Christian Living Today

Our modern mantra on right and wrong has several key elements.

One - man is born neutral. He is the product of his environment.

Two - I’m okay, you’re okay. Truth is relative so two opposing positions can both be right.

Three - Man has the potential to be perfect. Sin, if we even admit to the word’s existence, is just ‘human nature.’

Where do these premises lead us, and what is Scripture’s response.

One - man is born neutral. He is the product of his environment. This premise is disproved the moment an infant screams in anger. The driving force behind an infant is  ‘me’. Infants are not concerned, first and foremost, with the needs of another. Babies get hungry, they want to eat now. They get messy, they want cleaned up now. They get sleepy and cranky and look out. Obviously if a baby is not ‘neutral’, neither is a child, a teenager, an adult, or an old person. Nothing less than the very foundational principle with which we are born, the ‘me’ syndrome, continues to plague us all of our days.

Two - I’m okay, you’re okay. Truth is relative. Of course I’m okay and you’re okay. I certainly wouldn’t want to offend you by suggesting you were acting in any way contrary to what is ‘right’. After all, that would be narrow and judgemental on my part.

While we may be too quick to judge, this is no excuse for failing to judge between right and wrong. There is no neutral position. To demonstrate this, consider the following:

You know a woman who has just found out she is pregnant. The pregnancy is unwanted; she is planning an abortion. Since you believe it is her ‘right’, you do the politically correct thing and hold your tongue. After all, she is just as ‘right’ as you are (at least according to modern thought).

A few hours later, you are returning to your car after a late meeting. You hear a scuffle to your right and notice a couple of young men beating up an old woman. What is your response?

It is, after all their ‘right’, is it not. To them, what they are doing is not wrong. So, you climb in your car and drive away comforted by the thought that what you saw was not wrong? I would certainly hope not.

Sadly, however, this is how skewed our ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ meter has become. If there is no clear black and white, or if some things are ‘right’ because we have legislated them to be ‘right’ (abortion), the lines become very fuzzy. Worse yet, the standard has changed from God’s word and has come to rest on a ‘democratic’ determination of right and wrong.

Three - Man has the potential to be perfect. Sin, if we even admit to the word’s existence, is just ‘human nature.’ This goes back the point number one. Yes, the baby’s cry is human nature - but you cannot have it both ways. Either a baby acts according to its nature, which is influenced by sin, or we are back to square one with no basis from which to determine right and wrong because we have no right to call anything ‘wrong’.

Thank God, Scripture addresses this matter in a very clear and understandable manner. Although there are numerous passage to which we could turn for direction, 1 John 1:8-10 is the passage I will use.

In this passage we find John telling us, no holds barred, we are sinners. More important to this discussion, however, is his use of an ‘if. . . then’ layout. Basically he is giving us a clear cause and effect relationship.

John says, if we say:

One - we have no sin (denial of wrong doing)

then,

the truth is not in us.

Two if we,

confess our sins (admission and ownership of wrong doing)

then,

God forgives and cleanses us.

If we say,

we have not sinned (ultimate denial - never, ever sin - man is neutral, human nature, etc)

then,

we call God a liar (He says we are sinners), and we do not belong to Him.

Even Christians do not like to own their sin. No one likes to admit they are wrong. It is humiliating (even in private). It goes against our natural inclinations (which are sinful). However, John has made it very clear where we stand when we fall prey to modern thinking and stop thinking like a Christian.

Father, forgive our hard hearts. Forgive us for belittling our sin, calling it by ‘gentler’ names, and thus lowering Your holy standard. Give us the grace, dear Lord, to own our sin. To call it sin. To repent quickly and fervently. Show us our hearts, dear Lord, that we might live as pure, unadulterated lights in a confused world.

“For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight — ” (Psalm 51:3-4 NKJV)

One thing which sets Christianity apart from all other religions is the full and complete forgiveness it offers. Since all men, regardless of how they may deny the fact, have a conscience, we all know our need for forgiveness - at least in those quiet moments when our conscience can be heard.

For Christians, however, forgiveness is at the heart of our lives. It is the foundation upon which we stand. It is the strength which empowers us to walk today. It is the hope which lights our future.

Scripture is riddled with examples of men and women who sinned. Its pages are covered with sinful acts and undeserved forgiveness. David, who penned the words above. Peter, whose slide into sin we looked at in an earlier post. When we look closely at their lives (and our own), we see forgiveness as a miracle of grace.

