Christian Liberty

Fear of Freedom (proposal for a prison courtyard or a town square), 2009.
Taken from
http://ricwarren.blogspot.com/



The Doctrine of Christian Liberty

This may seem like a small topic to begin with but I hope to prove over the next few posts that this is a really important issue. I believe issues in dealing with Christian Liberty are directly linked to a straying from the gospel. One of the reasons that churches stray from the gospel and begin to become isolated communities that grow sick and weak is that they have yet to understand this very foundational issue. We need a proper understanding of the gospel and how it affects everyday life, the community of believers that we fellowship with, and the unbelievers that come into our context.

Issues of Christian Liberty are all around our church communities. We all want to know what a Christian is free to do and what a Christian is not free to do. We like lines and boundaries that are clear and defined because they provide us with some tangible security. To be sure, there are defined lines of sin and not sin in the bible. Those things named as sin in the bible are to be obeyed if we desire to be submitted to the lordship of Jesus in our lives. Often though, there is a list of unspoken extra commands that get placed on people if they want to be considered a good Christian. It may be something as simple and small as what bible translation you use and something as big as whether or not you home school your kids or send them to public school. Some standards seem really wise and spiritual like dating verses courtship or what kind of dress code should be enforced, but in the end they lead to a pseudo righteousness that is derived from something other than Jesus. These issues are usually presented in this way. "Oh sure you are free to do these things, but.... If you are really committed to the Lord.... If you really want to be holy...." These standards are placed on the people of God like so many rules from the traditions of Judaism. In an up and coming post I will talk about how to use our liberty wisely and we will deal with "causing others to stumble". We will also deal with what issues of liberty cover and what they don't cover and what to do when an abuse of liberty occurs. But first, I need to prove why it is important.....

Why is the doctrine of Christian Liberty important?

1- Protection from Paganism-
"You shall have no other gods before Me." Ex 20:3

A clear understanding of the gospel and the standard that is required to be made just with God causes us to cling to Christ in faith and not in external standards for righteousness. When cling to external standards for righteousness we establish another savior other than Christ. This standard then becomes the object of our worship and focus of our lives.

2-Protection from Pride-
"What becomes of our boasting then?...It is excluded...by faith" Romans 3:27

A clear understanding of the gospel keeps us in a place of humility. When we cling to external standards for righteousness we begin to feel good because we do good. These feelings lead us into a false security in our own strength and keep us dependent on self will rather than Holy Spirit power.

3- Protection from Pedestals-
"...we regard no one according to the flesh...." 2 Cor 5:16

A clear understanding of the gospel keeps us from exalting one person over another. It puts everyone where they need to be.... Sinners at the foot of the cross. When we cling to external standards for righteousness we begin to see some people as good Christians because they do the things on the good list and don't do the things on the bad list. We begin to classify people in a sort of Christian caste system. Those who don't do the right things, and do do the wrong things are seen as a sort of sub-Christian and while they may be saved ultimately, they are not really good Christians.

In Paul's epistle to the Galatians, and before he talks about what the fruits of the flesh and of the Spirit are, he makes a statement to the Christians wrestling this issue out. He basically says to them that clinging to something other than Jesus for a sense of righteousness is like slavery. He concludes this thought by saying.....

Galatians 5:1 " For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery"

Solid words from a wise man.

John 11 "Lessons from Lazarus" Part 3

His Moment With Mary- Jesus feels our pain
Poor Mary. She is so caught up in her grief that she just sits there while all this stuff is going on around her. When Martha got up to go greet Jesus Mary apparently either didn't notice or didn't care. All she could see was the pain of Lazarus' death looming before her. She is living the reality of death and drinking in every ounce of it's sorrow.

Martha comes up to Mary and whispers into her ear. "The Teacher is here and is calling for you."
Mary gets up quickly and marches right to where Jesus is. She has a few thing that have been on her mind. She is barely able to hold herself together as she walks down the dirt road. Her eyes are puffy from crying and she is trying desperately to get a hold of her emotions. But when she sees Jesus she can no longer hold it in. She runs up to Him but immediately falls at His feet in anguish. She says the same words as Martha but apparently the inflection was a little different. Her cry seems to be slightly accusatory and more an expression of her disappointment with Jesus.

"Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Jesus looks down at Mary's brokenness and takes a sip of her sorrow. He then turns to the crowd and sees all their weeping as well. And as He takes in this moment and absorbs the pain of those he loves there is a swirling mixture of emotion in this text. It says in vs 33 "He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled." Believe it or not this actually means He got angry. The phrase moved in His spirit means to snort like a bull. The word "embrimaomai" in the Greek denotes a scolding disapproval for the phrase "deeply moved". Also, the word "greatly troubled" is "Tarasso" which means to be agitated. And then... He wept. From anger and frustration to sorrow and tears.

