I’ve been studying politics and political history for the past 30 years. My specialty is U.S. Presidents. That said, I hope that the House of Representatives impeaches Trump.
Let me tell you what will happen next.
1. The House can pass articles of impeachment over the objections of the Republicans, and refer to the Senate for trial.
2. The Senate will conduct a trial. There will be a vote, and the Republicans will vote unanimously, along with a small number of Democrats, to not convict the President. Legally, it will all be over at that point.
3. However, during the trial, and this is what no one is thinking about right now, the President's attorneys will have the right to subpoena and question ANYONE THAT THEY WANT.. That is different than the special counsel investigation, which was very one-sided. So, during the impeachment trial, we will be hearing testimony from James Comey, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, Bruce Ohr, Glenn Simpson, Donna Brazille, Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Christopher Steele, Hillary Clinton, John Brennan, James Clapper, and a whole host of other participants in this whole sordid affair and the ensuing coverup activities.
A lot of dirt will be dug up; a lot of truth will be unveiled. Finger pointing will occur. Deals will start being made, and suddenly, a lot of Democrats will start being charged and going to prison. All this, because, remember, the President's team will now, for the first time, have the RIGHT to question all of these people under oath - and they will turn on each other. That’s already starting.
4. Lastly, one more thing will happen – the Senate will not convict the President. Nothing will happen to Trump. Most Americans are clueless about political processes, the law, and the Constitution. Most Americans believe that being impeached results in removal from office. They don't understand that phase 2 is a trial in and by the Senate, where he has zero chance of conviction. Remember, the Senate is controlled by Republicans; they will determine what testimony is allowed -- and **everything** will be allowed, including: DNC collusion with the Clinton campaign to fix the election in favor of Hillary, the creation of the Trump dossier, the cover up and destruction of emails that very likely included incriminating information. They’ll incriminate each other for lying to the FISA court, for spying and wiretapping the Trump campaign, and for colluding with foreign political actors, especially George Soros.
After the Senate declines to convict the President, we will have an election, and Trump will win. It will be a backlash against democrat petulance, temper tantrums, hypocrisy and dishonesty. Even minorities will vote for Trump, because, for the first time, they will see that democrats have spent 2+ years focused on maintaining their own power, and not doing anything at all about black murders in Chicago, homelessness, opioids, and other important issues that are actually killing people. And, we will spend the following four years listening to politicians and pundits claim that the whole impeachment was rigged somehow.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Thursday, June 6, 2019
A Divorce...The Best of Both Worlds
Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al:
We have stuck together since the late 1950's for the sake of the kids, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce.
I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has clearly run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right for us all, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.
Here is our separation agreement:
-Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a similar portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.
-We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them.
-You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.
-Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA, and the military.
-We'll take the nasty, smelly oil industry and the coal mines, and you can go with wind, solar and bio-diesel.
-You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore, and Rosie O'Donnell. You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them.
-We'll keep capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart, and Wall Street.
-You can have your beloved lifelong welfare dwellers, food stamps, hippies, druggies, and illegal aliens .
-We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEOs, and rednecks.
-We'll keep Hannity, Carlson, and Bibles, and give you NBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, and Hollywood.
-You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.
-You can have the peaceniks and war protesters.
- When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.
-We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.
-You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, political correctness and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N. but we will no longer pay the bill.
-We'll keep the SUV's, pickup trucks, and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Volt, Tesla, and Leaf you can find .
-You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors.
-We'll keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The National Anthem."
-I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute "Imagine," "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," "Kumbaya," or "We Are the World."
-We'll practice trickle-down economics and you can continue to give trickle up poverty your best shot.
-Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag.
Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like-minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you might think about which one of us will need whose help in 15 years .
Sincerely,
John J Wall
Law Student and American!
P. S. Also, please take Ted Turner, Sean Penn, Martin & Charlie Sheen, George Clooney, Barbara Streisand, and (Hanoi) Jane Fonda with you.
