Friends: King David cried out to God in Psalm 51 for a salvation Christ would eventually provide. Blessings, Bob

--- --- ---

Spirituality Column #954

February 25, 2025

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Restoration Project

By Bob Walters

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” – King David, Psalms 51:12

We read in Psalms 51 the burden of King David for his sins with Bathsheba, his commission of a heinous transgression against her husband Uriah, and experience David’s howling self-conviction following the prophecy of Nathan.

You can read all about it in 2 Samuel 11 and 12: King David impregnates lovely Bathsheba who is married to military commander Uriah.  When David’s plan to cover up his affair with Bathsheba fails, David arranges to have Uriah killed in battle.

David’s secret is safe from everyone … except God.

God then plants in Nathan’s heart a prophecy that mirror’s David’s sin.  Nathan shares the prophecy with David, which David understands only as treachery of another, not his own sin.  When Nathan tells David he, David, is the sinner, David’s great lament to God becomes Psalm 51, and especially this well-known passage in verses 10-12:

“10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

“11 Do not cast me from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me.

“12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

We routinely think of the Old Testament as God alone dealing with humanity and then his chosen people Israel. We see God as a monolith, purveying the Law from heaven and both protecting and punishing this nation God has chosen as his own.

But God is not a monolith; God the Trinity is an eternal relationship of Father, Son, and Spirit. We see the Trinity boldly declared in this surprising Old Testament passage.

In verse 10, David knowingly or not is invoking of God the pure heart of Jesus Christ, and David pleas for his own spirit to be steadfastly renewed in the Spirit of God.

Verse 11 has David praying to remain in God’s company in this life, the gift of the company we ultimately have in Jesus Christ.  David begs God not to withdraw the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, the mechanism by which we know God’s truth.

Verse 12 is where we see one of the most surprising active revelations of the Old Testament … humanity’s coming salvation in Christ.  Salvation is not typically an Old Testament idea. The Law of Israel demands obedience and works, but the salvation a Jew imagined in God is vastly different from the salvation we are promised in Christ.

In John 11:24, as Jesus is about to revive dead Lazarus, his sister Martha tells Jesus she knows of “resurrection at the last day.”  For the Jews, the eternal afterlife with God was not understood as “part of the deal.” Many Jews believed death to be the catastrophic, final end of life. Israel’s “last day” resurrection was a hope, not a promise.

In Christ, our heavenly eternal life is one of restored relationship with God thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus.  Jesus’s forgiving gift of salvation for all humanity – mentioned by various Old Testament prophets, especially Isaiah – was not a salvation David could have imagined.  Yet, here he is in Psalm 51 calling on such forgiveness as well as a restored and sustaining strength of grace from the Holy Spirit. It is God’s eternal truth.

I memorized this passage years ago not because I needed to match the lament of King David, but as a reminder of the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit, present always.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) recognizes the promises of Jesus … praise God. 

Friends: Artificial Intelligence gives surprising props to Christianity.  See the column below. Blessings, Bob

--- --- ---

Spirituality Column #953

February 18, 2025

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

A.I. Answer Bee

By Bob Walters

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” – Jesus, to Thomas and the Disciples, John 14:6

I am a subscribed, monthly-paying, daily-reading fan of the The Babylon Bee satire website and its off-beat and wryly humorous “news” site, Not the Bee.

For your entertainment, the links to the two sites are in the customary “witty epigram” at the column’s conclusion, but I want you to hang with me here for a moment.

Both sites are brazenly, unapologetically Christian, with a strong side-dose of conservative political and cultural memes, jibes, and droll observations. Each site posts three to six items daily, inspired by the wry and the odd of current topics and events.

The Bee posts satire headlines like “RFK Jr.’s New Food Pyramid”: raw steak at the bottom and squid ink and steroids at the top. From the Bible for Valentine’s Day, it posted, “Disaster As King Solomon Only Buys 698 Valentine’s Day Gifts.” IYKYK.  

The Not the Bee “news” side on Saturday posted one of last week’s viral internet memes, too good not to share here. A Christian asked Artificial Intelligence (A.I.):

“ChatGPT, out of all the religions in the world, which one do you think is most likely to be true? Answer in one word only, please.”

A.I., after a two second pause: “Christianity.”

Christian: “And why do you say that?”

A.I., immediately: “Based on historical evidence, fulfilled prophecies, and the life and resurrection of Jesus.”

Christian: “Any other reasons?”

A.I.: “The consistency and coherence of its teachings and, the transformative impact on individual’s lives.”  Over in 39 seconds. “Thank you so much.” Ah, truth.

Someone whose online handle is “Sovereign Brah” posted this at 8:20 p.m. last Wednesday, Feb. 12. By 8:36 p.m., “Brah” reported, “Looks like they patched it.” Meaning, in less than 16 minutes ChatGPT changed the A.I. answer to what I got when I tried it: “There are many religions that are based on personal …” yada, yada, yada.

