Truth and Compassion

I could not question the young preacher's sincerity about his desire to reach out to a group of needy people. He had met a group of Christian people who were homosexuals. As they told him about the persecution that they felt in many churches, his heart was touched. So, he went to his study and, after some time, decided to affirm the 'gay' lifestyle as acceptable, even to the extent of celebrating ceremonies of commitment for homosexual couples. He kept repeating this line, "God loves them, and I must love them, too." He's right on that point, the importance of loving people that God loves. But, he has misunderstood grace and made a mistake in discarding clear Scriptural teaching by affirming the 'rightness' of homosexual practice.

Knowing how to accept and love people and remain truthful about the sins in their lives is a tough line to draw properly whether it's a hot button social issue we're discussing or something as pedestrian as how we handle our money! There is always a tension between truth and compassion. 50 years ago the big issue among Believers was divorce. In most evangelical churches in the 1950's and 60's, if you were a divorced person, you could attend church, but forget about participating in ministry. A divorced person couldn't teach Sunday School, serve on the church board, or distribute Communion. But, over time, we re-examined the issue and realized that while God declares He hates divorce, He permits it because we live in an imperfect world where our best intentions and our actual experiences are sometimes miles apart! Most churches have come 'round to accepting people who have experienced the sorrow of divorce while still holding onto the importance of protecting the marriage covenant as the Bible teaches, but it took a long time to work it out the tension.

Truth and compassion are not enemies! The most loving thing we can do is tell the truth - to ourselves and to others. Where the Bible is clear, we cannot rewrite the standards of righteousness to fit our need to be compassionate. But, we cannot allow our fears to cause us to use the Bible like a Gospel gun, shooting down those who fail to meet the standard. Our presentation of Truth must always be redemptive, full of hope, gentle, and respectful. That is where I believe many Bible Believers run off the road! They fail to understand the brokenness that sin causes and beat up the sinner for their sin, instead of weeping with the sinner, hoping and praying for an opportunity to love them to wholeness.

Jesus told a story that is familiar, yet compelling. A man asked the Lord, "Who is my neighbor?" In other words, "Who does God expect me to care for and love?" "Jesus answered by telling a story.
“There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’
“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?” “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, “Go and do the same.” " (Luke 10:30-37, The Message)

That's a story with profound implications for spiritual care of others! When we see somebody that Satan has beaten up, who has fallen into the grip of sin - big or small - our natural response is to stay away. We don't want to be contaminated, to be 'infected' with their sin, so we are tempted just go to the other side of the road, feigning blindness. If that is our response, we sin, too! We fail the person in need and we fail in our God-given mission. We perpetuate the 'us vs. them' mentality that Jesus condemned.

He chose a Samaritan as the hero for his story because Samaritans were despised as spiritually inferior, and they knew it! If we realize that the only difference between us and someone at the side of the road of life, bleeding from the Devil's attacks, is the grace of God, that we not inherently superior because we are not in that particular place, we will not approach the half-dead sinner with anything except compassion. We will find ourselves incapable of even thinking, "He made his bed, so let him lie in it! Stupid person!" Instead, we will realize - "But for the grace of God, it would be me lying there, broken and bleeding." And with a joyful heart we will put the broken person in our car and make sure they feel loved, cared for, and accepted.
When they know we care about them, really really care, we will have ample opportunities to talk about their spiritual needs and the cure for sin that is found in Jesus Christ. But their salvation ultimately is God's business, not ours. We are not Saviors! We are just people who were once broken, that God found and healed, and commissioned to go and find others who are laying beside the road.

But I also note that the Samaritan didn't lay down with the beaten man, saying, "Hey, fellow, what's it feel like to lay here on the road? Is it a great thing to be bleeding like that? I think I'll whack myself on the head so I can feel your pain and bleed with you." That's just nuts! He saw the man's real need was not somebody to bleed with him, but someone to pick him up and get help!

