Posts in Category: Blogging the Bible
Lessons from Acts 8 in the Time of Covid-19
As we enter into another week of being the church scattered rather than the church gathered, due to Covid-19, the first verses of Acts, chapter 8, are ringing in my ears. Acts chapter 8 for those of you that may not recall tells the story of when the church went from a work primarily focused in Jerusalem, to a church scattered around the then known world. The scattering came about through persecution, Stephen, a leader in the early church, was stoned to death for his faith, and then the Bible states,
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.[1] (Acts 8:1)
If there was no further explanation after verse one, a reader could deduce this scattering destroyed the church, but then we read verse 4,
“Now, those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”[2] (Acts 8:4)
When the church could no longer be in one place due to the circumstances of their world, the church began to spread and grow.
Ellen G. White in the book Acts of the Apostles sheds further light on the importance of this occasion,
The persecution that came upon the church in Jerusalem resulted in giving a great impetus to the work of the gospel. Success had attended the ministry of the word in that place, and there was danger that the disciples would linger there too long, unmindful of the Saviour’s commission to go to all the world. Forgetting that strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service, they began to think that they had no work so important as that of shielding the church in Jerusalem from the attacks of the enemy. Instead of educating the new converts to carry the gospel to those who had not heard it, they were in danger of taking a course that would lead all to be satisfied with what had been accomplished. To scatter His representatives abroad, where they could work for others, God permitted persecution to come upon them. Driven from Jerusalem, the believers “went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts of the Apostles,105)
Notice some critical points in that paragraph:
- The persecution resulted in a great impetus to share the gospel.
- The success, the comfort of what was happening in Jerusalem, caused the people to forget Jesus’ commission to “Go.”
- The people were losing strength by no longer serving Jesus aggressively.
- God used the trouble of their day to get his people back on mission.
Does any of this sound familiar to your local church context? Maybe even you personally?
I love the previous paragraph, but it is the following paragraph in Acts of the Apostles that hits me like a club over the head,
Among those to whom the Saviour had given the commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19), were many from the humbler walks of life—men and women who had learned to love their Lord and who had determined to follow His example of unselfish service. To these lowly ones, as well as to the disciples who had been with the Saviour during His earthly ministry, had been given a precious trust. They were to carry to the world the glad tidings of salvation through Christ. (Acts of the Apostles, 105).
The above paragraph, along with the last phrase of verse 1, “except the apostles,” tells us one of the reasons why the gospel began to spread the way it did. The “laity” went out to spread the gospel, not the apostles. People that learned to love Jesus and decided to follow Him along with some of the people who followed Jesus while He was still walking the earth, excluding the apostles, went out to share the message. The “members,” as we may call them, did not see it as the role of the “clergy,” as we may call them to establish the ways and means by which to share Jesus in this time of scattering. They just went out and, in unselfish service, carried the love of Jesus to their world.
And the kingdom of God grew each day.
Sometimes it takes a crisis to remind us of the role each one of us has played in becoming the “satisfied church of Jerusalem.” Covid-19 has served as just such a reminder to me. It has awakened me to my failures as a member of the “professional clergy.” I have allowed there to be too much priority on programming and “come to us” type of events, which are pointless in this crisis. I have called people to many committees, but not to training. I have inadvertently taught people that attending worship one day of the week is the primary role of their Christian walk, rather than teaching them that the purpose of the gathering is to be refreshed for the sending the other six days of the week. We occupy members’ lives with so much busyness at church (school) that they don’t have time to be ministers in their neighborhoods and to their co-workers.
I pray this crisis has also helped our members to reflect on their role in surrendering their God-given call to ministry over to the paid professionals. That would start to call us to and hold us accountable for training them to go out and do the work of ministry rather than doing the work of ministry for them.
I pray our members when they have an idea of how they can help their neighbors, won’t make that suggestion to the church, but they will just do it. That if they feel a Bible verse can comfort someone in need, they will share it, not ask the pastor to come over and share it. That if someone around them requires prayer, they will pray, not call the pastor to come and pray.