P.S.S. And you won't have to press 1 for English when you call our country.
Friday, May 17, 2019
WHAT THE PRESBYTERIAN BELIEVES...
Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Predestination (as per the Biblical definition) means to set boundaries/limits/horizons upon something before hand. The Greek word (in Rom 8:29-30) is proorizó, which is from pró ("before") and horízō ("establish boundaries, limits"). Horízō is where we get the English term horizon. The fact that God established rules and limits before time began is quite Biblical in regards to the physical universe, the path of salvation, the judgement for sin, the flow of history, etc. (Prov 8:22-31, Job 38:4-41, Psalm 136:1-9, Hab 2:2-3, Rom 9:16-18, Rev 17:16-18, Jer 51; Job 42:1, Prov 16:9, Isa 30:27-33, Isa 45:13, Jude 1:5-7, John 3:18, Mark 16:16, John 1:12, Psalm 1:1-6, II Thess 1:3-10, II Peter 2:1-22) In regards to salvation: God set up the plan/rules/covenant of salvation before time began, that we could be adopted as sons and justified through Christ. (Rom 8:18-30, Acts 4:23-31, I Peter 1:10-12, Titus 1:1-3, John 10:9, John 14:6, Rom 1:1-3, I Tim 1:5-6, Psalm 11:2-9, Heb 6:13-20, I John 3:1-10, Dan 2:44, Eph 3:7-11, II Tim 2:1-13, etc). Unlike with nature, which God can supersede, God has bound Himself to this plan due to His own character and justice. This plan of salvation God also predestined to include the gentiles, not just the Jews (Eph 3:2-6, Rom 3:21-31, Rom 9:1-26, Rom 15:5-13, John 1:11-13, Isa 45:9-10, etc.) So, when scripture speaks of predestination, there is nothing inherent in the term that would make it align with English concepts of destiny. No one is 'forced' to respond to the gospel in faith or 'prohibited' from responding; no one is 'fated' to choose Christ or not. Rather, we are predestined according to the plan [of salvation], which was created because God works out everything in accordance to His will, so that all who put their hope in Christ will be saved! We are included in Christ because we heard the message of truth [the plan of salvation] and believed. God predestined that those in Christ, believers, be sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our future inheritance of eternal life! (Eph 1:11-14) We didn't chose the way of salvation (God did), nor did we chose our own gifts or ministries (God did). We are, however, to have faith and follow (John 15:16, John 12:25-26). For an analogy of how the Greek term proorizó, to set limits beforehand, differs from the concept of 'destiny', here is an analogy: Ten people live on a tiny island with no apparent way off. A man comes and tells them their island is sinking and offers them free passage on his personal jet. Five of the islanders stay, refusing to believe the island is sinking. Three believe the island is sinking, but don't take the man's offer because they think they can find another way off. Two take the man's offer and escape - the rest drown. 'Destiny' would say the eight were fated to drown while the two were fated to be saved. Predestination, as per scripture, would hold that the way of salvation was predestined before hand (the man, free passage, airplane) and that the physics of the ocean/island/plane were pre-set. The theory that God arbitrarily pre-chose certain people to be saved and certain people not to be saved does not seem to be biblical, as scripture states clearly that in no way has God purposed some not to be saved, as He desires that all be saved, and consistently calls men to repentance and faith. (I Tim 2:3-4, II Pet 3:9, Ezek 18:32-33, Ezek 33:11, John 3:16-17, Isa 30:15-18, II Chron 7:11-22, Rom 11:25-27, Rev 2:4-5, Mark 6:11-13, Acts 3:18-20, Rom 11:13-15, Rom 2:3-5, etc) As He did appoint the plan of salvation before time, it would be counter-intuitive that He would act by a different set of rules (Isa 45:18-25, John 14:6, John 1:1-18). God does know the end from the beginning, however, and as such those who do not believe stand condemned, as is the eternal destiny appointed for all those who refuse to believe (John 3:18, Psalm 73:1-28, Phil 3:17-21, Psalm 49:1-20, Rom 2:1-11, I Pet 2:7-9)
Friday, April 5, 2019
IT REALLY IS GOD'S WORLD
This Is A Wonderful True Story, So worth the read, and an example of our Christian Heritage Worth Remembering And Sharing With The World.
