tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39551803118094780232024-03-13T15:30:16.847-05:00with my bible openIsmaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-57317549273504998262016-05-31T07:42:00.004-05:002016-05-31T07:49:12.642-05:00Just thinking; Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11)<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I wonder about my reaction if I had lived and witnessed the ministry of Jesus on earth. To be honest, I do get scared sometimes. I am not sure I would have reacted positively and accepting. It is very complex to put aside preconceptions and prejudices to then exercise faith "like a little child</span><span style="font-size: large;">" (Mark 10:15).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Gospel writers tell us about Jesus' "Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem". The prophecy had said: "I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory... The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house</span><span style="font-size: large;">" (Haggai 2:7,9). There is no secret that the temple that Solomon built was magnificent, and the promise to those weeping at the scene full of rubble after coming back from Babylon was that the future of the temple was brighter that its past.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Two thousand years later it's easy to "get it", though the temple was not as beautiful physically as the one built by Solomon, the fact that Jesus, "the desired of all nations", walked, preached forgave, healed, and triumphantly entered, fulfills the promise of a greater glory. But, what if I lived then, would I have "gotten it"?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It bothers me, to be honest, because we usually romanticize the past and play a touching song in our memory while imagining those scenes. But what if I had lived then, in the raw of the moment, would I have "gotten it"? It makes me think.</span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-45367387821078851692016-04-27T07:02:00.001-05:002016-04-27T07:16:36.201-05:00To know our not to know<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;">A few months ago I was watching a Ted talk about the brain. The presenter showed live on the screen a brain being scanned and how different parts would light up according to the activity that was being performed. It was amazing to see a brain in action until the presenter said something that struck me and took me out of the presentation and in to my own thoughts. He said to the person whose brain was being scanned, "you can control your brain." Maybe for someone who is very knowledgeable on the topic, this is not a big deal, but it was, and is, for me. Not in <u>a</u> bad sense, but in the <u>awe</u> sense. What part of us control the brain? Isn't the brain the center of control of our being? </span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;">There must be a scientific explanation that makes sense, but the fact is that obviously there is more then what we, after all the advancements, have come to discover and comprehend. Another presenter on the same topic acknowledged that there is not yet a sound explanation on how our conscience works within the <i>hardware</i> of our brain. Yet, we use our brain without even trying to understand how it works.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, life is full of mysteries that generate the context in which we live in. One of them is the constant conflict that we face between what we understand is good, and what we understand is bad. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And beyond that, the pressures we need to resist in order to maintain our professional, ethical, moral or spiritual ground. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Regardless of our religious affiliation or philosophy of life, we agree that stealing is bad, and helping is good. Where this sense of good and bad comes from? And not only that, but why they seem to be in constant conflict?, both, with in each of us as well as in the constant social tensions that we experience too very often.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus assured us that this tension exist when he said: </span><span style="font-size: large;">"the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it" (</span><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 11:12, NLT</span><span style="font-size: large;">). Yes, it is true. the good news of salvation too many times finds itself within the context of conflict. History has witness even violence and wars, but the conflict has been seen also in legislative contentions, and social unrest. Why? Why are we, as society, so prone to conflict? Why do we historically react negatively to the offer of God? In deed, it is a mystery.</span></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-71043430618923228202016-04-05T12:47:00.001-05:002016-04-05T12:47:04.238-05:00To love<span style="font-size: large;">It was until I had children that I fully understood the love, caree and dedication of my parents towards me and my siblings. Of course, before I had children I new they loved me, though I might had doubt it a couple of times, but there were plenty of evidence that their commitment to us was real and for the ling ride. I remember in my beginnings as a pastor, before marriage and children, giving counsel on the importance of parental involvement in the education of their children. The importance of love, communication and discipline. And even though the concepts I shared were not that far from reality, they all were based on a one-sided perspective, on the receiving and, but not on the giving end.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Being on the receiving end we risk over-nurturing our selfishness. No wonder the amount of ungrateful children in today's world. We may confuse love with only receiving. But when we become parents, and are put in the position to give without being rewarded, is when we remember with a hint of shame the many times we received from our parents without even giving the thought of recognizing their efforts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We can only fully comprehend God's love when we place our selves on the giving end of it. Matthew shares the mission of Jesus calling him " Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us,’" "for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21,23). Isn't it wonderful? But if we left it like that, it would do very little for our cause. Though having the way paved to eternal life, through Jesus, we wouldn't have the right attitude to receive it, for selfishness would be our motivation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The culture of heaven is selflessness. Of God the Bible says: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Would you highlight the word "gave"?, and later on Jesús describes himself like this: "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13).<br /><br />We can't comprehend God's love for us if we haven loved like he does, therefore, we can't appreciate God's sacrifice for us, disabling us to fully surrender to him.<br /><br />We must assimilate the culture of heaven, a culture of love from the giving end, so we can comprehend God's love towards us and then fully, and willing surrender to his love. That's the reason of Jesus invitation: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew</span><span style="font-size: large;"> 4:19).</span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-35935575653735991482016-03-23T08:14:00.001-05:002016-03-23T08:14:16.957-05:00The ultimate troubleshooter<span style="font-size: large;">In the society we live in, we find, or try to find a solution for every problem we have. If its lack of sleep, there is a pill for it, if boredom, lots of options, if overweight, a delicious diet, if wrinkles, a special lotion, and so on. But I think you would agree that although we have found solutions for most of or problemas, they are all temporal. The following night, you will have to take another pill in order to sleep, or watch another movie to treat your boredom, and be aware of what you eat every meal, and us that lotion every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Bible,God declares himself as the ultimate problem solver, the ultimate troubleshooter. In Revelations 21:4 we find: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (NKJV).