20:24,25 " 'Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?' They said, 'Caesar's.' And He said to them, 'Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's' "
Jesus deftly answer's the question of those trying to trip Him up.
The thing that stood out to me that I hadn't noticed before was the word "likeness." I'm in a theology class and last week we talked about it a lot as the lesson that week was "The Image Bearers of God" and what it means to be made in the likeness of God. God said in speaking of our invention:
"Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..." (Gen. 1:26a)
So when I read the verse in Luke, the thought occurred to me that Jesus is saying that the denarii belong to Caesar, evidenced by the fact that his likeness is on the coin, thus his listeners shouldn't be too broken up when he wants them back. In the same way, God wants what is His. And what bears His likeness? All mankind!
I'm not sure what I really thought "render to God what is God's" before I thought about it, but this never occurred to me. I think maybe I assumed it was good works or something. But it makes more sense that Jesus is saying God wants our lives, our souls, our hearts. We should not be astonished when God wants to reclaim what was always His in the first place. This helps me to remember just who I really belong to.
Lord, help me to remember I am Your possession. Let me surrender all of myself to Your holy will. Help squash my pride from convincing me I am my own man.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Luke 18:18-43
18:27 "But He said, 'The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.' "
Prior to this verse, Jesus made an observation about the innate difficulty for rich persons to become saved. His disciples ask with desperation "who can be saved?", to which Jesus gives this response.
I think this verse is often misused to apply to ministry, healing, or whatever the reader is wanting God to accomplish, but it should be noted Jesus is specifically talking about salvation.
I just recently watched a special on CNN talking about sexual issues and how they played out in religious circles. One of the segments focused on homosexuality and ministries that aim to "cure" homosexuals. While I appreciated the presence of evangelicals devoted to ministering to gays in love, I was bothered by the whole mindset of the approach. One of the key groups involved in this segment was the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). Their position is that homosexuality is mainly a result of "psychological (family, peer and social) influences" (this is a quote from their site http://www.narth.com/menus/positionstatements.html).
This framed the whole discussion on this show and everyone spoke about the "mental illness" and administrating a "cure". Only at the very end of the show when they interviewed Ken Hutcherson from Antioch Bible Church was there a mention of sin. The problem with treating gay people as victims of mental illness is that it sidesteps the real danger. These people need salvation! While the Bible does hold homosexual acts in higher contempt and shows a record on God's part of harsher punishment, from a punitive standpoint the sin is no better or worse than any other sin. Any impurity creates a rift between man and God and all have sinned. We all need Christ.
The reason this came to mind when contemplating this verse relates to my work experience at Dick's Drive-In in Seattle. I worked alongside a gay man (we'll pretend his name is Rick) and to my astonishment he asked me one day "Dave, what does the Bible say about being gay?" Talk about an open door! I told him in as clear yet loving words as I could find that the Bible teaches homosexuality is a sin. Rick told me he knew that, but that he really didn't think he could change. I told him that he was right. He couldn't. I also told Rick that I wasn't able to change my sinful self either.
But Christ was able to change me.
I assured Rick that if he gave his life to the Lord, that God would begin a work in him to rid him of all sin including being gay. It wouldn't be easy or instant, but God is always faithful to complete the good work He begins in us. I told Rick that nothing was impossible for God and that Christ could save even a gay man.
He lost his job soon after that discussion, but I frequently pray that I will meet him in heaven and find out that God used that interaction to lead Rick to the Lord. And for those reading this, if you are aware of sin in your life, be it homosexuality, lies, lust, greed, or whatever, don't despair. It is impossible for you to save yourself, but with God, it is possible. Run to him.
Lord, thank You for Your power over sin. Thank You for saving me. Wherever Rick is right now, remind him of this truth and if he hasn't already, draw his heart to Yourself.
Prior to this verse, Jesus made an observation about the innate difficulty for rich persons to become saved. His disciples ask with desperation "who can be saved?", to which Jesus gives this response.
I think this verse is often misused to apply to ministry, healing, or whatever the reader is wanting God to accomplish, but it should be noted Jesus is specifically talking about salvation.
I just recently watched a special on CNN talking about sexual issues and how they played out in religious circles. One of the segments focused on homosexuality and ministries that aim to "cure" homosexuals. While I appreciated the presence of evangelicals devoted to ministering to gays in love, I was bothered by the whole mindset of the approach. One of the key groups involved in this segment was the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). Their position is that homosexuality is mainly a result of "psychological (family, peer and social) influences" (this is a quote from their site http://www.narth.com/menus/positionstatements.html).
