Salvation: Free Gift and Fear and Trembling

 Eph 2:8-9
8    For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9    not of works, lest anyone should boast.
(NKJ)

Salvation is a free gift from God to everyone who will believe.  Yes, salvation is that simple.  The faith required to receive Christ is small.  We know this.  We teach this.  We also teach something else.

Phil 2:12
12    Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
(NKJ)

Salvation is not to be taken likely.  It is simple.  But it is not as simple as saying "I do not want to go to Hell!".  Salvation is simple.  But it is not as simple as saying "I want to go to heaven!".

How do we put these two passages together.  No doubt there has been in our history those who would emphasis the easy without much attention to the work.  No doubt there are many parents and grandparents who want their family to be in heaven.  And many times, these desires allow our emotions to control our sharing and teaching more than the Word of God.  This issue is not new.  This issue is not going away anytime soon.

As a Youth Pastor I dealt with this on many occasions.  I can remember back when we would Baptize 30 to 40 teenagers a year.  I remember a large portion of those who had "made decisions" as children wanting to avoid Hell and now as teenagers discovering that just avoiding was not the real deal.  I can still hear many parents saying "but they were Baptized...". 

I know as a Pastor the struggle of young parents wanting to answer the questions the right way for their children.  The time spent reviewing the answers before they meet with me or one of my staff.  I hear the words "they are almost there, they are getting it" only to discover that often they may not be as close as we would like to think.

I want everyone to go to Heaven!  I do not want anyone to go to Hell!  And this demands that people get a Biblical salvation.  It is simple - Jesus died to pay for our sins.  It is easy - we must simply accept through the exercise of faith in Jesus.  But it is tough - to work out the repentance aspect.  And some will say "what?"  Indeed this is what Jesus said.  

Mark 1:14-15
14    Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15    and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
(NKJ)

Without the act of repenting, there is no salvation.  This is the most difficult aspect of sharing about Salvation.  To repent means more than "I am sorry".  It is not a head knowledge of right and wrong.  It is more than realizing that we have sinned.  To repent is to see the sin in our lives as the very thing that put Jesus on the cross.  It is to see sin as Jesus sees it.  To repent is to respond to our sin with godly sorrow.  A sorrow that is deeper than regret.

2 Cor 7:10
10    For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
(NKJ)

Matt 7:21
21    "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
(NKJ)

And now you see why though simple, salvation must be worked out within our lives.  Do we repent?  Do we have godly sorrow?  

Salvation is a free gift that requires fear and trembling in getting it right.  To miss it, is to spend an eternity in Hell with no hope forever!  To say you believe in God and Jesus means nothing.  To make a quick decision for Heaven to avoid Hell won't cut it. Being Baptized or sprinkled only gets you wet.  To say love wins out and repentance is not too difficult is to fall for the trap of this world.  

Where are you?  Do you know with zero doubts?  Are you sure? What is your connection with Jesus?  Is it His connection or your religious way?

I Jn 5:13
13    These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
(NKJ)

Why and how?

John 3:16
16    "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
(NKJ)

Rom 10:9-13
9    that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10    For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11    For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
12    For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
13    For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
(NKJ)

Oh The irony - Carson Newman and My Son

I have served in Tennessee twice in my lifetime.  I have been in the state for one month shy of 7 years this time.  In both instances Carson Newman has been a part of my service.  Members children and adults who graduated from CN - now Carson Newman University (CNU) have been in my churches.  In both terms of service, I have had staff members who either attended or graduated from CNU.  And now, I have staff members children who attend and have graduated.  And beyond that, my oldest son is a student at CNU!

In understanding what I am about to say one needs to know that I am a Liberty University graduate.  It is hard to mix the blood line of Liberty and CNU.  I resisted it for months.  They are not as close as Apples and Oranges by any stretch of the imagination.  A few have often said that I cannot cooperate with those who theologically believe different.  And once again reality is about set the record straight.  For my oldest son is now a Junior at CNU.  There was no way we could afford to send him to Liberty or Truett McConnell (my two choices).  Neither was in Gods plan.  But CNU was.  The first two years of his education are behind him and they have been beneficial.  He also serves as a Resident Assistant (was named RA of the Year for this school year) and works in Resident Life.  He is a Religion major and making dad and mom very happy with his GPA and progress.  In fact, I am the first to admit that I am more than pleased with the educational value and environment of CNU.

