Whether it was just recently, or long ago ...just try to think about that moment, if for only a moment.
Do you recall the speeches??
Do you recall all the graduation cards??
There seemed to be a certain theme to all of them. Telling the new graduates that where they were at, in that moment, was a very important juncture of their lives ...and where they were going, may be a bit diverse, but they were all going to be our future.
That can seem exciting ...but, it also can be a bit of a burden, if and when the bubble bursts.
We should all have aspirations, and not look negatively towards our future ...but, there is a sense of living one day at a time. And everything does not come at once ...though at times we may feel bad things do.
I am not going to be one of these greeting cards. I am not going to profess knowledge of the path your life will take ...though I will try to be encouraging.
How can I be encouraging??
Well, the best way I know how ...if by telling you that no matter what happens today or tomorrow, your eternal future is a very simple decision. Life may not be simple ...and simplicity of life may seldom visit you, but when eternity is realized, it will certainly visit you.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Yes, when we speak of High School graduation ...adulthood ...and the path about to be encountered, it often seems to be a very worldly path. I've always read that to be a success, you have to believe in yourself. And I've read so many inspiring stories ...with happy and successful endings. I didn't need to read about any stories of failures ...and who would want to. It wasn't until I worked in the Mental Institution that I got a different perspective on things. There they talked of beginnings too, asking, "When did you first notice the beginning signs of the onset of mental illness?"
But, any way we try to look at it ...we mostly look for those beginnings, of sorts.
I want to look at another beginning first ...as it was first, for us.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
In the Book of Job, Chapter 38, we read, " ...and all the sons of God shouted for joy ..."
Since we humans were not created yet, who do we think are the sons spoken of here??
It would seem that it is speaking of angels ...and not the fallen ones. Those who not only believe, but also follow God today would be inclusive of the two-thirds angels and all human beings who rejoice, or if you prefer shout for joy within their hearts, testifying to the event of the death of Jesus as our redemption.
Yet, there is only One ...only begotten Son, "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
That's what I would hope all graduates would know ...that God loves them, and Jesus took care of the diplomacy that needed to be reached between an imperfect world and a righteous God, one day graduating into eternity.
This spring I saw a short video showing people all over the world holding their iPhones, then someone texted "He is risen!" Then spontaneous joy and celebration erupted. It appeared like they had heard for the first time ...but, I'm sure they were showing how it would have been if people had iPhones over two thousand years ago and they would have been hearing for the first time. Yet, sadly, many people today would ask, "Who is the He ...in He is risen??"
Actually, it doesn't have to be sad if they ask ...as that can be the best question, because it involves the answer I wish everyone could hear ...Jesus rose from the dead, is alive, and it doesn't stop there because there is more good news to go along with it. He, Jesus, is going to come again!!
Over two thousand years ago, after He died ...the disciples assembled in fear with the doors shut, yet suddenly Jesus appeared in their midst. They could truly believe He had risen!!
There was doubt then ...and there is doubt now. Yet, for those who state they do not believe today ...there is much more they do believe, which often appears more difficult to believe.
I've heard many sober-minded people testify to things they've experienced, yet they say it's too difficult to believe in my God. I tell them it is not my God, He is our God. It's like they think there has to be some forensic test or something. And ideologically my opinion matters, yet it does not sway the truth. Something is because it is, not because I say it is.
Here are some testimonies of credible people I know:
But, taking the second example ...of an Indian passing through a wall, with no great effort by the Indian nor any affect to the wall, if you were to believe that, what would you attribute it to?? Would you say it is intellect, or power??
Watching a Star Trek show or movie, it is common to hear, "Beam me up!" And it is concluded that they are portraying intellect of a level to be able to do that. But, in most other cases in the movies ...passing through a wall is usually a Being with mere superior power and capabilities. Not like the Scooby-Doo characters ultimately discovering it is just a hoax.
What is true, and what is not?? If you accept my beliefs, I'll accept some of yours ...is too often the approach.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
And we pray his winter proved well also.
Anyone want to spring for an omelette??
Some are more than wall sitters ...they are fence-sitters. They don't want to commit to controversy. Yet, there are also those who seem to thrive when they catch a whiff of it in the air.
I want to look at another beginning first ...as it was first, for us.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
In the Book of Job, Chapter 38, we read, " ...and all the sons of God shouted for joy ..."
