Archives For salvation

Did the Old Testament Offer Only One Way to God?

We can only approach God’s presence God’s way. But are there multiple ways?

The New Testament clearly reveals that only through Jesus can anyone come to God the Father (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:23).

But what about in the Old Testament?

Ten Commandments sign on Mount Zion tb010312633 Did the Old Testament Offer Only One Way to God?

(Photo courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

After King David conquered Jerusalem and secured it as his capital, he desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant up from Kiriath-Jearim into his new City of David. But in his passion to have God’s presence, David neglected to follow God’s principles. That negligence of improperly transporting the Ark cost a man his life (2 Samuel 6).

Three months later, David correctly transported the Ark into Jerusalem and placed it in a tent he pitched for its keeping.

In this experience, David gained a profound respect for God’s holiness.

This principle directly relates to the question: did the Old Testament offer only one way to God?

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Mary Magdalene—A Change You’d Never Expect

Her name is as well-known as any apostle.

Yet the truth about her life often lies shrouded behind myths, fiction, and flat-out conjecture.

Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene—A Change Youd Never Expect

(Painting by José de Ribera. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Modern art and bestselling novels paint her as everything from a prostitute to the infamous woman caught in adultery to the wife of Jesus Himself.

But the Scriptures portray Mary Magdalene as a different person altogether.

Surprisingly, she was more like us than we would expect.

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The Problems with God’s Grace [Podcast]

Sometimes good news seems just too good to be true.

The leper Naaman initially felt insulted that all he must do to be healed was dip in the Jordan River. God’s grace often comes off as offensive to unbelievers.

Gehazi, on the other hand, felt shocked that his master Elisha took no money from Naaman for his healing. So Gehazi took some money in secret and thus later suffered discipline.

God’s grace has problems, as it were—offensive to unbelievers and abused by believers.

But it’s our only hope.

2 Kings 5

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The Problems with God’s Grace [Podcast]

The Grace of God in my Favorite Les Misérables Scene

The 2012 cinematic adaptation of the musical based on Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Misérables, was tremendous.

But my favorite adaptation of the novel was the 1998 film starring Liam Neeson. There’s a reason.

Les Miserables Jean Valjean 4 The Grace of God in my Favorite <i>Les Misérables</i> Scene

(Photo: from Columbia Pictures, Inc. 1998)

Even though the acting is superb, and the costumes, music, and scenes look first-rate, there is another element that outshines them all.

The grace of God.

Before I show you the clip of my favorite scene, here’s a brief set-up: Jean Valjean is a ex-convict living in pre-revolutionary France. Just released from prison, he wanders the streets because no one will take him in. Finally, a kindly old bishop feeds him and lets him sleep overnight.

Let’s watch my favorite scene in the movie to see what happens.

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Why God Allows Us to Crash and Hurt

I’ll never forget the day when one of my daughters learned to ride her bike without training wheels. (The “fall” was an appropriate season for this event.)

As she sped down a hill toward a huge ravine, I saw written all over her face the message: “I’m not in control!”

vivozoom 51493686 w 2 Why God Allows Us to Crash and Hurt

Photo: Monkey Business Images, via Vivozoom

As she raced by me, I reached out and lifted her off the bike—saving her from the ravine but causing her to fall. As the bike launched into the abyss, my rescued daughter hopped up hotter than a hornet!

“Why did you do that, Daddy?!” To answer, I simply pointed to the bottomless gorge I saved her from. But that didn’t matter. All she could see was that I caused her to fall.

Years later, I pondered how we can carry this same attitude into our relationship with God.

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How to Approach God According to God

Ask five people on the street, “How can I find my way to God?” and you’ll likely get five different answers.

They may not even believe in God. Or your God.

Connecting with God How to Approach God According to God

Photo: Design Pics, via Vivozoom

As I’ve thought about this question, I think it requires we ask another question first.

This one question boils down the issue like nothing else can.

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How to Quit a Life of Compromise

If you think about it, King Solomon never started out to build pagan shrines.

It was his failure to deal with the tiny spiritual cracks in his heart that produced a life of compromise and dissatisfaction.

vivozoom 11328768 w How to Quit a Life of Compromise

Photo: Design Pics, via Vivozoom

The backwash from Solomon’s life reminds us how we only kid ourselves when we think we can have a healthy walk with God and still keep our hidden life of compromise on the side.

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Devotions on the Mount of Olives

One morning when I was in Jerusalem, I chose to have my devotions on the Mount of Olives at sunrise.

Making my way through the Old City’s dark and narrow streets, I passed beside the Temple Mount and exited the city on its east side—much as Jesus would have done the day He left the Temple for the last time.

PikiWiki Israel 14419 Devotions on the Mount of Olives

Overlooking Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Photo: צולם ע, via Wikimedia Commons

After climbing the steep ascent of the Mount of Olives, I sat near its summit as the sun began to warm my back.

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Dealing with Doubts and the Claims of Jesus

I had lunch with a young man not long ago who nursed serious doubts about the claims of Jesus.

Back and forth we talked. He raised objections. I offered answers.

vivozoom 69978462 w Dealing with Doubts and the Claims of Jesus

(Photo: Design Pics, via Vivozoom)

After each exchange, he would smile and shake his head and say, “I just can’t believe that’s true.”

“What if I answered all of your questions to your satisfaction?” I asked. “Would you believe in Jesus then?” His answer surprised me.

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There’s Only One Gate Jesus Won’t Enter

Whenever you go to Jerusalem, you’ll stand on the Mount of Olives and marvel at the city spread out before you. But be sure and look below you as well.

Graves beside Jerusalem Theres Only One Gate Jesus Wont Enter

Dotted along the slopes on either side of the Kidron Valley lie thousands and thousands of graves. Some Jewish. Some Arab. Both cemeteries lie there, in part, because of the Messiah.

Two Cemeteries and Two Purposes

The largest Jewish cemetery in the world dots the side of the Mount of Olives as it slopes down into the valley that separates it from Jerusalem. Why be buried here?

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