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Humility is the Gospel’s Posture

Arrogant Christians should not exist. Of course, they do. But that’s a sign of God’s grace, rather than evidence that it’s acceptable. Pride and arrogance have always been vices for people of faith to overcome. Humility is usually held out as the solution.

The Gospel and Humility

A posture of humility and meekness is necessary for the Christian life. Afterall, how can you confess your sin and place all your confidence in Jesus Christ (rather than yourself) if you have never been humbled? Imagine a proud man (or woman) walking into God’s presence. That’s just laughable and silly.

Instead, Christians are called to, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). This biblical command is anchored in the gospel, which is clearly emphasized in the very next verses. Humility is not a mere add-on to the gospel. Christians are called to be humble because Jesus emptied himself of glory, was born as a human baby, was betrayed by his friends (whom he had not wronged), and died a painful death (which he did not deserve)… all for us. Therefore, Christians are called to walk in humility.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, …Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:16-24

Christians are people who are being sanctified. That means they are called away from arrogance, brashness, and pride… and towards humility, meekness, and compassion.

The Strength of Humility

Some of the most humble people I’ve ever met are also the most courageous. They have stood firm in the face of opposition, because their humility required them to defend the rights of the oppressed. Humility stands in the truth, and it will not waver or give in to an onslaught of pressure to conform.

Men and women who walk with humility add joy and happiness to those around them. They are not negative-minded people who always have something to complain about, nor are they self-deprecating blowhards searching for compliments. Their genuine care for others leads them to listen far more than they speak, and their words are life-giving – even when they say something that’s hard to receive.

You see – humility is resolute and firm in the face of oppression and deception. The humble man will oppose liars and stand in the way of the evil doer. He is no pushover.

The Cost of Humility

Christians often feel like humility means you need to allow others to have their way. But if their way is built on half-truths and shady motivations then the humble response is to (graciously and without accusation) press for the truth and full-disclosure. Humility knows how to say, “No, absolutely not!”

Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit will lead to disappointment and heartache. Not because the Fruit of the Spirit are dissatisfying and will let you down, but because they will sometimes lead you into conflicts that will break your heart and make your life more difficult. It’s easier to give people their way. It’s more convenient to look around and say, “Who am I to judge – live and let live!”

Walking in the Spirit requires conviction, resolve, and sacrifice. These are not virtues we look within to find. They grow and ripen in our lives as we are rooted in the gospel… and as we become more like Jesus Christ.

When you pay your own cost for humility, consider the price Jesus paid… and remember his reward.

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Are Christians “Spiritual but not Religious?”

“I’m spiritual but not religious.”

“Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.”

These are statements most of us have probably heard. The question for today is this – are these Christian statements? The gospel offers a different perspective on religion and spirituality that’s worth considering.

What Does it Mean?

When people say “I’m spiritual but not religious” it can mean a host of things. It can mean “I pray and consider myself a Christian, but don’t go to church,” or “I believe in Jesus, but not in Christianity,” or “I believe in a higher power, but think religion only creates unnecessary division.”

While there are endless combinations of “I believe in _____, but ______” the core remains the same: I don’t want any part of organized religion. Whether you think it’s simply unnecessary, or maybe you believe it’s actually evil, the personal result is the same.

The statement in question is more about what you’re against than what you’re for. And “spiritual” can mean pretty much whatever you want it to, so it’s a perfectly nebulous word if you don’t know what you actually believe.

Can Spirituality and Religion Actually be Divorced?

I think about spirituality and religion like driving and a vehicle – one drives the other, but not vice-versa. Wherever there is spirituality, there is some form of religion: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Atheism, New Age’ism, etc. Spirituality requires religion the same way driving requires a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, speedboat, bicycle, etc). It can take many forms, but the ideas behind the spirituality come from somewhere.

