To be set apart.

1 Peter 1:14-15 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written "Be holy, because I am holy"

Holiness. It means to be set apart for the service of God. It means that what is called for holiness should not be used for the profane.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

How many times do we justify our actions with the words "it is ok, because I can handle it" A violent movie? No problem, I can filter out the bad stuff. A song that glorifies the flesh? It doesn't have any effect on me.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called out of darkness and into the light (1 peter 2:9)

As we decide to follow Christ, we must embrace the truth found in 2 Cor 5:17 where it is written "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come.

So, when we turn to follow Christ, there is a necessary change that must occur in our lives. The old must go. The new must come. Romans 6:11 We must consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Jesus Christ.

In our culture, it seems that we genuinely want to come to Christ, but we tend to also want to take as much of the world with us as possible. Even though we are called to to no longer conform. We do not need to see evil to renounce it. We do not need to look the world to save it.

When we do this, we are living in error. The moment we try and please both the Spirit and the flesh, the flesh wins. The Bible teaches us that a little yeast will work its way through the whole batch of dough. Such it is with the world. We can't live a little for the world and a little for Jesus, scripture also teaches that we cannot serve two masters, we will love one, while we hate the other.

By the grace of God, we are not only being called away from the world, but it is equally a call to something. It is an invitation to draw nearer to Christ. As we remove ourselves from the patterns of the world through Christ living in us, we draw nearer to the Father. As we do this, we begin to live by the spirit, to keep in step with the spirit!

So, what does it look like, to be set apart for use by God? It could look like me turning off facebook and spending more time in prayer, interceding for believers persecuted for following Christ. It could mean applying the word of God as a filter to what media I allow myself to partake in. It may mean fasting from media altogether, from watching sports (ouch), from eating out all the time and giving that money away instead. It should mean praying that the Holy Spirit will guide you in what the Lord wants you to do.

Remember relying on God is a daily choice, a daily struggle. If we truly want to live by the spirit, and put to death our flesh, our sinful nature, then we must be disciplined in mind, and in spirit to do this.

We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

Phillipians 4:13

Out of Abundance

We give out of abundance. What we have plenty of we are more willing to give away. If we were to have two copies of the same film, we would likely have no issue giving that copy away to a friend. If we ever cook to much for ourselves or our families, many of us are quick to jump on the phone and see if we can fill a few more spots at the table. Since we have in abundance we also tend to give that which we have much of. Sometimes, even though we are willing, people do not always accept a gift that is free. In Britain, a price comparison company was attempting to give away 5 pound notes. The gentlemen in the above picture stood on two of the busier streets, encountered over 1800 people and only 28 people took the free money. Mind you they had to ask for it, which is probably a significant reason why most didn't. We are ok with giving out of abundance, we are less ok with asking out of need.

However, I believe we all give out of abundance. In Luke 6:45 we are told that out of the abundance of the heart our mouth speaks. So whether your are preaching from a pulpit, teaching seminars to business people, teaching children, or sitting around having coffee with friends, as you are talking, you are giving out of abundance. The question is, what is it that you have in abundance. When a lame man asked Peter and James for some alms, this is what they said "Silver and gold I have none, but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Acts 3:6. The disciples had abundance of faith, so they gave away a blessing worth much more than a hot meal or shelter. It would have been easier to give him money, but that did not have an abundance of money but of the Spirit. Do we have an abundance of the spirit? When we speak, and we encouraging each other, or are we more concerned with proving a point, or gossiping, or foolish talk?

So,I say live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature, for the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other so you do not do what you want. Galatians 5.16-18

The Living Water

How often do I forget that the Bible is God's word. The very breathe of God. How often do I forget that if I want to live by the Spirit, to keep in step with the Spirit, I need to be rooted in the word. How often do I forget the word of God is life. Abundant life. Yet, I fill my time with the meaningless. I forget that I serve the Living God. The same who led the Israelites by a column of fire, who rained mana from heaven, who split the red sea, and who consumed those guilty of bringing a false sacrifice before him. I forget sometimes that my "story" is really God's story. I forget that Jesus Christ is alive in me. Alive. in. me. Maybe it's becaue I have so much stuff, that I believe I can do things on my own strength. Do you remember when the disciples engaged a lame man with the words: Silver and gold i do not have, but what I do have I give you, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Acts 3:6. It's easier for me to give money away because I have money. Somehow I've forgotten that the kingdom of God is not about talk but of power. 1 cor 4.20

When will I wake up and realize what it means to have Christ, living in me. What does it mean to live by the spirit, what does it mean to abide in Christ. All across the world God is moving. Millions of Chinese are coming to Christ, Muslims are coming to believe in Isa, these believers experience Christ in ways I may never understand. For them the word sustains them because it must. For them the Word is life. For us, in North America, the word has become, unpersonified. It is no longer the essence of life, but a subject to be studied, and kept at arms length.

Invisible Hero

Invisible Hero

She’s the invisible hero,
To the friends she’s never had
She’s the shoulder no one’s cried on,
Because she’s the only one’s who’s sad.

So, she releases her emotions,
like ink spilled upon a page
Her cry for help is silenced
by her life within the cage

A life locked in chains,
laughter missing from the air,
It's easy to be forgotten,
when its simple to despair

The marks hidden on her arm
prove she doesn't know her worth
finding freedom in a moment,
each breath rejects her own birth.

Eyes cast down with downcast I’s
A pretty girl is destroyed by lies

If only she could see,
the beauty behind her tears
If only she could lift her hands
And push against her fears.

Anguished Angel

This one follows me everywhere I go. Every new book, every site. It's not mine because it was a gift for someone else. Everytime I read it, I think of her struggle, her journey. To a degree I think I've failed her, and if your eyes find this page serendipitously know for that I'm sorry.

