Faithful on Fridays Blog

Absolute Truth

One of my purposes for writing this blog is to get you to think about what you believe and hopefully to increase your ability to witness to your faith. Truth is an interesting word that’s actually quite controversial. Pontius Pilate, the Roman leader who pronounced the death sentence on Jesus asked the question, “What is truth?” Can something be true for you but not for me? Is it true all the time or just at certain times? I can think of a few ‘hot topics’ that truth can affect: abortion, homosexuality, lying, sex outside of marriage; I think you get the picture. With that line of questioning in mind, how does a Christian determine what is true? RC Sproul, a leading theologian of our day defined truth as “God’s perception of reality.” In other words, whatever God thinks is absolute truth. How do we know what God thinks? We check the Bible and let it speak for itself; it is the Word of God.

Here are some time-honored, absolute truths that Christians must live by:

• The Bible is true; it was true, it is true, and it is eternally true. It’s inspired by God, without error, never changes, and it’s our only source of authority. If you don’t believe those absolute truths about God’s written Word then the other ones are meaningless.
• Our God is one and yet three distinct persons. Can I explain that? Not really. Theologians have been trying for 2,000 years and haven’t been able to adequately clarify that concept, yet, we believe it by faith. We know from Scripture that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. That’s the primary way you can tell us apart from other religions and cults. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Muslims do not believe Jesus was God. That is an absolute truth for Christians that cannot change.
• Jesus was raised from the dead after defeating the devil and made victory in this life accessible to those who will believe and follow Him. That truth makes Him more than a prophet as other religions or cults call Him: that qualifies Him as God.
• Jesus is the only way to heaven. We don’t work our way there, it’s a free gift from the Father to those who trust Him. There isn’t some cosmic balance on our shoulders, as Buddhists believe, that needs to be weighted on the side of good works. It’s a free gift from a loving God. How unique is that!

For a Christian, these are absolute truths; we won’t bend on them because they are God’s perspective on reality. If your perspective is different from God’s, guess who needs to change. 

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” Romans 3:3-4 ESV

Part Eight

We close out this ‘nutshell teaching’ of Romans with chapters 15&16 where Tertius, Paul’s writer, (16:22) listened to him repeat once again the value of Jew and Gentile working in harmony toward a common goal: hope. What are they hoping for? To glorify God with one mind, one voice, and with unity in purpose reaching people with the gospel. By pointing us back to the Scriptures (Old Testament), remember, the New Testament wasn’t written yet, and quoting Moses, the Psalms, and the prophet Isaiah he clearly made his point. From the beginning of time all nations are included in the Plan of Redemption through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. As Simeon held the infant Jesus he said,

“… for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32

That’s our confident expectation or hope (since the church is predominantly Gentile) bringing us encouragement and helps us persevere in hard times. Since we do have the New Testament we can read Jesus’ words,

“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd.” John 10:16

The last book of the Bible includes a phrase repeated many times: every tribe, language, people, and nation will be included in the new Kingdom of God at His Return (Rev. 5:9, 10:11, 11:9, 14:6). Point secured.

Paul seems to be a relational kinda guy; he cares about people and personally commended many to this church in Rome as servants, fellow workers, his beloved, dependable, or chosen. He didn’t back away from women listing eight of them, mentioned both Jewish brethren and Gentiles, and gave credit where credit was due. There’s real value in occasionally commending people for their hard work in the church, there’s also a danger that jealousy may arise, however, words of praise build us up and words of criticism tear us down. May our churches today be known for building and not tearing as we often encourage and commend one another.

Lastly, Paul cautions this relatively new church to watch out and avoid those whose doctrines may set traps (obstacles), using legalism or license to draw you toward their perspectives. Avoid them, don’t slander them, don’t confront them, avoid them. As Jesus taught about weeds within the wheat field (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43) He instructed us to let them grow together, assuring that He would sort it all out in the end. Closing his message Paul prayed that his teaching, which was through Holy Spirit revelation, would help them all stand in faith and submit to what they heard whether they liked it or agreed with it. The mystery of all nations included in the Plan of Redemption, that’s the gospel in a nutshell, eternal life offered to anyone who’ll repent and believe. 

