How Long Can You Tread Water?
Politicians Play "Heads I Win, Tails You Lose"
Pictures Of Christ: The First Adam, The Last Adam
“Why
do I exist? Who or what caused me to exist?” Leo Tolstoy asked these searching
questions of himself before he came to Christ. Many today ask the same
questions. The Bible answers them in its first chapter.
In
After God made man, he gave to him a duty. God commanded Adam to fill the earth with his offspring, thus taking God's image and likeness to all parts of the created world. However, Adam and his wife Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat of the tree in the midst of the Garden in Eden (Genesis 3.1-18). The once holy image of God in man became marred with iniquity. Mankind could no longer fulfill God's demands. He needed a savior, a champion who would conquer the evil one.
Moses, inspired by God, recorded the cause for mankind’s existence and his purpose: to glorify God throughout the earth. Because of Adam’s sin, sin and death passed upon all humanity. All of his offspring, including you and me, inherited his sinful nature, which alienates humanity from God and prevents men and women from fulfilling God's purpose for them (Romans 5.12-14).
In grace, God promised a champion from the seed of the woman who would destroy the serpent, through whose temptation sin first entered the world. The Bible progressively reveals this savior as a second Adam.
This second, or last Adam, fulfilled God's promise. His nature surpassed that of the first Adam. The second Adam not only possessed human flesh but God himself in humanity. The Scriptures explain how Jesus Christ, equal with God, took flesh and bones and became man (Philippians 2.5-8).
Jesus, the second Adam, exceeded the first Adam because he as God inhabited humanity, not a mere image or likeness of God. He came to make humanity alive again. He came to reconcile mankind to God, which required his death on the cross. In his death, Christ atoned for the sin of people like you and me.
Jesus promised to give to all who come to him the authority to become children of God (John 1.12). Through faith in Christ, sinners become alive with the life of God. They now have Christ dwelling in them, far surpassing the first Adam’s status. Now, they can carry God's image to all the earth fulfilling God's command.
Because of what Christ accomplished in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension, therefore, we must become children of God through personal, individual trust in Christ, the second Adam. He will accept all who come to him in faith, making them alive in the life that he gives to them. They can then fulfill the destiny of his descendants: bearing the image of God to the world.
If you have not come to Christ in faith as the savior of sinners, trust him today. He will make you alive.
Pictures Of Christ: God Dwelling In The Tents Of Shem
Reference: Genesis 9.18-27
The greatest cataclysmic event in history occurred at the flood. God opened the fountains of the deep and poured out rain from the heavens for 40 days and 40 nights. He sent it in judgment upon the earth for its great iniquity.
God extended grace to Noah and his family. The Ark, constructed by Noah, carried his wife, 3 sons and their wives, and numerous animals. When God sent them from the Ark, they began life upon a renewed earth.
Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard. Either from ignorance or enthusiasm, he drank too much of the juice from the vine. He became drunk from overindulgence. In his intoxicated state, he lay down in his tent naked.
Whether by design or accident, his youngest son, Ham, found him in this condition. Instead of protecting his father’s dignity, Ham told his brothers, Shem and Japheth, of their father’s plight. Shem and Japheth took steps to cover their father’s nakedness without observing his state.
Later, when Noah awoke from his stupor, he learned of his sons’ actions: Ham’s indiscretion and the respect shown by Shem and Japheth. He cursed Ham’s son, Canaan, and blessed Shem and Japheth.
Three times in the reference, Scripture lists the curse that Noah placed upon Canaan, servitude. He and his descendents would become servants of servants to Shem and Japheth. The phrase, “servant of servants,” identifies their servitude as the lowest of the low. They would toil in hard, physically demanding work. Not only would they serve the descendents of Shem and Japheth, but also they would serve other servants.
Noah blessed Japheth in prayer that God would enlarge him. His blessing sought God to increase Japheth’s family and fortune.
Shem received the greatest blessing. Noah prayed that God would inhabit his tents. Noah desired a special relationship for Shem with God, God dwelling with him in his tents.
At creation, God dwelled with humanity on earth. In the Garden in Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed fellowship with God. When they sinned, however, they lost that fellowship and God withdrew from them. At this time, God did not dwell on earth with mankind.
When God confronted them with their sin, he promised a man who would crush the head of the serpent. This marked a gracious provision for sinners not required by God nor promised to Adam and Eve in the event of their disobedience.
