To Die For

I believe that Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection to be the most significant thing to believe in scripture. It is the central theme of the Bible. It is what Jesus came ultimately to do. All things are "plugged in" to these three facts. Nothing holds any weight except that it ties to these facts.

The real significance is found directly connected with the resurrection. Without this, we have no hope. Without this, Jesus is still a dead man and that's all. Paul's resurrection passage in 1 Corinthians spells it out or us. (1 Corinthians 15:17-22 NCV) "And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith has nothing to it; you are still guilty of your sins. {18} And those in Christ who have already died are lost. {19} If our hope in Christ is for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone else in the world. {20} But Christ has truly been raised from the dead--the first one and proof that those who sleep in death will also be raised. {21} Death has come because of what one man did, but the rising from death also comes because of one man. {22} In Adam all of us die. In the same way, in Christ all of us will be made alive again."

Just think of the doctrines that are most important to us and their importance is found directly important because of Jesus' death burial and resurrection: Baptism, Communion, and the essence of God "love." All of these and an other teaching all center on Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus could not be deity without it. God could not save us without it. The Trinity would not have the significance without it.

So, what can I learn from all this. Start living for that which I said I would die for. The core of the gospel and all that it is to any of us is founded upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus--live for Him!!

What Would You Die For?

It is a sobering question isn't it. My good brother "Ancient Wanderer" made me think about this in his quote, "We have to decide as leaders which of the 'traditions' are worth taking a stand on and which ones will die out with old brother or sister so-n-so."

Taking a stand is one thing, but when you ask, "What would you die for?" It's clearly another thing altogether. I'm not talking about family or friends, but which teaching? He makes the statement that we have to decide and uses the word "traditions," but I want to pose the question to you my blog family and ask which teachings, doctrines, issues, beliefs, etc would you put your life on the line for?

I am tempted to give a c of C list from which we could choose, but I will resist that temptation and simply wait for your answers. I will then blog and let you know how I would answer the question.

MORE IMPORTANT NOTE: Please pray for my good friend David Daniel. David played guitar in the band I am with several years ago. We found out today that he has stage 4 cancer--4 tumors in the brain, 1 in the liver, and 1 in the lungs. The good news is that they say it is a treatable kind of cancer.

Religious Trappings

How do we escape? How can we possibly get out of our default mode when it comes to religion? In the past week I have talked to four people about this very thing, one of which was a preacher in another denomination. One of his questions was, "How can we escape the religious trappings of our various denominations?"

I know for some of us it seems like an old conversation now, but after this week I know it's still new to some. There a so many who profess Christ who are tired of "religion" and are ready in their hearts to get away from it, but can't find it within themselves to escape.

Comfort zones, years of poor teaching, and any number of other things hinder them from walking away from it all in favor of simply searching for Jesus. Isn't it strange that we are willing to be content with what we are used to no matter the cost, because, in my opinion, seeking Jesus alone just cost too much for us. We like the comfort of our rules oriented religion. So we simply sit and complain without having the guts to make a move in the right direction. I even had two college students tell me that they have lied to their parents about where they went to church for fear of their parents' reaction. How sad!!

I just want to offer up prayer for us. God help us to find you in our lives. Help us to focus on that which is important and seek you first in our lives. Help us have the right attitudes as we deal with one another.

What suggestions do you have about how to escape the religion and seek first Jesus?