Someone close to me is unfortunately going through an incredibly difficult time in their marriage, one which may end in divorce. As is the all-too-familiar pattern, both are professing believers, but one has decided that when it comes to happiness, the authority of Scripture is to take a back seat. As my friend has tried to speak in love to his wife, whose infidelity is ongoing, and has tried to remind her both of his love for her and what the Bible says with regards to marriage and sin, her reaction is one that (while not surprising) is thought provoking to me. In prefacing a conversation she was about to have with him, she told him she did not want to hear any religious speech from him, but wanted just "plain talk".
That phrase/idea struck me for a number of reasons. It implies there is a dichotomy in the life of the believer, that there is a special vocabulary and set of principles for faith, and another altogether for matters of "real" life. While coming from someone who has chosen to live their life deliberately that way such a statement is probably more revelatory than anything else, I find in it a challenge also. For the believer our "religious speech" should be our "plain talk".
1 Peter 4:11 - "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God..."
There ought to be in the life of the redeemed no difference in our speech from one day to the next, no contradiction in our lifestyle. We ought not have a vocabulary we reserve for the occasion of theological debates that is not common to the conversations of our lives. To somehow separate the two, to foster the mentality that the Bible is well and good for reading and reflecting on, but needs to be set aside in favor of common sense when real troubles arise is not faith unto salvation, it is evidence of a mind blinded by the god of this age.
For the believer, the language of our faith is the language of our life. I am not advocating be uncommunicative with a lost world, or living in such a way as to be deliberately judgmental of others. I am saying that if Christ truly is transforming us by the renewing of our minds, let this manifest itself in the way we talk, the way we live. Let faithfulness be fruit of the Spirit in our lives by which we are marked out as believers. May it be that people know better than to ask us to set aside the truth of the Gospel in having a conversation about the stuff of life. We cannot (and should not) set aside that on which we stake the hope of our eternal souls.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
A Beautiful Baptism
I went to see a friend get baptized today at the church he is about to join. I have seen many baptisms in my life, of friends and family at many different churches, but this one was different for some reason. This individual is about to go through a divorce unless God intervenes in a radical way. Having walked down that path, he is in an incredibly difficult place right now on all levels, and the end isn't exactly close on the horizon. He has not been a Christian for very long--only a few months. In fact, it has basically been this breakdown in his marriage at the culmination of a long list of events the Lord has used to bring him to Christ. I knew this individual a few years ago, before he became a Christian, reconnected with him just this week, and the difference is profound. His joy for the Lord is noticeable, his passion for the things of God inspiring. It was an indescribable privilege to be present at his public profession this day.
I think part of it was the nature of the church and the service itself. Prior to the baptism, the baptismal candidates have submitted written testimonies to be read on their behalf. The testimony is read, and you hear in their own words how God has romanced them, drawn them to Himself, brought them to this day. Each candidate makes the confession "Jesus is Lord" before they follow him into the water. As a congregation it is their tradition to say with the pastor the familiar declaration: "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." In between each there was the chorus of just a couple of lines proclaiming only the blood of Christ is enough to cover our sin. In short, the whole process draws you in, so that you feel the communal nature of what is taking place.
I appreciated all of it greatly, but I think the thing that will stand out the most to me about the baptism today was being introduced to my friend's mother after the service. Tears of joy are running down her face as I say to her how fantastic this was, and she responds, "Yes it was, and it has been a long time coming." I cannot begin to understand how many tears she has shed, how many prayers she has prayed prior to this day. How great is the God we serve! I realized then that what made this baptism so special, so beautiful to me was that in the grace of God I got to be a part of the story. Knowing the journey that brought him here, having the opportunity to participate in this new walk, that is what made it so beautiful. It has challenged me in a new way to share my faith, to invite others, both for their own salvation, but also (and I guess this is a little selfish) so that I can see more beautiful baptisms.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thinking about the Holy Spirit
John 16:14 - "He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
One of the main areas that I have been challenged in theologically through seminary thus far is in my understanding of the Holy Spirit. Like many Christians, I have always understood that the Holy Spirit is God, just like the Father and the Son. I have always had a somewhat vague understanding of what His work is, that as a believer I am indwelt of the Spirit, etc. I have never really been challenged to take it any deeper than that, and I am beginning to understand what a mistake that is. There is a new depth of God (not that I need any new depths to be made aware of--it's not like I can begin to understand Him now!) that I am starting to appreciate as I learn and reflect more on the Holy Spirit. I am halfway scared to even write much along the lines of reflecting on the Spirit, for fear of unintentional heresy. I'll try and keep my meditations brief and bound by Scripture, always with an attitude of worship.
The Holy Spirit seems to be the most mysterious person of the Godhead. While in Father and Son we have the luxury of analogous human relationships by which to at least begin to wrap our minds around those roles, there really is no such thing with regards to the Spirit. While on the one hand that could be perceived as something of a stumbling block, I have begun to realize that the Spirit has been given His own unique role, and it is significant indeed. I believe Jesus tells us what it is in the verse I reference above: The Spirit's role is to glorify the Son, which in turn glorifies the Father. As God, only the Spirit can do this adequately. The fact that He was sent as our Helper, to assist us in doing that, is a pretty incredible role indeed, one which we as the benefactors should appreciate a lot more. In some ways it sounds like something of a background role, not the up front and visible manifestation such as we see in Christ, and I think that is the point. It is a perfect expression of holiness, love, and humility that the Spirit does not seek attention for itself, but rather perfectly glorifies Father and Son. The gifts of the Spirit--powerful and mysterious as they are--are not given for our benefit, they are given to glorify God, to make known the saving name of Jesus, that others might, through faith in that sacrifice, become fit vessels for the Spirit of God, Who works to sanctify us for our eternal existence.
