BELIEVE!

Believe! Such a simple concept. So simple of a concept that small children can grasp it.  Believe!  One can see this word being used everywhere today it seems.  A stand alone word that makes people smile.  Makes them want to hang it on their walls or place it on their mantels or coffee tables or some place where their visitors may see it and smile also.  People want to share their thoughts about their beliefs to encourage others about something.  But for me, that's the rub!
To believe we have to have an object of our belief, a fact, a person, a tradition. And these things don't necessarily have to be true to be believed. Misplaced beliefs have been with man since God created him.
Belief is an act of acceptance, "I believe that."  We believe a lot of things throughout our lifetimes and often our beliefs change. As children we believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, but as we grow we leave these childish beliefs behind and start accepting more solid or confirmed truths, or so we think.
There has been so much rhetoric bantered about in regards to the subject of believing, I wouldn't be surprised that many of those who visit this blog no longer desire to read anymore on the subject. I've grown weary of it, but that doesn't mean we should give up on trying to communicate what God wants communicated about believing.
One of my favorite books isn't the latest "hot off the presses" writings by one of the modern day gurus that people are flocking to for the answers to life's mysteries.  The answer to the "mysteries" of life have been given to us already, we just have to look for them where they will be found.  Of course, I'm speaking of the Bible.
Another name for a Christian is "a believer".  A believer of what? Oh the list is long and diversified! Belief in God.  Belief in Jesus.  The Church, the Pastor, the Pope, yourself, each other, the government (well, maybe not that one). Belief in traditions, belief in science, belief in extraterrestrials. Let me just say that belief and faith will most likely mean the same thing unless otherwise noted.
Let's agree on at least two "ground rules" as I begin this post, 1) only the saved are given the Holy Spirit, and 2) the Scriptures can only be understood and discerned correctly through the Holy Spirit's guidance in the life of a believer. This is the real spirit-filled life! In other words, one who does not believe the bible, or does not preach or teach the Gospel of Christ as revealed in the Bible is not saved (Gal. 1:8, 9). Other biblical truths may be up for debate, but not the saving grace of God as presented to all mankind through the inspired and infallible Word of God, the Bible. If we cannot agree here, then we cannot move on. And any other discussions will simply waste our time. Scripture to consider: 1 Cor. 2:14; John 3:3; John 14:17; 2 Cor. 4: 3, 4; 1 Cor. 2: 12.  Those should suffice.
Every believer at one time or another must admit to their previous condition and testify to their present condition as the beggar did in John 9:25, "one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 

So how does someone move from the realm of blindness to the realm of seeing?  The answer is found in John 3:18: He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. According to John 3:18 the only way to escape judgment, eternal judgment is to believe in the Son of God, Jesus. Again, belief is an act of acceptance. To accept the truth that the bible teaches concerning Jesus, that He is the Son of God/God the Son.  That Jesus is Deity and therefore the only means of salvation and that's only obtained through believing, or placing your faith in the truth of the Word of God. 

The marvelous thing about believing in Christ, is His salvation, is offered to all and is not dependent on anything accept God's grace. And God's grace is obtained through simple child-like faith or trust or belief. AND it is NOT dependent upon how great a person's sin is nor how minute man considers his sinful state to be. That's why God Word teaches us that ALL HAVE SINNED. The cure is BELIEVE/TRUST/ ACCEPT by faith what Jesus has done for us, all of us.

Rom 3:21-26 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demo nstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

The sin question has been set aside forever, and equal exercise of grace is extended to all who believe.  It never falls short of being the measureless saving grace of God. Thus grace cold not be increased; for it is the expression of his infinite love; it could not be diminished; for every limitation that human sin might impose on the action of a righteous God has, through the propitiation of the cross, has been dismissed forever. GRACE, Lewis Sperry Chafer, pg. 5

Belief does not require works, as the Law did.  Belief does not require commitment to Jesus' Lordship BEFORE one can grasp hold of the truths of God. It will move a believer to a life of obedience to Jesus, but that is through faith also.

The ending question on this post is DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS? And if not, what do you find so objectionable about him? What will it take to convince YOU that Jesus is exactly who he says he is?

May his love be shown to you and yours.  Let me know what you think of him. I'd love to hear from you.

BHFLU (1 John 4:19)

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WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

This was a follow-up question that Jesus asked His disciples in Mark 8.  First the Lord asked, "Who do people say that I am?"  Several responses are given, John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. I find it interesting that people responded with these guesses about who Jesus is. I find it even more interesting that people for 200 plus years have been guessing about Jesus, and still getting it wrong. With all the evidence that is available, people are still rejecting Jesus as God!

