ABC News reported on the pornography industry of America which is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. The story was focused on the young women in the industry and the 'endless supply' of girls who want in, thinking it is an easy way to become a celebrity and to be rich! One of those interviewed for the program was a true beauty from Florida, raised in a Christian home, whose rebel ways brought her a daughter she had difficulty supporting, which led far from home, making pornographic videos for a 'reputable' distributor. Though she made good money and received a lot of attention, she soon found herself hating herself, hating life, and doing illegal drugs to cope with the inner pain.
On the surface, her life looked glamorous, but it was anything but that! Through tears she said, "You have a million people tell you you're beautiful every single day, a million — and not one of them really give a (care) about you." At the end of the show, the young woman was back home in Florida, trying to rebuild her life, reclaim her daughter, and living with her sister. The price she had paid for her trip to the edges of Hell was obvious from the deep lines etched her her face and the deep pain of the soul that could be seen in her eyes.
Sin always extracts a heavy price, friend - whether it is the kind that is big and bold or the more subtle rebellion against God hidden in the heart. But, sin dresses up in fancy clothes, turns up the music, and puts on the sequins to make itself look wonderful. The ugly price of rejecting God's way is hidden by the illusion of happiness and/or success. The Word says we should not marvel at the deceptive of sin for Satan himself is the 'father of lies.' We also read that he "disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14, NLT) From Eden, one of sin's most successful pick-up lines has been, "Did God really mean to keep you from being happy, from enjoying __________?"
Need we fear being deceived by sin and/or Satan? Not if we are keeping step with the Holy Spirit! Jesus promises "The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen." (John 16:13, CEV) If we want to stay whole and holy, then we must seek the Truth, even when the truth is not pleasant, or what we want to hear at in the moment. I am blessed to have people in my life who will tell me the truth, no matter what. They hold up a mirror for me! Thank God for them. When we learn the Truth- in the Word; by the inner work of God's Spirit; or from those who live in Truth - we must accept it and choose to live in it.
James reminds us "Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:21-25, NIV)
Dealing with temptation today? Does that thing seem so attractive, so harmless, a way to find some happy and 'fun?'
What does God say? What is your conscience saying? What do your trusted counselors say?
Be careful about attempting a negotiation with the Devil. He is a liar and cares nothing for 'full disclosure' of the cost of walking away from God and good.
Keep in step with God's Spirit, and He will guard and guide you into the paths of life.
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. " (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message)
Friday, March 16, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
A rich resource to treasure
"Hey, Dad, what do you think.....?" I hear those words or ones similar about once a week from one of our adult children who call for advice or just to share the latest news about life. Phones and email keep our family connected despite being scattered along the East Coast of the USA. Their requests for advice, prayer, or encouragement are never an imposition, never too much because we are family! The importance of an intact family unit cannot be over-emphasized. One of the leading predictors of a child's academic and social success is his family of origin. A child who is raised in a dysfunctional family environment or one who goes through the breakup of his family either because of death or divorce has a much difficult road to travel to adulthood.
In addition to being part of the Scott (by birth) and Catalano (by marriage) clans, I am part of another family, too: the family of God (by Divine adoption). I realized again the importance of that family this week. I felt the darkness of spiritual attack settle over me. I do not know why these times come, but they are a spiritual 'flu' that hit me every now and then. Terrible feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy fight to control my thoughts. Prayer becomes a major struggle. Doubts about the love of God and fears of the future crash through my mind like a stormy ocean's waves crashing over a seawall. Are these times based in my physical body, coming from some chemical imbalance in my brain? Are they spiritual in nature, attacks by the demons of darkness? Are they a combination of both? Probably! Without being overly dramatic, whatever the origin, those seasons of my life are terrible, and in times past, I thought I would be destroyed. With maturity, I have learned to hang on 'til the storm passes over.