The following are simple observations from a dads perspective of two years of CNU interaction, who happens to be a staunch conservative Pastor, in light of some of the dart throwers of today:

1.  CNU is a typical college campus with typical college life issues.  It is not a Convent and no one should expect such at any of the Baptist related schools of today.

2.  CNU has a mix of theological slants.  I have not seen much liberalism in my sons classes.  I have seen little compared to what I prepared him for.

3.  CNU is not changing the Gospel nor watering It down.

4.  There is a freedom to challenge the professors in theological discussions and that freedom is encouraged.

5.  CNU may be slanted somewhat less than conservative yet conservative is not berated nor excluded.  My son often wears Liberty and Truett McConnell shirts to class just to highlight his position (he has fun like his dad).

6.  CNU challenges students to dig into their Bibles for answers.  My son is an apologetic s nut.   CNU has NOT changed his conservative theology nor has it altered it.  And he loves the interaction with the professors in debating the different topics.  His positions and stance on doctrine have not been weakened.

7.  CNU is preparing my son for ministry and doing a great job of it.  Reading some blogs recently one might question whether CNU is Baptist enough or Bible enough.  As a parent, I can tell you that the times of questions and concerns have been few. 

8.  CNU has their own confession.  So what?  Only one college in the whole of SBC landscape has professors that 100% have affirmed and signed the BFM2000.  Only one!  That would be Truett McConnell in Georgia.  Anyone griping about CNU or Campbellsville might want to take this truth to heart before raising this issue.

9.  CNU leaders are the real deal in caring for and interacting with students.  I have been thrilled at the authenticity of the professors with the students.  They care and take time to get to know the students.  They interact well.  Case in point, a professor not as conservative as my son recommended my son for a staff position at a conservative church.  Those of the Calvinist/reform beliefs should take notes on that one.  CNU is not out to change my son.  They are developing him as college should. 

As shocking as it is for some to read this, I cannot find much fault with CNU.  It was not where God had me attend. I can tell you that it is the place that God directed and has blessed my son to attend.  Key in this discussion is the simple fact that my son started learning the Bible when he was little.  He grew into an avid reader of apologetic s and theology.  He was solid before he arrived on campus.  CNU did not change him in this area and that speaks volumes to me about where CNU is on the Baptist/Theological landscape. He is still a solid conservative.  And he is a conservative that knows how to use his learning tools to defend his beliefs and discuss them in intelligent and compelling conversation.  I encourage you to listen to his latest sermon, preached at our church last year when I was preaching out of state. 

Be careful in what you read and hear about a few colleges in SBC life.  There is always a motivation and slant.  I know these exist for what is written of late is little on fact.  I know this because I have a religion major enrolled at CNU and what he is getting does not match what is written.

Classroom Rant WRONG-Parents Please Read!

These days it appears the lessons of life are everywhere.  I have been asked via email my thoughts about the Texas student and his rant in a classroom caught on video and now viral to the world.  I actually saw the video yesterday and almost posted on it then.  I determined to see how the video would be protrayed and I also wanted to watch the local news from Texas to see further reporting and interviews.  Yes it still amazes me what the internet allows us to do!

Here is my take on this scene:

The Situation:
This event took place in a classroom.  A student is not happy about the quality of education and decides he has had enough.  The student disrupts the class and rants away.

The Problem:
Snce when did we become a people who applaud teenagers being disrespectful?  My father always says, even just the other night, "the end never justifies the means!"  I also seem to recall something about respecting those in authority.  I am sure I was taught that growing up.  Obviously this giy was not!

The Motivation:
Some say that it is the motivation that matters?  Not true.  No teenager should ever be applauded for the kind of behavior that this child lived out.  Even if the teacher is not doing her job, this type of solution is NO solution.  The rant makes whatever argument null and void.

The Real Lesson:
Excusing the behavior of this student highlights what is wromg in America today.  We are giving so many mixed signals in what is right, acceptable, tolerable, appropriate, and allowed to our teenagers.  To condone the actions in the video is to tear down the control and authority of the teacher.  The classroom cannot under any circumstance be subject to this type of behavior.  Who knows if the student has a point-he blew it by his conduct.  Surely we as Americans have not sunk so low as to justify this horrible example.  The classroom cannot become a zoo!

The Need:
We need to train our children at home in what is right and what is wrong!  I would have never been allowed to act like this growing up.  The punishment at home would have rightly been far worse than the punishmnet at school.  And rightly so.  Parents this video is a point of learning for all of us.  Children go to school to learn.  Teach them that at home.  Teach them how to act.  Train them.  Do not tolerate such behavior.

