How Condemnation Holds Us Back
Guilt and condemnation is such a trick of the devil, yet I lived buried under it for decades and I’ve spoken to so many friends on my grace journey this […]
How Condemnation Holds Us Back
Guilt and condemnation is such a trick of the devil, yet I lived buried under it for decades and I’ve spoken to so many friends on my grace journey this […]
How Condemnation Holds Us Back
Guilt and condemnation is such a trick of the devil, yet I lived buried under it for decades and I’ve spoken to so many friends on my grace journey this […]
How Condemnation Holds Us Back
Guilt and condemnation is such a trick of the devil, yet I lived buried under it for decades and I’ve spoken to so many friends on my grace journey this […]
The Gospel and Spiritual Powers
There have been many attempts through the years to explain the relationship the earth and its inhabitants have with the powers of evil.
Views on Spiritual Evil
Some have concluded that the biblical times were so primitive that such language referring to demons, evil personalities, and a personal devil reflect an uninformed worldview. They would more easily describe references to principalities and powers as institutions and social systems that oppress certain classes of people.
Others have suggested that the whole theme of history and thus the Bible is about a war that God has been fighting with the Satan, and that we are soldiers in his army in that eternal conflict.
The more classic protestant view has been that the battle is primary about the process of progressive sanctification. The benefits of the atonement of Christ's death and resurrection are emphasized with spiritual warfare being relegated to lesser attention. The fight with evil is part of the struggle that produces the character of Christ in us.
In recent decades, there has been a renewed emphasis in the territorial jurisdiction of higher-level evil powers. The question has been about the level of authority we as believers have regarding such.
Glorifying Jesus
As always, the danger is in over-emphasizing the role of the devil and diminishing the glory of Jesus, or in under-emphasizing the role and power of evil and becoming captives unaware. We try to interpret the whole of scripture in its context to rightly discern what we believe and therefore how we act. A bad hermeneutic will produce a bad theology.
Because we believe that the Bible is a narrative that culminates in the exaltation of Jesus as the fulfillment of all legitimate hope and promise, we view the Old Testament as authoritative yet pointing to a fuller understanding that is revealed in the New Testament. The images, symbols, predictions, and promises that are found in the in the Old are revealed fully in the person and work of Jesus. The New Testament writers are explaining that, and giving instructions about living in such new understanding.
Help us champion truth, freedom, limited government and human dignity. Support The Stream >>
With that in mind, many would agree that Paul's letter to the Ephesians is a high-water mark in such revelation. He begins by declaring what God has done in Jesus and what a radical difference that makes in our own identity. One phrase in the middle of the first chapter is so enlightening: "to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved" (1:6). It describes the purpose behind everything God has done, as well as what he is doing now. In short, he is magnifying the unique nature of his grace.
When all the fog and clouds have faded away, we shall see a glorious grace in the face of a glorious Father. Spiritual warfare must be seen with this purpose in mind.
Grace for the Oppressed
To feature his grace, God has chosen to work through those who need grace. Jesus announced at the beginning of his ministry,"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18).
His target audience was not the well and the good, but the hurting and the bad. He is not embarrassed by the messy lives of those ravaged by sin, and oppressed by evil. His grace shines brightly there. Those blinded by self-righteousness never get to be redeemed by the wealthy Savior who is ready to spend it all to get us out of bondage. They never get to know the comfort of a Father who has daily longed for the return of the prodigal, and bears all shame to celebrate his return. They never get to rejoice in seeing a glory their eyes had never seen before.
God’s Kingdom Displaces Darkness
A contemporary form of the church that aims to entertain the healthy, inform the curious, and congratulate the strong is missing the mark of his mission. When the poor, bruised, broken-hearted captives are made to feel unwelcomed, we have adopted a pharisaical religion that stinks to God.
The Church diminishes the darkness by displacing the deception of shame and condemnation with the good news that a new kingdom has come -- superior to all others.
