Do you know who the president is?  Sure….Barack Obama, right.  He lives in the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.  I doubt any adult that has lived in the U.S. for any amount of time or even in most parts of the world would not be able to answer that question.  But then again, recalling Jay Leno’s “Jay Walking” segments makes me wonder if this is indeed true.  Anyway, let’s assume that it’s true, at least for you.

So you know the President.  But have you met him?  There are some that might say they have; possibly even have shaken his hand.  But I’m not talking about a brief encounter on the campaign trail or something along those lines.  I mean….have you MET him?  In the grand scheme of things, few have.  Even for the President of the United States, there are few in the U.S. and the world that can say they have truly met President Obama.

So, if any one of us were to travel to D.C. and were to tell the guard at the gate that we are there to see the President, we will be told, in no uncertain terms, to go away.  Indeed, we might even be detained for questioning to ensure that we are not mentally ill.  But why?  We know him.  Why couldn’t we gain an audience with him?

The answer to that comes from a different question.  It’s not a matter of whether we know him.  The question is: Does he know us?  If the President knows us, then we will be granted access to him when we come to visit.  There will be no questioning of why we’ve come or what we’re there to do; he will know us and those things will be known through our relationship.

So how do relationships get started?  At some point, the parties involved have to have met.  From this initial meeting, the relationship grows and matures with the parties involved becoming more familiar with each other.  This growth sometimes occurs slowly over time.  In other instances, things advance more rapidly.  But regardless of the pace of the relationship, those involved are changed due to having been in it.  Perhaps in small, subtle ways, perhaps in larger, more profound ways, all of us have an effect on the others we come to know.

Let’s consider a dramatic, perhaps absurd, scenario.  If someone was to step out into the middle of a freeway in front of a semi-truck, the two would have a meeting and they would become quite intimate very quickly.  Neither would come away from the meeting unaffected.  Were he to survive such an encounter, his life would be profoundly different afterwards, I’m certain.

So let me ask you – Do you know Jesus?  Do you have a relationship with Him?  Have you met Him?  Did you come away from the encounter changed?  Is your life different since the meeting?

I assure you, meeting the God of the universe is infinitely more profound than stepping in front of a semi.

I was in Vishakapatnam, East India, a few years ago.  It’s out in the middle of nowhere.  I’m walking down this dirt lane and there’s an altar there and there’s a shrine that is built and there’s chicken blood and feathers everywhere.  There’re idols as far as the eye can see.  They worship everything that you can possibly imagine.  I asked one of the pastor’s wives who’s planting a church in this rural village.  I said to her, “Do you think you will ever come to the United States and visit my country?”  She said, “I did once and I will never come again.”  I said, “Why?” She said “I cannot stomach the idolatry,”  as I’m standing next to the altar where chickens get whacked for apparently the chicken god, thinking to myself ‘this is not what I was expecting to hear.’  I said, “Well where are the shrines of false worship and idolatry in our culture?”  She said, “Your god is your stomach and you have restaurants everywhere.  Your god is your sports teams and you build multi-million dollar stadiums to house them.  Your god is your television and all of the chairs in your home are lined up so that your family can gather around the altar and worship that god.”  And it dawned on me that idolatry is what we often see in someone else’s culture.  In our culture, we just think it’s the Bass Pro Shop, the steak house.  We just think it’s the place where you go to get recreational sporting goods, movie theater……  We just see it as entertainment, we see it as hobby, we see it as sport.  We don’t see it as religion.  We don’t see it as spirituality.  We don’t see it as idolatry.  –Mark Driscoll

Opening

What are some examples of expressions of faith?

What is courage? Is it the absence of fear?
Dictionary – the ability to face fear or danger.
So it is acting in opposition to fear or danger, not acting due to an absence of fear.

Focus – combine these two – examine how we express our faith courageously. Do we have to be in a dire situation or crisis like Daniel in the lions’ den or “Shack, Rack, and Benny” in the fiery furnace or like those reported in Voice of the Martyrs materials before we can act in faith courageously? Or can we act courageously in less than catastrophic events? If so, how?

