NewFaith

Here’s The Word:

Romans 1:16 - 17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Have you ever thought about that phrase in verse 17, “from faith to faith” ? What do you think it means?

This is what I sincerely love about the word of God. I absolutely know, and I’m absolutely sure that what this verse meant for me when I first read it, was right for me the first time I read it. And I’m absolutely sure that as I grow and learn more about God through His word, the meanings of these things become deeper, and it’s still absolutely right and still just what I need at this time. Which, oddly enough, IS what this verse means.

I know that there are those who would disagree, but I believe that Our saving faith, is a one shot deal: God draws you. You recognize and heed His calling. You confess your sins as well as His Lordship and power to save and believe. It’s not a moving target and it doesn’t change over time. However, this is very different from “Sanctifying” faith. Sanctifying faith IS a moving target and it grows with you. The Gospel is saving faith, and in it is also sanctifying faith whereby God’s righteousness is revealed progressively…from faith to faith.

Remain focused on the phrase “from faith to faith”. It’s still an interesting usage.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not (not that it matters) but I don’t do a bunch of “What it doesn’t say”…That thinking just opens the possibility for too many logical fallacies, that can distract from the truth at hand. But in this case, I’m making an exception. It would seem like the same message if verse 17 said that the righteousness of God is revealed from unbelief to belief. From the unknown to the known. From darkness to light. See where I’m kind’ve going with that?
This impresses me with the idea that God’s progressive revelation goes from know to know more. I stress that because it speaks to the idea that as we grow in knowing God, there’s going to come a time when what we know, in no longer enough. Our faith is going to have run its course and will need to make way for a newer, stronger, more informed faith. And even that new and impressively better faith also has a shelf life and an expiration date that will, having done its job, need to be laid aside.

Hebrews 6:1 - 3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

Understanding the elementary teachings require at least an elementary faith, but it was never God’s intention to simply have us understand elementary things. And of course He knows that we can’t handle mature things with elementary faith. So lets just leap forward a few verses in Hebrews 6.

Hebrews 6:17 - 19 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

See that there’s a difference between the first things and the other things God is willing to show us. How much more there is in His word that He has for us. The question is – what can your faith handle today? Or has your current faith run its course and it’s time for a newer, stronger one.

We have a personal God Who desires to GO with us and GROW with us. It's very intimate and simply part of His nature. We have to take an honest look at ourselves. What are we looking for from our faith? A comfortable resting place? Somewhere to look back over what we used to do and be pleased that we're no longer as bad as we used to be, or that we now have more stuff than we used to have? God still wants more for you...more HIM for you. And for us to take hold of more HIM, we're going to have to realize when our older faith has served us to its limits, and go after NEW Faith.


In Him,
Cros

Demonic

Are you the type that gets unnerved by demonic or devilish imagery? No judging here, I certainly used to be. As I’ve gotten older, I no longer see it the same way. I get why it’s scary, but I usually see it more as a magic trick whose sole intention is to misdirect us from truly perceiving the devilish and demonic.

The devil is the source for all things devilish and demonic. No surprises there, but how much thought have you ever given to the nature of devilish-ness? The name devil means slanderer, or false accuser and that in itself conjures up imagery way more broad than the eerie and spooky.

One of the best examples, comes from the first example in the Bible, in Genesis 3. We know the story of how the subtle serpent conversed with, and convinced Eve to bite of the fruit of the tree that God had already, expressly forbidden. The whole back and forth of his twisting God’s words to promote a desire in Adam and Eve that would lead to the fall of the entire human race. This is one of the most familiar stories to Christians and non-Christians alike, but as much as we associate frightening imagery with all things devil and demonic, you don’t get even the slightest inkling of that here. All you see is a regrettable conversation that we all wish would’ve never happened, and the horrific consequences that followed.

It could almost seem that the devil has promoted a lie about himself, playing up the idea of exorcisms or wild displays of bodily distortion and screams of terror, so when he really shows up to whisper in your ear….you’re none the wiser to it.

