Clean and Righteous

Have you ever given thought to the phrase, "Clean up your act?"  From various sources online, it means to behave in a better way.  It means obeying laws and improving your behaviour in a socially acceptable manner.  There is one critical issue I take with this concept from a biblical perspective.  While improved behaviour is likely to benefit an individual and those around them, it does not address the source of our sinfulness--our hearts and minds that are intimately known by God.  Even if you are successful in adjusting your behaviour, it is like tearing off the tops of weeds and leaving the root of sin alive to grow back thicker and stronger.

This brings up another point:  the Bible establishes plainly by the 10 Commandments and countless other passages that all human beings are fundamentally corrupt and sinful.  We are unable to change ourselves on the inside, even as a leopard cannot change its spots on its fur.  Animals can be trained to modify their behaviour, but they retain their original nature.  There are marks we make that are impossible to remove; there are stains that cannot be washed away.  In a similar way, we are incapable of changing ourselves permanently for the better.  Things have happened to us that have shaped our perspectives, and habits form so easily we can spend a lifetime working to shift them.  We can put forth much effort to shift our habits from one thing to another while we remain enslaved to some manner of addiction.

Is this what God desires, that people "clean up their act?"  Is God fond of actors, of hypocrites who appear to be living a clean life but are spiritually dead inside?  Absolutely not.  I have heard some people say they need to clean up their lives and then they will seek God, but this will be an exercise of futility when man cannot overcome or cleanse himself from sin.  Cleansing from sin is what only Jesus Christ can do!  He demonstrated His power over sin when He raised a paralytic to perfect health by speaking the word, and Jesus proved His power over the results of sin (death) when He rose from the dead.  Jesus does not call us to clean up our act and follow Him, but to believe in Him which makes us born again, new creations by the Gospel.  Then we are divinely enabled and helped to follow Him!  As it is written in Galatians 6:15:  "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."  Removing a bit of skin will not change you into a new creation, but faith in Jesus does.

By the indwelling Holy Spirit, God begins to transform us from within and refines our outlook and behaviour because He is our source of purity.  No longer do we need to "act tough" but we can "be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10).  By faith in Jesus we now have a choice if we will yield to our flesh or to Jesus Christ who is holy, righteous and pure.  Because Christians are alive unto God by faith in Jesus, Paul wrote in Romans 6:12-13:  "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."  Having been washed free from sin within, we are to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness to God.  In Christ we now have a choice and strength to refuse to submit to sin we never had ourselves before, and God help us to walk in wisdom and righteousness.

Running Our Course

Recently I read a comment from a high-profile celebrity going through divorce that continues to come to mind.  In her words, the relationship had simply "run its course."  While it is true marriages do not always last a lifetime, her statement betrays a view of marriage that falls woefully short of God's design for it.  Those who justify divorce for marriages that have "run their course" are often more likely to default to this option in future marriage(s).  Traditional wedding vows of a bride and groom used to include, "Till death do us part" and this is the worthy course of marriage--a commitment for a lifetime.

From a biblical point of view, marriage is intended to be a covenant between one man and one woman before God who ordained this special relationship.  It is more than the promise of love, fidelity and monogamy, for it is a spiritual union where God joins a man and woman together and makes them one flesh.  When we love one another as Jesus loves us, a married couple is divinely helped in bearing one another's burdens, forgiving each other and working through conflicts.  Divorce was never part of God's original design for marriage, but Jesus said it was made legally permissible due to the hardness of people's hearts (Matthew 19:8).  A married couple may say their marriage has "run its course" yet the Bible shows God's intended course for their relationship to endure their entire lives.

Those who go into marriage believing marriage could run its course in 7 months, 12 or 28 years should not be surprised when it does not last half that long.  I suspect many people whose marriages have ended in divorce had every intention--from before they uttered their vows to years into marriage--to do everything in their power to make it last.  And perhaps they did.  The point I feel compelled to make is to affirm the covenant of marriage ought to be approached as a lifelong commitment before God and one another, and when both partners have a relationship with Jesus Christ He helps us to do what willpower, hard work, vows and the Law of Moses could never do:  to continue in marriage until death do you part.  Even if you are a Christian and your partner is not, the love of Jesus in and through you will make a huge positive difference in your marriage and family.

What Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 inspires God-fearing people to live well and this includes a marriage relationship:  "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ⁸ henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."  Winning at marriage does not come from fighting with your spouse but surrender before the LORD whilst looking to Jesus for wisdom, strength and humility.  God who enabled Paul to prevail over great difficulties during his life and ministry helps everyone who trusts and obeys Him.  We will be richly rewarded by God, not for having the longest marriage, but for faith and obedience to God by His grace.

Let Us Reason Together

Anyone who keeps an eye on the news or has internet access has likely heard of the murder of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who for years engaged in open public debates on university campuses.  His approach provided an opportunity for students and professors to speak with him of their own free will, and passers-by were welcome to listen in.  To the very end, Charlie spoke with people believing they were worthy to be reasoned with--even when their views or actions were unreasonable.  Based on his approach to public debate, Charlie believed it was worth his time to speak with those who were hostile to him and God.

Speaking for myself, I try to do everything as efficiently as possible.  I also prefer to see some sort of progression towards a goal.  When I faced a seized bolt I could not remove with a spanner, I pivoted to a grinder.  Should I converse with someone who is firmly set in their views and unwilling to listen to reason, then I do not press the point to avoid being heavy-handed.  Yet God is willing to call prophets to speak to people who will not listen, and He provides opportunities by His grace for unreasonable and stubborn sinners to reason with Him in Isaiah 1:18:  "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  God is willing to speak even with those who will not listen to Him, and His people ought to walk in His ways.  God will extend an audience to those who come to Him in faith.

I am not God, and it is ridiculous for me to imagine I can know human hearts.  Thus it would be unwise for me to write people off as unworthy of reasoning with even when our interactions have been unpleasant and unproductive.  To everyone God has given a soul also have the capacity for rational thought, and even minds hijacked by lies and self-righteousness God can overcome.  I am convinced a sound argument and reason cannot change anyone's mind or heart:  I must rely on God to do this in me and in others.  I am called to love God and love other people, and God's love is demonstrated in listening and caring about people as well as speaking truth.  As Todd Wagner is credited with saying, "Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth."  Jesus didn't allow the hatred of the chief priests and Pharisees to silence Him from speaking with them or others, and neither should we.

Jesus said Matthew 7:6, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."  As pigs trample precious pearls tossed at them, sharing priceless spiritual truths does not make unbelievers value them.  There is a time when continued discussion is of no benefit as Jesus said in Matthew 15:14:  "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Yet Jesus demonstrated He was willing to continue to go among the unclean, barking, self-righteous and easily offended sinners because He loved them all.  Jesus continued to open His heart and His mouth to others after being despised and rejected continually.  By the power of the Holy Spirit who empowers born again Christians to do God's will, He leads us into truth and in our hour of need will teach us what to say.

