"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint." (Proverbs 23:04)
One of the deceptive aspects of the pursuit of wealth is the idea that wealth will answer all of your problems. There are abundant examples in life that this is not true, but most people ignore the proof. More than one rich person has died grasping for one last dollar, having sacrificed their relationships with people in exchange for more wealth. Like the old country song that says, "money can't buy back your youth when you're old, or a love that's grown cold". So true! Wisdom will guide you to realize that earthly wealth is a short-term blessing, uncertain at best, and useless in eternity. Always realize that you are more than what you possess, much more. That's why Jesus advises that you invest in treasures in heaven. When Jesus speaks, people should listen. -Unknown
Yes, it doesn't get any clearer than this. The bottom line here is the same that the book of Ecclesiastes tries to get across when the writer opens with: "vanity, vanity, all is vanity" , What does man gain from all his labor...." The book is a discourse of how useless the pursuit of "stuff", all kinds of "stuff" is. The good life is not things and experiences and secondly not just living and success. Christians need to learn that the full life is knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and living in his will, not the pursuit of riches or other idols.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
So, What IS My Theology
I have been asked, rightfully so, what is my theology? Despite being anti- “ology” and “ism”, and being as totally non-denominational as is humanly possible, I still have to have a basis for my faith.
I’m very “protestant”. I was raised Roman Catholic despite being from predominantly Jewish parents. (Both died in denial of how Jewish they were, a story not for here). In the mid 80’s I had grown to a point where I no longer could accept the teachings of the Catholic Church. I was a believer in Jesus Christ but had developed an issue with the obvious idolatry and idol worship, amongst other things, and thus started my quest for the truth. That is when I started studying the Bible. After a while of studying and watching the likes of Ben Hayden, Charles Stanley, John Ankerberg, and listening to J.Vernon McGee, and Chuck Smith on the radio I came to a traditional Protestant position and realized I needed to receive Christ as my Lord and Savior.
My theology is pretty much what came out of the Reformation; I have been saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone, in Christ alone. I believe the Bible, the original texts are divinely inspired and is God’s only revelation to mankind. Yes, very basic and very simple.
We get in trouble when we start interjecting our “people stuff” on top of this foundation.
For example, “Thou shalt walk the isle” or “You need to be baptized to be saved” are pretty classic deviations. Anything added to basic salvation, the basic Gospel message is error in my opinion. I have railed against all sorts of secondary issues over the years, railed against folks who major in the minors, folks who say “believe as I believe exactly the way I believe it or you are not saved” or accuse you of heresy due to “required” secondary or even tertiary beliefs. These folks are tools of the devil in my opinion and do nothing to spread the Gospel, and in fact hinder its growth by their actions. Religiosity is poison.
You see it all comes back to basics. Christianity is not about religion, it is about relationship, a relationship with the God of the universe through his son Jesus Christ.
I hope this answers your question.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
I’m very “protestant”. I was raised Roman Catholic despite being from predominantly Jewish parents. (Both died in denial of how Jewish they were, a story not for here). In the mid 80’s I had grown to a point where I no longer could accept the teachings of the Catholic Church. I was a believer in Jesus Christ but had developed an issue with the obvious idolatry and idol worship, amongst other things, and thus started my quest for the truth. That is when I started studying the Bible. After a while of studying and watching the likes of Ben Hayden, Charles Stanley, John Ankerberg, and listening to J.Vernon McGee, and Chuck Smith on the radio I came to a traditional Protestant position and realized I needed to receive Christ as my Lord and Savior.
My theology is pretty much what came out of the Reformation; I have been saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone, in Christ alone. I believe the Bible, the original texts are divinely inspired and is God’s only revelation to mankind. Yes, very basic and very simple.
We get in trouble when we start interjecting our “people stuff” on top of this foundation.
For example, “Thou shalt walk the isle” or “You need to be baptized to be saved” are pretty classic deviations. Anything added to basic salvation, the basic Gospel message is error in my opinion. I have railed against all sorts of secondary issues over the years, railed against folks who major in the minors, folks who say “believe as I believe exactly the way I believe it or you are not saved” or accuse you of heresy due to “required” secondary or even tertiary beliefs. These folks are tools of the devil in my opinion and do nothing to spread the Gospel, and in fact hinder its growth by their actions. Religiosity is poison.
You see it all comes back to basics. Christianity is not about religion, it is about relationship, a relationship with the God of the universe through his son Jesus Christ.
I hope this answers your question.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)