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It all sound beautiful, but there is more. It is not enough to have our tears wiped away, or be inmortal, happy and in peace for eternity, though it sounds like a great deal. It is, maybe, even more important to understand the motives behind God's actions, either to save or to destroy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Eden, Satan implanted in humans a doubt, of the fairness of God's government: "God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). Yes! Apparently God was being unfair to Adam and Eve and was denying privilegies that belong to them. Since then for humans, that doubt has played a big role in human behavior and loyalty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since God is love (1 John 4:8), He cannot let people pledge their loyalty to Him under the wrong assumptions. Revelations 20 describes the process in which, at the end, all creatures will unanimously "confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:11).</span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-88886417719595365572016-03-18T07:01:00.002-05:002016-03-18T08:16:38.296-05:00Limited by my will<span style="font-size: large;">I remember having a discussion in my late teen years about how powerful was God. Maybe you had the same discussion. We were wondering of God was so powerful that he could create a rock so big and so heavy that he couldn't lift. Of course, either way you answer that question you'll admit that God isn't that powerful after all. As useless as that particular conversation was, years after I admit there is a limit to God's power.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the book of Revelation, in the message to the church in Laodicea, Jesus assures: "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends" (Revelations 3:20, NLT). If you look closely, this text shows two things: 1) God has taken the initiative to invest himself in a unilateral action or series of actions to place himself in a position to get involved in our lives. 2) The limit to his power, his initiative and investment is our "door". We still have the power to reject God's invitation. So yes, God's power has a limit, and it is your freedom to choose.</span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-47451972003025465772016-03-17T08:20:00.003-05:002016-03-17T08:20:52.330-05:00Not forever<span style="font-size: large;">Though it may seem sometimes that the bad in life is forever, from a financial struggle to a breakup, the truth of the matter is that better days are yet to come, right? Well, at least for the optimistic, you may say. And I hope I don't sound too naive to you today, but my purpose in this post is to remind you that there is reason for you to believe that even though we may be in situations far from good, we are still in the position to hope for e better future.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We need to be aware of the reality of this world that we live in. Bad things can and happen to good people, and good things apear to happen to bad people. Yes this world is unfair. Even the children if Israel complained about it saying: "What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm" (Malachi 3:14-15, NLT). Yes, from an angle, this is the reality of the world we live in, and may be, in recent days, weeks or even months, this has been your reality. So how do we make sense of the importance of being faithful to God if there is no guarantee of us avoiding bad in our lives?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, the reality of this world is attached to the reality of sin, and yes, it is un unfair world. Until we are part of the new heavens and the new earth (Revelations 21:1), we will be exposed to this reality. But "No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is for this world. We are capable of enduring whatever we may be facing today, and still let hope illuminate our lives. Of the list faithful servants of God, the bible says: "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth" (Hebrews 11:13).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Beyond the previous statements, we are called to aim for a higher goal. In the message to the church of Smyrna, God says: "Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life... Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death."</span><span style="font-size: large;"> (Revelations 2:10-11). Yes, it is a life in a sinless world that we aim for. To the complains of the Children of Israel, God asu</span><span style="font-size: large;">re them that soon it will come the day in which "you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not" (Malachi 3:18).</span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-56829297520663232012016-03-16T08:13:00.002-05:002016-03-16T08:13:33.897-05:00Only one thing - Revelations 2:1-7<span style="font-size: large;">"As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor" (Ecclesiastes 10:1, NIV). Regardless of the many good thing that we may be performing, one little thing can make the difference against us. It seems unfair, but it's real. Let me give you a closer example. You may be an excellent driver, obeying each and every traffic law. You do it not because you are afraid of a ticket, but because you value order and your safety. But, regardless of your impeccable past, one day you may be distracted, like looking for a piece of gum, and unaware of the stop sign, keep on driving. A traffic ticket would be a small consequence considering the risk of an accident and even loosing your life of someone else's. But it was only one mistake! You may say, but in real life, and as unfair as it may seem, one mistake can undo many good past decisions and actions.</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Revelations, God also mentions the church in Ephesus having only one bad characteristic. They have many good things going on, and they are all recognized and praised: "your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil" (Revelations 2:2, NKJV) , among other things. "Nevertheless I have this against you" (v4). Yes, only one thing! Why do we need to concentrate on one thing that needs to be fixed when we have so many good things going on?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Remember the story of the young rich ruler?: "You still lack one thing" (Luke 18:22), and was that one thing that kept him from following Jesus.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The one thing that is putting the well-being of the church in Ephesus at risk is that they have lost their "first love" (Revelations 2:4). Though it can be interpreted in many ways, it is obvious that the good things going on in their lives and church do not com from the same source as before. The first love could be understood as the interest in someone or something in which your whole being is genuinely and honestly involved. But the motives, obviously, can change, and that, it seems, is the problem here.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently it is not enough to do good, but also why we do good. Had these people lost their identity? Apparently so, because the counsel is: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works" (v5). The solution God gives is to remember who we are, to retake our identity. Then, we can do good with the right intentions.</span></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-70762651678988476672015-04-10T15:13:00.002-05:002015-04-10T15:13:55.812-05:00#Faith that #Works - #James 2: 14-26We can easily agree that not because a nutritionist to tells someone, "you need to eat less", and to another, "you need to eat more," means that the nutritionist is contradicting him or herself, and that with one indication is debunking the other. It is quite logical to conclude that we must consider the context of both statements and also know the optimal and ideal nutrition and body weight ranges. In simple terms, the individual who is asked to eat less, it is probably because his or her weight is above optimal, and the one who is asked to eat more it's probably because his or her weight is below the ideal. It is no different with Scripture, and specifically with the topic addressed by James in chapter 2 and verses 14 to 26, where in verse 21 says: "Was not Abraham justified by works ..." vs "For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory "(Romans 4: 2). In a moment we will return to this very apparent contradiction, but we must first set the stage for an honest analysis to the intentions of both James, and Paul in The Epistle to the Romans.<br />
