NAS 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;


     One of my favorite movies is the sci-fi flick Pitch Black (2000). It’s about a ship that crashes on a planet that seems uninhabited.  But then because of the rotation of the planets, it goes dark for long periods of time.  During the dark periods these flesh eating creatures swarm out of the ground like one big bee-hive.  The characters have to make a run for the only ship that can get them out by staying in a circle of lighted cords.  If they stayed in the light the creatures would stay away. While on the way one of the men, the scaredy-cat, tries to run off on his own.  Realizing he is in trouble, he takes a mouthful of whiskey and a lighter and blows a fire ball exposing the monsters that are about to pounce.  As the flame diminishes, they move in and darkness covers what the screams of torment reveal.

     Riddick, the main character, when asked what’s happening, says, “You don’t want to know…”

     Now read the verse at the top of the page, again.

     It amazes me that some people try to say that they are “christian” , but don’t believe they have to go to church.  This is so blatantly wrong.  That is to say that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit liars!

     Too many want their cake and eat it too.  We have been duped into thinking that since I prayed a prayer and walked an isle, I can do what I want.   After all, I can call Him Lord then just go to church once in a while, right?

     WHAT?! NO!

     If you have a desire to continue to live in the same manner that you once lived, then you should doubt, as should the church, that you are saved.  Yea, I said the church should doubt.  If you are not walking in a manner that points others to the fact that you have been born again, it reflects on the church.  Don’t forget who the Body of Christ is.  

     By the way we live, reflects on the church and gives it the reputation of lying if we live like nothing has changed from before we came to Christ.

     There must be a change in life, living, and lifestyle.  

     Believer, you can know the truth, and not have fellowship with Christ.

     Wait a minute. Truth sets you free, right.

     Right.  But look at the verse again.

     1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

     If you don’t put hands and feet on your theology, you live a lie.  How?  Because, you say one thing and do another, any speech is wiped out by lack of actions.

     See the parallels here? Fellowship-lie; walk-practice.  We can have fellowship with Him by practicing the truth, not speaking it.

     We have to live what we believe, so that the light of fellowship becons “sinner come home.”

     Soli Deo Gloria,

     Aaron “Tree” Landis
     Psalm 1:3


     

     Ok, I have to get this off my chest. The 1 John study can wait a day.  
     
     Yesterday, I read a blog that quite frankly I found somewhat bothersome.  On Steve Camp’s blog he had a link to Dr. James White’s concerning a discussion that he (White) has been having with Dr. Caner of Liberty University.  

     The topic was Calvinism (White) vs. Arminianism (Caner).  White is basically calling out Caner to debate his views in a public forum.  That’s the issue.

     All this is claimed by White to be under the banner of “apologetics.”

What bothers me most about those who are Calvinists (and I am one) is the blurring of the lines of what they call “apologetics”.  Defending our theological stance is not what Peter had in mind when he told us to be ready to make a defense of our faith.(1 Peter 3:15).

     At this point, I got a burr under my saddle.

     I confess openly that I am a Calvinist, not ashamed, that is how I see Scripture reading.  I have dear friends who are not Calvinists.  We have discussions and exchanges and “debates” but it is all in an effort to try to get it right.  Getting it right is the important part.  

     But apologetics is NOT trying to convert my Arminian friends to Calvinism!

1 Peter 3:14-17   14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,  15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;  16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

     Apologetic arguments should be with the intention of seeing someone come to saving faith (however you believe that to be—we’ll work out the hows afterward).  You cannot do apologetics with someone who already believes.  Giving a reasoned defense to those who do not believe you have faith.  The 1 Peter 3:15 passage shows that it is more that you should have enough evidence of faith to be convicted that you would be able to not only give a reasoned defense verbally but from physical evidence and eye witness testimony.

     Should we study to be ready to make a defense of the Gospel?  Yes.  Absolutely. But with the intent of leading them TO the One who saves—not for another notch in our Scoffield Bible that says, “I have debated my faith against the Arminians.”

     Well that’s precious.  You drove a wedge between you and another who claims Christ as Lord.  What kind of testimony is that that would, or could be, admitted into a court?  What if, as I have had, a non believer, searching the internet because their university prof told them to look at blogs to get an idea of what Christians think, stumbled onto that?  Would that give them cause to consider Christ?  Would they think that we are one?

