Sunday, February 22, 2009

In the Beginning

This new profile picture should be familiar to space afficionados as "Earth Rise" taken from Apollo 8 as it circled from around the moon. Later, on Christmas Eve, the crew read Genesis chapter one during a live broadcast to the world. It remains one of the most pleasant and spine-tingling events of my life.

Far surpassing though are the times spent at the throne of God in prayer. God reminds me very often lately as I begin to pray, speaking to Him, that He prefers to speak first to me. It is usually a divine interruption and He says, "Worship me." We are so often in such a hurry to bring our issues to God that we forget our place and priority.

God says in Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few."

To worship in the beauty of holiness is first and foremost His Holiness, then that which is imputed to us.

Afterwards, in obedience to Romans 11:36-12:2, I discover God's will for me that day. What a privelage to receive such knowledge, grace, and certainty. Have you learned to purposefully climb upon the altar, bind yourself, and allow God to utterly consume you so that you may know His good, acceptable, and perfect will? Have you so exercised yourself so that you do not jump off when the flames are too hot? Have you willingly forsaken all so that you may freely accept His will as your own with no attachments or exceptions? Only the pure saint can do this.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Futile Attempts

This morning while reading Ecclesiastes, I came across a verse that made me stop and rejoice. Have you ever had a moment like that with God? He gives you a Word “out of the blue”, unexpected, not even in relation to any prayer, line of thinking (whether recent or recalled), or situation. Just a gift that makes you pause and reflect to worship in a moment of truth.

I read in chapter 3 verse 11, “also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

This struck me in such a way because of the fruitless efforts that mankind makes to discover certain things. We all want to know where we came from. Charles Darwin thought he found the answer to that question. Today, The Origin of the Species creates more controversy than ever with the media blitz covering the two-hundredth anniversary of his birth.

Yahoo news announced the discovery of a massive deep-space explosion this week. About a month ago, a very large near-earth asteroid came within sufficient distance of earth to cause concern again about a potential impact. Was such a collision the end of the dinosaurs? Will it be the end of our earth as we know it? Will this planet survive given all the unknown, untracked, uncontrollable objects in space headed for us? (By the way, I laughed at this one quite a bit last week with the reported collision of the defunct Russian satellite with the Iridium satellite. We sure make enough of our own problems out there but we literally encounter thousands of impacts daily from micro-sized space stuff.)

Just a few verses later God gave me another gem. It was completely unrelated to the first but just as precious. God says in verse 16, “And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.” Ahh, just the kind of stuff that a prophet loves. Do you know why there will be a new heaven and a new earth? This verse is the answer. Because in this present earth and heaven, wickedness and iniquity are there.

After the judgment is complete (both the Bema Seat and the Great White Throne) God will burn up the heavens and the earth with a fervent heat that will melt even the elements themselves. God writes about just how beautiful this new day will be in II Peter 3:10-13, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

God was not finished yet (and not just because I wasn’t finished reading the chapter). Finally in verses 19-21 God says, “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?”

Again, totally unrelated to the other two but special to me because God pointed out something to me that I missed the first time I studied the topic of dominion. In the beginning, God created all living things and commanded man to have dominion over all other creatures. While this is necessarily true (and a great study of a capability that most of us no longer exercise) I like the word “preeminence” here along with the clear instruction of the finality of all of us.

Although we all die (it is appointed!), only man enjoys the future of eternal life with God. The body goes to dust but the spirit (of man alone) goes upward to God. My sincere sympathy to the animal lovers out there. But there is no animal heaven. “…the beast goeth downward to the earth.” However, this in no way excuses the deplorable ways that we treat the animals. Such cruelties in no way exhibit obedience to have dominion. There will be much unexpected judgment upon us for how we have abused our dominion over the animal kingdom.

Well, enough random stuff for today. My posts for the next month come to you from Japan where I reside on business. Pray for me to be bold.

Copyright 2009 Lawrence J. Caldwell

Futile Attempts

This morning while reading Ecclesiastes, I came across a verse that made me stop and rejoice. Have you ever had a moment like that with God? He gives you a Word “out of the blue”, unexpected, not even in relation to any prayer, line of thinking (whether recent or recalled), or situation. Just a gift that makes you pause and reflect to worship in a moment of truth.

I read in chapter 3 verse 11, “also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

This struck me in such a way because of the fruitless efforts that mankind makes to discover certain things. We all want to know where we came from. Charles Darwin thought he found the answer to that question. Today, The Origin of the Species creates more controversy than ever with the media blitz covering the two-hundredth anniversary of his birth.