<br />
What James wants to convey is not very complex: faith is not an intellectual or philosophical exercise, rather it's <b>the taking of action motivated by the certainties and convictions</b> beyond of what can be ascertainable (cf. Hebrews 11: 1). James does not contradict Paul, but brings balance to the discussion of justification by faith, because "as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). The works are then the result of faith. Without these, faith is no longer faith, but simply reduced to a wish without any contribution to our salvation (James 2:14). The formulas "works without faith" and "faith without works" are both condemned in Scripture, so James corrects it by saying, "You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works "(James 2:18).<br />
<br />
To believe in God to the point of trembling but not taking action is, in the words of James, to berely keep up with the demons, which are clearly beyond the possibility of salvation (James 2:19). Perhaps as a drug addict, for whom it's not enough to just believe he or she should quit using drugs in order to preserve his or her physical and mental health. By knowing and recognizing the harmful effects of drugs, the addict must <i>act</i> on those findings and refrain from consumption, to enforce the promise of long lasting health. Thus, <b>faith is the conjunction of mental conviction plus acting accordingly</b>. In the case of Abraham, which we referred to at the beginning of this review, both statements, by Paul and James, are correct. While James, who wrote his letter first, argues that in the case studies presented, faith was evident through the actions executed, Paul obviously writing to another audience with other deficiencies, argues that works, as good as they may be (Isaiah 64: 6), may be aliens to faith, and also manipulable, and therefore useless for generating justification. While James tells us that faith is not a feeling nor an intellectual or emotional exercise, Paul tells us that it is not because we do good things that we are saved. Overall, <b>personal conviction (faith) founded on God's promises will dictate the course of our decisions and actions</b>.Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-57705183297830505942014-10-31T12:07:00.000-05:002014-10-31T12:09:44.354-05:00Love and the Law - James 2:1-13<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin-bottom: 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
The Bible reveals two standards by which we will be evaluated on the Day of Judgment: 1) Law, and 2) our response to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as our substitute. And in the words of James, the determining factor in that judgment will be mercy, which "triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13). However, <strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">mercy, as an argument for salvation, is only effective to the extent that we apply it to others</strong>. James uses harsh words when he warns: "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy" (James 2:13), the same idea widely used by Jesus in his teaching: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5 : 7), "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15), in the context of the Lord's Prayer, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Matthew 18:35), "Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of these, ye did it not to me" (Matthew 24:45), to quote some references.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin-bottom: 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
James puts a special emphasis to the second part of the law, the part that has to do with how we treat of our fellow man, the last six commandments, as determining the accuracy of our observance of the first four commandments, which deal with our love and devotion to God (James 2: 1-4), as John says, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must also love his brother "(1 John 4: 20-21). So Jesus, who though his ministry represented the heavenly expectations regarding socioeconomic, cultural, political and religious interaction, consciously related to the "publicans and sinners" despite the constant criticism from the supposedly advocates of faith (Mark 2:16 ).</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin-bottom: 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
By presenting a case to which all could identify, James confronts his audience <strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">following up with the efforts of Jesus to reorder the dynamic of interrelation with in the government of God</strong> (James 2: 5-7) which requires not to be "with partiality" (James 2: 1). By an apparent unquestioned accommodation to the social conventions of the time, James' audience has been giving undeserved attentions to the ones that subjugate and mistreat them while taunting the poor (James 2: 6). Therefore he confronts them and exposes that what they have been doing is more than an oversight or a flaw. James catalogs "partiality", nowadays bias and discrimination, as a sin (James 2: 9) and as serious as murder and adultery (James 2:11). Thus, the law defies our nature for our loyalty to the Ten Commandments is revealed in the way that we actively treat others, loving our neighbor as ourselves (James 2: 8 and Leviticus 19:18).</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin-bottom: 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
The Bible is consistent in revealing the character, the essence of God when it says, "Whoever does not love does not know God; for God is love "(1 John 4: 8). <b>The reasons for the observance of the law must always stand in love, to God and neighbor</b>. The Scriptures indicate of a future judgment to which we will all have to face (Romans 14:10), to which James warns: "So speak and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty" (James 2 : 12), where our best defense is "mercy," as long as we have exerted it ourselves in our dealings with others, including those who, by the standards of today's society, do not deserve it.</div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-33194561803537862142014-10-24T11:49:00.005-05:002014-10-24T11:49:57.337-05:00Being and DoingI must confess that I feel quite redundant by sharing my personal conclusions drawn from the study of the Epistle of James. It is so plain and to the point that trying to reexplain it gets very close to saying it the exactly as it is written. Yet, it puts on the table concepts that, though easy to agree and understand, they require a complete transformation of the human nature in order to successfully be implemented.<br />
<br />
The last six verses of the first chapter of James restore the divine motifs of the design and establishment of religion as a system that allows humans to adequate themselves to receive and accept the gift of salvation. Not much different of what we may be experiencing today, either as individuals or as a church, James warns us of the self-deception in which we can fall by thinking that human responsibility towards God is sufficient by only attending a worship service in order to receive instruction through of the Word (James 1:22). Apparently, listening to a good sermon is not enough. James expands: "For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face a mirror. For he observes himself and goes away, and immediately forgets what was" (James 1: 23-24), presenting the idea that <b>the fundamental function of instruction is to evaluate, which should enables us to identify and locate our present reality</b>. Yes, Hebrews tells us that "the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword; penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart "(4:12), but it is limited to only teach and evaluate, and if not followed by action, loses its effectiveness, as the experience of the rich young ruler demonstrates (Matthew 19: 16-22).<br />
<br />
James does not generate new concepts, he simply follows through the instructions found in the writings of the prophets reaffirmed through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus restructured and restored the divine standards that define the spirit and dynamics of God's government. Here, religion is rescued from the limitations of the human thinking and action, and raises it as a promoter that defines the spirit of heaven, spirit that made possible our salvation (John 3:16). And just when we felt we were good (Luke 6: 33-34), Jesus leads us to love our enemies, those who hate us, to those who curse us and those who slander us (Luke 6: 27-28), and it is in this context that is shared the golden rule, which states that "as ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Luke 6:31). It is not a call for passiveness, I won't mess with you and you don't mess with me, but a call to <i>intrude</i> on your life as I would want you do in mine. And ends by saying: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful ... Forgive, and you will be forgiven ... with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to" (Luke 6: 36-38).<br />
