Camping

In 2 Corinthians 5:1 we read,

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Paul describes a man's "earthly house" -- his body -- as a tent. That is, our bodies are temporary dwelling places. When I think of tents, I think of camping. Come with me as we take an imaginary camping trip.

You arrive at the camp ground in mid-afternoon. The first order of business is to arrange the camp site before darkness falls. There is plenty of time and you quickly layout and put up your tent. While you are busy erecting your tent you notice that there is another camper in the next camp site also putting up his tent. You wave, then head off to gather some firewood.

On your way back from getting the firewood you notice that your neighbor is spending more time putting up his tent that you did. He seems to have a bunch of stuff to put into his tent. You don't think much about it and decide you have time for a hike before dinner.

Returning to your camp site an hour later you look up and -- but no, it can't be. Is that guy actually laying sod? What on earth would possess him to do that at a camp site? So, with horrified fascination you settle down in your camp chair to watch this guy. For the next several hours and well into the next day your neighbor works ceaselessly. He installs a lawn (with tiny little sprinkler system), bushes, a tree and a six-foot privacy fence. He also works inside the tent itself, making all sorts of "improvements".

Now you know that this particular camp site does not allow camping for more than three consecutive nights. Why on earth would anyone spend so much money and effort on such a temporary dwelling? Doesn't this man know that he can't keep it? In just a few days he will have to leave. All his work and property will be left behind. What is he thinking?

The illustration is, of course, ridiculous. But the parallel is more sobering. Do we realize that we are living in a very temporary dwelling? Do we know that we can't keep all the stuff we spend so much effort to accumulate? Are we aware that in just a few days we will have to leave our tent and move on?

1 Peter 2:11 describes Christians as "strangers and pilgrims". We are to live in this world, but not be of this world. This world is not our home, we are just passing through.

How do you spend your time? Are you preparing for the journey, looking ahead to your eternal destination, or are you still fixing up the camp site?

--PG

Heaven, Glorious Heaven

Fear of punishment is often used in scripture to motivate sinners to obedience and faith. However, fear is only an effective motivation for those lacking or weak in faith. Fear cannot move anyone to deep devotion or spiritual maturity. To achieve those deeper levels of spiritual development we need to draw upon the deeper motivation of our eternal rewards.

Visualizing Heaven

I'm convinced Christians need to think of the glories of heaven on a regular basis. Rather than present my reasons I'd just like to describe what scripture has to say about heaven.

Consider,

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our dwelling-place out of Heaven; if indeed in being clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened; inasmuch as we do not wish to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that the mortal might be swallowed up by the life.

2 Corinthians 5:1-5

But someone will say, How are the dead raised up, and with what body do they come? So also the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:35,42-44,51-53

Imagine having a resurrected, eternal body. Imagine a body free of pain and disease. You'll never have aches or pains; never another stiff neck or another knot in your back. Imagine having a glorious and beautiful body. Your body will never grow old or deteriorate. You'll never sag, wrinkle or put on weight. Imagine having a body that is completely free from the infirmities and limitations of the flesh.

Consider,

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer is. And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away. And He sitting on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful. And He said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of the Water of Life freely. He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.
Revelation 21:1-7

Imagine a place of unimaginable and eternal beauty. Imagine a place where there is no pain or suffering, no death or sorrow, no sin or cruelty. Imagine a place where this is no gossip, no pettiness, no back-biting, no envy, no malice, no hatred, and no strife.

Imagine being surrounded by individuals who are filled with the qualities you most admire -- individuals who are kind, humble, faithful, harmless, unselfish, and of uncompromising integrity. Everywhere you look you see people who are diligent workers, who love the truth, who love people, and who love the Lord. Imagine that these individuals not only possess these qualities, but they are filled with them to an amazing extent. Not only that, but you are one of these people. You are among them, having these qualities yourself, being freed from the weaknesses, limitations and lusts of your mortal body. At last, you are free to live and serve God completely without sin!

Imagine dwelling among all the faithful saints throughout the ages. Imagine meeting and talking with Abraham, Elijah, Moses, Noah and the prophets of the Old Testament. Imagine spending time with Peter, Paul and the Christians of the first century. Imagine being reunited with faithful family and friends who have departed this life. And even as you consider the great honor you have to be in their presence, imagine the wonder you experience as you come to realize that you are not just a spectator. You belong among them. Just as they, you have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. You have lived faithfully unto death.

