Why Should I Forgive?
Interesting question to consider. Of course, as Christians, Jesus commands us to forgive throughout the New Testament. Being commanded by your Lord and Savior is a very good reason to forgive. Of course, we are also beings of free will so we do not have to follow Jesus’ commands if we choose not to. So are there other reasons to forgive?
Well, in my class today, we learned about the health benefits of forgiveness. That’s right, there are health benefits. It seems that people who live a lifestyle that is full of forgiveness appear to have lower blood pressure which of course brings about other benefits as well. Rather, the lack of high blood pressure beings about health benefits. It seems that people who forgive have lower stress and are generally happier than those who harbor grudges.
So as we consider whether to forgive or not, we have the obvious command from Jesus and the not so obvious health benefits. Since Americans tend to be self-centered, perhaps we should begin to promote the health benefits of forgiveness and encourage people to forgive for health reasons. I believe if we begin to practice a climate of forgiveness for any reason, the theological side of things will come around. As people begin to enjoy not only the health benefits of forgiveness but the peace forgiving brings, they will be open to the Holy Spirit and begin to experience Jesus in more ways in their lives. The benefits are endless.
Eternal Words
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” –John 6:66-68
The Lord’s words often seem so harsh. “Can he really mean what he said? Surely we can explain away his words with some new linguistic twist.” The gospel is offensive. The one who gives the gospel, more offensive still. But we will not be ashamed of the one who has the words of eternal life.
Throughout Scripture we come across teachings that are difficult to accept and understand. Far too often Christians will gloss over the hard parts, downplaying the significance of such passages. They turn their backs and walk away from this or that text. In the modern church there is an epidemic of frivolous folks who will not feast on the words of eternal life but will skim the surface lightly, dancing through the pages of Scripture for tidbits that stir their personal appetites.
True disciples will not turn away from the hard words of our Lord. What did Peter call Jesus’ words? Words of eternal life. Jesus Christ, the eternal Word has given us the words of Scripture for growth, encouragement, and conviction. May we be like the few who were faithful to all of Christ’s words and not like the many who turned aside and found more comforting teachers when Jesus said difficult things.
Approaching God with Persistence
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. –Matthew 7:7-8
When Jesus tells us in Luke 11 and in Matthew 7 to ask, seek and to knock there is an element of persistency contained within these words. We can read them with the understanding that Jesus is expressing a sense of urgency that should not be let up on lightly. All who believe in Him should keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking. Not to persuade God to come to our side over His will or win His favor by our persistency and dedication but to continually come before His presence until our souls are satisfied with His glorious response.
When we persistently come to God with the same request sometimes the Holy Spirit will show us that our request is for our desires and not for His glory and He begins to change our request by changing our vision and changing our heart. James 4:3 says, You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. When we persistently come to God where our passions need to be changed he changes. Where our vision needs to be changed, he changes. Where our ears need to be attentive he tunes.
Soul satisfaction comes to the man, to the woman who persistently asks, seeks and knocks the Lord.
A Powerful Image
I came across this image on another blog and it really caught my attention. It is a different way to view Jesus in the womb but I think it puts things into perspective. I tend to have this image of Baby Jesus as a little, sweet child (and it is not a bad image) but Jesus died on the cross for my sins (and was mindful of this all along the way). Perhaps we need to rethink our Christianity.
What are you thoughts?
Accepting One Another
This morning, my devotional reading led me to this verse:
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. — Romans 15:7
Given much of the discussion in my classes over the past few days, this verse seems fitting. We seem to have this desire to find faults in everyone (except ourselves of course) and in the process we build divisions and walls among us. Those walls lead to many problems including misunderstanding, mistrust, and even hate.
As Americans (especially as Americans), we tend to reject and rally against those who are different than we are. We don’t like people who talk or look or believe different things than we do. I find that deeply ironic since we are a nation of immigrants – a melting pot. And lest I become big-headed and arrogant, I am just as guilty of this as the next person.
