Relics

 

Beware that no one shall be despoiling you through philosophy and empty seduction, in accord with human tradition, in accord with the elements of the world, and not in accord with Christ.

Colossians 2: 8, Concordant New Testament 

I had a conversation with a friend the other day which got me thinking about how some people see God.  My friend told me that he was happy to have the cross of Jesus to fall back to in times of trouble.  Now, I know this man and his family to be God fearing people, but what would cause him to make such a statement?  I asked him.  He told me that he believed that the cross was holy and special.  I get it.  Growing up, I was taught to treat the cross of Jesus as if it were an artifact, something the Lord had given to us to worship.  Yet I think that we've been misled once again.  For it is not the cross which is meant to be endeared to our hearts, but the man who died upon that Roman cross.  So it is that many symbols which we have grown accustomed to holding near to our faith at times replace the Lord in importance.  We worship the cross, forgetting that it is Christ Jesus who gave Himself for us {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  We gather in and admire the ornate temples and churches which we raise up, never understanding that God does not dwell in ornate places of worship {Acts 17:24}.  Now, does that mean that God's presence will not be found in those places of worship which we gather?  Absolutely not.  Jesus tells us that the presence of our Lord remains wherever two or more are gathered {Matthew 18:20}.  Yet I believe that the presence of the Lord is always with us, if we choose to realize it.  So what of all of the old relics which we continue to hold dear to our hearts?  The cross, those ornate stained glass windows or that old altar in front of the church?  Well, my position is if these physical things help to remind us of the truth of Christ in us then we're on the right path.  For example, when I see a image of the cross these days, I am reminded of the sacrifice of which Jesus willingly partook for me.  To me, the cross has never been the finish line for Jesus, but the starting point.  That old, broken wood cross is simply a relic.  The man who died upon it endures forever.  

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

Colossians 1: 27, Concordant New Testament

Years ago, after moving to Portland from Minnesota, I spent some time searching for a suitable church to attend.  One day, while driving around, on the horizon I noticed a white cross rising from a building near the freeway.  At that moment, something within me assured me that this was the place I was looking for.  I ended up attending that church for over ten years, and developed more than a few good friendships which I cherish to this day.  During my time in this church, I heard many stories of how others had seen the cross outside the church and were drawn to it.  One young man, after a night contemplating suicide, pulled his car off the road and prayed after seeing that cross from the freeway.  Now, does God dwell in the images of that cross?  I don't believe in that.  However, I do believe that God spoke to hundreds of people who were searching for Him and saw that cross the very same way He spoke to me that day.  I believe that God will use whatever means He needs to draw our attention towards Him.  Be it a old rugged cross or a million dollar church sanctuary, if the Lords desire is to lead one of His own into the knowing of His Son He will find a way.  

Now what concurrence has a temple of God with idols?  For you are the temple of the living God, according as God said, that I will be making My home and will be walking in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 

2 Corinthians 6: 16, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Multi Taskers

 Not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our savior in all things.

Titus 2: 10 NKJV 

The Greek word for faith can be translated into the word fidelity.  Webster continues with the definition of fidelity as "The quality of being faithful, accuracy in details and exactness."  Why does all of this matter?  Because the multi taskers among us, who try vainly each day to instill the virtues of the Lord into all that they do, are the poster children for fidelity.  These are those that "walk the walk," who try to live their lives by the virtues taught to us through scripture.  I'm sure that most people have heard of the phrase walk the walk, as it's been around for some time.  For a while, I thought that unless I walked the walk, that I was somehow a unworthy believer.  Think about it, we're taught to walk in the Lord and exhibit His virtues each and every day.  It is this mindset which also encourages us to "Be like Jesus."  Be like Jesus?  How about BE Jesus?  That is the radical concept which no self-respecting denominational church has come to embrace.  The apostle Paul championed the truth of Christ Jesus in us in his iconic verse in Galatians {Galatians 2:20}.  Paul wasn't simply trying to be like Jesus.  He knew that he WAS Jesus.  In Paul's mind, he ceased to exist.  All that remains is Christ.  Paul wasn't a multitasker trying to walk the walk, because he knew that he lived each and every day as Christ.  He had fidelity, the faith that he lived as Christ Jesus.  This is the cornerstone of living the Christ life.  

Not embezzling, but displaying all good faithfulness, that they may be adorning the teaching that is of God, our savior, in all things. 

