The Road Less Taken

 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God, for many false prophets have come out into the world.

First Epistle Of John 4: 1, Concordant New Testament 

Herbert Paul Brooks was not what one would call a conventional man.  Known as one of the most successful coaches in American College hockey, Brooks plied his trade for more than 30 years.  However, it with the 1980 United States Olympic hockey squad where Brooks made his mark.  Coming off of back to back national championships with the University of Minnesota, he was the obvious choice to lead Americas young talent against the rest of the world.  Yet Herb didn't follow the conventional wisdom of American hockey.  He went against the grain of the traditional American rough style of play, opting instead for the slick style played by most European clubs of the time.  Brooks stressed puck movement and passing in an era where body checks and fighting was the norm in American hockey.  As a result, he led his team of college players against the best of the world and won.  A lot has been made of the achievements of the 1980 United States hockey team, but it all began with a man who realized something different.  It's no secret that many people are afraid to tackle the road less traveled, knowing that doing so could lead to mistakes and embarrassment.  How many times have you not followed your heart because you were afraid of the outcome?  Some time ago, a dear friend of mine shared with me the reservations He had while serving in the halls of the mainstream church.  His duties included the preparation of the Sunday message as well as leading classes which spoke to the church doctrine.  But there was something missing.  He began to feel the pull on his heart of desiring to know Christ Jesus more than he did.  He desired a relationship with Him.  The problem came about with the surroundings he faced daily in the church.  He was surrounded by an environment which spoke to the church narrative of a Jesus who was separated from Gods children.  This went against what he was beginning to feel in his own heart.  Eventually, the time came where my friend decided to take that road less traveled and follow his desire to know more of Jesus.  I for one am glad that he did.  

Fear is not in love, but perfect love is casting out fear, for fear has chastening.  Now he who is fearing is not perfected in love. 

First Epistle Of John 4: 18, Concordant New Testament 

Those who have read my pages on occasion will realize that I adhere to a knowing of Christ Jesus in me.  This knowing is not something which came to me of my own doing, but through the revelation of the Father through the words of my friend.  Indeed, my early knowledge of Christ Jesus reflected what I had learned in the halls of the mainstream church.  God was a domineering Lord who strictly watched over His creation in order to punish sinners.  Of course, we were all sinners {Paul To The Romans 3:23}.  Yet, what many well meaning Christians fail to realize is that when the apostle Paul spoke these words, he was referencing our FORMER condition.  Yes, I WAS a sinner, but through Christ Jesus I am a sinner no longer.  For it was Christ who gave Himself once for the sin of all {Paul To The Romans 6:10, To The Hebrews 10:10}.  As my friend began his journey on the road less taken, I was still living in my own past.  However, one day on a hike with my friend, he spoke to me the words which I had been waiting to hear.  The words that Jesus IS alive!  Not only that, but that I remain in Him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Of course, it took me some time for this revelation of the Father to find solid roots in me, but once it did my life changed.  The sane revelation which my friend felt in his heart is the same revelation which he spoke of to me that day.  By taking that road less taken, he is free to speak of the Fathers revelation of Christ Jesus to those the Father presents to him.  Amen!  

By which will we are hallowed through the approach present of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.

To The Hebrews 10: 10, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Something New

 

So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: The primitive passed by.  Lo! There has come new! 

Paul To The Corinthians 5: 17, Concordant New Testament 

This time of year, just after Christmas, people are scrambling to find something new.  Our New Years resolutions can range from our fitness to a new job.  It is a New Years resolution, in fact, that launched me into the fitness habit I am now involved in.  Some years ago I was recovering from a work injury and the physical therapist I was working with "strongly" suggested that changes were needed.  Of course, I didn't heed her advice immediately, but as the end of that particular year came about, I resolved that I would begin to establish some solid exercise and health habits.  Well, more than a few years later I'm still working on that goal which I set for myself.  Of course, not all of the resolutions which we set come to fruition.  Indeed, the graveyard of discarded New Years resolutions is piled high with expectations which we hadn't the stamina or desire to meet.  Some last only a few weeks, others a bit longer.  It seems that desiring something newer would be exciting for us, but it doesn't always work out that way.  What does this mean for Christians?  Well, how many times have you sat through a Sunday sermon where the padre speaks to how it is that we ALL are sinners?  We all have held tightly to the words of the apostle Paul to the Romans that all are indeed born into sin {Romans 3:23}.  As a result, our attitude is that we continue to be under the threat of judgement for that sin which we were born into.  Of course, that is no longer true.  For through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, something new happened.  Through the work of Christ on the cross, we are now something new.  For Christ gave of Himself to become sin on our behalf {Paul To The Corinthians 5:21}.  Through Christ Jesus, we no longer carry the sin title we once held.  Something new has come.  Paul himself declares this in 2 Corinthians with his proclamation that "There has come new" {Paul To The Corinthians 5:17}.  Paul understood that it is through the death of Christ that our sin was ultimately put to death {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  In essence, we died with Christ on that cross {Paul To The Romans 6:8, Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  What remains is something new.  What remains is Christ.  

What, then, shall we declare, That we may be persisting in sin that grace should be increasing?  May it not be coming to that!  We, who died to sin, how shall we still be living in it? 

Paul To The Romans 6: 1-2, Concordant New Testament 

I spoke of those New Years resolutions that fell by the wayside over the years.  My friends and I at the gym have a standing joke concerning the resolutions of some.  We've noticed that our favorite gym usually gets a bit busier as New Years approaches.  While this in itself is usually not a big deal, more people certainly means less space and equipment available.  However, as we've come to see over time, those New Years crowds tend to taper off a month or tow into the New Year.  One by one, many people who begin with good intentions ultimately toss those dreams onto the pile of forgotten resolutions.  There are a few, however, who stick it out and continue on their journey.  My point being that those who continue with the resolution which they have set for themselves believe that it exists, that it is something real and attainable.  If you are a Christian who has sat through far too many sermons telling you how bad of a sinner that you are, perhaps you're ready to resolve to find something better, something new.  If so, one of the first steps is to realize that we have been lied to by those charged with spreading the gospel of Jesus.  We are NO LONGER sinners!  Christ gave Himself on the cross that our sin would be put to death once and for all {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  The ultimate revelation of Christ Jesus in you comes upon us at the will of the Father, as it did Paul {Paul To The Galatians 1:15-16}.  The Father will delight in revealing His Son in you.  To reveal in you something new.  