The church that Jesus commissioned is a continuation of his own ministry on earth. It diminishes the darkness by displacing the deception of shame and condemnation with the good news that a new kingdom has come -- superior to all others. It overcomes hatred and apathy with a kind of love foreign to earth, but common in heaven. It lives in the power of the name that is greater than all names and authorities. It does not live in fear of being overcome by evil, even by the princes of this world. It is not primarily searching for demons to cast out, but if encountered, demons are dispatched in the name of Jesus our king.
The purchase price has been paid for full redemption, and God's people are moving through the earth, one garden at a time, telling the truth and loving their enemies. Where light shines, darkness flees. Minds are freed to think creatively and productively as God designed humans to live. Societies are blessed with freedoms that result when individuals are themselves freed.
We Live in the Light of Jesus’ Victory
We do not live with a bunker-mentality. The roof is not caving in because of the enormous weight of evil. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. On the cross, representatives of all powers and principalities met the God-installed King. Their authority was reduced to whatever He decides (Psalm 2).
As his subjects, family, and community, we live in light of that victory. We pray, preach, and live with the confidence that he who is in us is greater than he who rules the world of darkness. We do not mock the powers. We recognize their role and their presence, but we do not fear them or try to negotiate with them. We speak and live in Jesus' name. Their defeat in the lives of people who have been previously captured by evil magnifies the glory of his grace.
The outcome is not in doubt. God is summing all things up in Christ Jesus. His victory at the cross and resurrection is bigger than we have yet envisioned. He is reconciling the world to himself. We are his ambassadors, beseeching everyone to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).
God's purpose did not fail in Jesus as a man. Though evil forces participated in his death, God's purpose was accomplished. He will not fail in his present body on earth.
Jesus is head of the church and it will prevail against all the authorities in the gates. Though at any one time, with a limited view of what is happening in the whole world, we might conclude that things are helplessly deteriorating, God's purpose is linked to his chosen people, the church. It will not fail.
There is reason to hope. There are resources to proceed. There will be a restoration of both the heavens and the earth. The resurrected life of Christ in his people, both individually and corporately, guarantee it.
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream. He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures, a sought-after speaker, an engaging preacher, an effective consultant, and a trusted spiritual father. Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works, Incense & Thunder, Glad to be Left Behind, Men In Their Own Skin, Orphans No More, When Hard Times Come, Follow Me and his latest a children's book laced with gospel truth: Shorty the Substitute Ram.
The post The Gospel and Spiritual Powers appeared first on The Stream.
The Gospel and Spiritual Powers
There have been many attempts through the years to explain the relationship the earth and its inhabitants have with the powers of evil.
Views on Spiritual Evil
Some have concluded that the biblical times were so primitive that such language referring to demons, evil personalities, and a personal devil reflect an uninformed worldview. They would more easily describe references to principalities and powers as institutions and social systems that oppress certain classes of people.
Others have suggested that the whole theme of history and thus the Bible is about a war that God has been fighting with the Satan, and that we are soldiers in his army in that eternal conflict.
The more classic protestant view has been that the battle is primary about the process of progressive sanctification. The benefits of the atonement of Christ's death and resurrection are emphasized with spiritual warfare being relegated to lesser attention. The fight with evil is part of the struggle that produces the character of Christ in us.
In recent decades, there has been a renewed emphasis in the territorial jurisdiction of higher-level evil powers. The question has been about the level of authority we as believers have regarding such.
Glorifying Jesus
As always, the danger is in over-emphasizing the role of the devil and diminishing the glory of Jesus, or in under-emphasizing the role and power of evil and becoming captives unaware. We try to interpret the whole of scripture in its context to rightly discern what we believe and therefore how we act. A bad hermeneutic will produce a bad theology.
Because we believe that the Bible is a narrative that culminates in the exaltation of Jesus as the fulfillment of all legitimate hope and promise, we view the Old Testament as authoritative yet pointing to a fuller understanding that is revealed in the New Testament. The images, symbols, predictions, and promises that are found in the in the Old are revealed fully in the person and work of Jesus. The New Testament writers are explaining that, and giving instructions about living in such new understanding.
