My Google Homepage revealed this quote to me today: "With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."
- Steven Weinberg
Steven failed to mention a couple of things here, and so I must raise a few questions.
First, what constitutes a "good" or "evil" person if religion is not present?
Second, what happens when good people do evil things without religion?
Third, what happens when evil people do good things without religion?
My point is that people do not need religion in order to perform acts of their opposite. In other words, if a person is evil, it does not take religion to make the person do good things. If good, it does not take religion to make them do evil. It simply happens.
But religion helps pave the way as to what is good and what is evil. We know in our hearts right from wrong, but sometimes it takes some religion--a lifestyle of doing particular things involving faith--to help us maintain doing what our heart tells us to do. But my question remains: what happens when one type performs the deeds of the other? Does it make the good person evil or the evil person good? And, what is necessarily good or evil? Without religion, can that even be defined?
I would argue to a small degree that it could be minimally defined, though not extensively. Even our government used several religious documents to form the federal laws, taking over 90% of the Constitution from the Bible, as well as various parts of the Qur'an and other religious sources.
The beauty of the Bible is that it helps the reader realize what ought to be done and how life ought to be lived--it paves the path. Unfortunately, the reader finds out that it can't be done. No matter who you are, whether you think you are good or evil, you have failed the "good" test at least once in your life, thereby labeling you for all eternity as unrighteous. Even someone who thinks that his or her deeds are good enough to get into heaven is falling short, for God is clear that even the best deeds are only but filthy rags--bloodstained, menstrual rags--to God. But, there is hope in Jesus Christ, who came to make it possible, and he did, by living the life that ought to be lived, sacrificing himself on the world's behalf, that it might live in heaven for all eternity through him. By believing and following Jesus Christ with the whole heart, a person can be declared righteous before God because they became slaves of Christ and are no longer enslaved to the Law, and therefore they are no longer condemned.
It is true that without religion good people would not do evil things; but being good in a sense without religion isn't really being good, it's actually quite far from it, for we have all screwed up, failed, been disobedient or evil at some point of our lives, thus tainting ourselves forever and nullifying any good deeds done while on earth.
As for me, I gladly take my Christianity and accept the fact that I can't do it on my own, knowing that I am only a good person because I am in Christ, though I might fail to do good all the time because I am a human, but at least my wrongdoings are forgiven and I am still bound for heaven!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Looking Back on Loving Parents
I just watched my family's home video that has recently been tranferred onto a DVD. It is astonishing how quickly and easily I forget how loving my parents were to me as a small boy. My parents would play with me, giving me rides on their backs or shoulders, my dad would put me in a laundry basket and act like it was a race car, my mom would let me give her a ride on my back, and my dad would swing me around like the Gravitron at the California State Fair. My parents loved me, and rightfully so, I was a cute boy (what happened?)! It was these times of enjoyment and bonding that drew me close to my parents, and although I may have forgotten of these times, the bond did not grow dim, and today my parents are some of my closest friends. It was not discipline that drew me close, but related fun experiences of love. Looking back on my loving parents, I am who I am today because of the way they loved me--spending time with me, playing with me, teaching me, and disciplining me.
Overall, my parents made me their life. I spent all my time with them growing up until it was time for preschool. They made it known that I was valuable to them and that I was important. In the video at the least, I was a happy little boy full of giggles and smiles, and I think it is because of the fact that my parents spent time with me, showing me that they loved me by giving me their time. My parents would often play with me. Rides, swinging, or kicking a ball around were all fun things that I can remember, and stemming from those playtimes came the knowledge of being loved. Looking at the DVD, I saw how my mom would teach me shapes, names of objects, and how to count when I would help her empty out the dishwasher, which demonstrates further how she loved me by not only spending time with me, but allowing me to help her and learn something along the way. My dad would discipline me with spankings at times when I was very ornery. I remember having to stand with my nose in a corner all by my lonesome. I remember time-outs. I remember having to apologize to anyone I wronged. I remember lesser disciplines like having to eat for breakfast what I did not eat for dinner the previous night. My parents demonstrated their love for me by not only spending time with me, giving me attention, playing with me, teaching me, but also by helping me grow up in the way that I should, not without self-discipline, but with discipline that can only come by the aid of a parent so that upon maturity the child can go out into the world and live a life of strong moral fiber.
