THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

You may have heard of the furor caused by a denominational preacher in Florida, threatening to burn copies of the Koran. His determined stance on following through with doing so was opposed by the State Department, the President, our military leaders, and almost every nation who got wind of his plans. The fear of radical Islamic militants using this to retaliate against US troops, to recruit new insurgents, and to revive terror attacks in our borders, has caused pleas for this “remembrance of the attacks of 9/11” to be put aside. Late this past Thursday, the Koran burning was called off.

I am not sure what Mr. Jones thought he might accomplish by burning copies of the Koran, outside of the publicity it generated. It is doubtful if any Muslims would convert to Christianity by such actions. Typically, such things tend to polarize feelings and beliefs and fix them even more firmly in those who hold them. Persecution, which this would have been interpreted as, would have just solidified them and their beliefs.

Certainly God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). However, God has created us all with free will, giving everyone the choice of whether to believe or not, to obey or not. Jesus is clear more will reject God’s loving offer of forgiveness through His sacrifice than will accept it (Matt. 7:13-14). If one wants to believe something other than the truth of the gospel, while the consequences of that choice can lead to condemnation, God allows it. Even in Micah’s day, the prophet wrote, “If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, ‘I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,’ he would be the preacher for this people!” (Micah 2:11). As Adam and Eve chose to believe the lies of Satan over God, it is no different today.

Since people can exercise free will, what is our response to those who would promote error? Truth! The way to peace is through the gospel, through believing and obeying the truth of the gospel, to letting go of those things that are in error and embracing truth. To the Jews and Gentiles of Paul’s day, and the division that existed in them, he encouraged, “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Eph. 2:14-16).

Knowing the truth, living the truth, and proclaiming the truth can make a difference in the world. “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). Christ and the gospel are the answer to all the woes in our world. “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘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). “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

Robert Johnson

I Don't Want to Grow Up...

I am deeply indebted to my friend, Jeff Jenkins, for an article by Albert Mohler, which in turn is based on an August 22, 2010 article in the New York Times magazine. In the article, writer Robin Marantz Henig deals with the phenomenon of young people not growing up, not accepting responsibility and acting as adults. Henig points out how, in 1960, the vast majority of young adults had, by the time they reached 30, accomplished the five standard milestones used to measure adult status. In 2000, less than 1/2 of young women had reached these milestones, and more disturbing, less than 1/3 of young men.

As the Times article points out, it’s hard to know how much of this is due to young people not wanting to grow up, and their parents not wanting to let them go. As Henig points out, “It is not just that they are AWOL from adulthood and its responsibilities. They are also missing the joys, consolations, challenges, and responsibilities that make for maturity and long-term flourishing. They will pay a steep price for this delay, and we will pay it with them.”

Mohler, President of a denominational seminary, makes a valid point about the effects this has in religion. “There are deep spiritual concerns here as well. The extension of adolescence (itself a dubious and problematic life stage) means further delay in accepting the kinds of roles and responsibilities that make for mature Christians. And the dangers are clear. As this report highlights, the extension of adolescence into the 20’s was culturally facilitated by the acceptance of premarital sex.”

As I read all this, I wonder how much of this plays in to young adults in the Lord’s church that don’t want to grow up, that still want to live as if they were adolescents. Is the desire to still be childish, to “play” as if still in the world, behind the spiritual problems we find? Why attend worship when there are other activities that are “more fun?” Why give financially when there are so many “big kid” toys to buy? Why be involved in the work of the church when there are so many worldly activities to enjoy? How much of this mentality is, perhaps unconsciously, influencing Christians to stay immature, to feel that God’s grace will cover such an outlook spiritually, and to miss out on the joy of maturing in Christ?

The joys of maturing in Christ? Yes, joy. By refusing to assume responsibility in Christian living, people miss out on how fantastic it is to become more like Christ. How amazing it is to see God at work in your life, molding you in Him, allowing His will to work in you, to love sin less and Jesus more, to have a clearer vision of eternity and what we must do to reach that goal.

Isn’t this what being a child of God is about? This is how Paul can say, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). The article speaks of how premarital sex has figured into this problem. While not everyone has been guilty of such, I can guarantee you Satan is behind this, and sin is a most effective tool in convincing one there’s no harm. He promises so much pleasure from remaining childish, but fails to reveal the heartache, pain, suffering, and ultimate destruction it brings. God is not pleased with Christians who are immature, when they should and could be growing (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14).

Paul reminds us, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11). It’s time for parents, children, and all adults to consider how we may be undermining God’s will for our lives, for today and eternity. Maybe it’s time to say, “Grow up!” It’s definitely time to lovingly yet firmly stress the need for maturity emotionally and spiritually. It’s time for us all to honestly evaluate our lives in Christ, that we don’t miss the greatness of real Christian living today, and heaven tomorrow. “Not that I have already reached the goal, or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I have also been taken hold of by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12).


Robert

Opinion or Truth?

