The Power to make consistent Godly decisions

Romans 14:16-17 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Review: Two main principles for making Godly decisions
In the past couple of blogs we have been establishing sets of absolutes or principles for Godly deicsion making.  Both of them are summarized below:

#1 The Lordship Principle - Will this decision enable me to live in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 14:7-8

#2 Loving your brother principle - Will this decision enable me to place others needs above my self for Jesus' sake. Romans 14:13

As we continue on in our study of Romans 14 in defining how we navigate through decisions that are termed "gray areas" or "debateable areas", we come to a third principle that is crucial for the Christian.  In the main text above, living for God's glory, or "Kingdom Living" is defined by righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  In other words - "will this decision or course of action lead to me being led by the Holy Spirit, or by self-interest"?  Thus the name of this third principle is: "The Spirit Led Principle"

The Holy Spirit leading you gives you the power to live the Christian life
The Christian life is based upon the biblical principles or "absolutes" such as the ones we have been outlining in these past couple of blogs.  However, in order to make daily decisions to the glory of God, you need Power to live out whatever decisions you make.  The Holy Spirit has been given to every Christian to both indwell and empower them for daily Christian living. (John 14:17, 23, 16:7-16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 6:19-20)

The Apostle Paul writes these words in Romans 8:5-8 "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

Setting our minds on the Spirit or living by the Spirit means we are being led by Him.  This third principle - "The Spirit-led principle", is what gives you the power to consistently make decisions based upon biblical principles such as "The Lordship principle" and the "Loving Your Brother Principle" (see above).

The Holy Spirit's leading takes your Christian life from principles to live by to that of power to live for God
This third principle of making decisions that will encourage a "Spirit-led" life rather than a "self-led" life makes all the difference in whether or not you live by the power of God or your own strength.  As we saw in the Romans 8:5-8 passage above, who you are led by will determine how you live.  Self-led Christians will be inconsistent in their application of Biblical principles, since the nature of the principles themselves requires the power of God to carry them out. (James 1:8; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18) 

Whenever you are making a hard decision, ask yourself: "Will this decision give me more opportunity to rely on my own strength or on God's strength"? (John 16:13-15; Romans 8:26-27) The Spirit-led principle will remind you of Who it is the enables you to live the Christian life in your daily decisions. (Galatians 2:20)  By starting with the "Lord-ship" and "loving your brother principles", you will be guaranteed of using this third "Spirit-led Principle".  When you do that dear friend, your daily decisions will not only be built upon sound principles, but your ability to see those decisions through will be guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.   

The two greatest principles for Godly decision-making

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Yesterday we began exploring how you can use the Bible in making decisions on those areas that are termed "gray areas".  We outlined two approaches: both of which are valid.  The first involves specific commands that address specific areas.  The second can be used in dealing with areas where making a choice may not be so obvious - what we called "principles".  The first principle - or absolute - was termed "The Lordship Principle".  When using Christ's Lordship in our decision making, we are asking: "Will this decision enable me to live consistently in obedience to Jesus Christ". 

Today we want to look at another principle that can aid you and I in making decisions in areas that are either debateable or "gray":

Principle #2 : Loving my brother principle
Romans 14:13 mentions not causing a fellow believer in Jesus Christ to stumble.  What is meant by that phrase?   To cause someone to "stumble" or "to bring offense" is not referring to hurting someone's feelings.  Instead, to "cause someone to stumble" is when by my example a fellow Christian is convinced to do something they believe is morally or spiritually wrong.  (please compare 1 Corinthians 8:13)

Just because I can do it, doesn't mean I should.  If my potential course of action could cause someone to question my Christian testimony - I should abandon that course.  As Romans 14:7 reminds us - "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." 

Why this principle and the Lordship principle are vitally connected in our decision making
In the course of our ethical, financial, vocational, relationship, marital or whatever decisions, this principle ranks a close second to the first principle we outlined yesterday (The Lordship principle - will making this decision enable me to live obediently for Jesus Christ).  Jesus states in Matthew 22:37-39 the two greatest commandments: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor.  What these two principles do is expand upon those two "Great Commands" of Jesus. 

