The writer of the book of Hebrews describes Moses as, "faithful in all [God's] house as a servant." He goes on to write that Jesus is much greater than Moses, like a builder is greater than the house. But Moses was a key tool that the Lord used in liberating His people from an evil empire. And the Bible says that he enjoys a special place in heaven because of his faithfulness.
I find this fact to be extremely encouraging to me. I am a sinner at best, and at worst I am a downright loser. Sometimes I know that I am doing the wrong thing, I can feel the Holy Spirit chastening me to stop, but I don't. Of course, the devil uses these circumstances to create doubt and fear in my life. Thoughts such as, "God could never use you," or, "You're no good as a Christian," pop up in swarms after I sin and blow it. You may have experienced something similar in your life.
The good news is, God will never give up on you. In fact, it's even better than that; God knew you completely before He called you to serve Him. He knew everything about your past and your future before you ever became a Christian. Imagine if God had just given up on Moses when he whined about not being able to speak in public! Our God's grace is all-encompassing.
Moses was a man full of weaknesses. He had been in the desert a full 40 years before the Lord came to him with his mission. But the last part of Moses' life was the key that opened the door for generations of God's people.
It shows us that God can and will use us when the time is right. We can never have too little confidence, or too few skills, or too little bible knowledge for the Lord to take a pass on using us. The only thing He asks of us is that we are ready when the time comes. Make sure you are ready for the Lords call, whatever it may be, and whatever the cost. Like the second string player who has a shot at starting, we need to be poised for launch when the time comes. Take advantage of God's grace and make yourself ready for His call today.
June 12, 2007
May 17, 2007
The Church of The Silver Screen
You can’t have clean thoughts if you drag your mind through the gutter. Likewise, you can’t expect to live a Godly life while exposing yourself to the basest forms of humanity. Hollywood is 97% filth, but I would say that almost the same percentage of Christians pay to see its movies. Drug use, pre and extra-marital sex, foul language, nudity, and violence characterize American cinema today. It is a sick cancer on the mind of society, and even worse for the Christian church.
Rome in their glory had their gladiatorial games, so we have our mini-coliseums, in every city and town, all across the nation. We watch as people are unceremoniously slaughtered, raped, and sometimes worse. But our excuse to ourselves is that it’s not real, it’s only a movie. But that’s the problem. We only get the glorified Hollywood version of the actual killing and debauchery, the real version includes the real consequences of those actions. Real gangsters are no-brained low-lifes that feed on the misery of others. But not in a cool way; in a If-I-Don’t-Repent-I’m-Going-To-Spend-Eternity-In-Hell way. Real life has those kinds of consequences.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Hollywood is the pulpit of this generation. Its teachings pervade our everyday lives. How many times in a week to you think of or draw reference to a movie? How many times do you sit for an hour-and-a-half sermon in front of the T.V. or at the theater? So you tell me, does your time with God even come close to your time with Hollywood?
I’m not saying I am above any of this. Actually I am writing this as a result of too much Hollywood influence in my life. I love a good movie. I get lost in it. I can forget reality for a while. But the outcome is a shabby, weak excuse for a Godly example to others.
Jesus said, “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Movies don’t give you rest, they give you nightmares. Peace can’t be found on the silver screen, or on the LCD for that matter. We must wake up from our Hollywood-induced comas, splash some water on our faces, and get moving in the race. Remember, there is much work, and little time. So please do yourself a favor and cut your membership with the Church of The Silver Screen.
Rome in their glory had their gladiatorial games, so we have our mini-coliseums, in every city and town, all across the nation. We watch as people are unceremoniously slaughtered, raped, and sometimes worse. But our excuse to ourselves is that it’s not real, it’s only a movie. But that’s the problem. We only get the glorified Hollywood version of the actual killing and debauchery, the real version includes the real consequences of those actions. Real gangsters are no-brained low-lifes that feed on the misery of others. But not in a cool way; in a If-I-Don’t-Repent-I’m-Going-To-Spend-Eternity-In-Hell way. Real life has those kinds of consequences.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Hollywood is the pulpit of this generation. Its teachings pervade our everyday lives. How many times in a week to you think of or draw reference to a movie? How many times do you sit for an hour-and-a-half sermon in front of the T.V. or at the theater? So you tell me, does your time with God even come close to your time with Hollywood?
I’m not saying I am above any of this. Actually I am writing this as a result of too much Hollywood influence in my life. I love a good movie. I get lost in it. I can forget reality for a while. But the outcome is a shabby, weak excuse for a Godly example to others.
Jesus said, “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Movies don’t give you rest, they give you nightmares. Peace can’t be found on the silver screen, or on the LCD for that matter. We must wake up from our Hollywood-induced comas, splash some water on our faces, and get moving in the race. Remember, there is much work, and little time. So please do yourself a favor and cut your membership with the Church of The Silver Screen.
April 30, 2007
The Main Question
The idea of losing one's salvation begs one main, overarching question: If we can fall away from grace and back into death, then at what point are we considered "apostate"? In other words, where is the line? Who picked it? And most importantly, where is this line clearly communicated in God's Word?
We are called as Christians to live in the joy of our freedom, not in fear that we have fallen from grace. For we could always ask ourselves, was it today? Did I offend the Lord greatly today? How do I quell His judgement? What steps can I take to gain back my salvation? The ultimate end to this thinking is salvation by works. But the apostle Paul said, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13) But if we believe we can fall away because of our own works then we denigrate Christ's work on the cross. Jesus' death fulfilled the law so that we would not have to pay ourselves. If we believe that we can somehow undo what Christ has done, then we make ourselves to be greater that He, and we sorely underestimate the saving power of His blood.
We are called as Christians to live in the joy of our freedom, not in fear that we have fallen from grace. For we could always ask ourselves, was it today? Did I offend the Lord greatly today? How do I quell His judgement? What steps can I take to gain back my salvation? The ultimate end to this thinking is salvation by works. But the apostle Paul said, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it
is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." -Ephesians 2:8,9
If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13) But if we believe we can fall away because of our own works then we denigrate Christ's work on the cross. Jesus' death fulfilled the law so that we would not have to pay ourselves. If we believe that we can somehow undo what Christ has done, then we make ourselves to be greater that He, and we sorely underestimate the saving power of His blood.
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