Religion, however, can be quite devoid of spirituality. Most of us likely know people who go through the motions of religiosity with very little spiritual belief. Go to church, give your money, refrain from certain foods, etc… but there is no passion in their prayers, not faith in God to provide, and no internal drive towards giving grace towards those who need it. These religious folk are like cars in a junkyard. They’re still cars, but they aren’t going anywhere without significant reconstruction.

Christianity: Spiritual and Religious

Let’s be clear: No one ever has been, and no one ever will be, saved because of their religiosity. The Bible itself has strong words regarding those who are religious but faithless.

“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Amos 5:21-24

“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Matthew 15:7-9 (Jesus, quoting from Isaiah 29:13)

The gospel proclaims grace to sinners, through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 7 emphasizes the relationship between religion (“the law”) and faith. God’s Law is good because it shows us our need for God’s grace, which comes through Jesus. He perfectly fulfilled the Law (what theologians call his “active obedience”), and his righteousness is applied to Christians by the Holy Spirit when they confess their sin and profess their faith in who Jesus is and what he has done.

Salvation isn’t a “freedom from religion” in the sense that we become “spiritual but not religious.” Instead, it transforms our understanding of what religion was meant to be all along.

Christians are religious people. But they’re also spiritual. They participate (joyfully!) in organized religion. They happily become members of local churches, give their money as an expression of faith in God to provide, submit themselves to spiritual leaders, and pray for wisdom regarding big and small decisions in life.

The Christian life is a spiritually-religious life.

Don’t fall into wise-sounding platitudes that actually undermine the ministry of the gospel by breeding suspicion against the church. Christians are not spiritual-but-not-religious. No. The Christian life is a spiritually-religious life.

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Love Your Enemies

One of the more well-known commands in Scripture is the command to “Love your enemies.” This was true when Jesus said it. And it’s still true for Christians today. The upcoming election and intense political strife of this season means all Christians need this reminder.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Jesus (Matthew 5:43-45)

Christians and their Enemies

Everyone has enemies. It’s just a fact of life. The question is what you do with them.

Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant presents a severe warning for his disciples. In this parable, Jesus tells of a servant who was forgiven the debt of a lifetime by a merciful king. After having his own debt cancelled, he crosses paths with someone who owes him money then has them arrested and imprisoned until it is repaid in full. The man is rebuked and punished for his hypocrisy.

Jesus makes it clear that the Christian’s disposition should be marked by grace and mercy. Our attitude towards enemies must be anchored in the gospel. For, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Because we have received the grace of God, we give it.

“What if God treated me
the way I treat my enemies?”


Stop and ask, “What if God treated me the way I treat my enemies?” When Christians are harsh and mean-spirited towards their enemies they are not reflecting Christ, but the worldliness they have been called to turn away from.

Leave Your Enemies in God’s Hands

Have you ever heard someone resist your correcting by saying, “Only God can judge me!” Honestly, this is a terrifying truth. God is the judge, and his judgment will not miss the mark. He is perfectly just, and every sin will be revealed before him. The above statement is true, but it doesn’t give permission to “live and let live.”

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”

Apostle Paul (Romans 12:19)

While the section above emphasizes grace and mercy towards one’s enemies, Christians are able to do that because they trust God’s judgment above their own. Evil will not go unpunished. But because God is love, Jesus took that punishment for us… and for those who confess and repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus Christ. That invitation stands for our enemies.

So far, this is generally safe territory for Christians. The challenge comes when are asked whether or not we can celebrate over our enemy’s salvation. Are you willing to pray for him, worship and study the Bible with him, and minister to his children as fellow-members of the body of Christ? Or do you simply quote Romans 12:19 as a message of doom against those who have sinned against you?

Trust God’s judgment upon others as much as you trust his judgment upon yourself.

Loving Your Enemies

Christians carry the name of Christ. When we spread hate and judgment, we do so in the name of Christ. When we speak online with harsh words that we would be ashamed to say in front of our mother or pastor, we are still doing so in the name of Christ. In addition to many other commands these actions break – they break the 3rd Commandment: Thou shall not dishonor the name of the LORD your God.