When I talk to God, I am typically thinking of addressing the Father, and at times the Son, but rarely do I think to address the Spirit. I think sometimes that is because we don't necessarily have a name by which to address the Spirit, at least not in the same sense that we know the Son to be Jesus, or that we are used to using the word 'Father' to address God. From a human standpoint that might make things a little easier when talking about the Holy Spirit, but I believe that's one of the cool things about the Holy Spirit--a name is not important, otherwise I think we would have been given one. His name is God, His work is vital, but understated in the sense that it is not about exalting Himself, it is about bearing witness to the work of the Son by which we are able to have fellowship with the Father. I by no means have my head wrapped around what that means, and thinking about it kind of makes my head heart.
I will say it has all made me think about the Trinity that much more, and has led to some pretty fantastic moments of worship as I try and think of different ways to explain it in my own mind. I tend to come up with some kind of scenario, description, or diagram that I think comes close, and even as I begin to be satisfied with myself about it, I realize it misses something, I have to throw it out, and I am just left laughing at myself and usually feeling goosebumps because of how awe-inspiring God truly is. While God is most certainly exalted and far above anything I can begin to comprehend, in the Trinity I am struck by just how near He comes. I am watched over by the Father, advocated by the Son, indwelt of the Spirit--now that is omnipresent! That is a whole new way of thinking about the Lord that is new and fresh to me, and I am thankful to the Lord for revealing it to me. It has brought a whole new level of comfort, security, and just worship. It has challenged me to get to know this mysterious person called the Holy Spirit, who has been sent to me, called the Helper.
Triune God, thank you, and WOW.
One of the main areas that I have been challenged in theologically through seminary thus far is in my understanding of the Holy Spirit. Like many Christians, I have always understood that the Holy Spirit is God, just like the Father and the Son. I have always had a somewhat vague understanding of what His work is, that as a believer I am indwelt of the Spirit, etc. I have never really been challenged to take it any deeper than that, and I am beginning to understand what a mistake that is. There is a new depth of God (not that I need any new depths to be made aware of--it's not like I can begin to understand Him now!) that I am starting to appreciate as I learn and reflect more on the Holy Spirit. I am halfway scared to even write much along the lines of reflecting on the Spirit, for fear of unintentional heresy. I'll try and keep my meditations brief and bound by Scripture, always with an attitude of worship.
The Holy Spirit seems to be the most mysterious person of the Godhead. While in Father and Son we have the luxury of analogous human relationships by which to at least begin to wrap our minds around those roles, there really is no such thing with regards to the Spirit. While on the one hand that could be perceived as something of a stumbling block, I have begun to realize that the Spirit has been given His own unique role, and it is significant indeed. I believe Jesus tells us what it is in the verse I reference above: The Spirit's role is to glorify the Son, which in turn glorifies the Father. As God, only the Spirit can do this adequately. The fact that He was sent as our Helper, to assist us in doing that, is a pretty incredible role indeed, one which we as the benefactors should appreciate a lot more. In some ways it sounds like something of a background role, not the up front and visible manifestation such as we see in Christ, and I think that is the point. It is a perfect expression of holiness, love, and humility that the Spirit does not seek attention for itself, but rather perfectly glorifies Father and Son. The gifts of the Spirit--powerful and mysterious as they are--are not given for our benefit, they are given to glorify God, to make known the saving name of Jesus, that others might, through faith in that sacrifice, become fit vessels for the Spirit of God, Who works to sanctify us for our eternal existence.
When I talk to God, I am typically thinking of addressing the Father, and at times the Son, but rarely do I think to address the Spirit. I think sometimes that is because we don't necessarily have a name by which to address the Spirit, at least not in the same sense that we know the Son to be Jesus, or that we are used to using the word 'Father' to address God. From a human standpoint that might make things a little easier when talking about the Holy Spirit, but I believe that's one of the cool things about the Holy Spirit--a name is not important, otherwise I think we would have been given one. His name is God, His work is vital, but understated in the sense that it is not about exalting Himself, it is about bearing witness to the work of the Son by which we are able to have fellowship with the Father. I by no means have my head wrapped around what that means, and thinking about it kind of makes my head heart.
I will say it has all made me think about the Trinity that much more, and has led to some pretty fantastic moments of worship as I try and think of different ways to explain it in my own mind. I tend to come up with some kind of scenario, description, or diagram that I think comes close, and even as I begin to be satisfied with myself about it, I realize it misses something, I have to throw it out, and I am just left laughing at myself and usually feeling goosebumps because of how awe-inspiring God truly is. While God is most certainly exalted and far above anything I can begin to comprehend, in the Trinity I am struck by just how near He comes. I am watched over by the Father, advocated by the Son, indwelt of the Spirit--now that is omnipresent! That is a whole new way of thinking about the Lord that is new and fresh to me, and I am thankful to the Lord for revealing it to me. It has brought a whole new level of comfort, security, and just worship. It has challenged me to get to know this mysterious person called the Holy Spirit, who has been sent to me, called the Helper.
Triune God, thank you, and WOW.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Seeking Peace
The other day I was praying, asking God to give me peace about a particular situation in the sort of nonchalant way that I have always asked in the past, in the way I have heard prayed by others countless times. This time, however, I was struck by a thought. I was asking God to "give me peace"--no real qualifier as to the circumstances, no stopping to think about the fact that perhaps not having peace about something may be an indicator that I am not to have peace about it until I do something that He may be urging me to do. Never mind the fact that the unspoken attitude of my asking was that I was just going to sit there and wait on Him to make me "feel better" about it--that's really what I was saying (without saying) by the way in which I was asking God for His peace. In short, I was just being lazy!
