Wayne Grudem once wrote, "It is one thing to affirm that the Bible claims to be the words of God. It is another thing to be convinced that those clams are true. Our ultimate conviction that the rods of the Bible are God's words comes only when the Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible that these are words of our Creator speaking to us. Just after Paul has expained that his apostolic speech consists of words taught by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13), he says, 'The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned' (1 Cor 2:14). Apart from the work of the Spirit of God, a person will not receive spiritual truths and in particular will not receive or accept the truth that the words of Scripture are in fact the words of God."

For those in whom God's Spirit is working there is a recognition that the words of the Bible are the words of God. This process is closely analogous to that by which those who believed in Jesus know that his words were true. He said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). Those who are Christ's sheep hear the words of their great Shepherd as they read the words of Scripture, and they are convinced that these words are in fact the words of their Lord. As people read Scripture they hear their Creator's voice speaking to them in the words of Scripture and realize that the book they are reading is unlike any other book.

Objection: This is a circular argument. Indeed it should be admitted that this is a kind of cirular argument. However, that does not make its use invalid, for all arguments for an absolute authority must ultimately appeal to that authority for proof: otherwise the authority would not be an absolute or highest authority. This problem is not unique to the Christian who is arguing for the authority of the Bible. Everyone either implicitly or explicitly uses some kind of circular argument when defending his or her ultimate authority of belief. Here are some examples: "My reason is my ultimate authority because it seems reasonable to me to make it so." "Logical consistency is my ultimate authority because it is logical to make it so."

What then does Scripture say about itself?

Nothing to be taken from or added to (Duet. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6)

Effective (Isa. 55:11)

Pure (Ps. 12:6; 119:140)

Perfect (Ps. 19:7)

Precious (Ps. 19:10)

A life guide (Ps. 119: 105)

Soul food (Jer. 15:16)

A fire that purifies and a hammer that breaks us (Jer. 23:29)

True (Ps. 119:160; Jon 17:17)

Helpful (Prov. 6:23)

Flawless (Prov. 30:5)

To be obeyed (Luke 8:21; James 1:22)

All we need to know God (Luke 16:29, 31)

The standard by which all teaching is to be tested (Acts 17:11)

Faith-building (Rom. 10:17)

For everyone (Rom. 16:26)

Sin-cleansing (Eph. 5:26; James 1:21)

The sword for spiritual battle (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12)

The very words of God (1 Thess 2:13)

Divinely inspired (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

Life-changing (Heb. 4:12)

Life-giving (James 1:18 )

Spiritual nourishment (1 Peter 2:2)

(there are around 300 references to Scripture in the New Testament alone... so forgive me if I do not put them all. :P If you want some of the references to the following, ask me.)

Jesus is the central figure within the Scriptures and therefore his view of the Scriptures is therefore vastly important. What did he say? Jesus summarized the Old Testament Scripture as existing in three parts: Law, Prophets, and Psalms (Luke 24:44). He accepted the Old Testament Canon as it exists today, without any modifications, and he came to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17).

Jesus treated the Old Testament narritives as straightforward facts: Genesis 1 and 2 (Matt. 19:4-5; Mark 10:6-8 ), Abel (Luke 11:51), Noah (Matt 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-27), Abraham (John 9:56), Sodom and Gamorrah Matt. 10:15; 11:23-24; Luke 10:12), Lot (Luke 19:28-32), Isaac and Jacob (Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:28 ), the manna (John 6:31, 48, 59), the wilderness serpent (John 3:14), Moses as lawgiver (Matt. 8:4; 19:8; Mark 1:44; 7:10; 10:5; 12:26; Luke 5:14; 20:37; John 5:46; 7:19), falls prophets (Luke 6:26), and Jonah (Matt. 12:40). Regarding authorship, Jesus said Scripture was given by Moses (Mark 7:10), Isaiah (Matt. 13:14; Mark 7:6), David (Mark 12:36), and Daniel (Matt. 24:15).

In matters of controversy, Jesus used the Old Testament as his court of appeals. And in times of crisis, Jesus quoted Scipture. Jesus repeadted taught that Old Testament prophecy had been fulfilled because it was true. Jesus taught that the Scriptures could not be broken. Jesus also said the primary purpose of the Old Testament was to reveal himself (John 5:39). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would inspire the writing of the Gospels and Epistles (John 14:25-26; 16:23).