When I read the scripture this morning, I was reminded that I am a sinner and a messed up human being. I have many failings and yet Jesus accepted me as I was. I didn’t have to become a new person to be accepted by Jesus (I am a new person now after) because Jesus accepted me just as I was where I was. When you stop and wrap your head around that idea, it is amazing that Jesus accepts us at all given the way we are.
Before you pick up a stone to throw it at me, I would like to point out that we do not always follow Jesus in this way. We see people who are different than we are (whether by creed, origin, gender, race, or orientation) and we immediately judge them and reject them. What’s worse is that we often do it in the name of Jesus – the same Jesus who accepted us as we are (remember that).
I think the last part of the verse is the key part. We need to accept each other to bring praise to God. I can’t imagine God likes seeing all of the divisions that exist and well divide us. I can’t imagine God appreciates the evil things we do against those who are different in God’s name. I can’t imagine that we praise God through our hateful words and actions. Imagine what would happen if we accept each other in the name of God and look past our differences to find something in common (like I don’t know – maybe the fact that we are all human). I bet we will find we have more in common with one another than we have different — if we just take the time to look. May our actions and words towards each other bring praise and glory to God!
Jesus of the Gospels or Jesus of the Church?
I came across an interesting passage in the C. S. Lewis biography I have been reading. Prior to his conversion to Christianity, Lewis was a thorough-going atheist who strongly resisted the biblical depiction of God and particularly of Christ. As he began opening his mind to Christianity, he started to read the Gospels and was surprised by the depiction of Jesus he found there. The Jesus he encountered there was not at all the Jesus the church and society had led him to believe could be found there.
Most Americans today, even more so than the Europeans of Lewis’ time, operate with a faulty perception of Jesus. This misperception grows out of gospel illiteracy and is perpetuated through the depictions of Jesus we find in films and television. But make no mistake about it, popular culture is not at fault here. The primary source of this misperception is the church itself. Christians have bought into and perpetuated the idea that Jesus was all about love, forgiveness, and compassion. Love, forgiveness, and compassion are absolutely true representations of Jesus, but they are only part of the picture. When Christians talk about Jesus as their “friend,” “buddy”, or “big brother,” they turn him into little more than a divine Mr. Rogers (“Jesus is my neighbor”).
We operate with a watered-down version of Jesus because we don’t read the Gospels completely and carefully. As Lewis found out, the Jesus one meets in the Gospels is a Jesus with an edge. He can be harsh, uncompromising, and , frankly, terrifying. I’m just flying off the top of my head here, but it seems to me that whenever people encounter Jesus in the Gospels, they experience one of four responses: joy, confusion, anger, or terror. Some of the parables that Jesus tells are extremely violent (this says something about how violence functions within fictional stories, like parables, and raises certain questions about how one should evaluate the portrayal of violence within popular culture — but that is a post for another day).
I don’t know why we prefer to hide behind our stained glass, Sunday School versions of Jesus rather than the Jesus of the Gospels. Or maybe I do. Perhaps we don’t want to face the fact that fear may be just as accurate a response to Jesus as is joy.
The New Heaven and the New Earth
Here is one of my favorite passages from the Bible that gives me hope and encouragement.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. –Revelation 21:1-7
I have had a bit of rough week dealing with pastoral stuff at church. Reading these words brings me comfort knowing God will be my God and I will be with God and all tears will be wiped away. Revelation is such an awesome book!
Christ Has no Body on Earth But Yours
Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
Compassion on this world
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good
Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world
Yours are the hands
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes
You are His body
Christ has no body now on earth but yours
–St. Teresa Avila
Reading this poem brings a lot of things to mind but the biggest is that we are truly the body of Christ because he has no body on earth but ours. We are the hands and the feet of Jesus as we continue to do his work in this world. We are to be helping others, sharing the gospel, and embracing each other in the name of Jesus.