When Noah blessed Shem, he said that God would dwell in the tents of Shem. Once again, God would commune with mankind upon the earth. This blessing identified a further revelation to humanity of the nature of God's promised champion who would come and dwell among mankind.
When God met with the Children of Israel at Mt. Sinai, God described to them a further revelation of how he would dwell with his people. God instructed Moses to build a Tabernacle with a special place where God would dwell among his people. Later, Solomon’s reign, he built a Temple to replace the Tabernacle-tent in which God dwelled. God’s presence filled the Temple, too.
After many years of continued Israelite rebellion, God withdrew his presence from the Temple (see Ezekiel 10). He remained absent from them for 400 years.
Then, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to dwell on earth with mankind. In John 1, the Apostle John records how the eternal son of God, Jesus (called the Word in John 1.1-4) took on flesh and dwelled among humanity (John 1.14). Once again, God dwelled on earth with his creation.
Jesus Christ came to redeem sinners and to reconcile them to God. His gave his life as a ransom for many in his death on the cross and resurrection 3 days later. His death atoned for the sin of sinners like you and me.
Now, sinners could again fellowship with God because of what Christ did on their behalf. Jesus invites sinners to come to him, trust him, and he will give them eternal life (John 3.16). To those who trust Christ, he promised to come to them and dwell in them by his Holy Spirit (John 14.15-17).
Thus, the picture of God dwelling in the tents of Shem becomes a reality for all who come to Christ.
A future day awaits all Christ-followers when Christ will return and bring a new heaven and new earth. Jesus Christ will inhabit this new Jerusalem, dwelling with God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and all those who came to Christ in saving trust for eternity (see Revelation 21-22).
Because of God's faithfulness to Shem, Moses, and countless others, we, too, can experience God's indwelling. Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, will inhabit all who come to him. If you have never come to Christ, trusting him for the salvation that he offers, I pray that you will trust him today.
All who trust him will experience his indwelling and look forward to an eternity with him in the new heaven and new earth, prepared for those who love him.
Better Red Than Dead?
During the Communist threat several decades ago, people consoled themselves with this philosophy: “Better red than dead.” In the presence of threats, intimidation, and political extortion, it seemed like a sensible attitude to embrace. Many thought such a resignation would not affect their lives in any meaningful way and adopted it. Few considered its implications and foundations.
Actually, it required the sacrifice of something of value for expediency. Usually, that sacrifice compromised or excluded matters of principle and truth. Expediency opted for the error of the lesser of two evils (see here) and hoped for the illusory short-term benefits of market place advantages, political influence, or relief from problems that obstructed business or personal activity.
At that time, these pressures upon Americans came from outside forces, which threatened the foundations of the nation. In a very real fashion, however, the philosophy of this creed, manipulated by the familiar tactics of extortion by threats, intimidation, and political and economic coercion, pervades American society today.
Multitudes of examples of it permeate America’s culture. Political correctness, sacrifice for the greater good (see here), the role of Christianity in society, and the demand for “intolerant tolerance,” to name only a few, influence significant segments of American society. One prominent example revolves around the ongoing attacks against Rush Limbaugh to suppress his free speech by using threats, intimidation, and political and economic extortion against his sponsors.
Those who submit today to these tactics fail to understand that they have made themselves susceptible to these devices on future issues, perhaps ones of greater consequence. They fail to recognize the cumulative effects of their selfishness. They sacrifice the future on the altar of the immediate.
That which appears initially as a practical solution with minimal negative effects creates significant implications. Unwittingly, those who yield to coercive attacks in hopes of reaping its deceptive benefits take the initial steps towards slavery. The extorter always demands additional concessions from previous victims, increasing subjection to the extorter. Ultimately, slavery leads to tyranny.
Perhaps the greatest destructive effects result from unintended consequences of yielding to coercion. The attitude of “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there” will not work if one does not have the opportunity and/or the means to get to the bridge. Further, the bridge may not exist, then.
Because of its disastrous effects upon society and life, Americans, therefore, must reject the philosophy of “Better red than dead” and its false claims based upon partial truths and untruths. They must deny expedient compromise for illusory benefits. They must search for the truth and separate it from error. Then, the truth and its relevance to the circumstances they face will mold their decisions and actions, which will lead from slavery to freedom.