Following his return to heaven, Jesus' students wrote the remaining books of Scripture and likewise upheld Scripture as God's unique, perfect, authoritative, helpful, and powerful revelation to humanity. The New Testament writers claim that the Old Testament is sacred Scripture. Paul used Scripture and God's spoken word interchangably. The New Testament teaches that what the Bible says is what God says. And Peter and Paul claimed that Scripture has dual authorship by both men and God (1 Cor. 2:12-13; 1 Peter 1:10-12).

Most New Testament writers were eyewitnesses of Jesus. Others received firsthand information from other reliable witnesses. Luke received his information from Paul and numerous eyewitnesses, Mark received his information from Peter, and James and Jude were closely associated with the apostles and were Jesus' brothers. Paul claimed that Jesus was speaking through him. Paul quotes Luke as Scripture. New Testament writers claimed that their writings were holy. They said that their writings were the very words of God. Peter called Paul's writings Scripture. Paul commanded that his letters be read in teh churches and obeyed. And the early church treated the apostles' teaching as authoritative.

Some Scripture is also prophetic in nature, promising future events hundreds if not a thousand years in the future. These events include Jesus' virgin mother, birth in Bethlehem, flight to Egypt, entrance into the temple that was destroyed in AD 70, betrayal for thirty pieced of silver, clothing divided by the casting of lots, crucifixion, death and burial in a rich man's tomb, and resurrection of the dead.

The Bible is clearly a book of history and not just philosophy, because it continunally promises concrete historical events that, in time, come to pass exactly as promised. These fulfillments of prophetic promises show the divine inspiration of Scripture and prove that a sovereign God rules over human history and brings events to pass as he ordains them. Consequently, we can trust the internal consistency of the Bible to be a chorus of faithful witnesses who sing together in harmony. Nonetheless, not everyone accepts the teachings of Scripture.

I recently had to write a paper for my Senior Seminar for Christian Studies majors. I thought I'd present you all with my paper. Keep in mind I haven't double checked for grammar just yet but I'll put up an updated version soon. :P

INTRODUCTION

Taking a quick glance across churches the world, one can immediately notice a striking change in not only theology but the use of the visual arts. Why is there such a huge change across denominations in the use of images? Artists across history have created many masterpieces of work in the name of God but are these images biblical? Would it be morally wrong to display Jesus or God in the form of a sculpture? Can the Word of God be taught not only by means of words but pictures? Is artwork able to help someone worship God? Is the use of imagery within the church nothing more than idolatry? These questions are just a few that might come up in regards to the use of images in the church setting.

The purpose of this paper is to take a historical, theological, and biblical look at the use of the visual arts in the worship setting and find the practical application to the conclusions in an effort to better equip the reader for Christian ministry. This process will first take place by looking at the church's relationship with imagery across history. A theological summary will also illustrate what many theologians have thought about said subject. Also, what the Bible states about imagery and its use must be assessed and understood. Finally, a practical application will be given in order to find out how to apply what has been learned in a manner that is effective and biblical.

If you'd like to read the rest of the post then you may here. :P (It was too long to fit here... a 20,000 character limit wasn't high enough... o.0)

Something I've recently noticed in just observing others in regarding seeking God is acting as if God needs to fill out a job application. When God does not fit our requirements we either seek another God or we mold God into the image we wish him to be. If God is indeed God then would our desires actually change his character or affiliations?

Often times we want God to be all love and mercy forgetting mercy is to those who do not deserve it. If one deserved mercy then mercy would then cease being mercy.

Often times we want God to be a wishing well for our desires. If our desires do not come true then apparently we are not worshiping the correct God. Would not a true God enact his own desires as he wills?

Often times we want God to leave us alone yet we want him to be sovereign. We want God to take control of situations we do not like yet we do not want him to take control of the things we like.

Often times we want God to be a loving Father, but we do not want to be obedient children. We think that if we cry and scream loud enough God will actually do what we want.

Often times we want God to speak and yet we do not listen to his words. If we are actually expecting God to speak to us then why do we not listen to him when in prayer and when reading his Word... assuming we pray and read.

Often times we expect God to do what we want him to do because we supposedly deserve his blessings. We seem to think that if we do what we are supposed to do (pray, read the Bible, be a good person, etc.) that God is supposedly now in our dept and owes us something.