Hundreds, yea, thousands, who have heard the message of salvation are still idlers in the market place, when they might be engaged in some line of active service. To these Christ is saying, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” and He adds, “Go ye also into the vineyard.” Matthew 20:6, 7. Why is it that many more do not respond to the call? Is it because they think themselves excused in that they do not stand in the pulpit? Let them understand that there is a large work to be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members. Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfillment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be warned and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and great glory. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14. (Acts of the Apostles, 110)
No one wants to go through a crisis, but a crisis offers opportunities to learn and come out better on the other side. I pray myself as a leader, and our church comes out on the other side better—better workers for Jesus.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 8:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 8:4). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
January 22, 2020, Genesis 22
There are scriptures and stories I accept by faith, but I do not understand.
This is just such a scripture.
The challenge of the scripture to me is in God’s request. Such a request is more painful than physical pain.
When my oldest son was just two years old, he had to have surgery. The thought of my two year going under anesthesia was immensely painful to my heart.
As they wheeled him away and he cried out for my wife and I, I would have done anything to comfort him.
The request of God in Genesis 22 is that pain I had multiplied to infinity.
I understand that Abraham reasoned God could Isaac back to life (Hebrews 11:19), but I also knew my son would wake-up from anesthesia–but it was still a pain my heart will forever remember.
So again, this is a scripture I accept in faith, but struggle with in my humaneness.
January 21, 2020, Genesis 21
Tim Keller once stated,
“
Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church.the reason people disbelieve in the gospel is notbecause it promises too little but because it promises too much. If you don’t understand that, you don’t even know what you’re rejecting. To reject the gospel with tears, to say, “I can’t believe in it,” with tears, that has integrity, and that shows you know what you’re rejecting. To reject it with laughter, to scoff at it, “People like that who believe things like that,” that shows ignorance.”
Sarah and Abraham both laughed at God when He promised them a child. They laughed because they could not understand.
If someone laughs at what your Christian beliefs and convictions do not be offended, pray for them.
Laughter is a sign of ignorance
So don’t reject those that laugh, teach them, show them, help them to understand.
January 20, 2020, Genesis 20
A quick note on the text today.
This story reminds us that simply because a person is a “pagan” does not mean they are less honorable than the “believer” in God.
Abraham shows dishonor once again to his wife Sarah,
Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
Genesis 20:11-13, NIV
But Abimelek seeks to restore Sarah’s reputation,
To
Genesis 20:16Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.”
Abraham = I want to ask you to put yourself in a position of compromise for me.
Abimelek = I want to completely clear you from any blame or suspicion.
In verse 16, I also appreciated this subtle jab by the King, he tells Sarah, “I am giving your brother.” He doesn’t call Abraham her husband. Why? My guess is because Abimelek will not give the title of husband to Abraham when he has not earned such a respectful title.
Being a husband is to be earned.
January 19, 2020, Genesis 19
Genesis 19 illustrates the combined wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah and its impact on Lots family through sexual sin:
Before they (Lot and male guests) had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”
The New International Version. (2011). (Ge 19:4–5). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them.
The New International Version. (2011). (Ge 19:6–8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.” 33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. 34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him.
The New International Version. (2011). (Ge 19:31–35). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Due to the inference of homosexual acts in the first scripture reference above and our modern societies desire to avoid all condemnation of homosexual activity, there are efforts to minimize this sin of Sodom and Gomorrah,
It may be that sexual disorder is one aspect of a general disorder. But that issue is presented in a way scarcely pertinent to contemporary discussions of homosexuality.
Brueggemann, W. (1982). Genesis (p. 164). Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press.
So those that want to condone the homosexual acts within our society often point out that Sodom and Gomorrah were condemned in other parts of scripture for overall injustice (Isaiah 1:10; 3:9), adultery and deceit (Jeremiah 23:14), and the most popular explanation for their destruction,
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eze 16:49–50). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
I concur with commentators that there were other ills in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but that does not mean one of those ills was not homosexual activity.