God help us to know how to reach out with the right combination of Truth and Compassion. May He keep us from becoming complacent in His love and failing to deal with our own sins, and also keep us from living neurotic and perfectionist lives, because we fail to receive amazing grace offered to us in Christ.
______________________

Jesus, thank you for loving me.
Help me to love others.
I need Your wisdom to balance truth with compassion.
Help! Amen

Maturity- Being 'in charge' of Me

Are you living like a perpetual teenager with poor impulse control, unable or unwilling to choose the best path when there is no one 'in charge?' One of the frightening things about parenting a teenager is that he old enough to act somewhat independently, but usually is lacking the ability to monitor and regulate his own behavior. For example, when you hand him the keys to the car, you may be confident in his ability to operate the automobile's controls, but you're much less confident about his good judgment. Dr. Henry Cloud writes, "It is one thing to drive safely when you look in the rearview mirror and see a policeman. That is external feedback. It is another thing to drive safely when you're out on the road by yourself. That is maturity." (Integrity, Collins, 2006) Many Christians who ought to be mature in the Lord and capable of making choices that lead to a Christ-honoring life, are still in the grip of their emotions and impulses. Their appetites rage out of control. They appear to be unable to step up to the inconvenient, the unpleasant, or the difficult choices today that would lead them to a better life tomorrow.

I once thought that maturity would free me from making mistakes all together. But that did not factor in two important issues - that I do not always have all the facts I need to make a 'perfect' decision; and I am a sinful man who cannot always life above the temptations of this life because I am broken. I now know that maturity, emotional and intellectual, allows me to step outside of myself and see what I am doing or have done. Maturity causes me to correct my actions, bringing them in line with God's will and acceptable standards, without waiting for someone else to threaten punishment or to enforce the rules. When the mature person realizes that he has made a mistake, first; he owns his choice without shifting blame, and second; he proactively adjusts his actions to avoid compounding the error. Maturity doesn't mean, "I can do it all myself." It means, "I take charge of me and seek whatever resources I need to become the person that God wants me to be."

The Word challenges us to maturity.
"...be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
...we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ,
...Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused.
Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.

But that isn’t what you were taught when you learned about Christ.
Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.
Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes." (Ephesians 4:13-23, NLT)

Do you see the keys to maturity that are revealed in that passage?

There is vision. Look at Christ. Study His life and measure yourself by Him! We won't grow up if we are content to use lesser standards.
There is truth. Know the truth, accept the truth, and relentlessly insist on living in the truth - even when it's not pleasant.
There is choice. Understand that there is right and there is wrong! Then choose. Note the strong action phrase, "throw off your old evil nature." If we want to grow up, we cannot just be passive, waiting for someone to do the hard work for us. We must take the old ways off like old dirty clothes and toss them aside in the trash!

Then the same passage says this - "...put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24, NIV) The Word is not telling us to 'put on' as in pretending to be someone we are not, as an actor 'puts on' a costume or makeup to change his appearance. Rather we are to take Christ and put the life He gives us in place in our life! We are called to take the steps necessary to change our behavior so that we are truly holy.

Here at the beginning of 2007, let me encourage you to 'grow up!' If you're making excuses for eating too much, having a mouth that is out of control, or failing to meet God's high expectations - Stop! Tell yourself, "I am 'in charge' of Me!" Prayerfully seek a new vision of who God wants you to be. Face the truth and allow others to hold a mirror up for you. And "put on" Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to practice the disciplines of grace that create openings into your soul where you are changed from the inside out.

"So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; ... let's get on with it." (Hebrews 6:1, 3 The Message)

"I thank God for you."

My e-mail's inbox had a special letter in it today. Dave has been a Believer for nearly 30 years. He has journeyed through various stages and been part of several churches in that span, but he wrote to express thanks for the solid spiritual foundation that was laid for him by the ministry of my Dad. "We have realized how blessed we were to have been part of the Washington Assembly of God back in those late 70’s early 80’s days. The solid teaching, gifts of the Spirit and what we learned about worship has carried us through difficult times over the years. We are very thankful that we had the privilege to sit under the ministry of your father." Most touching about the email, though, were the little things he remembered, like the day, only the 2nd Sunday he attended the church, when he asked my Dad where he could a Bible and Dad handed him his own nearly new, leather bound, study Bible - opening it and inscribing - “To my friend, David, may this be the light of your life. God Bless, Pastor Scott.” Dad doesn't just talk about being a Christian, he lives it. He is a Believer - everyday, everywhere, in big ways and small ways. Is he flawless? No, and neither am I. (I'm fairly certain you're not perfect yet, either.) But, he is consistent in his love for God and others. And after 72 years here on this planet, he's touched more lives than I know, by just being the man God wants him to be.