Nothing, consequently, is now condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. 

Paul To The Romans 8: 1, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Leading From Behind

 

Now, when it delights God, Who severs me from my mothers womb and calls me through His grace, to unveil His Son in me that I may be evangelizing Him among the nations, I did not immediately submit it to flesh and blood. 

Galatians 1: 15-16, Concordant New Testament 

The more I've thought about it, there seems to be a process in the church when it comes to learning about Jesus.  We read about him and we sit and we hear sermons spoken about Him.  However, it's the final step in the process that always had me flustered.  How is it that one leads someone to Christ?  Believe me, I've tried.  I've sat in on many a discipleship class where we were taught that we needed to put ourselves out among the people and speak of Jesus to them.  But then what?  What happens when someone isn't receptive to what you're speaking about Jesus?  Are they a lost cause?  Has God destined them to not know His Son after all?  That would indeed contradict one of the most famous verses we as Christians have come to know.  For John 3: 17 clearly tells us that the Lord dispatched His Son that "The world may be saved through Him" {Johns Account 3:17}.  Clearly, our Fathers desire and purpose is that all of His children will be reconciled again to Him.  Yet how is one to be reconciled to the Father without knowing Jesus?  Have we been speaking Christ Jesus to others in the wrong way all this time?  What have we been missing?  Obviously, the mainstream church is pretty big on "Leading others to Jesus."  Yet through all these years of sending church goers out to speak Jesus to the masses, we seem to be no closer than when we began.  What gives?  Do I need to attend more discipleship classes?  What am I missing?  Could it be that despite all my time sitting in church pews I was no closer to knowing Christ than when I began?  If so, how is it that someone who has not known the truth of Christ Jesus himself speak Him to others?  How will he be able to lead others to One he himself does not know?  I believe that is the heart of the issue which we face.  For once we know Christ Jesus as He is, we can more freely engage others in conversation.  Of course, someone could know the truth of Christ and still not succeed in leading others to Jesus.  For the revelation I received of Christ in me did not come from someone speaking Jesus to me, but from the Father revealing Him in me.  

How, then, should they be invoking One in Whom they do not believe?  Yet how should they be believing One of Whom they do not hear?  Yet how should they be hearing apart from one heralding?  Yet how should they be heralding if ever they should be not commissioned?  According as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those bringing an evangel of Good! 

Paul To The Romans 10: 15-15, Concordant New Testament 

Here is a quick question for all believers out there, who is it that led the man Saul to accept Christ Jesus?  You know Saul, one of the biggest persecutors of the early church of the followers of Jesus.  A man who, while on his way to persecute another church, was blindsided by the very One he had been persecuting.  Having been raised in the practices of the Jewish religion, Saul knew all too well traditions of men.  He had "Heard of" Jesus, but he did not know Him.  What Saul knew of Jesus he learned from the lens of his religious leaders.  That all changed on that road to Damascus.  There, Jesus introduced Himself to Saul.  Was it one of the members of the early church who converted Saul?  No!  Paul himself admits that it was the Father who revealed Christ in him {Galatians 1:15-16}.  So, why would it be any different for us?  I believe that how I was introduced to the knowledge of Christ in me is how the Father will reveal His Son in others as well.  All the church classes in the world will never prepare you to speak Christ Jesus unto others if the Father has not revealed Him in you.  Knowing Christ in me as I do, I can speak to what He has done in me, but it is the Father who will ultimately reveal His Son in others.  The leading comes from Him.  

In this was manifested the love of God among us, that God has dispatched His only-begotten Son into the world that we should be living through Him.  

First Epistle Of John 4: 9, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Merry Belated Christmas

 

"Now she shall be bringing forth a Son, and you shall be calling His name Jesus, for He shall be saving His people from their sins"

Matthews account 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

Merry belated Christmas to one and all!  Yes, I know some will glance at the post date of this writing and discover that I actually wrote this on December the 24th.  This being our traditional Christmas eve, the night before Christmas day.  However, I have a Eastern orthodox co-worker who celebrates Christmas differently than we do.  For he and his family, January 7th is a special day of celebration.  This brought some confusion my way, so I decided to do some research.  It seems that the traditional reason for our December Christmas celebration has its roots in the pagan solstice festival of Sol Invictus, which was the sun god of the Roman empire.  How the birth of the Christ child came to be entangled with that of the Roman sun god is not the result of scripture, but of the traditions of men.  The more I searched, it would seem that one of the most likely times of the year for the birth of Jesus would have been in the month of September.  This bears some credence as it is based on the timeline of the birth of John the Baptist.  Of course, this in NO way takes away from the importance of the birth of Jesus.  His life, love and ministry still remain.  The fact that He gave Himself for us remains the same {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  The fact that we remain in Him today has not changed {Galatians 2:20}.  So, what we are left with is the mere fact that we celebrate the birth of the Christ child a bit later than it actually may have been.  I'm ok with that.  I continue to glorify the Lord for His birth.  It is Christ Jesus who I am one with today.  

And it occurred, as Elizabeth hears the salutation of Mary, the babe jumps in her womb, and Elizabeth is filled with the holy spirit, and she shouts with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord may be coming to me?" 

