Do you practice Vampire Christianity? I hope not.
Whoa! Hold it right there for just a minute. Isn’t that sacrilegious or something? Maybe.
What’s worse is if it’s true. Sadly many people practice a form of Vampire Christianity. No not in the sense that they drink other people’s blood. (Give me a break!)
Vampire Christianity is a shortsighted focus on salvation, on being a Christian, to the neglect of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. So says Dallas Willard in his recent book, “The Great Omission.”
Willard’s point is this: “The individual says to Jesus, in effect, ‘I’d like a little of your blood, but I don’t care to be your student…in fact, won’t you just excuse me while I get on with my life, and I’ll see you in heaven.’”
In other words, “Thanks for dying on the cross for me, Jesus. I’ll accept your blood shed for my sin. I’ll even remember it through the Communion cup. Just don’t ask me to change my life, give up my sin or live for you.”
Such a Christian is more interested in the benefits of being a Christian than in becoming a Christ follower. And that’s selfishness at it’s worst.
To follow Jesus involves more than just a “confession.” It’s a whole new focus for life.
Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?”
For the Christ follower, if faith in Christ is worth anything—it is worth everything.
Jesus did not call us to a life of ease. Following him requires self-denial, complete dedication and willing obedience. And he was up front about it.
Being a Christ follower is not about memorizing the most information from the Bible. It’s about undergoing a profound transformation in our hearts and minds where we become more and more like Jesus Christ.
The result will be what Jesus described when he said, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”
Sadly the church’s emphasis on conversion and Communion has failed to produce such a relationship of transformation. For the most part it has produced Vampire Christianity.
If your focus is on your own life, what you can get and what you can keep—in the end you lose. You leave it all behind. But if you give your life to Jesus, put him in charge and become his follower—you will gain everything that is eternally important.
Missionary martyr Jim Elliot put it well: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Instead of a self-centered life, Jesus leads us to a God-centered life. He calls us to deny ourselves the comforts of life in order to achieve a mission far greater than riches. That mission is the eternal salvation of the world. And what you gain is far greater than what you lose.
The only thing you can take to heaven with you is other people. Jesus sacrificed himself to give the human race an eternal hope and future. He calls us to do the same--to live in such a way that our life points others to the Savior who lived, died and arose from the dead to give everlasting life to all who trust in him.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Wicked Weather
Well how about this weather!
Someone said that if it weren’t for the weather, most people wouldn’t know how to start a conversation! And they’re probably right.
Until recently, we’ve had a mild winter. Now it’s cold. And Baghdad and Mexico both had snow this year! So are we having global warming or cooling? I’m sure I don’t know.
Weather is so unpredictable and forecasts are often unreliable. Recently I heard a TV weather report say that all the experts and all the forecast models got it wrong.
That’s the problem with weather predicting. You can’t always trust it. Sometimes they’ll tell you to expect a summer storm and you get wicked weather—a tornado. Other times they warn of flooding and you get a few drops of rain. But occasionally they’re right on the mark.
I guess that’s why I like being a pastor. Why? Because you can trust the Bible.
Now I can hear someone say, “Hold it right there for just a minute. How do you know?”
Because the Bible is honest about what man is. Its heroes are not larger-than-life perfect people. It shows their failures and victories side by side. It’s truthful about their struggles.
While psychologists and police departments try to figure out where crime comes from, the Bible gives us the answer: evil. It tells us that evil has a source: Satan, the evil one.
Wickedness and evil seem to fascinate some people. I had a college roommate who decided he wanted to be an expert on demons and the devil. But the Bible warns us to stay away from witchcraft and sorcery. What you think you’re controlling ends up controlling you.
The Bible is unique among the world’s holy books. According to the Internet site gotquestions.org, about 40 authors wrote the Bible. They wrote over a span of 1,500 years and came from very different backgrounds. Yet the Bible doesn’t contradict itself and contained no errors when it was written. The authors have different perspectives but they all speak of the same one true God. They all point to the same one way of salvation—Jesus Christ.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that not everyone agrees with me. And that’s OK. The Bible can stand on its own merits. But most people will agree that Jesus was special.
The truths Jesus taught and the claims he made set him apart as more than just a good teacher. And while he died for what he believed in, he was more than a martyr.
Jesus claimed that through faith in his death and resurrection, sin would be forgiven and believers would become sons of God. He spoke with clarity and left no doubt what he meant.