The Bible urges each one of us to "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." (Ephesians 4:1, NKJV) Our daily lives (that is what 'walk' means in that context) must be characterized by the Spirit's goodness, lived in a way that honors our Lord! A life that is worthy does not simply appear in the big moments, the grand gestures. It becomes evident over time in the ordinary kindness, the thoughtfulness, the selflessness that God desires of us. Know this, too; a worthy life is not calculated or forced. We live out of who we are at the core of our being. We will not live as a gracious, generous, Christ-honoring person if that is not who we really are in our core character. Jesus observed, "the mouth speaks what is in the heart."

Want to live a life worthy of the Lord, one that honors Jesus?
First, go the Cross and receive Christ, as Savior and Lord. Then, pray for a changed heart and begin to practice the spiritual disciplines that create channels into the core of your character for the inflow of the Holy Spirit's life-giving power. The person whose very heart is godly has integrity. This kind of integrity will bring honor to the Lord Jesus. Others will give thanks for us as the goodness of God splashes over into their lives. It is a life that of maturity, that knows self-regulation, and is lived 'on purpose.'

At the beginning of 2007, let me encourage you to join me on bended knee, humble before God, praying that He will pour out His grace - making us Believers who live without any gap between the faith we profess and our day to day deeds!

When others think of you, of the time they spent in your presence, let it be with thoughts of joy, of thankfulness to God for the ways your actions blessed them. "Every time I think of you, I thank my God. And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy." (Philippians 1:3-5, CEV)
________________________________

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow'r to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true
Every moment you live.

Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing,
Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Make Me A Blessing
Author: Wilson, Ira B. / Schuler, George S.
Copyright: Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

You're so different from me!

My brothers and sisters gathered at my parent's home yesterday. What a group! There are 13 of us, including the adopted children, and despite having the same parents, we are different - very different. We have chosen different careers, live in different locations, and chose very different ways to distinguish ourselves. Our ages span almost 40 years, a full generation! When we get together it's so easy to just notice how different we are instead of what connects us, bonding us into a family. When we get together, we re-tell our stories, share a meal, and remind ourselves that despite our diversity, we are 'the Scott family.' It's an empowering experience.

All people associate in groups; and they conform to the group's norm, and they consciously and sometimes unconsciously exclude those who are 'non-conforming.' If you don't believe it, go to a place where you're the only one of a different race or skin color, or visit a tightly knit organization as an outsider who does not know the 'code.' That sense of discomfort you will inevitably feel comes both from inside yourself and from the exclusion communicated in subtle ways to you by those who are already in. Observe children in school and, in a short time, you will be able to determine who is 'in' and setting the group standard, who is 'out' eliminated from the circle, and the players who are trying hard to adopt the group's look in an attempt to move into the center of the group from the lonely edges. The conformity thing is not all bad. Admittedly, groups can become a means of exploitation, empowering those only interested in selfish gain, such as a street gang. But, groups can also be a means of creating trust, community, where synergy allows us to accomplish goals that would be way out of reach for any one person.

When difference is overly noticed, the inevitable result is discrimination and creation of structures of exclusion that perpetuate privilege for the 'insiders.' Those of us who follow Jesus Christ must not allow ourselves to become people who exclude, who create walls that divide the 'in' from the 'out.' It's so easy to do, because it is so natural to our humanity, and because it is so psychologically comforting to 'fit in' and then to close the door behind ourselves, shutting out those who would disturb the status quo. Our Lord said, “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 5:9, The Message) We reach out to others and bring them 'in' because God reached out to us and brought us 'in.'

This is powerfully illustrated from the life of the first generation Church. The message of Christ was first adopted by Jews who accepted Jesus as their Messiah, but within a few years, first Peter and then Paul, were directed by the Holy Spirit to take the Good News of Jesus to those in the wider world. Many Jewish Believers resisted that, believing that the first covenant's religious laws (Sabbath rules, kosher dietary laws, and the rite of circumcision) had to be observed by anyone who wanted into the family of God.. In other words, they thought you had to become a Jew before you could become a Christian. But Paul, inspired by the Spirit, said that Jesus had a new plan - a plan to include those who were once excluded. Take a look - "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away (Gentiles) have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, (Jew and Gentile) thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." (Ephesians 2:13-18, NIV)

Those who would belong to God no longer celebrate their differences! They come together around the Cross of Christ, in the bond of the Spirit. Jew and Gentile, male and female, rich and poor, people of all races and colors - are invited into God's family.

