Monday, January 30, 2012
Comfort Food
10:25 PM | 
Posted by
jaytee |
I think most of us have heard the term “comfort food” you know the food we eat not because we need it but just because it makes us feel good. We don't really care what the food does for us internally, we just want that good feeling. Sometimes I think we look at scripture the same way. We read a verse and get this warm fuzzy feeling then go our way with out really thinking about what that scripture can do for us internally. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy feeling good as much as the next person. Nothing wrong with feeling good but many times we walk away with the temporary good feeling and never see the eternal depths of what the scripture says. The funny thing is that a lot of the time those depths are not hidden in some profound theological mystery but the words are right there as plain as day. This happened to me today. A friend posted a verse on Facebook, I stopped to read it and there it was that good feeling. Okay, feeling good, time to move on to the next thing on Facebook. Not sure what stopped me, maybe it was this verse that I had read many times before in a different version that I usually read. Could be my over active mind that likes to analyze everything. Most likely God saying slow down and listen for a minute. It was interesting that I didn't stop and meditate on the verse for a long period of time. I didn't beg God to open my eyes to see what it said. I simply stopped for a couple of minutes maybe three and I looked at what the words right there in front of me said. Here's the verse in the NIV.:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
My first thought as I was about to walk on with this good feeling was, did I hear what these words say? Not what is the deeper meaning here but what do the words right here say.
These are the things that I took a few minutes to consider.
- Am I convinced? Not much profound or deep about that, just a simple question.
- Nothing in death and nothing in life. Pretty much includes everything.
- Neither angels nor demons. No holy and good spiritual being or evil ones.
- Neither the present nor the future. My present and my future, already taken care of. Nothing that is happening and nothing that will happen.
- Neither height nor depth. Nothing that can be measured.
- Nor anything else in all creation. And if all the rest didn't cover it then it says nothing in creation which is everything besides God.
- Will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. What was that? Did it just say that after all these things that it named, which covered everything in the spiritual and physical worlds. None of them can separate us from the love of God. And God is love so it's saying that from the moment I was in Christ nothing could separate me from God because He can not be separate from His love.
I don't know about you but those thoughts give me much more than a good feeling. If I'm “convinced” then they bring peace on the inside deep in my soul. Even if I'm not “convinced” they still bring great hope in the midst of my doubt because my believing or doubting does not change the truth of the scripture. These verses do not cease to be true if I don't believe them.
It doesn't take a great mind or a “dizzying intellect” to see what these words say, only a few minutes and a listening ear.
Johnny
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Friday, January 13, 2012
Magic Johnson, Tim Tebow, and Legalism
Greetings friends,
Today, my heart is turned to an interesting topic in our religious world realm. That much of what we call grace is really just another form of legalism. Grace boasters boast in how graceful they are, Legalist boast in what they can do for God. Both are just legalism. Today as you read Magic Johnson, Tim Tebow, and Legalism think about the rise and fall of Legalism in our society and how it affects even the most graceful people on earth. The point is this, that grace does not mean much unless there is life driving it.
Magic Johnson
In the 80's I love watching Magic Johnson play basketball. I have never seen a presence on the basketball court like him. He was not the fastest, most talented, and athletic player in the NBA that distinction went to the likes of Michael Jordan and Isaiah Thomas. Why does Magic Johnson stand out amongst these players in the 80's? I believe he stands out amongst this crowd due to one thing, AIDS. During the 1980's AIDS became a prevalent as one of the worst diseases man has ever known. I remember what I was doing the moment I heard about Magic Johnson having AIDS. I was a young budding P.A. Announcer calling the 8th grade football game as a Senior in High School. My buddy walks in and says, "I just heard on the radio that Magic has AIDS." I remember turning to him and saying, "What? Magic? AIDS?" My first thought was, "Magic is a Homosexual?" No, he just could not say no to women. It affected me, that news ruined my evening, why? My hope that Magic was perfect was diminished by a lifestyle that he lived as a professional NBA player on the road. During those days, I lived a Christian lifestyle (or should I say, "what i thought was a christian lifestyle.") in the eyes of most, I was a good kid. I still had hope and belief that I could be better, that the gospel was going to be spread through me because I was going to go out and make a difference. I believed I was going to do God's work and make Him better (I actually believed that!).
Magic Johnson, what is he doing today? Magic has been the most successful AIDS survivor in history up to this point. Magic today is in a group bidding for the right to own the Dodgers, Magic is featured on ESPN and other Sports network as a NBA Analyst. Society has forgiven Magic Johnson for being an adulterer. How graceful of a society to forgive Magic for screwing his neighbors wife. How wonderful is it that Magic has been let off the hook? I hated Magic Johnson, why? How could he be so stupid for screwing it up so badly? Magic was married with kids. For a young teenager, that impacted me. "I'll never be like that!" Boasting that I would never be a sinner like that. Little did I know that I was no different than Magic Johnson, no I have not slept with over 900 women, but my porn addiction was no different. The following years after graduating High School and working on being a better Christian i.e., trying to perfect what God has already perfected through Christ. The following system of belief existed in me, that it was my job to meet God half way, that I had to quit sinning, and that I had to read, pray, and evangelize to be accepted by God.
