My Next Thirty Years…

Goodness!  Where has the time gone?  I apologize for there being such a lag in blog posting.  I have taken on some extra responsibilities over the last few months and just haven’t been able to focus on posting.  I have read and studied some very awesome things, but, I confess, I did not write down my thoughts when they hit me and I find myself forgetting some of the things I wanted to share.

Speaking of time going by and forgetting things, I am turning 30 this week.  I, like many others, used to think that 30 was old.  I, also like many others, now realize that life hasn’t even begun by this point.  My father tells me that my 30s will be the best decade of my life, and that would be just fine with me.  It feels like a great transition year – I am too old to rely on my youth if I were to make a mistake, but I am not really old enough to rely completely on life experience.  Hmmm…I wonder what my next thirty years will hold…

There really is no way of knowing, but perhaps I should decide what exactly my goals should be…

Paul was likely in a transition period in life when he decided this:

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. – 1 Cor 2:2 ESV

My next thirty years could not benefit more from anything else other than knowing that the Creator covered His glory with flesh, exchanged my sinfulness for His righteousness, and submitted Himself to death – all just for me!  I think I will join Paul and decide to know, really know, Jesus and share my experience with others so that they can know too.

My next thirty years…isn’t that a country song?  It surely is.  There’s a part in the song where the singer says he is going to figure out just what he’s doing here.  This is one of those rhetorical remarks regarding figuring out what life is all about.  Could it be as simple as knowing Jesus and revealing His love to others?  Remember, Paul also says that the love of Christ compels him to share this message in his second letter to the Corinthians.

In my first thirty years I have been saved, walked the line, felt depressed, turned away…and came back.  I have found and believe still that there is great importance in sound doctrine – the doctrine that comes from reading the Bible on your own and not relying on others to tell you what it says.  But, as Paul again would say, if I don’t have love then I am a clanging symbol – effectively worthless.  In my next thirty years, I want to focus on the cross – the power of salvation – because that is where the greatest love ever was revealed.

I urge you to spend some amount of time each day focusing on the cross of Calvary.  It doesn’t have to be a long time, it doesn’t have to be your entire devotional each day, but it does need to be intentional.  Perhaps you could read one of the Gospel accounts each day or make it a point to thank God for this wonderful gift in prayer.  It will serve you well.  And, I ask for your prayers as I commit to this as well.  Thank you for your prayers in advance – they are the greatest birthday present I could receive.

God Bless.

A Discussion of Law: Part 1

There once was a man out walking by what appeared to be a calm river.  However, as he was about to rush in for a nice swim to cool off from his trek, he noticed a sign that read – “NO SWIMMING: Heavy Rip Currents, Hidden Dangers.”  He couldn’t reconcile the inviting water and the warning sign so he dove in.  Moments later, he was fighting for his life trying to keep his head above water.  Every time he came up out of the water, he would look toward the sign.  The sign never moved; it never sprouted legs and jumped in after him.  The sign could not and would not save him.  The man needed something – Someone to save him.

This simple illustration highlights two very important points – 1) we need a Savior – the law/sign/warning cannot save us – and 2) the law is, however, in effect and good.

What purpose then does the law serve?  It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. – Gal 3:19

Many believe that the entire law was “done away with” when Jesus came; however, if you notice closely in the above verse, the law is in effect until the Seed should come to collect on His promise.  If you read more of Galatians for context, you can see that we are saved by the faith of Jesus – “the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Gal 2:20).  The Son of God and the Seed are both referring to Jesus.   The question now becomes Has Jesus collected on His promise?  If He has, then we are free from all law because God is the source of all law and would not be divided against Himself.  If Jesus has not collected on the promise, then we are still subject to some order of law…simply meaning that we shouldn’t go swimming in dangerous water.  So, has Jesus collected on His promise?

The Promise was the covenant made between God, Abraham, and “thy Seed.” 

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.  And I will give unto thee, and to thy see after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. – Gen 17:7-8

In Galatians, Paul is using the Scriptures to make the direct link between “thy seed” and “the Seed” – Jesus Christ. 

Let’s look at another prophetic passage to wrap this together.