THE MOON AND GOD!!
What was the first liquid and food
consumed on the moon? I'm betting that most are unaware of this story.
Forty-nine years ago (July 20,
1969), two human beings changed history by walking on the surface of the
moon.But, what happened before Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong exited the Lunar Module is perhaps even more
amazing, if only because so few people know about it. I'm talking about the
fact that Buzz Aldrin took communion on the surface of the moon. Some months
after his return, he wrote about it in Guideposts magazine.
The background to the story is that
Aldrin was an elder at his Presbyterian Church in Texas during this period
in his life; and, knowing that he would soon be doing something
unprecedented in human history, he felt that he should mark the occasion
somehow. He asked his minister to help him and so the minister consecrated a
communion wafer and a small vial of communion wine. Buzz Aldrin took them
with him out of the Earth's orbit and onto the surface of the moon. He and
Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few minutes when Aldrin
made the following public statement:
"This is the LM (Lunar Module)
pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in,
whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the
events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way." He
then ended radio communication, and there, on the silent surface of the
moon, 250,000 miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and
he took communion.
Here is his account of what happened:
"In the radio blackout, I opened the
little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the
wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of
the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup.
Then I read the scripture: 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever
abides in me will bring forth much fruit ... Apart from me you can do
nothing.... "I had intended to read my communion
passage back to Earth, but at the last minute [they] had requested that I
not do this. NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn
Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew's
reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed
reluctantly." "I ate the tiny toast and swallowed
the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two
young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think
that the very first liquid ever poured on the moon and the very first food
eaten there were the communion elements."
"And, of course, it's interesting to
think that some of the first words spoken on the moon were the words of
Jesus Christ, who made the Earth and the moon - and who, in the immortal
words of Dante, is Himself the "Love that moves the Sun and other stars."
The nicest place to be is in
someone's thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone's prayers, and the
very best place to be is in the hands of God. Amen.
THE MOON AND GOD!!
What was the first liquid and food
consumed on the moon? I'm betting that most are unaware of this story.
Forty-nine years ago (July 20,
1969), two human beings changed history by walking on the surface of the
moon.But, what happened before Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong exited the Lunar Module is perhaps even more
amazing, if only because so few people know about it. I'm talking about the
fact that Buzz Aldrin took communion on the surface of the moon. Some months
after his return, he wrote about it in Guideposts magazine.
The background to the story is that
Aldrin was an elder at his Presbyterian Church in Texas during this period
in his life; and, knowing that he would soon be doing something
unprecedented in human history, he felt that he should mark the occasion
somehow. He asked his minister to help him and so the minister consecrated a
communion wafer and a small vial of communion wine. Buzz Aldrin took them
with him out of the Earth's orbit and onto the surface of the moon. He and
Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few minutes when Aldrin
made the following public statement:
"This is the LM (Lunar Module)
pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in,
whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the
events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way." He
then ended radio communication, and there, on the silent surface of the
moon, 250,000 miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and
he took communion.
Here is his account of what happened:
"In the radio blackout, I opened the
little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the
wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of
the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup.
Then I read the scripture: 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever
abides in me will bring forth much fruit ... Apart from me you can do
nothing.... "I had intended to read my communion
passage back to Earth, but at the last minute [they] had requested that I
not do this. NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn
Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew's
reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed
reluctantly." "I ate the tiny toast and swallowed
the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two
young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think
that the very first liquid ever poured on the moon and the very first food
eaten there were the communion elements."
