3/20/12- Putting Your Whole Weight Down

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19)

Thoughts: It is not enough to believe intellectually in God, but not allow Him into your heart and life.  True faith is a confidence, a whole-hearted trust.  Jesus said many will say “Lord Lord” but He will tell them, “Depart from me, for I never knew you.”  Just because we say we have faith does not mean we really do either.  On the other hand, there is an assurance of our faith that cannot be shaken.  Many years ago a Wycliffe Bible translator was in a remote jungle translating the scripture.  The people had no word for faith.  But he noticed that at the end of a long, hard day, they would rest in their hammocks, and would say that they “put their whole weight down” in the hammock.  So he said faith was “putting your whole weight down” on Christ.  Our task is to trust Him with our lives, and not hold back. 

Prayer: Help me to put my trust in you.  

28- 3/20- HDBG- 20-22

Q. 20. Will all men, then, be saved through Christ as they became lost through Adam?

A. No. Only those who, by true faith, are incorporated into him and accept all his benefits.

Q. 21. What is true faith?

A. It is not only a certain knowledge by which I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word, but also a wholehearted trust which the Holy Spirit creates in me through the gospel, that, not only to others but to me also God has given the forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation, out of sheer grace solely for the sake of Christ’s saving work.

Q. 22. What, then, must a Christian believe?

A. All that is promised us in the gospel, a summary of which is taught us in the articles of the Apostles’ Creed, our universally acknowledged confession of faith.

1/2/12- The Glorifying of God

"What is the main goal of human life?"
"The main goal of human life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21) 

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:12) 


The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. (John 1:9)

Thoughts: We are not an accident or a product of "thoughtless" evolution.  But we were created for a purpose by a thoughtful and caring Creator.  In many ways this is the ultimate statement of faith.
    How God created us is not answered here.  But that it was not thoughtless or that we just "happened" or that we did not somehow make ourselves is.  
    So we are created to not live for ourselves.  In a recent survey of American Christians, George Barna said the most common goal was "to be healthy, happy, and to feel good."  But someone may do evil and still feel good about themselves because of their ability to justify and rationalize their own evil.  "Healthiness, happiness, and feeling good" are goals that the ultimate selfish person could also claim.  Such goals may leave out neighbor and God.  But God calls us to go beyond ourselves- to rise above our selfishness to love others and Him.
     To "glorify" means to reflect back.  As sunlight in a mirror may light up a room- but the light is not generated by the mirror- so we are called to reflect Christ.  As the moon reflects the sun's light, so we are called to reflect Christ.  Christ is called many times the "Light of the World" (Jn. 1:9; 9:5) in scripture.  Yet Jesus Himself  said "You are the light of the world" (Mt. 5:14).  But our light is not simply found inside of us (that is an illusion- that the light is "within us").  But the light reflects and glorifies Christ's light.  Christmas Eve in our church we lit candles from the advent wreath's Christ candle, and then held up our lights.  This is a symbol of our own light.  Our lives and lights find their source and power and energy from Christ's great light.  We are called to point to the Light of the world. 
     On New Year's Eve "Cee-Lo" sang John Lennon's song "Imagine" a little differently.  Lennon's lyrics were "Imagine there are no countries and no religion too"- and the people living for today.  In other words- what if there we were all alike and everyone lived for themselves- for their feelings and the moment. Supposedly such a life would foster in peace.  But in reality- if we live without goals and purpose- living for our feelings and the moment- then we have the morals of today.  Marriages break up when a marriage exists simply to make me feel good- and there is no sacrifice or higher purpose. Patriotism tends to downplay civil unrest and even civil war; religion gives meaning and purpose.  "Cee-Lo" changed the lyrics to "and all religions true" which is a similar spirit- saying religious truths can never contradict each other (perhaps in his mind because they are secondary to world peace).  But truth, reality, and God Himself are greater than any idealogy for world peace or political notions or even religions.  The question is still who do I glorify:  Myself?  Others? Or God?
     Believers are called to believe.  In a world full of confusion and selfishness- reaching out to try to find peace apart from God- we are called to remind them where the light shines in the darkness.   


Prayer: Give me strength, O Lord, to be a light in the dark world.  Help me to hold onto your truth though others say there is no such thing as truth or that truth doesn't matter.  May my life glorify you!