As Peter’s fall clearly delineated sin’s subtleness in the human heart, Peter’s forgiveness plainly reveals our Lord’s incredible kindness, mercy and grace. From Peter’s restoration we learn:

Christ’s gentleness to a repentant sinner

The look of a repentant sinner

The call of a repentant sinner

One of the most amazing aspects of Peter’s restoration is our Lord’s response. Here is a man who had turned from his best friend in his time of need. Not only had he failed to stand beside his Lord, he had denied his God.

How many of us, in similar situations would even consider forgiveness? Yet, we find Jesus not only welcoming Peter back into fellowship, but seeking him out. Scripture says the first two people to see our Resurrected Lord are the one who loved him most selflessly (Mary Magdalene) and the one who denied Him the most vehemently (Peter).

Both Luke and 1^st Corinthians tells us Jesus appeared to Peter. However, we have no record of their conversation. This so clearly shows our Lord’s gentleness. While Peter had denied Christ publically, Jesus did not rebuke Peter in like manner. Instead He comes to Peter privately.

How opposite are we? We want to know the details of another’s sin - even if it does not have anything to do with us. We want to see them get what we think they deserve. We want everyone to know when another sins against us. We want to show them for the awful person they are. How far we are from following our Lord’s example.

Our next glimpse of Peter and his Lord confirm Peter’s previous forgiveness and show us clearly the right actions of a repentant heart. In John 21 we read:

“. . .[when] that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”. . .[Peter] plunged into the sea.”

Peter rushed to his Savior’s side. Note the dramatic change in direction. Last time Peter was rushing from His Lord’s side. Now, however, the boat will not bring him to Jesus fast enough!

Finally, we see a repentant sinner’s calling. While we are not privy to the first conversation between Jesus and Peter after Jesus’ resurrection, we have a detailed account of Peter’s commission. Why? Because Peter’s commission applies to all repentant sinners.

We have a job to do. We are to serve our Lord wherever He has placed us. Are you a truck driver? Serve your Lord. Are you a doctor? Serve your Lord. Are you a waitress? Serve your Lord. Are you a housewife, a mill worker, a receptionist, a veterinarian, a single mother or father working two jobs and raising your children? Serve your Lord.

What amazing grace! Jesus not only forgives sinners, He gives them jobs in His kingdom. What trust this displays. What mercy He shows. No longer are we outcasts - we are co-partners with Christ in the building of His kingdom.

“Gracious Father, give me a tender heart which turns quickly to you in repentance. Show me mercy, dear Lord, when I sin. May your boundless grace return me quickly to Your side. May I seek and find a clean heart, a renewed and steadfast spirit, and a reinstated joy in my union with You.”

“No matter the depth of our sin, while we draw breath it is never too late to return to the Lord. He mercifully forgives all who mourn their transgression.” (Tabletalk Magazine - November 2008)

How many times has it happened? We make a decision we know we really shouldn’t make. It seems such a little thing. Will it really matter? Days or weeks or months later, like the prodigal son we wake wondering how we got so far from home.

We can learn much from Peter’s denial of our Lord as recorded in Matthew 26:33-75. In just 42 verses and a few hours Peter goes from close fellowship with Christ to outright denial of his Lord.

How does this happen?

1. Our slide down sin’s slippery slope so often begins like Peter’s. We become overconfident, we stop depending on our Savior’s strength and start walking in our own. Jesus had just predicted His disciples would turn away in His time of trial. However, in verse 33, Peter makes a bold claim, “. . .Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” (NKJV and in all following)

Our Lord knows us so much better than we know ourselves. We are commanded to flee temptation for a reason. God knows our hearts. Dare we tell Him He is mistaken?

2. Overconfidence puts us on a path away from God. In Peter’s case we see his independence growing as he assumed control of a situation he did not understand. “. . . [Peter] stretched out his hand and drew his sword, [and] struck the servant. . .and cut off his ear.” (vs 51)

We walk life’s path. This calls for decisions on our left and on our right. We are not to have a spirit of fear. Nonetheless, when we fail to listen for our Savior’s voice, we may be assured we are walking our path alone.

3. Like Peter we so often fail to see the direction our path is heading. Instead of recognizing the warning signs, Peter continues away from his Lord. Now we see Peter move away from Jesus’ side. “. . .Peter followed Him at a distance.” (vs 58a)

Have you ever noticed how quickly self-confidence leads us from our Savior’s side? It seems so logical at the time - that path we see ahead. Oh foolish heart!

4. The further our path wanders from Jesus’ side, the more our priorities begin to change. We see the same in Peter. Instead of seeking to reestablish his connection with his Lord, Peter goes “. . . in and [sits] with the servants to see the end.” (vs 58b)

Peter got close enough to watch, but refused to reestablish his loyalty. As we will see, the slope is getting very slippery at this point.

