Throwing grenades?

Yoda said “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”  (Star Wars, thanks, George Lucas.)  There is a crazed intensity in our political landscape that seems to only grow. 15 years ago, as President Bush was preparing to go to war in Iraq, there were differences of opinion, but at least we could talk about them.  In 2018, Americans - families, friends, even churches - are split down the middle. So many of our conversations resemble those of boys on a school playground – boasts and threats, mostly irrational. We are shouting at each other, taking increasingly radical positions diametrically opposed to the other side.  Whatever the reason for the collapse of civility, I can say this with certainty – “For those who are in Christ this ought not to be the situation.”  If you’re hating the ‘other side’ you are sinning; no question about it.

Paul takes on the challenge of unity. Read the inspired Word intently. “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:1-4, NIV)

Think about what you have received from Jesus, we are reminded. Does Jesus shout at us, condemn us, call us stupid, hold us at a distance? He loves us tenderly, even when we are difficult, sinful, or selfish. His grace extends to us at our worst, the bold love of God offered ‘while we were still sinners,’ resisting Him, rejecting Him.  So, in the way He accepts us, we are to accept those with whom we live.  Can that be hard?  You’re nodding in the affirmative, aren’t you?  Even the most mild-mannered among us has someone in family or at work, a person that is just plain hard to love. Even if we wish them no ill, we would be relieved if they would just disappear.  You know it’s true, don’t you?

God asks us to choose humility.  Instead of being so certain, quick to say, “I’m right!”- we are told to consider that the other guy might have something to say to us. The Spirit says, "Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." (Philippians 2:4, The Message)  That directive is not just about ‘nice people,’ or those who reciprocate with reasonable words.  Love is our individual choice, as we are secure in the love of Jesus!  He asks a simple question of us “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that?”  He reminds us that “Even sinners love those who love them! … Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate." (Luke 6:32-36, NLT)

This Monday morning, before you rush off to your day, bring to mind that person that really rubs you the wrong way. Think that person who makes your life hard. Now … pray for them, honestly!  Pray until you can get past the “Well, Lord, I guess You love them so I’ll try to be nice”  to a place where you can care about their interests, seek the best for them.  By the way, if you do not know what that it, God does, so agree with Him.

Unity needs to be more than a slogan. The word from the Word says “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)  Let’s stop throwing grenades and start building some bridges.

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Whatever happens…

Yesterday I went home a bit early from the office to get the lawn mowed before going back for a meeting.  At 3:30 it was beautiful, sun shining brightly, a light breeze stirring.  I finished up a little before 5. A few minutes later the sky darkened and down came the rain. It poured for about 10 minutes. Life is like that, isn’t it?  Life is good, friends are great, we are feeling joy. Cruising along, we are so grateful for the sunny skies and then it happens. “It” can be so many different things – sickness, job loss, accident, a broken heart. The reality of our faith or the lack thereof becomes evident in those kinds of days.

Listen to Paul’s counsel, inspired by the Spirit. He has just reminded those reading his letter that he is uncertain about whether he will live or die, that life means continuing service to Christ Jesus; that death is his homegoing to the home of his Father.
 

 In times of that kind of change, he says that there is a priority choice to be made.  "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." (Philippians 1:27-30, NIV)

When things go upside in life, there are a variety of responses other than living in faith, aren’t there?   

Sometimes we blow up, raging in our frustration.  We lash out at anything and everyone because of our anger. 

Sometimes we shrink into a defensive posture, withdrawing from life and retreating into a sullen silence. 

Sometimes we become Chicken Little, so overwhelmed with fear that we run around declaring that the world is coming to an end! 

Sometimes we go off the rails trying to distract ourselves; chasing pleasure, spending too much, overeating.  