Given what has happened over the past few months with tensions with Muslims, I have to wonder how many people really believe this. It seems that people want to be the body of Christ but only when it suits them to do so. It is like they are saying: “I will be the body of Christ to you but not to you or you.” Do we really get to decide?
As St. Teresa writes, our eyes are the ones in which Christ looks through with compassion to the world. If Christ is using our eyes, what is he seeing? I would like to think that my eyes are not judging or hating but rather looking how to help. I would like to think my eyes are a source of compassion and hope for the world. I could be wrong as well. It is a big goal to reach but one that I think I can meet if I have to.
By thinking of it this way, if we are the body of Christ on earth, we should be following Jesus’ example of living as found in the gospels and reaching out to other people. Jesus didn’t immediately judge people for their beliefs but rather loved them and taught them and reached out to them. We should be doing the exact same thing as we go through this life – that is if we are true followers of Jesus.
Trials
if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love, in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul:
He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things” — Romans 8:32
See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage—the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins! That hand can never smite you—except in love! He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, “This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.”
–J.C. Ryle
When Life Interferes
There is theology and faith to be found in just about everything we can imagine. Today marks the start of college football and you know, life is a lot like a football game. In football, a receiver catches the quarterback’s pass, secures the ball, then runs for the goal line. His teammates legally block defensive tacklers to protect and make way for their ball carrier. The opposing team does all it can to catch that receiver and keep him from meeting his objective. Sometimes a confident ball carrier is blindsided and taken down, despite teammates running interference for him.
Ever been blindsided? It can be financial, vocational, physical, emotional. It’s like hitting a brick wall. When a Christian is running his race, any hit becomes a spiritual one. We think we’ve settled something in our minds or hearts, then ”that something” rears its ugly head. It challenges our faith, tries our patience, or tests our faithfulness. When the problem looms higher than life itself, we are most susceptible to forget about the goal ahead. All our energy and mental capabilities is spent dealing with this interruption. Before we know it, we are sitting on the sidelines. Aggravated. Confused. Weary.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. –Galatians 5:7-10
In Galatia, Paul saw people he had led to Christ being tripped up by another’s false teaching. He knew how to run interference for fellow Christians. He stood on the truth of Christ and did a bit of cheerleading: “I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.”
Christ lives in our hearts. When we turn to, and rely upon Him, He meets our need and provides a way to accomplish what He calls us to do. He gives us clarity and discernment. Most times in football, the ball carrier is brought down before he makes the touchdown. However, those who run interference often are successful enough to help the runner make a first down. With a first down, the runner gives his team four more tries at the goal. So he gets up, and starts all over again.
Have you hit a brick wall? Remember Jesus is with you, in you. He is your advocate, the propriation of your faith, your Redeemer. Will you get up one more time? Is He calling you to run for the goal? Do you know someone who needs you to run interference, to block the forces that seek to wear them down? Whatever God calls us to do, Paul gives words of encouragement: “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal. 5:13-14 A single command, love.
What to Do?
This morning I find my heart troubled and my soul heavy. It seems that Lisa may be facing a serious illness and I am suddenly feeling overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. I have the start of the new semester ahead of me and all the burdens of schoolwork and the church on my shoulders. I opened my Bible this morning (part of one of my goals this semester is to spend more time in the word than I currently do) and I read this verse:
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. –1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Just as in fact you are doing.” God has a reason for everything in this world; likewise, He has a reason for us. As we walk through our sufferings, we have each other for encouragement. Each day we have an opportunity to encourage someone, somewhere. Yet, all too often we fail to do so. Why? Perhaps our problems loom so large in our own lives, we fail to notice the problems of another. We fail to ask, or even to hear. So we go along, do our jobs, gas our cars, never even realizing someone else has the same struggles we do–friends dying, loved ones undergoing chemotheraphy. We often fail to turn them over to God, to let go of them. Sometimes we promise to pray for them, and then forget.