"And, of course, it's interesting to
think that some of the first words spoken on the moon were the words of
Jesus Christ, who made the Earth and the moon - and who, in the immortal
words of Dante, is Himself the "Love that moves the Sun and other stars."
The nicest place to be is in
someone's thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone's prayers, and the
very best place to be is in the hands of God. Amen.
The History of The World and Beer
For those who don't know much about history, this is the Cliff notes version.
A condensed version of the history of mankind from just after the Garden of Eden story.
Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter.
The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups:
1 . Liberals
2. Conservatives.
Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.
Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to BBQ at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative movement...
Other men who were less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly BBQ's and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement.
Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. They became known as Feminine-men. Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that the conservatives provided.
Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass for obvious reasons.
Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys , journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat.
Conservatives drink domestic beer, mostly Bud or Miller. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, engineers, corporate executives, athletes, members of the military, airline pilots and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.
Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America . They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing, and that is when the act of lying became a part of the liberal genre, which is where we are today.
Here ends today's lesson in world history:
It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to angrily respond to this article before forwarding it.
A Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more liberals just to give them some more fodder for their penchant for lying.......
And there you have it. Let your next action reveal your true self.....I'm going to have another beer.
The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups:
1 . Liberals
2. Conservatives.
Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.
Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to BBQ at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative movement...
Other men who were less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly BBQ's and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement.
Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. They became known as Feminine-men. Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that the conservatives provided.
Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass for obvious reasons.
Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys , journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat.
Conservatives drink domestic beer, mostly Bud or Miller. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, engineers, corporate executives, athletes, members of the military, airline pilots and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.
Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America . They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing, and that is when the act of lying became a part of the liberal genre, which is where we are today.
Here ends today's lesson in world history:
It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to angrily respond to this article before forwarding it.
A Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more liberals just to give them some more fodder for their penchant for lying.......
And there you have it. Let your next action reveal your true self.....I'm going to have another beer.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
WHO IS A CHRISTIAN
Our naturally developed mind-set and tendencies are opposite of God's ways. God told us that through Isaiah long ago. "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" (Isa. 55:8,9).
As fallen, sinful persons we have all developed patterned tendencies to approach everything in life in particular ways. It is called the "flesh" in the New Testament Scriptures. We each have unique action and reaction patterns of selfishness and sinfulness in the soul. When we become Christians, we still have those patterned tendencies of the "flesh." Paul explains to the Galatian Christians that "the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another" (Gal. 5:17). To the Romans, Paul wrote, "I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. ...I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not" (Rom. 7:14,18).
These patterned tendencies of the "flesh" affect our individual approaches to living the Christian life. We have various patterns of thinking, with which we approach our Christian living.
Some Christians approach the Christian life as a "project." It is a task to be completed; a job to get done. They want to see results in everything. The objective in their mind is to get it accomplished. So they decisively implement the necessary activities to achieve the objective and to reach the goal. "What are we waiting for?" they ask. "Lets get the job done...now!" They want everyone to assist and to do their part. Focused and persistent, they take direct action to perform what is necessary, and to produce the desired end-product. Should they begin to relax, they feel guilty. They work so hard to achieve what they perceive to be the desired result. They want to do it, get it done, and make a significant change in things. The project called the "Christian life" must be accomplished and be completed.
But, what happens when they cannot accomplish the project of Christian living? What do they do when all their efforts are not enough, and their greatest fear of being a failure in getting the job done seems to be evident? It is then that they might conclude, "the Christian life doesn't work!" They often then respond by saying to themselves, "Maybe I haven't been decisive enough. Maybe I haven't been persistent enough. Maybe I haven't worked hard enough. Maybe I haven't buckled-down to get it done. Maybe I didn't attack it with enough effort and commitment." Back they go to approaching the Christian life as a "project" to be completed!