<br />
The law, <b>the Ten Commandments are written in the most basic terms</b>, limited to only prevent damaging each other. But God's law, like any law, is supported by values that in this case reflect the values of the government of God which are to love God with all your heart, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22: 37-39). Not killing, not stealing or not committing adultery do not meet the objectives of the law of liberty (James 1:25), because it will always be easier not to kill my enemy than to love him as myself. The law of liberty, that James identifies with the Ten Commandments, is the starting point that leads us first to avoid murder, to then lead to a love that person who we wished would be dead.<br />
<br />
<b>Religion, according to God's design, has its strength in the practical impact of benefiting those around us</b> (James 1:27). Although the intellectual exercise is striking, and the debate is tempting, James rescues and channels the divine goals of religion to a personal reform through practical love and genuine service to others (James 1: 26-27). As thought found in Steps to Christ where says: "Those who thus devote themselves to unselfish effort for the good of others are surely working out their own salvation." {80.2}Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-74020111552829363482014-10-17T11:20:00.001-05:002014-10-17T11:20:31.252-05:00Enduring TemptationIt is my guess that the primary objective of James is to convince us <b>that the ultimate consequence of enduring, resisting and overcoming temptation is eternal life</b> (James 1:12). As the life of each of us may corroborates, the experience of going through trials and temptation is so real that it cannot be ignored. Therefore James take us to recognize and acknowledge its evidence and existence so that we can focus, now, on the divine promise of ultimate victory (Romans 8:37).<br /><br />Once defined the promise that describes our destiny, James call us to reflect and identify the source and origin of the temptation that we so often have to cope with, and oh surprise, surprise... No wonder Paul exclaimed: "Miserable me! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24). James assures us that "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1: 13-14). In other words, <b>our actions come to be the voice of our nature</b>, as it is the cause of our constant drive to consider and implement the actions of sin. Eve's experience illustrates the sequence of events that leads to the action of sin. Satan led Eve to feel a nonexistent need. She was in no need of food, and had a countless of other options to suit her taste. However, ignoring the thousands of options, she came to concentrate on the one and only tree that wasn't an option. The text says that under the false promise of preserving immortality and the acquisition of wisdom equal and rival to God's, Eve saw, wished, and "she took of its fruit," and finally ate (Genesis 3: 1-6). James indicates that we, having inherited this inclination to rebellion, by natural tendency, the act of sin is first conceived in our minds (James 1: 14-15).<br /><br />James, like the rest of Scripture, reminds us that our personal argument to survival will always end in death. But it is here, at the level of conception of sin, not the level of implementation, that transformation must occur. That is why we are told to receive "with meekness the engrafted word, which can save" our souls (James 1:21), putting the pride and self-sufficiency on the side, in the words of James: "all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness. "<br /><br />Scripture offers several strategies to internalize the arguments that promise to transform our nature. In Psalm 119: 11 we find, "In my heart I have hidden your word that I might not sin against thee,” giving the idea of complete assimilation. In Luke 4:8 Jesus used Scripture as a final and irrefutable argument against Satan, and in Ephesians 6:17 God's Word is a defensive tool as well as a weapon to advanced. It should be our first action to reverse the effects of our rebellious nature, a constant exposition to the divine influence through His Word. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17). <b>Since the efficiency of divine intervention is subject to our attitude and subjection, we are warned and reminded of our limitations in order to develop an attitude of constant learning</b> (James 1:19-20). At this point the secret is not in what we say, or the strength of our arguments because, really, who are we? The Scriptures define us in terms of a limited and even degrading terms (Isaiah 64: 6). But that's the message of James, which restates hierarchies and directs us in a process that ensures our regeneration, and eternal life.Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-69059996640196767502014-10-10T11:14:00.000-05:002014-10-10T11:14:06.247-05:00The Perfection of Our Faith<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 1.4285em 0px 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus embodied the sacrifices required to offer us legal innocence and eternal life (Hebrews 9: 12-14), for he "endured the cross, despising the shame," as "author and finisher" of our faith (Hebrews 12: 2). Since we too live within the context and dynamics of the great controversy, we have become victims of constant harassment by the forces opposed to God's government and being exposed to its trials and hardships, regardless of our acceptance or lack thereof of God's promises. From God's perspective, however, and although suffering is a natural part of the experience of every human being, James invites us to reconsider this unavoidable reality as a positive development (really?) He invites us to " counted all joy" when we are in the midst of various trials (James 1: 2), thought it also shared by Peter, who reminds us that we should not be surprised when we see ourselves involved in the "fiery trial", and use it as reason for joy (1 Peter 4:12). Not that the tests are part of an obstacle course, a source of suffering to invite God's compassion, or an exam to earn heaven, but an indicator of the obvious, that we are at war (Revelation 12:17 ) and in a process of rehabilitation on our way to eternal life (1 Peter 1: 6).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin-bottom: 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to the option offered by heaven, we have the opportunity to focus on God's offer which goes beyond suffering, finding that <strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">the promise is well worth the sacrifice.</strong> Why sacrifice? Because to make that promise a reality, it requires a definite intent of the individual to act patiently against his own nature (James 2: 4), in mutual commitment to other believers "until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God," which is identified as a state of perfection, to the parameters established by the ministry and person of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Paul tells us that the motivations to reach this state of perfection, or maturity, do not rest on personal or spiritual achievements or failures of the past, but in the constant search for achieving the goal that God has seen fit to describe in His Word (Philippians 3:12-14).</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin-bottom: 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One essential ingredient to make the dynamics just described a possibility, is wisdom, or the ability to discern the divine will that, according to James, is available to us in response to the request in faith to God (James 1: 5). This knowledge will be acquired through the <strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">unquestioned and defenseless submission to the authority, instruction and will of God</strong> (James 1:6-8,19-21), and it will manifest itself through our behavior (James 3:13).