Light in the field of darkness
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV
Some time ago I saw a movie named The Book of Eli. The lead character (Eli) is charged by God to carry a Bible (the last Bible in existence) to an unspecified location. Eli has been carrying (and reading) the Bible for around 30 years. This movie will never make any list of Christian "must see" movies. But there is a piece of dialog that stands out. Eli is attempting to explain faith to his new friend, Solara;
Solara: You know, you say you've been walking for thirty years, right?
Eli: Right?
Solara: Have you ever thought that maybe you were lost?
Eli: Nope.
Solara: Well, how do you know that you're walking in the right direction?
Eli: I walk by faith, not by sight.
Solara: [sighs] What does that mean?
Eli: It means that you know something even if you don't know something.
Solara: That doesn't make any sense.
Eli: It doesn't have to make sense. It's faith, it's faith. It's the flower of light in the field of darkness that's giving me the strength to carry on. You understand?
Solara: Is that from your book?
Eli: No, it's, uh, Johnny Cash, Live at Folsom Prison.
I think that faith in God isn't something that human kind can stumble upon on with our own power or intellect. Or, if you ask the question of which came first, man’s desire for God or God’s desire for man, the answer is “God’s design”. Faith has been built into mankind. Or, the scripture says that God placed eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). And today's verse further explains what "eternity" is. It says that God has marked us as His own and put His spirit in our hearts. The Spirit of the Lord that resides in our hearts calls out for the Lord Himself. In other words, we begin a search for the Lord because of the seed He planted in our hearts. When there is no reason to believe in God, when there is no reason to pursue Him, it is the flower of light in the field of darkness that gives us what we need to carry on.
In my mind, having faith in Him is a gift. It is something that God has given to me so that when my plans fail, when my health fails, when money, intellect, even when my very life falls away, faith in him will not falter. Sometimes, life leaves you in such a way that faith is all that remains. And when we are left with nothing more than a tiny light of faith, we may be in the best possible position.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Disciple
Disciple
Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow. Luke 9:23 NIV
Being a disciple of Christ is more involved than adhering to a set of rules or speaking in Christian lingo. Also keep in mind that there is no such thing as “being naturalized” into discipleship by the work or heritage of another. Each of us needs to pick up our own cross in order to follow him. Being a disciple is a personal and complete commitment to Christ. The call to follow Christ assumes a certain level of danger, tenacity and a complete self surrender. For when we die with Christ, we will be raised from the dead, just like Christ (Romans 6:8-11). We give all, and we then gain all, in Christ.
Do you understand the picture yet? Following Christ is not only what we do, how we live, our choices and the condition of our hearts, but also the condition of our minds. Our minds need to be fully vested in the word of God so that we can know His will (Romans 12:2). A person that is fully invested in God will find his or herself walking by faith. What is a walk of faith? It is living by the will of God (we are listening) and, parenthetically, by the Word of God (we are thinking and acting in obedience). That is how Christ lived, that is how we should live as his disciples. When we have our full being on following and worshiping God, we do not lose our identities as some would have you think. We retain our uniqueness, but we gain a connection to God and a bond to our faith-siblings in Christ.
A life of joy, obedience and hope are all earmarks of discipleship. But I would also call them the earmarks of a great adventure, with God Himself as our guide.
Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow. Luke 9:23 NIV
Being a disciple of Christ is more involved than adhering to a set of rules or speaking in Christian lingo. Also keep in mind that there is no such thing as “being naturalized” into discipleship by the work or heritage of another. Each of us needs to pick up our own cross in order to follow him. Being a disciple is a personal and complete commitment to Christ. The call to follow Christ assumes a certain level of danger, tenacity and a complete self surrender. For when we die with Christ, we will be raised from the dead, just like Christ (Romans 6:8-11). We give all, and we then gain all, in Christ.
