Going Forward in Chaos, Part 2
Undercover Boss
By Bob Benson, President/CEO CCBA
No matter what is happening in the world, “You’ve got to keep on dancing.” How does one do that effectively and with a sense of peace and hope? How does one do that effectively and with a sense of peace and hope? One needs an anchor for their soul (our emotional system) in any time of fear, disappointment, venerability, disillusionment, or uncertainties of any kind.
Practical Strategic Insights: At this point, the Key Insights in this article and the articles to follow fit together like key pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Whether you have been a Christian for years or are an inquisitive seeker, I pray you will read through the entire letter. It is my pleasure to share these key insights that God used to set me free.
Part I: The Anchor. In Part I, we presented scientific evidence presented by an Astro Physicist in Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Miracles. That evidence concluded the Universe had to be created by an intelligent and creative higher power from outside of the known Universe. The Bible calls this higher power God or Jehovah and in like manner declares that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 NIV. For documentation, see Part I in January or go to www.CCBAlliance.org
That raises questions for some. Is there really a God or, if you prefer, a higher power? If you have doubts, please read Part I of this series emails out in January 2022.
“I can see the nuances of subtleties and intricacies of nature in a way that others can’t. And invariably, they point me toward one conclusion; the God hypothesis has no competitors.”
Dr. Michael G. Strauss, The Case for Miracles
Key Insight: The Bible is reality, not a religion. Christianity was never intended to be a religion. The Bible is a book of truth, coaching us on how to have life as God originally intended, and with a positive relationship with God, His Son Jesus Christ, and each other. The Bible says that God’s promise to Abraham is our anchor. “If you belong to Christ, then are Abraham’s descendants, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29
“Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
From Hebrews 6 NIV
Everything We Need
Properly read and understood, the Bible provides us with an understanding of “everything we need” to live life “to the fullness” God intended from the beginning.
Key insight: To experience this fullness, you must read the Bible as reality! Do this even if you don’t understand what you are reading, or you don’t see a positive outcome immediately. That will come in God’s timing as you ask Him for help and understanding.
The Bible instructs us that God is a personal and loving God, that is, He is involved in our lives in many ways. How much He is involved is determined by our choices, understanding of the various Spiritual resources He has given us, our trustworthiness, and our belief (trust) in Him.
In 2 Peter, the Bible declares that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” How much power does He have? Look up at the sky tonight – He created it! And He created it from a location outside of the known Universe! How do you get to know Him? Follow His teachings and spend time with Him in prayer.
Living Power!
First on the list of “everything” is God himself. This includes His power, love, and passion for His greatest creation – humans, including you, who He made in His image! And He wants you to experience “life” to its fullness. Everything starts with believing in Him!
Second is the Bible which, in essence, is an operating manual to restore you to proper operating condition. It includes everything you need! Libraries of articles and books about how the Bible was written by God through men. They explain the extreme detail and excellence that was used to interpret the ancient manuscripts and translate them into other languages. You can research this on the internet for yourself or ask a church pastor that preaches/teaches from the Bible.
Third is His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone of these resources and an absolute necessity for your hope in God and His promises to work the way they are intended. I will focus on Christ in this article.
Key Insight: When you believe in and put your trust in God and Jesus Christ and acknowledge the need for Christ as your Savior (His death on the cross to pay the penalty for mankind’s sins), things inside you change for the better: 1) The power of God lives in you through His Spirit; 2) You will begin to perceive how He is empowering you to succeed in many ways, and 3) You will recognize His living power! Power to live a better and more fulfilling life. “…The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Jesus Christ, King of God’s Kingdom
Undercover Boss
In this Part II, we will focus on Jesus Christ, King of God’s Kingdom and co-creator of the Universe. Why would such a powerful leader, living safe and sound in Paradise, want to go to earth with all its dysfunctional, corrupt, confusing, and problem-ridden issues? How did earth get from “good” (perfect) to this condition? And why on earth did Christ come as a baby?