Finally and most significantly, imagine standing in the presence of God. Imagine the wonder and awe of seeing God face to face, yet without fear. Imagine standing in His presence and feeling His welcome and approval. Imagine hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Imagine experiencing the greatest joy or thrill you’ve ever experienced, only far greater still. And, instead of getting old and fading, the thrill and the joy and the wonder only grow deeper and stronger the longer you spend in God’s presence. Heaven is not heaven because of the “streets of gold”. Heaven is heaven because God is there!

I’m sure that heaven is all these things and much, much more. Now, who wants to go there?

There is only one way to get there. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). Peter said, “Neither is there any other name by which we may be saved” (Acts 4:12). The only way to get to heaven is by placing your obedient faith in Christ Jesus and striving to live each day as a citizen of heaven here on earth.

-PG

Knowledge Puffs Up, But Love Edifies

The scriptures clearly teach that knowledge is vitally important for our spiritual survival. Hosea 4:6 says of rebellious Israel,

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being priest to Me. Since you have forgotten the Law of your God, I will also forget your sons, even I."

We must know and understand God's will. Many have been and will be destroyed because of a lack of knowledge.

However, with knowledge comes a peculiar temptation -- pride. There is a natural temptation for those that have gained some level of knowledge of the scriptures to be critical of those that have not. Those that have their "senses trained to discern both good and evil" can become frustrated with the worldliness of others less attuned to the principles of God's word. Righteous indignation directed toward sinful practices can easily turn to contempt for those still struggling to free themselves from such practices. 1 Corinthians 8:1 states it very concisely,

"Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies"

Knowledge and understanding has a way of "puffing up" -- of exalting the spirit and creating a prideful attitude. Knowledge must be tempered with love.

I think we can easily mistake knowledge for spiritual maturity. We can think we are "spiritually mature" if we have a thorough understanding of scripture and we abstain from a particular set of worldly practices. Spiritual maturity is much more than that. It also includes embracing the principle of love and forbearance. When we fail to understand this we are in danger of becoming like the Pharisees who "trusted in themselves and despised others".

In the context of 1 Corinthians 8 Paul was addressing the problem of eating meat that had been part of an idolatrous sacrifice. In principle there was no problem with buying and eating such meat. However, some of the "weaker" brethren didn't understand that. Eating such meat would violate their consciences and seeing other Christians do it was a stumbling block to them. Even worse, some might be emboldened to participate in idol worship after seeing the example of their "stronger" brethren.

Paul's teaching here is clear. The strong often need to yield to the weak. They need to forbear and sacrifice lest they cause others to stumble. We all need to have patience with one another. Not everyone has the same knowledge, the same understanding, the same level of maturity. We have to allow for these differences as we all grow up in Christ.

--PG

Where is Your Treasure?

In just a few words in Matthew 6 Jesus provides clear teaching and profound insight into human nature. He says,

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but rather lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-- Matthew 6:19-20

Jesus is telling us to get our priorities straight and understand what is most important in life. He points out that laying up physical riches does not provide lasting wealth. There is no security in such wealth. Even if you can hold it, you'll only surrender it all at death. It has no enduring value. Treasure laid up in heaven, however, has eternal value. No one can take it from you. Not even death can rob you of that wealth. Those are the true riches.

Is Jesus teaching that by our good works, we are making deposits in some "eternal bank account"? Not at all. I think He is teaching a lesson about human nature. Your treasure is where your heart is. Your treasure is where your passion is. We "lay up" treasure in heaven by placing our hopes, our dreams, our efforts, our love, our trust in our relationship with God.

I fear that sometimes the way we live indicates we are trying to have two hoards -- one here and one in heaven. You can't do it. "No man can serve two masters. He will either hate the one and love the other or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches" (Matthew 6:24). You can't give your whole heart to two different masters.

Where is your treasure? The best way to answer that question is to ask "where is your passion?" What do you love to do? What motivates you? How do you spend your time? What are the most important factors you consider when making decisions about how you will live, where you will live, what you will do with your life?

