Many people have "demonic faith" in God. No, I don't mean theithy worship demons. I mean they have the same kind of faith in God that the demons do. They believe in the existence of God, and maybe they even believe that there's only one God, but that's as far as their faith goes. It doesn't make any difference in their lives.
In James 2:19, we're told that the demons believe in one God. I think that Satan and the demons are entirely orthodox in their beliefs about God. In fact, it's more than faith to them-they know the reality of who God is and what He's like. I;m sure they are consistent Trinitarians, knowing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If you gave them a theology test on the existence and being of God, they'd ace it.
Despite their "orthodoxy," however, Satan and the demons are condemned to eternal judgment. Their correct belief in God didn't stop them from pursuing their own way, with Satan wanting to be like God and the demons following him in rebellion. As a result, they fell, and their knowledge of God only gives them reason to tremble at the thought of what's coming.
Having the facts about God straight is important, but those facts alone aren't enough. We have to take what we know about God and act on it. The first thing we must do is acknowledge who God is, and who we are in relation to Him. We need to accept Jesus as our Lord by faith. We need to have a faith that really makes a difference in our lives as well. Our knowledge should be matched by our commitment.
James is the NT book that stresses having a living faith. James is often criticized for putting an emphasis on works; in fact, some people accuse him of teaching salvation by works. That's not what his message is when you look at it closely. James sees works as evidence of a real faith, and the absence of any good works as evidence of a dead faith. He follows the advice of his older brother, who said, "By their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:20) If our faith is alive, it should be visible in the way we live our lives.
We do need to know the truth about God accurately. We need to have a strong grasp of the teaching of the Bible. But we also need to take what we know and put it into practice. If our faith is no better than that of a demon, we've missed the whole point about Jesus. So let's hold on to the truth, but let's also let that truth work itself out so the world can see the difference that faith in Christ makes in our lives.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Doing the Word
Awkward title, isn't it? Yet that's what we should be doing according to James 1:22: "But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (HCSB) The Greek words are nouns, so it's an accurate rendition of what James wrote. So what does it mean to "do the Word"? That's pretty much what James spends most of his epistle describing.
It must have been tough to be James. Maybe if you're a younger sibling you understand the issues he might have faced. Can't you see Mary saying, "James, why can't you be more like your older brother? Jesus always listens. He never gets into. You should be more like him." Maybe that's one of the reasons his brothers weren't immediate followers of Jesus; perhaps there was a little sibling-rivalry resentment to overcome. (That, of course, is just my speculation, not Scripture, so take it for wht it's worth.)
Yet James did ultimately believe in Jesus, and became not only a follower of His but a leader in the early church. He was called "James the Just' for his outstanding character. According to early accounts, he was respected not only by Christians but by many Jews. His advice at the Council of Jerusalem shows a man who seeks to be both just and fair in his dealings. James really did become a "doer of the Word," so his encouragement to his readers and to us is significant.
I believe one of the reasons so many churches have little impact on their communities and on the world at large is that they become so focused on being right in their beliefs that they forget to live out those truths before the world. I would be the last one to argue that having correct theology and a strong understanding of Scripture is unimportant. However, even if our theology is perfect and our grasp of the Bible deep, that knowledge and understanding is useless if not put into practice. If the truth of God doesn't make a difference in the way we live, then we are living by another truth and only going through the motions of being a Christian.
James certainly believed in the importance of reading and meditating on the Word. Just two verses later, after his illustration of looking into a mirror, he writes, "But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does." (1:25, HCSB) Our time and meditation on the Word is what gives us the motivation to do what is good. We cannot do what the Lord wants us to do if we don't know what that is, and we can't know what that is if we don't read, study, and understand what He tells us in His Word.
I'm a bit of an academic, and perhaps if you are reading this you are, too. I have to be careful that I don't get so caught up in an academic pursuit of Christianity that I forget to have a living, breathing, and active faith.
So by all means study the Bible, understand your theology, and listen to the Word preached and taught. Just don't leave it in the classroom. Make sure you take what you know and live it, and show your world what faith in Jesus looks like in action. Do the Word!