In a world where people labour to cultivate a public image or gain followers, followers of Jesus Christ are called to prepare our hearts and minds to present ourselves approved to God, rightly dividing His word (2 Timothy 2:15).  Even if we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we are blessed and can remain fearless of anything man can do to us.  Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:15-16, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."  We are called to be ready to share the reason for the hope that is in us with meekness and fear of God.  Man may revile us for speaking the truth of God's word, but we can have a good conscience before God.  Since we will all stand before God, let us take a stand for His sake today and every day.

Praying for Peace

It is biblical to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Psalm 122:6-9 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. ⁷ Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces." ⁸ For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you." ⁹ Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good."  There may be some who pray for the peace of Jerusalem because they want prosperity, but Christians are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem because Jesus is our peace.  While no temple to God stands in Israel today, Christians stand by God's grace as His chosen habitation, the temple of the Holy Spirit by the Gospel.

The prayers of God's people ought not to be limited by the boundaries of the Old City of Jerusalem, but we can expand our range to include the cities of people who could be viewed as enemies of Israel.  Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."  Jesus came to the world with peace and goodwill for all men, and this includes the people of Gaza as well as Iran.  By faith in God who is righteous, just and gracious, God's people ought to pray for the leaders of Israel and well as Iran in the midst of conflict.  Both countries are filled with people God loves and Jesus died to save, and Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies and to pray for them.  Having been commanded by our Saviour to turn the other cheek, even when a missile inflicts casualties on our land we can pray for the peace of those responsible for launching it.

When Jesus was crucified between two condemned criminals, He extended grace to those who scorned and killed Him in Luke 23:34:  "Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots."  In one sense, the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus knew very well what they were doing.  They had been given orders, and they carried them out efficiently and effectively.  They had learned the clothing of their victims was their spoil, and they had a system organised to ensure fair distribution amongst themselves.  On the other hand, these men did not realise who it was they stripped and nailed to the cross--even though they affixed the sign over His head that read, "King of the Jews" in three languages.  They did not comprehend Jesus was the Son of God and the atrocity they committed in complying with orders they were given.  It was just another day at the office for them, yet Jesus was no common criminal.

Jesus did not limit God's forgiveness to the ignorant but extended it to men like Saul of Tarsus who sought to incarcerate and execute Christians:  He offers grace, forgiveness and salvation to all people through the Gospel.  Since God is not willing any should perish but that all should come to repentance and be saved, we ought to pray for both the victim and the aggressor, the ones shooting and those who are shot.  We should look with compassion upon the Israelis and Persians caught up in awful violence, to seek God for their good that each one would experience peace within them by faith in Jesus Christ.  Because Jesus is our peace, we can pray for peace with genuine compassion and love without discrimination.  This kind of love is what sets Jesus apart from every other person, ruler and government.  Jesus is the almighty God, and He employs His strength and power to love.

Unbelief our Adversary

On a drive to the shops this morning, I saw a bus was emblazoned with a large "R U OK?" banner to remind people to care for their mental health as well as asking others how they are going.  It is a helpful question to ask because many people are not "OK," and they may struggle to let on how they are feeling and the difficulties they face.  The reality of struggle and suffering are all around, and domestic violence and bullying has led people to think their situations are hopeless.  The sobering reality is the situations may be hopeless--but only when we exclude God from the picture, focus on hurtful things people have said or done, or our inability to do anything to help ourselves.  God who saves souls is able to bring hope to the hopeless, is a safe refuge, can heal our hearts and renew our minds.

The writers of the psalms were not strangers to trials and troubles, for many times in Scripture they express feelings of depression, hopelessness and despair.  It is natural for us to lose heart when no amount of education or awareness can rid ourselves of unkind bullies and memory of their cruel words and deeds.  It does not take much for old wounds to be opened up again and to feel hurt, powerless and alone.  In this case, bad feelings are beneficial to remind and prompt us to seek the LORD who knows what it is to suffer painful injustice, to be hurt by the very people who should have helped.  The psalmist sang in Psalm 94:17-19:  "Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence. ¹⁸ If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. ¹⁹ In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

When others seem to be the obvious culprits for our anxiety, we wish they would cease and desist.  We want to avoid any interactions with them when this may not be possible--like at school, work or in the family.  With God who is our help in the land of the living, He provides a refuge, peace and rest self-harm or suicide cannot offer.  The sorrows of this world produce death, but through sorrow God is able to bring new life and wholeness where there was only brokenness before.  The psalmist felt it impossible to stand without slipping, but God's mercy steadied him.  Though he was buffeted by anxieties and worries, by faith in God he was not cast down because God's comforts delighted his soul.  We would love everyone to praise, approve of us, and accept us like God does, yet consider the bad treatment Jesus endured joyfully who is only good and blameless.  Jesus was judged and condemned without mercy, yet He had fullness of peace and joy in the presence of His heavenly Father who loved Him and was well-pleased with Him.

As people who cannot escape hurtful words, toxic environments or hateful bullies, we must decide if we will take the words of bullies to heart or if we receive the comfort and mercy God offers us in His word.  Will we choose to despair because our feelings are crushed by criticism or will we turn to the LORD who is merciful and helps us?  As believers, we are called to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-6), identifying and arresting in our minds thoughts the teaching of Jesus exposes as lies and untrue, like:  "I am worthless," "Life is hopeless," or "I would be better dead than alive."  Do we sin and experience pain from sins of others?  Yes, and this is why God sent us a Saviour who heals, restores and redeems.  Bullies are a problem, but they are not our enemies:  our adversary is unbelief that approves and accepts the caustic and condemning words of bullies rather than trusting Jesus, taking His words to heart, and holding fast to what He has said to us.  In Christ, Song of Songs 4:7 speaks the truth about Christians from God's perspective:  "You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you."  Will we dwell on the hatred of men or glory and rejoice in the love of God?

The Dehumanising Trend

God created mankind in His own image, making human beings intrinsically unique among all living things fashioned by Him.  The almighty God also took human form and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Messiah sent by God to save lost sinners.  As G.K. Chesterton masterfully argued in his book The Everlasting Man, mankind towers distinct and separate from all creatures in the animal kingdom, and Jesus is revealed in Scripture to be infinitely higher in wisdom and holiness above all other men.  Even a casual comparison reveals this to be truth as plain as day.

Because God has created mankind in His image, it is natural for God's enemies who cannot touch or sully Him to turn their proud fury upon His image bearers.  During my lifetime I have observed an ongoing assault upon the human race by dehumanising the unborn, objectifying and degrading people in lust, and humanising animals.  It is a strange world we live in where domesticated pets are called "babies" and an unborn baby with a beating heart is clinically termed a "fetus" or a "clump of cells."  The dehumanisation of people created to know God and have a relationship with Him is a trend that can be perpetuated even by well-meaning, empathetic people.

