Have you ever really sat down for a few moments and contemplated eternity? One thing is for certain, we are all part of the ultimate statistic. Ten out of every ten people die. Reflecting on that truth should drive us to contemplate eternity and the afterlife.

Many times we tend to approach this topic with various preconceptions, whether they be childhood experiences, television and movies, or works of literature; each working to alter and skew our view to cultural stereotypes of God, religion, and eternity.

You may believe there is no God. You may believe there is no eternity. What if you’re wrong? If God is real, he exists whether you believe in him or not. His existance is not determinate upon your belief in him any more than the fact I have to pay taxes exists despite my best efforts to believe they don’t exist! Truth is truth! And if God does exist, the Bible tells us that there will come a day when you and I will have to face him on judgment day. You will have to whether you choose to believe in him or not.

The question then, as posed originally, is where will you spend eternity?

Will you go to heaven or hell? Have you ever thought about that question?

It’s easy to look around at the world today, see the bad people on the news or in the papers and conclude that we’re “pretty good” and headed for heaven. In comparison to some of the evil done in this world, we sure seem alright. In fact, we’re pretty good people. Are we?

Let’s a take a moment at test that conclusion. The easiest way would be to go through the ten commandements, and see how we do. Ready for the quick and easy ten commandment test? Let’s give it a shot.

• Have you ever stolen anything, at any point in your life? If you answered yes, as I did, then you and I are thieves
• Have you ever lied before? It would seem we all have at some time or another, and so we must admit that we are liars.
• Have you ever used God’s name in vain? If so, you are guilty of blasphemy, which is using the holy name of God as a filth word.
• Have you ever looked at a man / woman with lust? The Bible tells us that those who look with lust are guilty of adultery, which makes you an adulterer.

Now we’ve only gone through only FOUR of the ten commandments. If we answered yes to the questions above then by our own admittance we are lying, adulterous, blasphemous thieves, and we have to stand before God on the day of judgment.

Will you be found innocent or guilty? Just looking above it’s clear we would be found guilty. So where will you spend eternity? Heaven or Hell? Take a moment and answer this question to yourself. It’s worth taking a moment and thinking about.

But isn’t God loving? Doesn’t he forgive? Won’t he see that I’m pretty good most of the time?

It is true that God is a loving, merciful God; but he is also a just, holy, and sinless God. Just as you and I would expect guilty murderers, rapists, and child molestors to be punished in accordance to their crime, we too are guilty and worthy of punishment. The Bible says that we are all guilty, and that there is no one righteous, not even one.

So I’m destined for hell?!

It is necessary that we pay for our sins. We are guilty and deserve punishment. We walk into the courtroom of the living God with a fine to pay, and yet we cannot pay it.

Do you know what God did for you and I? God sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life on earth, to die for our sins. Christ stepped into the courtroom of God 2000 years ago and paid our fine for us, with his blood. Those who put there faith and trust in Christ Jesus as their savior have their fine payed, and justice has been served through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God remains perfectly just and holy, and we are cleansed! Pretty amazing isn’t it! What we could not do ourselves God did for us by his love and mercy, wishing none would perish.

Salvation is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, only that which deserves punishment, and instead God has granted eternal life to those who place their trust in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

I pray that you take some time to contemplate eternity, and you’re place with God. It’s not enough to simply live a good life, or be a good person. Without the penalty paid for our sins we have no hope and are destined for hell.

If you ever want to chat please feel free to contact me. There is no more important choice you can make then the one you could make today about eternity and Jesus Christ.

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” - C. S. Lewis

Psalm 73

BOOK III : Psalms 73-89

1A psalm of Asaph.
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong. ^[a]

5 They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ^[b] ;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance. ^[c]

11 They say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!

20 As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.” - Zechariah 1:3

We are sometimes left wondering where God is in our lives.  We have times when the well seems to be dry, as if our spiritual life is a desert landscape with no water in sight.  The sun beats down and we ponder our location like man lost in a foreign land.  I am thankful first that such a feeling is foreign rather than ordinary.  There is a time when it would not have felt that way.  But it’s still a discouragement despite intellectual concessions as to why.  I don’t particularly like distance from my God, at least I say so, and yet I seperate myself through my own actions.  Would it stand to reason that action would be necessary for renewal…?  Of course!

In ancient Israel, many of the people were discouraged and contented in their exiled state.  Walls were broken in Jerusalem, the temple was half built and the “grandeur” of the faith, if you will, had faded.  And yet in desperate need of renewal and repentance the Lord calls them to return.  In great mercy and love he beckens them to return and promises to return to them.

