The Truth has always had a way of offending people. Despite all the evidence that support the radical claims of Christ, most folks can't be "talked into" believing in Him. I suppose it's like trying to talk someone into falling in love with someone else. Skeptic's arguments usually mask deeper issues of either intellectual pride, emotional scars or a self-focused worldview where they don't want to be held accountable by anybody's set of absolute moral truths. Sadly, oftentimes their skepticism is a direct result of seeing hypocrisy or experiencing harsh judgment from so-called Christians.
So how should we respond?
We should never respond to hostility with hostility. Jesus always responded with love. As Christians, the best thing we can do is live out our faith by loving and serving in a way that gets the attention and earns the respect of a very skeptical world. Once we have their attention, God will give us the words to say. Saint Francis of Assisi once said, "preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words."
When it is time to "use words," there are some great resources to equip you for these types of conversations. Start and end with the Bible of course, because it is the Living Word of God and the source of Truth. In addition, books such as "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith" by atheist-turned-Christian, Lee Strobel are solid tools. Above all, pray for those who are far from God. Prayer changes our hearts and often the hearts of those for whom we pray.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
What happens to people who never hear about Jesus?
Will someone go to Hell just because they never heard about Jesus? The first two chapters of the book of Romans deals with this specifically and I encourage you to read that to get a Biblical explanation. There are different interpretations, but the way I see it, God's ultimate plan is for every human being to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and make a choice to respond to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In Christ alone can we have the fullness and purpose God intends and it through Christ alone that God's wrath towards our sin is turned away.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the benefit of hearing the Gospel. For those folks, my understanding of Scripture is that they will be judged in accordance to how they responded to God based on what they knew of God and His Laws. This is a basic knowledge availalbe to every human being, so some have called this the "Universal Law". As creatures created in God's own image, we are made to recognize His existence and His natural laws. These things are a shadow of the fullness of His plan with is ultimately made known through Jesus. As Christians, it should be our goal to take the message of Jesus throughout all the world so that everyone may have the benefit of the Gospel. The bottom line is this...God is Loving, God is Just and God wants all the World to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." Romans 1:20 (NLT)
Unfortunately, not everyone has the benefit of hearing the Gospel. For those folks, my understanding of Scripture is that they will be judged in accordance to how they responded to God based on what they knew of God and His Laws. This is a basic knowledge availalbe to every human being, so some have called this the "Universal Law". As creatures created in God's own image, we are made to recognize His existence and His natural laws. These things are a shadow of the fullness of His plan with is ultimately made known through Jesus. As Christians, it should be our goal to take the message of Jesus throughout all the world so that everyone may have the benefit of the Gospel. The bottom line is this...God is Loving, God is Just and God wants all the World to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." Romans 1:20 (NLT)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Why should we "fear" a loving God?
There is often a confusing distinction between God being Love (1 John 4:8) and God being someone we are commanded to "fear". I don't think there's a clean, cookie-cutter answer to this because it deals with the nature of God which is something bigger than the mind can grasp. It helps me to think about it like this...the one command in the Bible given more than any other command is simply "be not afraid". We are told countless times and in countless ways that God has not given us a spirit of fear and that through Him, we can be courageous in all circumstances. Jesus Himself said that we should not fear man but God because God is the one who has power not only over this mortal life, but eternity.
It is as if God is telling us that the only healthy outlet for our fears is to direct them to Him alone. I also believe that a healthy fear can help mold our immature hearts towards a deeper love and faith. When I was very young, I had a healthy fear of my Dad. I knew that if I crossed the line, I would pay for it. I also knew that he loved me more than I could imagine. As I grew, there was much less need for fear as my heart and mind had matured under the loving guidlines he enforced and made possible in part by the "fear" I had of his wrath. I now see that even when I was punished, it was motivated solely out of his love for me.
No parent is perfect, so those parallels will always break down at some point, because God is perfect. His love is perfect. His mercy is perfect. I believe that even His wrath is perfect because it is an extension of His Holiness and it is used to bring us to Him where we ultimately discover his loving and tender Grace. The Bible has much to say about all this and philosophers and theologians much more qualified than me have discussed these thing for centuries, but I wanted to share a few thoughts I've had along the way. I hope it helps.
It is as if God is telling us that the only healthy outlet for our fears is to direct them to Him alone. I also believe that a healthy fear can help mold our immature hearts towards a deeper love and faith. When I was very young, I had a healthy fear of my Dad. I knew that if I crossed the line, I would pay for it. I also knew that he loved me more than I could imagine. As I grew, there was much less need for fear as my heart and mind had matured under the loving guidlines he enforced and made possible in part by the "fear" I had of his wrath. I now see that even when I was punished, it was motivated solely out of his love for me.
No parent is perfect, so those parallels will always break down at some point, because God is perfect. His love is perfect. His mercy is perfect. I believe that even His wrath is perfect because it is an extension of His Holiness and it is used to bring us to Him where we ultimately discover his loving and tender Grace. The Bible has much to say about all this and philosophers and theologians much more qualified than me have discussed these thing for centuries, but I wanted to share a few thoughts I've had along the way. I hope it helps.
