Posts

Showing posts from April, 2014

When Jesus Calls Your Name

Image
"Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, 'Rabboni!' (which means, Teacher." - (Jn. 20:16, NASB)      Does Jesus really know your name? I believe so. The Bible is clear that every hair on our heads are numbered and the LORD takes into account every bird that drops dead to the ground (Mt. 10:29) . In addition, the Bible tells us that God knows every star and calls them by name ( Ps. 147:4 ). So, yes, I believe that God knows your name. Why is that significant?     In the verse above, Mary had been talking to Jesus and two angelic visitors at the tomb where Jesus had been placed just two days prior. She was talking to Jesus, and yet did not realize that she was, in fact, talking with the risen Jesus. It was not until he called her by name that she recognized whom it was speaking to her, but when she heard, "Mary!" she knew.      In American society, names often do not carry the significance they do in many other c

Liberty and Legalism

Image
"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:31-33, NASB)    Two weeks ago I read an article by a notable Christian magazine which presented the idea that Christians are free to use marijuana, but they should not. Although I cannot speak directly for Paul, I'm pretty sure that this was not what he meant when speaking of liberty. Usually, any discussion of questionable behavior eventually devolves into a legalism-vs-liberty debate, with supporters on each side brining in "other" topics, which clouds the issue. Christ has given us freedom: freedom from sin, not freedom to sin; freedom to live and serve, not freedom to indulge.    My heart and spirit is deeply disturbed by the willingness of some within the c