Read Study text (Mark 6: 35-52)

Background

-This is the first passage that is accounted for in all 4 gospels.
-These are the only miracles that are recounted in all 4 gospels.
-Scripture is scripture and all equally important (plenary). But, given these facts, perhaps there is something here the Holy Spirit wants to make sure is not missed and is therefore deserving of our attention and full understanding.

Three events immediately preceding these that are important and give contextual understanding:
- The people of Nazareth, Jesus’ home town, had just mocked Him and He was amazed at their unbelief. (Vs. 1-6)
- The 12 had been sent out in two’s on their first missionary trips and had just returned. (Vs. 7-13)
- John had been beheaded. (Vs. 14-29)

The peoples’ unbelief in Nazareth was an emotional blow to Jesus. The 12 had returned physically tired and excited, and emotionally drained. Their accomplishments and progress had an emotional impact on Jesus also. John’s death impacted Jesus tremendously given their relationship and kinship. For these reasons, Jesus wanted to ‘get away’ and recover emotionally, spiritually, and physically both for himself and the disciples. (Vs. 30-31)

Feeding the 5000

Vs. 34 – “..they were like sheep without a shepherd.”
July 8, 2005 – Istanbul, Turkey – 450 sheep follow their shepherd over a 15 meter cliff and fall to their death. These 450 break the fall of the next 1050 who survived because they were cushioned by the first 450. Loss the equivalent of $100,000.00

Jesus calls us sheep. I don’t think it’s a compliment.
Jesus calls us His sheep. Jesus says He is the good shepherd.
John 10:14,15 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Vs. 36 – “Send the people away so they can … buy themselves something to eat.”
Getting late – mid-afternoon (around 3:00), nothing nearby by farmhouses and small villages.
Was this a correct thing to suggest?
-Showed a lack of faith
-Showed the disciples were compassionate for the people
-It was the practical thing to do for their physical needs
-It was impractical for their spiritual health. Send the sheep away from the good shepherd?

Vs. 37 – “You feed them.”
-We have to be careful when applying things from the Bible to ourselves since a lot of commands are given to specific people at specific times for specific reasons. But this command, I believe, does indeed apply to us still today.
-Lesson 1 – Disciples’ response – faithless – Only focused on their own abilities and did not consider Jesus’.
-When we recognize and face others’ needs and recognize Jesus commands us to take responsibility to assist in any way that we can, or even in ways that we can’t when we only consider our own means, we express our faith courageously. The next time we doubt ourselves as being capable or say ‘I can’t do that,’ I hope we remember the words ‘You feed them,’ and instead of doing what we would normally do (lacking faith), we respond in an attitude of faith.
-We need to meet the needs of others through Jesus’ provision and not limit the scope of our ministry to our own resources.

Vs. 38 – “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”
-Why did Jesus ask this question? Remember God in the Garden calling to Adam ‘Where are you?’ and Jesus asking the woman at the well about her husband? He knows! So why did He ask? –For the benefit of the disciples’ faith; so they would fully understand the situation and not miss what he was about to do.
-Lesson 2 – When a problem / project / obstacle / trial is encountered, we need to shift the focus from what we don’t have to what we do.

Vs. 39-40 – “Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.”
What was the point of this?
-Practical – possibly for counting that they might know how many were there, possibly so all could witness the miracle that was about to happen (although some believe that the miracle was only made known to the disciples), possibly to make serving / distributing easier.
-Harkens back to Moses – Moses distributed manna in groups. This highlights the relationship of Moses as the original conduit of the law and Jesus as the fulfillment of the law.
-Mosaic Prophesy – The Jews were expecting the coming Messiah to provide manna as Moses did. It is suggested that this miracle, the only one recounted in all four gospels, was the fulfilling of Moses’ prophetic promise. Also, suggestions of foreshadowing of the Lord’s Supper are proposed as well as overtones of the Messianic banquet at the end of the age.
-Lesson 3 – The disciples’ obedience to organize the people and the people’s cooperation illustrate acts of faith, despite their lack of understanding. When we act without full knowledge of something, we are demonstrating courageous faith.
-Notice – the disciples’ roles – servants. Just as Jesus said He came to server, not be served, we also should seek the servant role.

