OK, I'm going to state the obvious - bridges and walls are both necessary and both serve very different purposes. Walls divide. Bridges unite! In 1964, our family lived on Staten Island, NY. It was an exciting time for that borough of New York City. The Verrazzano Narrows bridge was finished, and for the first time, those living on the Island felt like they were a part of the city. The multiple lanes on two wide decks of that world famous bridge turned a 30+ minute ferry ride into a two minute drive. The new connection brought development (a good thing?) and Staten Island changed, almost overnight. At the same time, I saw the effect of walls. The people who moved into our neighborhood from Brooklyn thought they had moved onto country estates, despite having postage stamp sized lots. Standing on our back porch, one could see a crazy quilt of fences - stockade, picket, split rail - built around tiny backyards, fences that declared- "this is my space!"
Are you a bridge-builder or a wall-builder? Are you forming connections with others, or shutting them out?
My experience tells me that people are much more inclined to erect walls that define 'their space' than they are to build bridges. Those walls bear political names - Republican, Democrat. Those walls bear ethnic/racial names. Those walls, tragically, bear religious names. How did the best bridge-builder in history - Jesus Christ - become an excuse for people to build such high walls? I ask that question again and again. How is it that we become so attached to our backyard, "I'm a Baptist, I'm a Pentecostal, I'm Reformed, I'm Independent...." that we fail to understand that our walls that seems to shut out those who differ also lock us in from the rich fellowship we might otherwise enjoy?
Some of you are starting to feel unsettled by this line of thought, aren't you? "Why does Jerry say that? Doesn't he know we must be committed to the truth?" Yes, I value truth, but would you agree that we are all too inclined to turn our preference into a 'truth'? For a long time in my life, I thought that 'real' Christians believed in one fixed way - the way I was taught. I just assumed that to be a 'real Christian' a person had to come from the same holiness church I came from, had to sing the same songs, and had to worship in the same manner. I honestly thought that the only way to come to know Jesus was to respond to an altar call, to kneel and pray 'the sinner's prayer.' I was really surprised when I learned that both those ideas only came into being less than one hundred years ago! I was surprised, yes really I was, when I found people from very different Christian traditions talking about Jesus with genuine love, who served Him as fervently - even more fervently - than many of the people in 'my' church did. As I built bridges into their lives I was not in any way diminished. I became richer! I discovered the amazing beauty of ancient liturgies. I found myself anchored and steadied by the recitation of the Church's creeds. Those were alien concepts to a boy raised in the fiery, emotional worship style of the Pentecostal church.
Jesus told us that God's demands of us are summed up in two commandments. "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”" (Mark 12:30-31, NLT) Sounds like a bridge-builder to me, how about you? Was He downplaying the need for orthodoxy, for truth? No! He prefaced those remarks with a quotation of the 'heart' of the revelation of God's Person. "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord." (Mark 12:29, NLT) Not all gods are truly God.
In our desire to build bridges to others we cannot affirm all 'truth' as being true. However, we don't have to be so quick to confront others with our dogma and a challenge to choose, do we? As I read the Gospels the only people that I find Jesus throwing down a truth challenge to are those who should have known the truth- the religious teachers and leaders! To ordinary sinners, He showed love. He built a bridge into their lives and that bridge became the means for God's grace to become evident. Once He touched them with love, He called them to Truth. Something we need to understand clearly is that acceptance is not the same as affirmation! IF we are like Jesus, we will accept those who are a sinful mess, who lack understanding, who disagree with us. Once we have established a connection heart to heart, we will be able to reason together.
Peter faced a problem in the first century church. Women who came to faith in Christ began to browbeat their husbands who were not yet Believers about their need of Jesus' love. Now remember this was happening in a culture were women did not enjoy rights, where they were considered property of their husbands. So some men started to resent Christianity as being destructive of their homes and families. Here's what the Spirit inspired Peter to write to those wives who were frustrated by their husband's refusal of the faith. "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." (1 Peter 3:1-2, NIV) My point isn't about the role of women! It is about the power of practice, of loving behavior. This model of a woman with a pagan husband accepting him and loving him in a way that caused him to see the reality of Christ is a pattern for ALL of us in our relationship with others.
