Truth Talks

Is Being a Christian About Being Good?

According to recent Barna research in which Christian adults were asked to identify the priorities Christians should pursue in their faith, the most common response was that Christians should prioritize “doing the right thing, being good, not sinning.”

The fact that lifestyle is the most common priority of Christians suggests a related difficulty:  the temptation to give a false pretense of holiness.  When avoiding sin is the main concern and is not balanced by other important priorities of the faith, it sets up the conditions in which we project a got-it-together image.[1]

Interestingly enough, when observing the lifestyles of most professing Christians, there is little difference between Christians and non-believers.  Not only is it intriguing as a Christian to wonder why so many Christians are failing in their self-expressed number one faith priority, but this truth also causes a problem with non-Christian members of society in that they view Christians as hypocrites.  When they see us not living up to our own standards, we lose our credibility to share the Gospel.

Building a relationship with God is the foundation to a changed life.  Trying to follow a checklist of good Christian living in our own power is a futile effort, just ask the Apostle Paul.  In his letter to the Galatians, Paul condemns them for this very thing.

This only I want to learn from you:  Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?  (Gal 3:2-3 NKJV)

Our number one priority as Christians should be to get to know God…getting to know Jesus. God Himself declares this as so when He says through the prophet Jeremiah

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the rich man glory in his might,

Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understand and knows Me,

That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight.” … Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV

Being a Christian is not about being good, it is about getting to know Jesus.  Discipleship—intentionally learning about Christ and God’s Word—needs to be brought back to the forefront of our priorities as Christians.   In this, God will delight.   Through transforming discipleship, God can help us “get it together”. 

What will you do with what you know?

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[1] UnChristian, Kinnaman & Lyons, p. 49-50

Lack of Morality Leads to Financial Crisis

The Bible was the plumb line for all decision making as we raised our children. If you ask my kids today, they can tell you where their parents would and would not compromise. We taught basic values such as honesty, strong work ethic and right and wrong—principles that are clearly stated in Scripture. Without absolutes in these and other areas, a person’s life ebbs and flows based on feeling. Without these absolutes in business and politics, a country wakes up to financial crisis.

I listened to the Glenn Beck Program the other evening. A caller called in and made a brilliant observation, “A lack of morality is what is behind the U.S. financial crisis.” On this blog, our aim is conveying the importance of knowing and implementing a Christian worldview. One of the key facets of our worldview teaches that men and women have a conscience and is capable of choosing right or wrong. This is absolutism.

Conversely, proponents of relativism believe that each person can choose what is right and wrong and we should all tolerate each other’s differences. How do you feel about tolerating the CEO’s and politicians who lined their pockets and padded their checkbooks at the expense of the American people? Greed and unfair gain is wrong. If you feel, and eventually you will, the fallout of the bailout, you are a fool to remain a relativist.

These are strong words, I know. God gave us strong words and 10 very clear commandments. In a culture that has replaced rules with relativism, Scriptural truths become our only hope. Everything we do as a Christian should point to the absolutes of Scripture. When our life reflects absolutes, a confused world will notice. And that’s what it’s all about isn’t it—being light in a dark world?

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:14-15)

What will you do with the absolutes you know?

Christians Are Not Immune

A lot of perspectives exist regarding the spiritual status of those who find themselves snared in what society deems the “big sins” – adultery, homosexuality, pornography …even suicide. Many Christians believe that real Christians wouldn’t ever be overtaken in such a way. On more than one occasion I’ve heard someone make the following comment about such a person: “Maybe they weren’t really saved”. Without fail I want to exclaim, “How do YOU know?”

Newsflash: No Christian is immune to the possibility of being swept up into some “serious” sin. We can thank our adversary, Satan for this one.

The Bible is clear that devoted Christians are not immune to falling away from a life of holiness. True Christians can be involved in extramarital affairs. Sadly, true Christians sometimes take their own lives. Apostle Paul knew this and wrote about it in 2 Corinthians 11:3:

I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere pure devotion to Christ. (AMP)

Paul warns us again not to be smug in our faith in his letter to the Galatian Christians. He also tells us how to respond to a fellow Christian in need.

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.(Gal 6:1 NKJV)

Yet again Paul says to the brethren (Christians):

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Cor 10:12 NKJV)

Christian, beware. Real Christians do commit really big sins. Sin is deceitful. Life is tricky and tough and we need to be there for each other with outstretched arms and encouragement. Let’s keep strong together and do what the bible says, exhorting “one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (He 3:13 NKJV)

What will you do with the truth you know?

The Biblical View on Abortion

Sharon's last post, Wise Advice Concerning Politics, touched on how each of our country's two major political parties viewed the subject of abortion.  Today, in the Truth Talks spirit of equipping believers with a Christian worldview, I will discuss what the Bible says about abortion.

Foundationally, we need to start with murder.  The bible is very clear as the sixth commandment states "You shall not murder".   Murder, defined biblically is the premeditated act of taking the life of another human being and God clearly views murder as punishable by death (Exodus 21:14).  While most people in civilized society tend to agree that murder is wrong, disagreements arise over whether abortion is considered murder.  A Christian worldview argues that abortion is murder. 