Anguished Angel
Far too often she's left waiting for the sun to pierce the darkened sky,
Far too often she feels forgotten, releasing an unheard sigh
Far too often she's left in pieces, left to wonder why
Far too often she's left alone, by herself to cry,

Anguished Angel with broken wings, halo replaced with chains,
Someone's filled your hands with weight, soaked by a thousand rains
Anguished Angel with no hope, freedom stripped away,
Someone's filled your heart with pain; your trust has been betrayed

She's hoping for a future, but feels that chance will be denied,
Hoping for the truth one day, instead of consuming lies.
Battered like a ship at sea, the horizon consumed with storms,
Her body cries for blood bought peace or some power that transforms.

Anguished Angel, with beauty marred, not outside but within,
Someone's taken your hope away, and replaced it with chagrin.
Anguished Angel, your life in flames, afraid of consuming fire,
Someone lashed out against your soul, and stole away your desires.

Anguished Angel, please hold on, even though hope slips away,
Anguished Angel, please press on, after every night there comes a day.
Anguished Angel, please rise up, against the surging tide,
Anguished Angel, please push through, every storm will subside.

Copyright ©2007 Brian Anthony

Covenantal Salvation

The point of my writing is less about answering any significant questions and more focused on struggling through questions. The more I know, the less there seems to be certain.

The idea of covenants is nothing new, and certainly something that most Christians are comfortable with. The Old Testament is saturated with covenantal relationships. God and the people or Israel, God's covenant with Abraham, God's covenant with Moses are just a few of the covenantal examples found in scripture. Many Christians faced with the question that the bible supports polytheism with a different God in each of the Testaments. They will point out that Scripture claims that Christ is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. Some perhaps will point to the first verse of John. "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God" To point to God's eternal nature. So, if God is in fact the same today, as he was in the both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. Why do we then act as if there are no covenants?

Often times in my experience, people are more comfortable with the concept of covenantal relationship, but seem to deem it too legalistic for our day and age. Some would point to the new Covenant being under Christ and being a covenant of Grace. However, this is only valid if you neglect to consider the contents of the New Testament. It, much like the Old Testament is saturated with covenantal language. Some of the flagship verses contain this language.

John 15:1-8 "If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit." Verse 7 goes on to say that "if a man remains in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be given to you."

This verse is important that it brings clarification, i believe to the oft misquoted "when two or more are gathered passage" This is the covenant part, if you remain in me. If.You.Remain.In.Me. IF. So, in order for Christ to remain in us, we must remain in him. Let's switch the word remain, to abide. To remain seems to be still, maybe resting but also possibly stagnant. To abide, is to endure without yielding. So, we must abide in Christ, THEN he will abide in us. This should be be confused in thinking that we can accomplish such an act apart from Christ, but the two acts are synonymous.

Often I hear John 8:36 proclaimed, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Which is true, however, most do not recognize the qualifier of this statement is found a few verses back in verse 31 where it says “IF you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” So, to be set free then, according to verse 31 we first must hold to his teachings, a sign of a disciple, then we will know the truth and accordingly experience freedom.

We clamor about free will, yet act as if we have no responsibility to follow Christ. We concern ourselves with rights and grace, but fail to pay the cost. We verbally yearn for a revival, yet internally are comfortable in our complacency. There are to great commandments in scripture, first, what is known in Judaism as the Shema, which is found in Deut. 3:5, a call to love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” The second is to love your neighbor as yourself” found in Mark 12:28-31. Given the highly narcissistic nature of church society this last one is quite challenging.

The fact is that our salvation with God is covenantal. The New Testament is full of the if/then covenantal language. We cannot, we must not believe that we cannot deny Christ in our actions and think to cling to grace when we stand before him. We will find, on that day, it is not grace we have been clinging to but the coat tails of the father of lies.

Matthew 10:32

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge them before my father in heaven. But who ever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Cost of the Cross.

When did following Christ become so easy? When did it become so safe? When did the words of Christ "take up your cross and follow me" stop resounding in our ears? When did we move from the idea that the chief end of man is to glorify God to the chief end of God is to glorify man? When did our hearts began only to break for ourselves instead of the lost? Why is our own personal safety and happiness become priority one? How do I continue to justify my materialism in the face of the impoverished? How do I believe to follow Christ, and yet so often his word leaves me unchanged? Do i believe I follow Christ, or am i living as if Christ followed me. When has being a Christian become painless and without sacrifice in North America? Has it ever been different? Is it different now, and my perspective is merely limited by my environment?

Why is everyone seemingly terrified of challenging their brothers and sisters to walk closer with the Lord? Why is o.k. to watch i supposedly care about fret away their salvation in sin? Why are we scared of confrontation? Where is the accountability? Why is our generation so damn therapeutic and obsessed with being politically correct? Christ's closes companions all paid a significant price, socially, physically, and most paid with their lives. Yet, i see people in my generation toting Jesus is my homeboy shirts, who are aghast that following Christ should cost them something personally. Their right, it shouldn't cost something, it will cost them everything.

Christ, toted amongst most believers as the example to follow,in Mark 8:34 told his disciples that to follow him, life would require them to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him. We are not very good at denying ourselves, or taking up our cross. Often it seems, my prayers have been littered with requests for God to get me through the desert, to break some sin in my life, to get me to the end of some particular journey instead of the strength to get there.

Scripture denotes the importances of trials as character defining, and essentially sources of an unfailing hope (Romans 5:3-4, James 1) Regardless, our faith, and our journey will lead us to hear one of two things at the end. It will either be Well done my good and faithful servant (as did the faithful servant in mat 25)or I never knew you, away from me you evildoers.

Christ in me, Christ with me, Christ for me.