Seth Durham, Author at A Kingdom Seeker

God’s Way, Not Mine.

If you had the power to alter reality, what would you change? You might have a long list. The problem is, even the tiniest adjustments would have countless, unforeseen consequences.

This idea was explored in the comedy, Bruce Almighty. In that movie, God grants Bruce the power to change whatever he wants. Bruce uses his new power to do things his way, and ends up making a huge mess. It’s funny because deep down we’re all a little like Bruce. We sometimes look around and think we could do better than God.

Now consider this quote for a moment:

“The displacement of a single electron by a billionth of a centimeter at one moment might make the difference between a man being killed by an avalanche a year later, or escaping.”
Alan Turing

Suppose Turing is right. Imagine that such an infinitesimally small change actually did make the difference between a man dying and living. How many more things would then change as a consequence of that man continuing to act in the world!?

Life: A mixed bag.

Why do we want to change things? Because sometimes, life sucks. We see pain, suffering, and death all around us. We experience loss, regret, and sorrow, and with tear-filled eyes we cry out, “why, God!?”

Often we don’t get an answer to “why”, but occasionally we are able to look back and see how our adversity strengthened us; made us better. Sometimes the purpose of our trials is to mold us into who we are supposed to be.

And through it all, a proper perspective is important. Yes, pain and sorrow are real. But beauty, joy, faith, hope, and love are real too. As difficult as life can be, it is a marvelous thing, is it not? We can choose to be grateful for the good in our lives, even as we experience the bad.

Faith.

If you believe that God is good, then believe that He has good reasons for the pain and suffering He allows. Accept that His reasons may be beyond your understanding. And when you don’t understand… trust.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

To trust when you don’t understand: this is the essence of faith. It’s easy to trust God when times are good. Can you do it when your life is falling apart? That’s when it really counts.

Joseph: A great example for us to follow.

Reading Scripture can encourage you to look beyond your current trials, and give you the strength to trust God even in the worst circumstances. The Bible contains many examples of men and women who faced dark times. They did not know what God had in store for them, but trusted that He would see them through.

One of my favorite examples is the story of Joseph (Genesis, chapters 37-50). Imagine being betrayed by your family, sold into slavery, taken to a foreign country, and thrown into prison for a crime you didn’t commit. Can you imagine suffering as he did, day after day, for years, not knowing how things were going to turn out?

Somehow Joseph remained faithful through it all. Despite his terrible circumstances, he trusted God. In the end, we see why these things happened. God maneuvered Joseph through a sea of troubles to put him in a position where he was able to save his family, his people, and countless others from starvation.

God also knew exactly how the pain and suffering of Joseph would fit into the grand narrative of History. Think about the millions upon millions of people who have been positively impacted (including you and me, thousands of years later) because of the hardships Joseph went through! We could never have foreseen the full impact of Joseph’s trials, but God did. God manages all things to achieve the greatest good, even when it doesn’t seem that way from our perspective. In short: God’s way is better than ours.

Who Cares?

Last week I was feeling particularly down about this blog. Thoughts like, “no one cares what I have to say” and “I don’t know enough to write anything worthwhile” played on repeat for a couple of days. I felt discouraged, as you can probably imagine.

But here’s the thing: even as those thoughts ran through my mind, I knew they were lies. God has a plan and a purpose for this blog. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know who needs to read what I’m putting down, but God has made it clear that he wants me to write. And so I shall.

Perhaps you’re feeling discouraged at this very moment and this post is for you. If so, hang in there! Keep faithfully seeking the kingdom of God, and He will see you through this difficult time.

Spiritual Warfare.

The forces of evil don’t want you doing God’s will. As a Christian, you are at war, and your enemy is no fool. He attacks when/where you are weakest. His tactics are many and varied. With lies, temptations, distractions, or pain, he seeks to turn your attention away from God and towards something else. Scripture makes it clear what you are up against:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
I Peter 5:8-9

You’re not alone.

These spiritual battles can be exhausting and leave you weary, but the good news is, you have an ally that is more powerful than your foe. Here are a few scriptures to remind you that God fights with you:

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [the evil spirits], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
I John 4:4

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Psalm 34:17

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

God cares.

God has promised to never leave you, nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8). So when spiritual attacks come, put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) and remember that you do not fight alone!