Discipline to Delight: Part Three

The Stairway to Heaven is not unique to Led Zeppelin; he got it from Jesus.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:51 

The image is praying, an earth to heaven connection: the Bible calls it Jacob’s Ladder, 

And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! Genesis 28:12 

When we spend intentional, intimate time with Jesus, our Bridegroom, our words are received in heaven and we can expect a response: a heaven to earth connection.

The Song of Songs is an allegory or drama, a lower story, of the most loving relationship depicted in the Bible. Nowadays most Bibles help you out with subtitles of the characters, a woman and a man having intimate conversation. When we’re able to think in the upper story the drama becomes you and Jesus. Whether you’re male or female, in the upper story you are the Bride of Christ, His beloved. The words of Chapters One, Two, Four, Five, and Eight are written in a conversational way and can be read as if you’re speaking to Jesus and He responds to you. Get alone with your Savior and give it try.

The last method I’d like to present in this short series on intimate prayer, going from discipline to delight, is learning to pray the names of God since His names reflect and teach us His divine character. I’ve chosen five names from Scripture, but there are many to choose from depending on your season of life.

1. El Kanna: Our God is jealous and passionate: Ex. 20:5, 34:14.
2. Yahweh: I AM, meaning an eternal ‘covenant keeper‘, a relational name:  Ex. 3:13-15.
3. Moshia: God is our Deliverer or Savior: Is. 43:3, 11, 45:15; Ps. 17:7; Zech. 8:7. The Hebrew name for Jesus is Yeshua which comes from the same root.
4. El Ha’ Chabod: He’s the God of Glory, Ps. 29:3. In the New Testament check out Acts 7:2; 1 Cor. 2:1; James 2:1. Lord of Glory is used in 1 Cor. 2:8 and Father of Glory, Eph. 1:17. Doxa is the Greek word for glory which indicates a reputation of a weighty person, someone who is heavy with worth and deserves honor.
5. Go’el: Redeemer God, our God ransomed us from the slavery of sin with His own blood. He loosened, broke, and destroyed the power of Satan over us with that one act of mercy: Job 19:25; Ps. 19:14, 107:2.

As we draw closer to God, calling on Him with a specific name, we’re declaring His identity, who He is, reassuring ourselves that He is more than enough to help us. When we progress through the discipline we enter into the delight.

Part Seven

Remembering back to chapters 1-11 we found two groups of people Paul was addressing, each in their own perspective, Jew or not a Jew (Gentiles), and how both groups are equally sinners and yet saints by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul now writes in Chapter 12, in view of that mercy, he wants to speak to all believers about a servant’s heart. You both live in the culture of ‘the world’ but you don’t have to let the world mold and shape your perspectives. Being conformed means you’re identifying with the ways of the world and your beliefs have become shaped by your culture. Paul conversely writes that God’s way is better, being transformed, metamorphed, into a child of God that follows only one truth: God’s Word.

As servant’s of God we begin in humility, demonstrating our love through actions, even within our government systems (Ch. 13). God created governments with purpose and we, as Christ-followers, are expected to obey our laws. Also, he cautions us to be careful with debt, pay our taxes, and daily walk in the Spirit. He’s there to help us make the right decisions and live in peace in this invisible Kingdom of God representing Jesus to this lost world.

Chapter 14 is the beginning of Paul’s closure to this rather long letter and he again makes reference to the two groups of people: Jew and Gentile. Referencing dietary laws and special days of the week he’s speaking to His Jewish family since they weren’t ready to let go of their traditions quite yet. They had become judgmental and a stumbling block to Gentile brothers and sisters in their church. The foods you eat or don’t eat or the specific days you hold special are not important enough to cause disunity and offenses in our churches. Living in the Kingdom of God is not about that; it’s about our right standing before God as forgiven and justified believers and it’s about the peace and wholeness the Holy Spirit imparts into us that brings indescribable joy. That’s our focus.

The apostle Peter struggled with the same judgmental attitudes toward the Gentiles, consequently, God gave him a supernatural, prophetic vision of their inclusion into the Plan of Redemption (Acts 10:9-16, 28). 

“You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.” Acts 10:28

Judging others is a big deal to God, He’s warning all of us, Jew or Gentile, to reject those opinions and live together in unity. Since we’re the Gentiles who appreciate being included into salvation through the Jewish Messiah, let’s be careful to let our love be genuine, outdoing one another in honoring others (12:9-12), stay spiritually passionate, prayer warriors, and generous, hospitable saints. That’s preaching the gospel in a nutshell, without using many words.