There are also people who understand what we are struggling with or dealing with or facing. They have been there and know what it is like. We are not alone in our trials and sufferings and our burdens. We have God and we have each other. There is comfort in that.
In the midst of my own troubles, I plan to be open and aware of anyone who is in need this week and share an encouraging word with them.
Don’t Judge Unless You Want the Same
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man–you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself–that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? –Romans 2:1-4 (ESV)
We are reminded of the quote, “You cannot judge a book by its cover”. Well that is true and untrue. Many people will make judgments on a book by its cover. They will look at the title, the artwork, the endorsements of the book itself, and the author. But what really determines a book is not the cover, but the content. The same is true with the Christian life.
In this passage we are reminded that how we judge others we will ultimately condemn ourselves. We see a long list of sins and vices in the previous chapter and it is easy for us to look on others with scorn or disdain because they might be guilty of one or more of these items, but we would never do such a thing. Have we dared to ask ourselves the question of ourselves before we condemn another?
Romans 2:2 reminds us that the ultimate standard of judgment is truth. The issue is addresses in verse 3, in summary, “How can you judge others for doing what is condemned in Scripture and you are guilty of doing the exact same things?” A hard question for all of us to answer! Paul then poses another question in the next verse, “Do you despise the goodness of God as displayed in forbearance and longsuffering?”
We want people to be patient and kind when dealing with our shortcomings but do we grant the same reciprocally in dealing with others? Before we pass judgment on anyone else regarding their shortcomings, we must ask ourselves the question, “Are we guilty of the same thing that we are about to condemn?”
Affirmation
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. –Romans 15:7-13 (ESV)
Did you know that it takes at least nine words of affirmation and encouragement to overcome one word of criticism and hatred? How do you or your family share encouraging words with each other? When was the last time you said “Way to go!” to someone or gave a pat on the back. Why is that the deer and the antelope seldom hear a discouraging word yet we hear them all the time?
As Christians, we know how life will turn out in the end – it will be in the Lord. We can praide and thank and hug others because Jesus is doing that each day to us – through the word, through the sacraments, and through all those others who love us and care for us.
As Christians, we abound in hope and affirmation because as Paul states, Jesus fills us “with all joy and peace in believing”. What a wonderful gift we have! Let’s share it with others so they may be affirmed and encouraged today.
Let’s Be Doing
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. — Matthew 24:42-44 (ESV)
This morning, I opened my Bible and began reading the passage from Matthew. There has been quite a bit going on over the past few days (if you have been reading my blog) and it was interesting that this should be the passage that I encounter. I read an assurance that Jesus is coming and everything will be alright.
But if we read this passage deeper, we see that we have no idea when Christ is coming and we should be waiting anxiously for his return. You know, I have encountered some Christians who have interpreted this as doing nothing but waiting our way into the future. It seems we cannot stop the coming of Jesus so let’s hang out and just wait. Sounds like a plan but I don’t think so. The rest of the New Testament is a challenge to us to be doing something for the kingdom.
We have no idea what the future holds but we encounter people everyday who have no heard the word of God or the good news. We encounter people everyday who could be classified as “the least of these”. We encounter people everyday who need us desperately to reach out to them. There is a lot of work to be done while we are waiting.
Scripture speaks of waiting for the return of Jesus. Scripture speaks of waiting, but I do not see anywhere where it says to wait around doing nothing.
