In Scripture, devotion is described as being a slave under a master—you are either a slave of God or you are a slave to someone or something else. We are never a slave to two masters—we can only do proper slave service to one master at a time. And our real master is indicated by who we really love. Our real master is the one we serve with all of our mind and soul and body—the one we give ourselves to most willingly.
To serve grudgingly or spitefully is no real service at all, and it is an indication that we may want people to think we are dedicated to something we really are not.
One’s love of God is not just a matter of going through the motions. Going to church, praying a prayer, giving one’s money—these are not things that keep one close to God. Loving God is a decision one makes to be enthusiastic about the Lord and to desire him and his ways. Our emotions are guided by our thoughts. We can decide what we are excited about in our lives, and our emotions will (eventually) follow along.
To be devoted to the Lord isn’t just where you are—it is the direction you are heading in. While we may have some emotional highs in our spiritual life, our love of God is not given to us at once. It is something that grows and takes over more and more of our lives as it matures. The question is, what direction are we heading in? What mastery is taking over us? Is God making us more and more his slave day by day? Or are we enslaved to another, who will eventually lead us to sorrow and misery and death?
For each statement pair, choose the one that best describes your current attitude. Remember, this is to indicate the direction of your love right now, not to indicate where you are all the time. If one pair is too difficult, leave it and go on to the next one, you can come back later. Be as honest as you can with your answers. The only ones who will know are you and God!
Decreasing interest in God or Jesus.
An increasing hunger for God’s word.
Greater focus on the material, temporary things of life.
Directing one’s mind as often as possible to the things of God.
More frequently not keeping promises to people.
Remaining more faithful with every word one says.
Forgetting or considering covenants made with God as unimportant.
Finding it easier to accomplish the promises one makes to God.
Using more of one’s resources—money, possessions, time—on things of the world or personal comforts.
Greater use of one’s resources for the kingdom of God and for the poor.
Decreasing interest in spending time with other believers.
Attending church, not for a social event, but to get closer to God.
Taking less effort to control areas of sin in one’s life.
Increase of discipline over areas of sin.
Prayer is becoming less frequent.
Consistent prayer in the Spirit.
More often, one’s energy is directed to things other than God.
Consistent service to God.
Having increasing struggle with doubts
Getting increasingly excited about being in God’s presence
Being more unable to do what God wants.
Gaining more victory over sin.
Being more concerned about what other people think of you.
Increasing one’s boldness for the Lord.
Being more irritated at people and their selfishness
Thinking more about what other people need, rather than yourself.
Becoming less content with your life and the situation your find yourself in.
More and more giving thanks to God for your circumstances.
An increasing desire for more things to satisfy you.
Becoming more satisfied with what God has given you.
Greater apathy as to whether your speech effects other people.
Greater control over your speech, to be more righteous and loving.
Greater tendency to judge others.
Increasing desire to show mercy to others.
Wanting to reign things in more, to take care of one's own.
Wanting more to help and serve those who are in greater need, even if you don’t know them.
We won’t tally up the points, because we can’t quantify our love of God. But what does this test reveal about you?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Killing My Old Man: Overcoming Our Own Self Destruction
More often than not, we are our own worst enemies
Much of our suffering, anguish and pain comes from what we have done to ourselves and our relationships. As the old blues song communicates so well, “ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.” The Bible has different terms for this part of ourselves that destroys our lives from within: the old man, sin within me, and the flesh. If we are a Christian, then we do not just have the flesh leading us and deceiving us—we also have the Holy Spirit that is giving us truth and freedom.
Our life can be seen as a battle between the flesh and the Spirit over every aspect of who we are (Mark 14:38). The Spirit is seeking to have more and more control, while the flesh is attempting to maintain control over us. However, the only thing the flesh is really interested in doing is to keep us in comfort and ease. The flesh wants us to feel good and to be comfortable. Although the flesh often encourages us to sin and to take a good thing and to do it to excess, the flesh might also encourage us to do something the Spirit wants us to do, if it meets its own desires.
1. Maintain a focus on the kingdom of God, not oneself, not this world (Mark 8:34; Matthew 6:33)
Our first and only priority is to do God’s will and to establish God’s rule on earth. In all that we do, we need to focus on God and his ways. If there is anything we do without God as our focus, then the flesh has control over that area in our life.
In order to gain that focus, we have to make a shift in our lives, and change patterns we were once used to. This is difficult—possibly the most difficult thing to do in our lives. We have to change our relationships, our morality, our actions, our motives. And this can only be done through the power of the Spirit. Our flesh must be denied and Christ becomes most important in our lives. But once we are in Christ, even our flesh will want to maintain that relationship. However, it is only the Spirit that wants us to have the kingdom of God as our only priority.
2. Battle Against Sin (Hebrews 12:4; Matthew 5:29-30)
Sin in our lives isn’t just a part of us—it is what wants to destroy us, to tear us apart from the inside out! We need to take sin seriously—as serious as a heart attack, for it, like a heart attack, is the indication of encroaching death.
When we look at the sin in our lives or the sin we might do, we need to look at all the consequences of the sin. We need to recognize all the misery the sin does and how even one seeming small sin can destroy our whole lives. Sin destroys relationships, destroys our bodies, destroys our finances.
Then we need to look at the positive things that would happen to us if we repent and cease to do the sin. The opportunities for forgiveness, the open doors, the freedom from guilt and excess. We need to seek the good we can gain from doing God’s will.
Then when we see the seriousness of sin, we need to take drastic, life-changing steps to get rid of it. Whatever it takes, let’s do it!
3. Establish disciplines that support your placement in God’s kingdom—taming the flesh
One of the strongest tools of the flesh is inertia—continuing to do the habits that we have been doing in the past. We find it more comfortable to do what we have always done, and to do something we are used to feels better than doing nothing. We can use this for the benefit of the Spirit by developing habits that help us conform to the Spirit of God and drive us away from the excesses of the flesh. These habits that lead us to God are called “disciplines”. Once they become a habit, they are ways in which the flesh can help you stay in the kingdom
We must remember that these disciplines do not make up the life in the Spirit in and of themselves, but they can assist you in overcoming the flesh and to do God’s will.
a. Praying—Interceding for others; blessing others; asking God for justice, the Holy Spirit, healing, etc.
(Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28; Mark 9:28-29; I Thessalonians 5:17.)
b. Listening—To teachers of the word; to the Spirit; to God’s word; to the community of saints.
(Mark 4:24; Luke 10:39-42; Luke 10:16; Luke 18:15-17; Luke 16:31.)
c. Worship/Alignment—Participating in the Lord’s supper; singing hymns and psalms; thanksgiving; saying the Shema.
(John 4:23-24; Mark 14:26; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Mark 12:28-32; Mark 8:6.)
d. Speaking the gospel—Proclaiming the kingdom of God; discipling with Jesus’ teachings; speaking of the death and resurrection of the Lord, fellowshipping with other Christians.
(Matthew 10:32-34; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 9:60; Matthew 10:27; Luke 24:45-48; Hebrews 10:11-12.)
e. Downward mobility [humility]—Taking the “one down” position; not seeking prestige; serving in ways others don’t want to serve.
(Luke 14:7-11; John 13:12-16; Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 18:10-14.)
f. Giving to the poor—Hospitality; giving food or drink; providing for the needy according to their need.
(Luke 12:33; Matthew 10:40-42; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 16:9; Luke 10:25-37.)
g. Fasting—Refraining from food or other item for a set amount of time.
(Matthew 6:16-18; Mark 2:20)
Even these disciplines can be used in excess to disobey God—forcing others to do disciplines by using harshness; judging others because they do not do these disciplines in your way, trusting in the disciplines to keep you right with God rather than listening to and doing his will. Any discipline we use must be done in devotion to God, and for the benefit of others around us.
We need to see the disciplines as tools in order to do God’s will. They help keep us focused on God, but they are just a means to an end—remaining right with God.
4. Seeking The Spirit (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20)
To overcome the flesh, we must delve deeper and deeper into the Spirit. To do this, we must pray for the Spirit, be alone with the Spirit and be in groups that have the Spirit manifest. The more the Spirit shows his power in us, the less we are in the flesh. How else can we seek the Spirit? We need to take time regularly to focus on the Lord, apart from the world. We can spend time before the Lord praying for our needs. We need to be open to the Holy Spirit speaking in us and through us in any way He pleases—we need to have an attitude of being here for His service, not Him for ours. And when the Spirit clearly leads us, we need to obey that leading. When we do, the Spirit will lead us some more. If we focus on the Spirit and live in the Spirit, the flesh has no power over us.
5. Taking Up The Cross (Mark 8:32-38)
The way of the cross is the opposite of the flesh. It is better than fasting, for it is following Jesus precisely, acting as He acted, thus being completely acceptable to God. In summary, the way to follow the path of the cross is as follows:
a. Accept the word of the Lord as what is right to do.
b. Accept and prepare for the suffering you will have to endure to do it.
c. Sacrifice yourself for the love of others.
d. Cry out to the Lord for strength through the suffering.
e. Do the will of God, waiting for God’s deliverance from suffering
This way is not easy, nor is it always simple. But there is no better way to overcome the flesh than to follow the way of Jesus. For most people, the previous four steps must happen before we can be ready for the fifth, most drastic, way of overcoming the flesh.
The Flesh destroys us. Don’t just take it. Fight back.
Much of our suffering, anguish and pain comes from what we have done to ourselves and our relationships. As the old blues song communicates so well, “ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.” The Bible has different terms for this part of ourselves that destroys our lives from within: the old man, sin within me, and the flesh. If we are a Christian, then we do not just have the flesh leading us and deceiving us—we also have the Holy Spirit that is giving us truth and freedom.
Our life can be seen as a battle between the flesh and the Spirit over every aspect of who we are (Mark 14:38). The Spirit is seeking to have more and more control, while the flesh is attempting to maintain control over us. However, the only thing the flesh is really interested in doing is to keep us in comfort and ease. The flesh wants us to feel good and to be comfortable. Although the flesh often encourages us to sin and to take a good thing and to do it to excess, the flesh might also encourage us to do something the Spirit wants us to do, if it meets its own desires.
1. Maintain a focus on the kingdom of God, not oneself, not this world (Mark 8:34; Matthew 6:33)
Our first and only priority is to do God’s will and to establish God’s rule on earth. In all that we do, we need to focus on God and his ways. If there is anything we do without God as our focus, then the flesh has control over that area in our life.
In order to gain that focus, we have to make a shift in our lives, and change patterns we were once used to. This is difficult—possibly the most difficult thing to do in our lives. We have to change our relationships, our morality, our actions, our motives. And this can only be done through the power of the Spirit. Our flesh must be denied and Christ becomes most important in our lives. But once we are in Christ, even our flesh will want to maintain that relationship. However, it is only the Spirit that wants us to have the kingdom of God as our only priority.
2. Battle Against Sin (Hebrews 12:4; Matthew 5:29-30)
Sin in our lives isn’t just a part of us—it is what wants to destroy us, to tear us apart from the inside out! We need to take sin seriously—as serious as a heart attack, for it, like a heart attack, is the indication of encroaching death.
When we look at the sin in our lives or the sin we might do, we need to look at all the consequences of the sin. We need to recognize all the misery the sin does and how even one seeming small sin can destroy our whole lives. Sin destroys relationships, destroys our bodies, destroys our finances.
Then we need to look at the positive things that would happen to us if we repent and cease to do the sin. The opportunities for forgiveness, the open doors, the freedom from guilt and excess. We need to seek the good we can gain from doing God’s will.
Then when we see the seriousness of sin, we need to take drastic, life-changing steps to get rid of it. Whatever it takes, let’s do it!
3. Establish disciplines that support your placement in God’s kingdom—taming the flesh
One of the strongest tools of the flesh is inertia—continuing to do the habits that we have been doing in the past. We find it more comfortable to do what we have always done, and to do something we are used to feels better than doing nothing. We can use this for the benefit of the Spirit by developing habits that help us conform to the Spirit of God and drive us away from the excesses of the flesh. These habits that lead us to God are called “disciplines”. Once they become a habit, they are ways in which the flesh can help you stay in the kingdom
We must remember that these disciplines do not make up the life in the Spirit in and of themselves, but they can assist you in overcoming the flesh and to do God’s will.
a. Praying—Interceding for others; blessing others; asking God for justice, the Holy Spirit, healing, etc.
(Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28; Mark 9:28-29; I Thessalonians 5:17.)
b. Listening—To teachers of the word; to the Spirit; to God’s word; to the community of saints.
(Mark 4:24; Luke 10:39-42; Luke 10:16; Luke 18:15-17; Luke 16:31.)
c. Worship/Alignment—Participating in the Lord’s supper; singing hymns and psalms; thanksgiving; saying the Shema.
(John 4:23-24; Mark 14:26; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Mark 12:28-32; Mark 8:6.)
d. Speaking the gospel—Proclaiming the kingdom of God; discipling with Jesus’ teachings; speaking of the death and resurrection of the Lord, fellowshipping with other Christians.
(Matthew 10:32-34; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 9:60; Matthew 10:27; Luke 24:45-48; Hebrews 10:11-12.)
e. Downward mobility [humility]—Taking the “one down” position; not seeking prestige; serving in ways others don’t want to serve.
(Luke 14:7-11; John 13:12-16; Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 18:10-14.)
f. Giving to the poor—Hospitality; giving food or drink; providing for the needy according to their need.
(Luke 12:33; Matthew 10:40-42; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 16:9; Luke 10:25-37.)
g. Fasting—Refraining from food or other item for a set amount of time.
(Matthew 6:16-18; Mark 2:20)
Even these disciplines can be used in excess to disobey God—forcing others to do disciplines by using harshness; judging others because they do not do these disciplines in your way, trusting in the disciplines to keep you right with God rather than listening to and doing his will. Any discipline we use must be done in devotion to God, and for the benefit of others around us.
We need to see the disciplines as tools in order to do God’s will. They help keep us focused on God, but they are just a means to an end—remaining right with God.
4. Seeking The Spirit (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20)
To overcome the flesh, we must delve deeper and deeper into the Spirit. To do this, we must pray for the Spirit, be alone with the Spirit and be in groups that have the Spirit manifest. The more the Spirit shows his power in us, the less we are in the flesh. How else can we seek the Spirit? We need to take time regularly to focus on the Lord, apart from the world. We can spend time before the Lord praying for our needs. We need to be open to the Holy Spirit speaking in us and through us in any way He pleases—we need to have an attitude of being here for His service, not Him for ours. And when the Spirit clearly leads us, we need to obey that leading. When we do, the Spirit will lead us some more. If we focus on the Spirit and live in the Spirit, the flesh has no power over us.
5. Taking Up The Cross (Mark 8:32-38)
The way of the cross is the opposite of the flesh. It is better than fasting, for it is following Jesus precisely, acting as He acted, thus being completely acceptable to God. In summary, the way to follow the path of the cross is as follows:
a. Accept the word of the Lord as what is right to do.
b. Accept and prepare for the suffering you will have to endure to do it.
c. Sacrifice yourself for the love of others.
d. Cry out to the Lord for strength through the suffering.
e. Do the will of God, waiting for God’s deliverance from suffering
This way is not easy, nor is it always simple. But there is no better way to overcome the flesh than to follow the way of Jesus. For most people, the previous four steps must happen before we can be ready for the fifth, most drastic, way of overcoming the flesh.
The Flesh destroys us. Don’t just take it. Fight back.
Why Doesn't God Answer My Prayer?
Have you ever had a time when you were praying, but it seemed as if God was distant? Perhaps this was your own feeling, or perhaps you had something to really base that feeling on. If we pray at all, there will be times that we know that God isn’t answering our prayer. Doesn’t he promise to deliver us from our troubles, doesn’t he look at our sorrows and wipe them away? Then why are we still living in them?
When we are going through difficulties, and we cry out to God, but God doesn’t seem to be answering, then we could be looking for blame. And either we will blame God or blame ourselves. If we blame God, we may think that He doesn’t really care about us. Or perhaps he doesn’t understand what we are going through. Or perhaps He isn’t as strong as we were led to believe. Maybe God doesn’t actually exist at all, but we are just praying to thin air.
At other times, we might look at ourselves and think that we are not good enough for God. Maybe we don’t belong to the right church, or something in the past is displeasing to God. Perhaps God doesn’t like our family or the community in which we live. Maybe we didn’t pray the right words or in the right manner.
Be confident
According to God’s word, all of these tracks are the wrong way to look at it. God doesn’t care about whether we pray correctly, our past or our community. And God DOES care about us and our troubles. He will listen to us, no matter what we’ve done or how separated from Him we were. God is also powerful enough to do whatever He wants.
And yet, still, God often will not answer our prayers. He listens, but does not act. He pays attention, but we do not receive what we want. Why is this? Why doesn’t prayer just work when we want it to? According to the Bible, there are a number of different reasons why our prayers may not be answered—why God may ignore our requests. Not all of them are easy to hear, but we should look at them carefully, to see if any of them apply to us:
Prayer requires a relationship with God
Maybe, for some reason, our prayers really are blocked. Maybe God knows our requests, but He isn’t going to answer us now. This would be because something is blocking our relationship with God. God is attentive to everyone, but some people have issues that God cannot see, for He is a pure God and cannot abide impurity. There are certain things that people do that will stop any communication between them and God. Some of the things that are mentioned is: Not meeting the needs of those under one’s authority (such as children, wives or employees); living a sexually immoral lifestyle; to cheat in business; those who cause strife between people; and those who tell lies in God’s name. As well, God will reject those who refuse to listen to his Son, Jesus, who is Lord over the earth. God does not listen to these people, nor will listen to their prayers.
If we are caught up in any of these lifestyles or if we refuse to listen to Jesus, then the answer is simple—we need to repent and change our ways. God will listen to our prayer, but only if our prayer is: “Father, I was wrong, please forgive me.” We need to admit that we were in a bad place, and we want to be different people, people to whom God will listen. We need to ask God for help to change our lives and to focus on His ways. If we do, then God will listen to our prayers and answer them. This is devotion, this is faith in God and trust in his ways.