I am challenged that there is more to it than that. I do believe that we are to ask God for His peace; the Bible is full of doxologies expressing that very sentiment, as well as passages specifically telling believers not to worry, to cast our anxieties on Him. That said, there is more to it than simply asking Him in passing while I go on about my business. Am I letting the Spirit examine my life, such that areas of conflict which are of my own making can be dealt with? Have I oriented myself towards the Son such that I have a true perspective when I consider how I am being emotionally affected by what is going on in my life? Do I trust the sovereignty of the Father, that He is not ignorant of where I am or what I need? As I ask for peace, should that even be the object of my asking, or should I not be more concerned with connecting with the Prince of Peace? Too often I am being fooled by the lie that my comfort is to be sought at all times, and when that is even slightly disturbed, it needs to be brought up as a matter of utmost importance. Instead I should be seeking God, who has a perfect will He is working out in my life, that at times may not be very peaceful--and that is just fine with me.
"Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" - Matthew 6:33
I am challenged that there is more to it than that. I do believe that we are to ask God for His peace; the Bible is full of doxologies expressing that very sentiment, as well as passages specifically telling believers not to worry, to cast our anxieties on Him. That said, there is more to it than simply asking Him in passing while I go on about my business. Am I letting the Spirit examine my life, such that areas of conflict which are of my own making can be dealt with? Have I oriented myself towards the Son such that I have a true perspective when I consider how I am being emotionally affected by what is going on in my life? Do I trust the sovereignty of the Father, that He is not ignorant of where I am or what I need? As I ask for peace, should that even be the object of my asking, or should I not be more concerned with connecting with the Prince of Peace? Too often I am being fooled by the lie that my comfort is to be sought at all times, and when that is even slightly disturbed, it needs to be brought up as a matter of utmost importance. Instead I should be seeking God, who has a perfect will He is working out in my life, that at times may not be very peaceful--and that is just fine with me.
"Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" - Matthew 6:33
Monday, September 20, 2010
Ours is a Specific Faith
Driving in the car the other day I was channel surfing through the radio, when I stopped on what sounded like the tail end of a prayer. I paused to listen, and then my little info thing on the radio popped up and identified the program as being Deepak Chopra, presumably in the midst of a daily radio show he hosts or something. Fairly certain at this point that what I had heard was not any prayer I was interested in, I still decided to listen to see if there would be some explanation as to what the context was of the "prayer". None came, and instead his next guest came on. I don't know who the guest was, or really why he was on the show. Chopra identified (and the guest identified himself) as a Sufi, from a religious standpoint. Sufism is sort of a mystical, ascetic sect within Islam. To be honest I can't specifically tell you what Sufism is all about as a religion/faith. The larger point I want to get at is that Chopra asked this man what the Sufi believe, and he couldn't really say either. The answer he gave was a serious of generic cliches and platitudes with a kind of universal sound to them that had me thinking pretty much everybody on the planet was a Sufi based on this definition.
I think there were a couple of things going on in this conversation that stood out to me. For one, I am fairly certain the individual was trying to couch his answer in such a way as to be unoffensive to anyone listening, and to try and make it sound attractive and simple. That is part of what bothered me, the deliberate effort to conceal and confuse that upon which he believes his eternity depends. The other part that bothered me is the fact that even as he purposely tried to be vague, it was also clear that there was not a specific god, object, or belief system to which he could point as being central to his faith.
That struck me: as a Christian I believe in Jesus. Someday I will see Him, touch Him, kneel in His presence. I will put my hands in those scars mankind has left on His body, reminded of the fact that this One was sent by His Father to die for me. It is only by faith in Him that I am saved; it is that simple. That is what it means to be a Christian, to recognize that we are sinners in need of a Savior, that this is not of works lest any should boast. Those are just a few of the specific principles that define what it is to be a Christian. If they are confusing, then they are confusing. If they are offensive, then they are offensive.
I believe the existence of my very soul rests on that faith, on that Christ. I had better understand exactly what it is I believe about Him considering what is at stake. Considering what is at stake, I had better be able to tell someone who asks exactly what it is I believe and why. To water that down is to condemn them to hell as if I had never said anything. I guess that is probably part of the Sufi's problem; I don't know if he even believes in hell (and I have a feeling Deepak Chopra doesn't).
The challenge that conversation left me with is this: Be joyful in the fact that ours is a specific faith, in a particular God, Father of a unique Son, the relationship of which is animated by THE Holy Spirit. Be able to speak, in no uncertain terms, to the facts of that belief. Be unashamed how that comes across; why seek common ground with those whose sands are sinking?
I think there were a couple of things going on in this conversation that stood out to me. For one, I am fairly certain the individual was trying to couch his answer in such a way as to be unoffensive to anyone listening, and to try and make it sound attractive and simple. That is part of what bothered me, the deliberate effort to conceal and confuse that upon which he believes his eternity depends. The other part that bothered me is the fact that even as he purposely tried to be vague, it was also clear that there was not a specific god, object, or belief system to which he could point as being central to his faith.
That struck me: as a Christian I believe in Jesus. Someday I will see Him, touch Him, kneel in His presence. I will put my hands in those scars mankind has left on His body, reminded of the fact that this One was sent by His Father to die for me. It is only by faith in Him that I am saved; it is that simple. That is what it means to be a Christian, to recognize that we are sinners in need of a Savior, that this is not of works lest any should boast. Those are just a few of the specific principles that define what it is to be a Christian. If they are confusing, then they are confusing. If they are offensive, then they are offensive.
