Who is God?

Posted on by kevinjandt

What do you know about God?

Do you have a biblical understanding of God or some fallacy perpetuated by Hollywood or a concoction of your own mind?  You cannot be saved without a proper view of God, just as you cannot come to a proper view of God without a proper view of man.  I was saved when God’s word revealed His truth.

Psalm 18:31-36 For who is God, except the LORD?  And who is a rock, except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places.  He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.  You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great, You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip.

In the summer of 2009 we took a marriage course that our church was offering; I was excited hoping my marriage could be improved or maybe God would straighten out my wife as I’m sure she was hoping God would straighten out me.  I had no idea the plans God had for my life.  I had been a church going guy for quite a few years.  I grew up in a church going family.  My parents saw to it that we heard God’s word every Sunday.  Most people would say I’m a “good” guy or a nice guy.  “Surely God would not send you to hell”, but hell is where I was headed.

Why?

I had an improper view of God that told me God loved me and wanted to have a relationship with me.  He had a plan for my life….  Jeremiah 29:11.  Have you ever heard that before?  If you haven’t you’ve had your head stuck in the sand.  This is the message that is so popular today that is condemning people to hell and eternal torment.  God may have a plan for you but you may not like that plan.

Most everyone has heard “God loves you” or “Jesus loves you”.  God is “love” right?  Of course He is scripture affirms this (1 John  4:8).  But does this mean He will overlook sin and not punish the unrighteous?  This is a rhetorical question.  If you have read any of the Bible it would not take you long to find out the answer, if God doesn’t punish sin, why the cross?  Why would God pour out His wrath on His Son?  It makes no sense.  Without a proper view of God it honestly makes no sense.

Jen and I are currently in our fifth marriage course.  Yes, I agree with you, whatever you are thinking…

The incredible thing is God continues pour out His grace on our lives as we pursue to honor Him in marriage.  He saved us both in the first course and continues to refine us in every subsequent course.  Sometimes it has been very painful and sometimes very joyful but through it all He has been faithful.

Below I’m once again quoting from the Exemplary Husband by Dr. Stuart Scott. (Pages 17-28)  The companion book is the Excellent Wife by Martha Peace.  I cannot recommend these books enough.  They may shake you to the core but I promise it will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness if you will allow yourself to be trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

We must bring our view of God in line with His Word.  The following is not a complete study of the nature and character of God, but it should serve as a clear and brief biblical overview of who God is.1.       God is the sovereign, all-powerful Lord of all creation.

“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’”.  Isaiah 46:9-10

      God is Holy.

Who is like you among the gods, O Lord?  Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonder?  Exodus 15:11

The word holy generally means “set apart.”  Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, says that “God’s holiness means that He is separated from sin and devoted to seeking His own honor.”  There is absolutely no sin or evil in Him.

       God is a just judge.

Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.  Psalm 98:8-9

God righteously hates sin because it is an affront to who He is and His Kingdom, and because of what it does.  He must judge sin and He must judge every person.  All of God’s judgments are right and just.  He is the perfect judge.      

        God is merciful and gracious.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  Lamentations 3:22

         God is full of compassion.

He has made His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.  Psalm 111:4

         God cares for His own as the Good Shepherd and the perfect Father.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  Psalm 23:1

          God is love.

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  1 John 4:8

God’s Judicial and Parental Aspects Reconciled

… God does indeed relate differently to two groups of people described in the Bible.  If this distinction is not made between the saved and the unsaved, confusion about one’s relationship with God can result.  Every husband needs to determine the group to which he belongs before He can have a right relationship with God.

          God is angry at the wicked.

Due to the sin nature we possess through Adam, we all begin life under the wrath and condemnation of God.

God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.  Psalm 7:11

God will remain angry at the wicked unless they repent and will punish them in hell.  Even their good deeds are described as filthy rags by God…  (Isaiah 64:6)

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him (Christ).  For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  Romans 5:9-10

            God is faithful to His own.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1

We must have a correct view of God before we can exemplify Him.  A.W. Tozer wrote:

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.  The greatest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most {important} fact about any man is not what he at any given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like.

By faith every man must line up his thinking with each aspect of God’s person.  If one does not see God rightly, he cannot see himself rightly either.

I have barely scratched the surface of what scripture tells us about God.  If you are struggling today with an improper view of God or wondering about your salvation I ask that you commit yourself to the task of knowing Him.  You could begin with a study of these verses.  God’s Word is what saves.  It saved me.