Win their hearts without words, then use that credibility to speak the truth!
______________________________________
Friday, November 18, 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Our security and hope
Sometimes I feel insecure! I find myself wondering, "What does he think of me?" or "Am I doing a good job?" In a situation where I am surrounded by people I do not know, I look for a corner in the room where I can stand aside and watch others, deciding how I fit in! Sometimes I foolishly measure myself using superficial standards to try to overcome a nagging sense that I am not 'good enough.' And, sometimes I avoid situations for no better reason than to avoid the feelings of insecurity that might come over me.
Insecurity is a common feeling. Why not? This world is full of reasons for fear! Hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes tear through neighborhoods. The machines of war spread death and destruction. Friends turn fickle. Our own bodies betray us with disease and aging. Despite our best intentions we often disappoint ourselves by saying and/or doing things we should not say or do! We need not live long to realize our relative weakness - physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually- in the face of the threats that surround us, threats both real and imagined. Our fears demand relief and we find many ways to cover our insecurities. Some of our choices are certainly better than others, but all those focused on ourselves, fail to achieve the desired end. For example:
We bluff and bluster with boastful words.
We criticize others, somehow thinking that noting their flaws hides our own.
We drink too much or party too heartily.
We seek endless diversions in pleasure.
We work to gain degrees, awards, and certificates that 'prove' our worth and our significance.
We build financial portfolios to guarantee our future.
We diet and exercise trying to beat back the evidence of aging.
We learn to speak, dress, and act in ways that project an air of confidence, a cultivated image of acceptability.
We may even use our religion as a security blanket, wrapping ourselves in familiar rituals and words that help us to feel comfort.
True security can be found! It is not resident in you and me, but in Another. Consider this instruction given to God's people. "Don’t be fearful... don’t turn your back on God. Worship and serve him heart and soul! Don’t chase after ghost-gods. There’s nothing to them. They can’t help you. They’re nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who he is, is not going to walk off and leave his people. God took delight in making you into his very own people. ... fear God and worship him honestly and heartily. You’ve seen how greatly he has worked among you!" (1 Samuel 12:20-24, The Message)
We are beloved of God - not because of who we are, not because of what we have done, but because it is His Nature to love! His declaration is: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3, NIV) Paul points us toward the facts - contrasting our flaws and God's faithfulness when he writes: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." I can identify, how about you? Are you feeling insecure? Read on! "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior," (Titus 3:3-6, NIV)
When insecurity creeps up on you, don't look around.
Look up! Thank God for your eternal security that is anchored in His unchanging character and overflowing love.
Let Him be your Rock, then LIVE confidently - not in self-confidence, but in God-confidence.
________________
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty Fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world,
With devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear,
For God hath willed,
His will to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For, lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.
--Luther, Martin; Copyright: Public Domain
Insecurity is a common feeling. Why not? This world is full of reasons for fear! Hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes tear through neighborhoods. The machines of war spread death and destruction. Friends turn fickle. Our own bodies betray us with disease and aging. Despite our best intentions we often disappoint ourselves by saying and/or doing things we should not say or do! We need not live long to realize our relative weakness - physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually- in the face of the threats that surround us, threats both real and imagined. Our fears demand relief and we find many ways to cover our insecurities. Some of our choices are certainly better than others, but all those focused on ourselves, fail to achieve the desired end. For example:
We bluff and bluster with boastful words.
We criticize others, somehow thinking that noting their flaws hides our own.
We drink too much or party too heartily.
We seek endless diversions in pleasure.
We work to gain degrees, awards, and certificates that 'prove' our worth and our significance.
We build financial portfolios to guarantee our future.
We diet and exercise trying to beat back the evidence of aging.
We learn to speak, dress, and act in ways that project an air of confidence, a cultivated image of acceptability.
We may even use our religion as a security blanket, wrapping ourselves in familiar rituals and words that help us to feel comfort.