Titus 2: 10, Concordant New Testament

It's a bit confusing, but in the Concordant New Testament translation we see a better translated verse of Titus 2:10.  This is no surprise, as different translations often are closer to the original text than others.  I like the Concordant New Testament translation because it gives a good insight into the original texts of scripture.  If the multi taskers out there were to read more from this translation, perhaps they would see that simply being like Jesus isn't enough.  That walking the walk is a broken theology.  If Christ is in me, and He does as I do, do I still need to walk the walk?  Remember, walking the walk involves living our lives according to the virtues and righteousness of the Lord.  If Christ is in me, is this something I still need to strive for?  I would say no.  So great was this confusion that Paul described it as the mystery among the Gentiles {Colossians 1:27}.  Again, the Concordant New Testament provides more context for this verse as it speaks to Christ not as our hope...but our expectation of glory.  We have that steadfast knowing that Christ Jesus is in us.  I would raise the point that the "Walking the walk" theology stresses the race to somehow be like Jesus.  Was this the desire of Jesus, for His followers to simply be like Him?  In His prayer in the garden Jesus reveals to us what His true desire for us is, that we would be one with He and the Father {John 17:21}.  Not that we would be "like" Him.  For those who suck at multi-tasking, this is good news.  

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 

~Scott~ 

Being God

 

God no one has ever seen.  The only - begotten God.  Who is in the Bossom of the Father.  He unfolds Him. 

John 1: 18, Concordant New Testament

I had a conversation the other week with a brother who was convinced that the Lord had delivered unto him a special message for me.  I couldn't help but be skeptical, so I took his words with a grain of salt.  I remember in my church going days that every now and then I'd experience the very same thing.  Every now and then a friend would pull me aside assured that God had given to them the words I needed to hear.  Well, more often than not these prophetic words turned out to be the words THEY wanted me to hear.  So, if there is something which God has intended for me to hear, why is it that He has not told me about it Himself?  As believers, we have the unique ability to be in union with Jesus and the Father {John 17:21}.  The apostle Paul proclaims that it is Christ Jesus who lives in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Knowing this, why is it not possible that we ourselves can and do hear the spoken word of God?  Of this I am extremely thankful, because people really suck at being God.  I have never created anything in nature.  I have never parted the seas.  Oh, and I have never healed anyone.  This is why I know that I would suck at being God.  Now, I know the truth of being one with the Father as Jesus prayed that night, but I'm nobody's God.  So, if the Lord has a special message intended for me, why in the hell would He give it to you to give to me?  Granted, God may speak His words through another in order that we may hear them, but I find that direct communication better than secondhand information.  What if I told you that God had spoken to me that He desired you go to church?  Yes, someone has posed that song and dance to me.  On cue, my first response is usually, "Well why didn't He tell me Himself?"  I do not look too kindly on someone who tells me something they want me to hear but frame it as Gods spoken word.  No, you suck at being God.  

"With Christ I have 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

I remember playing the telephone game in a high school civics class.  The teacher would choose one person to step out of the room.  While the rest of the class waited, he would take the lucky kid out of the room, tell him a story and then have him return to tell the rest of the class.  Well, it didn't take long before the words of the original story had become lost amid another interpretation.  Who's to say that the word of the Lord which you feel so strongly about giving to me isn't second or third hand information?  I have no idea that what you speak is truly from the Lord.  You've never been a prophet and from what I can tell...you suck at being God.  Now, if it comes to pass that the Lord affirms IN ME the validity of the words you have spoken, then we have a whole new ball game.  However, now it's less about you speaking Gods word to me and more about the Father in me affirming His words.  There's a difference.  For it is the Father in me who will place His word upon my heart.  When we live in the union life with Jesus and the Father, we have the ability to hear His spoken word in our hearts.  my desire is not that I would learn to understand your words better, but that I would know Him who is in me.  I would rather live in union with Him...because I really suck at being God.  

