Coming to the end of Genesis it's important to grasp some of the great promises God makes. In theology, we often call these covenants and they can form a basic outline of how God has dealt with and will deal with humanity throughout history.
The first is God's covenant with Adam. This is the covenant of obedience. This covenant establishes the basic relationship of God to man. God created humanity in His own image, then established an intimate relationship with them, talking with them, and coming to them in the garden. God's one boundary was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the day that man ate of this tree, he would surely die. This boundary established God's authority over man and man's requirement to obey God's will. This covenant was made with Adam (Eve was not yet created), and the sign was blood. Yet Adam rebelled against God, disobeyed, and died, bringing death to all his posterity. Adam was covered with animal skins, signifying the death he would die. This is the problem God ultimately deals with in the death and resurrection of Christ, the second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45).
God's next great promise was the promise of preservation. In this promise God declared never to destroy the earth again by water and literally place the entire human race at risk. This covenant was made with Noah and the sign was the rainbow. Christ fulfills this covenant when He returns and recreates a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1).
God then promises to bless the earth with a people of His own. These people will be a special treasure to God and be constituted through the faith of Abraham. God's people are not limited in this regard to ethnic Israel, as some mistakenly concluded, but are the inheritors of God's promise by faith (Rom 4) in God. The epicenter of personal faith is found in the person and work of God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, again, in Christ the promises of God are fulfilled.
As I read Genesis 50 this morning I was reminded of the promise that was, for Joseph, still to come, but which he indicated in these words, "'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.' Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them" (v19-21). Even in the circumstances around us that seem most evil, God can and does work them out for good (Rom. 8:28). This is the promise of Christ still to come.
It is good to know that we worship a God who was not constrained to destroy evil (Adam) from the beginning, but who instead began the great work of redemption fulfilled in the God/man Jesus Christ. God brings good from evil, life from death, hope from despair, beauty from ashes. Praise the Lord we have such a promise keeping and awesome God.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
God's ways are not our ways
There's an interesting pattern that begins to emerge in Scripture by the time we get to Genesis 48. Joseph brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob in order to receive his blessing. These types of blessings were more than just well wishes in the Old Testament; they carried significant meaning in the order and progress of life, even being prophetic in nature. In this case Jacob recognizes Joseph's two sons as his own (v5-6). You will find them listed amongst the tribes of Israel further along in Numbers (Num 26) and other books.
The odd thing that happens here, however, is how Jacob selects Ephraim, the younger brother, over Manasseh, the older brother. This was not the normal order of things and so represents an act of sovereign choice. If you notice, Cain was the older brother, yet Abel's offering was accepted and Cain's rejected. It's actually debated why, but the fact of it remains. But then Noah is chosen through whom God will save the earth. Shem, Noah's firstborn, is chosen who would be ancestor to Abram. Abram, another firstborn, is chosen for God's covenant of blessing. From Abram, Isaac is chosen as the child of promise. From Isaac, another younger son, Jacob is chosen over Esau. From all of his sons Jacob chooses Joseph as his favorite, then chooses Ephraim, the younger, over Manasseh, the older.
What's the point? The point is that we have this Americanized ideal of fairness, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it's also not necessarily a biblical thing. We have made the rules of fairness part of our culture. Items such as age, seniority, performance, connections, wealth, etc. determine who gets what. But God doesn't work that way. God chooses sovereignly and oftentimes it doesn't square with our sense of fairness.
I know many pastors, myself included at times, who think things are not fair. Why does God raise up that person? Why doesn't God raise up me? We look at our lives, compare them to others, and then question the wisdom of God. Scripture says God raises up and God tears down. Clearly God has the power to do both, but we don't like to give Him the right. How presumptuous we can be at times, because when God doesn't do what we want Him to do, we pout, get angry, quit, feel sorry for ourselves. None are immune it seems from this condition. Perhaps we should learn with the apostle Paul to be content in all things as from the Lord:
"11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Php 4:11-13
We often hear and quote v.13 because it sounds like a victory verse, and it is. But we don't hear too much about v.12 because sometimes we abound, but we don't like to be abased. Sometimes we are full, but we avoid being hungry. Sometimes we have much, but we hate suffering need. Yet in Christ, we learn to endure both abundance and abasement.
Why? Because when we love and trust God, then we accept with thanksgiving whatever comes from His hand.
The odd thing that happens here, however, is how Jacob selects Ephraim, the younger brother, over Manasseh, the older brother. This was not the normal order of things and so represents an act of sovereign choice. If you notice, Cain was the older brother, yet Abel's offering was accepted and Cain's rejected. It's actually debated why, but the fact of it remains. But then Noah is chosen through whom God will save the earth. Shem, Noah's firstborn, is chosen who would be ancestor to Abram. Abram, another firstborn, is chosen for God's covenant of blessing. From Abram, Isaac is chosen as the child of promise. From Isaac, another younger son, Jacob is chosen over Esau. From all of his sons Jacob chooses Joseph as his favorite, then chooses Ephraim, the younger, over Manasseh, the older.
What's the point? The point is that we have this Americanized ideal of fairness, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it's also not necessarily a biblical thing. We have made the rules of fairness part of our culture. Items such as age, seniority, performance, connections, wealth, etc. determine who gets what. But God doesn't work that way. God chooses sovereignly and oftentimes it doesn't square with our sense of fairness.
I know many pastors, myself included at times, who think things are not fair. Why does God raise up that person? Why doesn't God raise up me? We look at our lives, compare them to others, and then question the wisdom of God. Scripture says God raises up and God tears down. Clearly God has the power to do both, but we don't like to give Him the right. How presumptuous we can be at times, because when God doesn't do what we want Him to do, we pout, get angry, quit, feel sorry for ourselves. None are immune it seems from this condition. Perhaps we should learn with the apostle Paul to be content in all things as from the Lord:
"11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Php 4:11-13
We often hear and quote v.13 because it sounds like a victory verse, and it is. But we don't hear too much about v.12 because sometimes we abound, but we don't like to be abased. Sometimes we are full, but we avoid being hungry. Sometimes we have much, but we hate suffering need. Yet in Christ, we learn to endure both abundance and abasement.
