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Transcript of the Video

Hello and welcome to giveattentiontoreading.com, where you can get your daily dose of the Great Physician’s medicine. Today’s reading is from Acts chapters 3 and 4. Today, I’d like to give attention to Acts 4:11-12. The text says:

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

There it is. The bold and possibly arrogant claim of Christianity.

Jesus is not merely a savior in the midst of many saviors. His is not merely a name in the midst of many names. His way is not merely a way in the midst of many ways that lead to God. He is the only one. His is the only name. His is the only way that leads to God.

Ra won’t get you to God. Mithra won’t get you to God. Zeus won’t get you to God.  Buddha won’t get you to God. Krishna won’t get you to God. Confucius won’t get you to God. Mohammed won’t get you to God. Joseph Smith won’t get you to God. The Pope won’t get you to God. Oprah Winfrey won’t get you to God. I won’t even get you to God. Jesus Christ is the only way to God.

But this doesn’t fit too well in our post-modern, ecumenical, universalistic society. Today we are told that every way is right from a different perspective. What works for you may not work for me, and vice versa. We’re told that every way is merely a spoke in the wheel that leads to the hub of God.

BALDERDASH!!!

And I will admit, freely, that it is Christianity that throws a wrench in those works. Let’s think through this for a moment.

If every way is right, then Christianity is right. But as we read, Christianity claims that every other way is wrong. “No problem,” you say, “We’ll just say that Christianity is wrong.” But if Christianity is wrong, then you can’t say every way is right, and how many other ways might be wrong as well.

The fact is Christianity keeps us from making this weak and watered-down excuse for avoiding the challenges of the spiritual questions of life.

If Christianity is wrong, it is wrong. Say that it’s wrong. If it’s right, face up to it, follow it with all your might. But please do not be the weak and spiritually cowardly person who says, “I refuse to face the challenges of Christianity. I’m just going to pretend like it’s one way among many. And I get to pretend to have the high moral ground.”

If it’s right, then accept it and follow it. If it’s wrong, then treat it as a lie straight from the devil. Because you just can’t have it both ways. As for me, I’m going to follow Jesus. His is the only way. His is the only name. He is the only way to God and salvation.

I invite you to take the journey with me. Or, I invite you to say that I’m wrong. But please don’t patronize me by saying it is wrong for you but right for me.  Christianity simply won’t allow that.

Thanks again for checking out giveattentiontoreading.com. I’d love to know what you thought of today’s post and what else you got out of today’s  reading. Feel free to drop down to the comments section and join in the discussion. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for another dose of the Great Physician’s medicine.

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P.S. Here is a version of my favorite song that teaches this same message.

Hebrews 7-8 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Hebrews 7:1-8:13.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God and they shall be my people” (Hebrews 8:8-10).

I think I’ve misunderstood the Hebrew writer’s use of this prophecy from Jeremiah 31:31-33. God says He is going to give a new covenant because they didn’t keep the old one. At one level, that doesn’t make any sense to me. Is He saying, “Well, you flubbed that one, let Me see if I can give you something you can keep.” Is the New Covenant a dumbing down? Is it just an easier law to keep? I don’t think so.

Rather, I think this hearkens back to Hebrews 7:11, 18-19. “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise…” And also, “For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect)…”

The issue is not, “Well, you people were disobedient to My first Law so let Me try an easier one.” The point was that the Law didn’t work in making us perfect. In fact, law doesn’t make anyone perfect. It can’t. Does that mean the Law failed? I don’t think so. God didn’t establish law to justify us, but to show us we aren’t perfect. The Law did its job well. It shut everyone up under sin. It did what it was intended to do. So, God’s new covenant is not simply just another law that He thinks we might be able to keep this time (though there is certainly law as part of this covenant). The new covenant is different. It is not just different in that some of the laws are different. It is different in that the way we draw near to God is different. Instead of drawing near to God via our attempts at keeping a law, we draw near to God through the One who did keep God’s law. We draw near to God through our faith in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:19, 25).

Here is the great part. As we draw near to God through Jesus Christ, God will work in our lives, writing His law in our hearts and minds. God will be working in us to accomplish His will. Isn’t that what Paul had said in Philippians 2:12-13? As long as we are trying to keep God’s law by our own strength, we will fail to attain perfection. When we give up on that and instead strive to draw near to God through Jesus Christ, then God will work righteousness in us. Again, that is what Paul said in Romans 9:30-10:4.