Help us champion truth, freedom, limited government and human dignity. Support The Stream >>
With that in mind, many would agree that Paul's letter to the Ephesians is a high-water mark in such revelation. He begins by declaring what God has done in Jesus and what a radical difference that makes in our own identity. One phrase in the middle of the first chapter is so enlightening: "to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved" (1:6). It describes the purpose behind everything God has done, as well as what he is doing now. In short, he is magnifying the unique nature of his grace.
When all the fog and clouds have faded away, we shall see a glorious grace in the face of a glorious Father. Spiritual warfare must be seen with this purpose in mind.
Grace for the Oppressed
To feature his grace, God has chosen to work through those who need grace. Jesus announced at the beginning of his ministry,"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18).
His target audience was not the well and the good, but the hurting and the bad. He is not embarrassed by the messy lives of those ravaged by sin, and oppressed by evil. His grace shines brightly there. Those blinded by self-righteousness never get to be redeemed by the wealthy Savior who is ready to spend it all to get us out of bondage. They never get to know the comfort of a Father who has daily longed for the return of the prodigal, and bears all shame to celebrate his return. They never get to rejoice in seeing a glory their eyes had never seen before.
God’s Kingdom Displaces Darkness
A contemporary form of the church that aims to entertain the healthy, inform the curious, and congratulate the strong is missing the mark of his mission. When the poor, bruised, broken-hearted captives are made to feel unwelcomed, we have adopted a pharisaical religion that stinks to God.
The Church diminishes the darkness by displacing the deception of shame and condemnation with the good news that a new kingdom has come -- superior to all others.
The church that Jesus commissioned is a continuation of his own ministry on earth. It diminishes the darkness by displacing the deception of shame and condemnation with the good news that a new kingdom has come -- superior to all others. It overcomes hatred and apathy with a kind of love foreign to earth, but common in heaven. It lives in the power of the name that is greater than all names and authorities. It does not live in fear of being overcome by evil, even by the princes of this world. It is not primarily searching for demons to cast out, but if encountered, demons are dispatched in the name of Jesus our king.
The purchase price has been paid for full redemption, and God's people are moving through the earth, one garden at a time, telling the truth and loving their enemies. Where light shines, darkness flees. Minds are freed to think creatively and productively as God designed humans to live. Societies are blessed with freedoms that result when individuals are themselves freed.
We Live in the Light of Jesus’ Victory
We do not live with a bunker-mentality. The roof is not caving in because of the enormous weight of evil. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. On the cross, representatives of all powers and principalities met the God-installed King. Their authority was reduced to whatever He decides (Psalm 2).
As his subjects, family, and community, we live in light of that victory. We pray, preach, and live with the confidence that he who is in us is greater than he who rules the world of darkness. We do not mock the powers. We recognize their role and their presence, but we do not fear them or try to negotiate with them. We speak and live in Jesus' name. Their defeat in the lives of people who have been previously captured by evil magnifies the glory of his grace.
The outcome is not in doubt. God is summing all things up in Christ Jesus. His victory at the cross and resurrection is bigger than we have yet envisioned. He is reconciling the world to himself. We are his ambassadors, beseeching everyone to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).
God's purpose did not fail in Jesus as a man. Though evil forces participated in his death, God's purpose was accomplished. He will not fail in his present body on earth.
Jesus is head of the church and it will prevail against all the authorities in the gates. Though at any one time, with a limited view of what is happening in the whole world, we might conclude that things are helplessly deteriorating, God's purpose is linked to his chosen people, the church. It will not fail.
There is reason to hope. There are resources to proceed. There will be a restoration of both the heavens and the earth. The resurrected life of Christ in his people, both individually and corporately, guarantee it.
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream. He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures, a sought-after speaker, an engaging preacher, an effective consultant, and a trusted spiritual father. Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works, Incense & Thunder, Glad to be Left Behind, Men In Their Own Skin, Orphans No More, When Hard Times Come, Follow Me and his latest a children's book laced with gospel truth: Shorty the Substitute Ram.
A New Kind of Strength
Our two-year-old grandson likes to flex his biceps and boast to me of how strong he is. He is a picture of the desires we all have. We would like to be strong in every area. It is our weaknesses that scare us. We instinctively try to hide or at least cover our vulnerability.