In short, whenever I am applying biblical principles such as these to supposed "gray areas", if any decision would cause me to stray away from either living obediently for Jesus Christ or expressing unselfish love, I shouldn't do it.  Positively stated - only those decisions which enable me to live optimally for Jesus Christ and put others ahead of myself consititutes the essence of Godly decision making.

Using the Bible to make Godly decisions

Romans 14:5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

Decision making in areas that are black and white
The Bible presents to us black and white truth - principles that are given by the Holy Spirit to navigate through life's decisions.  Some decisions are easy.  For instance - should a person have physical intimacy outside of marriage?  The Bible is pretty clear - physical intimacy is meant only for marriage.  1 Thessalonians 4:3 states - "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality."   Did you catch that first phrase - "For this is God's will"?  Hebrews 13:4 draws clear boundaries concerning the place of physical inimacy being within marriage only: "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

Another easy example is the question: "Is church attendance really necessary for the Christian"?  Again passages such as Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25 both command believers to be with other Christians on a regular basis, since the days are evil, since corporate worship is the means of growing faith and since lone-ranger Christianity is a unknown concept in the Bible.

Decision making in so-called "gray areas"
What about those other areas that are not so clear-cut?  For instance: Whom should I marry? Which job should I take? What car should I purchase?  Where should I live? Which doctor should I go to? What school do I attend? A whole host of questions that even though not specifically addressed by scripture - nonetheless can be addressed from the general principles of scripture.  When we say "gray areas", were not advocating some form of "what's true for me and what's true for you" approach.  Truth is truth no matter what.  Rather our concern in this blog is how we can take the unalterable truth of God's word and apply it to situations that make it difficult to know which direction to take. 

Two methods of making biblical decisions - Commands and Principles
Whenever I have to make a decision - I can take two approaches.  The first is to draw up a series of commands or rules.  If my conduct or decision goes against the commands, then clearly I need to do a "course correction". 

However in many cases, we may be choosing between two good and acceptable alternatives.  It is in those cases where I appeal to the "principles" of scripture - which is what Paul is doing here in Romans 14.  A principle is a "general, universally agreed upon pattern prescribed in scripture that can be applied in specific cases." 

In the instance recorded here in Romans 14 - the issue was over celebrating certain holidays on certain days.  The Apostle could had laid down a command, a law, and used that as "the standard" for everyone to follow.  That approach is certainly within biblical parameters - as for instance in Acts 15.  In Acts 15 the Jews were saying that the Gentiles had to conform to Jewish practices in order to be Christians.  James annd the Apsotles drafted up a letter that was circulated around the churches - telling them to abstain from certain types of meat.

Yet Paul does not do that here.  Rather he lays out some principles to navigate through what we may term "gray areas". The first principle that Paul lays out is what I call "The Lord-ship Principle"

1. Principle #1: The Lordship principle:  "Will this decision enable me to live obediently for The Lord Jesus Christ?"

We see this principle in Romans 14:8 "for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s." So in looking at schools, or relationships or whatever the case may be - will the alternative I choose conflict or encourage consistent obedience to Jesus Christ?  This ethical principle is fundamental to Christianity, since Jesus states in John 14:15 and 21 that all who love Him will do as He says. 

If my decision would lead me to live more selfishly rather than submissively to the authority of Christ, then I better not go down that path.  In Romans 14:7 Paul spells this out: "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for Himself". 

For now we will end here.  Tomorrow we will consider another principle, an "absolute" that we can put in our hearts and minds in making informed decisions that bring hoonor and glory to God. 