Lukes account 1: 41-43, Concordant New Testament 

Now, in my limited research, I found no mention of Santa Claus in the scriptures.  So, I am assuming that, just like our December Christmas season, that it is something devised solely by men.  Of course, I do not celebrate Christmas for the gifts, sales or dog and pony show mainstream church festivals.  It is man who finds importance in these things.  I understand that children who are yet to comprehend the importance of the birth of our Lord and Savior may find joy in the presence of gifts and Santa, but even that will soon pass.  I believe that as we get older, the true meaning of the season speaks more and more to our hearts.  This is the spirit of Christ Jesus within us gently reminding us that the Father is the reason for the season.  For it is the Father who dispatched His Son for the purpose of reconciling His children to Him {Johns account 17:21}.  The closest thing I see to men bearing gifts during the season of the birth of Jesus that is that of the men from the East journeying to present gifts to the Christ child {Matthews account 2:11}.  No Christmas trees, no stockings hung by the chimney, just men presenting gifts in honor of the Christ child.  I've often asked myself, what gift could I possibly give to Jesus to thank Him for what He has done in me?  Obviously, He has no need for money or trinkets.  So it is that I glorify the Father in me for loving me enough to send His Son to die for me.  The true reason for the season.  

~Scott~ 

Selling Jesus

 

"You are the light of the world.  A city located upon a mountain can not be hid.  Neither are they burning a lamp and placing it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it is shing to all those in the house.  Thus let your light shine in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father who is in the heavens" 

Matthews Account 5: 14-16, Concordant New Testament 

This past week I found myself browsing through a few catchy Christian t shirts which I intended to wear during my gym workouts.  My thinking was that people would see the shirt and therefore know that I was a believer.  Sort of like a badge of honor, my shirt would certainly draw others into meaningful conversations about Jesus.  After all, that's what it's all about, right?  Didn't Jesus tell His disciples to go and 'Disciple all the nations' {Matthew 28:19}?  Isn't this how many of His children will begin the process of being reconciled to the Father?  The harvest is vast and the workers are few, right {Matthew 9:37}?  True, on all accounts.  But what are we to say of the believer who trusts in a t shirt to proclaim his belief in Christ?  Is such a person simply a walking billboard for Jesus?  Sure, your shirt tells me that you know Christ, but what does your heart say?  Jesus did not tell His followers to plaster His image upon their tunics in order to bring in the harvest of the Lords children.  No, Jesus told His disciples to go out 'Teaching them to be keeping all, whatever I direct you' {Matthew 28:20}.  How is it that I can teach what I have come to know about Jesus by simply wearing a shirt with His name on it?  Of course, those who are interested or feel led to know Him may see such a shirt and feel safe speaking to that person about Christ.  Bit again, my shirt might say I know Jesus, but it does not speak for my heart.  The only way that others will know that I have come to know Christ Jesus in me is by my interaction with those around me.  Jesus called upon His followers to 'Let your light shine in front of men' {Matthew 5:16}.  Why?  So that those around us will 'Perceive your ideal acts and glorify your Father who is in the heavens' {Matthew 5:16}.  Jesus tells us that 'From their fruits you shall be recognizing them' {Matthew 7:16}.  Again, a reference to how we know Jesus in our heart.  I used to wear a shirt with the verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 on the back.  On the front of the short was a simple phrase...Pray Hard!  

Yet hallow the Lord Christ in your hearts, ever ready with a defense for everyone who is demanding from you an account concerning the expectation in you, but with meekness and fear. 

Peter To The Dispersion 3: 15, Concordant New Testament 

I feel that if I were to inquire of Jesus of how He desired me to communicate Him to others, He might very well proclaim that actions speak louder than words.  Of course, this isn't always the case, but there is definitely credence to the fact that others pay great attention to how we present ourselves to them.  If I were to behave like a jerk to those around me, would anyone even consider that I know Him in my heart?  I'm to let my light shine in front of men.  How is it that I do that?  How is it that we do that?  Well, I believe that a lot of it comes from our own knowing.  The apostle Paul spoke to the truth of Christ Jesus which was revealed in him {Galatians 2:20}.  As a result, nobody doubted that Paul indeed knew and lived Christ.  He had the indwelling Christ in him, and he allowed His light to shine in front of men.  That is, He allowed Christ Jesus to shine through Him.  It has been said that the world will see  Jesus through those who have come to know Him, I believe that.  As I know Jesus in my heart, He will continue to reveal Himself through me.  In this way His light will shine through me.  Not for my glory, but for that of the Father in heaven.  Yes, I have come to know Christ Jesus in me, and I don't need a shirt to proclaim that.  

~Scott~ 

Tree Huggers

 

Then Yahweh Elohim said: Behold, man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil.  Now lest he should stretch out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live for the eon.  So Yahweh Elohim sent him out of the garden of Eden to serve the ground from where he was taken. After He drove the human out, He made him tabernacle at the east of the garden of Eden, and He set the cherubim and the flame of the revolving sword to guard the way to the tree of life. 