</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin-bottom: 0.714285em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">Religion</strong> is the machinery that God has implemented to channel us in this dynamic of salvation, which <strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">inevitably leads to selflessness and detachment</strong> (James 1:27 & 2:15,16). Any other path we may take, it will be a clear indication that the implementation of religion has not been according to the divine version.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-52010546001816563512014-10-02T22:21:00.000-05:002014-10-02T22:25:11.291-05:00James, the brother of the Lord <p dir="ltr">Quite often I reflect on what would have meant to live and experience the ministry of Jesus Christ.  It does not take much to romanticize the idea and imagine the many pleasant hours listening to his teachings and participating in his miracles, which would certainly lead us to a constant spiritual ecstasy, "as God surely expects us to."  However, Scriptures reveal a different dynamic which is closer, perhaps, to our present reality, for the shortcomings of the human spirit have not changed in the past two thousand years.  In so, the Gospels testify to the continued rejection of the ministry of Jesus Christ by the Pharisees, but how to blame them if I too, and most likely, would have questioned his intentions and would have limited his influence in my church to avoid any destabilization.  Isn't that my job as a pastor?  I mean, even his brothers doubted him! (John 7: 2-5).</p>
<p dir="ltr">We may infer, then, that James, one of his half brothers, and a character that we will be in association with for the next three months, is included in the statement, "... neither did his brethren believe in him."  However, Scriptures indicate the process to which he was subjected to that led him to be not only witness of his miracles and teachings, but also of his resurrection and commission (1 Corinthians 15:7), becoming an active element in the life of the developing movement (Acts 1:14), <b>growing to become a leader and column</b> (Galatians 2: 9), and making of his writings a projection of the teachings of Jesus Christ (James 1:22 and Matthew 7:24 , James 3:12 and Matthew 7:16, James 4:12 and Matthew 7: 1).</p>
<p dir="ltr">To the annoyance of Martin Luther, James' contribution, now as a recognized leader and authority of the new community, is to <i>re</i>direct and <i>re</i>tune the understanding of the dynamics of faith.  It is clear that he is responding to a dangerous tendency that threaten to pervert the function thereof.  In this way, he understands that his greatest contribution is to communicate that <b>faith, to be faith, must be linked and associated with the according action</b> (James 1:22), an idea in tune with the statement of Jesus: "You are my friends if do what I command "(John 15:14).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Becoming identified also as one of the pillars of the nascent movement, James is part of the making of what might be called today as the first <i>church manual</i>.  Ten years have passed since the deliberate inclusion of the Gentiles to the Christian movement, which certainly presents several challenges that threaten the unity of the movement.  Moreover, none of the books of what we now call the New Testament have been written yet, so the first indications are simple and basic. The requirement is <b>disassociation from paganism, and association with Scriptures</b> (Acts 15: 20-21).</p>
<p dir="ltr">The study of the ministry and contribution of James today allows us to have a broader vision, in addition to the writings of the other apostles, of the privileges and responsibilities of Christians in the context of the daily and practical life of <i>my</i> church.</p>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-12661535698525959432013-04-17T20:52:00.001-05:002013-08-02T09:09:01.113-05:00Don't let me get me ... (John 8:1-11)<div dir="ltr">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwKw0oWuhi_TEEfIhLYTCTLTtXjHhYfnF15dgVvi5L_3rGJS4N9opT03TWJZnjd5If7EzyftdFoHbG69MAA8Gyz-9ypgRwJDyHvUozCqteIEiNrVFil6lTMjvYysOS4L7pMQ5WUA_woTv/s1600/Snapshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwKw0oWuhi_TEEfIhLYTCTLTtXjHhYfnF15dgVvi5L_3rGJS4N9opT03TWJZnjd5If7EzyftdFoHbG69MAA8Gyz-9ypgRwJDyHvUozCqteIEiNrVFil6lTMjvYysOS4L7pMQ5WUA_woTv/s200/Snapshot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Whom was Jesus protecting and/or defending when he said: "Let him who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her"? (John 8:7). The obvious answer would be: the "woman taken in adultery", right? I think, however, we could dig a little deeper, and perhaps discover other people who might have been in the mind of Jesus.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
It is important to first establish that the scene does not seek to justify sin. In fact, sin is identified, and discipline is applied. By telling the women, "sin no more", is not only sin identified, but also discipline applied (not condemning does not means there was no discipline). Also, by writing on the ground, Jesus identifies the sins of the accusers.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Who is Jesus protecting? According to the law revealed by God (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:21-24), which establishes the punishment for adultery, Jesus finds a formula that potentially would preserve the life of the woman; she can be stoned still, only if the prosecutors are willing to also receive their fair punishment for their sins as stipulated by the law. The Bible testifies that one by one of the accusers received the gift of conviction of sin (John 16:8); by not condemning the woman, they are not condemned.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Who was Jesus protecting when he wrote on the ground? Yes, the woman, but, was not Jesus also protecting the<br /><br />scribes and Pharisees? By releasing the woman they were being covered with the same blanket of mercy with which Jesus was covering the woman, don't you think? Jesus was protecting them from themselves.<br /><br />
Understanding our nature, and foreseeing our salvation, Jesus, being merciful but also fair and just, insist that we place ourselves within reach of his saving power by (Luke 6:36-38):<br />
<ul>
<li>"be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful"</li>
<li>"judge not, and you shall not be judged"</li>
<li>"Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned"</li>
<li>"Forgive, and you will be forgiven"</li>
<li>"Give, and it will be given to you"</li>
<li>"with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you"</li>
</ul>
<br /><br />
In Scripture is a constant, while we foolishly insist to lose our souls, Jesus insists, above our folly, to save us (Romans 5:20).</div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-45399261296608482322013-02-22T17:47:00.001-06:002013-02-22T17:47:49.083-06:00Jesus, Provider and Sustainer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/shutterstock_29540434-e1342558637991.jpg?w=708" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/shutterstock_29540434-e1342558637991.jpg?w=708" width="200" /></a></div>
When communicating, it is recommended to <i>never</i> use absolutes such as "is that you always ..." or "is that you never ...", as they are statements that generally are untrue to reality. Therefore it is recommended to <i>always</i> make use of words or expressions that may be closer and more honest to reality such as: "sometimes you ..."<br />
<br />
The Bible reminds us, however, that there is a place where we can confidently use an absolute: "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). Did you notice?, it says "all", and not only that, but the text also presents the arguments to support the word "all", "according to his riches." Not only here, but through all the Bible, through its pages, reminds us again and again that God cares for his children by providing them with all they need. Why so sure that God has such capacity?<br />
<br />
As a fundamental argument, the Bible says that Jesus Christ is before creation, and in him its where it finds its origin, in him and for him (Colossians 1:16-17). That is, God is the absolute master of not only of our lives but also of the elements that make it possible. Our means, although we work hard for them, are not because of us for we are not owners or originators much less providers or rescuers of creation, attributes only of God. We just make use of the resources God has available for us to survive. From Genesis, where Jesus calls the Father and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26 and John 1:3) to plan the origin of man, to Revelation, where Jesus Christ guarantees the definitive rescue of his children (Revelation 22:20), the entire Bible focuses on Jesus as the source and sustainer of the universe, and the rescueer of human beings.<br />