And so, looking back on loving parents spurs me on to do several things when I become a parent. If I want to share a similar bond between myself and my child, then I am going to have to make sure that I do a few things while not spoiling the child and robbing him or her from self-controlled lives. Perhaps we could all learn a few things from this in how we will or should raise our kids.
Overall, my parents made me their life. I spent all my time with them growing up until it was time for preschool. They made it known that I was valuable to them and that I was important. In the video at the least, I was a happy little boy full of giggles and smiles, and I think it is because of the fact that my parents spent time with me, showing me that they loved me by giving me their time. My parents would often play with me. Rides, swinging, or kicking a ball around were all fun things that I can remember, and stemming from those playtimes came the knowledge of being loved. Looking at the DVD, I saw how my mom would teach me shapes, names of objects, and how to count when I would help her empty out the dishwasher, which demonstrates further how she loved me by not only spending time with me, but allowing me to help her and learn something along the way. My dad would discipline me with spankings at times when I was very ornery. I remember having to stand with my nose in a corner all by my lonesome. I remember time-outs. I remember having to apologize to anyone I wronged. I remember lesser disciplines like having to eat for breakfast what I did not eat for dinner the previous night. My parents demonstrated their love for me by not only spending time with me, giving me attention, playing with me, teaching me, but also by helping me grow up in the way that I should, not without self-discipline, but with discipline that can only come by the aid of a parent so that upon maturity the child can go out into the world and live a life of strong moral fiber.
And so, looking back on loving parents spurs me on to do several things when I become a parent. If I want to share a similar bond between myself and my child, then I am going to have to make sure that I do a few things while not spoiling the child and robbing him or her from self-controlled lives. Perhaps we could all learn a few things from this in how we will or should raise our kids.
- Spend time with the children. It is not enough to simply go to work and put food on the table. Get involved in their lives.
- Play with the children. Spending time with them requires doing what they do at times: play. Rough-house. Water-fights. Piggy-back rides. Basketball. Board games. Cards. You name it, you play it.
- Invest in children. Investing money, school, and time are all essentials to begin with. Make sure your kids are well-taken care for; sacrifice some things for yourself in order that your kids might have the best. Be involved in your kids school experience. Help them with homework. Check their homework and go over it with them. Show up for school functions. Give your kids your time. Money is valuable, school indispensable, and time priceless. Investing these three things is the least you can do for your kids.
- Train the children. Reward the children for correct behavior. Consistently discipline to degree for misbehavior. Allowances are great, for example. If the child does the assigned chores for the week, they will be rewarded the allowance (reward), but if not, then no allowance is rewarded (discipline). At times, give extra rewards, and others give harsher discipline. Taking kids on dates--to see a movie and get a slurpy--is a cool and extraordinary reward that not only helps boost the child's motivation toward good behavior, but also draws a special bond of friendship between the parent and the child. Spankings, on the other hand, serve as a severe punishment to deter the child from inappropriate conduct, and it also demonstrates who is in authority. Both are necessary and a balance between reward and discipline should be utilized in the training of the children.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Pornography in the light of Proverbs 6-7
In an earlier blog entitled, Cover-All Language and the Bible, I looked at how the Bible is thought to contain language that covers a generic sin through a universal command. Specifically, I talked about how pornography is addressed in the Bible with cover-all language. Obviously, the Bible does not contain, "Thou shalt not look at or participate in pornography." But, it generally prohibits it in Jesus' words: "If you lust after a woman in your heart it is the same as committing adultery;" and we also found that the epistles charged believers to abstain from directly or indirectly involving themselves with the actions of prostitutes. But now, after having translated some of Proverbs from the Hebrew text, I would like to give some more insight. The Hebrew language in Proverbs 6-7 helps to give ancillary counsel when it comes to pornography. Bearing in mind that adultery is lusting after a woman whether she is married or not, prostitution and adultery are similarities, and both are extant in pornography. First, before we expound further on the issue, let's take a look at the rendering of the Hebrew text.
