Jul 25 2013

Faith Under the Microscope


“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

As you can see from this Bible verse “faith” is very important. If you want to please God you must have it. The word impossible in the above verse shuts out every other avenue of pleasing God. You must have faith! But what is faith?

Often in the New Testament the words “faith” and “believe” or “belief” are interchangeable. There is a sense in which faith and believing are one in the same. Perhaps the best illustration of both uses is this passage from Romans 10.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:5-17)

Here Paul makes a distinction between law and grace and between works and faith. In verse 6 he speaks of “righteousness based on faith and in verse 10 says “one believes and is justified”. Then at the end of the passage in verse 17 he says “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”. So believing and faith have the same meaning, and by the way, the same source. Did you notice? Faith comes. It is a simple concept to understand. A person can’t call on someone in whom they have not believed and they can’t believe it they haven’t heard of him and they can’t hear unless someone tells them.. And this is really important, the preacher of the good news that brings faith must be sent.

No one naturally has faith. Faith comes by the hearing of the gospel, or the word of faith. We know this is truth based on these two passages.

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. (Romans 8:7)

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Unless God changes the heart and mind of a person who is not a Christian he does not have the resources necessary to submit to God or to accept the things of God. He does not submit, and cannot. And, he does not accept, and is not able. It is not a matter of a person making a decision to not accept God’s law, or the things of the Spirit, he cannot, he is unable to do so.

So even our faith comes from God. Paul in other of his letters describes non-Christians as living in darkness and spiritual death. God must penetrate the darkness and give life to the dead. When the good news about Jesus is preached God awakens the dark minds of sinners to hear the record of His Word and faith “comes” to the heart of the hearer.

I know some will disagree with what I just wrote but if you do, what will you do with the plain, easy to read verses I posted just above?

Now, we know the source of our faith but what is it? How does it function? I suggest you consider that Biblical faith has three components.

First, Faith is Intellectual.

Before faith comes one must have access to a set of facts. The brain must hold those truths just as it does your phone number or your wife’s name. It is simply facts assembled. Many people never get past this elementary part of what faith or believe, or believing is. The Scriptures say the devils “believe and tremble“. Just to believe the facts about Jesus, even that he died and rose again, will not save you any more than knowing which direction Texas is from where you live. Head knowledge alone is not faith.

Secondly, Faith is Emotional.

Yes, you must hear the facts about Jesus and your brain stores them away and reasons upon them. But for belief to become biblical faith you must embrace those facts with your heart. At the center of your being, you must emotionally grasp and cling to those facts that you intellectually have learned. Back to that Romans 10 passages you see these phrases, “believe with your heart” (vs 9) and “with the heart one believes” (vs 10). I believe I live in Louisiana, that is a fact. But I don’t hold to that truth with my inner being, with my heart.

Thirdly, Faith is Volitional.

In the Bible the word “faith” (and believe, or believing, or believed, or trust, or trusted) is almost always a verb. For faith to be biblical faith it must involve the will. You hear the good news about Jesus, you store the facts. You then embrace those facts, they become dear to you. Now, by an act of the will you act on what you “faith” or believe.

How does one act? One way is by “saying”. Paul said it this way, “with the mouth one confesses”. The term “a confession of faith” is a familiar way to state this. All this means is that the one who has truly put his or her trust (faith) in Jesus will “say” it. You will tell someone, or many people. You might tell your best friend, or your spouse, or your pastor, or you might say it to a church full of people. But, if it is real Bible faith, you will “say” it.

In my view faith and repentance are sort of like the heads and tails of a coin. One cannot, and will not repent (change the mind and the course of lifestyle) if he does not believe on Christ. And, he will not believe on Christ and continue a sinful lifestyle. So if faith is the Bible kind of faith, that is saving faith, the person who believes will repent. Not only does a person validate faith by saying but also by showing.

