Tag: authentic

Questions From The Bible: Where Are You?

Brent Pollard

As we reflect on the Bible’s questions, we can begin with the first question mentioned in its pages: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3.9). To provide context, Adam and Eve had consumed the forbidden fruit. God came to them in the cool of the day. When the guilty couple heard God, they hid because they felt the weight of their sin. Even though God knew where Adam and Eve were, He still posed our question. So, what is its purpose?

From a literary perspective, this question is a masterstroke, injecting tension and driving the narrative forward. God’s question sparks a dialogue that redefines the dynamics between humans and their Creator and among humans. The Bible is not just a compilation of stories but a source of divine inspiration that can profoundly impact and transform lives.

We can see that God is asking a rhetorical question to benefit Adam and Eve rather than himself. God is not seeking information but rather prompting Adam to consider his actions and their consequences. God intends for the question to prompt introspection, guiding Adam (and Eve) to contemplate their present circumstances, encompassing both their physical concealment and spiritual transgression. The question is rhetorical because it aims to highlight the rupture in Adam and Eve’s relationship with God resulting from their sin. The rhetorical question extends beyond its immediate context for contemporary readers, encouraging them to examine their lives and relationships with God. It serves as a timeless prompt for introspection and spiritual reflection.

God’s question is also a powerful pedagogical tool because it encourages self-examination, promotes accountability, facilitates dialogue, illustrates consequences, invites reflection, and employs inquiry-based learning. These elements make it an effective means of teaching important spiritual and moral lessons.

However, this inquiry was also an invitation for Adam to confess his sin, seek reconciliation, and demonstrate humility. If Adam had confessed right away, he would have shown a willingness to be honest and accept responsibility for his actions. This act of repentance could have demonstrated his humility and willingness to admit his mistake as soon as he realized it. While the fundamental consequences of sin, such as the curse and expulsion from Eden, may still apply, Adam’s prompt confession could have led to a more compassionate handling of those consequences, with mercy outweighing justice.

This question holds significant relevance for modern-day readers. Throughout history, God has consistently asked, “Where are you?” in a spiritual context, encouraging individuals to reflect on their spiritual condition. This inquiry urges us to reflect on our connection with God and our moral compass. Therefore, it serves as a metaphor for self-awareness in both spiritual and ethical aspects. Note the theological implications:

Self-awareness and Spiritual Condition: Theologically, “knowing where you are” frequently refers to understanding your current spiritual state. This includes recognizing your relationship with God, your moral standing, and areas where you may fall short of divine expectations.

Repentance and growth: We recognize that the first step toward spiritual growth and repentance is acknowledging one’s spiritual state. One must identify their separation from God before embarking on the journey back.

Accountability: Being aware of one’s spiritual state promotes personal responsibility. When one knows where one stands spiritually, ignoring or justifying behaviors contradicting one’s faith is more difficult.

Humility: Recognizing where you truly stand concerning God and His standards can help you cultivate humility, which God regards as a critical virtue.

Divine-human relationship: Recognizing your spiritual position can deepen your connection with the divine, leading to heartfelt prayer, genuine worship, and a clearer realization of your dependence on God.

Discernment: Knowing your spiritual state can help you understand God’s will and make faith-based decisions.

Eschatological preparation: Understanding your spiritual standing is crucial for preparing for death, judgment, and humanity’s ultimate destiny.

Authenticity in faith: Self-awareness promotes a more genuine faith experience, rather than just going through religious motions without real engagement.

Appreciation of grace: Understanding one’s true spiritual condition can lead to a greater appreciation for divine grace by recognizing the gap between where one is and where God calls one to be.

The theological concept of “knowing where you are” is often linked to practices such as self-examination, confession, and spiritual direction, illustrating its practical applications. We see it as an ongoing process, not a one-time realization, promoting continuous spiritual growth and faith.

In conclusion, God’s profound inquiry, “Where are you?” echoes throughout history, surpassing its Genesis roots and retaining relevance for spiritual self-examination. This inquiry is a poignant prompt for spiritual self-examination, accountability, and personal growth. It prompts us to contemplate our relationship with God, assess our moral integrity, and consider our place in the broader faith narrative. In our spiritual path, God perpetually calls us to respond to this inquiry verbally and through our deeds. Consistent self-reflection leads to deeper understanding, authentic faith, and transformative grace, nurturing spiritual growth. Ultimately, God’s question encourages us to engage in a conversation that can lead to reconciliation, spiritual development, and a deeper connection with the divine. Amid modern life’s intricacies, let’s take a moment to reflect: where are we positioned on our spiritual path, and how will we respond to this enduring call?