When God was giving out laws regarding violence to Moses, He stated the following regarding violence against a pregnant woman:

“If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.  But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life …” (Exodus 21:22-23 NKJV)

Life for life, the equivalent to God’s punishment for murder, is ordained if the baby dies, thus, equating an unborn baby’s life with that of a grown adult.  Intentionally causing the death of an unborn baby is murder in God’s eyes. 

With all of this said, please know that I’m not insensitive to those who have dealt with the issues surrounding abortion, nor am I condemning those who have had an abortion. I wholeheartedly believe that most people faced with unwanted pregnancies are just trying to tackle their problems the best they know how with the truth they know.

Christian, study the scriptures so you can know what the bible says about all of the issues of life.  The answers are in His Word.   Consistently challenge yourself to see if your beliefs align up with what God says and don’t be afraid to let the Truth radically affect your life.  Live by Truth starting today.

What will you do with what you know?

Just Talking About Sin

A popular belief in our culture today about the nature of humankind is that we are all basically good.  I've heard this personally on several occasions.  This is not a new concept.  Many early philosophers, including Abraham Maslow insisted human nature is innately good.   Here are two examples:

I do not find that evil is inherent in human nature. - Carl Rogers

Since this inner nature is good or neutral rather bad, it is best to bring it out and to encourage it, rather than to oppress it.  If it is permitted to guide our life, we grow healthy, fruitful and happy. - Abraham Maslow

The danger in believing that mankind is basically good is that it negates the need for a Savior, Jesus, to rescue us from a holy God's wrath on evil mankind.   If we are already good, we could get to heaven on our own.  However, the bible says that from as early on Adam, all of us have a sin nature and God is grieved by it:

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.  Ge 6:5-6

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned - Ro 5:12

We can’t escape our inheritance from Adam, but we can escape God’s eternal punishment for sin through belief on Jesus for eternal life.  We can also use each opportunity we have, such as when we hear statements like “we are all basically good”, as a springboard to gently share the truth of a Christian worldview and lead people to Christ.  That’s why we should be able to articulate why we believe what we believe.

What will you do with what you know?

Same Sex Marriage

Please allow me to avoid the politics of this issue that recently undermined the democratic process of California voters, and instead discuss the “why” behind the desire of men to marry men and women to marry women.

As Christians, our worldview is formed by our belief in and interpretation of Scripture. I would be preaching to the majority of the choir if I tell you God designed marriage for a man and a woman. We know that. But, how do we respond to those who do not.

The Bible reveals that man is wicked.¹ Isaiah 64:6 declares that man’s righteousness is like filthy rags. Additionally, Paul captures the ugly depravity of man in the first two chapters of Romans and again in Titus 1:15: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.”

Jeremiah 17:9 sums it up best when he says, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?”

All of humanity has an opportunity to know God. However, many chose to suppress the truth. They ignore God because to listen to or acknowledge a holy God is to acknowledge and forsake one’s pride and admit one’s sinful ways. The suppressed truth darkens their hearts until they become fools who exchange the glory of God for their own fleshly lust. Humanity that does not acknowledge the Creator implodes from the suppressed truth. One of the symptoms is homosexuality.

It is unfortunate that so many people still listen to the words of the serpent so long ago, “Has God really said?” The forbidden fruit that poisoned the eternal life of Adam continues to poison the soul of man today. Man denies God because he wants to do things his own way. However, God graciously gave us his Word to confirm and support his existence. Man is without excuse concerning God.

What will you do with what you know?

[1] Genesis 6:5, Psalm 64:6.

For additional press coverage on this subject, you may want to visit the Family Research Council.

Truth Talk About Hell

If, as Janna wrote on her post earlier this week, “Keeping the end in mind [heaven] helps us endure through the hard times, [then] understanding the alternative to heaven… might also influence our actions.” The alternative in which she speaks is the place called Hell.

There are many teachings inside the church on the doctrine of Hell. The Way of the Master Radio recently interviewed a pastor of a large church in Minneapolis. This is but one pastor who, while trying to make church attractive and culturally relevant, is misinterpreting Scriptures on Hell. He is teaching that it is not a real place.

However, the Bible says:

1. The destiny of the unsaved is “the eternal fire prepared for the devil” (Matthew 25:41).
2. “And these [that ignored Jesus] will go away into eternal punishment, but the saved [those that followed Jesus] into eternal life” (Mathew 25:46).
3. It is a place “where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:47-48).
4. It is a place “for those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus… [a place] away from the presence of the Lord” (one of punishment and eternal destruction) (2 Thes 1:5–9).
5. “And the devil…was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… [to] be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

While we must be careful in our judgment of others, the biblical interpretation that Hell is not a real place is based on figurative interpretation of the Scriptures. Jesus and Paul were speaking literally when they discussed life after death. The truth about physical death is that no one escapes. The mortality rate of humans is still 100%.

Last month, my father-in-law passed from this earthly life into eternity. Because he knew Jesus, he will spend eternity in the presence of the Lord in a place called heaven. So, with only one chance to die and after this face forever, with or apart from God, the alternative to humanity’s heavenly destination becomes vital to those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior.

Talking about Hell may seem unpleasant. However, not talking about it doesn’t make it any less of a reality for those who die without Christ.

What will you do with what you know?