And in teaching them, model for them how to appreciate and respect their teachers.  Even the bad ones.  Not every teacher is perfect or motivating.  That is not the students problem to solve.  But every teacher is in fact placed in the classroom and should be given respect, period!

I thank God I had parents who let me know without any gray area what would happen if I chose the path to disrespect my teachers.  And I thank God for the many teachers who taught me through the years!  May you be honored and appreciated!

I sure hope we learn from this disaster quickly.  And to all who currently teach-thank you!  This is one Pastor who has your back!

Lessons from Louisiana College

The idea is that college is to be a training ground for life.  People spend 4 years doing undergrad work (in most cases) and often continue to post grad work.  The thought is that it is the classroom where this learning occurs.  I agree with that to a point.  But the issues down at Louisiana College highlight much more in the learning process.  Lessons that are seldom with such clarity taught in a classroom setting have been revealed at Louisiana College.  I had known for a few weeks that information leaked to certain people was incomplete.  I did not know what exactly.  I had heard rumors and I had read much.  I know many of the Board of Trustees since I served in Louisiana for ten years and was on several state committees - I trust these men.  I was there when Louisiana turned from Liberalism to the Bible and Conservative theology.  I was heavily involved.  But until today I have refrained from writing about LC.  I tweeted a little a few nights ago just to see how much information was out in the public areas.  I discovered that only one side had been leaked.  I knew then that more would come and we were all about to learn some vital lessons in life through this ugly struggle.

These are just a few of the life lessons from LC:

Be Slow to Speak
This one often takes a lifetime to learn.  When we speak in a reactionary time frame, we just might miss vital information that would change that which we would speak.

Opinions and Motives Tell Much
It is easy to form an opinion of someone.  It is easy to hide a motive.  It is difficult to often know which of the two are driving an individual (s).  Discernment is needed.  Discernment cannot be taught except through life experience and closeness with God.  Motives can lead people to do some strange things.  Opinions are just that - opinions.  They mean little.  Facts are everything!

Never Except One Side
One might think that this lesson would be easy.  The following article highlights how easy it is for one side to not know all the facts nor all the details.  When one reads this article written by a neutral person on the trouble at Louisiana College and the outcome, one sees the crucial understanding needed in seeing things from all sides. 

Social Media and Blogging Are Not REAL Reporting
This one is the narcissist Achilles.  Those of us who write on blogs and tweet etc. are not real reporters with our total attention on finding the whole of information on a specific situation.  No doubt we have opinions.  To the detriment of our own selves, we often allow our opinions to limit our scope of seeking information.  We blast out our side for which we have information that is supported.  But what about all the information?  What about one being innocent until proven guilty?  What about the Bible in James 4:11 about slander?  Have we forgotten Exodus 20:16?  The spiritual battle ground is found in the trenches of social media today.  Pastors and students are not reporters.  Man do we need to learn this!

Watch Out When One Plays the Integrity Card
I have noted that the use of integrity as a weapon to take down people seems to be the weapon of chose today.  I often wonder if those who use this weapon so quickly realize the danger they are playing with?  But what about when the weapon is used and thru discovery and time the data reveals something totally different?  Integrity used as a weapon is flat out the loss of integrity in my opinion.  This lessons needs to be learned in ministry circles fast. Maybe we need to reread the previous section again.

Social Media and Blogging Are Killing Our Witness
Any person who has participated in the tech tools of today know this is true.  There appears to be a culture of self destructiveness with social media use that is gripping old and young.  Do we really forget that the lost of this world are seeing this garbage we put out there?  Is this the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Since 2006 I have blogged and joined the tools of Facebook and Twitter.  I have defended for clear reasons and I have sounded the alarm for clear reasons.  I have learned in these short 7 years that caution must be applied with every keystroke made.  What flows via the keystroke may be the biggest picture of what is on the inside of our lives.  Caution to insure that we are being Christ-like, loving, forgiving, steadfast, and people of integrity are a must.  When we take to the media mass and call for terminations and investigations we promote the wrong picture of the Gospel.  Yes there are times that situations reveal the obvious and standing to reprove and support correction is proper.  But how we stand and support may be more important.  And when those who attack hit us hard, silence is better than "casting pearls before swine" as the Bible says.

