Christ’s love changes us from the inside out
by Barrett Vanlandingham
October 3, 2012

            October brings many creative disguises.  But this is not the only time of year when people who appear to be one thing turn out to be another.  Sometimes that’s a good thing, and other times not so good.

            In the New Testament we read about Jesus approaching a tax collector named Matthew to make him a disciple.  Jesus said, “Follow me.”  And he did.   So what’s odd with this picture?  Well, in today’s times I would say nothing.  But back in the first century, tax collectors were thought of as thieves who gouged the taxpayer for more than what was due so they could keep the extra for themselves.

            The Pharisees who were known to be religious people were always trying to catch Jesus doing something wrong.  So when Jesus went to Matthew’s house to eat dinner with him and many other tax collectors and “sinners”, the Pharisees tried to make a big deal out of it.  They wanted the disciples to explain why their teacher would spend time with those kinds of people.

            And who knows, Matthew may have been less than upright. If Matthew had seen some of the miracles Jesus had been performing, maybe he followed Jesus in hopes of turning this miracle man into a cash cow.  But after spending some time with Jesus and his disciples the picture changed.  Jesus saw this as an opportunity to show love and compassion to a group of people who had only known criticism and hatred from their community.  The Pharisees were not asking questions about the “sinner dinner” because they cared, but rather to make Jesus look bad for hanging out with undesirables.

            On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means” I desire mercy, not sacrifice.  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

            In this story, the Pharisees were masquerading as God-fearing religious people while Matthew was disguised as an undesirable sinner.  But in the end, as history would have it, the roles were switched.  What made the difference?  In both cases Jesus exposed what was in the heart.  It is when we allow Christ to control our hearts that we find out just how much joy life can bring.  May we get rid of our masks and get real with God so we can begin making a difference in the lives of others.  Have a great week!

It’s good to be child-like
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 26, 2012

            Just like reading any other book, I’ve learned over the years to make sure I read the Bible in context.  In other words, find out the story surrounding a verse before jumping to any conclusions.  This makes for a better informed Bible student and can help you teach others.

For instance, without context, you could read the words of Paul and the words of Jesus and come away very confused about whether we are to be more mature or more childlike.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11 Paul says, “When I was a child, I talked as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”

            But in Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

            So which verse should we obey?  Both!  Here is the key.  Paul is actually explaining Christian maturity, while Jesus is encouraging purity.  There is no contradiction.

Paul is talking about how so many of the things that have been done in the name of religion eventually cease, but that “love never fails”.   Paul followed Jesus’ teachings closely in dealing with those who would argue over the things a child might argue over: Who is the greatest?  Who baptized you?  Who gets the best seat?  Who has the best spiritual gift?

Paul compares our spiritual journey with the process of growing out of childhood into adulthood.   And in the end, love is the most important thing.  He writes about this in Ephesians 5:1 saying, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Now in Matthew 18:3 when Jesus said that we should become like children, again he is not talking about maturity, but rather purity.  He condemns those who would destroy the innocence of a child by introducing them to sin. 

Jesus ties maturity and purity together in Matthew 10:16 as he explains to the twelve apostles how they should conduct themselves when they go out to teach. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”  Jesus knows it will take the wisdom and perseverance of a mature adult to maneuver through a culture often hostile to the teachings of Jesus.  But the apostles would also need to become innocent like children who blindly trust that their parents will take care of them.  May we all learn to put our total trust in God who will find a way for us even when there seems to be no way.  Have a blessed week!

And the “unforgivable sin” is…
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 19, 2012

I actually watched videos one day this week of individuals online who sit smugly in front of a camera to announce they are “blaspheming the Holy Spirit”.   That’s sad!

            Many people have wondered over the years what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.  After all, the Bible pegs this act as the only unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:29).  Many have also wondered if they might be guilty of this sin since they’re not quite sure about the meaning of the phrase.

            To put some of you at ease, I’ve heard it said that if you’re worried about blaspheming the Holy Spirit, you are probably not guilty of it.

            However, the attitude of the Pharisees was that the miracles Jesus had been performing were only made possible through the power of the devil!   Can you imagine telling Jesus that?!

            In the above passages Jesus says that all other sins, even including speaking against Jesus are forgivable.  But He says that speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 

            According to John 16:8, one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to guide people into a belief of Jesus as the Son of God.  If a person’s attitude is that of permanently rejecting the Holy Spirit’s guidance to Christ, then it only makes since that salvation made possible through the blood of Jesus would not include the unbeliever and those unwilling to repent (turn to God).

            It may be possible for a person to reject Jesus out of ignorance.  But once taught the words of the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), a person no longer has any excuse for walking in darkness.  Hebrews 10:26 says, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.”