Recently I was asked about my beliefs pertaining to the Biblical account of Creation. I thought I'd share it with the rest of you since I actually decided to write this much... Keep in mind I was speaking with a Christian so some of you non-Christians will without a doubt disagree with a lot of my statements. Here is what I said:

I suppose I'll give you my background when it comes to Creation before I say anything. As far back as 3rd grade I'd read about the Big Bang and other theories regarding how the universe began. I became an Evolutionist long before I ever became a Creationist or Christian even though I had a very poor understanding of Evolution at the time.

Years after becoming a Christian while in high school I'd lay awake at night for hours trying to breed Evolution with Creationism. All of my thoughts simply tried to fit millions if not billions of years between Gen. 1:1 and the Great Flood. Some ideas resembled that of the Gap Theory where God "re-created" everything during the days of Creation after a massive extinction (could come about by anything from asteroids to battles between angels and demons). Other theories might be a bit more "odd" which put the Garden of Eden on another planet.

Whatever I did, it seemed I contradicted scripture in some way because of me adding things to scripture. I then started going to college and this was the first time I had ever heard of Young-Earth Creationism while the person presenting was smart enough to use correct grammar. All I'd heard before was, "I ain't come from no monkey!" If there is such a thing as a Hyper Young Earth Creationist, I had become that. I'd look down on anyone who even hinted towards believing in an old earth.

I've thankfully changed since then and am hopefully less of a Pharisee. Now my basic belief is God created everything with intention and perfection but that creation fell along the way. How long it took, I do not know. I do still lean towards Young Earth Creationism and anytime I question one who believes in an old earth it's more of a question of why they believe it than what.

Let me explain. I know longer criticize Old Earth Creationists for that reason so long as they are believe so with the right motivation. Are they believing in an old earth because they've studied the text and that was their conclusion or are they not believing in a young earth because of spiritual reasons? If God's creating ability is doubted for example, we have a problem.

I honestly don't care as much about how old the earth is but more the heart of the people studying the text. If a person believes Genesis chapter one and two is poetic and symbolic of something greater, go right ahead. If a person does not believe Adam and Eve were tempted in the garden, we might have a problem. If a person believes God created everything in the beginning and has been hands off, not involved in the world since, then there is another problem.

Now let's look at some of my own thoughts regarding the creation story and some of why I am not such a Hyper Young Earth Creationist anymore.

I think there is good evidence for the days of creation to be literal. At the end of each day it says, "And there was evening, and there was morning—the (insert number here) day." This statement adds to the meaning of day possibly being literal.

Despite the literal nature of each day, taking a look at the structure of the first chapter gives evidence of poetry. Let me explain:

Day 1 - light is parallel with Day 4 - sun.

Day 2 - water and sky is parallel with Day 5 - sea creatures and birds.

Day 3 - land is parallel with Day 6 - land creatures, a.k.a. humans and animals.

Day 7 - conclusion to the matter.

Did God create the days to be in this parallel nature or am I looking into the text too much? If this is indeed poetical then should this be taken literal or figurative of something else? I honestly do not know.

By the way, I'm writing this more to make you think than giving you an answer. :P

Some people argue in a Gap Theory. The Gap Theory states there is a gap of millions if not billions of years between verse 1 and 2 of Genesis 1. I do not take this approach in part for several reasons which are as follows: (but will give some argument against my stance)

1. Verse 1 seems to be a title for the chapter more than an event happening prior to verse 2. (But was there something preexisting before verse 2?)

2. If the dinosaurs and life lived before the fall of man then they also would have died during the fall of man. Was there death and sickness before Adam and Eve's fall? Did their fall affect all of creation or just their spiritual lives?

3. Adding this much seems to be looking too far into the text and makes argumentation out of silence. (But the Bible doesn't clarify this to be a short length of time (though would it if it's simply a title?))

Now let's continue past chapter 1 of Genesis. God created man, the fall of man, and the time up to the flood. According to Genesis, Adam was created and there is a genealogy tracing him to Noah with the ages of each parent during the time of the son's birth. Due to this time frame, it's clear there is (give or take 50 years) 2000 years between the creation of man and the Great Flood.

