The Glory of God

Isaiah was completely undone when he got just a glimpse of the glory of God. “I am ruined,” he said (Isa. 6:5) 

Nietzsche once said that when things move away from God they become “carved out”, less real. The dilemma of man is the lightness of his own reality, we seem to be barely here, constantly on the verge of being snuffed out like the flickering flame of a candle. 

The glory of God is found in the weightiness of his reality, the impossibility of his non-existence. We are nearly crushed when we are brushed by the heaviness of his glory. God dwells in a place where we cannot go. He is "holy, holy, holy" and chooses to remain transcendent, hidden from us, less we be crushed by his holiness. "…who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see." - 1 Tim. 6:16

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

Holiness or Legalism: How You Can Know The Difference.

When we first become Christians, when we confess and repent of our sins and accept Christ as the Savior of our souls, we begin a long and exciting journey.  God’s plan for us is to grow and mature and he gives most of us three score and ten years to experience his growth plan.  I looked at my new- born grandson a few months ago and felt the softness of brand new skin.  I peered at his new little ears and looked into his eyes as he struggled to hear my voice and focus on my face for the first time.

New Christians experience so many new sensations.  They now have eyes that can see more clearly.  Spiritual discernment gives to them ears that hear differently, minds that think differently and a heart that has been cleansed of evil and bathed in goodness.  The darkness that pervaded in the deepest part of their souls has been replaced by a light that reflects the brightness of His glory.  Unbelievers become accustomed to the feeling of the emptiness they must always be burdened with.  Like a ball and chain on the prisoner’s leg, they carry this emptiness everywhere they go.  But those who experience conversion have had their chains broken and the empty void in their soul is filled with the inexplicable fullness of God.

Once the new Christian sets out on this journey with Christ he is instructed not to look back.  Lot’s wife looked back and suffered horrible consequences because she still desired the things that would bring destruction to her soul.  We are instructed to leave the old sinful habits at the foot of the cross and move forward into maturity.  Our cry echoes the cry of Hosea, “Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him.” (Hosea 6:3) 

So how does a young seedling grow into a massive oak?  After experiencing the miracle of germination and emerging from the darkness of the soil, the fledgling plant absorbs the light, drinks in the moisture and nutrients made available to it.  A Christian, after the miracle of regeneration, emerges from the dark, sinful soil of spiritual death.  New life enables him to absorb the light provided by One who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)  He sponges up the water of One who promised “living water” (John 4:10), a water that permanently quenches the thirst of a troubled soul. 

Young Christians are reminded that “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7). We are instructed to strive for perfection; “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) But we are reminded that we can never achieve the absolute perfection that belongs only to a Holy God.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.  (Isaiah 55:8) 

The admonition toward perfection is an admonition toward spiritual maturity.  We are instructed how we might become a mighty oak in the kingdom forest.  We are to make provision to saturate ourselves with the word of God because it is a “lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  (Psalm 119:105)  We become strong in the Lord by spending time with him.  We are to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). While lifting our voice to him we are assured that he hears us because the shepherd knows the voice of his sheep.  “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”  (John 10:14)  We should become so intimate with God that we also know his voice.  Elijah recognized it as a small still voice.  (1 Kings 19:12)  The flow of gentle, spontaneous thoughts that come unexpected into your mind may very well be the voice of God speaking to your soul.  We are instructed to “test the spirits to see if they are from God.”  (1 John 1:4)

The practice of certain disciplines becomes the vehicle through which we come closer and closer to God.  Maturity without discipline is an illusion. 

There is a movement that is quite prevalent today that provides a subtle opposition against the practice of such disciplines.  I would refer to it as the “legalism” movement.  Christians who purpose in their hearts to have a closer walk with God, to follow him into the deeper, more abundant life that he offers will inevitably be accused of practicing legalism.  There seems to be a fine line between legalism and holiness.  Some of Christ’s harshest words were reserved for those who practices legalism.  Nothing offends God more than the humanistic idea that we can somehow achieve salvation through our own efforts.  This devalues the precious blood Christ shed on the cross and stirs the anger of God.  Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees for their legalism when he referred to them as vipers and said, “You also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness".  (Mat 23:28)

How might one know when he is practicing legalism or when he is using the disciplines provided to strive for holiness?  He will know by discerning whether he is in bondage or whether he is free.  Legalism leads to bondage, holiness leads to freedom.  Legalism brings death, holiness brings life.  If one feels a whip on his back he is being driven by legalism.  If he feels a yearning in his heart to spend time with one he loves more than words can tell, he desires holiness.  Legalism is an attempt to please a demanding taskmaster.  Holiness is a desire to emulate One whom you love, admire and adore.   Legalism is because you ‘have to’.  Holiness is because you ‘want to’. 

Dr. Kent Hughes wrote a book entitled Disciplines of a Godly Man, in which he declared, “There is a universe of difference between the motivations behind legalism and discipline. Legalism says, ‘I will do this thing to gain merit with God,’ while discipline says, “I will do this because I love God and want to please him.’ Legalism is man-centered; discipline is God-centered.”