Romans 11:35-36, Isaiah 46:9-10, Lamentations 3:31-33, Psalm 145:8-9, Isaiah 46:11, Psalm 50:21, Psalm 7:11, Psalm 103:9-11, Psalm 10:15, 1 John 3:1-3, Romans 8:1-4, Ephesians 1:5-6, Matthew 16:24, Luke 6:46.

Kevin

Shadow

Posted on by kevinjandt

My next post I plan to get back to my discussion about man and God.  Last time we saw that there are many wrong views of man.  There are also many wrong views of God, so I would like to discussion the wrong views of God and a scriptural understanding of God.  I need to take a quick detour today to discuss a relevant topic in our home.

This week our household was filled with sadness over the loss of our family cat.  Shadow Lee Harrington was about five and a half years old and was my oldest daughter Grace’s beloved cat.   When we first decided to allow her a cat it was a surprise for her 8th birthday.

Almost every year we enjoy a weekend with my cousin and his family.  The Lee family is kindred spirits with the Jandt’s.  We are all very like minded biblically, we love our time together, and their house is an animal paradise.  You name it, they’ve got, have had it or will have it.

Horses, dogs, cats, chickens, birds and I’m sure other critters.  There are always kittens running around.  We knew they had kittens when we went up that summer day in 2007 and our surprise for Grace was to start presenting her some gifts that were cat related.  As she looked at us with wonderment as to why she would get a food dish for her birthday, we told her she better go pick out a kitty that can eat out of it.  She was so happy to have an animal “that would love her back.”

Shadow was a beautiful silver gray cat and an outstanding hunter.  We decided we would allow him to be an outdoor cat when we brought him home.  Last week he didn’t come home and Jen found him on the road, he had been hit by a car.  It was a tough day for the girls and especially Jen.  It was the risk we took to allow Shadow to do what he loved to do and I’m sure next year the chipmunks will make a comeback as he had all but rid our neighborhood.

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows. 

The Lord knew the number of Shadows days.  He did not fall outside of the Father’s will.  This is incredible to me and I believe there is a lesson in this for our family.  I’m grateful for the time we enjoyed our family cat.  Grace loved Shadow he was valuable to her and to the family.

But we are more valuable than sparrows and cats right?  It says so and why do you suppose that is?

Matthew 10:33-34 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 

We have the ability to confess Christ to the world.  Shadow couldn’t preach the gospel.  He was a cat and God did not breathe His Spirit into him.  It doesn’t mean he wasn’t valuable but he isn’t eternal.  We are eternal and if you are a Believer in Jesus Christ you have an opportunity to confess Him before men.

We will miss Shadow.  The Lord continues to do what is best for His people despite our sadness in those moments.  These are excellent lessons about life and death.  We will all die someday; let’s mourn and preach for the living if they are outside God’s will.  This is valuable to God.

Kevin

What is man that You are mindful of him…

Posted on by kevinjandt

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?

Have you ever considered man and why God would be mindful of him?  This is really a deep and profound question, especially if you are a Believer.  If you have been saved you confronted this at one point in your conversion whether you realize it or not.

The gospel demands that you answer this question.

No matter what you might think about man; the fact that God considers man at all is all we need to know about God’s character.  I’ll save the “why would a good God allow suffering” question for another day.  Today let’s look at man and maybe we will all ask the question at a deeper level why God would be mindful of man.

You’ve heard different views of man and some of you might believe them or at least partially believe them.  Here are four false views of man as outlined in “The Exemplary Husband” by Dr. Stuart Scott – pages 31 & 32.

Man is basically good

Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Psalm 14:2-3 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.   They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, No, not one.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?

Man is getting better

2 Timothy 3:1-6 But know this that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power, and from such people turn away!

Romans 1:21 because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Psalm 81:11-12 “But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me.  So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels.”

Man can be good enough

James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing.  And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.

Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.

Man is a non-responsible victim of tragic and senseless circumstances.

Romans 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ

Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment; including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

These might be very basic truths for some readers but this may also be a revelation to others.  Maybe you’ve never truly understood the doctrine of the Depravity of Man.  At the core of the question lies the problem.  Man is incapable of saving himself.  Paul declares by nature we are children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1).  We have no hope outside of God’s intervention and that is why God is mindful of man, for His good pleasure and for His glory alone.  It’s not about you, it’s about Him.

Today if you’ve never considered your condition outside of God’s goodness listen to the words of Job, understand you need a Savior, and seek God’s mercy.  You cannot be saved unless you understand these words and realize your condition is hopeless.  Don’t let this moment pass you by.

Job 42:5-6 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You, therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Kevin

Count the Cost

Posted on by kevinjandt

What has your Christianity cost you?  If your Christianity hasn’t cost you something are you truly a Believer in Jesus Christ? 