You state this may not be a literal year but a longer length of time. My biggest problem with this is when does the physical take the place of the literal? Does Noah live to be 950 million years old while his son Shem only lived to be 500 years old (11:10)? Even many generations later Abraham lived to be 165 (25:7). Who's age was figurative and who's was literal? How is this determined?

After looking at all of this information. I simply do not know where to put millions of years without scripture being degraded in some way (unless it is actually supposed to be interpreted figuratively).

Well those are some of my thoughts regarding Creation and my overall conclusion is... I don't know. In cases like this I'll quote a professor of mine from a sermon he preached, "I know this seems crazy but trust and obey." Romans 11:33-36 is also relevant and Duet. 29:29 states, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."

God does not give us a science or history book to explain to us all the details of how we got here, he told us what we needed to know. He created us, he loves us despite our turning from him, and we will one day live with him forever if we repent and follow.

Why is it people should be against the idea of abortion? Why is it Christians should be in the forefront of the pro-life movement? What is wrong with abortion in the first place? What is more important, personal convenience or the life of an unborn child? What does scripture have to say about unborn life? If abortion is banned, what next? What about women who have had abortions? Is abortion that big of a deal? These are some questions I hope to answer in this note. I seek to answer these as not only a reference for other people but for myself. I do not only want to give religious answers (though I am obviously biased in this situation) but secular answers which would influence the non-believer.

Is abortion really that big of a problem? Yes. Many people in our culture seem to be unaware of just how prevalent abortion is within our nation and the world. One source states nearly half of all pregnancies to American women are unintended; four in 10 of these end in abortion. About half of American women have experienced an unintended pregnancy, and at current rates more than one-third (35%) will have had an abortion by age 45. 67% have never married and sadly 78% report a religious affiliation. 18% of all abortions are performed on women who identify themselves as "Born-again/Evangelical".

Another source states 1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest; 6% of abortions occur because of potential health problems regarding either the mother or child, and 93% of all abortions occur for social reasons (i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient). These statistics means the vast majority of abortions are merely done out of convenience rather than medical need.

Nauseous yet? Here are more statistics. In 2004, the highest number of reported legal induced abortions occurred in Florida (91,710), NYC (91,673), and Texas (74,801). Twenty-two percent of all U.S. pregnancies end in abortion. 47% of women who have abortions had at least one previous abortion. 40% of minors having an abortion report that neither of their parents knew about the abortion.

Ok, that just states there a lot of abortions but that doesn't mean it is wrong. Let me give a scriptural reason for abortion being morally wrong. According to Abort 73, "There are a number of examples where Scripture uses the exact same words to describe babies before birth and babies after birth. In Genesis 25:22 we read, 'The children struggled together within her,' speaking of the twins in Rebekah's womb. The word children is the ordinary word used for children (or sons) outside the womb. Luke 1:41 tells us that "when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb". This is the same word for babe (brephos) that is used in Luke 2:12 and 16 for the baby Jesus and in Luke 18:15 for infants. Even more significant than the word usage is the description of what this unborn child did. John the Baptist, still in the womb, leapt for joy in recognition of the presence of Christ, who was also still in the womb. This is an in-utero prophecy of the arrival of Christ, and that is an astounding reality. "

Isaiah 49:1b states, "Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name." God has a plan for our lives before we are born, does that not mean we are important from the moment of conception? Not enough scriptural evidence of God loving us before birth? Jeremiah 1:5a says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart."

God is the creator of life and is the only one who should be allowed to end life (capital punishment excluded, topic for another day :P). Isaiah 139:13 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." These are only a few passages pertaining to the issue of abortion and just these few gets the point across.

John Piper once said, "To attack the human being in the womb and kill him or her is to assault God. God is making the child. God is weaving a unique image of his divine glory with the purpose of imaging forth that glory in the world. Killing the child is an attack on God's glory and is treason against the Ruler of the universe. So, fundamentally and most importantly, abortion is about God because children are made by God in the image of God for the glory of God."

Piper also once said abortion "is the sacrificing of our sons and daughters to demons. And someday we will see this. And we will be as amazed that it could have endured so long as we are that the enslavement of Africans lasted as long as it did. The issue is just as clear as that one was. And we are just as blind today as they were then. The big difference is that the babies can't run away. The underground railroad is entirely dependent on you, not them."