What Living Living faith isn't and is

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

The above passage clearly connects the event of Christ's resurrection to the experience of salvation that occurs at saving faith.  Living Living Christianity involves four essential truths:
1. Living Christ, who raised from the dead
2. Living Scriptures
3. Living proclamation from the living scriptures about the Living Christ
4. Living testimonies resulting from Living Proclamation

We call this "living living" Christianity since it's "living hope" is rooted in the "Living Christ".  Today we want to explore the "living living faith" that is necessary to receive "living living Christianity". 

What Living Living Faith is not
As you go back into texts such as Luke 24, you will witness those moments following Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead.  What were his disciple's initial response?  The women who came to visit His tomb, once being told by the angel that "He is not here, He is risen" (Luke 24:6), responded with living living faith.  However other disciples, when encountered by the Living Christ, responded in unbelief.  Even after Jesus demonstrated His physical bodily resurrection by eating food, the Bible says in Luke 24:41 that in joy and amazement they could not believe.

From these verses we learn two things that living living faith (or true saving faith) is not:
1. It is not just emotionalism
2. It is not just an intellectual agreement with facts

Though living living faith includes these, yet these things by themselves do not equate to a person having true saving faith.  James 2:19 reminds us that the "Demons believe there is One God, and they shudder".  The fallen angels mentally agree with the fact there is One God, yet they clearly do not surrender themselves in trust to Him.  Furthermore, the people who were crying out  "Hosanna" at Jesus' triumphal entry would five days after that event be crying out for His crucifixion.  Emotionally the people were swept up in a moment of hysteria - yet their fervor waned at the first sign of trouble.  They had what Paul would term in Romans 10:2 "a zeal that was not based on knowledge".  Protecting themselves against the Romans was more valuable than their verbal, emotional allegiance to Jesus.

Unless the Spirit of God is accompanying the communication of the scriptures - no salvation can occur. (John 16:7-16; Ephesians 2:8-9; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23)  Emotions will grab hold of the benefits of Jesus - and yet not grab hold of Jesus Himself.  The intellect can assert the historicity of Christ's death, burial and resurrection - and yet remain unillumined to the significance of those events in present day life. 

What Living Living Faith is
When Jesus began to unfold the scriptures, these disciples understood - that is - they embraced and held onto Christ with living living faith.  They demonstrated by their trust in His words and person that living living faith had come to roost in their hearts - firmly persuading their minds and emotions to embrace Jesus Christ. Notice the elements of living living faith that we see in Luke 24:45-49:

1. Living Living faith comes by the scriptures from God. Luke 24:44-45
As Romans 10:17 reminds us too - "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God".  When I preach or teach, I try to quote or refer to as many scriptures as possible.  Why? Because they are the sole agency through which the Spirit of God works to bring about the conversion of lost sinners. (Psalm 19:7; 1 Peter 1:23)  As much as evidence or emotional appeal works in the presentation of the Gospel, it is the Spirit of God through the scriptures that communicates the power of the Gospel. (Romans 1:16)

2. This living living faith firmly persuades the mind to lead a firmly persuaded heart
Lk 24:45, 52-53
These disciples were firmly persuaded in their minds and emotions by faith to believe, to trust, to rely upon everything Jesus is and said.  True faith takes what God says at face value and cheirshes it.  The phrase "firmly persuaded" cpatures the essence of living living faith.  Biblical faith proceeds not only on the basis of proof of unseen things, but persuasion about those unseen things. (please compare Hebrews 11:1) 

3. This living living faith, with a firmly persuaded mind and emotions embraces and continually holds onto Jesus Christ
The resurrection power of Jesus Christ was clearly operative in Luke 24.  These disciples were in the temple "continually praising God".   1 Peter 1:3 connects true saving faith to the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Praise God for Living Living Faith. 

What Jesus did between death and resurrection

Hebrews 9:11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;

What happened to Jesus between His Death and Resurrection?
As you read the various accounts in the New Testament regarding Christ's death, burial and resurrection - that second item about His burial is included in the preaching of the Gospel.  When Jesus died, where did He go and what did He do between that time?  Furthermore, if He did anything, what bearing did it have in the relationship between His crucifixion, resurrection and the lives of Christians today?  Today's blog will attempt to deal with these questions by sketching out a plausible set of scenarios that may explain what went on between Christ's death and resurrection.

