Friday, March 16, 2012

How serious is sin?


How seriously do we take our sin? I know I have lived my life not taking my sin seriously enough. Why is this? Where did this begin? God makes a clear command in Genesis 2:16-17:

“And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

The command is as clear as it gets. Do not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, if you do you will die. The treasonous act of sin deserves the justice of God. This is the clear message throughout the scriptures.

What happens when Adam and Eve eat the fruit? Many people say that Adam and Eve died spiritually. I would agree with this, but why didn’t they die physically as well? Adam and Eve deserved not just spiritual death, but physical death. The very fact that Adam and Eve were physically alive the moment after they sinned was an act of grace and mercy of God. This is where the beginning of my problem began. The problem of taking the grace of God for granted.

I contend that just about everyone on earth, including myself, have normalized the grace of God in our lives. This is why so many people believe they should live a long and healthy “normal” life. This belief is wrong, instead we deserve to be struck down dead after each individual sin. In Jonathan Edwards’s sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God he states, “There is nothing that keeps wicked men, at any one moment, out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.” So why do we not take our sin seriously enough? We have become used to the grace of God in our lives. It is seen as normal to still be alive after telling a lie, having a lustful thought, having a prideful attitude, or any other host of sins. We don’t see the grace of God as something miraculous and wonderful; we simply don’t see it at all because we expect to live after sinning just as we always have. God’s grace has become so normal to us that we actually expect to live, and not only that, we believe we deserve a nice life! This can’t be farther from the truth. What we really deserve is instant justice after each and every sin.

The Old Testament has many accounts of God deciding to act out in justice over people. Numerous times in the Bible God acts justly to whole cities, nations, families, and individual people by destroying them. Many people look at God in the Old Testament as a non-loving and angry God. The truth is that the cities, nations, families, and individual people who God brought justice to deserved the death they received. Also, the people who did not get swallowed up by the ground or get burnt to death by fire from heaven deserved the same act of justice because they themselves were sinners. God decided to show them grace.

Why does God take sin so seriously? Sin is an act of submission to Satan. Every opportunity in life is an opportunity for worship. We can either worship the Lord, or disobey him, and in disobeying him we worship a false god, which is the worship of Satan. Sin is an attack on God’s character. It is to say to God, “I don’t believe that what you offer and say is true. So instead of being obedient to you, I will listen to myself and be obedient to me.” Sin is to call God a liar.

Thankfully God was abundantly gracious and provided a way for us to be restored back to Himself. Praise be to God who is willing to be gracious, merciful, and forgiving. I pray that I will no longer take the grace of God for granted. I pray that I will take my sin seriously. My sin and your sin are so serious that Jesus died to pay the penalty for it. May I never lose sight of the grace of God, and may I never lose appreciation for the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Do you actually believe that…


Jesus said that with the power of the Holy Spirit we will be able to do the things he did, and even greater things!

John 14:12-17 says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Is this something we actually believe? The Bible speaks of some amazing things the Spirit has done through people. Here are some crazy things that people did by the power of the Spirit, and some other actions of the Spirit.

  • The Spirit of God is active in creation. (Genesis 1:2)
  • People prophesy. (Numbers 11:26, 1 Samuel 10:6, Luke 1:67)
  • Elijah runs faster than a horse drawn chariot. (1 Kings 18:46)
  • Samson breaks out of his bonds and kills 1,000 men with a jawbone! He also rips apart a lion with his bare hands! (Judges 15:14-16, Judges 14:6)
  • There is judgment, and wars are won by the power of the Spirit. (Judges 3:10)
  • The Spirit of the Lord is able to clothe people. (Judges 6:34, 2 Chronicles 24:20)
  • Mary conceived as a virgin. (Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:35)
  • The Spirit transported Philip away. (Acts 8:39)
  • People teach accurately. (Acts 18:25)
  • People are washed, sanctified, and justified by the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
  • The Spirit of the Lord provides freedom by its presence. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
  • The Holy Spirit teaches and helps us remember things. (John 14:26)
  • People spoke in tongues by the power of the Spirit. (Acts 2:4)
  • Peter, through the Holy Spirit, is able to heal a man. (Acts 3:6)
  • Peter preached by the Power of the Spirit and about three thousand people were saved! (Acts 2:41)
  • Believers speak boldly by the power of the Spirit. (Acts 4:8, Acts 4:31)
  • The Spirit spoke to people. (Acts 13:2)
  • We are washed and renewed by the Spirit. (Titus 3:5)
  • Jesus lived his sinless life filled with the Spirit. (Luke 4:1)


Am I saying that we will be able to run super fast, rip apart lions with our bare hands, and be transported away? No. But do we actually believe these things happened? To recognize that these things really did happen to normal sinful people like us is mind blowing! I would encourage you to not limit God with what He can do in your life. Whether you encourage somebody by the power of the Spirit, or are used by God to reach thousands of people for Christ, do not limit God. We have Him, the Holy Spirit indwelling us. He is more than able to do incredible things through us.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

How did Christ Love the Church?