Today I read an article that included an interview with man who had been an alcoholic for a long time.  The author commented how these "issues were exacerbated" as a "...result of colonisation, dispossession from land, and the institutional racism and discrimination they continue to face."  To me, this is an example of an intended sympathetic portrayal of a human being that works to dehumanise this individual created in God's image--a person God has given a conscience and capacity to make decisions and judgments animals cannot make.  To claim colonisation exacerbates a person's alcoholism is as senseless as saying Adam's choice to eat the forbidden fruit makes my cursing and lying more extreme.  Because God has created mankind His image, the Bible reveals there is the capacity in every one person (by saving faith in Christ) the ability to rise above trauma, racism and discrimination.  Making excuses for people's excesses promotes perpetual victimhood rather than repentance and deliverance from sin by faith in God.  In Christ we are no longer chained to our past, having been set free.

The problem of sin goes far deeper than ugly racism easily seen on the surface or in a particular society, for alcoholics and addicts can be found in every group of people.  From a biblical vantage point, the cause of sin that brings death is a spiritual problem of the heart that lies far beyond the reach of education, government programs or initiatives.  We cannot make wise and good decisions as human beings when we are bound by sin and pride, for we are sinners in need of the Saviour Jesus Christ.  God has treated humanity with great dignity in taking human form, and He preached repentance from sin and guided people to trust in Him and be born again.  When we make excuses for our sin or attempt to shift the blame to others, we are not on a path to spiritual and eternal transformation we desperately need provided by the Gospel.  My heart breaks for people who are in the midst of addiction and surrendered to it, content to live out their days on earth in bondage, when God has an infinitely better and glorious plan to draw sinners to Himself in faith and be saved.

God has provided an invitation and an opportunity for all people to be born again through faith in Jesus.  People are not sinners because they have been dealt a bad hand:  we are all naturally sinners because we are born of Adam and are not God.  To say people are basically good is all wrong, for the Bible makes it plain (and our consciences agree) that all have sinned.  Only the sinless Lamb of God Jesus Christ can forgive sins, and He has provided atonement with His own blood so we can be cleansed and born again by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  What exacerbates our "issues" is our refusal to admit our wrongs, denial of our personal responsibility and unwillingness to admit our inability to do right.  For all who are willing to confess their sin and repent, turning to Jesus in faith marked by obedience, God provides a new life and identity in Christ who always guides us to eternal victory.

When Progress is to Step Away

One key aspect of God's character and ways is that He does not change.  In this regard (and countless others!) God is entirely unique, unlike everything and everyone on earth.  There is much about us that changes over time:  our minds, bodies, reactions and abilities can improve or degrade in various ways.  Governments, laws, organisations, businesses, products, quality of components, and members of an association are among countless things that change--and not always for the better.

Recently there was a change of the pope of the Catholic church, and this position of leadership has sway of the organisation as a whole.  One concern voiced by ministry leaders was how "progressive" the views of Pope Leo XIV are towards controversial topics such as abortion, a homosexual lifestyle and euthanasia.  As a Christian who believes God and His word do not change, the word "progressive" as a description sends off alarm bells because it is always a departure from God's wise ways which are established and immutable.  People and society continue to change, and there will always be some who want the church to "change with the times."  The church of Jesus Christ cannot do this and remain the church.  What some people call progress would better be called apostacy.

It is an infinitely good thing God does not change, for our salvation depends upon it.  In Malachi 3, God spoke of the coming of the Messiah who would purify and judge His people that they would offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.  Malachi 3:5-6 says, "And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien--because they do not fear Me," says the LORD of hosts. ⁶ "For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob."  God's people failed to observe His statutes, yet God did not alter His judgments to accommodate sin that would lead to their destruction.  God will uphold His righteous standards in holiness, and it is because the LORD does not change His people are eternally preserved.

The living God who revealed Himself to Moses is the same LORD who has been revealed to all in Jesus Christ and the Gospel.  Exodus 34:6-7 says, "And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, ⁷ keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."  If our Creator was not merciful and gracious, there would be no possible way for sinners to be forgiven, redeemed and transformed.  As all the good things we enjoy are from the hand of the LORD--even trials He makes work for our good--it is vital for God's people to fear God and walk in His ways.  Jesus Christ saves and makes fruitful those who abide in Him by faith.  To progress from Christ who alone has eternal life is to step away from Christ, to revert back to our own ways that only bring death.

Your Gut or God?

In my mind, one of the most cringeworthy words of priestly advice on the silver screen were spoken in the D.C. movie Superman when Henry Cavill entered a church.  As Clark Kent wrestled with the idea of turning himself in to an alien invader to save the earth--knowing both General Zod and mankind were untrustworthy--the priest, identified by his white collar, asked:  "What does your gut tell you?"  From a biblical perspective, that question is entirely out of left field.  What good is a gut feeling when we can turn to God's word, considering God's truth, goodness and His personal guidance already established?

The priest doubled-down on strange advice as the budding superhero and future household-name walked from the room:  "Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith first...the trust part comes later."  Again, this advice was more whimsical than wise.  Never in the brief conversation was there any inkling to place faith in God, and that faith is trust marked by obedience to God.  It seems this "leap of faith" to the priest was a blind leap and simply wishing for the best, and that Clark was best served to go with his gut, rely on himself or others.  With God completely out of the picture (as D.C. comics have no place in its universe for the real God--preferring idols who wear tights and have a weakness), perhaps that is the best anyone can hope for.  This provides no hope for humanity unless you possess superhuman abilities and are a mild-mannered, nice guy.

The God who created the heavens, earth and all living things provides genuine hope in this life even when everything is out of our control.  To follow Jesus is no leap of faith, for He calls all to follow Him in the Bible and find rest for our souls.  Having been born again by trust in Him, our feet are shod with the Gospel of peace and have been made to stand on the reality of the God-Man Jesus Christ:  His coming, death, resurrection and ascension.  No priest, nun, prophet, apostle or martyr ever died for the sake of others and rose from the dead as he or she predicted three days later, and in doing so Jesus proved He has all God's authority and can give eternal life to all who trust in Him.  If Jesus did not rise from the dead after being crucified and buried in a tomb, it would be a leap of faith to follow Him--and there would be no one who survived the jump and landed in heaven.  Faith in Christ comes first, and our trust is demonstrated by obedience to Him.

I read an article recently by a professing atheist who said at a low point a priest "helped restore faith in herself."  Unlike the headline suggests, it was evident the priest intended to glorify Jesus.  Unlike the advice given by the priest in the film, the priest shared the teaching of Jesus Christ with his desire the inmate would trust Him.  Without faith in Jesus as God and Saviour, it seems the Gospel was reduced to a self-help mental exercise that missed the heart transformation, forgiveness and salvation God offers by His grace.  Being born again is infinitely more than blind faith, for Jesus opens the eyes of the blind and is trustworthy.  It is not our gut but God who has spoken in John 1:11-13:  "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  God has revealed His will for humanity, and He gives each of us the opportunity to answer the question:  will you trust Jesus?

Esteem God Highly

Since I can remember, in western society doing all we can to increase self-esteem in people has seemingly been universally accepted and viewed as good without controversy.  The tendrils of this worldly wisdom have wormed their way into education, workplaces, government, media, parenting and culture.  There is a scene in The Matrix when Morpheus says of Neo, "He's beginning to believe."  The quote referred to Neo's self-belief, that he could do things he once imagined impossible because he was "The One," the prophesied saviour.  The themes of self-belief and self-esteem has been emphasised ad nauseam, that the greatest inspiration is found within ourselves.  If we believe it we can achieve it, that we can be whatever and whoever we want, that the power to shape our destiny has been laying dormant inside us all along--and our self-esteem was the key to unlock it.