And, those who put their whole trust in Jesus Christ should as quickly as possible be baptized in water. In the doing of baptism we are participating in one of the two great gospel symbols for Christians, the other being the Lord’s Supper, or communion. In water baptism, the new believer for a moment in time is completely submitted to another and as he is laid under the surface of the water he is acting out the burial of Jesus, and as he is brought up out of the water he is acting out Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The one baptized is saying by being immersed “I believe in Jesus who died for my sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead”. And he is also saying, “I am dying to my old way of living for myself and my desires and I purpose to life a new life for Jesus”. So a person is baptized into Christ, for the remission of sins, is clothed with Christ, has put on Christ, and has been baptized into Jesus’ death. All of these terms have deep meaning but each of them also have some symbolism.

Biblical faith will lead the new believer to want to participate in the Lord’s supper, the other gospel symbol. As believers eat the bread they remember the body of the Lord and as they drink from the cup they remember the blood he shed for them and together they look for his coming and are united in his love and grace.

Good works will be a by-product of everyone who has faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:10 says:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

“We” includes all Christians. We were made for good works. People who say they are Christians but do no good works are impostors and not Christians.

I could go on mentioning things that arise from a heart set on Jesus by faith. Loving like Jesus loves, forgiving like you have been forgiven by Christ, accepting others who are not like you because he accepted you and so on.

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Do you have faith in Jesus Christ?

Royce Ogle
Monroe, LA

Jul 24 2013

Nuggets of Fudge – The Resurrection of Jesus and the end of the world.


When God raised Jesus up from death, the Resurrection started. It was as if God paged “Dead Person #1,” and Jesus came out. But the Resurrection is an End-of-the-world event, which means that when Jesus rose from the dead, the End of the present age (end of the world as we have experienced it) began. Unexpected and unannounced, the age to come burst suddenly on the scene, interrupting plans, confounding expectations, breaking into a present age still in full operation, racing full throttle open.

No sooner had the shock of that surprise settled slightly in, than a second surprise equally startling sent everyone reeling again. The Resurrection, which had just started with Jesus, temporarily stopped. Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to the Father’s right hand in heaven to occupy the seat of second highest honor–temporarily.

I say that Jesus’ present position is temporary, because both the Old and New Testaments tell us that. The Old Testament says that Jesus is at God’s right hand—until (Psalm 110:1). The New Testament tells us that heaven has received Jesus—until (Acts 3:21). This “until” represents a pause in the end of the world. When the until has fully run its course, the pause will also be over.

When the purpose of the pause has finished, Jesus will reappear. God will page “Dead Person Number 2” and the Resurrection will continue. Final Judgment will take place, followed by eternal reward and punishment. But until then, like a baby’s birth interrupted in mid-delivery, there is a pause in the End of the world. The present age goes on, though clearly in a state of decline. The Age to come is sometimes visible, but obviously not fully here. We live with one foot, as it were, in both ages.

Edward Fudge

Jul 22 2013

Surprised by Hope


The title of this post is also the title of one of the books authored by the prolific author, theologian, and former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England, N.T. Wright. Wright is best known for his writing and speaking about “The New Perspective on Paul”. He didn’t originate the school of thought, but was the first adherent with wide appeal. First in 1963, Lutheran theologian Kristor Stenhal, and then in 1977 E P Sanders, and finally James G. D. Dunn, agreed with Stenhal’s assertion that Martin Luther was all wrong about Paul’s intended meaning of the Christian doctrine of “justification” particularly, and a host of other errors taught by mainstream Christians about the salvation of sinners for the last 500 years or more. Sanders published several books supporting his views, but it was Dunn, who in 1982 coined the phrase “The New Perspective on Paul”. Enter Bishop N.T. Wright.

Wright is a brilliant writer and thinker and theologian and puts out books almost faster than his fans can read them. There are many reasons to admire this good man. He has become the face and voice of the “The New Perspective on Paul” although he disagrees with much of what his predecessors believed on the matter. In 2003 Wright addressed those differences in this statement.