I recently read an incredible article on the Seeker Sensitive Church Movement and I was reminded that I once enjoyed this type of “christianity”.  These churches appeal to man with a man centered theology.  It’s all about you and that sells well today.  They don’t need to talk about ugly things like repentance, submission and church authority.  That won’t keep butts in pews.  They’ll run out the doors faster than you can flash a Joel Osteen smile.

I’ve been thinking about this subject for a while now; it’s been sitting in my Ideas Folder for about a week.  I really wanted to get this one right and lay a couple things on the line.  Take a risk at offending people.  Not for the sake of offense but for the sake of the gospel.  If we read our bibles with even a cursory glance we know the gospel offends don’t we?  If we are truly living out our lives to the glory of Christ the gospel will rub people the wrong way?

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

Paul is making this as a statement of fact, but tucked into this little verse is the word desire.  What is your desire, because you can live a life going to church and being comfortable in your little world and never bother anyone?  That’s pretty simple it takes very little effort.  So the question still stands what has it cost you, must there be a cost?

Luke 14:26-33 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it – lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’  Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.  So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

The Lord tells us in very clear language there is a cost.

Do I really need to hate my family?  John Mac Arthur commenting from The MacArthur Study Bible: The “hatred” called for here is actually a lesser love.  Jesus was calling His disciples to cultivate such a devotion to Him that their attachment to everything else – including their own lives – would seem like hatred by comparison.

It might cost your family.  You must be willing to forsake your family and familial relationships for the sake of Christ.  Is He more important to you than your family, your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters and even your own life?  This is really hard stuff.  I love my family as most people do but are they more important to me than Christ?  Many will say “Well He’d never ask me to give them up.” He might not, but He might.  Are you willing?

It might cost your wealth.  Luke 18:22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me.”   Jesus knew this man was unwilling to part with his wealth so the Lord exposed His heart.  What is your heart?

It might cost your reputation.  Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”  For you to be persecuted for His sake you need to speak for His sake.  Have you shared the “Good News” with anyone lately?  You realize that good news is good right?  You might be thinking something like this, “Preach the gospel.  Use words if necessary.”

I respectfully disagree with this statement.  I wonder how many have been saved without hearing from a preacher and I don’t just mean a paid preacher.  I’m a preacher and you’re a preacher if you’re a saint (Romans 10:14).  Would Lydia have been saved if Paul had just gone into Macedonia and performed public service (Acts 16:14)? In my loudest voice NO!  This is a common argument from those unwilling to put themselves at risk to actually speak the good news.

Believer you must live a life that brings God glory, but you must open your mouth and speak.  It’s a matter of obedience and submission to God’s word and if you are saved someone shared the good news with you.  It’s your reasonable service to the One that paid the highest cost possible.

So today I hope you will count the cost and examine your life.  If Christianity is not costing you, maybe you don’t understand Christianity.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.  But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Kevin

Cheddar Cheese & God’s Unchanging Grace

Posted on by kevinjandt

I like sharp cheddar cheese.  I also like mild cheddar, but I like sharp better and I can’t remember when this changed because it wasn’t always that way.  I grew up as a young boy in the state of Wisconsin where it’s required by law to like cheese and the Green Bay Packers.  I’m a follower of the law and I like cheese and the Packers.  (It’s not really law in Wisconsin)

I was thinking the other night as I sliced some cheese off a wedge of sharp cheddar how much I’ve changed over the years.  I used to play with G.I. Joe’s, but I don’t anymore (admittedly it’s been a few years).  I used to like Stephen King novels but couldn’t imagine ever picking one up again.  I really liked my sin but God has caused change in me.

Why do we change?

God’s word calls us to change.  We should be growing in knowledge of God (2 Peter 3:18).  We should be growing in holiness and love; a natural outpouring of God’s grace in our lives.  Paul consistently prays for the Believers in the early church for sanctification and change.

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

God expects and demands that we change.  Granted I’m not sure He cares whether I prefer sharp cheddar to mild cheddar unless it’s a holiness issue but then again since He concerns Himself with every detail of my life, maybe He has a reason for this.

Does your life continue to change?

Are you growing in holiness and sanctification?  Are you being conformed to the image of the Son?  Has He begun a good work in you and you look more like Christ today than you did yesterday?  These are some serious questions that should force us to examine our lives.

There is only One that never changes.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

He never changes, I must change… to change in Christ I must be diligent.

2 Peter 1:5-11 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If your life is not being characterized by a change to the glory of God, I pray you will meditate on these words and seek Him today while He can be found.  Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will lift you up.

Kevin