Discipline to Delight: Part Two

There are many ways to experience Jesus through intimate prayer and one of those tried and true methods is contemplation or meditation of His Word. Last week the method I presented was reading a passage silently and aloud asking the Holy Spirit to focus your mind on certain words; contemplation is different. This method is about your thoughts.

Henri Nouwen offers this approach:

1. Choose a passage and read it over several times, bring it from your mind into your heart. 

2. See Christ in the passage; imagine Him speaking to you.

3. Carry the passage with you this week, He is the Word of God, and let Him affect not only your reflective thoughts, but your daydreams as well.

End your time with silence, listening for God’s response. 

Try focusing on passages regarding humility. This always involves repentance followed by receiving His forgiveness; intimacy with God begins in a low place,

The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; He does not despise His imprisoned people. Psalms 69:30-33

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15 

Palms Down/Palms Up is an effective way to intentionally bring a personal concern to God. This method incorporates your body with your soul as the Spirit identifies an area of your life you need to lay down.

1. Begin by placing your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over any concerns you may have to God. Inwardly you may pray, “Lord, I give to you this situation in my life. I release my emotions that have separated me from you, any frustrations, fear, anxiety, unforgiveness, …. and all that weigh heavily on my mind. I lay this down at Your feet.” Wait for a few moments as you surrender to Him. 
2. Place your palms up as a picture of your desire to receive from the Lord. You may want to pray, “Lord, I receive your divine love and forgiveness in this situation (or for this person), and receive your peace and joy in place of the negative emotions I’ve been dealing with. With palms up it’s a perfect posture for worship and praise to  the Holy Spirit for His guidance.

Lastly, never forget the gift of your imagination. As you read the accounts of Jesus with people and visualize yourself being there; these stories paint powerful pictures that encourage us to identify with a character. Try imagining yourself as the soldier at the cross, a disciple watching Jesus feed 5,000, or the one listening to a parable. Stretch yourself this week by giving contemplation and meditation a try. You may be surprised!

Part Six

Paul has succinctly made his case for these two groups of people who have become one in Christ; there’s no difference in God’s eyes anymore. Jews and Gentiles both have temptations that are unique, but the same Spirit’s power works equally giving them victory. 

But what about his extended family, the Jews? In Chapter 9 Paul exposed his heart using emotionally charged words: great sorrow, constant anguish, and ready to be cursed for their salvation. Many Jewish people have rejected Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah and he calls them ‘children of the flesh’ and not ‘children of the promise’. No one is saved due to his bloodline, family name, national heritage, or even their upbringing. Jews become saved the same way as Gentiles: repentance, forgiveness, and faith. God’s eyes and ears are always attuned to those with faith, not good works. It’s a powerful exposé of why we should care about the Jewish people, but more than that, it shows God’s justice and sovereignty in His purpose of divine election. It’s not an easy read, it seems unfair, but Paul was clear, we have no right to question His ultimate decisions.

From the beginning God’s plan was always for the salvation for mankind, however, righteousness was through faith in Him, not through good works. In Chapter 10 his heart’s desire and prayer is for the salvation of the Jews, that’s why we preach the gospel, send out missionaries, and explain this Plan of Redemption to those who will believe the Word of Christ. 

Lastly, in Chapter 11 he confirmed that God hasn’t rejected His chosen people, there’s always been a remnant, a small piece of the whole, who were chosen by grace. For the rest of Israel he’s hoping they’ll observe the faith of the Gentiles and become jealous for that higher life in Christ.

Using the metaphor of an olive tree, Israel is the cultivated root that supports our faith and Gentiles are the wild olive tree that’s been grafted into the original root. Jews and Gentiles are now family and God won’t change His mind. Paul tells us this is a mystery, some Jews gets saved and some don’t, at the same time, some Gentiles get saved and some don’t; His ways are deep, unsearchable, and often hard to understand. Yet he closes out these chapters by reminding us that we can’t know what God is thinking or planning, we’re not His advisor, so we attribute all things to be from Him, through Him, and to Him (11:34-36). 