I believe the existence of my very soul rests on that faith, on that Christ. I had better understand exactly what it is I believe about Him considering what is at stake. Considering what is at stake, I had better be able to tell someone who asks exactly what it is I believe and why. To water that down is to condemn them to hell as if I had never said anything. I guess that is probably part of the Sufi's problem; I don't know if he even believes in hell (and I have a feeling Deepak Chopra doesn't).
The challenge that conversation left me with is this: Be joyful in the fact that ours is a specific faith, in a particular God, Father of a unique Son, the relationship of which is animated by THE Holy Spirit. Be able to speak, in no uncertain terms, to the facts of that belief. Be unashamed how that comes across; why seek common ground with those whose sands are sinking?
Sunday, September 12, 2010
View from the Deck
For the past few weeks, just about everyday, I have found myself drawn to sit out on the back deck of my house. There is not a particularly majestic view from back there (I have posted a couple of pictures below):
And really the view thing is kind of a non-issue, because I don't really come out to sit back there until after dark anyway. In this particular season, it has become my favorite place to sit and talk with God. The weather is at a comfortable place where it's not still a million degrees at night with nasty humidity, and yet it's also not cold and bitter so as to be unpleasant. It is quiet and peaceful, the house far enough from busy streets that the main sounds are wind in the trees, bugs in the bushes, and that's about it. Especially at night, there is a pretty clear view of the stars in the sky. It is a location that lends quite a bit of perspective. Nothing around me is in a constant state of motion; everything is pretty much quietly being. The stars (of which there are quite a few, in case anyone hasn't had the chance to really look at them in a while) are varying degrees of brightness, fixed in space at untold distance from where I am. Deafeningly loud, and yet eerily silent everything about my surroundings says, "it's really not all about you", and I need to be reminded of that these days. In my tendency to wonder what I am supposed to be doing, how things are affecting me, what I ought to be working on or worrying about, the view from the deck yields quite a different perspective, and lends itself to some neat conversations with my Lord. Not that He doesn't tell me what I am supposed to be doing, etc., but certainly in conversing He reminds me it really is all about HIM. I find I get more rest and rejuvenation from 20 minutes in the dark outside than 8 solid hours in my bed--and certainly a lot more wisdom! Even as I write this, part of me really can't wait 'til the sun goes down.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Truth, not Custom
I guess this means I am becoming a seminary nerd, but if so that's all right I suppose. I came across a quote which I think is absolutely profound and fantastic in the midst of my Intro to Church History I homework. It is a quote from Tertullian (the same guy that wrote the beautiful letter pertaining to Christian marriage), and it is very applicable to today's world. The quote is this:
But our Christ hath surnamed Himself Truth, not Custom.
Concise and simple, yet FULL of meaning, and not easy to wrap one's head around. Tertullian wrote this in the context of what he was seeing in terms of the early church beginning to compromise and make concessions to the culture. I won't get into the specifics of all of what he was referring to (both because those specific concessions are not necessarily relevant to understanding that quote, and also because I don't have anywhere near the expertise to comment intelligently on their finer points anyway!), but the context alone and his reason for making that statement are relevant to the world today, the church, the individual believer.
There is a tension that I think all believers experience at some point between faithfully living up to the original message of Christ, and seeking to be contemporary in doing that. I know from experience I have found it difficult sometimes to reconcile the two, to clearly see whether taking a particular action is in fact faithful to the gospel, or a concession to what is traditionally acceptable. To this struggle I am now reminded that our Christ is Truth, not Custom. His message today is what it was 2,000 years ago, His standard holiness. Period. Not holiness, with 21st century exceptions. That is not to say the task is easy, or that Truth always equates to "hard". It is just a sobering reminder that we should first look to Christ and His Word for wisdom, not culture or even church tradition.
But our Christ hath surnamed Himself Truth, not Custom.
Concise and simple, yet FULL of meaning, and not easy to wrap one's head around. Tertullian wrote this in the context of what he was seeing in terms of the early church beginning to compromise and make concessions to the culture. I won't get into the specifics of all of what he was referring to (both because those specific concessions are not necessarily relevant to understanding that quote, and also because I don't have anywhere near the expertise to comment intelligently on their finer points anyway!), but the context alone and his reason for making that statement are relevant to the world today, the church, the individual believer.
There is a tension that I think all believers experience at some point between faithfully living up to the original message of Christ, and seeking to be contemporary in doing that. I know from experience I have found it difficult sometimes to reconcile the two, to clearly see whether taking a particular action is in fact faithful to the gospel, or a concession to what is traditionally acceptable. To this struggle I am now reminded that our Christ is Truth, not Custom. His message today is what it was 2,000 years ago, His standard holiness. Period. Not holiness, with 21st century exceptions. That is not to say the task is easy, or that Truth always equates to "hard". It is just a sobering reminder that we should first look to Christ and His Word for wisdom, not culture or even church tradition.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Christian Marriage
In doing some reading for seminary, I came across what is probably one of the most beautiful, succinct descriptions of marriage I think I have ever read. It is a portion of a letter from early church historian Tertullian to his wife, and it is awesome. I will probably comment on it at greater length in the future, but it speaks pretty clearly for itself:
How shall we ever be able adequately to describe the happiness of that marriage which the Church arranges, the Sacrifice strengthens, upon which the blessing sets a seal, at which angels are present as witnesses, and to which the Father gives His consent? For not even on earth do children marry properly and legally without their fathers' permission.
