Volume 5, Issue 14

Newsletter Date April 10, 2013

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Christian Worldview Weekly

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CHRISTIANS: HOW CAN WE KNOW?

Putting First Things First
John Calvin (1509-1564) Who coming after me. Here he says two things; first, that Christ was behind him in the order of time; but, secondly, that he was far before him in rank and dignity, because the rather preferred him to all. And I knew him not. That his testimony may not be suspected of having been given either from friendship or favor, he anticipates such a doubt, by affirming that he had no other knowledge of Christ
The Colson Corner Who is A.W. Tozer?
http://www.worldviewchurch.org/ worshiparts/articles/19543-whois-aw-tozer-and-why-should-welisten-to-him

than what he had obtained by divine inspiration. The meaning, therefore, amounts to this, that John does not speak at his own suggestion, nor for View the world in love, the favor of man, but by the inspira- Gregg tion of the Spirit and the command of God. Quote of the Week Where dwellest thou? By this example we are taught that from the first, rudiments of the Church we ought to draw such a relish for Christ as will excite our desire to profit; and next, that we ought not to be satisfied with a mere passing look, but that we ought to seek his dwelling, that he may receive us as guests. For there are very many who smell the gospel at Continued on page 2

Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.
C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963)

Headline Story of the Week

Bracketing MoralityThe Marginalization of Moral Argument in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate By Albert Mohler Somewhere along the way, standing up for gay marriage went from nervy to trendy. This was the assessment offered by Frank Bruni, an influential openly-gay columnist for The New York Times. Brunis column, published just in the two same-sex marriage cases now before it, is a celebration of the fact that, as he sees it, same-sex marriage is soon to be the law of the land, whatever the Court may decide. The trajectory is...
Click URL to complete story: http://

Worldview: Willing to be Hated?

http://www.colsoncenter.org/ the-center/columns/ worldview/19461-willing-to-be -hatedDevotion of the Week
The Right Defense: http://
www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/ ancient-paths/19523-the-right-defence -the-blessing

as the Supreme Court was poised to hear oral arguments

www.worldviewchurch.org/wvc-digest/ featured-articles/19508-bracketingmoralitythe-marginalization-of-moral-

CHRISTIANS: HOW CAN WE KNOW? CONTINUED

a distance only, and thus allow Christ suddenly to disappear, and all that they have learned concerning him to pass away. And though those two persons did not at that time become his ordinary disciples, yet there can be no doubt that, during that night, he instructed them more fully, so that they soon afterwards became entirely devoted to him. Excerpts from Calvins commentary on John 1:19-42. Christianity FAQ Pastors are often asked by newcomers and seekers, How do I become a Christian? and How do I know if I am a Christian? They may go on to ask whether they are supposed to see bright lights flashing, or if there will be a sudden change in their lifestyle and behavior. Sadly, some respond to such questions too glibly: If you are saved, you will know it. But questions like these from those seeking the Lord should be taken seriously. All believers, not only pastors, should be prepared to give a meaningful and insightful answer from Scripture. One of the better testimonies regarding recognizing oneself as a Christian is given in John 1:19-42. This is a record of a 3-day event when John the Baptist gave witness to the Christ as the One who was spoken of in the Old Testament prophecies. The Apostle John has made some bold claims about Jesus in the preceding verses and, in this passage, he shares the testimony of John the Baptist to back up those claims. Taken together, Johns comments about the Lord Jesus constitute a kind of prolegomena or, first words, about the nature of Christian faith. The One Who has come John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah for whom many in Israel had been waiting. He assured the Pharisees he was not the Christ and then quoted Isaiah 40:3 telling them he had come to tell everyone to make straight the way of the Lord (1:23). This is the first step of preparation for anyone who is wondering if he is a true believer: All true believers recognize their need for a Savior and embrace Christ as the Son of God Who has come to save the world. John viewed Jesus as the One coming after him, the strap of whose sandals he was not worthy to fasten. He was implying a question, Do you believe Jesus is God incarnate; fully God and at the same time wholly man? No one can be a Christian who does not begin the journey of faith at this point, believing in Jesus of Nazareth as God the Word incarnate. The divine calling conveys knowledge of the Christ Johns second proclamation effectively challenges us to ask, Do you recognize your knowledge of saving faith as a gift from God? It is not enough to recognize Jesus as a good teacher, a good man, or even a great man with a provocative philosophy of life. These are important issues, but the larger question concerns how we come to know that Jesus is God. This is primary to Christianity. If you question this, you question the foundation stone of justification by faith alone.