(I Peter 3:7; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Proverbs 6:16-19; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; John 15:7; John 5:38; Acts 2:38)
Prayer requires the right motive
Another thing we look at when we pray is the reason we pray. James says: “You ask and you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives—You ask in order that you may obtain your own pleasures.” (James 4:3). Many of us pray because of our own needs, our own wants. We don’t pray because of what is really right, but because we feel a certain way and think that only one thing will help us, and so we see God as a wishing well, who will give us whatever we desire.
However, Scripture is clear that when we pray it is not our own desires or motivation that we need to be looking at, but God’s. The Lord’s prayer is unique in that the first three requests are prayers for God, not for humans. Psalm 37:4 says that if we put God’s desires first in our heart, then God will give us whatever we want—not because we want it, but because we are reflecting God’s will. Prayer is not about getting what we want, but about God establishing his justice and mercy on the world for everyone.
Prayer is about Giving God Sovereignty
At the creation of the world, God gave each human rule over the earth and over themselves. However, He made it clear that we are to remain under His authority and listen to His choices. The truth is, however, that usually we make our own choices, apart from God’s recommendations and so we establish our own control over our lives. God loves us and wants to help us, but He also respects our choices and will not stand against them. Sometimes we are praying for God to deliver us from ourselves, from our own choices that we are still making. But God will not do this, for to do this is to make Him unfaithful to His promise that we are in charge of our lives.
If we wish to have God’s help, despite ourselves, we need to turn ourselves over to Him. We can pray, but it is a prayer of surrender to God’s control and a desire to reject our past choices. If we completely surrender ourselves to Jesus, and make him Lord over our lives, then God will begin to change our own wills, our own choices to make us a better ruler over ourselves, with His help. (Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 8; Judges 10:10-16)
Prayer Sometimes Takes Time
But perhaps we are in a good relationship with God. Perhaps, as far as the Bible says, God really is listening and we are praying prayers that He agrees with—maybe even prayers that He commanded us to pray! Why, then, are there many prayers that aren’t answered. If God wants them prayed for, shouldn’t he answer them quickly?
Of course he should. But some prayers just take time to answer. God often is not rejecting our request, but is waiting for the right time to answer it with action. Prayers are not microwave popcorn—put it in the oven and four minutes later, boom, there it is. Prayer is about God’s timing and what is best for everyone. Sometimes our timing is not God’s timing, but it doesn’t mean that He’s forgotten.
So what can we do? Many just stop praying because “God knows what I need and I don’t want to bug him about it.” Yes, God knows what we need, but he wants us to keep bugging him about it. If we don’t stop praying about something—once an hour, once a day, or once a week, depending on the request—but keep on praying, it shows that we haven’t forgotten about the issue and we still trust that God will resolve it. (Luke 11:5-10; II Peter 3:8-9)
Prayer Sometimes Isn’t Answered How We Like
God always sees our need. God always wants to answer prayer. But sometimes God doesn’t answer us in the way we expect. Perhaps we expect God to just take away our suffering and pain. Perhaps we expect God to give us the certain thing we need to meet our needs. And then it doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t.
Does this mean that he didn’t answer our prayer? Suppose my child comes up to me and says, “Daddy, I’m really hungry—could you go out and get me some candy to eat?” Of course, I know that a rock isn’t what my child needs, so I get him good food instead. Maybe she will cry because I didn’t give her what she wanted, but I know a little better about what kind of food is best for her. This is how God acts with us. He knows better what we need. Sometimes we think that God is ridiculous, and God just needs to listen to what we want—but He refuses to give us what is bad for us.
If we are in difficulties and it seems that God isn’t answering our prayer, then we need to just trust in God. God is the one who knows what is best for us, and will give us what is best. Sometimes what is best for us comes in the form of difficulties or problems or temptations that we just want to go away. But God is the one who loves us more than we love ourselves, and so will help us in accord with what we need, not according to our childish requests. (Luke 11:11-13: Hebrews 12:5-11; James 1:13-17; II Corinthians 12:7-9)
Trust in God and He will give us what is good—always.
When we are going through difficulties, and we cry out to God, but God doesn’t seem to be answering, then we could be looking for blame. And either we will blame God or blame ourselves. If we blame God, we may think that He doesn’t really care about us. Or perhaps he doesn’t understand what we are going through. Or perhaps He isn’t as strong as we were led to believe. Maybe God doesn’t actually exist at all, but we are just praying to thin air.
At other times, we might look at ourselves and think that we are not good enough for God. Maybe we don’t belong to the right church, or something in the past is displeasing to God. Perhaps God doesn’t like our family or the community in which we live. Maybe we didn’t pray the right words or in the right manner.
Be confident
According to God’s word, all of these tracks are the wrong way to look at it. God doesn’t care about whether we pray correctly, our past or our community. And God DOES care about us and our troubles. He will listen to us, no matter what we’ve done or how separated from Him we were. God is also powerful enough to do whatever He wants.
And yet, still, God often will not answer our prayers. He listens, but does not act. He pays attention, but we do not receive what we want. Why is this? Why doesn’t prayer just work when we want it to? According to the Bible, there are a number of different reasons why our prayers may not be answered—why God may ignore our requests. Not all of them are easy to hear, but we should look at them carefully, to see if any of them apply to us:
Prayer requires a relationship with God
Maybe, for some reason, our prayers really are blocked. Maybe God knows our requests, but He isn’t going to answer us now. This would be because something is blocking our relationship with God. God is attentive to everyone, but some people have issues that God cannot see, for He is a pure God and cannot abide impurity. There are certain things that people do that will stop any communication between them and God. Some of the things that are mentioned is: Not meeting the needs of those under one’s authority (such as children, wives or employees); living a sexually immoral lifestyle; to cheat in business; those who cause strife between people; and those who tell lies in God’s name. As well, God will reject those who refuse to listen to his Son, Jesus, who is Lord over the earth. God does not listen to these people, nor will listen to their prayers.
If we are caught up in any of these lifestyles or if we refuse to listen to Jesus, then the answer is simple—we need to repent and change our ways. God will listen to our prayer, but only if our prayer is: “Father, I was wrong, please forgive me.” We need to admit that we were in a bad place, and we want to be different people, people to whom God will listen. We need to ask God for help to change our lives and to focus on His ways. If we do, then God will listen to our prayers and answer them. This is devotion, this is faith in God and trust in his ways.
(I Peter 3:7; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Proverbs 6:16-19; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; John 15:7; John 5:38; Acts 2:38)
Prayer requires the right motive
Another thing we look at when we pray is the reason we pray. James says: “You ask and you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives—You ask in order that you may obtain your own pleasures.” (James 4:3). Many of us pray because of our own needs, our own wants. We don’t pray because of what is really right, but because we feel a certain way and think that only one thing will help us, and so we see God as a wishing well, who will give us whatever we desire.
However, Scripture is clear that when we pray it is not our own desires or motivation that we need to be looking at, but God’s. The Lord’s prayer is unique in that the first three requests are prayers for God, not for humans. Psalm 37:4 says that if we put God’s desires first in our heart, then God will give us whatever we want—not because we want it, but because we are reflecting God’s will. Prayer is not about getting what we want, but about God establishing his justice and mercy on the world for everyone.
Prayer is about Giving God Sovereignty
At the creation of the world, God gave each human rule over the earth and over themselves. However, He made it clear that we are to remain under His authority and listen to His choices. The truth is, however, that usually we make our own choices, apart from God’s recommendations and so we establish our own control over our lives. God loves us and wants to help us, but He also respects our choices and will not stand against them. Sometimes we are praying for God to deliver us from ourselves, from our own choices that we are still making. But God will not do this, for to do this is to make Him unfaithful to His promise that we are in charge of our lives.
If we wish to have God’s help, despite ourselves, we need to turn ourselves over to Him. We can pray, but it is a prayer of surrender to God’s control and a desire to reject our past choices. If we completely surrender ourselves to Jesus, and make him Lord over our lives, then God will begin to change our own wills, our own choices to make us a better ruler over ourselves, with His help. (Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 8; Judges 10:10-16)
Prayer Sometimes Takes Time
But perhaps we are in a good relationship with God. Perhaps, as far as the Bible says, God really is listening and we are praying prayers that He agrees with—maybe even prayers that He commanded us to pray! Why, then, are there many prayers that aren’t answered. If God wants them prayed for, shouldn’t he answer them quickly?
Of course he should. But some prayers just take time to answer. God often is not rejecting our request, but is waiting for the right time to answer it with action. Prayers are not microwave popcorn—put it in the oven and four minutes later, boom, there it is. Prayer is about God’s timing and what is best for everyone. Sometimes our timing is not God’s timing, but it doesn’t mean that He’s forgotten.
So what can we do? Many just stop praying because “God knows what I need and I don’t want to bug him about it.” Yes, God knows what we need, but he wants us to keep bugging him about it. If we don’t stop praying about something—once an hour, once a day, or once a week, depending on the request—but keep on praying, it shows that we haven’t forgotten about the issue and we still trust that God will resolve it. (Luke 11:5-10; II Peter 3:8-9)
Prayer Sometimes Isn’t Answered How We Like
God always sees our need. God always wants to answer prayer. But sometimes God doesn’t answer us in the way we expect. Perhaps we expect God to just take away our suffering and pain. Perhaps we expect God to give us the certain thing we need to meet our needs. And then it doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t.
Does this mean that he didn’t answer our prayer? Suppose my child comes up to me and says, “Daddy, I’m really hungry—could you go out and get me some candy to eat?” Of course, I know that a rock isn’t what my child needs, so I get him good food instead. Maybe she will cry because I didn’t give her what she wanted, but I know a little better about what kind of food is best for her. This is how God acts with us. He knows better what we need. Sometimes we think that God is ridiculous, and God just needs to listen to what we want—but He refuses to give us what is bad for us.
If we are in difficulties and it seems that God isn’t answering our prayer, then we need to just trust in God. God is the one who knows what is best for us, and will give us what is best. Sometimes what is best for us comes in the form of difficulties or problems or temptations that we just want to go away. But God is the one who loves us more than we love ourselves, and so will help us in accord with what we need, not according to our childish requests. (Luke 11:11-13: Hebrews 12:5-11; James 1:13-17; II Corinthians 12:7-9)
Trust in God and He will give us what is good—always.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
What Would You Give?
For an entertaining evening, ask the question of your friends or family what you might do with a hundred million dollars, tax free. Given the fact that lotteries are sometimes won at the unbelievable heights of a couple hundred million dollars at a time, this isn’t outside the realm of imagination, and it is a thought that crosses the mind of the poorest homeless person, no matter how unlikely. Let’s say that we happen to obtain the whole amount at once—unlike the lottery money—and we didn’t kill ourselves with drinking or drugs right off the bat. What would one purchase with such a large amount of money—more than any of our needs might warrant?
Perhaps we would buy a new house, filled with stuff. Then we would have to have a new security system, but that would be no problem. We could quit our job and the whole lifestyle we are living dependent on others to meet our needs. Some of us might take the opportunity to get a new family. Others might travel around the world, seeing everything they ever wanted to see. It would mean unlimited freedom. Some might see this as an opportunity to do good, or to change the world into a better place for all. It could be an opportunity to get a particular message out. It would mean amazing power.
What would we give for such an opportunity. Suppose the wealthiest man in the world came up to us and said, “I want to give you a hundred million dollars, tax free. What would you give up for it?” Would you surrender your dignity—do something publicly that would shame you before everyone? Would you surrender your sexuality? What if he asked you to never have sex again in your life for a hundred million dollars? Would you surrender your right arm—have it amputated right off for the sake of all that the money provides you? Would you surrender some of your life—you would have to work for the billionaire, do whatever he wanted, and at retirement he would give you the money?
Most of us would be willing to make such sacrifices—within limits. This is because to have almost unlimited freedom and so much power is worth almost any price we give it, even if it means we are limited in many other ways.
We are often willing to sacrifice much, if only we believe that the exchange is worth the amount we pay. It is amazing to me the huge sacrifices people make for such small gains. A man, in order to gain a small amount of dignity or money, will kill someone, and spend a lifetime in guilt in prison for it. Another woman will give up a life of security and contentment for the excitement and drama of cheating on her husband. Another will live their lives in abuse rather than get away because they have an anxiety of what “might” happen.
These are extreme examples, but all of us, at one point or another, make exchanges that are significant to our lives, but they make the quality of life miserable. We will keep working in a job we hate for a small amount of money each week. We will eat food or smoke things we know will kill us, and make our bodies miserable, because we gain a small pleasure in eating or smoking it. We will marry someone for the security of a relationship, even though the relationship is awful. We will pour our heart and effort and time into a project in the hopes of obtaining some respect, only to be ignored.
It is hard to determine a proper exchange. What is our life really worth? And is it equal to what we actually give it? We desire freedom, we desire respect, we want our deepest longings fulfilled. What are we giving to get that which we most desire? Every life has a price. Are our lives worth the price we paying?
The wealthiest man in the universe is approaching us right now. No, he is not offering us a hundred million dollars—that would be too simple, and that life wouldn’t actually give us what we want anyway. Instead he is offering other, more essential goods. He promises to provide our food, our clothes and often our shelter—a simple existence, but one that offers contentment. He promises to provide peace of mind. He promises to help us deal with our guilt and anger—not just wiping them away, but processing them in a positive way. He promises to grant us justice. He promises to give us the freedom to be the best people we can be. And most importantly, He promises to give us hope—hope for an existence that not only is good for ourselves, but good for everyone else.
What does He want in exchange? He wants us to give up our shoddy existence, to give us trying to seek justice for ourselves. He wants us to stop grasping for our own needs and allowing Him and others to help us. He wants us to give up our crippled ethic, and to adopt one that is complete and is good for all. He wants us to work for Him, to go where He tells us to go and to do whatever He tells us to. He wants us to surrender our possessions and money to those who need it more than we do. He wants us to give up our family, so He can provide us with a family that loves us. He wants us to give up scrounging for our needs so that which we did not even know we need could be provided. In all honesty, He wants our whole life—everything. So we can have a richer, fuller, more satisfactory existence. And this satisfaction He offers is not just for now, but for all eternity.
This is a huge price to pay. But it is a huge thing to receive. It is a fair exchange—give up one’s miserable life for one of generosity and peace. The main issue in such an exchange is that the one giving up one’s life has to trust the one offering him or her a new life. Because to surrender one’s life is the ultimate act of trust. This is why God, in making this offer, says that to be involved in this exchange one must have faith. The less faith one has in the one making the offer, the less the offer means. Because the more of one’s life is surrendered, the better exchange one gets.
Perhaps we would buy a new house, filled with stuff. Then we would have to have a new security system, but that would be no problem. We could quit our job and the whole lifestyle we are living dependent on others to meet our needs. Some of us might take the opportunity to get a new family. Others might travel around the world, seeing everything they ever wanted to see. It would mean unlimited freedom. Some might see this as an opportunity to do good, or to change the world into a better place for all. It could be an opportunity to get a particular message out. It would mean amazing power.
What would we give for such an opportunity. Suppose the wealthiest man in the world came up to us and said, “I want to give you a hundred million dollars, tax free. What would you give up for it?” Would you surrender your dignity—do something publicly that would shame you before everyone? Would you surrender your sexuality? What if he asked you to never have sex again in your life for a hundred million dollars? Would you surrender your right arm—have it amputated right off for the sake of all that the money provides you? Would you surrender some of your life—you would have to work for the billionaire, do whatever he wanted, and at retirement he would give you the money?
Most of us would be willing to make such sacrifices—within limits. This is because to have almost unlimited freedom and so much power is worth almost any price we give it, even if it means we are limited in many other ways.
We are often willing to sacrifice much, if only we believe that the exchange is worth the amount we pay. It is amazing to me the huge sacrifices people make for such small gains. A man, in order to gain a small amount of dignity or money, will kill someone, and spend a lifetime in guilt in prison for it. Another woman will give up a life of security and contentment for the excitement and drama of cheating on her husband. Another will live their lives in abuse rather than get away because they have an anxiety of what “might” happen.
These are extreme examples, but all of us, at one point or another, make exchanges that are significant to our lives, but they make the quality of life miserable. We will keep working in a job we hate for a small amount of money each week. We will eat food or smoke things we know will kill us, and make our bodies miserable, because we gain a small pleasure in eating or smoking it. We will marry someone for the security of a relationship, even though the relationship is awful. We will pour our heart and effort and time into a project in the hopes of obtaining some respect, only to be ignored.
It is hard to determine a proper exchange. What is our life really worth? And is it equal to what we actually give it? We desire freedom, we desire respect, we want our deepest longings fulfilled. What are we giving to get that which we most desire? Every life has a price. Are our lives worth the price we paying?
The wealthiest man in the universe is approaching us right now. No, he is not offering us a hundred million dollars—that would be too simple, and that life wouldn’t actually give us what we want anyway. Instead he is offering other, more essential goods. He promises to provide our food, our clothes and often our shelter—a simple existence, but one that offers contentment. He promises to provide peace of mind. He promises to help us deal with our guilt and anger—not just wiping them away, but processing them in a positive way. He promises to grant us justice. He promises to give us the freedom to be the best people we can be. And most importantly, He promises to give us hope—hope for an existence that not only is good for ourselves, but good for everyone else.
What does He want in exchange? He wants us to give up our shoddy existence, to give us trying to seek justice for ourselves. He wants us to stop grasping for our own needs and allowing Him and others to help us. He wants us to give up our crippled ethic, and to adopt one that is complete and is good for all. He wants us to work for Him, to go where He tells us to go and to do whatever He tells us to. He wants us to surrender our possessions and money to those who need it more than we do. He wants us to give up our family, so He can provide us with a family that loves us. He wants us to give up scrounging for our needs so that which we did not even know we need could be provided. In all honesty, He wants our whole life—everything. So we can have a richer, fuller, more satisfactory existence. And this satisfaction He offers is not just for now, but for all eternity.
This is a huge price to pay. But it is a huge thing to receive. It is a fair exchange—give up one’s miserable life for one of generosity and peace. The main issue in such an exchange is that the one giving up one’s life has to trust the one offering him or her a new life. Because to surrender one’s life is the ultimate act of trust. This is why God, in making this offer, says that to be involved in this exchange one must have faith. The less faith one has in the one making the offer, the less the offer means. Because the more of one’s life is surrendered, the better exchange one gets.