To protect you from a wicked woman, from the seductive words of an adulteress: do not desire and try to obtain her beauty in your heart, and do not let her catch you with her eyes, for a price of a prostitute is up to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress hunts for precious life. A man who commits adultery lacks reason; whoever does it destroys himself¹. That they might keep you from the harlot, from the adulteress' seductive words: Do not let your heart turn to her customs and behaviors; do not let it wander into her paths, for many are the defiled ones whom she brought to ruin and countless are her victims, her house is the road to hell going down to the obliterating death².
Proverbs sees the woman who entices men into lustful desires as a wicked woman. Whether the lustful desire is to enter into an adulterous relationship or one of fornication, it does not matter, because either way the woman leads the man into destruction. The wicked woman is the adulteress, the prostitute, or the harlot. The adulteress is simply a woman who, though married to one man, goes after another and enters into a sexual relationship with him. The prostitute is the one who enters into a sexual relationship with someone in order to receive payment. The harlot is someone who enters into sexual relationships outside of marriage. Now having defined our three essential terms, let's see how they are viewed in the text.
All three types of wicked women are viewed as "foreign women." This is not to say that they are from other countries, but to say that they do not belong to you since they are not your wife. The adulteress uses seductive words (literally, "smooth tongue") in order to jump-start a mental and heart process that leads to committing adultery. The man is commanded to not let the wicked woman captivate him with her eyes. Whether it be the adulteress, prostitute, or the harlot, the man is to be weary of her eyes. Women's eyes are luring. To fall into the wicked woman's snare through the noose of her eyes is a terrible thing, for once ensnared, once focused on the eyes, the man is easily swayed and destroyed. This is why the pornography industry focuses on the women's eyes. Whether it be Playboy or a porn film, the eyes of the women are constantly in view. Studies have shown that most men look at the eyes the most and it keeps them coming back for more. Involving oneself with a prostitute causes you to become no more than what you pay for. The NIV has it, "for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread." The imagery is clear: you lessen who you are and cheapen your personal value by involving yourself with an adulteress, a prostitute, or a harlot. Indeed, such a wicked women dilutes the soul so that she might have his life. She is a soul hunter--a killer of a man's soul. By partaking in adultery, prostitution, or fornication with the wicked woman, the man proves himself to be a fool and he destroys himself. The man is responsible for his own destruction when he involves himself with such women. The man is responsible for the position of his heart. He must not let it take on the customs and behaviors of the wicked woman. He must not let his heart falter to the seduction of the wicked woman. He must do so by not even allowing his heart to wander or stray into her paths. He is to steer clear of the woman and avoid her at all costs so that he might not become defiled or violated, because those who allow themselves to stray into her paths are destroyed and torn down. This woman is merciless having numerous victims. Surely, her house, her dwelling place, her bed, leads to eternal damnation and an utterly eradicated death.
Having briefly explored the text, I would like to leave you with three personal charges. First, avoid the wicked woman in any context. Whether it be in a magazine or a video, or at school or at work, steer clear of the wicked woman who seeks to ensnare you with her eyes. Death is all that will come of her and she will only cheapen your soul. Second, actively and fervently guard your heart and your mind from the wicked woman. Whether it be choosing to stop a magazine subscription, getting an internet filter, getting rid of HBO or Showtime, not getting in the car alone with another woman (if you are married), not putting yourself in a questionable situation with another woman whether or not you are married, or purposefully clinging to your spouse and not even entertaining the idea of having another woman, make a mental effort and an active effort to guard your heart and do it with a relentless passion. Finally, and closely tied in with the first and second, but deserving of its own charge, do not lust after wicked women. This means you ought not see a woman and then seek to have her, meaning, have her intimately, if she is not your wife. Whether it be lusting at a picture or a movie, a girl at school or a woman at work, regardless if she is wicked or not, you ought not entertain the thought. Avoid the wicked woman. Avoid heart failure. Avoid lustful thoughts.
Let's get practical. The text in Proverbs is clear regarding pornography. If we are to avoid the wicked--adulteress, prostitute, or harlot--woman, then we have no business intentionally looking at pornography in any form. If we are to avoid heart failure by not allowing ourselves to be put in potentially harmful situations, then we have no business intentionally looking at pornography. If we are to avoid lustful thoughts, seeing and then seeking women for sexual pleasure, then most certainly we have no business intentionally looking at pornography. What does this mean? I am glad you asked! Let me tell you.
