“Right” or “Righteous”

 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

                                                                                    James 1:27 (NIV)

A few years back, there was a big fuss over the presentation of a nativity scene at the end of a holiday program at one of our elementary schools.  Based on what I knew of the situation, the district was in a “no win” situation.  Although many would have strong opinions on all sides of the specific issue, I want to mention an example of irony that still amazes me today.  Our district secretary at the time, Nancy, recounted to me a few of the calls from patrons that week.  In her account, the common theme was, “Don’t mess with the @#(%&) nativity!”  The hatred she felt firsthand was difficult for her to dismiss-and it seemed to be aimed at her. 

My uncle once found himself at the center of a controversy at Abilene Christian University over the issue of evolution.  He was a biology professor whose views did not set well with many of the brotherhood, and that much is understandable.  What is not understandable to me is how the issue became a catapult for the career of another man who peddled vitriol as his primary ware and used his position in the brotherhood as a gateway for personal immorality.  A dispute over biblical interpretation and intellectual freedom turned into personal attack and professional homicide.  All was carried out by those who claimed to be seeking sound doctrine. 

Daily, I am amazed at how believing students treat their peers at school who assert that they are either atheist or agnostic.  In their desire to be right, they argue and attack, seemingly caring little about exhibiting the “fruits of the spirit” or the grace of Christ at the well.  I wonder how they expect to convict someone with their words-other than themselves.  I see students who try to stand out as Christian fill their lives with profanity and obscenity, and these are ones who believe. 

Finally, I look at my daughter as she grows, and wonder whether I am teaching her to be “right” or “righteous”.  The former comes from her own efforts, and her own understanding at this point in her life, but the latter must come from God.  I pray daily that I will show her the difference; that she will neglect neither; but that when forced to choose between the two in any quarrel, she will be able to find peace in choosing the righteousness of God over her own desire to prevail. 

Merry Christmas!  May this time be one that affords us opportunities to reach out with the gospel, “producing fruits in keeping with repentance.”

Agape-or at least the best I can do,

Chris

The Evidence in Plain Sight

 I suppose that the hardest thing for me to explain to a non-believer is that true faith in God is not blind belief.   Hebrews 11: 1 presents faith as certainty and assurance.  James tells us that it is shown through action.  I believe that God’s action is not invisible to people of faith, and throughout my life I have seen evidence of God’s providence.  I haven’t stumbled into a burning bush or had the voice of the Lord tell me to raise a million dollars; but I have seen God at work in many people’s lives, and-through his grace-in my own. The wife I married, the child we adopted, the job I have, the love I feel, the church I attend-all are evidence to me of the grace of God and his work in my life.  That is just the beginning.  Is that blind belief? Is it simply my own paradigm?  I don’t buy it.  So what about the failures in life?  What about prayers not answered to my satisfaction or continued struggles I have with sin?  God’s “grace is sufficient” for me. 

Without faith, I suppose His Story is simply “a stumbling block” or “foolishness”.   With faith, the evidence is in plain sight. 

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

                         1 Corinthians 1:20-25 (New International Version)

Agape-or at least the best I can do,

Chris

The Lesson of Babel

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

                                                                        Genesis 11:4 (NIV)

“I will make you into a great nation
       and I will bless you;
       I will make your name great,
       and you will be a blessing.

                                                                        Genesis 12:2 (NIV)

So in Genesis 11, God scatters the people when they tried to establish a nation and make their name great.  Then in Genesis 12, God chooses Abram to bless in a strikingly similar way. What is the lesson of Babel?  It is about whether we look to God as the source of blessing and therefore the object of our praise; or whether we look to ourselves as the ultimate source and worthy recipient of honor. 

This is what the LORD says:
       “Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
       who depends on flesh for his strength
       and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

                                                                        Jeremiah 17:5 (NIV)

“God helps those who help themselves”?  Not in the Bible.  Not biblical in its application.  Reliance on God, and the appropriate use of our gifts in His Kingdom, for His glory:  that is our call.

Agape-or at least the best I can do,

Chris

Agape–or at least the best I can do.

 In John 21:15-19, Jesus asked Peter something very important.  He had joined his disciples for a meal following his resurrection, and now turned to Peter in a line of questioning I believe was intended to force Peter to confront his own limitations.  Three times he asks Peter if he loves him.  The first two times, he uses the word agape (a selfless, unconditional, active love).  Both times Peter responds with the word phileo (a brotherly love).  Finally, Christ changes his question to reflect Peter’s answer (“Do you like me a lot, Peter?”).  Peter is hurt, but still does not respond with an affirmation of agape.  Why not?  Peter had claimed he would die for Christ before the crucifixion, and instead, he had denied he even knew Him.  Surely he was aware that once before he had placed no limits on his love for Jesus, and he may have been unwilling to be so arrogant this time around.  Interestingly, Jesus tells Peter that he would ultimately give his life, as if to say, “You will agape me in time”.  Christian tradition holds that he was crucified, upside down, out of humility. 

What about us?  Can we achieve to the standard of Christ as we love and serve one another?  I don’t believe so.  Yet, he says his disciples will be known by their love-agape (John 13:35).  So, that is our goal; and-just like Peter-we recognize our limitations while we strive to be used as tools in his kingdom.

Agape-or at least the best I can do,

Chris

“Something Beautiful”

Come and listen, all you who fear God;
       let me tell you what he has done for me.

I cried out to him with my mouth;
       his praise was on my tongue.

If I had cherished sin in my heart,
       the Lord would not have listened;

but God has surely listened
       and heard my voice in prayer.

Praise be to God,
       who has not rejected my prayer
       or withheld his love from me!

             -Psalms 66: 16-20 (NIV)

“Something beautiful, something good.
All my confusion He understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife.
But He made something beautiful of my life.”

            -Song lyrics from an unknown author.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

            – II Peter 3:9

Just some things to ponder, while He waits. 

Agape-or at least the best I can do,

Chris