Lastly, whatever your current battles, don’t forget to cast your cares upon God, because He cares for you (I Peter 5:7).

On Truth And Trust.

I recently watched a documentary about Bernie Madoff, the man who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, and swindled people out of billions of dollars.

Bernie Madoff was a giant on Wall Street with impeccable credentials. He owned a large, successful business and held prestigious titles in the world of finance. People believed he was a man of integrity, and so they gladly handed over their hard-earned money for him to invest.

Bernie’s clients regularly received statements showing how great their investments were doing. It seemed Bernie could read the market like a clairvoyant. He always bought and sold at the perfect time. His clients always made money, no matter what shape the stock market was in, and this of course made his clients very happy.

The problem was, Bernie never actually invested any of the money. The reports he sent to his clients were complete fabrications. So, while his clients believed they were making great returns on their investments, the truth was Bernie was stealing every dollar they gave him and using it for his own purposes.

It’s a tragic story that had a devastating impact on thousands of people. It made me reflect on the nature of both truth and trust.

Truth.

Let’s talk about truth for a minute. Truth is not subjective. It is a mountain, fixed and unmoving. It is not altered by your perceptions or beliefs. There is no “your truth” or “my truth” there is only “the truth.” You may not always know what the truth is, but your lack of knowledge doesn’t change the truth either.

I say this because today there is an assault on the concept of objective truth. There’s this notion that truth is whatever you want it to be, or believe it to be; this idea that reality bends to your will. This is a terrible lie with real consequences.

Going back to the Madoff story: the truth, the inescapable reality, was this: Bernie was stealing his client’s money. What his clients believed was irrelevant. They believed a lie, and that belief cost them dearly.

You cannot alter the truth with what you believe. You can only alter your beliefs to align with the truth.

Lies.

Bernie and his team crafted elaborate lies to hide the truth, and Madoff’s scam remained hidden for decades. Very few people knew about the fraud while it was happening, and those who did had a vested interest in keeping it going.

Why did the investors believe the lies? Because they trusted in Bernie’s reputation, they trusted in the SEC (the government agency that was overseeing him), and they trusted in the financial statements they got in the mail. Sadly, their trust was misplaced, and they didn’t find out until it was too late.

What Jesus said about lies and truth.

Satan is the father of lies…

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44

The truth will set you free…

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31

You must be born again…

Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.”
John 3:3

Jesus is the truth…

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“
John 14:6

Do your beliefs align with the truth?

The truth is, one day you are going to die. What then? Maybe you don’t believe in God, and you think that when you die, you will just cease to exist. Or maybe you believe in reincarnation. Maybe you believe you can get to Heaven by being a good person. Friend, if you believe any of these things, then, like Madoff’s investors, you have been deceived by clever lies. You’ve placed your trust in something that will prove to be false, and it will cost you everything.

The truth is, one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). On that day, if you have not already accepted the gift of salvation, it will be too late. Repent of your sins and trust in Jesus before that day comes. Because He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Lost And Found.

In Luke, chapter 15, Jesus is speaking to a group of tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees and religious teachers are watching, and they mutter to themselves, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” These self-righteous blowhards wouldn’t dream of soiling their reputation by associating with such riffraff, and they mock Jesus for doing so. In response, Jesus tells them three parables: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

All three parables teach the same truth: God loves us, sinners that we are, and desires to redeem us. But I want to look at the differences between the three parables. Each highlights different aspects of God, the sinner, and the relationship between the two.

The wayward sheep.

In the first parable, the sinner is a lost sheep, God is the shepherd. This sheep didn’t leave its shepherd out of spite. It wasn’t a rebel out to prove it could take care of itself. The sheep simply got distracted and wandered off.

[So it is with many people. They are preoccupied with this world, and just don’t give much thought to God, or perhaps know nothing of Him. Like the sheep, they are lost, in great danger, and probably not even aware of it.]

The shepherd has great concern for this lost sheep. So much so that he leaves his other ninety-nine sheep to save the one. When he finds the lost sheep, he joyfully places it on his shoulders and carries it home.

[God actively seeks out individuals who are lost, and wants to rescue them from sin and damnation. How awesome to know that God cares about each of us that much!]

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

The silver coin.

In the second parable, a woman has lost one of her ten silver coins.

