WHO'S ON FIRST

WHO’S ON FIRST?

Monday, February 05, 2018

  A week ago under the title FIRST OF ALL I wrote “How we define base-line sanity is lens determining, which is why I pondered and wrote on the question in December. (How does our view of sanity affect our attitude toward others?) Here’s another lens exercise: 1. Which is older, Judaism or Christianity? 2. What personal and/or cultural difference does my answer make?“ Today the responses:

  My first thought was Judaisim, of course, but knowing you ask thought provoking questions not easy ones I gave the question more thought.  Nations of people have been practicing Judaism longer than Christianity but Christianity really started with creation.  Those practicing the  Christian faith established the church after the birth of Jesus.  Unless we think back to creation there is a danger of not recognizing God as the Creator.  One of the problems of our culture and the churches today is the failure to recognize God as the Creator, to know (epiginosko) Him, understand His attributes and truly worship Him as He desires.  If we don't recognize God as creator, study His Word and practice our faith, we may be swept up by the declining culture in which we live.  Our prayers become 'want lists' and lack petitions of thanksgiving, praise,  worship, confession and submission.  Sharon

  I believe there is no difference in age.  The old testament is the history of both faiths.  The difference comes with how we deal with Jesus.   Jim

  If you believe that God in His omniscience knew that mankind will and does sin, then He had a plan for man's redemption prior to the time of creation.  If that is true then Judaism and Christianity are the same age.  Prior to the birth of Jesus in human form salvation was seen as a future event.  After the resurrection salvation is seen as a current plan awaiting our acceptance.  God sees time in its entirety while humans see only a portion of time.

The difference that this answer makes is that we then see all persons as redeemed by their faith either in the Messiah that was to come or by the one that has come.  Unfortunately not all will accept that gift.

Jan

  If we look at it world history wise then Judaism is older, Jesus born a Jew, advertently or inadvertently founding a religion built upon Judaism; a new sect. Seeing Christianity this way limits it to a religion with subgroups, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists et al, thereby a life-view with limitations as opposed to with infinite sight thru the lens of God’s Word.

  “Christian” (KJV Act.11:26; 26:28; 1Pet.4:16), and the later “Christianity” are man’s finite restrictive terms. “in Christ” (KJV 78 times) reflects God’s infinity, as should we.

  Being that all things, believers delightfully so, are “in Christ”, thereby that which we latter day “saints” (KJV OT 35 times, NT 61) refer to as Christianity was/is/continues as existent. It is definitely not a development of Judaism. For me to think other than timeless sets boundaries on my vision of life and all matters pertaining to.

  How we deal with eternal infinite Jesus makes the difference . . . in this life and the next. “in Christ” is not defined by two vertical lines on a world history wall chart!

EBB4

FAKE NEWS?

FAKE NEWS?

Sunday, February 04, 2018

  I believe in continuing education whether formal or informal. My practice is primarily the latter.

  A few days ago while waiting in Baker’s supermarket checkout line is an example of unceremonious edification whenever, wherever and however. In just that few brief moments I learned that a cadre of expert academics published the outcome of a decades long in-depth USA societal study. Stating that as they originally at outset suspected, the removal of prayer and Bible reading from our public schools has resulted in absolutely no change in our culture. As they initially thought, respect for God is not the foundation for knowledge.

  And then later that afternoon while reclined on the couch …

EBB4

AM I LISTENING?

AM I LISTENING?

Friday, February 02, 2018

Matthew [ESV] 16:20-26 Then he [Jesus] strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? [Mk.8:33; Lk.4:8]

  Habitual expectations may easily get in the way of listening, requiring reminders.

  Possibly because my brain cells were beginning to starve, I could hear Grandmother McGee peevishly saying “Are you listening to what you’re saying?!!” . . . it and the deeper point itself unheard until maturation took hold. (Maturation is always nearby.)

 Looking at the dark clouds by I recall “Rain rain go away, Come again another day. Little Johnny wants to play; Rain, rain, go to Spain, Never show your face again!” (For story behind children’s rhyme: http://www.rhymes.org.uk/rain_rain_go_away.htm )

  Sometime along my lifeline I stopped singing the rhyme, but didn’t stop wishing its plea for personal convenience until I finally heard and realized how immature I sounded. Later I heard the pride in it, and realized Grandmother’s real concern for her beloved little boys.

  This maturation can however result in pride if I still don’t listen properly: “I sure hope it doesn’t rain on the first Cornhusker football game of the season!” declared the fan. In maturity I heard and in blink of eye in immature pride thought “Idiot!!” (Interpretation: The idiot is not so mature as am I!)

  I have lots of company when comes to not listening, Peter for one. After years of hearing Jesus, his words reflected that Peter had not really heard. Later, via rooster messenger, Peter’s hearing was greatly improved.