The legalist trusts in his own actions to make him righteous.  He relies on traditions like regular church attendance, prayer-time and paying of his tithes to achieve favor with God.  These become traditions for the legalist but they become disciplines for one in pursuit of holiness.  The one who hungers for holiness realizes that his righteousness is as “filthy rags”.  (Isaiah 64:6)   Praying just to ease one’s conscience or to impress others because a babbling of “vain repetitions”.  (Matthew 6:7)  The prayer of a truly righteous man is very powerful and affective.  (James 5:16)

So, the question we must ask is this:  Are we floundering about in legalism or are we on the path to maturity and righteousness?  Is our Christian experience about us or is it about Him?  Is our intent to satisfy some longing within our own soul or is our intent to satisfy Him?  Are we on the same page as John when he said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”?  (John 3:30)

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

Pickled Christian

American religious culture often makes room for a compromise between sin and Christianity.  Many pastors trumpet from the pulpits that we all sin in “word, deed and truth.”  There is a sort of wimpy Christianity being promoted that essentially says that the grace of God is strong enough to save you but not strong enough to keep you from sinning.  If we could invent a time machine and bring the Apostle Peter or the Apostle Paul back from the past, they would discover modern preachers who expend great effort  in being defenders of sin and consoling those who find it ‘impossible’ to achieve a life of holiness.  Rather than feeling a deep disgust for their sin many take great comfort in their idea that they can sin and still maintain their Christian walk with God.

What a glaring contrast between the message of Christianity in the 1st century and the 21^st century.  John the Baptist ‘s message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2)  The word ‘repent’ means to feel regret or contrition for past sins.  It means to make a 180 degree turn away from sin and toward the holiness of God. 

The Apostle Paul never proclaimed any ‘right to sin’.  He was humiliated by his sinful nature.  Can you sense the great emotion that accompanied these words, “Oh, wretched man that I am.”  (Romans 7:24a)  Paul felt the weight of his sin and he detested it, he never tried to excuse it.  After revealing his despair over sin Paul asks a very important question, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?”  This isn’t a man who is making room for sin in his life. This isn’t a man who is making excuses for his sinful behavior.  He certainly is not rationalizing behavior that is grieving to the heart of a holy God.  Paul is heart-broken because of his sin. 

Finding the right answer to Paul’s question can mean the difference between eternal deliverance or eternal damnation.  There is only One who can heal a cancerous heart from the disease of sin.  Jesus Christ can deliver us from sin.  We can abandon the sinful lifestyle through the precious grace and mercy of the crucified Christ.  The adulterous woman was brought to Christ to be condemned and stoned.  Christ forgave her and said to her, “Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)  Christ never commands us to do something we can’t do.  He fully expected the adulterous woman to apply the grace made available to her and cease her adulterous behavior.

Jesus always intended to make those who sin feel uncomfortable in their sin.  The function of the Holy Spirit is to bring conviction to sinful hearts.  The voice of God the Father thunders through the ages with the unchangeable message for all generations, “Be holy because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16)  Why has it become the lifetime goal of so many ministers of the gospel to make people comfortable in their sin and assist them in rationalizing ungodly behavior? 

Unfortunately, these ‘sinning’ Christians have lost all power to witness to friends and neighbors.  The one thing that has run more people away from God is the ‘Christian’ who invites them to have a relationship with God but whose life hasn’t been radically changed by the spilt blood of Christ.  So, the prevailing question in the heart of the unbeliever is, “Why should I become a Christian if I will be just like you, unchanged?  I want something that will change who I am.”

I’m not declaring the Christians live in the perfection that belongs only to Christ.  Christians will never attain this perfection as long as we harbor this treasure in clay jars.  But Christians can draw upon an everlasting fountain of grace and strength provided by Christ to help us to live holy lives.  Does a Christian sin?  He doesn’t have to.  But if he does sin, John tells us what to do.  “I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”  (1 John 2:1)  If a Christian does sin his heart is filled with remorse, he feels humiliated and regrets having hurt the heart of his only Savior.  He calls his Lawyer to approach the seat of judgment and plead his case.  The Lawyer accepts his expression of regret and reminds the Judge that the penalty for his client’s sin has been paid in full!

The Christian sacrament of Baptism gives us a description of the problem.  When Christians are baptized they are dipped (bapto) in water to witness to those who see that they have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  The temporary dipping is only the starting point of a permanent emersion (baptizo) in the life of Christ.  To be baptized means to be ‘identified with’. 

The Greek poet and physician, Nicander, lived about 200 years before Christ.  Nicander explained it by describing the recipe for a pickle.  The pickle is first dipped (bapto) in hot water and then it is baptized (baptize) in a vinegar solution.  The pickle identifies with the solution. 

So many today experience the temporary dip but they fail to experience the permanent change.  They have never really become identified with the Holy Savior.

My wife and I adopted our son when he was four months of age.  When we finally signed the final adoption decree he officially became a Probst.  That short but meaningful ceremony opened the door for him to join the family.  But now, six years later, I can say that he has fully identified with the Probst family.  He has been immersed in our lifestyle.  He is as much a Probst as any of the rest of us who call ourselves by that name.