[The coin is an interesting representation of the sinner. First, a coin is something that only has value because we assign value to it. In and of itself, it’s just a piece of metal. Likewise, we are nothing in and of ourselves, but we have value because God deems us valuable. Second, the coin is lifeless, unable to do anything on its own. So too the sinner is lifeless. He is dead in his sin, and cannot save himself.]

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

The woman in the parable doesn’t throw up her hands and say, “Oh well, I’ve got nine other silver coins.” Instead, she lights a lamp and carefully sweeps the house in search of the lost coin.

[This reinforces the idea that God loves each of as individuals, and it’s a reminder that there is no corner too dark, no pit of sin too deep where God cannot find us.]

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

The prodigal son.

The third parable is about a son who rebels against his father so he can chase after his own desires. The son wants his inheritance now, and he wants out from under his father’s rules.

[This is quite a different scenario than what we see with the sheep and the coin. Here the son (the sinner) knowingly and deliberately separates himself from the father (God). This is a sinner who knows God, but has consciously turned his back on Him. Such sinners are described in detail in Romans 1:18-32.]

The father gives the son his portion of the inheritance, and the son leaves thinking that he is finally free. He’s ready to go out and live his best life now!

[The father’s response is interesting. First, he could have denied the son’s request and forced him to stay. He didn’t. In like manner, God does not force anyone to love and obey Him. Second, notice that the father doesn’t go after the son. God will not rescue those that don’t want to be rescued.]

So, the son goes out to party it up. Life is good. It’s all wine, women, and song! But it doesn’t last. A famine hits; party’s over. The son ends up penniless, friendless, and desperate.

[What a perfect picture of the effects of sin. Sin is always fun at first, providing pleasure and instant gratification. But in the end, it leads to pain, suffering, and death.]

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

From bad to worse.

The son hires himself out as a servant, and his new master gives him a job that would have been utterly detestable to any Jew: feeding pigs. He’s so hungry that he considers eating the slop he’s serving to the swine. The son finally realizes just how bad he messed up. He knows he doesn’t deserve his father’s forgiveness, but he decides to go home and beg his father to let him be a servant in his household.

[Humility is the first step towards salvation. A person will not seek forgiveness while their pride tells them they’ve done nothing wrong. There is no repentance without humility, and there is no salvation without repentance.]

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32

As the son gets close to home, his father sees him from a long ways off and comes running to him. The father throws his arms around the son and rejoices at his return. The father not only forgives his son, he restores his position, and throws a great celebration.

[That the father saw his son returning from a long ways off indicates that he was watching, waiting, and hoping that his son would return. God, our Heavenly Father, also watches for His rebellious children to return, and no matter how much of a mess they have made of themselves, he is ready to forgive and restore.]

These three parables are a great reminder of God’s boundless love for us. They teach us that we are all lost and unable to save ourselves, but that God is willing and able to save us if we turn from our sin and make Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Tear Down Your Idols.

Throughout much of the Old Testament, the Israelites are trapped in a tragic cycle that looks like this:

They follow God’s commands.
God blesses them.
They start to worship idols.
God warns them.
They ignore the warnings.
God punishes them.
They cry out to God for help.
God delivers them.
Back to step 1.

This cycle starts almost as soon as God rescues them from Egypt, and it repeats time and time again until they finally lose the promised land to the Babylonians. We’re talking eight hundred years, generation after generation, where the Israelites just can’t break free of this pattern.

So, what the heck was wrong with these people? Why didn’t they learn from their past? Why did they keep making the same mistakes? Were they insane? Because it sure looks like they kept doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

Don’t be too quick to judge. We’re not so different.

From good times to bad.

When times were at their best, the Israelites were often at their worst. When food was plentiful, and there was peace and safety, they would take their situation for granted. They would forget that God was providing these things.

Soon they would start to question their need for God. They didn’t need deliverance anymore. There was peace and prosperity throughout the land. Maybe they didn’t need God at all!

The Israelites would then turn away from God and fixate on idols. They would worship pagan gods like Baal and Asherah, seeking after power and pleasure. Yahweh, God of their ancestors, the one true God, was all but forgotten.

Then God would send a judge or a prophet to try to turn them from their wicked ways, but they wouldn’t listen. Finally, God would say, “Enough!” and they would get a taste of divine judgement. It seems only pain and suffering could get their attention and turn them back to God.

How about you?