Why? Because when we love and trust God, then we accept with thanksgiving whatever comes from His hand.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Prisons and Pits
First off, congratulations to Deborah Smith for two huge milestones. First, her retirement from JMH. You made it girl. I couldn't have done your job there for $1 million/year. Second, the engagement of her daughter Kelly. Praise the Lord for opening doors and bringing Ryan and Kelly together for this moment. I know you are very proud of Kelly, she is a spectacular young woman and Ryan is a fine young man. I'm excited for you all.
Now on to Joseph. There is so much that could be said about Joseph, but I am trying to make these posts shorter so maybe more of you will actually want to read them. So here goes...
God drug Joseph through the ringer, but in the end, God's greater purpose was accomplished. Most of my ministerial life I have felt perhaps the way Joseph felt when he was in the prison and the cup bearer had forgotten about him. You love the Lord, you keep your faith, and you pursue righteousness, but it seems like one problem after another keeps coming your way. Joseph, however, kept his faith and eventually God used him to save his entire family and with it, the nation and future of Israel.
I often wonder why God does things the way He does them, but I have learned that God doesn't answer my "whys?" God does what He does, and He does not always reveal all the details of His plan to us. We are not called to question God, we are called to obey God.
But does every story end with a happy ending like Jospeh's? No and yes. For the Christian, we may experience some very difficult situations, and no, we may never be elevated to be head of something like Joseph was head over Egypt. But, yes, in the end, God has promised us the glories of heaven and the eternal inheritance with His Son, Jesus Christ. That is a happy ending no matter what.
I was talking to Anne the other day and I told her that if something happened to me and I did not live to see her grow up, I wanted her not to be overly sad. I want her to know that my story already has a happy ending no matter what prisons or pits I may end up in, and that all things occur in God's good timing. I will be in heaven and I want her to know she will be in heaven one day too. I want her to live her life to the full, be happy, and keep her faith in God. I never want her to be angry at God for the difficulties in life, but to trust Him and cling to His goodness and promise.
I think I should take me own advice.
Now on to Joseph. There is so much that could be said about Joseph, but I am trying to make these posts shorter so maybe more of you will actually want to read them. So here goes...
God drug Joseph through the ringer, but in the end, God's greater purpose was accomplished. Most of my ministerial life I have felt perhaps the way Joseph felt when he was in the prison and the cup bearer had forgotten about him. You love the Lord, you keep your faith, and you pursue righteousness, but it seems like one problem after another keeps coming your way. Joseph, however, kept his faith and eventually God used him to save his entire family and with it, the nation and future of Israel.
I often wonder why God does things the way He does them, but I have learned that God doesn't answer my "whys?" God does what He does, and He does not always reveal all the details of His plan to us. We are not called to question God, we are called to obey God.
But does every story end with a happy ending like Jospeh's? No and yes. For the Christian, we may experience some very difficult situations, and no, we may never be elevated to be head of something like Joseph was head over Egypt. But, yes, in the end, God has promised us the glories of heaven and the eternal inheritance with His Son, Jesus Christ. That is a happy ending no matter what.
I was talking to Anne the other day and I told her that if something happened to me and I did not live to see her grow up, I wanted her not to be overly sad. I want her to know that my story already has a happy ending no matter what prisons or pits I may end up in, and that all things occur in God's good timing. I will be in heaven and I want her to know she will be in heaven one day too. I want her to live her life to the full, be happy, and keep her faith in God. I never want her to be angry at God for the difficulties in life, but to trust Him and cling to His goodness and promise.
I think I should take me own advice.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Swindling the Swindler
Isn't it amazing how people will scheme and work to get their way. I recently read Genesis 31; the story of Laban and Jacob just before Jacobs departure back to the land of Canaan and home. Leading up to this point it's amazing to see that even though Laban swindles and lies God continues to bless Jacob and multiply his fortunes. Laban's attitude towards Jacob was nothing new if you remember how he tricked Jacob into marrying both of his daughters, Leah the first born, and Rachel the woman Jacob really loved. But now the situation grows progressively worse and God tells Jacob to hit the road and go home.
Jacob was a swindler too, and he was not ignorant of all Laban's schemes, but what impressed me about Jacob is that eventually he learns to trust God saying, "But God did not permit him to harm me (Gen 31:7)." In spite of all the scheming going on God's plan goes forward. Laban tricked Jacob, changing his wages and trying to steal his sheep. Jacob tricked Laban, lying and then fleeing with his flocks and family. Rachel tricked Laban and Jacob, stealing the household gods, then hiding them beneath her skirt. Yet God's purpose goes forward.
The last thing I saw in this story was the erection of the witness stones. Jacob and Laban agreed to go their separate ways and not harm one another. "I will not pass over this heap to you, and you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, to do harm (v52)." It is good to set boundaries that we will not pass over to do harm; to ourselves or others. Laban went back. Jacob went forward. Both were happy with the split.
Jacob was a swindler too, and he was not ignorant of all Laban's schemes, but what impressed me about Jacob is that eventually he learns to trust God saying, "But God did not permit him to harm me (Gen 31:7)." In spite of all the scheming going on God's plan goes forward. Laban tricked Jacob, changing his wages and trying to steal his sheep. Jacob tricked Laban, lying and then fleeing with his flocks and family. Rachel tricked Laban and Jacob, stealing the household gods, then hiding them beneath her skirt. Yet God's purpose goes forward.
