Closed?

 Closed... perhaps a definition wouldn’t go amiss. In this context (and yes, I know I haven’t provided a context - I will) - this is more of a: if you aren’t defining words, especially big words, how I learned and understood them and it's contrary to what you are saying -  then you’re wrong! Context: scripture and how we are and do Christianity. May I gently suggest that if your ‘teacher’ was a human then there’s every possibility they, you could be wrong... or if there's a 'not completely right' category, then that designation. Also… I really think scripture can easily defend itself - typically by providing other scriptures that confirm it.

A couple of things I've learned: never, as in ever, assume your definition is a one and done - there could be layers to understanding. Don't ever be arrogant about what you know (or think you know). Practice the attitude of an attentive student. Contemplate what you receive if you are 'closed' - when you don't allow questions or challenges or opportunities to expand your understandings. 

Obviously, there are aspects that should be a 'close' such as the fact that Jesus was fully human and fully God. 

   "Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world." [1 John 4:1-3]

That there aren't many paths to God. He has made it abundant clear that there's only one, [1] way to God and that is through His Son, Jesus. That the Bible is a love story from God to His creation, His people. That the Bible has everything that speaks to His creation (us) living, working, who we are, how we should go about being us, etc. That the Holy Spirit is the one who determines and gives us our gifting. I could on in this vein, but I think the context makes it especially blatant. There are certain obvious issues that are settled, that are closed. But closed doesn't mean you can't ask questions. When our motivation is understanding, I don't believe this angers God. 

I ask you what you believe is 'closed'. It's important to know the foundation for what we believe, why we believe, and what we do about our belief. Closed can mean a way of sharing eternal truths are are immutable because that identifies our foundation. Closed is only an unfortunate choice when the subject is one that doesn't have universal definition based in scripture. I believe that Closed mean a security of finality.

Seed

 Should I have written an 's' at the end? 

   "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” [Genesis 8:22]

   [Jesus parable teaching] "... a sower went out to sow [seed in his field]; and as he sowed, some seed fell beside the road [between the fields], and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil; and at once they sprang up because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and thorns came up and choked them out. Other seed fell on good soil and yielded grain, some a hundred times as much [as was sown], some sixty [times as much], and some thirty. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.” " [Matthew 13:3b-9] 

HOWEVER, for understanding read verses 10-14.

   "but God [all the while] was causing the growth. So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building." 

[1 Corinthians 3: 6b-9]

There are other scriptures that discuss seed(s), roles, etc. Actually my question is - if you are seed scattering... what are you scattering? Most of the time we seem to focus on having seeds, being in the role based on where the person you are talking with seems to be, but what about how we speak depending on where that person is? Do we know what we can/should share? Or do you think I'm overthinking? 

Another way of looking at this is ... how do You do evangelism? If your response is that being an evangelist is not your calling. Not the question. Isn't every Christian called to be a spokesman, an Ambassador for Jesus, to share the Good News? At least my Bible says we all are. You may not be called to the office of an evangelist, but everyone is called to share the saving news.

   "But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words]. For it is better that you suffer [unjustly] for doing what is right, if that should be God’s will, than [to suffer justly] for doing wrong." [1 Peter 3:15-17]

Typically all we hear is the second sentence in 1 Peter 3: 15. But these 2 verses are so much more. Verse 15 gives us our grounding, our confidence to speak. At the end of the verse is the manner in which we should share. Verse 16 is an 'examination' verse - we need to know what our relationship is how it's supposed to be because this also affects how and what we share. Verse 17 may seem to be a hard pill to swallow but we aren't alone in this - look at all the people who have gone before us that thought Jesus was far more important than our 'justice'.

Never forget that your words, your behavior, how you go about being and doing you are all visible seeds. They may also be a comfort for fellow Christians who need confidence. Did you ever consider that you are a seed?

THE Name

JESUS

Some call Him Master... so do I. Some call Him Savior... so do I. Some call Him Lord... so do I. His name is - JESUS.

As the song says… ‘There’s just something about that name… Master, Savior…. Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain.” Is that what you think when you hear - Jesus? Do you follow the descriptions scripture provides? 

One interpretation [karengirlfriday.com] says:

   "We describe Jesus as: love, mercy, peace, hope, grace, truth, freedom, kindness, joy, victory."

