I want to recap the last two posts because they are a part of a journey that both starts and ends here. In the first post (click here) I consider the effects of eating from the Tree of Life versus the Tree of Knowledge. After many hours pondering the path I chose to know God, I realized that I chose knowledge. In choosing knowledge, here is what my conversations with God were like.
"Dear God,
Please forgive me again for the sin(s) i have committed. Please teach me how to overcome this desire so I can be worthy of your love. Amen."
This was all from a place of knowing that Christ died for my sins, but not understanding what that actually meant for me. I was missing a key ingredient and that was life. It would be easy to mistake life as being alive, but that can be so different than the life that Christ wants for us, that is, His life. When we choose His life our conversations with him become a bit different.
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace over my life that allows me to do the things I cannot do on my own. Your love for me surpasses all understanding and there is nothing in this world or the next that could ever separate that from me. Amen."
We have a choice to create our own life and destiny, or we can partake in the divine life and destiny that has been laid out for us since before time, hidden deep within the Father himself.
The second post (click here) I take a leap into the dark side to propose that sin does not exist. I cleverly defined sin under the context of the old law and don't really go into any detail about a new law. The reason I did this was I wanted to provoke you to really understand what law we are now under. Jeremiah puts it beautifully here: ""The time is coming" declares the Lord, "When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV84)
The law is not something that can be listed on a piece of paper, for that paper was burned at the death of Christ. Instead, the law has been written on our minds and our hearts, that way we may know our God. And under this new law, he will remember our sins no more. So do I believe you can sin? Yes. I believe you can violate your own heart. But since God will remember them no longer, we would be doing ourselves a favor if we forgot them too.
Like my example about division, I propose that this year, 2013, we throw away everything we have known and learned about Church, Jesus and community. Toss it in the trash and let it die. As you let what these ideals have become, in your own mind, die, I urge you to relearn what these truly are. No longer from the perspective that I AM a sinner, but from the perspective of I WAS a sinner. There are two sides of the cross, one - before resurrection and two - after resurrection. Side one views God's judgement as yet to come or incomplete and side two views God's judgement as complete, where we have been completely justified and our sins are remembered no more. Once you decide to view Christ, yourself and your community (Church) on the second side, the latter side, the proper side of the cross, you choose to partake in resurrection life. Any and all ideals you allow to die and be resurrected, you will be able to experience in a completely brand new way.
This is the year that I choose to end everything that needs to end, let die everything that must die and begin to live as one who has been completely resurrected and restored. No more will I dabble in the ideals of poverty and disparity, but will choose abundance and prosperity that go far beyond my earthly circumstance. No more will I teeter on the fence of faith because there is no grey area and there is no fence to ride, just that which is either dead or alive. No deed or piece of gold will hold me down, for my treasures lie in Christ and Christ is sitting on the other side of death. So let us not carry death any longer, let us hold on to resurrection life, for that is what Christ has bought for me.
Food for thought:
You have a lover waiting at your door. Are you going to wait until your bruises and scars have healed or will you open the door to say you are ready?
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Sunday, December 2, 2012
To sin or not to sin, that is the question.
It is for freedom that Christ has set you free.
I want to propose something similar to what was proposed to me in my first analytical math class. I was shockingly informed that there was really no such thing as division. My whole life I learned that 4 divided by 2 is 2 and now you are telling me that there is no such thing as division?! (Please do not panic – division was a sly trick mathematicians invented to represent multiplying by the reciprocal) I had to leave behind my knowledge and assumptions of division and devise a new way to represent what division does to an element.
On the same note, I want to propose something to you that may be shocking. But again, do not panic! Proposition: There is no such thing as sin.
I want to enter a disclaimer here. As I have mentioned to many people who are close to me, I have no problem being wrong, it just doesn’t happen very often (please hear my sarcasm). I invite any and all opinions because at the end of the day it isn’t about what you or I think. It’s all about Him. I am also not going to present any of these things with strong theological arguments or great fragments of scripture to prove my point. I am going to take a perspective that defies time and space, personal reference and experience or knowledge and discernment. I find that too many times my own interests limit the greatness of God. So let’s just agree to let those go, even for just a moment.
