Here are some more thoughts from Timothy Keller's book, "The Reason for God":
"Religion operates on this principle 'I obey--therefore I am accepted by God.' But the operating principle of the gospel is 'I am accepted by God through what Christ has done--therefore I obey.' Two people living their lives on the basis of these two different principles may sit next to each other in the church pew." - Timothy Keller
"The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me." - Timothy Keller
There is a distinct difference between someone who goes to church because it is their religion and someone who is a part of the church because of grace. The former goes to church because they feel like they have to in order to please God and show everyone they are a Christian. The later participates as a part of the church because they get to as a child of God.
The difference is how we view our relationship with God. Once we get grasp the reality that we are his children and we are accepted by Him despite our flaws we live our lives differently in relation to Him. We obey not out of obligation but because we serve a God who loves and values us because we are His.
Religion crushes the spirit, grace brings life.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Sin, Religion and Grace
Just finished Timothy Keller's book, "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism." I have to say he does a great job of explaining why God makes sense and why we need him.
Toward the end he gets into some basic theological issues including Sin, Religion and Grace. Here are some quotes and thoughts on sin, religion and grace:
Sin: "Lewis (referring to C.S. Lewis) works from Kierkegaard's definition of sin. Sin is not simply doing bad things, it is putting good things in the place of God. So the only solution is not simply to change our behaviour, but to reorient and center the entire heart and life on God."
"Remember this--if you don't live for Jesus you will live for something else."
"Everybody has to live for something. Whatever that something is becomes the 'Lord of your life,' whether you think of it that way or not."
What Keller is saying is that sin is not just doing bad things. The root of our sin is putting something else before God. If money is your lord it can drive you to do things that are sinful. Someone with the drive to have money may be a workaholic and neglect not just God, but their family. Maybe they will cheat on their taxes or deal unethical with others. Maybe it will cause someone to steal from someone else. All of these actions are just a result of money being in the place of God.
Maybe it is alcohol, drugs or sex that has become your lord and as a result, your actions show what "the" sin is you struggle with most. Jesus taught about the root of our actions in the Sermon on the Mount on several occasions. One place he said, "You have heard that it was said . . . do not murder . . . but I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement" (Matthew 5:21-22). What Jesus is saying is that murder is the result of a deeper issue--anger. It is at anger you have crossed the line of sin.
When I used to travel for Kentucky Christian University to various camps sometimes I would have to teach on sex to students. The question that was always asked was "How far can you go before it is to far?"
I had always been taught that you can go as far as you can without it leading to the deed (if you know what I mean). But that is not what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).
So "lust" is the problem. Adultery is just the result of lust. So, what is this person's lord?
Sin is as simple as putting something else before God. In the example of the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve put their independence before God. They wanted to be like God. So they ate from the wrong tree.
Really all sin boils down to Adam and Eves sin--independence from our Lord. Everything other sin is just the result of our desire to be independent from God.
(Religion and Grace continued tomorrow)
Toward the end he gets into some basic theological issues including Sin, Religion and Grace. Here are some quotes and thoughts on sin, religion and grace:
Sin: "Lewis (referring to C.S. Lewis) works from Kierkegaard's definition of sin. Sin is not simply doing bad things, it is putting good things in the place of God. So the only solution is not simply to change our behaviour, but to reorient and center the entire heart and life on God."
"Remember this--if you don't live for Jesus you will live for something else."
"Everybody has to live for something. Whatever that something is becomes the 'Lord of your life,' whether you think of it that way or not."
What Keller is saying is that sin is not just doing bad things. The root of our sin is putting something else before God. If money is your lord it can drive you to do things that are sinful. Someone with the drive to have money may be a workaholic and neglect not just God, but their family. Maybe they will cheat on their taxes or deal unethical with others. Maybe it will cause someone to steal from someone else. All of these actions are just a result of money being in the place of God.
Maybe it is alcohol, drugs or sex that has become your lord and as a result, your actions show what "the" sin is you struggle with most. Jesus taught about the root of our actions in the Sermon on the Mount on several occasions. One place he said, "You have heard that it was said . . . do not murder . . . but I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement" (Matthew 5:21-22). What Jesus is saying is that murder is the result of a deeper issue--anger. It is at anger you have crossed the line of sin.
When I used to travel for Kentucky Christian University to various camps sometimes I would have to teach on sex to students. The question that was always asked was "How far can you go before it is to far?"
I had always been taught that you can go as far as you can without it leading to the deed (if you know what I mean). But that is not what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).
So "lust" is the problem. Adultery is just the result of lust. So, what is this person's lord?
Sin is as simple as putting something else before God. In the example of the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve put their independence before God. They wanted to be like God. So they ate from the wrong tree.
Really all sin boils down to Adam and Eves sin--independence from our Lord. Everything other sin is just the result of our desire to be independent from God.
(Religion and Grace continued tomorrow)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Check Engine
We bought a car for Eli in August and the check engine light is on. Just recently Rhonda came in and said a strange warning light is on in the van. Yep, the check engine light. Rhonda came in another day after driving my car, you guessed it--check engine.
I was not feeling well yesterday. My heart was racing so I went to the Doctor. As I was laying there getting an EKG I thought to myself, "My check engine light is on." I'm fine, just have what they are calling "lone atrial fibrillation." It stopped on it's own. I did not have to get shocked to put my heart back into rhythm which was a possibility. I actually thought about doing it myself with a fork and an electrical socket. When I joked with the doctor about it he said it may have worked, but was not in favor of it.
Anyway, with all the check engine lights on in my life it got me thinking. When a check engine light comes on you have to do a diagnostic test to find out what is wrong. What about our spiritual life? Is your walk with God somewhat stalled? Would you say that your check engine light is on? What does a diagnostic test look like for your spiritual walk with God?
Maybe you need to spend some quiet time reflecting on your relationship with God. Maybe you need to sit down with a friend you trust and can share anything with to coach you through your evaluation. Maybe your doing well with your faith.
Here is what Paul tells followers in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test."
I was not feeling well yesterday. My heart was racing so I went to the Doctor. As I was laying there getting an EKG I thought to myself, "My check engine light is on." I'm fine, just have what they are calling "lone atrial fibrillation." It stopped on it's own. I did not have to get shocked to put my heart back into rhythm which was a possibility. I actually thought about doing it myself with a fork and an electrical socket. When I joked with the doctor about it he said it may have worked, but was not in favor of it.
Anyway, with all the check engine lights on in my life it got me thinking. When a check engine light comes on you have to do a diagnostic test to find out what is wrong. What about our spiritual life? Is your walk with God somewhat stalled? Would you say that your check engine light is on? What does a diagnostic test look like for your spiritual walk with God?
Maybe you need to spend some quiet time reflecting on your relationship with God. Maybe you need to sit down with a friend you trust and can share anything with to coach you through your evaluation. Maybe your doing well with your faith.
Here is what Paul tells followers in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test."
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