Some folks have honest doubts—and that’s OK—as long as those doubts push them to search for answers. Don’t forget that Jesus said, “Seek and you will find.”
Let’s also admit that Jesus’ followers don’t always make us proud. But it’s been that way since the beginning (remember Judas?). Followers often make mistakes. What you need to do is look at the leader. Christianity stands or falls with Jesus. Not with anyone else.
Even though others may let us down, Jesus said he is God. He never fails us.
The way to determine if Jesus was who he said he was is to accept his challenge. He said, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own."
I’m not sure you can do much about wicked weather--but one thing is sure: You can do something about you! Will you take Jesus’ challenge? I did and it changed my life for good.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Someone said that if it weren’t for the weather, most people wouldn’t know how to start a conversation! And they’re probably right.
Until recently, we’ve had a mild winter. Now it’s cold. And Baghdad and Mexico both had snow this year! So are we having global warming or cooling? I’m sure I don’t know.
Weather is so unpredictable and forecasts are often unreliable. Recently I heard a TV weather report say that all the experts and all the forecast models got it wrong.
That’s the problem with weather predicting. You can’t always trust it. Sometimes they’ll tell you to expect a summer storm and you get wicked weather—a tornado. Other times they warn of flooding and you get a few drops of rain. But occasionally they’re right on the mark.
I guess that’s why I like being a pastor. Why? Because you can trust the Bible.
Now I can hear someone say, “Hold it right there for just a minute. How do you know?”
Because the Bible is honest about what man is. Its heroes are not larger-than-life perfect people. It shows their failures and victories side by side. It’s truthful about their struggles.
While psychologists and police departments try to figure out where crime comes from, the Bible gives us the answer: evil. It tells us that evil has a source: Satan, the evil one.
Wickedness and evil seem to fascinate some people. I had a college roommate who decided he wanted to be an expert on demons and the devil. But the Bible warns us to stay away from witchcraft and sorcery. What you think you’re controlling ends up controlling you.
The Bible is unique among the world’s holy books. According to the Internet site gotquestions.org, about 40 authors wrote the Bible. They wrote over a span of 1,500 years and came from very different backgrounds. Yet the Bible doesn’t contradict itself and contained no errors when it was written. The authors have different perspectives but they all speak of the same one true God. They all point to the same one way of salvation—Jesus Christ.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that not everyone agrees with me. And that’s OK. The Bible can stand on its own merits. But most people will agree that Jesus was special.
The truths Jesus taught and the claims he made set him apart as more than just a good teacher. And while he died for what he believed in, he was more than a martyr.
Jesus claimed that through faith in his death and resurrection, sin would be forgiven and believers would become sons of God. He spoke with clarity and left no doubt what he meant.
Some folks have honest doubts—and that’s OK—as long as those doubts push them to search for answers. Don’t forget that Jesus said, “Seek and you will find.”
Let’s also admit that Jesus’ followers don’t always make us proud. But it’s been that way since the beginning (remember Judas?). Followers often make mistakes. What you need to do is look at the leader. Christianity stands or falls with Jesus. Not with anyone else.
Even though others may let us down, Jesus said he is God. He never fails us.
The way to determine if Jesus was who he said he was is to accept his challenge. He said, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own."
I’m not sure you can do much about wicked weather--but one thing is sure: You can do something about you! Will you take Jesus’ challenge? I did and it changed my life for good.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Investment Strategy
This is the time of year some people are afraid of the mail in their mailboxes.
December is the month for overindulgence. We overeat and we overspend.
January is the month for “facing the music.” It’s the “moment of truth” when the credit card bills arrive and we realize we spent more than we could afford on Christmas. Again.
For many it’s a vicious circle. In January we vow we’ll never do it again. Then the Christmas season hits and we get caught up in the spirit of buying. Before you know it--it’s January again and we’re miserable when the bills arrive. Why do we do it?
Well hold on just a minute. If it happens every year, make this the year you do something about it!
Pay off the credit cards and come up with a reasonable investment strategy.
If you start now, you can save a little each week. And when the 2008 Christmas catalogs start arriving you’ll have cash. No credit cards needed! Just think of the wonderful January you’ll have in 2009!
Unfortunately Americans aren’t very good at thinking ahead and making a plan. We like to live for today. Part of the reason we live for today is fear of the future.