Magic Johnson after making his AIDS announcement was forced to retire due to the fact that he might somehow transfer his AIDS to someone else if cut. Magic then begin his tour of apologies hoping that society would somehow receive him back. Eventually Magic would return but not without caution from other players, you see, Magic had to earn his way back in. It was a legalist view of stepping back onto the hardwood. The realization that Christians faced in those days was having to earn their way to heaven, sure, Christ death on the cross was for us but it was not the final cure. I still have friends today who believe that we have to rid ourselves of sin. Magic could not rid himself of AIDS, by the way America, he still has AIDS. What has changed?
Tim Tebow
America is in love with Tim Tebow today. Why is America and ESPN so enamored with Tim? Tim is a winner. Tim has a comercial for an energy drink company where he tells the viewing audience that the critics said he would never win in high school, that he would never win in college, and that he would never be drafted in the first round. Tim's response to that in the comercial is, "Thanks." Tim a few years back creates a comercial for the superbowl that talks about how his mother made a decision to raise little Timmy against the doctors advice. His mother chose life and look at him now. Tim Tebow as a result has become a polarizing figure. Tim in a Christian view point is the poster boy for being a role model, a christian, and living out faith. Tim in a world view point is dangerous because he does not support abortion, he is a virgin, and has given his life over to a deity.
Tim is starting to be mimicked by other young athletes and conservatives have taken Tim and boasted how good God is and his grace for sparing Tim. Tim has become a god to young men who suite up on friday nights and saturday afternoons, a reason for young men to boast in their faith, and a reason for people to boast in Grace. Tim is often questioned about this high responsibility in the eyes of America. He understands his role and knows that he is on everyone's radar.
The first time I heard about Tim Tebow was while I was leading worship for a baptist church in the Everglade community of Weston, FL. A gator quarterback and a over all good kid. I followed him because my wife's former boss is a huge gator fan and loved Tim Tebow. During this time in my life, I was learning that the grace of God can also be abused as a means of legalism. A book by Jerry Bridges named "The Discipline of Grace" was used as a means of talking about the grace of God. Yes grace was free, but not without discipline. We had to be discipline graceful Christians, thus, creating a mutated version of the legalist I already thought I had overcome. God met me in those years while Tim Tebow was in college and reminded me that even grace pharisees exist.
Did Tim Tebow ask for all of this attention? Does Tim Tebow understand God's grace? What is the difference between Tim Tebow and Magic Johnson? What is the difference between legalism and grace? I tend to lean towards Tim not asking for all of this attention, but others would say if you are on the stage that he is on and he boast in his faith then he deserves this attention. I believe that Tim at this point is knocking the ball out of the park when it comes to him being himself. I believe that what you see is what you get. His former coach, spoke of Tebow on an ESPN interview about Tim being authentic and morally good. His former coach said, "What you see is what you get with Tim, He is a good looking guy, has many offers from girls, yet when it comes down to his lifestyle and what he believes, he is the genuine article." Personally, whether or not Tim Tebow is the genuine article is not important, it is what he believes about himself when he goes to bed at night. The re is no difference between Tim Tebow and Magic Johnson, both are Heroes in eyes of America and Tim has flaws just like Magic, and both are winners. Tim's flaws are not on the evening news besides his inability to be a great pocket quarterback. Grace boasters will use Tim Tebow as a means for us to be just like him. I got news for you grace boasters in america, Tim Tebow is a terrible god, I am a terrible god, and you are a terrible god.
Legalism
Legalism is an excessive view of law or formulas. Legalism is created from legalist, these are people who make the law excessive and their relationship with God a bunch of formulas. Tim Tebow may be a legalist, Magic Johnson may be a legalist, I may be a legalist, and you may be a legalist. I have friends who have in recent times taken grace and have poured it into the pot of legalism and have disciplined themselves for the glory of God. These friends are giving up their homes, jobs, and lives to fulfill the Un-American dream of spreading the gospel all over the world. Can a legalist spread the gospel all over the world? The answer to this question is one hundred percent yes. Will a legalist feel better about themselves after spreading the gospel? Yes. Will a legalist still have problems after spreading the gospel all over the world? Yes. In the same tone, can a grace boaster spread the gospel all over the world? Yes. Will a grace boaster feel better about themselves after spreading the gospel all over the world? Yes. Will a grace boaster still have problems after spreading the gospel all over the world? Yes. What's the difference? Both are legalist. Both feel better about self. Both still carry the flesh. What then keeps us from being grace boasters and Legalist? not being just hearers of the word, but doers of the word. The difference between hearers and doers: Magic Johnson is a hearer. Magic heard about AIDS but did nothing to stop himself from contracting it, thinking I can do it and not get in trouble. Tim Tebow is a doer of the Word. Tim Tebow knows that he could have any girl on the face of planet earth and achieve the great accomplishment of sleeping with 900 women, the difference is that he has heard the devastating truths of HIV AIDS and is walking the path saying I cannot do it, I have to rely on someone else. Can a person who lives out of life spread the gospel? Yes. Will a person who spreads the gospel out of life want the attention? No. Will a person who spreads the gospel out of life still have problems afterwards? Yes. Living out of life is not based on hearing alone, it is based around doing what you hear God calling you too. It doesn't matter where you go to spread the gospel, it matters if you spread the gospel out of life. You may boast about spreading the gospel in a foreign country for 6 weeks, but unless there is life behind what you are doing, then it is no different than being a legalist or a grace boaster spreading the gospel.
