Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you, 15
but if you do not forgive others their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Please tell me I am wrong. There is much less forgiveness the further we get from Christ.
Don't get me wrong. Racial slurs, dog fighting, human trafficking and the like are abhorrent. They should be condemned. But does this mean that we simply refuse to accept apologies, give people time to repent or change? Why are we so quick to condemn? Are we afraid that forgiveness might reveal a secret tolerance we have toward these things?
I don't know the answer why but I do know what Jesus said on the subject. We are to forgive if we ever have nay hope of forgiving. I must forgive those things which are so close to my own heart.
I have hated abortion but I have listened to those who had abortions. They cry out for forgiveness which they can't give themselves. I tell them that they are forgiven. I tell them that they can again walk with their heads high. I tell them of Jesus' sacrifice that made this all possible. I hate abortion but I don't hate those who have had abortions. They come to me and I tell them that they are forgiven even though they can never see their babies until they get to heaven.
But somehow people have gotten the idea that there are certain things which they will not forgive. They allow spouses to be forgiven for adultery. They allow someone who has killed to be fully forgiven. They cry out for tolerance. Then they deny forgiveness in their own political or socially acceptable groups. They deny forgiveness while demanding tolerance. Can anyone see a conflict here?
So, forgiveness is a great trait when it doesn't violate what a majority of people hate. To hell with the people who violate the standard of the majority. Can you see the danger in that?
I preach that identifying with Jesus is the only way to know God. I tell people that Jesus came so that that message could be preached. I tell them that it is their only hope. What happens when that is no longer tolerated. Forgiveness is part of toleration or have people missed that too? Forgiveness is part of patience. Forgiveness is a part of hope.
A couple of years ago I wrote a blog titled, "Michael Vick Doesn't Deserve Forgiveness." Some people misunderstood. I was saying that we should forgive Michael Vick. I was saying that none of us deserves forgiveness because forgiveness is a gift. I have since realized that forgiveness is a responsibility too.
But this doesn't appear to be the society we are in. We condemn for eternity without a trial.
In the end we will find that we, too, will be condemned.
Wrong is wrong. Our view of wrong shouldn't change. Justice is exacting a penalty for the wrong. We should be people of justice. Forgiveness is putting ultimate justice in God's hands. Forgiveness refuses to seek revenge and hopes for repentance.
What happens to a society which loses its forgiveness? I am afraid we will soon find out.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Why Such a Bleak Future Expected among Young People
Proverbs 6:6-11 (ESV)
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
I read a couple of teen novels lately. Both presented a dystopian future. Both novels are wildly popular among the teens. It helped me understand what is going on among a lot of young people their age and somewhat older. They are living in the moment because their vision of the future is bleak.
Our culture today is creating many people in the younger generations who do not wait nor do they want to work for what they are enjoying. They spend what they have right away. They do not invest in education or relationships. They are sexually active without any commitment. They are in huge debt and depending upon government handouts to continue their present lifestyle. They are irresponsible in their living. They are creating the dystopian future I read of in the teen novels.
There was a time when people said, "Study hard; work hard, pray hard and you will find yourself doing much better than you could imagine." Why have we stopped saying that? Why aren't we preparing for a better future? Have we lost the value of hard work?
I see this among many of the young ministers too. They don't want to go to school to learn the disciplines of those who came before them. They have no interest in Greek and Hebrew. They don't care about solid hermeneutics. They don't want to hear the history of the church's past. They believe that they can start a new church and have thousands coming within a few years without studying any of this. They don't care that those who follow them have a weaker theology than they have. They don't care that they haven't made disciples of Christ. They want to be successful without the baggage of biblical standards of excellence.
This is all a huge example of selfishness when you think about it. They want things they have never earned. They seek blessings without the grace of Christ. They want what they want now without drinking from the cup they have been given.
Maybe that's why many of these churches started by those who didn't prepare preach messages to young people which demands no commitment. These messages tell them that God has wonderful plans for them without any commitment on their part. In fact, they can leave their lifestyle unscathed by the presence of Christ in their lives. They can continue to be as sinful as they want because God's love will cover it all.
I wonder if these people are falling away as fast as they come to believe in this fairy godmother god. This god requires nothing and gives nothing but the best. How long do they live this way before they realize the emptiness that this produces? And when they do, where do they turn?
