Loud Thinking: Secure in Christ

“…… If God is for us, who can be against us?”   Romans 8:31b. Who can present any charge against God’s children in order to steal that confidence which is in Jesus? May the devil try to use our past sin to attack our conscience, may he whisper about our insufficiency to obey God in the past. Also he may use present struggles to saturate your mind of how miserable your carnal body is, better is for you to quit than to keep fighting he says. For it is easy to forget who is our captain when the storm comes through, as if we're holding the wheels. Dear children doesn't matter who is around you if you are holding your Heavenly Father’s hand. His direction is his protection, although the path is narrow, it is safe.

Saints are untouchable, not by their spirituality or their efforts but because they belong to God in Jesus. God goes on their defense when the enemy tries to bully on one of His children, for they are under His care. He is our anchor, He is our rock, He is our shield, He is our castle, He is our Salvation, He is our Lord, He is our Father, He is our Mighty Fortress, how could we be stolen if such a great God hold us unto His hand for His Glory? For God is with you, nothing will shaken you, just never grow weary or get tired of knowing who is the God holding you.

Thinking out-loud: “Christian” is a cheap label

A sophisticated society can't rest until their morality is justified by some sort of creed.  The label:             “Christian”seems to be the cheapest of all of them. You can add theword "Christian” to music, books, ideologies and philosophies, which do not find any agreement with the Scriptures. It will be sold, it will be popular, it will be highly emotional, but it will lack of the divine certification since it evidently contradicts the Word which God inspired. A “Christian” song can have an angelical melody but its lyrics will exalt the supposed spirituality of men through humanism. A “Christian” book may have eloquent and fancy writing but be in clear contradictions to the Scriptures. We may “Christianize” a tradition but it may be full of humanism. 

Things that may be labeled as “Christian” can push morals and standards in order to fit into the pseudo       “Christian”category but never be a Christ centered object or practice. It may be introduced into a political system but not into the hearts of man, it may be a push into a reformation but with no conversion. In actuality it denigrates God and exalts men, the majority may agree with it but if God doesn't, it is not worthy of our time. 

The Christian label in people is the most deadly of all.  It can have its assurance in outward expression without ever entering the heart; it can be eloquently superficial but never truly appreciated.  It means to fake conversion without regeneration, you may pretend to be a new creature and still be an old one. 

We should be ashamed of our self preservation, because of it we don't call things by their name, and we would rather have people like us than please God. We participate in the demeaning of our Savior as we share approval of that incomplete philosophy of miss-labeling things as “Christian”that are not. By acting as if His life was not worthy enough, as if His blood were not sufficient, and as if His love wasn't great enough, we insult our Savior by making Him something common or cultural. The label is cheap but the life is costly, it demands our death in order to live in Him. True Christianity is not a label.  It is Christ-centered living and if the Gospel or the glory of God is not the main priority in one of the“Christian” systems then it's not Christian, it is religious self-deception.

Self-Righteous Missionary Mindset

The gospel is our banner, our identification as ambassadors of Christ. Clearly we are called to proclaim it through all the world. It's a message worthy of our lives, because it demonstrates the glory and wisdom of God through it. Could there possibly be wrong or self righteous reasons for us to proclaim it? Why should we preach the Gospel? Why should we do missions? What should be the motivation behind our actions?

Before I keep going, let me define the word self-righteous: it is to pretend to have a moral superiority in contrast to others; a higher status not justly gained, but acquired by pretense.

With this definition of self-righteousness, here are some of the ways we can be self-righteous about our missionary efforts:

1. Ethnic distinctions: although it is true that a lot of indigenous people who live in remote areas haven't been reached with the Gospel, it is not their ethnicity that makes them a target for evangelism. They are men; that's what makes them a mission field. There is no one ethnicity better than another, for all have been damaged and cursed under the same malady.                

This applies as well to people who look at skin color and say that "those" people groups need the Gospel. There is no racial distinction of sinners before the eyes of the Lord; ethnic features are never the problem, but our silly mindsets of inherent racial superiority in who we are, can be an issue. 

2.  First world - third world mindset: some people do missions based on the fact that there are third world countries--as if the country's status made sin any better. This mindset can make people fall into the danger of making communities in third world countries more like first world ones, instead of simply preaching the Gospel. Let it be said that at the final Day, there won't be those distinctions of first world or third world countries, but simply the reign of our sovereign King. To think that men are a mission field just because they live in a third world country is to not see the implication of the missionary calling at all. It's not their sophistication that is at risk, but their spirituality.