<br />
If you notice, the Bible does not try to convince of this, it just tells us what it is. The existence of God is not subject to my appreciation and neither is its provision to sustain life. God does not condition the participation of the elements for life. He provides outside our recognition (Matthew 5:45). To condition the provisions for life would confirm the accusation of Satan that God "buys" our loyalty (Job 1:9-10). The character of God does not allowed him to act in such a way. Instead, before we respond to his love, he gives it to us unconditionally.<br />
<br />
From the beginning, man was put into a pre-designed ideal conditions to live and develop. Once those conditions passed the inspection of God (Genesis 1:25), man was placed in the middle of them. Thus, to evaluate our experience in this world, we must recognize that our understanding of things is dramatically limited compared to the vastness of God's existence.<br />
<br />
The Bible also shows us the reason for the conditions prevailing today, despite that the universe bears witness to the greatness of God, it also reflects the intrusion of sin. The pain we observe and experience are consequences of a major conflict. But even there, in pain, God provides, God is still in control of the natural world, God still has the conditions to meet the needs of his children.Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-19037777141932644772013-02-13T11:16:00.003-06:002013-03-16T08:24:15.793-05:00Creation and the Fall<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/artscience/files/2013/02/HIV-series-2-Luke-Jerram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/artscience/files/2013/02/HIV-series-2-Luke-Jerram.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HIV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple of days ago I came across an article that featured the works of artist Luke Jerram who had taken the time to make glass sculptures.<br />
<br />
Looking at the different glass sculptures I was impressed with their beauty, in my opinion, that give a sense of delicacy and fine taste, until I started reading the article entitled: "The Unsettling Beauty of Lethal Viruses." Yes, the artist took the time to recreate in glass lethal viruses such as HIV and Malaria. The artist explains the reaction of the different people that saw his art, some of them coming closer to appreciate their beauty, but stepping back with some level of fear or respect once they knew what they represented.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/artscience/files/2013/02/Malaria-Luke-Jerram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/artscience/files/2013/02/Malaria-Luke-Jerram.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malaria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Bible states that sin, and its tragic consequences, was not presented to Eve as something lethal, but as something good, pleasant and desirable (Genesis 3:6). Under the idea of achieving what Satan himself was looking for, to be like God (Genesis 3:5, Isaiah 14:14), Eva sacrificed her own freedom. If we pay attention, the prohibitions of God, protect our freedom. In Genesis 2:16 God said, "Of every tree of the garden you may eat." There was only a single tree they could not eat (v17), and the serpent was clever enough to focus Eves attention on the one thing Eva could not do, and forget about the many she could do, and felt "repressed". Do you get it? The DO NOT of God identifies the few things we can't do, so we can enjoy the many things we can do. For example, when God says: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14), He identifies the element that will bring unhappiness and threaten our freedom, and frees us to fully enjoy the many blessings of marriage. However, as in the past, Satan often manages to focus our concentration in the few No's, so we may forget the many Yes's, and thus leading us to feel imprisoned by the Law of Liberty that God gave us (James 2:10-12). Just as with the rest of the Commandments.<br />
<br />
In this encounter between Eve and the serpent, a harmful and lethal feeling aroused in humans, the ME feeling. Satan wanted to be like God, to draw attention to himself, ignoring that God does not live for himself. The serpent managed to introduce a spirit Eva outside the kingdom that God directs. Now Eve, who until then lived for God and Adam (as Adam lived for God and Eve), began to focus on herself. She began to covet all the benefits that eating from the forbidden tree would bring to her alone. She forgot about God and Adam and concentrated on herself. Get it? The number one enemy of any relationships, including marriage, is the ME approach. Marriages where its members live for themselves, are bound to fail, because they are going against the eternal principles of God's kingdom and being deceived by Satan and his ruined kingdom. It frightens to think on the capacity of our self-centeredness, which has perpetuated through history much suffering: war, injustice, greed, abuse, murder, and the list is long.<br />
<br />
However, the biblical record is not as interested in emphasizing our shortcomings as to exalt God's love. In math we find the law that, in addition and multiplication "the order of the factors does not change the product," as well as 2 + 3 = 5, 3 + 2 = 5 also. However, in the plan of salvation is not. In the plan of salvation does matter the order of the factors, as these do affect the product. In the Divine formula, Grace + judgment = Gospel. God is not interested in punishing us for our sins, but to rescue us from them. The accuser is Satan (Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1) who installs the same spirit in us.<br />
<br />
Yes, the Bible speaks of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. However, its priority is to let us know of the love and grace of God that "gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). That is the wish of God, the promise, that when you believe there is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1), but eternal life (Matthew 25:34).Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-12932218684143795992013-02-01T10:21:00.002-06:002013-03-16T08:24:03.460-05:00Creation and Morality<br />
Do you remember the miners trapped in the San José mine in Chile? I remember following the story, along with my wife, since the collapse of the mine broke the news until the last of the miners was rescued. It was pretty impressive to follow the development of the story day by day with our emotions, not only from us but from society in general, on a roller coaster as witness of the progress, welcoming with joy every good news, but also with anxiety by ignoring what would happen next. By the end of the rescue operation, it is estimated an audience of over a billion people around the world, all hoping for a happy ending.<br />
<br />
As humans, what makes us differentiate between right and wrong? In regard to the story cited in this commentary, where did the feelings of compassion, hope and joy of the successful rescue of each of the miners come from? Why we wanted, despite belonging to different countries, and in many cases to different cultures and ethnicity, the preservation of their lives?<br />
<br />
As a society we have identified certain rights belonging to every human being. Who decided them? Or are they already "installed in our system"? The Bible teaches that the human being, from its creation, was provided with certain privileges identified and defined, in Genesis, at least, to govern the rest of the species created by God, administer and use of land resources, the ability to form one flesh between a man and a woman, the capacity to reproduce, and the ability to decide.<br />
<br />
With the freedom to choose, man was exposed, as a result of the conflict generated at the universal level by the complaints of Satan against the government of God, to know and choose the good, in other words, humans were created morally intelligent and free. Having said that, the fact that it was morally intelligent and free does not mean that was created foreign of the consequences of their decisions. Yes, we are free to choos, but subject to the consequences of our decisions (Ecclesiastes 11:9).<br />
