Suffer for Christ?

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.

Yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble to pick up some books to take to the beach. My wife,Evie, and I are retroactively celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary with a four night stay in Blue Mountain Beach Florida and we are going to chill, exercise, read, pray and eat! By ourselves, I might add. Anyhow, as I browsed the Christianity section, I was struck by the titles and core messages of many of the books in the section. The books promised the Christian that every day they would feel good, get promotions, ride high on the hog, look good and feel great. About the only thing I didn't see was Abraham's 8 minute abs or Samuel's stock plan. Okay, maybe I am stretching it just a bit, but maybe not. The bible itself actually offers us one thing: To pick up our cross (an instrument of Death) and follow Christ. It offers us a love with commitment, and that commitment is to walk in the world as Christ did, with an anticipation of a Spiritual resurrection that brings us back to the Father's arms forever. If you look at the verse above it points us back to the truth that as Christ lived, he suffered for us, he didn't come to get rich, have every day feel like a Friday, or fuss over "spiritual gifts". He came to suffer as a sacrifice for the sins of men. Guess what? He calls us to do the same. "Bear others burdens" the bible says. Paul says it best in Philippians 3:10 "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death". What is Paul saying? He is saying that this world has nothing for Him, except an opportunity to build the Kingdom of Christ. He lives to die and suffer, just like Christ did, so that sinners can see the beauty of the sacrifice of the Cross. Suffering for the name of Christ is the primary avenue to know Christ. That is a stark contrast with the contemporary promises of God being more interested in your bank account and comfort than His name, or the lost. Now even as I type this, I am convicted of how easy it is to drift into a life in 2012 complacency. My flesh doesn't want to suffer and sacrifice, it wants to be made much of. That is the point, Christianity promises to put the flesh and the desires of this World to death, not inflate them, so that the spirit can blossom. That is the model of Christ and the driving purpose of Christianity- make much of Christ at all costs. Is that happening in your life, or are you trying to use Christianity to help you build your kingdom here on Earth? That is a razor thin line that only you and God can answer. Be careful thinking the sacrifice of the Son of God is solely for your advancement. It's primary purpose is that the whole world will give praise to the Son! This will not come with casual Church participation or focus on ourselves. It will come if we walk as Jesus did, willing to give our lives for the Father's love and will! The best way to see your righteousness may be to look inside your heart and see if there is a desire to suffer for the unrighteous, or unredeemed sinners. I am convinced the fuel for that will be our constant acknowledgement of our flesh's sinfulness, the Spirit's power in regenerating our Hearts to build the Kingdom and our delight in worshipping an unbelievable god.

Chicken and Obedience

Jeremiah 6:19 Hear, oh Earth; behold. I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. Who would have ever thought that the battle over gay marriage would have apexed over fried chicken sandwiches? Shouldn't that be a topic for Oprah or something? Much has been made about profits and support for, or opposition against, Dan Cathy's position. What has been overlooked is his worldview as stated in his words in the interview that sparked the debate. Listen to them, "We are openly inviting judgment against our country when we shake our fist at God and say, "We know better than you what constitutes a marriage". If people could hit the pause button for a second and examine his words, they would find that he has a fear of God driving what he perceives (and I as well) as obedience to God and His word. It is not about profit or hatred or even much to do with man primarily, it has to do with God's will and obedience. In Cathy's worldview, God sets the rules and we simply either obey or disobey, it appears that simple. Throughout the bible, God pursues His created beings with provision and opportunity to overcome their rebellious nature and turn back to their Creator. In Jeremiah 6 written above, God's own words are pronouncing a coming judgment on His beloved nation of Israel and Mr. Cathy's are in-line with concerning why God is disciplining His people. They have not paid attention to what God has said and they have rejected God's law and have ignored His will. In other words, they have made their own rules and as a result they get to choose between death or deportation to Babylon to serve as slaves. Disobedience to God must will always be met with correction and discipline aimed at turning hearts bask towards the cosmic truth: God writes the rules of life, we either obey or ignore them. Reaction and commentary over the Chik Fil A issue has tried to make this about conservative vs. liberal and I even read a column suggesting a North vs. South war of arrogance. Its none of those things. The root cause that has triggered all the commotion is the spiritual war that started in the Garden when the serpent whispered, "Is that really what God said?" If our flesh can have its way with our mind and soul it will convince us that we get to weigh in with our own opinion about Holiness and what is or isn't sin. Our sin nature wants to blind people to the Glory of God and His majestic love seen so clearly in Christ. So where are you in the discussion of the topic of the day? Have you realized that truly there are only two sides, a holy God and a sinful man? Perhaps the greatest cause of grief that I feel in my soul is those who would consider themselves people who have submitted to Christ as King and Lord trying to rewrite his will in pulpits and newspapers across the country. A little time in Jeremiah 6 or basically any where else in the bible might save them much in the way of coming judgment and discipline. May God have mercy on us as our country drifts from Him and may he bring us more leaders like Mr. Cathy who will honor God before men.