Exploring The Eye As The Lamp:

A Deep Dive Into Jesus’ Teachings In Matthew And Luke

Brent Pollard

I am unsure if the statements made by Jesus in Matthew and Luke regarding the eye as a lamp qualify as one of the “hard sayings” of our Lord, but I am willing to confess that they have caused me difficulty. These words require more contemplation, like all of Jesus’ metaphors and parables. I’m not sure we’re always willing to give Jesus’ words the consideration they deserve. Therefore, let us examine these texts, think about them, and explore their meaning more thoroughly. 

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6.22-23 NASB1995).

“The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.” (Luke 11.34–35 NASB1995).

We must begin by looking at the setting where Jesus said these words. Even though they sound alike, Jesus spoke these words at separate events. Matthew includes these words in the context of the Sermon on the Mount. But these words appear in Luke at a time when the Pharisees have blasphemously said that Jesus could drive out demons through Beelzebul rather than the Holy Spirit and when people are pressing Jesus to perform signs for them. As a result, the meaning of Jesus’ words will take on the nuance intended for their context. 

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stresses the importance of inner purity and sincerity. He uses the metaphor of the eye as the body’s lamp to illustrate the significance of having a clear and uncorrupted perspective. This metaphor highlights that a sincere heart and faith lead to a life of righteousness and truth. This mindset contrasts with a life of hypocrisy or merely following religious laws without proper understanding or commitment.

The book of Luke emphasizes distinguishing truth from falsehood, especially in situations involving religious leaders like the Pharisees, who were outwardly religious but inwardly corrupt or misguided. In this context, the teaching that the eye is the lamp of the body serves as a warning against spiritual blindness and the danger of misjudging what is true of God. It is a reminder to examine oneself and ensure that hypocrisy, legalism, or false beliefs are not hindering one’s spiritual perception.

The metaphor of the eye is a powerful tool used in both Matthew and Luke to emphasize the importance of spiritual perception and integrity. In Matthew, Jesus uses the metaphor to teach about sincere and authentic religious practice, while in Luke, it addresses the issue of correctly discerning spiritual truth. This latter point is critical in the face of misleading religious authorities, such as the Pharisees. Although the passages may appear similar in wording, they have distinct emphases based on their contexts.

Upon examining these passages, we can identify four recurring themes:

  • The metaphor of the eye
  • Light versus darkness
  • One’s inner spiritual state
  • A call to self-reflection

The metaphor of the eye represents one’s perspective on life. When the eye is clear, it suggests a spiritually enlightened or morally sound outlook. This clarity of vision allows the light of understanding, wisdom, or divine guidance to fill and guide the entire body or being.

In the Bible, the contrast between light and darkness is a frequently used theme, representing good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, or God’s presence versus the absence of it. Light is often associated with goodness, purity, truth, and guidance from God, while darkness usually symbolizes evil, sin, or ignorance.

The texts suggest that a person’s inner spiritual state impacts their entire life. If a person’s internal state is “clear” or “healthy,” it denotes an alignment with spiritual truth and moral clarity, leading to a life filled with light, including understanding, moral integrity, and closeness to God. On the other hand, if a person’s inner state is “bad” or “unhealthy,” it represents a corrupted, selfish, or misguided outlook, leading to a life full of darkness, including ignorance, sin, and separation from God.

Luke 11:35, in particular, warns us to be vigilant and examine ourselves, ensuring that the light within us is not darkness. It calls for believers to constantly evaluate their spiritual health and motivations, verifying that what they perceive as light or good is not misguidance or darkness.

These passages urge people to develop a spiritually and morally sound outlook on life, as this inner state profoundly impacts their well-being. They encourage individuals to seek spiritual wisdom and moral integrity, ensuring their lives are guided by what is truly good and enlightened rather than misguided or harmful perceptions.

Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as a lamp to stress the immense impact of our spiritual state on our lives. A clear, sincere, enlightened perspective fills us with moral wisdom and brings us closer to God. But, a corrupt outlook marked by hypocrisy, selfishness, or falsehood leads to ignorance and separates us from the truth. Jesus urges us to examine ourselves through honest self-reflection and ensure that we walk in the light of authentic faith instead of darkness masked as light. As we ponder upon these teachings, may we assess our inner state, align our vision towards godliness, and allow the light of Christ to fill our entire beings.