Loving your enemy doesn’t mean you pretend they are a friend. That’s exactly what makes it so unique – it’s unnecessary, surprising, and you probably receive zero benefit from showing this kind of mercy. If you only love those who love you back, and if you only give to those who give back to you… then you’re no different from everyone else in the world. But if you love your enemy who believes and expects the worst about you then that’s truly Christlike. You can call this loving your enemy or you can call it Christian Tolerance, but it starts with generosity towards your enemy while continuing to acknowledge the important differences that continue to exist.

May our actions, words, and attitudes bring honor to the name of Christ Jesus. What if we stopped arguing back, and took a posture of genuine mercy?

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:14-21
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Should We Forgive & Forget?

We’ve all been hurt. We’ve all been forgiven. We’ve all needed to be forgiven. But I seriously doubt we’ve forgotten.

“Forgive and forget” sounds good advice until you’re the one hearing it. When the conflict is personal and when the hurt is deep, it seems like you’re expected to do something impossible. And for the Christian, it begs the question: Is “forgive and forget” biblical?

Does God Forgive and Forget?

I am so thankful we serve a forgiving God! The Bible teaches that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “There is no one on earth who is righteous” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). You can say you’re a pretty good person, but the fact is no one has perfectly kept all of God’s commands.

Jesus died on the cross in order to forgive our sins and to remove the judgment we earned for ourselves (Romans 6:23).  We have been forgiven and washed clean through faith in Jesus Christ, “There is… no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Isaiah 42:25 says the LORD will “sweep away your transgressions…and remember them no more.” This, however doesn’t mean that God literally forgets them. Instead, the power of sin has been swept away, so God does not call it to mind anymore. We see this portrayed in Jesus’ very own body.

Jesus was crucified and nailed to the cross. When he rose from the grave, we know he still had nail holes in his hands. We know this, because Jesus showed them to Thomas when he said he wouldn’t believe Jesus rose unless he saw them and touched them. (John 21:24-29)

Jesus’ “resurrection body” still had scars. He remembered the sin for which he died. He remembered Thomas’ doubt. He perfectly forgave and remembered.

Forgiveness & Trust

God’s children are commanded to do as Christ did: to forgive and reconcile, even if it requires great sacrifice. We are called to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9) and agents of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:11-21). If Christians only show kindness and mercy towards those who are kind and merciful to them, then how are they any different from nonChristians (Luke 6:27-36)? Instead, Jesus called his disciples to a bold kind of mercy.

We can give forgiveness to those who hurt us. Sometimes forgiveness can take a long time to really give, and that’s ok. The deeper the offense, the longer it will take before you can really forgive that person. Don’t rush it. It’s ok to say, “I want to forgive you, and I’m trying to. But I’m just not ready yet, I need more time.”

“He who walks with the wise becomes wise. A companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). If you suffered harm because you were hanging out with fools, then forgive them but don’t start walking with them again!

Forgiveness is given. Trust, however, is earned. If a person has shown themselves to be untrustworthy, it is not a mark of wisdom to put your trust in them. At the same time, Christians are people who live with the daily reminder that God has redeemed them and transformed their lives. Of course God can do the same thing for this untrustworthy person who has caused us harm.

So what are we to do? For the most part, forgiveness means you give someone the opportunity to regain your trust, but that starts in the small things and slowly increases as people prove their repentance and trustworthiness.

Pray for Wisdom

Life is complicated. Relationships are messy. We all need to pray for wisdom, and live with a heart that desires to glorify God. This may lead us back to people who caused great pain in our lives. God can bring is truly beautiful and miraculous healing and redemption.