Do you understand the picture yet? Following Christ is not only what we do, how we live, our choices and the condition of our hearts, but also the condition of our minds. Our minds need to be fully vested in the word of God so that we can know His will (Romans 12:2). A person that is fully invested in God will find his or herself walking by faith. What is a walk of faith? It is living by the will of God (we are listening) and, parenthetically, by the Word of God (we are thinking and acting in obedience). That is how Christ lived, that is how we should live as his disciples. When we have our full being on following and worshiping God, we do not lose our identities as some would have you think. We retain our uniqueness, but we gain a connection to God and a bond to our faith-siblings in Christ.
A life of joy, obedience and hope are all earmarks of discipleship. But I would also call them the earmarks of a great adventure, with God Himself as our guide.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Brain Damaged
Brain Damaged
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 NIV
I have found something rather startling when I examined the actual definition of the word "renew". I found phrases like, "to take up again", "to revive" and "to restore to a former state; make as if new again". So when you consider the meaning of the word “renew”, one can gain the idea that some human beings (or all of us at one time or another) have been operating in the world without much thought. We are operating primarily on instinct. And God calls us to revive our minds from the lull of inactivity.
Of the many phrases and words that help define "renew", I think the word "mend" stands out. When we are in the world, our minds, though dormant, are still subject to damage by poor choices and hurtful circumstances. For some, the damage plays itself out in addictions. For others, the damage shows itself in the poor choices we make, broken relationships, hate and all sorts of base behaviors and attitudes. In short, sin causes injury to our minds. I guess I am saying that we are, all of us, brain damaged... at least in some way.
I think a good translation of this verse is, "No longer operate on instinct, like a wild animal. Make the choice, and allow God to restore your mind to His original specification." When we fill our minds with the word of the Lord, God is allowed to repair our minds. And when He repairs your mind, all areas of your life will begin to be in step with God and the life He has called us to. And when we are in step with God, what do you think will happen next?
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 NIV
I have found something rather startling when I examined the actual definition of the word "renew". I found phrases like, "to take up again", "to revive" and "to restore to a former state; make as if new again". So when you consider the meaning of the word “renew”, one can gain the idea that some human beings (or all of us at one time or another) have been operating in the world without much thought. We are operating primarily on instinct. And God calls us to revive our minds from the lull of inactivity.
Of the many phrases and words that help define "renew", I think the word "mend" stands out. When we are in the world, our minds, though dormant, are still subject to damage by poor choices and hurtful circumstances. For some, the damage plays itself out in addictions. For others, the damage shows itself in the poor choices we make, broken relationships, hate and all sorts of base behaviors and attitudes. In short, sin causes injury to our minds. I guess I am saying that we are, all of us, brain damaged... at least in some way.
I think a good translation of this verse is, "No longer operate on instinct, like a wild animal. Make the choice, and allow God to restore your mind to His original specification." When we fill our minds with the word of the Lord, God is allowed to repair our minds. And when He repairs your mind, all areas of your life will begin to be in step with God and the life He has called us to. And when we are in step with God, what do you think will happen next?
Friday, March 8, 2013
Choice
Choice
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 NIV
I am now conscious to the fact that every believer I encounter is a choice of God. We did not stumble upon God by accident or a stroke of good luck. We were set aside for godly purpose before the Earth had even been created. We were predestined out of love, to be adopted and made blameless by the blood of Christ.
Some may ask, “If God has chosen me, how could I choose to accept Christ?” And others will say that, “The sovereign choice resides entirely with the Father.” But I would ask why we even spend energy on an unsolvable spiritual conundrum? God is sovereign, and it is true. We have a choice, and it is true. I would sum this up as two contradictions that God is fully capable of resolving with fairness and justice. And rest assured that no one's rights will be infringed upon. Though, I am certain that in time we will be able to look back and see that God was supreme in His choice all along.
It could be said that a need for free will comes from the mind of the spiritually immature. It is possible that the need for power of choice stems from a lack of trust for God. When we do not have a choice, we expect to be taken advantage of. Without a choice, we suspect that we are being cheated in some way. Without a choice we may also feel helpless. Without a choice, our lives are no longer within our own power. But God has shown that He is worthy of all our trust by the blood of His son. The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds those who trust in Him (Psalms 32:10).