Genesis 3: 22-24, Concordant Old Testament 

If you're a believer, then you have read and heard about the "Fall" before.  That moment where, succumbing to the lie of the deceiver, the Lords creation decided to forgo the Lords instruction and take of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The tree which the Lord had instructed them never to eat from or  partake of.  The deceivers offer sounded enticing, to "Be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5}.  For Eve, that's all it took, she took of the deceivers offering and shared also with the man with her.  Of course, it all went downhill from there.  The Lord came knocking and inquired as to where His creation was.  Granted, God already knew beforehand what was going down, but Adam and Eve did not know that He knew that.  Indeed, the deceivers lie proved true in the fact that Adam and Eve instantly had knowledge of good and evil.  They were ashamed at their being unclothed, which they had not been before that point {Genesis 3:9}.  So it is that I grew up believing that it was Adam and Eves sin of disobedience which led to the fall.  Yet this week a good friend offered me a new perspective on the incident.  Was the original sin in fact disobedience, or was there something else involved?  Well, if we look at the scriptures, as was pointed out to me, we see the real reason for the Lords banishing the human from the garden.  Yes, their disobedience was indeed sin, but there's more.  The Lord dismissed the human from the garden in order that they not partake of the tree of life and live forever {Genesis 3:22}.  It is God who proclaimed, 'Now lest he should stretch out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live for the eon,'  Now, Adam and Eve had not yet taken from the tree of life, they simply had been led astray and taken from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Yet, after this God proclaimed that, 'Man has become like one of us.'  Of course, in our universe, there is room for only one God, and having the human believing that he was 'Like God' wouldn't fly at all.  Yet this is the narrative which continues to be preached and believed by many.  Man is his own being, separate from God.  THAT is the lie of the deceiver which did in Adam and Eve.  How could Adam and Eve have known that they already had the Lord God within them?  For when he came into being, the Lord breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living being {Genesis 2:7}.  Indeed, they were already 'like' God in the fact that the human had the Father in them.  

But the serpent said to the woman: Not to die shall you be dying; for Elohim knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be unclosed, and you will become like Elohim, knowing good and evil. 

Genesis 3: 4-5, Concordant Old Testament 

I'm sure that there might be more than a few Christians out there who might wonder why the Lord punished the man for something he had not yet done.  See, we're told that God expelled the human from the garden to keep him from taking of the tree of life, something man had not yet even done.  However, the damage had already been done at that point.  The human had shown the propensity to have the 'Ability' to at some point take of the forbidden fruit of the tree of life.  Obviously, he had already disobeyed the Lord and taken of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  To simply say, 'The serpent made me do it' wasn't going to cut it.  For if the human had fallen for the lie of the deceiver once, what are the chances that the same scenario would take place in the future?  In His knowing, the Lord knew that this could happen.  So, the Lord in effect saved man from himself by tossing him out of the garden.  But this was not the end, far from it.  For as the apostle Paul tells us, as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, it is by one Mans obedience that many will be made righteous {Romans 5:18-19}.  Because of Adams disobedience, all partook of sin {Romans 3:23}.  Yet through the obedience and sacrifice of Christ Jesus a the cross, many will be made righteous.  I believe that we can see mans fall in the garden not as a negative event, but as the glorious beginning of our Fathers redemption of His children.  

Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all mankind for life's justifying.  For even as, through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just.  

Romans 5: 18-19, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

No Longer I

 

With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me. 

Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

Without a doubt, one of the biggest truths for many Christians to come to terms with is the truth of Jesus which the apostle Paul speaks to in Galatians.  It is here that Paul describes his life in terms which many people have difficulty accepting.  He, the man Paul, no longer exists.  Yet, alive and living in him is Christ Jesus.  As humans, we are hard wired to think of ourselves as individuals.  We think, experience and feel as our own independent self.  However, there are a few things which might just upset that apple cart.  The first being how we were created.  It is common Christian belief that we are created in the image of our heavenly Father {Genesis 1:27}.  The scriptures also tell us that the Father blew into this creation the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  It was only after this that we're told that "Man became a living being."  My point is, the breath of the Father remains in us.  He...has always been a part of us.  What Paul spoke to in Galatians was simply something which we have always had within us.  The problem arose when another idea was introduced into our minds.  When the deceiver enticed Eve with the idea that she and Adam could "Be like God, knowing good and evil," Eve fell for it hook, line and sinker {Genesis 3:4-5}.  For his part, Adam took of the apple offered up by Eve and ate it {Genesis 3:6}.  So was born the myth that man was his own separate individual, independent from the Father.  Fortunately for us all, the lie of the deceiver was just that, a lie.  The unfortunate part is that we have accepted that lie for quite some time.  As a result of accepting the lie of the deceiver, Adam and Eve took of the fruit which the Father warned them not to in direct disobedience of Him.  The consequences of their sin in  believing the lie of the deceiver was for the Lord to expel His creation from the garden which He had created for them {Genesis 3:22-24}.  This was the beginning.  I'm sure you have heard many a self righteous Christians quote from Paul's words in Romans 5:12 that ALL have sinned as a result of actions of Adam and Eve.  Indeed, all have sinned.  However, as by one mans disobedience (Adam) that many were made sinners.  It is also by one Mans obedience (Christ Jesu) that many will be made righteous.  

Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all mankind for life's justifying.  For even as, through the disobedience of one man, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just. 

Romans 5: 18-19, Concordant New Testament 

So, then, through one man sin entered the world.  Yet, through One Who became sin on our behalf, many will be deemed just {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  So it is that when we read the words of Paul that it is no longer he who lives, it is because of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus at the cross.  For it is Jesus who took our sin upon Himself unto death.  It is our old man who was put to death with Christ.  What remains, is Christ Jesus.  This is why Paul could speak with confidence that the man Paul no longer existed.  "No longer I, but living in me is Christ" {Galatians 2:20}.  Paul realized that, as an individual, he did not exist.  His life came from the Father who remained in him.  Through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sin which Paul had been born into was now cleansed {Romans 6:10}.  However, what had NOT changed was that Paul continued to carry the spirit of the Father which we have carried from creation.  That moment that the Father breathed into us the breath of life and we became living beings.  THAT has never changed.  What did change was our belief of who we are.  By believing the lie of the deceiver, we began to believe that we were our own self, separated from God.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Our heavenly Father has always been a part of who we are.  It was we who changed, not Him.  As the apostle claims, "Yet I am living, no longer I."  

~Scott~ 

What About Me?

 

Now if the spirit of Him who rouses Jesus from among the dead is making its home in you, He Who rouses Christ Jesus from among the dead will also be vivifying your mortal bodies because of His spirit making its home in you. 

