Author: Dave Dishman (Page 22 of 390)

What is our true state of existence? Are we bodies that cease to exist after death? Or are we physical beings possessing a soul? Or maybe the reality is are we souls temporarily inhabiting a body? I got to thinking after reading this line from Dallas Willard:

I am an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe.

This sentence takes a minute to unpack. We are indeed unceasing spiritual beings. We will never stop existing from this point on. Our souls never wear out or disappear. We each have an eternal destiny. Be it a life without end in the presence of the Lord, or an endless lonely forever. Either fortune or grim fate awaits.

God’s great universe speaks to the incomprehensible nature of the new heaven and new earth ushered in on the return of Jesus. In our true state, we will thrive in the midst of God’s glorious plan for us.

The Apostle Paul laid out the basis for such theological perspectives: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

CS Lewis wrote a stunning paragraph stemming from this idea in his book, The Weight of Glory:

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.

Our true state? Extraordinary, immortal wonders, created to give glory and honor for ever and ever to the Lord, our eternal King. When we worry about who we are, it’s good to remember who God made us to be.

1 Timothy 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Greg Rakozy

When you worry about your future or consider deep life questions, who do you listen to? Often I go to the internet for answers, which provides me with conflicting opinions and plenty to stress about. Perhaps there’s a better way.

Isaiah hammered those around him who sought out dubious sources of wisdom. When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Instead of dead ends Isaiah offered, Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

God’s instructions alone provided wisdom for the lost people of Israel, just as the Holy Scriptures radiate guidance today.

Mediums and spiritists, social media guides and internet rabbit holes steer us astray. Better to consult the Word of God, which leads out of darkness into the light of dawn.

Isaiah 8 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Tim Gouw

I appreciate a good speaker. I once spent a six weeks in a training program to develop my skills as a communicator. The tutelage helped me immensely. Since then I’ve spoken hundreds of times to student groups and churches and consider myself above average, but I’m not top shelf.

So I find it interesting to hear the Apostle Paul, who I hold as an excellent communicator, say this about his message delivery:

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

In case we’re tempted to consider Paul slovenly in his message preparation, let’s hear more of his argument:

We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

No matter how beautifully a preacher delivers a message, when the topic of Jesus Christ crucified emerges people pull away. Pride causes us to gag on the idea that we need anyone, let along a savior. But Paul cuts to the core. Without Christ crucified, a Christian communicator’s message merely tickles the ears.

We need the Savior. Our friends and neighbors and the entire world needs him as well. You and I might be tongue-tied, lousy communicators, but when we speak about Christ crucified we help people discover God. Eloquence is overrated, but not the power of the Lord to use our broken words to draw men and women to himself.

1 Corinthians 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Wonderlane

My brother and I shot up in bed when a huge BOOM! exploded outside. We were sleeping at our grandparent’s house when lightning struck. No one was hurt (except for a majestic tree splintered by the strike). Even after the adults calmed us down I lay awake, wondering when the next explosion might fall from the sky.

The guards surrounding the tomb of Jesus glimpsed the power behind the power of lightning. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel’s body appeared as compressed lightning, blinding eyes and scorching flesh. These hardened professional soldiers fainted dead away, overcome by fear.

If one angel can do such damage, what might a thousand accomplish? How might the splendor of God himself, the Creator of this angel, manifest to you and me? Apparently his brilliance would fry us (as God told Moses, no one can see my face and live).

I hold no real idea of the power and glory of God. Pictures are painted in Scripture, but experiences are rare. These pagan guards caught a glimpse, as did the women who arrived at the tomb and conversed with the angel (he toned down for them). I can only watch a lightning storm and try to imagine a man made of such stuff standing before me.

I constantly misconstrue or ignore the magnificence of God. But someday I’ll see him in full regalia and better appreciate the power behind the power.

Matthew 28 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Max LaRochelle