Since we humans were not created yet, who do we think are the sons spoken of here??
It would seem that it is speaking of angels ...and not the fallen ones. Those who not only believe, but also follow God today would be inclusive of the two-thirds angels and all human beings who rejoice, or if you prefer shout for joy within their hearts, testifying to the event of the death of Jesus as our redemption.
Yet, there is only One ...only begotten Son, "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
That's what I would hope all graduates would know ...that God loves them, and Jesus took care of the diplomacy that needed to be reached between an imperfect world and a righteous God, one day graduating into eternity.
This spring I saw a short video showing people all over the world holding their iPhones, then someone texted "He is risen!" Then spontaneous joy and celebration erupted. It appeared like they had heard for the first time ...but, I'm sure they were showing how it would have been if people had iPhones over two thousand years ago and they would have been hearing for the first time. Yet, sadly, many people today would ask, "Who is the He ...in He is risen??"
Actually, it doesn't have to be sad if they ask ...as that can be the best question, because it involves the answer I wish everyone could hear ...Jesus rose from the dead, is alive, and it doesn't stop there because there is more good news to go along with it. He, Jesus, is going to come again!!
Over two thousand years ago, after He died ...the disciples assembled in fear with the doors shut, yet suddenly Jesus appeared in their midst. They could truly believe He had risen!!
There was doubt then ...and there is doubt now. Yet, for those who state they do not believe today ...there is much more they do believe, which often appears more difficult to believe.
I've heard many sober-minded people testify to things they've experienced, yet they say it's too difficult to believe in my God. I tell them it is not my God, He is our God. It's like they think there has to be some forensic test or something. And ideologically my opinion matters, yet it does not sway the truth. Something is because it is, not because I say it is.
Here are some testimonies of credible people I know:
- Claimed they rode in an alien spaceship (with aliens, of course)
- Locked within their hotel room, suddenly an Indian appeared. They reportedly didn't understand the Indian's language, but the Indian appeared friendly and did not harm them ...nor did they attempt to assault the Indian intruder.
- Various people who've testified having traveled to heaven and back, and some who've claimed they've been to hell and back ...not speaking of the usual cliche.
- Visits by various Beings within their idea of God's social circle, including angels and popular saints.
Okay, after this, you may wonder if I am credible ...yet, though these are reports I've heard, I have to confess I didn't sincerely believe them.
But, taking the second example ...of an Indian passing through a wall, with no great effort by the Indian nor any affect to the wall, if you were to believe that, what would you attribute it to?? Would you say it is intellect, or power??
Watching a Star Trek show or movie, it is common to hear, "Beam me up!" And it is concluded that they are portraying intellect of a level to be able to do that. But, in most other cases in the movies ...passing through a wall is usually a Being with mere superior power and capabilities. Not like the Scooby-Doo characters ultimately discovering it is just a hoax.
What is true, and what is not?? If you accept my beliefs, I'll accept some of yours ...is too often the approach.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
And we pray his winter proved well also.
Anyone want to spring for an omelette??
Some are more than wall sitters ...they are fence-sitters. They don't want to commit to controversy. Yet, there are also those who seem to thrive when they catch a whiff of it in the air.
I know that for every good a person does, there seems to be someone standing in the wings to point out the bad. I look to the much good that Ray Comfort does, and I will quote him much in this section ...and I would think he'd be in favor of me doing so.
In Ray Comfort's book, Hell's Best Kept Secret, he talks about how he not only felt led by the commission to tell others about Jesus ... he would feel a sense of responsibility for their personal growth. He said he looked at figures which stated that only one fifth of the new believers would be able to withstand the temptations or maintain beyond the mere emotion to a level of commitment of endurance within the faith...or as he put it, 80% would backslide.
He compared himself to a 'Gestapo-type' evangelist, yet he was sincere. It took some time, but eventually he realized the error of his questioning methods towards those he felt were possible suspects of backsliding ...weakening in their commitment. It's as if we think the bright lights of the truth bearing down on them will get them to fully confess with extreme brokenness ...our perceived signs of sorrow and remorsefulness.