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before Him.  And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him:  His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. – Dan 7:13-14

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom… Dan 7:22

So, how do these two verses wrap it up?  The Promise to “thy Seed” could very easily be the everlasting dominion to which Daniel is referring.  Here, it appears that Jesus, the Son of man, goes to the Father, the Ancient of days, to receive the kingdom.  This is a great royal coronation in Heaven!  And, apparently this has already taken place because Jesus has, in fact, ascended back to Heaven.  He also made a promise to return!  According the verse 22, we – the saints – will be given the kingdom/dominion of this earth.  This is the Earth made new (new heavens, new earth, new Jerusalem, etc.).

In the meantime, though, we are going through a type of judgment.  In the context of Daniel 7, this judgment is something given to the saints to identify the little horn power (same as the beast in Revelation).  This event and judgment is not only tied to a specific event, but it will have lasting effects until the saints possess the kingdom, which is to say until Jesus – “thy Seed,” the Son of man – comes back.

Perhaps the judgment is something that happens to us.  Perhaps it is something that we possess; something that we judge ourselves.  Perhaps it is a little of both.  I make no argument against God having some active role in this judgment (who am I do presume God’s authority); however, I tend to lean to the side that we are given a great glimpse of God, and therefore make judgments based upon our view of God.  Regardless, though, judgment is always based on some type of precept or law. 

So, has Jesus returned to share the dominion with us?  No – which means that we are still living in a time of judgment.  Does that mean that the law is still in effect?  Yes – we are still burdened by sin, which we wouldn’t know except by the law (Rom 7:7).  Am I “under the law” then?  No – salvation is by grace through faith.

So what is this law?  It is love divinely distilled down to where we – created beings – can understand how great God really is.  It is covenantal.  It was related to Adam & Eve in harmony.  It was spoken and written by God Himself on Mt. Sinai.  It has been disregarded, ignored, and mocked.  It has been used to turn the God of love into a maniac with a power trip.  Most of all, it has been broken.  Jesus related it to us in the Sermon on the Mount as “the golden rule.”  Perhaps He said it best when He admonished us to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind; and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  The law is the very character of God – a God who risked all of heaven and hung upon a cross to uphold it.  Uphold it He did, for you and for me, and we are saved by the faith of that Man – the author and finisher of ours!

Evolution – Explain This!

For the next few moments, let’s assume that evolution is the answer to our existence.  Over the last few billions of years, we have developed from primitive, sometimes called single-cell, organisms that grew to become more complex.  Over the last few hundreds of thousands of years, we have slowly become what we see today.  Leading evolutionary research theorizes that we are mere factories for the promulgation of DNA.  In other words, DNA is the pinnacle organism in the universe, and we are simply a means for it to survive.  Naturalism is the only reasonable explanation, which means that the default condition of life on planet earth is survival-of-the-fittest.  Also, all connections, in one form or another, consist of the flow of electrons (natural, physical, chemical, reactions).

Now, forget the account of Creation.  Forget the gaping holes of obscurity and giant leaps of logic.  Forget whatever argument for or against evolution that you may hold dear.  Ask yourself one question:  Why does it hurt so badly when someone you love so dearly dies?

I am fortunate enough to not currently be experiencing this hurt, but I have in the past, and I most certainly will again in the future.  You are no doubt the same.  And, maybe, since evolution is now your default explanation, you cannot answer that question without asking some of these questions:

• Do we hurt because the billions of pieces of DNA in our bodies are crying out because one of the best operating factories just went down? 
• If we are mere DNA factories, then why did DNA evolve and build such faulty bodies? 
• Why did they allow cancer to form? 
• Why do they allow us to have war? 
• Why do they allow us to harm ourselves and the world in which we live to the point that it is conceivable for us to annihilate ourselves? 

So much for ensuring its own existence…

Surely, if evolution were the case, we should be totally accepting of death.  It is, by the way, a natural circumstance and we should have naturally learned to accept it by now…right?  WRONG!

