Tag: Faith
Ken Ham – Digging Deep
The debate continues to rage over evolution verses creation. A conservative estimate is that over 5 million viewers watched the Bill Nye and Ken Ham debate last Tuesday, including a house full of friends at our home. (If you haven’t seen it yet please go watch it here.)
So much has already been said about the debate. And that, I believe, was the point. People are talking, the subject is making the news, students, teachers, friends, family members, and church leaders are asking questions. “Is creation a viable model of origins in today’s modern scientific era?” But even more significant than this, the gospel was preached to millions.
About the Debate
While watching the debate one passage of scripture came to mind more than any other.
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished,” 2 Peter 3:3-6.
At one point in the debate Nye asked Ham, “What is it that you can predict? What can you provide us that can tell us something about the future?” I found that interesting. My prediction long before the debate was that 2 Peter 3:3-6 would come to pass that every night. It was clear that Bill Nye, the modern day scoffer, deliberately overlooked the fact of creation and the world wide flood even when presented with truth.
One very pivotal point of the debate was when Ham asked Nye what purpose he had in life if evolution were true. The answer is, of course, nothing – no purpose, no meaning, no joy of discovery. Life is pointless from Nye’s point of view.
So What’s Next?
In 2010 I heard Ken Ham give the commencement address at Tennessee Temple University. His message from Genesis 26 was about the need to dig wells. Go read the passage…
…go ahead, I will wait.
It is an amazing story. You see, the Philistines of our generation have stopped the wells using public education, secular colleges, the media, Hollywood, false preachers, teachers, and pretenders. They have filled the wells with lies. In the process they have attempted to eradicate God’s Word and stop the flow of life giving water. That day Dr. Ham charged the audience to go out into the world and, like Isaac, re-dig the wells that have been stopped.
(Let me encourage you to read my blog post about it here and his mention of it here.)
Now that the public debate is over, what are we to do? What comes next for Christians? Simply put, we need to re-dig. We need to take back ground that was once lost. We need to push back and speak up, because the Christian life is not pointless. It has meaning and purpose. We have a mission to accomplish, a gospel to preach, and the truth to proclaim. One bit of dirt that is used to fill the wells is the teaching of evolution as fact. Thousands of children and young adults are indoctrinated with the lie of evolution in our public schools and secular universities. The agenda is to weaken faith in God and promote humanistic religion. (Read more about that here, or watch what top evolutionary scientists have to say here.) Christians can and should re-dig in this area.
Not only are we to re-dig stopped up wells, but we are to be about building new ones. Jesus said, “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life,” John 4:14.
The building of new wells can only be accomplished through the gospel – a truth that Ken Ham certainly understood the night of the debate.
Learning to say “No”
Some days are busier than others. One day in particular comes to mind. It began at 4:30 a.m. with a trip to the gym with my husband. We came home. I fixed breakfast and sent him off to work. The next two hours were spent in my office writing. I tore myself away to get started on the day’s lessons. I helped my youngest son with his reading, math, writing, Bible, science and history. I instructed the older children in their language program and history and oversaw their math and other work. We rushed to finish our lessons because we had a full afternoon of errands. I needed to run by my husband’s office, Walmart, Autozone, Post Office, Library, deliver a gift to a friend, and get my hair cut at the salon. But I could not linger in town, because I needed to get back home for a scheduled Skype meeting. After my meeting, my daughter asked me to sit down with her to help her make some jewelry. The dog needed a haircut. We had planned a church fellowship at our home the following evening, so I still needed to work on food, games and clean the house. All of this was before dinner.
As a wife and homeschool mother, more often than not, I will have days like this. It was certainly productive, but the day had me spent. I have learned that a schedule like this for very long leaves me overwhelmed. When that happens my children do not get to experience my best side, my energy gets used up, and there is nothing left for my husband at the end of the day.
In contrast, I have had days that were the direct opposite to this one. These are the more unproductive days where I don’t fit a lot into (with maybe the exception of an afternoon nap). Obviously, extremes are dangerous; so I am striving to learn how to live a life of balance. I want my life to be filled with activity, for laziness is a sin. But, I do not want to be so B.U.S.Y. that I am Bound Under Satan’s Yoke. I want to teach my children to be diligent with strong work ethics. But, I also want them to learn how to be still and quiet at times. I want our family to be servants. I want us to give of ourselves to our church, friends, family, and neighbors. But, I also want it to be with the proper perspective and attitude.