What does it mean to love as Christ loved the church?

As an engaged man, I am looking into this very important question. How did Christ love the Church? Ephesians 5:25 explicitly gives the command to love your wife as Christ loved the church. But what does this mean? How did, and how does Christ love the Church? Even if you are not married or engaged you can learn how Christ has loved you and how to prepare yourself to love a future spouse. Here are some ways Christ loved and loves the church.

Jesus loved and loves the church by…

Considering the churches needs above his own: Jesus considered our need for a Savior and decided to meet that need. (Philippians 2:4) Be aware of what your wife needs, and meet those needs before you meet your own needs.

Intentionally pursuing: Jesus left his throne in heaven and came to earth intentionally. His pursuit of us was not an accident. (Philippians 2:6-7) Intentionally pursue your wife.

Sacrificing: Jesus sacrificed his life for the church. (Philippians 2:8) What do you need to sacrifice to better love your wife?

Being willing to die: Jesus died for his Bride. (Philippians 2:8) Are you willing to do whatever it takes to love your wife?

Giving good gifts: God gives the best gifts. (Matthew 7:11, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8) What do you give to your wife?

Taking responsibility: Jesus took the responsibility for our sin and received the wrath of God because of it. (1 Peter 2:24) Do you take responsibility for your wife? If there is a problem, are you the first to step up and change?

Paying the price: Jesus paid the ultimate price for us. The price was not something financial, it was his life. (1 Corinthians 6:20) What in your life do you need to give up and “pay the price” to be with your wife more?

Being humble: Jesus humbled himself to the point of death. (Philippians 2:8) Does your pride get in the way of anything? What areas of your life do you need to be more humble?

Being understanding: Jesus understands what it is like to be tempted, and is willing to help. (Hebrews 4:15-16, 1 Peter 3:7) Do you take the time to listen to your wife and understand what she is feeling and thinking?

Nourishing and cherishing: Jesus offers spiritual food and drink to the believer which promotes a life filled with joy. (Ephesians 5:29, John 4:14, John 6:35, John 10:10) In what ways do you nourish and cherish your wife? Is her life filled with joy?

Cleansing and sanctifying: Jesus washes us with his blood, and the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. (Ephesians 5:26) Does your wife live a more Christ-like life because of your influence on her? Why or why not?

Not being harsh: Jesus is not harsh with us, but gives us everything we need to live a life of godliness. (2 Peter 1:3, Colossians 3:19) Have you been harsh with your words or tone when speaking to your wife? Do you provide everything she needs to live a more Christ-like life?

Not condemning: Jesus does not condemn anyone who is a believer. (Romans 8:1) No man who loves his wife like Christ loves the church will be condemning towards his wife.

Doing the dirty job: Jesus was willing to do anything to serve those around him. (John 13:5) What are things that you don’t like to do that you know your wife appreciates? Do them.

Protecting: We have been given the armor of God, and nothing can separate us from Christ’s love. (Ephesians 6:11, Romans 8:38-39) Do you protect your wife physically, emotionally, verbally, spiritually?

Not divorcing: Imagine if Jesus filed for a divorce against the church. We would all be going to hell! Thankfully he loves us and keeps us in his love. (John 6:37-39, Malachi 2:16) Don’t be quick to quit on your wife, but lovingly work through problems.

Not sinning in anger: Jesus never sinned in anger. (Ephesians 4:26, 1 Peter 2:22) When you are angry is it easier to sin against your wife?

Loving unconditionally: God loved us even when we were in rebellion against him. (Romans 5:8) Do you love your wife no matter what?

I know this looks like an impossible list. That’s because it is. Unlike Christ, we are sinful people. We will need to ask for forgiveness and humble ourselves before our spouse when we sin against them. I pray that I will be a husband who loves my wife like Christ loves the Church.

In what other ways does Christ love the Church? What are your thoughts?