True security can be found! It is not resident in you and me, but in Another. Consider this instruction given to God's people. "Don’t be fearful... don’t turn your back on God. Worship and serve him heart and soul! Don’t chase after ghost-gods. There’s nothing to them. They can’t help you. They’re nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who he is, is not going to walk off and leave his people. God took delight in making you into his very own people. ... fear God and worship him honestly and heartily. You’ve seen how greatly he has worked among you!" (1 Samuel 12:20-24, The Message)
We are beloved of God - not because of who we are, not because of what we have done, but because it is His Nature to love! His declaration is: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3, NIV) Paul points us toward the facts - contrasting our flaws and God's faithfulness when he writes: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." I can identify, how about you? Are you feeling insecure? Read on! "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior," (Titus 3:3-6, NIV)
When insecurity creeps up on you, don't look around.
Look up! Thank God for your eternal security that is anchored in His unchanging character and overflowing love.
Let Him be your Rock, then LIVE confidently - not in self-confidence, but in God-confidence.
________________
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty Fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world,
With devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear,
For God hath willed,
His will to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For, lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.
--Luther, Martin; Copyright: Public Domain
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
You're not able...
Ever been told why you can't accomplish the dream that God has put in your heart? I have! People with good intentions think they are keeping us from being hurt when they warn us about our liabilities, point out all the reasons we ought to 'play it safe.' I've done it to others, not because I am mean, but because I thought I was 'helping' them.
One of the most valuable experiences in my life happened when I was just 21 years old, married for a short time, and father of a 9 month old baby. God dropped a dream into my heart that demanded a move across the country, an expensive move for a kid with no money. With little more than a prayer and promise, Bev and I set off for a new place in which to serve God. But there were those who thought we were crazy, who disagreed with the dream! We learned about real faith - even to the point of having groceries show up on our doorstep. Our baby developed pneumonia and spent 5 days in the hospital, and our parents were 2,000 miles away causing us to lean even more heavily on the Lord. A church and pastor saw potential in us for ministry and let us do things we hadn't done to that point, stretching us 'way past our comfort level. God knew exactly what He was doing and I'm thankful I was obedient even though what we did appeared foolish. Those 12 months were packed full of life-changing, soul-shaping, experiences- for us!
A young teenage boy was sent off to check up on his brothers in the army. When he got to their encampment, he saw something that caused a Spirit-inspired dream to rise up in him. A champion of the enemy walked out every morning to defy the army and their God. When David heard Goliath's defiant challenges, he felt compelled to do something to change the situation. When he mentioned his dream, his older brother scoffed, “What are you doing here! Why aren’t you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you’re up to. You’ve come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!” “What is it with you?” replied David. “All I did was ask a question.” (1 Samuel 17:28-29, The Message) When David told King Saul about his desire to fight Goliath, the king scoffed at him, too. “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!” (1 Samuel 17:33, NLT)
The rest of the story is well- known. David finally did face the giant on the field of battle. His method was un-orthodox - a slingshot against sword, spear, and shield! It should have been a quick easy win for the giant except that David had an inspired dream, and faith that made all the difference. Did he shake with fear as he walked out to face a deadly enemy? Probably. Did he grasp the apparent foolishness of his quest? Probably not. That's the blessedness of dreamers! They see possibilities where others see only certain failure.
Dreamers scare me and yet, I admire them. Now that I am 50; yes, a half-century old, I am much more cautious than I was 25 years ago; less inclined to take the risks that most dreams require. That's quite common among older guys! We're now the ones telling the young dreamers to 'go slow,' why they can't do what we would have done 30 years ago, how much it costs, that they will surely 'get hurt,' and yet, dreamers keep on defying the wise men.
If your dream is God-inspired, go for it! The Word says, "If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?" (Romans 8:31, CEV)
Gather your resources, take good counsel, learn all you are able to know about doing what He wants you to do. Prepare for pain. Be ready to endure long spells when nothing seems to be happening. Those closest to you will be your worst critics, but stay the course.
Here's a word from the Word for all you dreamers to meditate on today:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time... and the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:6, 9-10, NIV)
__________________________
"Are ye able," said the Master,"to be crucified with Me?"
"Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered,"to the death we follow Thee."
"Lord, we are able, our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, Divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be,
a beacon to God, to love, to loyalty."
"Are ye able," still the Master,whispers down eternity,
"to be crucified with Me?"
And heroic spirits answer,
Now as then in Galilee.
