Death for Life

In our Sunday Morning Bible study classes, we've been venturing through the book of Colossians. It has really been an amazing journey, and I think all of us have learned some things about the Lord and about ourselves. This past Sunday, we hit chapter 3 - the part where Paul challenges us to put all of this new knowledge into practice. You've "heard" it... now "do" it! (James 1:22).

In our most recent time together, we spent some time discussing why we thought people make decisions for Christ, and then "fall away," so to speak. I was amazed at how much insight my friends have into this - what an incredible group of people.

As we reflected on what Paul had been communicating to this newly-converted and under-shepherded group of Gentile believers, we discovered that before we are able to make lasting change, we first have to re-think our very existence. In Colossians 3:1-4, the prerequisite for living an effective Christian lifestyle is a positional awareness of our existence. Paul writes that we have "died." That's right - died... as my mother used to say, "deader than a doorknob." And then he writes that Jesus "is" our "life." I believe the lack of this awareness is the downfall of many an overwhelmed, under-accomplished believer in our day.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and take some heat for this, I know... but I believe we have over-simplified the Gospel message. In efforts to "win" as many for Christ as we possibly can, we have put our hopes in the repetition of a simple prayer and in the communicative/persuasive abilities of the witness-er. We have over-emphasized the one-time decision and underemphasized the lifelong commitment.

The reader can find in almost every one of the Pauline letters an implication or direct command to "die" or "put [something] to death." Perhaps the greatest of these is Paul's own witness in Galatians 2:19-20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives within me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Paul also speaks of being "buried with Christ in baptism" (Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12), having previously been "dead in our sin" (Ephesians 2:1), the potential argument that "what is good" may have "caused" his death (Romans 7:13), and of our being "dead with Christ" (2 Timothy 2:11). Paul is writing that there is an undeniable DEATH element which is a prerequisite for living the Christian life.

I have been taught and even taught others that Romans 6:23 describes what Christ has done for us. The wages of sin is death - that's the death that Jesus paid for us, isn't it? Yes. And no. "Wait a minute, Tony, are you saying that Jesus' death isn't enough to take away our sins?" Yes I am. That is exactly what I'm saying. If all it took was Jesus' death, then we must believe a universalistic gospel. But that's not the only element. Salvation involves not only Jesus' death, but OURS as well. Oh, I can just see the fire in your eyes, and the smoke coming out of your ears now. Read on before you slam me.

Let's take a simple, expositional approach toward the proper exegesis of Romans 6:23. Look at the context, Christian. Read verses 17-22. What is the main topic here? Jesus' death? No... well, who's death? Yours, my friend. Your death. The wages of sin is death - your death. Because of the sin in your life and in mine, we have earned death. That's what it takes to be saved - death. Isn't this consistent with the very words of our Savior Himself? Luke 9:24 - "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it."

The first part of Romans 6:23 is about you. The second part is about Christ. Thank You, Heavenly Father, that although the wages of sin is death, "the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." You must choose to "put to death" the old man so that you may become alive in Christ Jesus. You cannot, no matter how hard you try, effectively and lastingly work out things that imitate salvation prior to your own spiritual death. Too many of us are living defeated lives - un-victorious, uneventful, un-beneficial, and un-impactful. Why? Because we've not understood what it means to be saved. First, we must die. Only then can salvation can be ours.

So what does it look like to be "dead?" Back to Colossians Chapter 3. Paul seems to indicate that it means a conscious effort to "put to death whatever is worldly" (verse 5): things like sexual immorality, lust, greed, malicious thoughts/deeds, anger, slander, filthy language, and lying. What do you do when you read a passage of scripture like this? What is your reaction? For the believer, there is an immediate conviction that takes place. But what happens after that conviction? What do you do with this? Well, the defeated Christian ignores it or justifies his actions. "I only cuss around my friends." "It's not slander, it's just the hard truth." "It's not sinful as long as I don't act on my lust." "I'm not being greedy, I deserve this." I hope I'm not the first one to tell you this, but if any of these responses belong to you, then you are headed nowhere in your Christian walk... and you're probably getting there fast.

