprise, one of the guys in our group also admitted to suffering through the same addiction I had.  Although I know that I am not alone in my struggle, struggles with pornography are not something which men typically talk about.  On the contrary, men who struggle with such things are all too often heralded as being a mans man.  Someone to model other men after.  I get it.  For the longest time as I struggled in my own hell, I convinced myself that I was only doing what guys do.  Of course, that didn't erase the shame I felt each and every time time I delved into my addiction.  In fact, there continue to be those in the scientific community who continue to claim that a mans habits into pornography cannot constitute an addiction in the same way which a common street narcotic can.  It seems that being addicted to a substance is more powerful than being enslaved to a behavior.  Again, I get it.  Although I've never been addicted to either drugs or alchohol, I'm told that my own addiction mimicked the symptoms as if I had been a common meth addict.  I had the desires to have my "fix" of what it was I felt I needed to satisfy me.  I'm told that those who have suffered through drug addiction have had these very same feelings.  Again, this is what men do right?  Then why did I feel so ashamed for what I was doing?  Why is it that I spoke with church elders and pastors for my own freedom from what guys do?  Because, friends, it's not just a guy thing.  As I found out, it also wasn't what God had planned for my life.

27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1: 27 NKJV

It was hard for me to fathom that my heavenly Father, who provided for the forgiveness of my sins, would somehow desire for me to remain in bondage to my own behaviors.  Now, I call it bondage because that is exactly what it is.  Yes, this description will fit into my story a little further along the way.  Along the way, I also discovered that the church I was doing men a great disservice by not tackling the issue of pornography addiction.  This is made more of an issue when you consider that the objects of our own desires are someones wife, mother or daughter.  Sure, they would listen to my story, tell me that God loved me and  then recommend that I partake in some church sponsored group or seminar designed to tell me how much I needed to pray and take on a accoutability partner.  Well, the problem with being in accountability with another man is that, unless there is a deep trusting relationship, the only thing gained is more guilt and shame.  Think about it, who enjoys talking to another man once a week where the conversation is usually centered around how much I screwed up?  For this reason I gave up the accountability path.  Still my question remained unanswered, was this what God had in store for me?  This was the question I asked a friend of mine some time after leaving the church which had failed me.  His response?  Hey, Scott, you're dead to that now.  What?  In my heart I knew that I belonged to Jesus, and that He had guaranteed that my sins were gone forever.  Yeah, but there was still that porn issue right?  Apparently I wasn't seeing the whole picture of what it is Christ accomplished on that cross.  Not only did He become sin on my behalf, but He tackled the entire sin issue so that I wouldn't have to deal with it any longer.  The apostle Paul tells us in Romans that it is Jesus who has delivered us from the bondage of sin {Romans 6:6}.  In order for that to happen, the old man (old sin nature) needed to be put to death along with Him.  Of this I am now assured.  I've been asked a few times what I would tell someone struggling with the same issue I have.  The answer isn't too hard...we're dead to that.

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

~Scott~

Life Of The Condemned

Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake
If they know half the things I've done they'll never let me in
Then suddenly from the other side I heard those words again
~Love without end amen~ George Strait

How many people have often looked back upon their lives and came away thinking that they were among the condemned?  That everything was over?  I've often looked back on my own life and wondered just how a man such as myself could ever be forgiven for all it is that I've done.  This is exactly why I often tell others that we, not the man next to us, are our own worst enemies.  Sure, we worry and agonize over how others treat us or make us feel, but at the end of the day it is often those issues within ourselves which we fear the most.  For me, it was that fear of not being accepted by others.  Therefore, I slapped a tag upon others I met that they were the ones who had issues with me.  Now, that doesn't mean that all of my conflicts with others have been due to my own fears, but a good portion of them have.  I've often felt as if I were sitting in a courtroom while those around me passed judgement.  After all, I was guilty, wasn't I?  I mean, aren't we all guilty?  Well, if we cherry pick the scriptures we can find multiple verses which tell us that indeed all have sinned and fallen short of our Lords glory {Romans 3:23}.  I've even gone so far as to question God if He indeed condemned me even after providing for my sins to be forgiven.  The desperate cry of a condemned man?  What I will say is that I knew less about God than He did about me.  It was never Gods intention to provide for our salvation only to suddenly jerk it away from us at the last moment.  I did not understand that God deeply loved me despite my own imperfections.  This was the God I never knew.  Well, I did not know Him on a personal level.  So, if Gods only thoughts of me were of love and grace, where did my own feelings of condemnation come from?  Why did I feel as if I was a condemned man unworthy of my Lords salvation?  Well, like I said, a lot of it was due to my own issues within myself.  The guilt and shame of our own sin is a powerful weapon which the accuser uses against us on a daily basis.  It has never been God who has whispered into His children that they are unworthy of His love due to our own sins.  No, it is God who whispers to His children, "what sin?" 