One of the 10 commandments is that of you shall not murder as mentioned in Exodus 20:13. Murder here includes the life of an unborn child. Some who are "pro-choice" as they like to be called say this is not really a child in the womb but simply a piece of unintelligible meat no different than an animal. This is completely untrue not only biblically as already mentioned but biologically.

Here is a great source which shows just how unique the child is even at the moment of conception. One excerpt states, "Conception: Of the 200,000,000 sperm that try to penetrate the mother's egg cell, only one succeeds. At that very moment, a new and unique individual is formed. All of the inherited features of this new person are already set – whether it's a boy or girl, the color of the eyes, the color of the hair, the dimples of the cheeks and the cleft of the chin. He or she is smaller than a grain of sugar, but the instructions are present for all that this person will ever become. The first cell soon divides in two. Each of these new cells divides again and again as they travel toward the womb in search of a protected place to grow." I considered showing pictures of undeveloped aborted children to stress this point further but I can't bare to even see them. Also, I prefer to not have emotion be the basis for my arguments against abortion.

Even those who are naturalistic in their beliefs believe in survival of the fittest. Abortion simply does not make sense in that regards either as wouldn't the purpose for a species be to preserve itself? If that is the case then wouldn't the moral right be to continue the lives of humanity? Abortion is the opposite of that and is wrong according to evolutionary beliefs.

Biblical and biological reasons for abortion being wrong have been presented so now for legal reasons. Why is it that it is okay for a mother to kill her unborn child but if she is killed, it is considered a double homicide? Or how about if a person hits a pregnant woman that is also considered murder in the eyes of the court system? Why is it a mother and doctor can kill the child without legal consequences? Is there not a contradiction here? Why is it naturalistic beliefs such as this contradict one another?

Many women have also lost their children by natural means before birth. If the unborn is not human like abortionists say then why should the mother be upset about this? It's not like she can't have another after all. Maybe a fetus is something more than an animal. A fetus is a child in the making and should not be executed prematurely.

Is abortion just a convenience for people? According to the statistics listed in the beginning, apparently so for the vast majority. One of the reasons people have abortions at such a high rate is simply because many do not want to take responsibility for their actions. With every action there is a reaction. This statement works not only in science but every day life. If one thinks themselves not mature enough to raise children then that individual must realize the consequences of sexual promiscuity and not run from those consequences. If one does not like the possible consequences then do not cause them, in other words practice abstinence (which Christians should be practicing anyway...).

Abortion is a huge issue but there is one thing that would significantly decrease the number of abortions, decrease in non-marital sexual activity. Very evident is this logic but sadly many people will not sacrifice their pleasure for what is morally right (both abstinence and being pro-life). Even more fundamental to the problem with abortion is the fallen nature of humanity. Humanists, many naturalists, and others with disagree with the depravity of man argument, but this is indeed the overarching issue at hand.

What can a person do to help the pro-life movement? A major way is to adopt children. If a woman is unable to care for a child then adoption needs to be a choice. Abortion shouldn't be the only option a woman has. Not only does this help minister to the suffering women in these situations but it gives couples the opportunity raise a child of their own if they are unable. Even couples who are able to have children of their own should adopt if only to minister to these hurting women.

Many people are all supportive of the pro-life movement but they forget about the women hurting in these situations. They need help from the church and anyone who will give that help. They need love. This love and help for these women can never be forgotten as the child is not the only one who suffers. Churches and secular organizations need to do everything in their power to help these women who have had abortions and those who decide to raise these children. My heart breaks for those who have ever had to make this decision, whatever path they have chosen.

I will leave you with this passage from Psalm 82:3-4, "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Just recently I came across a song by Northern Conspiracy which is a band which plays at Mark Driscoll's church, Mars Hill Church, in Seattle, WA. This song is now one of my favorite songs. I love the lyrics and here they are.

Oh my soul, oh my Jesus
Judas sold you for thirty, I'd have done it for less
Oh my soul, oh my Savior
Peter denied you three times, I have denied you more

As the nails went in, I was standing right there
As you breathed your last, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

Oh my soul, oh my Jesus
Judas sold you for thirty, I'd have done it for less
Oh my soul, oh my Savior
Peter denied you three times, I have denied you more

And the blood ran down, I was standing right there
And the water pored, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

As the nails went in, I was standing right there
As you breathed your last, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

If you'd like to actually listen to the song you my do so by finding it on the list here.