Yahoo news announced the discovery of a massive deep-space explosion this week. About a month ago, a very large near-earth asteroid came within sufficient distance of earth to cause concern again about a potential impact. Was such a collision the end of the dinosaurs? Will it be the end of our earth as we know it? Will this planet survive given all the unknown, untracked, uncontrollable objects in space headed for us? (By the way, I laughed at this one quite a bit last week with the reported collision of the defunct Russian satellite with the Iridium satellite. We sure make enough of our own problems out there but we literally encounter thousands of impacts daily from micro-sized space stuff.)

Just a few verses later God gave me another gem. It was completely unrelated to the first but just as precious. God says in verse 16, “And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.” Ahh, just the kind of stuff that a prophet loves. Do you know why there will be a new heaven and a new earth? This verse is the answer. Because in this present earth and heaven, wickedness and iniquity are there.

After the judgment is complete (both the Bema Seat and the Great White Throne) God will burn up the heavens and the earth with a fervent heat that will melt even the elements themselves. God writes about just how beautiful this new day will be in II Peter 3:10-13, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

God was not finished yet (and not just because I wasn’t finished reading the chapter). Finally in verses 19-21 God says, “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?”

Again, totally unrelated to the other two but special to me because God pointed out something to me that I missed the first time I studied the topic of dominion. In the beginning, God created all living things and commanded man to have dominion over all other creatures. While this is necessarily true (and a great study of a capability that most of us no longer exercise) I like the word “preeminence” here along with the clear instruction of the finality of all of us.

Although we all die (it is appointed!), only man enjoys the future of eternal life with God. The body goes to dust but the spirit (of man alone) goes upward to God. My sincere sympathy to the animal lovers out there. But there is no animal heaven. “…the beast goeth downward to the earth.” However, this in no way excuses the deplorable ways that we treat the animals. Such cruelties in no way exhibit obedience to have dominion. There will be much unexpected judgment upon us for how we have abused our dominion over the animal kingdom.

Well, enough random stuff for today. My posts for the next month come to you from Japan where I reside on business. Pray for me to be bold.

Copyright 2009 Lawrence J. Caldwell

Monday, February 16, 2009

Free at Last

Sometimes the prophets are portrayed as the "doom and gloom" guys because all we talk about is sin and judgment. There really is an upside to all that. I want to share some encouragement with you.

God says in Luke 15:7&10, "that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth...(and) there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

Meanwhile, back down here on earth....

"...ye shall be free indeed." - John 8:36 I cannot find words to describe this state that is far beyond a feeling and knowledge.

Likewise, to know and experience the answer to Jesus' prayer in John 17:21-24 is also indescribable. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." We experience this most profoundly in prayer.

We can in fact enter into prayer boldly as God tells us in Hebrews 4:15, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

As we are there, we can fully expect to see God as Jesus told us in Matthew 5:8,"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

Furthermore, we shall enjoy many other untold spiritual blessings at the throne as God tells us in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (I would love to hear your stories of how God has done this in your lives!)

We have also at times the supreme benefit of learning directly from God. Although we get no new revelation as Paul did for fourteen years in the Arabian desert alone with Jesus (Galatians 1:17-18; 2:1). We do in fact learn directly from the Holy Spirit as God tells us in I John 2:27, "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."

This is how we obtain the divine privilege to worship God in spirit and in truth as He commanded in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

And finally, we have confidence in our preparation to meet Him one day in the clouds without even a moment's notice. We are ever ready. We have nothing to fear now or at the judgment for as He says in Ephesians 5:25-27, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

My dear readers, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (III John 1:4) I would delight to hear of more things you know and experience in this light. Share the joy and encourage one another!

Friday, February 13, 2009

The "Normal" Church

What happens when a church organization or a Church fellowship gets into sin? What happens when a little leaven leavens the whole lump? I'll answer this question today from the perspective of spiritual gifts as given in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.

The prophets will try to fix it by preaching against sin and reinforcing all such Biblical truth.

The evangelists will try to fix it by bringing more unsaved people into the church to get saved.

The pastor/teachers will try to fix it by getting people more educated with more expository and topical preaching.

The ministers will try to fix it by trying to make everyone feel more comfortable.

The exhorters will try to fix it by encouraging everyone that things will get better.

