Luke 19:10 “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Jesus’ goal in the Plan of Salvation was to reverse the deadly and damming effects of the Fall of Man due to sin. In Babel, God confused their communication because of their sin and self-dependence which excluded their sovereign Creator. And, because of our sin and self-dependence, God wants to reverse those deadly and damming effects in our lives today. At the Cross, what Jesus did was that he provided the only acceptable way for reversal of the penalty for sin and their effects in our lives. Justification by salvation in Christ is the beginning, Sanctification is the daily, on-going growth process while walking in the Spirit until Glorification in Heaven.
Pastor Kyle gave three insights on how to reverse the effects of Babel. First, find and follow the lines of orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Orthodoxy refers to doctrinal correctness (correct teachings), whereas orthopraxy refers to right practice or correct behavior because of belief. There are lines where we deal with these issues in our lives and the first indicator when people are doing what the unbelieving pagan s around them are doing. The second indicator is when people are building a name for themselves instead of building and making great the name of God while advancing the Kingdom of God. The third indicator is in seeking security in what we can build for ourselves, but rather in how we can trust God instead. As a Christian, we are to find and follow the lines of orthodoxy in every situation in our life.
Once we become aware that there is a line biblical doctrine from the Word of God, we become responsible to follow it; if the Bible says it, then we are to do it. If we are not sure what the Bible says on something, then we are responsible to ask and find out. This is Jesus’ church and we are just a steward of God’s kingdom for His purposes. Christians are building something, but for the name and fame of almighty God. In Matthew 28:18-20Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The Bible says it, so we are to do it. Seek and save the lost with Gospel truth.
The second insight is that improving communication improves outcomes. At Babel, God confused their language due to disobedience and made their goals unachievable. But, because of Christ, God has given us the ability to reverse the effects of sin and inequity by repenting and by receiving Jesus, he bears our sins upon Himself on the Cross and we are imputed His righteousness and by transformation receive a new heart reconciled to God, renew our minds and regenerate our spirit. Repenting means confronting painful, under the surface sinful issue that we’d rather ignore. Better communication after accepting God’s grace by faith through Jesus Christ. The kingdom of Heaven is our home and we are sojourners here, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Everyone improves with experience.
The third insight is that if we want God’s order, stability, security and peace, then we have to do everything God’s way. We can be just as easily deceived as the people of Babel that our order, stability, security and peace comes from our own ability and towers that we build in our lives. We can enjoy the blessings of life that come from the hand of our Lord God. But, when we do things God’s way, God blesses us beyond what we could think, imagine or build ourselves. Yet, how can we tell if we are building for ourselves and our own glory, or if we are building for the Lord and His glory? Is the building upon the stormproof rock of Christ or sand of self. Building on the solid foundation of the Lord is a mindset and practice.
John 3:35-36 “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are walking and building your life in darkness. If you know the Lord, but you are not following Him in His ways with their thoughts, words and actions, then you are not building your life on the rock of Jesus Christ. Are you growing in your relationship with God? Are you obeying God in your daily lives? Are you using your passions and possessions only for yourself and your own glory? If we want order, stability, security and peace, then we have to do everything God’s way. In doing so, you are reversing Babel in your life.
In Christ, Brian
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