Contrastingly, Paul urges the believer to "put on" or "bring to life" the things that are Christ-like: patience, kindness, compassion, gentleness, humility, and love (verses 12-14). Your goal in life, as a Christian, must be to conform to the character of Christ. Anything else is inferior. Anything else is sub-standard. Anything else is pointless.

What do you do with the Word of the Living God when it brings conviction on your life?

"The Lord is my portion. I have promised to keep Your words... I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your commands... I rise at midnight to thank You for Your righteous judgements. I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts. Lord, the earth is filled with Your faithful love; teach me Your statutes." - Psalm 119:57-64

Grace and Peace,
Tony

Murderers, NOT Martyrs.

Since September 11, 2001, Americans have experienced a heightened awareness of the reality that is Islamic Jihad / terrorism. Islam claims to be a religion of peace... but the statistics prove otherwise. Now I know - Tony, are you about to be condemning of the religion of Islam? Don't you know that it's only the "radical" Muslims that believe in murdering innocent people? And aren't there "radical" Christians who do crazy things in the name of Jesus as well?

This is one of the most pressing issues of our day. Can't we be accepting of the religion of Islam and still hope for peace? I think not. There have been entire books and websites dedicated to this question and to the defense or condemnation of Islam. I confess that I do not have the education or desire, honestly, to explain the intricacies of the Islamic faith - but I know one thing for sure... Islamic Terrorists are MURDERERS, NOT MARTYRS.

Martyrs are those who were persecuted for their beliefs (usually religious) and died while exercising it. Cassie Bernall was a martyr of the Christian faith. At Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 she was asked at gunpoint if she believed in God, and after answering affirmatively, she was shot. Hans Brael, Felix Manz, Michael Sattler, and many more were 16th Century martyrs for the Christian faith; they were tortured, drowned, or hung because they believed what the Bible said and exercised their religious freedom. Historically, Jesus' disciples were hunted and executed by crucifixion or the sword after Jesus' resurrection. What is important to note here is that the exercising of this religious freedom was imposing upon no one, save the religious adherent. They were hurting no one, and did not in any way impose upon the free will or liberty of another. They were killed because they believed, nothing else. That's what makes a martyr. 

But the Qur'an instructs the Muslim to kill the "infidel." To murder those who DON'T believe as they do. I don't know if you've ever read through the Qur'an or parts of it, but here are a few snippets...

“Slay the idolators [non-Muslims] wherever ye find them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the last Day…. Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! (Sura 9:5,29,41).

"The Prophet said, "The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr). Had I not found it difficult for my followers, then I would not remain behind any sariya going for Jihad and I would have loved to be martyred in Allah's cause and then made alive, and then martyred and then made alive, and then again martyred in His cause" (Volume 1, Book 2, Number 35, Narrated Abu Huraira).

“Whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill him.” (Hadith Al Buhkari vol. 9:57)

So what exactly is an "extreme" or "radical" Muslim? One who believes and lives by the words of the Qur'an? Well, these instructions seem pretty straight forward to me... but I know that many Muslims have defended their faith against the attack that I'm making. That is not the point of this blog.

The point is this... In exercising their religion, Islamic terrorists are compelled to infringe on the lives of non-believers (non-Muslims) to the point of taking their lives. 

They are not the persecuted... they are the persecutors. 

They are not the oppressed... they are the oppressors. 

They are not the misunderstood... they are the underestimated. 

They are not the religion of peace... they are the religion of destruction.

They are not martyrs... they are murderers.

Here is a Word from the God of the Bible - the God of Christianity.

There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior. There is no one except Me.

Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other.

By Myself I have sworn, Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked:

Every knee will bow to me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

It will be said to Me: Only in the Lord is righteousness and strength.

All who are incensed against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.

- Isaiah 45:21-24

A real God does not need or desire the suicide of an "extremist" follower to carry out His purposes and defend His name against other gods. He is the only God. All others do not exist. And one glorious day, even those who have given their lives for Islam will bow to the authority of Yahweh, the God of Israel - the God of Christianity. 