Vs. 41 – “…looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.”
-Commentaries suggest that this prayer was a prayer of thanksgiving and asking that it glorify God and bring Him honor.
-When you ask for God’s blessing on something, is it a petition for blessing or is it a thanksgiving? (Example – Please multiply this so that none may go hungry, vs. You are our provision, may this give you glory and honor.)
-Have you ever given something to God sacrificially, with a ‘right’ heart, and asked Him to redeem it? What happened?

Vs. 43 – “and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of bread and fish.”
-My thoughts: 12 baskets / 12 disciples, baskets are filled through the provision of Jesus / disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit = foreshadowing
-Commentary says the 12 baskets are representative of the disciples and that their being filled was representative that Jesus could provide and care for His own (believers).

Vs. 44 – “The number of men who had eaten was five thousand.”
-Probably not many women and children since they were not obligated to go to the Passover festival that was approaching.

Jesus Walks on the Water

Vs. 45 – “Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat…”
-These words (immediately and made) equate to haste, urgency, and reluctance. What was going on to create this atmosphere? John says the people wanted to make Him king. Several possible problems – getting caught in what might have been a riot in the making, the disciples may have been involved in inciting it following misguided / misdirected enthusiasm, it was not yet His time, the people wanted a political leader to overthrow Rome (this is the height of His reputation / renown – starts declining the next day)

Vs. 45-46 – “…he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.”
-Why did Jesus do these things?
-To finally get the rest and prayer He had been seeking.

Vs. 48 – “He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.”
-The Sea of Galilee is shallow and easy to ‘whip up’.
-Hills of Lebanon and Mt. Hermon channel wind across this body of water often and, due to its shallowness, quickly change its complexion.
-The disciples were in trouble because of their obedience, not disobedience. Same as when Jesus calmed the storm (earlier in the book).

Vs. 48 – “About the fourth watch of the night…”
-Jews kept 3 watches of 4 hours, but had adopted the 4 watches of 3 hours system of the Romans. So the fourth watch was 3am or later.
-Consider the situation: started about 6pm, event was about 3am = elapsed time of 8-9 hours.
-John 6:19 – 25-30 furlongs = about ½ way across. Sea of Galilee is 7 miles wide at its broadest.
-So, in about 8 hours, covered about 3.5 miles net.
-Why did Jesus wait so long?
-Everything in His perfect time and for the benefit of the disciples (to strengthen their faith).

Vs. 50 – “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
-Compare to “I Am” in Exodus, “I am he,” in the garden of Gethsemane, and in the temple, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!”
-The disciples would have instantly recognized the phrase, and most likely the voice.
-Apologetics – Jesus never comes right out and says the words ‘I am God.’ But here, He is walking on water and identifies himself with the same phrase that God uses to identify Himself. While not the actual words, it is as clear a statement as He could have made regarding His Deity.
-From Mayberry524.net – “It is I; do not be afraid.” Perhaps what they heard Him say was something like – “Look, here’s the thing – big things like – this figure you see out here “walking on water” – in the middle of the sea – in the middle of a storm – things that scare the teeth right out of your mouth – that seem absolutely impossible for any man to do – well, that is I! And stuff that comes along in your life that shakes the ground beneath your feet and things that are so much bigger than you, push you into a corner – stuff that seems so very, out of your control – like the force of this mighty wind churning up the sea and pounding – again and again, against you – well, I have come – to put all of those things – under my feet. I AM – is in control of these events, so there is no need for fear.”

Vs. 51-52 – “They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.”
-The disciples were possibly overwhelmed – 5000+ had been fed with 5 loaves and 2 fish, their leader just walked on water 3 ½ miles (to their understanding) on water, and the weather they had been fighting for the last several hours or so ceased upon His entering the boat. Mentally, they aware of the facts, but their hearts couldn’t allow them to accept the truth of it – it was too much.
-How could they not understand? They did not have the Holy Spirit to enlighten them and open their spiritual eyes. Consider how much we wouldn’t understand were it not for the Holy Spirit.
-Lesson 4 – We can be informed of the facts of a situation, and we can even be amazed at the events of others and with the supernatural involvement in those events, but still lack faith that He will do the same for us. We need to soften our hearts and trust He is here for us also.