As crazy as this may seem, death can be one of the greatest evidences of our loving Heavenly Father, though He is NOT the author of it.  We could not hurt so badly if we did not love so dearly.  And, love has to be implanted from a Supernatural Source; evolution cannot explain our emotions.  There are no natural reasons for our emotions (our “soul” piece) to exist.  There is no chemical make-up for emotions.  Love is not a specific combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.  Our compassion for fellow mankind, in whatever way you manifest that, is not compatible with a naturalistic, survival-of-the-fittest worldview.

So, why does it hurt so badly when someone you love so dearly dies?  Because that’s not the way it’s supposed to be!

“An enemy hath done this…” – Matthew 13:28

“Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” – Revelation 12:12

You and I were born into a world that is in constant conflict and controversy brought upon by major decisions made by those that lived before us.  In fact, one major decision started it all when a perfect angel decided to rebel.  The father of lies who was a murderer from the beginning introduced pain, suffering, and death into God’s creation.  We are too familiar with the consequences.  Our unexplainable hurt is solid evidence that things are not as they should be.

What do we know?  Perhaps all we know is that our decisions impact others and that Whoever started this gig needs to finish it…perhaps.

“For unto us a child is born…” – Isaiah 9:6

Our hope is that the Creator is bringing this world as we know it to a close.  Consequently, all pain, suffering, and death have been borne in Jesus Christ.  He is the only One that knows how to suffer as God and as man…a man of sorrows indeed.

If you find yourself in one of these situations of intense pain or suffering, do not allow yourself to think that God is the source of this pain.  This has led so many away from God, and it fuels the evolutionists’ arguments.

In summary, evolution cannot explain our emotions; they are supernatural.  Everything good comes from God, which includes the longing for something better than this world.  Sin originated with Satan and is the ultimate source of pain, suffering, and death.  And…evolution cannot prove otherwise!

Sun-tanned Beauty

Is it possible to juxtapose a Christian message and a sun-tanned beauty in an appropriate manner?  It is if you read the Song of Solomon.  The Song of Solomon is an intimate conversation between a Shulamite woman and her lover, presumably King Solomon.  The book can give great detail in some areas, but contained in the first few verses is an interesting message for the church.

The Shulamite:

“Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has tanned me…”

The Beloved:

“Follow in the footsteps of the flock and feed your little goats beside the sheperds’ tents…”

-Song of Solomon 1:6-8

You can read the first part for more context, but basically the Shulamite woman is embarrassed by her dark complexion.  In ancient times, the darker the skin, the more likely it was that you were from a lower class in society.  People with darker skin had to work out in the sun, which continued to make their skin darker.  Fair skin belonged to the royalty and the wealthy who could afford to stay inside all day.  Can you see those old paintings in your mind of kings and queens laid out in the shade with servants fanning them?  The first few verses of Song of Solomon completely break down the norms of the time because the King (the Beloved) is obviously in love with a sun-tanned servant woman.

So, what is the message for the church? 

The King, the Beloved, is a symbol of Christ.  The Shulamite woman is the church.  The Song of Solomon uses the romance of this ancient couple to relate the desire Christ has for His bride, the church.  Christ is not interested in the fair-skinned churches that merely set on a pew while someone “serves” them.  Rather, Christ is interested in the church that serves, a church that is unafraid of getting outside and facing the sun.  Christ is interested in the church that will heed His words when He says, “follow in the footsteps of the flock [your sphere of influence] and feed your goats beside the sheperds’ tents.”  In other words, Christ is interested in the church that looks like the sun-tanned servant girls instead of the fair-skinned royalty.

Obviously, we are not talking about literal skin color here.  We are talking about having a servant attitude toward Christ and the community in which we live.

In today’s society, it is considered “cool” to have a nice tanned complexion.  Unfortunately, we sometimes see this tanning thing taken way too far.  However, there’s still a way to work on our complexions without being so vain and become a sun-tanned beauty for Christ.

You may want to roll up your sleeves…I think your flock is hungry.