1. When Jesus died, His human soul and spirit went into the presence of God the Father
As the above text indicates, Jesus appeared before the presence of the Father.  The text goes onto describe how He appeared before the Father "with His own blood".  At the end of Hebrews 12 we read that this blood bears witness before the Father's throne of the innocence of all those whom He calls and convctis to believe.  Hebrews 9:14 tells us - "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"   Thus Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, offered Himself.  When He cried out "into thy hands I commit my spirit", the answer to that prayer was given when he breathed his last. 

Because Jesus did this, every Christian who dies is immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:1-6; 2 Peter 1:11-2)  The Lord accomplished much not only on the cross, and not only in His resurrection but also in the time in between.  However there is more.

2. Jesus in between His death went to proclaim His victorious death to the regions of Hell
1 Peter 3:18-19  18For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison.  When Jesus presented His once for all sacrifice to the Father in Heaven, He journeyed to the regions of the Kingdom of Darkness, to Hades itself, (sometimes translated Hell) to proclaim His victory. 

It would had been during this time that He came to grab the keys of death and Hell.  Revelation 1:18 clues us in on this journey of Jesus between His death and resurrection - "and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."  When Christ was on the cross, He suffered the wrath of God in the place sinners.  His journey into the regions of Hell was to proclaim victory.  It is finished!  This is why Jesus' earlier statements of the "gates of Hell" not prevailing against the church could be held as true.  The King went behind those gates to announce to Hell and its powers of the Death that He had conquered ithem- and that His soon resurrection was going to seal the deal.

3. Jesus' affected things in the Heavenly realms to secure the church's mission here on earth
No doubt about it, Jesus was still working, even though His body layed in the grave for three days.  He journeyed into the presence of His Father to present His blood, then he journeyed into Hell to proclaim victory.  His work on the cross was not just an event here in history, it was a cosmic victory. 

Ephesians 4:7-9 connects His work done in His death, burial and resurrection to the ongoing work of the church: 7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it says,“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

4. When Jesus Christ raised bodily from the dead, He affirmed the work accomplished on the cross and the groundwork accomplished before His resurrection
Christ's work prepared for what would be done here on earth by the church.  He would send His Holy Spirit and He would transition everything from the Old Testament way of things to the New Testament way of things.  The work of redemption was secured at the cross.  The groundwork for the mission of the church was prepared between His death and resurrection.  The power of redemption for such a mission was supplied from His resurrection.  The guarantee that His church will accomplish her mission comes from His ascension as Lord over His church.

Today, praise the Lord Jesus Christ for all He has done in His death, burial and resurrection!

Why is Good Friday Good?

Galatians 3:13-14 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— 14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

A few weeks ago someone asked me this question: Why is Good Friday Good?  When that question was posed to me, I began to reflect on what the scriptures explain concerning Christ's accomplishments on the cross.  As we endeavor to answer this question, we can find the answer by looking at Galatians 3:7-14.  The Apostle Paul lays out for us three reasons why the Friday that Jesus died on the cross was indeed Good Friday.

Salvation's Promises was completed
Let's consider the first "good" that was accomplished on God Friday: Salvation's promise was accomplished.  Galatians 3:8 states -  "The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”  Over 2,000 years before Christ came, the grace of God came to a man named Abram.  God brought to Abram the promise.  The theme of promise runs from Genesis to Malachi.  It began with Eve and was re-articulated by God to Abraham. 

The Promises of salvation was carried out through the scarlet bloodline of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  By the time we come to the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew lists 42 generations spanning from Abraham down to Jesus, wherein the "seed of promise" was carried.  The Promise became the Person.  God the Son, the Promiser, came to embody the Promise in the humanity of Jesus Christ.  When Christ in His humanity breathed His last on that First Good Friday, over 100 prophecies were fulfilled.  The Promise was completed. 