Upon further review: Believe

Jude 1:5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. The once crazy crowd now waits silently and nervously. The referee’s head is buried under the hood of the review camera. The game stands still waiting for a decision. Did the quarterback’s arm start to go forward before the ball came out? If so, it isn’t a game changing fumble, but a harmless incompletion. Everyone waits for the words that trail the phrase: Upon further review… Every true fan has a memory of a call that didn’t go their way and a disdain for the referee who made the bad call. Video review was introduced in sports for one reason: to correct human error in judgment of a perceived event. In some cases it validates the call on the field or court, but in others a deeper, slower look uncovers a truth that was missed at full speed in the heat of battle. Jude 1:5 is a verse that makes me slow down and do a deep thorough examination of a critical word in Christianity: Believe. Consider what Jude is saying in terms of the Jews who he led out of Egypt but did not believe. To make it through the Exodus these non-believers: >Saw God visibly as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night >Tasted the miracle of God’s provision in manna >Felt his power as he divided the red sea and crushed the Egyptian army >Sensed his atoning mercy as a Passover lamb covered their sins >Knew the depth his wrathful judgment as they witnessed the plagues >Relished in Christ’s mercy as he provided water in the desert >Smelled the rot of death as the plagues swept through Egypt This list could go on for some time, but the point of fact is that these Jews that Jude refers to as non-believers unquestionably knew that there was a God-sized force at work in their midst, as miracles where on display literally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They knew that something outside themselves, and this world had, a will and a purpose and the strength and power to accomplish its goals. They knew that this majestic and divine being wanted to have a relationship with them and purge them of sin and rebellion and bring them peace and blessings. Seriously, stop for a second and put yourself in their shoes as they walked around for forty years outside the promise land. Yahweh would have been impossible to miss as a God. So how could Jude refer to them as “those who did not believe” if they walked around in the factual reality of God’s miracles daily for decades? That demands some slow motion replay for each of us as we put our souls under scrutiny like a photo finish at the Kentucky derby. The presence of God was a complete reality to all of these non-believers, but what was missing was a belief in His promises and a doubt of their own strength and the result was no faith. God had promised delivery of the land of Canaan by His strength and they looked at their own lack of strength faithlessly (Numbers 13). The beginning of Faith exists where human ability ends. Even though the Israelites witnessed Yahweh first hand, they didn’t believe he would hold to His promises of deliverance, blessing and protection that he made to the Israelites starting in Genesis 12 with Abraham. They did not trust God as the God who sets the rules, rules the Earth and makes things unravel in such a way that only he can get glory. The barrier to their unbelief was their belief in themselves and things of this world in place of God’s promises. There are many who walk around with casual acknowledgement of God and count that as assurance of salvation. Some people are of the opinion that the Mercy of Christ comes without repentance, change, obedience and that they can rewrite the rules as long as they kind of include some parts and pieces of God in them somewhere. We should all freeze frame and review our faith at this point. If Jesus saved some out of Egypt who lived in a reality of God’s miracles, later destroyed those who didn’t fully live on His promises and Word, then we need to be careful not to do the same. In whose strength are you truly walking? The devil loves to confuse us at this point and there are many false teachers that are leading people astray on this very point: what it means to believe. If we don’t get that right, then we are dead wrong and there will not be any do-overs. The definition of belief that saves isn’t up for us to decide. God has already defined it for us.