Other Christians approach the Christian life as a "promotional effort" to persuade everyone and to get everyone inspired. They want everything to be exciting. The Christian life is measured by the level of enthusiasm, energy and liveliness. These Christians thrive on spontaneity, emotion and zeal. They always want to be optimistic and up-beat. The objective is to be excited about being a Christian and living the Christian life, to be "on fire for Jesus." They want everyone else to get involved and to join in the exciting programs. Everyone should be personable, out-going and friendly. Everyone should feel good. Like cheerleaders at a pep-rally, they try to motivate and enthuse by being dramatic, entertaining and communicative. They want to whoop it up and be expressive. They conceive of the Christian life as a promotional effort for excitement.
But, what happens when life isn't always exciting? What do these Christians do when the energy level runs low, and when no one responds to the peppy promotion? It is then that they might conclude that "the Christian life doesn't work!" Their response is often to say to themselves, "I am unacceptable to God and to others," which is their greatest fear. "Maybe I haven't been zealous enough. Maybe I haven't been friendly enough. Maybe I haven't been personable enough. Maybe I haven't been convincing enough. Maybe I haven't been enthusiastic enough. Maybe I haven't been involved enough." Back they go to approach the Christian life as a "promotional effort!"
Other Christians approach the Christian life as a "panacea." They think that the Christian life should be pleasant and predictable. Their expectation is that the Christian life should cause everything to be peaceful and pastoral. With an aversion to conflicts and troubles, they think the Christian life should have no unexpected bumps and no curve balls. The Christian life should be consistent, conservative and traditional. For them security is found in that which is steady and stable and status-quo. In relating to others who are trying to live the Christian life, they want everybody to "get-along." They think that everyone in the church should be amiable, accommodating and cooperative like them. Everyone should be patient, loyal, faithful and contented, in order to work together as a family and a team. The objective is to have a safe environment of fun and fellowship, for the Christian life is viewed as a pleasant and predictable panacea.
But, what happens when their Christian life is not such a stable plateau? How do they respond when problems and conflicts arise, and when their greatest fears of an out-of-control chaos seem to be realized? It is then that they might conclude "the Christian life doesn't work!" Their response is often to say to themselves, "Maybe I haven't been loyal enough. Maybe I haven't been patient and accommodating enough. Maybe I haven't been faithful enough. Maybe I haven't been cooperative enough. Maybe I haven't been tolerant enough of others." Back they go to approaching the Christian life as the development of a "peaceful panacea!"
Other Christians approach the Christian life as "propriety." They view the objective of the Christian life as proper thinking and proper action, issuing forth in correct doctrine and correct morality. These Christians want to get everything figured-out accurately and analytically. They "study to show themselves approved." In their quest for truth and knowledge, they are conscientious about every detail. They think that if they can get everything down-pat and air-tight logically and systematically, then there should be precise procedures, techniques and formulas by which to lead an orderly and structured Christian life. In the process, they want everyone else to think like they do, and to agree and conform in thought and practice. The objective is to "do it right," "follow the rules," and "go by the Book." Then the Christian life will be proper, correct and right.
But, what happens when their Christian life doesn't go as planned and the tight structures fail? Inevitably they will find that everything isn't "proper" in their lives. It is then that they might conclude, "the Christian life doesn't work!" Their response is often to say to themselves, "Maybe I've been wrong." They hate to admit it. "Maybe I haven't understood it well enough. Maybe I haven't been studious enough. Maybe I haven't been disciplined enough. Maybe I haven't been exhaustive enough. Maybe I haven't been moral enough." Back they go to approach the Christian life as "propriety."
All Christians can see themselves in one or more of these misdirected approaches to the Christian life. We have all had a tendency to approach our Christian lives with a degree of self-effort. That is why the Christian life doesn't seem to work, because it will not work by our "works" of self-effort.
The Christian life works alright, but not because we try to make it work in a certain way according to our selfish propensities. The Christian life works only when Jesus Christ works in us. That is the way the life of Jesus worked on earth as a man. Jesus said, "the Father abiding in Me does His works" (John 14:10). In like manner, the Christian life works, for the writer to the Hebrews prays that "the God of peace...might equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ" (Heb. 13:20,21). The Christian life is Jesus working in us that which is pleasing in God's sight.