Desire of God
God is our Father. God has reached out and touched our souls, giving each the breath of life. God holds us together, keeping us alive. God empowers us with strength and allows us to do good. Every good we have ever received came ultimately from God. And so we rightfully thank God, for all He has been to us.
All God wanted from us in return is our love. God desires our devotion, not just our worship, but our heart of gratefulness and joy to be in Him. God gave us all we had in order to be in relation with us. God desired to sit long hours with us, to bask in our company. We are not sure why, for often we cannot even endure our own presence, but God desired us more than we do ourselves. He longed for love and intimacy that only we could give.
Yet when has so much been given for so little in return, only to have the true Lover spurned and despised? Oh no, we do not hate God. We cater to Him, and so we sing our little songs and attend our little churches and express our little devotions. But He cannot endure them, because He knows that though our lips express longing, our hearts are distant from Him. Not only because our busyness has crowded Him out of our lives. No, because of the sorrows we have poured on Him.
God has let it be known to us how it must be if we are to live with Him. We must be people of faithfulness, people of love. We must walk in justice and our hearts must overflow with mercy. We must have integrity and grace. We know the life we must live to be with Him. And yet we refuse it. And yet we constantly reject being the people whom God asks us to be so we can have intimacy with Him.
God understands. We are people of the world. The world is corrupt, and some of that corruption rubs off, sometimes. But what God sees, that we do not, is that the world is corrupt because of our action and inaction. The world is separated from heaven because we are separated from God. As long as we allow the little fears, the little injustices, the little infidelities, the little judgments, the little greeds, the petty rejections, the furies of passion that destroy those around us become our lifestyle—then the world will not only remain corrupt, but will become more and more corrupt daily. Should the salt of the earth become unsalted, what hope is there for the earth?
Us being part and parcel of the evil—yes, let’s call it what it really is, the damned evils of this world—means that we are not a part of God. And so God remains lonely. He is alone in heaven, surrounded by the angels, lonely, without the love of humanity. We, His created partners, have rejected Him, because the ways of the world are more real to us than He is. We have accepted that which we know is separating us from God, because we love our comfort more than we love Him, our Father, who gave us all things.
He is there, waiting. He awaits for us. We cannot know just how much He loves us. He calls to us, daily, begging for us to surrender our petty evils and to return to embrace Him. And this is what we want as well. We hear his call, and we long for Him. We fall before Him, beg for forgiveness and then we get up and return to the evils of our lives. Never forsaking them. Never turning away from them. Longing for them, even as our lips speak confession.
See God the Father, alone in His study, wishing for our company. Beside Him, ever before Him, is His Son who died for our sins. The crucified Jesus, wounds still bleeding for us, dripping on the floor, the pool of his suffering growing larger. Jesus died for us, his sufferings meant to fill our separations—every one of them—if we would but break from them and embrace Him.
Can we turn from the world to embrace the Son? Can we run from our evils to go to the Father who waits? All of His resources are ours, every grace that He provides is waiting to be poured into our lives. Because of Jesus’ death, we need not fear death, nor the lack of survival. God will help us survive. Because of Jesus’ death, we need not fear injustice, for God promises true justice for us. Because of Jesus’ suffering, we need not fear a lack of mercy, for God pours out mercy upon us as a waterfall pours water.
Kneel in the puddle of Jesus’ suffering. Accept it, receive it. Embrace the Son, kiss his wounds. Put your hand in his side and make His suffering your own. To separate from the world, to deny the very self that is knit tight with evil, we must bleed with the suffering of Jesus, our very flesh being torn from us, until we die.
Mourn, cry out to Him who loved us so. Weep because of the separation that you, you yourself caused. Let Him know of the sorrow you felt. Let him know how weak you were—how weak you are. Confess to Him with all your heart how you long to be with Him, how you thirst for Him like no other beverage. That you desire Him deeper than your most joyful experience. That He is the fulfillment of your greatest needs.
For this sorrow, this mourning, this suffering is the seed of the greatest joy. Through your tears of sorrow come tears of joy. Through your surrender comes the greatest gain. It is though dying to this world—the destruction of the plans, distractions and comforts of this world—that we can obtain our greatest satisfaction.
Only in the surrender of all in the presence of God can we obtain the greatest joy.
All God wanted from us in return is our love. God desires our devotion, not just our worship, but our heart of gratefulness and joy to be in Him. God gave us all we had in order to be in relation with us. God desired to sit long hours with us, to bask in our company. We are not sure why, for often we cannot even endure our own presence, but God desired us more than we do ourselves. He longed for love and intimacy that only we could give.
Yet when has so much been given for so little in return, only to have the true Lover spurned and despised? Oh no, we do not hate God. We cater to Him, and so we sing our little songs and attend our little churches and express our little devotions. But He cannot endure them, because He knows that though our lips express longing, our hearts are distant from Him. Not only because our busyness has crowded Him out of our lives. No, because of the sorrows we have poured on Him.
God has let it be known to us how it must be if we are to live with Him. We must be people of faithfulness, people of love. We must walk in justice and our hearts must overflow with mercy. We must have integrity and grace. We know the life we must live to be with Him. And yet we refuse it. And yet we constantly reject being the people whom God asks us to be so we can have intimacy with Him.
God understands. We are people of the world. The world is corrupt, and some of that corruption rubs off, sometimes. But what God sees, that we do not, is that the world is corrupt because of our action and inaction. The world is separated from heaven because we are separated from God. As long as we allow the little fears, the little injustices, the little infidelities, the little judgments, the little greeds, the petty rejections, the furies of passion that destroy those around us become our lifestyle—then the world will not only remain corrupt, but will become more and more corrupt daily. Should the salt of the earth become unsalted, what hope is there for the earth?
Us being part and parcel of the evil—yes, let’s call it what it really is, the damned evils of this world—means that we are not a part of God. And so God remains lonely. He is alone in heaven, surrounded by the angels, lonely, without the love of humanity. We, His created partners, have rejected Him, because the ways of the world are more real to us than He is. We have accepted that which we know is separating us from God, because we love our comfort more than we love Him, our Father, who gave us all things.
He is there, waiting. He awaits for us. We cannot know just how much He loves us. He calls to us, daily, begging for us to surrender our petty evils and to return to embrace Him. And this is what we want as well. We hear his call, and we long for Him. We fall before Him, beg for forgiveness and then we get up and return to the evils of our lives. Never forsaking them. Never turning away from them. Longing for them, even as our lips speak confession.
See God the Father, alone in His study, wishing for our company. Beside Him, ever before Him, is His Son who died for our sins. The crucified Jesus, wounds still bleeding for us, dripping on the floor, the pool of his suffering growing larger. Jesus died for us, his sufferings meant to fill our separations—every one of them—if we would but break from them and embrace Him.
Can we turn from the world to embrace the Son? Can we run from our evils to go to the Father who waits? All of His resources are ours, every grace that He provides is waiting to be poured into our lives. Because of Jesus’ death, we need not fear death, nor the lack of survival. God will help us survive. Because of Jesus’ death, we need not fear injustice, for God promises true justice for us. Because of Jesus’ suffering, we need not fear a lack of mercy, for God pours out mercy upon us as a waterfall pours water.
Kneel in the puddle of Jesus’ suffering. Accept it, receive it. Embrace the Son, kiss his wounds. Put your hand in his side and make His suffering your own. To separate from the world, to deny the very self that is knit tight with evil, we must bleed with the suffering of Jesus, our very flesh being torn from us, until we die.
Mourn, cry out to Him who loved us so. Weep because of the separation that you, you yourself caused. Let Him know of the sorrow you felt. Let him know how weak you were—how weak you are. Confess to Him with all your heart how you long to be with Him, how you thirst for Him like no other beverage. That you desire Him deeper than your most joyful experience. That He is the fulfillment of your greatest needs.
For this sorrow, this mourning, this suffering is the seed of the greatest joy. Through your tears of sorrow come tears of joy. Through your surrender comes the greatest gain. It is though dying to this world—the destruction of the plans, distractions and comforts of this world—that we can obtain our greatest satisfaction.
Only in the surrender of all in the presence of God can we obtain the greatest joy.
A Thirst For Wisdom
In the world there exists no lack of truth. Libraries are stacked with truths, the internet is exploding with facts, experts are just full of it. If we want truth, we can look anywhere and find it. The world focuses on the differences between what is true and what is untrue. This is significant, for if we believe a lie, then we have nothing true within us. However, it is equally possible for us to focus on the wrong truth. For some truth does not set us free, but bind us and blind us to what is significant.
The church has often been mislead by what is untrue. We have often listened to rumor or the speculations of a charismatic figure rather than examining what we have received in order to determine it’s accuracy. The Bereans were considered high minded because they didn’t just accept what they heard—as true as it was—but examined it according to a standard of truth. They analyzed and so were able to decide what was true, not just accepting it blindly.
But rarely does Scripture command us to determine what is true. Because there are so many truths to choose from. The Scripture never denied that there were spiritual powers beside God. The Scripture never said that all the pagans had to say was false—instead, they used the literature of the pagans to convict of the truth that was obvious to all. But what the Scripture emphasizes is the differences between truth and wisdom.
Truth is simply what is. It is fact. But we cannot live by facts alone. It is a fact that the sky, when clear, is blue, but that does not tell us why we are on this earth. It is a fact that light travels at the speed of … miles per second, but this fact does not tell us how we should live. It is a fact that there are (a hundred) kinds of penguins, but this fact does not tell us how to live in integrity and love.
Truth is the fact. Wisdom is the significance. Wisdom not just applies truth to reality, but it brings balance to all things. It tells us which truths to focus on and which truths are less important. Wisdom recognizes what is real and how to communicate reality for the benefit of all. Wisdom does not see fact as a hard-edged, black and white proposition. Wisdom sees truth as being the moldable tool of love and community.
Truth is relatively easy to discover. In many questionable areas we can find the reality, if we would but look. Truth is only difficult because so many people determine to remain ignorant, to leave it unsought. But wisdom, no matter how often or with what effort one seeks it, is always difficult. No matter how many confirmed facts we learn, we do not from that know the fact of what is important for us to know. We can comprehend and communicate millions of true sentences, yet none of them true for us, true for our family, true for our community, true for our world.
Knowledge is not life.
Facts are not action.
Truth is not love.
Propositions are not wisdom.
To focus on this fact can be despairing, which is also in opposition to wisdom. We must not dwell too deeply on the fact that fact is outside of practical reality. Where can we obtain wisdom, love, community, hope and significance? With wisdom God created the world. With wisdom, God saved the world. With wisdom, God decided to give His Son with love. Where is wisdom? It comes from God, and God alone.
Many have looked at God and have reduced Him down to facts. This accumulation of facts—both historic and philosophical—is called theology. Yet God cannot be found in the beauty of theology. God can truly be found in the wisdom of God.
Jesus is the wisdom of God. Jesus, who sat with the sinners and explained the Law as love. Jesus argued against the true facts of the Pharisees to show how insignificant they were compared to the act, speech and love of God. Jesus argued against the priests who put God into the box of the temple, and so tore the veil in two which blocked people’s vision of God. The fact that Jesus was the being of God isn’t what we should look at. Rather, Jesus was the revelation of the wisdom of God. In Jesus the truth of what is important is found.
Because Jesus is the revelation of the Father. The Father wanted us to understand wisdom, so he gave us not a rule book, nor a theology text but a living person. As Jesus is passed to us, it is not in a mathematical formula nor logical propositions, but written lives. Only life can display a wise life.
And Jesus knew that he would not be sufficient wisdom for all the generations to come. A single life, even expressed four-fold, is not enough to give the wisdom for all. So God planted the wisdom in our hearts. The Spirit gives us the teachings of the Father, day by day, hour by hour. These teachings are not the facts of truth, but the wisdom of life. Significance, not proposition.
The Spirit is revelation. The Spirit tells us that which human logic could never convince us of. The Spirit leads us to holiness, to love, to mercy, to humility, to community, to the power of God, which cannot be seen by eyes or measured by instruments.
For wisdom is the direct gift of God. All we need to have it is to open ourselves to receive. All the best of life is ours to grasp, if we would but seek Him. If we would listen to Him, we might have to set aside the facts that we have grasped onto in order to truly have Him. We must surrender our knowledge to Him, so that we can live in love. We must burn the insignificant as a sacrifice, so that God will grant us peace with others. We rest the burdens of our lives upon his arms, so that His wisdom might guide. Give us your wisdom, O Lord, display before us the love you wish us to live.
The church has often been mislead by what is untrue. We have often listened to rumor or the speculations of a charismatic figure rather than examining what we have received in order to determine it’s accuracy. The Bereans were considered high minded because they didn’t just accept what they heard—as true as it was—but examined it according to a standard of truth. They analyzed and so were able to decide what was true, not just accepting it blindly.
But rarely does Scripture command us to determine what is true. Because there are so many truths to choose from. The Scripture never denied that there were spiritual powers beside God. The Scripture never said that all the pagans had to say was false—instead, they used the literature of the pagans to convict of the truth that was obvious to all. But what the Scripture emphasizes is the differences between truth and wisdom.
Truth is simply what is. It is fact. But we cannot live by facts alone. It is a fact that the sky, when clear, is blue, but that does not tell us why we are on this earth. It is a fact that light travels at the speed of … miles per second, but this fact does not tell us how we should live. It is a fact that there are (a hundred) kinds of penguins, but this fact does not tell us how to live in integrity and love.
Truth is the fact. Wisdom is the significance. Wisdom not just applies truth to reality, but it brings balance to all things. It tells us which truths to focus on and which truths are less important. Wisdom recognizes what is real and how to communicate reality for the benefit of all. Wisdom does not see fact as a hard-edged, black and white proposition. Wisdom sees truth as being the moldable tool of love and community.
Truth is relatively easy to discover. In many questionable areas we can find the reality, if we would but look. Truth is only difficult because so many people determine to remain ignorant, to leave it unsought. But wisdom, no matter how often or with what effort one seeks it, is always difficult. No matter how many confirmed facts we learn, we do not from that know the fact of what is important for us to know. We can comprehend and communicate millions of true sentences, yet none of them true for us, true for our family, true for our community, true for our world.
Knowledge is not life.
Facts are not action.
Truth is not love.
Propositions are not wisdom.
To focus on this fact can be despairing, which is also in opposition to wisdom. We must not dwell too deeply on the fact that fact is outside of practical reality. Where can we obtain wisdom, love, community, hope and significance? With wisdom God created the world. With wisdom, God saved the world. With wisdom, God decided to give His Son with love. Where is wisdom? It comes from God, and God alone.
Many have looked at God and have reduced Him down to facts. This accumulation of facts—both historic and philosophical—is called theology. Yet God cannot be found in the beauty of theology. God can truly be found in the wisdom of God.
Jesus is the wisdom of God. Jesus, who sat with the sinners and explained the Law as love. Jesus argued against the true facts of the Pharisees to show how insignificant they were compared to the act, speech and love of God. Jesus argued against the priests who put God into the box of the temple, and so tore the veil in two which blocked people’s vision of God. The fact that Jesus was the being of God isn’t what we should look at. Rather, Jesus was the revelation of the wisdom of God. In Jesus the truth of what is important is found.
Because Jesus is the revelation of the Father. The Father wanted us to understand wisdom, so he gave us not a rule book, nor a theology text but a living person. As Jesus is passed to us, it is not in a mathematical formula nor logical propositions, but written lives. Only life can display a wise life.
And Jesus knew that he would not be sufficient wisdom for all the generations to come. A single life, even expressed four-fold, is not enough to give the wisdom for all. So God planted the wisdom in our hearts. The Spirit gives us the teachings of the Father, day by day, hour by hour. These teachings are not the facts of truth, but the wisdom of life. Significance, not proposition.
The Spirit is revelation. The Spirit tells us that which human logic could never convince us of. The Spirit leads us to holiness, to love, to mercy, to humility, to community, to the power of God, which cannot be seen by eyes or measured by instruments.
For wisdom is the direct gift of God. All we need to have it is to open ourselves to receive. All the best of life is ours to grasp, if we would but seek Him. If we would listen to Him, we might have to set aside the facts that we have grasped onto in order to truly have Him. We must surrender our knowledge to Him, so that we can live in love. We must burn the insignificant as a sacrifice, so that God will grant us peace with others. We rest the burdens of our lives upon his arms, so that His wisdom might guide. Give us your wisdom, O Lord, display before us the love you wish us to live.
The Mystery of Weakness
To be ready for revival, we have to recognize our weakness, our lack of depth, our helplessness in the face of the world. Only then will we recognize how much we need God.
Unlike the masses of animals, humanity has no clue as to why we exist. We have no skills to help us be who we are meant to be, ultimately, and all of our great plans have come to naught. We have tried to live our lives on our own terms, only to find ourselves impotent. We have tried to overcome our faults, only to find ourselves enslaved to them. We have gained the knowledge of success, of a good life, only to find that it was all a lie. We have loved, we have built, we have obtained wealth, we have planned, we have been empowered—only to have it all slip from our grasp. We are left with nothing. Our greatest achievements have ultimately been anthills—clumsy in design and as easy to topple. Our lives are but a leaf on a tree—quickly turned brown and withered and falling down, only to be crushed.
God is there, calling out to us, ready to meet our needs. Our relationship to God is not that to the harsh father, always wanting more from us than we can give. God knows our weaknesses, our helplessness. God made us helpless and hopeless on purpose. He created us weak so that we could recognize that we would never be complete without Him. So that, in the end, when we came to the end of ourselves, our plans, our hopes, our lives, we would turn to Him as the only fulfillment left.
But God also made us weak to prove something to all the universe. There are many powers in the universe, and God made them all. Some are less than humanity, and some are greater. But none are more helpless than the human infant. The human infant is more naked than any other creature, so helpless that he cannot even find his own food. The human infant’s only means of defense, expression and response is her cry. Almost any creature can destroy the human infant with a swipe or a bite. If an infant is left alone, it would die within hours.