Yes, we sincerely don't want to see anyone backslide. If we take someone to rehab to help them overcome a drug addiction, and they appear to do well for a while ...of course, we are saddened when they fall back into drugs. The same holds true for someone going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, showing signs of success or victory ...only to fall back into habitual drinking again. And a smoker who leaves the hospital. The doctor warns them that likely they will have little chance of living much longer if they don't give up the smoking ...yet, merely a few days pass, and they fail in their attempt to try to overcome all the stress surrounding their condition.
We all sin ...and most of our sin is of the repetitive nature. We don't have to go out and find new sins, the old ones are usually quite effective. The point is, none of us are immune to sin.
We all have our struggles, we all have our difficulties, and we all fail to cope with perfection. That is also saying we all fail to perfectly cope with the truth of the One who is perfect ...and we fail to realize our role with Him.
Jesus tells us, "Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
If not done in the pure spirit of what Jesus would intend us to do, we are not doing it in the spirit of how he'd have us be used by Him. And why is it that we view certain things as intolerable to us, and we approach those situations with a firm hand ...yet, we fully look to God's forgiveness when we sin, looking for God's grace and a gentle loving hand??
We all have our moments in life ...it is not a steady progression of growth.
He compared himself to a 'Gestapo-type' evangelist, yet he was sincere. It took some time, but eventually he realized the error of his questioning methods towards those he felt were possible suspects of backsliding ...weakening in their commitment. It's as if we think the bright lights of the truth bearing down on them will get them to fully confess with extreme brokenness ...our perceived signs of sorrow and remorsefulness.
Yes, we sincerely don't want to see anyone backslide. If we take someone to rehab to help them overcome a drug addiction, and they appear to do well for a while ...of course, we are saddened when they fall back into drugs. The same holds true for someone going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, showing signs of success or victory ...only to fall back into habitual drinking again. And a smoker who leaves the hospital. The doctor warns them that likely they will have little chance of living much longer if they don't give up the smoking ...yet, merely a few days pass, and they fail in their attempt to try to overcome all the stress surrounding their condition.
We all sin ...and most of our sin is of the repetitive nature. We don't have to go out and find new sins, the old ones are usually quite effective. The point is, none of us are immune to sin.
We all have our struggles, we all have our difficulties, and we all fail to cope with perfection. That is also saying we all fail to perfectly cope with the truth of the One who is perfect ...and we fail to realize our role with Him.
Jesus tells us, "Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
If not done in the pure spirit of what Jesus would intend us to do, we are not doing it in the spirit of how he'd have us be used by Him. And why is it that we view certain things as intolerable to us, and we approach those situations with a firm hand ...yet, we fully look to God's forgiveness when we sin, looking for God's grace and a gentle loving hand??
We all have our moments in life ...it is not a steady progression of growth.
- If we are raised with what most people would call Christian values ...those values may stay with us for a period of time. There may be moments of disillusionment ...the foundations of what we know to be true, of Jesus having died for our sins has never departed from us, but we may gravitate towards some other ideas that may be a departure from what we had once believed. Never do we depart from the truth of salvation through Jesus ...but perhaps others may perceive something quite different.
- If we get involved at a very young age in substance abuse, and our relationships are not very solid ...it could take years, sometimes involving many relationships and perhaps also involving children, before life comes full circle and it dawns on us that we really need a Savior. At this moment we accept Jesus into our life, yet also knowing that though simple as that is, we have lots of things we'd like to change in our lives.
- We go to college, and the flood of knowledge & ideas has a tendency to overwhelm us. As a Christian we get labeled, and are told we are ignoring science. If we choose our faith, that is our right, though we should also understand we need to accept everyone else's too. And absolutely, those faith views should not interfere with, nor challenge science ...and its intellectual data. In order to succeed in this world, we have to keep pace with new discoveries and the acceptance of what understanding is presented to us.
- Or we may ask, as Ray Comfort did, "What was the problem? The sinner was 100% sincere --he sincerely wanted the love, joy, peace, happiness, and fulfillment that supposedly comes from being a Christian. His response was merely a test to see if the claims were true." And Ray cited that much of the problem was that we Christians only present part of what we read of our faith ...sort of like an advertisement for a medicine, without listing that you must take it with food. There'd be no contraindications if you take it as prescribed, but you feel a bit like something is wrong. (http://ifitdrownsyoucannolongerleadit.blogspot.com/2016/03/blog-post_13.html)
Some of us go through periods of questioning what this is all about. What is the purpose of life? And if we are clear on the overall purpose, we may not be clear on the specifics.