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

It is indeed a tough row to hoe when we come to the realization that we do not serve a God of condemnation and conviction but a God of pure love.  I had a conversation with a good christian friend this week who was all about telling me that God was into the discipline of His children just as any good parent would.  Well, I would disagree with that.  What parent is there that would suffer the continual bad behaviors of a child and yet still come away with an even greater love than when they began?  My best example of how it is that God sees me comes from my own family.  I recall my own mothers anguish as my brother fell into bad behavior in his teens.  Through her tears and prayers I saw that despite my brothers bad behavior, her love for him remained strong.  Never once did she think of the discipline of her son, only that her love would somehow bring him back to what he knew was best.  So it is with God.  Despite our own history of sin and misbehavior, it is God who never angers, but agonizes that His children do not realize what He has already accomplished for them.  I've often wondered how my own bad behaviors have broken my Lords heart.  That, more than anything, is evidence of His love for me.  It is God who whispers to us in those dark moments as we agonize over our own sins,"what sin, my child?" 

~Scott~

The Wrong Guy

31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8: 31 NKJV

If you're like me, you've spent a lifetime dealing with what those around you have said about you.  You know them, they're the ones who talk behind your back about if they were you that they would most certainly do things different than you...blah blah blah.  Up until recently, people like this used to affect the way I thought about myself.  It's kind of hard not to when you spend a good part of your day listening to others tell you that you're someone you're not.  Look at how many people tried their best to tell Jesus that He was not who He claimed He was.  How can a sinful man be a Son of God?  The very idea of such a thing can be seen as blasphemy.  Despite the wonders and miracles which Jesus performed, there were those around Him who said that He must be a agent of satan.  How else could He have performed such miracles?  How else indeed.  Yet, in my heart I know that the man Jesus IS who He claimed that He is.  Despite all of the negative things that others said about Him, He is the risen Lord.  I once knew a man who knew I was a christian and took every opportunity to mock me for my choice.  He once asked me how I could follow a liar and magician.  This bothered me at first until I realized that what he was trying to do was get a reaction out of me in defense of what I believed.  Well, imagine my own reaction when I noticed this same man walk into church with his wife one sunday morning.  Did I mock him for his choice?  No, I welcomed him into fellowship.  I never did ask him just what convinced him to walk into a church, but I'm assuming his wife had something to do with that.  whatever it took, it seems that another child was welcomed back into the Lords family.  My point here is, we never know what life those who criticize us live.  Sure, we see the negative side, but rarely do we see the real man unless they open up to us.  It's the same with you and me, rarely will anyone know who we truly are unless we take the time to proclaim it.  Well, I already know who it is that I am, thank you. 

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. 6He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2: 4 - 6 NKJV

Trust me, Jesus knew exactly the man that He was.  Despite all of the chatter that was going on around Him, He never forgot who He was.  Neither should we.  Who is that we really are?  Of course, we're told exactly what our identity is by some pretty reliable sources.  The apostle Paul, for example, tells us that we...are Christ Jesus Himself.  That is, the Spirit of Christ dwells within those who trust in Him {Galations 2:20}.  If you find this hard to comprehend, then you're in good company.  I've spent a good few years in a group of Godly men who, at times, have had their own struggles with realizing who it is that we truly are.  I had those very same struggles when I first came to the knowledge of the truth of Christ.  How could Jesus ever come to abide in a sinner like me?  Well, He didn't.  See, Jesus made sure that the way was clear before He made His home in me.  The slate needed to be wiped clean.  That old man I once was needed to be put away for good.  After that, he would no longer define who it is that I was.  So it was that, through Christ Jesus, that old man was put to death that he would no longer be an issue {Romans 6:6}.  After that, Jesus was free to unite His own Spirit with mine.  Therefore, I have no issues with proclaiming that I, Scott, am the indwelling Christ.  I am no longer a sinner, the finished work of Jesus has guaranteed that.  Am I a failure?  Was the man Jesus a failure?  All that I now hear from others about the kind of person I am I must weigh against that filter of who in my heart I know that I am.  The lowliest man we know could himself have the revelation of Christ in him.  Is that man still a lowly individual?  Absolutely not!  I see this as a warning to gossips everywhere, be careful of who you talk about.  You just never know when you'll be gossiping about Christ Himself.