     I could really care less how many times you have debated someone who holds a different faith (Muslim, Buddhist, or Catholic), what I want to know this.  How many of those you have made a “defense” with have come to saving faith?  Isn’t that the point?

     Now, I admire both men, White and Caner, for what they have done in equipping the saints to be able to give defenses for our faith.  Particularly, Dr. Caner for his insight into the Muslim thought and theology by way of his Muslim upbringing, has enlightened many a Christian on how best to effectively share the Gospel with them.  I don’t agree with his theology on grace. But is that an issue that should cause me to brand him apostate? No.

     The one problem with my Calvinist brothers is that we tend to make more of the issue of Calvinism than that of sharing the Gospel.  Doing so is not apologetics.  I can’t say that enough.

     If we are not sharing our faith as a part of apologetics—then it doesn’t matter if you are Calvinist or Arminian—your doin what the Devil wants you to—argue amongst ourselves and forget the call to “Go ye therefore…”

     Lord, get us on our knees with our brothers that think differently about the how, by focusing on the Who that saves.

     Sorry, I just had to vent that off.

     Soli Deo Gloria,

     Aaron “Tree” Landis
     Psalm 1.3

     Another aspect of light that often gets overlooked is the need of light in order for there to be growth.  A botanist will tell you that for photosynthesis to take place, one of the necessary elements is light.  Light has a quality that energizes the activity in the plant to talk what is normally harmful, carbon dioxide, and put out oxygen.  Light is necessary for growth.

     Only God can give true spiritual growth.  He is the Light that we need more than anything else.  In Him, the Light, does our impurities burn away into something that can be productive for His use.

     Light also chases away the darkness.   Wherever light is, darkness must leave.  We are His agents of grace, torch-bearers, called to take the light into the darkest of places.  But we, ourselves, must have been first purified by Him.

     There is no darkness in Him—nor should there be in His children.

Psalm 90:8  8 Thou hast placed our iniquities before Thee, Our secret sins in the light of Thy presence.

     We must realize and confess our sins before Him, there is nothing that is not in His sight.  Praise God! His light leads us to the path of forgiveness found in Christ Jesus.
     This is what we have heard from the beginning and must continue to proclaim today—that God is Light!! Pure and holy light that can illumine any heart, guide any foot, and purify the foulest heart!!  A light so pure that there is no darkness in Him at all!!

     No darkness at all…

     Kind shoots a whole in those who say God doesn’t really know what is going to happen next.  If He didn’t then He lied and would have deceived those who throughout history (His-story) who called upon His name, and us.

     He is in control, He knows who will be saved, He knows who will be lost.  That is not for us to figure out.  It is for us to share the light and drive out the darkness with the light of His Gospel.

     A light pushes the darkness away.  Drives it out.  Are you living a life that is driving out darkness.  You have to be where darkness is to do so.

     My prayer is that the church will live on the edge of God’s light that we may share the Gospel with those who try to remain in the dark.  May we have the audacity to go into their safest places and give them the Balm of Gilead that alone can meet their need—atonement for their sin, and new life by grace thru faith in Christ alone.

     Soli Deo Gloria,
                Aaron “Tree” Landis
     Psalm 1.3

1 John 1:5   5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

     Have you ever tried to describe a person in one word or less?  John he is nice. Jane she is ok.  But does that really speak of their character?

     Here John describes God in ways that no one else in the New Testament really does.  God is Word. God is Light.  God is Spirit.   These 3 words that John uses are going to form the framework, so to speak, of the rest of the letter.  In verse 5, he tackles the first major idea and its outworking.

     John describes God as light.  What does light do?  What are some characteristics of light?
     
In the jewish mindset, which John probably had in mind, of God being light, was to describe Him in three different ways.  The first of which would be to describe His physical attribute of absolute, physical glory.  Whatever light can be in its purest form, doesn’t compare to the glory which God is in His very being.

It also has to do with His truth, intellectually.  By being light, there is nothing that is not known to Him.  We can hide ourselves and think that in the darkest corner that we are safe from His eyes, but the reality is that since He is light, and because of that He knows all things and there is nothing that is hidden from Him.  

A third view from the Old Testament view of light is that of His holiness.  Oh, how we have lost this one today.  God is holy.  Nothing that is unholy and impure can stand in His presence.  His holiness is an often overlooked aspect of who God is.  His love is holy.   His justice is holy.  His mercy and grace are holy.  