Today, I need to quit trying to prove how well I can keep God’s law (attempts to establish my own righteousness). Instead, I need to draw near to God through Jesus Christ, having faith in Him and what He has said (submitting to God’s righteousness).

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Matthew 17-18 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 17:1-18:35.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4).

That’s the same question I keep asking today. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Oo, Oo, is it me? Is it me?” How do I get to be the greatest in the kingdom? Do I need to write the best blog? Preach the best sermon? Give the most money? Sacrifice the most fun? Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.

Wait! What?

Be humble? Like a child? What’s the point of that. I don’t want to be humble. I want to be great. I want everyone to know how great I am. I want everyone to see that I’m the smartest, I’m the holiest, I’m the brightest, I’m the best, I’m the greatest.

The amazing thing is the greatest among us will have no knowledge of being the greatest. In fact, the greatest among us won’t even care about being the greatest. The greatest among us simply aren’t concerned about being the greatest among us.

I guess today I need to quit being so focused on being the greatest among us.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Matthew 11-12 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 11:1-12:50.

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:18-19).

Look at how different John and Jesus were.  John’s service to God was marked by asceticism. He was a minimalist. He wore a camel’s-hair garment and a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild honey. He spent the majority of his time in the wilderness. Jesus on the other hand was what we might call more normal. His service was marked by freedom. He ate normal food and drank normal drink. While he spent some time in the wilderness, most of his time was spent in town. He went to parties and banquets. He accepted invitations into folks’ homes. He was not guilty of the excesses of which He was accused. But at the same time, he didn’t view the potential accusations as reasons to back off of His normal freedoms.

One was more ascetic; one was more free. Which one was more spiritual? Neither. There was room in God’s plan for both. They didn’t have to compete, which is what often happens today.

I’ll give two practical examples of how I’ve seen this competition in play.

First, clothes in the assembly. In time past, our society was more formal in dress at every occasion. About the only place that has lingered for some is with the church’s assemblies. Some of us still view the assembly as a place to dress up in order to show respect to God. That isn’t a biblical command, but in the context of our culture, it makes sense. Others, having recognized it is not a command of God are becoming more lax. They even can come up with some good biblical reasons like not attracting attention to themselves based on wealth (cf. I Timothy 2:9-10). Sadly, both look down on the other as less spiritual. One is more ascetic; one is more free. Which is more spiritual? Neither. There is room for both.

Another example is music. Some Christians hold it as a badge of honor that they only ever listen to spiritual music and the Bible on cd. They brag about the cds they have in their car and how they use their drive time to just listen to sermons. They would never listen to any secular music. Others brag about their freedom in Christ to enjoy wholesome, but secular things. One is more ascetic; one is more free. Which is more spiritual? Neither. There is room for both.

Jesus and John were both part of God’s plan. They didn’t have to compete. They didn’t have to compare. They didn’t have to one-up each other. Why would we? There is room for both kinds of servants.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Matthew 7-8 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 7:1-8:34.

“And the demons begged him, saying ‘If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.’ And he said to them, ‘Go.’ So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region” (Matthew 8:31-34).

My buddy Clay Gentry pointed this out to me once, I think based on a lesson from John Maxwell.

How on earth could these people ask Jesus to leave their country? He had just demonstrated amazing power. He had saved the lives of these two demon-possessed men. He had cleansed them. What could be better? Think of all the good Jesus could do in their community. If He could cast out these demons, He could help so many people.

But in helping them, He had destroyed their pigs. I’m not sure I fully know all the nuances of this story. But I do know for sure that these folks had totally misplaced priorities. Instead of seeing the great work that Jesus had done for these two men. All the neighbors could think about was the pigs.

Sure, we want Jesus to destroy our demons, but do we want Him to do it on our terms? Do we want Him to save our pigs in the process? Are we willing to let Jesus stay with us even if it means destroying our pigs too?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Matthew 5-6 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 5:1-6:34.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the  pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3-10).

Blessed are the poor in spirit; not blessed are the self-reliant.

Blessed are those who mourn; not blessed are the comfortable.