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 NIV
I am now conscious to the fact that every believer I encounter is a choice of God. We did not stumble upon God by accident or a stroke of good luck. We were set aside for godly purpose before the Earth had even been created. We were predestined out of love, to be adopted and made blameless by the blood of Christ.
Some may ask, “If God has chosen me, how could I choose to accept Christ?” And others will say that, “The sovereign choice resides entirely with the Father.” But I would ask why we even spend energy on an unsolvable spiritual conundrum? God is sovereign, and it is true. We have a choice, and it is true. I would sum this up as two contradictions that God is fully capable of resolving with fairness and justice. And rest assured that no one's rights will be infringed upon. Though, I am certain that in time we will be able to look back and see that God was supreme in His choice all along.
It could be said that a need for free will comes from the mind of the spiritually immature. It is possible that the need for power of choice stems from a lack of trust for God. When we do not have a choice, we expect to be taken advantage of. Without a choice, we suspect that we are being cheated in some way. Without a choice we may also feel helpless. Without a choice, our lives are no longer within our own power. But God has shown that He is worthy of all our trust by the blood of His son. The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds those who trust in Him (Psalms 32:10).
Friday, March 1, 2013
Friend of sinners
Friend of sinners
… they say the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners”. Matthew 11:19 NIV
When I examine my circle of friends, I don't think that I find enough sinners. Of course, the strongest bonds I have are with believers. With them I can be myself. When I am with my Christian friends I am free to express myself without fear of reprisals. But when I compare my list of friends with that of Christ, my circle of friends almost seems sanitized. Maybe my sphere of friendships should include a few more people of more reprobate character.
When we become believers, we oftentimes find ourselves disconnecting from our old ways. The perks of the life style changes are obvious. We avoid temptation and we also gain a better reputation. Frankly, it should be that way. We should be different than we were before because the Spirit of Christ lives in us. But I ask you to consider the call. “The call” is to go back from whence you came. Why go back? We go back to proclaim the gospel (good news) of Christ. And, that proclamation is best stated in the lives of those that have been “made new” by The Blood. The thing I fear is that too few of us are willing to go back because it may damage our reputations. What would people say if we were seen among prostitutes and at the local pub?
If (or when) God has called you to go and seek out the hurting and the lost, go with confidence. God will provide what you need to fulfill His purpose. If people talk about you and call you names, then that is good. They called Christ a drunk, a glutton and a friend to prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners. What better compliment is there then that we could be jeered at just like Christ?
… they say the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners”. Matthew 11:19 NIV
When I examine my circle of friends, I don't think that I find enough sinners. Of course, the strongest bonds I have are with believers. With them I can be myself. When I am with my Christian friends I am free to express myself without fear of reprisals. But when I compare my list of friends with that of Christ, my circle of friends almost seems sanitized. Maybe my sphere of friendships should include a few more people of more reprobate character.
When we become believers, we oftentimes find ourselves disconnecting from our old ways. The perks of the life style changes are obvious. We avoid temptation and we also gain a better reputation. Frankly, it should be that way. We should be different than we were before because the Spirit of Christ lives in us. But I ask you to consider the call. “The call” is to go back from whence you came. Why go back? We go back to proclaim the gospel (good news) of Christ. And, that proclamation is best stated in the lives of those that have been “made new” by The Blood. The thing I fear is that too few of us are willing to go back because it may damage our reputations. What would people say if we were seen among prostitutes and at the local pub?
If (or when) God has called you to go and seek out the hurting and the lost, go with confidence. God will provide what you need to fulfill His purpose. If people talk about you and call you names, then that is good. They called Christ a drunk, a glutton and a friend to prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners. What better compliment is there then that we could be jeered at just like Christ?
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