The tenor and teachings of the Bible take a completely different approach, for it makes a strong case for low self-esteem--not that we ought to think little of ourselves but by esteeming God more we think of ourselves less.  It is important to understand the natural posture of human beings is to esteem self more than everyone else.  Ephesians 5:29 says, "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church."  Those who hate their bodies or their lives do not hate themselves, for people merely inhabit a body for awhile on earth.  Even people in the world can see how pride, arrogance and selfishness are sinful snares that lead to great harm for self and others.  "Pride comes before a fall," the Bible says, and the once humble King Saul was rejected by God when he became great in his own eyes, sought his own glory, and refused to submit to God.  Satan esteemed himself highly, believing he could be as the Most High--and it led to his catastrophic fall from grace.

Haman is a prime example of a man who esteemed himself highly, and this man was a deceiver with murderous intentions.  Through his friendship with the king he managed to enact a law that commanded the annihilation of the Jewish people, and he was often enraged when people did not give him the respect and honour he craved--despite his privileged position, perks and great wealth.  He esteemed himself so highly it coloured the way he saw the world, and Esther 6:6 illustrates this:  "So Haman came in, and the king asked him, "What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?" Now Haman thought in his heart, "Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?"  These are not the words of a man plagued by low self-esteem!  Haman had just literally constructed a gallows to hang the Jew Mordecai because he felt slighted by him, and all he could think about was seeking honour for himself because he esteemed himself over all others.  Literally before the day was over, Haman would be hung on those gallows for his foolish pride.

As a contrast, consider those who esteemed God highly and saw themselves in the light of His glorious goodness, wisdom and power.  After God revealed Himself to Job in a series of questions Job 42:1-2, 6 reads:  "Then Job answered the LORD and said: ² "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You...⁶ Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."  When Isaiah saw a vision of the LORD lifted up, Isaiah 6:5 states, "So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."  David expressed a desire to build a temple for God, yet God forbade him from doing so as the task would be completed by his son.  Rather than being sullen or upset like a petulant child who demands his way, David was overwhelmed by gratitude for God's kindness, promises and he blessed the LORD of hosts gladly (2 Samuel 7:25-29).  Each of these men were comforted, strengthened, and blessed by God who knew and loved them.

These godly men are just a few examples in Scripture of those who feared the LORD and esteemed Him rather than themselves.  It was not positive thoughts about self that lifted them from depression, brought healing or filled them with joy in the midst of trials but esteeming highly the good God they worshiped and submitted to in humility.  Jesus Christ taught His disciples that rather than embracing the pursuit of high self-esteem they were to deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Him.  He spoke to His disciples in Matthew 6:25-26:  "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"  Rather than esteeming themselves, their own needs and desires, Jesus taught His followers to look to God to supply all that was needed for life, knowing He valued them.  What is more important:  to esteem ourselves or highly esteem God who esteems us with love?

The higher we esteem God as worthy, the less we will esteem ourselves.  Knowing we are loved, chosen and accepted by God's grace, He causes us to increase in love for one another--not so others will esteem us, but because we are loved and valued by God.  Trying to build our own self-esteem or the self-esteem of others from a biblical viewpoint is futile, for the more we succeed in doing so the further our focus drifts from God, His word, wisdom and ways.  While high self-esteem seems reasonable and desirable according to worldly wisdom, it ultimately leaves all who invest in it totally bankrupt and bereft of enduring hope.  One might as well do as Baron Munchausen did by lifting himself and his horse out of the water by his own hair.  The benefits of a high self-esteem are shown by the Bible to be fantasy that defy spiritual physics like the Baron lifting himself to safety.  James 4:10 flips the script on self-esteem:  "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."  Those who esteem God He will exalt. 

(“Aventures du baron de Münchhausen.” Traduction nouvelle par Théophile Gautier fils; illustrées par Gustave Doré. Paris: Furne, Jouvet et cie, [ca. 1862])

Keeping Receipts

After making a purchase, I always request a copy of an invoice for budgeting purposes.  The paper or digital receipt is a useful record as a proof of purchase, details whether I used card or cash, and itemises the GST included in the transaction.  My wife has trained me very well at this stage to obtain a record of money spent so she can input the data into a spreadsheet.

I read an article today about a person who was described as being known to "keep receipts."  The context was not in the sense of purchasing, but it was a reference to her habit of filing away past slights or offences with intent to produce them years later--keeping a record of wrongs.  When we experience hurt or perceived injustice, we can have a very long memory of what we suffered and hold onto it so we can throw it in the offender's face when an opportunity presents itself, when others are vulnerable.  I am reminded of many films and books where one person spoke out of pride or arrogance, and after the tide turns the same words were vengefully repeated verbatim as a taunt.  This is one who keeps receipts as social currency to insult, demean, and avenge themselves upon their enemies.

While keeping receipts for budgeting purposes can be an important facet of good financial stewardship, keeping receipts as a record of wrongs is biblically an unloving thing to do.  11 Corinthians 13:4-5 says in the NIV, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."  The wisdom of the world says it is good to keep receipts to throw in the face of those who have wronged us, and to give up the valuable record of all the offences we have endured seems weak and wasteful.  As Christians, we are called to be casting our cares upon the LORD who cares for us.  We are also called to humble ourselves to admit we have been offended when others have slighted or wounded us with their words--not to file those caustic comments with intent to avenge ourselves in the future by taking shots at them.

Some people are faithful to keep a record of their expenses year after year, and others are as diligent to keep a long, detailed record of the offences they have suffered.  This practice of keeping records of wrongs (suffered by yourself or others) with the aim to get even or triumph over them absolutely poisons people who keep them.  It is the antithesis of love to keep a record of wrongs, to simmer with anger and seek to avenge oneself.  God's wisdom leads us in the way contrary this world as Hebrews 8:12 says:  "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."  In light of God's love and mercy to us, all our receipts and records of wrongs ought to be put through a spiritual shredder by giving them to God who will render judgment.  By God's grace He helps and heals us, and those receipts need not burden us any longer.  Having been forgiven by God, we can forgive others without resentment or feeling slighted.

If we are compelled to "get back" at others, it may be we have lost sight of all God has given and we have freely received.  God gives more grace (without measure), and let us walk in His ways without keeping records of wrongs.

God's Love Casts Out Fear

It was widely reported a bishop addressed President Trump directly during a prayer service and made a request for mercy for groups of people she implied would be threatened or suffer due to his policies.  She was reported as saying, "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and [transgender] children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives."  It was ironic to invoke the name of God while speaking to Trump as if he was a god, insinuating he has the power in himself or through enacting political policy the means of removing fear in the hearts of people.  I am convinced this is not a presidential problem but a personal one for all who experience such fears.