You (and I) are not.

Just as being under a light can burn, so too can being under the glare of His light, which gives light to our sin and convicts us of unrighteousness is revealed.   The revelation of our own un-holiness is what is at the center of John’s message that was given.   God is light—not us, as the Gnostics would have us believe.  We are not little gods, searching for our own truth.


More to come later,

Soli Deo Gloria

Aaron “Tree” Landis
Psalm 1.3

NAU 1 John 1:3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

     One thing that seems to be lacking in the church in America today is the number of qualified and able preachers who can honestly stand in the pulpit and say, “Thus sayeth the Lord!”  

     Power in the pulpit is no simple task, yet it is necessary for the body of believers.  Why?  Our fellowship depends on it! If we are to be able to associate together and come into partake of the Body, how can we if we cannot unite under the Gospel which was “seen and heard and proclaimed to you also” ?

     In a day when the sermon is relegated to a feel good, on-going self-help seminar it denigrates the Gospel because it cannot unify the Body.  We cannot make people feel better until they understand that there is a need.  A need for fellowship with the Father, and with His Son that every man, woman, and child groans needs—a relief from the sin that encumbers them.

     It is no wonder that it is difficult in our postmodern culture to share the Gospel.  All people have heard is, at best, half of the Gospel.  They hear that God is love, and that all He wants is them to know that He loves them.

     Unfortunately they don’t hear is that, yes, God loves them, but it is a holy love.  It isn’t the same kind of love that we understand to be love.  Because God is holy, and loves what is holy, He rejects what is not holy.  He hates what is not holy.   We cannot be holy. Therefore He rejects us because His wrath is on us.

NAU Ephesians 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

     Even more powerfully:

Ephesians 5:5-6   5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

     We must proclaim the full Gospel to save fellowship.  It is no wonder that the fellowship with the world in our churches by taking our ques from them instead of prayerful obedience that our members think it is ok to come to church and act Christian, but go home and act like a heathen—they see the same in the pulpit.

     Live like you just saw Him for the first time.  Let it inundate your worship, and your joy overflow into overwhelming praise.  
     We are no longer children of wrath, or sons of disobedience.  You have been bought with the blood of a risen Savior, if you have placed your faith in Him to do so, and begun to live a life of faithful obedience to Him.  

     Sacrifice your will, gird up your loins, and take up your cross and follow Him!!!

  Soli Deo Gloria,

Aaron “Tree” Landis
Psalm 1.3

     Back to I John 1:2

               Proclamation

     One of the most natural things for a child is to go and tell of something that they have seen.  John is no different.  He couldn’t keep inside what he had seen happen.  There was no disguising it, covering it up, or hiding the fact.  Nor was there any chance that something like what he had seen could be made up.  A simple group of fishermen could not have concocted so grand a scheme that they would be willing to die for, and thereby deceiving the whole world.

     Once one encounters the Word of Life, you can’t help but proclaim it. Proclaim it…John didn’t just whisper it, or give a, “Psst. Meet me over here in this ally. There is something I have to tell you in private.”  They proclaimed it boldly in the synagogues, street corners, Paul even did it in the centers of learning-Mars Hill.

     If they were so bold, and had such importunity in their proclamation of the gospel, why aren’t we?  Perhaps, perhaps, we haven’t understood what is at stake.  We take things personal when someone does something to us, or says something that may cast us in a poor light.  But if they are an unbeliever, shouldn’t you expect it? What is more important, the fact they hurt you, or that if they died tonight they would spend eternity in hell while you held the answer for their sin problem in your hand like it is “my ball.”?  Now, if they are a believer—different ballgame.  You should in a loving manner, reproof, rebuke, and exhort in order to regain them to the faith and fellowship.  But that is another day.

     Be bold in sharing the Gospel, wherever your street corner is.
     
     Not only in sharing the Gospel with those who don’t believe, but also we should be bold to proclaim and defend the Gospel to those who do believe and have for some reason been led astray.  

     John was bold to tell believers that there was something wrong in what they were believing.  
     
     Oh how we need more preachers like that today.  Preacher, DON’T BE AFRAID TO PREACH AND REBUKE AND REPROVE AND RESTORE FROM THE PULPIT.  If they need to be called out—call ‘em out.

