Feb 20 2007
New Outline - Ephesians
I’ve recently posted an overview and outline of Ephesians on truthsaves. Check it out (when you have time, of course).
Archive for February, 2007
Feb 18 2007
Timothy Outline & Titus Outline
I’ve recently added two New Testament outlines at http://truthsaves.org/outlines/
The two at the bottom of the New Testament page are the new ones - 2 Timothy and Titus. Most of the other New Testament outlines will be coming soon.
I’ve also added an article called How Jesus Fits in the Trinity. It was born out of a question sent in by a site viewer. It discusses a variety of questions, such as:
- Should Jesus be worshiped?
- Was Jesus created?
Feb 17 2007
Romans 14 - Let the Spirit Speak
This chapter clears up a lot for me. It renders useless the arguments and strivings of a great multitude of believers. So then what of debatable matters?
4Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Paul makes it clear. Our duty lies not in passing judgment or arguing about such matters. We simply need to be sure that we prepare ourselves to stand before our Master. Whether we eat certain foods or honor certain days is of little consequence. What matters is that we must be able and ready to give an account of our lives to God.
Paul doesn’t really mince words on this topic. People will decide to live differently but God will accept all of us who live by faith in Jesus Christ. As Christ-followers, we possess great freedom, but we need to be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit.
Paul does make clear that we should avoid causing anyone else to stumble. If our freedoms hinder the faith of another, we should limit ourselves.
20Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Pray without ceasing, listen to the Spirit, live in freedom, and consider others’ perceptions before you act.
Feb 05 2007
Your Testimonies
Remember, we want your testimonies! If you have a relationship with the Jesus of the Bible, your story is worth telling. Tell it to us and we’ll publish it for the world to see.
Feb 05 2007
New Articles on http://truthsaves.org
I’ve posted three new articles lately at http://truthsaves.org.
One of them is a Sunday school lesson prepared by Tim on the uniqueness of Christianity. Another one is a question from a site viewer on whether or not Luke was an original witness of Christ’s ascension. The last one is another question from a site viewer on why, in Acts 2
, Peter quoted Psalm 16. You can read them by clicking on the links below.
Our Faith in the Marketplace - Christian Distinctives
Did Luke see Christ Ascend?
Why Peter Quotes Psalm 16
Feb 04 2007
New Article Posted at http://truthsaves.org
I’ve posted a new article on truthsaves.
It’s called Our Faith in the Marketplace - Christian Distinctives. It focuses on what makes Christianity different from other religions.
Feb 04 2007
Romans 13 - Taxes and Love
Romans 13 doesn’t mince words. Sometimes, as Peter says, Paul writes some things that require some brainwork to figure out. But not this time. Paul makes it very clear that we need to be subject to those in government. God puts all authority in place, and it’s up to us to be subject to that authority. He doesn’t really address what to do if the government is corrupt, but I don’t think he needs to. We still need to follow the laws set in place. Paul makes it very clear that God sets up those in authority - and they accomplish His will and His plans.
1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Peter concurs with Paul that we need to be in subjection to those in authority:
13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
I think it’s pretty clear. In order to remain in God’s will, we need to be in subjection to our government. For me, it’s a simple matter. Whether Bill Clinton or George Bush is in office, I need to support them in prayer and not speak evil of them. That’s not to say that governments aren’t corrupt. Our government may be corrupt, but my duty is to support them, pray for them, and honor our laws.
Later on Paul says all the commandments are summed up in this - to love one another. The simplicity of it strikes me. If I seek to show love to those around me, I won’t be envious. I won’t be greedy. I won’t be self-seeking. Yet loving people is hard. There are people at work who really, really bug me. Some of my friends’ friends constantly irritate me. I find myself wanting to avoid them. I’d rather be alone, on the computer, riding my bike, playing basketball, watching a movie with my wife - anything but being near them. But God calls us to love one another. When we learn to do this, so many other things will simply fall into place. Anger, jealousy, strife . . . those things will simply fade away.
Feb 02 2007
Romans 12
I like Paul’s appeal at the beginning of the chapter. His “therefore,” to me, refers back to the 11 previous chapters. Therefore, since God has done so much for us and has given us the ability to have eternal life, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, we ought to give our lives to Him. In fact, that’s our reasonable service. Because He’s given us the opportunity to cheat death and live eternally, since He’s given us His only Son, it’s only reasonable that we devote our lives to Him.
1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
The ESV says “spiritual worship,” and this version tends to be very literal, but I really like the way the New King James renders this phrase - and that is, “reasonable service.” How can we do any less for Him when He’s done so much for us?
The rest of chapter 12 always frightens me a bit, as I live my daily life. I wonder sometimes, “Is it possible to live this way? Am I actually capable of doing all this?” It seems so impossible at times. Do I think too highly of myself? Do I love everyone? Do I show honor to others? Am I patient when trials occur? Do I seek to show hospitality? Am I constant in prayer? Do I contribute to the needs of the saints - in a real way? Do I bless those who make my life difficult? These are things we deal with on a daily basis! People at work aren’t always seeking to bless me. Do I always seek their best interests? Do I associate with the lowly? Am I conceited? Do I seek to love and respect my enemies?
The honest answer hurts. I am not so perfect. But that’s the beauty of God’s plan. We are saved by grace, through faith in the risen Jesus. He expects us to live righteously - that’s our reasonable service for what He has done for us. But I am human. I make mistakes. My human nature comes through at times and I fail. But as I seek the Jesus of the Bible, my desire to please Him and serve Him becomes stronger. His Spirit gives me power to live as I ought as I mature in Him.
So why don’t I just sin? Since I’m saved by grace what’s the big fat deal? The truth is that in any true relationship, one seeks to please the other. If a person has a real relationship with the God of the Bible, that person will seek to please Him. And He will reward that faith and dedication with eternal life.