It is a sad fact of our fallen world that people fear for their lives, and in some situations these concerns are absolutely warranted.  At the same time, no politician is able to provide assurances, protections or policies that can prevent harm or the fear of harm.  Fear is not limited to immigrants, gay or lesbian people; fears that have nothing to do with death can plague people continually.  Think of all the fears we have experienced at times in our lives:  fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of public speaking, fear of foreclosure, fear of being abused.  It may be the bishop who gave the address feared for the welfare and protection of the people who she said fear for their lives.  Yet is the solution for this plague of fear found in a politician, political party, or policies?  Do elected officials have the power to cast fear out of the hearts and minds of those who harbour it?  If that was possible, it would have happened by now.

Fear is like the mythical Hydra, for whenever one poison-spewing head was lopped off two more regenerated in its place.  Those who take cues from society to foster hope or look for comfort through political privileges or protections, none find comfort that lasts.  But the Bible teaches when anyone fears God and looks to Him in faith, God's perfect love casts out all fear.  1 John 4:15-19 says, "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. ¹⁷ Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. ¹⁹ We love Him because He first loved us."  God is not afraid of what anyone can do, and as His people we can be like Him without fear of man in this world.  Those who are afraid, whatever their political affiliation or sexual persuasion, are not made perfect or complete in love.  Christians need not be afraid of others judging or persecuting them, for we love Jesus who first loved us and we are complete in Him.

In this current age of identity politics and the popular approach to people laying claim to their own truth before which all others must bow, it seems only the perspective of the unprivileged, marginalised or oppressed are allowed to weigh in on what is right for them.  The Scripture does not take this approach, for it establishes all human beings on level footing as people created in God's image, regardless of our preferences and convictions.  We are not gay or straight, immigrants or indigenous in God's eyes, but all people He loves and to whom Jesus came to seek and save.  The Christian view is inclusive and exclusive at the same time:  all are invited to come to Jesus, repent of our sin, receive Him by faith and be born again, and He is the only Way.  Jesus is the only one able to cast out all fear of those who abide in Him, for He first loved us.

Jesus Speaks for Himself

As I browsed the wares of a bookstore recently, I was appalled by the blurb on the back of a (supposed) Christian book that has sold in the neighbourhood of 45 million copies.  The back of the book says it was "...written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to you--words of encouragement, comfort, and reassurance of His unending love."  While obviously popular, I find it a disgrace anyone who "reveres" God's word would write and print a book that purports to speak the words of Jesus in first person--who has cherry-picked themes and passages as a Jesus Christ impersonator.  I've never quite understood the draw to be an Elvis impersonator for fun, but I cannot begin to comprehend writing a book to be like Jesus speaking to spiritually starving souls when they could be actually reading His words in the Bible.

Perhaps people are drawn to read a book like this is because they are not experiencing God speak to them as they read His word.  Like students in school who didn't read the assigned books and relied on Cliffsnotes pamphlets to summarise the content, maybe people don't bother with reading the Bible.  The pages of the Bible might as well be Greek or Hebrew to them, and there are many things they don't understand clearly.  They want to hear from God as others seem to have, and there are brands of Christianity that put priests, pastors or prophets on a pedestal as the primary means to hear from God--as if God doesn't speak to just anyone.  People can come to a pastor for prayer because they believe they have a better chance of having their prayer heard or answered than if they prayed privately.  I imagine some people scoop up a daily devotional to help get them in the habit of daily Bible reading and prayer.

There's nothing wrong with daily devotionals:  writing in first person as if you are Jesus is problematic because this is an effort to assume the voice and tone of God when the writer is not God.  A prophet says, "Thus says the LORD" and God's people can quote the scripture with complete confidence in the LORD to fulfill His word.  In the New Testament you will find no examples of Christ's followers speaking as if they were Jesus because Jesus is alive and speaks.  Each book of the Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit has variations of style and format.  The books of the Bible were not written by authors who attempted to sound like God was speaking but were guided by the Holy Spirit and penned God's word in truth which is complete.  To try to speak in the voice of Jesus is to run the incredibly high risk of adding to or taking away from what Jesus has said because Christians are not Christ.  God can speak to us in a multitude of ways that include other people and books they have written, and His word remains the touchstone of all truth.

So you have this book in your library; you've read it and recommended it to others because it was useful to you.  Let me exhort you, dear friend, to read the Bible believing Jesus Himself will speak directly to you.  That is one purpose of God giving us the Scripture, so we might hear God speak, know Him and walk in His ways.  God's word guides us into all truth with the help of the Holy Spirit, instructs us in His wisdom, warns, rebukes, corrects and exhorts us.  God tells us things we would never have dreamed up and things we do not like because we are not naturally like Him:  His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  Any daily devotional will become dusty and dry, but God's word is living, fresh and daily supplies our spiritual needs.  Call out to the LORD, and He will hear you and answer.

Divine Pardon

I have noticed news coverage of presidential pardons over the years, but none in recent memory have been as high profile as President Biden pardoning his son Hunter after he plead guilty in federal court earlier this year.  President Biden concluded his formal statement concerning granting clemency with this:  "I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision."  Lady Justice is blind, but apparently some presidents and fathers are not.  Though Biden went on the record many times saying he would not pardon his son, his actions show he had a change of mind--which everyone has a God-given right to do.  Whether the decision is right in the eyes of Americans or politically expedient is another matter that will be determined in the days ahead.

Concerning pardoning sinners, God said to His people in Isaiah 55:6-7:  "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."  God's desire is to redeem and restore sinners to fellowship with Himself, yet there are conditions to be met by those who will receive a pardon.  God required His people to seek the LORD, repent of their sin, and return to God to receive mercy.  God did not pardon the children of Israel because they were His chosen people He brought of out Egypt, because He was obligated to help them as their father, but out of His goodness and grace He extends to all sinners.

God had given His people the Law of Moses, and the Law outlined the sacrifices and offerings required to provide atonement for sin.  Whenever there was a violation of the Law, a payment was required before God and man.  God required the blood of animals for sacrifice, and the guilty were required to pay restitution to those wronged and even submit to being their servant for years to clear debts.  Jesus came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world, to pay the price required for every sinner to be washed clean of sin and be pardoned forever.  God sent His only begotten Son to be crucified and die on the cross as a sacrifice for sin so the justice of God would be fully satisfied.

What God has done in offering a pardon and everlasting life through the Gospel is infinitely more amazing than a presidential pardon of a family member:  while we were sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8).  God did not offer us the Gospel to let us off the hook for our sin, for Jesus paid it all with His shed blood.  In receiving Christ by faith we are adopted into the family of God to have fellowship with Him forever.  We were like orphaned street urchins who picked the pocket of a wealthy man who, when we stood to be hauled before the judge and sentenced to a life of hard labour, intervened to pay our debts and adopt us as his own children to live with him.  It is not God but we who need a change of mind, to repent of our sins, knowing we are guilty and deserving of eternal wrath.  1 John 1:9 says concerning born again Christians:  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

There are requirements God has established to be pardoned:  we must humble ourselves to seek the LORD, confess our sin, and by faith in God ask for forgiveness.  Asking is the law of God's kingdom, even under the new covenant.  What Jesus taught in Luke 11:9-10 can be applied to forgiveness, salvation and being baptised with the Holy Spirit:  "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."  No one deserves to be pardoned by God, but He freely offers to pardon sinners out of His love for us.  God himself has paid the debt our sin justly deserved, and our gratitude for His sacrifice ought to be demonstrated in living righteously by faith in Him today.