The problem lies in the true definition of strength. For many it is more like bullying and intimidating. The room gets awfully noisy when everyone is boasting of their own strength.
Jesus offers a new model of strength. To those who didn't get it, he looked like a victim, but he demonstrated what being strong is all about when he defeated death and ascended to rule over all.
Strength That’s Available to You
The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth describing the new kind of strength found in the shared life of the resurrected Jesus. It is known as Second Corinthians. He uses five illustrations to get his point across. First, in the introduction he mentions that God has used the weaknesses of his servants as an opportunity to give them a kind of comfort that is beyond human capability.
"Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:4)
They don't need to see how strong we are in ourselves. That only discourages them since they aren’t us. They need to know of a strength (comfort) that is available to them.
Since we are his image bearers, we are privileged to reflect a level of strength that is only made evident when we are weak in ourselves. We must get comfortable identifying what looks like weakness as strength. When we are weak he is strong. This gives hope to others who are weak and helpless. They don't need to see how strong we are in ourselves. That only discourages them since they aren't us. They need to know of a strength (comfort) that is available to them.
Captive for Christ
Second, he describes us as captives who emit an aroma of victory.
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." (2 Corinthians 2:14)
The picture is of a conquering general leading his army, and the captives of his victory, through the streets of his city. To mask the smell of war, the air is filled with pleasant smells of perfume. The captives become a part of the parade. Paul is saying that we have been captured by the Lord and have no rights to demand. But we are made into his sons and enlisted in his mission to spread the aroma of hope to the whole world. We must get accustomed to being his captive. It is how we rule.
Shining God’s Light
Third, he describes us as earthen vessels that contain the treasure of his life. When we are broken in the presence of a world of death and darkness, his glory gets out.
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7)
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We should not be surprised to learn that we are led into places of affliction and suffering. Just as it was with Jesus on earth, we live for the sole purpose of extending his influence. We do not lose heart, because we are not measuring things the way the temporal world does. Like Stephen, we might get stoned while some unsuspecting "Saul" is watching -- and is later converted by the same light and life he saw on Stephen's face.
Refusing to Bring Reproach on the Gospel
Fourth, he says that we are only limited in our freedom by the desire to promote a clear gospel to those around.
"We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities.” (2 Corinthians 6:4)
Since we don't live to please ourselves, we refuse to bring reproach on the gospel by anything we might do to distract others from the pure truth of God's word.
Rejoicing in Weakness
Fifth, he declares that boasting on our part should be about our weaknesses rather than our strengths. This is after Paul had prayed that his thorn in the flesh would be removed. He knew God to be good, powerful and interested. So, he prayed for deliverance from some debilitating circumstance. God answered that his strength is magnified in Paul's weakness.
"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (2 Corinthians 11:30)
Comparing our afflictions and weaknesses to glory is an eye opener. Afflictions are light and momentary. Glory is forever.
God does deliver us from all kinds of trouble. Sometimes he transforms the trouble by supplying more grace than the trouble can supply pain. After all, it is his grace that we want magnified, not our personal ease.
There is peace through strength -- when the strength comes from overwhelming grace. It is worth getting accustomed to. It is our calling. There is an entire eternity to enjoy the glory that shall be revealed. Comparing our afflictions and weaknesses to such glory is an eye opener. Afflictions are light and momentary. Glory is forever.
Becoming Fearless
Driving over bridges had never been one of my favorite things to do, but four years ago while taking a road trip vacation with my family to beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada we had to drive over a very long bridge – 8 miles long to be exact (pictured above). Special note: There are many […]
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Questions & Answers: Grace-Based Relationship Advice
Hi Sandra, My name is Debbie and I live in Australia. I have been reading your book and I absolutely love it! I have some questions that I would like to ask you about and hoping that you may be able to answer. My Answer: Hi Debbie! So happy you are loving my book. I […]
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That’s Not Nice
The title of this article should really be: "That is not just nice," but I thought you might be more attracted to the one I chose. So, I admit to a little marketing manipulation. But, since you are reading, let's get to the point.