To the Philippians Paul wrote that they should "work out their salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). He did not mean that we should try to work out our Christian lives in accord with our self-oriented mind-set and approaches to life. Rather, those misguided ideas, approaches and orientations must be given up in order to recognize what Paul goes on to say, "God is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
The Christian life does not work if we try to "pull it off" by our pre-conceived agenda of patterned perspectives and approaches. Paul wrote that "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6). To the Thessalonians he indicated that "Faithful is He who calls you, and he will bring it to pass" (I Thess. 5:23). Who is going to bring our Christian lives to pass, and effect sanctification? God by His divine action! The Christian life is really God's business, not ours!
In his epistle to the Galatian Christians Paul notes that "it is no longer I who live..." (Gal. 2:20). It is not me trying to live the Christian life by my own self-expression, and my own expectations of what it should be. No one is going to be able to sing Frank Sinatra's song, "I Did It My Way," concerning their Christian life. Rather, Paul goes on to say, "Christ lives in me, and the (Christian) life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God" (Gal. 2:20). The Christian life is our receptivity of His activity.
Christianity is Christ! The Christian life is the life of Jesus Christ lived out through our behavior. The Christian life is not a project. The Christian life is not a promotional effort. The Christian life is not a panacea. The Christian life is not propriety. The Christian life is a Person, Jesus Christ. The Christian life is effected by the ontological presence and activity of the Being and Life of the risen Lord Jesus.
The Christian life is a process of allowing the Person of Jesus Christ to be lived out in us. It is not a project to get completed and finished. It is not a panacea to arrive at. It is not a promotion to get a "high" of excitement about. It is not a propriety to be properly enacted. The Christian life is the salvation/sanctification process whereby we are "made safe" and "set apart" from the dysfunction of trying to live the Christian life by our own effort and expectations, in order to function as God intended by the indwelling dynamic of the life of the risen Lord Jesus, the Spirit of Christ.
The Christian life is not static. It is not accomplishable. It is not promotable. It is not a plateau of pleasantness. It is not a systematic belief-system. The Christian life is the dynamic manifestation of the life and character of Jesus Christ, who is "the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6).
In John 15:5 Jesus is recorded as saying, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." Apart from Jesus Christ and His activity in and through us, we can do nothing that will effect the living of the Christian life. We must give up our naturally patterned approaches, and rely only on Him. "Not that we are adequate in ourselves, to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God" (II Cor. 3:5). With His divine adequacy and empowering, "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" (Phil. 4:13). We can live the Christian life through Jesus Christ, as He lives through our behavior.
Our argument has moved from "why the Christian life doesn't seem to work," to the recognition that "the Christian life works" by the out-working of the life of Jesus Christ. Christians must give up trying to make the Christian life work by their own efforts and orientations, and allow the life of Jesus Christ to be lived out through them
As fallen, sinful persons we have all developed patterned tendencies to approach everything in life in particular ways. It is called the "flesh" in the New Testament Scriptures. We each have unique action and reaction patterns of selfishness and sinfulness in the soul. When we become Christians, we still have those patterned tendencies of the "flesh." Paul explains to the Galatian Christians that "the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another" (Gal. 5:17). To the Romans, Paul wrote, "I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. ...I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not" (Rom. 7:14,18).
These patterned tendencies of the "flesh" affect our individual approaches to living the Christian life. We have various patterns of thinking, with which we approach our Christian living.
Some Christians approach the Christian life as a "project." It is a task to be completed; a job to get done. They want to see results in everything. The objective in their mind is to get it accomplished. So they decisively implement the necessary activities to achieve the objective and to reach the goal. "What are we waiting for?" they ask. "Lets get the job done...now!" They want everyone to assist and to do their part. Focused and persistent, they take direct action to perform what is necessary, and to produce the desired end-product. Should they begin to relax, they feel guilty. They work so hard to achieve what they perceive to be the desired result. They want to do it, get it done, and make a significant change in things. The project called the "Christian life" must be accomplished and be completed.