How beautiful, then, the marriage of two Christians, two who are one in hope, one in desire, one in the way of life they follow, one in the religion they practice. They are as brother and sister, both servants of the same Master. Nothing divides them, either in flesh or in spirit. They are, in very truth, two in one flesh; and where there is but one flesh there is also but one spirit. They pray together, they worship together, they fast together; instructing one another, encouraging one another, strengthening one another. Side by side they visit God's church and partake of God's Banquet; side by side they face difficulties and persecution, share their consolations. They have no secrets from one another; they never shun each other's company; they never bring sorrow to each other's hearts. Unembarrassed they visit the sick and assist the needy. They give alms without anxiety; they attend the Sacrifice without difficulty; they perform their daily exercises of piety without hindrance. They need not be furtive about making the Sign of the Cross, nor timorous in greeting the brethren, nor silent in asking a blessing of God. Psalms and hymns they sing to one another, striving to see which one of them will chant more beautifully the praises of their Lord. Hearing and seeing this, Christ rejoices. To such as these He gives His peace. Where there are two together, there also He is present; and where He is, there evil is not.
These, then, are the thoughts which the Apostle in that brief expression of his has left for our consideration. Recall them to your mind, if ever there should be need to do so. Use them to strengthen yourself against the bad example which certain women give you. In no other way than this are Christians permitted to marry -- and, even if they were, it would not be the prudent thing to do.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
What should we expect?
For the last couple of months at Highview, I have been teaching through the book of 1 Peter with three other guys. 1 Peter is a really great book, full of fantastic lessons and many challenging passages. One of the themes that Peter continues to return to in the book is the importance of having our minds oriented rightly. In chapter 1 he tells believers to "gird up the loins of your mind", and then again in chapter 4 there is the instruction to "arm yourselves also with the same mind" (speaking of Christ). All of this instruction is given in the context of the message of the book itself, which is to prepare believers for how to deal with persecution. Today we dealt with 1 Peter 4:12-19, which again contains instruction with regards to how we are to think. We are told to "not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you". The question today's teacher posed to us at the beginning with regards to thinking about this was simple, but profound:
What do we expect out of life?
Simple, and obviously can be answered in a variety of ways, with things like happiness, family, a home, lasting relationships with friends--none of these are bad answers, per se. I believe however the real question should be:
What should we expect out of life?
I believe, in particular for the believer, the answers to that question should be quite different. The passage that prompted my thinking in 1 Peter is actually telling believers that they should not think it strange when they are tried; they should expect that as part of being followers of Christ. What else should we expect? If we are truly followers of Christ, there are some interesting answers to that question. If we are followers of Christ, we bear His name, we are indwelt of His Spirit. This world hated and still hates Him--not because of any specific thing He has done, I would contend, but simply because of who He is. He is holy; this world is sinful. We should expect the same treatment, to the degree that we are faithfully living for Him. I do not mean that we are to go out and look for suffering, or that if we are not being constantly harassed for the sake of Christ then there is something wrong with us, but certainly I believe there is a disconnect between what we do expect from life (happiness, peace, etc.), and what we should expect, given whose we say that we are.
The other aspect of what I believe we should expect is related to the post I put up entitled "The Intolerable Compliment". We are loved by our Creator, more so than we can even understand. As I talk about at greater length in that entry, we are loved too much by Him for Him to simply leave us alone. God works on us, to conform us to the likeness of His Son for His glory. We should not expect the reshaping process to be without difficulty. Too often I find myself concerned with having a life that is comfortable at all times, in every area. I tend to lament difficulties, stress, conflict. Certainly when those things are the product of my own sinful behavior I should lament them--more than lament; I need to repent and seek the face of God. That said, when things are not all smooth sailing, when life is challenging me and not going as I expect it, do I perceive this as being the divine work of God, "...that the genuineness of my faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7). I take this as a personal challenge: What should I expect this day?
What do we expect out of life?
Simple, and obviously can be answered in a variety of ways, with things like happiness, family, a home, lasting relationships with friends--none of these are bad answers, per se. I believe however the real question should be:
What should we expect out of life?
I believe, in particular for the believer, the answers to that question should be quite different. The passage that prompted my thinking in 1 Peter is actually telling believers that they should not think it strange when they are tried; they should expect that as part of being followers of Christ. What else should we expect? If we are truly followers of Christ, there are some interesting answers to that question. If we are followers of Christ, we bear His name, we are indwelt of His Spirit. This world hated and still hates Him--not because of any specific thing He has done, I would contend, but simply because of who He is. He is holy; this world is sinful. We should expect the same treatment, to the degree that we are faithfully living for Him. I do not mean that we are to go out and look for suffering, or that if we are not being constantly harassed for the sake of Christ then there is something wrong with us, but certainly I believe there is a disconnect between what we do expect from life (happiness, peace, etc.), and what we should expect, given whose we say that we are.
The other aspect of what I believe we should expect is related to the post I put up entitled "The Intolerable Compliment". We are loved by our Creator, more so than we can even understand. As I talk about at greater length in that entry, we are loved too much by Him for Him to simply leave us alone. God works on us, to conform us to the likeness of His Son for His glory. We should not expect the reshaping process to be without difficulty. Too often I find myself concerned with having a life that is comfortable at all times, in every area. I tend to lament difficulties, stress, conflict. Certainly when those things are the product of my own sinful behavior I should lament them--more than lament; I need to repent and seek the face of God. That said, when things are not all smooth sailing, when life is challenging me and not going as I expect it, do I perceive this as being the divine work of God, "...that the genuineness of my faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7). I take this as a personal challenge: What should I expect this day?
An Intolerable Compliment....
What follows below is a reflection of mine after reading The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis. There is a section in it in which he talks about the love of God being an "intolerable compliment", and that set me to thinking and reflecting. Thinking on this in light of some other events, subsequent Bible studies, etc., have given me reason to want to reflect more on the concept, and so to help in following those, I thought it would be helpful to post this out there. I wrote this in July 2009, I believe:
“The Intolerable Compliment” is probably one of the most unusual terms for something as profound as the Love of God. Certainly for C.S. Lewis to talk about it in this way is something to be pondered. Unusual as it is, I am finding that the more I meditate on God, my own humanity, and the revelation of Scripture with regards to the true nature of the Love of God, the more accurate and thought provoking I find this phrase.
