Posts tagged Personal Holiness

Things To Consider Before Becoming Christ’s Disciple

Apr28
2012 Written by Warner Smith

I absolutely despise shopping for a new car.  You never know if you got a good deal or not.  This uncertainty arises from the lack of proper pricing.  Everyone knows that the sticker price is not the real price.

I feel that too often individuals try to apply the ideal of getting a good deal to becoming a Christian.  Some people seem to be most interested in knowing what is the very least that they will have to commit to Christ in order to become a Christian.  This question reveals a great misunderstanding about the Christian life.  Bargaining with God reveals a total misunderstanding of God’s nature.

Becoming a Christian is nothing like purchasing fire insurance to keep yourself out of the fires of hell.  Instead becoming a Christian is accepting your own moral bankruptcy and God’s absolute grandeur and awesomeness.  A deep and desperate desire to know God while simultaneously realizing your own moral corruption precede the decision to accept Christ as Savior.  Jesus told us that ;

“. . . the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV)

Our own salvation is worth everything we have.  Actually it is worth all we have ever had, currently have and ever hope to have.  Anyone who is considering becoming a Christian needs to understand the following key principles.

First, be clear on who the boss will be.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-26

Jesus is the boss!  His will is most important!  Only His vote counts!  Every disciple who is obedient must submit to His will 100% of the time.  The idea that one can follow Jesus while “doing their own thing” is not only wrong-headed it is a sin.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood the commitment necessary from each disciple when he wrote, “When Jesus bids a man he bids him come and die.”

Second, be certain that you must carry a cross.

And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27

Being obedient will not be easy, and will involve personal sacrifices.  You will lose many things while following Jesus.  You may lose family, friends, respect, or business.  Some today in Islamic countries lose their life when they accept Christ.  Suffering for Christ is not a topic you hear Christians discuss often but it is biblical.  Reading the book of 1 Peter is an excellent place to begin to study the concept of Christian suffering.

Next, be sensible and consider the cost of becoming Christ’s disciple.

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.  Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?  For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’  “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king.  Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?  If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  In the same way, any of you who does not give up every thing he has  cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:28-33

The price of becoming a disciple is everything. That is a high price. The gain you receive is everything, that is a great return on your investment. You give everything you have and in return you share in everything Christ has.  Personally I cannot think of a better deal.

Finally, consider the cost of not becoming a disciple.

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.  “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 14:34-35

Do you have ears to hear? On first blush it seems that the price of not becoming a disciple is nothing.  That is a low price.  The gain you receive is nothing, that’s no return because there was no investment.  You give nothing and in return you share nothing with Christ.

The logic seems sound. Unfortunately, on the day of judgment instead of sharing in the riches of Christ you will share in the punishment of the devil.  Talk about sticker shock.  It does not take a genius to realize that this is definitely not a good deal.

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Religion Can Get In The Way Of Your Own Salvation

Apr25
2012 Written by Warner Smith

Many Christians were raised in the church.  For some this Christian heritage gets in the way of their own salvation.  In John Jesus talks to someone whose spiritual heritage is getting in the way of his own salvation.  His name is Nicodemus and he has one of the most impressive spiritual resumes in all of the New Testament.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said to 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?  He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered. “Truly, truly I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into 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 the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?    John 3: 1-10

Nicodemus was a Pharisee who was a ruler of the Jews. In Greek the presence of the definite article “the” is very important.  Sometimes it is left off for the purpose of adding emphasis. It is absent for this purpose in this text, to say to us that Nicodemus is “THE” most prominent person.  In Greek, we can understand this to read “there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews.” He was the CEO of religion in Jerusalem.

Nicodemus asks Jesus a question “Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”  Jesus didn’t answer his question.  He did not say, yes, I am from God. Instead he said “Nicodemus do you want to know where you really stand in your relationship with God?  I want you to know that unless you are born again you, the CEO of religion in Jerusalem, will not see the kingdom of God.”

