The Kingdom

Here's a question for you: What is THE most important thing going on in the world right now? If you think about it, there must be something going on right now that has more significance than everything else. But what might it be? The war in Iraq? The presidential election campaigns? Perhaps, somewhere in the world, an inventor is working on some new, revolutionary product that will drastically change some aspect of the world as we know it today.
While all of these things have significance, I don't believe any of them are even close to the most important thing going on in the world right now. No, the most important thing happening right now is something most people can't even see: it's the advancement of God's Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. I would challenge anyone to come up with something more significant than that.

Now I would guess that most people are kind of vague on the whole notion of "The Kingdom of Heaven" and I must admit that I am no expert myself. But we can look and see what Jesus said about it. One of the points that Jesus preached was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matt. 4:17 NIV). Other translations read, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Either way, there is great urgency in this statement.

The Jews had been waiting for the Messiah to usher in God's kingdom, but they thought it would be a physical one that would dethrone the Roman Empire. Instead, Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. It starts out very small, but grows into this large plant (Matt. 13:31-32). The Kingdom isn't just coming sometime in the future at the end of the world, it's coming now and has been coming for the past 2000 years. Jesus started it with His ministry here on earth and has been continuing the process through the disciples and the Church.

Over the past two millennia, history has seen the rise and fall of many kingdoms, empires and nations. But God's Kingdom has steadily continued to grow and expand and it will never be overthrown. The message of the Gospel continues to travel throughout the world as it reaches the most remote peoples and, after 2000 years, still has the power to change hearts. Year after year more and more followers have put their faith in Jesus Christ and devoted themselves to advancing his Kingdom here on earth.

If Jesus' earthly ministry had taken Him to the Swiss Alps, He might have told this parable to the local residents: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like an avalanche. It begins with a small vibration, but builds to an unstoppable force."

The Kingdom is coming even now. Even though it is a process, eventually it will be complete. Where do you want to be standing when all is said and done? Do you want to be one of those who was advancing the Kingdom of Heaven? Or do you want to be known as one who was standing its way? Remember, in a spiritual battle there are no civilians.

Walk the Walk . . . or Just Ride!

I am going to discuss a couple questions at once. Again, these are questions I've received from students and both deal with Christian behavior. The first student asks, "Where am I in Jesus? For instance, do I have to stop everything God doesn't like or just try not to do bad things?" The second questions is as follows: "If you have Christ in your heart but you don't do the most Godly things will you go to heaven?"

Both students seem to be wrestling with the role of good works in the Christian faith. Now the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9 "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." Just so we're clear, it is God who saves us through the blood of Jesus. And this gift of salvation is offered to everyone who would put their faith in Christ.

But does merely saying a prayer mean you have the kind of faith Paul is talking about? James, another New Testament writer, asks this question: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him?" (James 2:14). Paul specifically says that we're saved by grace through faith and NOT by our good works. But James seems to be saying that good deeds have some role. Who is right?

Well, first of all, James is not disagreeing with Paul. He clarifies his point in verse 17 when he says, "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James would say that if a person says he or she has faith in something but is unwilling to act on it, then they likely do not have any real faith at all.There is a famous story about French daredevil, Jean Francois Gravelet a.k.a. Charles Blondin that illustrates James' point. Imagine a tightrope stretched over Niagara Falls. This Blondin is entertaining a crowd by walking from one side to the other pushing a wheelbarrow. The crowd applauds the man's skill and bravery. Then Blondin says to the viewers, "Do you believe I can do it again?" The crowd shouts their agreement. He then asks, "Do you believe I could do it with a man sitting in the wheelbarrow?" Again, the crowd gives their affirmation. Finally he challenges them, "Then who will come and ride in the wheelbarrow?" This last statement silences the crowd.

Blondin touches on the same theme James is trying to address: evidence of faith is displayed in action. God asks for the same kind of faith that would cause a person to step inside the wheelbarrow; He wants us to put our lives in His infinitely capable hands. When we listen to His word and obey His commands we show our faith in Him.

James uses the example of Abraham in the Old Testament. God told him to offer his one and only son as a sacrifice on an altar. Abraham did not understand why God would have him do that, but he obeyed. Even though God stopped him at the last moment, I think Abraham would have rather gone across a tightrope in a wheelbarrow than endure that experience.

James explains that Abraham's "faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did." (James 2:22). If you are wondering what you must do to prove your faith in God, just read your Bible and pray to Him. God has given us His Word to tell us how He wants us to live and He allows us to come before Him in prayer whenever we want.

Serving One Master

I've recently asked my students to write down questions they have about God, Christianity or just life in general. The first question I will address is "How far is too far?" or more specifically in this case, "How can I not be too worldly, but still be 'cool'?"

As I consider this question the first thing that comes to my mind is a verse from the book of Matthew. In chapter 6 verse 24 Jesus says, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other."

Now I realize that the question deals with being "cool" and this verse is talking about money, but I think the principle still applies here. In the very next sentence Jesus says, "You cannot serve both God and Money." Whether you are talking about money, popularity, success or whatever God must be second to nothing in a Christian's life. If you don't think you struggle with money then look at the verse this way: "You cannot serve both God and . . ." and you fill in the blank.

Now what does this have to do with being cool? Well it's very simple, all one must do is ask himself or herself which is more important: following God or being cool? Ultimately you can't even completely control if you're "cool" or not because you can't control what people think. But you can, with God's help, follow Christ regardless of what people think of you.

Basically, the mindset of "how far is too far" just is not Godly. If you are asking how far is too far, then you are trying to make room for something besides God. If following Christ is really the most important in your life, then spend time every day finding out how you can better do it because I guarantee you that none of us have it down perfectly.

If people think you're cool for following God's commandments then so be it. But if not, are you really going to let what people think keep you from obeying the One you claim to love with your whole heart, mind and strength?

