An Appeal to Christians:
President Obama is not a Caesar, and America is not the completely pagan, though sophisticated, society of first century Rome. When one considers, that the entire New Testament was written in that time frame, by authors, who would all die a martyr’s death; the truths, promises, hope and love conveyed is both astonishing and unparalleled. For the first 300 years after the death & resurrection of Christ, the simple act of proclaiming one’s faith in him was a capital crime, punishable by death. Yet, in spite of the obstacles, the Christian faith flourished; resulting in the exponential changing of societal values and thereby, forever impacting history. There is not a development of Western Civilization and certainly not America without that survival and flourishing.
I have always been fascinated by the realities of the lives, lived in faith, by those early believers. After all, there were no bibles to read, no large churches with organized activities, no seminaries, no books to buy, etc. The Corinthians, for example, had two letters from the Apostle Paul; some perhaps, had seen the gospels or heard his letters to the Philippians, Colossians, Galatians or others. Communications were verbal mostly, and leadership was presented by example of the Apostles and their disciples.
At our time in history, we are blessed with far more information available than our earlier brethren. In spite of this apparent advantage, I think it is imaginary that our faith is stronger and our lives are purer or more exemplary. I know there are tremendous examples, in our modern world, of men and women of faith; yet the percentage of believers following the earlier models is significantly lower. In America today no one is subject to death for their faith. Yet, we are easily excitable, and offended concerning a lack of “Christmas Spirit”. We complain readily about the crassness of television programming, the sexual nature of ‘pop culture’, the disregard of morality by those considered leaders, whether civil or clergy. We claim to not understand our government losing its Christian foundation or our churches losing their influence and appeal.
I offer a explanation that reconciles this evidence with my understanding: The Apostles and their disciples understood, experienced and taught transformation by Christ; not reformation for Christ. They did not risk their life for platitudes, a list of instructions or for their ‘religion‘; they had experienced the transformational power of Christ. They knew that the Spirit of God bore witness with their own spirit that they were indeed the children of God. (Rom. 8: 16) As the Apostle Paul further exhorted in that same chapter: ”For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38,39)
I am continually bewildered by the American brand of Christianity that follows 400 years of teaching a return to conformation to various configurations of arbitrary law. Ironically, the reformation founders separating themselves doctrinally from ’Romanism’ by teaching salvation by faith; would be intrigued by the different forms of ‘Jesus plus my efforts’ salvation by attainment, taught today in their name. Thus, reducing Jesus’ declaration on the cross “It is finished” to mere uncertainty, depending on what the believer chooses to do or not. Changing the words of Jesus himself: “ …whomsoever believes is not condemned, but has everlasting life.” (John 3:16) To whomsoever believes maybe is not condemned and we will eventually find out whether he merits everlasting life! Having read many theologians and scholars, my simple mind is baffled that, after their years of study, they still propose conclusions seemingly in direct contrast to the very words of our Lord. Raising the question: Do I need more education or are they too smart for their britches? The Apostle Paul declared: ”For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) Any theological scholarship that reduces, through its teaching, the gift of God to a merited reward cannot be reconciled, regardless of the stature of the theologian.
The point is, the effectiveness of Christianity today is rendered feckless, without power, by its abandonment of the transformation of the believer by Christ; adopting rather, legalistic requirements for the believer’s reformation for Christ. Throughout the New Testament and specifically in Paul’s epistles, the utter frustration and repeatable failure of this vanity is revealed. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” (Rom. 7: 18,19) Furthermore, as Paul was instructing his disciple Timothy, the young teacher, to remain faithful to the teachings and to be ever attendant to sound doctrine, he gave a prescient warning about this very subject: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” (II Timothy 3:1 - 5) I agree with many scholars, that Paul was calling out participants in the church with this warning.
The words of Jesus brings home to the believer the source of power: “I am the way, the truth and the life“…(John 14:6) What is the life? It is not me being good or improvingly better; it is Christ Jesus! He confirms this in the same chapter, when he speaks of his departure and the indwelling of the believer by the Spirit/comforter: ”In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20) As my mentor Ed Dezago, likes to say; “Spirituality is what we receive; not what we achieve.”
The circumstances of my life did not allow for a life of academic scholarship, but I am so thankful for many of those whose lives and talents have pursued that course. I recommend the following for greater understanding of the transformation by Christ, the difference in results between salvation and discipleship, the integral relationship of salvation and sovereignty, and an on-going education by a tremendous teacher:
The Rest of the Gospel: When the partial gospel has worn you out. - Dan Stone and Greg Smith This is an eye-opening explanation of the reality of the new creation/ transformation of the believer.
The Reign of the Servant Kings - Joseph C. Dillow A fascinating scriptural study of the promises and warnings interspersed throughout the New Testament concerning the relationship between salvation and discipleship of the believer.
Salvation…Sovereignty - Kenneth Keathley Providing a scriptural analysis acrostic for understanding the role of God’s sovereignty in the salvation and relationship with the believer.
Ed Dezago, PhD, This is the link to the developing website of my friend and mentor. Although, we have been best friends since first grade, I am continually inspired by the depth of knowledge and spiritual wisdom he has garnered in his 42 years of scholarship and ministry. I look forward to his teaching in this on-line format. http://www.toliveischrist.org/
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