It is good to attempt to improve upon our lives ...so, being content may not seem to be growth to us. But, that is quite different from being discontent. A person may be focused on the job and raising a family ...with the beginnings of both, and clearly what is certain to be priorities. Yet, when the family is raised and the job is secure ...many of us ask ourselves what is next in life. And we may ask, "Isn't there more to life?"
Certainly we know there is always more to God than we can ever experience in a lifetime ...and it is good to make it a goal to get closer to God. What happens sometimes is what I will call a spiritual mid-life crisis. I don't call it that because it is a crisis ...but, I refer to it that way because it has so many common beginning traits to the more common mid-life crisis that is usually described. When you are looking for more ...there are usually ample entities eager to peddle their uniqueness.
Whether it's the tune I remember by Waylon Jennings, or the one sung by Johnny Lee, the lyrics are about the same:
Playing a fools game, hoping to win
Telling those sweet lies and losing again.
I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
And it's much the same with a spiritual mid-life crisis, though in other ways it's not the same. The common mid-life crisis is one that overwhelms, knowing it is wrong to be struggling through many of the things that carry us down the stream. But, spiritually, we often feel we are on a path to improve our life ...especially when we know our society is slipping, and we struggle with the world around us. We feel we are returning to our first love ...which we feel is God.
God is ...Love.
That is a basic truth ...so, how do we build upon that?? We can read of many more truths, and we can be taken in by sweet lies too. We begin looking for love in the faces of so many professed truths. Yet, they can mostly be in many wrong places.
And who is really to say??
I've often wondered about that. I go to Bible studies ...and I'm surrounded by people who say they read their Bible each day. Some even memorize verses ...and they do very well in a discussion. I appreciate these people, and they encourage and uplift me. What I wonder about is the wisdom of God's design for us ..to grow in knowledge of Him and to be witnesses, teachers, and friends. We have life experiences to share ...and we've discussed most every subject we can imagine. Then we get old.
I've always heard people say they don't mind getting old, because it beats the alternative ...dying. So, most people understand the usual pattern to our life. We get old ...and when we get old, as God designed it to be, we often can't read for very long without falling asleep. We forget where we put our glasses, while they are on the top of our head ...and we forget a good percentage of things. We certainly can't remember many verses. If we try to have an intellectual conversation, we forget where we were going with where we were going. And what kind of witness are we?? Most people just witness us getting old, and more feeble by the day. It seems the attention we get is mostly obligatory.
So, all those things we believed in ...and all the stimulating spiritual conversations, where are they now?? If we believe in Jesus ...we can have some quiet peace, and simple recollection. But, we don't remember a lot of the other stuff ...for all we know, we believed in some rather silly stuff. But, often when we want to grasp onto something firm, instead we become weaker ...we are getting a bit more paranoid, and maybe we begin to think we saw something out of our bedroom window. Perhaps it is a flying saucer, and just maybe the aliens have decided we are not properly protecting our earth, so they are taking the pyramids back.
So, why does it all happen like this??
Perhaps it is because others have to be given a chance to learn about Love. Maybe it brings others to do things they are not thrilled about doing ...visiting us in a nursing home. Of course, in old times perhaps we'd still be in the home, but we'd rather be in the nursing home, because we know they'd rather we be there ...and the last thing we want to be is an imposition. Sitting at our bedside causes them to think in the silence, as we keep nodding off. Of course, it is their choice why they are there. They may keep looking at their watch, or waiting for a nurse to come by ...to perform some routines, and provide a convenient opportunity for a goodbye. Or it could be that they are there because they realize what all of this is doing in their life ...as they are learning more about His Love. They have said it over and over again ...but now it begins to reach ever greater depths of what we may never have had the opportunity to experience.
So, when we get old ...we would hope we've already shared enough with others of who we are ...and more importantly, who He is. At an old age, and in a nursing home, we may only have the basic belief in God, and our belief that Jesus died for us ...yet, there may be moments where we wonder about Him forsaking us with this declining health of ours, but we know we should have expected it, and certainly we expect to meet Him in heaven soon.
Whether it's the tune I remember by Waylon Jennings, or the one sung by Johnny Lee, the lyrics are about the same:
Playing a fools game, hoping to win
Telling those sweet lies and losing again.