Sin's Curse was Broken
Why did Jesus Christ go to the cross?  Did it really matter how He shed His blood?  Why didn't Jesus come down on a weekend, go to a doctor, have the doctor prick His finger, put blood in a vial, and catch the next chariot back to Heaven?  It may very well had been easier, but not effective.  He had to experience the virgin birth and grow through all the stages of humanity to experience what we experience - yet without sin.  But there's something more.

You see, when Adam sinned - a curse was pronounced. (Genesis 3:15-19)  Adam ate from the wrong tree, and was barred from gaining access to the tree of life.  In order for man to ever gain access to the tree of life, a perfect man, a "New Adam" would have to be placed upon a tree of death.  Galatians 3:13 quotes Deuteronomy 21:23, which tells us "cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree". 

The curse of Eden was broken at Calvary - Christ accomplished it.  The Promise of salvation was completed - Christ finished it.  But notice the third thing that makes God Friday Good....

Saving benefits received by faith
Galatians 3:14 states - "in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."   Now lets be clear - The Event of Good Friday must become an experience in your life.  Salvation is not automatic.  All that Christ accomplished on that First Good Friday was an objective event of History.  As the passage states - all this was done by Christ "so that the promise of the Spirit (could come) through faith."

That phrase "through faith" could be rendered "through the faith", meaning the Divine Gifting of faith wherein I believe and receive all who Christ is and His benefits.  When you by grace through faith believe, the benefits of Good Friday will make everyday of your life a Resurrection Day.  It is for these reasons that "Good Friday" is good.






That phrase "through faith" is in reference to "The Faith", "the gift of faith", wherein I choose Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, Treasure. 

 

The Resurrection proves Jesus perfect humanity

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

In yesterday's blog we saw how the resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates His identity as the Living God.  We concluded yesterday's thoughts with this simple logical argument:

1. Major Premise: The Living God of the Old Testament raises the dead
2. Minor Premise: Jesus Christ raised from the Dead
3. Therefore: Jesus Christ is the Living God

The Deity of Jesus Christ is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith.  Today we want to understand what the resurrection of Jesus Christ proves with regards to Christ's sinless humanity.

What if Jesus had remained in the tomb?
In order for salvation to be accomplished, Jesus Christ had to be a sinless Savior.  But what if He had remained in the tomb following His crucifixion?  As One writer notes - Christ could not had been both Just and Justifier, since His own righteousness (His ability to please God on His own merit) would had been in question.  If Jesus Christ had even a hint of sin, the work on the cross would had been rendered void. (compare Romans 3:26)

If Jesus had remained in the tomb, he would had been no different than any other man
The Bible states in Hebrews 9:27 - "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment."  The overwhelming conviction of scripture is that those who die physically and remain dead do so because they were not sinless.  Unbelievers, sadly, when they physically die, go to Hell to await final judgment.  Even Christians, whose sins are forgiven by grace through faith, though going immediately into the presence of God at death, are awaiting for the resurrection of their physical bodies at the end of time. (2 Corinthians 5:1-6)  The curse given to Adam and Eve brought about the physical death of all people.  Unless a person is sinless, all others will not be resurrected until the end of time. (Daniel 12:2-3)

Jesus Christ did raise from the dead, showing He was a sinless man
But Hebrews 9:28 reveals concerning Christ - "so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him".   Peter points out that because God did not allow Christ's body to suffer corruption, the resurrection proved He was sinless, just as he had claimed. (Acts 2:27)

The Logic of resurrections proves Jesus Christ to be the sinless Savior
When we consider the Logic of scripture, as it pertains to the resurrection's implications about Christ's humanity, we can note the following:

1. Major Premise: Any person who had sinned even once remains physically dead until the end of history
2. Minor Premise: Jesus Christ raised from the dead
3. Therefore: Jesus Christ was a sinless human being