Are you any different? Don’t you naturally start to back-burner God when times are good? Don’t you tend to forget where your blessings come from? I know I do. It’s part of our sinful, human nature.

Maybe you’re at a time in your life when everything is going great. The family is happy and healthy. The kids are doing well in school. You just got promoted at work. Your 401k is looking good. Life just couldn’t be better. If so, take heed!

When you are most secure in yourself, you are least dependent on God. When you’re riding high, you’re most at risk of a fall. It’s a good time to check for idols.

Modern idols.

I probably don’t need to warn you against worshiping golden calves or Asherah poles. Those kinds of idols are uncommon today. But, keep in mind that almost anything can become an idol, and often times that thing, in and of itself, isn’t bad. For example, money isn’t bad, but if it becomes more important to you than God, it becomes an idol.

Even good things can become idols when not in their proper place. Family, work, sports, entertainment. These are wonderful things, but they become idols when they take priority over God. Anything that ranks higher on your list than God is an idol.

Don’t ignore the warning.

Perhaps God is trying to get your attention right now. Maybe this post is meant to draw your attention to something in your life that has become an idol to you. If so, now is the time to repent! Tear down that idol, and turn back to God.

God is not sadistic, but He does inflict pain when it’s for our own good. As a good father disciplines his children when they do wrong, so God disciplines us.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:11-12

It’s not too late.

Maybe you’ve pushed God aside for a long time, ignored His warnings, and now you’re suffering. You have two options. One: stubbornly double down and keep worshiping your idols. Two: humble yourself, confess your sin, and turn back to God. One option leads to further suffering, the other to salvation.

Like the ancient Israelites, we are prone to lose sight of what is most important, especially when times are good. So if things are going well for you, be vigilant! Be on the lookout for idols, and make sure that God has His proper place in your life. Don’t ignore God’s warnings when they come. In my experience, He will draw you back gently if He can, but will punish harshly when He must. Finally, if judgement falls on you, repent without delay. God is just, but He is also merciful and quick to forgive.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9

What’s The Value Of Wisdom?

Over the years, I developed a habit of starting most of my prayers in a similar fashion. Almost without thinking, I would pray, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please give me the wisdom and strength I need to do whatever it is you have for me to do.”

This isn’t a bad way to start a prayer, but something I recently read in scripture caused me to stop and think about it more deeply. Specifically, it caused me to reflect on the part where I ask God for wisdom.

An unexpected find.

I was reading through Job. The book tells of the awful tragedies Job endured, and a large part of the book is dialogue: first between Job and his friends, and finally between Job and God.

But chapter 28 takes a surprising break from the story. In my Bible (NIV), at the head of chapter 28, it says: Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found. I thought this was strange, and it really made me sit up and pay attention. I encourage you to take a couple of minutes right now and read Job 28.

Beyond compare.

Job 28 reminds us that men will go to great lengths to acquire precious things. They will dig and drill and mine deep into the earth to acquire rare gems. They will sweat and bleed for silver and gold. Wisdom is said to be more valuable than these things, but do we prize it as such? Do we pursue it with the same fervor? “Not I,” I thought.

It dawned on me as I read these verses that I did not fully appreciate the value of wisdom! I had been casually, almost flippantly asking God for wisdom. I wondered, “why would God give me something of such great worth if I don’t truly understand or appreciate its value?”

Imagine a king with his very young child. The toddler asks their father for a giant ruby or diamond. Is the king going to hand it over? Of course not! Not because he doesn’t love the child, but because the child doesn’t comprehend the value of what they are asking for. The child can’t make proper use of it. They’re not ready.

A new approach.

I still ask God for wisdom, and it’s important to do so. The Bible says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5

But now that I have a better grasp of what I’m asking for, I ask in a different way. I ask God to help me grow and mature so that I can make use of the wisdom He gives me. I don’t want to be like a child that admires a ruby because of its sparkle and then carelessly sets it aside. Instead, I want to be a responsible prince that accepts the King’s ruby and then uses it for His glory.

How about you? What value do you ascribe to wisdom? Are you ready to make use of the wisdom God gives you?

Against All Odds.

Do you ever feel like you’re facing an impossible battle? Perhaps even now trouble presses in on you from all sides, and your situation seems dire. If you’re going through something like that, I’m sorry. I’d like to share a story I read this morning that I hope encourages you as it did me.