For there is one God, and one mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2: 5, Concordant New Testament

~Scott~ 

Gods Man

 

Watch!  Stand firm in the faith!  Be manly!  Be staunch!  Let all your actions occur in love,

1 Corinthians 16: 13-14, Concordant New Testament

A good friend and I were having a discussion between text messages the other day on the message in scripture and theology of being a Christian man.  What does it take to be a man in Gods eyes?  Why is it that the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians, advised women to be subservient to men?  I asked these questions of my friend, but I did not receive an answer because he's good at posing questions but lacks a bit in suggesting answers to the questions he poses.  No worries, like most people I feel as if I'm able to decipher these things.  So, what is it that makes a Godly man?  Do we go by simple gender itself?  Well, I prefer to think of a Godly man as someone who knows and fears the Lord.  Fair enough?  Of course, that definition of a Christian man might not be good enough for all believers.  Take Bill McCartney, former college football coach and founder of the formerly popular Promise Keepers men's conferences.  McCartney took the approach that the Christian man was to be the spiritual leader of the home as well as the leader overall as well.  For some time, the Promise Keepers message was immensely popular.  I was involved in more than a few of their conferences and offshoots as well.  Promise Keepers pushed the idea of strong men of faith, complete with the accountability of our brothers.  I get it.  The problem was, and remains to be, that once the conference packed up and left town, that accountability often went away with it.  Don't get me wrong, I developed a few good and lasting friendships through Promise Keepers, but the accountability aspect often quickly disappeared.  So, is this the model of the Godly man?  The man who is the overall leader, both spiritually and otherwise, of his home?  What position does that place his wife in?  You know, his wife, whom God has referred to as "The helper suitable for him" {Genesis 2:18}.  Is the helper suited only to be subservient?  I would disagree with this line of thinking.  It's easy to see just why coach Mac had such a following for his Christian man conferences.  What man doesn't want his ego stroked by being recognized as the king of the castle?  Unfortunately, this is not the characteristic of a Godly man.  

My daddy was a wild one when he was younger

Everybody told my mama he'd be hard to tame

Full of himself, said sir to nobody

But you ought to see him come running when mama calls his name

"Love of a Woman," Travis Tritt 

I made the comment to my friend the other day, that there is no hierarchy in union.  We're told that a man and wife are not separate, but one flesh {Genesis 2:24}.  The prayer of Jesus in the garden also presents to us that the Lord's desire is that we would be one with He and the Father {John 17:21}.  This is where I discovered that there is no hierarchy in union.  I would argue that these same guys who claim to adhere to the Promise Keepers ideal of a Godly man will be the very same dudes with a mile long "honey do" list every weekend.  The smoothest running households of the couples I have known are the ones where equality rules the day.  I would suggest that it can be no other way.  How can a man love his wife as Christ loved the church if she is treated like a second-class servant?  There is a reason by which Paul instructed the Ephesians to love their wives with the same love by which they love themselves.  As Paul tells us, he who loves his wife loves himself {Ephesians 5:28}.  There is no hierarchy in union.  So, are we to spend all of our time working on becoming the best version of the Godly man?  What changes might we need to make?  Well, if we accept the teaching of Paul, we need not make any changes to the man we already are.  The man we are is seen in Christ Jesus who lives in us {Galatians 2:20}.  This is the union which Jesus spoke of in the garden.  I would suggest that there are no Godly men, there is only Christ.  No hierarchy in union.  

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

~Scott~ 

That M Word

And Yahweh Elohim said: It is not good for the human to be alone by himself.  I shall make for him a helper as his compliment.

Genesis 2: 18, Concordant Old Testament 

The word misogynist is described as someone who dislikes or has a prejudice against women.  Someone who is a misogynist does not sound too much to me like a loving father or husband.  Yet lately more than a few people have taken to comparing Christian teaching to training a generation of misogynists.  I can definitely see where one might get that idea, but is this way of thinking the way which God intended His children to live?  Not by a long shot.  Before the female was even created, God had her purpose in mind.  We are told that the Lord's intent was to make for Adam a "Helper" comparable to him.  That is, another who would help him in the Lord's creation.  To this day, I don't believe that this has changed.  For the longest lasting marriage relationships are those where each compliments the other.  Think I'm wrong?  How long do typical abusive relationships last?  I have been blessed to have been in the company of more than a few Christian couples who can proudly boast marriages lasting over forty years.  I have a dear friend who, when I questioned him about the idea of divorce in those tough times, claimed that in his day divorce was never an option.  However, the word has been put out there that somehow Christian men are domineering, women hating slobs.  I take offense to that.  My own father, he was domineering, and he was never a Christian a day in his life.  So where would one get the idea that Christian men are somehow domineering and dislike women?  Well, we can take a look at modern Christian literature for starters.  A man by the name of John Eldredge once penned a book titled "Wild at heart."  The cover of this book boasted that by reading it one could "Discover the secret of a man's soul."  Surely this book would hold the key to why Christian men feel they need to mistreat the women in their lives?  Wrong.  As I read through Eldridge's book, I was introduced to the concept of living my adventure.  Far from being domineering, the author kindles the desire of men to be the hero, to save the woman in his life from any and all evil.  Doesn't sound too misogynistic to me.  