Sochi 2014 and Beyond

Sochi 2014.  No doubt that has been in the minds of this year’s winter athletes for several years now.  It’s a goal.  It’s a destination.  For some already, it has been a sweet exclamation point at the end of a storied career.  For others, there’s disappointment and wonder regarding the next four years.  What drives these athletes to these drastic levels of training and preparation (29,000 hours of training for Meryl Davis and Charlie White)?  Gold!  The quest for gold, to obtain the prize, and to be the best in their particular discipline pushes athletes forward.  What if we had that type of determination for an everlasting prize?

Paul’s words:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

No matter how awesome it is to win an Olympic gold medal, it is ultimately a perishable crown.  It’s a perishable crown for which billions of people may not even have the ability to compete.  We are not all athletes, but we can all, no matter our physical or geographic ability, participate in the most amazing race – the Christian mission.  We can all obtain an imperishable crown.

What does this race look like?  Well, some may say living right.  Some may say that we must follow the law of God.  Others may say a sinner’s prayer and truly feel as if they have obtained this crown.  Others still even may say that the goal is everlasting life.  But, Paul is very clear as to what that crown is.

After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will our proud reward be and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when He returns?  It is you! – 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NLT)

We have to know what the goal is to know how to compete for it.  If we set our sights on anything other than what the crown actually is, we will be working aimlessly no matter how sincere our efforts.  In our most amazing race, the goal is for others to be there on that day when Christ returns.  It’s the same goal that Jesus has – to shine light on a lost world so that the truth may set the captives free.  The goal is for a lost and dying world to know their Creator, Who is Love!

From another view, the goal is NOT ourselves or how well we “follow” the rules or even our spot in Heaven.  If we align our goals with Christ’s, then our spot in Heaven will take care of itself.

So, what do we do?  How do we train?

I am not exactly sure, but I pray that God shows me and that my training starts today.  I pray that I will condition myself to run in such a way that I may obtain my crown – YOU.

I want to be a Barnabus

You’ve heard the saying:  “You can’t take it with you when you go.”  You have that the way you come into the world is the way you go out.  Many sayings have sprung up over time regarding the circumstances of death.  We assume that we really do not take anything with us.  This fact is, supposedly, an acceptance of our “smallness” in the universe and allows us to put things in perspective.  But, is it true?

In life, when moving from one phase to another, we usually do bring a few things with us.  One would be our knowledge, experience, and/or character.   The other may be somewhat delayed, but it would be those who follow in our footsteps.  From my understanding of the Bible, I see no difference when it comes to death.  Jesus, too, is so interested in your character and your converts.

“The true missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ.” – T5 385

I want to be a Barnabus.  We know so much about Peter, James, John, and Paul.  There are many details and patterns to follow regarding those well-known characters in the Bible.  I believe I would settle for favoring a less known character.  To be honest, my life does not resemble the lives of these men…yet, but I pray for transformation.  Again, I want to be a Barnabus.  Why?

“For he [Barnabus] was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:  and much people was added unto the Lord.” – Acts 11:24

That’s why!  He had character (good man, full of the Spirit), and he had converts (many add unto the Lord).  These two things are not separate goals, however, and they cannot be attained individually.  Character creates opportunities to witness and create converts.  Creating converts gives us opportunities to build our character.  Of course, this is all led and directed by God.

If we truly want to be like Christ, then it is imperative that we seek the lost.  God has made use of donkeys, chickens, and almost a few rocks to spread His Gospel.  He Himself even came.  But, you and I, in cooperation with God, are the best equipped at spreading the everlasting Gospel.

Isn’t it time that we spend our time on the two things that we can actually take with us when we go?  I do not want to show up to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9) empty-handed.

I want to be a Barnabus.

Better…

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and a merry Christmas, all the while remembering 1) Jesus Christ and 2) your fellow man, especially those less fortunate.

Many of you, no doubt, are thinking of New Year’s resolutions.  You, in effect, are promising yourself or someone you know that you will be responsible for whatever change you have decided to do.  You may have promised your daughter that you will quit smoking.  You may have promised yourself that you will start jogging.  You may have even promised God that you will be a better Christian.  In all cases, it pretty much begins with a promise that you make.

I may not know much, but year after year, I can look back and see promises that I have not kept.  I am sure you can relate.  So…why can’t we seem to get it right?  Simple answer:  We need a Savior!