“Everyone has an opinion about something,” is a familiar saying. It also seems to reflect how we as a society feel. You can’t escape public opinion polls, whether you watch television, listen to the radio, or read the paper. If you use the Internet, there are services that constantly bombard your email account, asking your opinion on this issue or that product. Even politicians are influenced by the opinions of others, and policy is often determined by what those opinions are.

Opinion, however, shouldn’t be equated with truth. In our pluralistic society, many, in favor of tolerance, have rejected objective truth. Everyone’s opinion is to have equal weight and validity. While there are times when one’s opinion should be considered in making decisions, there are times when they must not. The truth of Scripture, for example, will remain true, no matter what popular opinion may be. The religious world, by and large, has rejected the teaching of Scripture about baptism for the forgiveness of sin (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). This doesn’t change the will of God. Others claim it doesn’t matter what type of music we use in worshipping God, while Scripture only speaks of singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Many reject the reality of eternal punishment for the wicked, even though Jesus spoke clearly about it (John 3:36; Matthew 25:46).

What do we do with Scripture? We can ignore it on these and other issues, or even reject it, but that doesn’t change what God has revealed. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion” we hear, but our opinions must conform to the word of God, if we hope for eternal life. "He who rejects Me and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Of course, putting aside our personal opinions to allow God’s will its place in our lives is the greatest expression of love. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Opinions, by definition, often are not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge, but what seems probable to one’s own mind. We don’t always have all the facts, but God does, and He reveals His complete and perfect will to us in His word. When I yield my opinion to His will, I reflect Him at work in me (Galatians 2:20). We can speak and live confidently about today and eternity, not because it’s our opinion, but because we have the authority of God in His word to guide us. In the final analysis, His will, not my opinion, is what will matter.

Robert Johnson

Does It Really Matter?

While watching one of the religious channels on TV some time ago, an interesting observation was made by a denominational teacher. The question was raised about people leaving his particular religious affiliation, and the teacher was asked his thoughts about it. “When I think of people leaving because the church down the street has a choir that rocks, or a preacher who can elicit an emotional response from them, or a youth program that appeals to their children, it just breaks my heart because of what they’re losing.”

How can this be? Hasn’t society concluded what really matters is sincerity, that as long as you’re sincere, it doesn’t matter what you believe? Haven’t diverse religious groups (including the one on this TV program) recently signed joint statements of fellowship with each other? Haven’t preachers from different religions exchanged pulpits to show doctrine doesn’t really matter anymore? In an age of tolerance, why would someone make such a seemingly intolerant statement?

Could it be that, despite all the protests to the contrary, doctrine still does matter? Of course it does! Subjectivity is fine as long as it’s philosophic, not practical with people leaving one group for another. Under these circumstances, it becomes an entirely different matter. No matter what the current theological buzz may be, people still want to feel they’re right. If doctrine didn’t matter, why would all these different denominations still exist? Instead of signing fellowship agreements, why wouldn’t they just merge into one big spiritually nebulous organization, which would accept anything and everything?

Interesting enough, those groups that do accept anything and everything experience an immediate drop in membership. To accept everything is the same as standing for nothing, and people still understand the need for some absolutes in their lives. Of course, Scripture affirms that right doctrine is essential for right living. Paul exhorted Timothy, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16). To Titus he wrote, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Jesus Himself said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (John 7:16).

Obviously, people still think it matters what you believe. And they’re right, because truth does matter. If we allow Scripture exclusive rights to our lives spiritually, we will chart a course that will lead to eternal life. "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

Robert Johnson

God's Grace

"For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).

Jude wrote his letter, in part, to point out certain false teachers who were using the concept of God’s grace to promote sensuality. The term carries the idea of lust, excess, shamelessness, and insolence. Evidently they promoted the idea that God’s grace would cover such sins, and so committing them was acceptable, or at least allowable. Such is a perversion of the concept of grace, and by advocating such a view, they deny Christ, who died that our sins could be forgiven, and whose gospel of grace is a call to purity (1 Tim. 4:12).

Peter also speaks of such teachers. “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (2 Pet. 2:19). How horrible it is to think these individuals distort the truth of the gospel for the sake of gratifying their desires. What judgment awaits them? Jude says they are designated for condemnation, and Peter also says, “And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Pet. 2:3).

I am a firm believer in God’s grace, because without it, there’s no hope for anyone to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). However, we must not add to nor take from what Scripture teaches. God’s grace is always available, at work through the blood of Christ as we walk in the light (1 John 1:7). But what about deliberate, unrepented sins? What about when we know what we’re doing is wrong, but we do it anyway? John earlier said we must confess our sins for forgiveness and cleansing to take place (1 John 1:9). Simon the magician was so exhorted by Peter (Acts 8:22). And Paul warned the Galatians, that to add the Law of Moses to the gospel would cause them to fall from grace (Gal. 5:4).

The point of this all is we can be guilty of turning grace into sensuality when we want to appeal to it to justify continual sin. I have lost count of those who, when confronted with active sin in their life, appeal to grace as permission to sin. The phrase, “I’m just going to rely on God’s grace,” is a false hope. There is a difference in trying to overcome sin, struggling against it, falling at times but repenting and continuing the fight of faith, than condoning sin because of grace. The words of Paul are a strong reminder of this difference. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2).