Some people are too afraid to invest. They don’t trust the bank or the stock market. And if they save cash at home they’re afraid someone might break in and steal it.
Others “invest” in possessions. Their motto is “Buy it now because tomorrow never comes.” But depreciation can make that a bad deal. And here’s the worst part: one day you’ll leave it all behind. Permanently. Then who will benefit from all your hard work?
So what can you do?
Jesus Christ gives us advice that makes sense both financially and spiritually. He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It makes sense to plan for the future. It’s also good advice to put your treasure in something (and somewhere) that will last; something you can care about.
Most people plan to retire some day. Many have a retirement or savings program in place. But what about forever? We’re all going to spend forever somewhere. It makes sense to think about it now and send something ahead.
First you need a plan to get to heaven. Jesus took care of that when he said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Trust in him.
Then invest in things with eternal dividends. The only thing you can bring to heaven is people. Find and support organizations that help people with their physical and spiritual needs. Especially those agencies that bring people the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
Don’t kid yourself. One day your wealth will be gone. What will you have to show for it?
Christmas Clubs and savings accounts are good. But don’t settle for just a temporary investment strategy. One day, if you plan ahead, you’ll have “treasure” that will last forever.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
December is the month for overindulgence. We overeat and we overspend.
January is the month for “facing the music.” It’s the “moment of truth” when the credit card bills arrive and we realize we spent more than we could afford on Christmas. Again.
For many it’s a vicious circle. In January we vow we’ll never do it again. Then the Christmas season hits and we get caught up in the spirit of buying. Before you know it--it’s January again and we’re miserable when the bills arrive. Why do we do it?
Well hold on just a minute. If it happens every year, make this the year you do something about it!
Pay off the credit cards and come up with a reasonable investment strategy.
If you start now, you can save a little each week. And when the 2008 Christmas catalogs start arriving you’ll have cash. No credit cards needed! Just think of the wonderful January you’ll have in 2009!
Unfortunately Americans aren’t very good at thinking ahead and making a plan. We like to live for today. Part of the reason we live for today is fear of the future.
Some people are too afraid to invest. They don’t trust the bank or the stock market. And if they save cash at home they’re afraid someone might break in and steal it.
Others “invest” in possessions. Their motto is “Buy it now because tomorrow never comes.” But depreciation can make that a bad deal. And here’s the worst part: one day you’ll leave it all behind. Permanently. Then who will benefit from all your hard work?
So what can you do?
Jesus Christ gives us advice that makes sense both financially and spiritually. He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It makes sense to plan for the future. It’s also good advice to put your treasure in something (and somewhere) that will last; something you can care about.
Most people plan to retire some day. Many have a retirement or savings program in place. But what about forever? We’re all going to spend forever somewhere. It makes sense to think about it now and send something ahead.
First you need a plan to get to heaven. Jesus took care of that when he said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Trust in him.
Then invest in things with eternal dividends. The only thing you can bring to heaven is people. Find and support organizations that help people with their physical and spiritual needs. Especially those agencies that bring people the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
Don’t kid yourself. One day your wealth will be gone. What will you have to show for it?
Christmas Clubs and savings accounts are good. But don’t settle for just a temporary investment strategy. One day, if you plan ahead, you’ll have “treasure” that will last forever.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Forget About It!
Most people don’t like to forget.
I had a great idea last week, but I forgot it before I could write it down. Does that ever happen to you? It’s frustrating, to say the least.
Then, in the Sunday paper, I read an article about forgetfulness. It said forgetting is a normal part of aging. For everyone. And that’s supposed to make us all feel better.
I feel better already, don’t you? Wait. What was I supposed to feel better about? I forgot.
For a number of years I’ve used a Palm PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) to help me remember events, birthdays and information. It was a great help until its hard drive crashed before Christmas. So it can’t remember either. Bummer.
Now I walk around wondering if I’m forgetting to do something important. I don’t like to forget what I’m supposed to remember!
So it struck me when I learned of someone who forgets things on purpose.
Now hold on just a minute! Why would anyone do that?
Well he didn’t actually say he forgets things on purpose. He said he remembers them no more. So it’s kind of like forgetting on purpose--but not exactly. Let me explain.
There are some things we hope people will forget. Like our failures. Or “great” ideas that flopped big time. Or times we let our family down—especially those.