But, what happens when they cannot accomplish the project of Christian living? What do they do when all their efforts are not enough, and their greatest fear of being a failure in getting the job done seems to be evident? It is then that they might conclude, "the Christian life doesn't work!" They often then respond by saying to themselves, "Maybe I haven't been decisive enough. Maybe I haven't been persistent enough. Maybe I haven't worked hard enough. Maybe I haven't buckled-down to get it done. Maybe I didn't attack it with enough effort and commitment." Back they go to approaching the Christian life as a "project" to be completed!
Other Christians approach the Christian life as a "promotional effort" to persuade everyone and to get everyone inspired. They want everything to be exciting. The Christian life is measured by the level of enthusiasm, energy and liveliness. These Christians thrive on spontaneity, emotion and zeal. They always want to be optimistic and up-beat. The objective is to be excited about being a Christian and living the Christian life, to be "on fire for Jesus." They want everyone else to get involved and to join in the exciting programs. Everyone should be personable, out-going and friendly. Everyone should feel good. Like cheerleaders at a pep-rally, they try to motivate and enthuse by being dramatic, entertaining and communicative. They want to whoop it up and be expressive. They conceive of the Christian life as a promotional effort for excitement.
But, what happens when life isn't always exciting? What do these Christians do when the energy level runs low, and when no one responds to the peppy promotion? It is then that they might conclude that "the Christian life doesn't work!" Their response is often to say to themselves, "I am unacceptable to God and to others," which is their greatest fear. "Maybe I haven't been zealous enough. Maybe I haven't been friendly enough. Maybe I haven't been personable enough. Maybe I haven't been convincing enough. Maybe I haven't been enthusiastic enough. Maybe I haven't been involved enough." Back they go to approach the Christian life as a "promotional effort!"
Other Christians approach the Christian life as a "panacea." They think that the Christian life should be pleasant and predictable. Their expectation is that the Christian life should cause everything to be peaceful and pastoral. With an aversion to conflicts and troubles, they think the Christian life should have no unexpected bumps and no curve balls. The Christian life should be consistent, conservative and traditional. For them security is found in that which is steady and stable and status-quo. In relating to others who are trying to live the Christian life, they want everybody to "get-along." They think that everyone in the church should be amiable, accommodating and cooperative like them. Everyone should be patient, loyal, faithful and contented, in order to work together as a family and a team. The objective is to have a safe environment of fun and fellowship, for the Christian life is viewed as a pleasant and predictable panacea.
But, what happens when their Christian life is not such a stable plateau? How do they respond when problems and conflicts arise, and when their greatest fears of an out-of-control chaos seem to be realized? It is then that they might conclude "the Christian life doesn't work!" Their response is often to say to themselves, "Maybe I haven't been loyal enough. Maybe I haven't been patient and accommodating enough. Maybe I haven't been faithful enough. Maybe I haven't been cooperative enough. Maybe I haven't been tolerant enough of others." Back they go to approaching the Christian life as the development of a "peaceful panacea!"
Other Christians approach the Christian life as "propriety." They view the objective of the Christian life as proper thinking and proper action, issuing forth in correct doctrine and correct morality. These Christians want to get everything figured-out accurately and analytically. They "study to show themselves approved." In their quest for truth and knowledge, they are conscientious about every detail. They think that if they can get everything down-pat and air-tight logically and systematically, then there should be precise procedures, techniques and formulas by which to lead an orderly and structured Christian life. In the process, they want everyone else to think like they do, and to agree and conform in thought and practice. The objective is to "do it right," "follow the rules," and "go by the Book." Then the Christian life will be proper, correct and right.
