Why Jesus Did Not Preach About Grace

You are reading his title and thinking, "What is he talking about? This guy is crazy!" But I invite you to look through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There is a word that you will never find coming from the lips of our Savior. That word is "grace." There is no doubt that rather than preach about it, He embodied it. In the first chapter of the gospel of John this is made plain, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, " and again, "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:14, 17).

But Jesus never preached about grace. Why? I think the Bible reveals the answers:

1. Grace could not be given as God designed it until Jesus was crucified. It was impossible for mankind to receive the fullness of God's grace until the plan of redemption was completely finished. But now, the grace of God has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11).

2. The hard-hearted Jews didn't need the grace message as much as they needed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). Jesus continued what John the immerser had started. God was calling for the changing of hearts.

3. Jesus had come to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17). This included spending His teaching time explaining its true intent. The Jews had fumbled their resposibility in a miserable fashion. A good portion of Christ's preaching was spent in delivering the correct interpretation of the Mosaic system, which was not grace-centered.

4. Grace is what God does, not what we do. We are the subjects of the grace of God. Jesus was interested in helping mankind get their part right. That is why His teaching concentrated on love and obedience to God. It is through love for God, which leads to repentance and obedience, that grace is received. Christ came to extend grace through His blood, but he also came to help man learn how to obtain it.

Within the religious realm, the subject of grace is greatly mishandled today in our world. An honest and complete examination of the Bible will lead us to the understanding that no person could be saved, if not for the grace of God. And yet this grace teaches us how we are to live before the God who extended it (Titus 2:12).

Jesus did not preach about grace because He knew that He had it covered. His message, primarily, was, "Repent!" Because without genuine repentance, the grace of God is in vain.

"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain." - 2 Corinthians 6:1

Why I am Still Running the Kentucky Derby Marathon

In less than two weeks (April 27) I am scheduled to run the Kentucky Derby Marathon in Lousiville. In the light of the recent tragedy in Boston several people have asked me if I am still going, or if I am concerned about participating in this upcoming event. If this is of no interest to you, do not feel pressured to read what I have to say. But if you do wonder what a Christian runner may think about all of this, please read this post in full.

Here are the reasons why I am still running on April 27th:

1. I have faith in God. I believe that He is in control. I understand that we live in a world where terrorism has become a reality, and that we are never completely safe from the works of evil. Someone could break into your house tonight to hurt you. Someone could attack you on the street or unleash a device in a crowd. I cannot keep people from making bad choices. But I am a Christian and I am confident that God has preserved my soul for the day of judgment by the blood of Jesus Christ. By the grace of God I am ready for that day, whenever it may come.

2. I want to be healthy. So in a sense I am running for myself and my family. I want to be around for them for years to come, and my running has allowed me to be as healthy as I have ever been, even after cancer. I am still dedicated to the pledge of living as healthy as I can, by eating things that are good for me and exercising. My body is the temple of Holy Spirit. In order to serve the Lord, my family, and mankind, I am going to keep running for my health.

3. I will not live in fear. It is very common for people to make decisions that will help them to avoid trouble. In many instances this is wise. When we know that something is dangerous we should always weigh all of the particulars. Is it really worth it? A respect for the value of life will sometimes cause us to not participate in certain things or go specific places. Running in a marathon in a major city with thousands of people should be safe. Going to a ball game should be safe. Going to a movie should be safe. Going to school should be safe. Yet there has been terrorism in all of these places. But we will not stop going to any of them - because they are normal and good things...and we need to continue to live our lives normally.

4. I am running for the victims of Boston. It would be sad if we were to ever allow something they loved to be removed from society because somebody decided to be evil. I have heard that some people complained because they didn't get to finish the marathon. Who cares? Some people lost their lives or have injuries that will handicap them from now on. People have been emotionally scarred and have seen images and have experienced things they will never be able to remove from their memory. So we need to keep things in perspective. Nothing we can do will ever make what they have dealt with better. Only the hope we have of heaven can do this. One day, if we have obeyed the gospel and have been faithful to it, none of the worries and troubles of this life will matter. Until that time, the victims of this tragedy need prayers and support. One way I can support them is letting them know that I love something they love, too. And it is a good thing to share these feelings together.

