SALVATION PRECEDING THE CROSS?

SALVATION PRECEDING THE CROSS

Monday, October 7, 2013

Romans MKJV 3:19-26 But we know that whatever things the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law; so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be under judgment before God, 20  because by the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin. 21  But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; 22  even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference, 23  for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, 24  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 25  whom God has set forth to be a propitiation [atoning  victim for sin] through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness through the passing by of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God; 26  for the display of His righteousness at this time, for Him to be just and, forgiving the one being of the faith of Jesus.

  I’ve been asked “Were people saved prior to Jesus redemptive act? If so, how?”

  I initially direct the inquirer to passage of Scripture such as that above and get them to read and tell me what it says about the how of redemption.

  Then show them in Hebrews 11 that people were saved prior to Lord Jesus Christ crucifixion, rejection, burial and resurrection.

  How before, after, and forever? As ever, foreordained by God’s grace as people trust Him: “It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” NLT 1Peter 1:19-23

  Said trust unto eternal redemption has absolutely zilch to do with how good or bad we are as though weighed in some sort of balance scale: “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” MKJV Ephesians 2:8-9 (Consider the thief on the cross. Lk.23:39-43)

  Put in terms that most understand; God’s good deal was always made. Jesus closed, finalized, the deal. (Jn.19:30) We individually accept, trust, or remain in eternally lost condition. (Jn.3:16-18)

  Any questions?  EBB4

BLACK HAT

BLACK HAT

Sunday, October 6, 2013

  Probably other than Dave West, most of you have never heard of Black Hat. Black Hat is a conference for security researchers, commonly referred to as hacker's.

  At this years conference they revealed some interesting flaws in "smart" paraphernalia, including a $5,686 smart toilet that you can flush remotely.  (Just think how much nicer your bathrooms would look without unsightly levers! And wonder of wonders, a solution for those "Did I flush or not?" times.)

  The whizs highlighted how easily those so wired can remotely violate Wi-Fi smart vehicle and home locks, including dead bolts, disarm security systems, adjust HVAC thermostats and refrigerator temperatures, open and close garage doors and electronic gates. (The estate adjacent to my home has one. When authorized people needed to get in but owner is not home, they simply called him of his smart phone. He in turn eyeballed them via his smart phone and then entered code that opens the beautiful iron gate.) They also showed how we can be observed thru certain model TV, phones, and monitor cameras such as the one before me that I now keep a flap over.

  Additionally, it's not bad enough if some crook violates your home or business. It can be even worse: With no evidence of break-in you are suspect plus insurance companies have been known not to reimburse for losses.

  Imagine for a few seconds if I still indulged in passive-aggressive anger and was capable of operating device beyond my "Antique dumb phone.". I could vengefully spoil everything in my enemy's fridge while freezing everything, including his goldfish, in his home, make his garage doors continually recycle up and down, and, best of all, see when he is on toilet and spray and flush repeatedly.

  There are however several reasons why I'm not going to solicit savvy friends to make me smart. I enjoy God's deliverance from vengeful thinking. He sees and knows everything I do. And it definitely wouldn't be the smart thing to do, would it?! 

  Now, if you want to go beyond electronic smarts, look up and consider Psalm 139:4; Matthew 10:29-30; 1John 3:20.  EBB4

PS. Black Hat conference participants, being the responsible fellows they are, when discovering a flaw notify manufacturers.

WORLDVIEWS DEFINITELY MATTER

NEW WORLDVIEWS MAKE FOR CHANGED WORLD

Friday, October 04, 2013

2 Corinthians [NLT] 10: 3-10 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Colossians [NLT] 2: 6-10 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. 8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers[a] of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[b] 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

2Timothy [NLT] 2:22-26 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

“A worldview is the perspective through which you understand and approach life and the world.” – Intro to Worldviews, Kevin Bywater, from Summit Ministries Curriculum

  Did you know that before WWII there was baby, child, boy/girl, young man/young woman, man/woman . . . but no “teenager” common to the USA or general worldview? As with all cultural change it began with idea of a few, was adopted, supported, cultivated, and increasingly merchandised to the point of commercialization we now suffer . . . the standard USA and developed nations worldview of those between 12 and 20 years of age, later expanded to “preteens”.

  Masters and Johnson, post WWII pioneer researchers in and public revealers of human sexuality brought about large change in USA and developed nations worldview and consequent activity.

  Prior to WWII most people abstained from owing money so as to save quality of life. Then, gradually at first, then wholesale, borrowers and lenders changed their view on credit . . . and now it is USA and developed nation standard practice on the part of individual citizen, even now to the point of “No credit? We’ll extend you credit!” and acquiring material goods that will wear out or tire of before the last payment is paid.