First, no media involving pornography should be bought, subscribed to, rented, received, etc. No more Hustler or FHM magazines. No more Debbie Does Dallas DVD rentals.
Second, the internet is in need of a filter to create a more secure and safe viewing pleasure. Time to break out the wallet and purchase an internet filter that will block pornographic web sites from being viewed; the wife ought to have the password, but if you are not married, then have your parents or someone else have it.
Third, get some sort of television, cable, or satellite filter that blocks pornographic content from being viewed, such as the V-chip or enabling parental controls with which the wife or a parent ought to have the password. If this is not a possibility, then get rid of channels like HBO, Showtime, Starz, or any other extra stations that show pornographic content (particularly during the night).
Fourth, don't even bother with movies like American Pie or Road Trip. Save your money or go see/rent a different movie that is worth your time.
Thanks to Proverbs, yet not exclusively, we do know that pornography is wrong in a biblical sense. This ethical dilemma really is no longer a dilemma. We know it to be morally wrong. So, now, what are we going to do about it? We need to actively and conscientiously protect and guard ourselves from this vile corruption. In doing so we will not only protect ourselves from a certain death, but also from much pain. Remember, adultery, prostitution, and fornication are all embodied in pornography, but it spreads out far beyond that particular arena. Guard your heart at your school. Guard your heart at your job. Guard your heart at your youth group. Not just on the internet or on the television, but also in your cars, in your friendships, in everything that you do--be on guard. Jesus said to cut off your hand if it causes you to sin. If you have a problem with lusting, which is a sin, then you need to cut off your hand--pornographic channels of television, internet, movies, magazines, or books. Take it seriously, for it is nothing to mess with as it seeks to devour your soul. And so now, I challenge you: be a man, take a stand; on guard!
_______________________________________
¹ Proverbs 6:24-26, 32
² Proverbs 7:5, 25-27
Monday, February 13, 2006
Two Songs, Two Directions
Jesus Take the Wheel (Carrie Underwood) and All to You (Lincoln Brewster)
Carrie's song, "Jesus Take the Wheel," has taken this nation by storm. Whether it is Christian or not, however, it demonstrates a truly un-Christian theology. The song demonstrates a dependency on Jesus to take over life after we have been reckless, wishing for Jesus to take over our problems and our mess. This is what I call Jesus-Fix-It theology.
Jesus-Fix-It theology asks for Jesus to take the wheel and take control of the car of life. However, Christ is only called upon in time of dire need. People who buy into Jesus-Fix-It theology only are acquainted with Christ seemingly when they need His help in some sort of predicament. They are otherwise unaware that Jesus is there with them every step of the day, and they have no actual relationship with Christ apart from their perilous times. This theology adopts the idea that Jesus is an all around problem-solver and fix-it man, able to help with any problem that you get yourself into. This is the prominent theme in Carrie's song.
Verse 1:
She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It would been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way to fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air
Already, the song notes the low-faith status of the person who is driving the car. She was speeding, with a baby in the car, in ill-weathered conditions in which she loses control of the vehicle. All she could do was cry out to Jesus and say, "Jesus, take the wheel."
Chorus:
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Verse 1 ends with the phrase, "She threw her hands up in the air," thus trying into the first line of the chorus, "Jesus take the wheel." The woman takes her hands off the wheel in desperation, seeking for Christ to fix the problem, take take control in her peril. She seeks desperately for Christ to take the control of the car from her hands because she can't seem to do it on her own, so she simply lets go. She wants to be saved from the road she is on, and she wants it to be done by having Jesus take the wheel.
Verse 2:
It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight
After the car had stopped spinning and laid to rest on the side of the road, the woman, realizing that she almost lost her life, and more importantly her baby's, prayed. She prayed with a repentant heart and cried out that she had to change. As a result, she was going to seek for Jesus to take the wheel.
Now the woman seeks for Jesus to take the wheel of her life. She knows her life is pretty much a disaster, and all she wants is for Jesus to take control and fix it. He is the solution to all her problems, or so she thinks, and if she can just get him to take the wheel and take control, then all her problems will go away, if only Jesus would take the wheel.