Back to my proposition. Let’s take a look at creation from the perspective of eternity. Take a deep breath (inhale) and when you exhale, forget everything you know about time (exhale). Do you really think that God would sacrifice his entire creation over one silly piece of fruit? [See my last post here] He can see the entire timeline of time – both what can happen and what actually happens. I don’t take God as a fool, so I think in the divine fellowship (that is the Trinity), they knew what the world would look like with and without freewill. I believe they chose to grant freewill even though they knew some would not choose them. But you see, this had to be the better choice otherwise we would not live in a world with the freedom to choose.
So in the perspective of eternity, knowing all along that redemption would be necessary because of the ‘fall’- how much power does sin have? And does it really come in to play? I suppose I should clarify my meaning of sin. I mean sin to be the willful disobedience of God’s law. I want you to read that again. The willful disobedience of God’s law. Did you catch it? That’s right- law. If God’s law was fulfilled by Christ, and we are in Christ, then we have fulfilled God’s law. If this is true then can the law be disobeyed? In other words, can that which has been obeyed, be disobeyed? Logically, no. So if the law that has been fulfilled, cannot be disobeyed, then sin cannot exist based on its definition. Do you believe me yet?
Now, I hope we all know that the law referred here is the law of Moses. So knowing that the law has been fulfilled (by Christ), was there another law established that we are to abide by? I hear many reference Matt 22:34-40, to love the lord with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. But if you read this whole passage you notice that Jesus is summing up the law of Moses to be these two things. So is that the new law we live by? I don't necessarily think so.
So what is the New Testament law? What moral code is outlined that we must live by? How did Paul instruct the Corinthians when they were out of line? Even better, how did he instruct the Galations when they adopted the Jewish law? If I remember correctly he suggested that they simply castrate themselves if it was going to interfere with the gospel that Paul left them with. What does Paul remind the churches about when they start 'misbehaving'? He reminds them of who they are- no longer born under the law but redeemed to have full rights as sons of God. So what law does Paul ever say has been disobeyed? Does he even mention one?
If there isn't a law presented in the New Testament- on a quick side note, I think the only thing remotely close would be a total rejection of the spirit- then can we truly sin? I don't think we can. For if there was something that we still needed to repay, Christ would not have paid the ultimate price. You cannot repay a debt that has already been paid. The question then remains, is there anything we can do that would imitate the repercussions of sin? Does scripture not say that God's mercy triumphs over judgement? Does it not also say that there is nothing on this earth or in heaven that can separate us from the love of God?
Can you imagine a world full of people who no longer lived under the fear of sin? Can you imagine all the things we would actually do that could bring the glory of God? I must superimpose that although I do not believe we can sin, I believe we can still grieve the Holy Spirit when we do or partake in anything that can be found outside of Christ. Again, see my last post here for good vs. evil. What would your relationships look like if you let go of your fears of sinning, of falling short, or simply failing? Is God's grace sufficient in your weaknesses? Unequivocally, yes. You are such an amazing co-heir of the kingdom of God. You are seated in high places with Christ. Isn't that amazing?!
I hope this did not offend anyone personally, I only hope it offended the religious spirit that still gets shoved down our throats. It doesn't bother me if someone disagrees with me - my only hang up would be if we are truly enjoying the freedom that Christ so clearly paid for. I hope, across the board, that answer is yes!
Until then, the next time you feel as if you have sinned, look quickly up to the face of the Father and declare who you are. For you are in his Son, and in his Son there is no sin. Amen!
I want to propose something similar to what was proposed to me in my first analytical math class. I was shockingly informed that there was really no such thing as division. My whole life I learned that 4 divided by 2 is 2 and now you are telling me that there is no such thing as division?! (Please do not panic – division was a sly trick mathematicians invented to represent multiplying by the reciprocal) I had to leave behind my knowledge and assumptions of division and devise a new way to represent what division does to an element.
On the same note, I want to propose something to you that may be shocking. But again, do not panic! Proposition: There is no such thing as sin.