Here’s The Word:

James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

I believe that this boils things down to an “either or” situation. Two choices; Heavenly or earthly. Earthly wisdom is devilish, influenced by the demonic, but at first glance, you won’t feel the JUMP! Or hear the shriek of a specter darting into the shadows from the corner of your eye. It’ll look like perfect sense, desirable to make one wise. It will appeal to the same senses that the first example did. Look at how closely these verses are related concerning the tactics of the enemy.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took…

Even in the same order; fleshly appetites and food, visually desirous, and the pride of earthly wisdom. That’s where we need to see our enemy and his trickery.

There’s a classic line from an equally classic movie, the Usual Suspects, which says “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” Of course, there’s an obvious cleverness to the phrase, but Biblically, I think we’re looking at something more. The devil IS a slandering accuser and he’s done a bang up job convincing people that he always wears red, can’t cross the doorway of a church, can only influence unbelievers, prefers the Catholic faith, and several other mystified distractions that don’t affect his day to day operations in the least.

In 2 Corinthians 2:11, God’s word makes an assumption about followers of Christ. It expects us to know how the enemy works – saying “ Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Do you know how he works. or do you hear the creepy background music, eerie creaking footsteps and make a run for it, assuming you’ve reached safety once you’ve gotten away from those demonic “things”.


In Him,
Cros

Let's Be Honest Part 2

Funny, with last week blog, as I was thinking about how to write what was in my heart, but also be brief and not be confusing (which is not always easy for me), I stumbled into this week’s blog. They’re not closely related other than their both deep heart matters. I think what I’m really trying to get at today is looking closely at what influences our choices.

I don’t even have to ask. We, as people, make all kinds of choices all the time. And as with the nature of choice, we’re presented with options. Situations of choosing between options expose our heart and the conflict in them. Not outward conflict like a disagreement, but an internal pulling. Being conflicted. You see it in something as simple as when someone greets you with a smile and a “Good morning! How are you today?” – this internal reasoning starts: Should I just reply with “Good morning, fine!”, Just smile and say “Hey” or should I tell them of the persistent weight that I’m fighting against in order to try to remain not just pleasant but sane? Conflicted.

This example is about as superficial as I could come up with on short notice. It’s easy and really any choice doesn’t cost much in the bigger scheme of things. You may even be able to find a confidant to help bear your burdens. The real question is, when you’re conflicted, what type of person are you? What do you lean to? Even if you realize that you have a problem with seeking healthy resolve to your inner conflictedness, it’s still conflicting because – then what do you do?

Here’s The Word:

Romans 2:15 ESV They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them

This is a seemingly small verse, but there’s a lot going on here. The law and the “work” of the law are not the same thing. Also, notice the job of the conscience, it bears witness. It kind’ve affirms that the choice rightly aligns with what’s being done as it stems from the knowledge (the law) of right and wrong.

There are so many things that influence our thoughts and the subsequent choices that flow out of them. That’s where the real work is done. The bible talks at length about thoughts: Thoughts of iniquity and vanity. Although for humility sake, we would never categorize our thoughts as perfect, but on the flip-side, we would hardly ever categorize them as bad or vain either. But look inside of yourself, when you’re conflicted, what is the main factor motivating your choices? Is it for conflict avoidance? Is it for as quick and painless a resolve as possible? Is it to promote or establish your authority or control? Maybe, it’s to save face rather than embrace humility as discussed last week.

What does God have to say about the matter?

Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

God knows that with the knowledge of good and evil sown into us at the fall in the garden, that immediately, we became conflicted. Yet, that was never His desire for us. His desire for us is peace. It may seem impossible to not be conflicted. I know it seems far-fetched but faith bridges the gap. I encourage you to trust God and in faith, seek after that transformation that lessens inner conflictedness and brings peace. Once you see the difference, you see that its possible. Once you see what’s possible, the sky is the limit.

Ephesians 4:23 Says “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” To me, this is another mark of a peculiar people, not just nice or pleasant, but established in faith, sealed by the Spirit, dead to the flesh, motivated and directed by the Love of God.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So again, let's be really honest as we examine ourselves and question; Have we given ourselves to God fully, or are we satisfied with something more superficial, and all the while, we're trapped and/or hiding in the torment of a conflicted mind?


In Him,
Cros

Let's Be Honest Part 1

What’s the relationship between honesty and weakness? I’ll take it further: There’s a thing that happens when we are placed in a situation where we feel surprisingly exposed: In that moment, we can either be honest, or we can promote ourselves without revealing what may be perceived as “chink” in our armor. A flaw in our character. What is that? I think it’s a common thing where it seems that if we’re honest about our weaknesses, it’ll be exploited. We’ll be looked down upon. This “thing” makes us avoid confession. We avoid giving someone the ammunition to expose us.

