How to Comment on My Blog...

I've had multiple people indicate that they'd like to comment on this blog, but don't know how to "sign-in."  I've learned that within the "Post a Comment" section, the "Comment as" automatically defaults to a "Google Account."  For those who do not have a Google account or would prefer to comment in another manner, please simply select "Anonymous" from the "Comment as" drop down menu.  This will relieve you from needing to "sign-in."  If you do choose this option, but are willing to share your name, I'd love to have you include it within your comment.  I'd love to hear from anyone who has feedback to share!

Thanks for reading.  May you be blessed by what You've read and fall deeper in intimacy with our Steadfast God!

Thoughts from Colossians 1:9-14 (Part III)

Colossians 1:9-14

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

“How could a loving God send people to hell?”  This is the question Christians around the world have heard over and over again when talking to friends, family, and loved ones who are resistant to the idea that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.  My reflections on this question have caused me to realize a very dangerous and insidious supposition exists at its core.  There is a presupposition that people are all bound for heaven but that there is this omnipotent Being who for some unspecified reason chooses that some ought be sent to hell.  The action within this question is “to send” as if to say that those being sent would have otherwise been heaven-bound, except for the fact that God intervened and determined to send them to hell.  The notion that heaven is the default for humankind is fundamentally flawed. 

The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Then in 6:23 of the same book we read, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Adam and Eve were created without sin, but they allowed themselves to be tempted into sin.  The result is that each one of us who has come after Adam and Eve (i.e. every one of us) is born with a sin nature.  A young child does not need to be taught to sin – the ability to sin comes naturally to him/her.  Rather, we must teach our children to do what’s right.  Romans 5:12 tells us “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”  The progression is then as follows:  Adam and Eve were created in God’s image – free from sin.  They chose to enter into sin.  The sin nature was then passed down to all mankind.  The default cost of sin is death which thus extends to all mankind – not eternal life in Heaven, rather eternal death.  But, the “free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord!”  God isn’t arbitrarily sending people to hell.  He sacrificed His own Son to intervene on our behalves in order that all who receive Him should inherit eternal life as children of God.  John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God.”  God’s action isn’t “to send” people to hell.  Rather, His action is to give broken people the right to become children of God.  He has “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”  The Strong’s definition of “qualified” is “to make sufficient” or “made adequate”.  God’s action is not to arbitrarily send people to hell, but rather to make broken and sinful people adequate for Heaven.

The final verse in today’s passage is a powerful depiction of the full impact of God’s work in the life of a believer.  We are born with a sin nature which causes us separation from our God and Creator.  Barring intervention, we are bound for death and the domain of darkness.  BUT, for those who choose to believe in His Name, God has given the right to become His children.  In so doing, He literally delivers us from that domain of darkness and transfers us to the Kingdom of His Son.  I can picture an image of people unknowingly headed toward hell and destruction, when all of a sudden one of them realizes his need for a Savior.  He calls out to God and immediately a hand from above reaches down and lifts him off of the path toward destruction and places him on the path toward eternal life.  God is not sending people to hell.  He is making us adequate for heaven and delivering us from hell.  His is the work of redemption.

Speaking of redemption, I am reminded of the analogy that a friend of mine excitedly shared many years ago.  She was from a different part of the country and had never heard of the term “redemption center”.  For those like her who are unfamiliar with this designation, it’s the term used for a business which buys back empty cans and bottles for recycling purposes.  In Maine, we literally bring our empty cans and bottles to the redemption center and receive five cents per item.  I recall this friend’s excitement when she realized that a redemption center is a place that pays money for something that would otherwise be considered worthless.  Aside from some clever ideas that one might find on Pinterest, what can the typical person do with empty cans and bottles except dispose of them?  But, the redemption center takes those items that are lacking in value and places worth upon them – it says, you have value in my eyes.  Her analogy was clear.  God takes broken and sinful people who are headed for destruction and redeems us through the forgiveness of our sins.  He gives us value beyond anything we ever would have had on our own.  Our steadfast God qualifies us as His children and sends us to heaven if we will simply receive the free gift that He offers.