A Lonely, Broken Heart

"Owner of a Lonely Heart" was a number one song in 1984, the most popular song by the progressive rock band Yes.  When I was in high school, the song was played occasionally on the local classic rock radio station.  It has a catchy chorus, and catchy songs are usually among the more popular ones.  It is amazing that I have not heard this song played for a very long time, yet it was ringing in my ears clearly for no obvious reason this morning.  It occurred to me that the reason I was reminded of the chorus of this song was to ponder the question:  is the message true?

Overall the song smacks very much of self-help books that focus on your responsibility to take charge of your life to improve it--to take your chances by making a move.  The basic message of the chorus goes, "Owner of a lonely heart (much better than a) owner of a broken heart."  From a biblical perspective, there is no need to be lonely when we have the LORD who will never leave or forsake us.  Having been born again by faith in Jesus, He adopts us as His own children and makes us members of His body, the church.  While He connects us with a global community that meets in small groups everywhere, people cannot satisfy our need for belonging and love like He does.

Jesus said those who hunger and thirst after righteousness are blessed because they will be filled.  In a similar way it can be said blessed are the broken hearted because they have the sure hope of healing by faith in Jesus Christ.  God is attracted to the owners of broken hearts as it is written in Psalm 34:18:  "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."  I suspect the broken heart referenced by the band may be more hurt than humbled, yet pain has a way of humbling us as well where we realise we need help.  Jesus fulfilled the words He read in Isaiah 61:1:  "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound..."  Blessed are the brokenhearted, for Jesus has been sent to heal them.

Feelings of loneliness are good when they result in us seeking the LORD, and blessed is the the owner of a broken heart because it prompts them to find healing and rest by faith in Jesus.  There are many Christians who struggle with loneliness and broken hearts even after coming to Christ.  This does not bring salvation into doubt, but God would have us learn what Jesus understood and taught in John 8:29:  "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."  Jesus had fellowship with the Father He obeyed, and the same is true for Christ's followers.  Jesus had many disciples and followers, but Jesus did not rely upon them for love and companionship He enjoyed with God the Father.  Despite betrayal and being abandoned, Jesus was not lonely or brokenhearted as John 16:32 says:  "Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."

I have heard it said "It is lonely at the top," but this does not take Jesus Christ or His doctrine into account.  No one is higher than Jesus, yet He humbled Himself beneath all others to suffer and die on the cross.  As a man Jesus humbled Himself before God and mankind, and when He was left alone He was never alone.  The one who is proud will be lonely, because the proud do not have fellowship with God.  It is the one with a contrite, humble heart the LORD draws near to and heals, and our hearts are warmed knowing we are never alone--because God is with us.

Drawn By Love

An illustration many Christians are familiar with concerns a common way how shepherds dealt with wayward lambs or sheep.  The story goes a shepherd would carefully break the leg of the sheep, immobilise the limb, and carry the animal around.  By needing to rely upon the shepherd for everything, a strong bond was forged between the sheep and shepherd and the wandering issue was over.  A problem I have with this story (one I have likely perpetuated over the years) is there is no biblical evidence of this practice.  There is scant or any evidence outside the Bible this was ever a common way to correct sheep that wander.  I place this among the often parroted illustrations because we heard it from someone we respect and it made sense at the time.  The more I think about it, however, the less sense it makes.

Let me preface this by saying, I have never cared for a flock of sheep or even one little lamb.  My only interactions with sheep was at a petting zoo.  In a stinging rebuke to the religious rulers in Israel, God used the responsibilities of a shepherd to expose their failure to serve His people in Ezekiel 34:4:  "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them."  Among the things good shepherds did was to bind up the broken, but there is no suggestion it was their responsibility to break bones of the sheep.  Shepherds cared for the flock by lovingly nurturing them, protecting them from harm, calling out to them, counting them regularly so the lost might be sought and found, and bringing them back to the safety of the fold.  Breaking bones sounds forceful and cruel--characteristics that marked these wicked rulers but not God.

I was reminded of something that happened long ago that illustrates how love, patience and care makes a better, lasting bond than breaking a bone.  I was house-sitting for a workmate who had a dog named Buddy who was anything but my buddy.  I had dogs growing up and always enjoyed them, but for whatever reason Buddy was timid and did not care to be around me at all.  One morning I awoke to find the back room where Buddy slept in a crate looking like a crime scene:  the poor dog had lost control of his bowels and the mess was everywhere.  After calling the owner and being assured this was not out of the ordinary, Buddy seemed to know I was there to help.  He let me pick him up (and I don't think I had even pet him by that stage), place him in the deep sink, and wash him of his filth.  As the warm water poured over him, I remember him simply staring into my eyes as I talked to him.  Showing love to Buddy when he was willing to receive it marked the beginning of Buddy trusting me, and the ice melted.

It has been a long time since I read A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, but there was a passage that always stuck with me.  Phillip Keller spoke of a quality ewe that was the epitome of a wayward sheep he named "Mrs. Gad-about."  The problem with this ewe is she was a skilled escape artist that was never content to remain in the fold and taught other sheep how to follow suit.  It seems Keller did not consider the broken-leg technique on the ewe, for she had to go.  He said, "...I took the killing knife in hand and butchered her. It was the only solution to the dilemma."  This was not a cruel thing to do because he was moved by love for all his sheep and the good of the flock.  This may not make for a homey sermon illustration, but it rings true with reality how shepherds dealt with problem sheep in their flocks.  Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd and He laid down His life for the sheep so we can have eternal life.  Our call as sheep of His pasture is to love one another as He loves us.

Shepherds pursued sheep that wandered and were lost; they helped the ones that fell into a pit and broke bones on rugged terrain.  Jesus described the shepherd who left the 99 sheep to find one sheep rejoicing when he found it.  He would carry the sheep on his shoulders, call his friends and neighbours together, and ask them to rejoice with him because he found his lost sheep intact.  There were times this didn't happen, as Amos 3:12 says, that only piece of an ear or a couple legs would be found by the shepherd. The gladness of the shepherd and kindness towards his sheep was more likely to build bonds of love and loyalty in a sheep towards the shepherd than a shattered leg.  This agrees with God's word in Jeremiah 31:3:  "The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."  When David or Jeremiah spoke of their bones or skeleton being broken by God, it is figurative indication of inner agony--not an allusion to the practice of eastern shepherds.

David sang in Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise."  God's desire is His people would humble themselves and be broken and contrite due to our sins.  God desires one person to be broken in spirit and heart like David was for his sin before a holy God more than a million burnt offerings.  Breaking a leg does not change a heart. God does not need heavy-handed tactics to convict us of sin nor will He force us to be with Him.  He wants us to love and want to be with Him even as He has demonstrated His love for us as our Good Shepherd by dying in our place.  We can humbly offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God (with all limbs intact!) as a spiritually acceptable offering, made whole by Jesus and transformed by His love.  Even if our physical body is broken we are accepted in the beloved by God's grace because of Jesus.