The last thing I saw in this story was the erection of the witness stones. Jacob and Laban agreed to go their separate ways and not harm one another. "I will not pass over this heap to you, and you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, to do harm (v52)." It is good to set boundaries that we will not pass over to do harm; to ourselves or others. Laban went back. Jacob went forward. Both were happy with the split.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Selling your birthright for a bowl of soup
I just read this morning about the births of Esau and Jacob. Much could be said about this story. Paul speaks of Jacob's election in Romans 9. Jacob was a swindler, liar, and a cheat, yet he stills gets Isaac's blessing. Families can be really dysfunctional sometimes, and we see that in several instances in Scripture.
But the thing that hit me most this morning was Esau's selling of his birthright for a bowl of soup. The first few times I read that story I thought that Esau was just plain foolish, or perhaps he didn't care about the birthright, or maybe he really did believe he was going to die if he didn't get something to eat. But recently as I read this account I realized just how willing we are sometimes to give up what is really important, but future, for something that is trivial but present.
Esau wanted to satisfy the hunger of his flesh.There's nothing wrong with satisfying your hunger. Everyone gets hungry. And it is true that if Jacob were any kind of brother at all he would have given Esau something to eat out of compassion. Still, it just amazes me that Esau would give up his birthright for a bowl of soup. The birthright was his claim as the first born son to the inheritance of his fathers home. I would think that would be fantastically important to him, but it wasn't. For a single meal, he gave up the wealth of his future.
Now, what does that have to do with us? We too have an inheritance. We are promised all that God has to give us in Jesus Christ His Son. The inheritance of eternal life and a heavenly home become our birthright when we are joined to Jesus Christ by faith. All that is His becomes ours, under His Lordship of course, but even as a husband lovingly bestows all his possessions and honors upon his wife, so Christ bestows all His possessions and honors upon His bride, the church. That's us.
So why is it that we are so willing to trade our birthright for a bowl of soup? Why would we give up Christ for temporary pleasures? Why would we forsake our Lord to commit adultery, lie, steal, lose our temper, live like gluttons, and etc.?
Hebrew says it like this:
But the thing that hit me most this morning was Esau's selling of his birthright for a bowl of soup. The first few times I read that story I thought that Esau was just plain foolish, or perhaps he didn't care about the birthright, or maybe he really did believe he was going to die if he didn't get something to eat. But recently as I read this account I realized just how willing we are sometimes to give up what is really important, but future, for something that is trivial but present.
Esau wanted to satisfy the hunger of his flesh.There's nothing wrong with satisfying your hunger. Everyone gets hungry. And it is true that if Jacob were any kind of brother at all he would have given Esau something to eat out of compassion. Still, it just amazes me that Esau would give up his birthright for a bowl of soup. The birthright was his claim as the first born son to the inheritance of his fathers home. I would think that would be fantastically important to him, but it wasn't. For a single meal, he gave up the wealth of his future.
Now, what does that have to do with us? We too have an inheritance. We are promised all that God has to give us in Jesus Christ His Son. The inheritance of eternal life and a heavenly home become our birthright when we are joined to Jesus Christ by faith. All that is His becomes ours, under His Lordship of course, but even as a husband lovingly bestows all his possessions and honors upon his wife, so Christ bestows all His possessions and honors upon His bride, the church. That's us.
So why is it that we are so willing to trade our birthright for a bowl of soup? Why would we give up Christ for temporary pleasures? Why would we forsake our Lord to commit adultery, lie, steal, lose our temper, live like gluttons, and etc.?
Hebrew says it like this:
"14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears." Heb 12:14-17
There is a powerful warning in that passage because Esau wanted his blessing back, but once it was lost it could not be retrieved. I believe there are people who have given up their heavenly birthright with some notion that when it suits them they will seek repentance, but will find "no place for repentance, though [they seek] it diligently with tears." That's not popular theology and an unwelcome notion to some versions of the "once saved always saved" doctrine.
There is a profound truth in the perseverance of God's children and the unfailing love of God towards His own, but it is plain heresy to claim that we can accept the gift of grace in Christ, then go out and live any way we please, believing that when we're near the end we can shed a few tears and be welcomed into heaven. The writer of Hebrews in 10:29 calls that "trampling the Son of God underfoot, counting the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulting the Spirit of grace." God forbid!
As a pastor it breaks my heart so often to see people who are doing those very things. I pray for them and trust them to the grace of God, but I do not hold out great hopes for the so called death bed confession of a life long denier of Christ who in the end says he/she doesn't want to go to hell.
My bigger concern, however, is making sure I "pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." I do not want to sell my birthright in Christ for a bowl of soup, a fat bank account, a prestigious job, an adulterous affair, a summer beach home, or a big name for myself. There is a Spirit welling up within me, that constantly comforts, guides, warns, directs, encourages, convicts, and etc. This Spirit informs me that the treasure of Christ is more precious than all that the temporary comforts of the world have to offer.
How about you?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
When Faith is Tested
I don't much like tests anymore. I've taken so many tests in my life that the challenge of doing well has lost a bit of its luster. But there is one thing tests do, and that's prove to ourselves and to others that we can demonstrate what we claim.
I guess one of the hardest tests I've ever taken was the National Professional Engineers exam. The first part of the test is an 8 hour written exam with multiple choice questions, problems, etc. You then have to spend four years in practice, get three recommendations from your peers, and sit for another 8 hour written exam in which you have to work out multiple problems from within your field or specialty. Mine was mechanical. I studied for months to take that exam and failed it by a few points. I didn't feel too bad because there is only a 30% first time pass rate, but still I failed, and I was disappointed. I waited 6 months and took it again. That time I passed and was very relieved. I suppose passing that test didn't make me a great engineer, but it did test my ability to persevere and not give up.