What was Jesus angry at? My submission is that He was angry at Death. Jesus , the author of life is about to face off with His greatest foe, death itself. Like a UFC fighter about to go into the ring with a mortal enemy Jesus is angry and broken hearted at the same time. He feels the exact same way Mary does. He feels the exact same way that you and I do about death.

Isn't it curious that Jesus has such emotions? Doesn't He already know what He is going to do? There is no reason for Him to weep except to bare Mary's pain. Though our God is in heaven and can see how it all is going to work out, He still understands our sorrow in the meantime.

Mary now looking up at Jesus can see the mixture of emotion on His face. And now she knows that He knows how she feels. As our Great High Priest, Jesus can be the mediator between God the Father and Man because He both sees the end from the beginning and can sympathize with how we feel.

The crowd can see it too and they think it is because He is missing Lazarus. But in the back of their minds the question that they have still lingers as well. "This guy opened the eyes of the blind just a few weeks ago, couldn't He have done something here?"

At this point Jesus gets angry again and lowers His head like a fighter about to step into the ring. With determination He makes His way to the tomb. But this tomb is not just any tomb. It is a cave in the mountain side, with a rock rolled over the entrance. Sound familiar?

Almost as a command Jesus says, "Take away the stone!" His tone seems terse here.

Martha protests. "It has been four days and His body probably is rotting and stinks."

Jesus reminds Martha of their conversation earlier and essentially says, "you said that you trusted me."

Martha apparently gives her approval. She signals to someone and the stone is moved. There is now a dramatic pause as Jesus looks up to heaven. He then begins talking to His Father out loud so everyone else can hear. "Father I thank You that You have heard me. I know You always hear me (implying even when I talk without speaking). But I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that You sent me."

Then Jesus cried out with, what is phrased in the Greek, "Megas Phone" or loud voice. "Lazarus come out!"

I love how the bible phrases the next verse. vs 44 "Th man who had died came out,"

Lessons from Lazarus Part 2

The Message To Martha- "I am the Resurrection and the Life"

Martha is in mourning. People from the community have gathered around to console her but there is only one person that she has been waiting for. The proof of that is that when she hears that Jesus has come she runs out to meet Him; Martha brings her heart and hurt to Jesus as well. The first thing that she can think to say is "Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give you"

This seems to be a proclamation of love from what I can tell from the context of the passage. Her tone is different than that of Mary's. She comes to Jesus with confidence that if He had been here in time Lazarus would not have died. It doesn't seem like the statement is accusatory because she follows with a statement that "even at this moment God listens to Your requests". She seems to be reassuring Jesus that it isn't His fault that Lazarus died and that if He had been there he could have done something and that He just barely missed the opportunity.

Jesus responds by saying "Your brother will rise again". In other words, "I haven't missed my opportunity Martha. It's not too late. "

This clues us in to the fact that she wasn't saying that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead because when He tells her plainly that Lazarus will be raised she thinks He is talking about prophecy. She draws a wrong conclusion in thinking that Jesus is using theology to comfort her. But this is not a moment for theological comfort and knowing information that will help console her in her grief. This is the revelation of the power of Christ over death itself.

Jesus cuts off her wrong conclusion and interrupts her thoughts of what He is saying to show her that this is not theoretical, it is reality. "I am the resurrection and the life". Jesus is saying to Martha, "Everything you hope for in the future is found in me. I am the 'raiser upper' and the source of life. I am the only way that the dead live. And I am the the only way that the living never die."

Then He drops this question "Do YOU believe this?"

The same question can be posed to us. You see it is not enough just to know the facts about Christianity. It isn't enough to say "I have asked Jesus into my heart." It isn't enough to read your bible every day. The question that Jesus asks Martha is the same question that is posed to us today. "Will you put your trust and rest your hopes not in a system of thought but a person?" If Jesus could shout it out to us today I believe He would say, "I AM NOT A THEORY!!! I AM THE REALITY!!! What do you trust in? Is it some point of theology? Or do you stake all of your hopes upon HIM? Jesus the person. Jesus the reality.

Martha thinks for a moment and then she confesses what her heart is telling her is the truth. " I believe that You are the Christ (anointed one, messiah), the son of God, who is coming into the world." Or to state it another way. "All of my hopes for what God has promised rest in You."
At that moment, Martha has nothing left to say. There is no argument, nor debate, because she has put her trust, not in a theory that might later be disproved, but a person who never fails. She is at rest and now she runs to get Mary, who needs comfort as well.

John 11" Lessons From Lazarus"

I preached from John 11 this Sunday and really enjoyed the things that I learned form the sermon. I though I might share my notes with you all. It won't be all of the message at once but a piece at a time throughout the week. Hope you enjoy.