~Scott~

If Not For Jesus

24When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”25And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”26Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
Matthew 25: 24 - 26 NKJV

I saw a video this week of a midwestern family who were joyfully prepping for easter by trotting down the very path which Jesus Himself walked, or crawled, on the way to His death on the cross.  Someone long ago named this route the Via Dolorosa (Way of suffering).  Now, I've often thought to myself how meaningful it would be to me personaly to walk the steps which Jesus walked on His way to that Roman cross.  What a way to connect with the memory of Jesus, right?  I've known a few friends who have traveled to the holy land for the very purpose of walking where jesus walked.  I get it.  The thing is, if I were indeed to take that trip to retrace the steps of Christ, I may just find myself in the midst of some major deja vu.  Yes, despite the fact that I've never been to the homeland of Jesus, I have a feeling that I've already been there and done that.  Others might look at me and, as Mary proclaimed to the angel of the Lord, "how can this be?"  How could a man who has never been to a country say that he's been there?  Well, if I simply go by what the apostle Paul tells me, it's an easy call.  For it is Paul who tells us that each and every one of us was on the cross with Jesus that day.  Yes, I died with Jesus.  Now, I wouldn't blame anyone who would read this bold statement and suddenly come to the conclusion that my mind was somehow skewed.  I think that Paul himself got that very same reaction in his day.  Yet, there it is in the book of Romans.  Paul lays it out pretty clearly that it was my "old man" who was nailed to that cross with Jesus to suffer my own death {Romans6:6}.  I bear those same wounds Jesus suffered.

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

There is a brother in our circle who holds pretty steadfastly to the rules and regulations of the scripture which he reads.  Despite there being numerous scriptures which support what Jesus has done for me, he will point out other verses which seem to convince me I am mistaken.  That being said, this brother refused to believe my trust in my own heart that I have indeed been crucified with Jesus {Galations 2:20}.  The reason I bring this up is that it is the very same reaction I had when a good friend first introduced me to the truth of Christ Jesus in me.  How could this be?  I mean, wouldn't I remember such a life changing event?  I don't remember dying nonetheless ever meeting Jesus.  However, in my heart I know this now to be true of my life.  Now, to those who would scoff at my own revelation I offer this.  Remember that it was my "old man" that died with Jesus.  That old man who, as we're told in scripture, was a man of sin from the begining {Romans 3:23}.  Indeed, all have sinned and fallen far short of our Lords glory, which is exactly why we were in need of Christ Jesus to become sin in our place {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  Were it not for Jesus and His sacrafice, all  hope would be lost.  If I were indeed a sinner as scripture tells me, what hope would there be for me if not for Jesus?  Yet this was not Gods plan for my life.  I do not argue that we were all born with a sin nature.  However, what I will say is that the old Scott no longer exists.  He died long ago and has been replaced by the man Christ Jesus.  The fact that I needed to be put to death is without question, my own heritage guaranteed that.  However, the reality that I now live a life far removed the man I used to be is the reason for my joy.

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

~Scott~

When Morning Comes

21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.22“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 7: 21 - 23 NKJV

I heard some radio pulpit pounder ask the question the other morning what it would be like if you suddenly woke up one morning to find that you were on the wrong side of our Lords salvation?  That you had been wrong the whole time.  What would that be like?  Well, the trouble with that question is that nobody, save one man, has ever returned to life after being dead.  Yes, there have been a few well documented occurances of after death experiences, but not the real deal.  I know of nobody who died and then woke up three days later just in time to tell everyone all about it.  Well, there was that one guy.  Because I have a dog in the fight, my own view on this question has never been in doubt.  Yes, I know my future and I know how it is I got there.  But what about those who never knew the right path into eternal life with our heavenly Father, what about them?  It's not as if the scriptures have somehow been lost in translation, as the bible is one of the most printed and read books in history.  Not only in english, but in countless languages and dialects around the world.  Every day we hear of yet another ministry that has dedicated itself to bring the good news of Jesus to yet another region of the earth.  It would seem that as christians we're winning the battle of ensuring that everyone knows of the our Lords message of love.  Yet Jesus Himself proclaimed that in that day many will come before Him expecting to be welcomed only to be sadly dissapointed.  That's right, even though it is the very desire of Christ Jesus that each and every one of Gods children would repent and return to Him, there will be those to who He will proclaim "I never knew you."  Yes, even believers will be counted among that crowd.  Those verses used to stab at my heart because one of my greatest fears is my salvation being for not.  I didn't want to be among those left on the outside of eternity with God.

11And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5: 11 - 12 NKJV

So, how is it that I can say with confidence that I will be with my Lord for eternity?  Well, for one thing, I followed the right path to get there.  For Jesus proclaimed that nobody will ever come to the Father except through Him {John 14:6}.  No matter how rich or successful you are, it is only through Christ Jesus that you will enter in our Lords eternity.  Yes, but didn't Jesus say that many believers will come before Him to which He will send away?  Yes, it is written.  So, if Jesus is willing to refuse those who believe in Him what chance do I have?  Well, do the math.  This is not some closely guarded government secret disgarded in a bunch of Hillary Clintons deleted emails but something every believer should know and trust in their hearts.  We know that it is only through Christ that we even have access to our Lords eternity, He is the narrow path to God.  What is so confusing about that?  So, if we indeed have Jesus, we will have life.  Do you have Jesus?  Are you assured in your heart that He is in you?  The apostle Paul spoke to the fact that he (Paul) no longer lived, but that Jesus lived in Him {Galations 2:20}.  That, is having and knowing Jesus in your life.  However, I also believe that someone who ultimately knows of Jesus and He who sent Him will be saved as well.  That is some pretty good company to be in.  One of the benefits of ultimately knowing that your future is secured is the conflict it takes away from your life here on earth.  Imagine a life where you no longer need to be worried about living up to some righteous standard just in order to be assured of your eternity with God.  That was never what God intended for His children.  On the contrary, Gods desire was that we would live in relationship with Him.  This was the relationship we once had with God which was lost in the garden.  The good news is that it's also a relationship we can have with Him today through Christ.  When we come to know Jesus on a personal level, we not only become one with Jesus, but with the Father as well.  When that day comes, we'll know where we stand. 