And so, for this reason, and 1000 more, I am running the marathon and will keep running. Life is a blessing - it must not be wasted. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

I am thankful for our omnipotent God. The Lord is with me, whom shall I fear? What can man do to me?

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7

Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey, and Pee Wee Reese

On the 66th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking of the color barrier in baseball, this post is dedicated to Mr. Robinson and all those who have with the proper attitude allowed themselves to be persecuted for a cause that was right and good. I have been a huge Dodgers fan my entire life, so I am very familiar with all of the latest buzz from the movie "42" and this anniversary. It is good to know people are being exposed to some of the facts surrounding the Jackie Robinson story.

I would like to share with you just a few, perhaps little known facts about these three men who are the main characters in "42."

Branch Rickey was one of the greatest innovators the game of baseball has ever known:

• He did play professional baseball and football in the early 1900's. He was not a great big-league catcher. He once allowed 13 steals in one game while behind the plate - still a record. (It was true in his case that, "those who can't play, manage.")
• He was responsible for the invention of the farm system (which ultimately saved minor league baseball).
• He promoted the first widespread use of the baseball helmet, and is considered by most as its creator.
• He instituted the first spring-training facility in Vero Beach, Fl.
• He not only drafted Robinson, but also Roberto Clemente, and earlier on had signed other players like George Sisler.
• His farm system produced and developed players such as Stan Musial and the Dean brothers. He coached baseball for the University of Michigan and was responsible for building the "Gashouse Gang" - the dominant 1930's Cardinal team.
• He served our country in World War I. As an officer in the Army in France, he commanded a chemical training unit that included Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson.
• He said "luck is the residue of design."
• His efforts to desegregate baseball were born out of idealism and his astute sense of business.
• He considered himself a religious man and a Bible reading man. During a speech in 1965, he collapsed while attempting a Biblical quote. These were the last words he ever spoke.
• He died in 1965 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967.

Pee Wee Reese:

• Always my favorite Dodger, he was born on July 23 (also my birthday) in Ekron, Ky (1918). He grew up in segregated Louisville.
• He got his nickname during his childhood from playing marbles - a "pee-wee" was a small marble...and he, too, was small.
• As a child his father made an impression on him concerning racism, once taking him to a tree where a lynch-mob had formerly murdered a black man.
• He did not play any baseball until his senior year of high school, weighing only 120 lbs.
• He was first discovered through his success in church league baseball, and his team was purchased by the Boston Red Sox solely for the purpose of his being signed to a contract to play professionally.
• While waiting his opportunity to play shortstop for the Red Sox, he became familiar with persecution. Joe Cronin was the current shortstop and manager of the Red Sox. He was at the end of his career and felt threatened by Reese's talent. He downplayed his talents and kept him out of the big leagues as long as possible. Finally Cronin persuaded the Red Sox to trade Reese altogether to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
• When he met Jackie Robinson, it was the first time in his life that Reese had ever shaken hands with a black man.
• He refused to sign a petition by his teammates that said they would not play with Robinson. When asked if he was worried about Robinson taking his place at shortstop, he said, "If he can take my job, he's entitled to it."
• The scene in "42" where Pee Wee Reese rescues Jackie Robinson from the ridicule in Cincinatti during the pregame warm-ups is true. Reese stood there with his arm around Robinson until the Jeers subsided. To this day this is one of the most famous events in sports history. This gesture is depicted in a bronze sculpture of Reese and Robinson, created by sculptor William Behrends, that was placed at MCU Park in Brooklyn and unveiled on November 1, 2005.
• He was a 10 time all-star and helped the Dodgers win several pennants, including the 1955 World Series.
• He later worked as a baseball commentator and for Louisville Slugger.
• He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, and died in 1999.
• His most famous quote - "You can hate a man for many reasons. Color is not one of them."
• At Reese's funeral, Joe Black, a former African-American baseball player from the early 50's who came in right after Robinson said these words - "Pee Wee helped make my boyhood dream come true to play in the majors, the World Series. When Pee Wee reached out to Jackie, all of us in the Negro Leagues smiled and said it was the first time that a white guy had accepted us. When I finally got up to Brooklyn, I went to Pee Wee and said, 'Black people love you. When you touched Jackie, you touched all of us.' With Pee Wee, it was No. 1 on his uniform and No. 1 in our hearts."