Why did Christ come to earth? Let’s go back to the creation of humans, Adam and Eve.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:26-28, 31 NIV If you Read Genesis 1-3 you will find that God and the Lord Jesus Christ declared that everything they created is “good.”
Key Insight: “Very good” in this situation means it was all perfect, without blemish or “sham.” Adam and Eve were in perfect harmony and connection with God and His life-giving force. They were happy and at peace, experiencing everything they needed for life and godliness. God gave them a command to keep them that way.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
From Genesis 2
The Fall of Mankind
“Now the serpent [Satan] was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ And He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’”
The Consequences
Key Insight: “In the Bible, the word “knowledge” first appears in Genesis. God placed a tree of the “knowledge of good and evil” in Eden, and commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree. When Satan questioned God’s commandment in Eve’s presence, she chose to disobey God, as did Adam (Genesis 3:1-6). This first couple knew intellectually about good and evil because of God’s command, but they came to understand good and evil experientially—as well as the devastating consequences of their choice—in disobedience.” From Bible Study Tools
Key Insight: Their disobedience is key to the dysfunctional condition on earth and to understanding the reason Christ came to earth. “Sin” entered Adam and Eve, making their nature a “sin nature.” “Sin” here is not a verb. It is a noun, something living in them. Listen to Paul: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.” Romans 7:15-17
Key Insight: Only Christ can render your sinful nature powerless, and it is a daily process by faith in Him! Read Romans chapters 6-8. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body [of sin], I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Adam and Eve lost the physical everlasting life they were receiving from their connection to God. Therefore, their decline to physical death began. They also lost their everlasting spiritual life with God. You can read about the other consequences of their disobedience in Genesis 3. Now, unfortunately, they began learning about the “knowledge of evil.” They were no longer experiencing an abundant life. They were beginning to experience what life is like disconnected from God.
Key Insight: There is hope and good news! When Christ came to earth, He came with the solutions to restore humans from the impact of “The Fall.” Those who put their trust in Christ receive this restoration.
The Importance of Obedience
Key Insight: All of God’s blessings and promises are tied to obedience. And, similar to company culture, God’s Kingdom also has a culture He expects humans to live by. As you read above, to maintain the blessings of God “to the full”, God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They disobeyed God and were removed from the blessing of living in the garden. Life on earth became difficult, dangerous, and dysfunctional. The theme of obedience tie to blessings continues throughout the whole Bible.
“…All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: …The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to…”
Deuteronomy 18:1-13
“However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you…”
Deuteronomy 18:14-45
“The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing,” Ecclesiastes 12:11-14. This was written by King Solomon after his search for meaning.
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you… You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”
John 15:10-17 Jesus Christ
“Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
Revelation 3:10
Please read Deuteronomy 18 to understand the big picture.
Key Insight: Of course, like anything new you are learning to apply, it is not a perfect process. Therefore, God gives us mercy and grace while learning. What He is evaluating during the process is one’s trustworthiness. That is, his/her intentions, attitude, and trust in Him and Jesus Christ by following their teachings and commands.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind [with truth (reality)]. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2
16 Key Reasons King Jesus Christ Came to Earth
Key Insight: Christ came to earth with short-term, mid-term, and long-term objectives for the restoration of humans, earth, and more. Following is an outline of the Key Reasons King Jesus came to earth. They are all Key components of “everything we need for life and godliness.”
For now, I want to give you the big picture. Future articles will explain these 16 reasons in more detail. I will also share why they are “key”, how to apply them for fullness of life (John 10:10), and how they fit together to accomplish Christ’s declaration of freedom from the sinful nature and Satan’s influence over your life.
When Christ came to earth, He came as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. He came as a savior and servant of God to define reality, liberate God’s people and make their life better. He never talked about his leadership as King of God’s Kingdom until He was pressed to by Pilate during His “trial.” He came to serve, not to rule.
He was, as the TV program portrays, an “undercover boss.” In this TV program, the CEO of the company goes out into the field undercover to work as a common worker. The goal is to find out what is going on in the workplace and then take the necessary actions to fix problems areas, provide resources as needed and reward those who are following the standards or train those who are not.
