Bought And Paid For

 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6: 19 - 20 NKJV 

I noticed a physical trainer make the outlandish claim online that the hard work you put in at the gym is the price a man pays for every smile and kind word from women.  Now, as far fetched as his claim may sound, there is a segment of fitness nuts out there who will swear by his theory.  That's just the way it goes.  Every now and the there is some motivational guru who comes along to reinvent the wheel.  Sorry, I just don't adhere to his line of thinking.  Simply because I know that my identity as a man does not lie with the muscles or nutrition I work so hard on, but in my identity in Christ Jesus who is in me.  Yes, it feels good to do well in my exercises and to begin to see the transformation of my efforts, but that's not how this game is played.  The apostle Paul reminded the believers in Corinth of just the same thing in 1 Corinthians.  Paul reminds the Corinthians that the physical body they inhabited was indeed a temple of the Holy Spirit and not something which they could call their own {1 Corinthians 6:19-20}.  Indeed, Paul reminds them that there was a price paid for their mortal bodies.  That price has been paid in full by Christ at the cross.  Dare I say that there is absolutely nothing we can claim about our own bodies.  For whatever we feel that it is which we have paid the price for, Jesus has already been there and done that so we wouldn't have to.  Now, I don't mind the idea that my efforts are improving my health and overall confidence, that's a good feeling in itself.  But am I really providing for who I really am?  No, Jesus is in charge of that score.  Basically what this comes down to is that realization of who it is we are.  Is my identity tied to this flesh and blood body I inhabit?  Again, Paul had other ideas.  Paul believed that it wasn't his own self which he was tied to, but Christ who was in him {Galatians 2:20}.  

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who love, 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."

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

I remember how shell shocked I was when I first was introduced to the scripture of Christ Jesus in me.  This was radical thinking!  I remember thinking to myself, 'No wonder Paul was persecuted!'  So, I get it when there are others who cannot seem to grasp the belief that Jesus could reside in a mere man.  But am I a mere man?  Is that where my identity lies?  Well, Paul tells us in Romans that we are not in the flesh but in the spirit {Romans 8:9}.  It is this spirit identity that remains when our time on earth is done.  It is this spirit identity by which we were created in Gods very image {Genesis 1:27}.  Can we make the claim that our flesh body was bought and paid for by Jesus?  Perhaps, but I believe that Jesus was more interested in preserving what mattered...our spirit identity.  For it is the Spirit identity of Christ which lives in us today.  I know, a lot to handle right?  Let me just say that the traditional teachings of the mainstream church have not helped us in our understanding of Christ in us.  However, that does not mean that it's not a reality.  It simply means that there are those who have not yet received the Lords revelation of Christ in them.  I once counted myself among that crowd.  So it is that I continue to work on my strength and health, in the knowledge that I have been bought and paid for by Christ Jesus.  

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Romans 8: 9 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Plug And Play Life

Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12: 25 NKJV 

I'm not much of a electronics wizard.  I know my limitations and part of that has to do with most things electronic.  Granted, there are a few things that I can manage to fight through, but most of the time I need a thorough set of instructions to guide me through.  These are what we call "plug and play" people.  We are more than comfortable having to simply plug our devices in and have them work well for us.  The trouble is, most devices today seldom follow the rule of the plug and play life.  More troubling is that life doesn't always grant itself to plug and play simplicity.  If only that were true.  Can you imagine having a life that no matter what the situation, that you could simply "plug" yourself into it and do just fine?  Well, it certainly is possible once we understand what, or who, we need to plug into our life.  I'm not talking about some Rick Warren self help miracle here.  No, this is simply the realization of who it is we really are on the inside.  Once we have this realization within us, the plug and play life can become a reality.  But what is this realization?  Perhaps we need some assistance from the apostle Paul.  For it was Paul who first described our true identity in Christ Jesus.  In Galatians, Paul describes living in the knowing of Christ Jesus in you {Galatians 2:20}.  Of course, this wasn't something that Paul himself was born with.  No, this revelation came unto Paul after his Damascus road experience.  On that day, Paul's life changed forever.  He may have encountered the Spirit of Jesus on that dusty road that day, but his own realization of Christ Jesus in him took a bit longer.  When it came, however, Paul was quick to give credit where credit was due.  Paul explains that it was the Lord Himself who revealed Christ IN HIM in the fullness of time {Galatians 1:15-16}.  Of course, Paul did not become a expert at the plug and play life right away, that took many hours of thought and realization of the man he really was.  Only then could he have the knowledge of the plug and play life.  

"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."