Trouble approaches.

In II Chronicles, chapter 20, messengers come before King Jehoshaphat of Judah with some really bad news. A vast army, made up of Moabites and Ammonites, is fast approaching, and the king’s forces are no match for them.

Jehoshaphat immediately orders all of Judah to begin fasting, and then gathers the people together at the temple in Jerusalem. The distressed king stands in the temple courtyard and cries out to God. His prayer is recorded in II Chronicles 20:6 -12, and you can feel the desperation in his words.

Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.
II Chronicles 20:12

God answers.

As the men, women, and children of Judah huddle together around the temple, no doubt trembling with fear, God answers Jehoshaphat’s prayer. The spirit of the Lord comes upon a Levite named Jahaziel, and he says this:

This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’
II Chronicles 20:15-17

King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah immediately fall to the ground and worship God. The next morning the king sends his army out as instructed, trusting that God will make good on His promise. At the head of this army, instead of elite soldiers, the king assigns a choir to sing praises to God as they march.

God delivers.

As Jehoshaphat and his men follow God’s instructions and march out to meet their foes, God miraculously causes their enemies to turn on each other! They fight a bloody battle amongst themselves until every last one of them is dead. Not one escapes. The unbeatable, invading army demolishes itself before Jehoshaphat even arrives.

When Jehoshaphat and his men reach the desert, their jaws drop as they behold the carnage. The place is littered with the corpses of their enemies. All around they see valuables just waiting to be scooped up. In fact, “There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it” (II Chronicles 20:25 b).

Jehoshaphat and his people return to Jerusalem victorious. They go to the temple to praise and worship God. The fear of God falls over the surrounding kingdoms, “And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (II Chronicles 20:30).

Be like Jehoshaphat.

What an awesome story! As Christians, when we face what seems like an impossible challenge, we have the opportunity to do what Jehoshaphat did. We can call out to that same God and say, “I have no power to face this situation. I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you.” Remember: the battle belongs to God. Nothing is too difficult for Him. God delights in working wonders for those who love Him.

The Way, The Truth, And The Life.

In the film, The Matrix, there’s a great scene right before Morpheus offers Neo the choice of red pill or blue. The dialogue goes like this:

Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life—that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I’m talking about?
Morpheus

Spoiler alert!

The words of Morpheus have the ring of truth about them, which is what makes the movie so engaging. We nod our heads in understanding because we feel the truth of what Morpheus says. Deep down we know there really is something wrong with the world! In the film, what’s “wrong with the world” is that A.I. has taken over, and has imprisoned mankind in a computer simulation, but in reality the problem stems from something else.

Deep within you is an instinct that tells you how the world should be. You recognize it when you watch a sunrise, or gaze up at a star-filled sky. When you listen to a piece of music that moves you. When you embrace your lover. You can almost taste it when you share a meal with the people you love most. In these moments, you catch glimpses of what you know the world was meant to be.

But the ugly side of life is never far away, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t fix this broken world. The problem with the world is not a mystery. The Bible spelled it out for us thousands of years ago. The problem is sin.

In the beginning, God created the world as a perfect paradise. A place where God and man dwelt together. But man’s willful disobedience (the original sin) resulted in our separation from God and the corruption of all that is good. Because of sin, our world, and everything in it, is under righteous judgement. Sin is a curse that has brought misery, pain, and death.

A Divine rescue plan.

God could have scrapped His creation and started over. He didn’t. Instead, He chose to redeem it. Why? Because He loves His creation. He wants to redeem you for the same reason: He loves you. But there’s a problem: You’re a sinner.

As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one;
Romans 3:10

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23

God hates sin. It’s true that “God is love”, but He is also just, and His justice demands that sin be punished. As a sinner you owe a debt that you can not pay.

For the wages of sin is death…
Romans 6:23, a

Then [Jesus] will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’
Mathew 25:41

The good news is, your debt has been paid for you! Jesus, God in the flesh, took your sin upon Himself and shed His blood on the cross. He conquered sin when He died. He defeated death when He rose from the grave.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23, b

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Through Jesus, you can have eternal life. This means life in a renewed body, on a renewed Earth, where there is no more sin, no more curse. (For a glimpse of how awesome this will be, I recommend the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn.)

What must I do to be saved?