People say that if you feel distant it’s because your’e lost in some hidden sin or “choosing” your distance.  While that IS possibly the case, it’s certainly not always the case.  God removes himself at times so that we can wander in the desert and so he can see the depth of our true heart.  Without the trials or tests our hearts are left unrevealed.  It’s necessary to test, to put us through trial.  Ancient Israel wandered.  Jesus Christ even wandered.  And yet we’re left here with the promise of God’s return in the times when we do choose our distance.  When we speak poison with our mouths, professing faithfulness and love and turn our backs instead to our own self-seeking desires.  And yet we can return to our father.  He who waits with open arms for a repentant heart and a steadfast devotion.  Return to him and he will return to you.

It doesn’t matter how many years, tears, or fears have kept you from your maker.  What matters is making the decision that will return you to the land of his favor, and there is no greater decision in the lives of man then such.

…”and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom he recieves’ - Hebrews 12:5-6 (Job 5:17, Proverbs 3:11)

It’s important to keep the concept of God as our father at the forefront of our lives, as we face various trials.  If we are sons and daughters of God, then we should expect discipline, as the author of Hebrews points out.  “…for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (7b)

The author progresses to urge us to remember we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, and exhorts us to be subject to our heavenly father in the same respect.  Sometimes we can become confused by what appears to be difficult or tumultuous circumstances or situations, but I think it’s important we remember to rest on the promise of our Father in heaven.  “…but He disciplines us for our own good, so that we may share His holiness.” (10b)  The fruit of such discipline is a peace only given by God.

It’s not always easy to be joyful in such times, often God leads me directly to where I’ve fallen short or failed to devote myself fully to Him.  Praise be to the God and Father who loves us enough to build us through discipline.

I find it extremely trying to battle the societal standards of entitlement, which fly directly in the face of my Christian walk.  The world speaks of absolute ownership, a “right” or “claim” to one’s time and actions, opinions and standards.  I struggle mightily to shift my perspective consistantly to that of scripture, to forget myself, to leave my self seeking attitude, and yet my humanity and culture shouts so loud against such efforts!

What makes it all the more trying, is that within the prayers towards these efforts, I know that God shall work to sanctify me, and that only comes through facing these trials and circumstances.  I have been put in more and more situations in which I am tempted to let my society override my calling.  To let my surroundings override my devotion to this holy discipline.  How it should be our ceaseless prayer to lose ourselves in the servant-hood mentality!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” - Romans 12:1

Truly born again Christians don’t think of God or Christ or angels or heaven, for the most part, as some “general” goodness or feeling of goodness.  A true Christian understands the dynamics of what scripture teaches us about Christ, God, the Holy Spirit, & heaven and angels.

Yet the ambigious “general feeling” I think is sometimes applied to the enemy - Satan, and his power in deception is underestimated, to our own fall.

If we do not understand some of the dynamics about the tempter, then we will not be prepared intellectually to battle the ways he attacks us.  So here are some things you may not know, or acknowledge, about Satan:

• He was the perfection of wisdom and beauty (Ezek. 28.12)
• He possesses:
  • Intelligence (2 Cor. 2:11; 11:3)
  • Memory (Matt. 4:6)
  • a Will (2 Tim. 2:26)
  • Desire (22:31)
  • Great organizational ability (1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:9, 24)

Sometimes I think some of the “realness” of Satan is overlooked for some general “concession” of evil.  He attacks us at our weaknesses, not our strengths, and he’s been around for thousands of years perfecting these abilities.  If we underestimate, we might give Him a foothold, and bring about more difficulty in resisting temptation.  Let’s not underestimate the enemy…

I think sometimes the reason the Christian walk can be / seem so difficult for many, is because of our natural inclination to  accomplish things, compared to simply being within a discipline.

We make to-do lists, so that we can check them off.

We make money, so we can reach or accomplish financial goals.
We work in school, to accomplish the goal of a degree.

Our ideals revolve around “completion” - the idea that with enough effort and work, we can “accomplish” that goal.  It makes us feel good.  Like we’ve “done” something.  We can sit back and say, “you know what, that really paid off.”

Despite the fact we’re wired for such an inclination - the Christian walk (in some aspects) is the one “un-accomplishable.”