               Personal
     
     All of this stemmed from a personal relationship with the One who saves.  We can do a lot of ministry in our own power.  That is obvious in seeing the number of churches that are withering on the vine.  Our members, just go through the flow.  While those who among them are saved, are living in mediocrity because they have left their first love.

     Return….return…

     We can legislate all the moral laws, defend doctrine from our pulpits, but if they do not have a personal relationship with the Saviour who died to set them free from their will to sin to the ability, in Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to obey what the Father has commanded.  

     Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
     Look full in His wonderful Face,
     And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
     In the light,
     Of His glorious grace.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Aaron “Tree” Landis
Psalm 1.3

Well I found out how dependant I am on the internet....My ISP went down for 3 days and I bout went nuts. I'll get back to my work on I John tomorrow. For now enjoy some

The Greatest Thing in the World
by Richard Baxter



The flesh is not only the common idol, but the most devouring idol in all the world. It hath not, as subservient, flattered idols have, only a knee and compliment, or now and then a sacrifice or ceremony, but it hath the heart, the tongue, the body to serve it; the whole estate, the service of friends, the use of wit and utmost diligence; in a word, it hath all. It is loved and served by the sensualist, as God should be loved and served by his own, even "with all their heart, and soul, and might:" they "honour it with their substance, and the firstfruits of their increase." It is as faithfully served as Christ requireth to be of his disciples: men will part with father, and mother, and brother, and sister, and nearest friends, and all that is against it, for the pleasing of their flesh. Nay, Christ required men to part with no greater matter for him than transitory earthly things, which they must shortly part with whether they will or no; but they do for the flesh ten thousand thousandfold more than ever they were required to do for Christ. They forsake God for it. They forsake Christ, and heaven, and their salvation for it. They forsake all the solid comforts of this life, and all the joys of the life to come for it. They sell all that they have, and lay down the price at its feet; yea, more than all they have, even all their hopes of what they might have to all eternity. They suffer a martyrdom in the flames of hell for ever, for their flesh. All the pains they take is for it. All the wrong they do to others, and all the stirs and rums they make in the world, is for it. And all the time they spend is for it: and had they a thousand years more to live, they would spend it accordingly If any thing seem excepted for God, it is but the bones, or crumbs, or leavings of the flesh; or rather, it is nothing: for God hath not indeed the hours which he seems to have, he hath but a few fair words and compliments, when the flesh hath their hearts in the midst of their hypocritical worship, and on his holy day; and they serve him but as the Indians serve the devil, that he may serve their turns, and do them no hurt.

Have you ever had anything that just flat out amazed you when you saw it?  I’m not talking about an incredible “miracle” shot-at-the-buzzer type of incredible.  But something like a sunset that just takes your breath away.  Lots of people love the beach. Me, I’m more of a mountains and wildlife kinda guy.  

One time on a family vacation we went to Pike’s Peak in Colorado.  It was in the late afternoon when we finally made it up to the top.  I can remember, once I caught my breath, looking around at the incredible view.  

I can remember that day, and it disappears when I turn on the news.  Even though from the mountain top it all seems ok, down on the surface there are evidences that show how ugly it can be.

One can’t help but think, “Why would God want to come down here? What is so important that He would leave heaven to come here?”  Think about all the people that you have known or know in your life.  Only John, and those who had encountered Jesus, could say that they knew someone who had been—past tense—with the Father.  We can only say, prayerfully, that one day we will be—future tense—with the Father.  What would drive Him to want to come down here?

(Being a good preacher student, I got 4 “P”s )

Let’s look at the text:


NAS 1 John 1:2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--


First we see His passion for us and His Father.  It was with love for His Father’s glory that He came and revealed Himself to us.


NAU John 17:5 "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

NAU John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Romans 5:1-2   NAU Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:6-8   6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Not only did He love us enough to live and die, and to have the passion to be seen, but He also had the purpose of revealing Himself.  So that we might be partners in testifying that He is come.

This testimony is one of legal matters.  The evidence that Jesus of Nazareth was a living human being cannot be denied.  He was a historical person who made a major impact upon culture of His day.  But not only do we have that, but we have the testimony of those who were there, in written form, that is more dependable than any of the literature of antiquity.  