Salvation from sin/death/hell is a free gift, but like any gift it can be accepted or rejected. God will not force you to turn away from your sin and towards Him. You must freely choose to do so.

Perhaps for the first time in your life, you understand the situation you’re in. You realize that you are a sinner separated from God and destined for eternal punishment. You realize you need a Savior. You’re next step is simple:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Romans 8:1

There is no other way. You can’t save yourself. You can’t earn your way into Heaven with good works. Jesus is the one and only way.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2: 8-9

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

Once you admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Once you believe that Jesus died for you. Then proclaim with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, ask for the gift of salvation, and you will be saved! At that very moment you become a follower of Jesus Christ. You become a new creature. You become a Christian.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
II Corinthians 5:17

If you took that step, I welcome you as my brother or sister in Christ! Jesus said there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).

This is only the beginning. As a brand new Christian there is much to learn. Try to find someone who is mature in the Christian faith to help guide you. You are more than welcome to contact me, and I will give you all the help I can.

Not there yet?

If you still have not accepted Christ as your Savior, consider this: You found your way to this post for a reason. The fact that you read this far tells me that you are searching. It is God you are searching for. He is the missing piece in your life. Don’t give up your search! Ask questions, study the Bible, search your own soul, but don’t wait too long. This life, your window of opportunity, is short.

How NOT To Study The Bible.

In the beginning

I grew up in church. My family went to Sunday school, Sunday morning service, and Sunday evening service every week unless one of us was ill. As a kid, I participated in lots of Christian activities. I memorized a ton of scripture, and I knew every Bible story. As a teenager, I attended youth group regularly, and all four years of high school I spent a good chunk of my Summers as a missionary.

By the time I was in my late teens, I thought I had learned all there was to learn from the Bible. I had it figured out. I started going to church when I was in diapers, and I was sure I had heard every variation of every sermon at least twice. Sitting through a Church service was a drag.

By my early twenties, I just quit going to Church altogether. What was the point? I was a Christian. I was a good person. That seemed like enough. I wanted to go out and make my place in the world and, sure, God was welcome to come along for the ride. My mother asked me why I had stopped going to church. In my hubris I replied, “Why should I go? Did God come out with the Bible part II?”

I focused on my work and my education. In my free time I just wanted to be entertained. I drifted away from God. Sin started to creep in, wrapping its chains tighter and tighter around me. The truly frightening thing is, I didn’t even notice. It happened gradually. I became “comfortably miserable”. I was in pain, but not enough pain to get off my butt and do something about it.

A crisis of faith

I had a Bible in my house. It sat on a shelf in pristine condition. I remember being in my mid/late twenties, feeling convicted, and a thought occurred to me: Despite being a Christian from a young age and being inundated with Biblical teaching, I had never actually read through the entire Bible. I decided I would give that a try.

At this time in my life, my faith was shaky. Questions and doubts festered in my mind. I decided that as I read through the Bible I would jot down in a notebook any questions or concerns I had. I didn’t get far before I had to stop. My notebook was filling up. There were just too many contradictions and inconsistencies in this crazy book. My faith virtually dissolved, and I feared that continued reading would destroy it completely.

The turning point

Then my wife and I went on a life-changing trip to Africa, and the dying embers of my faith started to glow again. A man I met on that trip recommended I read a book called “The Skeptical Believer” by Daniel Taylor, and it encouraged me greatly. God began to work in my heart. Over the span of ten years or so, God slowly, gently, patiently brought me back to Himself, but that is a story for another time.

Today, as I read through the Bible, I find hope, encouragement, and joy! The experience is the polar opposite of what it was in my twenties. So what made the difference? How is it that reading the Bible back then put my faith in crisis, while reading the Bible now strengthens my faith?

Context, context, context!

I expected to read the Bible as if it were written in modern times. I wanted it to be clear-cut, unambiguous, and scientifically accurate. Coming into it with those expectations, it’s no wonder I was disappointed!

The Bible is a collection of ancient documents, originally written in languages I can’t read, to an audience with lifestyles and customs completely foreign to me. It should be obvious (though it certainly wasn’t to me at first), that the Bible is not a book you can just read through like a novel and be done with it.