I speak in regards to imitating Christ.  We can strive for the perfect life of Christ, as we are to do - to live as He did, in all we say and do.  To love Him through our lives.  But our humanity holds us back thanks to it’s corruption, and our sinful nature.  We can never, of our own effort or attempt, meet that “goal” - or “accomplish” such a task.
In fact, the scriptures even speak of our chance for perfection…” If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 Jn. 1:8)

So how do we accomplish the un-accomplishable?  How do we find a moment’s rest…?  How do we sit back and smile, and utter words of joy in the completion of our task?

I wanted to take a look at this concept, of “goals” - that which can be accomplished - and see what scripture said about it.  The Apostle Paul actually does speaks of “goals” when speaking of the Christian walk.
2 Corinthians 5:9 reads:
“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. “
Phillipians 3:14 reads:
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

What is such a goal, and shouldn’t goals be accomplish-able?  I think Paul compares the Christian walk to the training and work and striving of an athelete for that very reason - because we are WIRED to desire accomplishment, WIRED to “win” or reach a “goal” - just as atheletes train to win first place, we too are to strive physcially and spiritually to reach that goal.  The goal is to what…?  PLEASE Christ, as 2nd Corinthians read above.   But how?

In Galations, Paul chastens them:
“Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”

Apart from the spirit of God, we cannot accomplish our goal.  Just as the people Paul is speaking to above could not recieve the Spirit itself by following the law, they could not accomplish the goal by fullfilling or following the law.  Human effort fails in it’s attempts to reach the goal.  To please Christ, to strive towards the goal, one must submit to Him first, not try and win by human effort alone.

Does this mean every week we strive towards the goal, we’ll have a list we can check off or a certificate awarded to us?  No…our worldly standards for completion and accomplishment are not the same as God’s - and so we much seek the Spirit of God to grant us the peace that comes from the knowledge of God.  Only the Spirit can place upon our hearts the peace that we seek - no checklist or award shall meet it.

As a kid, you might have related discipline with “punishment” - but the discipline I’m talking about is more of a “training” than a “consequence”.

Either way…it often isn’t fun…but is never-the-less necessary

I was encouraged by this passage in Hebrews 12, that we somewhat unraveled in Chapel today:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

⁶ because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”^a

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! ¹⁰ Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ¹³ “Make level paths for your feet,”^b so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

a Prov. 3:11,12

b Prov. 4:26

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids

I whine about being disciplined sometimes…because I’m weak, or impatient…or stupid.  But I always rejoice in the results…how both are possible, I don’t know.  But I know i’m learning to find discipline a thing to be desired, not dreaded…

have been blessed this past week to get the opportunity to talk openly about God with a couple of people that I am close to, and aren’t believers. God has blown me away, bringing patience, and the right words to say at the right time.

In one discussion, we were fixed on that essential “issue” that humans seem to have an issue on. “How can a loving God not save everyone…” People hear and understand from an outside perspective that “God is Loving” and “God is Forgiving” and that mixes in with their own philosophy into a God that is somehow happy as long as we’re happy. This is truly a sad development.

We were able to discuss this topic a little bit, and I was able to confront it from this angle - “Yes, God is Love, God is Forgiving - but God is also Holy, and Just”

He is no more loving than he is just, no more forgiving than he is Holy. He is infinite in his qualities. People can relate when you ask them “When somebody rapes, murders a child - do they deserve punishment?” - for punishment to them is “right” and “just” when compared to a human situation. OF COURSE that person deserves punishment! Yet when the Bible compares hatred to murder, finds lust adultery, says we are not to lie, blaspheme his name, steal - they find it hard to feel the same towards themselves or others as they felt towards that hypothetical murderer.

Truth is - my God is Holy, Pure, and Just, and he punishes murderers. Sin has no place in Holiness. That is the reason for Christ. God is loving, and forgiving, but not to those who willfully turn there back on him.

What’s funny, is I’ve run across a lot of people who say “Yes - I believe the Bible 100%” and then throw piles of their own ideas, baseless, into the equation.

“Well, Jesus is the kind of guy who would let other Gods in”
“Jesus is the kind of guy who will let everyone in as long as they believed in something”
“Religion evolves, Jesus evolves”

Nope. “The wages of sin is death…” - now, today, and tomarrow. Why? Because my God is holy! My God is just!

BUT - when a frail, human sinner has a fine too big to pay (which we do) and is bound for that JUST punishment, a loving, forgiving savior PAID it. Justice is reconciled - and we are free in his PERFECT sacrifice, PERFECT payment.