  Combine the 3 developed and presently common worldviews, teens not expected to be as responsible as “young men” “young women” once were, with knowledge of and access to sex in post-WWII ways, with credit cards . . . and we have major composite worldview change that has changed the world and continues to do so (all in some of us lifetime!).

  All of the above present day popular worldview is status quo until cataclysmic upheaval. (2Cor.4:4; 1Jn.5:19) Christians cannot change the whole world. (Mt.7:14; 2Cor.4:4) The followers of Christ can however individually change (Eph.2:2; Col.1:13; 2Tim.2:26; 1Jn.5:19); Said change including being active salt and light ambassadors demonstrating reconciliation between God and man. (Jn.8:12; 9:5; Mt.5:13-16; 2Cor.5:14-21)  EBB4

VISION

VISION

Thursday, October 03, 2013

Jesus explained: “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” . . .  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” NLT John 3:3; 14:6

  Funny how we attach certain meanings to certain words; “vision” is just such a word, “He/she has vision.” meaning lofty goals in life. Fact is, every individual has vision, groups have vision, cultures have vision, nations have vision. Vision is how we see everything in and about life.

  In the homeschool course that grandchildren, their parents and I began Tuesday evening this week, said vision is referred to as “worldview”. Beginning with Adam, Eve, thereafter, and yet continuing, every person has and lives according to their worldview.

  Though he didn’t say “worldview”, my Dad taught me this informally with his work ethic pithy “That man sees the world as owing him a living.” “Lazy bums have no right to live like us.”, but until October of my 28^th year I didn’t really begin to see the truth of every person filtering everything through their view of life.

  There weren’t all the road lights then. It was pitch black as our Beetle’s lights pierced the darkness as I sped home thru the country after working the 4 to 12 shift in WECo diecast foundry. For 6 weeks Bud Bond and I had lunched together discussing life in view of the Word written (Bible, 2Tim.3:16-17) and Living (Lord Jesus Christ, Jn.1:1).

  Without slowing down or closing my eyes as I passed the redneck bar the Gunpowder Inn I told God that I didn’t understand it all but it is obvious I needed what only He can provide. As was her custom Ann was still up awaiting me at 1am. I told her about my decision.

  Arising the next morning I found my view of life, including the living and dead, had changed. Little did I guess that it was only the beginning.  EBB4

LOCKED AND LOADED

LOCK AND LOAD

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Romans NLT 8:1-14 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

  5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

  9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

  12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.      

  Most past the age of 7 know what “Lock and load!” means, but just in case you missed it, “The firing line command to put the weapon's safety to the on position and load the weapon with ammunition and await further orders from the range officer. In combat an informal command to prepare to fight.” (Source: ANSWERS)

  When it comes to the emotion of hostile harmful anger there are people that travel locked and loaded at all times. Their ammunition of choice runs from peeved to physical action of low or high degree. Most practitioners are emotionally knee-jerk in nature and often fire randomly in all directions. (Have you ever ridden with a locked and loaded driver, or played a game with them?) Those proficient coldly choose from their arsenal, target carefully, and are capable of squeezing and releasing trigger at will.

  I was never of the undisciplined lot as I considered them crude, without panache, but was once upon a time of the latter mean proud troop.

  When did my life change? Did I arise one morning and decide against passive-aggressive behavior and to live in Christ’s freedom?

  As with most maturation in my life there was no answered alter call or commitment from the issue; it was and continues to be graduation from one field to another; not recognized during transition, but afterward. A one day “WOW! I’m not that person anymore.”

  How does this happen? I lay no claim to victory, “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” (NLT Zech.4:6) EBB4

RESPONDING TO ANGER IN FASHION PLEASING TO GOD

RESPONDING TO ANGER

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Ecclesiastes 12, New Living Translation (NLT)

  Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

   Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.

   Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

   Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.  For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

   “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”

   Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.

   The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.

   But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.

  That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.        

  Please begin today by rereading the above passage, especially the last few verses.

  We respond to anger in numerous ways. I need not list them for we are well aware of as recipient and/or practitioner of from detached objective calm to peeve to extreme. So let’s just skip cataloging and go directly to that which is most important: Dealing with anger in healthy way pleasing to our Lord, for by anger we are too often distracted and hindered here and are and shall be judged. The following is a pocket list to be carried and reviewed as needed. [inserts mine]  EBB4

  “A wise [man or] woman builds [his] her home, but a foolish [man or] woman tears it down with [his] her own hands. Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him. . . .  The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious[a] and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” NLT Proverbs 14:1-2, 14-18

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  “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” NLT Proverbs 15:1-4

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  “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

  Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. . . .

  Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [Deut.32:35]

  Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”[Pr.25:22]

  Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” NLT Romans 12:1-3, 17-21

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  “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness [or the justice] God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

  But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

  If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.” NLT James 1:19-26