Have you thought about the Gospel lately? The gospel is the good news of salvation for hell-deserving sinners through the Person and work of Jesus Christ. It really should be something that we think about often as it relates to us. It is the one thing we are to be most passionate about. And not just passionate about sharing it with others, but also thinking and meditating on it ourselves. We need to rejoice in it, dwell on it and allow it to be the lens in which we look at our lives and the world around us.
I pray that we would learn that we need to be desperate for the gospel everyday. We need it to help us to keep from becoming a religion based people instead of a relationship based people. We need it to help keep us from becoming performance based Christian instead of grace based.
May we first preach the gospel to ourselves each day and in doing so we will realize with greater clarity the grace of God that was shed abroad in our hearts. We not only need to know the gospel, but also to love the God of the gospel and to see how it applies to every aspect and area of our lives.
"Moreover, bretheren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have reeived, and wherin ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Repentance
We don't hear much about repentance anymore. Even during our invitations we seldom hear that a person must repent and place his faith or trust in the person and work of Christ. King David set the pattern for us. David confessed and repented.
C.H. Spurgeon preached on repentance week after week, and somebody came to him and said, "When are you ging to quit preaching on repentance, pastor?" Spurgeon replied, "When you repent." When we talk about confession and repentance, we need to keep right on talking about it until either it has had its effect or we know it will have none. In those situations, Jesus said it best: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet" (Matthew 10:14).
Do you need to do some repenting? Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself and in doing so, I think it will be obvious that we all need to spend some time in confessing and forsaking our sin and then to turn to Christ.
1. Am I always truthful and honest?
2. Do I have any habits I am ashamed to let anybody know I have?
3. Is my speech clean?
4. Am I using my money wisely?
5. Do I gossip about people?
6. Am I heavenly minded or earthy minded?
7. Am I faithful in prayer?
These are a few questions. You can answer them evasively or truthfully. If you decide NOT to deal with them through repentance, you will find yourself very dissatisfied with your walk with the LORD. Or you can answer them truthfully and see renewal and satisfaction in your heart.
Put yourself in the hands of the LORD who loves you infinitely. If you have failed Him, you will have to admit that there is sin of omission or commission in your life. Tell Him - don't hide it. He will not turn His back in anger and say, "You disappoint me and betrayed me." He immediately sends his grace and mercy. His healing is complete in the blood of the Lamb will get you back to an intimate relationship with your Savior.
C.H. Spurgeon preached on repentance week after week, and somebody came to him and said, "When are you ging to quit preaching on repentance, pastor?" Spurgeon replied, "When you repent." When we talk about confession and repentance, we need to keep right on talking about it until either it has had its effect or we know it will have none. In those situations, Jesus said it best: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet" (Matthew 10:14).
Do you need to do some repenting? Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself and in doing so, I think it will be obvious that we all need to spend some time in confessing and forsaking our sin and then to turn to Christ.
1. Am I always truthful and honest?
2. Do I have any habits I am ashamed to let anybody know I have?
3. Is my speech clean?
4. Am I using my money wisely?
5. Do I gossip about people?
6. Am I heavenly minded or earthy minded?
7. Am I faithful in prayer?
These are a few questions. You can answer them evasively or truthfully. If you decide NOT to deal with them through repentance, you will find yourself very dissatisfied with your walk with the LORD. Or you can answer them truthfully and see renewal and satisfaction in your heart.
Put yourself in the hands of the LORD who loves you infinitely. If you have failed Him, you will have to admit that there is sin of omission or commission in your life. Tell Him - don't hide it. He will not turn His back in anger and say, "You disappoint me and betrayed me." He immediately sends his grace and mercy. His healing is complete in the blood of the Lamb will get you back to an intimate relationship with your Savior.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Infection of Commonplace Religion
Anyone who is honest will have to admit that there is an infection in the church in North America. That infection is a "Commonplace Religion." A commonplace religion is what is pleasing to flesh and blood. A religion that has no self-denial in it, no cross bearing, no self-crucifixion and forsaking all.
Where has the Scriptures gone? It used to be that the Scriptures alone stated the standard of life and experience. However, by us making our own standard, there is now a delusion and falsity for our desires, conveniences and pleasures that now form the rule of life, and that is always a fleshly and low rule. A rule that is ever changing based on whatever we feel is right and pleasing to ourselves.
This commonplace religion is one that is compromising - a low level of life that is as the world lives. There is a question that continues to thunder in my heart and mind. Is heaven a fit place for non-praying, loose living, ease loving people who scarcely have a thought that is not directed at self?
Not so! Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, whcih leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Paul also cautions us about making for ourselves a commonplace religion. A religion that is haphazard, pleasure-seeking and all about us and our standard of measurement: "For we dare not make ourselves the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but the measure themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you" (2 Corinthians 10:12-13).