A Tumultuous Day
Today really was a tumultuous day of emotions for me. It started this morning with an email stating that the Board of Missions has no other choice but to recommend the closing of my church. I will admit that I was very angry and ready to yell and scream. No, I wasn’t angry, I was very pissed about the whole thing. We have worked hard over the past 2 years to grow the church and heal wounds only to have this recommendation show up. While I tried to wrap my head around my anger, I opened up my Bible to the scripture that I was planning to preach from and I read it and I felt a sense of comfort and calm come from the words that I was reading.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. –Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (ESV)
I shouldn’t be surprised that peace, comfort, and answers come out of scripture but I was surprised that an answer, peace, and comfort came out of scripture. During worship this morning, the elders decided that we should share with the congregation what was happening and so Terry did. At first, there was shock and sadness but then people began to express hope in their questions and their resolve. I felt the Holy Spirit in the church at that moment and I realized that this is just an obstacle as the scripture says. I had a big God moment during the worship service (I have them often). I tend to work on bulletins about 6 weeks out as I have time – that means when I have some free time, I sit down and lay out the worship service as much as possible. Today’s worship service was finished up in June and but the entire worship service was needed for a time like this! God put the exact pieces that were needed together. There is hope and we will be triumphant with this obstacle.
Of course, the emotional roller coaster didn’t end there. During my sermon, I shared with the congregation about my quest for Army chaplaincy. I had planned to do it before I knew about the closing recommendation and I hesitated to share it but I did and it felt good. I felt a burden lifted from my shoulders and I can move forward in this journey. Of course, this doesn’t mean that I am not going to fight for the congregation or fight the good fight – it just means that I am openly pursuing the chaplaincy or at least I am openly on the journey now. It will be interesting to see where it all leads.
I don’t know what the future holds for either Grace or for the chaplaincy. I know that God is present in both journeys and that all things will work out according to God’s will. It is all out of my hands for the most part but that doesn’t mean that we need to roll over and play dead.
What I do know is that despite the emotional roller coaster of the day, God was present through it all and never left my side. It is interesting to see that one of the suggested lectionary texts for the coming week includes Hebrew 13:8 which says:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (ESV)
Is there anything else that really matters?
To Boldly Go…
…and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. –Ephesians 6:19-20
This is at the very end of the passage on the armor of God. Paul gives his readers a prayer request. He needs prayers to declare the gospel boldly. Think about this for a minute. This is the Paul who converted jailers because he would talk to them about the gospel while they were chained to him. This is Paul the missionary church planter who suffered all kinds of hardships so that he could spread the gospel. He still wanted prayers so that his mouth would be opened ἐν παρρησία, or in boldness. After all, that was how he had to speak.
It’s fascinating to me that I read this today. I’ve been having conversations lately with people about having relationships with non-believers and letting God guide them in their relationships. In other words, let God use us in our relationships to be bold and share the gospel.
I do not shy away from opportunities to have spiritual conversations with people. I’m just not very good at bringing it up. I don’t think it is very effective to force it, but I also know that people need to brought to these conversations. I don’t think it is reasonable to expect to be like Philip finding the Ethiopian eunuch trying to figure out the book of Isaiah.
I want desperately to have opportunities to talk to people about Jesus. After all, that’s one of the reasons why I’m in seminary. So what I get from this passage is that I also need to be more intentional in my prayers that “words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly.” Quite convicting.
The Fire of Jesus
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! — Luke 12:49-50 (NIV)
What an interesting verse. I was thinking about the discussion last night in the Young Adult Community and then I encounter this scripture. At first thought, it seems that Jesus is condemin the way of life that exists on earth and encouraging everyone to undergo baptism. That would be in keeping with Jesus’ message to the masses. However, I can’t help but wonder why the Holy Spirit is always represented by tongues of flame – could this be the fire on earth? (Sorry Dr. Minor, I am combining two different texts).
If you think about fire – it is destructive and renewing at the same time. When something burns – like a house or a forest – the slate is wiped clean so to speak. While people may lose possessions and momentos, they are able to rebuild their home because there is nothing left. The same goes for a forest fire – the ground is literally burned cleaned and there is room for new trees and plants to begin growing (some seeds will not sprout until they have been burned by fire).