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

So, what is this knowing of the plug and play life?  Well, start off with the basic question, do you know Christ Jesus in you?  For until we understand this truth of our own identity, we will not understand the plug and play life.  Living with the knowledge of Christ in us means that we understand that it is Jesus Himself who we live as.  It is Jesus who became us, not the other way around.  Knowing that we live as Christ who is in us is the key to living the plug and play life.  Once we understand this fundamental truth we can plug Jesus into any situation we might ever face in life.  The plug and play life can be useful for good times and bad both.  Imagine coming across a stressful situation and knowing that you can simply live life as Christ who is in you?  Wouldn't that be a stress relief?  Imagine living a life not having to worry or stress over what is going on around you.  The plug and play life.  This only comes from the knowing we have that we live our own lives as Christ who is in us.  Until that time we're simply fumbling around with the electronics of life.

~Scott~ 

The View From The Other Side

 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the unveiling of the sons of God. 

Romans 8: 18 - 19 NKJV 

This past week has indeed brought it's share of difficulties into my arena.  However, lest I cry too much into my own beer, I also realize that I am not alone when it comes to the trials and tribulations of life.  Yet I can honestly say that the view is much better once we've come through the other side of our ordeal.  I was thinking on this very thing this morning, of how we may be able to avert a good deal of the struggles we face were we only to have the right view of our situation.  First of all a quick question, how many of us, when trouble comes, immediately see our situation from the perspective of having already come through it?  Not too many I imagine.  Yet, we can agree that knowing how it is that the Lord is with us in our trials can be very good for our confidence.  Have you ever felt alone and adrift as you battle life's storms?  I have.  After all, these are indeed treacherous waters we are wading into.  These storms seldom sink ships, they scuttle believers!  I believe that the concept of our faith is key to this discussion.  As I was going through my latest ordeal I never once wavered about exactly who was in charge over my life.  That being my heavenly Father.  Where I floundered was the course of events I would endure until I saw the calm of the other side.  I could not perceive that through the hell of my own situation, God was confidently walking through it with me.  See, God knows the end game.  He knows when and where each turn of our lives will take us.  He is, as they say, our all in all.  The trouble is, all too often we're not so sure that what we see in front of us will end for our good.  Even though we're told in scripture that ALL things work to the good for those who love Him {Romans 8:28}.  Do you love the Lord?  

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "be of good cheer!  It is I, do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."  So He said, "come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  

Matthew 14: 27 - 31 NKJV 

Why did poor Peter doubt?  Here Jesus has offered him the opportunity to participate in a miracle...a life lesson if you will.  Then Pete, taking his eyes off of the prize, sinks like a ton of bricks.  Peter could not see the other side through the storm raging around him, despite being offered the safety of the hand of the Lord.  How many of our own life battles resemble Peters struggle?  When we come to a place where it seems that we just can't go on, all too often, like Peter, we cry out to Jesus for help.  Of course, from our limited understanding and vision, we often see the waves continue to crash against us and not see the outstretched hand of the Lord Jesus.  It may do us good to realize with some degree of confidence that Jesus is always closer to us than we realize.  The apostle Paul reminds us of this as he speaks to the truth of Christ in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Paul realized that it was no longer he that was important, but the Spirit of Christ Jesus in him.  Knowing this truth, how difficult and frightening do our own troubles look?  Can you envision a vulnerable Jesus who gave Himself up for you {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  A Jesus who, despite being perfect in every way, became each and every flaw that you have?  That's right, because it is Christ Jesus who has become all that we are.  As we go through life's storms, we do so as Christ who is in us. 

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12: 8 - 9 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Drive By Ministry

 

But even if we, or an angle from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you that what you have received, let him be accursed.  For now do I persuade men, or God?  Or do I speak to please men?  For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Galatians 1: 8 - 10 NKJV 

I recall a pastor some time ago relating in a interview how it was that he kept his flock engaged in his sermons each week.  His response?  "Well, I just find new and more interesting things to tell them."  I refer to such thinking as drive be ministry in honor of our news media.  The late Rush Limbaugh nicknamed the media "Drive by" for good reason.  For all too often a news crew will come into the scene of a news story, put their unique spin on the events and then bail before the dust has settled.  Has anyone ever witnessed a drive by ministry?  I have.  These are ministries that will tell people what they want to hear regardless of it it's scriptural or not.  I have known more than a few pastors in my life who spoke not to the gospel but to what people wanted to hear.  Being a pastor is a tough gig, I get it.  You're expected to mind the family business (church doctrine) all the while towing the line of traditional teaching.  Yet every now and then you need something "extra" to keep your audience interested.  I've seen everything from pastors riding motorcycles into the morning service to putting their own spin on the gospel.  All in the name of, as the apostle Paul claimed, 'speaking to please men' {Galatians 1:10}.  Now, I also admit to sleeping through my share of Sunday sermons as well.  What is it about the bible that makes us yawn in boredom?  Perhaps it is all of the "Thou shalt" stuff from the old testament?  For me, the old testament always seemed kind of mundane, almost dreary.  It was guaranteed that if pastor was preaching a series of sermons on the old testament that I would get a free nap during the service.  Then something incredible happens.  All of that prophesy which was spoken of in the old testament by a pastor whose sermon we slept through suddenly comes to life.  The new testament brings us new and exciting news.  