As you navigate broken or strained relationships – pray for God’s wisdom. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, who loved you while you were still his enemy. Remember Jesus’ prayer for his own crucifiers, “Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they are doing.” And in your heart, ask the Holy Spirit to give you a desire to forgive and be reconciled. That is the starting point for all potential reconciliation. From that point, pray for wisdom and for the peace of the Holy Spirit. Because not every broken relationship will be mended on this side of eternity… but living with resentment and anger is contrary to the way of the cross.

(note: this post is an edited/revised version of an older post)

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When Should Kids Take Communion?

Before digging into this important question, let me unequivocally state that this post reflects my personal opinion and in no way represents my church’s official opinion. Also, please respect this is obviously coming from a Baptist’s perspective without turning the comment section into a debate over infant baptism versus believer’s baptism.

After years of reflection on this question, as both a youth pastor and as a father, here is where I’ve landed.

What Does Communion Mean?

Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance of the Church. That means it’s something Jesus directly instructed his disciples to do when they gather for worship. The instructions for Communion are given in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, based off Jesus’ celebration of Passover with his disciples in Matthew 26:17-35.

Communion is anchored in the Jewish celebration of Passover. Whereas the firstborn sons of Israel were spared from death because of the sacrificial lamb, the children of God are saved from sin and death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – the lamb of God. When we celebrate communion, the bread symbolizes the flesh of Jesus, which was broken for us; and the cup (usually grape juice, but some traditions still use wine) represents the blood of Jesus, which was poured out for us on the cross.

When Christians partake in Communion they are experiencing a physical reminder of their salvation. Jesus’ body was broken, and his blood was poured out. Christians are not saved from sin and death because they are better than anyone else, but because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone.

Not only does Communion look back at the foundation of the Christian’s salvation, it also looks forward to its fulfillment at the “wedding supper of the Lamb.” On that day, when Jesus returns in glory, all believers will partake in a great celebration of our salvation’s fulfillment. The great enemy will be utterly defeated and all God’s promises, secured through Christ’s resurrection, will be visible.

Communion is so much more than a nice snack break towards the end of church.

Relationship Between Baptism and Communion

It is obvious from the Scripture referenced above that Communion is meant as a regular part of Christian worship. On the other hand, baptism is a one-time-only experience.

Baptism symbolizes the Christian’s conversion and their adoption into the family of God. As Romans 6:4 says, Christians have died to their sins (been immersed beneath the waters) and raised into newness of life (lifted up, out of the waters). Our baptism unites the believer with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as they publicly aligns themselves with Jesus Christ. It is the rite of entrance into Christ’s Church. This is why most churches have some type of formal processes for baptism, in order to be assured that the person being baptized is a genuine convert.

Whereas conversion happens once in a person’s life, the Christian needs regular reminders of the source and fulfillment of their salvation. This is where Communion comes into play. When the church celebrates Communion, it is usually prefaced with comments marking it as something that is only for Christians to partake in because it is a reminder of the gospel.

To put it another way, Baptism symbolizes the Christian’s Justification while Communion reflects Sanctification.

Readiness for Communion

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that Communion should be treated with great reverence. He even says that some are suffering discipline from the Lord because they are treating Communion so casually, and they are taking it unworthily. Generally speaking, most Baptists are far too casual regarding the ordinances of Baptism and Communion.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.“

1 Corinthians 11:27-29

This means that Christians today should continue to be sure they are approaching Communion with reverence and faithfulness to the Scriptures. Christian leaders who allow anyone to partake in communion may believe they are erring on the side of grace, but they may actually be allowing well-intended participants to enter into spiritually-dangerous territory.

If someone is not ready to be baptized, why would they be ready for Communion? Since baptism is the ordinance of conversion, it should come first. I fail to see any reason a child or teenager who has not been baptized should be encouraged to take communion – it’s a confusion of theological categories. It is the theological equivalent to a boyfriend and girlfriend cohabitating before marriage because they “aren’t ready” to be married… if that is true, then they aren’t ready to live together either. Sometimes, the order of things matters.