Fresh Vision?

Because God looks at the heart as well as appearances, it is good for us to consider not only words we say but what they imply.  It is common in Christians circles for biblical phrases to become hackneyed, far removed from their original context, or be plain misleading.  As much as we like to think we are circumspect thinkers, the most wise among us can be reduced to parroting what we have heard or follow along with respected Christian leaders without much critical thought.  It is wise to exercise caution when we encounter terms or phrases we do not first observe in scripture.

Case in point:  today I saw a post of a Christian ministry that explained people from all over the country gathered to pray over a "fresh vision."  Frankly I am not exactly sure what is meant by this phrase, but I can say what it clearly implies.  What it implies is the original or previous "vision" for ministry has become a bit old or outdated.  Perhaps expectations have not been met or attempts to follow the existing "vision" have not been as profitable as hoped.  It suggests the old vision is boring--not timeless and without flaw like the good old path of Gospel truth.  What is most concerning about praying over "fresh vision" is the lack of the mention of seeking God who gives sight to the blind.  This longing for fresh vision may be a result of people's personal spiritual walks growing stale and result in a departure from the original purpose of a ministry's existence.

At the moment at Calvary Chapel Sydney we are studying through the book of Revelation, and that is an ancient vision that remains as fresh and relevant as it was the day it was penned by John the apostle.  Come to think of it, every single biblical vision remains fresh because Jesus has the power to make all things new.  It isn't a fresh vision that is needed to know what to do moving forward but to have the almighty God who is high and lifted up in our sights, being filled with the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.  It is true what Proverbs 29:18 says in the KJV, yet we cannot omit or forget the second part:  "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."  Since Jesus has fulfilled the Law of Moses, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus and love God and one another as He loves us--for he who loves one another has fulfilled the Law.

When Jesus is our vision like the lyrics of the classic Irish hymn says, we can be confident He will always lead us in the good, righteous way.  We need Him more than vision itself.  The blind prophet Ahijah is a prime example of the insight God gives those who fear and obey Him in 1 Kings 14.  It is we who grow weary in doing good; it is we who are reluctant like the children of Israel to walk in the good old paths by faith in God.  God is faithful to quicken and renew our souls when we seek Him:  "Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.  Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.  Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word, I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord:  thou my great Father, and I Thy true son, thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one." (Audrey Assad version)

Resolute in Love

"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind."

Romans 14:5

By God's grace He has given Christians liberty to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, to serve and walk in love towards all inside and outside the church.  Though Christians are all united in Christ as one body, every person is unique and has their own perspective, convictions and corresponding actions.  My introduction to Christian liberty came when my friend's mum asserted I was listening to the "devil's music" because I enjoyed listening to a cassette of a metal band purchased from a local Christian bookstore.  After presenting the lyrics to defend myself and band from such slander, she resolutely held her position:  "It's the devil's music.  It has an evil beat."  In that moment I was faced with a temptation other people usher into our lives with different opinions and convictions:  to love her despite our disagreement, or to lose respect for her and brand her an enemy of thrash metal.  Isn't it ironic we can easily be offended that others are offended?

The music we listen to, our style of dress, way of parenting, even the days we celebrate or choose to ignore are all opportunities for us to make choices with the intent to honour Jesus Christ and to show love to others.  We have liberty in Christ to prefer one translation of the Bible over another, but this does not give us the freedom to bash or belittle those who tout their preferred rendering.  One person sees the decoration of a Christmas tree or hanging a wreath as pagan customs and another sees it as a fun family tradition.  Let everyone be fully convinced in their own mind in the way they celebrate Christmas or choose not to celebrate it at all.  What others do should be a little thing by comparison to choosing to live our lives before the LORD by faith in Him.  It speaks to our motivation if our whole point of doing something is because we know it bothers someone else--much to our enjoyment and amusement.  This reeks of flesh.

It occurred to me recently the traditional American celebration of Halloween of dressing up and going to local houses trick-or-treating is no closer connected with paganism than rabbits and eggs are connected with Christ's resurrection celebrated by many on Easter.  There are likely people who frown on dressing up on a certain day (when some kids enjoy "dress up" most days) who have no problem with their child participating in an egg hunt.  Let each be fully convinced in their own mind and not condemn others for having convictions different than their own or when choices of others seem inconsistent.  Because humans tend to extremes, it is possible people who have come out of lifestyles they now recognise as sinful swing far to the opposite to avoid even the appearance of evil.  This was the case with my heavy-metal-hating friend's Christian mum.  She had been a fan of rock music growing up that coaxed her into sinful ways, and those electric guitars took her right back to a place she never wanted to go.  Good on her for not going back and keeping close to Jesus.

Knowing we ought not to condemn our brethren whom God makes to stand and we will all be judged by Christ, Paul wrote in Romans 14:13-14, "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. ¹⁴ I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean."  Paul was convinced of something we must grow to learn, that there is nothing unclean of itself.  We have likely many times, like Pharisees before us, imagined something to be unclean of itself when God has given us and others liberty and purity.  It is good not to do things which can stumble, offend or weaken ourselves or a brother--and at the same time it is not loving to cater to legalists by caving to their demands out of fear of man.  Whenever we are compelled to judge a brother due to different convictions, let us first take aim on examining our own hearts and motivation.  God teaches us to gladly forgo our liberties to demonstrate love to others without drawing attention to our sacrifice, seeing Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  This is the true freedom in Christ--not the freedom to listen to a style of music or dressing up for a party on Halloween--to resolutely love one another as Jesus loves us.

God Helps Us

I remember feeling a bit indignant in my youth when someone claimed a phrase quoted in Benjamin Franklin's 1757 Almanac was in the Bible:  "God helps those who help themselves."  While there is likely debate about where the maxim originated, there is no question theologically speaking it is heretical.  The sentiment denies the grace of God and suggests not only can we earn God's favour or help, but that we can indeed help ourselves!  Paul said that in his flesh dwelt no good thing, and he said this as a man filled with the Holy Spirit.  Indeed, only one born again and illuminated by the Holy Spirit could know and willingly acknowledge such a thing.

I was reminded of this quote by a similar comment quote from a politician in the news today.  In urging prospective voters to consider voting for her, it was reported she said:  "In just nine days, we have the power to decide the fate of our nation for generations to come. And on this day, then on this beautiful Sunday morning, I am reminded God expects us to help Him."  Elections can have a big impact on the policies and people in a nation (democratic or otherwise), yet it is God who raises up kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21).  Like the quip parroted in the Almanac, the Bible never teaches or suggests God has any expectation or need for man to help Him:  it is always God who helps mankind.  He is the almighty, omnipotent God, and thus we perpetually need His help.