Maybe they consider a dystopian future. This is the emptiest future they can imagine. It reveals the acts of the flesh without the grace of God. It hopes in a savior who will change this future.
O yes, these teen novels do hope in a savior. This savior comes to rescue them from their future without any commitment on their part. When will anyone learn that this is the reason for such a bleak future? Changing the moment will not change anything as long as the flesh remains in control.
Have you ever heard of someone who won the lottery who was bankrupt in a few years? Their millions are gone. They have no friends. They never changed the way they lived and thus reaped the same future they already had despite a respite given by millions of dollars. The problem was never the amount of money they had. Their problem was how they treated the money. The flesh did not change so the future followed the same path.
But I imagine a much different future for people I want them to completely commit themselves to God and His disciplines. These committed people seek Him in the good times as well as in the bad. They always prepare by obeying Him in every day. They pray, believe and work. They see a much better future than they could imagine without God.
Yes, I know that is swimming upstream in this culture. I know that it will not fill my church like telling them of a God who loves without any commitment expected from them. I know that it takes hard work to produce a culture of people whose whole outlook is changed from bleak to bright. I know but I believe it is the only true future which is better than the one they have imagined.
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
I read a couple of teen novels lately. Both presented a dystopian future. Both novels are wildly popular among the teens. It helped me understand what is going on among a lot of young people their age and somewhat older. They are living in the moment because their vision of the future is bleak.
Our culture today is creating many people in the younger generations who do not wait nor do they want to work for what they are enjoying. They spend what they have right away. They do not invest in education or relationships. They are sexually active without any commitment. They are in huge debt and depending upon government handouts to continue their present lifestyle. They are irresponsible in their living. They are creating the dystopian future I read of in the teen novels.
There was a time when people said, "Study hard; work hard, pray hard and you will find yourself doing much better than you could imagine." Why have we stopped saying that? Why aren't we preparing for a better future? Have we lost the value of hard work?
I see this among many of the young ministers too. They don't want to go to school to learn the disciplines of those who came before them. They have no interest in Greek and Hebrew. They don't care about solid hermeneutics. They don't want to hear the history of the church's past. They believe that they can start a new church and have thousands coming within a few years without studying any of this. They don't care that those who follow them have a weaker theology than they have. They don't care that they haven't made disciples of Christ. They want to be successful without the baggage of biblical standards of excellence.
This is all a huge example of selfishness when you think about it. They want things they have never earned. They seek blessings without the grace of Christ. They want what they want now without drinking from the cup they have been given.
Maybe that's why many of these churches started by those who didn't prepare preach messages to young people which demands no commitment. These messages tell them that God has wonderful plans for them without any commitment on their part. In fact, they can leave their lifestyle unscathed by the presence of Christ in their lives. They can continue to be as sinful as they want because God's love will cover it all.
I wonder if these people are falling away as fast as they come to believe in this fairy godmother god. This god requires nothing and gives nothing but the best. How long do they live this way before they realize the emptiness that this produces? And when they do, where do they turn?
Maybe they consider a dystopian future. This is the emptiest future they can imagine. It reveals the acts of the flesh without the grace of God. It hopes in a savior who will change this future.
O yes, these teen novels do hope in a savior. This savior comes to rescue them from their future without any commitment on their part. When will anyone learn that this is the reason for such a bleak future? Changing the moment will not change anything as long as the flesh remains in control.
Have you ever heard of someone who won the lottery who was bankrupt in a few years? Their millions are gone. They have no friends. They never changed the way they lived and thus reaped the same future they already had despite a respite given by millions of dollars. The problem was never the amount of money they had. Their problem was how they treated the money. The flesh did not change so the future followed the same path.
But I imagine a much different future for people I want them to completely commit themselves to God and His disciplines. These committed people seek Him in the good times as well as in the bad. They always prepare by obeying Him in every day. They pray, believe and work. They see a much better future than they could imagine without God.
Yes, I know that is swimming upstream in this culture. I know that it will not fill my church like telling them of a God who loves without any commitment expected from them. I know that it takes hard work to produce a culture of people whose whole outlook is changed from bleak to bright. I know but I believe it is the only true future which is better than the one they have imagined.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Feeling Ugly, Unloved, Unworthy and Useless
I know that somewhere there are people who aren't carrying the baggage of their past. They don't care how they look. They make friends who never betray them. These friends unite around each other to encourage each other in whatever they try. These people feel like they can do whatever they need to do and are making a significant contribution to their environment. I am sure that these people exist somewhere but I don't know any of them.