Personally, I’ve quit trying to explain these chapters and allow them to stand as written. We don’t have to like the idea or even agree with divine election, but as believers in the authority of Scripture, we come into alignment with Him. Here’s the nutshell; all come to Christ the same way, by God’s grace and mercy through faith alone, it’s nothing we’ve done right, but everything that Jesus did right. Phew! That was challenging.

Discipline to Delight: Part One

Imagine yourself sitting in the crowd as Jesus encouraged His listeners to be ready for His return. I’d be on the edge of my seat with delightful anticipation, however, as you read His words watch for those verbs,

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Luke 12:35-37, 40

How do you get dressed for action? What lamp needs to keep burning? Jesus loved parables and these lower stories help us understand His point. The lower story uses the physical realm of life to direct us to the upper story, the spiritual realm of life, therefore, getting spiritually dressed is like putting on spiritual clothing. Paul wrote:

… and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:10, 12

When we receive Christ we ‘take off’ the old man and put on the ‘new man’, like a piece of clothing. Intimate prayer is like that; spending time in the presence of the Lord is like getting dressed every morning. Time, that dreaded word, has been set apart for God. When we make our relationship with Him a priority in our day everything seems to go smoother. We may still experience frustrations or injustices but when we’ve had Facetime with the Savior, they don’t seem as crucial.

There are tried and true methods of connecting with God, ways to keep that lamp burning (lower story) and maintaining your passion for Him (upper story). Try one these passages: Ps. 18:1-3, 42:1-2, or 63:5-8. You’ll find yourself moving from the discipline of prayer into a delightful experience with God.

Here’s a simple method:

1. First, take a deep breath and acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence.
2. Next, read the passage silently.
3. Then, read it silently again, slower, watching for words the Spirit highlights.
4. Read it aloud this next time, listening to the Spirit as He illuminates something personal to you.
5. Feel free to stop, talk to the Lord; make it an easy conversation.
6. You may need to change pronouns to make it personal: ‘you’ becomes ‘I’.
7. Think about what you read, contemplate it’s meaning in your life. Discuss it with God and write down your thoughts.

Jesus is calling you into a deeper relationship with Him before He returns but relationship comes by spending quality time in His presence; you’re the only one who can open that door (Luke 12:36). Do you sense His voice calling to you, Come away, My Beloved?

Part Five

Remembering that Paul is an educated Pharisee, a Hebrew of Hebrews (Phli. 3:5), his heart was firmly established in the Old Testament, their Bible. Beginning with 8:18 he takes us back to creation knowing that’s where we’ll end up when Jesus returns. Keeping that truth in the forefront of our mind brings great comfort when suffering and he knew that. It’s fascinating that creation, mentioned five times, is eagerly longing, expecting, even groaning, for His return, along with all of us, and the Spirit. Everyone has this anticipation of God’s family reunited, this future hope, that we’ll close the circle of time getting back to a sinless world and pure relationship with God. No sin, no curse, only a glorious eternity.

However, Paul isn’t a ‘pie in the sky’ guy, he knew we’d need help until That Day and explained that’s the role of the Spirit, our Helper, our Counselor, Defender, and our Guide. Being our Intercessor (vs. 26-27, 34) means He’s our middleman, the one who partners with us as we pray making sure we hit the bull’s eye with effective prayer. He’ll take our groaning, our sighs of helplessness, frustration, and all our emotions working everything out for our good. When you’re suffering, as this church in Rome certainly will, those words will encourage and breathe life into your prayer. 

God knew us before we were born (vs. 29-30), giving us a destiny in life, He conformed or recreated our spirit back into the image of God, invited or called us to live this new life in Christ since our sin was forgiven, and now we stand justified before God. That future hope of our glorification or new bodies living alongside Him for eternity is where our focus should be, whether Jew or Gentile, our salvation is a done deal. Paul is speechless as he completed this chapter, who wouldn’t be, and asks a few questions of the reader. 

Who can be against you when God is for you?

Doesn’t He promise to give us ‘all things’ since He gave us His only Son?

Is there any charge Satan can indict us with since we’re God’s elect?

Can anyone condemn us?

Can anyone or anything separate us from Christ’s love?

In case you’re not sure he gives us the answer in one word: No!