There are only 8 or 9 copies or fragments of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey that are as early as 600 years after they were originally penned.  Of the New Testament writings the earliest is part of the Gospel of John that dates to around 120 a.d. The original was written in approximately 70 a.d. Only 50 years!! There are over 16,000 copies or fragments dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

Not only do we have the historical testimony, but we have the testimony made more sure.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8  NAU 1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,  2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.  3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,  5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;  7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;  8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

May this be our testimony…as our “first importance.”

Soli Deo Gloria,

Aaron “Tree” Landis
Psalm 1.3

Slide of hand artists get me every time.  A swift move of the hands over the cards and it seems to change before your eyes.  Magicians make buildings just disappear.  One guy became famous because he could make it look as if he were “levitating” off the ground.  They now don’t even call themselves magicians anymore but “illusionists”.

The church has its fair share of illusionists, too.  Many of which are so good that even some of the most intelligent Christians get fooled.   The illusion always has a hint of truth.  For example, the idea that if you are in God’s will, everything will be victory for you.  That if you aren’t experiencing victory in your life, you must not be praying hard enough, doing enough, etc. A reverse Pharisee-ism.  

Even more prevalent today is that all one has to do is pray a prayer to Jesus for salvation then go about my life doing my own thing.  It gives the illusion of salvation—but not security.

I don’t normally don’t rely on this kinda stuff.  But Barna Research Group has a article worth reading. One-Quarter of Self-Described Born Again Adults Rely on Means Other Than Grace to Get to Heaven.(Nov. 29, 2004; www.barna.org)  Yes, it got my attention, too.  Here’s some of what they found: 80% of Americans call themselves “Christian”, 44% claim to be “born again” (“born again” defined as having made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today and in which they claim they will go to Heaven after they die because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior.)  25% of the 44% did not meet the criteria used for “born again.”(www.barna.org)

Illusions.

That is what John is battling. The illusion being that Christ was God, but His flesh was not.  John was trying to convey that there was no deception, no illusion, in the person of Jesus.

He saw, heard, and talked about the eternal life.  What is eternal life?  Ever wondered?  John gives us the definition from Jesus in his gospel.

John 17:3  3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Eternal life is knowing Him!!! The only way to have eternal life is to know Him and the one—Jesus Christ—whom He sent.  Those that John was arguing against didn’t believe that the man, Jesus, was sent by God.  John is flat out hitting them between the eyes.

The only way to eternal life is through the God/Man, Jesus Christ.  If you remove the Christ from the Jesus, that the man that was crucified wasn’t God in flesh, you have a Greek tragedy in Jewish form.  If you remove the physical man, Jesus, and retain the Deity aspect, Christ, you have an idol.

This is why John at the end of the epistle warns them to abstain from idolatry.  You see when we deny that the historical Jesus was the Son of God we make for ourselves an idol.  Only the God/Man, Jesus Christ, can offer eternal life because He was sent from the Father.  That union, which has perplexed theologians for centuries, is eternal life in Himself, the core of His being.  From the beginning, eternal and everlasting, that is the one who came for the purpose of showing us Himself—eternal life.

Are we looking to the true eternal life….or just an illusion?   How do we tell the difference?

Jesus continued in John 17, praying that we may have the joy that He had, and be sanctified in truth.  And what is the truth that sanctifies us? His WORD. (v.17) We cannot know when the illusionist comes unless we know His word.  Get in scripture so that when someone who claims to be speaking for God, teaching something that doesn’t seem right.  It must be justified and supported by the full counsel of His Word.

The Truth is the Word—spoken by Him who was sent from the Father—who is eternal life.  Learn the Word, find truth that leads to Jesus, who leads us into eternal life by faith.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Aaron “Tree” Landis
Psalm 1.3

I recently received an email from a dear friend of mine, a guy that I have known since my youth. You see, when I accepted Christ, my youth minister had a phenomenal idea, he paired off those who had just came to faith with another youth that he had taken one on one thru a discipleship book. This produced an accountability and learning intense environment. The guy that this then 13 year old was paired with was a 16 year old junior by the name of Matt Wyatt.
Matt had the polar opposite personality of mine. I was extremely shy and quiet. Matt was the extrovert. I enjoyed music as an observer; Matt played ( and still does) guitar as naturally as breathing.
He and I have not seen each other in almost 20 years. Our stories are the same. That of the prodigal son. We even both returned to our senses about the same time.
Since posting about the Prodigal Parable recently, we both have been sent back to a couple of years ago when the light of faith flickered again in our hearts. Hear is an email that he sent to me with some thoughts on the Prodigal from another prodigals perspective.