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.  And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.  

2 Timothy 4: 3 - 4 NKJV 

It is Paul, in a letter to his counterpart Timothy, who warns us of those who will turn the gospel from food for our soul to something the masses desire to hear.  Are you bored of hearing of how God hates sin?  Well, just hire a pastor who won't speak to it.  Tired of hearing of those lame ten commandments?  Yep, hire a pastor who doesn't talk about it.  If you fall into any of these groups of people, then you indeed have itching ears.  You want to hear the preacher talk about stuff you care about.  About how God blesses people who go to church and don't sleep through sermons.  About how God favors those who pray the right way and tithe when their supposed to.  Yeah, let's have more of that.  If this is your preference, I bet there's a out of work pastor out there who's more than willing to earn a steady paycheck speaking to whatever it is that you want to hear.  Not my thing.  It is my belief that the scriptures are there for a reason, and that reason is not to earn the satisfaction of man.  I don't have itching ears, I have yearning ears.  Except if you're a pastor doing a hour long sermon on the parting of the Red Sea.  In that case, wake me when you're finished.  

~Scott~ 

Can Anything Good Come Out Of Nazareth?

"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."

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

How is it that you see Jesus?  Do you stick to the old teaching line we find in the church?  That the Jesus we know today is Holy, exalted and well worthy of our praise and adoration?  If this sounds a lot like a praise and worship tune you're right.  For centuries we have been exalting the deity of Christ with our adoration and praise.  Now, there is nothing at all wrong with this as Jesus is indeed holy.  But does this depict the Jesus which we should be knowing?  Suppose that you were to meet the man Jesus on the street, would He look holy and exalted?  Did Jesus indeed resemble the Son of God when He walked the earth?  No!  In fact, a few of His early followers wondered, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?'  Indeed, those who knew Jesus did not see Him as holy or exalted, but as the son of the carpenter Joseph.  And Joseph?  Well, he had more than a few rumors swirling around town about he and his wife.  So, you could say that Jesus was simply a regular guy who did not attract too much attention from His appearance.  I have gotten frustrated too many times that the original authors of our biblical texts would not include any scriptures referencing the growing and maturing Jesus.  Like many people, I want to know who Jesus was.  What were His quirks?  Was He a wild kid growing up?  Did He try His parents patience more than a few times?  I would have to say that as a young child that Jesus was pretty much a normal kid.  Indeed, if He had shown anything special one would have noticed and written about it, right?  So, why do I mention all of this?  What is my interest in knowing the kind of person that Jesus is?  Well, because knowing the man Jesus blows a hole in the entire church teaching of who Jesus is.  They claim Jesus is holy and deserves our praise and worship.  I say that Jesus is just like me.  What?  How can the ordained Son of God ever resemble a sinner?  That's a good point, if you continue to believe that sin is the issue.  However, as the apostle Paul tells us in Romans, we are to consider ourselves 'dead to sin,'  Yet if we are dead to sin wouldn't that make us like...Jesus?  On the contrary, it would make Jesus like us.  

Knowing 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.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we should also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV 

I know a few Christian friends who simply cannot handle making the proclamation that they are anywhere near what Jesus is like.  I get it.  I've sat in the halls of mainstream church teaching for far too many years, so I know exactly what they're going through.  We are to believe that Jesus is the holy Son of God and should be treated as such.  I don't dispute this.  Yet, can anything good come out of Nazareth?  I would say that the man Jesus is all which we need.  That is, holy and exalted as well as sharing the same flaws which I have.  Now, before you cast me out as a heretic, consider what we're told about the man Jesus.  Paul reminds of of the most important point, that it is Jesus who is in us {Galatians 2:20}.  That's right, Jesus shares all who we are as a human of Gods creation.  Also, it is Jesus who willingly became sin that He might share this vessel of a body with us {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  In other words, Jesus became me.  Not only that, but He did it of His own free will.  That is why I can confidently say that I am Jesus.  Of course, a more proper proclamation would be Jesus...is me.

And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Colossians 2: 10 NKJV 

Through The Killing Fields

 

"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."