This framed the whole discussion on this show and everyone spoke about the "mental illness" and administrating a "cure". Only at the very end of the show when they interviewed Ken Hutcherson from Antioch Bible Church was there a mention of sin. The problem with treating gay people as victims of mental illness is that it sidesteps the real danger. These people need salvation! While the Bible does hold homosexual acts in higher contempt and shows a record on God's part of harsher punishment, from a punitive standpoint the sin is no better or worse than any other sin. Any impurity creates a rift between man and God and all have sinned. We all need Christ.
The reason this came to mind when contemplating this verse relates to my work experience at Dick's Drive-In in Seattle. I worked alongside a gay man (we'll pretend his name is Rick) and to my astonishment he asked me one day "Dave, what does the Bible say about being gay?" Talk about an open door! I told him in as clear yet loving words as I could find that the Bible teaches homosexuality is a sin. Rick told me he knew that, but that he really didn't think he could change. I told him that he was right. He couldn't. I also told Rick that I wasn't able to change my sinful self either.
But Christ was able to change me.
I assured Rick that if he gave his life to the Lord, that God would begin a work in him to rid him of all sin including being gay. It wouldn't be easy or instant, but God is always faithful to complete the good work He begins in us. I told Rick that nothing was impossible for God and that Christ could save even a gay man.
He lost his job soon after that discussion, but I frequently pray that I will meet him in heaven and find out that God used that interaction to lead Rick to the Lord. And for those reading this, if you are aware of sin in your life, be it homosexuality, lies, lust, greed, or whatever, don't despair. It is impossible for you to save yourself, but with God, it is possible. Run to him.
Lord, thank You for Your power over sin. Thank You for saving me. Wherever Rick is right now, remind him of this truth and if he hasn't already, draw his heart to Yourself.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Luke 15:11-32
15:21 "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "
Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son in response to the Pharisees' disdain towards sinners.
The point of this parable is the father's reaction in that Jesus is trying to show God's desire for the return of His wayward children. But in this story, we see a picture of what our attitude should be when we are the wayward child in question.
When we repent at the moment of salvation, and the subsequent times after being saved, we are to lower ourselves and beg forgiveness. I don't think people have a problem with this with the initial repentance since the impetus of true salvation is the Holy Spirit weighing our guilt on us to drive us to God. But for someone like me who is already saved, do I humble myself as I first did to the point the prodigal son does? Do I merely say "I messed up, I'm sorry. I'll try not to do it again" or do I cry "Father, I have sinned against heaven and and in Your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called Your son." ?
There is comfort in knowing that God will never forsake me and will always take me back, but the feeling should still be there that I don't deserve it. I need to repent more promptly and with more humility and disgust of what I've done.
Lord, forgive me my sins. Every stumble is one more weight on Your Son at the cross, and I don't want any part of it. Take me back and cleanse me. Thank you for Your forgiveness.
Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son in response to the Pharisees' disdain towards sinners.
The point of this parable is the father's reaction in that Jesus is trying to show God's desire for the return of His wayward children. But in this story, we see a picture of what our attitude should be when we are the wayward child in question.
When we repent at the moment of salvation, and the subsequent times after being saved, we are to lower ourselves and beg forgiveness. I don't think people have a problem with this with the initial repentance since the impetus of true salvation is the Holy Spirit weighing our guilt on us to drive us to God. But for someone like me who is already saved, do I humble myself as I first did to the point the prodigal son does? Do I merely say "I messed up, I'm sorry. I'll try not to do it again" or do I cry "Father, I have sinned against heaven and and in Your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called Your son." ?
There is comfort in knowing that God will never forsake me and will always take me back, but the feeling should still be there that I don't deserve it. I need to repent more promptly and with more humility and disgust of what I've done.
Lord, forgive me my sins. Every stumble is one more weight on Your Son at the cross, and I don't want any part of it. Take me back and cleanse me. Thank you for Your forgiveness.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Judges 20,21
21:3 "They said, 'Why, O LORD, God of Israel, has this come about in Israel, so that one tribe should be missing today in Israel?' "
The tribes of Israel mourn over the their recent divinely endorsed decimation of the tribe of Benjamin.
I hate death. I recognize I have not had much exposure to it compare to a lot of people, but last month I lost my cousin and today a good friend from church went to be with the Lord. His name is Gerwin; he was a faithful brother in Christ who, despite his health issues, was always smiling and offering encouragement and good humor. As I contemplated his passing today, it occurred to me that he is fine right now bumping elbows with his Creator and the prophets. It also occurred to me that Gerwin didn't suffer death, but those of us still here do.
Death is separation. I suffer Gerwin's death because I am separated from him and I hate that. I'm happy for Gerwin, sad for myself, and especially sad for his wife. And as I thought about how I hate that separation, I turned my disdain towards sin. Sin caused Gerwin's death. I don't mean Gerwin sinned and God struck him down, I mean this:
"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Cor 15:22)
The Israelites were ordered by God to strike down Benjamin, so why were they sad? They mourned because death is not the way it is supposed to be. Because of sin, death prevails and creates divides we cannot cross. Thank goodness Christ showed his mastery over death on the third day!