I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
And it's much the same with a spiritual mid-life crisis, though in other ways it's not the same. The common mid-life crisis is one that overwhelms, knowing it is wrong to be struggling through many of the things that carry us down the stream. But, spiritually, we often feel we are on a path to improve our life ...especially when we know our society is slipping, and we struggle with the world around us. We feel we are returning to our first love ...which we feel is God.
God is ...Love.
That is a basic truth ...so, how do we build upon that?? We can read of many more truths, and we can be taken in by sweet lies too. We begin looking for love in the faces of so many professed truths. Yet, they can mostly be in many wrong places.
And who is really to say??
I've often wondered about that. I go to Bible studies ...and I'm surrounded by people who say they read their Bible each day. Some even memorize verses ...and they do very well in a discussion. I appreciate these people, and they encourage and uplift me. What I wonder about is the wisdom of God's design for us ..to grow in knowledge of Him and to be witnesses, teachers, and friends. We have life experiences to share ...and we've discussed most every subject we can imagine. Then we get old.
I've always heard people say they don't mind getting old, because it beats the alternative ...dying. So, most people understand the usual pattern to our life. We get old ...and when we get old, as God designed it to be, we often can't read for very long without falling asleep. We forget where we put our glasses, while they are on the top of our head ...and we forget a good percentage of things. We certainly can't remember many verses. If we try to have an intellectual conversation, we forget where we were going with where we were going. And what kind of witness are we?? Most people just witness us getting old, and more feeble by the day. It seems the attention we get is mostly obligatory.
So, all those things we believed in ...and all the stimulating spiritual conversations, where are they now?? If we believe in Jesus ...we can have some quiet peace, and simple recollection. But, we don't remember a lot of the other stuff ...for all we know, we believed in some rather silly stuff. But, often when we want to grasp onto something firm, instead we become weaker ...we are getting a bit more paranoid, and maybe we begin to think we saw something out of our bedroom window. Perhaps it is a flying saucer, and just maybe the aliens have decided we are not properly protecting our earth, so they are taking the pyramids back.
So, why does it all happen like this??
Perhaps it is because others have to be given a chance to learn about Love. Maybe it brings others to do things they are not thrilled about doing ...visiting us in a nursing home. Of course, in old times perhaps we'd still be in the home, but we'd rather be in the nursing home, because we know they'd rather we be there ...and the last thing we want to be is an imposition. Sitting at our bedside causes them to think in the silence, as we keep nodding off. Of course, it is their choice why they are there. They may keep looking at their watch, or waiting for a nurse to come by ...to perform some routines, and provide a convenient opportunity for a goodbye. Or it could be that they are there because they realize what all of this is doing in their life ...as they are learning more about His Love. They have said it over and over again ...but now it begins to reach ever greater depths of what we may never have had the opportunity to experience.
So, when we get old ...we would hope we've already shared enough with others of who we are ...and more importantly, who He is. At an old age, and in a nursing home, we may only have the basic belief in God, and our belief that Jesus died for us ...yet, there may be moments where we wonder about Him forsaking us with this declining health of ours, but we know we should have expected it, and certainly we expect to meet Him in heaven soon.
So, that being said, let's focus on now ....
How is it that we view our neighborhoods different than those we'd encounter in the mission field??
How does God view us with all our sin? Does He give up on us, does He release us from those efforts of grace we extends to others?? Does He say, "You've done enough ...it's not your responsibility, just don't bother with them??"
How is it again, that the priest and the Levite passed on the other side? After all, he was just harmed. But, who did stop?? Yes, a Samaritan. I can easily visualize this, but it was a surprise to them at the time.
Was it a surprise because few would think one of your own kind of people wouldn't help ...no, I think the surprise is how we sometimes have to admit it is our bias, and our fault, not so much theirs.
"Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Yes, this is the advice of Jesus. There many contrary ways of the world ...and many influences, some as cunning as serpents. In the story I mentioned above, there was the fact that there were robbers who did beat the man and strip him of everything he had. When we seek to help others, and we should, it would benefit us to also keep us out of possible danger.
How do we first discern the proper things the proper way, so we can avoid and resist that which we should?? We have to be wise as they are ...yet, we need to also realize that those who are often involved in questionable things are influenced by that which they are not always aware of. So, yes, we need to be wise ...but, not harsh with our criticism. We need to be harmless as doves ...compassionate and understanding, sincere with our motivation.