We are not born into this world with a blank slate. We have our genetics, our environment, our heritage, our talents and our physiques. These shape much of what we do and what we become. They tell us how to think about ourselves. It is how our sin nature as well as the glory in which God created us responds. The sin nature is so strong that we tend to believe it before we see God's glory in ourselves.
Thus, each word and action which tears us down and tells us that we are broken is received, internalized and lived over and over again. We are somewhat obsessive in our desire to for compliments yet never believe one of them. Every night we think we are telling ourselves the truth when we say we are ugly, unloved, unworthy and useless.
Some of us go to churches who preach these destructive thoughts right back to us. This preaching confirms what we already know about ourselves. We love to have a preacher who tells us what great sinners we are. It makes us comfortable because it doesn't challenge what we think we are. It allows us to continue to condemn ourselves and this is something we can really do well.
Of course, this isn't really what we need to hear. We need to hear what God says about us. It is impossible for God to lie. His love is proved toward us because He saw our brokenness and did something about it. He sent Jesus who would tell us how much God loved us. He took from being of the world and made us only in this world for a time. He gave us hope and purpose.
Yet, sometimes we revert back to our old ways of thinking. We let our old memories flood back when we were either condemned by others or felt like we failed and beat ourselves up one more time. We may not be suicidal but we really don't care about life much either.
That is one of the reasons why it is so important to talk to God every day. He didn't send Jesus to condemn the world and He isn't interested in condemning us either. He seeks to redeem us. He wants to buy us back from all of our destructive memories and reveal within us His glory.
Each one of us is precious to God. He takes us gently into His hands and polishes us until we shine. He removes the grit and grime of this world to present us as we really are. We hear His words of love as He tells us we are beautiful and faithful in His purpose if we stay with Him long enough.
I should pray and resolve to let God place His balm upon my wounds and be healed. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Let God return us to this thought again and again. Sometimes the grievous way in us is the one we do to ourselves.
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
We are not born into this world with a blank slate. We have our genetics, our environment, our heritage, our talents and our physiques. These shape much of what we do and what we become. They tell us how to think about ourselves. It is how our sin nature as well as the glory in which God created us responds. The sin nature is so strong that we tend to believe it before we see God's glory in ourselves.
Thus, each word and action which tears us down and tells us that we are broken is received, internalized and lived over and over again. We are somewhat obsessive in our desire to for compliments yet never believe one of them. Every night we think we are telling ourselves the truth when we say we are ugly, unloved, unworthy and useless.
Some of us go to churches who preach these destructive thoughts right back to us. This preaching confirms what we already know about ourselves. We love to have a preacher who tells us what great sinners we are. It makes us comfortable because it doesn't challenge what we think we are. It allows us to continue to condemn ourselves and this is something we can really do well.
Of course, this isn't really what we need to hear. We need to hear what God says about us. It is impossible for God to lie. His love is proved toward us because He saw our brokenness and did something about it. He sent Jesus who would tell us how much God loved us. He took from being of the world and made us only in this world for a time. He gave us hope and purpose.
Yet, sometimes we revert back to our old ways of thinking. We let our old memories flood back when we were either condemned by others or felt like we failed and beat ourselves up one more time. We may not be suicidal but we really don't care about life much either.
That is one of the reasons why it is so important to talk to God every day. He didn't send Jesus to condemn the world and He isn't interested in condemning us either. He seeks to redeem us. He wants to buy us back from all of our destructive memories and reveal within us His glory.
Each one of us is precious to God. He takes us gently into His hands and polishes us until we shine. He removes the grit and grime of this world to present us as we really are. We hear His words of love as He tells us we are beautiful and faithful in His purpose if we stay with Him long enough.
I should pray and resolve to let God place His balm upon my wounds and be healed. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Let God return us to this thought again and again. Sometimes the grievous way in us is the one we do to ourselves.
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
What Posture Should Be Used for Prayer?