Tuesday of this week, as I was struggling with the darkness, I reached out to the 'family of God' of which I am part. What blessed ministry they offered to me - encouraging words, and best of all, prayers that went up. A couple of saints took time from their own busy lives to come and pray with me and over me with powerful intercession. And, bless God, the Light broke through. It is hard for me to ask for prayer and support, because of a sense that as a shepherd of God's people it is somehow wrong to turn from the one who serves into the one who is served. Yes, you're right. That's really just an expression of a silly macho pride! I am a member of God's great big family and I am foolish not to draw on the rich resources of it.
David exults in the joy of being part of God's family. "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:5-6, NIV)
Woven through St. Paul's letters to the Christian churches is the theme of familial care that should characterize the relationships of those who are Believers. His favorite descriptive words for those in the church are brother and sister. "Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more." (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, NIV)
Are you strengthening your ties to God's family?
Take every opportunity to pray for others, seeking God's favor for His family.
Keep the connection strong by quickly dealing with conflict and by stepping over the inevitable offenses that will arise in the church, just like they do in our natural families.
Be forgiving, open, honest, and loving.
Take this word from the Word with you today and meditate on it, even as you praise God for the gift of His great family.
"Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.
Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!" (1 Peter 4:8-11, The Message)
In addition to being part of the Scott (by birth) and Catalano (by marriage) clans, I am part of another family, too: the family of God (by Divine adoption). I realized again the importance of that family this week. I felt the darkness of spiritual attack settle over me. I do not know why these times come, but they are a spiritual 'flu' that hit me every now and then. Terrible feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy fight to control my thoughts. Prayer becomes a major struggle. Doubts about the love of God and fears of the future crash through my mind like a stormy ocean's waves crashing over a seawall. Are these times based in my physical body, coming from some chemical imbalance in my brain? Are they spiritual in nature, attacks by the demons of darkness? Are they a combination of both? Probably! Without being overly dramatic, whatever the origin, those seasons of my life are terrible, and in times past, I thought I would be destroyed. With maturity, I have learned to hang on 'til the storm passes over.
Tuesday of this week, as I was struggling with the darkness, I reached out to the 'family of God' of which I am part. What blessed ministry they offered to me - encouraging words, and best of all, prayers that went up. A couple of saints took time from their own busy lives to come and pray with me and over me with powerful intercession. And, bless God, the Light broke through. It is hard for me to ask for prayer and support, because of a sense that as a shepherd of God's people it is somehow wrong to turn from the one who serves into the one who is served. Yes, you're right. That's really just an expression of a silly macho pride! I am a member of God's great big family and I am foolish not to draw on the rich resources of it.
David exults in the joy of being part of God's family. "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:5-6, NIV)
Woven through St. Paul's letters to the Christian churches is the theme of familial care that should characterize the relationships of those who are Believers. His favorite descriptive words for those in the church are brother and sister. "Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more." (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, NIV)
Are you strengthening your ties to God's family?
Take every opportunity to pray for others, seeking God's favor for His family.
Keep the connection strong by quickly dealing with conflict and by stepping over the inevitable offenses that will arise in the church, just like they do in our natural families.
Be forgiving, open, honest, and loving.
Take this word from the Word with you today and meditate on it, even as you praise God for the gift of His great family.
"Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.
Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!" (1 Peter 4:8-11, The Message)
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
God's kind of people
Some people have the right stuff. They are the cool people of this world; beautiful, stylish, witty, gifted with social grace. They are it in any crowd. My wife, a teacher, says that in among the little ones she teaches in first grade, the social pecking order is already firmly in place. The it girl sets the pace for the rest of the class. Others maneuver to be near her, to bask in her radiance. The handsome, square shouldered athletic guy rules in high school. His queen is often the pencil slim blond girl who has the look patented, the casual toss of her head just so! We never really outgrow this silly stuff. In every social group that I have ever been part of, there are always those who are in, who have mastered the social code.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus extends an invitation to people to join another kind of in group. His invitation has nothing to do with good looks, fashion, athletic prowess, or brains! Read His words. They are amazing! "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied." (Matthew 5:3-6, NLT) Those who are impoverished in self-confidence, who are broken by the pressures of life and full of sadness, who do not enjoy privilege at the top of the social heap and thus long for justice - these are the ones invited to God's party! "Why," you may be asking, "does God have something against beautiful people?" Not at all. The problem with those who have it made in this world is that usually they are satisfied with life and unwilling to pursue a relationship with their Creator.