Friday, August 14, 2009
How to Make Good Choices
When you come to a crossroads and you have to make a choice, please consider these instructions:
1. Trust God. Often we get into trouble because we think we know better than God how to run our lives. Trust your life and your choices to Him and He will guide you. (see Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. Be Wise. Wisdom is more than intelligence, education or even common sense. Wisdom comes from God. Seek it and you will find it. Godly wisdom can and should become the basis for all of your decisions. (see Proverbs 8:33-36)
3. Listen to Godly People. One of the main differences between wisdom and foolishness is that a wise person will consistently seek out and listen to wise counsel while a fool will do his (or her) own thing and resent anyone who tries to tell him what to do. Seek out wise people who can help you make the best decision possible. Once you’ve found some wise friends and advisors, listen to them. (see Proverbs 15:22)
4. Be Patient. In every major decision, realize that good discernment usually comes with time, thought, prayer and patience. In big decisions, your first instinct isn’t always the best option. (see Proverbs 16:32)
5. Check your Motives. Any choice made from an authentic heart to please God will ultimately lead to success. (see Proverbs 16:3)
6. Calm down. Never make a decision in anger. It will almost always be the wrong choice. (see Proverbs 29:11)
7. Be Courageous. The most consistent command in all the Bible is “Be not afraid”. As God’s child, fear should never be your motivation to make any decision. (see Proverbs 29:25)
8. Think it Through. Every wise choice will create future opportunities and every poor choice will limit future opportunities. With every choice, ask yourself how will I feel about this decision I’m making ten days or ten years down the road? Your choices today will either build or destroy your life tomorrow. (see Proverbs 19:3)
9. Listen to your Wife. All the other Proverbs have been for all people in all walks of life, but this one is just for the blessed men who have a Godly wife. Guys, when it comes to big decisions, listen to your wife! Trust me on this one. (see Proverbs 31:10-31)
10. Don’t second guess. Once you’ve gone through the process and made your decision, follow through and don’t look back. “What might have been” is a waste of time! (see Proverbs 4:25)
1. Trust God. Often we get into trouble because we think we know better than God how to run our lives. Trust your life and your choices to Him and He will guide you. (see Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. Be Wise. Wisdom is more than intelligence, education or even common sense. Wisdom comes from God. Seek it and you will find it. Godly wisdom can and should become the basis for all of your decisions. (see Proverbs 8:33-36)
3. Listen to Godly People. One of the main differences between wisdom and foolishness is that a wise person will consistently seek out and listen to wise counsel while a fool will do his (or her) own thing and resent anyone who tries to tell him what to do. Seek out wise people who can help you make the best decision possible. Once you’ve found some wise friends and advisors, listen to them. (see Proverbs 15:22)
4. Be Patient. In every major decision, realize that good discernment usually comes with time, thought, prayer and patience. In big decisions, your first instinct isn’t always the best option. (see Proverbs 16:32)
5. Check your Motives. Any choice made from an authentic heart to please God will ultimately lead to success. (see Proverbs 16:3)
6. Calm down. Never make a decision in anger. It will almost always be the wrong choice. (see Proverbs 29:11)
7. Be Courageous. The most consistent command in all the Bible is “Be not afraid”. As God’s child, fear should never be your motivation to make any decision. (see Proverbs 29:25)
8. Think it Through. Every wise choice will create future opportunities and every poor choice will limit future opportunities. With every choice, ask yourself how will I feel about this decision I’m making ten days or ten years down the road? Your choices today will either build or destroy your life tomorrow. (see Proverbs 19:3)
9. Listen to your Wife. All the other Proverbs have been for all people in all walks of life, but this one is just for the blessed men who have a Godly wife. Guys, when it comes to big decisions, listen to your wife! Trust me on this one. (see Proverbs 31:10-31)
10. Don’t second guess. Once you’ve gone through the process and made your decision, follow through and don’t look back. “What might have been” is a waste of time! (see Proverbs 4:25)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Christian Ambition
When did "ambition" become a dirty word? On the surface, the term "Christian Ambition" might sound like an oxymoron, because somewhere along the line we adopt the notion that ambition is ungodly and prideful. The truth is that we are called to be boldly ambitious for God. Jesus said that "forceful" (ambitious) people lay hold of the Gospel. The trick is to not let wordly, self-focused ambition come in and choke out the Kindgom-minded drive that God has put inside the heart of every Believer. It's not about making our names great, but His Name great. The distinction is that we must remain always content, but never satisfied. We must always be thankful for what we have while also looking ahead to the even Greater Things God desires to do in and through us for His Glory. We must also realize that sometimes just being still in God's presence is the most productive thing we can be doing. Go ahead...be ambitious for Jesus.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Stevens Creek Grovetown
I'm so proud to be a part of a church that continues to break outside the box to reach people for Jesus. This Fall, we're launching a new campus in Grovetown, GA which will allow us to reach thousands of people that we're not currently reaching. Every community in America needs life-giving churches, and I'm thrilled to know that one is coming to Grovetown! It's an exciting time @ The Creek.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Biggest Surprises from Parenthood
In April of 2005, I became a father and life has been dramatically different ever since. I now have two little boys, and I haven't had one "dull" moment since I became their Daddy. It's been more than four years of constant adventure that's nothing at all like I would have expected, so I thought I'd share my "Top Ten" biggest surprises from parenthood:
10. The Chaos. I guess I imagined that "good genes" (from their mom) would make my kids behave perfectly and I would naturally know how to deal with any issues that arose. I was wrong on both counts. It has been beautiful chaos since day one.