Based on these two quotes, it is evident some maintain an unbiblical stance concerning our self-sufficiency--that we can help ourselves, and God expects us to help Him.  It may surprise people Jesus explained God called Himself the Helper, the advocate of all who trust in Him.  Jesus taught His disciples in John 14:25-26:  "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."  Since the triune God identifies Himself as the Helper, to say we are expected to help ourselves or God is to suggest He is not uniquely divine and we are divine ourselves.  We are God's servants, and it is only with His help and empowerment can we begin to do His will and remain faithful.

In His grace God gives us the ability to help others on a human level, and it is good we realise this capacity comes from Him.  But let us not be deluded to proudly think God is reliant on our contributions for His plans to be perfectly administered.  The humble, godly attitude Jesus taught His disciples to embrace is summarised well in Luke 17:10:  "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do."  God's love for us far exceeds the appreciation a master has for a faithful servant.  God does not expect us to help Him but He commands us to hear and do what He says.  It is God who helps His people as David sang in Psalm 28:7:  "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."

True Freedom

Recently it came to mind I had yet to check out the beach at Windsor after the area flooded, and this morning I went and surveyed the area with metal detector in hand.  Typically after a flood the upper layers of sand and everything they contained--usually bottle tops and other rubbish--are all washed away.  Today my experience was much the same as I found mostly metal lids from canned food with a lead fishing sinker here or there.  The most interesting thing I found was not made of metal at all, but was a bookmark that contained self-centred messaging that is rife in the world.

The phrase, "Be anything you want to be" suggests listening to Audiobooks (or reading eBooks) liberates us from the drudgery of being ourselves and provides an opportunity to live vicariously through the stories we hear.  I have read many books during my life, but I cannot say any of them made me to be anything besides what I already was.  What I can say based on a biblical worldview is the humanistic messaging that you are "the captain of your ship" or can "be anything you want" is not liberating at all:  this is the epitome of bondage to self.  It makes me a slave to my own desires and lusts; it is a prison that binds me to my failures, weakness, ill-discipline and sin as self-defining.  This promise of freedom and empowerment is empty as chaff in the wind, having no potential for life that satisfies, is fruitful or endures.

This humanistic appeal to the flesh is a vapid substitution for what is real, satisfying and obtained by God's grace:  in Christ we can be everything God designed us to be.  Rather than swallowing down self-empowering propaganda, we are divinely empowered to glorify God by lives lived in the fear of God and obedience to Him.  Apart from God we were at the mercy of our feelings, circumstances and our own strength, but having been born again we discover freedom to know and serve the God who was, is and is to come, the almighty Creator.  The God who created and loves us has provided all that pertains to life and godliness, and this is an abundant life no activity, possession, achievement or entertainment can rival.  The work Jesus has begun in us He will be faithful to complete.

Better than basing our identity on what we want, how much better it is to embrace the identity God desires for us as souls created in His own image, people He loves and calls to forgiveness, redemption and salvation.  Our wants change continually but God, His love and the abundant life He provides endures forever.  The greatest plans you could devise for yourself cannot compare with the wondrous, miraculous plans God has for you.  God's ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts, and He sheds light on them in the Bible.  Reading and considering God's word with a humble, hungry heart opens a way to freedom of self and joyous glory of God we never dreamed possible.  Everything God has planned for His people blows anything I want to be away.

Dying and Dignity

I have lived long enough to see topics debated in classrooms that were supported by a minority of students be adopted by various States in the U.S. and other countries--things like the legalisation of marijuana and euthanasia.  As public opinion and the moral and ethical stances of people can shift over time, so does the English language.  The phrasing of things often evolves to sound more acceptable to those opposed to the idea.  For instance, I observed the concept of "gay marriage" change to "same-sex marriage" and finally land on "marriage equality."  While society and terminology is bound to change, I am willing to be one of those who make an effort to hold fast to the orthodox meaning of words like "marriage," as it is very specific in a biblical sense:  the lifelong union of one man and one woman by God.  

All students of God's word know that words matter:  undermining or changing the meaning of words leads people into confusion, misunderstanding and error.  One word I have heard used frequently in articles about euthanasia--which also has been called "assisted suicide" and now "voluntary assisted dying"--is the connection (possibly for the alliteration) of "dying with dignity."  This has become a euphemism for seeking medical assistance to end one's life.  The modern Cambridge Dictionary definition of "dignity" is, "calm, serious, and controlled behaviour that makes people respect you; the importance and value that a person has, that makes other people respect them or makes them respect themselves."  Now consider the different definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary:  "True honor; nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions...honorable place or rank of elevation; degree of excellence...an elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical, giving a high rank in society..."  The Cambridge definition of dignity is about being respected and respecting yourself whilst Webster cites dignity as honour, elevation and excellence in an objective sense.  There is a dignity we can demand for ourselves, but there is a far greater and lasting dignity which is given from submission to God--even in the manner or timing of our death.

It is not my aim to take potshots at those who have embraced the "dying with dignity" movement that is currently active and likely growing around the world.  I am convinced Death brings no dignity to mankind whatsoever.  Death does not elevate or bestow respect upon mankind but ultimately forces people willingly or unwillingly to the grave.  The dignity man seeks for himself is a murky hint of true dignity God extends to all who know and love Him.  When Jesus was lifted up on the cross, He did not die for Himself but experienced death for all mankind.  It is indeed noble Jesus would lay down His life to provide atonement for lost sinners who are underserving of God's love and favour.  Rather than seeking to end His pain and suffering, Jesus embraced it to redeem souls doomed to destruction.  A living man has more dignity than the dead because God created us in His own image to live and live with Him.  True dignity is not obtained by trying to control our lives, by making the call when or how we want to die, but by joyful acknowledgment of the sovereign God who gives us life on earth and eternal life in His presence.  It is God who dignifies man--not death or the timing and manner of it.

From a biblical perspective, seeking dignity or trying to cling to it is to aim far below the abundant life God has granted us by faith in Jesus Christ that seeks to honour Him.  From a human vantage point I understand the desire to end chronic pain and wanting to avoid physical decline in the face of a terminal medical prognosis or an incurable disease.  Yet the cross of Christ shows us there is greater honour in facing pain at the end of life with courage and joyful resolve, knowing we will rise again without sickness or pain in glory because Jesus died so we shall live.  There is great honour for those who receive a trial of sickness and suffering as from the hand of the almighty God and continue to affirm He is good, choosing to entrust their lives presently and in the future to the LORD who holds them close.  This faith in God will overcome the world, sickness, pain and death, and our times are in God's hands (Psalm 31:15).

If suffering leads you to consider "ending it all," it seems focus has drifted from our Saviour Jesus to self and to choose death Jesus died to save us from.  Rather than seeking death by medical means or otherwise, our call as Christians is to seek Him because He is our life.  Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-4, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."  Death for Christians is in our past, for Jesus died for us and our life is hidden with the risen Christ in God.  Jesus has promised to return, and know every day we live--complete with inconveniences, pains, sorrows and suffering--is a precious gift He has given us to live with Him in mind.  We can die with dignity and lose it, but those who lose their lives and dignity for Christ's sake will find honour and elevation beyond compare forever.