3. Rich - poor mindset: this one can go both ways. Sometimes, rich or more wealthy people think that the poor need the Gospel simply because they are poor and they don't have a lot of the privileges the wealthier people have. Yes, there is a call in the Bible to help the poor; indeed, the Bible says that some in the early church would sell what they owned in order to help each other within the church with their financial needs (Acts 2:45). But again, being poor is not the real problem; a person's sin nature is the issue. It is equally wrong for the poor to think that rich people are in need of the gospel simply because they have more; the rich are men and they need the Gospel as well. No financial status makes a person better than another. Although one can harden your heart more, the need for Jesus is an equal reality for both societal classes.

4. Cultural mindset: although some cultures are more open in their paganism than others, it doesn't mean that those cultures where Christianity has been more influential aren't a mission field. There is one thing you need to know about culture: there are men in them, and they are sinners. So sin can spring from open paganism to a false sense of security in performance(??????????????????????????????????????idk what you're trying to say). Yes, there are men who need the Gospel in countries where they physically bow to idols, but there is also a need for the Gospel in countries where going to church is so common that it can give a false assurance. It's not just about going to church, it's about being the church. History tells us that there is no assurance for us that a society where Christianity has been highly relevant will not turn into a mission field later. Therefore, in all cultures we must preach the Gospel, for in all of them there are men in need of a Savior.

So in conclusion, the reason to evangelize, to do missions, is because men are sinners--men from every part of the world. There are unconverted people in the church, in third world and first world countries, among the rich and the poor, among every culture. Therefore, let's preach Christ to all the nations! There is not one human thing that makes one person better than another in our basic need for the Gospel. We all need it.

Without Christ:

The police man is going to be in the same place as the criminal.

The good father is going to be in the same place as the bad father.

The church attendant will be in the same place as the unchurched.

The soldier is going to be in the same place as the terrorist.

The conservative is going to be in the same place as the liberal.

The obedient son is going to be in the same place as the rebellious son.

Before God, we are all the same, which is why Paul says: “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;” Romans 3:9

Loud thinking: Modern Christianity

Christianity, to be a follower of Christ, to imitate Christ in such way where dying for Him wouldn't be a concern but a privilege. Oh Christianity, too  modern now, how much you've have changed, you've changed dignity for reputation, aligning yourself with the trends of the world and the culture to make yourself so relevant. You long to be the cool kid that gets along with everybody but instead have become the obnoxious kid that everyone avoids because you are pretending to be someone else in order to get along with everyone. What God commanded became an option for you, and only you seem to aim to moral changes, your singing is so loud but empty, you can play good melodies with no significant content. Your expositors and preachers can be eloquent, sofisticated and charismatic but so many times they forget that they work for God not for the people. Palatable sermons with too much sugar but no nutrients, too exciting but not instructive.

Your demands must be met because to agree or disagree is more important for you than to recognize Authority of God's word, you stone sincere and true prophets for the sake of just listening to a message of peace. You sell sheep clothing to wolves instead of giving the true Gospel that can turn wolves into sheeps. You claim to believe in fellowship but you don't realize that it just seems to be a mechanic activism of group of people with superficial struggles. You claim to go to heaven, and to be heavenly minded but your judgement is so earthly minded that it makes other religions sound more spiritual. You are willing to fight till the end over things that don't matter and you avoid the battles that will define eternity for many. Easily offended, you think that you are so worthy of respect that no one can confront you. You praise earthly titles and ignore great faith, you use the Bible for prejudices and not to set others free. You trust the arm of your efforts as if the Holy Spirit wasn't a helper but an expectator of your devices.

Oh please repent, that God is not done with you, despite of your silliness and naiveness He still loves you, that if in any form you find conviction of sins He still calling you. Oh can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior's blood? No I can't, but He is interested in us. A love that wasn't born in us doesn't die in us, a love that dwells in the eternity of who God is remains forever.

Planing and praying

Hello

Thanks for all the time you been praying for me while I was in the mission field. Back in the states things has been chaotic but good over all. This is an update of what is going on and what is my long term plan and also explaining what am I doing here in the states. I came thinking that I would go to a seminary but that didn't work out plus I didn't think that it would be wise to pour more years of theological training. I don't want to sound proud and pretend that I know everything, I don't mean that, I firmly believe that in the Christian life, you never stop learning, just not this time seminary wise.

Instead God has open the door to a pastoral internship program in Alexandria, Virginia. This is a training for those who want to be long term ministers and is a great opportunity to learn more about ministry living. Although, I ha some experience with it in the jungle I was struggling with it a lot, so praise the Lord for that. This internship doesn't start until August so meanwhile I'm working in Tennessee, saving some money to buy a car so I drive up to Virginia in August.