<br />
Although free individuals, the Bible reminds us that we are not really ours. We were created so we have acquired a responsibility in relation to the role for which we were created, as individuals and in our relationships with others. Christ summarized it as follows: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 'This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it:' Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets "(Matthew 22:37-40).<br />
<br />
We are aware of what is good and what is bad, not by ourselves in an evolutionary process, a process exempt to the other spices. We were created with that ability. We know our responsibility toward God as a result of our creation, and our responsibility to the good of others. To mistreat ourselves physical, mental, social or spiritual is to abuse God's creation. Similarly, to physically abuse mentally, socially or spiritually others, including our enemies, is also mistreating God's creation. By acknowledging my origins and my freedom, as any other human being, implies, then, to recognize the responsibility for the welfare of my fellow man.<br />
<br />
The famous statement of Jesus in Matthew 5:44-48, to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, is given in the context of the love due to our neighbor including our enemies, as Christ did (Romans 5:10). Christ did not return a favor to a human initiative through his rescue, but being "still sinners" he generated avenues for our salvation. In the same way, God did not create us to live for ourselves, a well documented concept in His Word were specifies the tremendous impact in our eternal life.<br />
<br />
As human beings we can differentiate wrong from right. When we recognize our origin we understand the source of the feelings towards good, and we understand why, despite knowing good from evil, we tend towards evil. The Bible is clear, to do good is not the human product, is a divine gift. From this perspective, and aware of the process of salvation, through faith in the context of grace, it highlights our interaction towards the totality of God's creation as external evidence of our internal decision to be to the likeness of God .<br />
<br />
Read:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Genesis 2:16, 17</li>
<li>Genesis 1:26-28</li>
<li>James 3:9</li>
<li>Acts 17:26</li>
<li>Proverbs 14:31</li>
<li>Matthew 5:44-48</li>
<li>Revelation 20:11-13</li>
</ul>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-67978052277394346792013-01-25T13:23:00.001-06:002013-03-16T08:23:47.933-05:00Creation, a Biblical Theme<br />
I like, as part of my personal devotion, to keep a spiritual diary where I write my reactions and conclusions after reading the assigned passage for the day. A few days ago I was reviewing these diaries dated back to 1997, when I first started my ministry as a pastor. While reading and analyzing the thoughts written back then, I found that, in fact, time helps us change and mature... Through the years, experiences, tears and joys, I've matured many of the conclusions held back then and advanced in my knowledge, something that, I guess, you have notice in your personal life too.<br />
<br />
When I read the Bible's first words: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth", I find throughout Scripture, in a total of 66 books, more than 40 authors inspired by the Holy Spirit, and in a period of 1,500 years, that it maintains the same version in regards our origins. It has not had the need to mature or adjust its version, but from the very beginning has remained intact, unlike the versions that exclude God as the designer and originator of life, which have had to rethink, adjust and modify positions.<br />
<br />
The Bible consistently affirms and reaffirms the reason for our existence as a species and as individuals. Through its pages, like a golden thread, from time to time reminds us where we came from so we can understand where we are going. It is therefore, the Genesis record of our origins, a defense of the foundation in which rests the rest of Scripture. Jesus himself pointed to it not needing to change, add, or adjust anything.<br />
<br />
Are we really able to scientifically understand all the mysteries of life, the earth and the universe? As human beings, our reckless ignorance has led us to believe that with just scratching the surface enclosing the mysteries of life, the earth and the universe is sufficient argument to reach conclusions, against the scientific method, to exclude the design and power of God.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, the claims of the Bible as the Word of God are reaffirmed by history, and the consistency of arguments and interpretations through its pages on the origin of species. How to explain this consistency? Undoubtedly the Genesis version of our origins is not the result of someone's curiosity or insomnia, but the revelation of God of his own creative work.<br />
<br />
Regardless of our philosophical trend in regards of life, we have a common starting point: we exist. We can not deny it, and does not require science to prove it. In honesty, from any perspective desired, to explain the beginning of life requires an act beyond of what we have observed and experienced. And that's why science does not excludes God, but human beings do. The miracle of life, and the conditions beyond our immediate context that allows it helps us identifies our origin and originator. Thus, the biblical record is consistent with the testimony of nature.<br />
<br />
To read:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Genesis 1 and 2</li>
<li>Job 38:1-21</li>
<li>Job 42:1-6</li>
<li>Psalm 8; 24:1,2, 33:6, 74:16,17, 89:11</li>
<li>Isaiah 44:24, 45:12</li>
<li>Jeremiah 51:15,16</li>
<li>Amos 4:13</li>
<li>Zechariah 12:1</li>
<li>Matthew 19:4-6</li>
<li>John 1:9</li>
<li>Acts 17:22-31</li>
<li>Revelation 4:11; 10:5,6</li>
</ul>
<br />Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-61189642336913231672013-01-18T11:00:00.004-06:002013-03-16T08:23:34.806-05:00The Creation Completed<br />
As a teenager I had the opportunity to learn to play the French horn. Being my mother a music teacher, I was able to advance in my learning and execution of the instrument which gave me the privilege of belonging, as a teenager, to the symphonic band of the university where my parents worked. I had to go out to different tours and even play at the 1990 General Association Session of Seventh-day Adventists held in the Indianapolis Colts stadium (RCA Dome back then).<br />
<br />
I remember on one occasion, during practice, I made a few improvised modifications while playing our part. My instrument partner to my right, who was the second horn (I was third horn), confronted me nicely but firmly. He asked, "Do you think you're smarter than the composer?" To which I replied: "No." "Play then", he continued, "what is in the music score. "<br />
<br />
The Bible says that "on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made" (Gen. 2:1-2). The text is emphatic and categorical. Makes it clear that after God completed his work, there was no need to add anything more. The work done during six days, of darkness and light each, the conditioning of the planet as well as the population of the same, was defined entirely so the text does not give space to suggest an evolutionary process from simple forms or from a common specie. In the <i>brief</i> biblical account of origins, as the Bible devotes the great majority of its message to inform us of the reality of our salvation, it points to the diversity of animals, of land and water, and birds created during the creation week.<br />
<br />
Although nature presents the capacity of living organisms to adapt to different environments and natural contexts (micro evolution), the limited physical capacity of modification within a species to adapt to environmental challenges, does not give us evidence to conclude on the generation of different new species evolved from other species (macro-evolution). You and I have seen an orange tree producing oranges, elephants which give birth to elephants, but never horses from onions.<br />
<br />