Yet, amazingly, God pointed at that infant and said, “I choose YOU to rule the earth.” God’s most masterful creation, the ever-bubbling pot of life and creativity, and God put a helpless infant in charge of it.
How the great powers of heaven must have laughed! Had they the nerve to mock God, they surely would have. To place a baby in charge of the most complex system ever made is insanity, even stupidity. Yet this is what God did. God placed a small, helpless collection of gobs of cells to rule it all.
God did it, not to show humanity’s greatness. Their ability to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” (which, by the way, is a great way to fall on your ass). God chose humanity, with all its failings, with all its weaknesses, with all its helplessness, to show how great anyone can be when He is helping them.
The greatest power, God is teaching, is not power at all, but anti-power. The greatest strength is weakness.
But the other amazing characteristic of humanity is its blindness. Not only is humanity helpless, but it sees itself as strong. Humanity thinks that it can do anything. It thinks it can live on its own terms and succeed no matter what. What idiots we all are! So we continue to reject God, wanting to relate to God only on our own terms. Even the most saintly of us really only depend on God when we recognize that we absolutely can’t do it on our own. We don’t realize that we, no matter how old we become, are still that baby, that helpless infant unable to control our lives.
So God came to earth. He became that helpless infant Himself. And he did it to show us that the best life that any of us could live is a life of dependence. As Jesus was on earth, he had no food, but depended on the Father to provide. He had no power to help, so he depended on the Father to heal. He had no time to rest, so he depended on the Father to give energy. He had no place to sleep, so he depended on the Father to provide shelter.
And his is the best life ever. He is the only one to know—truly know!—why he was here on earth.
He was here to serve the Father. Not on his own terms, but the Father’s terms. He was here not to do his own will, but his Father’s.
To be an infant isn’t so bad. To be helpless is right where God wants us to be. Helpless and crying out to Him. Helpless and seeking His help. Helpless and not knowing where to go or what to do or how to do anything so we can just be leaning on Him.
The best we can be is dependent.
Unlike the masses of animals, humanity has no clue as to why we exist. We have no skills to help us be who we are meant to be, ultimately, and all of our great plans have come to naught. We have tried to live our lives on our own terms, only to find ourselves impotent. We have tried to overcome our faults, only to find ourselves enslaved to them. We have gained the knowledge of success, of a good life, only to find that it was all a lie. We have loved, we have built, we have obtained wealth, we have planned, we have been empowered—only to have it all slip from our grasp. We are left with nothing. Our greatest achievements have ultimately been anthills—clumsy in design and as easy to topple. Our lives are but a leaf on a tree—quickly turned brown and withered and falling down, only to be crushed.
God is there, calling out to us, ready to meet our needs. Our relationship to God is not that to the harsh father, always wanting more from us than we can give. God knows our weaknesses, our helplessness. God made us helpless and hopeless on purpose. He created us weak so that we could recognize that we would never be complete without Him. So that, in the end, when we came to the end of ourselves, our plans, our hopes, our lives, we would turn to Him as the only fulfillment left.
But God also made us weak to prove something to all the universe. There are many powers in the universe, and God made them all. Some are less than humanity, and some are greater. But none are more helpless than the human infant. The human infant is more naked than any other creature, so helpless that he cannot even find his own food. The human infant’s only means of defense, expression and response is her cry. Almost any creature can destroy the human infant with a swipe or a bite. If an infant is left alone, it would die within hours.
Yet, amazingly, God pointed at that infant and said, “I choose YOU to rule the earth.” God’s most masterful creation, the ever-bubbling pot of life and creativity, and God put a helpless infant in charge of it.
How the great powers of heaven must have laughed! Had they the nerve to mock God, they surely would have. To place a baby in charge of the most complex system ever made is insanity, even stupidity. Yet this is what God did. God placed a small, helpless collection of gobs of cells to rule it all.
God did it, not to show humanity’s greatness. Their ability to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” (which, by the way, is a great way to fall on your ass). God chose humanity, with all its failings, with all its weaknesses, with all its helplessness, to show how great anyone can be when He is helping them.
The greatest power, God is teaching, is not power at all, but anti-power. The greatest strength is weakness.
But the other amazing characteristic of humanity is its blindness. Not only is humanity helpless, but it sees itself as strong. Humanity thinks that it can do anything. It thinks it can live on its own terms and succeed no matter what. What idiots we all are! So we continue to reject God, wanting to relate to God only on our own terms. Even the most saintly of us really only depend on God when we recognize that we absolutely can’t do it on our own. We don’t realize that we, no matter how old we become, are still that baby, that helpless infant unable to control our lives.
So God came to earth. He became that helpless infant Himself. And he did it to show us that the best life that any of us could live is a life of dependence. As Jesus was on earth, he had no food, but depended on the Father to provide. He had no power to help, so he depended on the Father to heal. He had no time to rest, so he depended on the Father to give energy. He had no place to sleep, so he depended on the Father to provide shelter.
And his is the best life ever. He is the only one to know—truly know!—why he was here on earth.
He was here to serve the Father. Not on his own terms, but the Father’s terms. He was here not to do his own will, but his Father’s.
To be an infant isn’t so bad. To be helpless is right where God wants us to be. Helpless and crying out to Him. Helpless and seeking His help. Helpless and not knowing where to go or what to do or how to do anything so we can just be leaning on Him.
The best we can be is dependent.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Down and Out Leadership
Luke 22:24-30
The disciples had an argument, there at the Last Supper. They were debating which of them would be the most important ruler beside Jesus when His kingdom comes. Jesus calmly said to them, “It is presidents and kings of the world that are concerned about authority and power. These wield great authority over all men and everyone must call them ‘gracious’, as in ‘gracious lord,’ or “Wow, you are the greatest thing since Oprah”. But if you want rule in my kingdom, you can’t act like that. The ones who will have the greatest authority in my kingdom must prepare themselves for it by acting like the least important. If you want to be important, then be like a waiter. In a restaurant, who is in charge, the waiter or the customer? Isn’t the customer who orders the waiter around, telling him what to get and how much and sending something back because it isn’t quite right? And doesn’t the waiter have to run around, doing the bidding of the customer? Now look at me—I am the waiter. I am here to serve others, not to tell others how to serve me.
“Look, guys, you are great already. You have stayed with me during my most difficult days, though all the struggles and trials. Because of this, you will rule with me because the Father has given me His kingdom to rule. So you will be feasting at my side—even as we are feasting here!—in my kingdom. And then I will give you authority to rule all of God’s people. Each of you will sit on a throne, and you will rule the twelve nations of Israel.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World…Sometimes
Well, this is kinda embarrassing. After all, Jesus is the one who is always talking about lowliness, about humility. Yet, here He is, encouraging arrogance. You see, even though he is correcting the disciples about some things, he is in agreement with them about the thing most of us are uncomfortable with: It is a good thing to want to be in charge of the world.
Most of us feel that this is inappropriate. After all, its just too lofty of a goal, and it is straight hubris—blatant pride to think that we should rule the world. That’s God’s job, isn’t it?
Well, in fact, its not. God gave the job over of ruling the world to human beings way back in Genesis 1. It is our job and we should want to do the job that God has given us. So when Jesus answers their question, He doesn’t deny that we should want to rule the world. Frankly, we should.
And even if ruling the world seems distasteful to you, we all have a hint of it in ourselves. We all want to be respected by the people who know us. And we all want a certain measure of control to make things “right” over our lives. And we get angry when we see that something isn’t right, either in our lives or in the lives of those around us. These are God-given characteristics to everyone in humanity so that we can do the job that God gave us, namely, to rule the world.
The Wile E. Principle of Leadership
The problem is that we take the characteristics that God has given us and go too far with it. Waaaaay too far. God gave us anger at injustice and we have turned it into anger against anyone who irritates us for any little reason, without regard to what is really right. God gave us the desire to make things right and we have turned this into control-freakishness or harshly punishing those who are different than us. God gave us the desire to be respected and we turn this into a hunger for fame or a fear of negative responses. This is not the kind of world-leadership Jesus is looking for.
So when Jesus responded to his disciples, he didn’t correct their desire for world leadership. In fact, He affirmed it. He said that they would be world leaders in the kingdom. And desiring it is a good thing. What he needed to correct was their methods in achieving it.
Most of us think of obtaining leadership like Wile E. Coyote. Wile E. is on one cliff and he is running as fast as he can to the other side, but he doesn’t realize that there is a canyon between him and the other cliff-top. So he runs out.. and there he is, standing on thin air. And then he falls— Bam!— at the bottom of the canyon and we next see him wrapped in hospital gauze.
Even so, we often think that leadership—as well as wealth and popularity— is a straight line. If we want it, we just go get it. And although we must work hard to achieve success, we will get it if we just take it by the throat. But what we don’t realize is that there is a huge canyon between us and our goal. And if we just try to achieve success in a straight line, then we will be the one in hospital gauze.
The Power Broker
Jesus helps us realize that the only one who can give us success, or power or popularity or wealth— in any positive, permanent way—is God. He is the one ultimately in charge of all things and He gives these things to whom He wills. And while the power-hungry may be in charge now, it will not be that way forever. God will come down to kick out the power hungry and instead welcome a different kind of person.
But to obtain that kind of position, we have to be that different kind of person. God is looking for the lowly, the Anawim, to be in charge of the world. God can’t have the control freaks, the judgmental, the quick to anger or the anxious be in charge of the world. So for world leadership, God is looking for a the lowly and righteous. For the Anawim. God is looking for the people who will act as Jesus said they should—People who are repentant of their sins; people who will sacrifice their life, family and possessions to love Jesus; people who will endure in Jesus through persecution. People who will set aside their comfort in order to serve others. God is looking for faithful disciples.
Jesus Leadership
But not just disciples. Different disciples will obtain different levels of leadership in the final kingdom. And those in charge won’t just be the good disciple—the whole world will be filled with those. But the world leaders will be those who have certain characteristics of leadership
To be an anawimic leader, we have to follow certain principles of leadership now:
Hang out with the down and out—To be a leader in Jesus’ methodology, we cannot be shy of having the outcast be our friends and companions.
Live like the down and out—To be in charge, we have to remain lowly, not seeking wealth or power, but constantly giving to those in need. A godly leader doesn’t think how he can benefit from a resource, but how the whole community can benefit from it.
Get used to taking orders—To be in charge, we have to listen to other’s needs and act on them, rather than our own ambitions. When we see someone’s need, we take that as an order from them to act. If we act in accordance with the other’s need, then we are living out Jesus’ leadership.
Lead by example—It isn’t enough to tell others to do good, to repent, to live purely—we have to do it ourselves. We must show the life of Jesus and not just teach it to others.
Encourage, don’t demand—To be Jesus leader is to be gentle and to recognize other’s freedom to do as they please. If we give others freedom and opportunity to live for God, then they can have a relationship with God. But if we end up controlling others, they have no relationship with God, only us, which defeats the purpose of trying to get people to live for Jesus.
So to be a leader in Christ is to be the Anawim. It is to live as a waiter, a servant of others, only living to act for others and not for our own ambition. If we attempt to get our own ambition, then we end up like Wile E.— Falling to our doom.
The disciples had an argument, there at the Last Supper. They were debating which of them would be the most important ruler beside Jesus when His kingdom comes. Jesus calmly said to them, “It is presidents and kings of the world that are concerned about authority and power. These wield great authority over all men and everyone must call them ‘gracious’, as in ‘gracious lord,’ or “Wow, you are the greatest thing since Oprah”. But if you want rule in my kingdom, you can’t act like that. The ones who will have the greatest authority in my kingdom must prepare themselves for it by acting like the least important. If you want to be important, then be like a waiter. In a restaurant, who is in charge, the waiter or the customer? Isn’t the customer who orders the waiter around, telling him what to get and how much and sending something back because it isn’t quite right? And doesn’t the waiter have to run around, doing the bidding of the customer? Now look at me—I am the waiter. I am here to serve others, not to tell others how to serve me.
“Look, guys, you are great already. You have stayed with me during my most difficult days, though all the struggles and trials. Because of this, you will rule with me because the Father has given me His kingdom to rule. So you will be feasting at my side—even as we are feasting here!—in my kingdom. And then I will give you authority to rule all of God’s people. Each of you will sit on a throne, and you will rule the twelve nations of Israel.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World…Sometimes
Well, this is kinda embarrassing. After all, Jesus is the one who is always talking about lowliness, about humility. Yet, here He is, encouraging arrogance. You see, even though he is correcting the disciples about some things, he is in agreement with them about the thing most of us are uncomfortable with: It is a good thing to want to be in charge of the world.
Most of us feel that this is inappropriate. After all, its just too lofty of a goal, and it is straight hubris—blatant pride to think that we should rule the world. That’s God’s job, isn’t it?
Well, in fact, its not. God gave the job over of ruling the world to human beings way back in Genesis 1. It is our job and we should want to do the job that God has given us. So when Jesus answers their question, He doesn’t deny that we should want to rule the world. Frankly, we should.
And even if ruling the world seems distasteful to you, we all have a hint of it in ourselves. We all want to be respected by the people who know us. And we all want a certain measure of control to make things “right” over our lives. And we get angry when we see that something isn’t right, either in our lives or in the lives of those around us. These are God-given characteristics to everyone in humanity so that we can do the job that God gave us, namely, to rule the world.
The Wile E. Principle of Leadership
The problem is that we take the characteristics that God has given us and go too far with it. Waaaaay too far. God gave us anger at injustice and we have turned it into anger against anyone who irritates us for any little reason, without regard to what is really right. God gave us the desire to make things right and we have turned this into control-freakishness or harshly punishing those who are different than us. God gave us the desire to be respected and we turn this into a hunger for fame or a fear of negative responses. This is not the kind of world-leadership Jesus is looking for.
So when Jesus responded to his disciples, he didn’t correct their desire for world leadership. In fact, He affirmed it. He said that they would be world leaders in the kingdom. And desiring it is a good thing. What he needed to correct was their methods in achieving it.
Most of us think of obtaining leadership like Wile E. Coyote. Wile E. is on one cliff and he is running as fast as he can to the other side, but he doesn’t realize that there is a canyon between him and the other cliff-top. So he runs out.. and there he is, standing on thin air. And then he falls— Bam!— at the bottom of the canyon and we next see him wrapped in hospital gauze.
Even so, we often think that leadership—as well as wealth and popularity— is a straight line. If we want it, we just go get it. And although we must work hard to achieve success, we will get it if we just take it by the throat. But what we don’t realize is that there is a huge canyon between us and our goal. And if we just try to achieve success in a straight line, then we will be the one in hospital gauze.
The Power Broker
Jesus helps us realize that the only one who can give us success, or power or popularity or wealth— in any positive, permanent way—is God. He is the one ultimately in charge of all things and He gives these things to whom He wills. And while the power-hungry may be in charge now, it will not be that way forever. God will come down to kick out the power hungry and instead welcome a different kind of person.
But to obtain that kind of position, we have to be that different kind of person. God is looking for the lowly, the Anawim, to be in charge of the world. God can’t have the control freaks, the judgmental, the quick to anger or the anxious be in charge of the world. So for world leadership, God is looking for a the lowly and righteous. For the Anawim. God is looking for the people who will act as Jesus said they should—People who are repentant of their sins; people who will sacrifice their life, family and possessions to love Jesus; people who will endure in Jesus through persecution. People who will set aside their comfort in order to serve others. God is looking for faithful disciples.
Jesus Leadership
But not just disciples. Different disciples will obtain different levels of leadership in the final kingdom. And those in charge won’t just be the good disciple—the whole world will be filled with those. But the world leaders will be those who have certain characteristics of leadership
To be an anawimic leader, we have to follow certain principles of leadership now:
Hang out with the down and out—To be a leader in Jesus’ methodology, we cannot be shy of having the outcast be our friends and companions.
Live like the down and out—To be in charge, we have to remain lowly, not seeking wealth or power, but constantly giving to those in need. A godly leader doesn’t think how he can benefit from a resource, but how the whole community can benefit from it.
Get used to taking orders—To be in charge, we have to listen to other’s needs and act on them, rather than our own ambitions. When we see someone’s need, we take that as an order from them to act. If we act in accordance with the other’s need, then we are living out Jesus’ leadership.
Lead by example—It isn’t enough to tell others to do good, to repent, to live purely—we have to do it ourselves. We must show the life of Jesus and not just teach it to others.
Encourage, don’t demand—To be Jesus leader is to be gentle and to recognize other’s freedom to do as they please. If we give others freedom and opportunity to live for God, then they can have a relationship with God. But if we end up controlling others, they have no relationship with God, only us, which defeats the purpose of trying to get people to live for Jesus.
So to be a leader in Christ is to be the Anawim. It is to live as a waiter, a servant of others, only living to act for others and not for our own ambition. If we attempt to get our own ambition, then we end up like Wile E.— Falling to our doom.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Dialogue on Blame
God: So, you ate the fruit of the tree of good and evil, Adam. What’s up? Why did you do it?
Adam: You see God, it was that woman you handed to me. Oh, yeah, she was a really great find, huh? Did you get her in a Dollar Tree? She just handed me the fruit on a silver platter, as if it was some great gourmet treat.
God: Well, okay, but did you eat it?
Adam: What am I to do? Throw it aside? Sure, but she was offering it to me.
God: Uh, Adam, did you know what fruit it was?
Adam: Yeah, but she ate some already, I guessed it was too late. How was I to know that it would cause trouble?
God: You remember what I said, don’t you?
Adam: Yeah, I remember. So?
God: I told you not to eat it or there would be consequences, right?
Adam: But you can’t really hold it to me, after all, it was her fault.
God: Adam, it was your action, not hers. You are to face the consequence of your own action. Now, Eve.
Eve: Mmm hmm.
God: Did you eat of the fruit?
Eve: Well, yeah, but the snake told me to.
God: He did?
Eve: Practically. I was ready to talk about something else—anything else. But that snake want to talk to me about godlike powers and stuff.
God: Did he force you to eat the fruit? Did he put it in your mouth?
Eve: He might as well have. I had to eat it just to get him to shut up. And, besides, he lied to me.
God: Really? What did he say?