I Miss My Dad

It’s now been three weeks since my last post.  I can’t recall what happened two Sundays ago that led me to my decision that it would be okay to skip a week of posting.  But, as so often happens, once I missed one week, it became easier for me to miss another.  And then comes the downward spiral.  All of a sudden, I’m at my third week since my last post.  And, to be honest, it would have been very easy for me to miss again this week, except for the fact that I really miss my Dad. 

Romans 8:14- 17 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry “Abba!  Father!”  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”

God is my Abba Father!  He is my Dad.  To His lap I can run.  Life, though, has a way of becoming very busy.  One day becomes another and then another and then another.  Then, without any warning, it’s been days, weeks, and perhaps even months since we’ve spent quality time with our Dad.  I’m not talking about the cursory “blessing” that may (or may not) come prior to each meal of the day.  I’m also not talking about the “to-do list check-off” where I quickly read through the Scripture and devotional for “Our Daily Bread.”  I’m not even talking about attendance at a church service.  All these things can be really good and helpful, but insufficient all by themselves.  I’m talking about real quality one-on-one intimacy with Dad.  The kind of time where I not only talk, but also listen.  The kind of time when I let His Spirit lead me into the insights that He has for me.  The kind of time when I feel encouraged and refreshed, regenerated and renewed.  The kind of time that helps me to be the husband that I’m called to, committed to (before God and man), and privileged to be.  The kind of time that helps me to be the daddy that my little girl needs and wants me to be.  The kind of time that helps me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.  The kind of time that enables me to walk in the joy, hope, and peace of the Lord – joy, hope and peace that permeates my being such that I am the family member, employee, co-worker, leader, neighbor, and servant that God has designed for me to be.    

From the outset, it’s been my hope that “Steadfast God” would be a source of encouragement for others.  I think it has for at least a small few.  But, more importantly, I’ve learned that this blog is one of the ways in which I commune with my Dad.  It’s one of the ways in which He brings Scripture to my mind and focus.  It’s one of the ways in which I feel near to Him and connected.  This blog has become more about my time with my Dad than anything else.  The encouragement that others receive is really delicious frosting on an already delectable cake.  Thank You, Dad, for this vehicle that You’ve provided for me.

I’m sad (and embarrassed) to have to admit that I was on vacation this past week and actually spent less time with my Dad than I would typically spend when I’m full-force at work.  This led to a vacation that would be considered by many to be very productive.  But, I know the time away from my Dad took its toll on me.  And, as the spiritual head of our home, it took its toll on my wife and daughter.  I’m sorry to my Dad and to each of them for not being more available during the very days that I should have been most available.  My walk with my Dad affects not only me, but my family, my friends, and all others who come into contact with me. 

At church this morning, we had the opportunity to sing John Waller’s “Your Word, My Life”.  The words are as follows:

Verse 1:

Wash me in the water of Your Word again,

Wash me in the water of Your Word.

Let all my shame be swept away,

Wash me in the water of Your Word -

It’s my life.

Chorus:

Oh – where else would I go

If You and You alone

Hold the words to life?

And Lord, where else would I run,

I’m alive because

Jesus Christ, Your Word is my life - my life.

Verse 2:

Bring me revelation from Your Word again.

Bring me revelation from Your Word.

So I know You for Who You really are.

Bring me revelation from Your Word -

It’s my life.

Bridge:

Jesus, You’re the Word, and the Word is living.

Jesus You’re the Word, and the Word is life.

This song speaks to where I’m at today.  I’ve been away from You and Your Word for too long.  I can’t be the man that I’m called to be apart from You, Lord.  And, I don’t want to be any other man that the one You’ve called me to be.  You and You alone hold the words to life!  And not just any life, but abundant life!  I’ve let the enemy distract me from the abundant life that my Dad has for me and has for my family.  I’m not going to allow it anymore.  I’m returning to spend real, quality time with my Dad.  Having tasted abundant life, where else would I run but to our Steadfast God?