If I say, "Let us pray," I can count on everyone in the room bowing their heads. Most will also close their eyes. I don't have to tell them to assume the position of prayer. I wonder if we have taken prayer for granted and the bowing of the head is more of a ritual than an act of humility. I wonder how many people listen as others pray. I wonder how many join in the prayers of others as they pray.
No, you don't have to bow your head or close your eyes to pray. I told Jesus I needed Him (as my Savior) while I was driving a 1966 Mustang. I neither bowed my head nor closed my eyes. I might have met Jesus in a very different way that afternoon if I had closed my eyes. The Bible records several different postures while people prayed.
Standing while praying:
Mark 11:25 (ESV)
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Bowing and kneeling while praying:
Psalm 95:6 (ESV)
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Prostrate while praying:
Matthew 26:39 (ESV)
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Spreading out hands while praying:
Isaiah 1:15 (ESV)
15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
Looking upward while praying:
John 11:41 (ESV)
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
While I realize that the posture the people praying took reflected the position they assumed in their hearts toward God, I don't believe that a certain position was necessary for them to pray. I was driving when I asked to know Jesus. My heart was prostrate but my body was sitting up driving a car.
Thus, you may pray with eyes opened on closed. You may pray standing, sitting or lying prostrate on your face. You may look up or bow your head. You may kneel. You do not have to assume any posture but there is a likelihood that the position of the body may fully reveal the position of the heart.
I often am asked to pray with people. I like to take their hands because I want to physically touch them as I pray. I want to make a connection with them. I want them to know that I am not merely saying some words but am joining them in their prayer. I often ask people to join me in prayer. I usually say, "Pray with me." I am not concerned with whether or not people have bowed their heads. I truly believe that we are gathered in His name and join together in order to have Him among us. Nothing says that I or anyone else has to assume a posture in order for that to happen.
So, pray while driving but don't close your eyes.
No, you don't have to bow your head or close your eyes to pray. I told Jesus I needed Him (as my Savior) while I was driving a 1966 Mustang. I neither bowed my head nor closed my eyes. I might have met Jesus in a very different way that afternoon if I had closed my eyes. The Bible records several different postures while people prayed.
Standing while praying:
Mark 11:25 (ESV)
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Bowing and kneeling while praying:
Psalm 95:6 (ESV)
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Prostrate while praying:
Matthew 26:39 (ESV)
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Spreading out hands while praying:
Isaiah 1:15 (ESV)
15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
Looking upward while praying:
John 11:41 (ESV)
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
While I realize that the posture the people praying took reflected the position they assumed in their hearts toward God, I don't believe that a certain position was necessary for them to pray. I was driving when I asked to know Jesus. My heart was prostrate but my body was sitting up driving a car.
Thus, you may pray with eyes opened on closed. You may pray standing, sitting or lying prostrate on your face. You may look up or bow your head. You may kneel. You do not have to assume any posture but there is a likelihood that the position of the body may fully reveal the position of the heart.
I often am asked to pray with people. I like to take their hands because I want to physically touch them as I pray. I want to make a connection with them. I want them to know that I am not merely saying some words but am joining them in their prayer. I often ask people to join me in prayer. I usually say, "Pray with me." I am not concerned with whether or not people have bowed their heads. I truly believe that we are gathered in His name and join together in order to have Him among us. Nothing says that I or anyone else has to assume a posture in order for that to happen.
So, pray while driving but don't close your eyes.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Should We End Our Prayers "In Jesus Name?"
John 14:13-14 (ESV)
13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Some people believe that adding the words "in Jesus name" to their prayers will assure that they will be answered. This is akin to Aladdin finding a lamp with a genie in it. He rubs the lamp which releases the genie. The genie is compelled to grant Aladdin three wishes in appreciation of his freedom. The genie has no say in the matter. It doesn't matter if the wishes are good for Aladdin or not. The genie simply fulfills the wishes.
Therefore, those who believe that adding "in Jesus name" to their prayers guarantees a positive answer are using these words as leverage against God. These are the magic words. They are the rubbing of the lamp. They force God into giving them exactly what they want regardless of God's desires.
Who is God when if anyone can force Him into their desired action? This is not a matter of faith, God's will or whether or not it is the best thing for us. It can be done in pride, in order to hurt someone else, be full of selfishness and can ignore any worship of God. I can't help but believe that this angers God if these words are intended to force His hand. He will not respond positively when we call someone else God-especially if that someone is us!