In whom there is no Jew nor yet Greek.  There is no slave nor yet free.  There is no male and female.  For you all are one in Christ Jesus.  Now if you are Christ's, consequently you are of Abraham's seed, enjoyers of the allotment according to the promise.

Galatians 3: 28-29, Concordant New Testament 

I'm not sure where the whole movement began, but I know that at some point in my church going days I began hearing advice of how a "healthy" Christian home should operate.  According to this doctrine, there was a chain of command in the home, and the husband was definitely at the top of it.  The Christian man was supposed to set the example for all of the household to follow.  His wife, therefore, was relegated to a life of supporting her husband's authority.  Sadly, there are many Christians out there today who continue to adhere to this warped teaching.  Knowing this, it is not hard to see where one would get the idea that Christian men were misogynists.  That Christianity simply raised women to be subservient.  The real gospel of Jesus could not be further from the truth.  For in Jesus we are called to love our wives.  The apostle Paul proclaims that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church {Ephesians 5:25}.  That is, to love her and to give his own life for her.  Not only that, but we are also called to love our wives as we love our own bodies {Ephesians 5:28}.  Again, doesn't sound too misogynistic to me.  The true love of a husband is not one that dominates but envelops his mate.  As the love of Christ surrounds us, it is our love which also surrounds her.  We do well to recognize that we have never been two individuals apart from Jesus, but one flesh in union with Him {John 17:21}.  

Thus, the husbands also ought be loving their own wives as their own bodies, he who is loving his own wife is loving himself. 

Ephesians 5: 28, Concordant New Testament

~Scott~ 

No Greater Love

 

Love is patient, is kind, love is not jealous, love is not bragging, is not puffed up, is not indecent, is not self seeking, is not incensed, is not taking account of evil, is not rejoicing in injustice, yet is rejoicing together with the truth, is forgoing all, is believing all, is expecting all, is enduring all.  

1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7, Concordant New Testament

I have listened to more than a few Christians claim that they are weary of the mainstream church and a God that is judgmental and more of an overseer than a loving God.  On a recent Jesus Conversations podcast, my friend Dennis and I unpacked the question I posed not so long ago.  Does Jesus dislike the church?  If able, I encourage anyone who has ever wondered this about Jesus to take a listen to our discussion.  However, in my own heart, I am quite certain that Jesus does not dislike the church.  What Jesus did disapprove of was how some authorities in the Jewish religion of His day treated His true church.  Of course, we cannot have this discussion of "church" without first disclosing what we're talking about.  By church, I am referring to the church of the followers of Jesus, of which Jesus is the head {Colossians 1:18}.  So, does Jesus dislike those who love and follow Him?  Absolutely not.  Does Jesus disapprove of the way some have treated His church in the name of religion?  Absolutely!  Most Christians have read the scriptures of Jesus' "Woes" to the Pharisees we find in Matthew 23 and in some twisted way associate these actions by Jesus as being against the church as a whole.  This could not be further from the truth, but we must first define what the church is.  We who love the Lord Jesus form His church, and He is at its head.  Brick and mortar buildings do not impress Him.  In fact, the apostle Paul tells us that God does not dwell in buildings built by the hands of men {Acts 17:24-25}.  We have grown accustomed to referring to church as "Gods house," yet this line of thinking is partly why Jesus bristled against the Pharisees of His day.  Growing up in the church, I was exposed to not only a God of love, but a God who would quickly turn angry and judgmental if I ever fell short.  Well, like most people, I did fall short on more than one occasion.  Therefore, my expectation of God was of a God who was more disappointed in me than in loving me.  Granted, these words NEVER  came from God Himself, but from those who supposedly spoke on His behalf.  