Jesus widens the invitation in subsequent verses: "You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family." (Matthew 5:7-9, The Message) The world loves the guy without a care in the world, but God loves those who let their hearts be touched by the needs of others. The world loves the sensual, the sexy, the materially successful but God loves the person who understands that real life is lived from the heart. Our society praises the smart ones who know how to play the game to win, but God loves those who bring others into the game, sharing what their knowledge about where to find bread!
A man once told me I was wasting my life in Pastoral ministry. "You spend way too much time around losers," he said; oblivious to his own spiritual poverty because of his pride of place and face in this world. By the standards of society, he may be right. I do spend a lot of time with hurting people, marginalized people, those forgotten by the rich and powerful. And that is just fine with me! The church should be a refuge for 'losers,' to use his term. Anytime a church is structured to marginalize those without the it factor, that church has lost touch with the true mission of being "God's kind of people."
Paul reminded the Corinthian Believers, those who had forgotten where they were when God's love found them, that they had no reason to adopt a superior attitude or to assume they were somehow better than others. "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, NIV)
Are you striving to learn to be one of the world's right people, adopting the superficial standards dictated by the social elite, spending your time and money on being fashionable?
If you're a Believer, I urge you to stop, now!
Make it your goal to be one of God's people instead - full of God-confidence, with a heart broken on behalf of the suffering, with a strong desire for justice and righteousness, who builds up others. God's blessings far outweigh being cool, and best of all, they last into eternity.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus extends an invitation to people to join another kind of in group. His invitation has nothing to do with good looks, fashion, athletic prowess, or brains! Read His words. They are amazing! "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied." (Matthew 5:3-6, NLT) Those who are impoverished in self-confidence, who are broken by the pressures of life and full of sadness, who do not enjoy privilege at the top of the social heap and thus long for justice - these are the ones invited to God's party! "Why," you may be asking, "does God have something against beautiful people?" Not at all. The problem with those who have it made in this world is that usually they are satisfied with life and unwilling to pursue a relationship with their Creator.
Jesus widens the invitation in subsequent verses: "You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family." (Matthew 5:7-9, The Message) The world loves the guy without a care in the world, but God loves those who let their hearts be touched by the needs of others. The world loves the sensual, the sexy, the materially successful but God loves the person who understands that real life is lived from the heart. Our society praises the smart ones who know how to play the game to win, but God loves those who bring others into the game, sharing what their knowledge about where to find bread!
A man once told me I was wasting my life in Pastoral ministry. "You spend way too much time around losers," he said; oblivious to his own spiritual poverty because of his pride of place and face in this world. By the standards of society, he may be right. I do spend a lot of time with hurting people, marginalized people, those forgotten by the rich and powerful. And that is just fine with me! The church should be a refuge for 'losers,' to use his term. Anytime a church is structured to marginalize those without the it factor, that church has lost touch with the true mission of being "God's kind of people."
Paul reminded the Corinthian Believers, those who had forgotten where they were when God's love found them, that they had no reason to adopt a superior attitude or to assume they were somehow better than others. "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, NIV)
Are you striving to learn to be one of the world's right people, adopting the superficial standards dictated by the social elite, spending your time and money on being fashionable?
If you're a Believer, I urge you to stop, now!
Make it your goal to be one of God's people instead - full of God-confidence, with a heart broken on behalf of the suffering, with a strong desire for justice and righteousness, who builds up others. God's blessings far outweigh being cool, and best of all, they last into eternity.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Wrestling with God
Sometimes our old sinful nature hangs on doggedly and, like Jacob of old, we wrestle with God. I spent most of yesterday in a conflict with the Lord, unwilling to just 'let it go' for God's sake and as a result, dropped into bed last night weary- not from work, but from wrestling! Some spiritual issues are resolved quickly. One temptation to serve myself presented itself to me early yesterday and I immediately prayed, "Lord, here it is. Please take this from me today." He did and it was gone. Another issue found a place in my mind and dug in for a long struggle. Was it God's fault that I spent a restless day? No way. A part of me knew that what I needed to do was to die to self, but another part of me was determined to have my own way in the matter.