John the Baptist is telling us his knowledge of the Christ was given to him by God. It didnt come to him because he grew up with Jesus; it didnt come to him because he worked it out from some secret code found in the Old Testament. It didnt come to him because he was a good guy doing good things. John tells us that he did not know Him (Jesus as the Christ) until the Lord told him Jesus, on whom the Spirit descended like a dove, was the One. Thus Johns proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world came to him from God the Father by divine illumination. Knowledge of saving faith never comes by works; it is always the result of Gods gift and calling, in which He enables us to understand the unique character and work of Jesus Christ. Where you live I will live His third and final proclamation was Behold, the Lamb of God! When Johns disciples heard this they understood it to mean follow Him. Their decision to follow Jesus is understood in the question, where are you staying? They were not seeking information about the physical location of Jesus house; they wanted an invitation to follow Christ as disciples. They knew it is not enough to just have knowledge of Christ as a man; they needed to know Him as the Son of God. Jesus response for them to come and see,

and their subsequent following tells us they were seeking more. Jesus knew they had been called by God, had recognized Him as the Messiah, and now wanting a new way of living they followed Him. The greatest test of faith is what we do with our life after we know Christ as Lord. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-10 we were not saved because of good works but saved to do good works. This is not Lordship salvation in the sense we have to work out our salvation before we were saved. This is Lordship salvation in the sense we are now working and following the doctrines of the faith in grateful and loving response to a salvation freely given to us by God. This is a must for the believer; as James says, our faith without works is a dead faith, making it meaningless. Living where Jesus lives involves our acts of appreciation for the greatest gift we will ever receive. It is sometimes difficult for a believer to know and understand what came first, then second, and so on in the process of saving faith; but it is impossible for someone not called by God to understand or concern himself with issues of faith. Thus the Apostle Johns purpose in this passage is to change how we look at God, how we evaluate our salvation, and how we view the world in general as a believer.
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By including the narrative of John the Baptist and his disciples recognizing Jesus, John the Apostle has given us the first three principles of saving faith. First we must recognize and receive (Jn. 1:12) Jesus as the Son of God, not just another great teacher, but as the Savior of the world. Second, immediately upon knowing who Jesus is we will understand this knowledge has come to us as a gift or calling from God. Nothing in the heart of sinful man gives him a desire for faith or the knowledge of faith; this must come from the giving of the Holy Spirit. Last, once we understand our salvation, our greatest desire is to serve the One Who has saved us to eternal life. It is important to note what Calvin says with reference to knowing Christ intimately. He says we can know all of this from a distance and when we do this the knowledge will soon pass away. But Calvin implies if we will hold tight to the teaching of Jesus we will with time become completely devoted to Him. Many years ago when I first believed I had been call by God, I was at the same time worried about my salvation. A pastor friend told me the greatest test of faith is when we are concerned about our salvation. His point was people of the world have no concern about salvation. Some will say this is a dismissive statement concerning thoughts about salvation; but there is a huge difference when the world wonders what happens after death and a believer has concerns about eternal life.

For more insight to this topic, order a copy of Chuck Colsons book, The Faith, from our online store. You might also read the article, Near Christianity, by T. M. Moore. Are you planning to join us for The Wilberforce Conference: Making the Invisible Kingdom Visible? Click here for details.

What is the plan of salvation?

Question: "What is the plan of salvation / way of salvation?" Answer: Are you hungry? Not physically hungry, but do you have a hunger for something more in life? Is there something deep inside of you that never seems to be satisfied? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus said, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35). Are you confused? Can you never seem to find a path or purpose in life? Does it seem like someone has turned out the lights and you cannot find the switch? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus proclaimed, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of

Next steps: Try these questions with some of your

friends: Do you sense a need for a Savior? Are you looking to God to fill that need? Are you willing to follow wherever the Savior might lead?

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life (John 8:12). Do you ever feel like you are locked out of life? Have you tried so many doors, only to find that what is behind them is empty and meaningless? Are you looking for an entrance into a fulfilling life? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus declared, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture (John 10:9). Do other people always let you down? Have your relationships been shallow and empty? Does it seem like everyone is trying to take advantage of you? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (John 10:11, 14). Do you wonder what happens after this life? Are you tired of living your life for things that only rot or rust? Do you sometimes doubt whether life has any meaning? Do you want to live after you die? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus declared, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:25-26). What is the way? What is the truth? What is the life? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). The hunger that you feel is a spiritual hunger, and can only be filled by Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can lift the darkness. Jesus is the door to a satisfying life. Jesus is the friend and shepherd that you have been

looking for. Jesus is the lifein this world and the next. Jesus is the way of salvation! The reason you feel hungry, the reason you seem to be lost in darkness, the reason you cannot find meaning in life, is that you are separated from God. The Bible tells us that we have all sinned, and are therefore separated from God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23). The void you feel in your heart is God missing from your life. We were created to have a relationship with God. Because of our sin, we are separated from that relationship. Even worse, our sin will cause us to be separated from God for all of eternity, in this life and the next (Romans 6:23; John 3:36). How can this problem be solved? Jesus is the way! Jesus took our sin upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus died in our place (Romans 5:8), taking the punishment that we deserve. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death (Romans 6:4-5). Why did He do it? Jesus answered that question Himself: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Jesus died so that we could live. If we place our faith in Jesus, trusting His death as the payment for our sins, all of our sins are forgiven and washed away. We will then have our spiritual hunger satisfied. The lights will be turned on. We will have access to a fulfilling life. We will know our true best friend and good shepherd. We will know that we will have life after we diea resurrected life in heaven for eternity with Jesus!

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