Eve: He told me that we wouldn’t die if I ate it. He said it’d be great, like a party in my mouth. I think he’s just got it in for me. He just wanted to see me mess up.
God: I suppose so.
Eve: So, since he’s the one who really messed me up, I won’t have to pay the consequences, will I?
God: Well, did you do it?
Eve: Do what?
God: Eat the fruit?
Eve: Well, yeah, but he goaded me into it…
God: But that doesn’t matter. You will face the consequences of your action, no matter what he did.
Eve: But he’s really the one to blame. Sure, I messed up, but I didn’t really know what I was doing!
God: Didn’t you know the command?
Eve: Yeah, but he got it all confused in my head…
God: Did you know the consequence?
Eve: Yeah, but…
God: No buts. If you knew what you were doing and knew the consequence, then the responsibility is yours. Now Snake. Let’s have a talk.
Snake: You really messed them up, God (hee hee).
God: We’ll see. But first you and I need to talk.
Snake: What? I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t hear anything like “Don’t trick the humans”. You can’t blame me.
God: You did hear what I told them, right.
Snake: Yeah. That’s how I knew how to get ‘em. You just about set them up for me.
God: Really? So you knew you were tricking her all along?
Snake: Sure, no big harm, right? Just wipe ‘em out like you said and you can set someone else up to rule… By the way, I got a good idea who could be in charge…
God: Really, who do you think?
Snake: Somebody whose really wise… can sneak around making sure that no one slips up…
God: I suppose you think I ought to promote you.
Snake: Yeah, I found those two hypocrites for you. You should thank me.
God: Look, all you are doing is trying to divert attention away from the evil you did.
Snake: I didn’t do nothin’. It’s their own fault for messing up.
God: But you “set them up”.
Snake: Yeah, but they deserved it.
God: And you deserve what you get. Putting someone in the circumstance to sin is also a sin. Especially if you know that you’re doing it. And you knew that already.
Snake: What do you mean?
God: You aren’t getting promoted. You’re going down. Let’s lose those legs.
Snake: Hey, wait a minute, I liked those legs—they were my best legs. They were my only legs!
God: And just to let you know, pretty soon your going to lose your head, too.
Snake: Oh, I don’t like that.
God: I bet. But your actions have consequences. Every evil does. Which reminds me. Eve?
Eve: Yeah…
God: There’s no more paradise for you. You will have children, and one of your children will crush the snake. But there’s going to be pain in giving birth and in raising your kids.
Eve: Really?
God: Really. And Adam?
Adam: What?
God: There’s pain for you, too. Pain in all your work, every day.
Adam: I knew that you didn’t really care for me. You never liked me at all, did you?
God: Look, Adam. I gave you this garden, which is perfect. And I set you up for life—forever! But you chose to spit in my face. Yeah, perhaps you guys were too focused on each other, instead of Me. If you’d focused on me, you never would have despised me. But now it’s too late. I suppose you’ll think it’s my fault for the rest of your lives—as short as they will be. And you will teach blame and hatred to your children. They will blame each other for their own action and they will hate each other because they blame and are being blamed. And then they’ll kill each other. But I will always keep some who will focus on me. Those who focus on me will admit their faults. They will accept their responsibility. And then they’ll ask for forgiveness. And you know what—I’ll give it to them. I don’t want to kill anyone. But I will do what I say. And Adam?
Adam: Yeah, what?
God: That’s why you’re still in charge of my creation.
Adam: Really?
God: Yeah. I made a promise, and I will keep it. Forever. But still, you’ll have to leave the garden. It won’t be easy street anymore, guys. You wanted to be on your own, make decisions on your own. So you will. I won’t bother you unless you want me to. If you want mercy, forgiveness and opportunity for life, then come back to me.
Adam: Alright, God. That’s enough. Come on, Eve. We know when we’re not wanted. We can figure things out ourselves. No matter what God says. It’s all his fault anyway. He started this whole thing.
God: (sigh)
When we blow it, focus on God, not on other people.
When someone else blows it, look for their repentance, not punishment.
Adam: You see God, it was that woman you handed to me. Oh, yeah, she was a really great find, huh? Did you get her in a Dollar Tree? She just handed me the fruit on a silver platter, as if it was some great gourmet treat.
God: Well, okay, but did you eat it?
Adam: What am I to do? Throw it aside? Sure, but she was offering it to me.
God: Uh, Adam, did you know what fruit it was?
Adam: Yeah, but she ate some already, I guessed it was too late. How was I to know that it would cause trouble?
God: You remember what I said, don’t you?
Adam: Yeah, I remember. So?
God: I told you not to eat it or there would be consequences, right?
Adam: But you can’t really hold it to me, after all, it was her fault.
God: Adam, it was your action, not hers. You are to face the consequence of your own action. Now, Eve.
Eve: Mmm hmm.
God: Did you eat of the fruit?
Eve: Well, yeah, but the snake told me to.
God: He did?
Eve: Practically. I was ready to talk about something else—anything else. But that snake want to talk to me about godlike powers and stuff.
God: Did he force you to eat the fruit? Did he put it in your mouth?
Eve: He might as well have. I had to eat it just to get him to shut up. And, besides, he lied to me.
God: Really? What did he say?
Eve: He told me that we wouldn’t die if I ate it. He said it’d be great, like a party in my mouth. I think he’s just got it in for me. He just wanted to see me mess up.
God: I suppose so.
Eve: So, since he’s the one who really messed me up, I won’t have to pay the consequences, will I?
God: Well, did you do it?
Eve: Do what?
God: Eat the fruit?
Eve: Well, yeah, but he goaded me into it…
God: But that doesn’t matter. You will face the consequences of your action, no matter what he did.
Eve: But he’s really the one to blame. Sure, I messed up, but I didn’t really know what I was doing!
God: Didn’t you know the command?
Eve: Yeah, but he got it all confused in my head…
God: Did you know the consequence?
Eve: Yeah, but…
God: No buts. If you knew what you were doing and knew the consequence, then the responsibility is yours. Now Snake. Let’s have a talk.
Snake: You really messed them up, God (hee hee).
God: We’ll see. But first you and I need to talk.
Snake: What? I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t hear anything like “Don’t trick the humans”. You can’t blame me.
God: You did hear what I told them, right.
Snake: Yeah. That’s how I knew how to get ‘em. You just about set them up for me.
God: Really? So you knew you were tricking her all along?
Snake: Sure, no big harm, right? Just wipe ‘em out like you said and you can set someone else up to rule… By the way, I got a good idea who could be in charge…
God: Really, who do you think?
Snake: Somebody whose really wise… can sneak around making sure that no one slips up…
God: I suppose you think I ought to promote you.
Snake: Yeah, I found those two hypocrites for you. You should thank me.
God: Look, all you are doing is trying to divert attention away from the evil you did.
Snake: I didn’t do nothin’. It’s their own fault for messing up.
God: But you “set them up”.
Snake: Yeah, but they deserved it.
God: And you deserve what you get. Putting someone in the circumstance to sin is also a sin. Especially if you know that you’re doing it. And you knew that already.
Snake: What do you mean?
God: You aren’t getting promoted. You’re going down. Let’s lose those legs.
Snake: Hey, wait a minute, I liked those legs—they were my best legs. They were my only legs!
God: And just to let you know, pretty soon your going to lose your head, too.
Snake: Oh, I don’t like that.
God: I bet. But your actions have consequences. Every evil does. Which reminds me. Eve?
Eve: Yeah…
God: There’s no more paradise for you. You will have children, and one of your children will crush the snake. But there’s going to be pain in giving birth and in raising your kids.
Eve: Really?
God: Really. And Adam?
Adam: What?
God: There’s pain for you, too. Pain in all your work, every day.
Adam: I knew that you didn’t really care for me. You never liked me at all, did you?
God: Look, Adam. I gave you this garden, which is perfect. And I set you up for life—forever! But you chose to spit in my face. Yeah, perhaps you guys were too focused on each other, instead of Me. If you’d focused on me, you never would have despised me. But now it’s too late. I suppose you’ll think it’s my fault for the rest of your lives—as short as they will be. And you will teach blame and hatred to your children. They will blame each other for their own action and they will hate each other because they blame and are being blamed. And then they’ll kill each other. But I will always keep some who will focus on me. Those who focus on me will admit their faults. They will accept their responsibility. And then they’ll ask for forgiveness. And you know what—I’ll give it to them. I don’t want to kill anyone. But I will do what I say. And Adam?
Adam: Yeah, what?
God: That’s why you’re still in charge of my creation.
Adam: Really?
God: Yeah. I made a promise, and I will keep it. Forever. But still, you’ll have to leave the garden. It won’t be easy street anymore, guys. You wanted to be on your own, make decisions on your own. So you will. I won’t bother you unless you want me to. If you want mercy, forgiveness and opportunity for life, then come back to me.
Adam: Alright, God. That’s enough. Come on, Eve. We know when we’re not wanted. We can figure things out ourselves. No matter what God says. It’s all his fault anyway. He started this whole thing.
God: (sigh)
When we blow it, focus on God, not on other people.
When someone else blows it, look for their repentance, not punishment.
Chastity
What is Chastity?
Chastity is an old word—hardly anyone uses it anymore. We live in such a sexually-charged society we prefer terms such as “safe sex” or even “abstinence”—which speak of the dangers of open sexual contact, but still leave wide opportunity for sexual lust to dominate one’s mind and life. Chastity is reflective of the standard of Jesus, who said, “Everyone who looks at the opposite sex with lust has already committed adultery in heart.” Chastity is avoiding sexual immorality in one’s heart—to remain pure not only in body, but in mind.
Chastity has five aspects to it:
1. Refusing to participate in adultery or sexual immorality
This means no sexual intercourse outside of marriage, as well as no incestuous or same-sex unions. Refusing to participate in sexual speech or contact
2. Refusing to participate in sexually immoral speech or contact
To speak of sexual immorality as a normal part of life or to participate in activity that will lead to sexual immorality is also displaying our sexual desire, and so making us abhorrent to God.
3. Running away from sexually tempting situations
Scripture says to “flee immorality” (I Corinthians 6:18). It is not enough just to avoid the situations. We have to recognize that our ability to refuse sexual immorality weakens over time. So we need to run away from any situations which will weaken our resolve to be sexually pure before God.
4. Not thinking of sexual situations with one who does not belong to you
Chastity is not only a matter of body, but of mind. One’s mind is the seed of all actions, and so we must keep our minds pure from sexual immorality, or else our bodies will follow. This also means avoiding things that will lead us to evil thoughts, such as pornography or sexually-charged media, such as some movies.
5. Not thinking of marriage to one whom you cannot have
Chastity doesn’t only have to do with sex, but also possession. Marriage is mutual possession (I Corinthians 7:4), and so to desire, or “covet” someone who is already in a bond with another is also breaking that marriage in one’s mind.
How to be Chaste, Though Married
Many people think that chastity is only for religious singles, like monks, nuns or priests. However, chastity is just as much for the married, and is just as difficult, in a different way. While the married may participate in sexual activity with their spouse, all restrictions still apply to anyone else. If anything, this is, in a way, more difficult, for sexual activity must be strictly channeled. Not only does one need to not participate sexually with anyone else, but any thought of “I wish I had married someone else” must vanish from one’s mind. Commitment is set in stone for life, and there is no opportunity for turning back.
There is one great help, though, in marriage, which is that one’s spouse can become a good partner to keep one diligent in purity. If one has difficulties maintaining purity, then be accountable to one’s spouse. While this is difficult at first, it is easier than trying to explain to one’s spouse why you had an affair later on. One last help that the married can have is regular sex with one’s spouse. If you have the opportunity for release before God, then take it, and do not allow arguments or displeasure keep you from what God appointed you to have with your spouse (I Corinthians 7:2-5).
Maintaining chastity
Chastity isn’t easy in the midst of a society that loves to focus on sex and encourage sexual thoughts. Even if we destroy our televisions and
Commitment to chastity
Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look at a woman with lust.” (Job 31:1) Often, especially if we have participated in the past with sexual immorality, we need to make such a covenant with the Lord to remain chaste. One form of such a covenant is: “Lord, make me blind. May my eyes be cast down in humility. May my eyes be cast down in prayer. May my eyes be cast down in shame. Eyes, I make a covenant with you: See my Lord alone or see nothing; Look to glory or look not.”
Constant diligence over one’s mind
Take great care of what you allow to enter your mind through your eyes or ears. To allow images or thoughts to grow in one’s mind is slow death. We need to watch over ourselves to remain pure.
Keeping busy with things that don’t attack you
One of the best defenses against sexual immorality is working to benefit others. To remain constantly busy for God’s work is to allow oneself to be focused on everything, but the sinful action or thoughts.
Meditation
We need to meditate on what is good, pure, holy and righteous, to replace what we used to think about. We could read Scripture and focus on that, or read Christian literature. A bit more to the point, however, is that we can meditate on the consequences of our sin. If we think about what would happen if we persist in sin, we are more likely to not deceive ourselves and to stay away from it.
Prayer
To maintain purity, we cannot stand alone. We need help. We need to cry out to God so He can deliver us. One prayer that I prayed every time an impure thought came up is:
Purify my heart
Purify my soul
Purify my mind
Purify my speech
Accountability
We need not only God’s help, but others as well. We need to find at least one other follower of Jesus (not an unbeliever) who can help us maintain our purity. Again, if one is married, one’s spouse might be suited for this—or perhaps not. One way or another, we need to find someone who can help us and not judge us in when we fall, but encourage us to live and good deeds.
Release from spirits of sexual immorality
If we seem to not be able to control our thoughts, we might be attacked by Satan. If we have a bondage to sexual lust, then we should get together with another brother or sister and command such spirit to go. If attacked by persistent thoughts in this way, you might want to command Satan to leave you alone.
Fasting
If you are still unable to control yourself, a breakthrough may happen if you fast. Fasting not only indicates that your prayers are desperate before God but it also communicates to your body that you will not give your body everything it wants. It offers the opportunity for your spirit to control the normal desires of the body.
Chastity is an old word—hardly anyone uses it anymore. We live in such a sexually-charged society we prefer terms such as “safe sex” or even “abstinence”—which speak of the dangers of open sexual contact, but still leave wide opportunity for sexual lust to dominate one’s mind and life. Chastity is reflective of the standard of Jesus, who said, “Everyone who looks at the opposite sex with lust has already committed adultery in heart.” Chastity is avoiding sexual immorality in one’s heart—to remain pure not only in body, but in mind.
Chastity has five aspects to it:
1. Refusing to participate in adultery or sexual immorality
This means no sexual intercourse outside of marriage, as well as no incestuous or same-sex unions. Refusing to participate in sexual speech or contact
2. Refusing to participate in sexually immoral speech or contact
To speak of sexual immorality as a normal part of life or to participate in activity that will lead to sexual immorality is also displaying our sexual desire, and so making us abhorrent to God.
3. Running away from sexually tempting situations
Scripture says to “flee immorality” (I Corinthians 6:18). It is not enough just to avoid the situations. We have to recognize that our ability to refuse sexual immorality weakens over time. So we need to run away from any situations which will weaken our resolve to be sexually pure before God.
4. Not thinking of sexual situations with one who does not belong to you
Chastity is not only a matter of body, but of mind. One’s mind is the seed of all actions, and so we must keep our minds pure from sexual immorality, or else our bodies will follow. This also means avoiding things that will lead us to evil thoughts, such as pornography or sexually-charged media, such as some movies.
5. Not thinking of marriage to one whom you cannot have
Chastity doesn’t only have to do with sex, but also possession. Marriage is mutual possession (I Corinthians 7:4), and so to desire, or “covet” someone who is already in a bond with another is also breaking that marriage in one’s mind.
How to be Chaste, Though Married
Many people think that chastity is only for religious singles, like monks, nuns or priests. However, chastity is just as much for the married, and is just as difficult, in a different way. While the married may participate in sexual activity with their spouse, all restrictions still apply to anyone else. If anything, this is, in a way, more difficult, for sexual activity must be strictly channeled. Not only does one need to not participate sexually with anyone else, but any thought of “I wish I had married someone else” must vanish from one’s mind. Commitment is set in stone for life, and there is no opportunity for turning back.
There is one great help, though, in marriage, which is that one’s spouse can become a good partner to keep one diligent in purity. If one has difficulties maintaining purity, then be accountable to one’s spouse. While this is difficult at first, it is easier than trying to explain to one’s spouse why you had an affair later on. One last help that the married can have is regular sex with one’s spouse. If you have the opportunity for release before God, then take it, and do not allow arguments or displeasure keep you from what God appointed you to have with your spouse (I Corinthians 7:2-5).
Maintaining chastity
Chastity isn’t easy in the midst of a society that loves to focus on sex and encourage sexual thoughts. Even if we destroy our televisions and
Commitment to chastity
Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look at a woman with lust.” (Job 31:1) Often, especially if we have participated in the past with sexual immorality, we need to make such a covenant with the Lord to remain chaste. One form of such a covenant is: “Lord, make me blind. May my eyes be cast down in humility. May my eyes be cast down in prayer. May my eyes be cast down in shame. Eyes, I make a covenant with you: See my Lord alone or see nothing; Look to glory or look not.”
Constant diligence over one’s mind
Take great care of what you allow to enter your mind through your eyes or ears. To allow images or thoughts to grow in one’s mind is slow death. We need to watch over ourselves to remain pure.
Keeping busy with things that don’t attack you
One of the best defenses against sexual immorality is working to benefit others. To remain constantly busy for God’s work is to allow oneself to be focused on everything, but the sinful action or thoughts.
Meditation
We need to meditate on what is good, pure, holy and righteous, to replace what we used to think about. We could read Scripture and focus on that, or read Christian literature. A bit more to the point, however, is that we can meditate on the consequences of our sin. If we think about what would happen if we persist in sin, we are more likely to not deceive ourselves and to stay away from it.
Prayer
To maintain purity, we cannot stand alone. We need help. We need to cry out to God so He can deliver us. One prayer that I prayed every time an impure thought came up is:
Purify my heart
Purify my soul
Purify my mind
Purify my speech
Accountability
We need not only God’s help, but others as well. We need to find at least one other follower of Jesus (not an unbeliever) who can help us maintain our purity. Again, if one is married, one’s spouse might be suited for this—or perhaps not. One way or another, we need to find someone who can help us and not judge us in when we fall, but encourage us to live and good deeds.