I wanted to post a devotional that I thought was ironically relevant on so many fronts that I’ve been surrounded by lately.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the way of death.” (Prov. 16:25)

Things are not always what they seem. Proverbs warms that we can be decieved into believing we are going down the right path and yet be heading toward death, the opposite direction from God’s will. People do not naturally seek God or pursue righteousness (Rom. 3:10-18). Only as the Spirit awakens our hearts to the Person of Christ are we able to desire God’s will. If we make decisions apart from the guidance of the Spirit of God, we will be like a ship trying to sail without a compass. We will do what makes the most sense, based on our own wisdom. But what looks attractive may actually lead to sin, ultimately destroying what is precious to us, for our most profound human thinking is mere foolishness to God. (1 Cor. 1:18-20). Only God knows the way that leads to life, and He wants to lead us to walk in it. (Matt. 7:13-14)

Don’t assume every opportunity that arises is from God. Satan will disguise himself as an “angel of light” and his invitations will seem to be in your best interest (2 Cor. 11:14). Yet his way leads only to death (John 8:44). The word of God will be like a light to your path, guiding you in the ways of righteousness (Ps. 119:105)

It can be perilous to follow a path that seems right without first consulting the Holy Spirit for guidance (John 16:13). Take time to seek the Holy Spirit’s direction when you face decisions. He knows the full ramifications of your choices. The Holy Spirit will assist you to understand truth and to experience abundant life. Trust Him as he leads you.

I thought this was just a good reminder that all the “open” doors we seem to see must be held up to God and we must ask him for guidance regarding our own perceptions of opportunities.

This week at our men’s group we were speaking of a variety of scripture verses, but one section we discussed was from Romans 14 - and spoke to my heart that night, and in turn felt compelled to share this evening.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, whithout passing judgement on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” - Romans 14:1-4

These verses came upon me with fresh eyes - convicting my heart.  How does our (I speak of Christians everyone, in the broadest sense of the word) image continue to digress into a judgemental, hypocritical, close-minded stereotype, in the face of the Word of God?  Are we furthering such lies in ignorance?  Here is what I mean -

Our purpose in Christ is to glorify him, and our time together, in fellowship, should not be disrupted by what?  Disputable matters!

Do we not see this so often?  I have seen brothers at each others throats over worship styles, preaching styles, personal convictions, denominations, etc.  Does this mean that truth is irrelevant, that we should not yearn for the truth of scripture and Christ?  No - it simply means we have absolutely no right to judge those who are convicted in different ways, ways that are not in direct opposition to the precepts of Christ.

We are to what?  Accept them!  Accept those whose faith is weak, who eat only vegetables.  Those who eat TBN and those who eat VH1.  Those who eat Rated R or PG - for these are disputable matters!  Romans continues to say

“Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”

If we are convicted to turn away from such things as Rated R movies, secular music etc, we do so fully convinced within ourselves of such a conviction, for we are the servant of Christ - and he is our master.    I believe it is between us and God, and it  is our job personally to stick with our convictions.  This does not mean we have any right to look down upon others who do not share that conviction.

This truth is twofold, let me borrow this phrasing from my commentary, as it sums it up:

The “weak” Christian is not the master of his “strong” brother, nor is the “strong” the master of the “weak.”  God is the Master, and to him alone all believers are responsible.

He who abstains from things, does it unto the Lord - and he who does not does it unto the Lord - (Romains 14:5) - speaking in scripture of dietary restrictions.

“Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean” (Romans 13-14)

How easy it is to pass judgment based on our own convictions.  I pray this truth will effect you as it has me, to shed even more light upon “living up to what we have attained” - may we continue to seek Christ first, seek our Master first, and show love in our efforts to keep one another from stumbling.

What is the beginning of wisdom? When we speak to those who are lost, or desire to speak to those who are lost - how do we guide them to the path that will lead them to salvation? How do we reach them, or convey to them there need for a savior, providing an avenue for the Holy Spirit to work?

Do we do this through entertaining plays and movies that are careful not to offend and offer only the positives of a Christian life?

Do we water down the truth of Christ for a Las Vegas style “if you need it, we have it, and if we dont’ have it, we’ll get it for you” evangelistic approach?

I can assume you’re expecting my answer to be a loud NO! - which it is, but sadly this is a commonplace, American style evangelical approach for MANY churches; a practice and style of evangelism that has seeped into many young Christians today. We are so careful not to offend, not to be awkward, or judgemental, that we are presenting a rose-colored Christ, when we should be presented a crimson-blood stained Cross, and what the Cross really is. Here’s the main point I am getting at:

What is the beginning of wisdom?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and they who live by it grow in understanding…” - Psalms 111:10

We see that the beginning of wisdom is a FEAR of the Lord.