Blessed are the meek; not blessed are those who demand their rights.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; not blessed are those who hunger and thirst for fame, money, power, privilege, or even mercy and grace.

Blessed are those who are merciful; not blessed are those who demand justice.

Blessed are those who are pure in heart; not blessed are those who want enough Jesus to get to heaven but not enough to really be different from the world.

Blessed are the peacemakers; not blessed are the grudge holders.

Blessed are those who are persecuted; not blessed are those who are only loved or simply ignored.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Add your input by clicking the following link: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

1 Thessalonians 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4:18.

“For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

Paul tells me to encourage you with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Do I really need to add any of my own words to the encouragement?

What a great day. I’m looking forward to it. Aren’t you?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

What struck you in today’s reading? Add your input by clicking the following link: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Mark 11-12 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 11:1-12:44.

“And he was teaching them and saying to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?” But you have made it a den of robbers’” (Mark 11:17).

So much for the mild-mannered, Caspar Milquetoast Jesus. This is the “I’ll be back” Jesus. He overturns tables. He clears out cheats. He runs off the insincere. What kind of emotions do you think we would have been able to read on His face in the midst of all this?

What I can’t help but think about is I Corinthians 6:19. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In one sense, my body is a house of God. What does that mean for me? Is God’s house a house of prayer? Or have I made it into a robbers’ den? Or have I made it in to some other kind of den?

Am I willing to ask Jesus to overturn the money-changing tables in my own heart? Am I willing to ask Him to take up His scourge and cleanse me of the den of wickedness that is in my own heart? Or do I want the Caspar Milquetoast Jesus who just sadly looks the other way? The latter leaves me in my sins, in guilt, shame, misery, and despair. The former is painful, but I’ve learned it is less painful than just leaving the robbers’ den in my heart. Only being willing to let God do whatever it takes to cleanse me and keep me on His path works for me (cf Psalm 141:3-5).

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Mark 5-6 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 5:1-6:56.

“And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region” (Mark 5:16-17).

Wow! This is too much like me some of the time. Here they were looking at an obvious miracle. A man had been cleansed of a demon. He had been crazy and destructive. Now he is clothed and in his right mind. But all these people can see is the missing pigs. Instead of being able to see the good Jesus could do for them, they could only see the sacrifice they had to make for this great blessing. Sadly, they decided to hang on to the rest of their pigs rather than let Jesus continue to be a blessing in their society.

That is where I am too often. I know there is blessing in time in the Word, time in prayer, time in discussion with others, time in sharing with others, but too often all I can see is the tv shows I’ll miss, the games I won’t play, the alone time I won’t get, etc. I too often choose the empty, wasted, worthless pigs in my life rather than Jesus who can provide real blessing.

Interestingly, this is the only place where Jesus told a man to tell everyone what God had done for Him. I’m thankful that Jesus continues to leave a reminder for me. The key for me is to take that reminder.

So, today, I want to choose Jesus and not the pigs. (By the way, this is Gentile country, so the pigs do not necessarily represent something that is always bad. I’m not saying I’m never going to watch tv or play games again, just saying I need to keep it in perspective.)

What will you choose today?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Mark 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Mark 3:1-4:41.

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!” and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:37-39).

I can imagine what it was like in that storm. Some were bailing water. Some were frantically trying to row to shore. Some were puking their guts out over the side. Jesus was sleeping. I can imagine that too because sometimes I feel like God is not paying attention to my fears and struggles. Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck on a boat in the middle of a stormy sea and no one is there to help. “Don’t you care?!” I cry to the heavens.

Then I remember this story. Just because the storm is going on doesn’t mean Jesus won’t take care of me. The fact is that even before Jesus finally calmed the storm, no one on that boat died. He hadn’t let them get hurt. He was in complete control. And then He demonstrated that control by saying, “Peace! Be still!,” and the wind and sea calmed.

Like the disciples, I can maintain my faith in Jesus throughout the worst storms. I can know that He will carry me through. He will not let me go through more than I can handle by His grace (I Corinthians 10:13). He does care, but that doesn’t mean He will act on my timetable.

Jesus may be sleeping right now (please understand the metaphor here), but He is in control. I just need to do the next right thing and let Jesus do His thing in His time.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.