Release from spirits of sexual immorality
If we seem to not be able to control our thoughts, we might be attacked by Satan. If we have a bondage to sexual lust, then we should get together with another brother or sister and command such spirit to go. If attacked by persistent thoughts in this way, you might want to command Satan to leave you alone.
Fasting
If you are still unable to control yourself, a breakthrough may happen if you fast. Fasting not only indicates that your prayers are desperate before God but it also communicates to your body that you will not give your body everything it wants. It offers the opportunity for your spirit to control the normal desires of the body.
Is God Concerned About Global Warming?
Okay, we know about “global warming” that should really be called “climate change” (If not, then watch “An Inconvenient Truth” already!). Scientists tell us we should we worried about these couple degrees increase. But is God really worried about it? Is this any real concern at all? Does the Bible have anything to say about this?
God rules over the whole world“The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.” Psalm 24:1-2
God is the Emperor of the world and there is nothing that is not under his command. Of course He cares, after all He’s in charge of the world. Shouldn’t He be concerned with what someone else does with His world?
Men are commanded to care for the world as a good ruler
“What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands.” Psalm 8:4-6
Even though God is ultimately in charge of the world, He put the world into the hands of humanity, for them to rule as they see fit. Some think that this means that humanity can use up the world in whatever way they want to. However, when God gives someone to be a ruler of something, He doesn’t just say, “Sure, go ahead and use this resource up as selfishly as you want to!” God establishes humanity to be a ruler like Him—a ruler who cares about His sovereignty so much that He is willing to set aside his own needs and desires for the good of those under Him. If humanity treated the earth the same way that God treats His people, then the world will be in good shape, for humanity would be willing to sacrifice their own needs for the sake of creation.
Climate change isn’t about the earth so much as about people
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:26
If the climate change happens that scientists have been predicting, the earth will be just fine. Sure, there will be some weather changes, and some edges of land masses will be covered with water, but overall, it’s like the earth will have a rash. It’s uncomfortable, but doable. Heck, the world went through worse in the ice ages!
No, the ones that will be greatly effected is people. Large populations of people who live on coastlines and deltas and in hurricane areas will be effected. We are talking about hundreds of millions of people whose homes will be covered in water.
And does not God care about His people? Oh, yes He does. He cares about people dying. And he cares about it especially if it can be avoided by people just taking better care.
Humanity will be judged for not caring for the world when they knew what they were doing
“If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?” Proverbs 24:12
We are not responsible for what we don’t know. But we are responsible for what we do. If we know that there is an evil to people and we refuse to do anything about it, we will be judged for it. If our society doesn’t do something about the pollution and the problems on the earth that we know we are doing, then we will judged for it. God will not only judge our motives, but He will judge whether we acted on our knowledge.
God will fix whatever crap men did to the world
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. II Peter 3:13
When the Bible says that God will make a “new earth” it doesn’t mean that He will wipe out the atoms that make up the current planet and then replace it with another one. Rather, it means that He will re-form the planet and the rulers that currently exist. All the evil that humanity has done to the earth will be made up for. Perhaps it will happen immediately, or perhaps it will take a long time. But in the end, God will right the wrongs. But we should do what is right not because there will be harm from doing wrong. We should do what is right because it is right.
We should never be willfully ignorant of the love that God has commanded us to live.
God rules over the whole world“The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.” Psalm 24:1-2
God is the Emperor of the world and there is nothing that is not under his command. Of course He cares, after all He’s in charge of the world. Shouldn’t He be concerned with what someone else does with His world?
Men are commanded to care for the world as a good ruler
“What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands.” Psalm 8:4-6
Even though God is ultimately in charge of the world, He put the world into the hands of humanity, for them to rule as they see fit. Some think that this means that humanity can use up the world in whatever way they want to. However, when God gives someone to be a ruler of something, He doesn’t just say, “Sure, go ahead and use this resource up as selfishly as you want to!” God establishes humanity to be a ruler like Him—a ruler who cares about His sovereignty so much that He is willing to set aside his own needs and desires for the good of those under Him. If humanity treated the earth the same way that God treats His people, then the world will be in good shape, for humanity would be willing to sacrifice their own needs for the sake of creation.
Climate change isn’t about the earth so much as about people
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:26
If the climate change happens that scientists have been predicting, the earth will be just fine. Sure, there will be some weather changes, and some edges of land masses will be covered with water, but overall, it’s like the earth will have a rash. It’s uncomfortable, but doable. Heck, the world went through worse in the ice ages!
No, the ones that will be greatly effected is people. Large populations of people who live on coastlines and deltas and in hurricane areas will be effected. We are talking about hundreds of millions of people whose homes will be covered in water.
And does not God care about His people? Oh, yes He does. He cares about people dying. And he cares about it especially if it can be avoided by people just taking better care.
Humanity will be judged for not caring for the world when they knew what they were doing
“If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?” Proverbs 24:12
We are not responsible for what we don’t know. But we are responsible for what we do. If we know that there is an evil to people and we refuse to do anything about it, we will be judged for it. If our society doesn’t do something about the pollution and the problems on the earth that we know we are doing, then we will judged for it. God will not only judge our motives, but He will judge whether we acted on our knowledge.
God will fix whatever crap men did to the world
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. II Peter 3:13
When the Bible says that God will make a “new earth” it doesn’t mean that He will wipe out the atoms that make up the current planet and then replace it with another one. Rather, it means that He will re-form the planet and the rulers that currently exist. All the evil that humanity has done to the earth will be made up for. Perhaps it will happen immediately, or perhaps it will take a long time. But in the end, God will right the wrongs. But we should do what is right not because there will be harm from doing wrong. We should do what is right because it is right.
We should never be willfully ignorant of the love that God has commanded us to live.
An Annotated Outline of Revelation
This is my understanding of the Book of Revelation. If you disagree, I'm okay with that. Not everyone can be right. :-)
Message: God is the Provider and Defender of those are faithful to Jesus.
Chapter 1: Revealing Jesus
John the prophet is given a set of visions, who wrote them down and returned them to the churches in Asia Minor.
Jesus is the great Spirit, God over His people, most powerful of all spirits. And he speaks to his congregations.
Chapters 2-3: Revealing Congregations
Ephesus: Jesus commends them for orthodoxy, but condemns them for their lack of love. Unless they change, they may not be part of the church.
Smyrna: This congregation has been made poor through persecution, but Jesus says that they are rich. Jesus calls them to endure and so be victorious.
Pergamum: Jesus commends them for remaining faithful through persecution. But he condemns some for compromising with idolatry for the sake of employment. Jesus calls them all to remain faithful.
Thyatira: This is an almost perfect church in faithfulness, love and service. However, there is a false teacher, who is saying that compromise with idolatry is good. Those who stay with her will be judged, but those who remain faithful will live.
Sardis: This church has an excellent reputation, but it is built upon nothing. Jesus tells them to do really positive, loving works, not just things that look good. Follow the example of the few who are faithful.
Philadelphia— Jesus commends this persecuted church for remaining with him, even thought their salvation was called into question. Jesus says that their place in heaven will never be lost.
Laodicea—This church is wealthy, and they think that they are self-sufficient. Jesus says that their self-sufficiency is their death and unless they surrender their earthly wealth, they will never have eternal wealth.
Chapter 4: Revealing the Father
God the Father is shown on a throne, his enemies at his feet, surrounded by his promises. The apostles, the patriarchs, and representatives of all the realms of creatures worship Him.
Chapter 5: Initiating the Kingdom
The document initiating the plan to begin the rule of God over the earth is presented. No one is found worthy to begin this process. Then, a warrior who was sacrificed steps forward—Jesus. He is the only one worthy to open the document and to begin the kingdom.
Chapter 6: The Present Age
Jesus initiates the present age of God’s kingdom. It is an age characterized by conquerors, war, famine and death. Throughout this age are many martyrdoms. The martyrs cry out for God’s justice, but they are told to wait until all the martyrs are killed. This age began right after Jesus’ ascension to God to the present time. The end of this age may be indicated by a great earthquake.
Chapter 7: Preparation for the end
Fast forward to a future age. The church has shrunk to only 144,000 people. And there is a great multitude of people who has been killed.
Chapter 8-10: The Little Judgment
God begins to judge the world, but he holds back, only judging one third of the world. He uses plagues that are similar to Egypt’s, so the world will recognize that it is Him doing them. They are each initiated with a trumpet blast. A third of the trees are burned, a third of the sea turns to blood, a third of the fresh water is poisoned, the celestial lights are darkened by a third, a third of humanity is in terrible pain for months and a third of humanity is killed by a demonic army.
The world does not repent of its worship of evil things. Heaven declares the earth ready to be judged. John is happy at the revenge for God’s people, but regretting the terrible judgment.
Chapter 11: Call to Repent
The heavenly temple is measured to indicate where God’s rule really is based. God sends two prophets to the earthly Jerusalem to tell people to repent. No one listens, and they are killed, while the world rejoices over their bodies for three days. God raises them from the dead and they ascend to heaven. In this repeat of Jesus’ passion, God shows the world that they are deserving of the final judgment. The final stage is in place, and nothing will stop God’s final judgment.
Chapter 12: Flashback! Satan and the People of God
To explain more what happened to cause this judgment, John backtracks and gives some background. The people of God had been waiting for the Messiah—God’s king—to come and rule. Satan had also been waiting to destroy that same Messiah. But Satan missed his opportunity, as the Messiah came and ascended to the Father. After the Messiah began to rule, Satan’s place was taken from him and he was thrown out of heaven, along with his angels. In his rage, Satan began to attack God’s people, especially the people of Jesus.
Chapter 13: Empire and Worship
To accomplish this attack, Satan brings up the spirit of the empires that have always persecuted God’s people. Empire claimed to take God’s place in offering salvation, requiring obedience and demanding worship and service. John, at this point, declares that everyone must make a choice to either serve in the Empire’s army or to be killed and gain eternal life. The Empire Spirit appoints a false teacher to lead people to worship the Empire. At this point, the Empire is given the whole world for three and a half years, during which time he persecutes and kills anyone who does not worship him. Those who worship the Empire are given a tattoo, and those who do not have a tattoo cannot buy what they need.
Chapters 14-16—The Great Judgment
Heaven prepares for the great judgment to come. The remnant of the church are brought to heaven and pronouncements of the destruction of the Empire are made, as well as declaration of punishments for those who worship the Empire. Jesus casts a sickle to the earth, to indicate that the “harvest” of judgment is to begin, and the waiting martyrs give their praise to God for the judgment. Seven angels are given seven bowls of plagues. Suddenly, all at once, the people of earth have sores, all the sea becomes blood, all the fresh water becomes blood, flames come from the sun to cause severe burns and all the Empire becomes completely dark. The people of the world know that this is judgment from God and so they speak evil against God, and plot to destroy Jesus with armies when he returns. A mass of storms, earthquakes and huge hailstones fall upon them.
Chapters 17-18—Woe of the Great City
A pause is given to focus on the controlling city of the Empire. This is the city that seduced the world to love greed, to worship the Empire and to kill God’s people. The city did so through economic forces, controlling the market, and the Empire supported the city through it’s army. In the chaos of judgment the city is destroyed by its own army, and the world’s economic leaders weep.
Chapter 19—Jesus’ Kingdom
Jesus comes to earth with all the angelic host of heaven. All the armies that gathered to attack Jesus are destroyed. The birds come to eat their flesh. And Jesus establishes his rule with his people.
Chapter 20—Summary of End time stuff
Jesus reigns with his people for approximately a thousand years, during which time Satan is imprisoned. There is no Empire apart from Jesus’ and no false teaching. God’s utopia reigns. Satan is then released, and deceives nations to attack Jesus again. They are defeated by God. Everyone that has ever lived is resurrected and God judges them all based on their actions. The eternal life begins.
Chapters 21-22—The Final Kingdom
In eternal life, all of the enemies of God are no more. Satan and his angels are in hell, the sea is dried up and the celestial lights are unnecessary. God lives with his people, and his temple—his courtyard—is on earth. God’s people live in a magnificent, huge city, as tall as it is wide, and God is at the center. The city is the center of all the earth’s wisdom, wealth and power. No one who does evil will live in the city, but there will be people who live outside the city, under God’s rule.
Chapter 22—The Last Exhortation
These events of the coming of God’s kingdom is going to occur anytime, Jesus says. So be ready. Don’t be cowardly or hide your worship of Jesus. Rather, live for Jesus in all things and so reign with him in eternity.
Message: God is the Provider and Defender of those are faithful to Jesus.
Chapter 1: Revealing Jesus
John the prophet is given a set of visions, who wrote them down and returned them to the churches in Asia Minor.
Jesus is the great Spirit, God over His people, most powerful of all spirits. And he speaks to his congregations.
Chapters 2-3: Revealing Congregations
Ephesus: Jesus commends them for orthodoxy, but condemns them for their lack of love. Unless they change, they may not be part of the church.
Smyrna: This congregation has been made poor through persecution, but Jesus says that they are rich. Jesus calls them to endure and so be victorious.
Pergamum: Jesus commends them for remaining faithful through persecution. But he condemns some for compromising with idolatry for the sake of employment. Jesus calls them all to remain faithful.
Thyatira: This is an almost perfect church in faithfulness, love and service. However, there is a false teacher, who is saying that compromise with idolatry is good. Those who stay with her will be judged, but those who remain faithful will live.
Sardis: This church has an excellent reputation, but it is built upon nothing. Jesus tells them to do really positive, loving works, not just things that look good. Follow the example of the few who are faithful.
Philadelphia— Jesus commends this persecuted church for remaining with him, even thought their salvation was called into question. Jesus says that their place in heaven will never be lost.
Laodicea—This church is wealthy, and they think that they are self-sufficient. Jesus says that their self-sufficiency is their death and unless they surrender their earthly wealth, they will never have eternal wealth.
Chapter 4: Revealing the Father
God the Father is shown on a throne, his enemies at his feet, surrounded by his promises. The apostles, the patriarchs, and representatives of all the realms of creatures worship Him.
Chapter 5: Initiating the Kingdom
The document initiating the plan to begin the rule of God over the earth is presented. No one is found worthy to begin this process. Then, a warrior who was sacrificed steps forward—Jesus. He is the only one worthy to open the document and to begin the kingdom.
Chapter 6: The Present Age
Jesus initiates the present age of God’s kingdom. It is an age characterized by conquerors, war, famine and death. Throughout this age are many martyrdoms. The martyrs cry out for God’s justice, but they are told to wait until all the martyrs are killed. This age began right after Jesus’ ascension to God to the present time. The end of this age may be indicated by a great earthquake.
Chapter 7: Preparation for the end
Fast forward to a future age. The church has shrunk to only 144,000 people. And there is a great multitude of people who has been killed.
Chapter 8-10: The Little Judgment
God begins to judge the world, but he holds back, only judging one third of the world. He uses plagues that are similar to Egypt’s, so the world will recognize that it is Him doing them. They are each initiated with a trumpet blast. A third of the trees are burned, a third of the sea turns to blood, a third of the fresh water is poisoned, the celestial lights are darkened by a third, a third of humanity is in terrible pain for months and a third of humanity is killed by a demonic army.
The world does not repent of its worship of evil things. Heaven declares the earth ready to be judged. John is happy at the revenge for God’s people, but regretting the terrible judgment.
Chapter 11: Call to Repent
The heavenly temple is measured to indicate where God’s rule really is based. God sends two prophets to the earthly Jerusalem to tell people to repent. No one listens, and they are killed, while the world rejoices over their bodies for three days. God raises them from the dead and they ascend to heaven. In this repeat of Jesus’ passion, God shows the world that they are deserving of the final judgment. The final stage is in place, and nothing will stop God’s final judgment.
Chapter 12: Flashback! Satan and the People of God
To explain more what happened to cause this judgment, John backtracks and gives some background. The people of God had been waiting for the Messiah—God’s king—to come and rule. Satan had also been waiting to destroy that same Messiah. But Satan missed his opportunity, as the Messiah came and ascended to the Father. After the Messiah began to rule, Satan’s place was taken from him and he was thrown out of heaven, along with his angels. In his rage, Satan began to attack God’s people, especially the people of Jesus.
Chapter 13: Empire and Worship
To accomplish this attack, Satan brings up the spirit of the empires that have always persecuted God’s people. Empire claimed to take God’s place in offering salvation, requiring obedience and demanding worship and service. John, at this point, declares that everyone must make a choice to either serve in the Empire’s army or to be killed and gain eternal life. The Empire Spirit appoints a false teacher to lead people to worship the Empire. At this point, the Empire is given the whole world for three and a half years, during which time he persecutes and kills anyone who does not worship him. Those who worship the Empire are given a tattoo, and those who do not have a tattoo cannot buy what they need.
Chapters 14-16—The Great Judgment
Heaven prepares for the great judgment to come. The remnant of the church are brought to heaven and pronouncements of the destruction of the Empire are made, as well as declaration of punishments for those who worship the Empire. Jesus casts a sickle to the earth, to indicate that the “harvest” of judgment is to begin, and the waiting martyrs give their praise to God for the judgment. Seven angels are given seven bowls of plagues. Suddenly, all at once, the people of earth have sores, all the sea becomes blood, all the fresh water becomes blood, flames come from the sun to cause severe burns and all the Empire becomes completely dark. The people of the world know that this is judgment from God and so they speak evil against God, and plot to destroy Jesus with armies when he returns. A mass of storms, earthquakes and huge hailstones fall upon them.
Chapters 17-18—Woe of the Great City
A pause is given to focus on the controlling city of the Empire. This is the city that seduced the world to love greed, to worship the Empire and to kill God’s people. The city did so through economic forces, controlling the market, and the Empire supported the city through it’s army. In the chaos of judgment the city is destroyed by its own army, and the world’s economic leaders weep.
Chapter 19—Jesus’ Kingdom
Jesus comes to earth with all the angelic host of heaven. All the armies that gathered to attack Jesus are destroyed. The birds come to eat their flesh. And Jesus establishes his rule with his people.