John 11

Sometimes in a story it yields great insight to view the story from the shoes of each of it's characters. Today's message will be an attempt to do that in brief.

The Duty Of The Disciples- Follow

When the news of Lazarus' sickness first reaches the disciples, there was, no doubt, concern. But when Jesus responds with what appears to be supernatural knowledge of the situation their fears are quieted. (Vs 4) "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God." He says it with such confidence that the disciples simply trust what He says and continue life as though it is true. "I mean hey, if Jesus isn't worried then we shouldn't worry either." they might have thought.

Then 2 days later it seems like Jesus' tune has changed. "Let us go to Judea." (vs 7)

Maybe Jesus hasn't thought this through carefully enough. Maybe Jesus forgot what happened the last time they were in that area. Remember when Jesus said "I and my Father are one." (vs 10:30) and then they picked up rocks to stone Him. "Let's remind Him" they must have thought. We are not welcome there, people don't like our message, it is dangerous, we aren't very popular, etc.... The excuses for not going were thousands. As the disciples reach for the one that fits them best Jesus addresses the real issue.

"Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble., because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night he stumbles, because the light is not in him." In other words, there isn't much time to get done what needs to be done. So, we better get busy. The disciples must have been thinking, "What work could we possibly do other than be killed?!"

Jesus again comes with further revelation of what is on His mind. "Our friend Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."

Still resisting the risk, "Well then let him sleep. That's what the sick need isn't it? Let him rest and he will recover."

Jesus illuminates further, "Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him. "

At this point the disciples get why it is such a priority in Jesus' mind. Lazarus is dead. Something bigger than their temporary comfort is at stake here. There is someone that Jesus loves and wants to save from perishing. Jesus is saying to his disciples, "I want to go, but will you follow? Is saving the perishing worth it to you like it is to me. Are you shepherds or are you hirelings? Are sheep that follow or goats that but.

In Josephine County only 18.7 percent of the total population is religious. This translates to 15,225 out of 81,618 residents. Before we go congratulating ourselves we have to consider that some of those that are religious are not within what is considered Christianity. By the time you take away Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses you end up with only 12,637 people that are within the scope of Christianity. This group includes Catholics, 7th Day adventists, Aog and other evangelicals. And within these groups are many that do not have actual saving faith in Jesus. This leads us to the statistic that it is likely that less than 1 in 10 people in our County are "saved" and for every one that you meet that is "saved" 9 go to hell. "Pray to the Lord of the harvest."

You have to love Thomas' response here."Let us also go that we may die with Him." In essence Thomas is saying, "I'd rather die if it means I get to be with Jesus. Death with Him is better than life without Him!"

Every disciple must decide. Will I follow Jesus, whatever that may mean? Is life with Him more valuable than anything else?

Jon Piper phrases the question best, in his book God is the Gospel. "The critical question for our generation is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Jesus wasn't there?"

A disciple:
Holds his relationship with Jesus to be more precious than "Wife, kids, mother, father, friend"
Gladly would leave "families and homes and earthly goods" to follow Christ (Luke 14:25-33)
sees that "my life is not my own, I have been bought with a price" (1 Cor 6:20)
"puts his hand to the plow and never looks back" (Luke 9:62)
"Is crucified with Christ yet he lives but it not him that lives but Christ in him." (Gal 2:20)
"Takes up his cross daily and follows Him" (Luke 9:23)
Sees Jesus as the prize (Phil 3:8-19)


The reward of our faith is Jesus. Fellowship with Him. He is our exceeding great reward! And being with Him in danger is better than a thousand safe lives without Him!

The Father in Abraham

One of the crowning moments of faith in Abraham's life was Moriah. It was a moment where God opened the eyes of His friend to be able to see into His own heart. When asked to offer Isaac, Abraham was given a window to experience the love of God for us. And for a brief moment Abraham experienced what it was like to be in God's shoes. God allowed Abraham access to the deepest parts of His own heart. This is something only a friend gets to see.

The Father in Abraham

It had been three days journey

When finally they reached that hill

A heart heavy father

And a boy that could hardly stand still

He lifted his eyes to see it

The mountain that would test his faith

He choked back the tears when he saw it

And tried to hide his face

He said son take the wood for the altar

I’ll take the fire in my hand

Let’s climb this mountain together

We’ll worship and come again

They set off to climb that mountain

A hill of sacrifice

When the boy looked to his father

With a question that cut like a knife

He said dad here’s the wood for the altar

You’ve got the fire in your hand

We’ve come to this place to worship

But Father, where is the lamb

Oh the heart of the Father

How it ached with love for the son

Oh how it pained him

Knowing what must be done

He tried to give him an answer

As he swallowed the lump in his throat

He fought of the tears of sorrow

As he clung to his only hope

From somewhere deep within him

Faith rushed in like a wave

He lifted his eyes to heaven

This is all I can say

We’ve got the wood for the altar

And I’ve got the fire in my hand

We’ve come to this place to worship

God will provide the lamb

God is incomprehensible but knowable?