There are things that we must remember about God when we pray. He is sovereign. He is not going to stop being so when we pray. He is jealous for our love and devotion. He will not share it with us. He is good. He will not do things to harm us. He is holy. He will not do anything evil. He is pure. He will not be tempted to answer our prayers like we want just so He can be proved to be God. He doesn't need to be proved. He is God. Yes, that is the final answer.
On the other hand, saying these words at the end of a prayer can also remind us that we are praying in His name in a totally different way. Saying these words can remind us that we are seeking His will in our request. We are bowing to that will and remaining humble to what He wants for us.
Words are powerful. They same words can be used for good or evil. The intent of the words makes the difference. Ending our prayers "in Jesus name" can easily be the most respectful way to pray if we remember who God is. It can be a request to have Jesus enter into the prayer with us. He, then, can refuse our prayer and still receive our praises.
So, most of the time I end my prayers "in Jesus name." I seek His will and praise Him for the answer even when the answer is not what I would have wanted. And just like Garth Brooks I end up thanking Him for "unanswered prayers."
13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Some people believe that adding the words "in Jesus name" to their prayers will assure that they will be answered. This is akin to Aladdin finding a lamp with a genie in it. He rubs the lamp which releases the genie. The genie is compelled to grant Aladdin three wishes in appreciation of his freedom. The genie has no say in the matter. It doesn't matter if the wishes are good for Aladdin or not. The genie simply fulfills the wishes.
Therefore, those who believe that adding "in Jesus name" to their prayers guarantees a positive answer are using these words as leverage against God. These are the magic words. They are the rubbing of the lamp. They force God into giving them exactly what they want regardless of God's desires.
Who is God when if anyone can force Him into their desired action? This is not a matter of faith, God's will or whether or not it is the best thing for us. It can be done in pride, in order to hurt someone else, be full of selfishness and can ignore any worship of God. I can't help but believe that this angers God if these words are intended to force His hand. He will not respond positively when we call someone else God-especially if that someone is us!
There are things that we must remember about God when we pray. He is sovereign. He is not going to stop being so when we pray. He is jealous for our love and devotion. He will not share it with us. He is good. He will not do things to harm us. He is holy. He will not do anything evil. He is pure. He will not be tempted to answer our prayers like we want just so He can be proved to be God. He doesn't need to be proved. He is God. Yes, that is the final answer.
On the other hand, saying these words at the end of a prayer can also remind us that we are praying in His name in a totally different way. Saying these words can remind us that we are seeking His will in our request. We are bowing to that will and remaining humble to what He wants for us.
Words are powerful. They same words can be used for good or evil. The intent of the words makes the difference. Ending our prayers "in Jesus name" can easily be the most respectful way to pray if we remember who God is. It can be a request to have Jesus enter into the prayer with us. He, then, can refuse our prayer and still receive our praises.
So, most of the time I end my prayers "in Jesus name." I seek His will and praise Him for the answer even when the answer is not what I would have wanted. And just like Garth Brooks I end up thanking Him for "unanswered prayers."
Sunday, April 20, 2014
You Must Give Peace More than a Chance
Colossians 3:15 (ESV)
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Peace is the absence of conflict? I suppose we could say that because humanity does not know true peace. The truth is that there is no peace unless there is peace in your heart. Conflict may be present on the surface but peace prevails underneath.
For example: Who can say that the brutal arrest, beating and crucifixion of Jesus was peace as seen from those who watched it? But does that mean that Jesus had no peace in His heart? The peace in His heart never left Him. His peace was being at peace with His Father and His fellow man just as it is with us. He was willing to be beaten because of the peace which was in His heart. He was establishing peace even as He was crucified.
Sometimes people look at the words of Jesus toward the Pharisees and fail to see the peace in His heart. He was speaking to them in a way to bring them to His peace. He was speaking so that those who heard Him knew the price that must be paid for peace. Peace was in His heart and was at the center of His confrontation of these people.
I had to speak sternly to my children on the occasion of their disobedience when they were young. My heart was at peace and I wanted peace for them. Honestly, I wanted my children to live at peace when I would no longer be there to remind them. I didn't speak sternly to hurt them nor to bring animosity between them and me. I didn't speak to them thus to acerbate a distance between us. I was willing to allow them to feel emotionally hurt if it helped correct their behavior. I never stopped loving them nor did my desires for their good ever cease. I had peace in my heart nearly every time I spoke to them in this manner.