Christians, don’t be satisfied with a quick dip into Christianity.  Fully immerse yourselves in the life of Christ.  Pursue holiness because of what it is, a life or death matter.

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

Jesus Is Human And Divine

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with god, and the Word was God.” (Jesus is God)
John 1:14 “The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jesus is Human)
The common mistake is to believe that Jesus was half man and half God. Jesus was as fully God as he was fully man. He was not one who simply had the presence of God living within him, he was the second person of the trinity joined to humanity. When Jesus became man he did not become any less God. When he died on the cross and resurrected from the dead he was no less human. Jesus didn’t benefit from his divine nature when he suffered as a man. He chose to experience the intense suffering that a man can feel and a sinless God cannot. He even refused to drink the wine laced with myrrh while he hung upon the cross. He would not allow it to be said that he did not suffer fully and entirely for the redemption of the human race.
Jesus as the second person of the trinity always knew that he would one day become a man. This truth was revealed to men in Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.” He had always been God’s son for all of eternity but there would come a point in time when God’s son would take on humanity and enter the human world through birth to a virgin.
He was just like any other human in every way except one, he never sinned. He was pure and pristine in his holiness. He was tempted as we are, he suffered as we suffered and he felt and saw the effects of sin in the world in which he lived but he never succumbed to the vile yearnings of Satan to pull him into sinful corruption which would have disqualified him as Savior of the world.
Jesus revealed his humanity over and over during his 33 years on earth. He was human when weariness overtook him and he fell asleep in the boat as the disciples feared the coming storm. He was human when he attended a wedding and shared in the joy of the happy couple. He was very human when Roman soldiers captured him and dragged him to the cross and hung him there.
But Jesus demonstrated his full divinity when he was awakened in the boat by faithless comrades and he simply spoke a word to calm the wind and the waves. He proved his divine nature when he turned common water into special wine at the wedding and he proved irrefutably that he was God when he refused to call 10,000 angels to his assistance as he gave himself to die on the cross. His followers knew they were looking at more than a man when they looked upon the resurrected body of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, those who have no understanding of the true purpose and nature of Christ wallow in a mucky swamp of confusion regarding the reason a God would become a human. Could not his willingness to become human be likened to one of us choosing to become a slug or a roach? The descent from God to man was deep and steep but Christ was motivated by a depth of love that only God can experience. The fact that we will never in all of eternity understand it only widens the gulf between our own humanity and his divinity.
He became human so that he could die. His death was desired by the Father and Christ’s purpose was to please the Father. “I have come to do your will, O God.” (Heb. 10:7) The Father requested the death of the son so that any man willing to submit to him might be saved. The angel told the virgin to name her child Jesus because he would “save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Jesus clarified his mission when he told his followers, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto myself.” (John 12:32)
Jesus became human so that he could empathize with us in our suffering. Jesus knew and experienced what it meant to be a man. He was tempted in every way just as we are yet without sin “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” (Hebrews 4:15-16) Jesus was intensely human when he hung on the cross and he sought no divine advantage. It all culminated in his words, “It is finished”. He was saying, “It is completed. My mission is done. I have completed the task assigned by my Father.”
God became human to demonstrate how men are to live holy lives. Again, Christ did not take advantage of his divine nature to live holy. He lived holy through his humanity. He showed us a level of holiness that is humanly possible if only we will submit fully to him and allow him to live through us.
I often look at the younger generation of Christians who graduate from our Christian high schools, colleges and seminaries. I know that all younger Christians lack the maturity that only age and experience can bring. But I worry that they lack an advantage that I had when I was young. I had examples, phenomenal men and women who patterned holiness for me. Mr. Higgins, Mr. Davis and Ms. Myers mean nothing to those reading these words. But to me they were wonderfully, almost impossibly godly and holy. I was inspired and educated as to how a person can live holy before God by those who were genuinely sanctified. Holy people are a rarity in modern culture. Jesus became human to demonstrate holiness to us.
Jesus became a human to teach us the value of human life. We live in a world that cheapens life. We abort the unborn, we live in perpetual warfare, we hide the aged away in cold facilities instead of care for them in warm homes. The fact that God became human gives life great value and meaning.
Martin Luther once told a story of a man who was participating in a worship service and as the congregation sung the words of Christ’s divinity and humanity he refused to cross himself or remove his hat as was the custom in that day. “Then the devil stepped up to him and hit him so hard it made his head spin. The devil cursed him gruesomely and said, ‘If God had become an angel like me and the congregation sang: “God was made an angel” I would bend not only my knees but my whole body to the ground...and you vile human creature, you stand there like a stick or a stone. You hear that god did not become an angel but a man like you, and you just stand there like a stick of wood.”(1)
Jesus became human because he loved us, because he wanted to save us for all eternity and because he wanted to please the heart of a loving Father.

1. The Gospel of John by James Montgomery Boice, p.31


Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.