Chapter 20—Summary of End time stuff
Jesus reigns with his people for approximately a thousand years, during which time Satan is imprisoned. There is no Empire apart from Jesus’ and no false teaching. God’s utopia reigns. Satan is then released, and deceives nations to attack Jesus again. They are defeated by God. Everyone that has ever lived is resurrected and God judges them all based on their actions. The eternal life begins.
Chapters 21-22—The Final Kingdom
In eternal life, all of the enemies of God are no more. Satan and his angels are in hell, the sea is dried up and the celestial lights are unnecessary. God lives with his people, and his temple—his courtyard—is on earth. God’s people live in a magnificent, huge city, as tall as it is wide, and God is at the center. The city is the center of all the earth’s wisdom, wealth and power. No one who does evil will live in the city, but there will be people who live outside the city, under God’s rule.
Chapter 22—The Last Exhortation
These events of the coming of God’s kingdom is going to occur anytime, Jesus says. So be ready. Don’t be cowardly or hide your worship of Jesus. Rather, live for Jesus in all things and so reign with him in eternity.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Essential Christian Love
What is Christian Love?
In our society, love is a multi-faceted term. It could mean a good feeling toward another (even if you have never seen the person before). It could mean a feeling of sexual lust, or the sexual act itself. It could mean acting in a positive way toward another, or “being nice”. Or it could mean to enjoy the company of another. Love is also used as the opposite of feeling hate.
However, “love” as used by Jesus is much more specific. It speaks of two general moral actions: remaining in relationship with another—in other words, never “cutting someone off”—and acting for another’s benefit, especially when the other is in need or trouble. Love is never exclusively used as an internal feeling, separated from words or actions. Love is always something one does for the benefit of another. The opposite of love isn’t hate, so much, as actions of hatred or hostility.
On top of this, Jesus insists that our motivation to love is to be in relationship with God. We have mercy on others so we can obtain mercy from God (Matthew 5:7). And we love without exclusion, so we can be called God’s children (Luke 6:35). We don’t love just because it is the “right” or “nice” thing to do, but because we desire God’s acceptance, honor and blessing. And if we fail to act in love—at all times, to every person—then we will not be accepted by God.
Christian love is an unbelievably high ideal. We are supposed to love those who hate us. We are to help those whose help is beyond our resources. We are to offer help to everyone who asks of us. And we are supposed to act this way at all times, with no exception without repentance and reconciliation. How can this be done? Frankly, it is not humanly possible. Even Jesus only acted openly and publicly in love with the power of the Spirit behind him. Only then could he be certain, as a human, that he could act with the Father’s love at all time. Even so, we have no chance of acting in love all the time without the constant leading and empowering of the Spirit of God.
Practical Christian Love
Have mercy on people’s weaknesses
All of us have weaknesses. Some of these weaknesses are sin, and some are just failings that we have. In our humanity, we want people to have mercy on us in our weaknesses—we want people to overlook them or to help us through them. Yet, also in our humanity, we condemn others for their weaknesses—we want to cause guilt or suffering in them because they harm others. Jesus, however, tells us that if we are to expect any kind of mercy from others—especially God—then we need to have mercy on others. Rather than condemning people’s weaknesses, we need to find ways to have compassion on them and help them based on that compassion, rather than judgement. (Luke 6:36-38)
Give opportunity for repentance
If we see someone act in their weaknesses, especially if in their weakness, they did something that hurt us, then we want to cut them off from us in some way. We want to have nothing to do with them, or perhaps scream at them, or to keep them away from our community. Jesus both demonstrated and taught just the opposite. If someone is in sin—even if they hurt us, even if the sin was extreme—we are still to be in relationship with them and give them opportunity to change. If an unbeliever is in sin, we are to give them opportunity to show faith (Mark 2:17; Luke 15:1-10). If a believer is in sin, we are to give them many chances to make right (Matthew 18:15-17). And a believer who is weak, but not in sin, is never to be excluded, but welcomed and assisted (Mark 9:37-42).
Forgive debts
If someone does repent, trying to make right their weakness or sin, it is in our human nature to see that person pay their debts and to give in restitution exactly as they have taken. Thus, our humanity says that if they caused us shame, they need to receive shame; if they stole from us, they should pay back the exact amount; if they broke the law, they should pay the full penalty. However, Jesus says that instead of seeking payback, we should forgive those who repent (Luke 17:3-4). Forgiveness means that they are in relationship and that they are not required to pay the full debt back. This means that we are not seeking a payback, but we are willing to wipe the slate clean (Matthew 18:21-35). This also means that we will not remind others of the things they have done against us (I Corinthians 13:5).
Give to those who ask
If someone asks us for forgiveness or help, our natural, human response is to preserve our resources for us and ours. We don’t feel secure enough to give to others when they really need it. Jesus, however, told us to help those who asked (Matthew 5:42). Often we want to refuse assistance to those who have done us wrong in some way, or who are “unworthy” in our eyes. Jesus, however, gave even to the most unworthy, if they just asked in faith (Matthew 15:22-28). This does not mean that we should give to people whatever they ask for. We need to give out of love—which means giving toward their real need, not just giving whatever is convenient without regard to their need (I Corinthians 13:2).
Pray for others
Often, when we look at our resources, we find that we do not have enough to help others. We find that we are limited by economics, by time, by geography and by our own anxieties. However, Jesus taught us that action on our compassion shouldn’t be limited by resources, because God has the greatest resources of all (Matthew 6:31-33). We may not be able to heal a sick person, but God can (Acts 3:1-8). We may not be able to feed the hungry, but God can (Mark 6:34-43). We may not be able to give the gospel to everyone, but God can (Matthew 24:14). So our compassion does not need to be limited by our limitation—if we would but pray, then we are enacting God’s mercy on people, which is far greater than our own.
Set free the oppressed
Many people are sick, both physically and mentally. While medical workers do their best to heal, they are not always able to. Sometimes they just do not have the knowledge, and sometimes they do not recognize the spiritual forces involved in healing. There are spirits that assist in causing physical and mental illnesses. And doctors do not usually have the authority to command these spirits. However, anyone in Jesus, having the authority Jesus gave all of his disciples, can command the spirits to release those attacked by them (Mark 16:17-18). In this way, the people of Jesus can express their compassion in a unique way that no one else can.
Provide hospitality
It seems like so little, it seems so simple, but often compassion and Christian love can be expressed just in an open door, a cheerful welcome and a meal. Hospitality in Scripture means offering food and drink, clothing, a warm place to rest or sleep, and an opportunity to get cleaned up (Matthew 25:31-46; John 13:1-15). It was often given to the poor and travelers within the church, but it was offered to others as well (Galatians 6:10). Although it seems so simple, but if we refuse to enact this hospitality, then we do not express the love of Christ.
If one is a Christian, this kind of love is not an option. If we fail to forgive, we will not be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). If we refuse to have mercy, God will not have mercy on us (Matthew 5:7). If we refuse to offer hospitality, we will be thrown out of God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46). And if we live in bitterness and judgement, then we will be judged by God (Luke 6:37). Love is not an option, it is a demand. And it is demanding. Yet it is the most gentle, most gracious way of life any of us could ask for (Matthew 11:28-30).
In our society, love is a multi-faceted term. It could mean a good feeling toward another (even if you have never seen the person before). It could mean a feeling of sexual lust, or the sexual act itself. It could mean acting in a positive way toward another, or “being nice”. Or it could mean to enjoy the company of another. Love is also used as the opposite of feeling hate.
However, “love” as used by Jesus is much more specific. It speaks of two general moral actions: remaining in relationship with another—in other words, never “cutting someone off”—and acting for another’s benefit, especially when the other is in need or trouble. Love is never exclusively used as an internal feeling, separated from words or actions. Love is always something one does for the benefit of another. The opposite of love isn’t hate, so much, as actions of hatred or hostility.
On top of this, Jesus insists that our motivation to love is to be in relationship with God. We have mercy on others so we can obtain mercy from God (Matthew 5:7). And we love without exclusion, so we can be called God’s children (Luke 6:35). We don’t love just because it is the “right” or “nice” thing to do, but because we desire God’s acceptance, honor and blessing. And if we fail to act in love—at all times, to every person—then we will not be accepted by God.
Christian love is an unbelievably high ideal. We are supposed to love those who hate us. We are to help those whose help is beyond our resources. We are to offer help to everyone who asks of us. And we are supposed to act this way at all times, with no exception without repentance and reconciliation. How can this be done? Frankly, it is not humanly possible. Even Jesus only acted openly and publicly in love with the power of the Spirit behind him. Only then could he be certain, as a human, that he could act with the Father’s love at all time. Even so, we have no chance of acting in love all the time without the constant leading and empowering of the Spirit of God.
Practical Christian Love
Have mercy on people’s weaknesses
All of us have weaknesses. Some of these weaknesses are sin, and some are just failings that we have. In our humanity, we want people to have mercy on us in our weaknesses—we want people to overlook them or to help us through them. Yet, also in our humanity, we condemn others for their weaknesses—we want to cause guilt or suffering in them because they harm others. Jesus, however, tells us that if we are to expect any kind of mercy from others—especially God—then we need to have mercy on others. Rather than condemning people’s weaknesses, we need to find ways to have compassion on them and help them based on that compassion, rather than judgement. (Luke 6:36-38)
Give opportunity for repentance
If we see someone act in their weaknesses, especially if in their weakness, they did something that hurt us, then we want to cut them off from us in some way. We want to have nothing to do with them, or perhaps scream at them, or to keep them away from our community. Jesus both demonstrated and taught just the opposite. If someone is in sin—even if they hurt us, even if the sin was extreme—we are still to be in relationship with them and give them opportunity to change. If an unbeliever is in sin, we are to give them opportunity to show faith (Mark 2:17; Luke 15:1-10). If a believer is in sin, we are to give them many chances to make right (Matthew 18:15-17). And a believer who is weak, but not in sin, is never to be excluded, but welcomed and assisted (Mark 9:37-42).
Forgive debts
If someone does repent, trying to make right their weakness or sin, it is in our human nature to see that person pay their debts and to give in restitution exactly as they have taken. Thus, our humanity says that if they caused us shame, they need to receive shame; if they stole from us, they should pay back the exact amount; if they broke the law, they should pay the full penalty. However, Jesus says that instead of seeking payback, we should forgive those who repent (Luke 17:3-4). Forgiveness means that they are in relationship and that they are not required to pay the full debt back. This means that we are not seeking a payback, but we are willing to wipe the slate clean (Matthew 18:21-35). This also means that we will not remind others of the things they have done against us (I Corinthians 13:5).
Give to those who ask
If someone asks us for forgiveness or help, our natural, human response is to preserve our resources for us and ours. We don’t feel secure enough to give to others when they really need it. Jesus, however, told us to help those who asked (Matthew 5:42). Often we want to refuse assistance to those who have done us wrong in some way, or who are “unworthy” in our eyes. Jesus, however, gave even to the most unworthy, if they just asked in faith (Matthew 15:22-28). This does not mean that we should give to people whatever they ask for. We need to give out of love—which means giving toward their real need, not just giving whatever is convenient without regard to their need (I Corinthians 13:2).
Pray for others
Often, when we look at our resources, we find that we do not have enough to help others. We find that we are limited by economics, by time, by geography and by our own anxieties. However, Jesus taught us that action on our compassion shouldn’t be limited by resources, because God has the greatest resources of all (Matthew 6:31-33). We may not be able to heal a sick person, but God can (Acts 3:1-8). We may not be able to feed the hungry, but God can (Mark 6:34-43). We may not be able to give the gospel to everyone, but God can (Matthew 24:14). So our compassion does not need to be limited by our limitation—if we would but pray, then we are enacting God’s mercy on people, which is far greater than our own.
Set free the oppressed
Many people are sick, both physically and mentally. While medical workers do their best to heal, they are not always able to. Sometimes they just do not have the knowledge, and sometimes they do not recognize the spiritual forces involved in healing. There are spirits that assist in causing physical and mental illnesses. And doctors do not usually have the authority to command these spirits. However, anyone in Jesus, having the authority Jesus gave all of his disciples, can command the spirits to release those attacked by them (Mark 16:17-18). In this way, the people of Jesus can express their compassion in a unique way that no one else can.
Provide hospitality
It seems like so little, it seems so simple, but often compassion and Christian love can be expressed just in an open door, a cheerful welcome and a meal. Hospitality in Scripture means offering food and drink, clothing, a warm place to rest or sleep, and an opportunity to get cleaned up (Matthew 25:31-46; John 13:1-15). It was often given to the poor and travelers within the church, but it was offered to others as well (Galatians 6:10). Although it seems so simple, but if we refuse to enact this hospitality, then we do not express the love of Christ.
If one is a Christian, this kind of love is not an option. If we fail to forgive, we will not be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). If we refuse to have mercy, God will not have mercy on us (Matthew 5:7). If we refuse to offer hospitality, we will be thrown out of God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46). And if we live in bitterness and judgement, then we will be judged by God (Luke 6:37). Love is not an option, it is a demand. And it is demanding. Yet it is the most gentle, most gracious way of life any of us could ask for (Matthew 11:28-30).
Essential Christian Submission
Submission is considered to be a dirty word in modern America. It is associated with battered wives and children cowering under overbearing men in white t-shirts. It is connected with military units with a screaming leader and the rest following in goosesteps. Others might think of a religious order in the sticks, where no one can make a move without asking permission of the Great Leader. However, Christian submission is not something forced, nor anything negative—rather it is the secret of Jesus’ cross.
Jesus submitted to the Father in going to the cross. Yes, the cross was gruesome and shaming—a truly horrendous experience—but Jesus went there willingly. And his mode of transportation to the cross—the salvation of all peoples on earth—was willing submission to evil authorities who only had his worst interests in their minds. He opened himself up to their abuse and hatred, and so was provided with the greatest honor anyone could be bestowed—the rule of the kingdom of God. Because Jesus allowed himself to be submitted—both to a loving God and to a hating government—he was granted the opportunity to give mercy to everyone on earth. (I Peter 2:18-23)
What is Christian Submission?
Submission has to do with a response to authority. One does not submit to one’s own child or employee. Rather, it is what one in a lower social station does to one in authority. Submission has some of the connotations that are connected to it in a negative context. Submission is certainly obedience, and it can be receiving punishments for disobedience. It can also be paying money requested, and offering what honor society requires (such as calling someone by a proper title). Submission does not mean that we refuse to disagree with the one we submit to, nor that we cannot express our opinion. But it gives the respect due the office. In our society, most people would offer submission to the president, or a police officer or a judge in the courtroom—at least, if they were on our side.
But Christian submission goes much further than submission in the world. Christian submission would be offered to everyone who is in authority—from the President to the lowest pencil-pusher in a Social Security office. We would give it to the leaders in the communities we live in—whether that be a group home, a hospital, a rehab house, a shelter, or a Christian community. We give it to our church leaders—but more than that, we are to submit to each other in the church, honoring each other as greater than ourselves! The only authority that exists that we are not to submit to is Satan—that’s because the only authority he has over us is what we give him. (I Peter 2:13-15; Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 6:11)
But Christian submission is given to God first and foremost. We submit to other authorities because of the respect we have for God. God established authority on all humans and to some humans in particular—and so we are to show our respect to everyone in any kind of authority, because fundamentally the authority they use is God’s. We don’t have to like the way they use authority, but we need to respect the authority itself. This means that no matter how evil, how wicked the authority, we respect and obey that person anyway. (James 4:7; Romans 13:1)
Why would we do that? If there is anything we are trained in, it is to reject authority we don’t care for. However, as Rodney King found out, if you prove careless with other’s authority, it will bite you back. Harshly. Now Jesus submitted to authority, but he received the same treatment, only worse. So why would we submit to evil authority? Because our submission under harsh treatment is a neon sign to God: “I’m being oppressed!” And God will respond with justice.
Thus, the opposite of submission is to take justice in our own hands and give the evil authority “what they deserve”. Perhaps it will be with violence, or with legal action or with harsh words, but the point is to give back to them justice. But justice by our own hands is no justice at all—we will only be slammed again, or we will hit the other too hard and be the oppressor in turn. But justice meted out by God is perfect and true, and merciful, for it gives opportunity for repentance. Thus, true submission shows faith in God, but enacting vengeance only displays our faith in ourselves. And we cannot deliver ourselves. (Romans 13:2; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19)
The secret of Christian Submission is this (the secret of the cross, actually): If you respond to an authority’s harsh treatment with submission, and even positive action to them, then God will see the whole event and defend you. He will support you and help you, but the evil authority he will strip of their power and punish. If we submit to authorities, we are trusting in God’s justice and mercy to the oppressed. (Romans 12:19; Psalm 37; I Peter 4:12-19)
What does Christian submission look like?