We should not be so defensive about what we believe others believe. Remember, it is supposed to be the joy we share, not a bitter defense. Yes, we need to be clear in standing for what we believe in ...but, more importantly we need to clearly communicate that which we know to be true, not what we believe to be true.
In the mission field, if someone appears ready to accept Jesus as their Savior ...we get excited, and we expect aspects of their life to begin to improve. Yet, we are prepared for the likelihood that it may take some time, and there may be set-backs.
But, if we communicate with someone we believe is a Christian ...our instrument gauge begins registering 'warning' signals to our brains if we hear one thing we don't personally believe in. And we begin playing the game of opposites ...which is often as effective as a skunk's spray is in keeping people at bay. We accuse them of being intolerant ...because we can't tolerate their views. We view where we are at in our lives, and have little patience for those who express different views. And we begin to isolate the very ones that we would otherwise admit we are trying to reach out to.
Remember, God is ...Love.
So, in looking through this new lens of what we consider peace, tolerance, and acceptance of everyone ...our problems have now all gone away, right?
Or is there still a problem??
"You just won't let things be ...will you?" Yes, I've been told this. And it could also be said that we should let sleeping dogs lie ...but, I'd be telling you a lie if I told you that things are as easy as some people make them out to be. Yes, I also know that some people make things more difficult than they should be.
Okay, let's give those some people a rest here. We also know that letting sleeping dogs lie ...may mean we are trying to sneak past the dog. And in that case we are trying to make trouble, we are trying to avoid trouble ...or we are waking the dog up to the fact that we are trouble.
But, back to the original title statement of whether it is clear where we are at, and the confidence we have concerning where we are going. We say we believe in Jesus ...and that's where we are at. Well, it's good we can agree on that ...as I'd like you to have the best available future, and I hope you'd feel the same about me. Yet, beyond that point, you may not have confidence in where I am going ...not in the sense of going to heaven, but where am I going with this conversation.
I believe that our salvation is through Jesus ...and it isn't lessened by how early we get up in the morning, whether we read the Bible before having coffee, while having coffee, or even a couple hours after coffee ...when we settle down enough from the coffee to be able to sit down to read. And there are many Bible believing churches we can attend that teach that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins. It doesn't make sense to me to think my salvation is somehow affected by whether I believe Paul was an actual apostle or not (but, by the way, I do believe Paul was an apostle ...as an apostle is one who is sent out by Jesus, and the fact that he was blinded and then led, is a good enough indication of this to me). And I also think there are many other criteria that we create of our own standards ...as if we have to add to the list of necessary growth requirements.
No, salvation is salvation ...through Jesus.
So, am I saying everything else is unimportant??
Not quite!
There is clearly salvation for us ...yet, it may not be so clear to others.
What I'm saying, is the same as I said to our children ...that aside from all the other stuff in our lives, there are two primary purposes for us:
How does God view us with all our sin? Does He give up on us, does He release us from those efforts of grace we extends to others?? Does He say, "You've done enough ...it's not your responsibility, just don't bother with them??"
How is it again, that the priest and the Levite passed on the other side? After all, he was just harmed. But, who did stop?? Yes, a Samaritan. I can easily visualize this, but it was a surprise to them at the time.
Was it a surprise because few would think one of your own kind of people wouldn't help ...no, I think the surprise is how we sometimes have to admit it is our bias, and our fault, not so much theirs.
"Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Yes, this is the advice of Jesus. There many contrary ways of the world ...and many influences, some as cunning as serpents. In the story I mentioned above, there was the fact that there were robbers who did beat the man and strip him of everything he had. When we seek to help others, and we should, it would benefit us to also keep us out of possible danger.
How do we first discern the proper things the proper way, so we can avoid and resist that which we should?? We have to be wise as they are ...yet, we need to also realize that those who are often involved in questionable things are influenced by that which they are not always aware of. So, yes, we need to be wise ...but, not harsh with our criticism. We need to be harmless as doves ...compassionate and understanding, sincere with our motivation.
We should not be so defensive about what we believe others believe. Remember, it is supposed to be the joy we share, not a bitter defense. Yes, we need to be clear in standing for what we believe in ...but, more importantly we need to clearly communicate that which we know to be true, not what we believe to be true.