Romans 8: 11, Concordant New Testament 

A few years back, a man by the name of Wayne Jacobsen penned the book 'So you don't want to go to church anymore.'  The book depicts the story of a man, disillusioned pastor Jake Colsen, who is convinced that he has been in conversation with John, one of the original disciples of Christ Jesus.  It seems that pastor Colsen has become disillusioned with the performance based Christianity of his profession.  I thought of this book this week as I pondered a similar question, how is it that Jesus would view our current Christmas season were He alive today?  Of course, the wonderful news of the gospel of Christ Jesus is that our Lord and Savior IS ALIVE today in each of us.  The apostle Paul speaks to this in Galatians {Galatians 2:20}.  The fact that the One and only individual Who remains in us is Christ.  And, if Christ remains in us, God remains.  It is Jesus who spoke to Philip that if he had seen Him, he had witnessed the Father as well {John 14:9}.  So, Jesus IS alive and among us in our Christmas environment today.  What would you think His reaction to all of the retail and dog and pony show church services would be?  Well, I believe that He might just wonder one thing, what about Me?  What about that night so long ago when God fulfilled the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah {Isaiah 9:6-7}?  Indeed, it would seem that the world may have relegated the celebration of the Christ child to a backseat, behind seasonal retail sales and holiday decorations.  I saw a news program the other night in which a question was asked of random people on the street, what is it that you look forward to during Christmas?  Predictably, the answers ranged from turkey dinners to holiday decorations.  Yes, I can still hear the question of Jesus, what about Me?  Yes, what about Jesus?  Has Jesus become simply an afterthought in our rush for the perfect gift or best decorations during the Christmas season?  Well, if He has, then the mainstream church has indeed contributed to that.  Christmas eve services are now more or less dog and pony shows interpreting the celebration of the birth of Christ.  

Are you not aware that you are a temple of God and the spirit of God is making its home in you?

1 Corinthians 3: 16, Concordant New Testament 

Growing up, I admit that my attention was all too often grabbed by the prospect of having a few weeks off from school during the holidays.  Along with that came the eagerness of what gifts would be coming my way.  Yes, I knew the story of the birth of Christ Jesus, but it seems that all worldly things took importance over that.  My mother was big on attending the Christmas eve church service, so she would always drag me along with her, although it was Christmas eve and my heart just wasn't in the Jesus mood at that moment.  My attention was usually on what was under the tree at home.  Hey, I was a kid and we're supposed to be excited about Christmas, right?  Again Jesus asks, what about Me?  But let's ask ourselves, what was Christmas like during Jesus' time?  Hah, gotcha!  Obviously, there would be no celebration over the young boy Jesus as He was still alive and growing.  Yet most Christians recall the scriptures of that night where the Father fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets.  The night where our redemption truly began.  For lying in that barn in Bethlehem was the One who would give Himself on our behalf {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  THAT is the reason for this season that we find ourselves in.  For the greatest gift we could ever receive will not be unwrapped under the Christmas tree, but revealed by the Father in us.  

~Scott~ 

The Time Before Christmas

 "Lo!  The virgin shall be pregnant And shall be bringing forth a Son, and they shall be calling His name 'Emmanuel,'" which is, being construed, "God with us." 

Matthew 1: 23, Concordant New Testament 

If you were not already aware, the Christmas season is in full swing once again.  There are sales upon sales and classic movies to be enjoyed on tv.  Growing up, I found it difficult to shake the feeling that Christmas was the time for gifts.  Not only that, a time for receiving more than giving.  Who didn't wake up on Christmas morning eagerly awaiting what gifts would be waiting got them under the tree?  I know I did.  These days I have come to refer to this as "The time before Christmas," a take upon the old Clemment Clarke Moore classic story.  In the night before Christmas, we went to sleep with thoughts of what the new day would bring.  In the night before Christmas, Santa Claus would soon arrive with all of the presents for those who had been good.  Sounds peaceful, right?  Well, in the time before Christmas things are different.  In the time before Christmas, we rush from store to store looking for the best gift deals.  In the time before Christmas, we stock up the fridge and liquor cabinet in preparation for the holidays.  Then something else happens.  In the time before Christmas, something within us begins to ponder the reason for the season.  Is it the gift giving?  Is it charity?  Is it gathering with friends and family?  All of these we often associate with the Christmas season, but are not the reason we celebrate the season.  The true reason for the season occurred thousands of years ago in the land of Israel.  For here, our heavenly Father brought forth His Son who would save His people from themselves (Their sins).  The story of the birth of Jesus is foretold in the book of Isaiah {Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1}.  In the time before Christmas, we associate the birth of the Christ child with popular songs of the season.  Away in a manger, Go tell it on the mountain and silent night just to name a few.  I have a dear friend who is critical of more than a few of our traditional Christmas season songs because they do little to celebrate the true meaning of the season.  I would tend to agree with him.  But what is the true meaning of the Christmas season?  Well, like I said, the true meaning of why we celebrate Christmas has little to do with the time before Christmas.  

And the Word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at His glory, a glory as of an only- begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

John 1: 14, Concordant New Testament 

The disciple of the Lord, Matthew, tells us the true reason we celebrate this season.  Matthew proclaims that it has been foretold that the name of the Christ child shall be 'Emmanuel,' which means "God with us" {Matthew 1:23}.  Yes, not only did our heavenly Father dispatch His Son amongst men for the forgiveness of sin, but that He would dwell among us.  In His ministry, Jesus proclaimed to Phillip that  "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" {John 14:9}.  Indeed, with the birth of Christ Jesus, God was among us as the prophet Isaiah predicted.  Of course, many of the celebrations in the time before Christmas miss the point of the real reason for the season.  Simply speaking, we screwed up and we needed love and the grace of the Father to cleanse us from believing the lie of the deceiver {Genesis 3:4-6}.  The perfect solution came in the birth of Christ Jesus in Bethlehem.  I'm guessing that this is the reason why so many view the Christmas season as one of redemption.  For we were indeed redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  We also celebrate the truth of living IN HIM {Galatians 2:20}.  Jesus is not a Savior who perished on the cross only to be relegated to eternity in heaven at the Fathers side {Mark 16:19}.  No, Jesus did away with the sin we carried that we would remain in Him {John 17:21, Romans 6:6}.  I do not see the Christmas season as the one and only season in which we should celebrate the truth of the birth of Jesus.  Knowing all which He has accomplished in us, I believe that we should be always praising Him.  Of course, that doesn't sell anything in the time before Christmas.  

