Have you ever heard anyone say,"Oh yeah. Well, who owns the corner the truth sits upon?"
That's easy. The answer is Jesus.
Well, let's break it down. We know the truth is a person, because your question asked "who", not "what". "Owns" implies management and complete control as in the sentence, "I own this restaurant". "Corner" means small space that one person can fit. "Sits" shows the truth is able to make decisions, so a second confirmation that we are looking for a person. So, let's take it all and add it together.
Who owns the corner the truth sits upon?
OR
What person has complete control over the space that the truth rests on?
The truth. The truth owns the corner that the truth sits upon, because the truth sits upon it, and no one else can compete with it. The truth has complete control over the space that the truth rests on, because the truth rests on it.
What person in all of history claimed to be incarnate Truth?
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
So, if somebody uses the nobody really knows the truth question, you can throw it back at them, and say it's Jesus.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Pure Hatred
Do you know how God's anger is described?
"Fierce", "strong", "full of fury", "jealous", and "burns against us" are only a few examples from the Old Testament of God being angry. Obviously, it's a good idea to get some context, and actually read why these adjectives are used. It's clear that God gets upset at sin, wickedness, and injustice. Some believe this is a reason to not believe in God. How can God love them and still allow there to be a place called hell, or be so angry?
It never occurred to me that God treats sin like an enemy. I mean the very denotation of "fierce" in regard to anger almost makes one think of a man with a sword against another man's throat. The fact is I think we've been sold a defective bill of goods, if we never see the side of God that gets angry especially at injustice.
Jesus described God as "Our Heavenly Father" in the model prayer. Usually we think of "heavenly" meaning sublime, which is true of God, but think of it this way. What father would stand by and do nothing while his daughter was being raped in front of him? Can you imagine someone standing by and yawning? No, a good father would get fired up and run to his little girl's rescue and beat the snot out of that guy. Do you think that your Heavenly Father, who is not evil, won't repay others for injustice?
Speaking of Jesus, He didn't exactly drive out the merchants in front of the temple with a broom saying "shoo shoo". No, he made a whip, and cracked it across some behinds telling them to leave and then yelled at them "It is written! "My house shall be a house for prayer! But you've turned it into a den of thieves!" The disciples remembered what was written about Him. "Zeal consumes me for your house."
So how does this relate to hell, judgment, and God's anger? Suppose your Dad is a judge. You did something illegal, and are before him in court. You've driven over the speed limit into oncoming traffic. Guitly! You are fined by the judge for $4000. You don't have enough money. Imagine your Dad coming down from the bench, and paying your fines. That's the Gospel in a nutshell. Your sins are crimes against God's moral code (the ten commandments). If you break the law, you must pay for your crimes. Your sins cost more than you are able to pay. Only God can pay them for you. That's what Jesus did on the cross some 2000 years ago. God hates sin. He gets angry at sin. He loves us, but He can't stand the sins we've committed. Jesus has taken the punishment that should've been ours. All of God's hot blazing pure hatred was poured all over Jesus.
It's the purity of God that will really be the thing that blows us all away. That's why Paul describes the day of judment as great and terrible. Men will hide under rocks rather than be exposed by the light of the King of kings. It will be a great day for those who've been expecting Him, and a terrible one for those who have pushed Him away. The Bible says that those who are afraid are the ones expecting judgment. This makes sense if you know that you're a wanted criminal, and the judge you're going to see isn't crooked, and can't be bribed. You're looking at prison for certain, unless there is a way out. Jesus is that way out. If hell makes you afraid, you should be. I'm not confusing this with death. Unless Jesus decides to come back, we will all face death. The question is whether you will face it with or without hope? Hell was established for the devil and his angels. It was never intended for humanity. Jesus preached more on hell than any other topic. Why? God is compassionate. As Jesus said, "I am not willing that any should perish, but that all men should have everlasting life."
Someone once asked me, "If God is loving, then why is He sending me to hell?" God is loving, but He is also just. He can't break His own laws. We have broken His laws, therfore there must be a consequence. So, the reality is, we are sending ourselves to hell, if we decide to push away the offerring of Jesus blood for our atonement. Our judgment, is on our head at that point.