Certainly, it is possible for children to profess faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and therefore they can understand what Communion represents. But the genuineness of their faith and their understanding of the gospel should first be tested and affirmed through baptism.

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Lessons on Christian Liberty and Jerry Falwell Jr

Many words have already been spilled surrounding the downfall of Jerry Falwell Jr from his leadership at Liberty University. Rather than dealing with all the details of what happened and why, I want to take a few minutes to reflect on how Christians respond to situations like this.

No Christian Liberty Without Confession

The words “liberty” and “freedom” are synonyms. The gospel is a message that proclaims liberty and adoption for sinners who are enslaved by their sin. Through faith in Jesus Christ – who is he, what he has done, and what promises he will keep – sinners are set free from the slave-master of sin and adopted as children of God, heirs of God’s promise.

Confession of sin is central to the Christian’s profession of faith. This is a statement every Christian needs to confess in order to be a Christian, “I am a sinner. Here are some ways I know I’ve sinned. I cannot overpower sin on my own, and I cannot justify myself. There is no excuse. Before God I deserve nothing but judgment for the ways I have dishonored him as the Holy God who created me and is worthy of my unwavering trust and obedience. But thanks be to God, who gave his son, Jesus Christ, as the perfect substitute who took my judgment in order that my sin would be more than overlooked – it was paid for. I have no need to hide my sin, because it’s all been covered by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, I can walk in newfound freedom and peace, because I have been set free from the slave-master of sin and I’ve been adopted as a dearly loved son/daughter of God.”

If this is the foundational confession of Christianity, we should not be surprised by the depravity of sinful men and women. Jerry has professed to be a Christian – and this is why so many are deeply troubled by what has come to light.

[update: David Nasser, LU’s Campus Pastor, spoke in chapel today, saying, “I am sorry. In my opinion, you as a Liberty student deserve better. And the embarrassment that’s been brought upon you as a Liberty student, and more importantly brought upon the name of Christ, is wrong.” Following Nasser’s chapel session, Falwell contacted Nasser to ask where he had sinned. For more about Nasser’s message, click the link above.]

Accountability is Key

Christian leaders are called to lead with integrity as servant-leaders towards those who follow them. NonChristian leadership books are increasingly saying the same thing – this is simply a mark of good leadership. People want to follow leaders they can trust. Although leaders who drive and dominate their teams might “get things done,” their followers are merely cogs in the machine that make the organization grow. But integrity and a posture of servanthood bestow dignity while assuring teammates that the leader isn’t about his own self-glory, but about blessing those who benefit from their corporate mission.

This type of leadership requires accountability. Being surrounded by “yes-men” who will agree with and affirm whatever the leader says is deadly. If a leader never hears disagreement, they have either surrounded themselves with these “yes-men” or their leadership style is so domineering that people who disagree remain silent because they’re too afraid to speak up. When people make mistakes or a project doesn’t work out as hoped for, the leader’s response sets an atmosphere of trust or suspicion. Leaders who are harsh towards their followers, demand perfection, and verbally attack people who challenge their ideas have created a toxic atmosphere of suspicion. And yet they themselves demand unwavering trust and obedience – anything less is perceived as insubordination.

Jerry Falwell Jr. would have benefitted from allowing others to challenge his ideas and holding him accountable. Instead, he demonstrated a consistent posture of antagonism towards his critics and pointed to Liberty University’s enrollment and financial growth as proof that he was an effective leader. But in the end, Christian leaders will be accountable for their integrity and servanthood… or for their lack thereof.

Grace for Jerry

No one is “too far gone” to receive the grace of God by confession and faith. While there are many who seem to be delighted by Jerry’s downfall, Christians should not be among them. At a time like this, it’s helpful to remember the prophet Obadiah’s message, rebuking the Edomites when they celebrated over Israel’s destruction and exile. It is not right to celebrate over the failures of men and women you don’t like. Instead, Christians are called to hold out the grace and mercy they themselves have received. Remember that you, too, were a hopeless sinner who was saved by nothing short of the grace of God.