Certainly none of us are perfect, and that’s not what I’m trying to say. We must constantly examine our hearts, our motives, and make every effort to align them with the will of God. But if we persist in sin, to say “I’m relying on the grace of God” is precarious spiritually. Perhaps the false teaching of many in the religious world has had an impact on the body of Christ. Perhaps the spirit of the age, the concept of God allowing just about anything and turning a blind eye to it all, is part of it, but it’s a delusion. Don’t want to worship God? No problem, grace will cover it. Want to be rich towards self, but not toward God? There’s grace. Have time to do whatever you want, but not to serve God? Grace will take care of it. Living in a sinful lifestyle, but don’t want to stop? Ah yes, don’t worry, we have grace.

Of course, I’m being facetious. But it does have an all too familiar sound, doesn’t it? Are you willing to deny Christ by taking such a view? Are you willing to exchange your soul for it? We will be judged according to God’s word and our deeds (John 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10). Thank God for His grace, but don’t trust in grace to exonerate a deliberate sinful life. Remember what grace teaches (Titus 2:11-12).

Robert Johnson

Three Coins in the Fountain

While on vacation, I was sitting in the courtyard at a shopping mall, watching people come and go. Three teen girls walked by, and they all began looking in the fountain (one girl actually got in the fountain), trying to find quarters to keep for themselves. Alas, the biggest coins they could find were nickels, but mainly what they recovered were pennies. In disgust, one of the girls loudly announced, “Man, there’s nothing but cheap people around here!” Not finding enough nickels to get whatever it was they wanted, they threw them back in and walked away.

Several thoughts crossed my mind as I witnessed this. My first response was, “You’re diving in a shopping mall fountain and have the audacity to call people who put coins in it cheap?” Reflecting on how they were dressed, my next response was on how they were not in want or need for any necessity of life, but still didn’t have enough to satisfy them. I suppose it is an illustration of how materialistic the world has become.

I believe we’re probably all guilty, adults and young people, those outside of Christ and those in Christ, of not realizing what the concept of sacrifice involves. Yes, we’re familiar with Christ’s sacrifice for us, becoming flesh and blood and then literally offering Himself for our sins. The Hebrew writer reminds us, “But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:26). Without this sacrifice we would have no hope for eternal life! What a price the Son of God paid for us.

The Son of God not only was willing to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us, but calls us to have that same attitude of heart, to develop a sacrificial lifestyle for Him. Paul writes, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service” (Rom. 12:1). We are to be so dedicated and committed to our Lord because of what He has offered us through Himself; we should freely give our lives in service to Him as a reflection of our love for Him, our walking in His image.

What are some ways we can live sacrificially to Jesus? The Hebrew writer tells us, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15). Through our speech we should praise Christ, telling others what He has done that we might have life through Him. The writer also says, “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb. 13:16). Not only in words but in deeds we show Christ in us, helping others and serving others as we have opportunity (Gal. 6:10).

Paul reminded the Corinthians that Jesus became poor through the incarnation that we might be rich spiritually in Him (2 Cor. 8:9). We are blessed in Him, with all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), and everything for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). We should develop a sacrificial heart and life. I suppose we could go fountain diving, figuratively speaking, to have more and more for ourselves, or share with the riches Christ has blessed us, and find even greater blessings in return. What about you? “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Eph. 5:1-2 ).


Robert Johnson

The Junk Drawer

Almost every home has one somewhere, hidden from view. Sure, it started innocently enough, with just a few things here and there, but everyone kept adding to it. Over a period of weeks and months it increased in size to the point where something has to be done; it can’t be ignored any longer! Someone must clean out the "junk drawer."

Yes, most of our homes have a place reserved for junk, things we don't regularly use but don't want to throw away. It may be a cabinet drawer in the kitchen, or the hall closet, or the garage, but there it is, and it accumulates and clutters up so fast that finding anything becomes almost impossible. It is only with the greatest amount of courage we go to these places to sort things out, clean them up, and provide order once more.

Unfortunately, our lives can resemble a junk drawer. We can allow so many things to occupy our time and clutter our lives, there is no room left for what is really important. Or, perhaps we allow sinful things to enter our hearts and take root in our lives, things we want to keep hidden from others, things which can grow and turn us away from God. Only with a renewed commitment spiritually will we find the courage to take inventory of our lives and sort out what is important from what is not, what should come first from what must follow, what activities we should cease and what should take their place.

The affirmation of Jesus still holds true; "But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33). Putting God first keeps our priorities clear, letting us walk each day in fellowship with Him and the cleansing the blood of His Son provides (1 John 1:7). Putting God first keeps us focused and pure, offering a more consistent and peaceful existence than that which allows sin to accumulate, only to be dealt with later.

Let us rejoice in the love of God offered in Christ Jesus. Let us reflect on what we have in Him and the importance of His will in our lives. May we clean out the junk of sin and neglect from the hidden places in our hearts, that we can find what is truly important and needful for our lives.

Robert Johnson