However, on a few occasions I allowed chaos rather than peace reign in my heart because I gave into the flesh and let my emotions speak rather than His Spirit. I apologized to my children for those times. My action toward them did not represent peace in my heart. I let the flesh reign rather than the peace of Christ.
This is an extremely mature attitude when others do not have peace in their hearts. Many times people want to draw you into their conflict because they disagree with you. They may not like what the Bible says and want to call you names (unloving, intolerant, etc.) because you have taken a stand. You can let peace fly out the window and meet them at their level of aggression or you can let peace reign and stay the course without withdrawing your desire to act in love.
You are not spinning a roulette wheel and hoping the little ball lands on peace. It takes a heart that is conditioned to act in peace before it acts in conflict. It takes a heart completely at peace with God and a commitment to be at peace with others. It takes the denial of the flesh that demands revenge for every wrong and domination in every challenge. it takes humility that does not reflect the flesh at all. It takes a character that reveals someone who is being formed into the image of Christ. It takes more than the peace that you can muster. It takes the peace that only He can give you. It is the peace of Christ.
It is easy to say you have the peace of Christ in your heart as long as everyone does as you please. It takes the real peace of Christ in your heart when they don't. It is more than giving peace a chance. It is determining to have the peace of Christ in your heart no matter what.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Peace is the absence of conflict? I suppose we could say that because humanity does not know true peace. The truth is that there is no peace unless there is peace in your heart. Conflict may be present on the surface but peace prevails underneath.
For example: Who can say that the brutal arrest, beating and crucifixion of Jesus was peace as seen from those who watched it? But does that mean that Jesus had no peace in His heart? The peace in His heart never left Him. His peace was being at peace with His Father and His fellow man just as it is with us. He was willing to be beaten because of the peace which was in His heart. He was establishing peace even as He was crucified.
Sometimes people look at the words of Jesus toward the Pharisees and fail to see the peace in His heart. He was speaking to them in a way to bring them to His peace. He was speaking so that those who heard Him knew the price that must be paid for peace. Peace was in His heart and was at the center of His confrontation of these people.
I had to speak sternly to my children on the occasion of their disobedience when they were young. My heart was at peace and I wanted peace for them. Honestly, I wanted my children to live at peace when I would no longer be there to remind them. I didn't speak sternly to hurt them nor to bring animosity between them and me. I didn't speak to them thus to acerbate a distance between us. I was willing to allow them to feel emotionally hurt if it helped correct their behavior. I never stopped loving them nor did my desires for their good ever cease. I had peace in my heart nearly every time I spoke to them in this manner.
However, on a few occasions I allowed chaos rather than peace reign in my heart because I gave into the flesh and let my emotions speak rather than His Spirit. I apologized to my children for those times. My action toward them did not represent peace in my heart. I let the flesh reign rather than the peace of Christ.
This is an extremely mature attitude when others do not have peace in their hearts. Many times people want to draw you into their conflict because they disagree with you. They may not like what the Bible says and want to call you names (unloving, intolerant, etc.) because you have taken a stand. You can let peace fly out the window and meet them at their level of aggression or you can let peace reign and stay the course without withdrawing your desire to act in love.
You are not spinning a roulette wheel and hoping the little ball lands on peace. It takes a heart that is conditioned to act in peace before it acts in conflict. It takes a heart completely at peace with God and a commitment to be at peace with others. It takes the denial of the flesh that demands revenge for every wrong and domination in every challenge. it takes humility that does not reflect the flesh at all. It takes a character that reveals someone who is being formed into the image of Christ. It takes more than the peace that you can muster. It takes the peace that only He can give you. It is the peace of Christ.