Now as you wrap your mind around that thought, here is what I am thinking. The fire Jesus is talking about is the Holy Spirit given through baptism. That fire comes into our lives and consumes our sin and all those things that stand in the way of loving and following Jesus! It may be a stretch but it makes sense to me. If the fire of Jesus consumes all those things that keep me from following Jesus: sin, burdens, worries, cares, possessions, etc. then what is left behind is a clean slate (i.e. me). Within that clean slate, new life can begin and grow and even spread as I share the good news with others. It is a powerful image and a powerful scripture.
So I started out talking about what God might say to me through this scripture so here is what I think God is saying. We need to embrace the consuming fire of Jesus and embrace its cleansing power in our lives and be prepared for new life to begin and grow in us.
Long, Dark Nights
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. –1 Corinthians 15:19
Where do you go when you have a dark night in your soul? What do you grab when God seems very far away and your faith hangs by a thread? I have times when I look around at my life and the world and wonder if everything I believe is true. Maybe Bart Ehrman is right about the Bible. Maybe the Muslims are right. Maybe the Jehovah’s Witnesses are right. Maybe the agnostics and atheists are more intellectually honest than I am. What do I do with all of that?
I run to this passage. Paul makes it clear that everything stands or falls on the resurrection of Christ. If Christ truly was raised from the dead then we have a true faith. If not, then all things man.
So how does this help? There are three possible explanations for what happened to Jesus’ body. The first is that He did not actually die on the cross, but merely “swooned.” Then when He was put in the cave He revived and somehow managed to get free and died quietly elsewhere. The problem with this is that a professional executioner jabbed His side with a spear and pierced the sac around His heart. They did not break His legs because they were sure He was dead. It is extremely unlikely that He merely swooned.
The second possibility is that the apostles stole His body. There are two major problems with this. One is that there were a lot of powerful people who really wanted to produce a body so as to stop the spread of the new movement. They couldn’t do it. The other is that the remaining apostles were all martyred for their faith. Now the 9/11 terrorists were willing to be martyred for what they believed to be the truth, but could you find eleven men willing to die for what they know to be a lie? You might, but it is extremely unlikely.
The final possibility is that the resurrection actually happened and that Jesus was indeed the Christ. That is what I believe because it fits the facts better than any other theory. Ultimately we all have to decide what we are going to do with Jesus. Do we worship Him or not? Everything hangs in the balance. What is your choice?
Reflections on the Mentality of Racism & Intolerance
Maybe I lived a shelted life or maybe I am naive but I don’t understand the mentality (I won’t say logic) behind racism. Growing up, my best friend came from a mixed marriage (his mother was white and his dad was black). He was my best friend and I didn’t really consider that he was any different than I was – except maybe a slightly different shade but that was it! My wife is of Puerto Rican descent and again I really think nothing of it. Which is why I don’t get racism!The other day, I began a debate with others over a Facebook posting regarding the mosque at Ground Zero in NYC. I have to say that I am not sure what I think about a mosque near Ground Zero. We enjoy freedom of religion in this country and therefore they should be entitled to build a mosque where they want but I understand where the people who lost family members on 9/11 are coming from. That being said, there is a reason to have a discussion about the location and I agree with that. What worries me is that many people have gone too far and have made this attack on Muslims in general. I am amazed that in some people’s minds all Muslims are terrorists because of the actions (deplorable as they are) of a few crazy, maniacal people. It seems if you pray to Allah you are guilty by association. I wonder if this mentality comes from a desire to punish those who committed the acts of terrorism?
During the course of my debate and discussion the other day, I continued to call for tolerance and love but I was repeatedly attacked for being naive (maybe I am). I asked how Jesus would view a Muslim and would he view a Muslim any different than he would a Christian? Jesus’ track record showed that he would talk and love just about anyone (I often wonder how he felt about the Pharisees). I mean he stopped and talked to a Samaritan woman which is almos the equivalent of talking to a Muslim today! I pointed out that I have friends who are Muslims and I do not fear jihad from them but the response was that they are not “real” Muslims. What is a real Muslim? For that matter, what is a real Christian?
