Thursday, September 25, 2008

Which Shall It Be?

“Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, is of infinite importance.  The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”  C.S. Lewis (God in the Dock)

Let me put it this way, if Jesus lived, died, and rose again so that you can have eternal life by an act of His grace through faith, you owe Him the rest of your life; every minute of it.  If Jesus did not do that (BUT HE DID), then go home and live as you please.  Jesus either deserves your everything or nothing.  What is not acceptable is a half-hearted, lukewarm commitment!

And he (Jesus) said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38 ESV)

“I (Jesus) know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 ESV)

Posted by Jim at 21:22:32 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Finishing Well

Near the end of World War II as Allied forces swept across Germany, it is said that they found this statement of faith scratched into a wooden post by a victim of the Holocaust:

 

I believe in the sun even when it does not shine.
I believe in love even when it is not shown.
I believe in God even when he does not speak.

History provides us with numerous stories of God’s people who have faced death with an unshakable faith and a triumphant spirit.  Jesus calls us not only to live faithfully, but to die faithfully as well.  In fact, the Apostle Paul’s example teaches us that we can glorify God in our death even as we have in life.  In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all (2:17).”

In the Old Testament, when a sacrifice was made, a drink offering or libation of oil or wine might be poured over it. This act completed the offering.  Even so, finishing well in this life is the completion of our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).

Posted by Jim at 17:49:58 | Permalink | No Comments »