"Lord, we are able, our spirits are Thine,
Remold them, make us, like Thee, Divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be,
a beacon to God, to love, to loyalty."
- hymn by Harry Mason
One of the most valuable experiences in my life happened when I was just 21 years old, married for a short time, and father of a 9 month old baby. God dropped a dream into my heart that demanded a move across the country, an expensive move for a kid with no money. With little more than a prayer and promise, Bev and I set off for a new place in which to serve God. But there were those who thought we were crazy, who disagreed with the dream! We learned about real faith - even to the point of having groceries show up on our doorstep. Our baby developed pneumonia and spent 5 days in the hospital, and our parents were 2,000 miles away causing us to lean even more heavily on the Lord. A church and pastor saw potential in us for ministry and let us do things we hadn't done to that point, stretching us 'way past our comfort level. God knew exactly what He was doing and I'm thankful I was obedient even though what we did appeared foolish. Those 12 months were packed full of life-changing, soul-shaping, experiences- for us!
A young teenage boy was sent off to check up on his brothers in the army. When he got to their encampment, he saw something that caused a Spirit-inspired dream to rise up in him. A champion of the enemy walked out every morning to defy the army and their God. When David heard Goliath's defiant challenges, he felt compelled to do something to change the situation. When he mentioned his dream, his older brother scoffed, “What are you doing here! Why aren’t you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you’re up to. You’ve come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!” “What is it with you?” replied David. “All I did was ask a question.” (1 Samuel 17:28-29, The Message) When David told King Saul about his desire to fight Goliath, the king scoffed at him, too. “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!” (1 Samuel 17:33, NLT)
The rest of the story is well- known. David finally did face the giant on the field of battle. His method was un-orthodox - a slingshot against sword, spear, and shield! It should have been a quick easy win for the giant except that David had an inspired dream, and faith that made all the difference. Did he shake with fear as he walked out to face a deadly enemy? Probably. Did he grasp the apparent foolishness of his quest? Probably not. That's the blessedness of dreamers! They see possibilities where others see only certain failure.
Dreamers scare me and yet, I admire them. Now that I am 50; yes, a half-century old, I am much more cautious than I was 25 years ago; less inclined to take the risks that most dreams require. That's quite common among older guys! We're now the ones telling the young dreamers to 'go slow,' why they can't do what we would have done 30 years ago, how much it costs, that they will surely 'get hurt,' and yet, dreamers keep on defying the wise men.
If your dream is God-inspired, go for it! The Word says, "If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?" (Romans 8:31, CEV)
Gather your resources, take good counsel, learn all you are able to know about doing what He wants you to do. Prepare for pain. Be ready to endure long spells when nothing seems to be happening. Those closest to you will be your worst critics, but stay the course.
Here's a word from the Word for all you dreamers to meditate on today:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time... and the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:6, 9-10, NIV)
__________________________
"Are ye able," said the Master,"to be crucified with Me?"
"Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered,"to the death we follow Thee."
"Lord, we are able, our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, Divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be,
a beacon to God, to love, to loyalty."
"Are ye able," still the Master,whispers down eternity,
"to be crucified with Me?"
And heroic spirits answer,
Now as then in Galilee.
"Lord, we are able, our spirits are Thine,
Remold them, make us, like Thee, Divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be,
a beacon to God, to love, to loyalty."
- hymn by Harry Mason
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
What only love can do
I wish that every Christian I know could view a segment from CBS TV's 60 Minutes program that aired last Wednesday evening.
(see http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/10/60minutes/main1036922.shtml)
Bob Simon visited Pakistan and reported on 13 American paramedics who are working to help people who were injured in the earthquake that struck there 6 weeks ago. The region was devastated on a scale that is almost beyond imagination. Over 90,000 people are counted dead so far. Entire villages were destroyed and, because they are so remote, no official agencies had reached them 3 weeks after the 'quake! The 13 Americans whose story was told in this segment, went to help on their own, without assistance. They are working in a place that is in the heart of Osama Bin Laden country, where anti-Americanism is rampant, where there are many training camps for Islamic jihadists. AND.... they are accomplishing what the guns of our armies cannot accomplish! In addition to saving lives, they are changing hearts. One of the paramedics reported, “One guy came up to me yesterday and was holding out his hands like this. And I'm looking. I'm like, ‘Oh does he want treatment?’ And he was signaling me to put my hands out and he said, ‘We have five fingers, five fingers, arm, arm, elbow, elbow. We're the same.’ And then he shook my hand.” These heroes are the first Americans most of these Pakistani's have ever met! What a first impression.