You see, the problem with this theology--Jesus-Fix-It theology--is that it only seeks Christ in terms of problem-solving. This is a common thought of those who have bought into it: "If I let Christ take control of my life all my problems will go away." However, this is not what Christ is. He came to not take all your problems away but to provide a way for you to come into communion with God. More importantly, Jesus doesn't want to take the wheel; he doesn't want control of your life. He wants you to be in control as he guides the way for you. You have choices to make in life that Christ can't make for you. He can only show you the way and it is up for you to follow him in that direction. He guides you and leaves it up to you to follow.
Yet, there is a song by Lincoln Brewster, All to You, which has a different theology, one that stands in stark contrast to the Jesus-Fix-It theology in Carrie's song. In it we find that life isn't about seeking a God who will cure all our problems but about devoting one's life to Christ. This is what I call Living-For-Jesus theology.
Living-For-Jesus theology is all about giving to God. It is not about seeking what God can do for the believer. It takes into consideration that God called the believer and the amazing fact that the God of the universe knows the believer's name. This believer makes a decision, not for Jesus to take control of the life-vehicle, but to devote everything--every action, every breath, every deed--to Christ. This devotion carries out into all aspects of the believers life, in both the good and the bad. This is the prominent theme of All to You.
Verse 1:
You called me Lord
You know my name
I'm standing now
I'm not ashamed
Living-For-Jesus theology understands and affirms the Lord's calling in one's life. It acknowledges that the Lord is in a relationship with the believer, which is indicated by the simple fact that the infinite Lord knows the finite creature's name. The believer stands before God unashamed.
Bridge:
I've searched and came up empty
This world has nothing for me
You are my One and only
Living-For-Jesus theology testifies that there is no one else who can satisfy the believer. There is nothing else in the world that can even compare to the Lord. The believer is completely and utterly devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
Chorus:
I'm living my life for You
I'm giving everything to You
Not holding back but every part
I'm giving it all to You
The believer who buys lives out Living-For-Jesus theology devotes everything to Him. He devotes his entire life to Christ and everything that he does to Him. He does not hold anything for himself but gives everything to God and for His glory. Everything, absolutely everything goes to God. This is what it means to live for Jesus, and this is what Living-For-Jesus theology is all about.
Verse 2:
You are the Lord of all I am
I'll never be the same again
Living-For-Jesus theology recognizes the fact that the Lord of the universe is Lord over every aspect of the life of the believer. So much so that it affects every part of the believer to the point that he simply cannot be the same ever again after having come into contact or experience with the Lord. So, he can't help but devote his entire being to Him. He lives for Jesus. Everything he does is a gift in honor of God. He doesn't hold anything back, but does everything and gives everything to and for Christ.
Living-For-Jesus theology is far different from Jesus-Fix-It theology. The latter is quite immature and incomplete, while the former is abounding in full devotion to Christ--the mark of true perfection of those who are in Christ. These two theologies are quite incompatible. Indeed, these two songs seemingly go in opposite directions.
Carrie's song, "Jesus Take the Wheel," has taken this nation by storm. Whether it is Christian or not, however, it demonstrates a truly un-Christian theology. The song demonstrates a dependency on Jesus to take over life after we have been reckless, wishing for Jesus to take over our problems and our mess. This is what I call Jesus-Fix-It theology.
Jesus-Fix-It theology asks for Jesus to take the wheel and take control of the car of life. However, Christ is only called upon in time of dire need. People who buy into Jesus-Fix-It theology only are acquainted with Christ seemingly when they need His help in some sort of predicament. They are otherwise unaware that Jesus is there with them every step of the day, and they have no actual relationship with Christ apart from their perilous times. This theology adopts the idea that Jesus is an all around problem-solver and fix-it man, able to help with any problem that you get yourself into. This is the prominent theme in Carrie's song.
Verse 1:
She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It would been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way to fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air
Already, the song notes the low-faith status of the person who is driving the car. She was speeding, with a baby in the car, in ill-weathered conditions in which she loses control of the vehicle. All she could do was cry out to Jesus and say, "Jesus, take the wheel."
Chorus:
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Verse 1 ends with the phrase, "She threw her hands up in the air," thus trying into the first line of the chorus, "Jesus take the wheel." The woman takes her hands off the wheel in desperation, seeking for Christ to fix the problem, take take control in her peril. She seeks desperately for Christ to take the control of the car from her hands because she can't seem to do it on her own, so she simply lets go. She wants to be saved from the road she is on, and she wants it to be done by having Jesus take the wheel.