When God finally gave Abraham a son at 100, you would think Abraham could sit back and cruise. Life was good! Sarah was happy, (although Haggar and Ishmael didn't have such a good time, but that's another story), Abraham was rich and successful, and the child of promise was growing up healthy and strong. Then God says the most remarkable thing. "He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2 ESV)
What?! Are you kidding me? Could God possibly want Abraham to take Isaac and kill him? A whole burnt offering is, well, burned. That means totally consumed, nothing left but ashes. No way am I going to do that. That's what I would have done. Here's what Abraham did, "[3] So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him." (Genesis 22:3 ESV) Abraham wasted no time, but immediately obeyed God.
Isaac carried the wood for the fire and Abraham carried the fire and the knife. Walking to the appointed place Isaac asks his father, "Here's the wood, and here's the fire, but where is the lamb?" Abraham's reply? "God will provide for himself...."
You know the rest of the story,
"[9] When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11] But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” [12] He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:9-14 ESV)
I remember about 13 years ago sitting in an Old Testament survey class with Dr. Gary Galeotti, a gravely voiced old guy from Oklahoma, who was walking us through the OT book by book. When we came to Genesis 22, I sat and listened mesmerized as Dr. Galeotti recounted the faith of Abraham. Anne was little at the time and John had just been born, and I just sat there and started to cry, just like I am starting to do as I write these words.
So often we read the stories of Scripture and they touch our minds, but somehow we do not allow them to touch our hearts or change our lives. The truth of this story touched my heart that day just as it does now. How could a man kill his own son, his only son from the wife of his love? Answer, if God required it. Having been in the Marines I've thought about what it would be like to give my own life. I don't know for sure if I could do it, but I've at least thought about it. But if you ask me whether or not I could give the lives of my children, man I can't even think about that. I pray to God He would never ask me to do such a thing. I can't even bear the thought of it.
Last night we sat together as we do every night before bed, with Anne, John, and James sitting on the couch together. Anne read "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" out loud to us as John and James wrestled next to her. I just sat and looked at them, treasuring the moment, and thinking how blessed I am. Each one is so different, so unique, and so special. My love for them does not have words to describe it. Can I imagine the old man Abraham binding his son and laying him on a pile of wood to be burned, then lifting his own hand to plunge a knife into his body, taking his life to spare him the pain of the fire? No, I cannot imagine that.
James writes, "[18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. [24] You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." (James 2:18-24 ESV)
Remember what I said a few posts ago about faith? Christian faith involves three aspects, knowledge (notitia), belief (assensus), and trust (fiducia). You must have all three to exercise true faith. Abraham knew exactly what God wanted him to do. Abraham believed it was God who had commanded him to go. And Abraham actually trusted God enough to raise his hand to kill the boy.
When James says that faith without works is dead, he is simply saying that knowledge or belief without trusting action is no faith at all. Even the demons believe and tremble. Abraham certainly trembled, but he also trusted God enough to do exactly as God said.
God tested Abraham in this trial, not to prove something to God, but to prove something to Abraham. God knew what was in Abraham's heart, but Abraham also needed to know, the nation of Israel needed to know, and we also need to know. We need to know that faith acts, and that it is by faith that we are accounted as righteous.
To God's praise, He did not have Abraham kill Isaac. God did provide the ram for a burnt offering. In this we see the substitutionary atonement of Christ for us. Even as God substituted a ram for Isaac, so God substituted Jesus for me and for you. Again, I have no words to describe the depth and glory of our God who gave His only begotten Son in a cruel death so that I might live. That's just simply beyond my grasp. I am amazed that so many seem to take it for granted, as if God owed it to us. How presumptuous!
I'm also amazed at the number of people who claim to know Christ, and even to believe, but yet they have no demonstrable trust in Him. I guess I shouldn't be amazed considering the number of times I have failed to trust God, but still I mourn the lack of faith in the church today. We are very religious, but have denied the power of God within. I am pursuing that right now in my own life, and ask for your prayers as the Lord speaks to me about it.
There's so much that could be said from Gen. 22, but the main thing I wanted to share with you is the encouragement to trust God and do whatever the Spirit of the Lord is leading you right now to do. Maybe it's something almost as difficult as God asked of Abraham. I don't know. You know. But whatever it is, trust in God.
"He will provide."
I guess one of the hardest tests I've ever taken was the National Professional Engineers exam. The first part of the test is an 8 hour written exam with multiple choice questions, problems, etc. You then have to spend four years in practice, get three recommendations from your peers, and sit for another 8 hour written exam in which you have to work out multiple problems from within your field or specialty. Mine was mechanical. I studied for months to take that exam and failed it by a few points. I didn't feel too bad because there is only a 30% first time pass rate, but still I failed, and I was disappointed. I waited 6 months and took it again. That time I passed and was very relieved. I suppose passing that test didn't make me a great engineer, but it did test my ability to persevere and not give up.
When God finally gave Abraham a son at 100, you would think Abraham could sit back and cruise. Life was good! Sarah was happy, (although Haggar and Ishmael didn't have such a good time, but that's another story), Abraham was rich and successful, and the child of promise was growing up healthy and strong. Then God says the most remarkable thing. "He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2 ESV)
What?! Are you kidding me? Could God possibly want Abraham to take Isaac and kill him? A whole burnt offering is, well, burned. That means totally consumed, nothing left but ashes. No way am I going to do that. That's what I would have done. Here's what Abraham did, "[3] So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him." (Genesis 22:3 ESV) Abraham wasted no time, but immediately obeyed God.
Isaac carried the wood for the fire and Abraham carried the fire and the knife. Walking to the appointed place Isaac asks his father, "Here's the wood, and here's the fire, but where is the lamb?" Abraham's reply? "God will provide for himself...."
You know the rest of the story,
"[9] When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11] But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” [12] He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:9-14 ESV)
I remember about 13 years ago sitting in an Old Testament survey class with Dr. Gary Galeotti, a gravely voiced old guy from Oklahoma, who was walking us through the OT book by book. When we came to Genesis 22, I sat and listened mesmerized as Dr. Galeotti recounted the faith of Abraham. Anne was little at the time and John had just been born, and I just sat there and started to cry, just like I am starting to do as I write these words.