To truly understand the Bible, you have to understand the contexts (yes, plural) in which it was written. In “The Bible Unfiltered“, Dr. Michael Heiser talks about some of the contexts that are important:

Historical context
Cultural context
Literary context

But, as Dr. Heiser points out, these are not even the most important contexts. From page 13 of “The Bible Unfiltered“:

“So what is the proper context for interpreting the Bible? […] the context of the biblical writers – the context that produced the Bible. Every other context is alien or at least secondary.”

Understanding this completely changed my approach to reading scripture. The more I try to look at the text from the perspective of the writer, the better I am able to understand the message the writer was trying to convey. And that is the whole point!

Do it right

Studying scripture in proper context is hard work. Fortunately, there are more tools available than ever before to assist in the endeavor. The internet provides convenient access to a treasure trove of resources. If you really want to understand those passages of scripture that have you scratching your head, put yourself in the mindset of the writer. Research the culture, customs, and common beliefs that defined them. You’ll be amazed at the results.

So don’t do what I did in my twenties. Don’t approach the Bible as if it were a Science book or a modern-day novel, and don’t throw up your hands in despair when things aren’t clear at first reading. Be diligent and be willing to adjust your approach to studying God’s Word. You will start to learn and grow like never before.

Works Cited

Heiser, Michael S. The Bible Unfiltered: Approaching Scripture on Its Own Terms. Lexham Press, 2017.

Not Of This World.

This world is constantly telling us what’s right and what’s wrong, what to think, and how to act.

The world says things like:

Look out for number one.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
If it feels good, do it!
Money is the key to happiness.
Do whatever you have to do to get ahead.
Don’t get mad, get even!

These ideas may seem right, but as Proverbs 14: 12 warns, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Christ’s teachings are often the exact opposite of the world’s.

In the world, but not of it.

In Romans 12:2 the Apostle Paul writes, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.“

As Christians, we’re not supposed to just go along with what the world says. Christ is our example, and we should strive to mimic Him. The non-Christian should see a stark contrast between themselves and us.

It’s all about me!

Some people practically worship themselves. Often these people are beautiful, talented, and wealthy, and they see themselves as superior. Many professional athletes and Hollywood stars fall into this category, and they are held up as examples of what success looks like. The world celebrates them.

Most of us aren’t quite that full of ourselves, but pride is still a big factor in our lives. We like to feel important, we want others to take notice of us, and it’s all too easy for us to look down on people who aren’t as “good’ as we are.

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
James 4:6

But Jesus was different. Over and over again He demonstrated genuine humility. He didn’t come to be served, but instead He came to serve. His time on Earth was spent ministering to the sick, the poor, the forgotten, and the lost. He was God, and yet he didn’t treat anyone as if they were beneath Him!

The world defines greatness in terms of accomplishments, but Jesus said, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Mathew 20:26) We are instructed to follow Christ’s example, putting others before ourselves.

Money, money, money, MO-NEY!

There’s nothing the world celebrates more than wealth. We’re told that the real winners in life are the ones with the biggest houses, the fanciest cars, and the most luxurious lifestyles. Many people spend their entire lives in pursuit of more money.

But the Bible tells us that money is not what we should desire most. King Solomon had more wealth than most people can imagine, yet in the book of Ecclesiastes, he confesses that his wealth did not bring him satisfaction. He also points out that whoever loves money never has enough (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

Jesus said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ” (Mathew 6:19). Jesus wants us to aim for something higher. He said to His disciples:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. “
Mathew 6:19-20

We are not to be obsessed with material wealth. We are to be like the Apostle Paul who said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11). If we have food, water, and shelter, we have enough.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

The desire for revenge is built into us. When someone wrongs us, we want to get even. We want to hurt them like they hurt us. Just think about how many movies and television shows have revenge as the central plot.

But Jesus said, if someone slaps you on the right cheek, give them your left. If they sue you for your shirt, give them your coat too. His words in Mathew chapter five are stunning:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Mathew 5:43-44

I can’t think of a more radical departure from the teachings of the world than that! We’re told not just to forgive our enemies, but to love them.

Why bother?

Living a Christian life means being different from the world. Putting others first, pursuing the things of Heaven instead of the things of Earth, loving our enemies. These things are foreign to our sinful nature.

But as Christians we have a new nature. The nature of Christ. When we act in accordance with our new nature, we point people to Jesus, and that is our ultimate purpose while we are here on this Earth!

So always remember that you are a child of God. Don’t act like this world because you are not of this world.