The Necessity of Christ's Divinity for the Atonement

I have heard and often reasoned myself for the necessity of the divinity of Christ for the efficacy of the atonement. If Jesus were merely a man, and not God, then he could not pay for the sins of all who come. At best a perfect man could replace one other. I have never really seen this reasoning in Scripture, though, before this morning:

“Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of this life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, For he will receive me.” Psalm 49:7-9, 15

Was Joseph Just Lucky?

“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man. . . . His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” Then, after he was thrown into prison: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Gen 39:2-3, 21). As I read this, my heart cries out for the Lord to be with me in this way. So often I feel as though I am totally limited to my own human capabilities. I want God to manifest himself in my life. I want my life and ministry to be more than just what I can do.

So, was Joseph just lucky or chosen? Is there anything I can do have the Lord with me? Here is what Azariah prophesied to King Asa in 2 Chron. 15:2, “The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” Later, Hanani said to him, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him” (16:9). Joseph was not lucky or chosen, he simply took God up on his promises.

Diligence

I found an old book in my Dad's library, Watchman Nee's The Normal Christian Worker. I know Mr. Nee is criticized a good bit, but he also has some great things to say. Here are some of his comments from a chapter on the quality of diligence:

  • “A person who regards everything as a burden cannot be a faithful servant of the Lord” (14).
  • “Every faithful servant of Christ buys up the moments, and when he is not outwardly engaged he is inwardly active, waiting on the Lord in real heart-exercise” (15).
  • John 4:35 – “The time to work is now, not some future date. ‘Lift up your eyes and look’ He said, indicating the kind of workman He needed—one who does not stand waiting for the work to come to him, but one who has eyes to see the work that is already waiting to be done. . . . Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today” (15-16).
  • “Diligence is primarily an inward matter and is not measured by outward busyness” (16).
  • “Oh, that we might awaken to the weightiness of our responsibility, the urgency of the need around us, and the fleeting nature of time! . . . Let us, as dying men, give ourselves with all our powers to the dying around us” (19).

Quick to Believe

When the women reported that the angels had told them that Jesus was risen, “these words seemed tot hem an idle tale, and they did not believe them” (v. 11). “But Peter rose and ran to the tomb . . . and he went home marveling at what had happened” (v. 12). Peter believed; you can tell by how he responded. When walking on road to Emmaus with the two men, Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that he prophets have spoken” (v. 25). And he said to the disciples later, “Why do doubts arise in your hearts?” (v. 38).

Father, grant me a believing heart. Let me not be slow of heart to believe and have doubts arise in my heart. But instead, when I hear the Word of the Lord, let me immediately get up and run to the truth and see and live it for myself.

Reasons to Homestead

I received a great book for Christmas this year: Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self Reliance by John and Martha Story. As I read some of it, several ideas that have been swirling about in my mind emerged. I am coming to understand that homesteading is not easy. It is rewarding, but not easy. It takes time, energy, and money (at least at first). I am at somewhat of a crossroads in life where I can decide how much more to put into homesteading. I am beginning to think I should go ahead and put more into it. Here is a list of reasons why:

  • We can grow food that is good for us: fresh (at its height of nutrition), organic, and whole.
  • We can be producers instead of consumers. This is more than something you do; it is an attitude. God calls us to work and produce. We can see in our culture what happens to people who primarily consume and rarely produce. It allows people to see a certain standard of living as a right. Often it produces laziness, self-centeredness, and dependence on the system.
  • We can learn to build things and solve problems and learn skills for life. All of these things contribute to a broader, sharper mind and spill initiative and confidence over into other areas of life.
  • We can be more self-reliant . . . in a good way. Not independent from God or community, but from “the system.” From industrialization that focuses on mass production of unhealthy goods, from government, and from an economy highly dependent upon oil, gas, and transportation. In addition, the US economy is not stable right now. The vast amount of debt and the ridiculous solution of printing more paper money only ensure some type of economic crisis. Self-reliance may come in handy.
  • We can pass on homesteading skills to our children and grandchildren. “If I figured out the cost per jar in our pantry, that wouldn’t be impressive . . . . But none of that is important . . . to develop and pass along some country skills to children and grandchildren, makes it all worthwhile" (Storey's, xi).
  • We can integrate our children’s education into homesteading. I have already written about how important it is to allow education to take place in a real life environment as opposed to primarily a fabricated classroom/textbook type setting. All the work, problem solving, creativity, discipline, and business required for a homestead provide a wonderful learning environment.

Speaking at the NCHE Conference

I was notified last weekend that my workshop proposals were accepted and I will be speaking (for the first time) at this year's North Carolinians for Home Education Conference. I'm not yet sure which one(s) were selected or when they will be scheduled. Here are the descriptions:

Who’s the Boss?: Biblical Authority in MARRIAGE

God has established lines of authority in the home, including within marriage. Following God’s design for marriage is important for home education and effective ministry. But understanding biblical leadership and submission is not easy . . .  and even harder to live out. The Lordship of Christ in the home, as well as common misconceptions and misapplications of biblical authority, will be explored in this session.

Who’s the Boss?: Biblical Authority in PARENTING

Children are ever changing, complicated, individually unique little beings. How can we successfully love and teach them? How do parents establish control in the home and at the same time teach children to establish their own faith and motivation? Parents are given authority and responsibility from God to both discipline and disciple their children. In this session, the balance and timing of these two responsibilities will be explored.

Thoughts on Leadership

This is an excerpt from a larger entry in my journal. I am seeing some of my weakness as a leader, primarily that I am too reactive to my circumstances.

Leadership is obeying God no matter what anyone else is doing. Although a shepherd must be sensitive to the pace of his sheep, he cannot wait for them to head in the right direction. He must go ahead of them and show them the way with his very life.

A leader cannot allow the feelings, attitudes, and choices of his followers to discourage or distract him. A leader must be mature enough to live above the fray. He is steady and faithful no matter what his followers do.