In the end, only the truth sets you free.
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The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Over 2,000 years ago, the greatest event in the history of mankind occurred: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Every gospel writer addressed it. In fact, the resurrected Christ appeared personally to 100s of people after his resurrection, 500 at one time.
In Luke 24.1-12, Luke, the beloved physician, described how several women from Galilee, who had followed Jesus during his ministry, came to the tomb of Christ early on the first day of the week. They had seen him buried there. Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemous actually laid Christ in Joseph’s tomb.
The next day, Roman guards came and sealed the stone to the tomb with rope and a seal. These multiple witnesses and authorities confirmed the death of Christ and his physical burial in the tomb. Their testimonies refute the popular myth of a swoon instead of death. After all, who could withstand a spear to the heart and lungs and live?
As they approached the tomb, they saw that someone had moved the stone that had covered the entrance to the tomb. When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of Christ, whom they had seen buried there.
The women had come to place spices on the body of Christ, which they had prepared following his burial. Although their coming showed their deep affection for Jesus, it also revealed their unbelief in what Jesus had taught them concerning his resurrection. In similar fashion, multitudes today still doubt the resurrection, despite the massive amount of evidence that confirms the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
While they stood in the tomb, filled with uncertainty and doubt, two angels appeared beside them. The angels challenged their unbelief and reminded them of Christ's message that wicked men would crucify him in Jerusalem. But, he encouraged them to wait for his resurrection on the third day after his death.
The women remembered Christ's words, and their unbelief turned to faith. God in grace and mercy had sent messengers to them to remind them of Christ's promise. Likewise, God has preserved the records of the witnesses of the resurrection for people today. He sends his Holy Spirit to reveal the truthfulness of Christ's message and confirm to them the reality of Christ's resurrection.
The women sped to the disciples and others to tell them the good news. They told them of the empty tomb and the message of the angels. Christ had resurrected from the dead just as he had told them. It all seemed like an idle tale to these followers of Christ. They did not believe the women’s report.
After hearing their account, Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves. Peter arrived after John and entered the tomb. He saw the grave clothes lying on the ledge where the burial party had laid Christ.
When they buried Christ in the tomb, those who buried him followed a common practice of that day. They wrapped his body with linen cloths with spices placed with the cloths. They wrapped his head with separate cloths. Then, they placed his dead body on a ledge inside of the burial tomb and put a stone under his head.
Peter saw the burial cloths lying in their original positions, but no body inhabited them. They lay in the same positions as at the time of burial. These linens no longer confined Christ in them. He had risen from them, through them.
The resurrection of Christ and his subsequent appearances to them affected the followers of Christ so that they made its reality a vital part of their lives. In fact, 12 books of the New Testament include references to it to confirm it and to explain its purpose.
• The resurrection of Christ confirmed his deity (Romans 1.4). He came not as just an ordinary man but as God inhabiting human flesh.
• His resurrection completed Christ's purchase of salvation for sinners (1 Corinthians 15.12-19). Without the resurrection, no person can obtain salvation, reconciliation to God (1 Peter 1.3-5).
• The resurrection of Christ causes Christ-followers to anticipate their resurrection in the future (1 Corinthians 15.20-23).
Because of the overwhelming evidence of Christ's resurrection from the dead, therefore, we must
• reject the doubts and denials of its reality;
• rely fully in faith upon its truthfulness as confirmed in God's word and revealed by the Holy Spirit;
• rejoice in what it has accomplished for those who believe upon Christ.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will enable you to reject the popular myths and doubts of Christ's resurrection and to respond in faith to its reality. You, too, will rejoice like those early believers and millions of others since that greatest of all days in history.
The Error of the Greater Good: The Liberal War Upon Religion
“Hope and change” has deteriorated into “do what I say.” What began as a slogan to portray recovery has morphed into a plan for bondage. Nowhere does this description manifest itself more clearly than in President Obama’s assault upon religion.
Recently, the President demanded that all employers provide health insurance coverage for matters that directly contradict the religious beliefs of many Americans. (Can he do that?) Specifically, these requirements include, at a minimum, provision for birth control, post-coital abortive medicine, and abortion.