On the other hand, I would push against those who focus primarily on the sin of sexual activity between two individuals of the same gender, that the sexual sins in the rest of Genesis 19 and the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah listed in other parts of scripture need to be condemned just as strongly as the homosexual activity.
We as Christians that believe sexual activity, as God designed it,
For Christians to condemn homosexual acts out of one side of their mouths and condone the vitriol, lies, and greed of a president out of the other side of their mouths destroy Christian credibility.
Sex between individuals of the same gender is sin. So is avarice, gluttony, pride, dishonesty, oppression of the poor, heterosexual sins, etc.
Christians, let us be consistent!
January 18, 2020, Genesis 18
Reading the Bible is unlike any other book for a multitude of reasons, but in one way that is so fascinating is how with each reading the Holy Spirit impresses a new emphasis.
Normally when I read Genesis 18 I focus on Sarah laughing or Abraham “bargaining” with God for Sodom–at least that is what the notes in my margins all tell me have been on my mind in the past.
But this time I thought about Abraham’s hospitality. This was an expectation of their culture, but there is a reason. The bedouin culture understood the value of hospitality and sharing a meal with another.
Recently we had a church meeting with some of our leaders and we decided to host it at our house. We provided food . . . my wife or I did not go and kill a calf . . . we catered Chipotle . . . but still, the meeting was different because before we got to business people took off their coats, some took off their shoes, and they sat together and ate.
It made me want to have a meal around every meeting . . .
I don’t know that we could afford that, but I do think we’ll do it more often than we have in the past.
Show hospitality, eat with people.
These aspects of human, and even in the case of Abraham, divine relationships seem to be very important in the Bible!
January 17, 2020, Genesis 17
The focus of this chapter is the covenant of circumcision.
But what jumped out at me, were the names.
Abram to Abraham.
Sarai to Sarah.
The name of the unborn Isaac, to remind Abraham that he laughed at God’s promise.
And my favorite of all, El Shaddai. Our English Bibles translate this, “God almighty,” but it is the name God gives to Himself,
“I am El Shaddai”
El is the term for God and Shaddai is often viewed as a translation for all powerful —
but there is also “the suggestion that Shaddai is a composite term of
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 882). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.sha (“the one who”) and dai (“is sufficient”). The later Greek versions have adopted this meaning.”
Sarai and Abram who could not have
Sarah and Abraham because God is sufficient to make a great nation out of the infertile–where there is nothing, God is sufficient to make something.
January 16, 2020, Genesis 16
Proverbs 30:21-23 states,
21 Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up: 22 a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food; 23 an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Pr 30:21–23). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
We see Abram’s earth begin to tremble when the latter of the above becomes Hagar and Sarai’s reality.
Abram has shown moments of great faith and he will continue to, but he has also shown moments of great timidity and he will continue to do this also.
It is evidence that overcoming our character flaws is not the work of single moment, but the work of a lifetime . . .
As one with greater insight than I wrote,
Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime.
White, E. G. (1911). The Acts of the Apostles. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 560.
Abram let’s Sarai rule the day in every part of this chapter. She recommends he sleep with her servant to get a child. He acquiesces–it might have been a little more intentional than acquiescing.
Sarai then gets mad at Hagar and when she asks Abram to do something about it, his response,
“Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 16:6). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
“Hey, I only slept with her and now she’s carrying my child, but what business is it of mine.”
Actually sounds like too many modern men that impregnate women.
It’s your body, I don’t want anything to do with it . . . it is not my problem.
Abram still a work in progress . . .
Praise God for grace!
January 11, 2020 Genesis 11
If a person believes in the authority of scripture, they cannot read Genesis 11 and not recognize that sometimes God allows or even does things that will make us unhappy in order to protect us.
The first 9 verses of Genesis 11 tell the story of the tower of Babel and what jumps out at me is God was willing to upset a lot of folk and give them a level of unhappiness and frustration in order to save humanity.
But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord
Genesis 11:5-9confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Lesson to me, to us? Don’t assume every situation in our lives that is frustrating is a.) from the devil. b.) something to be upset about. c.) something that is working against us.
The Lord confused the languages of humanity and saved us from ourselves.
