I've been reading through the book of Genesis and have come upon the story of Joseph. Such an amazing fellow, he is. There are a couple of things to note.
The first comes from Joseph's run-in with Potiphar's wife. A beautiful and powerful woman, she invited him to have sexual relations with her, but he ran away lest he sin. Thinking about it, that just doesn't make much sense. Joseph - servant. Potiphar's wife - beautiful, rich. Joseph - handsome, maybe hormones raging. Yet he ran from sin.
I wonder myself how easy it is to keep sin so close and to indulge it. Maybe not even necessarilly in the area of lust/sexual sin. How easy it is to merely admire the beauty of things that we know are wrong, but like to keep around because they satisfy some desire in our life.
The second point that I really found encouraging is something that Joseph said in response to Pharaoh. Pharoah had some dreams that he did not understand and summoned Joseph to interpret them. However, in Genesis 41:16, Joseph says, "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharoah, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
Wow... There are a couple of points I glean from that statemement. Joseph first recognizes his own ability to interpret divine revelation. He recognizes his own inadequacy and lack of wisdom to do so. This, despite having every reason to be self-confident. He had interpreted dreams before. Now, the Pharaoh of all of Egypt was seeking HIS counsel. Yet, he was humble throughout all of this. Second, Joseph recognizes that God is the source of revelation and the wisdom gained from it. God is the interpreter and the giver of wisdom, and Joseph merely the conduit through which God speaks.
That's pretty amazing to me, and such a good lesson. Though we may have every earthly reason to be self-confident and assured in our intelligence, that confidence is sorely misplaced. However, recognition of God first allows us to be used by Him, ultimately for HIS glory.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Petty Depravity of Man
Yesterday, I was filling up at the gas station and had a rather interesting observation.
In the pump right across from mine, a gentleman had pulled up to the pump, but discovered that he was on the wrong side and needed to turn around. He passed the pump and started to make a three point turn to get on the right side. At that moment, a "lady" had turned into the station area, and quickly accelerated to steal the pump away from him. He saw this, and explained to her that he was trying to turn around and that he had been waiting for the pump. She looked at him with one of those "F*** You" looks, shook her heard, and started filling up. I found this to be so interesting and mind-wracking. I thought to myself, "How could someone be so inconsiderate and selfish? It's only a gas pump. All you have to do is wait maybe 2 more minutes."
The depraved and sinful nature of man permeates all areas of life. Usually we think of manifestations of depravity in the "major" things. For example, someone commits a gruesome murder and we think, "what is this world coming to." We hear stories about financial advisers stealing from their clients and say, "well, that's because the world is getting worse." Such examples are evidence that we live in a fallen world, but the extent of depravity is not only seen in our most "extreme" examples.
Rather, total depravity is exemplified in the "little things." The extent of the sinfulness of man most often does not lie in extremes, but in subtle widespread permeation. To have a grasp of the concept, we must understand that depravity does not lie in the fact that we CAN be AS bad as we can be, but in the understanding that EVERYTHING within us IS bad. Depravity is petty. I would submit that the depravity of man is MOST OFTEN manifested in examples that are not very extreme, but instead, somewhat petty. 99% of the people in the world will never physically kill someone, but 100% will, at one point in their life, harbor hatred. Few people will ever go rob a bank, but 100% will lie or cheat. Very few people would randomly assault others, but everyone treats others with contempt in some instances.
Getting back to the gas station. I found myself wanting to confront the young woman at the pump. You know, give her a piece of my mind in a confrontational and aggressive way. But something held me back. It was cold outside, and I was wearing my CCM sweater that had "Galatians 2:20" prominently on the front. Right when I was going to say something, the immediate thought was, "dang, I don't want to make Christians look bad." Honestly, if I did not have the sweater on, I would have confronted her. Looking back, I'm glad that I didn't do so because confrontation would have been much more self-gratifying than God-glorifying. In this particular instance, it was more difficult to walk away than to confront the situation.