“But now hath he [Jesus] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” – Hbr 8:6

If you look at this verse in context, Paul is comparing the work of Christ with the covenant made with Israel as they were being led out of Egypt.  We have discussed this in earlier posts.  Basically, the children of Israel promised three times to do all that the Lord said to do (they made a covenant based on their promises to God).  And, depending on who was king, year after year they “renewed” their covenant by ceremony.  The renewal was necessary because they could never keep the covenant themselves, no matter how much they promised.  That’s OT history in two sentences.

Does this sound familiar?  Promise, do well for a while, fall away, and repeat…

But, Christ has made a better promise.  He has given of Himself.  He has written His law within the hearts of mankind.  He is the covenant.  Where all of your promises fall short, Christ succeeds!  In fact, if there was just one word to describe Christ’s actions as presented by the book of Hebrews it would have to be better.

So, as you start your new year, above all else, trust in the better promises of Christ first.

Have a wonderful 2014 and don’t look back.

God is love, but He is also just…

“God is love, but He is also just”…?  What does this mean?  You may hear this saying in a conversation regarding Biblical judgment, punishment, suffering, and a host of other topics including last-day events; however, you usually don’t get a really good idea of the meaning of this phrase.  I believe our language is not quite “there” in terms of being able to explain the enormity of the phrase, and in that, we run the risk of taking away a subtle distortion regarding the character of God.  As boring as grammar may be, let’s use some grade school mechanics to break down the phrase.

“…God is love…”

This phrase is taken from 1 John 4:8, and in context, is extremely profound about knowing God!  But, dealing with the above phrase, God is the subject of the phrase; is is a “linking” verb formed from the verb to be; and love is a noun that renames the subject (a subject complement).  Subject complements can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives in relation to the subject.  It is important to note that John is using love as a noun, not as an adjective.  John is not saying that God is loving.  That is not very profound since any one of us can be loving at times.  John is stating a grammatical (and theological) equivalence.  John’s thought could be explained as “God = Love” and not lose any meaning.  John is stating the very essence of God.  We are human beings capable of loving one another, but God is love.  Our essence is in relation to our Creator.  We depend on Him.  God, however, does not depend on anyone else; He is…or as He would say, “I AM.”  But, the love that God is is not the same love that we have for pizza.  It is a complete, other-centered love that gives of Himself (1 Cor. 13:5, John 3:16, Gal. 2:20).  John presents this as a completely non-negotiable fact.

“…but He is also just…”

This part of the phrase is completely separate in meaning.  First, the conjunction but is defined as “suggest[ing] a contrast that is unexpected in light of the first clause.”  By using this conjunction we are setting at opposition love and just.  Next, if we use the subject complement rule again, we see that just is renaming He (God).  However, just is not a noun, it is an adjective describing a quality of God instead of declaring who or what He is.  God is described as just in numerous Bible passages, but nowhere is He depicted, in essence, of being justice.  God is also described in the Bible as being righteous, just, mighty, powerful, etc.  He is also described as being my salvation, my power, my strength, sun, shield, etc. in relation to His creation.  But, as for a grammatical or theological equivalence, John seems to be the only author that ventures to equate the essence of God with another noun.  Who am I to argue with John on this?

What this means is that all other subjects regarding God must be “lenses” through which we can see a God of love.  Consequently, all truths about God must highlight the Truth about God.  Not only should what we believe about God be compatible with a God of love, but what we believe should be complementary with a God of love.  Our understanding of judgment, punishment, suffering and even salvation, righteousness and justice should perfectly mesh with a God of love.  If our “lens” (understanding) of suffering does not bring a God of love into view, then what needs to change?  Our lens…we need to refocus.

So what is the risk of taking away a subtle distortion regarding the character of God?  Let’s use a made-up phrase as an example.  Note, this is a completely made-up phrase and example – only use it as far as it helps you.  This is a serious statement because the potential distortion of God’s character is a serious issue.