Why? Because we’re Nike people, overcomers, and more than conquerors, we win. But how can you be more than a conqueror? Conquerors are triumphant in battle and return home to assure the people of victory. Jesus did that for us, He spiritually fought the battle against the strongholds of sin, death, and Satan, and now He tells us we can stand in His victory resisting temptation and sin until He returns and they’re gone forever. Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from that kind of love we have in Christ Jesus our Lord: that’s our nutshell. What about the Jews that haven’t recognized their Messiah? Be patient, that’s for next week.

A Simple Prayer

I’ve volunteered at Vacation Bible School for years, but recently had a surprising encounter with the kids. After teaching the lesson we were instructed to discuss problems in life with our age group, 2nd and 3rd graders. Before I began the discussion I thought to myself, “Are you kidding? What kind of problems can 7 and 8 yr. olds have?” Surprisingly, two out of five children said their mommy and daddy were getting a divorce. I was saddened by their heavy hearts. 

First, that two of them answered with the same situation at home and second because they were willing to trust me with that information. I had a split second to respond so I said, “I am so sorry; I’ll pray for you.” I felt so inadequate that my answer was such a platitude. However, the truth is, I did and will pray for them. Even though it seemed insufficient, it was exactly what God wanted them to hear. I don’t know the tensions in their home life, the hurts their family is experiencing, or their fears … but God does. My purpose in that moment was to offer them hope. I prayed that God would show them His love, that He cares about what’s happening to them, and that He’ll help them through all of it. 

It’s the same for you whether you are the one who needs prayer or the one who is offering prayer. God loves you and cares about your life. Sometimes people share their burdens and you have a split second to react and the moment is gone. How will you respond?

Bear one another’s burdens. Gal. 6:2a

Here’s the clincher: if you tell someone you’ll pray for them you’d better follow through. God not only cares about those hurting but about your integrity. Offering prayer is a serious thing to God and He holds you accountable. A simple prayer can move a mountain, soften a heart, or bring true peace to a situation. Never forget that.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:13, 16 

As a retired elementary teacher I had forgotten what kids go through at home. VBS was a great way to remind me to pray for these kids and reassure them, as our leaders did all week, of the love and care of their heavenly Father. Speak a word of hope to someone this week, will you? Your neighbors, your friends, or your extended family; God wants to use you as His voice to a hurting world.

… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 

Make a difference in someone’s life with a simple prayer.

Part Four

Paul has done an amazing job of explaining the freedom we have in Christ when we become a new creation; the old life has passed away and new life has arrived (chapters 1-7). Getting practical (Chapter 8:1-17) with encouragement for all of us, both groups of people, our death sentence was legally paid for by Jesus’ death and now we have the freedom to walk in that new life. Being crystal clear in this chapter, he explains you have life choices. Using the word ‘law’ (not Old Testament Law but influences or forces) he taught in great detail that there’s a battle in your mind, your thoughts and attitudes, to lure you away from the Spirit and back into the flesh. It’s like ‘trench warfare’, opposing sides offering you choices: the law of the Spirit bringing life or the law of sin and death. Seems like a nobrainer, but read on.

After writing many letters to churches over the years, this one is focused on walking in victory through the power of the Spirit. As he contrasted both choices it’s easy to find yourself. Do I lean more toward legalism (like the Jewish believer), battling against working for God’s love and acceptance, or liberalism (like the Gentile believer), battling against the temptation to mix worldly ways with Spirit-ways? 

Yes, we are fleshly people, influenced by many things in our faith walk, but Paul stresses the power of the Holy Spirit to win those daily battles.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18 

He can’t make it any clearer repeating over and over again the difference between living your life according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. One brings life (zoe) and the other brings death. If you’re Jewish and led by the Spirit you’re in the family by birth, but if you’re Gentile then you were legally adopted into God’s family; both become heirs of God, and co-heirs with Jesus. Paul even used the Hebrew word ‘Abba’ and the Greek word ‘Pater’ both meaning father: both groups call God Father. 

We all suffer through this lower life on earth as we battle for the higher life in the Spirit, but at the same time Paul promises, through the inspired words of the Spirit, that we have a future hope: glorification. That means when Jesus returns our flesh will be swallowed up into our spirits as we live in the final, everlasting Kingdom of God. 

In a nutshell, are your life-choices in line with the Spirit or the flesh; the choice is yours.