This is not a self-righteous, self-indulgent attempt to say, "oh, look at me overcoming temptation." I think that this provides such an interesting real-life model for what the spiritual reality in the Christian life. Despite our own shortcomings, our desire to continue to act sinfully and to meet our selfish desires, we are no longer abandoned to such a life. God has given us the Holy Spirit, through the work of Christ, to be able to overcome such temptations to sin. Christians are, in a sense, "clothed" with a restraint. We being faillible and still very sinful people, continue to fail. We must continue to seek to live more and more "by faith" and in consistent understanding that the life we live, is not our own. We have been bought with a price and the "buyer" will not abandon us to live a life without His guidance. What we must do is to seek Him in everything we do, with the understanding that in the times that we fail (all too often, we find that the case), He has the grace to forgive.
Verses of the Day:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20
In the same way, count yourselves dea to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
- Romans 6:11-14
In the pump right across from mine, a gentleman had pulled up to the pump, but discovered that he was on the wrong side and needed to turn around. He passed the pump and started to make a three point turn to get on the right side. At that moment, a "lady" had turned into the station area, and quickly accelerated to steal the pump away from him. He saw this, and explained to her that he was trying to turn around and that he had been waiting for the pump. She looked at him with one of those "F*** You" looks, shook her heard, and started filling up. I found this to be so interesting and mind-wracking. I thought to myself, "How could someone be so inconsiderate and selfish? It's only a gas pump. All you have to do is wait maybe 2 more minutes."
The depraved and sinful nature of man permeates all areas of life. Usually we think of manifestations of depravity in the "major" things. For example, someone commits a gruesome murder and we think, "what is this world coming to." We hear stories about financial advisers stealing from their clients and say, "well, that's because the world is getting worse." Such examples are evidence that we live in a fallen world, but the extent of depravity is not only seen in our most "extreme" examples.
Rather, total depravity is exemplified in the "little things." The extent of the sinfulness of man most often does not lie in extremes, but in subtle widespread permeation. To have a grasp of the concept, we must understand that depravity does not lie in the fact that we CAN be AS bad as we can be, but in the understanding that EVERYTHING within us IS bad. Depravity is petty. I would submit that the depravity of man is MOST OFTEN manifested in examples that are not very extreme, but instead, somewhat petty. 99% of the people in the world will never physically kill someone, but 100% will, at one point in their life, harbor hatred. Few people will ever go rob a bank, but 100% will lie or cheat. Very few people would randomly assault others, but everyone treats others with contempt in some instances.
Getting back to the gas station. I found myself wanting to confront the young woman at the pump. You know, give her a piece of my mind in a confrontational and aggressive way. But something held me back. It was cold outside, and I was wearing my CCM sweater that had "Galatians 2:20" prominently on the front. Right when I was going to say something, the immediate thought was, "dang, I don't want to make Christians look bad." Honestly, if I did not have the sweater on, I would have confronted her. Looking back, I'm glad that I didn't do so because confrontation would have been much more self-gratifying than God-glorifying. In this particular instance, it was more difficult to walk away than to confront the situation.
This is not a self-righteous, self-indulgent attempt to say, "oh, look at me overcoming temptation." I think that this provides such an interesting real-life model for what the spiritual reality in the Christian life. Despite our own shortcomings, our desire to continue to act sinfully and to meet our selfish desires, we are no longer abandoned to such a life. God has given us the Holy Spirit, through the work of Christ, to be able to overcome such temptations to sin. Christians are, in a sense, "clothed" with a restraint. We being faillible and still very sinful people, continue to fail. We must continue to seek to live more and more "by faith" and in consistent understanding that the life we live, is not our own. We have been bought with a price and the "buyer" will not abandon us to live a life without His guidance. What we must do is to seek Him in everything we do, with the understanding that in the times that we fail (all too often, we find that the case), He has the grace to forgive.
Verses of the Day:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20
In the same way, count yourselves dea to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
- Romans 6:11-14
Monday, February 9, 2009
Eight Bundles of Joy?
What a weird, bizarre story. I think one of the saddest things about the whole story of this family is that Ms. Suleman based her life decisions on her own insecurities, without seeming regard for the consequences. She already had 6 children. She now has a total of 14. She is not working and unmarried. How is she going to financially care for so many children? How is she going to be there emotionally for them, so that each one of them will feel the love and care that children need?