Lord frustrate me I pray if it will save me!
January 10, 2020 Genesis 10
What is the purpose and value of genealogies in the Bible (Because that is all Genesis 10 is)?
- Genealogies help to substantiate the historical accuracy of scripture.
- Genealogies help to confirm prophecy from the past.
- Genealogies remind us that God works with families. Strong families. Weak families. Intact families. Broken families.
- Genealogies sometimes share with us small stories or insights that we can apply to our lives for edification. Some of you may remember a little book that was very popular called, “The Prayer of Jabez.” Jabez’s story came from a genealogy, 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10. Two verses in a genealogy that God used to bless a lot of people.
So let’s not look down on genealogies. Let us mine them and see what blessing there may be for us.
January 9, 2020 Genesis 9
“The rainbow is a promise in the sky . . . ” is the opening line to a song written by Chuck Fulmore and performed by his trio.
I loved singing this song when I was a kid growing up, and have renewed the joy as I sing along now with my three sons.
We can read about the origin of the rainbow and it’s meaning in Genesis 9,
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbowappears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”
Genesis 9:12-17
It is the only visual symbol of a promise that God Himself gave to humanity for all eternity. The cross is a modern-day symbol, but we created that symbol, The Lord never told us to look upon the cross and remember anything. But God did tell us that every time we see a rainbow it should remind us of ONE thing, His covenant with humanity after the flood.
It is not politically correct to say, but I will say it; I am saddened that the promise of God is not the only thing thought about when one looks upon the rainbow.
One day when one of my sons points out the pretty rainbow flag he sees flying, I’ll have to tell him it is not flying to symbolize what we’ve sung about all these years, God’s covenant with all life.
“The rainbow is a promise for you and me, there’ll never be another flood throughout eternity. ‘Till Jesus comes to take us home with Him to be, the rainbow is a promise for you and me.”
January 6, 2020 Genesis 6
Genesis 6 begins with a much debated passage:
Now it came to
Genesis 6:1-2pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
Some believe this passage is speaking of human women sleeping with evil angels or evil spirits. Some believe this passage is speaking of women becoming wives and sleeping with men of renown, kings and princes, etc. Others believe this is speaking of men from the line of Seth taking for themselves wives from the line of Cain.
I go with the latter. The latter is the least supported position amongst modern commentators and even ancient Jewish writers such as Philo and Josephus (they supported the angel and humans intercourse theory).
Why do I choose the idea of Sethites mingling with Cainites, because to me it fits in with the rest of the narrative of the Old Testament. As one will discover in later books God consistently warns God’s people not to take wives from those that are not followers of the one true God. And in multiple places in scripture when this does happen, wickedness flourishes.
I believe Genesis 6 is the first time God has chosen to teach the “unequally yoked” concept of 2nd Corinthians 6.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
2 Corinthians 6:14, 15
Marriage to someone that does not hold the same faith as you, (this does not mean they belong to the same denomination–a committed Adventist marrying a uncommitted Adventist or a committed Baptist marrying an uncommitted Baptist, is still being unequally yoked) is a path that often leads to deterioration in ones home, ones morals, and even as we see here in Genesis 6 society.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lordwas sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
Genesis 6:5,6
There are many reasons evil spreads in the world, but in the context of Genesis 6 it is firmly rooted in the relationships ungodly marriage relationships being developed in society.
January 3, 2020 Genesis 3
What happens when we decide that we know better than God’s Word? Genesis 3 is a testimony of the results . . . SIN . . . regret . . . SIN . . . Consequences.
How humanity deals with our sin problem . . .
- Cover-up (Gen. 3:7b)
- Fear (Gen. 3:8, 10)
- Blame God (Gen. 3:12a, 13)
- Blame others (Gen. 3:12b, 13)
- Try to justify (Gen. 3:12c, 13)
How God deals with our sin problem . . .
- Consequences (Gen. 3:16-19, 23, 24)
- GRACE (3:14-15, 21)
Consequences can hurt–but I still prefer God’s way!