Certainly the fact that God loves His created beings is a compliment of the highest order. Scripture is clear (particularly where human beings are concerned) that there is nothing at all lovable about fallen creation. We as human beings since the fall have only become more depraved, selfish, focused purely on our own most base instincts and desires. Deceived in the beginning, we still let it happen today, and in fact perpetuate lies and mistruth about our Creator. It is in spite of all the changing that we have done for the worse that the love of God has not changed in the least. Most profoundly He has demonstrated this in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. More than not deserving love, we have in fact made every effort to reject it, but our opinion on the matter does nothing to sway Sovereign God.
It is at that point that I begin to see what is so intolerable about this grand compliment. What makes it so intolerable is that on so many levels we really do not want God to love us (not in the perfect way that He alone is capable of anyway), in spite of the fact that ultimately we need this love. It is intolerable because the Love of God is perfect. It is an oft repeated phrase that “God loves us as we are, but too much to leave us this way”, and this is a good way to begin to think of just how incredible is this love of God. God Himself is omniscient, omnipotent, Holy--He knows everything, has power over everything and seeks what is best for His creation. The reality is that what is truly best for us is Him--a reconciled relationship in which we (who were created for His glory) can fulfill that purpose. So it is in our immature, selfish understanding of love we think that if God loves us He should give us what we want, when we want it, not ask questions--what that describes is not God, but rather some sort of cosmic doting wish-granter. It reveals the depth of our own ignorance that such a reality entices us at all, because right away it is obvious that me getting what I want may be exactly the opposite of what you want, and so now someone will be unhappy, and is back in the dilemma of thinking they are not really loved in the beginning.
The truth is quite the opposite. God loves us, and it really has nothing to do with us at all. We cannot impress to earn it, and even when we shake our fist and insist we do not want it this love does not go away. It protects us when we need protection, comforts us when we need encouragement, wounds us when we need to be hurt, all to the Glory of God. Before we encounter Christ, this love is the great romance of God seeking to woo His children. Once we are reconciled by the blood of Jesus, this love is preparing us, making us the perfect bride for the grand marriage banquet of eternity.
To be loved this way can be intolerable at times. I think of the story of Lazarus in John 11. Jesus knew Lazarus was sick, knew that he would die, still he tarried before going to see Mary and Martha. I hear the pain (but also the faith) in the words of both Mary and Martha as independently they said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died…” They knew he was the Son of God, even if at that point they did not fully understand what was encompassed by that statement. They were his friends, they loved Him--how could he have let Lazarus die? Indeed it would have been loving to heal Lazarus, but was it not a greater demonstration of love that He both affirmed their faith, and gave them even more in which to hope by bringing Lazarus back from the dead? Now they understand (intolerable as it was) that the one who loves them is willing to undo death itself to prove this love. In answer to the statement “If you had been here…” Jesus says “It is because I was there that your brother died”.
I struggle to handle such a love, because in truth there are times that I just want to be left alone. Is it not enough for God that He has saved me, justified me for eternity? It is not, and praise be to God. His love insists on sanctifying me, that ultimately when I am glorified it will be so much the better, for me, but really for Him. Because it will bring Him much glory, it will more greatly satisfy me, since that is the purpose for which I was created. So it is that regardless of what I am enduring, how I wish I could hide, how I have wept over pain in my life, it is because of the fact that God loves me that I am going through it, that I am able to go through it. He will accomplish what is best for me, even when I am too weak, too unlovable to handle it. That is a truly intolerable compliment.
“The Intolerable Compliment” is probably one of the most unusual terms for something as profound as the Love of God. Certainly for C.S. Lewis to talk about it in this way is something to be pondered. Unusual as it is, I am finding that the more I meditate on God, my own humanity, and the revelation of Scripture with regards to the true nature of the Love of God, the more accurate and thought provoking I find this phrase.
Certainly the fact that God loves His created beings is a compliment of the highest order. Scripture is clear (particularly where human beings are concerned) that there is nothing at all lovable about fallen creation. We as human beings since the fall have only become more depraved, selfish, focused purely on our own most base instincts and desires. Deceived in the beginning, we still let it happen today, and in fact perpetuate lies and mistruth about our Creator. It is in spite of all the changing that we have done for the worse that the love of God has not changed in the least. Most profoundly He has demonstrated this in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. More than not deserving love, we have in fact made every effort to reject it, but our opinion on the matter does nothing to sway Sovereign God.
It is at that point that I begin to see what is so intolerable about this grand compliment. What makes it so intolerable is that on so many levels we really do not want God to love us (not in the perfect way that He alone is capable of anyway), in spite of the fact that ultimately we need this love. It is intolerable because the Love of God is perfect. It is an oft repeated phrase that “God loves us as we are, but too much to leave us this way”, and this is a good way to begin to think of just how incredible is this love of God. God Himself is omniscient, omnipotent, Holy--He knows everything, has power over everything and seeks what is best for His creation. The reality is that what is truly best for us is Him--a reconciled relationship in which we (who were created for His glory) can fulfill that purpose. So it is in our immature, selfish understanding of love we think that if God loves us He should give us what we want, when we want it, not ask questions--what that describes is not God, but rather some sort of cosmic doting wish-granter. It reveals the depth of our own ignorance that such a reality entices us at all, because right away it is obvious that me getting what I want may be exactly the opposite of what you want, and so now someone will be unhappy, and is back in the dilemma of thinking they are not really loved in the beginning.