I believe Jared Wilson said it best in his tweet below.

There are some who say, “Shouldn’t we show him grace?” Yes, we should. But leadership (especially Christian leadership) involves accountability. As a representative of Liberty University, but even more-so, as a representative of Jesus Christ – it is good and right for him to step down and lose his position of power because of this hypocrisy. This type of discipline may be the very best thing that could happen for him and his wife, that they might see the depth of their sin and need for genuine repentance.

Yes, we should pray for Jerry and invite him to receive the grace of God. But no, that doesn’t mean that accountability and discipline are wrong. God will hold all people to account for their lives, especially those in places of spiritual leadership – and he has been in such a role, whether he wants to admit it or not. It is better to be chastised now and repent than it is to have his sin remain private and be chastised by the Lord.

A Lesson for All

The lesson we all have to learn is his: sin loves the darkness, but God is the light. What you do in the dark will come to the light… eventually. You can either confess your sin and walk in grace-drenched repentance, or you can hide it from others and pretend to be someone you aren’t. The first option is the way of Christian liberty; the second reflects someone who is still in slavery to sin. While it may be easy to point fingers and cast blame, take this moment to do your own heart-work. Talk with a pastor or mature Christian, confess your sin and ask for help to find freedom in the grace of Jesus Christ. This is the path of Christian liberty.

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Four Ways to Read Your Bible

“Read your Bible.” It’s common advice to hear in church. Let’s pretend that you’re a new Christian hearing this advice, so on Monday morning you wake up half an hour early to do it. As you sit at the kitchen counter and set your english muffin and coffee down, you grab your Bible to wonder… “Ok, what now?” 

This raises a very practical question that I’m concerned we often overlook in church. Maybe we’ve told people what they’re supposed to do, and maybe we’ve even persuaded them to want to do it… but have we equipped them to know how to actually do it? In a previous post I covered a few basic ideas about How to Read Your Bible, but in this article I want to give four different methods that can help you realistically start reading your Bible. For other options, check out this post from my friends at LeaderTreks, How to Teach Students to Study the Bible.

Four Important Questions

These are four helpful questions to ask when studying the Bible. Usually, it is most effective to use these questions with a journal at-hand so you can write down some basic thoughts and reflections along the way. 

  1. What? Understand the original meaning. This involves working through basic “Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?” types of questions. Resist the urge to jump into application until after you’re sure you know what this Scripture passage actually means. 
  2. So What? Next, uncover the teaching of the passage. Do this by asking questions like, “What was the author trying to say to the original readers?” and “Of all the things that could be included in Scripture, why is this in here?” 
  3. Where’s the Gospel? Since all Scripture is about Jesus (Luke 24:25-27), any understanding of a passage that overlooks its relationship with Jesus is an incomplete understanding. Does this passage foreshadow the type of salvation God would offer, or display people’s failure to save themselves, or highlight our sinful depravity and need for salvation? For more on this, see Bryan Chapell’s article 4 Ways Your Whole Bible Points to Jesus or The Bible Project’s ebook The Scarlet Thread Through the Bible.
  4. Now What? Now it’s time for explore what the passage means for you. Based off the first three questions, what can you learn about God, yourself, the world, and the Christian life? Consider both general and specific ways this passage should shape your head/thoughts, heart/emotions, and hands/actions.

Read Until You Hit The Next Lightpost 

When non-runners want to become runners, one of the common methods they employ is to run the distance between a lightposts, then walk to the next light post, then keep repeating until they’re able to run the distance between two lightposts, then three, etc. When people start reading the Bible, it’s helpful to follow a similar approach. Instead of starting off with an in-depth approach, simply read until you reach something worth chewing on. Keep a journal to write down some notes. Turn your reflections and meditations on that keyword or idea into a prayer.

