Satan's Limits

The resurrection is the best proof that Satan and his minions are not all-knowing and all-powerful. We should have a certain amount of respect for Satan's power and shrewdness so we do not try to face him without the help of the power of God (1 Peter 5:8,9; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-13). But Satan helped orchestrate the crucifixion (John 13:2; 14:30, Luke 22:3), which ended in his ultimate defeat (Colossians 2:15; 1 John 4:4; John 16:11). So we need to realize that Satan, for all his cleverness, cannot out-smart God. And God's plans will always work out in the end. Often in spite of Satan's cleverest schemes, which will be used to serve God's purpose. The crucifixion and the resurrection are proof of this.  

The Gospel Is Not Just a Door You Enter

A common assumption of our culture is that if we accept ourselves and have high self esteem, all our problems will be solved. Now there are those who reinterpret this in a Christian way, and I do not intend here to examine how successful these attempts are. But the secular form of this concept is based on the assumption that we are basically good and if we just recognize this, it will allow us to live that way. This claims that feelings of guilt and inadequacy are illusions and if we can just get rid of the feelings, we can live as we want to live. This is not the Biblical position. The Bible starts with the position that we are sinners (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9). We feel guilty and inadequate because we are guilty and inadequate. But God has done something about it. He has sent His Son to pay the entire penalty for our sins (1 Peter 2:24,25; Colossians 2:13,14; 2 Corinthians 5:21) so that those who put their faith in Him may be forgiven of all they have done wrong (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 4:4,5; Galatians 2:16). He has also sent the Holy Spirit to live in those who have put their faith in Christ and to transform them (2 Corinthian 3:18; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:29). Further, God works through us to accomplish His purpose in the world (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 3:5,6; 1 Corinthians 3:6,7). Now there is the question of whether we respond to what He is doing in our lives or resist it (Romans 6:12-14; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18). But the power to accomplish these things comes from God.  

The result of this is we can stand before God with confidence on the basis of His grace (Romans 5:1,2; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 4:17,18). But we can also recognize that we are not yet the people God means us to be (Philippians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Timothy 4:7,8). But we are given the motivation to change, based on our love for God because of what He has done for us (1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15; Luke 7:36-50). One of the dangers of the secular philosophy that we should accept ourselves just as we are is it provides little real motivation for change and leaves us right where we were. Also, we can pursue this goal with humility, knowing that we stand before God based, not on our own goodness, but the work of Another (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 3:27; Luke 18:9-17). This helps us to avoid the self-righteousness which can trip us up or cause us to be satisfied with being something less than what we ought to be (Proverbs 16:18; Matthew 23:23-28; Romans 2:1). It also means that when we do fail, instead of being cast down in despair, we can come to God for forgiveness (2 Corinthians 7:10; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9). Therefore, we should not look to ourselves and our adequacy, but to God and His power.

A Touch of Humor - Interruption

At what point do we commercialize the Christian faith? How do we avoid reaching that point?

Old Erich Proverb - Above the Law

God is not above the moral law or subject to it; it is an expression of His nature.

A Voice from the Past - Gregory the Great

Our Head, which is Christ, to this end has willed us to be His members, that through His large charity and faithfulness He might make us one body in Himself, to whom it befits us so to cling that, since without Him we can do nothing, through Him we may be enabled to be what we are called. From the citadel of the Head let nothing divide us, lest, if we refuse to be His members, we be deserted of Him, and wither as branches cast off from the vine. That we may be counted worthy, then, to be the habitation of our Redeemer, let us abide with the whole desire of our heart in His love.

Gregory the Great, 540-604 AD, Letters, Book XIV, Epistle XVII, To Felix, Bishop of Messana, (translated by Rev. James Barmby, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, T & T Clark and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1997, Second Series, Vol. XIII, p. 109).

What does it mean to remain connected to Christ? How do we accomplish this?