Conclusion

-When Jesus was seeking privacy and rest, He ministered instead. As we grow to be more like Jesus, we should all strive to give more of ourselves and be less selfish in all situations.
-Is God sovereign? Yes? Then take stock of what you have rather than what you don’t have. Find a ministry, new or existing (assuming you don’t already have one), and commit to it and make yourself available to it and to God. Trust in the words of Jesus – “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Keep record of what man’s contributions are vs. God’s contributions, otherwise you’ll miss just how much He provides.
-What are some of the area needs? Hungry, tutoring, ESL/GED programs, etc?

1. We courageously express our faith in the face of others’ needs when we recognize our responsibility and do what we can (and what we think we can’t) to help.
2. We courageously express our faith when we obey God and take actions that show we are trusting Him.
3. We courageously express our faith in Jesus Christ during any distressful situation by trusting Him because of who He is and what He can do.

Christmas!  What a time!  A season filled with family and friends, good food, football, and gifts.  Most of all, however, we (should) celebrate a birthday.  At the mention of the baby, the familiar nativity scene instantly comes to mind, with the animals around, the angel, and the shepherds and wise men, and of course Mary, Joseph, and the baby in a manger.  But is this picture truly representative of how it really was?

When I hear the name ‘Jesus’, I think of the man, the adult.  It is only during the Christmas season that I consider Him as an infant, and it is easy to not realize that the adult God-Man is also this baby and despite His infancy, He is still the creator of the universe.  If ever there were two opposing ideas smashed together, these have to be the most polar opposite.  Almighty God, who measures the universe with the span of His hand, who spoke the world into existence, and a baby, helpless, totally dependent upon a mother, incapable of anything.

On another note, have you ever been in a well used barn?  To say that it is dirty and smelly is a gross understatement.  Fill it full of animals, and the smell alone becomes almost unbearable.  What about this stable that Mary and Joseph were forced to use as a birthing room?  We are told that there was no room at the inn.  For travelers to be well-off financially to afford a room at an inn instead of camping or staying with family or friends would also indicate they would be of sufficient means to travel on animals such as donkeys or camels instead of walking.  And if the inn was full, I would suggest so was this stable.

The following is an excerpt from ‘Intimate Moments with the Savior’ by Ken Gire.  I forget who is reading, but it was broadcast on ‘Focus on the Family’.  This brings these ideas together and makes what we celebrate more real and less sterile than the nativity scene.  I make a point to listen to this each year so that I might be reminded of the true Christmas story.  I hope you enjoy.

Click here to play the audio clip.  (5:06 – 5MB)

We each have our little world that we live in.  Facebook has made me aware that our world is uniquely ours in many respects.  The circle of influence we have with our friends, our work environments and contacts, places we go, things we eat, and the various forms of entertainment we all enjoy are all uniquely ours.  Even if we are married to another, and despite how close that relationship is, our world is still uniquely individualistic.

This world of ours is something that is developed.  When we are born, our world exists pretty much of our mother, in whatever we happen to be sleeping at any given time, and little else.  As we grow, this world is gradually expanded.  I think that is why I love two-year-olds.  They are discovering their surroundings and everything is amazing to them.  What a wonderful time of discovery!  And so it continues….we start going to school, make friends, start driving, leave home, etc. etc. etc.  Our world continues to expand and grow and for some, the entire globe becomes their playground.  For most of us, however, our world never becomes quite that large despite all our work and efforts.

For some, this growth stops abruptly.  A short illness or an accident and -poof- they are gone.  We all know someone whose world ended this way.  This may be how some of us come to our end.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed nor is even the next hour.  But for most of us, our world will inevitably start shrinking just as it had started growing.  We will stop traveling as much and instead stay home more.  Then, we’ll stop going out as much and staying indoors almost entirely.  Sickness assuredly comes and ultimately our world is reduced to a bed in a room, very similar to how it had started.