Bible Journaling

Find a fresh journal, a comfortable pen to write with, and your Bible. After reading a passage through, probably two or three times, write out a key verse or phrase that stands out to you. In your journal, write about why it catches your attention. More importantly, write about what that verse or phrase actually means in the text, not just about how it makes you feel. One of the benefits of journaling is it can guide us into deeper reflection, even if our mind tends to wander from time to time – once you get back on track, simply resume where you left off. 

It may also be a helpful practice to write out your prayers. Using the pages at the end of your journal, you can create a list of prayer requests others have shared with you, along with the date when you entered it. Then, during your Bible reading time you can journal about the Bible passage on the front of a page, and then write out your prayer (with the prayer requests in the back to remind you who to cycle through in your prayer-list) on the back-side of that same page. Remember, you aren’t writing a book, so don’t feel pressure to write significant amounts or use perfect grammar. The chances of anyone else reading what you write is very very slim – so resist the temptation to write as if you’re writing the next “My Utmost for His Highest” or anything like that. Simply read your Bible, write out your meditations, and pray. 

Study a Book of the Bible

If you are interested in studying a book of the Bible or a portion of Scripture (like the Sermon on the Mount) over the course of a month, this may be a helpful method to consider. 

  1. Read it in large sections quickly. If possible, set aside time to read it through in one sitting, potentially two days in a row. This will help you see the big picture.
  2. Read it in medium-sized sections. Slow down the reading by reading through chapters or other medium-sized sections of the passage in order to dig into the different emphases throughout the book. 
  3. Read small portions very slowly. By slowing down to read just a few verses at a time, you’ll pay careful attention to key words that stand out. At this level it is especially helpful to pay attention to conjunctions (if, therefore, because, but), because they connect the various sections together. 

Whichever method you choose, reading the Bible consistently over a long period of time will be of immense benefit to your soul.

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When Your Professed & Actual Theology Aren’t the Same

In my last post, Living My Theology, I made a distinction between our professed theology and our actual theology. Professed theology is composed of those theological truths we make, saying, “This is what I believe.” While “actual theology” consists of those theological truths that actually shape our daily living. The previous post give more examples of what this looks like. This post reflects on why there’s a difference at all. 

We want to live with our faith in Christ integrated into every sphere of life. The reality is, we don’t. At least, not perfectly. Sometimes there’s a wide chasm between the two because we’ve relegated faith to only “spiritual” things, and other times there’s a gap because we simply aren’t fully sanctified and indwelling sin keeps us from living perfectly aligned with our faith. In this post, I want to reflect on these two reasons why there’s a difference between our professed and actual theology. 

Fragmented Faith: Where the Difference is Unhealthy

When self-professed Christians live in a way that their faith has little impact on their daily life, what they’ve actually done is lock Jesus in the basement. People don’t live in the basement, they usually use it for storage when needed. It’s where we keep our “extra’s.” When they need something “spiritual,” they go down to the basement to get it, then continue with their lives in the places where real life happens.

Some Christians, especially from an older generation, view their faith as something so private they will not talk about it with others. Instead, they prefer to “live their faith.” But what this actually does is turn faith into a religion of good works. It takes all the intimacy and spirituality out of faith in exchange for external behavior changes that don’t require conversations about the amazing love of God.

Others call themselves Christians but have never understood how their faith connects with real life. So they sleep with their boyfriend/girlfriend, give little attention to personal holiness, and rarely worship with the family of Christ. Their faith is a fragment of their life, not integrated into the whole.

Growing into it: Where the Difference is Healthy

Some Christians will take the challenge to evaluate their professed and actual theology only to conclude they are in good alignment. The rest of us are able to recognize areas where we aren’t. 

faith is like receiving your father’s favorite pair of shoes that you just don’t fit into. You can step into them, and you can walk around in them, but they’re simply too big. But over time, you grow into them.