The truth is quite the opposite. God loves us, and it really has nothing to do with us at all. We cannot impress to earn it, and even when we shake our fist and insist we do not want it this love does not go away. It protects us when we need protection, comforts us when we need encouragement, wounds us when we need to be hurt, all to the Glory of God. Before we encounter Christ, this love is the great romance of God seeking to woo His children. Once we are reconciled by the blood of Jesus, this love is preparing us, making us the perfect bride for the grand marriage banquet of eternity.
To be loved this way can be intolerable at times. I think of the story of Lazarus in John 11. Jesus knew Lazarus was sick, knew that he would die, still he tarried before going to see Mary and Martha. I hear the pain (but also the faith) in the words of both Mary and Martha as independently they said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died…” They knew he was the Son of God, even if at that point they did not fully understand what was encompassed by that statement. They were his friends, they loved Him--how could he have let Lazarus die? Indeed it would have been loving to heal Lazarus, but was it not a greater demonstration of love that He both affirmed their faith, and gave them even more in which to hope by bringing Lazarus back from the dead? Now they understand (intolerable as it was) that the one who loves them is willing to undo death itself to prove this love. In answer to the statement “If you had been here…” Jesus says “It is because I was there that your brother died”.
I struggle to handle such a love, because in truth there are times that I just want to be left alone. Is it not enough for God that He has saved me, justified me for eternity? It is not, and praise be to God. His love insists on sanctifying me, that ultimately when I am glorified it will be so much the better, for me, but really for Him. Because it will bring Him much glory, it will more greatly satisfy me, since that is the purpose for which I was created. So it is that regardless of what I am enduring, how I wish I could hide, how I have wept over pain in my life, it is because of the fact that God loves me that I am going through it, that I am able to go through it. He will accomplish what is best for me, even when I am too weak, too unlovable to handle it. That is a truly intolerable compliment.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Musings on the Will of God
For the past couple of months my quiet time readings have been in the books of First and Second Samuel. While there are all kinds of great applications to be gleaned from those books, one that has stood out to me in particular has been the unique relationship of David to God with regards to his decision making and actions. Throughout both books, I was struck by the number of times that in the face of whatever challenge might present itself David would boldly ask God, "What should I do?" God in every case responded with an answer, and then David follows up with an equally bold question of, "How should I do it?" in many of those cases. That dynamic has really struck me; we tend to make things a lot more complicated for ourselves when it comes to the will of God for our lives.
We have a tendency to think of God's will for our lives as some kind of mysterious object, cleverly hidden by God somewhere in our lives, only to be discovered by us after much hand-wringing, many mistakes, and a generally ridiculous level of stress at times. I don't see any of that in David's life. I don't see any of that in the life of Christ. What I see in their lives (and others throughout the Bible), is sincere devotion and love for their Lord, and hearts humble to ask what He wants them to do with it.
The temptation in our lives, I believe, is to miss the forest for the trees so to speak. It is easy to become so singularly focused on what specific objective the Lord might have in mind for us that we miss out on all the other purposes He can and does accomplish along the way, each of which was no less divinely appointed. As I look back on my own life the past few years, I cannot say that the Lord specifically told me exactly where I would be right now, nor how I would get there. I can however see many small steps that He led me to take along the way, and now I can look up, look back, and get a small glimpse of just how sovereign my Lord really is.
He did not confuse me along the way, He did not trick me. He did not lead me with mysterious inexplicable feelings that I just couldn't shake. Above all, He did not hide from me. He did reveal His character to me through His Word and prayer, so that I could see how He wanted me to live in the midst of my circumstances. He did provide me wise counsel through fellow believers. He did direct the events of my life in ways I could not control, making it clear that His was the hand on it. While there is certainly an element of mystery to those things as I realize I cannot "explain" them in one sense of the word, it is the kind of mystery that inspires worship, not fear of the unknown.
I will not say I have it figured out when it comes to discerning God's will for my life. I will say I have figured out it's not something He wants me to worry about. I am to love Him, to learn from His Word, to listen to the promptings of His Holy Spirit. I have the freedom to ask Him what He wants me to do, and thanks to His Son, there is a relationship there in which He hears and answers. That is not to say there are not some questions of life that seem a little bigger than others, ones in which I would perhaps like the Lord to "speak up". What is comforting (but I tend to forget) is that He doesn't want me to miss Him, He doesn't want me to just blow it while He shakes His head over my inability to find the mysterious will He has so cleverly hidden. What is comforting is that He is in total control, seeing how a particular event in my particular life fits into the grand scheme of eternity. I will get exactly where He wants me to go; there is no mystery to that.
We have a tendency to think of God's will for our lives as some kind of mysterious object, cleverly hidden by God somewhere in our lives, only to be discovered by us after much hand-wringing, many mistakes, and a generally ridiculous level of stress at times. I don't see any of that in David's life. I don't see any of that in the life of Christ. What I see in their lives (and others throughout the Bible), is sincere devotion and love for their Lord, and hearts humble to ask what He wants them to do with it.
The temptation in our lives, I believe, is to miss the forest for the trees so to speak. It is easy to become so singularly focused on what specific objective the Lord might have in mind for us that we miss out on all the other purposes He can and does accomplish along the way, each of which was no less divinely appointed. As I look back on my own life the past few years, I cannot say that the Lord specifically told me exactly where I would be right now, nor how I would get there. I can however see many small steps that He led me to take along the way, and now I can look up, look back, and get a small glimpse of just how sovereign my Lord really is.
He did not confuse me along the way, He did not trick me. He did not lead me with mysterious inexplicable feelings that I just couldn't shake. Above all, He did not hide from me. He did reveal His character to me through His Word and prayer, so that I could see how He wanted me to live in the midst of my circumstances. He did provide me wise counsel through fellow believers. He did direct the events of my life in ways I could not control, making it clear that His was the hand on it. While there is certainly an element of mystery to those things as I realize I cannot "explain" them in one sense of the word, it is the kind of mystery that inspires worship, not fear of the unknown.