We had left the church service and gathered at the restaurant with several couples. After ordering, someone asked the expected question, "What did you think of today's sermon?" Let me say that the preacher had done an exceptional job of proclaiming the gospel. He had addressed the majestic though mysterious revelation that has come in Jesus, even mentioning how surprised the Jews of his day were in how he came as a baby and lived as a commoner. I was eager to hear the discussion that always ensues at lunch after church.
One of the ladies, who I will call Gail (name changed to protect the innocent), spoke up. "I thought it was nice." My jaw dropped and I said under my breath, "I'm sorry. You missed it."
The Gospel is Not Just “Nice”
The gospel that is the center of the Bible is not just nice. It is startling. Speaking of the coming of Christ centuries before the event, the prophet Isaiah said,
See, my servant shall prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. -- Isaiah 52:13-15
We have domesticated it to "nice." But that is not the appropriate description. Extraordinary! Explosive! Radical! Revolutionary! Mind-blowing! Threatening! These would apply.
A Lifeline to Our Shipwrecked State
The baby Jesus we celebrate at Christmas was a king who came to establish an empire that had a dimension beyond all other kingdoms. He came to set the world right and defeat the powers of hell. He was concluding a war that had been wrecking earth since the Garden of Eden. The ultimate Judge arrived. He was both the standard to which all would be measured, and the Judge whose sentence would be eternal. Opposing forces hated him. They conspired to eliminate him. It wasn't nice.
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We like the inspiring messages that remind us of how awesome we are and how we can tweak our attitudes and behaviors to be more successful as people, parents and producers. That's nice. But the announcement that the God who created all things, and demands that history align with his agenda, has invaded the world is unsettling. He is in control, and we are not.
He has concluded that we can never shake our shackles or escape our captors. He knows that we are locked into a corner with no exit. He has come to make a way out. His way is his Son, and that is the only way provided. That is not a nice message to those who demand many options and insist on having some say in how things must be.
But to those who -- like shipwrecked passengers bobbing in the middle of the ocean, dying of thirst and too fatigued to swim -- hear there is a way out, it is grand news. They don't want options. They want a sure salvation from one who can deliver what he promises.
His Breathtaking Gospel
Jesus in his saving act did not appeal to those who judge by appearance. He was marred and ugly. His features were distorted, his hair matted with his own blood, his shoulders slumped under the load of his cross. He was mocked by the crowd; ignored by those who are turned off by gore, and despised by those who should have known his true identity. Many had followed him in his mercy ministry. They loved the extra bread of his miracles, the healing from his hand, and the insightful stories he told.
Some, like his disciples, thought he would be the hero of Israel in leading a revolt against Rome. Judas had given up when he was sure that Jesus would not meet his expectations. Peter was all-in as long as Jesus was upright and potentially a winning candidate. When the appearance began to change, even Peter found him ugly and worthy of denying.
If you truly hear the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord, you won't say it is just nice. It will take your breath.
We are still exalting apparent beauty. We like for celebrities to lead us. We are a visual people and will not tolerate that which does not appeal to our taste. Any savior worthy of our attention must be a super-hero type.
But, the one who was marred beyond recognition has startled the nations. Kings, prime ministers, presidents, and even tyrants have bowed before him. They can't compete with the power to conquer death. They tremble in the presence of him who lives forever. But it is not just leaders. Everyone who has seen him has found prostration to be the most appropriate position.
If you truly hear the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord, you won't say it is just nice. It will take your breath. Your life will change. Your priorities will be realigned. Your world will be different. You will hear yourself saying, "if that is true then everything has changed."
You’re A Blessing Waiting To Happen
Do you believe this? You should because it’s true! A couple of weeks ago I was just going about my daily routine and I felt like God reminded me: Sandra, you’re a blessing waiting to happen! Right away I received this encouragement from my awesome heavenly Daddy and began to say to myself, “I’m a […]
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There’s No Bad News In The Good News
Whoa, this concept just hit me. Like, literally just about 30 minutes ago. I started typing as rapidly as possible! When we share the gospel with people, but present it as a works based religion (not the real gospel), it may look like we are encouraging spiritual maturity, but what we are actually creating are […]
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