Verse 2:
It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight
After the car had stopped spinning and laid to rest on the side of the road, the woman, realizing that she almost lost her life, and more importantly her baby's, prayed. She prayed with a repentant heart and cried out that she had to change. As a result, she was going to seek for Jesus to take the wheel.
Now the woman seeks for Jesus to take the wheel of her life. She knows her life is pretty much a disaster, and all she wants is for Jesus to take control and fix it. He is the solution to all her problems, or so she thinks, and if she can just get him to take the wheel and take control, then all her problems will go away, if only Jesus would take the wheel.
You see, the problem with this theology--Jesus-Fix-It theology--is that it only seeks Christ in terms of problem-solving. This is a common thought of those who have bought into it: "If I let Christ take control of my life all my problems will go away." However, this is not what Christ is. He came to not take all your problems away but to provide a way for you to come into communion with God. More importantly, Jesus doesn't want to take the wheel; he doesn't want control of your life. He wants you to be in control as he guides the way for you. You have choices to make in life that Christ can't make for you. He can only show you the way and it is up for you to follow him in that direction. He guides you and leaves it up to you to follow.
Yet, there is a song by Lincoln Brewster, All to You, which has a different theology, one that stands in stark contrast to the Jesus-Fix-It theology in Carrie's song. In it we find that life isn't about seeking a God who will cure all our problems but about devoting one's life to Christ. This is what I call Living-For-Jesus theology.
Living-For-Jesus theology is all about giving to God. It is not about seeking what God can do for the believer. It takes into consideration that God called the believer and the amazing fact that the God of the universe knows the believer's name. This believer makes a decision, not for Jesus to take control of the life-vehicle, but to devote everything--every action, every breath, every deed--to Christ. This devotion carries out into all aspects of the believers life, in both the good and the bad. This is the prominent theme of All to You.
Verse 1:
You called me Lord
You know my name
I'm standing now
I'm not ashamed
Living-For-Jesus theology understands and affirms the Lord's calling in one's life. It acknowledges that the Lord is in a relationship with the believer, which is indicated by the simple fact that the infinite Lord knows the finite creature's name. The believer stands before God unashamed.
Bridge:
I've searched and came up empty
This world has nothing for me
You are my One and only
Living-For-Jesus theology testifies that there is no one else who can satisfy the believer. There is nothing else in the world that can even compare to the Lord. The believer is completely and utterly devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
Chorus:
I'm living my life for You
I'm giving everything to You
Not holding back but every part
I'm giving it all to You
The believer who buys lives out Living-For-Jesus theology devotes everything to Him. He devotes his entire life to Christ and everything that he does to Him. He does not hold anything for himself but gives everything to God and for His glory. Everything, absolutely everything goes to God. This is what it means to live for Jesus, and this is what Living-For-Jesus theology is all about.
Verse 2:
You are the Lord of all I am
I'll never be the same again
Living-For-Jesus theology recognizes the fact that the Lord of the universe is Lord over every aspect of the life of the believer. So much so that it affects every part of the believer to the point that he simply cannot be the same ever again after having come into contact or experience with the Lord. So, he can't help but devote his entire being to Him. He lives for Jesus. Everything he does is a gift in honor of God. He doesn't hold anything back, but does everything and gives everything to and for Christ.
Living-For-Jesus theology is far different from Jesus-Fix-It theology. The latter is quite immature and incomplete, while the former is abounding in full devotion to Christ--the mark of true perfection of those who are in Christ. These two theologies are quite incompatible. Indeed, these two songs seemingly go in opposite directions.