“Murder is killing, but is also just”

Murder is legally defined as “the unlawful killing of another human being without justification or excuse.”  So, murder is, in fact, a type of killing; however, murder is never just.  To make this statement true, you would have to either change the definition of murder or the adjective that describes it.  Obviously, just stands in opposition to murder.  If you cannot change the definition of murder, then the adjective needs to change. 

This is my point.  In our phrase, “God is love, but He is also just,” God does not change!  If we are changing our understanding of God because we are holding to a particular definition of justice, then we are distorting God’s character no matter how well-intentioned we are being.  It would be the same as changing the definition of murder to be compatible and complementary with the definition of just.  God’s love must explain justice, not the other way around.  The subtle distortion is walking away with an understanding of God based on your own definitions.  Here, the object starts to change based upon the lens through which you see fit to view it.  Unfortunately, there was a little horn power in the book of Daniel that committed this subtle distortion, but the devastation of those actions was and is anything but subtle.

As I mentioned a few posts ago regarding wrath, there have been times and there will be times when God will actively intervene in the world for purposes that the Bible describes as judgment, punishment, justice, even protection, and so on; but if our understanding of these terms causes us to look at God in any other light except that of love, our understanding needs to change.  A small distortion now could prove disastrous down the road.

Perhaps the better phrase would be, “God is love, and He is also just,” where just is compatible and complementary to love.

Penal Substitution?

What is penal substitution?  It is a model that has found its way into most denominations’ theology, at least into their seminaries, that explains the process of why/how Jesus saves humanity.  Is it necessary for salvation to understand the details of why/how Jesus saves us?  Strictly speaking, no.  The Bible is very clear that “whosoever believes in Him” shall be saved (John 3:16).  However, the Bible is clear that salvation is based upon a close, personal relationship with God.  In any relationship, there can be highs and lows, and it’s important to know the other Person in the relationship.  It appears that belief in God leads to knowing God (John 17:3, 1 John 5:11, 20).  Here is where I see a breakdown in the penal substitution model, and why its subtlety is dangerous.  The penal substitution model separates the Father and Jesus (and perhaps the Holy Spirit) as being one regarding the plan of salvation.  It presents a view of God that is not accurate that could lead to an undermining of the entire relationship.  The serpent is more subtle than the other beast, and perhaps he has attacked the very knowledge of who God is.

From research, I believe that the modern day penal substitution model originates in the three-party atonement model that many in the first few centuries believed.  What is atonement?  It’s simply the ultimate fruition of salvation; bringing God and mankind back together again (at-one-ment).  The thought was that atonement was made between God (the Father), Jesus, and mankind – three separate parties.  This led to a ransom type explanation where mankind sold humanity to Satan and Jesus came to buy it back for God.  Apparently, this was a prevailing thought leading up to the penal substitution model which was fully developed in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries in Rome.  Coincidentally, this is the same time as the conversion of Constantine that ushered in a lot of false doctrines including “thinking” to change times and laws.

What is the significance?  Ancient Rome (pagan, imperial, and republic) developed many of the ways in which we still operate civilly.  Just think about how laws are passed, our definitions of legal/penal/etc., and our development of representative republic governance.  Much of this originates in ancient Rome.  If you take an ancient Roman understanding of law and governance and apply that to how God actually works, then no wonder a Roman ecclesiastical power thought it could change the laws and define their meaning.  If their understanding of law was either that of being imposed by an emperor or voted upon by a senate, then why not apply those principles to God’s law.  The extreme error is thinking that one can impose mankind’s version of governance on God’s version, and that ideology still finds its way into the churches today.  His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8)!

Since they were likely operating with a belief in a three-party atonement model, their concept of law puts God the Father as our “debt” issuer if Jesus has to come to pay for our debt or penalty.  It separates God and Jesus and puts them in opposition.  Satan might as well not even exist anymore if the “debt” need be settled between Jesus and the Father.  It is no different than ancient Baal worship except that Jesus is now the “appeasement” instead of our own works.  This takes forgiveness out of the equation as well.  Just think, if someone pays your debt then your debt is…paid, not forgiven.  It has been thought for many years that sin cannot be forgiven, but that only the sinner can be forgiven.  This is because we can see, Biblically, a transfer of sin back onto Satan at the final judgment and eradication of sin.  This concept is perhaps valid, although our language fails to explain the enormity of what is to take place.  But, to have the power to transfer sin in the first place, One must have gained the power over sin.  In other words, One must have defeated sin to be able to transfer it.  This is just what Jesus did unselfishly at the Cross, and I believe we are forgiven in light of that unselfish act.