Not the Bee’s Christian meme is linked HERE, or dial up ChatGPT yourself, ask the question, and see what you get.  Some reportedly still get the straight answer.

We all know that A.I. has its moments of inaccuracy and misdirection, but when one already knows the subject matter and can discern the solid from the waste, A.I. can be very much a time-saving tool.  In this case, IMHO, ChatGPT nailed it. No way can I imagine personally being that direct, accurate, succinct, and quick.  A win for ChatGPT.

If you scroll down in that same Not the Bee post, below the Christian meme is this ChatGPT answer to “Explain the Christian Gospel.” I would pick a doctrinal bone over its “pay the penalty” language – To wit: Whom did Jesus pay? I prefer instead the more biblically accurate, “sacrificed as atonement for sin” – but otherwise spot on. It goes on to answer “What exactly is Faith in Jesus Christ” and “What happens if you do not put your faith in Jesus?” In my book, A.I. gets it.

Granted, these are definitions that will satisfy a believer, not convince a skeptic. And A.I. is not the arbiter of what is the divine and eternal way, truth, and life; Jesus is.

But I appreciate language I can borrow to express the inexpressible in my heart.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) offers these links: Babylon Bee | Fake News You Can Trust and Not the Bee | What a time to be alive. “Explain the Gospel” etc., A.I. text below.

EXTRA: A.I. “Explain the Gospel” Text in three parts

What is the Christian gospel?

The Christian gospel is the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is based on the belief that God created the world and all that is in it, but humanity’s sin brought death and eternal separation from God.

The gospel teaches that Jesus Christ, who is God in human form, came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  He rose from the dead on the third day, proving his power over sin and death, and offering eternal life to all who believe in him.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be reconciled to God and receive forgiveness for our sins.  This reconciliation is a gift of grace, not something we can earn or deserve by our own efforts.  The gospel also teaches that believers in Christ are called to live a life of obedience to God’s commands, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to share the good news of salvation with others.

 What exactly is “faith in Jesus Christ”?

Faith in Jesus Christ is the act of trusting in him as the Son of God who died for our sins and rose from the dead, and committing oneself to follow him as Lord and Savior.  It involves acknowledging that we are sinners in need of salvation, and recognizing that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled with God.

Faith in Jesus Christ is not just a matter of intellectual assent, but a personal commitment to him that involves the whole person, including the emotions, will, and actions. It means putting our trust in Jesus to save us and to guide us in our daily lives, and seeking to obey his teaching and commands.

According to Christian doctrine, faith in Jesus Christ is a gift of God’s grace that comes through the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s heart. It is not something that can be earned or achieved by our own efforts, but is a response to the message of the gospel and the prompting of the Spirit. The Bible teaches that faith without works is dead, so a true faith in Jesus Christ will result in a life of obedience and good works.

 According to Christianity, what happens to those who do not put their faith in Jesus?

According to Christianity, those who do not put their faith in Jesus Christ will not receive salvation and will be separated from God for eternity.  This is based on the belief that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God, and that without him, this is no forgiveness of sins and no hope of eternal life.

The Bible teaches that all human beings are sinners and fall short of God’s standard of righteousness, and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23, 6:23). However, God has provided a way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross as a sacrifice for our since and rose from the dead to offer eternal life to all who believe in him.

Those who reject this offer of salvation by refusing to put their faith in Jesus Christ will remain in their sins and will face judgment and eternal separation from God. This is often referred to as hell, a place of eternal punishment and suffering.  It is important to note that this belief is not meant to be judgmental or exclusive, but rather a call to salvation and a warning of the consequence of rejecting God’s offer of grace.

 

Friends; Jesus spoke with authority that infuriated some and stunned everyone else. It was amazing.  Have a super week … Blessings, Bob

--- --- ---

Spirituality Column #952

February 11, 2025

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Amazing Authority

By Bob Walters

“When Jesus finished … the crowds were amazed at his teaching …because he taught with authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” – Matthew 7:28-29

At our E91 Christian Church, adult Sunday school classes are aptly called “Adult Bible Fellowships” – ABFs – because their reach far exceeds Sunday mornings.

Larger churches, generally, need to build in the smallness of tight communities of Bible study with intimate knowledge and caring for each other.  Our Logos class, which I’ve been a part of since 2002 (I was baptized in late 2001), 53 years ago started as a group of young parents. Today we are all grand- and even great-grand parents. Anyone not yet on Medicare would be considered the youth group.

While there are strong social and service aspects in all our ABFs, teaching and amplifying scripture to deepen relationship with Jesus and each other is our core objective; our mission being to constantly mature in faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.

That’s something that requires fellowship to accomplish. “Small Groups” often emanate from larger ABF relationships, as we “do life together” sharing joys and challenges. Small groups of 10-12 are common features of any vibrant, Jesus-focused, Bible-based church.  Everybody gets in the act of study, sharing, serving, and teaching.

