I have come to the conclusion that:
Most professing Christians do not ask themselves “Why?” enough.
When a child is learning and growing, they can drive you nuts, right? “Why is the sky blue?” Why does the sun set at night? Why does a rainbow have the colors it has? Why are leaves on trees green?” And on and on it goes.
I believe much of the confusion about the salvation of man; about justification and sanctification; about works righteousness vs. grace; about Lordship salvation vs. mere believism, all stems from the fact that most have never really asked themselves the following “Why?” question:
Why did God send Christ to reconcile man to Himself?
Do not be tempted to give an easy answer by quoting John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That does not answer the question, in fact that should raise additional questions:
Why does God so love the world? What is Love? What constitutes genuine saving belief? Which, in and of themselves, are all good question. But, they are also the questions that have caused such controversy among those who call themselves Christians because many have never really answered the foundational question.
In fact, many have spent a lifetime attempting to answer “What does it mean to belief in a saving way and how is that manifested in the life of a professing Christian.”
However, the big “Why” question is, “Why did God send Christ to reconcile man to Himself? Ultimately, what was God's motivation, purpose, desire, intent in reconciling man to Himself? There are many “fringe” effects of this action on God’s part--but there is one answer that I believe will silence much of the controversy and prevent a great deal of confusion among individual believers.
Think about this question. Think in terms of God’s “ultimate” purpose. Think eternally, not temporally. Think about who God is ,as He has revealed Himself in His Word.
Most professing Christians do not ask themselves “Why?” enough.
When a child is learning and growing, they can drive you nuts, right? “Why is the sky blue?” Why does the sun set at night? Why does a rainbow have the colors it has? Why are leaves on trees green?” And on and on it goes.
I believe much of the confusion about the salvation of man; about justification and sanctification; about works righteousness vs. grace; about Lordship salvation vs. mere believism, all stems from the fact that most have never really asked themselves the following “Why?” question:
Why did God send Christ to reconcile man to Himself?
Do not be tempted to give an easy answer by quoting John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That does not answer the question, in fact that should raise additional questions:
Why does God so love the world? What is Love? What constitutes genuine saving belief? Which, in and of themselves, are all good question. But, they are also the questions that have caused such controversy among those who call themselves Christians because many have never really answered the foundational question.
In fact, many have spent a lifetime attempting to answer “What does it mean to belief in a saving way and how is that manifested in the life of a professing Christian.”
However, the big “Why” question is, “Why did God send Christ to reconcile man to Himself? Ultimately, what was God's motivation, purpose, desire, intent in reconciling man to Himself? There are many “fringe” effects of this action on God’s part--but there is one answer that I believe will silence much of the controversy and prevent a great deal of confusion among individual believers.
Think about this question. Think in terms of God’s “ultimate” purpose. Think eternally, not temporally. Think about who God is ,as He has revealed Himself in His Word.
To assist with further pondering, ask yourself these questions:
What are the three most important things to God (according to His revealed Word)?
When temporal things (as we know them) end, what continues for eternity and why?
What do the dead in Christ do now and what do the angels do now? What will they do for eternity?
Why did God destroy all life, accept that which was on the ark?
Why did God instantly take the temporal life of the man who touched the Ark of the Covenant to prevent it from falling?
Will Heaven bore you if your main purpose for even being there is to "worship the Lamb" for all eternity?
Comments