The Question of Madness

Another possible explanation of who Jesus Christ was is that He was delusional. This view claims He really thought He was God and was wrong. It avoids the problem of having to explain how the idea could have grown up slowly over time, with little time to do so. It also avoids the problem of how the apostles could have pulled off the perfect scam with no obvious motive for doing so. The question is whether this at all accords with the character of Jesus as it has come down to us. Does He at all sound like a megalomaniac?

We have an example of an individual from about the same time with just such a delusion. He was the Roman Emperor Caligula. He seems to have honestly thought he was a god. He also had the obvious characteristics of such a delusion: overweening pride, capriciousness, and unbridled selfishness. We do not see any of those characteristics in Jesus. In fact, when He makes the most incredible claims, He frequently does so offhand, without the chest-beating expected from a megalomaniac. Also, Christian ethics, which advocates humility, putting others before ourselves, and helping the poor and downtrodden, does not fit at all with this mindset. When you compare the whole pattern of Caligula's behavior - putting people to death on false charges so he could confiscate their money, forcing other people's wives into his bedroom, ordering his soldiers to pick up shells at the seashore so he could say he had plundered the sea, wanting to make his horse a senator -  with the character of Jesus as presented in the gospels, it is hard to find a greater contrast.  

But could Jesus' disciples have somehow corrected His original statements? This makes no sense, for why would someone sensible enough to make such a correction and who was capable of pulling it off be following a megalomaniac?  Or could Jesus have been reasonable and sensible and His followers delusional? But why would a number of people develop this delusion about a man who had done nothing to encourage it, and why should anyone believe them? And would not Christianity's critics have pointed out the discrepancies?

But the biggest question is, why would anyone believe such a person? Perhaps a few of his immediate friends. But could it have spread and been generally accepted? But if we dismiss the madman, the con artist, and the legend, what are we left with? The remaining option is that Jesus was in fact who He claimed to be, the Son of God come to pay the price for our sins.

Praying for One Another

We live in an age of independence. We want to be our own persons. We can, with the help of technology, hide in our own little cocoons and only come up occasionally for air. But this is not God’s concept as to how His people should be related to one another. We are told that we are all part of one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-25; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16). The result of this should be unity within the body (Philippians 2:3,4; Ephesians 4:1-6; Galatians 3:26-29). This is meant to go beyond an abstraction and to be reflected in how we live together and relate to one another. We are to sympathize with one another in our joys and struggles (Romans 12:15,16; 1 Corinthians 12:25; Galatians 6:2). But what does this look like in practice?   

We stand by each other in times of trouble. We pray for and encourage each other (James 5:13-15; Ephesians 6:18,19; Hebrews 10:25). We need one another’s prayers, to be strengthened and encouraged by them. And there is something humbling about asking others to pray for us; it takes the edge off our egos (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6.7; Luke 14:8-11). It is easy to get the “I do not need anybody; I can take care of myself” attitude. Even the idea “God and I can handle it, and we do not need anyone else” can be a dangerous thing. Rather, God wants us to allow other people to pray for us and help us.

The other thing we need to be willing to do is admit our sins to one another and let others pray for us and encourage us (James 5:16; Hebrews 12:12,13; 10:24). It is important to be willing to confess our sins, first to God (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9: Psalms 32:5), then to other Christians. Now you do need to be careful who you confess your sins to. There needs to be a relationship of trust there before you do. But overcoming the secrecy is part of breaking sin’s hold over us. Also, there are occasions when you need to correct those who are not yet willing to admit to their sin (James 5:19,20; Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15-20). This can be extremely hard. I do believe there is a place where love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Sometimes we to realize we are all in process and not perfect yet (Philippians 3:12-16). But there is a point where sin needs to be addressed, but with gentleness. It is part of being the body of Christ that there are times we need to correct each other. If can be difficult for both parties, but there is a point where it needs to be done.

There are dangers in crawling out of our cocoons, but the benefits are worth it. For it is here God puts us through the process of rubbing away our self-centeredness that we might be genuine followers of Him (Philippians 2:2-11; Romans 12:9,10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7).