“there are probably almost as many ‘new perspective’ positions as there are writers espousing it – and I disagree with most of them”

What to me then is strikingly odd is that so many people whom I would think of as evangelicals, seem to believe every words he says, almost as if he were inspired by God. If in his view, much of what those other “New Perspective” writers say is wrong doesn’t logic demand that maybe he could be wrong too?In my view he fits much better with liturgical churches than with evangelicals. But, even in our churches of Christ, N.T. Wright seemingly can do no wrong. Preachers are preaching his views all across our fellowship. I, apparently, am one of the few men (not a full-time preacher) who disagrees. And, when I disagree, my friends defend Wright and his views with the zeal one would expect if I had said I doubted the virgin birth of Jesus or was for “the instrument”.

I am not going to attempt to debate the issues here for these reasons. I don’t have the time or a mastery of the subject, I wouldn’t change one mind, and, many men much more able than I have debunked much of what Wright teaches to my satisfaction. Why did I title this post “Surprised by Hope”? Here’s why. It’s a little (or a lot) “tongue in cheek” as they say.

Wouldn’t it be odd that in the roughly 500 years since Martin Luther’s work until N.T. Wright got us all straightened out theologically, that God used so many men and women so powerfully during those dark ages? Assuming that everything was OK until Luther screwed it up (it wasn’t), It was Martin Luther God used to bring a change to the face of the Christian church for the better, bring thousands to Christ through his singular influence, and he was even instrumental in the King James Bible being written.

Almost every modern day missionary held Luther’s, and by the way, John Calvin’s views of theology. From William Carey to Adoniram Judson to Hudson Taylor, (I think I counted about a dozen a few years ago). The greatest revivals since the 1st Century were lead by people who in their ignorance held the “Old Perspective on Paul”. The gospel has literally gone to the ends of the earth in those 500 years of darkness with multiplied millions of people saved and God used ignorant people to get the gospel to them.

That gives me hope! God might even use me! If he used A W Pink, Matthew Henry, Billy Sunday, George Whitfield, C H Spurgeon, Billy Graham, and the list goes on…he can use me! If he used Alexander Campbell, Thomas Campbell, and other Restoration preachers, maybe he can use me! (It is no small thing that God used some of those Old Perspective people, Presbyterians and Baptists to bring the Campbells to Christ.)

So, to my dear church of Christ friends who are so taken with N T Wright, I am really surprised to find hope where I have found it. I am hopeful God will use me to announce the very good news about Jesus to some of those who are not yet Christians.

Hmm. I wonder if brother Wright will also shed some light on what Jesus meant when He spoke.

 

Jul 7 2013

‘Til Death Do Us Part


Almost everyone who is married, or will be married, will have repeated some variation of this traditional phrase, “‘til death do us part“, which is common language in wedding vows, especially Christian weddings. This vow reflects God’s design for marriage, one man and one woman married for life. Marriages are to be for life, so in the best of marriages the death of either partner ends the marriage. Just today at our church a couple received a standing ovation and loud applause at the announcement of their 50th anniversary. They obviously are happily married but that happy marriage will end when one or the other dies.

My wife’s marriage ended to her beloved Terry in August of 1997. At only 52 years old, Terry was much too young in our view to die with a sudden heart attack. In December of that same year my wife Jeanine also died suddenly with heart failure and only 10 days before her 44th birthday. Out of those two shared experiences, several months after Carol and I were married in 1999, she suggested to me that we should reach out a helping hand to those, who like us, had lost a spouse or some other loved one. Since then we have facilitated, or co-facilitated, grief groups for well over a decade. Some of those who read this post will have been in some of our sessions. If so, part of what I am going to share will be repetitive, but just hang in there with me, some of this I have not said before.

I have some challenges for those readers who are “single again”. I particularly have in mind widows and widowers, but if you are single again because of divorce this applies to you as well.

If your spouse has died you are not married any more. 

Your marriage ended the day your partner died. You will never be married to that person again. No, not even in heaven. That marriage, as much as you cherished it and loved the one who died, is over. Marriage is for life on earth only.

