Theology Ponderings

The Way of Happiness - Sabbath

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 19:19:00 +0000

Christianity promotes our happiness and flourishing both with God and with others.

The human condition causes us to see the law as a burden as if God wants something from us. God has no deficiency or need of anything from us. In our natural state, we tend to perceive the Sabbath as if God is needy. Quite the opposite, the Sabbath was made for man. Man is needy and needs the Sabbath for rest, friendship with others, relaxation, and fellowship with God.

The Sabbath asks us to believe that with God we can do more in six days than without God in seven. When we live God's way we find that he will bless our work and we have gained a full extra day!

The law unexpectedly is often the opposite of what we naturally perceive. We think in our natural state that God asks us to take the hard way. The truth is the way of God is easy and light. Sin is the hard path and God asks us to join in his happiness if we will believe.

Try the way of God and have a day of rest. Taste and you will see that God is good.

Faith

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 03:30:00 +0000

Faith is hard because it is so easy. What are the steps we want to ask? Have faith and believe.

No really? What must be done? Everything has already been done is the answer.

In many ways the difficulty of faith is we want life on our own terms. We want to create the solutions, to solve the problems, and to be in charge.

Jesus comes and simply asks that we believe that he is in charge and already has solved the problems.

Evil

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 03:23:00 +0000

A common idea in Christianity is the philosophical notation that evil is an absence of goodness or a perversion of goodness. I suppose this idea is fine and I cannot see that it leads to anything in and of itself, but I also cannot see that it is true.

I believe that it is the sort of the idea that if we dismiss the teaching of God on the devil and demonic realm we feel tempted to believe.

It also leads the other way our definition of evil can tempt us to dismiss the demonic world.

Evil at its worst seeks to destroy. I cannot see how we can say the devil is in any sense lacking in goodness or perverted in goodness in his attempt to destroy Job.

None of this is very key, but I do think that by refusing to allow evil to have a seperate class or category than good we fail to grasp the seriousness of the problems of the world.

There must be some good end or aim in an action or perversion of good if evil is an absence of good. It seems of use to allow evil to be its own entity rather than to grasp it is some sort of perversion of good.

It seems that along with the categorization of evil as a subset of good often comes the denial or spiritualization of demonic forces. Such slippage of knowledge opens the door to all sorts of problems.

I have only met truly penetrating evil and work of the devil in places where people see the demonic world as some sort of allegory of scripture. And here is the problem with the definition we cannot carry its implications through scripture without risk.

This would suggest the definition is in fact wrong. If we hold to the definition anyhow we must be careful to not allow man made definition to override clear scriptural teaching as has at times been done.

Death, Time, and Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 01:30:00 +0000

Recently my wife passed away. When you lose everything, in a way your entire life as it was, it brings a certain new perspective to life.

All the things which used to matter often no longer seem of significance. You realize how small many prior concerns really were.

Until we have seen death so may things feel important. Then we realize all which matters after having lost everything in a way.

I suppose that the eternal perspective of scripture would say that we think in very small terms. All of life has to be viewed in perspective of eternity with God.

Context and Love

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 00:03:00 +0000

All scripture speaks to us. God is speaking and when we open scripture we can expect God will have something to say. Sometimes we miss the point of what God is trying to say. Sometimes we are not sure what the point is of what God has to say.

God is always speaking. He is searching to save the lost and bring a message of the love of Jesus to those who listen.

Love is the ultimate Christian virtue. One of the easiest ways to spot the misuse of scripture to see when scripture is used without a lack of love.

The Devil tempted Jesus from scripture, but he did not love God or Jesus. That the Devil was tempting showed that he hated and the use of the text was not in accord with the will of God.

God comes in love to save us and bring us to himself.

Building Up

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 16:27:00 +0000

As people of the church we strive to build up others. Building others is the central focus of going to church. The church is a body and we care for others in the body of the church.

It is easy to focus on ourselves and forget that the church is for others and to up-build others. We build up others and others build up us.

Alone we are weak, but together we are strong. Working together the church can bring grace and healing to the world through the gospel of Jesus.