Magic Johnson, Tim Tebow, and Legalism all point to the something, how you choose to live is not my business. I can only hope in one thing, Christ crucified, the finished work of the cross, and I cannot meet that standard alone I have to live out of his life. Magic is a victim of hearing and not doing, Tebow is a victim of hearing and doing (which is why he defies the odds, it is living out of life saying I can't do this.), and I just want to live out of life as I'm sure you do, as I'm sure Magic does, and as I'm sure Tim does. How you view life will answer that question.
- Jason
Today, my heart is turned to an interesting topic in our religious world realm. That much of what we call grace is really just another form of legalism. Grace boasters boast in how graceful they are, Legalist boast in what they can do for God. Both are just legalism. Today as you read Magic Johnson, Tim Tebow, and Legalism think about the rise and fall of Legalism in our society and how it affects even the most graceful people on earth. The point is this, that grace does not mean much unless there is life driving it.
Magic Johnson
In the 80's I love watching Magic Johnson play basketball. I have never seen a presence on the basketball court like him. He was not the fastest, most talented, and athletic player in the NBA that distinction went to the likes of Michael Jordan and Isaiah Thomas. Why does Magic Johnson stand out amongst these players in the 80's? I believe he stands out amongst this crowd due to one thing, AIDS. During the 1980's AIDS became a prevalent as one of the worst diseases man has ever known. I remember what I was doing the moment I heard about Magic Johnson having AIDS. I was a young budding P.A. Announcer calling the 8th grade football game as a Senior in High School. My buddy walks in and says, "I just heard on the radio that Magic has AIDS." I remember turning to him and saying, "What? Magic? AIDS?" My first thought was, "Magic is a Homosexual?" No, he just could not say no to women. It affected me, that news ruined my evening, why? My hope that Magic was perfect was diminished by a lifestyle that he lived as a professional NBA player on the road. During those days, I lived a Christian lifestyle (or should I say, "what i thought was a christian lifestyle.") in the eyes of most, I was a good kid. I still had hope and belief that I could be better, that the gospel was going to be spread through me because I was going to go out and make a difference. I believed I was going to do God's work and make Him better (I actually believed that!).
Magic Johnson, what is he doing today? Magic has been the most successful AIDS survivor in history up to this point. Magic today is in a group bidding for the right to own the Dodgers, Magic is featured on ESPN and other Sports network as a NBA Analyst. Society has forgiven Magic Johnson for being an adulterer. How graceful of a society to forgive Magic for screwing his neighbors wife. How wonderful is it that Magic has been let off the hook? I hated Magic Johnson, why? How could he be so stupid for screwing it up so badly? Magic was married with kids. For a young teenager, that impacted me. "I'll never be like that!" Boasting that I would never be a sinner like that. Little did I know that I was no different than Magic Johnson, no I have not slept with over 900 women, but my porn addiction was no different. The following years after graduating High School and working on being a better Christian i.e., trying to perfect what God has already perfected through Christ. The following system of belief existed in me, that it was my job to meet God half way, that I had to quit sinning, and that I had to read, pray, and evangelize to be accepted by God.
Magic Johnson after making his AIDS announcement was forced to retire due to the fact that he might somehow transfer his AIDS to someone else if cut. Magic then begin his tour of apologies hoping that society would somehow receive him back. Eventually Magic would return but not without caution from other players, you see, Magic had to earn his way back in. It was a legalist view of stepping back onto the hardwood. The realization that Christians faced in those days was having to earn their way to heaven, sure, Christ death on the cross was for us but it was not the final cure. I still have friends today who believe that we have to rid ourselves of sin. Magic could not rid himself of AIDS, by the way America, he still has AIDS. What has changed?
Tim Tebow
America is in love with Tim Tebow today. Why is America and ESPN so enamored with Tim? Tim is a winner. Tim has a comercial for an energy drink company where he tells the viewing audience that the critics said he would never win in high school, that he would never win in college, and that he would never be drafted in the first round. Tim's response to that in the comercial is, "Thanks." Tim a few years back creates a comercial for the superbowl that talks about how his mother made a decision to raise little Timmy against the doctors advice. His mother chose life and look at him now. Tim Tebow as a result has become a polarizing figure. Tim in a Christian view point is the poster boy for being a role model, a christian, and living out faith. Tim in a world view point is dangerous because he does not support abortion, he is a virgin, and has given his life over to a deity.
Tim is starting to be mimicked by other young athletes and conservatives have taken Tim and boasted how good God is and his grace for sparing Tim. Tim has become a god to young men who suite up on friday nights and saturday afternoons, a reason for young men to boast in their faith, and a reason for people to boast in Grace. Tim is often questioned about this high responsibility in the eyes of America. He understands his role and knows that he is on everyone's radar.
The first time I heard about Tim Tebow was while I was leading worship for a baptist church in the Everglade community of Weston, FL. A gator quarterback and a over all good kid. I followed him because my wife's former boss is a huge gator fan and loved Tim Tebow. During this time in my life, I was learning that the grace of God can also be abused as a means of legalism. A book by Jerry Bridges named "The Discipline of Grace" was used as a means of talking about the grace of God. Yes grace was free, but not without discipline. We had to be discipline graceful Christians, thus, creating a mutated version of the legalist I already thought I had overcome. God met me in those years while Tim Tebow was in college and reminded me that even grace pharisees exist.