~Scott~ 

Social Jesus

 

'For I hunger and you give me to eat' I thirst and you give me to drink; A stranger was I and you took Me in; naked and you clothed Me; infirm am I and you visit Me; in jail was I and you came to Me.'  "Then the just will be answering Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we perceive Thee hungering and nourish Thee, or thirsting and we give Thee drink?  Now when did we perceive Thee a stranger and take Thee in, or naked and we clothed Thee?  Now when did we perceive Thee infirm, or in jail, and we came to Thee?  "And, answering, the King shall be declaring to them, 'Verily, I am saying to you, Inasmuch as you do it to one of the these, the least of My brethren, you do it to Me.' 

Matthew 25: 35-40, Concordant New Testament 

Have you ever heard or read the social gospel of Christ Jesus?  Can you ever recall the social gospel being spoken to in any Sunday morning sermon?  Well, there is a good chance that you have heard the social gospel spoken and not even known it.  But, what is this they call the social gospel?  I only came across it from an article in a recent union newsletter written by a man named John Blake.  Until I read of this burgeoning Christian social gospel (so the author claims) movement, I had no idea that what Jesus calls upon us to do even had a separate name for it.  I would say that a good deal of what the author referred to as the social gospel can be narrowed down to the words we see Jesus speak in Matthew 25.  Here, Jesus describes one who cared for Him when He was hungry, thirsty, sick and in prison.  Now, you might even ask yourself, when was Jesus in prison?  Of course, He wasn't, yet His message remains.  "Inasmuch as you do to the least of these, you do to Me" {Matthew 25:40}.  That is, as you treat those around you, so you treat Jesus Himself.  Somehow, the author has latched onto this scripture from Jesus and used it to fit his narrative.  Yet, the author claims that this social gospel movement is growing stronger.  Also, it apparently has nothing to do with Republicans.  Now, as you read this article you need to understand that the author filters his thoughts through a lens of union organizing and sticking it to the man.  However, the message we have from Jesus about how we should love one another remains to this day.  So, you may have never heard of the social gospel movement, but you almost certainly have heard of Jesus' words on caring for others.  One of the messages of this social gospel is that saving people from poverty and the slums is just as important as saving them from hell.  But what are we to make of Jesus' words when he tells us not to worry about such worldly possessions {Matthew 6:25}?  I believe that there is truth in that simple saying, the Lord will provide.  I also believe that the message which Jesus was attempting to get across is that we should trust in the Father and not our worldly possessions.  True social gospel is putting the words of Christ Jesus into action as we care for our brethren.  

"I have decided to stick to love...hate is too great a burden to bear." 

Rev Martin Luther King

Mr. Black claims that one of the greatest men involved in the social gospel movement was the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  I would agree, with the caveat that the author is misusing Kings words to fit his union narrative.  For Dr King spoke adamantly about the social and economic inequalities in this nation.  It's no secret that Americans both black and white took his words to heart.  Had he lived, there is little doubt that Martin Luther King would have been a strong advocate for social change.  Had it not been for a assassins bullet in Memphis on April 4th, 1968.  Even the most adamant conspiracy theorist might assume that perhaps the nation wasn't ready for social change just yet.  Yet, if we set aside the labels and agendas and focus on the true gospel of Jesus we can indeed have more than a few good words to live by.  I don't believe in using the gospel of Jesus as a union organizing tool.  I also don't believe in using the gospel to stick it to the rich among us.  This was not what Jesus was speaking to.  In the eyes of the Father, there is no common enemy.  We are all created by God in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  In the eyes of the Father, there are no rich land owners, only His beloved children.  The desire of the Lord is that ALL of His children would be reconciled to Him {John 3:17, John 17:21}.  We can all learn a valuable lesson from Dr King...hate is simply too great a burden to bear.  

He who is not loving knew not God, for God is love

1 John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Traditionally

 

 

Erasing the handwriting of the decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and has taken it away out of the midst, nailing it to the cross. 

Colossians 2: 14, Concordant New Testament 

The Christmas season is definitely one which is filled with tradition.  It seems that tradition dictates everything from who sends out which gifts to which gifts are opened and when.  Our family always held to the tradition of waiting until Christmas morning until the traditional gifts were opened.  As you might guess, little sleep was had that Christmas eve.  Another tradition which my family held to was to attend the annual traditional Christmas eve church service.  This is a tradition I continued to adhere to until recent years.  It was always enjoyable to hear the traditional Christmas worship songs as well as the telling of the REAL Christmas story, you know, the one without Jimmy Stewart on tv.  Of how Mary, not yet married or knowing her future husband Joseph, became aware that she would conceive the Savior of the world.  Of how the wise men from the East saw the star in the heavens and traveled great distance to worship Him.  Of how the Christ child, laying in a manger, received many visitors that night.  There are times when it is difficult to ascertain which is tradition and which is actual fact.  For those time I rely on the spoken word of the Lord.  But Christmas is definitely not the only time where we see tradition unfold in the mainstream church.  For by design, the church is full of tradition and rituals.  We have the tradition of holy communion, the tradition of the offering plate and the tradition of the opening prayer just to name a few.  Of course, over the course of time, these events have come to be accepted as necessary in any church service, but that was not always the case.  In the year 325, the first counsel of Nicaea enacted the statement of belief for mainstream Christianity.  We have, in essence, been given marching orders as to what we are to believe.  Sure, we are to believe in God and Jesus, but we need to toss in a few traditional requirements as well.  What I find interesting is how Jesus Himself viewed religious traditions of His day.  In His "Woes" to the Pharisees, Jesus condemns the religious leaders of His day for cherishing their religious rules above the Lords children {Luke 11:37-54}.  Let's ask ourselves, is it more important that we follow tradition...or Jesus?  