It must have been tough to be James. Maybe if you're a younger sibling you understand the issues he might have faced. Can't you see Mary saying, "James, why can't you be more like your older brother? Jesus always listens. He never gets into. You should be more like him." Maybe that's one of the reasons his brothers weren't immediate followers of Jesus; perhaps there was a little sibling-rivalry resentment to overcome. (That, of course, is just my speculation, not Scripture, so take it for wht it's worth.)
Yet James did ultimately believe in Jesus, and became not only a follower of His but a leader in the early church. He was called "James the Just' for his outstanding character. According to early accounts, he was respected not only by Christians but by many Jews. His advice at the Council of Jerusalem shows a man who seeks to be both just and fair in his dealings. James really did become a "doer of the Word," so his encouragement to his readers and to us is significant.
I believe one of the reasons so many churches have little impact on their communities and on the world at large is that they become so focused on being right in their beliefs that they forget to live out those truths before the world. I would be the last one to argue that having correct theology and a strong understanding of Scripture is unimportant. However, even if our theology is perfect and our grasp of the Bible deep, that knowledge and understanding is useless if not put into practice. If the truth of God doesn't make a difference in the way we live, then we are living by another truth and only going through the motions of being a Christian.
James certainly believed in the importance of reading and meditating on the Word. Just two verses later, after his illustration of looking into a mirror, he writes, "But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does." (1:25, HCSB) Our time and meditation on the Word is what gives us the motivation to do what is good. We cannot do what the Lord wants us to do if we don't know what that is, and we can't know what that is if we don't read, study, and understand what He tells us in His Word.
I'm a bit of an academic, and perhaps if you are reading this you are, too. I have to be careful that I don't get so caught up in an academic pursuit of Christianity that I forget to have a living, breathing, and active faith.
So by all means study the Bible, understand your theology, and listen to the Word preached and taught. Just don't leave it in the classroom. Make sure you take what you know and live it, and show your world what faith in Jesus looks like in action. Do the Word!
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Sunday Sermon: "Call Me Bitter"
The book of Ruth, set in the background of the time of the judges, tells us a marvelous story that gives us a picture of even greater realities. The beginning of the story, however, is awfully dark. The family of Elimelech goes into a voluntary exile to Moab during a famine, leaving behind their home and their place in the people of God. While there, Elimelech's sons both marry Moabite wives, something not forbidden directly by the Law but certainly not completely in line with it. Then the greater tragedy occurs: Elimelech and both of his sons die. (The names of the two sons, Mahlon ("weak") and Kilion ("pining") may give us insight into their early deaths.) Who is left? Elimelech's widow, Naomi, and the two wives of her sons, Ruth and Orpah.
Naomi decides to return to Israel, perhaps just out of desperation. While her two daughters-in-law begin the journey with her, it may have been just the politeness of the younger for the elder. Naomi urges them to leave her, since there really is no future hope for them with her. Orpah follows Naomi's advice and returns to her home, but Ruth refuses to leave. She has decided to remain with Naomi, not only out of family loyalty but also because she has chosen to adopt Naomi's GOd as her own.
Ruth is the central character of the story, and we often focus on her choices when we look at this passage. I think we miss a big point, however, when we skip over Naomi's reactions When we examine her situation, we see a woman who is older, with no husband, no place of her own, no financial support, and an extra mouth to feed in her foreign daughter-in-law.
How does she react? She acknowledges that it is the Lord who is in control, and accepts that what has happened to her is from Him. Her faith is shaken because of that, and she is in despair. She actually asks that her name be changed, from Naomi {"pleasant"} to Mara {"bitter"}. Her life has become bitter, and her spirit is bitter.
At the end of chapter 1, everything looks bleak for her and for Ruth. Since we tend to rush right into chapter 2, we see what's going to happen and how the Lord will provide, but I think it's important to see where Naomi is at this point. In our own lives, we often find ourselves in situations where we see the Lord moving in ways that make no sense to us, and that leave us at least close to despair. We wonder where God is, and why He isn't doing anything to help us. Yet we may only be at the end of "chapter 1" in our situation.