Did Tim Tebow ask for all of this attention? Does Tim Tebow understand God's grace? What is the difference between Tim Tebow and Magic Johnson? What is the difference between legalism and grace? I tend to lean towards Tim not asking for all of this attention, but others would say if you are on the stage that he is on and he boast in his faith then he deserves this attention. I believe that Tim at this point is knocking the ball out of the park when it comes to him being himself. I believe that what you see is what you get. His former coach, spoke of Tebow on an ESPN interview about Tim being authentic and morally good. His former coach said, "What you see is what you get with Tim, He is a good looking guy, has many offers from girls, yet when it comes down to his lifestyle and what he believes, he is the genuine article." Personally, whether or not Tim Tebow is the genuine article is not important, it is what he believes about himself when he goes to bed at night. The re is no difference between Tim Tebow and Magic Johnson, both are Heroes in eyes of America and Tim has flaws just like Magic, and both are winners. Tim's flaws are not on the evening news besides his inability to be a great pocket quarterback. Grace boasters will use Tim Tebow as a means for us to be just like him. I got news for you grace boasters in america, Tim Tebow is a terrible god, I am a terrible god, and you are a terrible god.
Legalism
Legalism is an excessive view of law or formulas. Legalism is created from legalist, these are people who make the law excessive and their relationship with God a bunch of formulas. Tim Tebow may be a legalist, Magic Johnson may be a legalist, I may be a legalist, and you may be a legalist. I have friends who have in recent times taken grace and have poured it into the pot of legalism and have disciplined themselves for the glory of God. These friends are giving up their homes, jobs, and lives to fulfill the Un-American dream of spreading the gospel all over the world. Can a legalist spread the gospel all over the world? The answer to this question is one hundred percent yes. Will a legalist feel better about themselves after spreading the gospel? Yes. Will a legalist still have problems after spreading the gospel all over the world? Yes. In the same tone, can a grace boaster spread the gospel all over the world? Yes. Will a grace boaster feel better about themselves after spreading the gospel all over the world? Yes. Will a grace boaster still have problems after spreading the gospel all over the world? Yes. What's the difference? Both are legalist. Both feel better about self. Both still carry the flesh. What then keeps us from being grace boasters and Legalist? not being just hearers of the word, but doers of the word. The difference between hearers and doers: Magic Johnson is a hearer. Magic heard about AIDS but did nothing to stop himself from contracting it, thinking I can do it and not get in trouble. Tim Tebow is a doer of the Word. Tim Tebow knows that he could have any girl on the face of planet earth and achieve the great accomplishment of sleeping with 900 women, the difference is that he has heard the devastating truths of HIV AIDS and is walking the path saying I cannot do it, I have to rely on someone else. Can a person who lives out of life spread the gospel? Yes. Will a person who spreads the gospel out of life want the attention? No. Will a person who spreads the gospel out of life still have problems afterwards? Yes. Living out of life is not based on hearing alone, it is based around doing what you hear God calling you too. It doesn't matter where you go to spread the gospel, it matters if you spread the gospel out of life. You may boast about spreading the gospel in a foreign country for 6 weeks, but unless there is life behind what you are doing, then it is no different than being a legalist or a grace boaster spreading the gospel.
Magic Johnson, Tim Tebow, and Legalism all point to the something, how you choose to live is not my business. I can only hope in one thing, Christ crucified, the finished work of the cross, and I cannot meet that standard alone I have to live out of his life. Magic is a victim of hearing and not doing, Tebow is a victim of hearing and doing (which is why he defies the odds, it is living out of life saying I can't do this.), and I just want to live out of life as I'm sure you do, as I'm sure Magic does, and as I'm sure Tim does. How you view life will answer that question.
- Jason
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Christmas
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Allow this verse to resonate within you, allow it to pour out its blessings from within you and may you see all the wonderful light it is shedding within you.
This verse has moved me beyond tears, it resides in my very soul and is what I think about when we celebrate Christmas. We always point out a few things about Christmas such as the birth of Jesus, the Christmas tree, the manger, gifts, and family. None of which are celebrated at the correct time of year, if we understand that the conception of Jesus was given by the Spirit during this time of year then we know that the festival of tents is probably the more accurate birth-time for Jesus.
The physical representation is always looked at when seeking the meaning of Christmas. I want to turn to a different avenue that I believe is correct and is spiritual. The statement from above is from Isaiah 9:6, let's take it a phrase at a time.
For unto us a child is born,
We think of Christ born in a manger and that is exactly what has happened. you are the manger, the lowly place, the rotten side stable where this new birth has taken place. Within you a child is conceived not of sinful flesh, but of an eternal spirit. A new light has dawned within your soul and is now a very part of you. You are the lowly manger in which this child is born, Jesus the Christ, in you.