There are times that I do not like certain things. I often write about such.  But I have learned that those who use the media available today to elevate themselves and bring down others are NOT worth me destroying my witness to a lost world.  The haters are everywhere.  So are the self righteous.  I cannot afford to be found in either one of those groups.

Twenty five years in ministry has taught me much.  There are some today that will learn lessons the tough way.  They will see how it feels to be wrongly accused.  They will discover that even good people have bad days.  And that often those bad days are aimed at you.  They will learn quickly that all is not as it seems.  And they will discover that you can be on top of the world one day, and under the world by evening.  Perception and reality seldom line up. 

These lessons are still being taught and I pray I and many others learn them quickly.

Mass Publicity and the Truth - Big Difference

In 1980's being a rock Star meant you figuratively owned the world.  Stars were idolized based on a bands popularity.  Flowing from their singing or screaming was also a sense of fashion and appearance.  Athletes picked up on the whole star thing and they had a guy named Micheal Jordan who led the charge in creating the star mentality for sports figures that surpassed anything up till then.  We forget that all along there have been stars - real stars!  Some reading this will remember Roger Staubach.  Others will go way back to a few coaches like Tom Landry or Vince Lombardi.  Stars have been around in all facets of life.  We all admire somebody for some reason.

We are drawn to these figures today as we were once drawn to cartoons.  Batman, Superman, Spider Man, and even the Hulk were characters that we would emulate as youngsters.  My life was confined to basically three stars:  Roger Staubach, Nolan Ryan and The FBI!  Leading a comeback, striking out the side, and cuffing and stuffing.  I picked those three for a reason.  Each of them stood and still stand for something of value.  Yes each were good at what they did.  But there was a character quality about each that drove me to respect and admire them.  So strong was this quality that I would pretend as I young boy that was in certain situations and my reactions to such were just like these three.  Granted, these were the days when the only video game was a white ball going back and forth across the screen.   

Fast forward to 2013 and something interesting is taking place.  Mass publicity for years has highlighted the rock stars, the athletes, and the movie stars.  Since the 90's these have been the "heroes" of many.  Social media and reality TV have escalated their popularity.  These figures developed a growing influence of our culture as they spoke out in favor or opposition of their desired interest.  Much of the crazy ideas of today stem from a group that makes millions off of publicity.  Truth be known, their talents and brain power are limited.  But there is a change in the air.  This change seems to be gaining steam as we see the truth that publicity often hid in the past, being exposed by mere over exposure.  I actually love the irony.

I can sense as I scan Facebook and Twitter this new air blowing.  First responders are growing in admiration and appreciation.  Our men and women in uniform are admired and cheered for.  Those who buckle it up and get it done day in and day out are miraculously becoming heroes.  They should have been all along.  People see the difference between those who promote and those who actually care and do.  The millions made and flaunted by punk type people who would have a difficult time qualifying for any other type of work is about to reach a point of push back.  The inside realities of these narcissist cannot compete with people who put their lives on the line daily because they value more than money and fame.  Today's growing heroes are people who value life and freedom.  They value it enough to do something about it.  Politicians cannot escape this new air that is blowing.  The truth is slowly but surely being seen.  And the reality is gripping every age group.  Blowhards will always be there sucking our money and ideas.  But heroes are real people who do amazing real things.

The remaining ingredient for this new air to become mature is simple.  When we all step back and realize that money and fame are nothing and that life and family are everything, we will rediscover one of the most precious missing values over the past 20 years.  The ugly world we live in today, that will be even more ugly tomorrow, requires this simple value of life and reality.  For when money and fame cannot be found, values show us what has been important all along.  They remind us that we are here for a reason - to reach people with the gospel.  They motivate us to action when lives are threatened.  Values when present, drive us in positive directions that grow and build.  Values give life and create freedom for life.

I read today an article about Tim Tebow.  Much is being said in reference to his love for ministry and sharing Jesus.  Often Christians have chided those who have ridiculed his treatment in the NFL.  But this article highlighted the real issues that Tebow must deal with in regard to skill and knowledge.  Now that he has been released, his promotion is limited.  And it is now that we will see if Tebow can stand up and do what must be done to maintain his NFL career or not.  The reality of all of this slams into our faces - though Tebow accomplished some great things in college and has been faithful in ministry, is he the person who can learn and grow to become a real NFL QB? Or is Tebow like the many before him who through publicity and promotion have hid the truth about his skills/weaknesses only to become a media frenzy with limited accomplishment.  Only time will tell.