I want to enter a disclaimer here. As I have mentioned to many people who are close to me, I have no problem being wrong, it just doesn’t happen very often (please hear my sarcasm). I invite any and all opinions because at the end of the day it isn’t about what you or I think. It’s all about Him. I am also not going to present any of these things with strong theological arguments or great fragments of scripture to prove my point. I am going to take a perspective that defies time and space, personal reference and experience or knowledge and discernment. I find that too many times my own interests limit the greatness of God. So let’s just agree to let those go, even for just a moment.
Back to my proposition. Let’s take a look at creation from the perspective of eternity. Take a deep breath (inhale) and when you exhale, forget everything you know about time (exhale). Do you really think that God would sacrifice his entire creation over one silly piece of fruit? [See my last post here] He can see the entire timeline of time – both what can happen and what actually happens. I don’t take God as a fool, so I think in the divine fellowship (that is the Trinity), they knew what the world would look like with and without freewill. I believe they chose to grant freewill even though they knew some would not choose them. But you see, this had to be the better choice otherwise we would not live in a world with the freedom to choose.
So in the perspective of eternity, knowing all along that redemption would be necessary because of the ‘fall’- how much power does sin have? And does it really come in to play? I suppose I should clarify my meaning of sin. I mean sin to be the willful disobedience of God’s law. I want you to read that again. The willful disobedience of God’s law. Did you catch it? That’s right- law. If God’s law was fulfilled by Christ, and we are in Christ, then we have fulfilled God’s law. If this is true then can the law be disobeyed? In other words, can that which has been obeyed, be disobeyed? Logically, no. So if the law that has been fulfilled, cannot be disobeyed, then sin cannot exist based on its definition. Do you believe me yet?
Now, I hope we all know that the law referred here is the law of Moses. So knowing that the law has been fulfilled (by Christ), was there another law established that we are to abide by? I hear many reference Matt 22:34-40, to love the lord with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. But if you read this whole passage you notice that Jesus is summing up the law of Moses to be these two things. So is that the new law we live by? I don't necessarily think so.
So what is the New Testament law? What moral code is outlined that we must live by? How did Paul instruct the Corinthians when they were out of line? Even better, how did he instruct the Galations when they adopted the Jewish law? If I remember correctly he suggested that they simply castrate themselves if it was going to interfere with the gospel that Paul left them with. What does Paul remind the churches about when they start 'misbehaving'? He reminds them of who they are- no longer born under the law but redeemed to have full rights as sons of God. So what law does Paul ever say has been disobeyed? Does he even mention one?
If there isn't a law presented in the New Testament- on a quick side note, I think the only thing remotely close would be a total rejection of the spirit- then can we truly sin? I don't think we can. For if there was something that we still needed to repay, Christ would not have paid the ultimate price. You cannot repay a debt that has already been paid. The question then remains, is there anything we can do that would imitate the repercussions of sin? Does scripture not say that God's mercy triumphs over judgement? Does it not also say that there is nothing on this earth or in heaven that can separate us from the love of God?
Can you imagine a world full of people who no longer lived under the fear of sin? Can you imagine all the things we would actually do that could bring the glory of God? I must superimpose that although I do not believe we can sin, I believe we can still grieve the Holy Spirit when we do or partake in anything that can be found outside of Christ. Again, see my last post here for good vs. evil. What would your relationships look like if you let go of your fears of sinning, of falling short, or simply failing? Is God's grace sufficient in your weaknesses? Unequivocally, yes. You are such an amazing co-heir of the kingdom of God. You are seated in high places with Christ. Isn't that amazing?!
I hope this did not offend anyone personally, I only hope it offended the religious spirit that still gets shoved down our throats. It doesn't bother me if someone disagrees with me - my only hang up would be if we are truly enjoying the freedom that Christ so clearly paid for. I hope, across the board, that answer is yes!
Until then, the next time you feel as if you have sinned, look quickly up to the face of the Father and declare who you are. For you are in his Son, and in his Son there is no sin. Amen!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Life vs. Knowledge
What do you think this world would look like if Eve had brought Adam fruit from the Tree of Life instead of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Why do we value knowledge so much when that was the forbidden fruit in the garden? It begs the question, does it even matter to God what is right or wrong?
