New Article: There is No Debate

If you want to start a commotion these days, all you need to do is state an opinion. Someone is sure to believe differently, and they are usually not shy about telling you why. Especially online, it is common for people to have arguments with strangers over things that really do not matter. If you have the time and inclination, I guess there is nothing wrong with kicking around theories and ideas. However, when it comes to Jesus, certain teachings are not up for debate.

For example, Colossians 1 states that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (verse 15). Some teachers attempt to separate God and Jesus. This passage makes clear that you cannot have one without the other. If you want to know God at all, you must get to know Jesus. As he said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Secondly, Jesus is “the head of the body, the church” (verse 18). It is tempting to believe that the way I see things is the way God sees them. In other words, we like to make our standards God’s standards. This verse reminds us of who is in charge and who needs to change when there is a conflict between what Jesus taught and what we believe. Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18). In another place, he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). He did not say that we should vote on, think about, or modify his commandments, but obey them.

Lastly, Jesus is the bridge and the peacemaker. “God was pleased… to reconcile to himself all things through his [Jesus’] blood shed on the cross” (verses 19-20). To be reconciled means to be put right, or to restore harmony. Sin separated God and humans, and Jesus’ death brought us back together again. He took our sin, and we received his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). There is no other way to make things right. You cannot be good enough, nor do enough righteous deeds on your own. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

You can debate many things, but there is no debating the importance of Jesus.

Jesus is what God had to say!

Comments

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly. https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for. Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task. In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut. It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why. Ben became stuck on the glacier. He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below. That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice. He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety. Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....

Consider This: Twenty-three Descriptions of God (Psalm 145)

Let’s play a quick game. Take 10 seconds and list 5 or 6 words to describe God. Got your words? Good! Here comes the game part. I will list twenty-three ways that David describes God in Psalm 145, and we will see how many of his words match yours. David says that God is, the king, great, majestic, wonderful, powerful, awesome, abundant in goodness, righteous, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love, good to all, glorious, mighty, trustworthy, faithful, supporting, generous, providing, near, saving and watching. How did you do? This is not a useless exercise. The words we use to describe God not only indicate something about how we see him, but they also influence how we interact with him. For example, if I know that God is “Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (verse 8), I will not fear him, and I will not assume that he is against me. When I remember that...

Consider this

Subscribe

Get new posts by email:

Search This Blog