Tag Archives: Jesus

The Messiah: Peter’s Confession of Christ

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Shortly after Jesus heals a blind man, he walks toward the villages of Caesarea Philippi with his disciples.

Along the way  about who people think he is.

They tell him John the Baptist. Or Elijah. Or one of the prophets.

He asks them, “Who do you think I am?” Peter confesses: “You are the Christ.”

An Objection to This Confession

Some scholars see this episode as a post-Easter confession of the church read back onto Peter’s lips.

Yet this theory can’t plausibly account for the rebuke in , since that is not a detail the church is likely to invent.

And so it’s best to conclude that Peter’s confession was historical and that Jesus accepted it, although on his own terms, as you’ll see in a minute.

The Suffering, Crucified Liberator?

Peter replied to Jesus’ question on behalf of the twelve. And he clearly and unequivocally affirmed that he–along with the twelve–believed Jesus to be the Messiah.

However, the disciples expected the Messiah to come as a conquering general, a political liberator.

Not a sacrificial lamb.

Jesus knew this. That’s why his follow up statement to Peter’s confession was a prediction of his own suffering and death.

Yet Peter rejected such a notion. He could handle Jesus being Messiah. But he could not handle Jesus being crucified. Regardless, Jesus’ messianic mission cannot be understood apart from the cross.

The Messiah and the Cross

First century Palestinian Jews understood that the Messiah would be . That’s why parallels between Moses and Jesus were abundant.

But, like Luther said, “Jesus was no Moses.” In the end, Moses is but a household servant. Christ, the maker and master of all things.

For an ex-Pharisee and former church persecutor named Paul, this message penetrated every inch of his preaching: Nothing was worthy compared to the glory of the crucified Christ.

All paled in comparison.

And it was Paul’s all-consuming passion for others to  in the person of Jesus. That’s my passion, too.

So I have to ask, “Who do you say Jesus is?” The answer to this question will determine your eternal destiny.

**Part of The Messiah: Eleven Meditations from the Book of Mark series.** You can start reading a PDF version of  right now.

Are You a True Christian? 11 Sure-Fire Ways to Know

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Take this short, 11 question quiz from the book of 1 John to find out if you are a true Christian.

In a little book called  John MacArthur dissects 1 John into 11 questions that can determine whether a person is a Christian or not.

For me, this book was pivitol in my conversion.

After reading it, I clearly saw the stark contrast between my religious life and the authentic Christian life.

It was one of the first steps of moving from what amounted to pratical atheism–I participated in church but remained woefully detached and rebellious–to a recognition of my hypocrisy.

This is important.

A high degree of people who drift away from church probably fall into this category. They were practical atheists who simply shed the cloth of religion.

Now, this is just a hunch. But a hunch that’s been growing since talking to a number of people through this blog and elsewhere.

But here’s the deal: The true intention of this test is .

It’s not meant to size someone up and declare a verdict. That’s God’s job. He is truly the only qualified judge of any man’s obedience and faithfulness.

So, if you’re a Christian, take about two minutes to answer these 11 questions. And be honest.

1. Do you enjoy a close relationship with God and Christ? 

2. Are you sensitive to sin in your life? 

3. Do you obey God’s commands? 

4. Do you reject this evil world? 

5. Do you long for Jesus’ return? 

6. Is the pattern of sin decreasing in your life? 

7. Do you love other Christians? 

8. Do you experience answered prayer? 

9. Do you feel like the Holy Spirit is with you? 

10. Can you tell the difference between spiritual truth and error? 

11. Have you suffered rejection because of your faith? 

So, how’d you do?

If you answered “yes” to most questions…you’ll have reason to enjoy your eternal salvation with great confidence.

If you answered “no” to most questions–which I did first time I took this test!–you’ll know where you stand…and what you need to do next: ask God’s forgiveness.

It’s also probably a good idea to explore J. I. Packer’s advice to new Christians. Take care and let me know what you think.

**Part of the Curmudgeon’s Guide to Sharing the Gospel series.**

The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Sharing the Gospel

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A misanthrope’s guide to sharing the gospel wisely.

I’m a bona fide crank. Just ask my wife.

Or children.

I can be a dreadful beast on weekends. A  moody eccentric in the evening. A sullen grouch in early morning car trips.

I grit my teeth when someone interrupts reading time.

Snap when asked in the middle of the night to get a cold glass of water for a feverish child.

Bang the desk when distracted from work.

It’s not so much that I’m a man-hater. Or that I’m obsessed with God’s wrath. Or that my life’s miserable.

No.

It’s simply because I’m selfish. Narcissistic. Self-centered.

And I was like this for most of my life until someone introduced me to Jesus.