The givers will try to fix it by throwing more money at the problem (like more programs, new music and instruments, bigger monitors and screens, etc.).

The rulers will try to fix it by adjusting the procedures and processes, ways and means, or constitution of the church.

The merciful will try to fix it by feeling even more sorry for people and praying for them.

The wise and knowledgeable will try to fix it by spreading their own opinions.

The faithful will try to fix it by acts of the flesh that seem right to them.

The miracle workers will try to fix it by hoping and praying that God will fix everything eventually.

The healers will try to fix it by trying to heal everyone from the diseases and calamities that are sure to come upon them in God's judgment.

The discerners of spirits will try to fix it by letting everyone know that it's all the fault of Satan so there will be many prayer meetings of spiritual warfare coming up.

But you see folks, none of this will work. When sin enters into the Body, Satan will indeed tempt the Body to bastardize their gifts and turn them to fleshly pursuits. He is a master at such deception. And while in sin, the Christian will not ever realize it. Apart from the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we would be condemned to perish in the chaos.

But God is faithful, merciful, and full of lovingkindness towards His children. He will not leave them forever in such desperate straits if they hear His voice and repent. Even still, the spiritual gifts must be left aside for the moment. Nothing but the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, the tragedy of the cross, and the Reality of His resurrection will bring the Church back into a righteous, "one" relationship with God.

As Oswald Chambers says, "The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the Cross of Christ; to put forgiveness on any other ground is unconscious blasphemy. The only ground on which God can forgive sin and reinstate us in His favour is through the Cross of Christ, and in no other way."

The Church needs to wake up, get right with God, and then get to work.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Dead Men Tell No Tales

Dr. Adrian Roger's message this morning (posthumous) is one of my favorites and goes along so well with many of the topics I write about in this blog and my books. I strongly recommend you get a copy of this CD and share it with your newborn Christians whom you disciple. Go to www.lwf.org and order "Abounding Victory Through Amazing Grace CD (1768CD)"

One of those topics he preached on is death. See my post from January 14, 2009 on this topic. Here is a list of things for you to consider regarding the old dead man of sin that you once were. A dead man cannot:

pray to God, worship God, save himself, know and understand the truth of God's Word, teach or preach rightly the truth of God's Word, get right with God, hear God, fellowship with believers, partake worthily in the Lord's Supper, or any such thing that folks believe that a Christian should do that is Biblical. This holds true for both the sinner AND the Christian who has unrepented sin in their life.

On the other hand, a Christian whose old man is dead (see Galatians 2:20 and Romans 6) can freely do all these things and more!

Whether you are Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Jehovahs Witness, Independent, or any other denomination makes absolutely no difference in this matter before God. It is simply a matter of this: are you alive in Jesus Christ or not? The life you now live in the flesh cannot be both you (your old dead man) and Jesus. It must be Christ alone! (See Romans 7 and be delivered from that old body of death!)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A Favorite

The resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:1-46 is one of my favorite passages from God's Word. It brings to front one great reality of God and that is His eternal "now". That's a term I borrow from Oswald Chambers. I'll take you right to the point to show you why the eternal "now" of our Lord Jesus Christ is so important.

Mary and Martha both lamented to Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." All around Himself Jesus saw the signs and heard the words of unbelief. He groaned within Himself and openly wept for these. Nevertheless, in His unsurpassable grace, mercy, and power, He said to Martha, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Did you see the "now"?

Jesus said, "I am...." I am - right NOW! Standing before your very eyes. No waiting necessary. No tomorrow. No uncertain time in the future. NOW. I am. Present tense. Do you believe?

Do you know the power and presence of "I am" right now? This term "I am" is actually a very special name God reserved for Himself. It is how He introduced Himself to mankind through Abram in Genesis 15:7 right after this excellent interchange:

"And he (Abram) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. And he said unto him, I am the LORD...."

It is how He magnified Himself to Moses and Israel in Exodus 3:13-14, "And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

It is how Jesus declared Himself God to a hard-hearted people in John 8:58, "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

It is how Jesus proclaims the eternality of God in Revelation 22:13, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

Christians are often ignorant or confused about the "when" of eternal life. Does it start at birth, salvation, death? When? This is an oxymoronic question. Eternal life has no beginning or end. No starting point.

