Month: September 2011

What Does It Mean to Live, and What Does It Mean to Die?

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In my observation of discussing death and entrance to the next life with various people, most are apt to give the same type of answer to the question, “Why are you not ready to die (or be taken to Heaven) at this particular time?” The vast majority give a reply something like this: “I want to live on earth at least a little longer because I have not yet _____.” (Insert into the blank space any number of various experiences, e.g., travelled to a foreign country, gotten married, earned my doctoral degree, held my first grandchild, owned my own home, etc.) Even though most of the people I have spoken with are Christians, the basic response remains unchanged. People are not ready to die because some desired earthly experience has yet eluded them. If the people with which I have interacted through the years are truly representative of Christian feeling on the subject, we would be tempted to conclude that the Apostle Paul was out of his mind when he wrote the letter to the Philippians.

Under Roman house arrest and the shadow of his own execution, Paul penned these stunning words, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NASB). My mathematical mind forms succinct equations: Living = Christ and Dying = Gain. The strong and intellectual apostle boldly proclaimed a truth so simple, yet so antithetical to our regular way of thinking. Paul believed – and was inspired by God to record – that to die is actual gain. No matter what Paul had or had not experienced to date in his life, he knew that his death would result in a tangible gain that far surpassed any unrealized goal. No matter what supposed earthly pleasure or experience Paul might not have had, he knew that the reward of Heaven wiped out the loss by infinite measure.

Many Christians today believe our best life is this life – within a broken universe. Wrong. Our best life is the one to come – in the presence of God. The recreated heavens and earth, the restored bodies, the whole minds, the healed relationships, the contented hearts basking in the uninterrupted blessing of God, the everlasting adventures in the universe that is then made right, and an unbroken relationship with God will more than make up for anything we perceive ourselves as “losing” here. Paul stood firm in the reality – the unequivocally substantial nature – of Heaven. Thus, he could declare without doubt that his death is really gain . . . solid, true gain.

Let us go back to the other equation, “To live = Christ.” How many of us can proclaim that equation without reservation? How do I view living? Is life for my enjoyment? For my happiness? For my fulfillment? From a biblical perspective, the answer is “no.” My life should be defined in one beautifully simple way, “Christ.” I am always amazed and inspired by Paul’s firm grasp of God’s truth. This apostle actually believed and lived the equation, “To live = Christ.” Paul was not in the business of the Gospel for himself. He did not seek glory, admiration, or pleasure. He resolutely sought to make Christ known through both the everyday moments and the pinnacle experiences of his life. Paul would not have said, “Let me live on earth a little longer so I can take a dream vacation or complete a five-year plan of mine.” Paul would only say, “Let me live on this broken planet longer only if it means people will see Jesus in me.”

I fear we have negated God’s life and death equations in our lives by adding or subtracting our ideas. The equations are simple: Living = Christ and Dying = Gain.

Most Bosses Don’t Listen, But . . .

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If you had a general suspicion that bosses tend not to listen, your suspicion was confirmed by a recent study reported by Good Morning America on September 19. It seems the more power someone gains in an organization, the less likely they are to listen to the people under them. While this is, of course, a generalization (for we can cite great exceptions, e.g., my boss), we sense the frustration of the study’s main point.

In our ordinary experience, we often find that people with the most power, resources, and ability to effect change are those who are least likely to care about “average” people. Those among us who are hurting many times feel abandoned. The inflated confidence of bosses, the blatant disregard of less influential people by those with fame and fortune, and the sheer inability of the powerful to connect with the ordinary person all present obstacles to genuine help for regular people. The problem is that the recent study of bosses who don’t listen is limited to the realm of the natural. What about God? Can He – does He – intervene?

Read the beautiful, comforting words of Psalm 113:4-8 (ESV):

    The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!
    “Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
    who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
    He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap
    to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.”

The irony of this passage is that the most powerful being who exists is the One who reaches down the lowest to lift up the helpless and heartbroken. Influential humans tend to ignore the needy. The most exalted Lord of the universe fixes His eye upon the disadvantaged. I especially enjoy verses 5 and 6; God is seated on high, but He is looking far down to see who wants rescued. His majesty does not deter Him from helping; He is the God who “raises the poor from the dust” and “lifts the needy to sit with princes.”

Flying in the face of corrupt human nature to grow bigger and care less, God’s promise is to lift us up with His own hand – though he is in charge of everything and owns everything. I fear that many people cannot conceptualize of a God like that because we are so accustomed to human failure. Remember, God stands outside the universe; He is transcendent. He is not simply the biggest or most powerful among us; He is completely other than we are. He is not the most compassionate human you have ever known; He defines compassion. We cannot allow our experiences with humans to taint our understanding of God. We must take Him at His Word.

Psalm 138:6 (ESV) succinctly proclaims, “For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly.” Will you believe that today? God alone stands as the power over all things, and He is also the One who cares about those who are brought low by life, sin, and circumstance. Unlike the human tendency to care less as we become more elevated, God cares the most even though He is the holy, exalted Creator. Please call out to Him now, and picture His mighty hand reaching down to hold you and lift you up. Do not allow human failure to cloud your view of God. Take Him at His Word.