"If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." (Matthew 16:25, NLT) is what Jesus teaches us. What does He mean? That "Me" must never be the reference point for the way we live. All decisions must trace back to His will. This requires self-denial. The word is an uncompromising one: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23, NIV) Self-denial is not self-hatred! The Gospel does not teach us to that we must kill our personality or become mindless drones to please God. But the Lord does require us to surrender ourselves totally to His will, to place ourselves at His disposal. By faith we accept that we can live a God-blessed life that is marked by the fruit of the Holy Spirit if we make a practice of daily surrender. Yesterday, on that single issue, I refused God's will. That is precisely why I spent my day in an exhausting internal struggle.
Jesus offers each of us a 'rich and satisfying life.' (John 10.10 NLT) The paradox is that we find it through dying! Every part of our natural mind screams for survival and free expression. The world around us teaches us to seek power and many methods of controlling the world to assure that our 'needs' are met. And, in a limited way, a selfish life produces some happiness, for a short time. But, Self is never satisfied. When one plateau of self-realization is reached, Self drives us to grab for more... and more ... and more.
All the while, in the heart of the Believer, the Spirit is whispering, "Come and follow me and I will give you life to the full." The choice always belongs to you and me. God has given us the gift of Will and allows us to choose Him or lesser gods. The Enemy of God is a deceiver who creates an attractive illusion around self-will and sin. If we give him an inch, he always take a mile. That is why we must pray, as Paul does, "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you..." (Ephesians 1:18, NIV)
Dallas Willard, who writes extensively on the subject of spiritual formation, observes: "As we keep before us the clear and forceful vision of Jesus and his kingdom, we make daily progress. Our personality becomes increasingly reorganized around the Kingdom of God. Our self-denial moves beyond tentative and intermittent acts, to a settled disposition and character. At first we must very self-consciously deny ourselves. We must work at reject the preeminence of what we want... but when we do this, we discover surprisingly specific motions of God's grace in and around to guide and strengthen us.... and we will eventually come to live in a way described by St. Francis - as one who 'wears the world like a loose garment, which touches us in few places and there, lightly.' " (Revolution of Character)
Are you wrestling with God today, trying to convince Him to let you have your own way?If so, you are robbing yourself of peace and joy.
Whatever the issue is, big or small, take it to Him and lay it down at His feet. Learn the prayer of the Lord Jesus, and utter with deep faith, "Not my will, but yours be done!" And the Spirit will step in to empower you to choose life.
Die to live! That's the way of the Cross, the way to eternal life.
"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." (Hebrews 12:2-3, NLT)
"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." (Hebrews 12:12-15, NLT)
"If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." (Matthew 16:25, NLT) is what Jesus teaches us. What does He mean? That "Me" must never be the reference point for the way we live. All decisions must trace back to His will. This requires self-denial. The word is an uncompromising one: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23, NIV) Self-denial is not self-hatred! The Gospel does not teach us to that we must kill our personality or become mindless drones to please God. But the Lord does require us to surrender ourselves totally to His will, to place ourselves at His disposal. By faith we accept that we can live a God-blessed life that is marked by the fruit of the Holy Spirit if we make a practice of daily surrender. Yesterday, on that single issue, I refused God's will. That is precisely why I spent my day in an exhausting internal struggle.
Jesus offers each of us a 'rich and satisfying life.' (John 10.10 NLT) The paradox is that we find it through dying! Every part of our natural mind screams for survival and free expression. The world around us teaches us to seek power and many methods of controlling the world to assure that our 'needs' are met. And, in a limited way, a selfish life produces some happiness, for a short time. But, Self is never satisfied. When one plateau of self-realization is reached, Self drives us to grab for more... and more ... and more.