Have you noticed how people remember our failures more than our successes? We know we failed. But some people have to remind us about it. They must think they’re doing us a favor. Some even seem to enjoy it.
So it’s a surprise to learn that God is the exception. He forgives and forgets. Really.
When a person comes to Jesus Christ and trusts in him as their Lord and Savior, the Bible says God forgives all their sin. All the failures. All the things they wished they’d never done.
Now being forgiven is an unusual experience for us humans. Usually people want revenge. So we’re not sure about this forgiveness deal. God knows that so he keeps it simple.
The Bible says God separates us from our sin, “as far as the East is from the West.” It says he has thrown our sins “into the depths of the ocean.” We start to get the idea. He’s not planning to bring it up again and rub our noses in it.
But the best part is when he says, “I will never again remember their sins.” That’s even better than forgetting. How? Forgetting is passive. It’s something that happens and we didn’t plan on it. We intend to remember but forgot instead.
However, to “never again remember” is active. It’s like God is saying, “I know about your failure but I don’t plan to think about it again. I will not remember it. I will not remind you of it. Ever.” Now that’s amazing. God is the only one who does that.
How can he do it? He can do it because the Bible says Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sin in full.
God doesn’t want you to feel dirty, grovel or be ashamed any longer. There’s no need. Once he forgives you, you’re clean. He gives you a fresh start.
Only it’s not automatic. God did his part by sending his Son, Jesus, to take the rap, the punishment for our sins on the cross. All he asks us to do is believe. To trust him. He will forgive and forget. And once God forgives you, you’re at peace with him.
Your sins? “Forget about it!” Now go make things right with others you’ve hurt.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
I had a great idea last week, but I forgot it before I could write it down. Does that ever happen to you? It’s frustrating, to say the least.
Then, in the Sunday paper, I read an article about forgetfulness. It said forgetting is a normal part of aging. For everyone. And that’s supposed to make us all feel better.
I feel better already, don’t you? Wait. What was I supposed to feel better about? I forgot.
For a number of years I’ve used a Palm PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) to help me remember events, birthdays and information. It was a great help until its hard drive crashed before Christmas. So it can’t remember either. Bummer.
Now I walk around wondering if I’m forgetting to do something important. I don’t like to forget what I’m supposed to remember!
So it struck me when I learned of someone who forgets things on purpose.
Now hold on just a minute! Why would anyone do that?
Well he didn’t actually say he forgets things on purpose. He said he remembers them no more. So it’s kind of like forgetting on purpose--but not exactly. Let me explain.
There are some things we hope people will forget. Like our failures. Or “great” ideas that flopped big time. Or times we let our family down—especially those.
Have you noticed how people remember our failures more than our successes? We know we failed. But some people have to remind us about it. They must think they’re doing us a favor. Some even seem to enjoy it.
So it’s a surprise to learn that God is the exception. He forgives and forgets. Really.
When a person comes to Jesus Christ and trusts in him as their Lord and Savior, the Bible says God forgives all their sin. All the failures. All the things they wished they’d never done.
Now being forgiven is an unusual experience for us humans. Usually people want revenge. So we’re not sure about this forgiveness deal. God knows that so he keeps it simple.
The Bible says God separates us from our sin, “as far as the East is from the West.” It says he has thrown our sins “into the depths of the ocean.” We start to get the idea. He’s not planning to bring it up again and rub our noses in it.
But the best part is when he says, “I will never again remember their sins.” That’s even better than forgetting. How? Forgetting is passive. It’s something that happens and we didn’t plan on it. We intend to remember but forgot instead.
However, to “never again remember” is active. It’s like God is saying, “I know about your failure but I don’t plan to think about it again. I will not remember it. I will not remind you of it. Ever.” Now that’s amazing. God is the only one who does that.
How can he do it? He can do it because the Bible says Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sin in full.
God doesn’t want you to feel dirty, grovel or be ashamed any longer. There’s no need. Once he forgives you, you’re clean. He gives you a fresh start.
Only it’s not automatic. God did his part by sending his Son, Jesus, to take the rap, the punishment for our sins on the cross. All he asks us to do is believe. To trust him. He will forgive and forget. And once God forgives you, you’re at peace with him.
Your sins? “Forget about it!” Now go make things right with others you’ve hurt.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
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