"OK, I understand that the blood of Christ covers all sin. And I understand that there is nothing I can add to the equation. But here’s my question: If God, for Christ’s sake, has completely forgiven me for all my sins, past, present and future, then what is to stop me from just going out and sinning all I want? I mean, is the law meaningless for Christians? Does God now condone sin? Doesn’t he want me to stop sinning?"
That’s already four questions. And they are important. Let’s go through them one at a time, and see if any more crop up along the way.
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Program Transcript (click to view):
I read an interesting story
about a boxer in the 1930s named C.D. “Bigboy” Blalock. Bigboy once took a
fight against a boxer from Mississippi whose name has long since been forgotten. In
fact, it seems the only reason Bigboy’s name is remembered is because of what
happened in that one fight.
Now Bigboy was a powerful
man with a devastating roundhouse punch. He decided to try his big haymaker
against the boxer from Mississippi, but at that very moment his opponent stepped
in close.
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Program Transcript (click to view):
It seems to be great sport in some circles today to question,
undermine and ridicule Christian faith.
The whole idea of God is a delusion, argues the noted atheist,
Professor Richard Dawkins. Others say that religion has had a negative impact
on human society and should therefore be banned. Some believe that those who teach
religious concepts to children be considered guilty of child abuse. And recently
published books ask us to believe that certain extra-biblical “gospels” may
give us deeper insights into understanding Jesus than the New Testament.
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Program Transcript (click to view):
Before
Christ was crucified, Peter was with him, eating, living, and interacting with him
for at least three years. Yet, when crunch time came, Peter vigorously denied
his Lord three times. Along with all the other disciples, he fled into the
night, leaving Jesus to face crucifixion alone.
Three
days later, the risen Christ appeared to these very disciples; those who had
denied him and run away. Several days later he appeared to Peter, James, and
John while they were casting nets from their fishing boat, inviting them to breakfast
on the shore.
We had the King James Bible, perhaps with the words of Jesus in red. There was a column down the middle of the page that had some occasionally helpful references, and perhaps a wide margin where you could add your own "inspired" commentary. Like Henry Ford’s automobiles, you could have any color you wanted, provided it was black. And there was no question that this was the word of God.
After mentioning a long list of heroes who were faithful in difficult times, the author of Hebrews now addresses the readers directly, encouraging them to follow the example of the faithful. They should acknowledge the hardships they encounter — even be encouraged by them — and complete the journey they have begun.
It is easy to have faith when everything is going well. But faith is needed most when we face danger. The "faith chapter" continues with stories of how people remained faithful in life-threatening situations.
Hebrews 11 is a description of faith in action — how God’s people have always lived by faith. In this chapter, several verses are devoted to the example of Abraham, whom Genesis says specifically believed God (Gen. 15:6). He is rightly called "the father of the faithful."
In Acts 11, Luke takes us back in time and fills us in on some developments in Antioch in Syria. Greek-speaking Jews had been telling gentiles "the good news about the Lord Jesus." Many gentiles believed and repented (11:20-21). This was "evidence of the grace of God" (11:23). Through the work of Barnabas and Saul, many people "were brought to the Lord" (11:24). These phrases are descriptive of what the gospel of Jesus Christ does.
The Antioch Christians talked about the Messiah Christos so much that they became known as the Christianoi (11:26).
For an overview of whatwill be covered in this article, read Genesis 12 - 25.
Abraham is without question one of the outstanding individuals of the Old Testament. God spoke to him personally, actually visited him in his home and even considered him a friend. And Abraham loved God. He obeyed him, served him, and was even willing to sacrifice his son to prove his faith. Abraham is a biblical superhero, richly deserving a place in the Old Testament Hall of Fame. But are his experiences something you can personally relate to?
It used to be so easy, didn’t it?
After mentioning a long list of heroes who were faithful in difficult times, the author of Hebrews now addresses the readers directly, encouraging them to follow the example of the faithful. They should acknowledge the hardships they encounter — even be encouraged by them — and complete the journey they have begun.
Hebrews 11 is a description of faith in action — how God’s people have always lived by faith. In this chapter, several verses are devoted to the example of Abraham, whom Genesis says specifically believed God (Gen. 15:6). He is rightly called "the father of the faithful."
