We love the idea of Jesus dying for us but us dying for him?. . . that’s another question.
But it’s a question we don’t get to take a pass on. In fact, it’s the question Jesus puts to every person who seeks to be a true disciple. Are you willing to lay down your life for him? If we’re not asking ourselves this question, we’re not reading the Word. Do you serve the God of the Bible or a god you’ve created in your own mind?
Many people are fond of calling Jesus a “great philosopher”. What a joke! When was the last time a “great philosopher” went around telling people he the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, and has the power to forgive sins? Saying something we are comfortable with and we think sounds good, without reference to the Word, is how destructive ideas get started.
It’s really a question of what kind of Christian you’re going to be. Is your faith based on the experiences you’ve had, how you feel, what makes you comfortable, and a few favorite Scripture references? Or, is your faith based on what the Bible actually says, in its entirety?
I have an acquaintance who thinks Jesus is just great! But when it comes to the miracles . . . gotta ditch those! And then there’s all that stuff about how we’re supposed to live – so out of step with modern times. Those pages have to go! After my pal finished dismissing, disqualifying, and dismembering the Word, all that was left was what he was comfortable with. The only god he is willing to serve is the one he likes – the one he invented with scissors.
Is this your approach to God and the Word – ignoring or dismissing those things you don’t really like? This is the approach of modern Christian religion, which will lead you down a thousand theological rabbit trails. We all make many claims, many statements, about what we believe and the God we claim to serve but when it comes down to it, being a biblical Christian isn’t about you and I being the arbiters of what God gets to do or opposing what he says because we don’t like it. We didn’t build a golden calf but we may as well have. When we assume this posture toward the Scriptures, we’re elevating ourselves above God and making him in our image. Who wouldn’t love the god they made?
This is the big question we’re exploring today. Check out today’s episode: Are You a Biblical Christian or Are You Just Faking it?
**********
Do you want to build positive communication patterns in your marriage? Speaking words of Affirmation into your husbands/wife’s heart each day is a beautiful way to communicate in every marriage! These books are available right now!
Simple, powerful words to bring life, healing, hope, and joy to your marriage
We hope both of these books — 100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband Needs to Hearand 100 Words of Affirmation Your Wife Needs to Hear (sold separately, or together as a bundle!) — will encourage and inspire your own relationship with your spouse.
Our new books aren’t just theory but show how we “do” marriage. These books are, literally, a window into the relationship we have and how we walk out our marriage, day-to-day. These new books are designed to encourage and equip you in your own marriage.
Every one of us has tremendous power to either build others up or tear them down through the words we speak every day, and nowhere is this more evident than in our marriages.
Are you being purposeful in how you use the power of your words to speak encouragement, strength, and love–breathing life into the heart of your spouse? Or are careless words having a negative impact on your marriage and on the heart of the one you love most?
We want you and your spouse to discover the powerful ways you can build one another up in love with the words that you choose to say every day–words that every husband and wife need to hear. These marriage books offer you 100 Things to say to your husband or wife that deeply encourage, affirm, and inspire.
Start speaking these words into each other’s lives and watch your spouse – and your relationship – transform before your eyes! Get your copies right here – 100 Words of Affirmation Bundle
********
Friends, would you consider supporting the effort to spread the message of FAITHFUL LIFE podcast, FaithfulMan.com, Club31Women.com? We need your help. There is a great deal of time and expense associated with these efforts. It is through the giving of faithful ministry partners that we are able to continue to offer these resources. Here is what we’re asking:
We are deeply grateful,
Matt & Lisa
Matt Jacobson is a biblical marriage coach and founder of FaithfulMan.com a biblical marriage, parenting, and discipleship ministry providing written and audio teaching, as well as couples marriage coaching. He is the co-host (with his wife, Lisa) of Faithful Life Podcast and is author of the bestseller, 100 Ways to Love Your Wife. Matt is pastor of Tumalo Bible Fellowship and is married to Lisa, founder of Club31Women.com (they have 8 kids!).