~Scott~

A Ministry Of Relationships

 10For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Galations 1: 10 NKJV

One of the buzzwords I continue to see from churches these days is commuity.  In community, there is interaction.  In community, there is harmony in Christ.  Well, in a perfect world there would be.  The trouble is, we don't live in a perfect world.  No, we live in a world dominated by our Lords creation who, for better or worse, has that freedom to exercise his freedom to choose.  With those choices often comes some unintended consequences such as hurt feelings, arrogance and individualism.  There are times where the very enemy of this thing we call community are those choices we make.  My first taste of community was at a church of former attendance.  It was here that I was intoduced to (alleged) christian community.  Not that my community experince was all negative, as I still continue a few friendships to this day.  However, I soon found out that the freedom of community came with more than a few rules.  Also, it seems that in this community that Jesus kind of took a back seat to whatever the feel good message the pastor had preached on sunday.  I get it.  If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn that community was simply a extension of the sunday service for those who missed it.  I'm sorry, but this just isn't the community that I've come to know.  Beleive me, it's not the community that Jesus and His disciples practiced either.  Throughout His ministry, these men traveled with Jesus throughout Isreal as He spoke His message.  From the fireside to the city square, Jesus' disciples learned the true meaning of community as they walked with Him.  One thing we might miss as we see Jesus' ministry of community played out is the lack of anything church.  That's right, Jesus wasn't about supplimenting His ministry with more institutional legalism.  No, this was Jesus and His guys sharing life along the way.  That, by the way, is the definition of a ministry of community.

44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and dividedp them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV

Well, if anyone is interested in my idea of community I'll galdly tell you.  Community is just as the name implies, believers coming together and sharing life in the name of Christ.  I find it funny, but the old church potluck lunches I attended as a kid had more to do with community than most of what churches call community today.  Everyone was welcome and the conversation was often more centered on life than church or sermons.  I once asked a good friend of mine how wonderful it would be if we could return to the community of believers that we see from the early church in Acts 2.  His response made sense, for in order for this to happen there would need to be some radical society changes to occur.  Think about it, would the type of community we see from the early church work today?  Maybe, but I think it could be done.  I also think that a ministry of true community could be successful in its own right.  I've seen first hand over the past few years how a mens ministry with community in mind has grown and developed relationships.  We don't boast church services, fancy buildings or sermons.  However, what we do enjoy is our fellowship, community and coming together as a group of believers.  After all, that's what it's all about right?  Believers coming together in His name to enjoy life together.  Yeah, I think that could work today.  One thing that Jesus was big on was relationship.  Not only our relationship with Him, but with each other as well.  It is Jesus who called on His followers to love one another {John 13:34}.  How many of us are really into that?  Speaking for myself, there are definately those I've come across that I'd rather not talk to.  How would that work in community?  Well, this is where we need to put ourselves aside and look at the bigger picture.  See, community doesn't do too well with divisions in the ranks.  However, once we look beyond ourselves the real meaning of community will open up before us.  I may not like you, but Jesus loves you the same as He loves me.  Community isn't about coming together as individuals, but as fellow hearts in Christ. 

34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13: 34 - 35 NKJV

~Scott~

How Jesus Loves

“So no, I’m not too big on religion...and not very fond of politics or economics either...And why should I be? They are the man-created trinity of terrors that ravages the earth and deceives those I care about. What mental turmoil and anxiety does any human face that is not related to one of those three?”
― William P. Young, The Shack

I recently had the experience to spend some time with a few friends as we talked about the impact of Christ in our lives.  However, I noticed that it wasn't long beofre our discussion morphed into a debate as if each point of view was struggling to prove just who Jesus is.  The sad part is, both outlooks missed the mark as far as who Christ truly is in our own lives.  It should tear at the heart of each and every christian when we find ourselves feeling as if we have some need to defend Christ before men.  It is a place I've found myself a lot lately.  Does Jesus really need me to defend Him?  Remember that it is Jesus who restored His beloved apostle Peter despite Peter's denials of Jesus.  I'm pretty confident that Jesus is more than capable of defending Himself in any situation.  Yet we continue to debate, argue and shout from the rooftops why our own renditions of Christ are the best things since sliced bread.  My Jesus is the one and only and everyone elses Christ is but a blasphemous imposter!  Time and again, we dig through the scriptures to find the verses to solidify our own viewpoint.  When we can back up our beleifs with appropriate scripture, then we've won the argument.  However, the price of  our victory may well be the loss of our relationships with others.  In my own experience, arguing Jesus is a fruitless endevour.  See, no matter how righteous we beleive our argument to be, what do we win in the end?  Bragging rights to knowing more about Jesus than the next guy?  Fine, good luck with that.  For all of those believers out there who have tried to twist my arm to get me to adhere to their point of view of Jesus...my view of Christ has not changed.  What changed were the friendships I've lost along the way.  Those other christians who debated their own beliefs with me still adhere to their own views.  So, tell me again, who won the argument?  What is it that dwells in the heart of christians where we feel the need to defend our own view of who Jesus is?  Competitive nature?  The need to be right?  Whatever it is, it's a thousand miles away from what it is Christ wants for His children.  Then again, when we place our own needs over Christ, that's what we get. 