But for now, I miss Gerwin. I hate death. Most of all I hate sin for introducing us to death. I do take great comfort that I will get to shake Gerwin's hand again and see him walk without pain or limping. The best thing I have taken from this experience is a deeper hatred for sin and I hope I can apply that to pushing it further and further away from me. I have a better understanding of Paul's cry:
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom 7:24)
Lord, help me to hate sin. Help me to abhor it for what it did to me, my fellow men, and most of all You. Have fun with Gerwin, he's a real character.
The tribes of Israel mourn over the their recent divinely endorsed decimation of the tribe of Benjamin.
I hate death. I recognize I have not had much exposure to it compare to a lot of people, but last month I lost my cousin and today a good friend from church went to be with the Lord. His name is Gerwin; he was a faithful brother in Christ who, despite his health issues, was always smiling and offering encouragement and good humor. As I contemplated his passing today, it occurred to me that he is fine right now bumping elbows with his Creator and the prophets. It also occurred to me that Gerwin didn't suffer death, but those of us still here do.
Death is separation. I suffer Gerwin's death because I am separated from him and I hate that. I'm happy for Gerwin, sad for myself, and especially sad for his wife. And as I thought about how I hate that separation, I turned my disdain towards sin. Sin caused Gerwin's death. I don't mean Gerwin sinned and God struck him down, I mean this:
"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Cor 15:22)
The Israelites were ordered by God to strike down Benjamin, so why were they sad? They mourned because death is not the way it is supposed to be. Because of sin, death prevails and creates divides we cannot cross. Thank goodness Christ showed his mastery over death on the third day!
But for now, I miss Gerwin. I hate death. Most of all I hate sin for introducing us to death. I do take great comfort that I will get to shake Gerwin's hand again and see him walk without pain or limping. The best thing I have taken from this experience is a deeper hatred for sin and I hope I can apply that to pushing it further and further away from me. I have a better understanding of Paul's cry:
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom 7:24)
Lord, help me to hate sin. Help me to abhor it for what it did to me, my fellow men, and most of all You. Have fun with Gerwin, he's a real character.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Joshua 6,7
7:2 "The LORD said to Gideon, 'The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, "My own power has delivered me." ' "
God expresses His motivation in sending a small group to the battle site to ensure credit is given where it is due.
I really appreciated the juxtaposition of Gideon's attitude and God's attitude. Gideon was completely consumed with the question of how the Midianites would be defeated. He was concerned about logistics, manpower, and strategy as it related to ensuring victory. And he was quite stressed out about it.
God, on the other hand was completely consumed with the question of how He would be glorified. He was concerned about logistics, manpower, and strategy as it related to ensuring the greatest glory to His name. And He was quite confident about it.
The lesson I derive from this is not to focus on how God is going to solve a problem, but how God is going to be glorified. God is going to do what He wills to do, and nothing can stop Him. To worry about the physical outcome of a scenario is fruitless. We should, however, be concerned about God's glory. The way we approach our crises will have an impact on the magnification of our Lord's name. We need to guard our thoughts, speech, and even body language to ensure that as others see us doing our part of God's will, their reaction will be to praise God.
Personally, I'm worried about a lot of stuff right now and I need to get down to business confession my anxiety and focusing on what I'm doing to lift up the name of Jesus.
Lord, help me to be more concerned about Your glory and less concerned about my welfare. Help me to trust in Your absolute power and control over circumstances so I can be free to magnify Your name.
God expresses His motivation in sending a small group to the battle site to ensure credit is given where it is due.
I really appreciated the juxtaposition of Gideon's attitude and God's attitude. Gideon was completely consumed with the question of how the Midianites would be defeated. He was concerned about logistics, manpower, and strategy as it related to ensuring victory. And he was quite stressed out about it.
God, on the other hand was completely consumed with the question of how He would be glorified. He was concerned about logistics, manpower, and strategy as it related to ensuring the greatest glory to His name. And He was quite confident about it.
The lesson I derive from this is not to focus on how God is going to solve a problem, but how God is going to be glorified. God is going to do what He wills to do, and nothing can stop Him. To worry about the physical outcome of a scenario is fruitless. We should, however, be concerned about God's glory. The way we approach our crises will have an impact on the magnification of our Lord's name. We need to guard our thoughts, speech, and even body language to ensure that as others see us doing our part of God's will, their reaction will be to praise God.
Personally, I'm worried about a lot of stuff right now and I need to get down to business confession my anxiety and focusing on what I'm doing to lift up the name of Jesus.
Lord, help me to be more concerned about Your glory and less concerned about my welfare. Help me to trust in Your absolute power and control over circumstances so I can be free to magnify Your name.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