These are questions I mostly ask myself- but would love if others started asking these as well. It puts a new twist on what we view as right or good because I think all the father sees is that which brings life. All others are just death. Not all good things bring life as Paul mentions, everything is permissible but not all is profitable. So what really are the dividing lines? It certainly shouldn't be what we view as right or wrong because that is completely subjective- therefore not a valid argument. Should it be what God views as right or wrong? Yes and no. All that God sees is what is in his son- anything else is as far removed from him as the east is from the west. There is no gray area, no middle ground and no fence to ride. Just that what is and is not of Christ.
'I don't drink because I am a Christian.' 'I don't watch Harry Potter because I am a Christian.' 'I don't do [insert here] because I am a Christian.' Countless things we will take a stand against for the sake of being a Christian when in reality those things are just a result of our understanding of good and evil. No one would argue that you should do anything that will harm yourself- so don't read me wrong here. But what is it that God wants us to take a stand for? Is it to protect the law? Or is it to embrace life? On a daily basis what would you say you do most- weigh the pros and cons of a decision or simply choose Christ?
I know these are rather rhetorical- but start thinking! Paul urges us to continually renew our minds so that we can know the will of God and attest that it is good. When we step away from the boundaries of the law that is the only time we can truly see Christ in all his glory and attest that God's will is perfect and good. And lets not get on the bandwagon of what God's personal will is for our lives ok- for your own sake just please read John 6:40- he has one ultimate, governing will- that we would believe in his son and have eternal life. God's will for my life is not separate from the will for humanity. I am a part of this magical and mysterious secret made known to creation through Christ. Isn't it amazing?!
So- if I continue to eat of the Tree of Knowledge where will it lead me? I will become and expert on what is ethical, right, moral, good, pure and noble. But if I eat of the Tree of Life what shall become of me? I shall see resurrection, redemption, justice, salvation, love, hope, peace and don't forget, eternity. This is no contest. I choose to eat of life and I could care less on what you or I think is good or evil. There is no such thing when you are in Christ.
Until next time, enjoy the sweet and savory flavor of life being birthed in you each moment- Christ died to bring life! Not more knowledge, so get with it!
These are questions I mostly ask myself- but would love if others started asking these as well. It puts a new twist on what we view as right or good because I think all the father sees is that which brings life. All others are just death. Not all good things bring life as Paul mentions, everything is permissible but not all is profitable. So what really are the dividing lines? It certainly shouldn't be what we view as right or wrong because that is completely subjective- therefore not a valid argument. Should it be what God views as right or wrong? Yes and no. All that God sees is what is in his son- anything else is as far removed from him as the east is from the west. There is no gray area, no middle ground and no fence to ride. Just that what is and is not of Christ.
'I don't drink because I am a Christian.' 'I don't watch Harry Potter because I am a Christian.' 'I don't do [insert here] because I am a Christian.' Countless things we will take a stand against for the sake of being a Christian when in reality those things are just a result of our understanding of good and evil. No one would argue that you should do anything that will harm yourself- so don't read me wrong here. But what is it that God wants us to take a stand for? Is it to protect the law? Or is it to embrace life? On a daily basis what would you say you do most- weigh the pros and cons of a decision or simply choose Christ?
I know these are rather rhetorical- but start thinking! Paul urges us to continually renew our minds so that we can know the will of God and attest that it is good. When we step away from the boundaries of the law that is the only time we can truly see Christ in all his glory and attest that God's will is perfect and good. And lets not get on the bandwagon of what God's personal will is for our lives ok- for your own sake just please read John 6:40- he has one ultimate, governing will- that we would believe in his son and have eternal life. God's will for my life is not separate from the will for humanity. I am a part of this magical and mysterious secret made known to creation through Christ. Isn't it amazing?!
So- if I continue to eat of the Tree of Knowledge where will it lead me? I will become and expert on what is ethical, right, moral, good, pure and noble. But if I eat of the Tree of Life what shall become of me? I shall see resurrection, redemption, justice, salvation, love, hope, peace and don't forget, eternity. This is no contest. I choose to eat of life and I could care less on what you or I think is good or evil. There is no such thing when you are in Christ.
Until next time, enjoy the sweet and savory flavor of life being birthed in you each moment- Christ died to bring life! Not more knowledge, so get with it!
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