What does that mean for us? Before we fall into despair, and give up on God, we need to recognize that one moment in our lives does not tell our whole story. The Lord may be working out something that is greater than we expect, but we need to be prepared for it. I believe that we more often arow and move forward in our spiritual lives through our trial than through our blessings. We may need to be dislodged from things in which we have placed our faith, and learn to rely on the Lord.
So if you are experiencing challenges in your life, don't despair. You may just be at the end of chapter 1. The Lord is in control, and He knows what He has in store for you and will move you to that place in His time.
Naomi decides to return to Israel, perhaps just out of desperation. While her two daughters-in-law begin the journey with her, it may have been just the politeness of the younger for the elder. Naomi urges them to leave her, since there really is no future hope for them with her. Orpah follows Naomi's advice and returns to her home, but Ruth refuses to leave. She has decided to remain with Naomi, not only out of family loyalty but also because she has chosen to adopt Naomi's GOd as her own.
Ruth is the central character of the story, and we often focus on her choices when we look at this passage. I think we miss a big point, however, when we skip over Naomi's reactions When we examine her situation, we see a woman who is older, with no husband, no place of her own, no financial support, and an extra mouth to feed in her foreign daughter-in-law.
How does she react? She acknowledges that it is the Lord who is in control, and accepts that what has happened to her is from Him. Her faith is shaken because of that, and she is in despair. She actually asks that her name be changed, from Naomi {"pleasant"} to Mara {"bitter"}. Her life has become bitter, and her spirit is bitter.
At the end of chapter 1, everything looks bleak for her and for Ruth. Since we tend to rush right into chapter 2, we see what's going to happen and how the Lord will provide, but I think it's important to see where Naomi is at this point. In our own lives, we often find ourselves in situations where we see the Lord moving in ways that make no sense to us, and that leave us at least close to despair. We wonder where God is, and why He isn't doing anything to help us. Yet we may only be at the end of "chapter 1" in our situation.
What does that mean for us? Before we fall into despair, and give up on God, we need to recognize that one moment in our lives does not tell our whole story. The Lord may be working out something that is greater than we expect, but we need to be prepared for it. I believe that we more often arow and move forward in our spiritual lives through our trial than through our blessings. We may need to be dislodged from things in which we have placed our faith, and learn to rely on the Lord.
So if you are experiencing challenges in your life, don't despair. You may just be at the end of chapter 1. The Lord is in control, and He knows what He has in store for you and will move you to that place in His time.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
God-sized prayers
Our church began a 30 day prayer emphasis this morning. My pastor preached on the subject, challenging us as individual Christians, families, and as a church to renew and deepen our prayer lives for the next 30 days.
He encouraged us to pray "God-sized prayers." I think this point is well-taken in our culture. We often pray little prayers: help in some circumstance of life, meeting a specific need, changing some small aspect of our character, or divine intervention in some immediate crisis. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these prayers; we are encouraged in Scripture to bring everything before our Father in prayer. The problem is when that is all we pray about.
I freely admit to struggling with prayer. I am an "ADD pray-er" (probably because I am ADD). I admire, even envy, great prayer warriors like Martin Luther or George Muller. Yet, despite my best efforts, I cannot focus on a single prayer session for long. My mind wanders as various subjects flit through it, brought in sometimes by the very prayers I am praying. I have to conclude my prayers, get up, and come back later to regain that focus. And we all know what can happen when we walk away from a time with the Lord.
With someone like me, the urgent often crowds out the important. I pray for what is immediately on my mind, or for needs that are brought to my attention, but leave out the "routine" prayers for ongoing situations in our world. Maybe you are like that, too. How do we remain focused long enough on what is so critically important in our world when so much draws our attention away?
This is where "God-sized prayers" come in. When I sit down to pray, I want to pray in a way that shows I believe that God is an awesomely powerful God who cares about our world and about me, and who wants to answer prayer to show His power and His love. I want to pray not for what seems to be a manageable task for God, but for what seems from my human perspective to be impossible except for God. I want prayers that stretch the boundaries of faith.