This couldn't be real. How could God ask him to choose among his own children? Even if Katie or Josh, or Jon or Tyler committed some heinous crime, he still wouldn't do it. He couldn't! For him, it wasn't about their performance; it was about his love for them.

Mack: "I can't, I can't....Could I go instead?....I'll go in their place...Could I do that?" He fell at her feet crying and begging now. "Please let me go for my children..I am begging you. Please...Please..."

-"Now you sound like Jesus.....That is how Jesus loves.”
― Wm. Paul Young, The Shack

One of the heavy weapons we use against others in our defense of Jesus are His own words.  I mean, who can argue with Gods word, right?  If we can establish the defense for our own view of Christ through the scriptures, then we've somehow won the debate.  This is where we often lose our way, for the bible was never intended to be used for the purpose of defending Jesus.  On the contrary, the scriptures were given to us to tell the story of Christ for us.  How would we know of Jesus if not for His words in a book?  Despite the fact that Jesus has always been there, it is only by the printed word by which we believe.  If the bible says it, I believe it!  How about this, if our hearts tell us Jesus is with us, then we believe it!  I get sick and tired of every Tom, Dick and Harry using the scriptures to somehow prove their own views on religion when they were never meant to be used in this way.  How do we demonstrate the love of Christ by beating someone over the head with scripture?  By doing this we become more like those Jewish Pharisees which Jesus condemned.  Jesus was never about the structure and traditions of organized religion.  If that were the case then you would have found He and His disciples in the temples faithfully each week.  Jesus was more about relationships than He was about formalities.  Jesus never needed to debate His own view of the Father...He WAS the Father!  In valuing relationship over religion, Jesus spoke to the hearts of all who listened to Him.  See, religion hasn't changed all that much from the time of Christ until now.  We still see the same traditions and formalities that those who assembled in the temples observed.  My question is this, how does Religion produce those relationships which Jesus treasured so much?  Why did Jesus treasure relationship over religion?  Well, for one thing, it is only through our own relationship with Christ where we will truly come to know Him.  That's right, we can attend countless communions, masses and easter services and never once come close to even knowing the man Christ Jesus.  I never knew Jesus on a personal level until He was revealed to me in my own heart.  No sunday sermon taught ever taught me that.  What I have learned is that my own relationship with Jesus begins with knowing who He truly is.  In fact, He...is me {Galations 2:20}.  Every time I look in the mirror I am assured that I am seeing Christ.   This is how Jesus loves. 

7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4: 7 - 8 NKJV

~Scott~

Somewhere To Belong

 44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV

I'm almost getting tired of answering that question to be honest.  It never fails, when I share with someone that I am a christian one of their very first questions is always "Well, what church do you belong to?"  Yet, these very same christians will somehow become offended when I tell them that I belong to the church of Christ Jesus.  I'm not really being sarcatic by anwering this way, just keeping it real.  Honestly, it is the church of Jesus which I belong to.  Not only that, it is the church of Jesus which all believers claim membership in.  I have not attended a congregational church for more than a few years, yet I go to church each sunday.  In my opinion, bigger churches equate to bigger issues I'd rather not deal with.  I can do without the politics, traditions and unique spins which humans have incorporated into the modern church.  More than a few people have asked me if we could ever have a church without all the trappings of the institutional church.  My first response is...definately!  In fact, the very first believers were unique in that they shared, broke bread and gathered in each others homes to celebrate the risen Christ.  Are we that far removed from these early believers?  I would say not at all.  The beliefs and knowledge of what is truly important is still there with us today as it was with these early christians.  Jesus has not changed, it is we who have changed over the years in the way we worship Him.  In a way, we have gotten back to the structured worship services which we typically find see in the temples of Jesus' day.  Of course, Jesus Himself was not a huge fan of that traditional style.  I don't blame Him, for if we follow this model then Jesus may just take a backseat to those traditions we've created for ourselves.  Perhaps that's why I continue to get strange looks when I tell others I don't attend a church. 