We are beings created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) When sin came along, it did not put an end to our eternality. It changed our destination. In the beginning we had perfect "one" relationship with God, a perfect "now". Sin brought the curse of death and separation from God and this condemnation:

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18

We are conceived and born in sin. Thus we are separated from God. We are still eternal, and we still have eternal life, but it is a life apart from God condemned to hell. Upon salvation, we are raised to a new life through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now our eternal life is brought to a new destination, back to what it once was in perfect creation before the "Fall". It is the answer to Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-24, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."

This leaves you, Christian, with one final question. It is a question that can help you to know for certain that you are saved. Perhaps you answered in the affirmative Jesus' question as He posed it to Martha, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Do you believe right now? If so, Jesus said that you will be with Him where He is and behold His glory right now. Here's the question....

Are you beholding His glory right now?

Enjoy the blessings in heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

Copyright 2009 Lawrence J. Caldwell

Monday, February 9, 2009

The Gospel

My youngest son takes things very literally. He has Asperger's Syndrome. So this weekend he wanted to know what the Gospel was. I gave him the literal answer. Here it is for you too, just as a refreshing drink from a cold spring.

God clearly states the entire Gospel in I Corinthians 15:1-6, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep."

There are three main points to the Gospel and they are:

1) Christ died for our sins
2) He was buried
3) He rose again the third day

There is one all-encompassing reality that God repeats twice in these verses, "...according to the Scriptures...." Just in case you thought you could find salvation any place else, God says, "No," it is found right here in the Bible.

He warns us further about this in Galatians 1:6-9, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

Simply stated, there are no other gospels but this one given in the Word of God.

Some people complain that declaring only one way to heaven is narrow-minded. To the contrary, it should be welcomed for its simplicity. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." This is the offensive saying, yet I persuade you that it is instead the widest door ever presented to mankind for it is clearly marked, has remained open for all for over two-thousand years, and has no conditions attached to it for entry. All the guesswork is gone for no human requirement predicates it. This is made known to us in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

This question of works is critical to the unsaved for they always ask, "What must I do to be saved?" The answer is, nothing. Salvation is not of human works. Why not? Why can't man choose his own way to heaven? Why only through Jesus?

God says the first reason is boasting (read human pride). If salvation were of man, even a tiny bit of it, man by nature would boast (take credit for it). God says He will not share His glory and He will not have any other gods before Him. That's the first Commandment.

Another reason that I suggest to you is for the sake of simplicity. If there were indeed many ways to heaven, how would you know which one was right? How would you know with absolute certainty? How would you know to the point that you would stake your very life upon it (and perhaps the lives of your friends and family as well)?

Many years ago a friend of mine, a Jehovah's Witness, enjoyed a period of dialogue with me on this and many subjects of Christianity. But then came the day, as it does with all Jehovah's Witnesses, when their elders command them to make their choice between joining the Society and forsaking all (contact, discussion with, attendance) other forms of "Christianity". I knew this day would come as it does for all those initiated into the Society. I begged him with one last question.

"Are you willing to take this step, knowing full well from both your scriptures and mine (even their version of the Bible has this truth in it), that hell is real and that without Jesus Christ as your Savior you are guaranteed this eternal damnation?"

You see, the Society does not believe in hell and eternal punishment for sin. So my friend thought he had nothing to lose. But I asked him again, "Are you sure? What if I am right? You lose everything!" Sadly, at the time, he was not persuaded by the Gospel. He believed another gospel, and as God said in Galatians 1:9, both the preacher and the believer of that false gospel are accursed.

To the remnant I say as Paul did in II Corinthians 11:2-4, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

Friday, February 6, 2009

Does This Seem Unusual to You?

Last week in Sunday school the teacher was discussing Isaiah 6. He read the verse aloud and then asked something like this, "Has this ever happened to any of you?" I was about to answer when he continued right on with, "I mean, this is ISAIAH and there were ANGELS, and he had a VISION and GOD TALKED TO HIM." The tone of voice matched the emphasis here indicating that this was some kind of strange, unusual, and mystical experience. So of course everyone laughed (but me) and allowed him to proceed with the rhetoric (but me).

I said, "Yes, this happens to me all the time." (Crickets chirping, pins dropping, deer in headlights looks, etc.)

I continued to explain.

But first, let's all take a look at the verses that made jaws drop.

Isaiah 6:1-10 - "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed."

Indeed at first glance this would seem to be very unique. But what are the principles behind it that should make this type of experience very common in the life of a believer?

Consider the reality of prayer. Where are you and who are you with at the time? According to passages such as Ephesians 2:6, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," and Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need," we are immediately in the very presence of God in heaven.