- Jesus Take the Wheel takes the Jesus-Fix-It route, whereas All to You takes the Living-For-Jesus path
- Jesus-Fix-It believers only commune with Jesus in times of trial and tribulation, Living-For-Jesus believers are constantly in communion with Christ, through the good and the bad
- Jesus-Fix-It believers deny free will; Living-For-Jesus affirms free will
- Jesus-Fix-It theology sees Christ only as a cure-all who is worthy of seeking in times of plight; Living-For-Jesus sees Christ as an incomparable and life-changing Savior who is worthy of dedicating one's life to
- Jesus-Fix-It theology does not recognize the Lord as Sovereign, whereas Living-For-Jesus theology affirms it intimately
Sunday, February 12, 2006
The Christian Life in View of Washing a Car
I recently found the time to wash my car amidst a very wet winter. It has been well over two months since the last time I washed the Saleen, because here in town we have not had any significant amount of consecutive days without downpours. However, we have had at least five consecutive days of high 60's - low 70s, full of sunshine without a cloud in sight. So, today, the Saleen got a bath.
After a good two months of collecting bugs, dirt, grime, and oil, needless to say, the chrome yellow paint was looking a bit dull. It had lost its shine being no longer vibrant, and it had dismal drip stains from where the rain had slithered down the bumpers to fall to the ground after having landed on the car. It was apparent--this car was dirty and dull, in need of a cleansing makeover.
It took me roughly two entire hours to clean the Saleen as best as I could. From the roof to the side-skirts, from the rear spoiler to the front valence, this puppy was filthy and in dire need of some loving attention to detail.
I scrubbed the car with a tiny circular motion with a soapy sponge in my right hand. Rotation after rotation, this car was regaining its radiant shine. The dull-gray grime was being wiped away, thus revealing the true color of the Saleen. After two hours of work, the car demonstrated what it really is--a lively, beautiful, extraordinary sports car. The paint glistened, the tires glimmered, and the rims glistered. Truly, this car is far from ordinary, but this was perhaps difficult to tell while it was filthy.
The truth is, the Christian life is pretty similar to my car. You might think I am a lunatic, but please, bear with me.
Christians are called to shine, after all, we are lamps that are to shine brightly on a lampstand in order to light the whole house. We are not, however, supposed to let our light grow dim. Our light is supposed to shine brightly for the world to see. But what happens when we sin, miss the mark, fail to do good, neglect to care to the sick, feed the hungry, or provide for the poor? What happens when we argue amongst ourselves, stir up gossip and dissension, divorce, or get mixed up with the wrong crowds? Our light grows dimmer because we have tainted it with our sins--the bugs, grime, dirt, and oil of life that easily stick to us causing our true colors to become subdued. We no longer become appealing. It gets to the point that we are so filthy that it becomes difficult to tell who we really are underneath. When we let the sin build up like that without dealing with it, without cleansing, it really affects the way that we are viewed and perceived. However, all that is needed is a good, detailed bath.
Christians stand in the peculiarity that their sins are forgiven. Christ paid the ranson, the price for their lives, the debt for all of their sins, past, present and future. In fact, for those who are truly in Christ, true believers, they are no longer condemned for their sins. However, sin still has a particular effect; it dims the light that the believer shines. It is absolutely imperative that the believer come to repentance so that the Lord, the God of this universe, can give him or a cleansing makeover to help purify him of all the collected bug-guts and oily grime residue. Christians can go to God with a repentant heart, seek forgiveness--a forgiveness that they already have since they belong to Christ, but a seeking that which is necessary for their own well-being--and God will cleanse them with a happy heart so that they can shine for Him all the more, with their vibrant, radiant, and true colors once again, untainted by sin.
Are you in need of cleansing? Is your beautiful paint's color being made dull by your sin? Do you need to go to the Lord and be cleansed of your sin? Go. Be clean. Let the Lord wash you and give you that oh so necessary bath. Let your light--your chrome yellow paint--shine forth with glimmering splendor for the Lord so that the world may know what He has done in your life.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
--Ps. 51:2
I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me,
and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.
--Jer. 33:8
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
--Matt. 5:16
Seek the Lord for forgivenss, no matter who you are or what you have done, no matter how dismal you think your life looks or how bad you think your sins have tainted you, and He will clean you--he will wash away your sins, cleanse you from your wrong-doings; the Lord will begin a process of purging your guilt of your sins. And as a result, you will be able to let your light, your true and untainted life shine before men and before God.
After a good two months of collecting bugs, dirt, grime, and oil, needless to say, the chrome yellow paint was looking a bit dull. It had lost its shine being no longer vibrant, and it had dismal drip stains from where the rain had slithered down the bumpers to fall to the ground after having landed on the car. It was apparent--this car was dirty and dull, in need of a cleansing makeover.