In the mission field, if someone appears ready to accept Jesus as their Savior ...we get excited, and we expect aspects of their life to begin to improve. Yet, we are prepared for the likelihood that it may take some time, and there may be set-backs.
But, if we communicate with someone we believe is a Christian ...our instrument gauge begins registering 'warning' signals to our brains if we hear one thing we don't personally believe in. And we begin playing the game of opposites ...which is often as effective as a skunk's spray is in keeping people at bay. We accuse them of being intolerant ...because we can't tolerate their views. We view where we are at in our lives, and have little patience for those who express different views. And we begin to isolate the very ones that we would otherwise admit we are trying to reach out to.
Remember, God is ...Love.
So, in looking through this new lens of what we consider peace, tolerance, and acceptance of everyone ...our problems have now all gone away, right?
Or is there still a problem??
"You just won't let things be ...will you?" Yes, I've been told this. And it could also be said that we should let sleeping dogs lie ...but, I'd be telling you a lie if I told you that things are as easy as some people make them out to be. Yes, I also know that some people make things more difficult than they should be.
Okay, let's give those some people a rest here. We also know that letting sleeping dogs lie ...may mean we are trying to sneak past the dog. And in that case we are trying to make trouble, we are trying to avoid trouble ...or we are waking the dog up to the fact that we are trouble.
But, back to the original title statement of whether it is clear where we are at, and the confidence we have concerning where we are going. We say we believe in Jesus ...and that's where we are at. Well, it's good we can agree on that ...as I'd like you to have the best available future, and I hope you'd feel the same about me. Yet, beyond that point, you may not have confidence in where I am going ...not in the sense of going to heaven, but where am I going with this conversation.
I believe that our salvation is through Jesus ...and it isn't lessened by how early we get up in the morning, whether we read the Bible before having coffee, while having coffee, or even a couple hours after coffee ...when we settle down enough from the coffee to be able to sit down to read. And there are many Bible believing churches we can attend that teach that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins. It doesn't make sense to me to think my salvation is somehow affected by whether I believe Paul was an actual apostle or not (but, by the way, I do believe Paul was an apostle ...as an apostle is one who is sent out by Jesus, and the fact that he was blinded and then led, is a good enough indication of this to me). And I also think there are many other criteria that we create of our own standards ...as if we have to add to the list of necessary growth requirements.
No, salvation is salvation ...through Jesus.
So, am I saying everything else is unimportant??
Not quite!
There is clearly salvation for us ...yet, it may not be so clear to others.
What I'm saying, is the same as I said to our children ...that aside from all the other stuff in our lives, there are two primary purposes for us:
- To learn of who God is, and that Jesus is God's Son.
- To share that with others, so they will have equal opportunity to know Him.
I've already addressed the first issue. Now, I'm going to address the second issue ...of our witness to others of the truth.
Though other things may not affect our salvation, some of those things may affect the path to salvation of others. To be believers ...naturally, it makes sense that we'd have to believe.
To me, the saddest statement in the Bible is, "I never knew you." Of course, Jesus knows all of us, so how do we look at this without saying it is something other than what it is?? Well, with Jesus, knowing is a two-way process ...so if we don't know Him, then it is not knowing. I could go on with this point, but I will not.
Though ...at this point, I will ask how we get to that point. Well, in the Book of Revelation, it is written, as it is said, unto the various churches, by the Alpha and Omega ..."I know ...nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee," and "I know ...but I have a few things against thee," and "I know ...notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee," "I know ...as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
We often seem to grasp a hold of that last part, as if we can manage it ...like we have a business sign, "Official Repentance! Enter Here." Yes, repentance is a vital part of our salvation. Repenting means to change our mindset ...and that is crucial to our growth, yet we should not be caught up in that which is the last mentioned in a list of abominations, "one who sows discord among believers".
So, again ...applying to the second point, it is with spreading the truth with love. And that being said, in telling the truth, we have to point out the truth, not a menagerie of emotions and opinions. If we discount an item, we look at lessening its value by dropping its price. If we do not acknowledge the price that Jesus paid for our sins ...we are lessening His value in our lives.