Also, 10 days ago I decided that I want to go back to Puerto Maldonado as a full time missionary, I don't think many people knew but I was a transitional Pastor. Which means that I was there provisionally not permanently, thankfully the church still having gatherings every Sunday. So even tho I decided to go back to Puerto, the Lord is going to confirm that by opening the doors necessary for it, and this is the main purpose of this update that you pray along with me for this. Probably this will be the last update on my life which I will post so I will mainly use my website to write articles, so if you have any further question feel free to text me.

In light of this I would appreciate your prayer regarding the following points:

1. Puerto Maldonado: so if I go back, it will be by a minimum commitment of 5 years to start off and for that I would need people to be on board with me as to pray for me and support me so be praying for me. I want to go back but only God can make this possible if it is His good will.

2. Character: Pray that I can find my sufficiency in the Lord, and to grow in holiness, wisdom, prudence and humility. And that even tho I'm reasoning a lot with truth lately because of different circumstances, I can trust God's Sovereignty.

3. Find a reliable car: I'm working and saving money to find a reliable car that I can drive up to Virginia, so pray that I can find the right one that doesn't break down and that my driving doesn't be too sanctifying to the people around me.

4. So the man who lived next to the church Gerardo had a conversation with my friend Dan two weeks ago and they talked about how Gerardo believes firmly he is saved and that he is ready for baptism. So that's an answer to a prayer, so at some point this year I want to travel back just to baptize him so pray that this be possible and also as Gerardo bears fruit of repentance as it seemingly been doing it.

5. There is a lot of paper work that needs to be done for my internship, so pray for it that it be smooth and fast. Like seriously, like press click and it's done, ok that's unrealistic, but you get the point.

6. Ministry opportunities: while I am in the states, I want to help other to grow in Christ and to be active as to reach others so pray for opportunities and as just live life, i share the Gospel with others. And there be opportunities to minister to others.

Feel free to ask any question that you may have.

Love 

Edher

An Exposition on Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NKJV

God only work good things for His people, and sometimes those good things doesn't always come in the way that we want them to come. But if you are a child of God you can have confidence that the Lord is working for the best in your life.

1. And we know that all things work together for good: there is an irony in this verse which the carnal mind can't comprehend but there is such a deep treasure in it. All things, not just somethings, not that which seems palatable to the vital senses of expectations but all things. God is not limited to move at the play of a dramatic piano tune or on the excitement of a Christian concert. Could you believe that your sorrows and troubles are being used by God to work things for your good? All things those sad, happy, weird, troubled, joyful and desperate moments in our life, in its whole God is using them to work things for your good.

But the question can come: what is that good which Paul is talking about? Romans 8 speaks of the final redemption in which the glory of God will be shown through His people and His Creation. In Romans 8:29-30 he says: 

                For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

The good is that we are being conformed to Jesus so we set our hope in that which we have in Him, the glory that will be shown through you on that day just by the fact that you are a child of God. In Christ there is an unshakable position which belong to us not by our effort but by trusting in Him, it's unshakable not because of our endurance but because of the nature and the character of the Giver of it.

All things, our earthly sorrows are temporary my friend. Could we abide in our sorrows on earth and ignore such glory to come? Could we still abide on the pain of being humiliated and rejected by our human limitations or imperfections and ignore that eternal gift of Glory? Could you abide on the disappointment of not following your friends agenda and lose fellowship but being satisfied with only having God as your friend? Could you abide on the penitentiary of your guilt when God has offered you forgiveness? Oh, what a Great God is calling us into fellowship with Himself and we just ignore it because things doesn't go our way. He is doing it for your good, but don't complain instead listen.

2. To those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose: there is an exclusivity in this promise, is not for everybody. It's for those who love Him, who are called to His purpose. For those who have been bought by the price of the blood of His son, such precious blood has bought your soul for redemption that you can't mess. Such a great purpose God has given us in saving us and calling us to Himself not only in this life but eternity.

Oh my soul, what could be more precious for self than the person who set us free for Himself, could our feeling of deception and disappointment drive us away from the one who gave us life? Oh my soul, be careful to not love things more than your Creator, Savior and Father, what can worth so much more than to be loved and personally cared by Him? Oh my soul, do not remain in sorrow and tears for He has give you a reason to rejoice, an eternal reason, such a worthy reason. To love Him, to belong to Him and to abide in Him secures your eternity, what else could you ask to Him who has given you all in Himself?

But the promise is to those who love Him, do you love Him? Do you consider Him the most precious thing you have in life? Do not let the rhythm of this world take away your relationship with God. But can you truly see Him in you? Do you love Him or do you share your love with other idols which take most of your time, thoughts and energy? 