Jackie Robinson:

• He was born in 1919 in Georgia. His middle name was "Roosevelt" - in honor of former US President Theodore Roosevelt who died 25 days before Jackie was born.
• His father left him and his family while Jackie was just an infant. The family moved to Pasadena, Ca., where Jackie and several of his siblings became sport stars.
• He had a brother, Mack, who won a Silver Medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• In 1936, Robinson won the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament and earned a place on the Pomona annual baseball tournament all-star team, which included future Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Bob Lemon.
• He became the first person to ever earn varsity letters in four sports while at UCLA - baseball, basketball, football, and track. Baseball was actually considered his weakest sport of the four.
• Hw won the 1940 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship in the Long Jump, jumping 24 ft 10 ¹⁄₄ in (7.58 m).
• He was assigned to the segregated Army in 1942 - where he applied to be an officer (but was met with opposition). He was the subject of persecution and lies during his entire miltary career. Once he was charged with public drunkeness by a superior (although he never drank). While traveling to a medical hospital on a non-segregated Army bus, the driver told him to go sit in the back anyway. Robinson refused and was eventually court-martialed. This charge was later reduced to insubordination and he was honorably discharged from the service.
• In Branch Rickey's first interview with Robinson, Jackie asked, "Are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?" Rickey said he needed a player with "guts enough to not fight back." He requested that Robinson be willing to "turn the other cheek" - to which Robinson agreed.
• He not only ended 80 years of segregation in baseball, but influenced Harry Truman to order the desegregation of the military in 1948.
• He was the first ever Rookie of the Year in MLB.
• Having been placed in MLB at the older age of 28, he only played 10 seasons. But he played in 6 World Series and 6 All-Star games.
• He stole home 19 times in  his career - and none of these were double steals - (where a player is assisted by the steal of another base from a teammate).
• He was named by TIME Magazine as one of the most influencial people of the 20th century.
• In 1999 he was named to MLB's All Century Team.
• He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, 1962.
• He died from complications with diabetes in 1972.
• On April 15, 1997, (the 50th anniversary of the breaking of the color barrier in professional sports) - Robinson's jersey number, 42, was retired throughout Major League Baseball, the first time any jersey number had been retired throughout one of the four major American sports leagues.
• Today only - being April 15 - everyone in major league baseball will wear number 42 in honor of not only Jackie Robinson - but all those who worked for the desegregation of our country.
• Robinson once said of himself, "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... all I ask is that you respect me as a human being."

Hats off to Rickey, Reese and Robinson. You made a huge difference in sports and in our world. You will never be forgotten!

Reasons to Wish Reading the Bible was Illegal

Before you read any further, please recognize I am asking you to think "outside the box." I am thankful that we have the freedom of religion. I understand how terrible it would be for us if we did not have this freedom. So first of all I want to say, "Thank you" to those who have died to make this freedom possible. And above all, I praise God who has providencially allowed me to live in a time where I can worship and study without fear of the persecution of the first few centuries...

That being said, I have reasons to wish reading the Bible was illegal:

1. Persecution is not a bad thing for us spiritually or eternally. In fact, we could probably benefit from more of it. The early apostles and Christians rejoiced in that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ (Acts 5:41). If we lived under persecution for our faith, there would be very little hypocrisy in the religious realm. You will not die for something for which you are not genuinely dedicated.

2. It would not change anything in my home. My family and I are going to be Christians anyway. No government is going to keep us from reading the Bible and obeying it. If I had to leave the country to study and practice the teachings of the Bible I would do it in a heartbeat. Our allegiance is to the church over any human nation.

3. People would actually start reading it. Try to take something away from folks and see how they respond. We are literally "up in arms" about the debate over gun control. If you took the Bible away from American citizens, it would be like the old days of prohibition. They would be reading it in closets and valleys and caves. Right now, the Bible sits on everbody's shelves and coffee tables untouched. Next to the crucifixion of Jesus, it is the greatest human tragedy of all time.

4. No work of man will ever destroy the Bible. The Bible has almost always been illegal somewhere. People have lied about it. People have misrepresented it. People have tried to rewrite it or change it. People have gathered copies in piles for burning. People have been killed in every fashion imaginable for believing it. But God has preserved it. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away" (Matt. 24:35) The Bible is man's last great hope on earth. The Bible is not going anywhere.