"Fierce", "strong", "full of fury", "jealous", and "burns against us" are only a few examples from the Old Testament of God being angry. Obviously, it's a good idea to get some context, and actually read why these adjectives are used. It's clear that God gets upset at sin, wickedness, and injustice. Some believe this is a reason to not believe in God. How can God love them and still allow there to be a place called hell, or be so angry?
It never occurred to me that God treats sin like an enemy. I mean the very denotation of "fierce" in regard to anger almost makes one think of a man with a sword against another man's throat. The fact is I think we've been sold a defective bill of goods, if we never see the side of God that gets angry especially at injustice.
Jesus described God as "Our Heavenly Father" in the model prayer. Usually we think of "heavenly" meaning sublime, which is true of God, but think of it this way. What father would stand by and do nothing while his daughter was being raped in front of him? Can you imagine someone standing by and yawning? No, a good father would get fired up and run to his little girl's rescue and beat the snot out of that guy. Do you think that your Heavenly Father, who is not evil, won't repay others for injustice?
Speaking of Jesus, He didn't exactly drive out the merchants in front of the temple with a broom saying "shoo shoo". No, he made a whip, and cracked it across some behinds telling them to leave and then yelled at them "It is written! "My house shall be a house for prayer! But you've turned it into a den of thieves!" The disciples remembered what was written about Him. "Zeal consumes me for your house."
So how does this relate to hell, judgment, and God's anger? Suppose your Dad is a judge. You did something illegal, and are before him in court. You've driven over the speed limit into oncoming traffic. Guitly! You are fined by the judge for $4000. You don't have enough money. Imagine your Dad coming down from the bench, and paying your fines. That's the Gospel in a nutshell. Your sins are crimes against God's moral code (the ten commandments). If you break the law, you must pay for your crimes. Your sins cost more than you are able to pay. Only God can pay them for you. That's what Jesus did on the cross some 2000 years ago. God hates sin. He gets angry at sin. He loves us, but He can't stand the sins we've committed. Jesus has taken the punishment that should've been ours. All of God's hot blazing pure hatred was poured all over Jesus.
It's the purity of God that will really be the thing that blows us all away. That's why Paul describes the day of judment as great and terrible. Men will hide under rocks rather than be exposed by the light of the King of kings. It will be a great day for those who've been expecting Him, and a terrible one for those who have pushed Him away. The Bible says that those who are afraid are the ones expecting judgment. This makes sense if you know that you're a wanted criminal, and the judge you're going to see isn't crooked, and can't be bribed. You're looking at prison for certain, unless there is a way out. Jesus is that way out. If hell makes you afraid, you should be. I'm not confusing this with death. Unless Jesus decides to come back, we will all face death. The question is whether you will face it with or without hope? Hell was established for the devil and his angels. It was never intended for humanity. Jesus preached more on hell than any other topic. Why? God is compassionate. As Jesus said, "I am not willing that any should perish, but that all men should have everlasting life."
Someone once asked me, "If God is loving, then why is He sending me to hell?" God is loving, but He is also just. He can't break His own laws. We have broken His laws, therfore there must be a consequence. So, the reality is, we are sending ourselves to hell, if we decide to push away the offerring of Jesus blood for our atonement. Our judgment, is on our head at that point.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Beards
I have decided to try and grow a beard. I've been encouraged by a website called allaboutbeards.com. They suggested to wait minimum 4 weeks, and maximum 6 weeks before deciding to keep or cut the beard. The website is worth checking out for different ideas on how to style a beard. So far, I'm on week two, and it's not quite as itchy as it used to be. The main issue for me, was whether it would be acceptable in the workplace or not. If it comes down to having a job or beard, the beard will definitely go first.
6' 4" small
"Do not despise small begginings!"
Zech 4:10
I still remember when I was "gung-ho" about leading Bible studies and such on my college campus. I was complaining about the lack of other believers and the fanning out of people coming to my small group. That's when three of my family members quoted the verse above. Their voices were in perfect stereophonic unison, and echoed across the walls. It was one of those things. "Okay, God. I got the message."
These days, the same counsel stands. I'm starting out small. Trying out a part time job as a C.N.A. (God willing) once I've passed the test next week. So far, the plan is just to go back to school to become a teacher. It may change, but that's what I'm thinking.