My Best Advice for Sharing the Gospel

All joking aside, sharing the redemptive message of Jesus Christ is one of the most sobering elements of your faith.

The world sleeps in ignorance. Sin calls for their punishment.  And you are entrusted with the task of .

If you want to be effective in reaching the lost, then check out these articles designed to get you up and running with the basics of sharing your faith.

The Gospel (in 10 words or less)

Are You a True Christian? 11 Sure-Fire Ways to Know

10 Ways to Know If You Are a Truly Good Person

How to Become a Christian (in 1,000 Words or Less)

Is the Christian Gospel a Sick Delusion?

Do You Believe These Crude Things about Christians?

Evangelism: Introducing the Elevator Pitch

What Is the Difference Between the Gospel and Religion?

6 Things Joel Osteen Won’t Tell You about Being a True Christian

5 Non-Negotiable Laws of Sharing Your Faith

6 Excuses We Use to Avoid Sharing Our Faith

Do You Have a Simple, Clear Statement of Faith?

Seven Ways of Looking at God’s Wrath

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From dreadful to delayed, a summary of holy punishment.

This may be a strange way of leading into Christmas–as was the post Propitiation in Plain English–but bear with me.

Believe it or not, but the Bible is the book of God’s wrath.

It travels from the  to the  and the great court sessions of Revelation 17, 18 and 20.

In fact, one of the most striking things about the Bible is how heavy both Testaments pour on the reality and terror of God’s wrath.

Yet, something most people miss is this is the very context into which Jesus was born.

Thus, with Christmas so near, it’s not such a bad time to explore in seven ways one of the most overlooked aspects of God’s visit to the earth. First, let’s define this wrath.

God’s Wrath Is Punishment

In both Testaments, God’s wrath meant burning anger. Think  fury and rage. Hatred of sin. And indignation at all evil. It’s punishment, pure and simple.

God’s punishment is seen in hell.  as the final home for the unrepentant godless. That means hell is the final punishment for the wicked.

However, when , “God has set bounds to every man’s wickedness; he suffers men to live and go on in sin, till they have filled up their measure, and then cuts them off ” he was doing nothing more than  who said that God gives wicked men and women over to their depraved minds to do with their bodies what ought not to be done. That’s God’s punishment here on this earth.

God’s Wrath Is Revealed

We all have a sense of impending doom.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 

Here’s the deal: The fear of God preserves the moral society of men. It sustains, protects and governs. However, take that fear away, and man descends into wickedness.

Look at America: Each generation creates a greater gap between it and the knowledge of God. Each generation sinks deeper and deeper into evil.

Yet, the conscience will not let us rest. It is gnawing at us with the truth of sin and evil. We sense impending punishment. We sense God’s wrath.

God’s Wrath Is Discipline

In a nutshell, God’s wrath is His reaction to our sin. It’s an expression of His justice. Moreover, it’s correction of wickedness.

once said, “For that which is called God’s wrath and His anger is actually a means of discipline.”

“If he has put thorns in your bed,” , “it is only to awaken you from the sleep of spiritual death–and to make you rise up to seek his mercy.”

Now, if you are toying with his goodness and have not come to repentance and faith in Christ–you stand under the severity of his discipline. The good news is that Jesus has come to deliver us from the wrath of God.

God’s Wrath Is Pure

Unlike human anger or rage, God’s wrath is never impulsive, unpredictable or self indulgent. Instead, it’s a measured and meaningful reaction to sin.

Jesus himself–who actually had more to say on this subject than any other New Testament figure–made the point that punishment would be equal to what we deserved. It would never be more or less. It would be perfect. It would be pure.

God’s Wrath Is Necessary

Would a God who did not punish evil be morally perfect? The answer is no. It is necessary because he is:

  • Holy: You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong. 
  • Righteous: But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 
  • Jealous: Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. 

The sin of the incorrigibly wicked is sin against the eternal God. So, sin against the eternal deserves eternal punishment.

God’s Wrath Is Longsuffering

God’s long-suffering is a remarkable virtue. However, it doesn’t exclude or contradict God’s justice. In time, the kindness found in His patience and longsuffering is meant to lead you to repentance.

In fact, one of the greatest wonders of the Bible story is that the patience of God in giving us a chance to. Yet, God’s patience isn’t limitless:

…endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction… 

God’s Wrath Is Satisfied

Reading Romans 1-3 and you might come to the conclusion that there is no escaping the judgment of God. Yet,  says this: “We have now been justified by his blood.”

In other words, Jesus’ death is a sacrifice that averts God’s wrath. And through the self abandoning trust in the person and work of Jesus, Jesus  that is to come.