In this sense, faith is like receiving your father’s favorite pair of shoes that you just don’t fit into. You can step into them, and you can walk around in them, but they’re simply too big. But over time, you grow into them. Obviously, this isn’t a perfect example. It breaks down in many ways. But in this sense, I find it helpful: saving faith requires us to profess certain things that we simply haven’t “grown into” yet. 

I am not yet holy, and yet I have received the holiness of Jesus Christ. I have been saved from my sin, and yet I continue to battle temptation – sometimes in victory, other times not so much. I am a man of faith, and yet I sometimes pray, “Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief.” I’m still growing into my faith. And you are too. We’ll be in those “too big” shoes until we graduate into glory. 

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Living My Theology

The last two years have been a whirlwind. It’s been 20 months since my last blog post on this site, and life looks remarkably different. Some of it’s been good (published one book with another currently undergoing the editing process before its release in 2021, a new ministry at an incredible church), and some of it not so great (a painful and sudden ending to a 14-year ministry, living through a global pandemic).

Here’s something I can say I’ve learned: I really do believe my theology.

During the lowest points, my faith in the sovereign goodness of God held my life together. I’m no perfect exemplar of faith, but I have experienced the power of having good theology. It holds you up when you feel like everything else is crumbling. And when your thoughts and heart stray, your own theology rebukes you and calls you back to faith. Over the course of these last 20 months, the Lord has graciously sustained my faith to help me live my theology.

Professed vs Actual Theology

For many of us, our professed theology and our actual theology aren’t the same. By “professed theology,” I’m talking about those theological truths that we affirm with our minds. These are statements about God, the world, humanity, and salvation that we hold up and say, “This is what I believe.” But our “actual theology” consists of those theological truths that guide our daily lives. For instance, if someone who knows you well was asked to write what you truly believe about prayer, God’s goodness, the power of grace, the importance of biblical authority, etc. – would their descriptions of your actual theology align with your professed theology?

For many of us, our professed theology and our actual theology aren’t the same.

One of the greatest areas where I’ve seen this disagreement take place is around the authority of Scripture. Many Christians who profess faith in the authority of the Bible (“it is the Word of God and all truths must be measured according to Scripture”) actually marginalize the Bible in their evangelism. This happens when Christians believe their nonbelieving friends aren’t ready for the Bible yet because it’s over their heads. So instead, they look for more relevant or engaging books. This is a functional denial of the person’s professed theology. If the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, why would it ever be a good idea to withhold God’s Word from someone who is spiritually dead? Good, clear books about the gospel and evidences for Christianity are helpful to give nonbelievers; but not as a replacement of the Bible.

For pastors, the question is a risky one: If someone evaluated your ministry in order to determine what your core theological convictions are, would they match your stated theology? I suspect, many self-proclaimed Calvinists would be described as functional Arminians, but that’s a topic for another post. Realigning one’s ministry to match their theology could cost them their job.

Trials Reveal Our Theology

These past two years have shown me how much I need to trust in the sovereign goodness of the Lord. Life can change so quickly. It’s good (and wise!) to plan and be prepared for the days to come. But remember that your control is much less than you realize. This is one of the central tenets of Reformed Theology: God is sovereign over all things and he is full of grace for towards his children. I have preached, spoken, and written extensively about this message. This year I’ve experienced this message’s comforting truthfulness.

The trials and victories of life reveal so much about who we really are. Where do we turn for comfort and hope? Is prayer a treasured response, or a last resort? Do I believe God owes me his blessing, or can I praise him from the valley of the shadow of death? These are real-life issues that lift the cover of our faith.

When moments of clarity strike that reveal the differences between your professed and actual theology, don’t avoid them because it’s uncomfortable. Lean in, and grapple with the question, “What do I really believe?” Pray, repent, and believe the power of God’s grace to sanctify you. Then, live your theology.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 139:23-24

 

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