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

It is a desperate time into which many believers have walked.  Alone and afraid with nothing but defeat nagging at their every thought.  Our journey through life's minefields can be one of grief, fear and terror.  Seldom do we see the victory waiting for us on the other side of the valley.  This is where fight or flight meets faith and all too often it's a battle we lose.  As humans, when a crisis arrives we're programmed to do one of a few things, to face our situation head on or to run from it as fast as we can.  Hence the term fight or flight.  I faced such a situation this past week.  although not a life or death struggle, it still left me with more stress than I would have liked at the time.  The fact that our stress invokes many negative physical responses to our bodies is no secret to me.  A few days into my minefield of a week, I recalled a sermon I had once heard on our dependence upon others.  I'm not sure what made me think of this sermon, and I'm certain that at this point it matters even less.  However, the focus of the pastors lecture was the importance of our faith in Jesus over our dependence upon others.  I'm sure at the time that I had listened to this sermon and filed it away into the outgoing file of my brain, never to be thought of again.  However, for some reason I recalled this message.  The underlying message?  Men will often disappoint us, but Jesus will never let us down.  A good thought to remember as we're skipping through another of life's minefields.  When everyone else has abandoned us, it is Jesus who became our identity who reminds us of who we really are.  The apostle Paul reminds us of our identity in Galatians.  We are, for lack of a better explanation, Jesus.  

"When I go home, people say to me, 'why do you do it, Hoot, what are you some kind of war junkie?'  "I won't say a goddamn word, you know why?  Because they won't understand why we do it.  They won't understand that it's about the guys next to you, that's all it is."

Sgt. Norm Hooten 1st SFODD "Delta Force"

Operation Gothic Serpent, October 3-4 1993, Mogadishu, Somalia   

It's something we've all felt or experienced.  Depending on someone whom we hope will be our guide as navigate another of life's minefields.  Some end up well and strengthen the bond between two brethren.  However, there are also times when such episodes don't end so well for those involved.  Yes, I've been involved in my fair share of both.  Comedian Chris Rock once said, 'You know, you probably won't get arrested if you just use common sense.'  However, many of us also already know that trust in others also at times turns out badly.  That's how things go.  So, what are we to do when another minefield rises to meet us?  Run?  Well, my advice would be to keep walking into that minefield.  Yes, keep walking into that minefield, all the while never forgetting who it is that you are.  You are the vessel of the living Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.  Remember this the next time you feel that you are somehow facing life's pitfalls alone.  

~Scott~ 

Cats And Dogs

 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 

1 John 4: 20 NKJV 

There is a interesting analogy out there concerning dogs, cats and the people who care for them.  See, a dog sees his human master caring for him and thinks to himself, 'This human feeds me and cares for me, he must be God.'  The cat, on the other hand, sees his caretaker caring for him and thinks to himself, 'This man feeds me and scratches behind my ears, I must be God.'  Having owned both cats and dogs, I can envision why someone would think this way about each.  However, having known my share of people, I can see just how different people emulate the attitudes of out beloved pets.  Yes, some people will show grace and thankfulness while others choose the road of arrogance.  I'm sure that many of you have seen these traits in others you have come across.  As I was thinking of this comparison this week, I also remembered just how God has freed us from the scrutiny of our own behaviors.  The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians, reminds us that we are to no longer judge others by the flesh {2 Corinthians 5:16}.  So, what does one think of when they hear the words flesh?  Bad behavior?  Sin?  There may be a very good reason that we feel this way about this part of our being.  Through my time in scripture study and fellowship I've come to understand that which we refer to as the flesh is a part of us which can and is often influenced either way either by good or bad.  Our flesh is, as they say, neutral.  Is this how you want to be known?  Not me.  While Paul reminds us how we are not to view those around us, he also reminds of of our one true identity in Galatians.  As Paul tells us, it is Christ Jesus who lives in us who we identify ourselves as.  You are no longer a sinner saved by grace...you are Jesus!

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.  Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 

2 Corinthians 5: 16 NKJV 

I'm not so sure that I would like to be known as that guy who yells at people he is mad at.  I don't want others to see me in this way.  No, I'd rather they see me for who it is I really am...as Christ who is in me.  I have a few Christian friends who have a real difficult time proclaiming that they are Jesus.  I get it.  As Christians, we have been force fed a lie for thousands of years.  That we are nowhere close to being near to God, that we are simply sinners saved by the grace of the Father.  This is the church narrative.  Anyone who has grown up in the church can attest to this teaching.  About the only truth to that storyline is that we are indeed saved y the grace of the Lord, the rest of it is bunk.  I find it difficult to believe that God would have such a heartless feeling towards His children He has so lovingly created in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  In fact, we're told that Gods very nature is love {1 John 4:8}.  Knowing these truths, it is easy to see through the fog to who it is we, and those around us, truly are.

~Scott~