5. As our priorities change, we begin seeking new ‘friends’. Have you ever wondered where the other disciples were at this point? We know at least one other disciple was close by during Jesus trial. Why wasn’t Peter with him? Obviously Peter found it more ‘comfortable’ to associate with the world. In verse 69 we read, “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. . .”

When we find ourselves in a situation where being a Christian is not very easy, which side of the ‘courtyard’ do we prefer? The inner, near Jesus’ side, or the outer with the rest of the world? If we choose the outer, the next step is automatic.

6. We cannot choose the easy road and expect to maintain our witness. As we see from Peter’s experience, attaching ourselves to the world destroys our testimony. “. . .[Peter] denied [he was with Jesus] before them all. . .”(vs 70)

Although we often see Peter’s denials of his Lord beginning here, a series of bad choices led to this point. So it is with us. Christians do no wake up in the morning and say, ‘Today I am going to deny my Lord in my . . . .’ (acts, words, choices, etc)

7. When we reach this point, we are heading full speed for a hard landing. We have committed ourselves, and we have not the strength of will nor clarity of mind to stop. Furthermore, we are now so associated with the world, we do not realize how far we have drifted from our moorings.

In Peter’s case, once he denied his testimony, conforming to the world’s standards was a simple step. The next time he denied Jesus, he used stronger (worldly) language. “. . .[Peter] denied [he was with Jesus] with an oath.”(vs 72)

8. This sad story has not yet reached bottom. Although Peter has now conformed his life to the world’s standards, sought their approval, and tried to fit in, he takes one more hard bump as he completes his fall. “. . .[Peter] began to curse and swear. . .” (vs 74)

There is only one way to get comfortable with the world. Only one way to really fit in. We have to not only look like the world, we have to act like them. It is not enough to say you are one of the crowd, you have to act and sound like the crowd.

9. Thankfully the story does not end here. If it did, Peter’s soul would be lost. However, our Lord has promised He will loose none of His own. The cock crows. Peter is shaken from his stupor to a sense of severe self-loathing. Verse 75 tells us “. . .[Peter] went out and wept bitterly.”

Even before we step from our Savior’s side, may our prayer always be, “Dear Lord, do not let me go. Keep me as the apple of Your eye. Hide me under the shadow of Your wing. And, should I ever stray, draw me by those cords of love. Bind me to Your side lest my foolish heart and blinded eyes lead me forever astray.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:4 - 7)

Often we see Thanksgiving as a time of high rejoicing - a time to eat a lot, laugh a lot, and celebrate the good things in life. While this is true, for many, this past year has been a series of highs and lows or even lows and lows. Many have watched family members and sweethearts head overseas into battle zones. Some have failed to return. Many have said ‘Good-Bye’ to loved ones taken by age, illness, or accident. Others have lost their homes or their jobs or both. The scythe has swung wide and at times, it has cut deep. Christians. Non-Christians. It does not seem to matter.In times like these the Christian is faced with the challenge: How do I respond correctly when crisis riddles my life?

“Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow,

Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea,

What matter beating wind and tossing billow

If only we are in the boat with Thee?

Hold us in quiet through the age-long minute

While Thou art silent, and the wind is shrill:

Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, art in it?

Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will?”

Amy Carmichael ~ Beyond Jerusalem

Welcome to Christian Living Today!

Solomon, the wisest man of all time, said, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking. . .”.  He also said, “. . .A word spoken in due season, how good it is!” While the air is thick with rhetoric, there has never been a more ‘due season’ in America than confronts us in the 21st century.

While many say Christianity is irrelevant and other call it is a false hope, the Apostle Peter reminds us, as Christians we have ‘. . .all things which pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. . .”(2 Peter 1:3). Sadly the Church, by and large, has forgotten our heritage - our hope - our higher standard.

Thus, we write not to share our exceeding wisdom nor to ‘preach’ to the ungodly. While anyone is invited and encouraged to join in, Christian Living Today is directed first and foremost to Christians. The overarching goal is to “. . . warn those who are unruly, comfort those who are fainthearted, uphold the weak, and [to] be patient with all.” (1 Thess 5:14).

Since Christianity addresses every area of life, we will seek to do so as well. With Scripture as our guide, we will endeavor to apply the Word of God to all aspects of life - be that parenting, money, environment, work ethics, witnessing or even time management.

Many years ago C.S. Lewis said, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” This blog is founded upon the belief, Christianity is of infinite importance in every area of our lives.

We invite you to join in - share your thoughts. This blog is about Christians sharing with each other what it takes to live as a Christian in this present age. It is about applying Scripture to everyday life. It is about sharing the truths of God’s Word in ways which will inspire, admonish, and encourage.

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