Those 13 paramedics from NYC are ambassadors of the USA. They represent this country, though that is not their primary mission. Similarly, Believers represent the Kingdom of Jesus everyday! People draw conclusions about what a Christian is like, who Jesus is, and the validity of the faith - based on our words and actions. Our care, our service to others - motivated by the love of Jesus Christ - can and will change the hearts of people who are skeptical about Christianity. All the ad campaigns, all the arguments, all the grand schemes created to convince others that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world will not have the effect that humble, serving Christians have when we live with the love of Jesus causing us to meet human needs that are around us. 2 Cor. 5.20 refers to Believers as "Christ's ambassadors." I am convinced that there will be more people in Heaven because of simple acts of service that lifted up Christ than because of the all the books and sermons preached in fiery fervency! My own grandparents became Believers because, at a critical time in their lives when Grandfather Scott was terribly injured in an automobile accident, a group of Christians from a little country church came and did his farm work, for weeks on end. Those anonymous servants in NW Iowa changed the course of life for dozens of us who are his descendants because they milked cows and tilled fields in the name of Jesus.
We must take care that we do not become manipulative with our acts of service, trying to impress, using 'compassion' as a propaganda tool. Christian service that is done with an ulterior motive of making converts quickly becomes corrupt! Love for God, love of others are the only motives that are pure. Conversions are incidental, though inevitable. John reminds us that 'we love because He first loved us.' Christian service that does not flow from love is useless, even offensive according to 1 Corinthians 13 where we read, "If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever." (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NLT)
Who is waiting to be loved in your circle of influence?
There are opportunities to serve right where we are. We do not have to travel to Pakistan (though some of us might do that) to show Christ's love. We may just listen carefully to the person in the next cube at work. We may just help our extended family through a crisis. We may become a faithful volunteer in some local hospital or agency. We may just need to dethrone Self and serve our family lovingly.
Love is a powerful catalyst for change. All the power of the armies that march the face of the earth cannot accomplish what an army motivated by the love of Christ can. Have you signed on? Have you accepted your commission to become a person that loves genuinely in His Name?
(see http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/10/60minutes/main1036922.shtml)
Bob Simon visited Pakistan and reported on 13 American paramedics who are working to help people who were injured in the earthquake that struck there 6 weeks ago. The region was devastated on a scale that is almost beyond imagination. Over 90,000 people are counted dead so far. Entire villages were destroyed and, because they are so remote, no official agencies had reached them 3 weeks after the 'quake! The 13 Americans whose story was told in this segment, went to help on their own, without assistance. They are working in a place that is in the heart of Osama Bin Laden country, where anti-Americanism is rampant, where there are many training camps for Islamic jihadists. AND.... they are accomplishing what the guns of our armies cannot accomplish! In addition to saving lives, they are changing hearts. One of the paramedics reported, “One guy came up to me yesterday and was holding out his hands like this. And I'm looking. I'm like, ‘Oh does he want treatment?’ And he was signaling me to put my hands out and he said, ‘We have five fingers, five fingers, arm, arm, elbow, elbow. We're the same.’ And then he shook my hand.” These heroes are the first Americans most of these Pakistani's have ever met! What a first impression.
Those 13 paramedics from NYC are ambassadors of the USA. They represent this country, though that is not their primary mission. Similarly, Believers represent the Kingdom of Jesus everyday! People draw conclusions about what a Christian is like, who Jesus is, and the validity of the faith - based on our words and actions. Our care, our service to others - motivated by the love of Jesus Christ - can and will change the hearts of people who are skeptical about Christianity. All the ad campaigns, all the arguments, all the grand schemes created to convince others that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world will not have the effect that humble, serving Christians have when we live with the love of Jesus causing us to meet human needs that are around us. 2 Cor. 5.20 refers to Believers as "Christ's ambassadors." I am convinced that there will be more people in Heaven because of simple acts of service that lifted up Christ than because of the all the books and sermons preached in fiery fervency! My own grandparents became Believers because, at a critical time in their lives when Grandfather Scott was terribly injured in an automobile accident, a group of Christians from a little country church came and did his farm work, for weeks on end. Those anonymous servants in NW Iowa changed the course of life for dozens of us who are his descendants because they milked cows and tilled fields in the name of Jesus.