I think God is helping me think on a smaller scale. How did He reveal the plan of salvation? A young man named Jesus, the Son of the living God, cleverly disguised as a teacher. What did this young teacher use to talk about the revolutionary kingdom of God? I could be wrong, but I think it was mainly stories. Who did Jesus charge with taking this important message to the world? A bunch of idiots just like you and me who didn't get what He was talking about, even when He repeated himself three times. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, we have only 4 of the original 12 (minus 1, Judas Iscariot) disicples account of Jesus (Gospels). What happened to the other 7? They were out sharing the Gospel, not as someone else, but as themselves. Jesus never asked someone to change their personality in order to follow Him. Peter was outspoken. John was passionate. Luke was meticulous and methodical. Matthew was a tax collector, similar to a used car salesman. Didn't Jesus realize that He could have had a serious affect on the world by using the Roman authorities? They had power, money, and influence over society. They could actually get things written and moving. What about the Greeks? Egyptians? I mean, come on Jesus, you're not thinking big enough. No, see that's what we would've done.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
And My ways are not your ways,
For as high as the heavens are to the earth,
So are My thoughts to your thoughts,
And My ways to your ways."
Isaiah 55:8-9
God doesn't think the way we do. He does things differently. Think of the ways Jesus stood up for people, when He was expected to do something else (children, Samaritan woman, woman caught in adultery, lepers, Canaanite woman, man with disabled hand,etc.). He communicated God's thoughts of healing, forgiveness, anger, and, at times, a sense of humor. I think God knew how we would need something simple, not large. "Follow me" is a simple statement, and essentially gives us all the direction we need in life. No matter what happens, we keep following Jesus. God knows what it is to be human, and knew that we would have so many questions, and fears. That's why He kept things simple. "I am the good shepherd. My sheep hear My voice and they follow me. They will not listen to the voice of a stranger." There's that "follow me" stuff again. Death and pain are two things that most of us humans would rather avoid at all costs, and yet, Jesus faces a death that gave a new meaning for the word pain, "excruciating", when He died on the cross. The bravest man who ever lived, and the only one to come back to life again. This is where the verse "death where is thy sting? death is swallowed up in victory" comes in. Jesus is the love, truth, and courage we need. "All power belongs to our God" and "He has given Him the name that is above every name, that every knee would bow, and every tongue would confess Jesus Christ is Lord." God is powerful. As Charles Price says in "Christ for Real", He is not only able to forgive sin, "but He is also able to deliver from the power of sin." We can always come to God with everything, no matter how messy it is. Our Heavenly Father can untangle the worst knots our souls can get tied up in. Sin makes everything complicated. Jesus makes everything simple again. We just follow Jesus.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Though He was God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Phil 2:5-7
God became human and served other humans. A very simple idea. Lose your own pride, and serve others.
"What is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God."
Could it be that our perception is off? That simply following Jesus and serving others is really all that's necessary? I don't doubt that God can use big things like music albums, movies, conferences, and inspiring speeches by famous people, but I think sometimes we idolize these things, and esteem them too much. What if a revival occured in our families, neighborhoods, and local cities? What if people no longer saw "Ned Flanders" as the example of a Christian, but someone who is a plain ordinary person who follows Jesus? More and more, people are looking for the real Christians who claim to care about the world.
"What can men do against such reckless hate?" says King Theoden.
"Ride out and meet it." says Aragorn in response.
-Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers
Could it be possible that things are much simpler than what we think? As a young man, full of passion, I want to change the world. As a C.N.A., I'll get my chance, but not quite the way I had envisioned. More than likely I'll be helping clean up elderly people who can't clean up after themselves. It may not affect the global world, but it will impact the local world here in Florida. It's hard work, and not glamarous. It's easy to see the Christians who seem like stars on a stage and want that, but we forget that there are other positions offstage that are essential for the production to go on.
"Let everyone walk as they were called, and so I ordain in all the churches,"
-Apostle Paul
Not everyone is called to the same thing. We all have the same Master, but different positions. We just need to do what we were supposed to do and not worry about what everyone else is doing, and why we can't be doing that instead.
Zech 4:10
I still remember when I was "gung-ho" about leading Bible studies and such on my college campus. I was complaining about the lack of other believers and the fanning out of people coming to my small group. That's when three of my family members quoted the verse above. Their voices were in perfect stereophonic unison, and echoed across the walls. It was one of those things. "Okay, God. I got the message."