But, what happens when their Christian life doesn't go as planned and the tight structures fail? Inevitably they will find that everything isn't "proper" in their lives. It is then that they might conclude, "the Christian life doesn't work!" Their response is often to say to themselves, "Maybe I've been wrong." They hate to admit it. "Maybe I haven't understood it well enough. Maybe I haven't been studious enough. Maybe I haven't been disciplined enough. Maybe I haven't been exhaustive enough. Maybe I haven't been moral enough." Back they go to approach the Christian life as "propriety."
All Christians can see themselves in one or more of these misdirected approaches to the Christian life. We have all had a tendency to approach our Christian lives with a degree of self-effort. That is why the Christian life doesn't seem to work, because it will not work by our "works" of self-effort.
The Christian life works alright, but not because we try to make it work in a certain way according to our selfish propensities. The Christian life works only when Jesus Christ works in us. That is the way the life of Jesus worked on earth as a man. Jesus said, "the Father abiding in Me does His works" (John 14:10). In like manner, the Christian life works, for the writer to the Hebrews prays that "the God of peace...might equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ" (Heb. 13:20,21). The Christian life is Jesus working in us that which is pleasing in God's sight.
To the Philippians Paul wrote that they should "work out their salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). He did not mean that we should try to work out our Christian lives in accord with our self-oriented mind-set and approaches to life. Rather, those misguided ideas, approaches and orientations must be given up in order to recognize what Paul goes on to say, "God is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
The Christian life does not work if we try to "pull it off" by our pre-conceived agenda of patterned perspectives and approaches. Paul wrote that "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6). To the Thessalonians he indicated that "Faithful is He who calls you, and he will bring it to pass" (I Thess. 5:23). Who is going to bring our Christian lives to pass, and effect sanctification? God by His divine action! The Christian life is really God's business, not ours!
In his epistle to the Galatian Christians Paul notes that "it is no longer I who live..." (Gal. 2:20). It is not me trying to live the Christian life by my own self-expression, and my own expectations of what it should be. No one is going to be able to sing Frank Sinatra's song, "I Did It My Way," concerning their Christian life. Rather, Paul goes on to say, "Christ lives in me, and the (Christian) life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God" (Gal. 2:20). The Christian life is our receptivity of His activity.
Christianity is Christ! The Christian life is the life of Jesus Christ lived out through our behavior. The Christian life is not a project. The Christian life is not a promotional effort. The Christian life is not a panacea. The Christian life is not propriety. The Christian life is a Person, Jesus Christ. The Christian life is effected by the ontological presence and activity of the Being and Life of the risen Lord Jesus.
The Christian life is a process of allowing the Person of Jesus Christ to be lived out in us. It is not a project to get completed and finished. It is not a panacea to arrive at. It is not a promotion to get a "high" of excitement about. It is not a propriety to be properly enacted. The Christian life is the salvation/sanctification process whereby we are "made safe" and "set apart" from the dysfunction of trying to live the Christian life by our own effort and expectations, in order to function as God intended by the indwelling dynamic of the life of the risen Lord Jesus, the Spirit of Christ.
The Christian life is not static. It is not accomplishable. It is not promotable. It is not a plateau of pleasantness. It is not a systematic belief-system. The Christian life is the dynamic manifestation of the life and character of Jesus Christ, who is "the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6).
In John 15:5 Jesus is recorded as saying, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." Apart from Jesus Christ and His activity in and through us, we can do nothing that will effect the living of the Christian life. We must give up our naturally patterned approaches, and rely only on Him. "Not that we are adequate in ourselves, to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God" (II Cor. 3:5). With His divine adequacy and empowering, "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" (Phil. 4:13). We can live the Christian life through Jesus Christ, as He lives through our behavior.
Our argument has moved from "why the Christian life doesn't seem to work," to the recognition that "the Christian life works" by the out-working of the life of Jesus Christ. Christians must give up trying to make the Christian life work by their own efforts and orientations, and allow the life of Jesus Christ to be lived out through them