All the while, in the heart of the Believer, the Spirit is whispering, "Come and follow me and I will give you life to the full." The choice always belongs to you and me. God has given us the gift of Will and allows us to choose Him or lesser gods. The Enemy of God is a deceiver who creates an attractive illusion around self-will and sin. If we give him an inch, he always take a mile. That is why we must pray, as Paul does, "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you..." (Ephesians 1:18, NIV)
Dallas Willard, who writes extensively on the subject of spiritual formation, observes: "As we keep before us the clear and forceful vision of Jesus and his kingdom, we make daily progress. Our personality becomes increasingly reorganized around the Kingdom of God. Our self-denial moves beyond tentative and intermittent acts, to a settled disposition and character. At first we must very self-consciously deny ourselves. We must work at reject the preeminence of what we want... but when we do this, we discover surprisingly specific motions of God's grace in and around to guide and strengthen us.... and we will eventually come to live in a way described by St. Francis - as one who 'wears the world like a loose garment, which touches us in few places and there, lightly.' " (Revolution of Character)
Are you wrestling with God today, trying to convince Him to let you have your own way?If so, you are robbing yourself of peace and joy.
Whatever the issue is, big or small, take it to Him and lay it down at His feet. Learn the prayer of the Lord Jesus, and utter with deep faith, "Not my will, but yours be done!" And the Spirit will step in to empower you to choose life.
Die to live! That's the way of the Cross, the way to eternal life.
"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." (Hebrews 12:2-3, NLT)
"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." (Hebrews 12:12-15, NLT)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Scared Straight?
Jim was taught that the world was a terrible place, that dangers lurked everywhere. He was taught that God is an angry deity who must be feared, that the Devil is a powerful threat, who is waiting to pounce. Jim is afraid and feels powerless in an environment of uncertainty. As a result he builds defensive walls in his life and only relates to people who think and act like he does. He is isolated, alone, and convinced that everyone is 'out to get me.'
Sam was taught that the world was a beautiful place created by God for our enjoyment. He was also cautioned that the world contains real dangers and that a wise man knows the way to minimize the impact of those dangers on his life by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide his life into good places. He learned that God is a loving Father who demonstrated His care for us through Jesus Christ; and that He seeks the best for those who love Him. He knows, too, that the power of evil is diminished, by doing good and living in the love of God. As a result Sam lives joyfully, hopefully, and effectively engaged as a godly influence in his world.
Which kind of world do you inhabit- a fear filled one like Jim, or a Spirit-filled world like Sam?
I watched a documentary film last night called "Jesus Camp." It follows a group of children from their local church in Missouri to a week of Christian camp in an aptly named town, Devil's Lake, North Dakota. (I'm not kidding on that point.) The children are indoctrinated with a fear-based theology that is interwoven with a paranoid world-view. The film made me deeply angry as I watched young children (ages 9-12) being scared to death, their emotions manipulated by leaders who were in the grip of their own fears of the world. These little ones were subjected to political rants filled with apocalyptic views about the imminent destruction of America which left them obviously shaken and weeping real tears of terror! There was no evidence of a true God-confidence. What a twisted presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! But it was all too familiar to me as I've experienced it and seen it up close and personal so many times in my own life.
Preaching a fear-based Christianity is not a new thing. For the two millennia of our faith, there have been those who majored on Hell and the Devil. Why? Because, at first, fear is a powerful motivator to change. If a preacher can make the fires of Hell hot enough, he can scare people into a confession of faith. Fear also bonds people together, getting them to stick with the Church. Give them a common enemy, the Devil (or abortionists, or homosexuals, or liberal judges, or Muslims) and they will overcome their differences to fight the feared enemies. But the downside of fear is its diminishing returns. Anyone who lives with fear, over time learns to adapt to it, to turn it off. That's why fear based Christianity ultimately fails to keep people living for God. Hell fade into the distant future. In time, the boogeymen in the world and even the Devil himself, no longer produce the same levels of fear.