We must take care that we do not become manipulative with our acts of service, trying to impress, using 'compassion' as a propaganda tool. Christian service that is done with an ulterior motive of making converts quickly becomes corrupt! Love for God, love of others are the only motives that are pure. Conversions are incidental, though inevitable. John reminds us that 'we love because He first loved us.' Christian service that does not flow from love is useless, even offensive according to 1 Corinthians 13 where we read, "If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever." (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NLT)
Who is waiting to be loved in your circle of influence?
There are opportunities to serve right where we are. We do not have to travel to Pakistan (though some of us might do that) to show Christ's love. We may just listen carefully to the person in the next cube at work. We may just help our extended family through a crisis. We may become a faithful volunteer in some local hospital or agency. We may just need to dethrone Self and serve our family lovingly.
Love is a powerful catalyst for change. All the power of the armies that march the face of the earth cannot accomplish what an army motivated by the love of Christ can. Have you signed on? Have you accepted your commission to become a person that loves genuinely in His Name?
Monday, November 14, 2005
"Yeah, that's good enough!"
I'm a perfectionist... sometimes... in those things about which I really care. I was working on leaf clean-up in my yard with a friend on Saturday. As he was using the blower to get the leaves out of the shrubbery around the house, there were little pockets of leaves left here and there. I told him - "You don't have to broom sweep it. That's good enough." I like my lawn mowed and neat, but I'm quite content to just do what is necessary, no more. You won't find me spending a lot of time on the details. My car is another matter. I keep it clean; washed on the outside, wiped down inside on a weekly basis- and I'm quite particular about the way it's done. The way a lawn is kept or the maintenance of a car is not a major matter, is it? These are just personal preferences that come from our training and personalities.
There is one area in life where excellence is demanded from all of us, at all times, and where the statement, "Yeah, that's good enough!" has no place. Where might that be? Let an ancient Scripture give a clue. It's lengthy and refers to another time and form of worship but the principle comes shining through to us - clear as crystal!
There is one area in life where excellence is demanded from all of us, at all times, and where the statement, "Yeah, that's good enough!" has no place. Where might that be? Let an ancient Scripture give a clue. It's lengthy and refers to another time and form of worship but the principle comes shining through to us - clear as crystal!
- The Lord Almighty says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. I am your father and master, but where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have despised my name! ... “You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord Almighty. ...
“I wish that someone among you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not at all pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will not accept your offerings. ...
“But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table. You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at his commands,” says the Lord Almighty. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and mutilated, crippled and sick—presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord. “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is feared among the nations! Malachi 1:5-14 NLT
This Scripture emerges from a time when things were going well for the Jewish nation and as a result, passion for God had cooled. The temple worship was done as a matter of obligation, rather than as a matter of love. Instead of regarding their worship of Yahweh as a privileged honor, they thought it a burden. The result was that they did the minimum they felt was required to keep up appearances. Their hearts were not in what they did! And God was offended by what He sees as contempt for His Person!
When a person cuts corners in those things he does in service to God, when he offers half-hearted worship, when he fails to fully honor God in thought, word, and deed- it is an offense to the Holy One.
Do you teach that Sunday School class to the best of your ability?
When you write your offering check, is it a minimum amount or a generous gift that honors God?
When you come to worship do you come exhausted from staying up 'til mid-night watching TV or with a refreshed heart and mind that is ready to sing, to pray, to hear the Word?
In your daily worship what is your motivation- to spend enough time and stay focused until you meet God or just to check off the box that says, "Duty fulfilled"?
God desires the best, the first, the costly - because He deserves it. And He promises: "if you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deut. 4:29 NIV
Let's never be content to say, "Yeah, that's good enough for God!" Rather let's passionately serve Him, as is fitting for the Majestic Lord.
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