The first time mankind heard about who Jesus is was at the pronouncement of His coming to us, his birth. In Matthew 1:19-21 it is revealed  to Joseph that child that Mary (his bethrothed) was pregnant. Well Joseph realized this was a real pickle that he found himself in, so he decided it would be best (since they were betrothed and all) to break off the engagement and get rid of her. But an angel of the Lord broke the news (good news) that the unborn child was conceived by the Holy Spirit (God the Spirit). And then this amazing statement from the angel of the Lord in verse 21, "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." This Jesus saves! Jesus is the Savior!  Someone should have been taking notes!

Mary knew this even before Joseph. She knew even before this Child was conceived in her. While she was still a virgin, the angel Gabriel came to her from heaven and said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."  Wow!  That would surely blow your mind wouldn't it?  Never the less, Mary knew that the only way this was possible was if God made it possible. And that's exactly what happened.

To save time, space, and my dyslexic fingers, I will simply list a few other Scriptures that inform mankind that Jesus is God. This will not be an exhausted listing, for every verse of the text is not needed to make my point. But here are a few more examples. Please don't assume I'm right - look them up: Luke 1:67-79; 2:8-14; 2:25-32; John 20:30–31; 4:25–26; 8:58; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; 1 John 5:20.

Jesus wants us, His creation, to know that He is God.  Very simple. Quite uncomplicated. The pure and true Gospel. It's only when man gets hold of it that it gets muddled. And sometime it becomes a "different" gospel, but that will be for a different post sometime.

If Jesus would ask you "Who do people say that I am?" would you have to respond "I don't know Lord."? Would it be because you've never thought to ask anyone who they believe Jesus is? It's not complicated. It just takes a moment.                                              "Hey friend, do you know Jesus?  Do you know who He really is?"

Then there's that follow-up question, only it's not really a follow-up. You must be able to answer it first.

Try your answer out on me first if you like.    Go ahead.                            Who do YOU say Jesus is?

UNDERSTANDING GRACE

 The meaning of the word grace, as used in the New testament, is not unlike it's meaning as employed in common speech, but for one important exception, namely, in the Bible the word often represents that which is limitless, since it represents realities which are infinite and eternal. It is nothing less than the unlimited love of God expressing itself in measureless grace. - GRACE, Lewis Sperry Chafer, 1933

I can't help but wonder why people of all time periods can't seem to grasp the simplicity of this marvelous word, grace. Grace! The grace of God begins back in Genesis 1:1 where we read about the creating grace of God, and continues through Revelation 22:21 which says, "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all." Everything God has done with His creation from the forming of this world by simply speaking it into existence, to the presentation of His son to mankind, and the revealing of His plans through the end of time, God's grace has always been with us. 

When I look at the grace of God throughout the Scriptures, I believe that He has always intended to put His grace on display.  I believe it is the exercise of his loving kindness (hesed) on behalf of His creation. When I study what the Bible says about God's grace I do not see it as an action that has been reserved for Israel or the Church.  There is a "common grace" that is experienced by the unrighteous as well as the righteous, usually found in the words "blessed or blessing". 

And of course, I would be completely remiss if I didn't mention Eph 2:8&9  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

So what is so tough about understanding grace. Why have (are) theological wars been fought over something so beautiful and spiritual and has come to us as a gift from a beautiful and loving Father? 

What's your take on grace?  How do you see God's grace today?  What's your thoughts on how we are using, or abusing, the grace that comes from God?

I believe the topic of God's grace is worth talking about.  I also believe it's a disgrace to angrily argue with one another or to belittle one another in regards to God's grace. If we cannot be gracious about grace, then please do NOT comment here.  It won't get past the moderator anyways, that's me.  Be gracious, loving and smile when you write. I'm sure that God will smile back!

BHFLU (1 John 4:19)

I'd love to hear from all of you! 

Who am I?

I thought I should introduce myself before opening up this blog.  My name is Roger E. Olson, but I am not the professor Olson that teaches at Baylor and has written numerous books from the Arminian  point of view. Neither am I the Roger E. Olson that is the dyed in the wool Calvinist (if he exists). I am just another Roger E. Olson that loves Jesus and would like to blog about Him and His truths. Anything else can be found in my profile, but that's not really the important part of this blog.
So, with that said, let's get started!