This answer baffled Nicodemus.  We mistakenly think this is the first time Nicodemus had heard the term, “born again,” but it was a common phrase among the Jews.

When you were circumcised on the eighth day you were said to have been born again. When you went through the rite of  your bar mitzvah you were said to have been born again.  When you were married, you were said to have been born again.  When you turned forty, you were said to have been born again.  Were you to become a Rabbi you were said to have been born again.

Nicodemus understood the term “born again” as it related to his practice of Judaism. What he did not understand was Jesus telling him that he must be born again, again. He was thinking I am a Jew, I have been circumcised, I have been bar mitzvahed, I am married, I am now over forty and I am a Rabbi, in fact I am “The Rabbi” in Israel. In other words, Nicodemus is saying “I have had all of the born again experiences in Judaism and you, Jesus, are telling me that I must be born again!”

He is totally shocked. Nicodemus was confused: thinking “How can I do that, when I have already done it all.”

Many Christians who grew up in church are like Nicodemus.  They think “I grew up with Christian parents, I have gone to church all of my life.  I have gone through catechism class, I have learned all of the liturgies and rituals.  I was in the choir, or I was in the youth group.  So when they hear  Jesus is saying, “you to must be born again.”  Some church people who have done their religious duty all of their life, do not truly understand that they must also be born again.  Religious people also need to be changed from within by regeneration.

Nicodemus did synagogue, just like some people today, do church.  Doing church doesn’t save anyone!

. . . unless one is born of water and 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 the sound of it but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Jesus is saying the Spirit is not something you can predict.  He is not a formula, He is God, He is the movement of God.  Nicodemus throws up his hands and says, “how can these things be?”  Jesus ask him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and you don’t understand these things?” Nicodemus is totally confused when it comes to really talking about the things of the Spirit of God.

When Jesus wants to talk about spiritual things, Nicodemus wants to talk about church attendance. Nicodemus can only talk about duty, the law.  Nicodemus wants to talk in terms of the outside of man while Jesus’ language is about the inner man.

A. T. Robertson, a great theological scholar said: “this well known authorized teacher of Israel was told by Jesus that his theology had made him immune to spiritual apprehension.”

Are you like Nicodemus?  Are you trusting in the outer signs of your religion to save you and forgoing asking God to re-create you from the inside, through His Spirit as you call on the name of His Son, Jesus.

Please for the sake of your eternal soul ask Jesus Christ to give you the spiritual new birth!

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Jesus Encourages His Disciples To Be The Good News

Apr24
2012 Written by Warner Smith

Christians sometimes feel as though they do not fit into society.  The news of the day and other peoples opinions of it are often very different from ours.  I am often amazed when I speak to people who are not Christians.  I am often shocked by the attitudes and opinions which they hold.  The reason for this difference is that as a Christian we are aliens in this present world.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 (NIV)

The longer one walks with the Lord the more you realize how different God’s ways are from the ways of the world.  When we dwell on how different this world is from what Christ’s will is it is easy for us to become discouraged and think “Why bother, why not just give up we are obviously not making any real difference in the world”?

When you feel this discouragement remember Jesus and his disciples faced enormous obstacles also.  He taught them two parables that encouraged them to be the good news and trust God for the results.

1. Do not be afraid of small beginnings.

According to Jesus great things can come from small beginnings.  Jesus taught His disciples;

“What is the kingdom of God like?  What shall I compare it to?  It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden.  It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches. Luke 13:18-19

The mustard seed is the smallest of the garden seeds, yet it may grow to a height of 30 feet in a single season.  Jesus is teaching His followers that the kingdom will start small yet it will grow.

2. Never underestimate the power of God to transform the world.

A little yeast can leaven a great amount of flour.

Again he asked, “What shall I compare it to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Luke 13:20-21

The lesson is that kingdom men and women can and will make an enormous difference in this world, as we live transformed lives.  Are you making a difference for the kingdom by the way you are living?