From the complexity of the organism and its ability to survive in its environment points to a design. Assuming that through a macro evolutionary process came into existence all organisms on the planet is totally contrary to our observation and experience. We observed that life comes from life, why should we, then, assume that at one point in the history life came from no life (abiogenesis)? We've never seen it! And even the experiments that <i>simulate</i> the supposed conditions where life was <i>supposedly</i> generated, all required intelligence, why then would we assume that there is no intelligence behind life on this planet?<br />
<br />
Assuming, based only through a logical perspective and experience of every living thing, many millions of years ago, by chance, the conditions were placed to, suddenly, emerge life. But not only that ... Life had to emerge <i>long enough</i> to develop a system for auto-reproduction. Logic as may seem the arguments of the Origin of Species without the intervention of an intelligent being, its foundation, the primary source of life, is totally illogical and fanciful, where have we observed this phenomenon? Because I've seen enough of life that comes from life, and that of an apple tree gives apples.<br />
<br />
Following the previous assumption, that organism that came out of nowhere, and lived long enough to develop, through an evolutionary process, a system to auto-reproduce, after many years, the desired amount of years, developed a system which requires <i>two</i> organisms of the same species with different genetic and physical conditions to reproduce life. However, it took millions of years for that system to actually work. Meanwhile, the developing reproductive systems served for other purposes... Really?<br />
<br />
In his infinite wisdom, God established, putting himself as an example, a sanctified and blessed system that would allow us human being, through our existence, to reaffirming our origin and originator (Gen. 2:1-3, Mark 2:27). From this perspective, the observance of the seventh day is not only a matter of doctrine, is a weekly exercise of alignment and loyalty where we recognize (Ex. 20:8, 11) our beginnings Today, in the midst of a world in sin, through the keeping of the Seventh-day, we are reaffirmed in acknowledging where we come from, we are defined today in acknowledging who we are, and we are projected into the future, acknowledging our destination. God provided a twenty-four hour date, every seven days, to allow us to come boldly (Heb. 4:16) to him to rest in sanctification and blessing.Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-78902902528992412172013-01-08T21:14:00.007-06:002013-03-16T08:23:22.026-05:00Forming the World<br />
Sitting in my office, writing this review, I look around me and I realize that everything I own was designed and created for a specific purpose: The books, pencils, stapler, computer, telephone, paperweights, the printer, the desk, the desk drawers, the trash can, envelopes, sheets (letter and legal size), the clips, the big year calendar on the wall, the door, windows, blinds. Everything to make my work possible.<br />
<br />
By observing the natural world, the balanced interdependence of the various elements that make this possible, we discover that undoubtedly was conditioned to allow not only life, but to allow its full development. Not that life has gradually adapted for long periods of time to previous existing conditions, but that conditions, the Bible assures us, were set for life to be possible (Gen. 1.3-13).<br />
<br />
No such coordination of conditions could be attributed to coincidence for this is mathematically impossible. Isaiah 45:18 tells us that God, without sharing responsibility, <i>formed</i>, <i>made</i>, and <i>established</i> (<span style="color: red;">NKJV</span>) the earth with a clear idea to be inhabited. From the creation light, essential for the development of life, to the conditions generated by the atmosphere, the allocation of rocks to keep the waters in its place, to the diversity of plants that together provide the nutrition for our healthy development, the hand of the Creator can be seen.<br />
<br />
If we assume the origins through evolution, why would life need conditions so defined? If we are true and consistent with the idea of evolution, life could occur anywhere and adapt to any condition. Therefore, by recognizing that life requires certain environmental specifications, shouldn't we accept the fact of a deliberate design, though the intervention of a higher being?<br />
<br />
With the desire to exclude God from the obvious, man has developed alternative stories relating to our origins such as natural selection, where the strongest survive over the weakest. Christ, on the other hand, advocates for the weak: "the poor in spirit", "those who mourn", "the meek", "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness," "the pure in heart", "the Peacemakers "," those who are persecuted." In addressing this disparity of the versions of the origins, there cannot be a relative truth where everyone has the freedom to choose ones truth... In actuality, there is only one absolute truth, and the individual has the option to accept it or reject it.<br />
<br />
The difference of philosophies of life that ramifies from the acceptance or rejection of this truth is abysmal and marks in definitive our worldview and behavior. For those who are consistent with the testimony of nature, the sacred text reminds us, "worship him that made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water" (Rev. 14:7), for "God said", because his word is power; "God saw", because what God does is good; "God called", because God is the creator, therefore, the owner.<br />
<br />
"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1)Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955180311809478023.post-56712787389283246432013-01-02T07:34:00.002-06:002013-08-03T16:45:17.357-05:00Creator of Heaven and Earth<div dir="ltr">
There has been times in which I get home late and, passing through the kitchen to leave the keys, I see a chocolate cake on the kitchen table. My first thought and conclusion, not giving it to much analysis, can be summarized in four words: "My wife made it". If I wanted to explain the cake's existence without the intervention of my wife, and even more, without the intervention of an intelligent design/designer, I would then need to write an encyclopedia, a couple of doctorate degrees, and the help of a couple millions of years to explain in <i>logical</i> terms the emergence and development of the elements that made possible the beginning, development and finished product of the cake as it is.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>
<div dir="ltr">
When we consider infinitely more complex things than a chocolate cake, such as the universe and <i>everything </i>within, the Bible uses only ten words (seven in the original Hebrew): "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gn 1:1). There is no need of further arguments. It is so obvious: "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Ps 19:1). The following verses of the first and second chapter of Genesis focus to build the information on the obvious conclusion that there is someone (God) behind the existence of the cosmos.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Richard Dawkins, and atheist thinker and writer, begins his book, <i>The God Delusion</i>, in the section where the book is dedicated, quoting Douglas Adams (1952-2001): "Isn't enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" But, wouldn't it be even more fairytalish, while enjoying the beauty of the Keukenhof garden, in the Netherlands, to think that it became from nothing and purely by chance, without the intervention of any intelligence?</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>
<div dir="ltr">
When we continue observing and discovering the complexity of life, intuition, logic and reason tells us that there must be intelligence in the design and origin of the universe and life. The desire to exclude God from our origins has led man to reach conclusions contrary to natural laws observed and experienced unaware that God's existence is not pending human recognition.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Nature cries aloud the existence of <i>a</i> God; <b>the Bible identifies him</b>. It is Jesus himself, God with us, the Word made flesh, who spoke, and it was done (Ps. 33:9, Jn. 1:3, Col. 1:16), our representative and mediator. Yes, Jesus, who was born and was physically present among us, who died and rose again and invites us to come boldly to His presence (Heb. 4:16).</div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555788471788620795noreply@blogger.com