Yet the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees are cleansing the outside of the cup and the platter, yet your inside is brimming with rapacity and wickedness.  Imprudent ones!  Does not He who makes the outside also make the inside? 

Luke 11: 39, Concordant New Testament 

No, Jesus wasn't too big on religious traditions at all.  So, what do you think Jesus would say of a modern traditional Christmas eve service?  Imagine if He were to wander into one of the Christmas celebration services which we hold so dear (Well, He does just that anyway).  What would He say of those who value the tradition over His birth?  More than a few well meaning Christians might be offended at His reaction.  However, His reaction would be righteous and true.  The same as His reaction to the religious rules of the Pharisees.  Dare I say that the Christmas season should be less about performances and more about  thankfulness for the Lords giving of His Son in our place (Sorry, I'm jumping ahead to the Easter service now).  The erasing of the handwriting which was against us was the erasing of our sin debt {Col 2:14}.  Jesus took that debt upon Himself at the cross {2 Cor 5:21}.  I agree that we should indeed celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, as our Lord and Savior.  For without Jesus we would indeed be lost.  I would also say that the Christmas season is not about gifts, Christmas choirs or fancy prayers.  What it IS about is knowing Jesus within us {Galatians 2:20}.  I suspect that more than a few well meaning believers will make their way into one Christmas eve service or another this season.  Then again, that's tradition. 

So no, I'm not too big on religion...and not very fond of politic or economics either...And why should I be?  They are the man-created trinity of terrors that ravages the earth and terrorizes 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 

~Scott~ 

Where Corn Don't Grow

 

Son I know at your age, it seems like this old world is turning slow

And you think you'll find the answer to it all, where corn don't grow.

Travis Tritt ~ Where Corn Don't Grow 

I followed the notes of my good friend Dennis as he set up for his weekly podcast with one question.  Have you ever had that door of opportunity close in front of you?  It's the sort of question in which everyone could answer in the affirmative.  I, for one, have had numerous occasions where one opportunity has been closed off for another.  We might chase a dream, thinking that it's what was meant to be, only to find out that it wasn't.  One of my favorite scriptures is that of the story Jesus told of the prodigal son we see in Luke 15.  Not only is this a tale of youthful ambition, but of retribution as well.  We have the young so of a wealthy man who chooses to follow his wanderlust, take his inheritance and go where corn don't grow {Luke 15:12}.  That is, the other side of the fence where he obviously felt the grass would be greener.  Of course, that journey wasn't all he had hoped that it would be, and the mans son soon found himself destitute and alone far from home {Luke 15:13}.  So, one day the young man swallows his pride and decides to return to his father and work for him to survive.  Obviously, as one of his fathers servants, he would no longer be hungry and in need {Luke 15:18}.  His youthful ambition wiped away, the boy fully expected to return to a father hell bent on making his son see the error of his ways.  Well, some fathers might do just that, but not this one.  For Jesus tells us that the boys Father was still far off, that he saw his son approaching and ran to him and embraced him {Luke 15:20}.  Personally, although Jesus does not tell us as much, I believe that the boys father had been waiting, longing for his sons return ever since he left home.  We can certainly see this parable as an example of a door in the young mans life closing, but I think it goes deeper than that.  For I believe that in this parable what Jesus was pointing out was the love and patience of the Father for His children.  For we all, each of us, have been led astray of the Father by the lies of the deceiver {Genesis 3:5-6}.  However, it is God who lovingly and patiently awaits the return of His children (us) to Him.  

For this my son was dead and revives, he was lost and was found.  And they began to make merry. 

Luke 15: 24, Concordant New Testament 

I believe that one of the greatest desires of God is the returning of His children to Him {John 17:21}.  Not long ago, I began to delve into the teachings of J Preston Eby.  One of the controversial beliefs which Eby preaches is that God desires ALL His children to be saved.  Yet, if we look at one of the most iconic scriptures we know, we can see that this idea is not so far fetched {John 3:16-17.  For in John 3:17 we see the Lords true desire, "That the world may be saved through Him" {John 3:17}.  Of course, this conflicts with many mainstream church teachings which teach of the upcoming judgement for those who do wickedness.  The thing is, THAT judgement has already occurred.  It is God who, through His love and mercy, declared us innocent through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross.  It's not rocket science, for one of the core beliefs of Christianity is that Christ died for our sins.  Yet the church continues to preach of the coming judgement.  Sounds like a contradiction to me.  The church would have us believe that when we choose to follow our ambitions and wander where that corn don't grow, that we will be judged for what we've done.  Sorry, but I disagree with that.  Eventually, we will all make that choice to follow our own way in life.  There will be doors opened, and doors which will close in front of us.  One closed door does not guarantee a lost opportunity, but perhaps leads to another.  Our question should never be 'What have you done, Lord?'  However, whenever that door in life closes, we should be quick to ask, 'What are you doing through me, Lord?'  

I can't say he didn't warn me, this city life is a hard row to hoe

Ain't it funny how a dream can turn around, where corn don't grow

Travis Tritt ~ Where Corn Don't Grow 

~Scott~ 

More Than A Book

 

To whom God wills to make known what are the glorious riches of this secret among the nations, which is: Christ among you, the expectation of glory. 