Following Christ

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:23-26.

Jesus isn't really all that vague when he tells people what it takes to follow Him; He just asks a lot. He says very clearly that those who want to follow Him must 1.) deny themselves 2.) take up their cross and 3.) follow Him.There is nothing complicated about what Jesus is saying, it's just hard for us to do. To deny oneself is to disregard his or her selfish wants and desires. I don't know about you, but when I wake up in the morning, sleep often seems more appealing than reading my Bible and praying to God. It doesn't get any easier in the afternoon or evening either. It seems I can always come up with something I should do or want to do that will keep me from spending time with God. We all guard our "free" time or "personal" time so closely that we usually leave no room for following Christ.

Jesus is not looking for casual followers. He wants those who will give up everything to follow Him, even their own lives. This is why He uses the powerful image of taking up one's cross. For a person to carry their own cross was the ultimate act of submission. Imagine being forced to participate in your own execution. But think about it, if we are going to identify with Christ and not forsake Him, we must also identify with His death.

While there are many Christians who are persecuted and face hardship and death for their faith, most of us in America don't know the first thing about suffering for Christ . . . myself included. Nevertheless, we are all called to die to ourselves. Making the decision to follow Jesus means forfeiting your entire life to Him without reservations.
When we die, we leave everything in this world behind. Likewise, when we die to ourselves we let go of all our wants, desires, ambitions, etc. and turn them over to God. I'm not saying that as Christians we aren't allowed to do any of the things that we like to do because we're supposed to "die to ourselves." But be honest with yourself think about the one thing that you want most.

I mean it, really take the time to reflect on your life and try to figure out the one thing you go after in life. If you're stuck, consider your thoughts and actions; they will usually point to what your heart really wants. If you can't narrow it down to one thing or if your one thing isn't following/loving Jesus Christ then you are holding too tightly to your life and you will eventually lose it. Those who feel they have much to lose in this life will have the most difficulty following Jesus because they are afraid of letting go.

Jesus is still calling to us: "Leave everything behind and follow me." He has far more to offer than anything we can find in this life.

Assurance of Faith

How do you know you’re a Christian?

So many times I've heard Christians wonder if they are really saved. Then they wonder if simply questioning their salvation means they were never saved to begin with. I admit, there have been times when I, myself, have wondered if I've taken my own salvation for granted. And I'm pretty sure I have.

I can't think of a scarier place to be than to "think" you've been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, but in actuality be destined for eternal separation from God. At least if someone openly rejects God and the work of His Son Jesus Christ he or she knows where they stand. To those who think it's impossible to say "I believe in Jesus" and still go to hell Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!'" Matthew 7:21-23.

Words by themselves are not enough to save. Jesus didn't come and tell his disciples "Just say that you believe in me and go live however you see fit." He said, "unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:3. People are quick to accept a gospel of peace, love, forgiveness, mercy and I am very thankful that God is a good and loving God and that He is patient with me and willing to show His mercy and forgive my terrible, awful sins. But not as many people are willing to accept a gospel of repentance.

People do not want to think that there is anything wrong with them and they really don't like to be told what to do. They reject the counsel of health professionals who tell them they are overweight or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, etc. and that they will die soon if they do not change their lifestyles. It only makes sense that they also reject the message of one who tells them that they are sinners and will go to hell if they do not repent and follow Jesus.

It's no wonder that our sugar-coated gospel of "All you have to do is ask Jesus Christ into your heart" leaves so many American Christians feeling empty and wondering if they really are saved. But when you try to help them dismiss that fabrication and get them back to the truth, they cling to their old ideas like a security blanket. The problem is that people will go to great lengths to believe that they are ok without actually changing who they are or what they do. They don't want to hear the truth; they want to hear that they are going to be fine.

And when I say "people" dear Lord do not let me forget to include myself in that category. For I have lived the lie of thinking that I am better than some and therefore worthy of heaven. Only men such as myself are foolish enough to believe that measuring ourselves against worldly standards will tell me whether or not I am saved.

God knows better than that. He doesn't look at humanity and choose those who call themselves Christians and never murdered or robbed or raped or cheated or used foul language or had sex before marriage etc. He chooses those who repent from their old ways and follow Jesus.

Becoming a Christian is not simply a mental adjustment. It's also a behavioral adjustment. The Bible says this over and over again, but somehow we miss it. It doesn't get much clearer than in James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS." (emphasis added). James really hits the nail on the head: we are indeed deceived and don't know it. I can't believe how far off I have been. I've thought that just because I go to church every Sunday and read my Bible everyday it means that I am following God the right way. Not that there's anything wrong with any of these practices (I wish I actually read the Bible every day) but that's not what God's asked of me.If you're wondering whether or not you're really saved all you have to do is take the Word of God and examine yourself. 1 John 1:8-10 says that "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."
So when Jesus says, "Repent" He is not talking about a one-time thing. We are to live lives of constant repentance. God has given us His Spirit to convict us of our sin (John 16:7-11). If we take time to listen, He will tell us where we have gone astray so that we can confess our sin and continue to repent and follow.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Not only is the gate narrow, but the path thereafter is also narrow. Our conversion is not a license to live our lives the way we want because God will forgive every sin anyway. It is the beginning of a life given wholly and entirely over to Him.

Paul says in Philippians 2:12-13,"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Do you want to know if you're saved? Ask yourself what you do when no one else is looking. If God is in you, He will work through you. I must ask myself, too: Am I bearing good fruit, or on Judgment Day will Jesus say "Away from me, I never knew you."

What an utterly devastating thing to hear at the end on that day of days: to live your entire life thinking that you're a "good Christian" and going to heaven only discover that the only one you were pleasing was yourself. Please, Lord let it not be so with me!