We celebrate our new and amazing group described by Paul - "you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28, NLT)

Do you know any 'outsiders,' people who are alone?
Invite them in, extending a welcome, going the distance to bridge the gap. As you create trust and discover common ground, you will also create opportunities to share the love of Christ.

As a Christian, are you consciously focusing on the Cross and the Spirit that bind you to others who are in the family of God, or ...
are you falling into the natural (and sinful!) pattern of playing up the differences, creating division and disunity in the Church?

Be a peace-maker!
Build up the Body.
Create unity- for God's sake. And others will say, "I knew she was a real child of God!"
__________________________________

Musing in the opening hours of 2007

More than a few of us somehow awakened this January 1,2007 with the assumption that this year would finally be the 'one' - the year that we get thinner, or richer, or married, or un-married, or that we'll fall in love, or that we will forgive that person who hurt us badly last year, or... well, come on - you're kind of hoping for something to get better this year, aren't you? Each of us hopes in one way or another. What better time to renew our dreams than right at the start of a new year? Truthfully, I am eager for 2007, but not because I'm running from something. I'm running to Someone! I enjoyed many blessings, big and small, in '06. My family is healthy and prosperous, my kids and grandkids all doing reasonably well, thank the Lord. Bev and I became homeowners last year. It's not a big deal in terms of the world, but it was a blessings to us. Our church agreed to sell us the parsonage so we could start to prepare in earnest for that time when we retire in 20 years. Yes, we're a little late, but better late than never, right? More significantly, I came to know the Lord in a fuller way - which, paradoxically, only increased my hunger for Him and my desire to share Him with others.

It's not all joy and light, however. Spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally I am a work in progress! I like that old saying, "Be patient with me. God is not finished with me yet!" For you see, there are rooms in my heart house that need to be renovated by the Spirit of God. I pray He will enter them with His transforming grace in 2007. I hope for new victories in 2007 with faith that is founded on His promises and my experience of His amazing grace over the years. And, too, my heart continues to be broken by the death and suffering that millions endure in places like the Darfur region of the Sudan, Iraq, and North Korea. The plight of millions in our inner cities that are gripped by poverty and crime causes me to pray with urgency. I pray and hope that this new year will bring us some wise leaders who will join in the work of the Spirit of God in defeating dark, ugly demons that feed on human terror and agony!

Then, too, I hope for a change in the overall state of the Christian church in America, described so fittingly with Jesus' words to the ancient church in the city of Laodicea: "You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see." (Revelation 3:16-18, The Message) My prayer today is that the Lord will begin a work of renewal - and start with me! I want more than a temporary surge of spiritual fervor, more than comfort. I pray for real and lasting passion for the things of God, a passion that is paired with courage to live in His will regardless of the cost.

For what are you longing today?

Dream big. Hope for great things. Enlarge the vision that feeds your prayers. Don't just pray for a few more dollars in your pocket or for favor on the job. Yes, it's just fine to take those things to God in prayer, but ask the Spirit to help you to pray for the Kingdom to be established - in you and in this old world. James reminds us that "the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." (James 5:16, NLT)

Happy New Year, friend.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)
_____________________________

Father, I come to you this first day of this new year,
hopefully and prayerfully, asking that You will do a new work
in my heart and mind, a transformational work that makes me
fit for Your service, ready to be the person you want me to be.

I pray this hopefully remembering that You
defeated a giant using a teenage boy and his slingshot;
remembering that you called a young peasant woman
to bear Your Son and to bless this world;
remembering that you took an uneducated and unsophisticated fisherman named Simon
and filled Him with Your Spirit making him a rock in your Church,
and that You have him new name- Peter - that reflected the transformation!

So, I believe you can use me.
"Here I am, send me." is my hopeful prayer,
prayed in the Name of Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord -
of the world and of my life. Amen.