Why this resistance?

I believe it’s because of embarrassment…or rather the avoidance of it.
I ponder this often but I’ve concluded that we’ve all bought into the idea that embarrassment must be avoided at all cost.
There’s a flip side to this – because of the unspoken lengths we’re committed to in avoiding embarrassment, we end up unconsciously playing up our comforts and abilities. Putting on airs… expressing our “got it togetherness”. Like most everyone, we, without a second thought, promote our “self” capabilities. Lest we be exposed and have to honestly admit to the state we're in and the help we need.

I think of these things often and I love that I see evidence of them in The Bible. God’s Word doesn’t hold back at revealing just how deeply intimate Our Father is with our inner-workings. I believe that digging up and exposing these deep things is what allows that ' peace that surpasses all understanding' to cascade across our lives without even the slightest ripple. Many of us have found various other ways around those uneasy feelings rather than embracing them and taking them before God. But until you’re willing to do something REALLY different, you’ll just keep trying the same kinds of ineffective things, differently.

Here’s The Word:

Psalm 35:26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

Here’s where the bible not only defines embarrassment, but also exposes our aversion to it. Most of the time we’ll simply read this and see the prayer that the enemy’s plans fail. But look deeper. You can even Google the definition of embarrass and see the words – ashamed, confused. See how he’s praying for something pretty bad on his pursuers. It’s like the ultimate turnabout – to be made to look ridiculous and foolish.

This is where it gets a little difficult. Sometimes we may not realize when it’s us who have embraced the wrong pursuits. When it’s us who deserve to have our plans fail. Us who need to be corrected by truth, even at the initial cost of our embarrassment. David prayed for the embarrassment of his pursuers, but it took Nathan the prophet, to show David his own …Nathan exposed David’s shame and dishonorable acts. How embarrassing do you think that was?

We have a choice. The real question is this: Where do you lean when you’re truth is exposed.

When truth comes, it will generally find us on one side or the other, ashamed and humbled or embarrassed and resistant. The right response for us as Christians is humility. But if we are more prone to have an unbalanced, unbiblical view of ourselves, we’ll be forced with trying to resist our feelings of shame or embarrassment. Honesty with ourselves creates a much better place to begin improving from a place of humility rather than reacting to what happens when we feel slighted or embarrassed and react by trying to defend ourselves or diminish the position of truth against us.

This is all about self reflection and being laid bare before God. So, let’s be honest. The Word of God, like Nathan the Prophet already knows. He’s already willing to show us. Not to dishonor us, but to clothe us with righteousness. As Christians, we need to lay down the red carpet for truth to have its full influence in our lives. No one starts out knowing all truth, and embracing a situation that exposes what you don't know should be received well and even rejoiced over, as you know have an opportunity to improve which also makes you a better help to friends who could use that truth as well. Don't let shame keep you stupid.

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

In Him,
Cros

Study

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us to “Study to shew thyself approved…”

What are you currently studying? Or what's the last thing you studied?
Now, I’m not asking about the last thing you knew to Biblically true that you sought to put into practice. I mean that thing where you sought what the Word of God really says about a certain topic.
What tools do you employ when studying? So many good study bibles are available, which also means that there are some that miss the mark. A good systematic theology book is also a useful tool to help see broad scope as well as minutiae in regards to certain things.
Thing is, I believe that God honors study because it reflects a sincere desire to “know” and if you investigate Scripture, Our Heavenly Father emphasizes ‘being known’.

Here’s an example of study – I’m interested in the word “peculiar”. It’s not used a whole lot but when it’s used, it’s a distinguishing characteristic of God’s people as opposed to people who are not His.
People of the world may be good, morally upstanding, kind to strangers and possibly easily mistaken for His, but this also means that we can think we’re His because of the presence of these attributes, yet actually not be.

Using the KJV version, searching for peculiar, we see its first usage in Exodus 19, verse 5. Blue Letter Bible.org has tools that show the original Hebrew for the Old Testament, and original Greek for the New. This helps us see the definition and gives an insight into the context of why that word was chosen.