9. The Demons. I wasn't sure how I felt about demonic possession in the modern era until I became the father of toddlers. Now I'm quite sure it still exists, because I've seen them both druel and scream scarier than any exorcism on tv.
8. The Smells. I had no idea, but small children are capable of creating foul and putrid scents so disgusting and repugnant that I've often felt like I'm trapped in a gas chamber dying a slow death.
7. The Volume. Bose Stereos used to advertise the amount of volume their tiny speakers could produce. I now know that their research must have been based on small children, because my kids can scream so loudly that my ears hurt for hours afterwards.
6. The Cuteness. I think God made kids so cute just so their parents wouldn't kill them. My kids could burn the house down, but then give me one of their cute looks and I wouldn't be able to stay mad.
5. The Diapers. I still can figure out how it is scientifically possible for a small child to consume 10 ounces of food and liquid and then produce 30 ounces of foul-smelling waste.
4. The Fighting. Kids who grow up without siblings aren't as tough because they never have to get into a fist fight over a teddy bear. Humans' selfish nature starts young, because our boys came out of the womb ready to fight for their toys.
3. The Grandparents. The day that I became a parent was the day that my parents became alien life-forms who are incapable of showing restraint when it comes to their grandbabies. I think my folks might actually go bankrupt buying Thomas the Tank Engine toys, Disney Movies and ice cream for the boys. So much for my inheritance.
2. The Sleep Deprivation. When my single friends tell me that they sleep ten hours a night and still need Starbucks to wake them up, I have to restrain myself from punching them in the face. Actually, I lack the strength to punch anyways because as the parent of small children, I don't sleep. I don't fantasize about sex or money or anything like that, but I fantasize all the time about sprawling out on a big comfy bed and sleeping. Oh, yeah.
1. The Love. I had no idea I was capable of loving anybody the way I love my boys and their hot mom. It has given me a beautiful insight into the immeasurable love that God has for each of His kids. I'm a lucky man.
10. The Chaos. I guess I imagined that "good genes" (from their mom) would make my kids behave perfectly and I would naturally know how to deal with any issues that arose. I was wrong on both counts. It has been beautiful chaos since day one.
9. The Demons. I wasn't sure how I felt about demonic possession in the modern era until I became the father of toddlers. Now I'm quite sure it still exists, because I've seen them both druel and scream scarier than any exorcism on tv.
8. The Smells. I had no idea, but small children are capable of creating foul and putrid scents so disgusting and repugnant that I've often felt like I'm trapped in a gas chamber dying a slow death.
7. The Volume. Bose Stereos used to advertise the amount of volume their tiny speakers could produce. I now know that their research must have been based on small children, because my kids can scream so loudly that my ears hurt for hours afterwards.
6. The Cuteness. I think God made kids so cute just so their parents wouldn't kill them. My kids could burn the house down, but then give me one of their cute looks and I wouldn't be able to stay mad.
5. The Diapers. I still can figure out how it is scientifically possible for a small child to consume 10 ounces of food and liquid and then produce 30 ounces of foul-smelling waste.
4. The Fighting. Kids who grow up without siblings aren't as tough because they never have to get into a fist fight over a teddy bear. Humans' selfish nature starts young, because our boys came out of the womb ready to fight for their toys.
3. The Grandparents. The day that I became a parent was the day that my parents became alien life-forms who are incapable of showing restraint when it comes to their grandbabies. I think my folks might actually go bankrupt buying Thomas the Tank Engine toys, Disney Movies and ice cream for the boys. So much for my inheritance.
2. The Sleep Deprivation. When my single friends tell me that they sleep ten hours a night and still need Starbucks to wake them up, I have to restrain myself from punching them in the face. Actually, I lack the strength to punch anyways because as the parent of small children, I don't sleep. I don't fantasize about sex or money or anything like that, but I fantasize all the time about sprawling out on a big comfy bed and sleeping. Oh, yeah.
1. The Love. I had no idea I was capable of loving anybody the way I love my boys and their hot mom. It has given me a beautiful insight into the immeasurable love that God has for each of His kids. I'm a lucky man.
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