Faith is about Joy

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 01:22:00 +0000

Faith is about finding joy in God.

When we have joy in God our lives will spill forth into blessing the world. This is why Augustine says "Love God and do what you please."

We often ask "Where will we be of must use in serving God?" Often we can best answer this question by asking "Where are we most happy when serving God?"

Our joy in service is the most authentic validation and effective spreading tool of our witness. To serve Christ is to have joy.

The Love of God

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:16:00 +0000

God is always with us even when we do not see his presence. We are often to close to things to see the hand of God.

When we do not see what God is doing we are called to live by Faith. Faith that God is at work even when we do not see it. Faith that God is at work even when we do not see how God could be at work.

God is always for us and working for our good. It is often not easy to see, but though Faith we trust in God and that God's ways our better than our ways.

Perseverance

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:51:00 +0000

Perseverance through hard times can be difficult. God calls us to perseverance in our faith. Fortunately for us any task God calls us to do God also gives as assistance to do.

The assistance can be in many forms: the Spirit of God in us, prayer, scripture, the church, friends, or family. Whatever God has called us to perseverance through God has also provided us resources to succeed. Our Father in heaven loves us even when we go through struggles.

Listening to Scripture

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 21:28:00 +0000

At times we are tempted to think Scripture is hard to understand. There are certainly passages which challenge us.

It is important when approaching Scripture to focus on what we do understand. We can always seek greater understanding of many mysteries, however, we should never feel that Scripture is a mystery to us.

God has revealed a multitude of truths about himself and the world to us in the bible. If we do not understand all of scripture that should not discourage us from understanding and learning what we can.

As we grow more and more of the message of scripture will become clear to us.

Thought and Feeling

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 23:40:00 +0000

Living for Christ requires thought. It is easy to think of living for Christ as living based off of feeling.

Certainly we must live for Christ with the feeling from our heart, however, without the assistance of thought our direction will easily end off. Living for Christ, by feeling alone often causes living from good intentions with little impact.

To have impact for Christ we must live from our heart and our mind. We must feel what we do, but also think and know why we do what we do. We live most fully for Christ when we use both our heart and our mind.

Faith

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:50:00 +0000

Faith is trusting in God's goodness to us even when we do not see how God is with us. It is easy to judge many of the characters in scripture for their faults.

We have never done this or that we may think. The problem of course is that if we look inside ourselves we have rarely been called on to have faith.

Trusting God when the going gets rough is the essence of faith. When life is good we should seek to be a blessing to others going through times of difficulty.

Scripture teaches us that God works all things for the good of those who trust in him. Faith is trusting in the promises of God even when we do not see how God will make good on his promises.

Mutual Benefit

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 23:24:00 +0000

The human tendency is to see the world as a zero sum game. One persons win is another persons loss.

In reality the world often offers the tendency for our "winning" to be a blessing for others. If we look towards success as a way to bless others we will often find opportunities to bless others in what we do.

Christ calls us to be a blessing to the world. As we search for success we should always aim to bless others in the process.

Expression

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 18:58:00 +0000

It is important to express how we feel. If we do not express what we feel we do not fully connect with our feelings. God understands our need to express our feelings.

The bible thus repeatedly offers ways for us to express our feelings. Pray and Singing are ways of expressing our feelings to God. God beckons us to pray and the bible repeatedly speaks of spiritual songs and offers a songbook in the Psalms.

God not only asks us to speak, but also promises to listen. We will not always receive the response we wish from God, but God is actively listening and engaged in dialogue with us if we have eyes to see.

Many Opinions

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 03:55:00 +0000

There are many opinions in the world. We cannot please everyone. We must always live to please God.

If we are right with God then all is well. Christ's love should flow though us into the world.

Often we worry to much about what others thing. In the confusion of the world we should look to God. If God is pleased with us then we are on the right path.

Being a Blessing

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 14:45:00 +0000

As Christians we live out our faith by being a blessing to others. Thinking of others has a beneficial effect on ourselves.

The world suggests that thinking of our-self first and for most is the key to happiness. Thinking of our-self and not others has an emptying impact on our soul.