Anyway, we had a good session in Logos ABF last Sunday discussing the familiar Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6-7 and recast in Luke 6:17-49). The prayer appears again, shortened, in Luke 11:2-4

Logos had a guest teacher, Andy Baker, a missions leader at E91, filling in for regular teacher Dave Schlueter (a retired physician who is warming up in southern Florida for a couple of these winter months). Like Dave, Andy is one of those guys who gets everyone thinking and (especially me) talking, and noticing fresh dimensions of even the most familiar passages.

The authority Jesus invoked in his teaching – as noted in Matthew 7:28-29 above – would truly have been amazing to his first-century listeners.  We recite the prayer now as Christians almost by rote. Jews would have been shocked by the whole sermon.

Practically everything Jesus said was virtually opposite the demands of the Law. Reading the Gospels today as a believing Christian is an exercise in affirming what we generally already know.  A pious, Law-obedient Jew, then, would never turn the other cheek, love or forgive an enemy (Matthew 5:38-47), or bless the poor, the mourner, the meek, the hungry, or the persecuted (Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-11).

The merciful, pure of heart, and peacemakers (Matthew 5:7-9) would envisage Jesus, but be antithetical to the Law’s insistence on righteousness and vengeance.

Does that mean God changed when Jesus arrived?  No, the Covenant changed. The Law, God always knew, was what man could not do.  Jesus, God knew, replaced the non-saving obedience of Law with salvation by faith.  Man could not recover his lost relationship with God through the Law; God’s loving perseverance – in Jesus, His Son – now invited and demanded man’s faith. The Law was true, but Jesus was the truth.

Did Jews have faith?  Absolutely. Could they save themselves through works?  No. And neither can we.  Salvation is in the gracious and amazing authority of Jesus.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) notes that Jesus’s parables typically undo the Law.

Friends: I am always eager to share, but am lousy at sales. What’s a Christian to do? Tell a great story. Blessings, Bob

--- --- ---

Spirituality Column #951

February 4, 2025

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Sharing the Gospel

By Bob Walters

“… set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15

I have always been a lousy salesman. What I’m good at is telling stories, explaining things, reporting news, and recasting-revealing-identifying-finding not-so-obvious connections and associations, and doing it with lively perspective and phrasing.

I love “Hey, look at this!” moments.

“Telling stories” was and is the foundation of my career in journalism, corporate, public, and media relations, and now in “retirement,” teaching high school social studies and Church history at a very fun Christian academy. Yes, teaching high school is fun.

But getting back to my dearth of talent in actual “sales” of anything, I’ve attended sales training seminars and read books on sales. I tried my hand in one career low-point of selling life and health insurance (a disaster despite passing the licensing test).  And I’ve seen master-class sales ninjas in action. “Sell me this pen.” I can only tell you about ink.

But, “sharing the Gospel.” Is that a sales pitch? Or a story? Or truth in action? Or living a life of service to others? Or as 1 Peter 3:15 says, setting “apart Christ as Lord?”

My point here is, what exactly does one say to share the Gospel? What are the words? What is the 30-second “elevator speech” that boils down the glorious purpose of this life – serving God in love through faith in Jesus Christ – to a soul far from the Lord?

Many “come to Jesus” tracts I’ve seen begin by saying, approximately, “You’re a liar and a thief and you’re going to hell!” And then, shortly thereafter, claiming how much God loves you anyway.  It’s all true, of course, but the sales progression, the logic, is lost on me. The most important thing Jesus says to those confounded by his miracles is, “Fear not.” “Why?” one might ask. “For I am the Lord.” Hmm. What does that mean?

This is where a savvy sales pitch would be really handy.  While some folks look at sales as the art of convincing people to do what they don’t want to do, I believe it is more the art of merging truth with reality to discover what one most wants to do.

Granted, man’s nature is fallen – we are all sinners – but Jesus isn’t merely the ladder out of the pit; Jesus is the highway to the mountaintop and the surety of God. 

My great comfort about “evangelizing” is knowing that salvation really isn’t up to me; it is the Holy Spirit who captures and convicts a soul, i.e., makes the sale and closes the deal. But we are each, thankfully and joyfully, part of the process: sharing relationship, trust, knowledge, testimony, and our witness, i.e., living a life that reveals our own love of God and others. There is more power in “show me,” than in “tell me.”

As 1 Peter directs, we must be prepared to give an answer for our hope.  And we all know that our words are as big of an encouragement to us as to the soul we’d like to see sharing the Gospel life with Jesus. Peter’s context in this passage is dealing with persecutors, not, say, random people on an elevator. So the great strength of our own hope, when challenged, is knowing – and being able to explain – what we believe.

What is the reason for my own hope?  It is that, in Jesus, I know truth exists, God exists, reality is illuminated only in faith, and life’s purpose is to love God and others.

Not everybody will buy it, but that’s what I’m selling and sharing. That’s my story.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) marvels at God’s talent for stories.