There must be a balance. My problem is that I swing far to the side of always saying “Yes” when many times I should be saying “No”. When I try to do too much I end up doing all of it in a mediocre fashion and none of it with excellence. Priorities must be not only set, but kept. I thank the Lord that I have a husband who encourages me in this area. He often reminds me that outside of my relationship with the Lord, my number one priority is the home. Of course, a lot of responsibilities fall under this category including being my husband’s suitable helper, teaching and training the children, and overseeing all the affairs of the household. Everything else comes in second including our church, my writing, marketing, hobbies and recreation.
The other day I was enjoying an extended lunch with a dear friend. This subject was one that we kept going back to. As women we often know that we need to say “No”, but for some reason we find it difficult. Some women need that sense of busyness to validate their position. This can be especially true for stay-at-home moms. Some do not want to disappoint others. Some simply like all the frantic activity. And, some have never been told that saying “No” was not only perfectly acceptable but good for them and their families. We laughed and visited over eggs rolls and spicy chicken and two hours later decided it was time to get back to the reality of life. We hugged and as we headed to our cars I called out, “Don’t forget, a “No” a day keeps the stress away!”
What does your day look like? Is it stress free? Our Lord has the answer. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30.
When There is No Light
Darkness can be scary. I often feel like the small child who said, “I’m not afraid of the dark, just the things that are in the dark.”
Sometimes we walk in dark places. Sometimes we fear what those dark places will bring. We seek for an answer and sometimes it is not clear. It might even at times seem as if God is not there. The Psalmist described these dark times as weeping in the night. Paul equated it to a thorn in the flesh. James defines it as trying of our faith. Peter calls our affliction fiery trials. And Jesus referred to dark times as tribulations. Every child of God goes through them – trials, tests, and troubles.
So, what should we do when we walk in these dark places?
“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?”
I am learning that I should never doubt in the dark what God has shown me in the light.
- He has shown me that while weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
- He has shown me that while I might be given a thorn in the flesh, His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 9:12).
- He has shown me that while my faith has been tried, it brings patience to my life (James 1:3).
- He has shown me that while fiery trials are hard, they are no strange thing (1 Peter 4:12).
- He has shown me that while we will have tribulations in this world that we should be of good cheer. Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).
“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10
The answer is right there: We are to trust in the name of the Lord and lean upon Him. No matter what that dark place looks like, we know that God is there. He will never leave his children or forsake them. Maybe for you the path is clear and the light is bright. Praise Him during this time. But maybe the day grows dim and the shadows appear. Remember, dear child, do not doubt in the dark what God has already shown you in the light.
Faith During the Hard Times
Trials are a part of everyone’s life. It is not a matter of if they will come, but when. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we would have tribulation. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all those that lived godly in Christ would suffer persecution. While this message warning contradicts today’s popular messages of health, wealth and prosperity, it is true. It is in trials and tribulations that we are molded and shaped into holiness. It is in the refining of the fire that we become pure.
So, how do you deal with trials in your life? Do you complain about the circumstances or rejoice with thanksgiving? Do you advertise your trials or bear them quietly? Do you indulge in self pity seeking sympathy from others or submerge yourself in service to others? I have to answer, yes! I’ve done all of those. Do not misunderstand. When we go through trials it is no small thing. But it is very easy to complain and become self focused. While trials are not fun, it is important to remember the many reasons we have them. Focusing upon the work that God is doing in our lives helps us through trials.
- Trials humble us.
- Trials wean us from our dependence of worldly things.
- Trials make us heavenly minded.
- Trials reveal what we really love.
- Trials teach us to value God’s blessings.
- Trials develop enduring strength for greater usefulness in the Kingdom.
- Trials enable us to help others during their trials.
- Trials test the strength of our faith.
It is through trials that our faith is strengthened. My husband always reminds me that the simplest definition of faith is “having confidence in the trustworthiness of God.”
How trustworthy is God? He will never fail me. He is always faithful. He has never left me or forsaken me. And He always does what is best. Our Father is faithful!
To learn more about God’s faithfulness, check out Living Out the Word: Faith, a verse-by-verse study through the book of James.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed,” James 1:2-6.