To us a son is given:
Christmas is a time of giving gifts, and this gift is from the father and deep within you is the Christmas tree or the tree of life. On its branches are gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control which are fruits or gifts of the spirit. There is deep within a gift of the son who is sufficient to our weaknesses. Sufficient means adequate, nothing more nothing less, exactly what we need, and all knowing for eternal life. A son is given, a gift of grace, and undeserved favor. do you understand the sufficient gift that exist in you is enough to meet your needs. This gift is what your kings and tyrants that exist within you will bow down to and they will pay homage to this great gift of a king.
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
The government of what (a question asked by Walter C. Lanyon)? is so appropriate and this is where the tears shed for me. Governments give a lair of control over you. This has nothing to do with Washington, D.C., or state in which you reside, but one thing, your life. The Government of your life is to be upon his shoulders. This child born in you as a gift is bearing your life on his shoulders. Life is found, but where? upon his shoulders, the onus of you trying to figure out this spiritual journey is on his shoulders, his life is found in you and your life is bound by him in union. This is why we shouldn't worry one moment further about our spiritual growth because it is your Father in heaven who gives good gifts and reveals himself to us and grows us at the right time.
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
In the book of Philippians chapter 2 we see the verse that talks about every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. God's promise to Abraham's seed was that he would make his name great. This child born in us the lowly manger is called wonderful, counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, and the prince of peace all existing in you. What's true of Christ is true of you!
As I reflect on this verse and all the time I've wasted on the physical, this breeds in me the joyful peace of the season knowing that I am in Christ and he has made in me the union life of the everlasting.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Jason
Monday, December 5, 2011
FBC OLOH
FBC OLOH:
This past weekend Johnny Taylor and I traveled to Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, MS, and spoke to the students of FBC Oloh.
Marked by many factors, this past five months prepared us to go and teach to this group of students about the often taught often forgot subject of "No Condemnation."
Friday Night: Session 1 "No Condemnation"
Based from Romans 8:1, a verse that just says it, "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This application to the life of a condemned Christian is the most freeing message they can receive. The Gospel is not about condemnation, it is about intimacy with God. Intimacy with God leads us into action...we often throw out comments such as, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing from the word of God." This statement boast so much truth; however, we often "hear" but we rarely respond.
the woman caught in adultery (John 8) brought before Jesus in the synagogue was guilty, so are we! Jesus could have stoned her and would have been completely just in doing so, yet because of his righteousness that fulfilled the law He asks her, "where are your accusers?" is there anyone here to condemn you? He pulls her out from under neath the banner of condemnation and sets her under the banner of "love." Song of Solomon 2:4, "he brought me to the his banqueting house and his banner over me was love." Just says it.
I told the students Friday Night that they had permission to not and try to fix themselves because they would never be able to fix the problem on their own. I certainly showed up with this idea of not being able to fix them and it freed me to relax and just teach.
Saturday Morning: "Life as it relates to Law and Torah"
I shared my journey to ultimate life in Christ and it wasn't a 7 step process or a formula but it was about how God ambushed me rescued me from a false Christian Identity based on my works for his acceptance. I was given life based on His works not mine, that freed me and messed up all my theology up to that point in life... I'm not sure what god I was serving but it was not the creator of the universe. The god I served fit nicely in the shape of my box and looked an awful lot like me...! I make a terrible god. When I found that I didn't love God first, but that He loved and pursued me with reckless abandon and began to live loved, it ruined me. Living Love allowed me to pursue him with reckless abandon just as he was pursuing me...His pursuit of me caused me to pursue him! I discovered that this journey meets up with a symptom that I cannot repair and it is "dependency." Living in grace, Living loved, and pursuing God causes dependency. I began to hear the word of God and doing the word of God (James 1:22) yet, this doing was not about works it was about dependency. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness Romans 4:5. Now that just says it! What did God reveal to during this time of growing and currently revealing to me to this day...
"Law and Torah"
the difference in these two words freed me to read the bible from a way of life and not a demand.
Law in the Greek is Nomos which gives a judicial view of living...the law then carries out the purpose of condemnation, judgment, and death. This view of Law makes sin increasingly sinful, because that is what we are "sinful."
Torah in the Hebrew is translated in to Nomos in Greek but does not mean the same thing, the idea behind the torah is "teaching or instruction a way of living." Torah was not meant for condemnation, judgment, and death but for life. Torah can condemn, judge, and produce death because it contains the in it a holy and just standard given by God that makes sin increasingly sinful. The Torah is a covenant promise of life in a person.
When we think of Law we think of the Ten Commandments, the ten commandments was not a law but a marriage covenant over the people of Israel who then once it was received rejected its standard to intimacy. Just like the Israelites of the time we too have decided that it is better for us to have someone go in our place and come and tell us what God says...! That's not what he wants from us, he wants us to come through the blood of Jesus and live our lives in his presence, the scriptures say, be holy for I am holy... that is we have to go through Christ to live holy.
Saturday Night "Law is Christ"
Jesus is for us the graceful revelation of the Torah, he is the fulfillment of these scriptures. John 1:1 gives us the revelation of this word... what do we call the word? Scriptures right, what is the torah made of? Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are the Torah, but these scriptures are not merely words on paper, they point to a person. You cannot have a relationship with words, the scriptures are shadows of a real person who we call our savior, Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:17 says that these are the shadows of the things to come but the substance belongs to christ...(just says it). John 5:39-40 says that you search the scriptures for knowledge...however, it is not in the scriptures that eternal life exist, but he tells them you refuse to come to me for life...