            In Acts 26:9 the apostle Paul says that he used to be convinced he was right in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and putting Christians in prison.  But his feelings on the matter quickly changed when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus.  However, if Paul would have continued in his unbelief and his refusal to acknowledge that Jesus was God’s son, even after his encounter with Christ’s Spirit, he would have been guilty of committing the unforgivable sin.

            The good news is that until Judgment Day, the Holy Spirit calls patiently and lovingly for unbelievers to come to the Father, and for straying Christians to return to Him.  What will your answer be?  Have a blessed week!

There’s much more to the identity of Jesus
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 12, 2012

            Last week, I conducted a Bible study with a men’s group from the alternative sentencing program, FBTCC (Faith Based Therapeutic Community Corporation).

            The first question came from Jerry: “Is Jesus really God, and if so, how can that be?”  The answer comes from the Bible.  John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”   Colossians 1:15-20 also supports the fact that Jesus is our Creator and that God’s fullness “dwells in him”. 

The writer of Hebrews quotes one of the Psalms in which Jesus’ position is reinforced.  “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom (Hebrews 1:8 & Psalm 45:6).”   In this verse, Father God refers to his own son as God!  2 Samuel 7:11-16 confirms that the kingdom (everywhere His will is being carried out including the church) belongs to Christ.

So is it wrong to say that God created everything?  No. We’re told so in Genesis 1:1.  But if we are under the impression that God the Father did everything by Himself, while Jesus and the Holy Spirit just watched, we really should broaden the definition of God.  Imagine a circle labeled God.  Within that circle are three smaller circles labeled God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  You could also think of the three parts of an apple: the skin, the meat, and the core.  They are all part of the apple just like each part of the Godhead is God.  

The Bible confirms the unity that exists among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Even during creation, the Godhead worked as a team, one God.  “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… (Genesis 1:26)”  Notice the use of the words “us” and “our”. 

Matthew 1:23 quotes a verse that first appeared 700 years earlier in Isaiah 7:14.  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means “God with us.”  Isaiah 9:6 says that the (Christ) child will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace”. 

But we also know that when Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and crucifixion he prayed to God his Father (Matt. 26:39).

In John 14-15 Jesus explains the role of God’s Holy Spirit who would be our Counselor and Guide after Christ would ascend back to his Father.  We are never alone in our spiritual battles.  Paul said, Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and God’s Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 3:16)?”

Peter said we receive the Holy Spirit when we’re baptized (Acts 2:38).  In John 14:23, Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”  Notice again “we” and “our”, only this time God the Father and God the Son appear have at least a similar role as God the Holy Spirit.

We can be confident that this three in one God has our salvation figured out from all angles.  And because of the time Jesus Christ spent here in the flesh, He understands our struggles, our spiritual battles, and offers eternal life in heaven to all those who believe in Him and obey His word. Will you follow him today?

Methods of teaching Bible are just as important as obeying it
by Barrett Vanlandingham
September 5, 2012

            Meeting people “where they are” is a phrase that sounds noble enough for Christians who are trying to bring non-believers into a relationship with Christ.

            But a few days ago a Facebook friend suggested that Jesus would rather that Christians commune with non-believers over a few beers while talking about matters of faith instead of taking part in communion on Sundays during the Lord’s Supper.

            Seriously?!  It is obviously important to take our faith outside the walls of the church building and to meet people “where they are” spiritually.  It is important to go and find the unsaved, and teach them.  But I could not disagree more with the manner of evangelism my friend suggested.   If we were to take that logic to its ultimate end, Christians would find themselves in all kinds of situations that could be more of a hindrance than a help.  Many Christians have had good intentions in helping people “where they are” but have found themselves way over the line, engaged in a sinful lifestyle.

Yes, moderation is a key to many things.  The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is a sin.  But the clear majority of scripture has negative things to say about the effects of alcohol.  John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) did not drink alcohol because he was a Nazarite, meaning holy or set apart for service to God.  That also happens to be part of the definition of what it means to be a Christian (1 Peter 2:9).  John was very successful at teaching non-believers and baptizing them.  Is God’s word less effective today?  Does God need us to drink a few beers to convert people?

Anyone who reads 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 cannot possibly think it’s okay to make it a habit to go places and do things that can lead even the strongest of Christians astray.

Putting the issue of alcohol consumption aside, if we do not properly remember the death of Jesus Christ, we really have no right and no credibility when it comes to sharing our faith.  So to think that God wants us to skip the Lord’s Supper so we can use more of our time to share our faith with unbelievers (beer or no beer) is about as ridiculous as passing by every gas pump so we can get to where we are going faster.  We all need that time of communion.

            The early Christians met on the first day of the week to participate in the Lord’s Supper, remembering the Lord’s death.  They also took up a collection for the work of the church (Acts 20:7 & 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  The first day of the week happens every week.

            The Bible gives Christians leeway in our methods of soul winning, but God be with you as you choose ways that result in spiritual successes, not disasters resulting from discounting the written word.  Have a great week!