Grace and Peace,

Tony

Worship Theology (Part 2)

In my last post, I toyed around with the idea that Christians in my generation are more likely to get their theology from the songs we sing instead of from the living Word of God. I had so many comments - mostly off of the screen - from friends that read it and were challenged by it, that I just had to follow it up by addressing this question... 

"If we are more influenced by songs than by the revealed Word, where does that take us?"

A couple of years ago, I was disheartened to learn that one of the most influential Christian songwriter/singers of the 80's, 90's, and 2000's had "come out of the closet," so to speak. Ray Boltz had ministered to so many people through the music God had given him - "Thank You," "The Anchor Holds," "Watch the Lamb," "At the Foot of the Cross," and so many more powerful songs... And after many years of marriage, and in the presence of his wife and children, one day, Boltz decided to announce his secret homosexuality to his family. Since then, He has been mostly involved with "Christian" (and I use the term very loosely) churches who accept and celebrate the LGBT community. You can read more about this here.

At the end of this article, the author quotes Boltz as having said, "If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I'm going to live. It's not like God made me this way and he'll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be." Doesn't that sound all warm and fuzzy to you? But through the revealed Word of God, the true Christian knows that homosexuality is outside of God's plan for humanity, and is at the most foundational level, sin. (If you disagree with this claim, please follow THIS LINK. It provides a great discussion on what the Bible has to say about homosexuality).

More recently, Jennifer Knapp, renown Christian singer/songwriter has also "come out of the closet." Her story is intriguing, no doubt. She started writing and singing Christian music at a very early age, and it seems that no one really stressed to her the importance of studying the Word - but they were infatuated with her music and lyrics - I'm talking about Christians! They praised her and pushed her, and before she could blink, she was lifted onto this pedestal by Christian churches who were listening to her music, but not asking about her walk with the Lord in the light of His Word. This is what she writes about the moment she "realized she was gay..." "I questioned whether my faith had betrayed me, or I if had a betrayed my faith. I wondered if music was a ruse and could unite no one." She has become so dependent on the emotional power of her music and the blind praise of quasi-Christians, that she can't understand why music can't just cover this "difference" and "unite" all "Christians" in love. (You can read more of Knapp's story HERE.) Oh my - how far we have come from Biblical Christianity. Knapp would be wise to honestly sing the lyrics to her song, "Refine Me" to a God who loves, but demands obedience and righteousness. Here are some lyrics from that song she wrote:

Lord...

Come with your fire, burn my desires

Refine me

Lord...

My will has deceived me, please come and free me

Come rescue this child, for I long to be reconciled to you...

I don't think she even realizes how much she really needs to pray that song and listen to God as he (Psalm 139) searches her heart and reveals to her any wicked way that is within her.

What HAPPENED???!!! How can two of the most influential CHRISTIAN singer/songwriters of our time so grossly misunderstand Who God is and what He wants from them? Isn't it clear in scripture that homosexuality is wrong??? How does this happen?!

I'll tell you how - The songs we sing are becoming so "God-is-Love"oriented that we are forgetting that God is also a Holy God who demands justice and righteousness. It is BECAUSE God is love that He demands such. If He did not demand justice for sin, He would be an unjust God. If He submissively allowed His children to get away with whatever they wanted - regardless of the consequences - without disciplining them, He would be an unloving God. Listen to me - GOD IS LOVE! And because He is love, He has given us a standard by which to live and has satisfied His justice through the Person of Jesus Christ. It is because of God's love that He demands righteousness and provides an avenue for it.

I used the word "anthropocentric" in my last blog. Do you know what that means? It means "man-centered." I am ashamed to say that most of our "Christian" songs are man-centered and not God-centered. Songs are not and never will be an acceptable substitute for the eternal Word of the Living God. If you're a songwriter out there... study the Word! Live it! And then write songs about it, and about your journey. After all, if we seek to honor God with our music, then the truth is we have only an "Audience of One." 

