Everyone experiences difficulties in their lives. It’s part of living in a world influenced by sin. “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:20-21). That everyone has trials in life shouldn’t be an issue. The real question to ask is how each of us face our trials.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). This passage is much easier to read when everything is going as we want, than it is when our world falls apart. Please note, however, Paul is not telling us everything that happens in life is good. He also isn’t minimizing, or making light of, the problems we do face. He is saying, however, that even from the midst of adversity, God can bring good.
Paul understood this principle as well as anyone. When he wrote Romans, he expressed his desire to come and visit them, and then go on to preach the gospel in Spain (Rom. 15:28). He envisioned making this trip as a free man, not having been falsely accused in Jerusalem, enduring a perversion of justice, having to appeal to Caesar, and finally reaching Rome as a prisoner, chained constantly to a Roman guard (Acts 21-28). How would he face this situation? It would have been easy to get depressed and despondent, doubt in God’s will, and give up. Not Paul! From this situation, he wrote the church in Philippi and spoke of his blessings, including the blessings that had come from this imprisonment (Phil. 1:12-14). Paul realized the opportunities he had to reach people as a prisoner for the Lord, which would never have been available to him as a free man.
What is the application for us? We usually find what we look for. If we only look at our problems, then that’s all we will see. If we look for possibilities and blessings, even in adverse circumstances, we can find them, as well. It depends on whether we trust God enough to look at life from His perspective. Our attitudes are what we make of them, what we choose them to be. May we look at life through the eyes of faith, whatever our situation is, and find good, even in times that aren’t so good. You’ll be amazed at the quality of life you can have, when you allow yourself to look for the positive in life. Remember, in Christ, no matter the situation, we have an abundant life. Live it that way, and find God’s richest blessings.
Robert Johnson
Bible
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
PRESUMPTIONS
Have you ever stopped to think about how often we make decisions, and base our actions, on our presumptions? To presume is, by definition, to suppose something to be true without proof. Sometimes we presume things based on our knowledge of a person, or the situation, or what it is we understand about what is going on. Sometimes we presume things based on our desires, what we would like to be true, whether in fact it is or is not. For example, if we’re meeting someone for lunch, and they’re running late, they may ask us to order for them. We might presume to know what it is they want, based on previous items they have ordered from the menu. It might in fact be correct that is what they wanted this time, but it could be they wanted something else. How many times have you heard someone say, “Why did you do that?” The response is, “Well, I just presumed…” The reply then is, “Well, you presumed wrong!”
Presumptions are dangerous when we ignore or reject information and make decisions on our own criteria instead. To have facts in hand, but to respond without considering the facts, is rash at best and arrogant at worst. Unfortunately, Satan knows he can tempt us in so many areas of life, and this is how we will respond. For example, when he tempted Jesus to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple (Matt. 4:5-6), it would have been presumptuous of Jesus to have done so, thinking God would have saved Him from physical harm. It would have been testing God, rather than trusting what He has revealed of Himself and His will.
How many people does Satan deceive into sin by presumption? “I don’t have to be faithful in assembling to worship, because after all, God is a gracious God and wants me to enjoy life.” “I know I’m not giving as I’ve been prospered, but God is love and knows all the other things I can spend my money on.” “I’m so busy and involved in so many other areas of life, I’m sure God understands and will be merciful. Maybe sometime later I can serve Him.” These and many more presumptions are dangerous, because God’s word reveals what His will is on these matters of life. Choosing a course contrary to what Scripture teaches is what James describes as sin; “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Jesus conquered the sin of presumption with the word of God, which is how He conquered each temptation He faced. Just because we want things a certain way doesn’t mean that is the measure of how God will judge us on the day of judgment. Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (John 12:48). To presume things spiritually when we can know by examining Scripture is dangerous, as it very well may disappoint us on the last day (Matt. 7:21-23)!
We are not to presume when it comes to what we are to believe and how to live for God. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). It is necessary for each of us to take the initiative and actually use the Bibles we have at home, that we carry to worship, and practice what it teaches us God requires for salvation and living the Christian life. You can presume otherwise, but don’t trust your soul to what you feel when you can know for sure. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:20-21).
Robert Johnson
Presumptions are dangerous when we ignore or reject information and make decisions on our own criteria instead. To have facts in hand, but to respond without considering the facts, is rash at best and arrogant at worst. Unfortunately, Satan knows he can tempt us in so many areas of life, and this is how we will respond. For example, when he tempted Jesus to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple (Matt. 4:5-6), it would have been presumptuous of Jesus to have done so, thinking God would have saved Him from physical harm. It would have been testing God, rather than trusting what He has revealed of Himself and His will.
How many people does Satan deceive into sin by presumption? “I don’t have to be faithful in assembling to worship, because after all, God is a gracious God and wants me to enjoy life.” “I know I’m not giving as I’ve been prospered, but God is love and knows all the other things I can spend my money on.” “I’m so busy and involved in so many other areas of life, I’m sure God understands and will be merciful. Maybe sometime later I can serve Him.” These and many more presumptions are dangerous, because God’s word reveals what His will is on these matters of life. Choosing a course contrary to what Scripture teaches is what James describes as sin; “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Jesus conquered the sin of presumption with the word of God, which is how He conquered each temptation He faced. Just because we want things a certain way doesn’t mean that is the measure of how God will judge us on the day of judgment. Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (John 12:48). To presume things spiritually when we can know by examining Scripture is dangerous, as it very well may disappoint us on the last day (Matt. 7:21-23)!