The children are small and face a great risk of future health implications. The expectation that the government will continue to pay for the upbringing of children that she voluntarily chose to have, irresponsibly, also perturbs me. It is one thing to become pregnant within the context of a stable relationship or involuntarily. It's quite another to make a conscious choice to bring eight lives into this world. It's sad that one person's self-centered obsession can have such an effect on so many people.
The children are small and face a great risk of future health implications. The expectation that the government will continue to pay for the upbringing of children that she voluntarily chose to have, irresponsibly, also perturbs me. It is one thing to become pregnant within the context of a stable relationship or involuntarily. It's quite another to make a conscious choice to bring eight lives into this world. It's sad that one person's self-centered obsession can have such an effect on so many people.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The E-Word
EVANGELISM!
The very word seems to send a shudder down the Christian's spine.
I've run into this very interesting message by Pastor Mark Dever of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, given at the Desiring God Conference. It is about evangelism and the work of the church, and a pastor's role in leadership of evangelism in the church. Here is video.
One particular part of the message that I find fascinating is Pastor Dever's description of "5 Things that Aren't Evangelism." Those are:
1. Imposition
We cannot coerce or force someone to believe in Christ. There is no such thing as "making" someone into a Christian by forcing recitation of beliefs or adherance to ritual. To go about things in this way is not evangelism
2. Testimony
While testimony can be a good vehicle for evangelism, if it does not contain the message of Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross, it is not evangelism.
3. Social Action/Public Involvement
These things show the love and mercy of God through His people. But the works in of itself is not evangelism.
4. Apologetics
You can try to defend the faith through rational arguments and objective evidence. However, this does not ultimately go to the core of what the Gospel is all about.
5. The Results of Evangelism
Just because we do not have "results" does not mean we have not evangelized.
"Don't let the gospel that you preach be molded by what it is that gets an immediate response. Preach the gospel, trying to persuade--pleading for your hearers to believe--but knowing that you cannot convert a person. And then let God do with it what he will. He alone can call the dead to life. The gospel is powerful, and God is committed to using us to spread this good news. "
Thoughts:
One thing to make clear is that SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE GOOD. They are things that we should do and be conscious of (EXCEPT FOR IMPOSITION). It is good to testify to God's work in our lives, to Christians and non-Christians alike. It is good to be involved in social action, to see God's will done in this earth and to obey His call to "seek justice" and "love mercy." But the point is, where is the Gospel in all of this?
It's a good reminder of two truths in evangelism. First is the necessity of the centrality of the Gospel in Evangelism. Sounds simple right? If evangelism is defined as the "sharing of the Gospel," then the Gospel should be shared. However, do we tend to have VERY GOOD, but peripheral things muddle the Gospel message? Are we so busy trying to be "relateable" that we forget what is the heart? We must constantly take a step back in ministry and self-evaluation and ask ourselves, "Is the Gospel at the heart of everything we do?"
What makes Christian charity different than a secular one? What transforms apologetics from an intellectual, academic debate, into something lifechanging? The Gospel. It is the power of God for salvation.
The second truth is the sovereignty of God in evangelism. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (reprinted below) talks about the ultimate power of God in the act of evangelism. Especially in response to more "results based" evaluation and the basis of success on "number of hands raised" or "prayers prayed" this is an important reminder. Ultimately God is the one who reaps the harvest and causes the fruit to come forth. All we can do is to STAY TRUE to the Gospel. To share, to be consistent in the sharing and to be complete in the preaching of the Gospel. Not to be swayed by the expediency of what would "make someone believe," but to have the faith that the God who called us, will also call those who we have shared with.
Ultimately, bearing fruit is God's work and responsbility. For in Him causing fruit to bear, He is most glorified and honored. It is not by the work or wisdom of men, but the awesome power of our God.
Verses of the Day:
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
The very word seems to send a shudder down the Christian's spine.
I've run into this very interesting message by Pastor Mark Dever of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, given at the Desiring God Conference. It is about evangelism and the work of the church, and a pastor's role in leadership of evangelism in the church. Here is video.
One particular part of the message that I find fascinating is Pastor Dever's description of "5 Things that Aren't Evangelism." Those are:
1. Imposition
We cannot coerce or force someone to believe in Christ. There is no such thing as "making" someone into a Christian by forcing recitation of beliefs or adherance to ritual. To go about things in this way is not evangelism
2. Testimony
While testimony can be a good vehicle for evangelism, if it does not contain the message of Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross, it is not evangelism.