Take a moment for that to sink in if you never realized it before. In prayer, we are at the throne with God. The Holy Spirit is there groaning alongside us (Romans 8:26). Jesus is there as our Great High Priest making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24-25) Sometimes Satan is there too (Job 1:6).

Therefore, every time we go to prayer, boldly entering the heavenly throneroom, and sit with Jesus, it just doesn't get any more real than that. Of course your experience there will not be just like Isaiah's, but nevertheless you are there and God is talking to you. What else is going on? Let's go back to the passage and understand the principles.

Isaiah starts out with a vision. The holiness of the LORD is pronounced and Isaiah realizes there is some sin in his life to deal with. He repents. Then God speaks because it is only at this point that Isaiah is able to hear Him. Finally Isaiah responds and takes action.

Let's put this back on your side. Perhaps it goes something like this as it often does to me:

I start the day reading God's Word. Some sharp dagger pierces me and I see myself before the LORD in His holiness and I know I am convicted. Whether in a vision, or by an angel, or straight from the Word of God, such work of the Holy Spirit (today) is done by the hearing of the Word. My response is to repent and get right with God.

Now I am free to worship. Now my ears are free to hear. God speaks. I obey.

Doesn't this seem a little more normal to you now? Rejoice. Be free indeed. Be bold in prayer and in the truth. Enjoy the spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Copyright Lawrence J. Caldwell 2009

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Why "Stop Going to Church"?

I started a group on Facebook and broadcast membership opportunities to millions. So far thirteen joined. Some others wrote back in horror. The question is obvious. "What do you mean stop going to church?" A stream of good reasons to the contrary then follow. This is what I mean. Pass it along.

If you had known sin in your life, would you still go to church?

Certain denominations would answer in the affirmative. After all, we go to church for reconciliation and confession.

If you had unsaved friends and family members, would you still bring them to church?

Of course. That's where they can hear the salvation message.

If you were hurting, needed support, wanted to go someplace safe for a while, would you still go to church?

Naturally. Church is a refuge, a place to minister to people.

As you consider these things, your natural and initial response to such a suggestion to "stop going" would seem preposterous. And I agree. But the question/suggestion is far from natural and knee jerk. It is supernatural and requires insight from God's Word.

If you have been following this blog or reading your Bible then you already know that the "church" is really "the Church". It is the Body, not a building. It's primary purpose, far surpassing all others, and the focus of this question, is to worship God. That is why He saved us. We were reconciled unto God to enjoy Him, worship Him, give Him glory. Take a look at some Scripture.

Romans 5:10-11 - "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

We have this same ministry of reconciliation, to bring others to God that they too may worship.

II Corinthians 5:18-20 - "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

Again, why were we reconciled? God says in Colossians 1:21-24, "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:"

Did you notice the parallel to my calling verse of Ephesians 5:25-27, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

The Church is to be holy, blameless, without spot or wrinkle. Why? Just so we can be proud of our own personal whiteness? God forbid! It is for the glory of God. This glory is best expressed by the Church when they come together to worship.

God calls us to worship in the beauty of holiness and we see this call four times in the Bible:

I Chronicles 16:29 - "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."

II Chronicles 20:21 - "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever."

Psalm 29:2 - "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."

Psalm 96:9 - "O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth."

This is what we see in the early Church examples in the book of Acts. We see it in Acts 5:12-14, "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)"

The church was all together in one accord in Solomon's porch. That is where they went to worship at this moment. The apostles were worshipping in the exercise of their gifts.

Further in Acts 2:46-47 worship is seen in the breaking of bread and praising God, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Prayer and supplication was also an hallmark of the Church in Acts 1:14, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

You will notice that I selected each of these verses on purpose to make another point of the term "one accord". The reason for this is to highlight the questions asked at the beginning of this blog. Let me sum them up this way. What happens when sin and righteousness meet together at a time intended for worship?

The Corinthians had that problem and God dealt with it like this:

I Corinthians 5:6-11, "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

What happens when a little leaven leavens the whole lump? There is no worship. There is no glory to God. There is just sin. Praise God for His grace and mercy to deal with this. But again I remind you, that is not the purpose of the church gathering. Where do you find in the Bible instances of the church gathering for the purpose of confession, reconciliation, ministration, etc.? You will not find it except in the context of worship. Here's a great example from Acts 6:1-4:

"And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

It is a dangerous thing to mix worship, evangelism, and reconciliation in one meeting as we so often do these days. God gives one final warning in I Corinthians 11:29-30, "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."