Earlier in this article I spoke of the possible “sheer inability of the powerful to connect with the ordinary person.” Jesus Christ shattered that obstacle! Jesus is God, and in Him God put on the flesh of an ordinary human in order to connect with us for salvation and eternal life. God is the highest and actually became the lowest two thousand years ago in order to bring the lowly to the highest place! Through Jesus, we are lifted to God. Our voice is heard. Our heart is observed. Our need is met. Our future is secured. The Highest reaches to the lowest, defying the recent study bosses!

Shelli’s Preaching Soon . . .

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Trampled down by the seemingly senseless circumstances of life? Need reassurance that this all somehow makes sense? Come hear a pivotal message, Big Picture God! Our God is transcendent, standing outside of time and space, and yet intimately involved with our lives. He is driving all of history to His intended end! Come visit Norwin Alliance Church of North Huntingdon on October 16 at either the 8:30 or the 10:45 am service. All are welcome! Follow this link for directions to Norwin Alliance: www.norwinalliance.org

Devilish Pondering

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Our human interests tend to be very short-sighted and dangerously shallow. Were we to get our own way, apart from the grace of God, we would surely be doomed. In fact, turning to selfish, finite goals puts us in the same mindset category as that of Satan. Remember Peter? He was one of the disciples of Jesus, but after hearing the proclamation of the Lord’s impending suffering and crucifixion, he said to Christ, “God forbid it, Lord!” (Matthew 16:22, NASB).

What if Peter got his wish? What if God did forbid the horrific betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection of His Son? I would be damned. I would die in my sin. And so would you. If Peter’s desire would have been granted, we would be utterly hopeless. All of humanity would be lost.

No wonder it is that Jesus rebuked Peter sharply by saying, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23, NASB). Peter’s selfish, comfort-loving mindset placed him momentarily in the category of devilish pondering. Peter’s hope to avoid the temporary pain would result in eternal loss. I have to ask myself, “How often have I chosen the path of least resistance to the detriment of eternal accomplishments?” When we want what we want instead of what God knows is best, could we possibly be stepping into satanic territory? Imagine – Peter was bold enough to tell Jesus that God’s plan was wrong. How insolent have I ever been in my emotional reactions to God-ordained difficulty?

Jesus went on to say to Peter, “You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s” (Matthew 16:23, NASB). Directly related to a satanic mindset is concentrating on human interest rather than on God’s interest. Jesus is implying that a great battle is taking place in the minds of believers. Even those who closely follow Jesus must check carefully their focus. Do we have in mind the eternal and costly plan of God or the temporal and indulgent plan of humans?

If God had done things the way Peter that day thought they ought to be done, Peter’s life would have possibly been less heart-breaking and confusing for a short period of time. Jesus certainly would have avoided more spiritual, emotional, and physical pain than ever could be imagined. However, Satan would have gained the victory! In the long run, all would be lost for creation.

Peter’s devilish pondering did not last forever. Jesus’ rebuke settled into Peter’s heart somewhere. Peter came to realize his selfish, shortsighted reaction. He wrote beautifully in his first epistle (chapter one, verse three) of the living hope we have only because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Looking back, Peter recognized the everlasting value of God’s paradoxical plan.

Soon after the pointed interaction of Peter and Jesus, our Lord reminded all His followers of the cost of discipleship. In the context of rebuking the horror of a self-centered, satanically motivated mindset, Jesus proclaims the need for every follower to take up their own cross for God’s kingdom. Have I taken up my cross? When God calls me to sacrifice time, money, emotion, status, relationship – or anything else – for His sake, do I? Even though it is temporarily painful, do I put God’s will first? If not what is being lost?

Our everyday decisions are critical and fall into one of two categories: God’s eternal focus or devilish pondering.

Dingy Socks

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Sometimes I read statements in the Bible that strike me as particularly odd and make me smile. So was the case when I recently read Mark 9:3 (ESV), “And [Jesus’] clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.”

The longstanding market for laundry bleach testifies to the fact that we humans like things clean and bright. If socks are meant to be white, then – generally speaking – we would like them to stay white and new-looking as long as possible. Something about white “whites” makes us feel good. That sounds fitting, for God made us with both a desire to be right and a hope for newness.

How down to earth Mark is when he pens Peter’s observation of the transfiguration of Jesus. Mark tells us in straightforward fashion that the clothes of Jesus became whiter than any launderer could possibly bleach them. We are told the clothes glistened in a way no human product or effort could ever make them sparkle.

And so it is with God! No human product or effort can produce the results only God alone can bring about. Our innate desire to shine and remain new is answered only in the work of Jesus. How wonderful it is for God to assure us of our hope in simple fashion. On an ordinary day in Israel two thousand years ago, Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of His closest friends: Peter, James, and John. Jesus chose to have His clothes gleam exceedingly, and we are gently reminded of His supernatural power to accomplish effortlessly what we struggle to do. The brilliance of Jesus is our comfort. I have no majesty of my own; I am fading, and I am sinful. Worse yet, I cannot muster any radiance for myself. I, instead, look to my Jesus.