Stingrays and Evangelism
Last month, while vacationing in Orange Beach, I saw more stingrays than I’ve ever seen. One evening, just before dark, my son had one swim right beside him. Aaron didn’t like being that close to one so he got out. The next evening when we went back to the beach, he had no desire to get back in the water.
“Come on Aaron, the chances of seeing another stingray is slim,” I told him as I waded out into the water.
It wasn’t five minutes later when another one came along and swam between us. This time I got out of the water before he could. I know for the most part that stingrays are not that dangerous, but I did not want to take a chance of accidently stepping on one half-buried in the sand. Many people have been hurt by doing just that. (And in some rare incidences, stingrays can cause an even worse fate such as in the case of Steve Irwin.)
There were not a lot of people out, but there was one little boy playing in the water next to us. His parents were on the beach watching him. I decided to tell them about the stingray so they could decide if they wanted him to stay in the water. It turned out that they didn’t. That evening before going in, we counted nearly a dozen stingrays.
So what does that have to do with evangelism? Glad you asked! Let me explain.
I knew there was a potential danger in the water. So, not only did my family get out, but when I looked around and saw another person around I gave a warning. It was just a few stingrays and not that big of a deal, but I still took the time to warn them. Of course, the parents could have chosen to ignore my warning, but they didn’t. My warning was just a polite and caring thing to do. Wouldn’t you do the same?
A few days after we get home from our vacation I’m reading in 2 Corinthians about Paul’s explanation of why he labors for the Lord.
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men,” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11a.
Did you catch the reasons that Paul shares the gospel? There were three of them.
- We want to be pleasing to the Father.
- We will stand before God and answer for the things we have done.
- We know about the coming judgment.
Let’s talk about the last one. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” I found it very easy to warn a family about a potential danger in the gulf shore waters. I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t worry that they might be offended. And I probably wouldn’t have taken it personal if they had ignored me. I simply warned them. And it only involved a few swimming creatures. But even the thought of potential harm coming to someone was enough to motivate me.
Why then do I find it so hard to warn people about the coming judgment of the Lord? Why does fear threaten me every time I want to share the gospel? We are not talking about potential harm coming to someone, but eternal death.
“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27.
Every man, woman, and child will face death one day. All will stand before God. If they die in their sins, they will go to hell, a very real place. In fact, Jesus talked about hell more than He talked about heaven. And while most people live for the moment, the truth is that our lives are just a vapor.
The other day Ray Comfort, from the Way of the Master, posted on his Facebook page a sobering and truthful statement.
“I am both a coward and a hypocrite if I believe that the world is going to Hell, but fail to verbally warn them.”
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”
If I knew a young boy was playing in dangerous waters, would I warn him?
Only if I knew….and only if I cared……
If I knew a blind man was about to walk off a steep cliff, would I warn him?
Only if I knew….and only if I cared……
If I knew someone was about to drink mislabeled poison, would I warn him?
Only if I knew….and only if I cared……
If I knew a child was playing on a busy highway, would I warm him?
Only if I knew….and only if I cared……
If I knew that the world was dying in their sins and going to hell, would I warn them? If I knew that all would stand before the Lord who comes to judge the earth and the entire world with righteousness, would I warn them? If I knew the bad news, would I share the good news? Would I be motivated to share the truth…
Only if I knew….only if I cared…..only if I had a filial fear of the Lord…..only if I was not a coward or a hypocrite…..only if I truly loved others…..
Lord, my prayer is that I will always love others enough to warn them. Let me be one who cares enough about people to persuade them to come to You. Let me be moved with compassion toward lost souls enough to share the gospel. Help me to remember that love is not passive, nor is it in word alone, but in deed and in truth! For Your glory!
A Christian’s Response to the Upcoming Election
My last post talked about consequences and I am afraid that this next election will hold grave consequences. So what should a Christian’s response be to the upcoming election? It appears that our options for voting are between current President Obama and Mitt Romney. I’m not even going to address the President’s policies these last 3 ½ years. Let his actions speak for himself. I’m also not going to address that fact that Mitt Romney is not a career politician (which I believe is a great asset) or his apparent values. Laying all political, financial, and moral views aside, I want to address something different. Should a Christian vote for a candidate who is not a Christian?