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” –Mark 12:29-31
Does it get any clearer than that? I mean Jesus doesn’t say love your neighbor as yourself but only those neighbors you want to love. It seems we are to love our neighbors period. Are we loving God when we choose to be intolerant towards other people? I mean who am I to decide whether someone else is worthy of love or not when I am a sinner who is saved by the grace of God. In reality, I am no better than the terrorists who commit acts of violence. We are all sinners and all sin is the same in God’s eyes.
The debate continued over “stopping those who want to take over the country by building mosques every where!” Wow. People were quoting the Constitution and pointing out that mosques are not mentioned in the Bill of Rights (I checked and they are right but then churches aren’t mentioned either). People seem to feel that Islam is taking over our country as we become more pluralistic in nature. Maybe there are more Muslims in the US than before but I don’t see that as a bad thing. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all people (note the all in that statement). It is not likely that most people will be able to travel to the Middle East to spread the gospel and the good news but when we have Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and even atheists neighbors, we have a chance to love them and share the good news. I recently preached a sermon about building relationships with people and through those relationships, God can plant the seeds of salvation. I see it happening all the time. Through our relationships, we can share the good news with other people because we have developed trust, friendship, and a rapport with them. We have relationships that are built on love and not hatred. It is through those relationships that God works.
I have developed a relationship and a rapport with a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses who come to visit on Saturday mornings every so often. I have not been rude towards them and I listen to what they have to say, I read the literature for me, and I ask questions. I share my views of the gospel with them and you know what? We listen each in respect for each other’s beliefs. We have a relationship and I pray that God will use that relationship to help me share the true Word of God with them. However, if I tried to do that from the start, they probably would never come back to my house again. I love them as children of God and I love them as my neighbors.
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. –Mother Teresa.
It seems that people are quick to judge Muslims as terrorists because of the actions of a few radical Muslims. I am sure there are some radical Christians out there as well and I would prefer not to be judged by their actions either. I do wonder if people who claim to be Christians and claim to read the Bible and claim to follow Jesus really understand his words. Love your neighbor means LOVE your neighbor. There is no wiggle room there.
I pray on my day of judgment when I stand before Almighty God, I will be judged through the grace of Jesus Christ. I pray that God will not point out that I did not follow Jesus and that I alienated others and that I was intolerant of any of God’s children. I am not perfect and I have moments of weaknesses (also called being human) but I strive to live like Jesus in this world. May we all do the same so we can follow the words of Jesus in what we call The Great Commission:
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 [God] and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you [as in loving God and your neighbor]. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) *italics my additions*
There is Only One Way
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. –1 Timothy 2:5-6
There is an ecumencial spirit afoot in our time that believes in many paths to God. The goal of life is simply to live in a Christ-like way. If we do that, these folks say, then we will be at one with the Divine. That’s all that really matters.
This passage tells us otherwise. As we learned way back in John 14:6, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. It is only through His sacrifice that humans may be reconciled to God. This passage speaks to the reality of what theologians call penal substitutionary atonement. Christ paid our penalty for sin. We deserved the death that He died on the cross. He did this that we may live.
We do need to be careful with this verse though. We see that He gave Himself as a ransom ὑπὲρ πάντων, which means literally, “in behalf of all.” The caution must be exercised with the definition of “all.” If we take this to mean every person who has ever and will ever live then we move toward universalism. If we rip this out as a proof-text we can see that. But if we read this within the canon of Scripture (and even just the surrounding verses) we see that Paul is saying something quite radical to his audience. Christ died not just to save Jews, but also to save Gentiles.
In other words, when Paul writes “all” here, he refers to the fact that Christ’s death secured the salvation of Gentile believers as well as Jewish believers. He is not teaching universalism here, but rather explaining to the Jews that the love of God goes beyond the descendants of Abraham. As a Gentile I rejoice in this fact.
Let this be a lesson to read every passage in its context, both immediate and far. To do otherwise is quite dangerous lest we fall into universalism and lose all zeal for evangelism.