The point of all this, Jesus is the Law, Jesus is the Torah. Matthew 5:17-18.... says that Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it therefore becomes the law on our behalf and meets its righteous demands for us.
The importance of finding our life in Christ is essential to living not condemned by the law.
Sunday Morning. "God hasn't Changed"
simplicity is the key to understanding that you are not condemned, the question is do you believe?
The Shema says, "Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one from Deuteronomy 6:4...
Hear is a simple request, listen to notice of my voice. Israel is the loved bride of Christ... The Lord our God, is Elohim (plural) giving us the concept of this triune God who is a Father who loves us, The spirit who reveals to us, and the Son who took our place to rescue us. The Lord is one, (James 1:17) in whom there is no variation.
The word became flesh and dwelt among us... (John 1:14)
The weekend was exciting not because we did anything to fix, but gave the freedom to allow God to fix... we just need to live in his grace, experience his love, and be dependent on his life.
have a great day,
Jason
This past weekend Johnny Taylor and I traveled to Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, MS, and spoke to the students of FBC Oloh.
Marked by many factors, this past five months prepared us to go and teach to this group of students about the often taught often forgot subject of "No Condemnation."
Friday Night: Session 1 "No Condemnation"
Based from Romans 8:1, a verse that just says it, "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This application to the life of a condemned Christian is the most freeing message they can receive. The Gospel is not about condemnation, it is about intimacy with God. Intimacy with God leads us into action...we often throw out comments such as, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing from the word of God." This statement boast so much truth; however, we often "hear" but we rarely respond.
the woman caught in adultery (John 8) brought before Jesus in the synagogue was guilty, so are we! Jesus could have stoned her and would have been completely just in doing so, yet because of his righteousness that fulfilled the law He asks her, "where are your accusers?" is there anyone here to condemn you? He pulls her out from under neath the banner of condemnation and sets her under the banner of "love." Song of Solomon 2:4, "he brought me to the his banqueting house and his banner over me was love." Just says it.
I told the students Friday Night that they had permission to not and try to fix themselves because they would never be able to fix the problem on their own. I certainly showed up with this idea of not being able to fix them and it freed me to relax and just teach.
Saturday Morning: "Life as it relates to Law and Torah"
I shared my journey to ultimate life in Christ and it wasn't a 7 step process or a formula but it was about how God ambushed me rescued me from a false Christian Identity based on my works for his acceptance. I was given life based on His works not mine, that freed me and messed up all my theology up to that point in life... I'm not sure what god I was serving but it was not the creator of the universe. The god I served fit nicely in the shape of my box and looked an awful lot like me...! I make a terrible god. When I found that I didn't love God first, but that He loved and pursued me with reckless abandon and began to live loved, it ruined me. Living Love allowed me to pursue him with reckless abandon just as he was pursuing me...His pursuit of me caused me to pursue him! I discovered that this journey meets up with a symptom that I cannot repair and it is "dependency." Living in grace, Living loved, and pursuing God causes dependency. I began to hear the word of God and doing the word of God (James 1:22) yet, this doing was not about works it was about dependency. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness Romans 4:5. Now that just says it! What did God reveal to during this time of growing and currently revealing to me to this day...
"Law and Torah"
the difference in these two words freed me to read the bible from a way of life and not a demand.
Law in the Greek is Nomos which gives a judicial view of living...the law then carries out the purpose of condemnation, judgment, and death. This view of Law makes sin increasingly sinful, because that is what we are "sinful."
Torah in the Hebrew is translated in to Nomos in Greek but does not mean the same thing, the idea behind the torah is "teaching or instruction a way of living." Torah was not meant for condemnation, judgment, and death but for life. Torah can condemn, judge, and produce death because it contains the in it a holy and just standard given by God that makes sin increasingly sinful. The Torah is a covenant promise of life in a person.
When we think of Law we think of the Ten Commandments, the ten commandments was not a law but a marriage covenant over the people of Israel who then once it was received rejected its standard to intimacy. Just like the Israelites of the time we too have decided that it is better for us to have someone go in our place and come and tell us what God says...! That's not what he wants from us, he wants us to come through the blood of Jesus and live our lives in his presence, the scriptures say, be holy for I am holy... that is we have to go through Christ to live holy.
Saturday Night "Law is Christ"
Jesus is for us the graceful revelation of the Torah, he is the fulfillment of these scriptures. John 1:1 gives us the revelation of this word... what do we call the word? Scriptures right, what is the torah made of? Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are the Torah, but these scriptures are not merely words on paper, they point to a person. You cannot have a relationship with words, the scriptures are shadows of a real person who we call our savior, Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:17 says that these are the shadows of the things to come but the substance belongs to christ...(just says it). John 5:39-40 says that you search the scriptures for knowledge...however, it is not in the scriptures that eternal life exist, but he tells them you refuse to come to me for life...
The point of all this, Jesus is the Law, Jesus is the Torah. Matthew 5:17-18.... says that Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it therefore becomes the law on our behalf and meets its righteous demands for us.
The importance of finding our life in Christ is essential to living not condemned by the law.
Sunday Morning. "God hasn't Changed"
simplicity is the key to understanding that you are not condemned, the question is do you believe?