Strange as it may seem, dingy socks may be a great reminder for us that only Jesus can bring the righteousness and newness for which we long. His blood cleanses us when nothing else can. His resurrected life gives us new life that will one day be completed with a new body that never grows old or worn.

Dingy socks and the smell of bleach will never be the same to me.

The Answer to Self-Esteem Issues

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True confidence for living comes only from God, the One who invests Himself in us. Self-esteem is not necessary when a person comes to understand who he is in Christ; for that individual will know Jesus-esteem! She will realize that God, who fashioned the universe, has now taken her up as an enterprise!

Philippians 1:6 (NASB) states clearly, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” The Greek root behind “work” in this verse implies “business, employment, that with which anyone is occupied, enterprise; an accomplishment of hand, art, industry, or mind.” Wow! Imagine that a single human being on this celestial orb can be an enterprise of God! You can be an accomplishment of the very mind and hand of the Almighty!

Not only can we be a work of God; we are a “good” work of God. “Good” in this context means “useful, pleasant, excellent, distinguished, or honorable.” When a man comes to Jesus for salvation, his life becomes a good life, in the sense that his life is now honorable and excellent. His life now serves the purpose of bringing God’s ways to the forefront. Our life now brings with it wherever we go the sweet fragrance of grace and the excellence of truth. A woman finds reason to live in the fact that she is useful to her Creator and to every part of the world to which He has commissioned here to take His glory and righteousness.

Amazingly, this good work of God in us will be completed – despite all the troubles of the world and the inconsistencies of humanity. Philippians 1:6 declares that “[God] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” The concept of “perfect” implies “bringing to fulfillment or completion.” It is the same root behind Hebrews 12:2, which promises that Jesus is both the Author and the Finisher of our faith. What He starts, He will surely complete. Many a project of man has been left in the dust – to disintegrate and be forgotten. Not so the project of God!

In fact, contrast happily the work of God to the work of the devil. No matter how diligently, methodically, and diabolically Satan labors to bring about his destructive desires; we know that his work comes to an end. I John 3:8 (NASB) is a verse of huge and comforting proportions: “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” The business of Satan is the promotion of sin and its ultimate outcome – death. Well, his enterprise is crushed by Jesus!

When John here tells us that Satan’s work is destroyed by Jesus, the Greek root means, “loosen, undo, dissolve.” Whatever the devil assumes he has accomplished, God absolutely undoes it. The Creator of all reality can dissolve whatever Satan has tried to assemble. A pivotal example is Jesus’ prophetic claim when He spoke of His body as a temple in John 2:19 (NASB), “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” In other words, it is as if God said, “Go ahead, devil, and do your work. It will be undone. I will dissolve your effort and raise mine up forever.”

Thank you, God, that the good work you do in your people will be brought to completion; it will not fail. Conversely, whatever the enemy tries to do will be undone. What an awesome God! And – to think – He works in you and me.

Embarrassed?

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Have you ever been embarrassed to talk about Jesus? Have you ever felt funny about including Bible verses in regular conversation? Let’s now take this up a notch . . . Have you ever felt weird about including Jesus or His words in a get-together with another Christian? I have been in all three situations.

The world in general is largely opposed to Jesus Christ but comfortable with religion. The culture may even accept the idea of the Bible’s existence, but the world certainly deems it odd to ponder the Bible’s contents over coffee. And what about the church in general? Even among Christians, conversation and activity often swells around topics of little eternal significance. A person can find himself frowned upon for making Jesus or the Word of God a central part of thought and interaction. This should not be, my friends. But so it is.

Our own sin in this area should sicken us. Here is the straightforward deal spoken by Jesus Himself, “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in an adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38, ESV). This truth is both hard-hitting and not difficult to comprehend. If we are ashamed of Him and His Bible, He will be ashamed of us. But, take notice of the details. Jesus makes no excuses for our embarrassment just because the world is “so wicked.” He tells us we are not to be ashamed even in the midst of sinfulness and adultery. The adultery He seems to speak of here is people’s spiritual unfaithfulness to their Creator. The unsaved world is very sinful, and the church is often unfaithful. Still, the lover of Jesus is to proudly speak of Him and His Word. We are to allow no hostile situation or the lukewarm attitudes of friends or family stop us from centering our thoughts, words, and actions on the Person of Jesus Christ and the Bible.

If we choose to continue in the sin of being ashamed as we walk this difficult path in a sinful world, then Jesus will be ashamed of us in the light of His glory – surrounded by angels. Yes, I am called to stand firm and love Him and promote Him as my very life – no matter what. If some Christians think I am crazy for obsessing over Jesus and His Word, so be it. If unbelievers become malicious in word or deed, so be it. One day – if we remain faithful – our Jesus will be proud to call us His own when everything is finally made right. Stand up for Him and His words in a harsh and evil world, and He will stand up for you in a new and glorious world! The other option . . . well, I don’t even want to think about that.