At first glance, the President’s orders appear to foster freedom through emphasis upon the greater good. This philosophy says that a group of people must give up something good, even freedoms, to their detriment, for what others call a greater good. As a result, those who give up something good become subservient to others. However, his plan would eliminate currently held Constitutional freedoms enjoyed by millions of Americans, even those without religious affiliations.
The President’s demands directly attack religion. With this unprecedented declaration, he elevates himself above the spiritual heads of all religions. People, regardless of their religious beliefs, must submit to him and his demands rather than to their spiritual leaders.
With his pronouncement, President Obama eliminates religious freedom. In America’s early years, flocks of people came to this land seeking religious freedom. They left their homelands because their governments denied it to them. Now, President Obama wants to abolish in America that which the Nation’s ancestors came to this land to pursue.
If President Obama’s demands go into effect, the greater good of the state will dictate governmental policies that supersede the role of religion in people’s lives. The elimination of these freedoms will bring bondage to government.
Americans do not have to accept the President’s proclamation. They can prevent his mandates from becoming practice. They can elect political candidates who champion limited government and who will remove the increasing regulations that restrict freedoms.
With the return of limited government, Americans will retain their religious freedoms, so precious to millions of people. The government will not dictate religious practice. The greater good does not rely upon governmental mandates. The oft-quoted statement, describes it well: “That government that governs least governs best.” (1)
(1) Suzy Platt, ed., Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations Requested from the Congressional Research Service (Washington D.C.: Library of Congress, 1989), identified quotation in The United States Magazine and Democratic Review, whose editor wrote in 1837.
Obama, Jesus, and Taxes
At the recent National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, President Obama gravely misused the sacred words of Jesus Christ. The President asserted that Jesus would endorse his current plan to raise taxes on affluent individuals and businesses. He supported his comment with a section in the Bible from Luke 12.48:
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
In fact, the parable from which the President selected his quotation declares the opposite of what he intended. The parable teaches the awfulness of tyranny and the punishment of those who use their power and position to harm those under their stewardship.[1] Christ emphasized the role of individual responsibility.
The parable from which this fragment comes does not even pertain to money. It delivers no message of Jesus’ thoughts on taxes or income redistribution from the wealthy to the poor. Nor does Jesus in this parable speak to the underlying issue of government’s role in these matters.
President Obama committed the common error of taking a statement from the Bible out of context, which made his conclusion incorrect. A text without a context produces a pretext. The President put words into the mouth of Jesus, which Christ neither said nor meant.
Contrary to first impressions, these errors have a profound influence. They mislead the populace to support an error. In the process, masses of people excuse their failures and blame others for their troubles. Divisiveness among the people will not solve the nation’s ills nor provide answers for those who need them.
Jesus warned about those who would use His name to support their messages.[2] He instructed people to examine these situations closely to discern truth from error.[3] Sonorous and confident application of Christ’s words does not confirm its truthfulness.
Those who blindly accept the President’s interpretation and application build upon a false foundation that will only delay recognition and implementation of necessary corrections. The future of this approach threatens collapse and failure to people’s false dreams and their hopes built upon it.
Sometimes the truth isn’t pretty, but it ultimately brings freedom. Therefore, Americans must spurn Barak Obama’s appealing errors. They must search for the true causes of the nation’s predicament and the correct solutions to them. In this presidential election year, Americans must seek for and support a leader, who demands the truth and will lead the nation, not in tyranny, but freedom.
[1] Morgan, G. Campbell, D.D. The Gospel According to Luke. Fleming H. Revell Company, Westwood, NJ. 1931. p. 156-157.
[2] Matthew 24.3-5
[3] Hill, Thomas P. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing. Master Productions, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, 2009. p. 47-56.
Polished Brass or Gold?
However, they differ in significant ways. Two base metals combine to make brass, an alloy. Gold contains no other metal, making it pure. Brass has many uses but does not measure up to the higher standard of gold.
Not everything that glitters is gold. Polished brass will glisten like gold, but gold retains the highest standard. Gold’s unique qualities and rarity increase its value over mere brass.
In the present presidential contest, the candidates from each political party polish their images in an attempt to appear as gold. Yet, careful examination reveals them as no better than polished brass.
In an attempt to capitalize upon the conservative mood of the country, they portray themselves as conservatives. They emphasize positions they hold in common with a conservative viewpoint. They stress their activities to defend these beliefs in the past and promise to uphold them in the future. Unfortunately, their histories as political representatives reveal them as brass, not gold.