The Shema says, "Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one from Deuteronomy 6:4...
Hear is a simple request, listen to notice of my voice. Israel is the loved bride of Christ... The Lord our God, is Elohim (plural) giving us the concept of this triune God who is a Father who loves us, The spirit who reveals to us, and the Son who took our place to rescue us. The Lord is one, (James 1:17) in whom there is no variation.
The word became flesh and dwelt among us... (John 1:14)
The weekend was exciting not because we did anything to fix, but gave the freedom to allow God to fix... we just need to live in his grace, experience his love, and be dependent on his life.
have a great day,
Jason
Monday, October 31, 2011
coffee and conversations
I love coffee. I love conversations. I miss conversations that last over an hour. Where have dreams wondered off too? I am insinuating of course on the idea that conversations with God is possible. Maybe even while you are enjoying a cup of coffee. In my heart I want to believe that such dreams are being lived out by people all over the planet.
I know God is not a distant form or a figure illuminating from a heaven out of reach. God is near, even hear. Place your hand up to your face at the crest of your nose, intimacy is in your space. Coffee is not a life saver, but my life has been saved over a cup of coffee. Conversations do not taste good always, but spew a sweet aroma over the lips and hears of those participating.
I am delighted, terrified, and ready to start the future....moving forward and pacing out of dependence and far from security. Money does not drive the influence of God or how I'm to live. Wealth is not for God to be assured of using you, wealth is the found treasure of Him.
I look forward to retreating and speaking of the dulcet scriptures that breathe life into our beings and take our breaths away at its fulfillment. No condemnation, God has not changed, and the law is graceful...
the enrichment found in these simple truths of our approach to God will open the highway of intimacy, revelation, and knowledge of and with God. Make me quiet so you can speak, allow me to listen so I can live.
I know God is not a distant form or a figure illuminating from a heaven out of reach. God is near, even hear. Place your hand up to your face at the crest of your nose, intimacy is in your space. Coffee is not a life saver, but my life has been saved over a cup of coffee. Conversations do not taste good always, but spew a sweet aroma over the lips and hears of those participating.
I am delighted, terrified, and ready to start the future....moving forward and pacing out of dependence and far from security. Money does not drive the influence of God or how I'm to live. Wealth is not for God to be assured of using you, wealth is the found treasure of Him.
I look forward to retreating and speaking of the dulcet scriptures that breathe life into our beings and take our breaths away at its fulfillment. No condemnation, God has not changed, and the law is graceful...
the enrichment found in these simple truths of our approach to God will open the highway of intimacy, revelation, and knowledge of and with God. Make me quiet so you can speak, allow me to listen so I can live.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Gospel: A Set and Divine Foundation from the Beginning
The Gospel: A Set and Divine Foundation from the Beginning
This time of year as set forth in me a joy unspeakable, not out of duty, not out of a set arraignment, but for the joy of knowing God. I recently saw the birth of my twins and began to wonder if these two would be my last-born children here on earth. I know that God sent Jesus as His only begotten son (John 3:16) through the seed of the Spirit in the womb of a woman. I automatically began to pray over these newborn bundles of joy and wondered what life would be like for them in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. One thought set in my mind was “The Gospel.” These children of mine are children of the seed of flesh and destined for death. It’s a tragic truth that we do not think about when you are just trying to get them home from the hospital.
This time of year has also been set aside as a remembrance or a turning back to the beginning. The Jews celebrate this time of renewal through Rosh Hashanah. The portions are beginning again and a time of repentance is before us. As a believer in Jesus as Messiah the festivals celebrated are duly a remembrance and a time set for the day of return. The word teshuvah is exactly this statement of returning. In the garden, we see an amazing action performed before verdict is given that goes unnoticed by many, if not most believers and is a tragic miss that is left void in our lives. I believe this tragic misfortune that goes unnoticed is the root cause of the feeling of “duty” that we place on self to be loved and accepted by God.
In the garden we see that Satan temps Eve and subsequently entices Adam to take part in the occasion.
Gen 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Gen 3:7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
We notice that the first reaction to taking part in sin is revealing, they knew that their eyes were opened, holy smokes batman we have just broken the one rule that God set up for us. The absence of life reveals our nakedness it shows us the things we do not like about ourselves. Truth will reveal the hidden details, and it is in this that we try to cover up and hide.
Notice Adam and Eve’s response is to cover up what has been revealed, they make it their task to cover up what has been made wrong. This is such a testament to our way of thinking, it is much easier for us to correct the wrong ourselves; however, it does not lead to life. Your work will never lead to life; it cannot, will not, and has never been able to save you. Even if the intentions of the heart are for good, you will never be able to save yourself or someone else. You may be on the mission field in the middle of a jungle out of duty, instead of life, and it will never be your means of salvation or fulfillment of the void in life.
God shows up in the midst of the garden, noticed they heard the sound of God walking in the garden. This reminds me of being alone in a room and hearing the sound of footsteps rustling on the sidewalk. The anticipation of the sound always leads to the stress of the unknown. Yet this approach was not one of decimation, but of relationship. This is the approach we miss when we read the garden account, we forget that a relationship has been established and now we see how God brings forth the gospel even in the garden.