This isn't to say I want to challenge God, to test Him and see if He's up to the challenge. No, I want to challenge myself, and see if I can at least have faith enough to believe God can do amazing things in our world today. Prayer doesn't stretch God, but it does stretch me. I believe one reason so many Christians struggle with faith is that we don't exercise it much. We say we believe in a powerful and loving God who cares about us and our world, but we pray like God is inconvenienced by listening to us and only answers prayers grudgingly. Worse, sometimes we pray like we believe God can't do what we ask.
We don't want to be presumptuous. One of the flaws in the theology of those who preach a prosperity gospel is the teaching that God must give us what we ask for, no matter what it is or what His will for our life is. Jesus reminds us to pray for the Father's will to be done in the Lord's Prayer, and we need to remember that when we pray. Prayer is not a demand session to get what we want, but a communication with our Heavenly Father. We do occasionally pray for things that would not bring Him glory, or even for things that would be destructive to us. Since He is our Father, He knows what we need, and what is best.
With that in mind, though, let's make our prayers bigger. I challenge you to use prayer to stretch yourself. What's a big need in your life? What's a big need in our world? What can't change unless God intervenes? Let those be your prayers. As you you pray, watch, and wait, you will see many prayers answered, but you will also see yourself stretching your faith and growing stronger in your confidence in the Lord.
He encouraged us to pray "God-sized prayers." I think this point is well-taken in our culture. We often pray little prayers: help in some circumstance of life, meeting a specific need, changing some small aspect of our character, or divine intervention in some immediate crisis. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these prayers; we are encouraged in Scripture to bring everything before our Father in prayer. The problem is when that is all we pray about.
I freely admit to struggling with prayer. I am an "ADD pray-er" (probably because I am ADD). I admire, even envy, great prayer warriors like Martin Luther or George Muller. Yet, despite my best efforts, I cannot focus on a single prayer session for long. My mind wanders as various subjects flit through it, brought in sometimes by the very prayers I am praying. I have to conclude my prayers, get up, and come back later to regain that focus. And we all know what can happen when we walk away from a time with the Lord.
With someone like me, the urgent often crowds out the important. I pray for what is immediately on my mind, or for needs that are brought to my attention, but leave out the "routine" prayers for ongoing situations in our world. Maybe you are like that, too. How do we remain focused long enough on what is so critically important in our world when so much draws our attention away?
This is where "God-sized prayers" come in. When I sit down to pray, I want to pray in a way that shows I believe that God is an awesomely powerful God who cares about our world and about me, and who wants to answer prayer to show His power and His love. I want to pray not for what seems to be a manageable task for God, but for what seems from my human perspective to be impossible except for God. I want prayers that stretch the boundaries of faith.
This isn't to say I want to challenge God, to test Him and see if He's up to the challenge. No, I want to challenge myself, and see if I can at least have faith enough to believe God can do amazing things in our world today. Prayer doesn't stretch God, but it does stretch me. I believe one reason so many Christians struggle with faith is that we don't exercise it much. We say we believe in a powerful and loving God who cares about us and our world, but we pray like God is inconvenienced by listening to us and only answers prayers grudgingly. Worse, sometimes we pray like we believe God can't do what we ask.
We don't want to be presumptuous. One of the flaws in the theology of those who preach a prosperity gospel is the teaching that God must give us what we ask for, no matter what it is or what His will for our life is. Jesus reminds us to pray for the Father's will to be done in the Lord's Prayer, and we need to remember that when we pray. Prayer is not a demand session to get what we want, but a communication with our Heavenly Father. We do occasionally pray for things that would not bring Him glory, or even for things that would be destructive to us. Since He is our Father, He knows what we need, and what is best.
With that in mind, though, let's make our prayers bigger. I challenge you to use prayer to stretch yourself. What's a big need in your life? What's a big need in our world? What can't change unless God intervenes? Let those be your prayers. As you you pray, watch, and wait, you will see many prayers answered, but you will also see yourself stretching your faith and growing stronger in your confidence in the Lord.
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