With that said, I would humbly submit to you that there is no standard of religion that is worth any consideration which is not saturated with prayer, reading the Word, attending the church in which Christ died for - His bride, and a love for obeying our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
I'm tired of the infection of the commonplace religion that is devoid of what the Scripture teaches as the standard. I'm tired of a religion that sees the church, his Word, prayer and total obedience and allegiance to our King as being optional and based on when convenient to our schedule and desires. This vague, indefinite, popular view of religion has not the God of the Bible as the center of our lives; but it's a religion of self, where we have place "us" at the center and God is to be only summoned when we have exhausted all our own resources. He is our last ditch effort at getting what we want.
The standard that we have set before us in this commonplace religion is one that is easily met as it's our own standard and is able to be changed on a whim. No longer is our aim the standard which God has set. It's the opinions of man that matters most.
Again, I would submit to you that it's the Scriptures set before us today that is the standard for our religion and consecration to our Creator God. This is the Divine standard and our part is to give to Him the sacrifice that is acceptable to God. A sacrifice that requires our all. It's a sacrifice that is complete and according to His rule laid down in the Word of God. Nothing less than this can be pleasing to God. Nothing half-hearted can please Him. It's a "living sacrifice, holy, and perfect will of God." It's a full renunciation of self, a free recognition of God's right to us, and a sincere offering for all to Him - this is our requirement.
So where are you today? Do you have a common place religion? I'm reading through Leviticus and all the sacrifices that had to be made unto God. No offering to God was acceptable unless it was a "whole burnt offering." Are you putting yourself entirely at the disposal of God? In your devotion and consecration to God, what are you aiming at - His standard or your own?
A Scriptural standard of religion includes a clear relational experience with the Lord. This religion or relationship is one that appeals to the inner consciousness. It's both internal as well as external. Not only are we to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling," but "it's God that worketh in us to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13). Folks, there is a "good work in you," as well as a life outside to be lived. The new birth is a definite experience, proved by a definite, clear inward assurance given by the Holy Spirit that we are the children of God.
Let us be a people not given to a commonplace religion of our own making and standard. Let us be a peculiar people. Let us be a people of prayer. Let us be a people of the Word. Let us be people of love and service to our Lord. We must aim for His standard - we must aim for Christ our standard.
Where has the Scriptures gone? It used to be that the Scriptures alone stated the standard of life and experience. However, by us making our own standard, there is now a delusion and falsity for our desires, conveniences and pleasures that now form the rule of life, and that is always a fleshly and low rule. A rule that is ever changing based on whatever we feel is right and pleasing to ourselves.
This commonplace religion is one that is compromising - a low level of life that is as the world lives. There is a question that continues to thunder in my heart and mind. Is heaven a fit place for non-praying, loose living, ease loving people who scarcely have a thought that is not directed at self?
Not so! Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, whcih leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Paul also cautions us about making for ourselves a commonplace religion. A religion that is haphazard, pleasure-seeking and all about us and our standard of measurement: "For we dare not make ourselves the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but the measure themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you" (2 Corinthians 10:12-13).
With that said, I would humbly submit to you that there is no standard of religion that is worth any consideration which is not saturated with prayer, reading the Word, attending the church in which Christ died for - His bride, and a love for obeying our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
I'm tired of the infection of the commonplace religion that is devoid of what the Scripture teaches as the standard. I'm tired of a religion that sees the church, his Word, prayer and total obedience and allegiance to our King as being optional and based on when convenient to our schedule and desires. This vague, indefinite, popular view of religion has not the God of the Bible as the center of our lives; but it's a religion of self, where we have place "us" at the center and God is to be only summoned when we have exhausted all our own resources. He is our last ditch effort at getting what we want.
The standard that we have set before us in this commonplace religion is one that is easily met as it's our own standard and is able to be changed on a whim. No longer is our aim the standard which God has set. It's the opinions of man that matters most.
Again, I would submit to you that it's the Scriptures set before us today that is the standard for our religion and consecration to our Creator God. This is the Divine standard and our part is to give to Him the sacrifice that is acceptable to God. A sacrifice that requires our all. It's a sacrifice that is complete and according to His rule laid down in the Word of God. Nothing less than this can be pleasing to God. Nothing half-hearted can please Him. It's a "living sacrifice, holy, and perfect will of God." It's a full renunciation of self, a free recognition of God's right to us, and a sincere offering for all to Him - this is our requirement.
So where are you today? Do you have a common place religion? I'm reading through Leviticus and all the sacrifices that had to be made unto God. No offering to God was acceptable unless it was a "whole burnt offering." Are you putting yourself entirely at the disposal of God? In your devotion and consecration to God, what are you aiming at - His standard or your own?
A Scriptural standard of religion includes a clear relational experience with the Lord. This religion or relationship is one that appeals to the inner consciousness. It's both internal as well as external. Not only are we to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling," but "it's God that worketh in us to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13). Folks, there is a "good work in you," as well as a life outside to be lived. The new birth is a definite experience, proved by a definite, clear inward assurance given by the Holy Spirit that we are the children of God.
Let us be a people not given to a commonplace religion of our own making and standard. Let us be a peculiar people. Let us be a people of prayer. Let us be a people of the Word. Let us be people of love and service to our Lord. We must aim for His standard - we must aim for Christ our standard.
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