Regardless of how the media likes to spin the issue, the truth from God’s Word is that, “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). Evaluate for yourself the “fruits” produced by our current President who strongly supports the murder of innocent babies and homosexual marriage.
So I ask the next question. Is Mitt Romney, a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Christian? While I cannot know his heart, I can look at the Mormon religion as a whole.
The Institute for Religious Research has a page on the Mormon religion (http://mit.irr.org/mormonism-christian-2) that explains the basic beliefs of Mormons. Below are a few, but not all, of Mormon beliefs.
- Many gods made the world (Abraham 4:1-31)
- God the Father was once a man (LDS Church teaches that Jesus Christ, humans, angels, and fallen spirits including Satan are all eternal beings that were never created and that are all spirit brothers and sisters. In particular, Christ and Lucifer (Satan) were two spirit brothers; Christ supported Heavenly Father’s plan while Lucifer did not.)
- Adam’s sin was “a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us” (Book of Mormon—2 Nephi 2:14-26; Book of Moses 5:10-12)
- Mormonism teaches that a person must become worthy in order to obtain forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the presence of God the Father through obedience to all the commands of the LDS Church (Book of Mormon—2 Nephi 25:23;
- LDS Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many “plain and precious parts,” and does not contain the fullness of the gospel (1 Nephi 13:26-29)
- LDS Church teaches that faithful Mormons who fulfill all of their spiritual, moral, and ritual obligations can eventually attain the status of gods, beings of the same essential nature as God the Father ruling over their own worlds. “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be” (Lorenzo Snow, in Presidents of the Church: Student Manual [2004], 88, 90; Gospel Fundamentals [2001], 201; Gospel Principles [2009], 275-79; Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith [2011], 71).
The Mormonism Research Ministry has compiled this list. (http://www.mrm.org/god-of-mormonism)
- The god of Mormonism is one of many gods.
- The god of Mormonism is not self-existent.
- The god of Mormonism is not transcendent.
- The god of Mormonism is not immutable.
- The god of Mormonism is not eternally God.
- The god of Mormonism is not incorporeal.
- The god of Mormonism is not omnipresent.
- The god of Mormonism cannot dwell in the believer.
- The god of Mormonism is not omnipotent.
- The god of Mormonism does not forgive completely.
In his famous “King Follett Discourse” Joseph Smith (prophet, teacher, and leader of the saints) taught,
“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. That is the great secret… [Y]ou have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you…”
According to www.mormon.org in addition to the Bible, Latter-day Saints accept the following books as scripture:
- The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a record of God’s dealings with the inhabitants of ancient America (2000 BC – 400 AD).
- The Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the Church of Jesus Christ in the last days (1830 AD – 1978 AD).
- The Pearl of Great Price, a selection of revelations, translations, and writings of Joseph Smith.
This information does not even touch on all the false beliefs of the Mormons. Check it out for yourself.
http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Mormons.html
http://bible-truth.org/arelds.htm
http://cnview.com/on_line_resources/are_mormons_christian.htm
So, it is clear that the god the Mormons worship is not the True God of the Bible. It is also clear that they do not worship the true Christ who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Nor do they uphold the true Word of God.
So here is the dilemma. If we have two unbelievers running for president what do we do? How do we vote? Let me answer that question with this one. Are there only two choices? As a Christian I believe that I should not only vote in each election, but that I should pray and seek out God’s will. So, would God give His children the choice between two unbelievers? Would God want us voting for an unbeliever? Would God not give His children a way to make the right decision? We might be tempted to cast a vote for an unbeliever because it is the “lesser of two evils.” We might be tempted to lay aside the candidates faith or our faith and focus on the politics. But as a Christian I cannot separate my faith from my vote. My faith is not what I do; it is who I am. My conscience tells me that I would be wrong to vote for an unbeliever, regardless of the circumstances. You see, God always gives His children the ability to do what is right. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Co 10:13)
It was John Quincy Adams that said, “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” So it looks like that over the next few months I am going to be doing some research on other 3rd party candidates, trusting that the God of the Bible is sovereign and knowing my conscience is clear.