Is my passion my job? Is it money? I understand that we all spend time doing necessary things. We have to earn a living for ourselves and our families. But often our jobs go way beyond that. Am I laying up treasure on this earth through my career? Do I derive my sense of security from my 401k balance?

Is my passion my family? Is it my social network? Earthly relationships are a great blessing. But without being rooted in a relationship with God they are really just earthly treasures we will leave behind at death.

Is my passion politics? Do I burn with the need to correct social ills? Do I place huge importance on making the country (or the world) a better place? Some have a passion for eliminating racism, or sexism, or environmental destruction, or economic inequity. Others burn with indignation over the erosion of our civil liberties, our national sovereignty, and our constitutional form of government. These are all earthly treasures. The political battles won today may be lost tomorrow. The political leaders we choose may be corrupted and betray our causes.

Is my passion me? Am I just in it for me? I'm convinced this is the most common and biggest problem any of us have -- selfishness. My passion in life is maximizing my pleasure and my satisfaction in life. I want to do what pleases me. In the end selfishness is short-sighted and destructive. With your heart firmly planted in this life, your treasure will be destroyed well before death. Selfishness inevitably destroys one relationship after another and robs the owner of the joy he so earnestly seeks.

Is my passion heaven? Do I earnestly seek to please God and be like Him? Am I longing to hear Him say "well done, good and faithful servant"? Am I repulsed by that which is evil and sinful? Do I earnestly wish to seek and save the lost? Do I realize that I am a just a traveler, passing through this life? Do I recognize that the "stuff" and joys of this life are temporary blessings God has granted to make my journey better. Do I see that the journey is not the destination? Do I have my eyes fixed on the goal? Do I have the determination that nothing will turn me from it? Am I on my way home to see my Savior? Is my treasure laid up in heaven?

--PG

Conviction, Tolerance, and the Search for Truth

On facebook recently I've participated in a few discussions about truth and tolerance. Many people are uncomfortable with conflict (myself included). I'll paraphrase a common thought on this subject:

"The very concept of faith means that what you believe cannot be definitively proven. I wish we could all understand that what is true for me may not be true for you. What is right or wrong for me may not be right or wrong for you. If we could get that through our heads we could put an end to war and all other types of conflict."

I understand and appreciate the motivation behind the sentiment being expressed, but I think the conclusion is unnecessarily defeatist. If you really evaluate that statement the writer is saying that all truth is relative and that we should give up on the idea of growing in our knowledge of the truth. In fact, the writer is saying that absolute truth either does not exist, or understanding it is unobtainable.

I think we often get confused between truth and what we believe to be true. Truth is reality. Truth is what actually is, whether anyone believes it or not. My comment on this thread is quoted below:

Objective truth exists and we all live as though we believe that. Not all belief systems are equal. Some are valid, many are not. Having said that, I must respect the right of others to follow their own consciences. Though objective truth exists, none of us have a perfect understanding of it.

The answer, however, is not to abandon the search for truth. Rather we should search for it together with forbearance.

Tolerance is not the same as approval. I will let others have their beliefs and practices. That does not mean I have to agree with them or that acknowledge their view as valid.

One more comment about tolerance. Tolerance does not mean I will not express my opinion or try to persuade others. I am convinced that there are many truths that we can know and that many of those truths are vital to our eternal happiness. It would be heartless not to share that knowledge with others. Tolerance does mean that I will not attempt to coerce or harass those who choose to disagree with me.

Most of what we "know" is known via indirect evidence. I "know" about Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, electrons, protons, and special relativity. Yet I don't have much direct evidence (via my own senses) to support any of these facts. Yet, based on the testimony of others, I'm content to believe with such conviction that I call it knowledge. What is more, historians and physicists continue to propose new theories. They present evidence and well reasoned arguments for different explanations of historical or physical phenomena. We don't complain that they should "just agree to disagree" or that they should "recognize that all the theories are equally valid". Yet why do we apply such a different standard to matters of "faith"?

Searching for truth is not a tidy process. It involves testing ideas and sifting through evidence. It means disagreeing with others and arguing different positions. Indeed, rarely do you learn something new by talking to someone who completely agrees with you. Searching for truth involves being honest with yourself and with the evidence. It means being willing to change your mind. Choosing to believe that truth is subjective and in the "eye of the beholder" is the easy way out. It means you don't have to work. It means you don't have to challenge yourself or others.