I come on my knees

To lay down before you

Bringing all that I am

Longing only to know you

Seeking your face

And not only your hand

I find you embracing me

Just as I am

And I lift these songs

To you and you alone

As I sing to you

In my praises make your home

To my audience of one

You are Father, and you are Son

As your spirit flows free,

Let it find within me

A heart that beats to praise you.

And now just to know you more

Has become my great reward

To see your kingdom come

And your will be done

I only desire to be yours,

Lord

- Big Daddy Weave, "Audience of One"

Grace and Peace,
Tony

Worship Theology (Part 1)

     I believe my generation and the subsequent one are obliged to get their doctrine from the songs we sing instead of from the living Word of God. Passing by one of our committed, older youth in church a few weeks ago, I quoted 1 Peter 2:9. She looked excited and said something like, "Oh, I know that song!" Of course, she was referring to "Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall. I said, no... that comes from the Bible - and her response shocked me... "Really?"

     As a Worship Pastor, I get to hear a lot of great music. There are worship songs that exemplify and even teach biblical doctrine to their audience. Some of the great hymns of the faith like, "There Is A Fountain," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "Be Thou My Vision," and others are just packed with deep theological truth. Modern hymns such as, "In Christ Alone," "Before the Throne of God Above," and "What Grace Is Mine," are also drenched in doctrinal substance. And then there are some contemporary Christian songs that are equal in that devotion to doctrinal truth - "Come, Ye Sinners," "By His Wounds," "Everlasting God," "Worthy Is the Lamb," just to name a few. But there are other songs that don't quite measure up.

     Point of Grace has cranked out some pretty good music over the past few years, but look at the lyrics to the chorus of one of their more recent chart-toppers, "How You Live:"

Turn up the music Turn it up Loud

Take a few chances Let it all out

Because you won’t regret it

Looking back from where you have been

Because it’s not who you knew and it’s not what you did

It’s how you Live

But the Bible teaches that it's all about "Who" you know, and that will in turn affect "how you live." Call me picky, but this is pretty significant. Can we really justify teaching Christians that how you live is more important than Who you know? Christian soteriology cannot approve of this.

How about that good old standard, "Because He Lives?" Now, this is one of my favorite hymns to sing (well, the first verse anyway), but it has a significant problem in the last stanza. Check it out:

And then one day I'll cross the river

I'll fight life's final war with pain

And then as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Hebrews 11:1 explains the essence of faith as being the reality/assurance of things hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Well, since faith itself IS proof of what is not seen, then if we have to wait until we "see the lights of glory" to KNOW He lives, we don't have faith! The ironic paradox here is that without this faith, one cannot be saved (Eph. 2:8), and thus, will never see the "lights of glory." My point is that we don't need to wait until heaven to have the assurance that Jesus lives. It is the joy of the Christian to know that for sure right now.

       I don't want to get too carried away, here... There are plenty of new songs AND old hymns that just don't exemplify biblical truth / biblical theology.

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       Here's the real purpose of this blog: We have become more interested in the immanence of God than in His transcendence. There, I said it. Our postmodern culture places high emphasis on inner feelings and the promotion of self-love. And our churches are conforming to the image of the culture instead of the image of Christ. David Wells wrote, "today's churches are simply in a transitional period, and if they fail to repudiate their experimentation and repent of its outworkings, the day will shortly be upon us when evangelical spirituality will become indistinguishable from New Age Spirituality," (from his book, God in the Wasteland).

       Is God's immanence important? Absolutely. But God is not only immanent. He is holy. He is awe-inspiring. He is omnipotent. He is eternal. He is transcendent.

       But many of the songs we sing could easily be confused with a New Age or transcendentalistic concept of God because of their feel-good, anthropocentric tone. The common cliche is "SANDALS and CANDLES!" I laugh at it, but it really burns me at the core. There's not enough room on this blog to deal with this subject fully, but it's a good start anyway...

Grace and Peace,
Tony

P.S. - can you think of any worship songs / hymns that do NOT exemplify correct biblical theology?