My Unbelief
I had to call a friend a few days ago. This particular friend is one I call when I need to hear the truth. You know the type. She doesn’t tell me what I want to hear; she tells me what I need to hear. Perhaps you have a friend like this and can relate. I am very thankful for our friendship. It is one that could be summed up by Proverbs 27:5-6, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” I wanted to have a pity party. She told me to get my eyes off self. I wanted to whine. She told me to rejoice. I wanted to focus on the negative. She told me to look at the positive. I wanted to sit. She told me to get up and serve. We’ve had this conversation many times over the years. Sometimes, like last week, I’m the one who needs the exhortation and sometimes she is. Either way we have an understanding. Regardless of our feelings or emotions, the best thing we can do is point each other to the Lord and His Word.
The circumstances are always different, but the outcome is always the same. It usually goes something like this. One of us has a problem or small trial in our life. This should be no surprise. Jesus said in this world we would have tribulations (John 16:33). But we still act “as though some strange thing happened…” During the trial we prove that we’re human by worrying and fretting. After a day or two of self pity one of us will finally get around to calling the other – already knowing exactly what we’re going to hear.
“Why are you worried?”
“It’s just that I don’t see how this could possibly work out.”
“So, this just gives God a chance to prove Himself strong.”
“I know….but there is no human solution.”
“Hasn’t God always provided for you?”
“Yes, but…”
“Hasn’t He always been faithful?”
“Yes, but this time….”
“Has He ever let you down?”
“No, never.”
“Then don’t you know what the Scriptures say?”
“I do. Just yesterday I was sharing God’s Word with a lady who was having trials of her own.”
“Then it boils down to whether or not you’re going to believe. The bottom line is this. Are you going to have confidence in the trustworthiness of God?”
And so, this was just what I needed to hear. I knew the truth. I still do. I have never had a reason to doubt God’s Word. It says that God will provide for His children (Matthew 6:33). We are told that He will meet all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). It says that He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6). And we are promised peace if we will trust in God (Isaiah 26:3). Not only are these things so, but time and time again – without fail – God has proven it true.
I do believe…..
But Lord, help my unbelief…….
Sometimes I feel like the father in Mark Chapter 9. Do you know the story? This man had a demon possessed son. If you want to talk about trials and troubles, this man had them. Look at how the father describes his son with this evil spirit, “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away… ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us,” Mark 9:18a, 22. The mother in me wants to weep for this man. I cannot image the pain from seeing his child like this. So in desperation, the father takes his son to Jesus’ disciples for help. Yet, they cannot help him.
How many times do I go to everyone but the One who can and will help me?
When Jesus arrives He offers perhaps the first glimpse of hope this poor father has ever had. He says, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth,” Mark 9:23.
How many times has the Lord whispered these same words to me? “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed…nothing shall be impossible unto you,” Matthew 17:20. “For with God nothing shall be impossible,” Luke 1:37. “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God,” Luke 18:27.
So this father, as honest and transparent as he can be, with tears in his eyes cries out, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief,” Mark 9:24.
I think I understand what he was saying because I have been there many times. In fact, I’m still there. I have faith. I believe. But I know that my faith is not as strong as it should be. My faith is weak. It is imperfect. It is flawed in its exercise. So, like this father who does believe, I too add a prayer for grace, mercy, and strength. Lord, Please help the weakness of my faith. Help me to confidently rely upon You. Show Yourself strong on my behalf and be glorified through my weak flesh and failures. I believe Lord, just help me in my unbelief.
Happy are the Holy
I am sitting here this morning in sweet reflection. The closing paragraph, last sentence, and final words to my 4th book were written last week. It is off to the editor and in the hands of the man writing the forward. The thought of it all brings great happiness.
The Epistles of John have been an incredible study for me personally. The theme of the books is love. It covers God’s love to us and our love to others. But what I did not expect was the amount of love shown by the Apostle to his readers. What makes his love so revealing is its under-girding of absolute truth. John writes these letters so that believers might “know that they know” with confidence and assurance that they are in the faith.
Living Out the Word: Love has been perhaps the deepest and most heart revealing ladies Bible study that I have written. John’s epistles gives a person a series of tests they can take to see if their faith is real. Have you ever questioned your salvation? Did you know that it is okay to do so? In fact, we are commanded in Scripture to do just this. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves,” 2 Corinthians 13:5a.