I will not say I have it figured out when it comes to discerning God's will for my life. I will say I have figured out it's not something He wants me to worry about. I am to love Him, to learn from His Word, to listen to the promptings of His Holy Spirit. I have the freedom to ask Him what He wants me to do, and thanks to His Son, there is a relationship there in which He hears and answers. That is not to say there are not some questions of life that seem a little bigger than others, ones in which I would perhaps like the Lord to "speak up". What is comforting (but I tend to forget) is that He doesn't want me to miss Him, He doesn't want me to just blow it while He shakes His head over my inability to find the mysterious will He has so cleverly hidden. What is comforting is that He is in total control, seeing how a particular event in my particular life fits into the grand scheme of eternity. I will get exactly where He wants me to go; there is no mystery to that.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Where to begin....
I have often thought about starting a blog, but was never quite sure what I would say, how regularly I would keep it up, and quite frankly whether or not I would have the time for one. Well, as I enter this I'm still not sure what to say, I doubt it will be kept up with any sort of regularity, and I most definitely do not have the time for one of these. Oh well--at the end of the day (this day in particular) it was my buddy Birch that sort of gave me the final convincing necessary, and so in my mind it is fitting that this first entry be somewhat dedicated to him, and just a few of the things he has taught me over the years.
There is a phrase a pastor of mine once used quite frequently when talking about people of important influence in his life, or in the lives of others. He would say of those people that they "spoke life into him", and that it was important to find those people that "speak life into you". It was a sort of loose reference to the creation process by which mankind was made, the Breath of God animating Adam. In hearing that phrase in the past I always thought it sounded profound, but it had no real impact on me, nor could I really say that I truly understood its meaning. For my part, I thought it would be nice to be such a person, but again, I did not really grasp at its meaning.
Thanks to Birch, I am beginning to understand what it means to speak life into another person. Over the course of my blogging experience, I believe there will begin to be a picture painted of some of the life experiences through which Birch has walked alongside me. Some of them I believe are among the most painful experiences a human being can go through, some of them are among the most wonderful. Many of them are mundane and probably already long forgotten in my own mind. As I try to explain this image of speaking life, I will use an analogy the Lord has been working with me on over the last few days in particular, which is one of life as a series of mountains that we climb. For years now on my journey through them I have had the Lord as my Guide, and Birch as my "sherpa" for lack of a better term. He has carried my baggage for me when it has been too heavy for me, helped me to carry it when it needed to be done by me, all the while making sure that I stayed close to our Guide. He has stopped along the way with me to admire the view, to remind me for Whom it is we are all climbing, and at this particular point, as I am looking back and beginning to grasp just what it is the Lord has really brought me through, there is not a better person on this earth with whom I would have rather shared the experience.
The mountain we have just scaled has been the treacherous, painful one of my divorce. As I stand in Christ, having conquered this mountain by His strength, Birch shares in that victory. As I am beginning my ascent of the steep, scenic mountain that will be my time at seminary (I may revise those descriptive words based on how the climb goes!!), he is already on the trail with me, encouraging me before it even really begins, reminding me once more Who has prepared me, and for what. I do not know what mountains this life yet holds for us, but words escape me to express the gratitude I have for me Lord that He has given me such a climbing buddy as this. He speaks life into me, reminding me of the life abundant we share in Christ. My challenge, to myself, and any who read this: What kind of climbing buddy are you?
There is a phrase a pastor of mine once used quite frequently when talking about people of important influence in his life, or in the lives of others. He would say of those people that they "spoke life into him", and that it was important to find those people that "speak life into you". It was a sort of loose reference to the creation process by which mankind was made, the Breath of God animating Adam. In hearing that phrase in the past I always thought it sounded profound, but it had no real impact on me, nor could I really say that I truly understood its meaning. For my part, I thought it would be nice to be such a person, but again, I did not really grasp at its meaning.
Thanks to Birch, I am beginning to understand what it means to speak life into another person. Over the course of my blogging experience, I believe there will begin to be a picture painted of some of the life experiences through which Birch has walked alongside me. Some of them I believe are among the most painful experiences a human being can go through, some of them are among the most wonderful. Many of them are mundane and probably already long forgotten in my own mind. As I try to explain this image of speaking life, I will use an analogy the Lord has been working with me on over the last few days in particular, which is one of life as a series of mountains that we climb. For years now on my journey through them I have had the Lord as my Guide, and Birch as my "sherpa" for lack of a better term. He has carried my baggage for me when it has been too heavy for me, helped me to carry it when it needed to be done by me, all the while making sure that I stayed close to our Guide. He has stopped along the way with me to admire the view, to remind me for Whom it is we are all climbing, and at this particular point, as I am looking back and beginning to grasp just what it is the Lord has really brought me through, there is not a better person on this earth with whom I would have rather shared the experience.
The mountain we have just scaled has been the treacherous, painful one of my divorce. As I stand in Christ, having conquered this mountain by His strength, Birch shares in that victory. As I am beginning my ascent of the steep, scenic mountain that will be my time at seminary (I may revise those descriptive words based on how the climb goes!!), he is already on the trail with me, encouraging me before it even really begins, reminding me once more Who has prepared me, and for what. I do not know what mountains this life yet holds for us, but words escape me to express the gratitude I have for me Lord that He has given me such a climbing buddy as this. He speaks life into me, reminding me of the life abundant we share in Christ. My challenge, to myself, and any who read this: What kind of climbing buddy are you?
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