She also uses scripture to 'flesh out' the descriptions. I have no problem with her delineation... it begins our understanding. But the Bible is rich from Genesis through Revelation in it's descriptions. The Bible is really all about Jesus, all about who He is, what He does, how He does it, what it represents for us. I'm not going to indicate all of the descriptions, but I do want to highlight a few of them to show us the FULLNESS of Jesus.

1. Savior - Acts 4:10-12

   "Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body. This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved."

There may be many paths to get to Jesus, but once there - there is no other path! He is The Way... The Truth... and The Light. John 14:6 says:

   "Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me."

This puts a period. These verses give us the foundation for Jesus and relationships.

2. High Priest - Hebrews 4:14-16

   "Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Jesus is still interceding on our behalf. He is still involved when we come to Him for mercy and grace.

3. Purpose for Coming. lay down divinity, purpose in John 3:16+. 

I don't know about you, but I definitely have difficulty getting my head around the fact of knowing that I would be tortured and killed. Yet that is exactly what our Lord knew and did.

   "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life." [John 3:16]

I doubt that there's anyone that doesn't know this verse - believer and non-believer alike. But this verse is only the beginning. Too often we aren't even aware of the verses that come next.

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].” [v.17-21]

The NAME of Jesus is powerful and provides us with truth... because HE is the way and the life.

 

The Fullness of Thankful

    “I am so thankful that l have a joy that the world can not rob me of; I have a treasure that the world can not take from me; I have something that is not in the power of man or devil to deprive me of, and that is the joy of the Lord.”

Those words were spoken by D.L. Moody. His thoughts spoke to me and resonated. My question… how full is our thankfulness! Can we say we are FULL of thanksgiving? Do we look at our joy and treasure with eyes of thankfulness? And... how do you express your thankfulness?

Those aren't idle questions. They really go to the heart of who we are and how we see the Lord's hand in our lives. The words in Hebrews tell us:

   "Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]."  [4:16]

You really can't come with this attitude, assurance if you don't know the person you are coming to and the relationship you have together. This speaks of a confidence that you know and appreciate who you seek... plus knowledge based in experience. 

There's also a parable in Luke that's relevant:

   " Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread]; for a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come to visit me, and I have nothing to serve him’;  and from inside he answers, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything just because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence and boldness he will get up and give him whatever he needs." [Luke 11:5-8]

For the person asking, seeking this parable implies a relationship that he knows he will receive from his friend what is needed. Now take that same thought, that same attitude and apply it to when you seek the Lord. Do you come with confidence based on your relationship?

Back to Moody's words. He is speaking with confidence and knowledge of his relationship with the Lord. And he is telling us that it brings him such joy that he is full of thankfulness. Personally... I want that depth, breath of relationship with Jesus that I know that I can always come. And with outstretched hands He is welcoming me. Joy! Priceless.

   "And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold." [Nehemiah 8:10b]

Boundaries

Who’s in charge of your boundaries and limits? Are you? If you are a Christian, is it the Word? Does your job place limits on you? How about your family? Maybe those boundaries and limits are impacted (determined) by your income, your education or training or experience? How about your character? The people you associate with? Your behavior? I could continue to create the list of those aspects that influence those limits and boundaries. Some are easily answered… some not so much.

Back to the first question… regardless of what or where your boundaries are - who sets them? And equally important- did you first give them the authority to do so? Do they have your best interests at heart? Do you trust ‘them’? What does scripture say about boundaries? 

According to 'Got Questions':

   "A boundary is a “dividing line.”  ...  In interpersonal relationships, a boundary is what divides one person from another, so that each can have separate identities, responsibilities, and privileges. A boundary creates necessary “space” between individuals. Healthy boundaries define expectations and show respect for others.

Biblically speaking, boundaries are related to self-control. The Bible commands us to control ourselves, whereas our human nature desires to control others (Titus 2:12). If left unchecked, our natural desires run roughshod over others. Personal boundaries help to limit our selfish inclination to control or manipulate others. Likewise, boundaries protect us from those who have no self-control and who wish to control us. A person with clear, healthy boundaries communicates to others what is and is not permissible, saying, in effect, “This is my jurisdiction, and you have no right to interfere.”

Help limit... protect us. This is what boundaries are designed to do. They aren't there for show. And while they limit our selfishness... they also protect us from those who wish to control us. We use strong words to define boundaries. Quoting Got Question's response: "Boundaries can be used in healthy ways and sinful ways. The way to know which boundaries are godly is to examine the motive." And therein lies the rub - motive. 