Why You Should Care about God’s Wrath

The more we contemplate and understand God’s vicious judgment on sin, the more we will see sin as the abomination that it is. It breeds a genuine fear in our souls for God.

But understand this: The purpose of God’s wrath is not to destroy humanity. He disciplines His own people through his wrath with the .

On the one hand, hell is the measure of the severity of God. It’s purpose is to influence us. On the other hand, Calvary is the measure of the goodness of God. It’s purpose is to comfort us.

And without the birth of Christ, we would have no Calvary.

So, let me ask you, have you ever looked at Christmas and thought about God’s wrath? Does thinking about God’s wrath make you cherish the birth of Christ more? I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

**Part of The Nature of God: A Quick and Dirty Guide series.**

How to Become a Christian [in 1,000 Words or Less]

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Where salvation is explained in plain English–from why we need to be saved to how it works. 

So, the central story of the Bible is about God reconciling a rebellious people. You, whether you like it or not, are one of those rebellious people.

You say, “I’m only human—nobody’s perfect.” That’s correct.  says the same thing: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Our Problem: Separation from God

You and I both do things that we know are wrong. That’s what  means: sinning with knowledge.

But you say, “I’m a pretty good person. I’m not as bad as the guy down the street who drinks whiskey and beats his wife.”

You wanna bet?

More than likely, on any given day, you are guilty of blaspheme, lust, murder, lying and stealing. [Don’t believe me? Take this quiz to find out.]

No wonder you feel estranged from God—He’s holy and good. You and I, on the other hand, are not.

But your sinful acts have alienated you from God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not to listen to your prayers. 

And you were dead in your tresspasses and sins. 

So, whether you break one or all of God’s laws, you are guilty of sin. And it doesn’t matter if you stole a pencil from work or slit a toddlers throat: God punishes all sin.

What Happens If You Sin

Just as criminals must pay the penalty for their crimes, sinners must pay the penalty for their sins.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

If you continue to sin, in the end, you will stand before the Judgment seat of God and He will declare you guilty. Your punishment? Spiritual death.

Spiritual death separates you from God. This is called hell, a physical place where unforgiven sinners experience physical torment. For eternity.

Now, does it concern you that you’ve sinned against God? It should.

You’ve actually angered God by your sin. The Bible says that  and that you are an enemy of God. What can you do about it?

Futility of Our Works

You might think you can do enough good deeds to outweigh your bad deeds. Or lead a good life and God will then play nice with you.

This attitude is called “works by salvation.” And it’s unbiblical.

The Bible teaches no amount of human goodness or human works can get you on the good side of God.

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not of works, so that no one can boast. 

Salvation Is a Free Gift

Imagine one morning you were arrested for torturing dogs, maiming them, even killing them. You were a respectable, clean fellow, yes, but you just couldn’t stand dogs.

In court, the judge finds you guilty. He sentences you to 17 years in prison. Without parole. You weep. But just before you are ushered out of the court room by the guard, a stranger walks through the door.

Everyone stops.

The stranger takes off your handcuffs and puts them on his hands. He announces to the judge, “I’m going in his place.”

You watch dumbfounded as the guard carts the stranger away.

What just happened? The stranger just paid your penalty and his sacrifice was a demonstration of his love for you.

Jesus did the same thing for you and your sins over 2,100 years ago.

Christ Has Paid Your Penalty

The Bible says that Christ loved you enough to die for you–even when you were rebelling against Him.

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

This is the good news of the Bible: God gave His own Son to become a man, live a sinless life and die on the cross to satisfy the penalty for our sins.

Moreover, to prove that Jesus was in fact God-man and that His death in fact meant substitution for your sins, God raised Jesus from the dead.

Why did He do this?

God does not want you to perish. In fact, He’s provided a way for you to be forgiven.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Right now, God invites you to come to Him for a full pardon.

How Do You Receive This Free Gift?

The Bible teaches that all you have to do is follow His command to accept this free gift:

Repent…that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. 

If you will confess and forsake your sins and trust in Jesus Christ, God will forgive you and you’ll pass from death to life.

It’s a free gift. And it’s your choice: you can either accept or reject this free gift. What do you want to do?

What Does It Mean to Put Your Faith in Jesus Christ?

It means to trust in Jesus the same you’d trust in a lifeboat cast on a raging sea.

Today, with all your heart, surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Confess your sins. Ask God to forgive you. Say that you’ll trust in Jesus. And thank Him for the gift of everlasting life.

Pray now. There is nothing magical about the words you use. It is the attitude of your heart that God cares about.

And don’t put this off. You could die the instant you turn away from this screen.

If you are making this commitment to Christ today, please let me know. I want to hear from you.

**Part of the Curmudgeon’s Guide to Sharing Your Faith series.**