3. Social Action/Public Involvement
These things show the love and mercy of God through His people. But the works in of itself is not evangelism.
4. Apologetics
You can try to defend the faith through rational arguments and objective evidence. However, this does not ultimately go to the core of what the Gospel is all about.
5. The Results of Evangelism
Just because we do not have "results" does not mean we have not evangelized.
"Don't let the gospel that you preach be molded by what it is that gets an immediate response. Preach the gospel, trying to persuade--pleading for your hearers to believe--but knowing that you cannot convert a person. And then let God do with it what he will. He alone can call the dead to life. The gospel is powerful, and God is committed to using us to spread this good news. "
Thoughts:
One thing to make clear is that SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE GOOD. They are things that we should do and be conscious of (EXCEPT FOR IMPOSITION). It is good to testify to God's work in our lives, to Christians and non-Christians alike. It is good to be involved in social action, to see God's will done in this earth and to obey His call to "seek justice" and "love mercy." But the point is, where is the Gospel in all of this?
It's a good reminder of two truths in evangelism. First is the necessity of the centrality of the Gospel in Evangelism. Sounds simple right? If evangelism is defined as the "sharing of the Gospel," then the Gospel should be shared. However, do we tend to have VERY GOOD, but peripheral things muddle the Gospel message? Are we so busy trying to be "relateable" that we forget what is the heart? We must constantly take a step back in ministry and self-evaluation and ask ourselves, "Is the Gospel at the heart of everything we do?"
What makes Christian charity different than a secular one? What transforms apologetics from an intellectual, academic debate, into something lifechanging? The Gospel. It is the power of God for salvation.
The second truth is the sovereignty of God in evangelism. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (reprinted below) talks about the ultimate power of God in the act of evangelism. Especially in response to more "results based" evaluation and the basis of success on "number of hands raised" or "prayers prayed" this is an important reminder. Ultimately God is the one who reaps the harvest and causes the fruit to come forth. All we can do is to STAY TRUE to the Gospel. To share, to be consistent in the sharing and to be complete in the preaching of the Gospel. Not to be swayed by the expediency of what would "make someone believe," but to have the faith that the God who called us, will also call those who we have shared with.
Ultimately, bearing fruit is God's work and responsbility. For in Him causing fruit to bear, He is most glorified and honored. It is not by the work or wisdom of men, but the awesome power of our God.
Verses of the Day:
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Monday, February 2, 2009
An American Holiday
Yesterday was "Super Bowl Sunday." The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in an exciting, dramatic championship game. The game was awesome, marked by the Steelers taking a large lead into the 4th quarter, and the Cardinals making a furious comeback. Eventually the Cards would take the lead, but with less than 1 minute left in the game, Santonio Homes (number 10) made an amazing go-ahead touchdown catch.
The most unique thing about the Super Bowl is that it is more than "just a game." It's a celebration. A celebration of football. A celebration of friendship, as seen by the gatherings for "Super Bowl parties" around the country. A celebration of American culture. It is an event unlike any other.
The Super Bowl is an American Pageant. From Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem to the football game to the half-time show featuring Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Even the advertisements are part of the fun. This year, I was disappointed by the commercials for the most part. Usually, we see the most innovative commercials advertising new products or ones that are really humorous to give old products a fresh image. Not so this year. There were a few REALLY good ones, but the rest, frankly sucked. But here are the ones I really liked:
1. Ad: Swedish
Product: Bud Light
Premise: Conan O'Brien Gets Tricked into doing a commercial he only thinks will air in Sweden
Conan O'Brien is freakin awesome! Vroom Vroom Party Starter!
2. Ad: Heeere's Money
Product: Gold4cash.com
Premise: Sell your gold online!
Any time you find a way of bringing back MC Hammer, it's a great commercial, in my book!
3. Ad: Tips
Product: Careerbuilder.com
Premise: Ways to know when its time to change a job!
Oh Dear!
4. Ad: Mean Troy
Product: Coke Zero
Premise: Troy Polamalu of the Steelers brings back memories of a classic advertisement from back in the day.
Just in case you don't know what they're copying, here it is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