Having Real Wasabi

Jackson Davidson

Who here likes wasabi?  Who here even knows what wasabi is?  It’s a spicy, green plant used in or with many Japanese foods like sushi, and chances are,  you’ve never had the real thing.  Only thirteen percent of wasabi is the real thing.  Most is just horseradish colored green.  And the reason that most is fake is that there just isn’t enough to go around.   Wasabi is one of the hardest foods to cultivate. One plant takes fifteen months to grow.  If there is too little sunlight, the plant won’t grow.  Too much, and the plant withers and dies. Aso, the pure spring water that flows through the plants has to be 13-18 degrees Celsius.

In many ways, this is like denominations.  Many churches claim to be the right church and make it look quite convincing.  Others try to be right, often times trading out the truth for opinion.  Matthew 24:24 says,  “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive”

We should also consider Psalms 18:30,  which says “as for God, His way is perfect, the Lord’s word is flawless, He shields all who take refuge in Him.”

We have to be careful to make sure we as the church are teaching the truth, God’s perfect way, and are Wasabi in its pure form, and not Wasabi that is just green horseradish.

fresh_wasabi_rhizomes

 

Goose Hunting

Scott Philliips

A few years back I started goose hunting and I found out something very interesting about myself. I like it a lot! They are exciting to hunt, easy to harvest the meat, and they are delicious when I smoke them into jerky. Many of you probably don’t understand the challenge and excitement involved since most of the time you could just grab one off the street and throw it into your car. But out in the open, where it’s legal to shoot them, it can be a real challenge.

In order to get flying geese to come in for a landing close enough to shoot them, there are two basic tactics. One is decoys. Geese want to join up with other geese, and if they see some on the ground it tells them that it is probably a good area to feed and that it’s safe. In order to fool them, your decoys need to look real, and mine look real. Anytime I leave my spot and return, I spend an embarrassing amount of time sneaking up on my own decoys. The second thing you need is to sound like a goose. Your call needs to be authentic. It needs to get their attention to draw them into the kill zone.

Many of you have already connected the dots in my story. It’s so simple really. It’s a do-it-yourself lesson.  We need to be on guard as Christians so as not to be fooled or deceived by teaching that is not authentic, not the real deal. Teaching that may look and sound good, but will cost us our souls, can fool us.

But that’s not the lesson. I challenge myself and all of us to consider an even more sobering question. Have I become the decoy? Has looking and sounding like a Christian become enough for me? My calls are spot on. I can speak their language. My decoys look fantastic. They dutifully show up for every hunting trip. But they are not real, and they don’t move.

A real goose moves.
A real goose flies.
A real goose feeds.
A real goose is active all the time.
A real goose is busy being a real goose, all the time.

Read Matthew 25:34-36.

So are you, am I the real deal? It depends on what we do between “hunting trips.”

3387888544_9eae5ea589_b

[Originally from Scott’s “90 Seconds of Power” devotional at Bear Valley]

What Kind Of Religion Do You Have?

Neal Pollard

While people today want to emphasize “spirituality” over “religion,” that is not the biblical way.  By “spiritual,” people want to talk about a self-defined personal relationship with God, the way they feel, or their pursuit of some mystical or mysterious expression of the soul.  The Bible is much less abstract and more concrete in passages like James 1:26-27, and the result should be quite convicting.

James indicates that one’s religion could be worthless (1:26).  This one may even think himself to be religious, but instead he is a forgetful hearer.  In context, he has forgotten what God’s word has said about bridling the tongue.  But, the principle applies much more broadly.  One can think himself religious, but in ignoring what the Bible says on a specific matter—ethics, morality, the plan of salvation, worship, etc.—this one deceives his own heart and possesses a worthless religion.  Notice that there is a concrete, objective way to measure this.

James indicates that one’s religion can also be pure and undefiled (1:27).  In keeping with context, this is a person who is a doer and not only a hearer of the word.  This person consciously reads and strives to apply what God has said in Scripture.  James gives a couple of examples of this in the verse, from compassionate care for the unfortunate to not allowing the world to taint us by its influence.  Regardless of the challenge or obligation, because we strive to follow the Word, we will have a religion that is unsoiled and unsullied. James says so.

I may think I have a certain kind of religious, spiritual life, but the Bible is a mirror that shows me exactly where I am.  I can claim or assert that I have a certain relationship with God or spiritual feeling, but does the declaration match the deeds.  That determines what kind of religion I have.