There is an eternal rest and glory for the believer, meanwhile we await for it, we will have pain. Cry as much as you need but do not dwell in the ache of adversity, God is making all things for your good. Arise, beloved one; God hasn't forgotten you, be satisfied in the privilege that you have to come and to know Him deeply. But be careful, untroubled soul, that if you consider Him just an accessory to your life and not the whole of it, you may not love Him at all. Maybe not good thing is being work on you who set your mind on earthly affairs, but if there is such conviction of this, do not be discouraged because it may be the mercy and grace of God calling you to come to Him in His son Jesus.

He works all things together for our good, our good is to know Him deeply, to be like His son, to behold the Glory to come in Jesus. Cheer up, that your battles are not in vain but is giving that beautiful form of holiness which the world despise but is such a precious inheritance for the eternity.

Doctrinal Humility in a Postmodern World

Doctrine is so important that the Bible tell us of those who don't teach according to sound doctrine will be punished in eternal damnation. But also Humility is important because the Bible says in Psalm 138:6 “Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.” We live in an age where you cannot be humble and believe in sound doctrine at the same time, or if you are doctrinally outspoken, you are not humble or if you are humble, you won't be that vocal about your beliefs.

Let me explain myself, we live in a postmodern world where something means anything to everybody and that in someone's worldview love can mean that you give a heavy metal serenata to someone who goes to an independent baptist church. So, part of the church is trying to be the cool kid before the world, and it has adopted some postures that has damaged the view of Doctrine and Humility. 

How so? Doctrine is undervalued as a the set of rules, or exclusive pastoral intellect and the only reason for studying it, is because you want to  be super spiritual/phariseic/legalistic. Humility is mistaken by the simple act of shut up, being laid back and accepting everybody opinions even  if they are wrong and heretical sometimes.

The problem is that this is not what the Bible says about it, and we are going to explain this in 3 parts:

1. Doctrine: Is our belief system, is what we believe, when we talk about doctrine it doesn't mean a big theological lecture but it comes down to what we think about God, what we think about Jesus and self. There is only two main doctrines in this world: Christianity and any other form of man made religions that can exist in this world. Our doctrine determines our view about God and also our practical devotion to Him. See, you can talk about your experiences but the question comes down to how much of what you've experienced is biblically grounded.

Being doctrinal is not just being intellectual but is studying the word of the God we love in order to worship Him. There is a lot of warning against those who preach and encourage bad doctrine because to twist the words of the scripture is to twist what God wants to tell us. So doctrine is important because it help us to understand who God is in His Majesty, who we are in light of that Majestic God, what we deserve in light of our sin and how we can come to have fellowship with this amazing God. 

2.    Humility: is our attitude on how we feel about ourselves. How much you think about yourself tells us how important you think you are. In Christianity, there is a great gain to not think about self at all, but to think to be like Jesus. Blessed are the poor in spirit because the absence of self importance is the catalyst to faith in Jesus, a spiritual person who is poor in spirit is filled with Christ. So humility speaks also about our view and our submission to the person of Jesus Christ, because if we are full of self then we won't see our need for Him unless our self dependence is tear down. 

 2.a. Humility  and the outgoing: so humility its reflected by how we treat others, so  sometimes the humble thing to do for the outgoing personality is not to hide his personality but  to renounce to self. Speaking out of humility and love for others and not just because you like to be the center of attention. The sound doctrinal person is called to humility in order to edify others.

2.b. Humility and the introvert: this is the other side, those who don't speak must be humble enough to be bold in order to speak when they ought to speak. For humility in them is not to be lay back since that's their comfort but to step out for the sake of others. They may seem humble if they say nothing at all but it actually may be their flesh finding comfort in their quietness.

3.        Doctrinal Humility: after defining what both of them mean, we can say that doctrinal humility is to see doctrine for the purpose God intended for it. I know that sometimes what we know can take us to think too much of ourselves but we need to be humble and that humility comes by understanding doctrine correctly. What we understand about God in our doctrine will lead us to have a certain way to look at self, so if you doctrine is leading you to pride then you are not understanding it correctly even though you read the right books and hold the right confessions. 

As we study who God let us not waste our time saving our knowledge for a debate battle but use it to worship Him for who He is. You don't put worms next to a big peace of the finest steak so don't put the worms of your pride next to the wisest and finest words of wisdom from God. Because what we learn is not about ourselves but about Him, your worship, your diligence to study the scriptures and prayer is the evidence of how much you believe what you know. 

Let us persevere in being faithful to hold the thoughts of who He say He is, even if we live in a post modern age where the majority of the church makes a big deal of things that don't matter and underestimate those which matter. That's why we will have people complaining about music style for worship but never questioning the soundness of the preaching or of the lyrics of the songs we sing at church.  We will have people counting and boasting on decisions but we won't give attention to how much of them have been truly saved. We carry a lot of fire but little light, a lot of excitement but not much instruction, let us be doctrinal but humble, read your word and pray, know God and worship Him, study Christ and submit to Him.