“The first step to wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” - Prov 9:10

As Christians, it is ESSENTIAL that we do not turn away from teaching and evangelical efforts CENTERED upon the fear of the Lord. For additional verses speaking on the fear of the LORD,
see: Psalms 76:4,7 - Isaiah 8:12-13 - Matthew 10:28 - Luke 12:4-5 - Job 23:13-16

The reason for this is simple: the power of the fear of the Lord, in turn the non-believer realizing the NEED for a savior and the SIN in their life, as well as the CONSEQUENCE of that sin, is what can bring that person to the point in which their conscience and heart and mind are convicted and find the need to be real.

So often there are evangelical efforts centered around the “we’ll meet your needs” attitude, instead of the “you’re need is Christ!” attitude.

When we use the word of God to convict the heart of a non-believer, it is easy for them to see the need for repentance and a savior. Without showing them judgement, sin, and hell - they will not see the need for Christ. One can be happy enough in this world, that the “happiness” of Christ will bring no conviction. One can be “content” enough in this world that the “peace” of Christ will bring no conviction. But when one sees the sinfulness of their own lives, and the perfect standards of God - and the fact that they do not meet, and that one day they will have to face judgement, it provides them the reality of sin, the reality of Christ. The reality of repentance.

This is different than a “fire-and-brimstone” evangelical approach.

When you say “You need Christ, you’re going to Hell” - it makes no sense to that person. It’s illogical (and borrowing an example from “The Way of the Master” Television Program) - is like the police coming into your house and simply screaming “YOU ARE GOING TO PRISON FOR A VERY LONG TIME!!!!” - It makes no sense…and I would have a right to be offended.

BUT

If the police came in, and said “We have evidence you have stolen a car, murdered a man, committed adultry, broken the laws set forth, and YOU’RE GOING TO PRISON FOR A VERY LONG TIME!!!” then there is precident and understanding! I could clearly see the reason for the judgement, and in fact I would see the JUSTness of that judgement, for I would be guilty and a lawbreaker.

If we can use the scripture, the Ten Commandments, in our evangelical efforts to show people the Sin in their lives, then we will be spreading a true Christ, and the true reality of sin - and the need for repentance.

—————————————————————–

For more information on evangelism, as well as tools for evangelism, please see www.thewayofthemaster.com -
“The Way of the Master” is a television program featuring evangelists Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, who have taken a biblical approach to spreading the Gospel in America today. It is Christ centered and Biblically centered, and I whole-heartedly endorse their program and message. Much of this post was inspired by some of their recent programs - followed by a driven look into scripture regarding fear and God.

Thought I’d briefly post about the topic of sin…specifically our ability as people of Christ to resist it’s temptations over any area in which we are attacked.

The reason for this post specifically, is drawn from the plethora of cliche’ comments I continue to hear in our media circles, from peers or those arround me regarding diret sin issues. The type of comments I mean are those that are simply conceeding sin through statements like “it’s natural” or “we’re only human” or “we can’t be perfect” - and most often these cliche’ statements lead to concession of sin in our own personal lives. (Though all three statements are true in appropriate context…it is our natural inclination to sin, we are but human and fallen, and we cannot be perfect apart from Christ due to our state)

We compare and contrast the sin lives of others - and sometimes benchmark our own by them. We rationalize by saying “they did this” or “they did that” and somehow find minor (though not peace giving) justification to our own sinful struggles.

Christians - I would beg you to consider, when comparing and contrasting, to ignore the lives of those around you (in this sense) and remember OUR STANDARD IS CHRIST - not Bill Clinton or Bill Gates

This is evident in scripture, as is our call to perfection THROUGH Christ:

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” - Matt 5:48

“…by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all” - Hebrews 10:25

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?” - Romans 6:1-2

Through the sacrifice of Christ, we have DIED to sin - and we are capable of resisting the temptations that come upon us - by the power of Christ. This means we are without excuse! This may be a difficult thing to understand, if you have been brought up through society’s view of such things, but we must understand we have the power to defeat temptation in Christ. He defeated sin upon that cross, and underwent everything we could bear, and resisted. He can relate to us, and through him we CAN be perfect, for HE was perfect. In fact, we are called to be - as Matt 5:48 says above. Remember, we have a savior who has suffered and proved this possible -

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” - Hebrews 2:18

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Cor 10:13

I just wanted to share this truth, as to help those out there not fall into a “concession” mindset. It is a simple thing to fall into - may we only compare ourselves to the example set forth by Christ!