5. People would lift it up. It really is true that we do not appreciate what we have until it is taken from us. Imagine how revered the Word of God would be if it were to be removed from us. Imagine what people would do to get a copy. Imagine the potential spiritual revival that would take place in our world. We need this revival now - and so I have good reason to at least wonder what could happen in human hearts if the Bible was taken away.

"Holy Bible, Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am." ~ John Burton Sr. (1803)

How to Find a Proverbs 31 Woman

NOTE:  This post will also appear on Michael Whitworth’s Start2finish blog.  This contribution is to be included in his series on Proverbs, as a gift to his son. Congratulations to Michael and Sara on the birth of their first son, Daniel! I hope this commentary on Proverbs 31 will be a blessing.

In Proverbs 31, King Lemuel remembers the words of his mother. Solomon says this is a good idea, "My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck" (Prov. 1:8-9). Within these memories we see advice for being a good leader, as well as an exaltation of a virtuous woman, fully described with the accompanying characteristics.

The question at the hub of the chapter is in verse 10, "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." In the 21st Century world finding a godly mate can be a challenging task. But our good king indentifies her in this passage. His words hold the keys to unlocking the secret to selecting the right kind of wife:

1. She is hard to find (v. 10). The point is made at the beginning, that you can't find a good woman just anywhere. You must work hard and be selective. Be patient!
2. She is trustworthy (v. 11). If you want to be happy in your marriage you need to locate that person who would never betray your trust, who you could confess your darkest sins to, who you could reveal your wildest dreams to, and who in return would never take advantage of your vulnerability, but instead support you and help you.
3. She is good (v.12). Even a short amount of time with someone will tell you the disposition of their heart. Is she kind? Does she speak well of others? Does she want to help others? Is she humble? If you want a good wife, find the good before you find the wife.
4. She has a solid work ethic (v. 13-25). The greatest portion of this proverb includes all of the work a virtuous woman does. In a godly home, the hardest and most dedicated worker is the female. It is crucial that you choose a spouse who is not afraid to get her hands dirty, who is not always wishing to be pampered. She needs to make you want to outwork her.
5. She is benevolent (v. 19-20). A Christ-like woman is compassionate. She will care enough about those who are less fortunate to do something about it. She will help you see that you can do without some things in your home so that others do not have to do without in their homes. She will make your home a place for others to recline.
6. She wears spiritual clothes (v. 25). The most beautiful women in the world are not those who wear Gucci, Chanel, Dior, and Versache. They are the women who wear strength, honor, charity, humility, and gentleness.
7. She speaks softly (v. 26). "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." I cannot improve on that discription. No further comment is needed.
8. She is not interested in gossip (v. 27). A spiritually-minded lady will not partake of the bread of idleness. When we are not busy in God's business, we end up in everybody else's. Find a bride who is already setting goals for herself in the kingdom. She will not need to ride on coattails.
9. She is praised by her family (v. 28). A husband will always be greatly blessed by a wife who prioritizes her family. A woman who gives her every breath to making her husband and children better will be genuinely loved and appreciated. She is a woman whose happiness is wrapped up in the happiness of her home.
10. She fears God (v. 30). Marry a woman who loves God more than she loves you. Marry a woman who respects God more than she respects you. Marry a woman who will please God over pleasing you.

You may say to yourself, "Wow, how can I find a woman like that?" There is a probably a lady out there who is not only trying to be this kind a person, but who has a list of qualifications for the man she wants to marry as well. Marriage is the most important commitment between humans on earth. It is serious. It is for life. Not only is it your prerogative to have a list of qualifications for your potential mate - it is your Christian responsibility.

May God bless you as you seek to find your helpmeet and the love of your life. May His providence lead you to that union. May your marriage praise and honor His wonderful and glorious name!

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." ~ Proverbs 18:22

Have You Been Raised from the Dead?

This Sunday is celebrated by many as "Easter." This tradition developed through the Roman church, which, according to the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325) declared Easter Sunday to be first Sunday after the full moon following the March equinox. Therefore depending on the moon and the beginning of spring, Easter can land anywhere from March 22 to April 25. Most of the time Easter is celebrated in April, but this year it has fallen on the fifth Sunday and final day of March.