So often we read the stories of Scripture and they touch our minds, but somehow we do not allow them to touch our hearts or change our lives. The truth of this story touched my heart that day just as it does now. How could a man kill his own son, his only son from the wife of his love? Answer, if God required it. Having been in the Marines I've thought about what it would be like to give my own life. I don't know for sure if I could do it, but I've at least thought about it. But if you ask me whether or not I could give the lives of my children, man I can't even think about that. I pray to God He would never ask me to do such a thing. I can't even bear the thought of it.
Last night we sat together as we do every night before bed, with Anne, John, and James sitting on the couch together. Anne read "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" out loud to us as John and James wrestled next to her. I just sat and looked at them, treasuring the moment, and thinking how blessed I am. Each one is so different, so unique, and so special. My love for them does not have words to describe it. Can I imagine the old man Abraham binding his son and laying him on a pile of wood to be burned, then lifting his own hand to plunge a knife into his body, taking his life to spare him the pain of the fire? No, I cannot imagine that.
James writes, "[18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. [24] You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." (James 2:18-24 ESV)
Remember what I said a few posts ago about faith? Christian faith involves three aspects, knowledge (notitia), belief (assensus), and trust (fiducia). You must have all three to exercise true faith. Abraham knew exactly what God wanted him to do. Abraham believed it was God who had commanded him to go. And Abraham actually trusted God enough to raise his hand to kill the boy.
When James says that faith without works is dead, he is simply saying that knowledge or belief without trusting action is no faith at all. Even the demons believe and tremble. Abraham certainly trembled, but he also trusted God enough to do exactly as God said.
God tested Abraham in this trial, not to prove something to God, but to prove something to Abraham. God knew what was in Abraham's heart, but Abraham also needed to know, the nation of Israel needed to know, and we also need to know. We need to know that faith acts, and that it is by faith that we are accounted as righteous.
To God's praise, He did not have Abraham kill Isaac. God did provide the ram for a burnt offering. In this we see the substitutionary atonement of Christ for us. Even as God substituted a ram for Isaac, so God substituted Jesus for me and for you. Again, I have no words to describe the depth and glory of our God who gave His only begotten Son in a cruel death so that I might live. That's just simply beyond my grasp. I am amazed that so many seem to take it for granted, as if God owed it to us. How presumptuous!
I'm also amazed at the number of people who claim to know Christ, and even to believe, but yet they have no demonstrable trust in Him. I guess I shouldn't be amazed considering the number of times I have failed to trust God, but still I mourn the lack of faith in the church today. We are very religious, but have denied the power of God within. I am pursuing that right now in my own life, and ask for your prayers as the Lord speaks to me about it.
There's so much that could be said from Gen. 22, but the main thing I wanted to share with you is the encouragement to trust God and do whatever the Spirit of the Lord is leading you right now to do. Maybe it's something almost as difficult as God asked of Abraham. I don't know. You know. But whatever it is, trust in God.
"He will provide."
Monday, February 7, 2011
Laughing at God
I know, it's an incredible statement to make. After all, who would possibly laugh at God? Answer: Abraham, Sarah, and Keith...
Gen. 17:17, "Then Abraham, fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" Then Abraham offered God an alternative plan.
Gen. 18:11-12, "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?"
But here is the key verse:
Gen. 18:13-14, "The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? ..."
There it is. Is anything too hard for the LORD? Of course we know the answer, but it's still a good question. I would never stand in the pulpit and say that anything is too hard for the Lord. I would never admit to having laughed at God. But let's be honest, there are times when I think in my heart, "This is too hard even for God." There are times when I've laughed to myself and thought, "There's no way this can happen. What a joke!"
Abraham and Sarah had every earthly reason to laugh. Abraham was 100. Sarah was 90. She was way past the "way of women." Menopause was already a distant memory for her.
If you have done the math in your reading you also realize that Abraham had received the initial promise from God about an heir when he was 75 years old. He was now 100 years old and still had no natural child with Sarah. That's 25 years. He had waited for 25 years and I would guess his belief in that promise had started to fade a bit. He and Sarah had both schemed ways they could help God out, but God did not want or need their help.
Now I have to admit that I don't think I've waited for 25 years on anything. In case you didn't notice this little detail, in Gen. 18 under the trees of Mamre when the Lord visits Abraham, Abraham is still living in a tent! Good grief that's a long time in a tent, and that's a long time to wait on a child who it seems will never come.
As I shared last Sunday morning, I began my own journey of faith in ministry in 1998. That's only 13 years, and there are times when I grow impatient with God. There are times when I have wanted to give up and just go back to something over which I felt more personal control. I have whined and cried and worried and said I'm sorry more times in the last 8 years since beginning as a pastor than I had in the 38 years previously.
Now God wants me to step out on faith and do things at Live Oak Baptist that have never been done in the 145 year history; and, I'm sure God is only beginning. But, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" No way.
I see 200 people worshiping at Live Oak in this community. I see us partnering with other churches multi-culturally to reach our diverse population. I see us doing missions in our community, our country, and around the world. I see lives being changed both in the congregation and outside the congregation. That is the dream God has always burned in my heart, and I am ready to see it come to pass. My heart-beat is not about "bigger is better;" it is about changed lives for the glory of our great God and Savior. That's worth investing my life in. That's worth investing your life in.
Is anything too hard for God? What do you believe?
Gen. 17:17, "Then Abraham, fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" Then Abraham offered God an alternative plan.
Gen. 18:11-12, "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?"
But here is the key verse:
Gen. 18:13-14, "The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? ..."
There it is. Is anything too hard for the LORD? Of course we know the answer, but it's still a good question. I would never stand in the pulpit and say that anything is too hard for the Lord. I would never admit to having laughed at God. But let's be honest, there are times when I think in my heart, "This is too hard even for God." There are times when I've laughed to myself and thought, "There's no way this can happen. What a joke!"