And we often also discount truths, viewing them as not as worthy of our consideration ...in professing doubt or claims of lack of credibility. If we don't believe the Bible as the Word of God, a bibliography of who He is, for us to read ...then by what criteria do we claim to know Him??
And if we pick and choose what we believe is worthy to believe, how can we believe any, if we choose not to believe the whole. It is either the truth, or it is not. And if we are not confident that it is, then how can we then display that confidence to others ...so that they can have the confidence to believe??
And if we do not have the confidence of belief, we generally don't share it (though the tendency of this appears to be reversing itself, but mostly only with those who believe untrue things ...confidently). Yet, those of us who should have the confidence to share, seem to get lazy, despondent, or discouraged. These are not encouraging traits to proclaim, yet I pray our case is not one we've entered into as a result of our familiarity with the realm of apathy.
We should glorify God, telling others of the correctness of who He is. We are not to give testimony to the lessening of this. We must understand that if we do lessen it ...there is less of the truth for others to grasp onto, and more of everything else which just breeds confusion into our lives. We would want everyone to have every opportunity to accept Jesus.
So, I am so happy for your salvation, yet I am also reading of God's heart ...that none would perish.
Let's not be a part of the confusion. If we are given a brush, we may eagerly participate with sincere and enthusiastic intentions. We may think we are cleaning everything up with a fresh new coat of white paint ...but, unknowingly we may be helping to whitewash it. It may seem like the quickest and easiest way ...and it looks good, but perhaps it would be better to do some sanding first to smooth out rough spots, then consider applying a sealer.
(Chapter 1, Ephesians: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.)
To me, the saddest statement in the Bible is, "I never knew you." Of course, Jesus knows all of us, so how do we look at this without saying it is something other than what it is?? Well, with Jesus, knowing is a two-way process ...so if we don't know Him, then it is not knowing. I could go on with this point, but I will not.
Though ...at this point, I will ask how we get to that point. Well, in the Book of Revelation, it is written, as it is said, unto the various churches, by the Alpha and Omega ..."I know ...nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee," and "I know ...but I have a few things against thee," and "I know ...notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee," "I know ...as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
We often seem to grasp a hold of that last part, as if we can manage it ...like we have a business sign, "Official Repentance! Enter Here." Yes, repentance is a vital part of our salvation. Repenting means to change our mindset ...and that is crucial to our growth, yet we should not be caught up in that which is the last mentioned in a list of abominations, "one who sows discord among believers".
So, again ...applying to the second point, it is with spreading the truth with love. And that being said, in telling the truth, we have to point out the truth, not a menagerie of emotions and opinions. If we discount an item, we look at lessening its value by dropping its price. If we do not acknowledge the price that Jesus paid for our sins ...we are lessening His value in our lives.
And we often also discount truths, viewing them as not as worthy of our consideration ...in professing doubt or claims of lack of credibility. If we don't believe the Bible as the Word of God, a bibliography of who He is, for us to read ...then by what criteria do we claim to know Him??
And if we pick and choose what we believe is worthy to believe, how can we believe any, if we choose not to believe the whole. It is either the truth, or it is not. And if we are not confident that it is, then how can we then display that confidence to others ...so that they can have the confidence to believe??
And if we do not have the confidence of belief, we generally don't share it (though the tendency of this appears to be reversing itself, but mostly only with those who believe untrue things ...confidently). Yet, those of us who should have the confidence to share, seem to get lazy, despondent, or discouraged. These are not encouraging traits to proclaim, yet I pray our case is not one we've entered into as a result of our familiarity with the realm of apathy.
We should glorify God, telling others of the correctness of who He is. We are not to give testimony to the lessening of this. We must understand that if we do lessen it ...there is less of the truth for others to grasp onto, and more of everything else which just breeds confusion into our lives. We would want everyone to have every opportunity to accept Jesus.
So, I am so happy for your salvation, yet I am also reading of God's heart ...that none would perish.
Let's not be a part of the confusion. If we are given a brush, we may eagerly participate with sincere and enthusiastic intentions. We may think we are cleaning everything up with a fresh new coat of white paint ...but, unknowingly we may be helping to whitewash it. It may seem like the quickest and easiest way ...and it looks good, but perhaps it would be better to do some sanding first to smooth out rough spots, then consider applying a sealer.
(Chapter 1, Ephesians: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.)
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