Matt, may God continue to richly bless your ministry and family.

I Love Ya Bro!!!

Hey...

I just read your blog...it's one of the first things that I check on
the web
these days.

I really liked what you said about the prodigal son.

I recently read this in my quiet time one morning and began meditating
on it
for a couple of days.

One thing that I have failed to notice over the years of just "reading"
the
bible and not contemplating and medititating on it was that the son, at
one
time, had fellowship with his father, but pride set in and decided he
wanted
to do his own thing.

That was me about 15 years ago. I had fellowship with the Father but
pride
said that I would rather be accepted by my peers, than by God. So I
left.

I squandered 15 years of my life on whatever the world threw at me.
And
people...even the people of God...will try most anything the world
throws at
them...even if it's pig slop. We may not recognize it as pig slop
until God
gets hold of our lives and opens our eyes. The world is throwing sex
at us
left and right, mostly through the media...whether it's adultery,
"living
together", incest, homosexuality, and pornography. Drug abuse is
rampant.
Alcoholism is at an all time high. And we fall into it and we get
stuck
there...because, well, pig slop is sticky, gooey. At first, it seems
like a
lot of fun to play in, but after awhile it begins to smell rotten and
it
gets to where you can hardly move in it. We're all living a rat race
trying
one thing after another to find something that satisfies...and there is
only
one thing.

I'm reading a book called Abba's Child by Brennan Manning. I've had
the
book since October and I just finished Chapter 3. I didn't know who
Brennan
Manning was until watching a DC Talk movie called Free at Last. I
recognized the voice on the video when he said, "The greatest single
cause
of athiesm in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with
their
lips, but walk out the door and deny Him with their lifestyle. That's
what
an unbelieving world simply finds unbelieavable." This quote is at the
beginning of one of DC Talks songs that I've heard for years. I found
out
it was he that wrote the Raggamuffin Gospel...which is another
incredible
book....ANYWAY...

The second chapter is about the imposter that lives within all of us.
The
person who wants to appear to have it all together, to be successful,
to be
popular...catch my drift? Then that person begins to steal our joy and
we
are no longer real to ourselves and to God. We are people pleasers, no
matter what the person. We are pretenders. And yet God loves
us...even
with our facade. There is a need to bring the imposter to Jesus and
come
out of hiding and face God for who we really are. God reveals to us
who we
really are.

Take a pitcher of water...gallon size and pour into a basin or a big
bowl.
As it's being poured the water is turbulent. That represents our lives
in
the livlihood of the imposter. It represents our lives in the world
where
the world is throwing its pig slop at us and we are rushing to try
every
little thing except what matters most. But let that water settle in
the
bowl and become still. Then put your face over that bowl. In the
stillness, you see yourself. It's in our stillness,(be still and know
that
I am God) that God reveals to us who we really are...the Beloved of
Christ.

We need to come to the realization that the core of our existence is
that
God chose us and God loves us. No matter how many times we leave His
fellowship--no matter how many times we fall into that familiar sin,
God's
is relentlessly tender toward us. He runs out to meet us and doesn't
ask
questions.

I have been dared to live as a forgiven man. I define myself as one
who is
radically loved by God. What constitutes my self worth? That God
chose me
and God loves me.
Who am I? I am my Father's child. I am Beloved by God

Sounds like a prodigal.

Sorry for the rambling! Sometimes I just have to re-affirm what I"m
learning and it just happened to be you who sparked the fire. Thanks,
brother!

Matt

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Aaron “Tree” Landis
Psalm 1.3

I want to keep in the story of the Prodigal for a while longer.  It is too rich to leave.  

     Yesterday we looked at the younger brother. Today lets look at the older.

     One thing that I have a hard time dealing with is someone who is a whiner.  I don’t know why, I just have to get away as quick as possible because I’m likely to say, or worse, do, something that I shouldn’t and possibly loose an opportunity to display the love which He commands us to give.  That kind of person is who the older brother is.

     Have you ever met somebody that was supposed to be mature but acted the exact opposite?  Look at the older brother in Luke 15:25-35.  The older brother was in the field, he comes up and does he find his father to get the 411 on what’s going on? No.  He asks a servant.  Why a servant? Hmm.