As we think of others we find that we are more full rather the less full. The bible calls us to joy in God and joy in proper relation to others. By living as Christ taught us to live we will find true joy.

Who are we?

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 05:10:00 +0000

Who are we? There are many answers to this question. The most important answer is that we are a child of God.

God loves us and sent Jesus into the world to redeem us. As we gather for Christmas there are many valid answers to the question of "who we are."

The most fundamental answer, however, is that we are a child of God. All other answers find their most true meaning once we see ourself as a child of God.

Rest

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 17:23:00 +0000

Rest is an important part of the Christian life. We often feel pressure to do more and be more.

Jesus when he was tired often went into the wilderness to pray. We are to follow Jesus. For Jesus ministry included rest.

The bible repeatedly speaks of rest in the Old Testament (the Sabbath) and the New Testament. Rest is part of God's plan for Christians and helps us to be more effective in what God has called us to do.

Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 03:36:00 +0000

Living by faith we become who we were meant to be. The world defines freedom as living as we please.

The world's view of freedom leaves people empty. Living as we please leave one empty. In truth doing what we please is being a slave to sin.

True freedom is found in Christ. To find freedom is to make peace with God.

Living in Light of Grace

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 14:59:00 +0000

As followers of Jesus we live in light of Grace. We are asked to follow Jesus actively.

Often the focus we hear from others is on how we should not live. It is as if avoiding sin is following Jesus. We must, of course, live in a manner worthy of God, however, living by faith is not simply avoiding sin.

Living by faith is actively following God. Actively being a blessing to others. Living by faith is a courageous boldness that demands that we do.

We must also be holy. But being holy without actively living out our faith is not possible. To be different than the world we must love the world. Unmerited and flowing love is the mark of true Christian living.

Being Good vs. Appearing Good

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 01:17:00 +0000

At times in life we are presented with the choice of being good vs. appearing good. It is often that to appear good to the masses a person must subvert the truth or make others look bad.

Often those who look good are simply those who most evilly make anyone who opposes them look bad. We find many people who are only seen as good because the people that know their flaws are too afraid to speak against them.

Sometimes being good and doing the right thing is not popular. If we choose to be good we will be perceived as bad simply because what we do is not popular.

In the perspective of this life things are often scrabbled. But we live not in view of this life, but the life to come. Jesus bids us to follow him and live according to the will of God rather than the opinion of man.

Not Yet to God's Promises

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 17:39:00 +0000

Often we feel issue with God's promises. God's promises seem to not be being fulfilled.

The issue of course is with our stance and perspective. We do not see God's promises in the light of eternity and we lack the patience to look past the moment.

We often err when we read scripture because we do not see that God's promises will be fulfilled, but not according to our timeline. Some promises will not be fulfilled until the age to come. If we have eyes to see then we can see the truth in God's words.

Opinion

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 05:33:00 +0000

There is only one opinion which matters in the end that of God. We often are pulled in may directions by many voices.

We need to have courage to have one thought. To think only of following Jesus.

If God thinks well of us we should be satisfied that we are living well. All other opinions are of no value if they conflict with the will of God.

Loyalty

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 00:35:00 +0000

Loyalty is a virtue often forgotten in the current day. It is a difficult virtue to practice as loyalty requires multiple people to practice the virtue together. Loyalty is an a sense a communal virtue.

We can seek to be loyal, but if others are not willing to have loyalty then true loyalty cannot exist. We should still see value in seeking to be loyal people in the world.

Often we must do the best we can in the world. To try to see what we can do rather than to give up and say that nothing can be done.

Speaking by Example

noreply@blogger.com (theologyponderings) — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 19:04:00 +0000

As Christians our lives matter as much or more than our words. If we speak of compassion we will only be listened to if we live with compassion.

Our lives are a picture which shows others more than our words. We must be before we can credibly speak.

Once we are someone then natural when we speak people will have more interest in listening. In our age of self promotion authentic living is Christianity's opportunity to speak to the world.

We must be people who's lives need no marketing.