I believe in a two-party atonement model between God and mankind (God was in Christ reconciling – 2 Cr 5:19, two immutable things – Hbr 6:18, the Father and I are one – John 10:30, etc.).  God supplies both ends of the covenant (see earlier posts), which would include a sacrifice (Himself as Jesus).  Jesus represents God, reveals the truth about God, and destroys the lies that Satan “merchandises” (Eze 28).  Jesus bore our sinful condition in His flesh which ultimately killed Him (He bore our iniquities, was made sin who knew no sin).  The sinful condition and temptations by Satan were magnified because, unlike us, He had also within Himself the power to destroy sin (temptation is only as great as the power it takes to overcome it, we usually give in way too early).  If He had at any point used His divinity to save Himself, this would have been a selfish act and He would not have been a worthy substitute because selfishness would be found in Him.  Instead, He conquered selfishness and submitted to death (sin) without sinning (selfishness).  His victory is why Paul calls Jesus the second Adam, and now Jesus is also mankind’s representative to the universe.  This is simply and “awe” moment and cannot be fully explained.  This is why we cannot separate the Father and Jesus (and Holy Spirit).  They are unified through the covenant for the purpose of saving humanity.  Our part is to believe this process.  God (the entire Trinity) has done everything possible to save us!  This is not penal substitution as taught by many intentionally or unintentionally!

 I believe Satan has distorted language and conversation over time, and destroyed the meaning of words by shifts in society or culture.  This is why it is so hard to harmonize the truth presented by Jesus (God is Love) with some of the more harsh passages in the OT.  This is why penal substitution and like models are developed in the first place.  We simply have the text from Isaiah, Leviticus, etc. but we weren’t there to get the full effect.  Language in its proper context could be slightly different thousands of years later without the physical experience to back it up.  An example of this would be when God asked Job is he was there when He made the earth.  Just because we can read the language does not always mean that we fully understand the events that the language is describing – were we there?  Therefore, we cannot possibly explain every step in the atonement or salvation process in detail.  Paul might say we simply believe and move from glory to glory, faith to faith, and day by day.  One day we will have a much cleared understanding.

In short, if you do not believe that the Father had or allowed Jesus to be killed so that He could love humanity again (appeasement), then you do not believe the essence of penal substitution in conception.  If this is radical or revolutionary for you, then so be it.  There is nothing wrong with healthy skepticism.  If you believe that this is merely semantics, great.  I hope you always reject any idea that projects anything other than God is love – all the time.

Just a Thought…

How does Christ write His Law on our hearts?  By joining His character with our character, His divinity with our humanity, He overcame our sinful condition (fear, selfishness, etc.) with His perfect Law of love, His character.  The old covenant failed because mankind failed to internalize the drama unfolding before their eyes.  They took specific acts (specific because they had to be exact since they represented the perfection of Christ) and turned them into rituals as a means for appeasement rather than a means for self-reflection.  Mankind perverted this process to the point where Christ had to not only restore the human heart but also His Law.  The old system of symbols pointed to the reality of Christ and that the Law is not separate from God but rather is the principle of His eternal, perfect character, the very process for life.   This restoration is what is meant by nailing the Law to the cross.  How do we know the Law of God?  The Holy Spirit leads us as we study his Word.  God’s Word is truth, all things were made by the Word and to operate upon the principles of Truth, and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.  God’s Word, His Truth, His Law, His signature and identity was written upon humanity, in our hearts, by the most selfless act of all, the gift of Christ.  The Son of God became the Son of Man.  Where mankind failed, Christ restored.  He is the Medium through which God reconciled Himself (at-one-ment) to mankind.  

How does Christ write His Law on our hearts?  Answer:  The Word was made flesh. 

In other words, it’s all about Christ!