Secrets

Romans 2:16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares (NIV) The Mueller's were a family that we grew up with in the 70's. Peter, the father, was one of the funniest men you have ever bumped into. I can still vividly remember his husky laugh and the way he would make his wife, Lucy, smile. Their three kids were always fun to play with and my first crush was on Mindy, their youngest at the ripe old age of six. My dad and Phillip knew each other from work and they instantly had enjoyed each other's company launching a friendship that lasted for over two decades. The Mueller's seemed like the average white collar family who was doing well and had all the things the American dream had to offer. Until one of Peter's secrets was exposed. Through a course of events, Lucy uncovered the fact that Peter had a second family. In fact, he had been living a double life for decades and hiding that dirty little secret from everyone. This shocking secret hurt many not the least of which was his family whom God had entrusted him to lead. Secrets. Since the first sin was committed in the Garden, the desire to sin and then run and hide from God when he comes looking for us is strong. In the depths of our souls, it is usually our first reaction when an authority figure is present to enforce their laws upon us. It is why we slam on the brakes and look innocent when we see the cop in the median with the radar detector. It is why my kids run and jump back in their beds late at night when I walk up the stairs to make sure that they are asleep when and where they are supposed to be. It is why we are all so good at self-denial and rationalization when we get caught. It is part of the nasty web of deceit of sin. We are tempted, we fall, and then we are tempted to hide the sin so we aren't exposed. This cycle is deadly and our natural course of action. The ramifications are huge. Not only are we separated form God by our sin, but our refusal to admit guilt and confess our wickedness keeps us from experiencing divine atonement and buries us in guilt. If the adversary can keep us hiding from God in secret sin he has us in the palms of his hands. The reality is clear in Paul's word to the Roman church: there are no secrets that are kept from God and our attempts to bury sin away in a distant field will be thwarted and openly exposed for proper judgment. Now our secrets may not be as glaring as Mr. Mueller's, but we are all tempted to have them and then try and hide them from God so we can appear righteous. What thoughts do you have that you know aren't Godly? What desires do you have that you know are wrong? What are the secret temptations tugging at your soul that are strong and have power? Confess them before they destroy you. The devil will use every trick in the book to get you to focus on your own self-image and the damage it will do if you confess your weaknesses. Christ offers us an opportunity to focus on His image and admit what we all really know anyhow: we are all messed up sinners in our flesh. When we do this at the feet of Jesus in an appeal to His righteous rule over our life, he spiritually biopsies not only the effects of sin, but he will replace the temptation with the sweet satisfaction of His own Glory. What are you fruitlessly trying to hide from God today? We must see those efforts as fruitless if we ever want to see the fruitfulness of Christ in our lives. Thanks be to God who sent Jesus to unveil and cover the sins of those who love and enjoy Him as Lord, Savior and Treasure!

Christ & Welfare

Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. Welfare. One in six Americans are on it. No matter your political affiliation, you probably have a viewpoint on this divisive subject. In it’s Genesis, welfare was an act of mercy designed to help those who could not help themselves. I think that most caring individuals are all for the thought of helping others that are helpless. Looking back, if the Church would have fulfilled God’s design to help and restore the oppressed, there would have been little need for the government to fill that role. Looking forward, nothing causes more stir than welfare recipients who think they are owed Welfare, are without thankfulness for the aid, and have no plans to move forward and overcome their situation. Stories of welfare fraud by millions of its presumptuous recipients are at the center of the Conservative movement to slash it. Success stories when welfare has acted as a bridge for a better tomorrow for some Americans, or simply sustained the most needy are the fuel for liberal calls to increase its breadth. Could it be that both the left and the right are sincere and correct in the core of their Welfare theology? I think so. There is a need for grace and mercy, but in the cases where the recipients are able to work, that grace is supposed to trigger a change in activity. The moment that grace is thanklessly consumed and presumed upon, it will become the help that hurts and seals your fate. I believe this is exactly what Paul is saying in terms of Christ’s Grace in Romans 2 as he writes to the church in Rome. The Grace and Mercy of God through faith in Jesus are a necessity. We need them to overcome our sins, approach God and live in peace as our actions have earned us nothing but hurt and anxiety. Our praise for a savior is accelerated when we contemplate His work and our futile attempts at pleasing God. Conversely, if we presume upon the riches of Christ, we can think that are owed His love. We aren’t owed anything but death. His love is designed to change us, as his grace stimulates repentance and we turn from our desires and begin to delight in Jesus alone. So His grace has an effect that is much more than head knowledge. The knowledge leads to fear of God, which leads to praise of Christ, which leads to living your life joyfully obedient to Him as king. So what is happens when you contemplate the Grace of Christ? Casual acknowledgement or a burning desire to praise Him, beg for forgiveness and celebrate His righteousness. It’s a good question with a lot hanging in the balance based on our answer. Let’s think it through!