The present contenders participated in the expanding effect of government’s role in the lives of its citizens. The results have decreased individual responsibility and freedom, leading to people’s increased dependence upon (and slavery to) the government.
These nominees have supported financial policies that contributed to the nation’s present financial calamity. Entitlements expanded, not only in new ways but also in higher costs, during their times as political representatives. Their cooperation with previous proposals that conflicted with conservatism contributed to the nation’s present unsustainable debt levels. They succumbed to legalized bribery and sweetheart deals that blinded their eyes.
The candidates’ attempts to defend their past ring hollow. They flip-flop on issues to cover over their past positions. They propose ideas that they hope will convince voters of their devotion to conservative principles.
In the end, scrutiny confirms the true identity of today’s nominees as brass, not gold.
The ills of the nation cry out for a leader with rare, valuable, golden qualities. These features include a record of supporting people’s individual responsibility and opportunity, unmixed with compromise for entitlements, and expansion of debt. Honesty and integrity outweigh expediency. This leader identifies bribery and its associated ills and rejects them. Truth reigns instead of the temporary advantages of deception.
America has suffered the ill effects of polished brass long enough. As Al Michaels stated at the USA’s rare hockey triumph in the 1980 Winter Olympics, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
Yes, the time has come for another miracle: it’s time to go for the gold.
Pinocchio For President?
You probably know Carlo Collodi’s stories of Pinocchio. Carlo wrote tales of a puppet named Pinocchio, whose nose grew longer when he lied. His telltale sign exposed his deceits for all to know.
The present presidential sweepstakes could use such a signal from the candidates to expose their deceits. All of the present candidates from both major parties fit the Pinocchio description in that they have lied in various fashions about themselves and their records.
With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her sonnet “How Do I Love Thee,” let me count some of the ways that the candidates have lied to the American public to help you discern truth from error.
Candidates distort their records. Distortion occurs in a variety of ways. One can twist parts of a record out of the proper relationship with the other parts, and cast a false glow upon it. Distortion misrepresents the facts and the results, good or bad.
Candidates deny their past, even in the light of verified evidence. Frequently, adversaries attempt to degrade a person with phrases like, “It is reported…,” “I have heard…,” and “It is common knowledge that…” In this way, they invent damaging claims. Nominees should reject baseless claims, because lies arise when they deny validated evidence.
Candidates exaggerate their prior records. This lie occurs when a nominee expands a success beyond its proper and actual circumstances. A presidential hopeful may even claim undeserved credit for an achievement that properly belongs to others.
Candidates tell untruths when they hold contradictory positions. Nominees can legitimately change their positions. New research and further study may provide new information, prompting a different view. In that case, let them explain why they changed. The problem occurs when they attempt to hold both positions concurrently. They fail to speak truthfully.
Candidates lie when they deceive people. To endear themselves to a voting block, nominees frequently claim friendships and associations with others that either do not exist or exist only in appearance. In addition, presenting a partial truth for a whole truth misleads people. A partial truth presented as the whole truth states an untruth. Some practice deceit so cleverly that they turned themselves into a mythological character.
Why do they lie? Do they think that no one will discover their falsehoods? Do they practice it out of habit? Do they believe that mere repetition will turn an untruth into the truth?
Why should we care? Doesn’t everyone lie sometime? Regrettably, lies have become commonplace, so we excuse it in others. A lie may bring momentary relief and victory, but often leads to problems in the future. As Rick Pitino, Head Basketball coach at the University of Louisville, said, “If you lie, it becomes part of your future. If you tell the truth, it becomes part of your past.”
Sir Walter Scott aptly said, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Reliance upon lies resembles building a house upon the sand. Sand looks solid but can change with the wind and weather. It does not provide a solid foundation upon which to build.
Truth provides a solid foundation that does not waver or yield to changing circumstances. Presently, our nation experiences not just financial deficits but deficits of truth. Truth comes in short supply. The absence of truth shackles us in bondage of fear and uncertainty. The knowledge of the truth brings freedom.
The complete analysis of the presidential candidates must include examination of a nominees’ lies. At this critical juncture, America cannot place its future upon a Pinocchio for President. It will hasten the nation’s demise. Therefore, reject the false and demand truth, which alone brings freedom.