It took me roughly two entire hours to clean the Saleen as best as I could. From the roof to the side-skirts, from the rear spoiler to the front valence, this puppy was filthy and in dire need of some loving attention to detail.
I scrubbed the car with a tiny circular motion with a soapy sponge in my right hand. Rotation after rotation, this car was regaining its radiant shine. The dull-gray grime was being wiped away, thus revealing the true color of the Saleen. After two hours of work, the car demonstrated what it really is--a lively, beautiful, extraordinary sports car. The paint glistened, the tires glimmered, and the rims glistered. Truly, this car is far from ordinary, but this was perhaps difficult to tell while it was filthy.
The truth is, the Christian life is pretty similar to my car. You might think I am a lunatic, but please, bear with me.
Christians are called to shine, after all, we are lamps that are to shine brightly on a lampstand in order to light the whole house. We are not, however, supposed to let our light grow dim. Our light is supposed to shine brightly for the world to see. But what happens when we sin, miss the mark, fail to do good, neglect to care to the sick, feed the hungry, or provide for the poor? What happens when we argue amongst ourselves, stir up gossip and dissension, divorce, or get mixed up with the wrong crowds? Our light grows dimmer because we have tainted it with our sins--the bugs, grime, dirt, and oil of life that easily stick to us causing our true colors to become subdued. We no longer become appealing. It gets to the point that we are so filthy that it becomes difficult to tell who we really are underneath. When we let the sin build up like that without dealing with it, without cleansing, it really affects the way that we are viewed and perceived. However, all that is needed is a good, detailed bath.
Christians stand in the peculiarity that their sins are forgiven. Christ paid the ranson, the price for their lives, the debt for all of their sins, past, present and future. In fact, for those who are truly in Christ, true believers, they are no longer condemned for their sins. However, sin still has a particular effect; it dims the light that the believer shines. It is absolutely imperative that the believer come to repentance so that the Lord, the God of this universe, can give him or a cleansing makeover to help purify him of all the collected bug-guts and oily grime residue. Christians can go to God with a repentant heart, seek forgiveness--a forgiveness that they already have since they belong to Christ, but a seeking that which is necessary for their own well-being--and God will cleanse them with a happy heart so that they can shine for Him all the more, with their vibrant, radiant, and true colors once again, untainted by sin.
Are you in need of cleansing? Is your beautiful paint's color being made dull by your sin? Do you need to go to the Lord and be cleansed of your sin? Go. Be clean. Let the Lord wash you and give you that oh so necessary bath. Let your light--your chrome yellow paint--shine forth with glimmering splendor for the Lord so that the world may know what He has done in your life.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
--Ps. 51:2
I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me,
and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.
--Jer. 33:8
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
--Matt. 5:16
Seek the Lord for forgivenss, no matter who you are or what you have done, no matter how dismal you think your life looks or how bad you think your sins have tainted you, and He will clean you--he will wash away your sins, cleanse you from your wrong-doings; the Lord will begin a process of purging your guilt of your sins. And as a result, you will be able to let your light, your true and untainted life shine before men and before God.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
A Quick Guide to Biblical Morality: How to decide if something is morally right or wrong
If the answer to any of the questions below is, "yes," then the activity is morally wrong.
- Does the Bible specifically say, "No?" (Ephesians 5:18, NCV)
- Does it give the appearance of evil? (Ephesians 5:3a, NIV)
- Does it cause me to associate with the wrong people? (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV)
- Does it cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble? (1 Corinthians 8:13, NIV)
- Does it violate my body as God's temple? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV)
- Is it permissible but not beneficial? (1 Corinthians 6:12a, NIV)
- Does it control my life? (1 Corinthians 6:12b, NIV)
- Is it being done without faith? (Romans 14:23, NCV)
- Will it bring shame to Jesus Christ or other Christians? (Philippians 1:20a, NLT)
- Will it impact my relationship with Jesus in any way? (Philippians 3:8, the Message)
This was adapted from the message notes from Bayside Church, Granite Bay, California (Romans: Clear Thinking For Confused Times--Cleaning Up Corporate & Personal Corruption), available here.
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