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’seat. 3“Therefore whatever they tell you ato observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7“greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
Matthew 23: 1 - 7 NKJV

I don't think it's a secret just how Jesus felt about those who led the temples of His day.  What part of 'woe to you' and 'vipers' wouldn't people understand?  Was this the loving Christ we've all been told about?  Most definately.  For Jesus wasn't criticizing the temples or those who worshipped Him.  No, what Jesus had issues with were the so called leaders of these temples.  These men of the cloth were the ones who walked throughout the cities in their traditional garments fully expecting the reverence of the people.  Indeed, they were often praised as 'Rabbi' as they were greeted by the people.  Tell me, how many of these men of the temple would swell with their own pride as they received the adoration of the people?  THIS is the issue which Jesus had with those who ran the temples.  In Matthew 23 we see a scathing rebuke from Jesus upon these Jewish Pharisee and saducee officials.  Rightfully so, Jesus warned those who were listening not to call anyone 'Rabbi' or 'father.'  For there is but one teacher, who is Jesus.  Likewise, there is but one Father, that is our Father in heaven.  The issue which I would have with these men of the temple is that they were taking the focus away from where it needed to be.  God had suddenly taken a back seat to our own traditions.  Yet some people are still amazed by this rebuke of Jesus.  I'm not.  I look at the interactions which Jesus had with His own disciples and see the true meaning of church.  Jesus and His followers around a fire or beside a lake learning from their teacher.  The disciples had no worship bands, confessions or ornate buildings, yet they grew in their own relationship with Jesus each and every day.  After all, isn't that His ultimate desire for us? 


19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2: 19 - 22 NKJV

~Scott~

At The Cross

28After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19: 28 - 30 NKJV

I had the opportunity this weekend to particpate with a few old friends as well as some new aquaintances to share in a ministry.  Granted, I have never been a member of said ministry, the opportunity to share the truth of Christ Jesus with others should never be passed up.  One thought that took on a personal meaning for me was that the cross of Jesus was a landmark in our belief in Him.  What do we see as we stand at the cross?  For me, the cross has always meant the completion of what it was which Jesus set out to do.  What was that?  Well, we're told that on that cross, Jesus cleansed us of all of our sins..His very blood washing away all which we have done wrong.  However, was this the end of the road for Jesus' accomplishments?  Far from it.  Standing at the cross, we realize that as Jesus gave His life for us, His desire was also to remain in us {Galations 2:20}.  From the cross we don't see one man crucified...but two.  For I also was there at the cross with Jesus.  Not only did He become sin for my sake, but my life was also taken that I would live with Him {Romans 6:8}.  That old man, which was once the center of so much guilt and shame I carried with me for so long, was put to death next to Jesus at the cross.  From the cross I don't see a finishing of my own race, but a begining of a new life in Christ Jesus.  I made a comment to a dear friend some time ago that the cross is not a ending...but a begining.  Indeed, we can seperate not only our knowledge of Jesus, but His work in us before and after the events at the cross.  Before the cross, I was a sinner in need of a Savior {Romans 3:23}.  On the other side of the cross I stood victorious as Christ who now lives in me.  That sin debt I once battled before the cross had been paid in full by Jesus.  As a result, sin no longer dominates my life {Romans 6:11}.  My view from the cross has even changed my view of who I am.

41And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
Luke 22: 41 - 43 NKJV

I believe that the cross of Jesus is the most significant events in history.  From the cross many were transformed from sin to eternal life.  This was not by accident.  God most certainly carried His plan out to perfection.  Why would God do this?  I heard a comment this weekend that made me appreciate the view from the cross that much more.  That man was inherently sinful.  If you notice, I have used the past tense in reflecting on this comment.  How many of you have been there, in the pains of our  guilt and shame we feel after we gave into sin once again?  That is precisely why we, I, needed the cross.  Do you wonder which side of the cross you're on?  What freedom is there in a life lived without Christ?  At the cross there is no need for me to wonder where I stand with Jesus.  It is Christ who now lives in me.  I firmly believe that Gods intention is that all of His children would see their lives in Christ from the cross looking forward.  The cross of Jesus is not the end, but the begining of a new creation in Christ Jesus. 

~Scott~

God In The Spotlight

14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”17So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10: 14 - 17 NKJV 