Abraham and Sarah had every earthly reason to laugh. Abraham was 100. Sarah was 90. She was way past the "way of women." Menopause was already a distant memory for her.
If you have done the math in your reading you also realize that Abraham had received the initial promise from God about an heir when he was 75 years old. He was now 100 years old and still had no natural child with Sarah. That's 25 years. He had waited for 25 years and I would guess his belief in that promise had started to fade a bit. He and Sarah had both schemed ways they could help God out, but God did not want or need their help.
Now I have to admit that I don't think I've waited for 25 years on anything. In case you didn't notice this little detail, in Gen. 18 under the trees of Mamre when the Lord visits Abraham, Abraham is still living in a tent! Good grief that's a long time in a tent, and that's a long time to wait on a child who it seems will never come.
As I shared last Sunday morning, I began my own journey of faith in ministry in 1998. That's only 13 years, and there are times when I grow impatient with God. There are times when I have wanted to give up and just go back to something over which I felt more personal control. I have whined and cried and worried and said I'm sorry more times in the last 8 years since beginning as a pastor than I had in the 38 years previously.
Now God wants me to step out on faith and do things at Live Oak Baptist that have never been done in the 145 year history; and, I'm sure God is only beginning. But, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" No way.
I see 200 people worshiping at Live Oak in this community. I see us partnering with other churches multi-culturally to reach our diverse population. I see us doing missions in our community, our country, and around the world. I see lives being changed both in the congregation and outside the congregation. That is the dream God has always burned in my heart, and I am ready to see it come to pass. My heart-beat is not about "bigger is better;" it is about changed lives for the glory of our great God and Savior. That's worth investing my life in. That's worth investing your life in.
Is anything too hard for God? What do you believe?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Believe it or not
I have been daily reading my Bible for the better part of the last 15 years. During Seminary I was exposed to the more technical side of Bible study, and I learned a great deal about the details of authorship, historical context, and grammatical construction. I became very familiar with the stories, the characters, and the basic meaning of most things I read. I don't know how many years I went without missing a day, other than days I was too sick to get out of bed. Even on vacation, I always began my day in the Word of God.
Then, believe it or not, about three years ago I entered a kind of "wilderness experience" in reading Scripture. It seemed something was missing. I was just going through the motions. At that point it became a challenge to read the Bible each day, and honestly, I missed some days. Through that I grew to want more than knowing what God had done, and what the "correct" interpretation of the text was, but also what God was saying to me through His revelation in Scripture right now.
In this frame of mind I began to seek a new way to read the Bible. Not that there is anything wrong with sitting down to read it for content, and not that there is anything wrong with reading it for critical understanding, but I wanted to hear God speak to me in the midst of my life. I didn't want to just be able to answer questions about the Bible, I wanted the Bible to answer questions for me.
That is when my reading changed. It is true that God spoke to me many times throughout those first 10 or 12 years. But in the last 3 years God has really been speaking directly into my life. What made the difference? I'm not sure I can give you a perfect answer, but I know it has something to do with being more open to the Holy Spirit. I pray that God speaks and I tend to be more attentive. I write down what I believe God is saying to me and I spend more time meditating on Scripture and thinking about what I have read.
I have challenged each of you to read through the Bible, but remember I did not set a time limit on you. This isn't a race. God can speak on any day, from any passage of Scripture.
I pray that as you read, meditate, memorize meaningful passages, and journal your conversations with God, that Scripture will be written upon your heart and through a deeper love relationship with God, lead to a life more and more like Christ.
God loves you. He is speaking. I love you too, and I am asking Him to help you. He will.
Then, believe it or not, about three years ago I entered a kind of "wilderness experience" in reading Scripture. It seemed something was missing. I was just going through the motions. At that point it became a challenge to read the Bible each day, and honestly, I missed some days. Through that I grew to want more than knowing what God had done, and what the "correct" interpretation of the text was, but also what God was saying to me through His revelation in Scripture right now.
In this frame of mind I began to seek a new way to read the Bible. Not that there is anything wrong with sitting down to read it for content, and not that there is anything wrong with reading it for critical understanding, but I wanted to hear God speak to me in the midst of my life. I didn't want to just be able to answer questions about the Bible, I wanted the Bible to answer questions for me.
That is when my reading changed. It is true that God spoke to me many times throughout those first 10 or 12 years. But in the last 3 years God has really been speaking directly into my life. What made the difference? I'm not sure I can give you a perfect answer, but I know it has something to do with being more open to the Holy Spirit. I pray that God speaks and I tend to be more attentive. I write down what I believe God is saying to me and I spend more time meditating on Scripture and thinking about what I have read.
I have challenged each of you to read through the Bible, but remember I did not set a time limit on you. This isn't a race. God can speak on any day, from any passage of Scripture.
I pray that as you read, meditate, memorize meaningful passages, and journal your conversations with God, that Scripture will be written upon your heart and through a deeper love relationship with God, lead to a life more and more like Christ.
God loves you. He is speaking. I love you too, and I am asking Him to help you. He will.
Friday, February 4, 2011
I'll take what you don't want
The Abraham and Lot story always amazes me primarily because of Abraham's unselfishness. He's the one who takes Lot with him, yet when the blessings begin to come he offers Lot the choice piece of property. Of course Lot chooses the prime piece of real estate and Abraham gets what's left. It is important, I think, to realize that Abraham wasn't just being magnanimous. He was trusting in the promise of God. When God says He is going to bless you, then it doesn't matter if you get the leftovers, God is going to bless you.
God had also promised Abraham to curse those who cursed him, and although I wouldn't necessarily think Lot cursed Abraham, he sure didn't have Abraham's best interest at heart; he had his own. As the story goes on we learn that the chickens do come home to roost. Lot winds up in a real mess in Sodom and Gomorroh, being captured in a war zone and losing, it seems, everything. Still, Abraham rides to the rescue just like in a Hollywood action adventure movie and saves the day, bringing back Lot, his goods, and the women.