Regardless of the speed with which it comes, be it in the blink of an eye in an accident or long and languishing fighting some disease, death does come.  We all have that standing before us and there is nothing that can take it away.  It has been called the ultimate statistic – 100 of 100 die.  It is here that our conscience tells us this is not the end, however.  We know that there is more to us than flesh and bone.  We have a soul, and this soul does not die with the last breath.  We know this inherently and it is self evident.  But what happens next…what happens to the soul?

Turning again to the conscience, we know right from wrong and we know when we do wrong.  Couple this with our sense of justice, and we arrive at what the Bible tells us – each man is to die and then judgment.  We will stand before almighty God and answer for every word, thought and deed, and we must pay the fine due for each transgression which the Bible tells us is hell, God’s prison, for eternity (the soul is eternal, so there’s no other option).  Unless…… Unless the fine has already been paid……paid by another……YES!! It is the cross!  Jesus paid the fine!  His work credited to our account!  So are we good to go?  Are our consciences cleared?  No.  For the atoning work of Jesus to be applied to you, you must repent, confessing your sins and turning away from them and toward God with a humble heart, and you must put your faith in Jesus Christ for the salvation of your soul.

We don’t know how our world is going to develop and take shape over the coming months and years, or if it even will for that matter.  And all the working and striving for a bigger, better house, a newer car, more money, and nicer clothes will ultimately be reduced to a mere bed.  All of it will be snatched from you, perhaps quickly or perhaps over time. Regardless, when it ends, and it will, all the stuff will not be there nor will it matter.  But one thing is certain.  It will be a fearful thing to do so without Jesus.  Is He your focus and purpose, or is it your world?

- By Todd Friel, www.wretchedradio.com -
The music weeps, the preacher pleads, “Give your heart to Jesus. You have a God shaped hole in your heart and only Jesus can fill it.” Dozens, hundreds or thousands of people who want to get their spiritual life on track make their way to the altar. They ask Jesus into their heart.

Cut to three months later. Nobody has seen our new convert in church. The follow up committee calls him and encourages him to attend a Bible study, but to no avail. We label him a backslider and get ready for the next outreach event.

Our beloved child lies in her snuggly warm bed and says, “Yes, Daddy. I want to ask Jesus into my heart.” You lead her in “the prayer” and hope that it sticks. You spend the next ten years questioning if she really, really meant it. Puberty hits and the answer reveals itself. She backslides. We spend the next ten years praying that she will come to her senses.

Telling someone to ask Jesus into their hearts has a very typical result, backsliding. The Bible says that a person who is soundly saved puts his hand to the plow and does not look back because he is fit for service. In other words, a true convert cannot backslide. If a person backslides, he never slid forward in the first place. “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (II Cor.5) No backsliding there.

Brace yourself for this one: with very few if any exceptions, anyone who asked Jesus into their hearts to be saved…is not. If you asked Jesus into your heart because you were told that is what you have to do to become a Christian, you were mis-informed.

If you have ever told someone to ask Jesus into their heart (like I have), you produced a false convert. Here is why.

1. It is not in the Bible. There is not a single verse that even hints we should say a prayer inviting Jesus into our hearts. Some use Rev. 3:20. To tell us that Jesus is standing at the door of our hearts begging to come in.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” There are two reasons that interpretation is wrong.

The context tells us that the door Jesus is knocking on is the door of the church, not the human heart. Jesus is not knocking to enter someone’s heart but to have fellowship with His church.

Even if the context didn’t tell us this, we would be forcing a meaning into the text (eisegesis). How do we know it is our heart he is knocking at? Why not our car door? How do we know he isn’t knocking on our foot? To suggest that he is knocking on the door of our heart is superimposing a meaning on the text that simply does not exist.

The Bible does not instruct us to ask Jesus into our heart. This alone should resolve the issue, nevertheless, here are nine more reasons.

2. Asking Jesus into your heart is a saying that makes no sense. What does it mean to ask Jesus into your heart? If I say the right incantation will He somehow enter my heart? Is it literal? Does He reside in the upper or lower ventricle? Is this a metaphysical experience? Is it figurative? If it is, what exactly does it mean? While I am certain that most adults cannot articulate its meaning, I am certain that no child can explain it. Pastor Dennis Rokser reminds us that little children think literally and can easily be confused (or frightened) at the prospect of asking Jesus into their heart.