It is easy to say you have the peace of Christ in your heart as long as everyone does as you please. It takes the real peace of Christ in your heart when they don't. It is more than giving peace a chance. It is determining to have the peace of Christ in your heart no matter what.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
The Responsibility of the Gospel
About fifteen to twenty years ago I went on a mission trip to Mongolia. I was sent to a village named Zoan Ma'ad. (This may not be the proper spelling but it is how the name sounded phonetically.) I took with me to this village one man from my church who had never been on a mission trip before. The missionary in that region said that he had never ministered in there before. Our responsibility was to see if there was any interest in the gospel and start a church. We were dropped off and promised we would be retrieved in five days. We were on our own. The law prevented us from going door-to-door. (more like hut-to-hut)
The missionary took us to the hut where we would lodge and left. I had Bob, the one who came with me from the states and a translator. The gospel had to go out in five days and I decided we had to go hut to hut right away. So we did.
Every person we encountered was very welcoming. They wanted to hear what we had to say about Jesus. They had never ever heard of Him. Many of them would say, "O, he is like Buddha." I would deny this and start the gospel story again.
One day we got a small portable tv which had a VHS player attached. We hooked it up and played the story of Jesus. It was translated into Mongolian. The people actually jumped when they heard their own language. Most of their tv programs came from Russia and were in Russian. I counted forty-eight people in a room that measured about 12 X 20 feet. They were all standing around a 5" tv. No one left through the whole program.
I asked if they would like to hear more. Nearly all of them said yes. I realized that we had just started a church. Not everyone of them thought it was something they would accept but some of them did.
Paul's story at Athens reminds me of that time in Mongolia. He used what he had to tell the gospel. They were very interested. Some would think it made no sense and others would realize the truth. Paul's story is an unlikely scenario. Who in an area with so many gods would accept having only one God? Why should they believe?
I went into an area that had no god. Most of the people believed in superstitions but I couldn't say that they really believed in Buddha or anyone else. They lived and expected to die. They created their own means of believing in an afterlife. Mostly though, they believed nothing.
We never know who will receive the gospel. We simply have to use what we have and put it in God's hands. Some will receive, believe and identify with the Lord. Others will simply walk away.
Tomorrow is Easter. Many people will come because that is what is expected. They will walk out the same as they entered. If they believed before, they will still believe. If they didn't, coming to church won't affect them. But some will "hear" the gospel for the first time. I will present it according to the times we are facing. I believe that people without Jesus are living empty lives. I don't see how they can turn away from Jesus if they are honest with themselves.
Yet, I and we must continue to share the good news of Jesus even if no one accepts Him. We don't know who will and who won't. This determination is not our responsibility. Telling the gospel is.
Acts 17:32-34 (ESV)
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
The missionary took us to the hut where we would lodge and left. I had Bob, the one who came with me from the states and a translator. The gospel had to go out in five days and I decided we had to go hut to hut right away. So we did.
Every person we encountered was very welcoming. They wanted to hear what we had to say about Jesus. They had never ever heard of Him. Many of them would say, "O, he is like Buddha." I would deny this and start the gospel story again.
One day we got a small portable tv which had a VHS player attached. We hooked it up and played the story of Jesus. It was translated into Mongolian. The people actually jumped when they heard their own language. Most of their tv programs came from Russia and were in Russian. I counted forty-eight people in a room that measured about 12 X 20 feet. They were all standing around a 5" tv. No one left through the whole program.
I asked if they would like to hear more. Nearly all of them said yes. I realized that we had just started a church. Not everyone of them thought it was something they would accept but some of them did.
Paul's story at Athens reminds me of that time in Mongolia. He used what he had to tell the gospel. They were very interested. Some would think it made no sense and others would realize the truth. Paul's story is an unlikely scenario. Who in an area with so many gods would accept having only one God? Why should they believe?
I went into an area that had no god. Most of the people believed in superstitions but I couldn't say that they really believed in Buddha or anyone else. They lived and expected to die. They created their own means of believing in an afterlife. Mostly though, they believed nothing.
We never know who will receive the gospel. We simply have to use what we have and put it in God's hands. Some will receive, believe and identify with the Lord. Others will simply walk away.
Tomorrow is Easter. Many people will come because that is what is expected. They will walk out the same as they entered. If they believed before, they will still believe. If they didn't, coming to church won't affect them. But some will "hear" the gospel for the first time. I will present it according to the times we are facing. I believe that people without Jesus are living empty lives. I don't see how they can turn away from Jesus if they are honest with themselves.
Yet, I and we must continue to share the good news of Jesus even if no one accepts Him. We don't know who will and who won't. This determination is not our responsibility. Telling the gospel is.
Acts 17:32-34 (ESV)
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
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