He who does not know love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4: 8 NKJV 

One of the questions addressed during our podcast was what the reaction of Jesus would be were He to witness what the pastors of our modern day churches were doing.   Of course, Jesus knows all to well what is going on in churches professing to be teaching His gospel.  I believe that were He to stand outside one of these ornate buildings on any given Sunday that the first words out of His mouth would be, "Woe to you, pastors and worship leaders, hypocrites!".  Again, I say this not because of some ill-conceived grudge against the mainstream church, but because of how they have treated the church of Christ Jesus.  Is God indeed an angry God?  No.  In fact, if we look further into scripture, we discover the true nature of our heavenly Father.  For all intents and purposes, God is love.  If we somehow fall short of His expectations, God is love.  If we fail to drop enough tithe into that collection plate, God is love.  I love the fact that my friend Dennis introduced me to the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13.  In these words of Paul, we find just how special the love of our heavenly Father truly is.  Have we failed in our behavior?  God's love is patient.  In fact, Paul tells us that everything we expect the love of the Father to be, we find in 1 Corinthians 13.  It is this love which God desires His children to know about.  It is far different than the God I was brought up to believe in.  But that's ok, because God has a way of getting His truth into each of us.  Despite the fact that our mainstream churches are speaking a false doctrine, it is not beyond the Father to use His church to get His truth into the hearts of His children.  That truth being His long suffering love for us.  There is no greater love.

"For I hunger and you give me to eat' I thirst and you give me 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 come to me.'  "Then the just will be answering Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we perceive Thee hungering and nourish Thee, or thirsting and we gave Thee drink?  Now when did we perceive Thee a stranger and took Thee in, or naked and 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, In as much as you do it to one of these, the least of My brethren, you do it to Me.' 

Matthew 25: 35 - 40, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Giant Killers

 

Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."  And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"

1 Samuel 17: 37 NKJV 

We've all seen them before.  Perhaps we may have even known a few of these brave souls.  Those who seemed to look defeat in the eye and shrug it off, knowing that there was a bigger purpose for them in that moment.  As young David prepared to fight the mighty Philistine, his heart was not on the imposing appearance of the mighty warrior.  No, Davids first thought was of defending the honor of Israel {1 Samuel 17:26}.  Then, while those around him shrank at the sight of the Philistine warrior, David ran forward towards him {1 Samuel 17:32}.  Obviously, David could not have known what lay ahead of him at this point.  If I were a betting man, my money would have been on Goliath defeating this upstart shepherd boy.  Then again, that's why we call them giant killers.  When others fall back, they rush forward.  Although David could not have known his fate in that moment, he was assured that the Lord God of Israel was with him {1 Samuel 17:37}.  This is the very same confidence which we can be assured of in our own times of battle.  But I'll do you one better.  While young David was assured that the Lord of Israel was in his corner, we can just as assured that Christ Jesus walks into battle with us.  The apostle Paul proclaims this truth of Christ in us in Galatians {Galatians 2:20}.  Knowing this, it is Jesus who fights the battle unfolding before us.  No matter the chaos going on around us, we do well to remember that we are not alone.  We do well to remember that we no longer exist.  In our place, Jesus lives.  

"This day the LORD you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you.  And this day I will give the carcasses on the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." 

1 Samuel 17: 46 NKJV 

Just as David is about to slay the Philistine, we catch a glimpse into his motivation for taking up his sling against the giant.  "That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."  David knew the Lord.  He knew that the Lord was with him.  Of course, he definitely knew that by slaying this Philistine that those on hand to witness this battle would witness the power and glory of the Lord on display.  I find this important because as Jesus walks in my place during my times of battle, He does so with one mission in mind, that those around me would see the Father.  I have seen many times the assurance of those who have gone into times of trial knowing full well that no matter the outcome, it is Jesus who goes before them.  What greater blessing is this?  Knowing that Christ goes before us will not only assure us but alleviate all of the unnecessary stress and worry that comes with such things.  There is a reason that Jesus Himself calls on us not to worry {Matthew 5:32}.  Jesus knows the effects which stress and worry can have on our bodies.  Therefore, He urges us to avoid it at all costs.  I recently found myself thinking about this after a bout with sickness.  In these covid scare times, I know that I was safe from the omicron.  I'd been down that road before.  The previous week had been one of much stress and far too little sleep.  Therefore, when I felt the first signs of a cold, I knew that I had once again disregarded the advice of Jesus and decided to try it my way once again.  I know, good luck with that.  Yes, we've all heard of them.  The giant killers.  Those who charge into the arena seemingly without fear.  Yet greater is He who has overcome for the glory of the Father. 

"Jesus removed our sins and guarantees that we will be raised from the dead.  I'm still waiting on someone to enlighten me as to what story beats that one."

Phil Robertson 

~Scott~