California Dreams

Well, as some of you know, this week some of our youth group had the opportunity to go to BNYC (Brethren National Youth Conference) in Los Angeles California. It was truly a great week however, the temperature in LA was extremely abnormal. It was nearly 100 degrees almost every day. Even with the temperature being unbearable at times, it was truly a blessing to see God work in our teens lives.

We were challenged in many areas of our faith:
Knowing and doing God's will, Sharing our faith, Finding our value in God, Defending our faith, taking joy in our Creator, and simply just being "all-in" with Jesus.

The speakers did a great job. God was truly moving and I believe that He is doing something great in our teens. To God be the Glory!

Does Salvation without Repentance exist?

This is a question that I've been wrestling though on a personal level for years. I grew up in the church and have known many people (friends and acquaintances) that have claimed to be Christians, but yet their lives don't back it up. For years I have pondered the question, "Is it possible to truly know Christ, and not change?" The decision I came to quite a few years ago, is the same one that I claim today. WITHOUT REPENTANCE, you CANNOT be saved. I know that sounds really harsh but let me explain what I mean.

A common misconception that most people have about Christianity is that, if you attend church you're a Christian; if you read your Bible, you're a Christian; if you speak the Christian lingo, you're a Christian....you get the point. This is a completely incomplete (if that makes sense) way to look at it. Are we defined by what we do? Do our works make us Christian. Absolutely not (Eph. 2:8-9)! Don't hear me say in this post that works make us Christian because that is absolutely wrong. It is only by God's Grace that we are saved.

But let's examine something, In 2 Corinthians, 5:14-21 (great verses....definitely a must read) Paul talks about how, when we come to know Christ as our savior, we are to be controlled by his love (v.14). When we become a Christian, we are a new creation. That is what it means to be born again, we change in mind, heart, and disposition. We are DIFFERENT. Friend, if you have not seen a change in your actions, or desires at all, there honestly may be a problem. I don't want to sound preachy at all. If you knew my heart, you would understand that I struggle as well with sin. We all do. The difference when we are saved is that we are no longer SLAVES (Romans 6). We are no longer slaves to sin. We can have victory over it because Christ is in us! So repentance has to happen because we become new. We have the mind of Christ. Our desires change, we are a new creation!!! Isn't that good news? True salvation must be accompanied with true repentance. The problem with many in the church today is that they are going through the motions. They don't own their faith, they just put on a front. But we are commanded to flee the things of our old self, and set our mind on things above (Col. 3:1-5). We are called to a higher standard. It is a life that depends on God.

The truth is, the Christian life is IMPOSSIBLE to lead without God's help. Apart from him we are sinners, and without his strength we can do nothing. Do yourself a favor and thank God for saving you (if you have come to faith), and choose today to live on his strength alone. Be encouraged, walk in the light (1 John)!

Treading Water

Before I begin my post, I just wanted to give an update to any who are curious. No my eyes have not gotten any better yet and for the second week in a row, I have had to have the youth read the verses while I just humbly listen and then attempt to explain them. It is just another confirmation in my mind that God is in control and I trust him to do what he does!

If you've read some of my posts recently, the area that God is continually shaping me is the area of humility (or lack there of). I shared this example last night at youth group and it really puts our position in this world in a better perspective. Have you ever heard a preacher or evangelist use the analogy of God being like a captain on a ship and we have fallen overboard. Many times the will say, we can't save ourselves, no more than a drowning man can save himself. I know people say this, because I think I've used this example in a few sermons a couple of years ago.

I have been realizing recently how theologically, and Biblically inaccurate that example is. When we first here about how we are drowning in our sin and God throws out a divine life raft is sounds pretty Biblical. Let's take a closer look at some Scripture that describes our real condition. In Ephesians 2:1 Paul talks about how we are DEAD in our transgressions, not drowning, not trying to keep our head above water, or getting tired of struggling, we are DEAD. A more accurate (but more grotesque) example would be our dead and decaying corpses laying on the bottom of the Ocean with no life left in us. We were never alive. When we were born, we had a sin-nature and we were sentenced to death (Romans 6:23), but God in his Gracious love, picked us up off the Ocean floor and brought us to life. He took our dead bodies and made us new in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17).

The drowning example implies that we were surviving on our own but we just got tired so we needed God's help. In reality, we never had a chance! Without God, we had no hope. What a hope we have in Christ! I hope this thought encourages you as much as it has encouraged me!