Overflow

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Eli and Luke are five and three respectively, and they are sweet kids even though their sin nature is clearly evident. One of their favorite things to do is to take a bubble bath in their mom’s garden tub in our bathroom. It’s bigger than their tub is so more bubbles, power rangers, and now avengers can fit into their agenda of supposed cleaning. It’s amazing how easy it is to get them to bathe when the tub is the option, as fun looms large. It usually doesn’t end up so well for them though. Despite warnings and discipline, water tends to overflow onto our floor on a consistent basis. A five alarm clean-up of a soaked floor before the hardwoods nearby get drenched and ruined, is not exactly what we as parents are looking for at the end of a long day, but the boys are definitely worth it (every once in a while). I love Paul’s description of the work of Christ in our hearts above in Romans 15:13. He uses the word overflow to describe how Christians will affect the Church and the World. Just as the volume of our bathtub must reach a capacity before it overflows and spills onto the floor, so it is in the Christian life. Paul desires that the Church in Rome experience Christ is such a way that they will be filled with Hope, Joy and Peace to the extent that they simply overflow with these God given gifts that change Christians and non-Christians alike. Now we have got to back up for a moment and realize this statement is at the end of an ultra challenging letter unless we think we can just say “oh yeah, I got this precept” and move on. The hope, joy and love are a product of a deep walk in Christ for the Church, which includes trials and persecution. Paul has made it clear through deep doctrinal clarity that we are saved and sanctified through faith alone through Christ alone and our works of the flesh desire to derail God’s work. He dives deep into the paradox of faith where in back to back verses he describes believers as “sheep to be slaughtered” and then turns around and says “we are more than conquerors”) 8:36-37. Romans 7 is a detailed look at the post salvation fight for sanctification against the lingering remnant of sin in the life of a believer and it is a raging war. Romans 9 can frustrate your mind and flesh like few chapters in the bible until you give into the fact that God is God and he does what he wants. And just about when you are about to be paralyzed with immobility by the deep doctrine of election in chapter 9, Romans 10 paints a picture of beautiful feet that go and preach the Gospel and people are saved by hearing the Gospel from other people. Romans 11 keeps the Church humble and thankful as Paul reminds them that they are grafted into God’s work of the remnant of Israel. Then the faith hurdles seem to get even harder to jump over as Paul tells us to submit to all authorities (as long as they don’t directly violate your faith) and even pay taxes to Governments like Rome who used their authority to execute Christ and later Paul himself. Paul forges on and reminds the Church that though they have freedom they shouldn’t use that freedom to eat, drink and do things if it hurts someone else’s faith. Anyone’s brain hurting yet? The hope, joy and peace are only a mirage in the desert of your mind unless you truly have a deep, abiding life in Christ that has been engrained into your soul as you faithfully endure the trials of this world. Without Christ recreating himself in us, none of the things Paul lays out will make any sense. So while understanding the analogy of an overflow may be easy and clean the actuality of it happening requires war, sacrifice and the blood of Christ. So imagine yourself as the tub. Are you truly saturated in Christ? Are you overflowing with living water and the fruit of the spirit? Do people meet the God of the universe as they bump into you in life? When you overflow into the world, and you will, what actually comes out? Christ or flesh? When someone around you is hurting what do you offer him or her? An invitation to church? A good book on the subject? Or does the fountain of living water simply and supernaturally flow from God’s throne through you and overflow onto others? In this world peace, hope and joy of the divine and lasting variety only descend form on high. Let us pray that God will grow us by whatever means necessary so that the fount of many blessings flows in and through us!

Worms and Hammers

Isaiah 41:14-15 Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them,and you shall make the hills like chaff; I laced up my new Asics for an early morning jog and headed outside to the tune of early morning sprinklers and songbirds. Walking along the sidewalk, something glistened and caught my eye. I glanced down and saw two of the biggest Night crawlers I have ever seen in my life. These 6-inch worms were as black as the Alabama soil they lived in and were trying to head back underground before they fell victim to the rising sun or the birds singing above. I stood over them for a minute, watching them kind of wiggle around aimlessly on the concrete sidewalk. They didn’t look like they had a plan and were as exposed as a three legged wilderbeast in a lion’s den. I don’t know why, but I decided to help them back in the ground. Not with my hands of course! Way too much slime and grime involved in that. Using my new kicks, I gently guided them back to the wet ground and they quickly disappeared into the dark, wet dirt. As I started to run, I remembered the verses above from Isaiah 41. God actually calls Jacob, the men of Israel, worms. He is trying to get them to see that they are helpless and exposed without His sovereign hand and strength. Just like the night crawlers on my street, slowly dehydrating and aimlessly squiggling around, the Israelites had wandered from God and were outside of His purpose and love. They thought they had strength and they thought they had wisdom and righteousness, but they didn’t. Through the mouth of Isaiah he is calling them back with love. God makes it clear that He is the power source of Holy Glory that shapes and changes humans so that they can change the world. Can God transform men and women from worm to a threshing sledge that can destroy mountains? That is exactly what He says. Quite a change I’d say. From vulnerable slimy worm to a sharp-tooth threshing sledge that is crushing mountains. That is the power of God’s transforming Spirit working in people. Could God be saying the same thing to us? Would he look at us in our well educated sophistication and think of us as Worms as we wander off from Him? It is not fun to consider ourselves worms is it? Lets stop and do it for just a minute though. Stop and look at your impact on the World. Is God changing it as He works through you, or do you scurry off in safety-seeking flight when times get tough? Ready to climb back in the worm hole yet? Aren’t we supposed to be refined, brilliant and equipped? Simple answer- only in Jesus. The boldness of a threshing hammer, or a world changer, is only given as a gift from God. We can’t foolishly think we can muster up this type of strength on our own. It is a divine gift. This side of the Cross, it is clearer to us than even to Isaiah that gift is wrapped in the blood and flesh of Jesus Christ. Have the fingers of your soul unwrapped the beauty of Christ? Has your soul been so deeply satisfied in Him that you are able to face the World in His bold strength? If so then look out mountains!