January 2, 2020 Genesis 2
I wish Genesis chapter 1 ended after Genesis 2:3. But since chapter and verse breaks are not inspired (they were standardized in the 13th and 16th cent. respectively) I will not spend too much time worrying about it.
When I read Genesis chapter 1, I read about an overview of all creation.
When I read Genesis chapter 2, I read about the relationship of the creation to story to man and man’s relationship to that creation.
Genesis chapter 1 is a
Wait a second, maybe that is why Genesis 2 begins with:
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 2:1-3, English Standard Version
Genesis chapter 2 is about mans relationship to creation and thus to the creator…
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant,
Exodus 20:8-11, ESVor your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
January 1, 2020 Genesis 1
What would God say is the primary point He wants us to take away from Genesis chapter 1?
The name of “God” appears 32 times in 31 verses in Genesis chapter 1. Of those 31 verses, 20 of them speak directly of God creating the things on this earth.
I would ask again what would God say is the primary point He wants us to take away from Genesis chapter 1?
God as the creator is a theme that is carried throughout the entirety of scripture. In 35 books and over 300 verses from Genesis to Revelation God is recognized as the creator of all things.
If I’m an enemy of God and I want people to stop worshiping God…
What do I attack?
“Worship Him who made heaven and earth…” (Revelation 14:7)
Scripture Memorization 15 of 52: Psalm 139:13, 14
“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.” -Psalm 139:13, 14
This is the rejoicing of my heart today. At various stages in my life I have not taken very good care of the wonderful contraption known as my body…one of those stages were the two years after we moved to Maryland. In those two years I gained 22 pounds which led to many issues the least of which disturbance in my wife’s sleep with all my snoring 🙂 I lost some weight for my neck surgery in January (surgery not related to the snoring ;)), but almost immediately put it back on. Then in March I received word that my name had been drawn, after I randomly entered the New York City Marathon. That was a ‘bit of the kick in the pants I needed to get going!
Well today I’m 16 lbs lighter than I was at my highest point. Today I also had the privilege of checking off one of the items that was high on my list to things to do when I moved to Maryland, I ran D.C.. Eight miles around all the Capitol, The White House, all the monuments and back up to the Supreme Court and over to Union Station.
I am glad that I have a body that though it moves a lot slower than it did a few years ago and has more aches after all I’ve put it through, at the end of the day it can still get out there and pound the pavement…truly wonderful are God’s works, my soul indeed knows this very well!
“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.” -Psalm 139:13, 14
Scripture Memorization 14 of 52 John 3:17
“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.”
-John 3:17
I don’t see them as often as I once did, but growing-up watching a lot of sports I saw a lot of signs like this:
I don’t know how many people that saw these signs actually knew what they meant…but I went to church and church school so I did know it was a reference to the Bible and I even had that Bible reference memorized.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” –John 3:16
Such a wonderful text. However, I wish more people would have memorized the text immediately following it and believed it as well. John 3:16 tells us that if we believe (more than just a knowledge), trust in Jesus we won’t perish we’ll have eternal life. But many in this world have chosen not to believe, trust in Jesus/God, because the God they were raised to believe in is a God that is looking to condemn, a God that sets up arbitrary rules and if you don’t follow those rules and live exactly “so” you will be condemned. And therefore people don’t believe. That is the story shared with me by a former Catholic now agnostic on my recent plane ride and I have unfortunately heard this same sentiment from many others throughout my life, and yes I have even felt the same sentiment in my own heart in the course of my journey. If only people would have shared the text immediately following.
The god they were taught about isn’t a true god, the god many were taught to fear and shirk from if they messed-up is a god with a little “g” he isn’t real. How do I know, because the real God didn’t send Jesus into this world as the perfect example so that we would feel bad about our blemishes, the real God is a God that isn’t looking to condemn. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world…
The message of Jesus and thus of God was never one of condemnation, it was always one of hope and a way out to a better place.
Do you struggle with condemnation in your life? Memorize John 3:17 and rebuke the devil because it is he, the fake god that condemns, not the ONE TRUE GOD.
“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.” –John 3:17