Well, as of right now I am halfway done with my senior year of college. I'll be graduating with a B.A. in Christian Studies and am extremely excited about graduation and then going to graduate school. I suppose that means I should apply relatively soon... :shock:

With all that said, I have a devotion from Isaiah 6:1-8.

(1) In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. (2) Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. (3) And they were calling to one another:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

(4) At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

(5) "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

(6) Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. (7) With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

(8 ) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

1 - Some may look at this passage and not see everything in it when in reality, it is one of my favorite passages and shows the glory of God in comparison to who we are. We first see Isaiah, who is writing, showing when this event happened, "In the year that King Uzziah died." This statement dealing with time shows that this is an event that happened within Isaiah's life, it's not just a story he created.

"I saw the Lord seated on a throne." A theophany is when a person physically sees God the Father. Due to God's holiness, we will be killed from seeing God as stated when Moses in on Mount Sinai. The physical manifestation of God is Jesus Christ and it is he who sits on the throne of glory (c.f. Rev. 4). So then, is it a Christophany depicted within this passage? Possibly and likely so.

"...high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple." It is God alone who is high and exalted, his name is above every name. He is YHWH, he is the great I AM. The train of the robe is also of importance. The length of the train depicts the greatness of the individual both in that age and many other ages. The robe of God is one which doesn't flow behind him, his robe fills the entire temple!

One thing which needs to be noted is the imagery of the temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 speaks of the body being the temple of God. Corinthians state, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you." The Spirit indwells in those who follow Christ and therefore, the glory of God radiates from the hearts and lives of those who call Christ Lord!

2 - "Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying." Here we see the heavenly hosts. Within heaven there are multitudes of angels who constantly praise the name of God. This seraphs, these angels, are flying above proclaiming the name of God but were only using but two of their six wings to do so. Four of their wings were used entirely for relating to God! What does that say about our lives? Do we spend more time seeking to gain God's favor than we do seeking to have a relationship with him?

3 - "And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'" These seraphs were praising God. The only discription of God every written more than two times in a row is that of holy. Does this signify that God is holy above everything else? Is it his holiness that all of his other characteristics pore out from? I personally think so. The love of God comes from his holiness. The mercy of God. The greatness of God. The sovereignty of God. The Word of God. The justice of God. The wrath of God. All of these radiate from his holiness.

Not only is God holy but his glory radiates from his creation. Everything from a sunset, a rainbow, the rocks of the earth, the sand on the seashore, declare the glory of God. We must also seek to declare the glory of God with our lives by living holy lives.

4 - "At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke." These angels were not merely chanting softly to themselves, they were shouting the praises to God. They were not ashamed, they were not holding back. We must also not be ashamed, we must also not hold back.

5 - "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." I love this verse. After Isaiah saw the holiness and glory of God, he realized in humility himself in comparison. We are we to think we compare to the majesty of the Lord most high? Isaiah realized his own faults in light of God's strength. He realized he did not compare. After Isaiah realized who God was, Isaiah realized who he was. This realization is something we must face in our lives if we ever want to call ourselves followers of Christ.

Some, especially unbelievers, may think this is a horrible passage, instead of God lifting up Isaiah he brought him down. This passage isn't about Isaiah, it is about God. It is God who is most high and due to that, Isaiah made a breakthrough in his life as we will see next.

6-7 - "Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." After Isaiah proclaimed his own failures in light of God's greatness, a seraph flew to him and took away his sin. A sin is when we miss the mark, when we do not live to the potential that God has set for us. God takes it away and makes Isaiah a new creation (John 3).

Isaiah then has the righteousness of Christ himself as it is his Holy Spirit which dwells within him. Through God's forgiveness, Isaiah is redeemed from his sin, his failure. We too can realized who we are in light of God's glory and find salvation. We too can live with the Spirit of God indwelling within us.

8 - "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" After Isaiah received the redemption of God which can only be obtained through Christ Jesus, Isaiah sought to serve God. Isaiah's heart had been broken and changed into a new heart, one which sought to serve God with his live. God asks the same thing of us, "Whom shall I send?" Are we begging God for the ability to serve him? Are we seeking to serve God out of thanksgiving for the wonderous blessings he has bestowed upon our lives?

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