That's why Jesus does not drive people to God with fear.
He calls them to God with love!
Over time, love deepens into maturity of faith, and as a person walks with God, it intensifies. To be sure, Jesus recognizes the reality of evil and the fact that people who rebel against God will perish, but that is not His major theme. Jesus' Gospel is not so much a defense as an opportunity. He says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV) Here's the way The Message (a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible) reads - "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you." (Matthew 11:28-29, The Message)
John reminds us that love perfects (completes) us. "God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first." (1 John 4:16-19, NLT) How can we miss this wonderful truth? How can we give up the rich promise of acceptance for a paranoid fearful experience of 'faith?'
Don't let your Christianity be shaped by fear! Study the story of the Prodigal Son (or as I prefer to call it, the story of The Waiting Father) and let the Word and Spirit convince you of God's gracious favor. To be sure we live in a world where the Devil rages and where evil men seek destruction - but we are not afraid because "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NKJV)
Sam was taught that the world was a beautiful place created by God for our enjoyment. He was also cautioned that the world contains real dangers and that a wise man knows the way to minimize the impact of those dangers on his life by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide his life into good places. He learned that God is a loving Father who demonstrated His care for us through Jesus Christ; and that He seeks the best for those who love Him. He knows, too, that the power of evil is diminished, by doing good and living in the love of God. As a result Sam lives joyfully, hopefully, and effectively engaged as a godly influence in his world.
Which kind of world do you inhabit- a fear filled one like Jim, or a Spirit-filled world like Sam?
I watched a documentary film last night called "Jesus Camp." It follows a group of children from their local church in Missouri to a week of Christian camp in an aptly named town, Devil's Lake, North Dakota. (I'm not kidding on that point.) The children are indoctrinated with a fear-based theology that is interwoven with a paranoid world-view. The film made me deeply angry as I watched young children (ages 9-12) being scared to death, their emotions manipulated by leaders who were in the grip of their own fears of the world. These little ones were subjected to political rants filled with apocalyptic views about the imminent destruction of America which left them obviously shaken and weeping real tears of terror! There was no evidence of a true God-confidence. What a twisted presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! But it was all too familiar to me as I've experienced it and seen it up close and personal so many times in my own life.
Preaching a fear-based Christianity is not a new thing. For the two millennia of our faith, there have been those who majored on Hell and the Devil. Why? Because, at first, fear is a powerful motivator to change. If a preacher can make the fires of Hell hot enough, he can scare people into a confession of faith. Fear also bonds people together, getting them to stick with the Church. Give them a common enemy, the Devil (or abortionists, or homosexuals, or liberal judges, or Muslims) and they will overcome their differences to fight the feared enemies. But the downside of fear is its diminishing returns. Anyone who lives with fear, over time learns to adapt to it, to turn it off. That's why fear based Christianity ultimately fails to keep people living for God. Hell fade into the distant future. In time, the boogeymen in the world and even the Devil himself, no longer produce the same levels of fear.
That's why Jesus does not drive people to God with fear.
He calls them to God with love!
Over time, love deepens into maturity of faith, and as a person walks with God, it intensifies. To be sure, Jesus recognizes the reality of evil and the fact that people who rebel against God will perish, but that is not His major theme. Jesus' Gospel is not so much a defense as an opportunity. He says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV) Here's the way The Message (a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible) reads - "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you." (Matthew 11:28-29, The Message)
John reminds us that love perfects (completes) us. "God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first." (1 John 4:16-19, NLT) How can we miss this wonderful truth? How can we give up the rich promise of acceptance for a paranoid fearful experience of 'faith?'
Don't let your Christianity be shaped by fear! Study the story of the Prodigal Son (or as I prefer to call it, the story of The Waiting Father) and let the Word and Spirit convince you of God's gracious favor. To be sure we live in a world where the Devil rages and where evil men seek destruction - but we are not afraid because "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NKJV)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)