Opus 2025-036: The Grace Card

I think possibly that the library card is an excellent example of how grace works in salvation.  We think of being saved by grace and that is a gift of God.  This is true.  The same basic statement could be made about your library card.  I think that salvation has a lot in common with your library privileges.

We tend to think of a library card as being free.  It is a gift from whatever government agency issues the card.  As a general rule, we don’t stop to think about the fact that someone had to build the library, stock it with books, and hire people to work there.  I think most people feel like the library just appears out of unicorn dust like they do every other government service.  The truth is that someone has to pay or there is no library.  In the case of your library, it’s paid for by taxes, which means you pay it.

Salvation is more like me going to another jurisdiction, and getting a library card in an area which I do not pay taxes.  In this case, someone else pays the price of the card.  That’s more like salvation.  It depends on someone else paying the price for my sin.  In this case it’s Jesus.  So let’s just go with the idea that my library card is free.

What is necessary for me to get a library card?  One library that I have a card from will give you a card as long as you live in Texas.  Others require certain ZIP Codes.  Some require you to live specifically within the city limits.  The point is there are requirements on getting it and you have to apply.  Unlike ballots that the Democrats want to supply, they are not mailed out to everyone.  They are available.  They are not automatic. That is in sync with the idea of salvation by grace.

So far you probably are with me, but here’s where my reform readers will part company.  The big question in my life ,or at least in my mind is, what does it take to keep the card functioning?  Understand, nowadays library cards are not issued on forever basis.  Every card that I have communicates with me roughly once a year.  They are not looking to revoke my privileges or, in a sense to remove my salvation, they are simply wanting to know if I am still on board.  Do I still consider myself a part of the library community?  There are no additional fees, but they do check my address to make sure that it’s really me.  Simple stuff.  Within the reach of every library card holder.  If I don’t respond or if I tell them no thanks, my library card is canceled and my privileges are revoked.  It is totally up to me.  It is my choice.

I think that’s a good example of how salvation works as we walk down the life that comes after being saved.  God is not going to cast us out into the darkness, like He did the man with the inadequate wedding clothes.  Jesus didn’t die on a cross to see how many people He gets into hell.  At the same time, Jesus doesn’t consider His sacrifice just kind of a cheap bit of laughter material, because nothing is expected of us.  We have the statement and Peter,

(2Pe 3:9 KJV)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

At the same time Paul is constantly telling us, and reminding us that we need to keep living a righteous life.

So if you haven’t done so, apply for a card at your local library.  If you haven’t done so express you believe in Jesus and have your sins forgiven and get your spiritual library card signifying that you were a member in good standing of the body of Christ.  And make sure that you keep it up-to-date.

The cost is already been paid.  The price was beyond your reach.  It has been paid.  That’s what makes it something that is available to you.

homo unius libri

Opus 2024-450: Not Always

I’m reading a book that is dealing with the paradox of having a God who created the universe, and who has all power, and all knowledge, but ends up, repenting, or being sorry, that he created mankind.   How did the two go together?

Couple that with John 3:16,

(Joh 3:16 KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

And the concept that we find in Peter,

(2Pe 3:9 KJV)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God wants the whole world to come to repentance and eternal life and yet Jesus said it wasn’t going to happen.

(Mat 7:14 KJV)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

God knows what he wants.  He has the power to force the issue, except for that little matter of free will.  Of course if you don’t believe in free will, if you are a disciple of B.F. Skinner and behaviorism or you are hard-core, five-point Calvinist, this is nonsense to you.  But God, because he has given us free will, because he created us in His image, because He knows the real meaning of love, is not going to force the issue.

God has chosen to have a relationship with man which says that He does not always get what He wants . But keep in mind that is His choice.  It reflects his personhood.  It reflects who He is.  It reflects whom He wants us to be.

Part of growing up is to accept responsibility for our actions.  It is very comforting to be a small child and let mommy decide what we will wear and have for dinner.  If you are still living that way at 40 you have a problem.  So grow up spiritually.  Realize that God wants you to trust in Jesus but He will not force you.  

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-231: Endorsing the Six Commandments

Awhile back I watch Peter Robinson interview three men on the topic of Christian culture.  Only one of the three, Stephen Meyer, was a definite Christian.  Tom Holland was a bit vague so I assume he was not and Douglas Murray, an open homosexual, never even acted like that was a possibility.  What was strange was the topic.  They were discussing the importance of Christianity in molding Western culture.  What was even stranger was that Murray and Holland seemed to feel like we needed to get back to the place where Christianity was the basis of our society.

The two men who were not Christians were not ready to embrace the faith or for Christians to evangelize.  It was more of an intellectual admission.  They had a point.

In once sense American was founded as a Christian nation.  It was not Muslim or Hindu, thus the predominate religion was Christian.  In another sense, we were never a Christian country because the people serious about Jesus have always been a minority.

The important factor was that the general population agreed with the values, priorities and morals of the Christian faith even if they did not embrace it.  Jesus did not tell us to expect to be in the majority.

(Mat 7:14 KJV)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I know that does not set well with many people.  We want everyone to be saved.  So does God.

(2Pe 3:9 KJV)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But it isn’t going to happen.

What we can expect, and demand, is that people embrace the expectations for living outlined in the Bible.  Start with the Six Commandments.  I say “six” because the first four are geared toward believers but the last six apply to everyone.

If you are not ready to repent and trust Jesus for salvation then the least you can do is endorse the plan God gave us for a civil society.

Endorse or perish, not because of the fire from the sky but because of the disintegration of everything that you want in a civilization.

homo unius libri