Old Testament Hebrew - סְגֻלָּה
seg-ool-law'; feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely shut up):—jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.

New Testament Greek - περιούσιος
per-ee-oo'-see-os; from the present participle feminine of a compound of G4012 (Pere- about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near ) and
G1510;(eimi) to be, to exist, to happen, to be present  being beyond usual

If you go after the usage of this word and the contexts in which its used, of course you get the idea of special value, unusual and personal ownership. However, you’ll also see, even from its first use that our peculiarity comes at a condition.

Here’s The Word:

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

These are the first and last Bible verses that use the word peculiar. So you see, that your peculiarity is not an automatic endowment, it comes from the right response of recognizing that we are servants and that we have a LORD that has spoken His covenant to us. Also, notice the result in 1 Peter 2. It seems that a mark of peculiar people is that they “shew forth praises”, knowing His mercy and grace that met us in an underserving place and gave us all things. This peculiarity is not only what God desires, but also what He requires. Micah 6:8 encompasses the idea perfectly. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

This is where the application of what we’ve studied takes on a distinguishing expression. Following what the Scriptures say will make more of a difference in us than simply being kind or generous or pleasant to be around. Continually desiring and being filled with the Spirit as emphasized in Ephesians 5:18 – 20. When you look at the expressiveness of that verse…..you see “peculiar”.

In closing, search your heart and think to yourself, what would I love to learn from The Father today, and go after it. Study. Take Him at His Word: He’s more than willing to have you know more and more of Him.


In Him,
Cros

You

Do me a favor, before you read this, read Isaiah 58.
It's a short 14 verses but it'll be a good precursor to this. Once you're done reading this, read Isaiah 58 again....and reflect.

Okay, so I got some good news and some bad news,
And actually, they’re both the same.
The good news is you get to walk around
Wearing someone else’s name.

You get to distance yourself from your own worst enemy,
The you that you used to be.
The bad news is you have to tell the ‘old you’
Old you, you’re dead to me.

The good and bad news, let me sum it up like this,
You’ll see what I say is true.
The good and bad thing about being in Christ,
Is that “It’s not about you.”

The old doesn’t die easy, it jumps at the chance
To continue to pridefully flaunt.
It twists even things we see in God’s Word,
Like He’s my Shepherd and I shall not want.

When its about us, we interpret it wrongly,
Focusing mainly on the concept of needs.
But the 23rd Psalm is about the Good Shepherd.
Will you follow wherever He leads?

The good news is that its God Who’s at work.
Perfecting and finishing your faith.
Not because of any thing you’ve done or deserved.
It’s all simply due to His grace.

If it was all about you, you’d still be a mess.
The old you would still have you dead.
But it’s Christ Who has risen,
We’re risen with Him, He’s given us life instead.

Making much of yourself being more than a conqueror,
It’s not about you, don’t pretend.
It’s all about Christ and His strong hold on us,
That even in dying, we win!

Not about you flaunting in the enemies’ face,
When their plans were to make you fall.
Everything about vengeance belongs to The Lord,
We’re to love and pray for them all.

Some do it out of pride and arrogance,
and others out of fear.
Either way, when you make it all about you
How can you possibly draw others near.

Our lives are made much when we make much of Him.
So no need to start feeling some way,
A heart properly aligned is where Christ will abide
Your righteousness will then break forth as the day!

Concern yourself with being a witness.
Humble yourself in His hands.
Concern yourself with promoting a life reflecting Christ.
Pray that having done all, in Him stand.

So think again, over your favorite Scriptures.
Think again about what you were taught.
Was it something that promoted special feelings about you,
Or is the Glory of Christ being sought.

The good and bad news, is really all good,
But you have to look to see that its true,
So many of us want to shine, center stage
But it’s good that it’s not about you.

Here’s The Word:

Isaiah 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.

You see that Isaiah 58 is about the House of Jacob, the Israelites, who knew God and about His righteousness but somehow allowed themselves; their priorities and desires to block their vision of the Truth of God. He reminded them and told them how to restore the right channels of communication, communion and the resulting righteousness that would come from it. Not self-righteousness, but true righteousness. He's telling us in the same way He had to make them realize. It's not about us.


In Him,
Cros