We are not to presume when it comes to what we are to believe and how to live for God. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). It is necessary for each of us to take the initiative and actually use the Bibles we have at home, that we carry to worship, and practice what it teaches us God requires for salvation and living the Christian life. You can presume otherwise, but don’t trust your soul to what you feel when you can know for sure. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus” (Eph. 4:20-21).
Robert Johnson
Friday, February 11, 2011
IS GOD DEAD?
Those of us who lived through the decade of the 1960's will no doubt remember the “God is Dead” movement, announced in the April 8, 1966 edition of Time magazine. The movement was philosophical, from a widely quoted statement by Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche didn’t believe the God of Scripture was real, but was stating humanity’s need for a god was no longer valid. His view was founded on the philosophical belief that objective truth was impossible to discern, and that one’s “needs” were the truths by which life should be lived.
The full quote Nietzsche made is interesting in light of where we are today, not just philosophically but spiritually. “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was the holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?”
Nietzsche was an atheist, but his statement reveals what must happen if one rejects God, in that one becomes his or her own god. There will always be something ruling in the hearts of people, whether it’s the one true God or one’s desires. Paul recognized this when he wrote the Christians in Rome, “For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles” (Rom. 1:21-23).
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. What began as philosophical rambling is now part of our society’s consciousness and everyday experience. While there is still a belief in the concept of God, few are willing to approach Him on His terms, on the basis of His revealed truth in Scripture. Lip service is offered to God, but in reality many people have become their own god, determining what truth is for themselves and how they should live. For them, God has become an enabler to whatever lifestyle they choose, and in the end will see to it that they will go to heaven.
This isn’t what Scripture reveals to us. The Bible is inspired, God-breathed, as it offers in its pages authentication for the claim it is from God, “because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). If one comes to it with an open mind, allowing Scripture to present itself without prejudice, it reveals God to us and creates faith in Him (Rom. 10:17). It shows to us that it is the source of objective truth, found not in ourselves and our desires, but in what God has made known. What God makes known that there are only two paths to life, one based in His will, the other in however else one chooses to live. The narrow path defined by God leads to eternal life, while the broad way leads to eternal destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). He reveals that in His love He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, and in His blood there is forgiveness (Heb. 9:13-14). He reveals that if we love Him as He has loved us, we will obey His commands (John 14:15), for in them is His blessings and the promise of all that is good for us, including eternal life (Rom. 6:22).
It is from human philosophy that the idea came about we can be our own god, that we can pick and choose how to live and whether or not to obey, not from our Creator. Satan is no doubt pleased that so many have decided to follow such ideas, but not God the Father who loves us and has done everything necessary for us to have salvation through Jesus Christ. His word is true and unshakable in its promises to us. Who will you chose to listen to? The eternal God, or the mind of man distorted by sin? “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Or who has ever first given to Him, and has to be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:34-36).
Robert Johnson
The full quote Nietzsche made is interesting in light of where we are today, not just philosophically but spiritually. “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was the holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?”
Nietzsche was an atheist, but his statement reveals what must happen if one rejects God, in that one becomes his or her own god. There will always be something ruling in the hearts of people, whether it’s the one true God or one’s desires. Paul recognized this when he wrote the Christians in Rome, “For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles” (Rom. 1:21-23).
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. What began as philosophical rambling is now part of our society’s consciousness and everyday experience. While there is still a belief in the concept of God, few are willing to approach Him on His terms, on the basis of His revealed truth in Scripture. Lip service is offered to God, but in reality many people have become their own god, determining what truth is for themselves and how they should live. For them, God has become an enabler to whatever lifestyle they choose, and in the end will see to it that they will go to heaven.
This isn’t what Scripture reveals to us. The Bible is inspired, God-breathed, as it offers in its pages authentication for the claim it is from God, “because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). If one comes to it with an open mind, allowing Scripture to present itself without prejudice, it reveals God to us and creates faith in Him (Rom. 10:17). It shows to us that it is the source of objective truth, found not in ourselves and our desires, but in what God has made known. What God makes known that there are only two paths to life, one based in His will, the other in however else one chooses to live. The narrow path defined by God leads to eternal life, while the broad way leads to eternal destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). He reveals that in His love He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, and in His blood there is forgiveness (Heb. 9:13-14). He reveals that if we love Him as He has loved us, we will obey His commands (John 14:15), for in them is His blessings and the promise of all that is good for us, including eternal life (Rom. 6:22).
It is from human philosophy that the idea came about we can be our own god, that we can pick and choose how to live and whether or not to obey, not from our Creator. Satan is no doubt pleased that so many have decided to follow such ideas, but not God the Father who loves us and has done everything necessary for us to have salvation through Jesus Christ. His word is true and unshakable in its promises to us. Who will you chose to listen to? The eternal God, or the mind of man distorted by sin? “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Or who has ever first given to Him, and has to be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:34-36).
Robert Johnson
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