We Keep Sinning, Jesus Keeps Saving

As I have been preparing for a message I’m giving to the Campus Crusade men at Wayne State College tomorrow, I have been repenting of many sins and trusting the Lord to use me even though I am a sinner.  At times, I have been overwhelmed with my sinfulness, but I have taken solace in the words of 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ he righteous.  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

One of the reasons the Bible was written was so that we will know what sin is and stay away from it.  However, we do sin, because we are not perfect beings and we have a great Savior named Jesus to save us from ourselves, sin, death, Satan, and hell.

Still, some people profess to be Christian and claim that they are completely sanctified.  Unfortunately, these people are simply blind to their sin.  I wrestle at times with whether or not some of them are true believers.  When I them against verses like 1 John 1:8, I can’t help but say they are not true followers of Jesus.  The verse says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  I have written on this subject in a essay that I’d encourage you to check out.  Whether you are on the pro or con side of this argument, I hope you’ll be challenged to wrestle with your own sinfulness and prompted to look to Jesus.

Weekly Spurgeon

Sorry for its absence in the past two weeks.  This week, the quote is quite short, but it is long on conviction.

If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word–prayer. Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell.

Perseverance of the Saints

There’s a lot of different perspectives in Christianity about the level of assurance a believer can have.  D.A. Carson, of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, offers some great insight:

For non-reformed theologies…”at the end of the day, the security of the believer finally rests with the believer.  For those in the opposite camp [Reformed], the security of the believer finally rests with God–and that, I suggest, rightly taught, draws the believer back to God himself, to trust in God, to a renewed faith that is of a piece with trusting him in the first place.”

When people believe that their free-choice brought them to Christ, that their works bring about sanctification, and that their determination keeps them enduring, instead of God’s election, grace, mercy, and power, they are ultimately trusting in themselves and not God.  How arrogant and self-centered!

Furthermore, if we could lose our salvation, that would mean that the Christian could perform a work that is more powerful than Almighty God by leaving his saving grasp.  We must remember what Jesus said in John 10:27-29, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

Take joy in that promise.  Rejoice that your Savior is not weak or incapable of preserving you.  He is gloriously powerful and more than able to hold you in his grip for all eternity. 

Black Liberation Theology: What Exactly is it?

Anthony Bradley, of Covenant Theological Seminary and the Resurgence blog, is interviewed by Glenn Beck (Headline News Network) on Black Liberation Theology.  For those who don’t know, that’s the doctrine that Barrack Obama’s church and pastor, Jeremiah Wright, espouses and teaches.  (Hence the comment from a few weeks back, “Hilary Clinton’s never been called a n*****.”)

Hearing, Praying, and Speaking the Word

Justin Taylor writes on the discipline of reading the Bible and praying aloud.  Great insight and encouragement.  A must read.

Unintentional Sins and Atonement

Leviticus 4 is about unintentional sins, or as the KJV would say, “sins of ignorance.”  There are sacrifices for unintentional sins that come from private individuals, the whole congregation of Israel, leaders, and common people.  Four times, God says this phrase after a sacrifice is made: “And the priest shall make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven” (vv. 20, 26, 31, 25).  Israel was full of ignorant sins, they were hidden from their minds, hearts, and spiritual eyes.  Unfortunately, we are in the same boat. 

Our hearts should be that we trust in the Holy Spirit to reveal these secret sins to us.  We should have the desire of David when he prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” and “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults” (Ps. 139:23-24; 19:12).  We should be broken over our ignorance simple unwillingness to examine our true selves by facing the ugliness of sin face-to-face.

Yet, there is a Priest who atones for our secret sins.  First John 2:1-2 says, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”  More than that he is the atonement for our sin that he had to offer one time.  Hebrews 7:27 says, “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”

At the cross of Jesus, everyone who calls on his name finds grace, mercy, peace, compassion, and forgiveness (Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13). There is no partiality with God, for here we see rich and poor, slave and free, leader and follower, male and female, old and young, and Jew and Gentile all come into the presence of God because of Jesus’ sacrifice (Rom. 10:12; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). Perhaps, even while Jesus was on the cross there was an allusion to this sacrifice for unintentional sins when he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 

How perfect are the Scriptures, that every page, even the Old Testament, tells the glory of God and the preeminence of Christ!

Sproul Interviews Ben Stein

Ligonier has posted a 27-minute video of R.C. Sproul interviewing Ben Stein.  You may know Ben Stein from his comedic acting career, particularly as the dry teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  Stein has now committed much of his efforts to disprove Darwinian evolution in favor of Intelligent Design.

Unless You Become Like Children…You’ll be Bored

I was baby sitting the kids of some good friends of mine tonight.  They have four kids and when I was putting them to bed, two of them in particular started a conversation with me.  Daniel is six years old.  Allison is three.   They both wanted to tell me about certain dreams they’ve had.  This conversation happened about 20 minutes ago.  It went like this, word-for-word.

Daniel: “Sometimes when I dream, it sounds like a big train.”
Me: “Wow.”
Allison: “Me too. And I have dogs and pigs.
Me: “Really?”
Allison: “It’s very big, too.”
Me: “The pigs or the train?”
Allison: “Uh, both of them.”

I’m sure those have some sort of theological insight.  It probably has to do with eschatology.

Such a Spiritual Post

I read a blog this morning called, “Reasons I don’t read your blog.”  I took some advice from it.  One of it was to be more humorous–which in recent weeks I think I have been.  He also said “don’t be a pastor.”  Well, I tend to preach, even in “real life”, so that wont’ stop.  Anyway, just so you know, there might be more humor in the future (e.g. Mark Driscol, haha).

All that to say:

I went to the dentist earlier and got two cavities drilled and filled without any Novocaine.  I’ve never done that before. 

How’s that for random?

Easter Sunday Meditation

Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:19 seem to be the most significant and profound words ever written about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He writes, “If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

I asked a non-Christian person last week if I was crazy for believing that Jesus died, rose, and ascended into heaven and that I am living my life according to his word.  This person did not believe Jesus really rose from the dead.  He looked at me and answered, “No.”  (Honestly, I think he just didn’t want to offend me.)  I replied back with something to the affect of, “If Jesus didn’t rise, then I’m crazy for believing a hoax.  You don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead.  Therefore, you think I believe a lie and/or a hoax and furthermore, I must be crazy if I believe it.” 

He refused to concede.  It makes perfect sense though, doesn’t it?  As the great C.S. Lewis said, you either must make Jesus your Lord or not–for he did not leave us any other options.  Jesus really did die on a cross.  Jesus really did rise from the dead.  Jesus really did appear to more than 500 people at one time.  Jesus really does reign in heaven right now and in the hearts of those who confess him.  He’s either your Lord or something else is.

At the end of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul sums up his 57 verse treatise of the resurrection with one simple application: ”Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (v. 58).  Paul’s words are clear: Jesus is risen, so you can be unwavering in your faith in him, which should result in continued, quality work for him.  It is not in vain, because he is risen.  It is not in vain, because he reigns on high.  It is not in vain, because one day we will be raised to new life with him. 

May we remind ourselves this Easter that Jesus is still alive and our work, no matter the cost, will never be in vain.