My mother was a big fan of Jim Baker in his heyday.  I remember her watching him on tv growing up.  More than once I can recall her telling me "That is a man of God."  I also remember how disapointed she was the day that this man of God came crashing back to earth amidst allegations of infidelity.  For me, it just seemed like another minister who had gotten too hig for his britches.  His ministry had become more about him than what he set out to do, which was speak the gospel.  On the other hand, the late Billy Graham seemed to hold true to his calling throughout his own life.  Granted, both of these men would claim that they were following their calling, but only one fulfilled it as I see it.  Although I've never been involved in that spotlight of a national ministry, I'm sure that the pressures are intense.  I will say this, the day that your ministry becomes more about you and whatever program you're teaching and less about the truth of Christ Jesus is the day you need to question if you're doing the right thing.  Don't get me wrong, I really believe that we need more people who are willing to speak out on the truth of Christ Jesus.  What is that truth?  The same truth which Paul speaks to in Galations.  The truth of Christ in us {Galations 2:20}.  I believe in my heart that we need more people to speak this truth because more and more ministries are not speaking it.  Instead, we hear a regurgitation of what so many pulpit pounders are saying each and every sunday.  This might be fine and good for most, but there's more to Jesus than the traditional story we're told.  Indeed, there is our own personal relationship with Him.  Tell me, what do you think Jesus' reaction would be if you were the star of the show and not Him?  If event after event your focus was on you and your program of teaching Christ?  Well, in my mind you would be missing the point.  To be clear, there is a difference between taking the lead in speaking Christ to others and making yourself and your program the focus of your discussion.  I could speak the truth of Christ in me all day long.  However, the moment I began placing myself and my teachings in that spotlight then I am robbing Christ of the honor He deserves.  Honestly, am I independent from He who created me?  Not at all.  Yet there are many believers who have fallen hook line and sinker for the false narative of the deceiver.  The same deceiver who convinced Eve that she could "Be like God" {Genesis 3:5}.  This is the false narative of the accuser, that we alone are independent from God.  

1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3and every spirit that does not confess athat Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 4: 1 - 4 NKJV 

I really believe that if I had that platform from which to speak Christ unto others that it would be difficult for me to keep the focus off of myself and where it belongs.  I am, after all, human with my many failings.  I say that it would be difficult, but not impossible.  It is here where I feel that many pastors and ministry speakers get tripped up.  Their focus becomes more on whatever program they are teaching than the true focus of their calling.  They tout assemblies, larger congregations and carefully choregraphed presentations instead of speaking and leading discussions on Jesus.  My question would be this, what is the true purpose of your calling?  If your goal is anything but speaking Christ to others then you're probably in the wrong business.  Forget the fancy window dressing, well planned lectures and the desire to be the head of any discussion.  For me, a simple gathering where the conversation centers on Christ is a wonderful ministry tool.  Did Jesus use a well planned out schedule when He spoke on the mount of Olives that day?  Did He send out invitations to His big event?  NO!  In Jesus we had a man who spoke simply in a way that those around Him could understand.  Many today call them parables, but it was simply Jesus' way of teaching others of the kingdom of His Father.  Wherever He went, He spoke of the kingdom of the Lord.  Large crowds followed Him to hear His every word.  Jesus did all of this without a single introduction or teaching schedule.  So it should be with our own discussions of Christ.  Leaderless, unplanned and in the moment.  

~Scott~ 

Good Morning Jesus

Well good morning JESUS

Yes it's me again

But I didn't call this time to get

Forgiveness for my sins

I called to talk to MAMA

And I know she's there with you

If there's a PHONE in Heaven

Then JESUS put me through

~Mike Manuel~ 

I got into a discussion with a friend this week about Jesus as we know Him.  Jesus as we see Him.  Now, granted that some people may see Jesus differently than I do.  I get it.  I know a man who sees Jesus as one who is far removed from him, seperated from him by heaven and earth.  The thing is, he will point out scriptures all day long to justify his own beliefs.  Is this the life that Jesus wanted for those that followed Him?  Again, I would say no, but there are those who will argue to the contrary.  Up until a few years ago, my own view of Jesus was one where He was removed from my everyday life as He looked down upon me from heaven.  Even my friend will admit that he was taught this seperation theology.  It is this theology that continues to be taught in the institutional churches we frequent.  My question is this, what does this seperation theology teach us about relationship with Christ Jesus?  Yes, it is possible to have a relationship with the one who died on the cross for you so long ago.  I would also go out on a limb to say that THIS is the life which Jesus desired for His followers.  Not a life of waiting for Him, but a life IN Him.  In His prayer in the garden, Jesus asked the Father that we would be one as He and the Father are one.  It wasn't that long ago where I could not ever imagine being one with Christ.  Yet, that is what we are told in His word.  We are told that we are His children {Romans 8:16}, we are His inheritance {Romans 8:17} and that we are one with Him {John 17:21}.  I have a feeling that most pulpit pounders have missed these scriptures entirely or for their own reasons choose not to teach the gospel of who Jesus truly is.  This was the Jesus I knew for most of my life.  That Jesus who sat in heaven next to the Father, far removed from me so it seemed.  Can you imagine my shock one sunday when I heard a friend refer to Jesus as daddy?  We're not talking about daddy in a casual way either, this man really believed that he had a close relationship with Christ.  This was my first introduction to a new way of seeing Christ.  One I could really relate to.