These days, the same counsel stands. I'm starting out small. Trying out a part time job as a C.N.A. (God willing) once I've passed the test next week. So far, the plan is just to go back to school to become a teacher. It may change, but that's what I'm thinking.
I think God is helping me think on a smaller scale. How did He reveal the plan of salvation? A young man named Jesus, the Son of the living God, cleverly disguised as a teacher. What did this young teacher use to talk about the revolutionary kingdom of God? I could be wrong, but I think it was mainly stories. Who did Jesus charge with taking this important message to the world? A bunch of idiots just like you and me who didn't get what He was talking about, even when He repeated himself three times. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, we have only 4 of the original 12 (minus 1, Judas Iscariot) disicples account of Jesus (Gospels). What happened to the other 7? They were out sharing the Gospel, not as someone else, but as themselves. Jesus never asked someone to change their personality in order to follow Him. Peter was outspoken. John was passionate. Luke was meticulous and methodical. Matthew was a tax collector, similar to a used car salesman. Didn't Jesus realize that He could have had a serious affect on the world by using the Roman authorities? They had power, money, and influence over society. They could actually get things written and moving. What about the Greeks? Egyptians? I mean, come on Jesus, you're not thinking big enough. No, see that's what we would've done.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
And My ways are not your ways,
For as high as the heavens are to the earth,
So are My thoughts to your thoughts,
And My ways to your ways."
Isaiah 55:8-9
God doesn't think the way we do. He does things differently. Think of the ways Jesus stood up for people, when He was expected to do something else (children, Samaritan woman, woman caught in adultery, lepers, Canaanite woman, man with disabled hand,etc.). He communicated God's thoughts of healing, forgiveness, anger, and, at times, a sense of humor. I think God knew how we would need something simple, not large. "Follow me" is a simple statement, and essentially gives us all the direction we need in life. No matter what happens, we keep following Jesus. God knows what it is to be human, and knew that we would have so many questions, and fears. That's why He kept things simple. "I am the good shepherd. My sheep hear My voice and they follow me. They will not listen to the voice of a stranger." There's that "follow me" stuff again. Death and pain are two things that most of us humans would rather avoid at all costs, and yet, Jesus faces a death that gave a new meaning for the word pain, "excruciating", when He died on the cross. The bravest man who ever lived, and the only one to come back to life again. This is where the verse "death where is thy sting? death is swallowed up in victory" comes in. Jesus is the love, truth, and courage we need. "All power belongs to our God" and "He has given Him the name that is above every name, that every knee would bow, and every tongue would confess Jesus Christ is Lord." God is powerful. As Charles Price says in "Christ for Real", He is not only able to forgive sin, "but He is also able to deliver from the power of sin." We can always come to God with everything, no matter how messy it is. Our Heavenly Father can untangle the worst knots our souls can get tied up in. Sin makes everything complicated. Jesus makes everything simple again. We just follow Jesus.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Though He was God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Phil 2:5-7
God became human and served other humans. A very simple idea. Lose your own pride, and serve others.
"What is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God."
Could it be that our perception is off? That simply following Jesus and serving others is really all that's necessary? I don't doubt that God can use big things like music albums, movies, conferences, and inspiring speeches by famous people, but I think sometimes we idolize these things, and esteem them too much. What if a revival occured in our families, neighborhoods, and local cities? What if people no longer saw "Ned Flanders" as the example of a Christian, but someone who is a plain ordinary person who follows Jesus? More and more, people are looking for the real Christians who claim to care about the world.
"What can men do against such reckless hate?" says King Theoden.
"Ride out and meet it." says Aragorn in response.
-Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers
Could it be possible that things are much simpler than what we think? As a young man, full of passion, I want to change the world. As a C.N.A., I'll get my chance, but not quite the way I had envisioned. More than likely I'll be helping clean up elderly people who can't clean up after themselves. It may not affect the global world, but it will impact the local world here in Florida. It's hard work, and not glamarous. It's easy to see the Christians who seem like stars on a stage and want that, but we forget that there are other positions offstage that are essential for the production to go on.
"Let everyone walk as they were called, and so I ordain in all the churches,"
-Apostle Paul
Not everyone is called to the same thing. We all have the same Master, but different positions. We just need to do what we were supposed to do and not worry about what everyone else is doing, and why we can't be doing that instead.
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