I am very much like Lot and very much unlike Abraham many times. I struggle with this little thing called pride and envy; not very good qualities for a Christian, much less a pastor. What kind of things do I envy? Oh, let's see if I can think of something.... like the professor I worked for in seminary who became a Vice President of the Seminary and Academic Dean. He is 1 month older than me. Now I loved that man and he deserved the position, but sometimes I thought, "why can't I have a position like that?"
Then there's the guy I graduated from seminary with. He went to a big church in the middle part of NC and became senior pastor. Multi-staff, multi-million dollar building, every ministry on earth, etc., etc. I went to the middle of a tobacco field in Franklin County to a 60 year old facility and about 40 folks on the average Sunday. He and I went through the PhD. program together and he drove a nice vehicle while I drove a 12 yr old Toyota pickup. Now I love that guy, and he deserves that church. He's doing a great job and the Lord is blessing, and I hope He continues to bless, but I sometimes thought, "why can't I have a church like that?"
Then there's church people. I see their nice homes, but I live in a parsonage. I see their cars, but both mine have well over 100k miles each. I see them go to the beach or the mountains twice a month, but I only get maybe 1 or 2 weekends a year with my family. I see them enjoy their holidays, but I am expected to be at church services every holiday. I see their kids doing everything under the sun, but my kids support daddy being the pastor. I see them hang out with family and friends they have had all their lives, but my family is 3 hours away, and I have left my friends so many times I've lost count. Then I think, "why can't I have those things too?"
But then I read about Abraham and think about the first time I read his story so many years ago. I thought, "Lord, I want to have the faith of Abraham. I want to be blessed like Abraham and leave a legacy of faith like Abraham." Guess what? In some measure God answered that prayer. I did get to leave my family. I did get to leave my home. I did get to leave my job. I did get to go to Egypt, errr, Franklin County. I did get to see others seemingly get the best parts while I went off and took seconds. All the while God says, I will bless your descendants. Guess what? Abraham was 100 years old before he saw the first child of promise. Guess what? Abraham would never see the true blessing of descendants as God promised, at least not until after his death and he entered into the presence of the Lord.
That's tough sometimes. We like to see things now, but faith does not look to what is, it looks to what will be, and holds on. It is not blind faith, because it stands on the Word of God. In his lifetime Abraham saw his descendants by faith, not by sight. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7 Abraham saw the stars of the sky and knew his children would number more than that, but God only gave him Isaac to hold in his hand. But that was enough.
Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, or experiencing the sins of pride and envy, I go back to the promise of God; I go back to that prayer I made so many years ago; I go back to the character of God and remember all He has done for me, then I look forward in faith and move forward with hope.
God had also promised Abraham to curse those who cursed him, and although I wouldn't necessarily think Lot cursed Abraham, he sure didn't have Abraham's best interest at heart; he had his own. As the story goes on we learn that the chickens do come home to roost. Lot winds up in a real mess in Sodom and Gomorroh, being captured in a war zone and losing, it seems, everything. Still, Abraham rides to the rescue just like in a Hollywood action adventure movie and saves the day, bringing back Lot, his goods, and the women.
I am very much like Lot and very much unlike Abraham many times. I struggle with this little thing called pride and envy; not very good qualities for a Christian, much less a pastor. What kind of things do I envy? Oh, let's see if I can think of something.... like the professor I worked for in seminary who became a Vice President of the Seminary and Academic Dean. He is 1 month older than me. Now I loved that man and he deserved the position, but sometimes I thought, "why can't I have a position like that?"
Then there's the guy I graduated from seminary with. He went to a big church in the middle part of NC and became senior pastor. Multi-staff, multi-million dollar building, every ministry on earth, etc., etc. I went to the middle of a tobacco field in Franklin County to a 60 year old facility and about 40 folks on the average Sunday. He and I went through the PhD. program together and he drove a nice vehicle while I drove a 12 yr old Toyota pickup. Now I love that guy, and he deserves that church. He's doing a great job and the Lord is blessing, and I hope He continues to bless, but I sometimes thought, "why can't I have a church like that?"
Then there's church people. I see their nice homes, but I live in a parsonage. I see their cars, but both mine have well over 100k miles each. I see them go to the beach or the mountains twice a month, but I only get maybe 1 or 2 weekends a year with my family. I see them enjoy their holidays, but I am expected to be at church services every holiday. I see their kids doing everything under the sun, but my kids support daddy being the pastor. I see them hang out with family and friends they have had all their lives, but my family is 3 hours away, and I have left my friends so many times I've lost count. Then I think, "why can't I have those things too?"
But then I read about Abraham and think about the first time I read his story so many years ago. I thought, "Lord, I want to have the faith of Abraham. I want to be blessed like Abraham and leave a legacy of faith like Abraham." Guess what? In some measure God answered that prayer. I did get to leave my family. I did get to leave my home. I did get to leave my job. I did get to go to Egypt, errr, Franklin County. I did get to see others seemingly get the best parts while I went off and took seconds. All the while God says, I will bless your descendants. Guess what? Abraham was 100 years old before he saw the first child of promise. Guess what? Abraham would never see the true blessing of descendants as God promised, at least not until after his death and he entered into the presence of the Lord.
That's tough sometimes. We like to see things now, but faith does not look to what is, it looks to what will be, and holds on. It is not blind faith, because it stands on the Word of God. In his lifetime Abraham saw his descendants by faith, not by sight. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7 Abraham saw the stars of the sky and knew his children would number more than that, but God only gave him Isaac to hold in his hand. But that was enough.
Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, or experiencing the sins of pride and envy, I go back to the promise of God; I go back to that prayer I made so many years ago; I go back to the character of God and remember all He has done for me, then I look forward in faith and move forward with hope.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Abraham believed and God accounted it to him as righteousnes
What does it mean to have faith? God told Abraham to "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, to a land that I will show you."
What if God told you that? Would you go? Would you leave your home, your family, your job, your security, your hopes, your ambitions, your whatever, and go do something NOT that God had shown you (past tense), but that God WILL show you (future tense). In other words, Abraham wasn't sure exactly where God was going to take him; all he knew was that it was God who was doing the taking.
With the command came a promise, however. "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you, and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
When you read further about Abraham you discover that he was blessed in his lifetime, but the real blessing of prosperity would come many, many years later, after his death. Yet Abraham believed. And even though his confidence waned at times, (he lied twice to save his own skin), still Abraham trusted God.
One of the most heated theological arguments I ever had with a man in church was over the issue of faith. He had been taught, and was convinced, that true faith was blind faith. You just had to believe what you believe. I argued that true Christian faith is not blind faith. It is not a leap into the dark. Christian faith is based on God's revelation of truth. We can only believe in what we know to be true. In Abraham's case he believed in what God had said. God did not give him every detail, but He gave him enough. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. But it was not enough for Abraham simply to know what God said and believe, he must also have acted. He had to actually pack his stuff and hit the road. If Abraham had stayed home, he would not have been blessed and we wouldn't be reading about him in the Bible.
Thus Christian faith is not Christian faith unless it consists of three indispensable components: knowledge of God's will/word; belief in God's will/word; and trust in God's will/word. We must know what God has said. We must believe it was God and be clear on the instructions. Then we must act on the promise.
Knowing is not enough. Lots of people know what God says in Scripture and even in their own hearts, yet they do not believe.
Believing is not enough. Lot's of people believe in God and in God's Word, but they do nothing. They are "hearers only, not doers of the Word."
Trust is still necessary. For true faith, we must act. We must know, believe, and trust. We must step out on faith and do what God calls us to do.
I know that God called me to Live Oak. I believed it, and I came. I know God has placed a desire on my heart to see this church grow for His glory. I know God has called me to begin an early service on Easter Sunday. I can give you the details of how I know this from Scripture, my own heart, circumstances, and counsel of other Christians; but I know it. I now must believe it is truly from God. Once I believe that, then I must act, else I am being disobedient.
What has God spoken to you? If you say, "nothing," then you're accusing God of mismanagement of His resources. God is not a lazy manager and he doesn't employ any lazy Christians. If you say, "I don't know." Then you need to ask God and find out. If you say, "I do know but I do not believe God is really asking me to do this," then pray for strength and seek encouragement from godly Christian people. If you say, "I do know, and I believe," then get off your back side and get on the front lines of faith. Do something!
If you say, "Oh, that's so easy for you Keith. You're the pastor," you would be terribly wrong. I have been challenged so many times in my faith over the years, and I am challenged right now this minute with several things God has put before me. But with the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of other believers, I will make those steps. Yes, faith may be as small as a mustard seed, but with a little faith we serve a BIG God.
What if God told you that? Would you go? Would you leave your home, your family, your job, your security, your hopes, your ambitions, your whatever, and go do something NOT that God had shown you (past tense), but that God WILL show you (future tense). In other words, Abraham wasn't sure exactly where God was going to take him; all he knew was that it was God who was doing the taking.
With the command came a promise, however. "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you, and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
When you read further about Abraham you discover that he was blessed in his lifetime, but the real blessing of prosperity would come many, many years later, after his death. Yet Abraham believed. And even though his confidence waned at times, (he lied twice to save his own skin), still Abraham trusted God.
One of the most heated theological arguments I ever had with a man in church was over the issue of faith. He had been taught, and was convinced, that true faith was blind faith. You just had to believe what you believe. I argued that true Christian faith is not blind faith. It is not a leap into the dark. Christian faith is based on God's revelation of truth. We can only believe in what we know to be true. In Abraham's case he believed in what God had said. God did not give him every detail, but He gave him enough. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. But it was not enough for Abraham simply to know what God said and believe, he must also have acted. He had to actually pack his stuff and hit the road. If Abraham had stayed home, he would not have been blessed and we wouldn't be reading about him in the Bible.
Thus Christian faith is not Christian faith unless it consists of three indispensable components: knowledge of God's will/word; belief in God's will/word; and trust in God's will/word. We must know what God has said. We must believe it was God and be clear on the instructions. Then we must act on the promise.
Knowing is not enough. Lots of people know what God says in Scripture and even in their own hearts, yet they do not believe.
Believing is not enough. Lot's of people believe in God and in God's Word, but they do nothing. They are "hearers only, not doers of the Word."
Trust is still necessary. For true faith, we must act. We must know, believe, and trust. We must step out on faith and do what God calls us to do.
I know that God called me to Live Oak. I believed it, and I came. I know God has placed a desire on my heart to see this church grow for His glory. I know God has called me to begin an early service on Easter Sunday. I can give you the details of how I know this from Scripture, my own heart, circumstances, and counsel of other Christians; but I know it. I now must believe it is truly from God. Once I believe that, then I must act, else I am being disobedient.
What has God spoken to you? If you say, "nothing," then you're accusing God of mismanagement of His resources. God is not a lazy manager and he doesn't employ any lazy Christians. If you say, "I don't know." Then you need to ask God and find out. If you say, "I do know but I do not believe God is really asking me to do this," then pray for strength and seek encouragement from godly Christian people. If you say, "I do know, and I believe," then get off your back side and get on the front lines of faith. Do something!
If you say, "Oh, that's so easy for you Keith. You're the pastor," you would be terribly wrong. I have been challenged so many times in my faith over the years, and I am challenged right now this minute with several things God has put before me. But with the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of other believers, I will make those steps. Yes, faith may be as small as a mustard seed, but with a little faith we serve a BIG God.
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