  I pray that I shall always hear God’s reign, His Kingdom Word, in every situation whether dry or wet; for in true sensibility who else is there to finally listen to, for He alone has the words of life! (Jn.6:67-69)  EBB4

THE SIGNIFICANCE OD EXPECTATION

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EXPECTATION

Thursday, February 01, 2018

Conceding O LORD, you are my Father; I am the clay, and you are my potter; I am the work of your hand. [Isa.64]

  It is said that we are shaped by our experiences and events. I do not believe this to be exactly correct. Why not? Because of who I am in Christ and in observing the lives of others that are in Christ and those that are not.

  The operative truth is that we are shaped by what we truly believe encompassing the experiences and events in our life – past, present, and future. The last few days I’ve been again pondering this aspect of affection in light of future expectation. Said ponderance has been volumes. Paring the volumes to a concise essay has been 2Timothy 2:15 work.

  John, in his 3^rd epistle to those in Christ, explains “… we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he [Jesus] appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (ESV 3:2-3)

  Biblical fact from God to us: A genuine expectation of our future in Christ continually produces godliness!

EBB4

AN EVERYDAY OCCASION

AN EVERYDAY OCCASION

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Genesis 2:17; Hebrews 9:27 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. … it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

  Christian friend Guinevere (NRN) called this week to notify us that having completed tests and being informed that with treatment she could live 18-24 months, without treatment 3 to 6 months. She has opted for no treatment.

  How could she possibly arrive at the decision to give up a possible additional 15 to 18 months of life?

·         Living her life as believer trusting God, seeing life in term eternal.

·         Living her life as believer trusting Jesus efficacy, seeing “terminal” as “transitional”.

·         Living her life as believer trusting The Great Physician, seeing Him as the center of health.

·         Living her life believing The Word written and Living, seeing death as “An everyday occasion.”

  Guinevere’s decision stands true to God, far above the maddening crowd fearfully clamoring for extreme healthcare to provide a few more moments this side of transit.

  Considering the reality of our already living in eternity, trial here being brief span within everlasting, knowing physical death inevitable, how do we plead? 

EBB4 (10/8/2009)

THE PORTAL TO HEAVEN?

THE PORTAL TO HEAVEN?

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

John [ESV] 3:1-18 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

  Ken Ham, president of Answers In Genesis (answersingenesis.org), interviewed by a secular reporter, was asked “Do you believe Muslims are going to hell?”

  An interesting question to be sure but actually no different than the standing query; Who goes to heaven, Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhists, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, or Evangelicals?

  Jesus, speaking as the only begotten Son of God (Jn.3:16), made the answer quite plain as is recorded several places. Unless we are born again we cannot see the kingdom of God. (Jn.3:3-7)

  Trusting Lord Jesus Christ, one gains everlasting life immediately; doing nothing, one remains eternally condemned. (Jn.3:15-21) He alone is resurrection and life now and forever; the only way to the Father. (Jn.11:25; 14:6) With absolute clarity Jesus explained that there is no other portal than He. (Jn.10:9)

  So the answer is: No one goes to heaven or hell because of the church or denomination they belong to or are involved in. Eternal placement singularly has to do with faith relationship with Lord Jesus Christ, or the lack thereof. 

EBB4

PS. Oddly, Evangelicals, a major group crossing Christian denominational lines, made up of those professing trust in Jesus for salvation, 57% of which in a survey a few years ago indicated they believe there is more than one way to heaven -- trust Jesus but deny Jesus game that gives a whole additional meaning to the question “Who goes to heaven?”

CAPTIVE OF IGNORANCE

CAPTIVE OF IGNORANCE

Monday, January 29, 2018

   Colossians [ESV] 1:1-29 …because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,…

   James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

  You drive a newfangled keyless entry/start vehicle and love the convenience. The mall stores are closing for the night. Due to the many shoppers you had to park some distance away. It begins to precipitate heavily as you, arms loaded with packages, walk to your vehicle. Nothing happens. No lights blinking. No nothing.

  Remembering the old fashioned key lock in the driver’s door . . . “Okay” you say as you fumble for the key while juggling packages. Once you and bundles are ensconced safe and dry you move your hand to activate START.  Nothing happens.

  The battery has gone dead in the fob!

  “WHAT TO DO?” comes to mind.

  Then you think “I’ll bet there’s something about this situation in that shrink-wrapped manual in the glove compartment. ??”

  Then, for some odd reason you recall something a childhood Sunday School teacher said, “God’s children fail because of a lack of knowledge.” (Hos.4:6)

EBB4

PS. Fob batteries last about 2 years. If your vehicle is so equipped, you can hold dead fob against START button until hearing chime, chirp, or other signal. Then push the button. Then asap drive to BATTERIES+ or some other such store.