God does something that we miss, we miss and forget the purpose of why we are sons and daughters. He questions the means by which they sin, He tells of the enmity between woman and the snake, and then he performs a sacrifice. At this point in the garden, no judgment has been given. God provides “garments of skin” and thus, provides the first sacrifice we see in scripture. This sacrifice came before judgment, the blood spilled before a word uttered in punishment, and his compassion shown before they were removed from the garden. A relationship was established gloriously before he gives the terms of how life will be outside of the comfort of the garden. Man had fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Yet, in the midst of falling short, redemption was already on His mind. God rescued them, redeemed them, and then He sent them in the world to live in dependence upon Him and not of themselves.
The Gospel was shown in Adam and Eve admitting their faults; Jesus preached “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” We must realize that God has provided for us a sacrifice in the form of being clothed in Righteousness. God being the Gospel clothed Adam and Eve in the righteousness that he provided through the sacrifice he made on their behalf. We see judgment show up in Genesis 4:5 when Cain offered his sacrifice of the fruits of the field. The fruits of His labor!
The Gospel in the garden before they were moved out of it was the sacrifice of the animal that clothed their nakedness. The question is not what are you doing to clothe yourself; the question is have you accepted the robes of righteousness through Christ at the finished work of the cross? You see God preceded your sin by offering Christ on our behalf, pouring out His judgment on the only one who lived righteously. Being clothed in righteousness is having your works exposed for what they are, nakedness. The Gospel exposes and sheds light on our self-effort, no matter what that self-effort looks like.
I was exposed in college through my efforts to perform every kind of ministry opportunity available, yet it did not cure the ailment of self. I tried and tried to make it happen, the mission field was my acts of righteousness, my tracts of faith, and my alter building to attempt to sacrifice those sins and never live in them again. In such things, there is no life. We can be called to any form of ministry in and out of country, and if there is no life in the calling then there is no power behind it. We can gather in small groups and pray to our hearts content, yet if it is without life, there is no power.
Are you living out of duty? Or out of life? Are you exposed by the righteousness of God? Have you heard is voice? Have you heard His footsteps? Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for they shall be called sons of God (Matt 5:9). Righteousness is out for you and it will chase after, pursue, and hunt you down until you fall into its fate, being clothed. God does that! The Gospel is God, The Gospel is being Clothed, The Gospel is infinite, and The Gospel is for those who hear.
Seeing my children born into the world in frailty and nakedness exposed them for what they are, dependent. Adam and Eve experienced it and so do we.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Law, Grace, and Christ
The Law
Wait! The Law is not bad, the law is not wrong, and the law is holy, just, and righteous. The law at the same time makes my skin crawl. Judiciously, the law is perfect. The written law is good about pointing out my no goodness. The written law is a tutor, i.e., someone to guide me, stay in line, and point me to Christ. The Law Moses received on Mt. Sinai was given on tablets of stone. Tablets of stone or tablets of hearts is used in reference to man to describe the type of heart man obtains. Such as, the different hearts are two: One being a heart of stone and the other a heart of flesh. These two pictures are given in means of describing the law. If you have a heart of stone, then the law to you is lifeless. If you have a heart of flesh, then the law to you is life. If the law is not bad, and the law is not wrong, then why do we teach the law as bad and wrong? I think it’s a matter of the spirit, by the spirit we have clarity in revelation and clarity in truth. We subject ourselves to teaching of others and do not look into the heart to find the spirit's interpretation.
Moving forward, the law is a loose Greek interpretation of the word "torah" in Hebrew, which means "teaching." The Greeks give the interpretation of the word "nomas" which means "law" the word is legalized lawyer talk. This was not God's intention for the "commands" or "mitzvoth." Torah or teaching then is a way of living life and thus being called a heart of flesh and living. The Law as we know it will never be understood unless you see its intent through the eyes of Grace and the life of Christ.
Grace
Take a deep breath, this taste good! Grace is God's undeserved favor a gift that you cannot earn, work, or achieve by action. Soak this in for a moment; if you cannot earn something from God, then His gift to you is free. What is so hard about grace? Grace doesn't leave room for improvement, because you cannot improve on perfection. Grace is perfect, it will leave no stone unturned in your life and it will never be taken from you once received. Notice I wrote, received. God's unconditional love is fueled by His unending vat of grace. John Mark Macmillan's lyric in the song "He loves Us” sings "...if grace is an ocean, we're all sinking...” The Law doesn't mix with grace, or does it? Or is the law grace? The law was received by Moses from God on tablets of stone, yet Moses by grace saw God face to face and lived. The spoken commands over the people of Israel from Sinai were not a set of rules and regulations for an enslaved people, but a way of life for a bride.
This marriage picture displayed at Sinai, takes an imperfect bride and gives them a means of living by which perfection is obtained through dependency. We in our culture today love the stories of the damsel in distress that are rescued by their hero, and thus live their life in the safe arms of a husband. This is not a new way of seeing our union with God; the Sinai picture is this rescuing of a people who were less than perfect and creates a perfect marriage. This giving of a perfect union is a gift of God, thus making a perfect grace. Grace open's the eyes of the blind and makes the poor rich; it feeds the hungry and gives drink to the parched. Do you see the picture of grace in the law yet? O.k. let's take it to the next step and wake up the senses about the law and grace by looking to Christ.
Christ
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