Jeffrey Smith's Blog

True Dat

American culture is changing at this moment faster than I ever witnessed in my lifetime. Political and religious stereotypes are meshing into something that is nearly indistinguishable.  I don’t often use German philosophy to illustrate spiritual truths, but Hegel’s concepts of thesis (truth), anti-thesis (the opposite of that truth), and synthesis (a blending, or new idea from both) to me is applicable right now in our society because something new is being created.

I am concerned because I do believe in truth and I believe the ever quoted John 14:6 speaks of that kind of Truth. “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. No eisegesis here, simply pointing out the fact that Christ is inseparable from His Word. Jesus then in John 16:13 promised of the Holy Spirit that we would receive after His ascension, “Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. “ John 8:31-32 corroborates. "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Truth is becoming a philosophical conversation rather than an absolute in our world. 

It is interesting to me that world history’s earliest recorded civilizations, the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Sumerians all were very religious and they all built temples of worship. At the center of these temples were idols, statues, and carvings of various gods and animals. This was the center of their worship, images that represented their gods. When God gave Israel instructions for setting up the temple. The holiest place of all was the holy of holies. Only the priests were allowed to enter. But what was there? A statue made by the finest sculptors of the day? Any images at all that depict the person of God? No. At the center of worship in the Temple was the Ark of the Covenant and inside the Ark was what? God’s Word. He is inseparable from His Word and He has always held His own Word in high regard. John 1:1 refers to Jesus as the Word.

Never be afraid of absolute truth when proclaiming God’s Word or reading it. Debates rage that men have the right to examine it,  take it apart, put it back together again and keep what is left. The argument is based on the premise that, “man wrote it, man delivered it, and man voted on what to keep and what to ditch”. This doesn’t say much of our view of the sovereignty of God, or His ability to keep His own Word intact despite the fallibility of man.

People do not want to be told what to do…period. That is what all of this is about. I watched a couple walk away from our church after 18 years because they were confronted about an issue that was not handled properly. Poof…gone! I am certainly not saying that I like being told what to do either; I am just saying that no one does. That presents great offence when reading the Bible. It claims absolute truth and it is always telling us what to do…and what NOT to do. No wonder people are trying to change it. It stings. But it also gives life and hope and peace. It corrects in love and truth.

People would be much better off to reject it than try and change it. Trying to change God is not a good idea. (Especially when your football team is losing…He doesn’t seem to care) As Christians we have a responsibility to understand the Bible and to demonstrate the truth contained therein. If we do that in love we help truth shine in a foggy world.

 

No Fear

I recently had a telephone conversation that affected me deeply. As a parent, I have been humbled many times by the truths I have discovered through the honesty of my children. (Apparently I look scary with a beard and "Mommy and Daddy shows" are not fair...good points.). I don't mind learning from others, even if they are much younger than I am. A few days ago I came across the work of Lila Rose, a 20 year old student at UCLA. Ms. Rose is a pro-life activist and the president of Live Action Films, a youth led human rights movement dedicated to the respect and protection of all human life including the unborn. She began this type of work as an assignment in high school, and she continues it with her organization. Ms. Rose has made many headlines in recent years because of her undercover investigative journalism which has exposed many flaws in the system, specifically with Planned Parenthood. In her most recent video, Ms. Rose shows the willingness of a Planned Parenthood employee to ignore state laws which require the notification of authorities in the case of statutory rape. Posing as a 13 year old girl, Ms. Rose captures the entire incident on tape. I was shocked to learn that this organization receives over 300 million dollars a year in Federal funding. Her voice is being heard. I contacted Lila after seeing her videos. I wanted to know if she ever speaks to young people about her work and her beliefs. After a 5 minute phone call I was blown away by the passion and knowledge that she possesses for her cause. I was also further aware that media is no longer in the control of the large institutions. Because of technology and the internet, it is moving into the hands of those that are the hungriest. Lila Rose has not only helped polarized my beliefs on this issue. She has reminded me what it means to stand for truth without fear. Christ stood for truth without fear. A peaceful, passionate voice that spoke truth to the world. He lived without fear. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". In John 6:35 Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty". Not exactly playing it safe. Jesus spoke truth so loudly that the book of John goes on to tell us that many of His disciples turned away and followed Him no more. I hope I live the same way...without concern for what others will think about truth. Let us not concern ourselves with who will leave us if we speak truth, but who will be set free when they hear it. Thank you Lila. I'll end by quoting John 4:18: "No fear exists where his love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn't have perfect love".

Justice For All

The recent attacks in Mumbai have left over 155 dead, 327 injured, (at the time of this blog) and left me thinking about a subject that I can’t get out of my mind. Justice.

I think often of the defenseless and the abused…those that have no chance. What happens to the ”bad guys” that prey on the weak and vulnerable?

From a theological standpoint the subject of justice has a few sides. On the spiritual side, I do not want justice because…I would fry. Yet grace seems to nullify justice through the sacrifice of Christ in our stead. We do not get what we deserve. Jesus makes it very clear in John 14:6 that He has provided the way to God, a Way that circumvents the punishment that all men deserve because of our transgressions against Him.

Clearly those without Christ are not so fortunate.

Psalms 10:13-14

13        Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?

14        But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.  The victim commits himself to you;  you are the helper of the fatherless.

There are two comforting thoughts here. First, wicked men will be brought into account. Revelation 20:12 refers to the dead being judged according to what they had done. Outside of grace obtained in Christ, the punishment fits the crime. This passage is referring to unsaved men who will stand before the Lord on Judgment Day, (worse that James Cameron could envision) but even the Bible recognizes that there are different degrees of reward for good works and different degrees of punishment for evil works. Even in eternity, the punishment fits the crime.

Isaiah 61:8 "For I, the LORD, love justice;  I hate robbery and iniquity.

The second comforting thought is that He sees injustice and He is the Helper of the fatherless. The hurting are not alone. He is there. We must embrace the hurting with the love of God and the message of Christ so they may know where their help comes from.

God bless those who have been hurt or frightened because of evil men.

And God help the evil men see their sin before it’s too late for them.

We must spread life and hope like never before, yet never fear standing and fighting for what is right. Sometimes God’s justice is executed through the righteous. Never forget that.

American Beauty

I believe God loves all people. Do not mistake that fact. Right now however, I want to make a distinction between His love and His favor. God pours His favor on people, and nations that honor Him. We as a nation have done just that. Despite our shortcomings, God favors this nation. I believe this nation is a light to the world. I believe we are a beautiful nation. Why do I believe this? Many reasons...to name a few...Over 50% of the Protestant missionaries in the WORLD are from the United States. There are over 250,000 churches in America that meet once a week or more. 92% of Americans believe in "God", while 52% believe He is a personal being that you can have a deep relationship with (Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 2008 survey) Even if most of these people are lying, at least they are lying about the right person. We may have stumbled quite a bit, but we have never got out of the race, or quit on God as a nation.  I believe God's plan for this nation is not only stronger than ever, but even closer to being fulfilled as a result of the recent elections. We will see God manifest in new ways. We will see heroes rise and frauds exposed. People of courage, and people of fear. People partying in Babylon, and praying in Zion. I am anxious for believers to come together, not apart. I believe in this nation we should concern ourselves as Christians with being the brightest light for Christ the world has ever seen, and even though we are the minority, I believe the piety of the few has more effect in saving this country than the impiety of the masses in polluting it.  God bless this place I love so much... America.