Since you are not married, don’t continue to try to live as if you are.

Many widows and widowers live for years after the death of their beloved spouse as if he or she was still living. You are no longer bound to a marriage vow. You no longer need to consider a husband or wife before making a decision, about anything. You are single, live like you are single!

I’m not advocating that you join a dating service at once. Dating might be way down the road for you, or never for some of you. While that is true, you are completely free to do what you want to do! If there is some activity that you have always wanted to be involved in, but didn’t because it wasn’t something your mate enjoyed, do it! You are single!

Spend some of the inheritance and take a trip to Europe with your friends, buy a convertible, redecorate the house in a way that suits YOUR tastes. Sell your deceased husbands old truck, or boat, he will not be using it. Do something nice for you!

And, when the time is right, accept an invitation to dinner or a play from a nice member of the opposite sex. It’s OK, you are not married, so stop living as if you are. You are not married and unless you remarry, you will never be married again. Live your life, it’s yours alone now, enjoy it with God’s blessing.

Don’t allow your emotions to do your thinking.

When I was a child I would go to downtown Asheville to the theater with my cousins and friends and we would watch scary movies. There were times I was sure that I was in grave danger! I was horrified! My emotions were lying to me! The truth was, I was sitting in a padded seat, with a big soda and pop corn, just as safe as could be.

Women especially tend toward making emotional decisions rather than rational decisions. “I just don’t feel that I should….”. “…he liked that old thing so much I…”. I suggest this exercise. Sit at your desk and take a sheet of paper. On one side put PROS and on the other CONS. Each time you face a decision that you seem to be struggling with, go back to that sheet of paper and write down your objections, negatives, reasons not to… And on the other list the reasons you should, or why it would be OK. Do NOT let your emotions rule you. You be in charge with clear, Holy Spirit controlled thinking!

Men, though not as prone to making emotional decisions as women are likely to get trapped too. Men, largely because we are so utterly HELPLESS, tend toward making snap decisions. When the lawn mower stops running we want to fix it as soon as possible. We are geared for the Quick Fix. Guys, do not allow yourself to have romantic thoughts about someone until at a minimum of six months to a year. Loneliness will drive you to do things you will deeply regret later.

Don’t be controlled by grown children or nosy neighbors.

“I would do ( fill in the blank) but I don’t know what Mr and Mrs Busybody across the street would think”. “I don’t know if the kids would approve or not”. Really? Are you going to let some neighbor’s opinion dictate your life? Will you now go from parent to child because your spouse died? You should do what you want to, period.

If you want to remodel the kitchen or move to Florida or get a new hair style, or God forbid, go to dinner with the nice widower down the block, DO IT. I  think it would be good to tell your children of your decision, after you have made it. You might sit them down and tell them in a loving way how the “cow ate the cabbage”, if you know what I mean. You might start by affirming your love and respect for their father (or mother), and assure them that what you learned from him or her in those years is a treasure. “But, daddy is not here now and I must make my own way and make my own decisions with God’s help. I have never liked some things about this house, so I have decided to put it on the market  and I’m going to move close to town in a zero lot line home where I don’t have to be worried with yard work. I love you and appreciate your love and support as I make this big change in my life.”. If they support you, great! If they don’t, acknowledge their complaints, and repeat again, I’m single now and I must make my own life by myself”, then do what you want.

You are single again, live like it!

Of course you want to be smart and loving in all that you do. And, you don’t want to unnecessarily offend those you love. And, you need time to grieve, maybe six months to a year, before you make any significant decisions. This is especially true of finances, real estate transactions, and romantic relationships. But when it’s the right time, and you will know it, You be the boss (under God) of your life and live it to full for Jesus sake and to God’s glory. It accomplishes nothing for your to spend the rest of your life with the constraints of marriage and none of the benefits. Single is good. Single is no less holy than marriage. May God bless you as you live your abundant life under His beautiful Lordship.

Royce Ogle
Monroe, LA