1. Christ Came to Testify to the Truth
Key Insights: “Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose, I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice’” John 18:37. ESV The word “truth” here, in Greek, means reality. Christ came to define reality.
“I have come into the world as light [insights into reality], so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness [unable to see reality].”
John 12:46
“Christianity is Reality, not a Religion”
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
2. Christ Came That We Might Have Life to Its Fullness
Key Insight: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Jesus Christ
3. Christ Came to Do the Will of the Father
Key Insight: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.” John 6:38
“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.”
John 8:42
4. Christ Came to Give Humans the Gift of Life
Key Insight: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.”
John 12:24-27
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
1 Timothy 1:15
5. Christ Came to Destroy the Devil and His Work
Key Insight: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil…” Hebrews 2:14.
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
1 John 3:8
6. Christ Came to Call Sinners to Repentance
Key Insight: “And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45
7. Christ Came to Set the Captives Free and Bind Up Broken Hearted
Key Insights: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind [insight into reality], to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…but he said to them, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”’ Luke 4:18-19
“Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man, Jesus Christ abounded for many.”
Romans 5:14-15
8. Christ Came to Give His Followers a New Nature Made in God’s Image
Key Insight: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self [nature] with its practices and have put on the new self [nature], which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.“
9. Christ Came to Give Humans the Right to Become God’s Children
Key Insight: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13 “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” Galatians 4:6
10. Christ Came to Restore Humans’ Connection to God
Key Insight: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:19-23
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.'” Amen
Matthew 6:9-13
11. Christ Came to Give Eternal Life to Those Who Believe
Key Insight: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 “Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
12. Christ Came to Further Reveal God and His Love to Humanity
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:9
Key Insight: “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:2-3
13. Christ Came to Become Like Humans and Earn the Right to Be Their High Priest
Key Insight: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:14-17
14. Christ Came to Build His Church (His Kingdom on Earth)
Key Insights: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.“ Matthew 16:18 “Then Jesus came to them and 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.’” Matthew 28:16-20
15. Christ Came to Send Us a Counselor, the Spirit of Truth
Key Insights: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” John 16: 12-14
16. Christ Came to Prepare for His 1000 Year Reign on Earth as King
Key Insights into His Purpose: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”
Revelation 20:6
Application
How Do You Take Hold of God’s Promises?
“Christianity is Reality, not a Religion”
First, you have to believe there is a higher power, which the Bible calls God. If you don’t already believe that, read Lee Strobel’s book. It makes it clear that God exists. Also, strongly consider reading the Bible, starting with the book of John. It is short, and the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, talks a lot about himself, like why He came to earth. He also talks about His father, God.
Second, you have to believe He is a personal God. That is, He interfaces with mankind on earth. He did not just create the Universe, earth with plant, animal, and human life, and then abandon His creation. He is a relational being and loves humans who He “made in His image. In fact, in 2 Peter, the Bible tells us that “God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” That is, how to walk in his image and ways. John, chapter 10, Jesus says, “I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”
Third, start seeking to understand and apply the insights in this article.
In Part III of this series, I will continue with Everything You Need by beginning to clarify the 16 key reasons Christ to earth.
But in the meantime, get personal with God by praying (talking to Him about things in your life you are grateful for, your needs, and for direction). Consider this reality as you pray. God loves you and wants a close relationship with you!
The 15 Dynamics of Building a Cash Cow
In the book of Proverbs, the Bible teaches that the wise person builds his/her wealth step by step. See Provers 13:11, 21:5, 28:20. This is a key business school financial principle for building wealth with your business or investments. Leave your profit in the business or investment portfolio and compound it year after year. Ask God for help and to direct your steps.
“You may say to yourself, ’My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
Please Pray For the People of Ukraine and the defeat of Russia & the Forces of Evil
THE LORD BE WITH YOU AND BLESS YOU!
