Results Oriented?

"and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." - 1st Corinthians 3:8b

American corporate culture and our historical social work ethic rewards those who are results oriented - those who can produce what we think is of value.

It is a matter of pride to adopt a "Can do!" attitude, and we drive ourselves to accomplish what we intend. When desired results don't happen we become agitated; when this occurs a lot we feel both shame and futility thinking our work doesn't measure up.

God rewards differently. He rewards us according to our labor.

He can produce results by just a word (Genesis 1:3a) so he is not impressed with our accomplishments. Of value to him is the character worked in us by the labor process. Working as unto him, not being slothful but diligent, being a good steward, faithfulness in difficulties, and getting our sense of worth from him - these are what he rewards.

- fritz

Water Found Around a Star, Go Figure!

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

And God called the firmament Heaven - Genesis 1:6-8

Scientists scoff at the Bible for saying heaven, presumably the sky, originally separated two layers of water, and especially the statement later that God put two lights, presumably the Sun and Moon, in that expanse.

When the Bible says it scientists scoff but, apparently, when one of their own discovers a star with water around it they marvel.

Wired Science reports that a 2001 discovery of a star with hot water around it requires them to re-think chemistry theory!

Scientists make some fairly bold statements for those who have a lot yet discover.

I'll stick with God's word - I don't always understand the how and why of it, but it has always proven true where I can understand it.

- fritz

^{1 - "Hot Water Around Giant Carbon Star Creates Interstellar Mystery" by Jess McNally, Wired Science September 1, 2010,}

Rendering to Caesar and to God

When they handed [Jesus] a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” - Matthew 22:18b-21

The determining factor of ownership is the imprinted image or likeness of the object. Jesus told the crafty Pharisees that since coins were made with Caesar's likeness Caesar has the right to them.

Focus on that last part of Jesus' statement, "give to God what belongs to God". This was not a lesson on money but on ownership.

"God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." - Genesis 1:27

God's image has been etched on our lives, by rights he possesses legitimate ownership. God is not interested in our money, he wants us.

"Lord, you made me in your image and rightfully deserve my life. Come take possession and use me for your purposes" - Amen.

- fritz

A Whole Person

[T]he very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1st Thessalonians 5:23

It is a mistake to believe God is only interested in our "soul".

God created us spirit, soul, and body¹ in his image² and for a reason. One should presume the original intent has not been changed, only delayed, by humanity's obstinance.

Jesus came to preserve the whole person and fulfill God's design in us. Submitted to God, our bodies are holy and pleasing³ to him and he has a divine purpose for them.

Take care of your body, God has a use for it.

- fritz

^{1 - Genesis 2:7 - "breath" and "spirit" are the word in Hebrew
2 - Genesis 1:26
3 - Romans 12:1}

Bible - a book about one man

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. - Luke 24:27

Two travelers on the way to a place called Emmaus picked up a stranger they did not recognize as Jesus. He took them through the Bible with a new perspective. Their response, "Did not our hearts burn within us!"¹

The Bible is, really, a book about one man.

All the apostles saw it that way. Paul, quoting a very familiar passage about Adam and Eve said it really means something more:

"For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." - Ephesians 5:30-32

Our very salvation hinges on the fact that when we accept the living Christ, Jesus, as our savior we are joined to him. Both we and Jesus are no longer just ourselves, we are eternally linked in covenant.

He took on our sinfulness, we take on his righteousness² to become one new man³, the last Adam⁴ (male and female ⁵). We now approach God with nothing owing and all debts paid, his Grace working is us in all circumstances to bring about our good and more.⁶

- fritz

^{1 - Luke 24:32
2 - 2nd Corinthians 5:21
3 - One new man (not referring to Jew and Gentile but us and Christ) - Ephesians 2:14-15
4 - Last Adam - 1st Corinthians 15:45
5 - Adam, male and female - Genesis 1:27
6: - See Post from July 11, 2010 - "Where is God's Blessing"}