     His father comes out to him, finding him outside the party.  (I can just see this older son kicking the dirt with his bottom lip dragging, lol)  He then gives his father the litany of “what-I-have-done-lately” for you father.  Hopefully your Bible buzzer, as Pastor Paul calls it, is ringing ‘bout now.

     Matthew 7:21-23  21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' (NASB)

     The fact that the older brother was also a son must be kept in mind, however, he based his relationship on his works, not on realizing his need for the protection and provision of the father.  

     The other thing to notice is that the older brother never acknowledges that his little brother came home, nor showed any concern of his returning.  He tells his father that “this son of yours”, not my brother.  He compares what the father has done for the prodigal.  The next parable in chapter 16 of Luke is right to him.  The reason the father didn’t feel it necessary to let him throw a party is because he (the son) was doing what was expected.  Nothing special.  

     When you return to the faith, or repent from sin that has been plaguing us, don’t always expect someone who is close to you to rejoice.  The fact that this prodigal’s own brother was concerned over himself rather than coming in and throwing his arms around him in celebration hurt.  Bad.  

     Some of the most hurtful people are in the church.  Why?  Well, to put it bluntly, most in the church really aren’t saved.  They don’t give the evidence of salvation (fruits, display of spiritual growth, etc.).  Perhaps some are, but they become jealous because of the fact that they just don’t get recognized for what they do, and therefore, feel left out.

     How bout you?  Ever felt like the older brother?  It seems that you have been praying and doing what God has called you to, yet for some reason someone comes on the scene at church and everything they touch seems to be instant blessed from God in ways you have been praying it would, just not due to your work?  

     Rejoice in the fact that even when one comes home, that same grace that has been applied to them, the thought that the Father’s servants eat better than pigs that brought him to his senses, is the same provision that you have been relying on daily and have taken for granted.  

     Don’t depend on the works in the field, but trust in the provision in the house at the table of grace.  The older son made the mistake of trying to get his father’s attention by working hard.  When all that was necessary was accepting the fact that “child you are always with me, and all I have is yours.” He didn’t have to work for it…it already belonged to him…

     ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
     And grace my fears relieved;
     How precious did that grace appear
     The hour I first believed!!!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Aaron “Tree” Landis
Psalm 1:3
     

Well, its Thursday and I realize I haven't posted in a day or two...Well here goes.
This Sunday we'll be studying the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. This is one parable I know pretty well. I lived it. Its' probly the most well known, and some would say, the best story ever told. Why? Because of the many different angles that a lesson can be drawn from it. But for our lesson I want to look at one in particular: the younger brother.

When I was a kid we were really poor. We raised our own animals-cows and pigs-for our own frig and even to sell. Pigs are an amazing animal. Of all the farm animals they are the smartest. If there is a hole in a fence that they can get out of they will. They even know how to work the mud over to a spot where it isn't imbedded in the ground so they can root underneath it. They have one of he largest brains for thier size of any farm animal.

But there is one thing. They will eat any kind of food waste you put in front of them. Doesn't matter if it is half eaten, rotten, got bugs...

These are the animals that the younger brother finds himself with in the story. For a jew, these were the worst animals of all. Snakes were given more consideration. To be near one was to be considered unclean, let alone be in the pen considering eating with them! This guy had to have been beyond desperate.

Until he suddenly "came to his senses" and realized how much better off he was at home.

Let me ask, have you realized where you are? Do you know what a pig pen smells like? Do you know that God only wishes you smelled that good because your sin makes you smell worse? Only when we understand our condition and what it is that God provides, will we come to find ourselves on the path home.

Notice also that even though the son went a long way from what the father intended, he was always a son! There was never a time when he lost his sonship. He never said I don't want to be a son...oh wait...now I do. It wouldn't matter if he did....he would still be his son no matter what.

But the father had to of know what kind of trouble the son would find himself and let him go. The lesson the son had to learn would cost the father half of what he owned but he knew what would be the result.

We need to understand who we are in light of who He is, how He has forgiven us and the depth of the forgiveness and grace needed. Its not just pray a prayer, sign a card....There has to be evidence that you belong to Him...live it

Soli Deo Gloria,

Aaron "Tree" Landis
Psalm 1.3