One of the tests that Johns gives is purity. I John 3:3 says, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” The “hope” this verse is referring to is the hope of Christ’s return (I John 3:2). We often use “hope” as a synonymic word for “wish”. But do not mistake it here in this verse. It does not mean wish, want, or desire. The word conveys a stronger meaning. The Greek word is elpis and it means having confidence in, earnest expectation, or anticipation. Hope makes a difference in the life of those who believe. The person who has the hope (confidence) of one day seeing Christ will purify himself. Notice also that there are no exceptions to the principle here. The verse says that “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself.” A few weeks ago my husband started an expository study through 1st John. Yesterday’s afternoon study was on this verse.
As it turned out, my husband is also preaching verse by verse through the book of Matthew during our morning worship service. Yesterday’s sermon was on Matthew 5:8 taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” To be blessed is to be happy. To be pure in heart is to be holy. I was amazed at how the two sermons tied so perfectly together. Happy are those that are pure in heart (holy) and only those that have the confidence that Christ will return will purify themselves. So, just what is purity? My husband explained three types of purity for the believer. There is positional purity, practical purity, and perfect purity.
Positional Purity is how the believer stands before God. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God,” Colossians 3:3. When God looks at us He sees the precious blood of His Son. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. The believer is positionally pure.
Practical Purity is how we live out our faith. “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself.”
- “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,” 2 Corinthians 7:1.
- “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy,” 1 Peter 1:14-16.
- “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,” Romans 12:1.
Perfect Purity is that day that all believers long for. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is,” 1 John 3:2. It has not happened yet, but we know that one day we will be like Christ. Spiritually we are pure but we still live in this sinful flesh. However, our bodies will one day be glorified (Romans 8:30) and we will be perfectly pure. What a day that will be!
It is the realization that we are positionally pure and the expectation of one day being perfectly pure that gives us the desire to live out our lives in practical purity. “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Happy are the holy, “for they shall see God.”
I’m Going to the Gym
We are all aware that regular exercise is vital and essential for a healthy lifestyle. Exercise supports physical and mental well being. In addition to having better health, working out increases your energy level and reduces stress. It’s important. But let’s be honest…Who has the time? Are we not busy enough? On an average day my to-do-list is a mile long and I’m sure you are no different. But there comes a time when you realize the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience and decide to make it a priority. Dana and I came to that conclusion. We signed up for a gym membership and have been faithfully (for the most part) going together each morning at 5 a.m. My first goal was to make it a habit by going for 21 days. Now that I have met this goal I am working on increasing my stamina. I am walking on the treadmill for three miles and, in addition, every other day I use the machines to tone various muscles.
While exercise has value there is a truth to it. I Timothy 4:8 states that “bodily exercise profiteth little.” Exercise does profit, but only for a short duration. If I stop going to the gym tomorrow, all the work that I have done up until now will be lost. And even if I continue to exercise my entire life, the advantage I gain from it is for this life only. There is no eternal compensation for physical exercise. However, for the Christian there is an exercise that is profitable in all ways.
“…exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come,” 1 Timothy 4:7-8. Training ourselves in godliness will be beneficial in this world and the one to come. Therefore, it seems to me that while I should continue to go to the gym each day, this spiritual exercise should be more of a priority in my life.
What does exercising unto godliness look like? First, I Timothy 2:10 tells me how I should adorn myself as a Christian woman. “But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Therefore, doing good works is a part of godliness. This takes practice (training, exercise). It takes a consistent effort (workout). And it takes a child of God, with knowledge of God, to have the power to live with godliness. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue,” 2 Peter 1:3. We also are told that it is a process. Just as becoming strong takes physical exercise, godliness takes diligent work step by step. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness,” 2 Peter 1:5-6.
I use to believe that going to the gym was just for those who were already fit and trim. However, this is not the case. While several of the people at the gym are in excellent shape, there are those there who are in terrible shape. But they are striving nonetheless. There is also a misconception that it is impossible to live godly in today’s world. In truth, it is for the unbeliever, but for a child of God this is not true. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,” Titus 2:11-13. We will not attain perfectly but we should be striving. Why? Because when we exercise unto godliness it is profitable for this life and in the one to come.
Lord, You know my heart’s desire to strive in my daily walk, to reach forth and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling. Lord, help me to remember these truths, meditate upon them, and work them out in my life. Help me to profess godliness and adorn myself with good works every day of my life.
Kimberly Williams 