3. In order to be saved, a man must repent (Acts 2:38). Asking Jesus into your heart leaves out the requirement of repentance.

4. In order to be saved, a man must trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). Asking Jesus into your heart leaves out the requirement of faith.

5. The person who wrongly believes they are saved will have a false sense of security. Millions of people who sincerely, but wrongly, asked Jesus into their hearts think they are saved but struggle to feel secure. They live in doubt and fear because they do not have the Holy Spirit giving them assurance of salvation.

6. The person who asks Jesus into his heart will likely end up inoculated, bitter and backslidden. Because he did not get saved by reciting a formulaic prayer, he will grow disillusioned with Jesus, the Bible, church and fellow believers. His latter end will be worse than the first.

7. It presents God as a beggar just hoping you will let Him into your busy life. This presentation of God robs Him of His sovereignty.

8. The cause of Christ is ridiculed. Visit an atheist web-site and read the pagans who scoff, “How dare those Christians tell us how to live when they get divorced more than we do? Who are they to say homosexuals shouldn’t adopt kids when tens of thousands of orphans don’t get adopted by Christians?” Born again believers adopt kids and don’t get divorced.

People who ask Jesus into their hearts do. Jesus gets mocked when false converts give Him a bad name.

9. The cause of evangelism is hindered. While it is certainly easier to get church members by telling them to ask Jesus into their hearts, try pleading with someone to make today the day of their salvation. Get ready for a painful response. “Why should I become a Christian when I have seen so called Christians act worse than a pagan?” People who ask Jesus into their hearts give pagans an excuse for not repenting.

10. Here is the scary one. People who ask Jesus into their hearts are not saved and they will perish on the Day of Judgment. How tragic that millions of people think they are right with God when they are not. How many people who will cry out, “Lord, Lord” on judgment day will be “Christians” who asked Jesus into their hearts?

So, what must one do to be saved? Repent and trust. (Heb.6:1) The Bible makes it clear that all men must repent and place their trust in Jesus Christ. Every man does have a “God shaped hole in their hearts,” but that hole is not contentment, fulfillment and peace. Every man’s heart problem is righteousness. Instead of preaching that Jesus fulfills, we must preach that God judges and Jesus satisfies God’s judgment…if a man will repent and place his trust in Him.

If you are reading this and you asked Jesus into your heart, chances are good you had a spiritual buzz for a while, but now you struggle to read your Bible, tithe, attend church and pray. Perhaps you were told you would have contentment, purpose and a better life if you just ask Jesus into your heart. I am sorry, that was a lie.

The following appears written on a slab in Lübeck Cathedral in Germany.  The author is unknown.

Ye call Me Master and obey me not,
Ye call Me Light and see Me not,
Ye call Me Way and walk not,
Ye call Me Life and desire Me not,
Ye call Me wise and follow Me not,
Ye call Me fair and love Me not,
Ye call Me rich and ask Me not,
Ye call Me eternal and seek Me not,
Ye call Me gracious and trust Me not,
Ye call Me noble and serve Me not,
Ye call Me mighty and honor Me not,
Ye call Me just and fear Me not,
If I condemn you, blame me not.

A possibility came to me recently while driving home from work.  The possibility that I realized was an addition to three possible answers given in a discussion of the question ‘Why do some people, after hearing the Gospel, reject it?’

The first possibility was that one might have a pet sin or sins and that becoming a Christian would mean they would have to give it up.  Put another way, it is possible that they love their sin more than the free Grace being offered.

The second possibility was that one might not believe their sin could be forgiven; it was just too big.  Of course, this is not the case, but no amount of sharing, reassuring, or scripture quoting could convince them otherwise.  So the Gospel is rejected and the guilt continues.

The third possibility was that it just is.  The Bible refers to the elect, the called out ones, many times.  The truth is, God will save those whom He will save.  The Holy Spirit does the converting, not us.  The Bible also says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word.  So we preach the Gospel and God the Holy Spirit calls those whom He desires to repentance and faith.  While this is hard, this is what the Scripture says.