Our motives are the facilitators of boundaries. They also guide us when we don't use them as excuses.

   "Proper boundaries aid believers in keeping out worldly influences. (2 Corinthians 6:14). Simply, we are not to embrace the world’s way of doing things (James 4:4). Boundaries are about taking responsibility for our own lives. God gives us freedom to choose to live within His boundaries or outside of them, and to live outside of God’s boundaries means to accept the consequences. Living inside God’s boundaries brings blessing, and living outside of them brings destruction and death (Romans 6:23)."

I couldn't have said it better... Got Questions gives us concepts to consider as we develop our boundaries. I would hazard a guess that if we don't set our own boundaries with scriptural help, others will attempt to set them for us. As Christians we have a freedom than only a Jesus follower has because we aren't without His help to create boundaries that enable not bind.

Ready?

   " Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]." [Matthew 25:13]

He will return. He said so, scripture says so and in a number of places. It never was an 'if', it's always been a 'when'. Then again... maybe you don't believe in the rapture of the church...? Granted, the word is not in scripture, but what is it Thessalonians say?

   "For we say this to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are still alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede [into His presence] those [believers] who have fallen asleep [in death]. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  

Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord! Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died]. [1 Thessalonians 4:15-18]

The Amplified does go back to the original and describe 'caught up' as raptured. Do you not believe in this? Have you chosen to ignore one of the greatest events in Christianity? And if your argument is that we will go through the tribulation... then how do you explain:

   "But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].

[5:8-10]

It does not say we will have to endure His wrath for a season... or for the duration of the display of God's wrath. If you decide you know best and skip over the 'rapture'... then on to the second coming? Consider the following verses:

1. Matthew 24:36–44

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  

2. Luke 21:25–28

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

3. John 5:28–29

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. 

4. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

5. Revelation 1:7

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.  

6. Hebrews 9:27–28

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.  

7. Matthew 24:26–31

“So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days...

8. 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Read More

9. 1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. R 

10. John 14:1–3

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”  

 The credit for this compilation belongs to Crossway. They also go into further depth on each of these points.

So... are you challenged, confirmed or confused? The days we live in now point even stronger that we are so very close - and yes, I know every century seems to say this. Does it matter? Yes. How will the Lord find us when He comes because it is unmistakable He is returning. I remember my Mom being concerned about this. She didn't feel worthy enough (this was over 37 years ago since she found her answer). The scripture

   

   "But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship]." [Matthew 25:12]

I have no doubt that Mom found her answer: I think, without a doubt that she discovered her concern answered as she found herself in the presence of the Lord. 'Doing things' for the Lord really does come after our relationship with Him. He seeks worshippers (John 4:24). He seeks! Can we not do our part in this? He tells us what He wants...

   "Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship."  [Romans 12:1]

Are you ready?

Christian

Do you understand what you are saying when you say you are a Christian?! You have just aligned yourself with Jesus and who He says He is. You are also His representative. Does what you say or do (or don’t do) reflect Him and His who/what/how? Or, is your representing only what you deem important? Is ‘can’t’ a quick response from you?

Being a Christian isn't for cowards. Being a Christian does mean that you live in a kind of a fishbowl in that with your proclamation you now are visible and your words and actions take on a heightened meaning. You can't be OF the world and still be a Christian.

   "If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you. Remember [and continue to remember] that I told you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these [hurtful] things to you for My name’s sake [because you bear My name and are identified with Me], for they do not know the One who sent Me."  [John 15:18-21]

Though there are other scriptures that talk about the Christian being IN the world but not OF it. But these verses in John paint a more complete picture. Our allegiance, identification with Jesus marks us out. And yes, it isn't always easy but look at what you receive with your identification!

In 1 Peter, he is telling the reader:

   "Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.  [1 Peter 2: 4-5]      ...

Why?

   "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."   [1 Peter 2:9-10]

Do you that you are being built up? Are you grasping the opportunity and growing to offer spiritual sacrifices? Have you accepted the identity offered? Do you feel you are chosen? Chosen to be a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a special people to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into light? This is how Peter describes Christian. What are you doing to embody this identity?

What you need to realize is the potentiality that is offered you. Then again... I have difficulty imagining a small c -Christian. Do they really exist? Or have they simply not stepped up and said - 'Here am I... with my mouth I confess and with my heart I believe.'