Christian submission is granting honor
We want to honor the authorities above us. Perhaps that will mean simply calling them by their titles (“officer” or “sir”). Certainly it will mean using respectful speech and not demeaning them in any way. We also grant honor by giving thanks. We certainly should do this with God, and with governmental authorities. But we should also speak this way to the lowest of those in the church, granting honor to them, as we are all supposed to submit to each other. Respectful speech is most important to those whom we are closest to—our spouses and our friends. (I Peter 2:17,18; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is obeying authorities’ commands
If we are given a command by an authority, we are to obey it, and this will show respect to God. If an evil person commands us to do something, we are to obey that as well—unless it is in opposition to what God told us to do. Obedience is important also to those whom are over us where we live, and to church elders as well. Obedience seems like something to just make our lives tougher, but it will actually make our lives easier in the long run. (Hebrews 13:17; Psalm 18:44)
Christian submission is praying for authorities
One of the shows of respect we have for our authorities—whether they are righteous or evil—is to pray for them. To pray for someone is to request that God would bless them. We can pray that God would grant an authority mercy and grace. We can pray that they would provide opportunities for us to obey God and spread the gospel. But we should pray for authorities over us, that effect our lives. (I Timothy 2:1-2)
Christian submission is paying proper taxes
Many governmental authorities require taxes. Rather than complain about it or despise the task, both Jesus and Paul encourage us to do it willingly, as part of our submission. As a part of respecting the authority that comes from God, paying taxes honors God. (Mark 12:14-17; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is willingly accepting unjust punishment
All authority metes out punishment. It is a part of being an authority. However, an authority can chose for themselves whether the punishment they give will be for right reasons or wrong ones. And they can determine if the punishment they give is gentle or harsh. The authority who punishes for God’s reasons and with gentleness will be rewarded by God. But the authority who is harsh and punishes even the righteous will be punished. (Luke 12:42-47)
The strangest thing about Christian virtue is that receiving harsh, unjust punishment from an evil authority—especially for the sake of following Jesus—is the basis for Christian joy. Jesus tells us to be glad when we suffer unjustly because we will be greatly rewarded by God on the final day for enduring it in love. For this reason, Jesus says, if we suffer under an unjust punishment, we should offer the evil authority even more of an opportunity to punish us. The more we are harmed, the more God will reward us (and the more evil the authority will seem—even in his own eyes!). (Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 12:17-21; I Peter 4:12-19)
Be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For you will gain God’s favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God you bear up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. What credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. I Peter 2:18-21
Jesus submitted to the Father in going to the cross. Yes, the cross was gruesome and shaming—a truly horrendous experience—but Jesus went there willingly. And his mode of transportation to the cross—the salvation of all peoples on earth—was willing submission to evil authorities who only had his worst interests in their minds. He opened himself up to their abuse and hatred, and so was provided with the greatest honor anyone could be bestowed—the rule of the kingdom of God. Because Jesus allowed himself to be submitted—both to a loving God and to a hating government—he was granted the opportunity to give mercy to everyone on earth. (I Peter 2:18-23)
What is Christian Submission?
Submission has to do with a response to authority. One does not submit to one’s own child or employee. Rather, it is what one in a lower social station does to one in authority. Submission has some of the connotations that are connected to it in a negative context. Submission is certainly obedience, and it can be receiving punishments for disobedience. It can also be paying money requested, and offering what honor society requires (such as calling someone by a proper title). Submission does not mean that we refuse to disagree with the one we submit to, nor that we cannot express our opinion. But it gives the respect due the office. In our society, most people would offer submission to the president, or a police officer or a judge in the courtroom—at least, if they were on our side.
But Christian submission goes much further than submission in the world. Christian submission would be offered to everyone who is in authority—from the President to the lowest pencil-pusher in a Social Security office. We would give it to the leaders in the communities we live in—whether that be a group home, a hospital, a rehab house, a shelter, or a Christian community. We give it to our church leaders—but more than that, we are to submit to each other in the church, honoring each other as greater than ourselves! The only authority that exists that we are not to submit to is Satan—that’s because the only authority he has over us is what we give him. (I Peter 2:13-15; Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 6:11)
But Christian submission is given to God first and foremost. We submit to other authorities because of the respect we have for God. God established authority on all humans and to some humans in particular—and so we are to show our respect to everyone in any kind of authority, because fundamentally the authority they use is God’s. We don’t have to like the way they use authority, but we need to respect the authority itself. This means that no matter how evil, how wicked the authority, we respect and obey that person anyway. (James 4:7; Romans 13:1)
Why would we do that? If there is anything we are trained in, it is to reject authority we don’t care for. However, as Rodney King found out, if you prove careless with other’s authority, it will bite you back. Harshly. Now Jesus submitted to authority, but he received the same treatment, only worse. So why would we submit to evil authority? Because our submission under harsh treatment is a neon sign to God: “I’m being oppressed!” And God will respond with justice.
Thus, the opposite of submission is to take justice in our own hands and give the evil authority “what they deserve”. Perhaps it will be with violence, or with legal action or with harsh words, but the point is to give back to them justice. But justice by our own hands is no justice at all—we will only be slammed again, or we will hit the other too hard and be the oppressor in turn. But justice meted out by God is perfect and true, and merciful, for it gives opportunity for repentance. Thus, true submission shows faith in God, but enacting vengeance only displays our faith in ourselves. And we cannot deliver ourselves. (Romans 13:2; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19)
The secret of Christian Submission is this (the secret of the cross, actually): If you respond to an authority’s harsh treatment with submission, and even positive action to them, then God will see the whole event and defend you. He will support you and help you, but the evil authority he will strip of their power and punish. If we submit to authorities, we are trusting in God’s justice and mercy to the oppressed. (Romans 12:19; Psalm 37; I Peter 4:12-19)
What does Christian submission look like?
Christian submission is granting honor
We want to honor the authorities above us. Perhaps that will mean simply calling them by their titles (“officer” or “sir”). Certainly it will mean using respectful speech and not demeaning them in any way. We also grant honor by giving thanks. We certainly should do this with God, and with governmental authorities. But we should also speak this way to the lowest of those in the church, granting honor to them, as we are all supposed to submit to each other. Respectful speech is most important to those whom we are closest to—our spouses and our friends. (I Peter 2:17,18; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is obeying authorities’ commands
If we are given a command by an authority, we are to obey it, and this will show respect to God. If an evil person commands us to do something, we are to obey that as well—unless it is in opposition to what God told us to do. Obedience is important also to those whom are over us where we live, and to church elders as well. Obedience seems like something to just make our lives tougher, but it will actually make our lives easier in the long run. (Hebrews 13:17; Psalm 18:44)
Christian submission is praying for authorities
One of the shows of respect we have for our authorities—whether they are righteous or evil—is to pray for them. To pray for someone is to request that God would bless them. We can pray that God would grant an authority mercy and grace. We can pray that they would provide opportunities for us to obey God and spread the gospel. But we should pray for authorities over us, that effect our lives. (I Timothy 2:1-2)
Christian submission is paying proper taxes
Many governmental authorities require taxes. Rather than complain about it or despise the task, both Jesus and Paul encourage us to do it willingly, as part of our submission. As a part of respecting the authority that comes from God, paying taxes honors God. (Mark 12:14-17; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is willingly accepting unjust punishment
All authority metes out punishment. It is a part of being an authority. However, an authority can chose for themselves whether the punishment they give will be for right reasons or wrong ones. And they can determine if the punishment they give is gentle or harsh. The authority who punishes for God’s reasons and with gentleness will be rewarded by God. But the authority who is harsh and punishes even the righteous will be punished. (Luke 12:42-47)
The strangest thing about Christian virtue is that receiving harsh, unjust punishment from an evil authority—especially for the sake of following Jesus—is the basis for Christian joy. Jesus tells us to be glad when we suffer unjustly because we will be greatly rewarded by God on the final day for enduring it in love. For this reason, Jesus says, if we suffer under an unjust punishment, we should offer the evil authority even more of an opportunity to punish us. The more we are harmed, the more God will reward us (and the more evil the authority will seem—even in his own eyes!). (Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 12:17-21; I Peter 4:12-19)
Be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For you will gain God’s favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God you bear up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. What credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. I Peter 2:18-21
Essential Chrisitan Humility
What is Humility?
Humility has to do with honor. Honor is the respect we desire from others. When we do not receive the respect we feel we deserve, then we are humbled. We are in the one-down position—someone else has honor or respect over us. This is not acceptable to many of us. The virtue of humility means that we accept the position of being disrespected. If we are disrespected, that is okay with us. Of course, none of us can live in a state of disrespect. We all desire to have respect in our lives, and though we can’t always have it, ultimately, we will do all we can do to get it. That is how our minds work.
In Christian humility, however, we realize that we can receive honor even in our humility. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek” – or humbled—“for they will inherit the earth.” Those practicing Christian humility realize that God listens to and rewards the humble more than other people. Those who are disrespected for God on earth have God’s respect, and He will grant them honor, not only now in the heavens, but eternally. Thus, those who are dishonored now for the Lord can take confidence that God is Himself balancing the disrespect they receive with honor.
Many people have recordings going on in their heads, letting them know if what they are doing is honorable or dishonorable. Perhaps they are thinking of their family’s standards, or their friends’. The follower of Jesus, however, has the Holy Spirit speaking to them of what is honorable or dishonorable. If a Christian gives sacrificially to the needy, and those around the giver might accuse him or her of being irresponsible or weak-hearted. But the Holy Spirit would be encouraging one to sacrifice oneself for others, and telling Christians that God would honor one with greater treasure in replacement for the sacrifice.
The Practice of Humility
Humility isn’t just an ideal, that is hard to get one’s life around. It is very practical, and deals with our daily lives. Below are the principles of humility found in the New Testament, to help us navigate how we will live out humility in our lives:
Don’t insist on your rights
Though I have complete freedom, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I might gain more. (I Corinthians 9:19)
In our country, we emphasize freedom and liberty to do what we need to do so that we can be ourselves. We insist upon our rights so we can claim to be truly free. While we really do have the rights that our country gives us, freedom to do and say many things that makes us feel good and be who we really are, often God asks us to set aside these rights. For the sake of others, we may need to set aside our needs and desires. Perhaps we need to set aside our right to defend ourselves against slander or harm, in order to assist another (Mark 14:55-61). Perhaps we need to set aside a right to do as we please so another might not fall into sin (I Corinthians 8:13). Perhaps we need to set aside our right to speak so no one would not be harmed by our words (Ecclesiastes 5:6). We must look at our rights as something that we can have or set aside, depending on the situation.
Don’t seek greatness in the world
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you.” Mark 10:42-43
To be important in this world, you have to show that you are already important. You need degrees, titles and honors so that you can gain greater and greater significance in the world. To be a politician, one must put oneself forward. To be an executive, you have to already show yourself to be significant in business. To gain all but the lowest jobs, you have to show your “experience.” God wishes to give you great positions and honor, but to insist upon one’s own abilities and to gather many titles actually causes one to lose the possibility of advancement in God’s kingdom. Jesus tells us not to seek titles (Matthew 23:8-11) or honors (Luke 14:8-11) and as Christians we are not to boast in our accomplishments or abilities (Philippians 3:4-7).
Boast of your incapacities
If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. II Corinthians 11:30
Does this mean that we cannot boast at all? Oh, no. We are certainly able to boast, but not in our accomplishments or honors. Rather, we can boast in what we are unable to do. If we boast in our weaknesses and inabilities and those who have rejected us and the pain we endure, then we can see God’s work all the more clear. That does not mean that we should create a persona of “false humility”. We shouldn’t claim stupidity or rejection that we have never actually experienced. But we should speak of how God has fulfilled our weaknesses so we have been able to be who we are through his strength. (II Corinthians 12:9)
Repent of your sins
Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away. Acts 3:19
It is not easy to speak of one’s faults. It is humiliating to apologize, especially if you didn’t make all the mistakes. It is difficult to admit wrong, if no one else admits it first. But the Lord desires us to do just that. He wants us to humble ourselves and admit our sin, and then we will be forgiven. Without that humility, we will never be right before God. (Luke 18:9-14)
Honor the lowly
Those of the body which we deem less honorable, these we grant more abundant honor. I Corinthians 12:23
There are many among us that are considered unimportant or unacceptable. They are in this place, not because of sin, but because of some social “fault” or misunderstanding. You know how it goes—if you hang with the “in” crowd, then you can be “in”. But if you hang with the “out” crowd, then you will be rejected too. But Jesus gave us an example to hang with the “out” crowd (Mark 2:15-17). We need to find those socially unacceptable people, and serve them, support them and grant them a place of honor that others would not do (James 2:5-6; Luke 15). Also, we need to treat those who are under us in honor with greater honor than ourselves—our children, our employees, our spouses, they all need to be treated with greater honor than we ourselves expect from others (Philippians 2:3)
Do demeaning tasks
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
If we want God’s honor, we have to do the work associated with humility. There are things we don’t want to do, that we think we shouldn’t have to do. And that’s what God is asking us to do to gain his honor. He wants us to do the work that is helpful but unpleasant. He wants us to accept the unacceptable tasks for the sake of everyone. (Philippians 2:4-5)
Submit to unjust authorities
“Do not resist an evil authority.” Matthew 5:39
One last thing, God insists that we humble ourselves before those who want to show us how important they are by making us crawl. Yes, they are irritating. Yes, they are sooooo wrong. Yes, they have no right to treat us the way they do. But God asks us to submit to it anyway. Why is this? Because God likes to see us humiliated? No. It is because he wants to see in reality who is really righteous. If we rebel against an unjust authority, then the lines of right and wrong are fuzzy. Perhaps we deserved to be punished. But if we submit when we did nothing wrong, then God knows who is right and who is wrong. And who will be ultimately punished. (Matthew 5:38-41; Romans 12:19-21)
Humble yourself and God will honor you.
Humility has to do with honor. Honor is the respect we desire from others. When we do not receive the respect we feel we deserve, then we are humbled. We are in the one-down position—someone else has honor or respect over us. This is not acceptable to many of us. The virtue of humility means that we accept the position of being disrespected. If we are disrespected, that is okay with us. Of course, none of us can live in a state of disrespect. We all desire to have respect in our lives, and though we can’t always have it, ultimately, we will do all we can do to get it. That is how our minds work.
In Christian humility, however, we realize that we can receive honor even in our humility. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek” – or humbled—“for they will inherit the earth.” Those practicing Christian humility realize that God listens to and rewards the humble more than other people. Those who are disrespected for God on earth have God’s respect, and He will grant them honor, not only now in the heavens, but eternally. Thus, those who are dishonored now for the Lord can take confidence that God is Himself balancing the disrespect they receive with honor.
Many people have recordings going on in their heads, letting them know if what they are doing is honorable or dishonorable. Perhaps they are thinking of their family’s standards, or their friends’. The follower of Jesus, however, has the Holy Spirit speaking to them of what is honorable or dishonorable. If a Christian gives sacrificially to the needy, and those around the giver might accuse him or her of being irresponsible or weak-hearted. But the Holy Spirit would be encouraging one to sacrifice oneself for others, and telling Christians that God would honor one with greater treasure in replacement for the sacrifice.
The Practice of Humility
Humility isn’t just an ideal, that is hard to get one’s life around. It is very practical, and deals with our daily lives. Below are the principles of humility found in the New Testament, to help us navigate how we will live out humility in our lives:
Don’t insist on your rights
Though I have complete freedom, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I might gain more. (I Corinthians 9:19)
In our country, we emphasize freedom and liberty to do what we need to do so that we can be ourselves. We insist upon our rights so we can claim to be truly free. While we really do have the rights that our country gives us, freedom to do and say many things that makes us feel good and be who we really are, often God asks us to set aside these rights. For the sake of others, we may need to set aside our needs and desires. Perhaps we need to set aside our right to defend ourselves against slander or harm, in order to assist another (Mark 14:55-61). Perhaps we need to set aside a right to do as we please so another might not fall into sin (I Corinthians 8:13). Perhaps we need to set aside our right to speak so no one would not be harmed by our words (Ecclesiastes 5:6). We must look at our rights as something that we can have or set aside, depending on the situation.
Don’t seek greatness in the world
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you.” Mark 10:42-43
To be important in this world, you have to show that you are already important. You need degrees, titles and honors so that you can gain greater and greater significance in the world. To be a politician, one must put oneself forward. To be an executive, you have to already show yourself to be significant in business. To gain all but the lowest jobs, you have to show your “experience.” God wishes to give you great positions and honor, but to insist upon one’s own abilities and to gather many titles actually causes one to lose the possibility of advancement in God’s kingdom. Jesus tells us not to seek titles (Matthew 23:8-11) or honors (Luke 14:8-11) and as Christians we are not to boast in our accomplishments or abilities (Philippians 3:4-7).
Boast of your incapacities
If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. II Corinthians 11:30
Does this mean that we cannot boast at all? Oh, no. We are certainly able to boast, but not in our accomplishments or honors. Rather, we can boast in what we are unable to do. If we boast in our weaknesses and inabilities and those who have rejected us and the pain we endure, then we can see God’s work all the more clear. That does not mean that we should create a persona of “false humility”. We shouldn’t claim stupidity or rejection that we have never actually experienced. But we should speak of how God has fulfilled our weaknesses so we have been able to be who we are through his strength. (II Corinthians 12:9)
Repent of your sins
Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away. Acts 3:19
It is not easy to speak of one’s faults. It is humiliating to apologize, especially if you didn’t make all the mistakes. It is difficult to admit wrong, if no one else admits it first. But the Lord desires us to do just that. He wants us to humble ourselves and admit our sin, and then we will be forgiven. Without that humility, we will never be right before God. (Luke 18:9-14)
Honor the lowly
Those of the body which we deem less honorable, these we grant more abundant honor. I Corinthians 12:23
There are many among us that are considered unimportant or unacceptable. They are in this place, not because of sin, but because of some social “fault” or misunderstanding. You know how it goes—if you hang with the “in” crowd, then you can be “in”. But if you hang with the “out” crowd, then you will be rejected too. But Jesus gave us an example to hang with the “out” crowd (Mark 2:15-17). We need to find those socially unacceptable people, and serve them, support them and grant them a place of honor that others would not do (James 2:5-6; Luke 15). Also, we need to treat those who are under us in honor with greater honor than ourselves—our children, our employees, our spouses, they all need to be treated with greater honor than we ourselves expect from others (Philippians 2:3)
Do demeaning tasks
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
If we want God’s honor, we have to do the work associated with humility. There are things we don’t want to do, that we think we shouldn’t have to do. And that’s what God is asking us to do to gain his honor. He wants us to do the work that is helpful but unpleasant. He wants us to accept the unacceptable tasks for the sake of everyone. (Philippians 2:4-5)
Submit to unjust authorities
“Do not resist an evil authority.” Matthew 5:39
One last thing, God insists that we humble ourselves before those who want to show us how important they are by making us crawl. Yes, they are irritating. Yes, they are sooooo wrong. Yes, they have no right to treat us the way they do. But God asks us to submit to it anyway. Why is this? Because God likes to see us humiliated? No. It is because he wants to see in reality who is really righteous. If we rebel against an unjust authority, then the lines of right and wrong are fuzzy. Perhaps we deserved to be punished. But if we submit when we did nothing wrong, then God knows who is right and who is wrong. And who will be ultimately punished. (Matthew 5:38-41; Romans 12:19-21)
Humble yourself and God will honor you.
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