A fourth possibility occurred to me that, because of the large portion of bad preaching and bad evangelism prevalent today, there are many who simply do not understand the Gospel rightly and that to become a Christian is just too burdensome.  Let me explain.

The world’s religions all have something in common, with the lone exception of Christianity.  But if not properly understood, the distinction can be lost and it is just like all the others.  Islam teaches keeping the five pillars.  Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses teach that various acts, deeds, and works must be performed.  Hindus and Buddhists teach do good, be righteous and you will be rewarded.  Catholicism teaches keeping the sacrament, being baptized and partaking in last rights. And Biblical Christianity has its Ten Commandments.  If all these various demands are examined closely and critically, it becomes clear that keeping the requirements of any religion is impossible.  We, as humans, are simply too selfish and prideful to ever obtain any of the standards set forth in any of the world’s religions.  The burden of religion is just too great.

So, upon realizing that Christianity teaches the impossible (keeping the Ten Commandments), it’s possible that one may reject it as being too burdensome, just like the other world religions.  But it is here that a true understanding of Christianity sets itself apart from the others.  And it is here that, if taught incorrectly, the distinction can be missed.  You see, that’s kind of the point – we can NEVER live up to the perfection required of us.  We have all failed.  No amount of good deeds can make up for what we have already done, much less counter act all the things we have yet to do.  So we will all stand guilty before a perfect, righteous God.  And as lawbreakers, God is just in punishing us and giving us what we deserve.  But as a parent does not desire that for their children, neither does God desire that for us.  So He has provided a fine-payer, a substitute, and has given Him the punishment we deserve.  If we will receive this payment through repentance and faith in the One who took our place, we can be not only seen as not guilty, but actually righteous in God’s eyes.  It is at the cross that the burden of religion ceases and a relationship begins.  Jesus said ‘My burden is easy and my load is light’.  There is rest in Him.  The burden is lifted.  Rejoice!

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son,
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there,
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life,
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom

by Stuart Townend

There are certain things that are worth considering.  Deeply.  But despite the importance and almost overwhelming impact of the conclusions such ponderings should produce, few actually take the time and make the effort to do so.  There are things in life that take careful consideration; things that if not considered properly can have detrimental, if not devastating, results.  Take, for example, marriage and the radical, long lasting impact such a decision can have.  Or kids.  Or taking a particular job, or moving to a new town, state, or even country.  Considering such things make many other decisions mundane and of no lasting consequence.  The phrase “Don’t sweat the small stuff” comes to mind.  But these are not the things I’m addressing.

What I’m addressing are things even larger; things beyond the here and now.  Questions that many philosophers, sages, and wise men of old have pondered.  Questions such as ‘Why are we here?’ ‘What is the meaning of life?’ ‘What is my purpose?’ ‘Does something happen to me when I die and if so what?’ ‘Do I really have something we call a ’soul’, is it tied to my flesh, does it persist after the body is no longer living, and if so, what happens to it?’.  The questions are many and deep.  Many have spent hours trying to find the answers to these questions.  Which I find odd, since they are all answered in the Bible.

The logical argument then arises – what authority does the Bible have?  What makes it trustworthy?  What makes what it says true when other books don’t agree with it?  More on this below, but let’s assume for the moment that it is what it says it is – the Word of God – literally, God speaking to you, me, and all of mankind.  With that assumption, the Bible then becomes VERY important, since it has information that can affect not just our life, but our after-life.  What more important thing is there to find out than the answers to these questions since they potentially affect us for all eternity – forever!

If you have not found out, do so!  Read the Bible.  It equips a man for life and prepares a man for death.

Others have done much research in answering the question ‘Is the Bible true?’.  To read some, simply Google “Is the Bible true” and read to your heart’s content.  Once source I particularly enjoyed is http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissar22.htm.  Put simply, the prophetic, historical, archaeological, and testimonial facts put the Bible as nothing short of Divine and Supernatural.  To say it is true is an understatement.