Keep them separate therefore. Come together as the Church to worship in the beauty of holiness first. Come together as ministers to reconcile one another outside the camp. Come together as witnesses outside the camp.

So, should you stop going to church? Or start being the Church? The Church is formed to worship God in the beauty of holiness, in spirit, and in truth. Sin has no place in this and must be kept out to the glory of God. Keep it in its place and time as appropriate as a church gathering for evangelism or reconciliation or ministration. But keep it out of worship.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Sin is Expensive

God says in Romans 6:23a that, "The wages of sin is death...."

Most readers are familiar with this verse and apply it to personal salvation. We know that our sin is the cause of our ultimate physical death. We know that without salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ, sin is also the cause of our spiritual death. Likewise for the Christian, there is a death penalty for sin and the cost is very high indeed. Do you know its calculation?

Christians and the world alike tend to categorize sin. There are the big 7 of Proverbs 6:16-19. Then there are the little ones we tend to neglect. But notice that Romans 6:23 speaks of sin in the singular - not sins. What does this mean?

God does not look at sin in categories. He wraps them all up into one and they look like this:

I John 3:4 - "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Both of the words "sin" and "law" are again in the singular form. There are not separate laws for separate sins in the sense we speak of here today. While there are indeed separate commandments (laws) for different transgressions (sins) as we are familiar in the Ten Commandments, this point is separate and distinct from "sin and law". In fact, the difference is so great, that I believe there are few who know it, understand it, and are obedient to it. Here is the critical difference:

God says in James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

Did Jesus die for all the sins of the world? You bet. Did He die for the sin of the world too? Indeed. And the magnitude of the second does not equal the sum of the first.

Every sin we commit, whether great or small, equals a complete transgression of the entire law. In God's eyes, we are guilty of not just the point transgression, but as if we had transgressed every single law in the Book. Why?

For the answer, we must go back to the beginning in Genesis 3 to understand just what sin is.

Satan said to Eve in Genesis 3:5, "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Eve responded in kind, accepting both the half truth and the lie. Her flesh turned to its desire to be as god, just as Satan did in Isaiah 14:13-14.

"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most High."

The root of all the sins we commit is single and it is this: our fleshly desire to be god of ourselves. Some call it pride. It is rebellion against God, a direct turning of His very first commandment which is His establishment of Himself as God to a people who hitherto did not know Him: "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:2-3)

Therefore, when God says that the offense in one point makes us guilty of all, we suddenly see that the magnitude of our sin is infinite. Do you see it yet?

God says in Hebrews 10:12, "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was forever sufficient for all sin. The cost is unsurmountable any other way. No sin is too small that it did not deserve the penalty of the cross. Look at it this way.

Suppose as a Christian you commit, in your mind, a small sin. "No big deal," you say. "I'll deal with it later." But God says that that one small sin equals a complete transgression of the entire law because it is rooted in your fleshly desire to be god.

Jesus was asked what He believed to be the greatest commandment. He responded in Matthew 22:37-40, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Here He simply restates, as God did in Deuteronomy 6:5, the first commandment. And then He adds, "On these two commandments hand all (emphasis mine) the law and the prophets."

Are you beginning to see the weight of the sin that Jesus bore for you on the cross? I tell you truly that until you do, you may still be in bondage, as Peter warned in II Peter 1:9, "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins."

When the Holy Spirit convicts me of sin nowadays, I immediately reckon its weight and know that just as I was powerless to save myself, I am just as powerless to deliver myself from sin's stronghold as a Christian. Only a god will go on thinking otherwise. But God, through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ, atoned for all our sin forever. And whenever we as Christians do sin, we must transact upon this same line - the cross of Jesus Christ.

As Oswald Chambers said, if you can get a man right with God through any other way than the cross, then the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was a useless farce (I paraphrase here).

Finally, let's do the math. One little sin equals the disproportionate sum of the entire law in terms of the cost. That cost is death and it is the death of Jesus Christ. Likewise, in getting right with God, it costs you a complete death as well. Romans 6:11 commands, "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Galatians 2:20 says likewise, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." This death to self is not just the little bit of self that committed the little sin. Could you even identify that part of you?

Indeed, it is your heart. And only God can know it and make it right for He says in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Practice this truth Christian, and you will be free indeed. Enjoy the spiritual blessings of Jesus (Ephesians 1:3)!