You may not think that your are.  If you are trying to live the Christian life but are discouraged by the results you see around you remember the words of the old hymn Little Is Much When God Is in It.

In the harvest field now ripened There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling To the harvest calling you.

Little is much when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it, If you go in Jesus’ Name.

In the mad rush of the broad way, In the hurry and the strife,
Tell of Jesus’ love and mercy, Give to them the Word of Life.

Does the place you’re called to labor,  Seem too small and little known? It is great if God is in it, And He’ll not forget His own.

Little is much when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it, If you go in Jesus’ Name.

Are you laid aside from service, Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle, In the sacred place of prayer.

When the conflict here is ended, And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful, Welcome home, My child well done!

Little is much when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it, If you go in Jesus’ Name.

Quit worrying about results.  Trust the results to God!  We just need to be the best seed and most active leaven we can be!

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Fully Indictable Committed Christians

Apr20
2012 Written by Warner Smith

Many people have had great influence on my Christian life.  One person who has had a tremendous impact on my Christian growth I had never met until fairly recently.  The books and writings of Carl George have blessed me for years.  In November of 2008 I had the pleasure of meeting him.  As we talked and shared the thing that most impressed me was not his intellect (though he has a Ph.D.) nor his knowledge of church growth and consulting (he has probably forgotten more on either subject than I will ever know) but his passion for Christ.

His eyes sparkled and danced any time he spoke about Christ or heard another speak about Christ.   In his presence his charisma and passion for Christ were palatable.  One of the greatest lessons which Carl taught me is that as a Christian I am to develop “fully indictable committed Christians” in my ministry.

This is exactly what Jesus did.  His disciples were “fully indictable committed Christians.”  Listen to what the Sanhedrin council said about Peter and John after they had examined them.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (ESV)

Were your Christian faith examined by a council, board or court, could you, would you be indictable?  Could you be convicted of being a committed Christian?  Would they find you guilty of being a casual Christian (some would argue that a casual Christian is no Christian at all), or would you be acquitted of being a Christian at all?

What would Jesus have to say about your practice of Christianity?  One day those who are His will hear him say

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:21b (KJV)

Living so that you may hear this statement from Jesus should be the central focus and most important goal in your life.  If hearing this statement from Christ is your life’s ambition then it will effect your priorities and passions.  What is most precious to you? If we are honest there are many things which we have placed before our passion for Christ.  Each of these competing distractions are idols and must be cast aside.

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Becoming More Like Jesus And Less Like Me

Apr12
2012 Written by Warner Smith

Recently I read a story that illustrates very effectively the new life in Christ that each of us is to live following our salvation.  Augustine of Hippo is considered one of the greatest theologians of church history.  Prior to his conversion, as described in his Confessions he lived a rebellious and lascivious lifestyle.

One day, after becoming a Christian, he was walking in front of a bar which he had previously frequented.  In front of him, and walking toward him, was a woman of ill repute, who was smiling at him as she approached assuming that Augustine had finally returned to his former way of life following his religious phase.  As they approached one another, Augustine continued to look forward and was about to pass by her without looking at her.  “Augustine,” she said, “Don’t you recognize who just walked by? It is me!”  He stopped briefly, turned to her and said, “Yes — but it is no longer me.”

This story demonstrates the new life we each are to experience in Christ.  I hope that each of us will be able to live out this reality as did Augustine.

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;  2 Corinthians 5:17

If you realize that you are not yet able to overcome your former desires as effectively and radically as Augustine then heed the advice of Dr. Malcolm Cronk who said; “You can’t get holy in a hurry — but you start taking steps in that direction right away.”  Beg God to, “Put within [you] some holy motivation.”

My prayer for each of us is that we grow in holiness.   I ask God everyday to give me a hunger and thirst for His righteousness.  Together, with God’s help (if we will each submit to His sovereign will) His desires will become ours.

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