20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;21“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

John 17: 20 - 24 NKJV 

I heard a song recently where the singer expressed exactly how it is that I used to see Jesus.  This singer asked Jesus, if it was possible, that He would let him talk to his mother once again.  Now, what made this song so powerful to me is because I also lost my mother a few years ago and still miss her.  I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has had that reaction to this song.  In fact, I've asked Jesus that very same question since the passing of my own mother.  The only difference is, I now know in my heart that I have a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior.  That prayer of Christ in the garden has been answerd.  The apostle Paul writes to us in Galations that as followers of Jesus we perished with Him at the cross.  Not only that, but it is Jesus Himself who lives through us today {Galations 2:20}.  I will say that there is freedom in the Jesus I know now.  I am no longer chasing a hope that, if I'm worthy enough, that I will someday be with Him.  My life is not one of repeated attempts at righteousness in order to be with Jesus.  I'm already there.  There is nothing I could ever do to reach the level of goodness which Jesus has displayed.  We were never intended to live that way.  From the moment the Father breathed into me the breath of life, He presence was already in me {Genesis 2:7}.  Yes, even in those times where I thought that He was so far away, He was there.  It is comforting to know that even when I believed that Jesus wasn't there...He was.  That is what I would tell anyone who is seeking the man Jesus.  He's always been there...He's waiting for you.   

~Scott~ 

Old Habits

1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
Galations 3: 1 - 3 NKJV

How is it that you first learned of Jesus?  Was it in a sunday school song?  A scripture read to you from the word?  It is my belief that each of us followed a different path towards their destination of knowing Christ Jesus.  In my case, I learned the name Jesus from an early age.  My mother made it a point to make sure that her boys knew who Jesus was and what He had done not only in her life but for others as well.  I wasn't really that old when I learned that Jesus died on the cross for me.  Not only that, but three days later He rose from the dead and ascended into the heavens to be seated next to the Father in glory.  I think that this early teaching was my fist introduction of the disconnect between myself and Jesus.  For her part, my own mother continued the narative by reminding me that if there was ever anything I would do wrong, that Jesus was always there to forgive me if I would just ask Him.  In my mind, I was alone here on earth and Jesus was in heaven looking down upon me.  Don't get me wrong, I knew that Jesus loved me and had forgiven me my sins, but there was also another side to Him.  I recall a young pastor speaking to the kids in one of the sunday school classes I was in as a kid.  It seems that someone had let the cat out of the bag that our class was somehow...unruly.  That being said, the pastor was called in to lay down the law.  Yes, he explained, Jesus loved all of Gods little children, but His love was conditional on our own behaviors.  If we behaved badly, then we would need to go to Jesus to seek His forgiveness.  As an example, he reminded us of the story of an angry Jesus ransacking the tables of the money changers in the temple.  "Do you want to meet Jesus this way?' the pastor asked us?  For me, the answer was easy.  I wanted that get out of jail free card which came with knowing Jesus...always there to forgive me my trespasses.  It seems that Jesus was someone who constantly was worried of how I behaved.  If I didn't perform the right way, then the angry side of Jesus would be there to remind me of my mistake.  When I would hear of older people speak of their freedom in Jesus, this is not what I envisioned. 

14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10: 14 - 15 NKJV

Now for the million dollar question of the day.  Was it my fault as a young whipper snapper for my misguided belief of who Christ really was?  Perhaps, but I really didn't know any better.  This was how I was taught about Christ.  Therefore, this was how I believed He was.  If I was wrong in my beliefs, then I was not alone by a long shot.  For the Jesus I grew up knowing is the very same Jesus my mother who taught me knew.  Not only that, this continues to be the narrative even today of who the man Jesus really is.  This is the Jesus those of us who know better continue to speak to the world.  So, what's wrong with the Jesus I grew up knowing and the Jesus I know today?  Well, for starters, I had NO relationship with my Lord and Savior growing up.  See, as a sinner, Jesus could never be as close to me as He is today {Galations 2:20}.    That brings me to yet another problem with the Jesus I grew up knowing.  That Jesus was distant and far off, only there to watch over me to monitor my behaviors.  Forget the fact that He died on that cross to ensure that I would no longer be enslaved to my own sins {Romans 6:2, 6:6}.  Like old habits, we have continued to teach and accept  the outdated narrative of Christ.  Well, if there is one thing I have learned is that there is NO freedom in the Christ Jesus I grew up knowing...only labor and condemnation.  It was my duty to work to get myself unto Jesus' standards.  The trouble with this line of thought is that we will never attain the righteousness of Christ by our own accord.  It's not at all possible.  Yet, this is the carrot at the end of the stick which many of us continue to chase.  If I only try hard enough and work hard enough to be like Jesus, then someday I might just accomploish that goal.  The trouble is, Jesus has set the performance bar so high that we will never reach it.  This is by design, for without Him and His sacrafice we are surely lost.  We cannot depend on our own efforts, but are completely dependent upon Jesus for our lives.  This is theat freedom in Christ I heard others talk about growing up.  We have no need to worry or fret when it comes to Him.  The man Jesus has ensured that we are now one in Him.  So why do we continue to teach the Jesus I grew up with?  I guess old habits die hard.

~Scott~