And guess what?  Each of us are in the same spot today.  Only time will tell what is the real truth about our values and character.  Publicity fades.  Promotion lacks real perspective.  Self promotion is seldom accurate and often purposefully done to prevent the truth from being shown.

Time reveals the truth in each of us.

And that is a BIG DIFFERENCE!

The disconnect of knowledge and change!

I read.  I read a lot.  I read everything from my Bible, to books, to articles, to sports stats, to cartoons.  I read a lot!  So I got to thinking last night.  Does one need to be careful to not read too much?  Are there dangers in reading too much?  This I thought on all night and most of today.  Indeed there may be something to this thought.  Allow me to show you.

#1  Reading can never be underestimated.  Reading sharpens our thinking and keeps our brain learning.  Reading is healthy.  But this only occurs based on the content of what one reads.  If I dive  into a Louis L'Amour classic western, I am reading for entertainment.  I may be thinking, but the thoughts are not requiring much analysis and reason.  There is little to apply with this type of reading.  And yet, reading for entertainment is good and fun. But too much defeats the purpose.

#2.  Reading for information sake is also fun.  This is why I read 20 to 30 articles a day.  I try to stay informed and learn.  But here is a trap.  If I only use one type of source for this reading, my learning is not complete.  One type of source never ever gets the whole picture.  So for a guy as conservative as I am, I read even liberal stuff.  Why?  I want to see the big picture.  I want to learn how and why people think the way they do.  What makes a person tick.  There is value in learning this.  But caution must be used in applying this new found information.  Just because I know something doesn't mean anything about me or my abilities.  I just know.  Big deal.  Arrogance of knowledge is a dangerous trap!  Knowledge without the understanding to apply is real dangerous.  And don't forget, knowing what is good, right, bad, and evil, can be even more difficult.

#3  Reading to change.  Now this hurts.  When one reads to change, one reads with the idea of instant interaction.  This is how we should approach our Bible reading.  If, when reading the Bible, all we get is information, no change will occur for the good.  But when we read and apply, asking God to change us through His Word, life change occurs in us.  And this type of change is so needed.

Of the above three, #3 is the one most needed today.  With all the resources available and the push for people to read more, we Pastors really need to highlight #3 in our promotion and encouragement.  If we take the first 2 and miss #3 we miss God.  If we use the approaches of the first 2 with the Bible and do not apply #3, we are missing God changing us.  God is not impressed with how much we know about Him.  God desires our transformation - change - in Him!

Technology has allowed me to read more books than I would have ever dreamed.  I can read thoughts of people from all over the world instantaneously, but none of that will change me like God can through His Word.  Nothing is life giving as the Word of God.  And this is what we all need most.

So here is a simple challenge from me to you - take out your Bible.  Put away all the other stuff.  Ask God to change you via what you are about to read.  And dive into the greatest book in all of history, past present and future!  The Bible will reconnect knowledge and change in your life.  And this connection will be worth more than you will ever dream!

Are we awake?

Strange question to ask someone reading a post on a blog.  Obviously if one is reading one is awake.  The question actually applies to our awareness of just how quickly times are a changing.  For those of us who have accepted Christ, this change should have us wide awake.  Every aspect of our culture is experiencing radical redefining.  Christians and churches are not exempt.

When I look at my two sons, I wonder what in the world will they have to deal with in the days ahead if Christs return is delayed?  When I think of future grandchildren - wow the world will be different.  I am not as much scared as I am concerned.  I wonder if we realize the tools and grounding that will be needed to survive the coming turmoil.  We know that in Christ we are over comers and more than victors.  Yet our tool belts will need to be properly filled and we will need to be properly equipped to obtain the victory.  What is your like?

As we approach a new day of worship and spiritual growth, ask yourself some tough questions:  Are you prepared and are you equipping?  This is were we need to wake up.  The time is now.  Time to apply and reach as many as possible.  Time to prepare our children for their own children.  Time to make huge strides in adjusting our ministries to meet the above needs.  it is NOT time to live in fear and panic.  It is time to make the most of what God has given us and rise to the occassion. 

As we approach church tomorrow, or tonight, go awake!  Go ready to celebrate.  Go ready to grow!  If you serve in a ministry role - give it your all!  You are making a impact period!  Make sure it is a good one!

Yours and my future grandchildren indeed are the one's who's futures we are impacting today! 

Let's wake up!  See you in church!