 God asks for a different response. “Live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ.” (The Message)

When we focus on faith, pull together in “one spirit,” refusing to let fear rule us a kind of beauty emerges in us, the Light of Jesus shining through us.  Even as I write these words, I shudder to remember some of those moments when I have not made the choice of faith and turned into an angry man.  But, I also remember moments when I chose faith, when there was a beauty in my brokenness that honored the Lord I love.  How about you?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our heritage as a Christian included only sunny days without trouble? But, that is not life in this world. A final observation from Paul’s letter this morning is the last part of the passage quoted above. Note it again- “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”   Those difficulties are not a surprise to our Father in Heaven. He knows the paths we walk and prepares gracious gifts of patience and encouragement for those moments of suffering and struggle.

Let’s pray for the depth of faith to stay steady, to keep serving Christ as He desires whatever happens!

Here is a word from the Word.
"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

Sinners will have no place among the godly.

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,

but the path of the wicked leads to destruction." (Psalm 1:1-6, NLT)
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“Everything happens for a reason’ is not true!

Seems to me that we are treated to the ‘crisis of the week’ by our news media. The imminent end of the world is always just around the corner. The world we live in does have real issues, but to get our attention everybody is screaming at full voice, hyping their concerns in the most apocalyptic terms. Remember when the news was full of stories about the collapse of bee colonies a decade ago?  We were warned that our food supply was threatened, that famine would follow, because of the critical importance of bees in the pollination process.  We’re still here and with plenty of food.  Was it a real issue? Yes, it was and continues to be a concern, but the end of the world was not about to happen!

Perhaps you are in a time when tomorrow is uncertain, when you cannot see a way forward. There may be voices, inward or even from people around you, that suggest the imminent end of your world. That day in March of 2014 when Bev was diagnosed with terminal cancer stands out vividly in my mind as a moment when the future went black!  When she stepped into eternity 20 months later, I could not imagine a life without her; yet here I am.  Life has continued, not as I might have wished, but it has gone on. I can even see where the Lord has used this sorrow like a chisel to shape me for His use, as an invitation to know Him more deeply.

There is a passage, written by Paul from prison, that is packed full of assurance for Christians who cannot see a way ahead. He does not ask us to give into Fate. He shows the foundation of hope, a strong faith!  Paul had preached the Gospel of Christ across the Empire for 20 years. He had not known much of what we would call success.  He met resistance, was criticized, had been thrown out of cities, and now was languishing in a prison. Yet, he is joyful and hopeful. Why? 

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:12-21, NIV)

He does not say that ‘everything happens for a reason,’ which is nonsense.  That line dismisses the reality of our choices and the power of evil implying that God causes all things, including those things that cause us pain and suffering.  That is simply not true.  He allows things to happen, but He not the author of evil!  Paul never suggested that God put him in prison.  But, he does have full confidence that God, in answer to prayer and as he walked in faith, was able to use his situation to bring about Kingdom results.  As he sat there, guarded by the elite soldiers of Caesar’s guard, he found an audience he could not have reached before.  He recognized that as he was faithful despite his problems, others would be encouraged to remain faithful, too.

He fully expected God to use his life and to protect his salvation.  The phrase that we need to know and understand is the final one – “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”   Dead or alive, Paul belonged to Jesus Christ and thus expected a win.  Alive, he continues to advance the Kingdom. Dead, he goes home to the Father.  Now that is a win-win if ever there was one.

In no way do I intend my thoughts to minimize your struggle.  Life can be hard.  We live everyday with the effects of sin’s curse in evidence. But, we are never without hope, if Christ is Lord. Expect the win, and allow that it may look nothing like you think it should. Continue to rejoice in the Lord.  He is at work to take those things that others, that the Devil, means for our destruction and to shape them into a means of displaying His grace and awesome power.  Steady on, patiently, in faith.

Here is a word from the Word.  It is not a simple thing.  But, it is a word to keep us when there appears to be no tomorrow. "And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us." (Romans 8:30-34, NLT)

Abba, increase my faith.

Turn my fears into courageous hope,

My struggles into a display of Your grace and mercy.

Whisper of Your power to save to me,

convince me that You secure my future, straight into Eternity.

Jesus, may You shine most brightly in me when the skies are dark.

Spirit of God, lead me on, through the storm, through the uncertainties,

Into the glorious Will of the Father.

Amen