Many truths are unknowable. But I am convinced the most important ones are knowable. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)

-PG

Baptism (What shall we do? Part 4)

Baptism necessary for salvation? Really? This teaching is not popular in contemporary Christianity. But what do the scriptures say?

Gospels

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!

Acts

Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

Epistles

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
Rom 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

1Co 12:13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1Pe 3:20 that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
1Pe 3:21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

These passages, taken together paint a pretty clear picture. Baptism is a washing and it is a burial. Romans 6 describes it as a death. In baptism we are dying to our old way of life and being raised by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life. It is clear from Acts 2 and Acts 22 it is during baptism that our sins are first washed away. Peter says that baptism now saves us, not because we are physically washed by the water, but because our consciences are cleansed through the power of Christ's resurrection.

Objections

There are many objections to the idea that water baptism (immersion) is necessary for salvation.

A prominent objection is "baptism is a work and salvation is not of works". Interestingly, baptism is not a work done by the believer. Baptism is something that is done to the believer. As Martin Luther said, baptism is a work, but it is a work of God. The real "work" in baptism is the spiritual resurrection and sanctification done by the Holy Spirit. The only thing the believer does is submit and allow it to happen.

Another objection is "I just don't see what immersion in water has to do with forgiveness of sins. I have repented. I have expressed my faith in Jesus. Why isn't that enough? I just don't get it. I don't understand why I have to be baptized." My answer to those questions is, "I don't know why, but I know that is what the scriptures say." Perhaps the Lord asks us to submit to baptism precisely because we won't understand it. If you only obey when you understand why, is that faith?

Another classic objection is "what about the thief on the cross?" The Lord said to the thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise." It is often asserted that since the thief wasn't baptized, then baptism is unnecessary. Exceptional circumstances do not invalidate the rule. What does the thief's circumstance have to do with you? If you ever find yourself on a cross next to Jesus, then this passage may have some relevance. But that is not your circumstance. The scriptures still say "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins."

-PG

Repentance -- What shall we do? (Part 3)

In Acts 2 when the men of Israel asked "What shall we do?", the first word out of the apostle Peter's mouth was "Repent". First proclaimed by John (Matthew 3:2), then by Jesus (Matthew 4:17), the earliest message of the gospel was "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Peter proclaims in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord ... is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." Repentance is central to the gospel of Christ. It is the natural and essential response to belief in the message of the cross.

What is Repentance?

Repentance is a change of heart and of mind. Repentance is not merely feeling regret or remorse for past deeds. Certainly, godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-12). But repentance is more than just regret. Repentance is the determination to change the direction of your life. It is the sincere determination to cease living in selfishness and sin, and the resolution to live in obedience to God.

On-going Repentance

Repentance is not a one-time action. Repentance is necessary throughout our walk as servants of God whenever we find ourselves straying from His will. In James 4:4-10, James writes to Christians,

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you now know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resis the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

The repentance James describes involves mourning for our past behavior, humbling ourselves before our God in our admission of guilt, and a sincere determination to change ("purify your hearts, you double-minded").

The No Repentance Gospel

We live in a proud society. We don't like to admit wrong-doing or weakness. I've heard advertisements from churches proclaiming, "Come as you are!" and "No perfect people allowed". I understand that we need to meet sinners where they are to begin teaching them the gospel. However, the message seem to be (and is sometimes explicitly stated) that not only can you "come as you are", but you can "remain as you are". This attitude that repentance is not necessary for salvation is not Biblical.

Many churches have stopped preaching about sin and judgment. It makes people uncomfortable. It is supposed to make people uncomfortable! Until you understand the righteous judgment of God and that your actions have placed you under condemnation, repentance is impossible. How can you feel remorse if you don't think you have done anything wrong? Why do you need to change if you are just fine as you are? We aren't going to save anyone unless we tell them the truth -- we have all sinned and unless we repent, we will be lost (Luke 13:1-5). Conviction of sin, contriteness of heart, and determination to change are essential responses to the gospel of Christ.

-PG