I read this verse at thanksgiving and again to my wife tonight and I can't seem to get it out of my head. So, I guess I'll just ponder it openly with the rest of you.

Jer 9:23-24 "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,

but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

As I step into the world of theology I come again and again to a wall. God is the wall. He is incomprehensible. His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts, they are higher! Even when I consider His divine attributes I can only see those things in part. Right now I know in part but some day face to face. His grace is without limit. His mercies are new every morning. Yet at the same time His justice and His righteousness are perfect. Though it would seem that His grace and mercy would come into conflict with His righteousness and justice, he holds these attributes in perfect harmony. We can never hit the bottom of this well. The bible calls this the unsearchable riches. And there, looming in the background, is the elephant that many do not want to face. We can't even comprehend what we know in part about God. He is infinite, omniscient, omnipotent, eternal, and triune, and we can't comprehend the depths of His nature or attributes. Theology will always have a blockade when it comes to this point. Often this is where wise men begin to boast in their wisdom. They reach, at times, to grasp what we can not. Like trying to catch a lion by the tail, the Lion of Judah can't be handled. Strong men have tried to wrestle God into the conformity of their own understanding. Men rich in their biblical knowledge have argued and wrangled over the minutest details of scripture all with the hope of purchasing for themselves an understanding of God.

There is only one thing God wants us to boast about. He is incomprehensible, but we can know Him. We can get God's M.O.! We can share in knowing Him in the same way Adam knew Eve. We know that His love is steadfast, He is perfectly just, and righteous. We can know His heart, observe His dealings with mankind and come to conclusions regarding His nature. But we will never be able to comprehend Him. God delights in our knowing Him but cautions our pursuit of knowledge saying that it "puffs up." So what can we know of God's nature and attributes?

There are two Categories:
Incommunicable- These are attributes that He doesn't share with us.
Independence (self existence, self sufficiency), Immutability (unchangeablenesss), Eternality, Omnipresence, Omniscience

Communicable- These are attributes that He does share with us
Spirituality, knowledge, truthfulness, goodness, love, mercy , holiness, peace, beauty, glory, sovereignty

To sum it all up, there are parts of God that will always remain a gorgeous and beautiful mystery. We will not ever be able to comprehend them or partake in them. Like my 3 year old at Disneyland, we don't understand how it all works but it sure is gloriously thrilling! There are some things about God that I will not just know in theory but, He actually invites me to partake in experientially. I can share with Him in the Spirit, grow in grace and knowledge, love truth and mercy, partake in His holiness, rest in His peace, bask in His beauty, let my jaw drop at His glory, and trust in His sovereignty because it is motivated by His love. He is incomprehensible but He is knowable!

God is a person.

I am prepared to get slammed for this but here I go anyway.

I have recently had quite a few discussions with some Calvinists, and reformed brothers. The discussions have been stimulating for thoughts and the debating has been courteous and fruitful. I have been reading a lot of the puritans, listening to Piper, Keller, Driscoll, and Chandler. I have a deep respect for their opinions but sometimes find myself at opposite conclusions mainly because of the staring point of our logic. They start from a view of Sovereignty and free-will that pits the two against each other, I start from a view that sees both being woven together. I don't bring this up to start yet another round of scriptural loopty-loop but to say both sides are very cerebral. I wonder if that is not a part of the problem.

Here is what I mean. Theology is like a good Jock-strap and a cup. It is necessary for protection but not to be a badge of honor proudly displayed. I wonder if the end of theology amounts to nothing more than finite man trying to "nail down" the infinite God to a process or system. I know all the stuff about God's word being infallible, and truth lasting forever, and how Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. I am not talking about being able to depend on His promises. I am talking about trying to pin God under our intellect and reduce Him to being constrained under our logic. I have found this to hold true for me, that the deeper I delve into theological circles the less I enjoy my relationship with God. Some of it is necessary and I do my best to know why I believe what I believe. Having said that theology almost killed me recently. Everything becomes about trying to figure God out rather than trying to relate to Him. I find myself studying Him rather than enjoying Him. It's like having a picture of my wife and spending hours a day staring at and examining every detail of who she is but never, or rarely coming home to enjoy her. As necessary as it is to study to show ourselves approved, as workmen that don't need to be ashamed, it is far more necessary to be like a child and relate to God as a father. In my learning I forget that God is a person.