The Bible, as with our other traditional holidays, does not command us to celebrate Easter. This observance was created by man and therefore is not binding. It is not wrong to celebrate man-made holidays as long as they are not reserved as religious events or done in opposition to the commands that we find in the word of God. That this week is an "Holy Week," along with the concepts of "penance" and "lent," are nowhere in Scripture. But in our current-day religious world there are many traditions that have become holy in the minds of those who have simply followed the actions of their ancestors.

With this weekend, however, there is a God-given command that we must follow that is directly linked to the events of the passion of Jesus. Our Lord died, was buried, and then rose from the dead to become our living Savior. Romans 6 explains how every person who becomes a follower of Christ participates in a similar event:

"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" ~ (Romans 6:3-11).

• Jesus died to take away our sins. We die to sin when we die to the desire to sin and through belief and repentance we determine to live for God.
• Jesus was buried in the tomb. Paying the pentaly of  man's sin, He left our sins in the grave. We are buried in a watery tomb (baptism), leaving our sins behind by the power of the blood of Jesus. Jesus shed His blood in His death, and we are baptized into His death, where we contact His saving blood.
• Jesus rose from the dead to live forever. We, too, are raised from the grave of baptism to walk in newness of life. It is at this moment that we put on Christ, our sins are forgiven, God adds us to the church (or the saved), and we begin to walk the Christian life with the assurance that by the grace of God one day heaven will be our home.

As the world reflects this Sunday on the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God, we ought to examine ourselves and ask ourselves individually - did Christ go through this process in vain? If we have not submitted to the likeness of His death, burial, and resurrection, then we have missed out on the purpose of Jesus coming to the earth.

What a wonderful opportunity we have to remember the greatest event of all history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ - that gives us hope! But our hope lies soley upon our own resurrection from the grave of baptism, where our sins our washed away.

Have you been raised from the dead? If not, what are you waiting for?

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." ~ Acts 22:16

Time for a Coffee Break?

In recent news, the Starbucks Coffee Company has become a very vocal and active supporter of same-sex marriage. In a report from CNS News from a year ago - "Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee shop chain, added its name to the list of major corporations that have endorsed a gay marriage bill in Washington State, saying the legislation shares the company’s values at its core...Kalen Holmes, executive vice president for Partner Resources, offered this statement -  'Starbucks Supports Marriage Equality,' and continued, 'Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples.' In summary, Holmes concluded that their desire to support same-sex marriage, 'Is core to who we are and what we value as a company.'"

This week, there was a great deal of buzz concerning what Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, may or may not have said at a shareholder's meeting. Regardless of the reports, Starbucks is an advocate for same-sex marriage, and concerning this fact there is no debate.

This brings up an important dicussion. Can Christians support businesses who openly stand against what the Bible says? It is obvious that we cannot go out of the world. If you even go to Walmart, you are going to a business that now sells alcohol and cigarettes, and has thousands of products on the shelves made by companies with immoral agendas. It is nearly impossible to buy any product these days without some of your financial support going to a company promoting something that you do not believe. Every time you pay taxes on any level, legislators are using that money to formulate bills that are immoral and ungodly. So what can a Christian do?

The most frustrating part of the issue is the attitude of the people who have allowed Satan to deceive their minds and hearts. Christians are being strong-armed into tolerating sin, and if they don't tolerate it, then they are labeled as unloving, uneducated, or unintelligent. The media and our society in general looks at those who do not support things such as same-sex marriage as if we are out of our minds and not even worth their time. I am so thankful that the Bible calls us not to be pleasers of men, but pleasers of God.

I think there is an answer to this cultural conundrum. When I know that a company like Starbucks, or Home Depot, or J.C. Penney, or anyone else is an active voice to promote something that is an abomination in the eyes of God, I can make the individual choice not to support them. I cannot bind this on others, but as an issue of my own conscience I can be active in showing my allegiance to God and His holy word.

Dear friends, there is not a person or entity on this planet that can rule in my heart when my heart is already occupied by Jesus Christ. That being the case, I am not going to conform to this world, but I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind. When it comes to Starbucks, I have made the choice to take a coffee break. I cannot and will not support them. This is not out of hate, but out of love...love for God, love for the Bible, and love for a lost a dying world.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2