Colossians 1: 27, Concordant New Testament 

I recently saw a advertisement put out by the son of the late Billy Graham which made me stop and think.  See, Franklin Graham continues his late fathers work of leading people to the Lord.  Yet, there are some ways in which I will not agree with his approach to such things.  For example, in the advertisement in question, Graham states that we have hope in the "word of God."  Now, not to cherry pick his comments too much, I believe that Franklin Graham is missing the point here.  For our hope is not in a book, but in Christ Jesus.  The apostle Paul spoke to this in Colossians when he spoke of the revelation of Christ in us being our own "Expectation of glory" {Colossians 1:27}.  For God did not send a book as a sacrifice at the cross for the wickedness of man.  The book never rose from the tomb three days later.  No, it is Jesus Himself who we recognize as our One and only hope.  We also know that He who promised us hope is faithful {Hebrews 10:23}.  Now, I am unaware of the theological leanings of Franklin Graham, but if he grew up in his fathers shadow, then he is indeed steeped in the mainstream church theology.  I've definitely heard this in his messages.  Yet in his heart remains the motivation of his father, that all would come to know the Lord.  I'm assuming that this is where I differ with most mainstream believers.  I believe in the living Christ in me ( I say "me," yet I do not exist).  For the most part, mainstream Christian theology speaks to a separation between the believer and God.  This is the teaching I grew up on.  This is also the teaching which left me with feelings of guilt and shame whenever I even thought of approaching the Lord.  I was told that I was a sinner and that my life was a constant struggle to rid myself of such things.  I prayed that God would forgive my sin.  Well, the truth is that God has not only provided for us  the cleansing of our sin, but the life of His Son as well {Galatians 2:20}.  The book even tells us these things.  Yet, I always thought of putting my hope in a book to be pretty impersonal.  

For to expectation were we saved.  Now expectation, being observed, is not expectation, for what anyone is observing, why is he expecting it also?  Now, if we are expecting what we are not observing, we are awaiting it with endurance. 

Paul To The Romans 8: 24-25, Concordant New Testament 

A Barna study in 2010 claimed that sixty seven percent of Americans, that's two out of three adults, claimed to have a "Personal relationship" with Jesus which is active and influences their life.  Really?  Not to cast doubt on these statistics, but a "personal" relationship with Jesus really isn't considered mainstream theology.  I believe that these individuals might simply describe themselves as "spiritual."  But is simply being spiritual equivalent to having a relationship with Christ?  I would say no.  A personal relationship means that you share in the life of the other person.  Can you have a personal relationship with a book?  I would challenge those who claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus if they know the true Christ.  That is, do they realize that Jesus dwells within them?  Are they even aware that they, themselves, died with Him long ago {Galatians 2:20}?  My guess is that these people know "of" Jesus, but do not truly know Him personally.  It reminds me of the teaching of the mainstream church which told me that I could "Be like" Jesus if I devoted myself.  Yet God never intended for us to simply resemble His Son.  The Lords desire is that His children would be one with He and Christ {John 17:21}.  Again, the book tells us of this.  My hope is not in that which I can see.  My expectation lies in that which I cannot see.  

~Scott~ 

Those Christ~ians

 

Christian ~ A person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Christianity. 

Sometimes Google can be my friend, and sometimes it is more of a hinderance.  This morning it is a bit of the latter.  Part of the conversation this week was the discussion on if we indeed can be classified as Christians.  Well, by definition, some believers would not even be known as Christians by definition.  See, a Christian, according to Google, is one who has received Christian baptism OR is a believer in Christianity.  Which one of these do you fall into?  Personally, I have received my baptism more than a few years ago, so can wear that Christian badge.  However, what happens if you simply just believe in Jesus and that's it?  Well, that might not fall into the well known category of being a Christian.  That is, by modern definition.  So, in order to be considered a Christian you need to be associated with the man made religion we know as Christianity.  Simply believing in God or knowing Jesus won't cut it according to the popular definition.  But what were the early followers of Christ Jesus referred to as?  Well, those who were followers of the teachings of Jesus were often given the moniker of Christianoi (Followers of Christ).  Throughout its early years, the followers of Jesus were simply that, following what Jesus had spoken during His lifetime.  Then, of course, mankind decided that these followers of Jesus needed some form of structure.  They needed to be organized into a more controllable group of followers of Jesus.  Thus, what we now know as the church was born.  With it came regulations, traditions and definitions.  It now seems that the definition of what a Christian is has nothing to do with following Jesus, but believing in a system.  If you ask me, THAT is not a Christian.  The focus of being a Christian has shifted from following Jesus to following the church.  This is the label we plaster on those who are in the church.  Well, I've never been much into labels myself.  

Now all those who believe were also in the same place and had all things in common.  And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them to all, inasmuch as some would have had need.  Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people.  Now the Lord added to those being saved day by day in the same place.

Acts Of The Apostles 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament 

We can see from the early days of the church of the followers of Christ Jesus which are spoken of in Acts that the focus was not on the preservation of a religious system.  On the contrary, the early followers of Jesus were given to assembling wherever they found the need to gather.  They met, broke bread (dined together) and sang praises to the Lord.  The closest thing I have ever seen to these actions of the early followers of Jesus came when the churches in this country began to preach the importance of home groups.  Even then, however, the focus all too often remained on the system and not Jesus.  What can we take away from those in the early church of the followers of Jesus?  Well, they had favor with the people of the area they lived in {Acts Of The Apostles 44:47}.  More importantly, the Lord ADDED to those being saved each day {Acts Of The Apostles 44:47}.  So, it would seem that the Lord was pleased with the efforts of these followers of Jesus.  It would also seem that the local population reacted in a positive way to the early teachings of Jesus.  In a day where almost every "Christian" church has seen an exodus of members in recent years, I'd say that we could learn a lot from the example of the early church.  Dare I say that our focus needs to be more on knowing Jesus than propping up a church system which all too often is at odds with the truth of Christ.  Jesus did not speak of upholding traditions.  What He did speak of is the gathering together in His name {Matthew 18:20}.  The early believers had it right.  

For where two or three are, gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them. 

Matthew 18: 20, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~