I recently read a new biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson, 20 April 2010). Bonhoeffer was a theologian and pastor who was involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during WWII, was imprisoned for years, and was executed shortly before the end of the war. This is not meant to be a detailed critique of Metaxas's work or a character study of Bonhoeffer: the book does a stellar job of the history and theology of Bonhoeffer, and I highly recommend it. It is objective, passionate, and gives a keen view into a great mind and genuine Christian life that marked Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I'm looking forward to reading Bonhoefffer's "Cost of Discipleship," seeing as my dad picked up a copy today.
The book drives home the horrors of the holocaust. Today I worked at UCSD and the jobsite sits directly across from dorms. When I drove in at 5:55am there was a group of students waiting at the curb for the shuttle to arrive, and when I left at the end of the day there was another batch waiting. All day long there was a constant stream of students with luggage checking in with an attendant and piling into buses. I was reminded of how the Jews were herded onto trucks and trains for the purpose of labor and extermination. While these students likely are excited to be heading home for a vacation from their studies, for the Jews it was only the beginning of horrors. The atrocities committed by Hitler's regime towards humankind remains stunningly evil. The mass executions, hanging with thin wire, scientific experimentation, and the destruction of life cannot be viewed as anything other than gruesome tragedy.
As barbaric and terrible as that dark period of history is, much worse is yet to come. You may doubt this. Though the heathen men who carried out this "final solution" are dead, the demons who drove them are alive still. Humans are no less savage today than the Nazis who carried out the demands of their deranged commander. The potential for unthinkable wickedness still lives on in unregenerate human hearts. There is no hope for humanity outside of Jesus Christ. Since his fall Satan has hated all God's people with a furious vengeance, and Revelation 11 spells this out clearly. In context the woman spoken of in represents the nation of Israel, and the dragon is Satan. Rev. 12:17 says, "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The devil knows his time is limited, and he intends to use it to the full in carrying out his attacks against Jews and Christians alike.
Let us not be ignorant or dismissive of the spiritual battle which is raging even now for the souls of men. We see new depths of depravity and sadism in modern film, art, video games, and music. Roger Ebert recently wrote of a horror film (which I do not recommend checking out): "I am required to award stars to movies I review. This time, I refuse to do it. The star rating system is unsuited to this film. Is the movie good? Is it bad? Does it matter? It is what it is and occupies a world where the stars don't shine." The world is becoming an increasingly dark place, and it will become darker still in the years ahead should God tarry. Yet the converse of this ugliness is the light and clarity Christ brings through born-again Christians will be brighter than ever before. The darker the night the brighter and distinct the stars are. Real Christians and their bright testimony in life or death will be undeniable and weigh heavily upon the minds of the most hardened haters.
We have a joyous opportunity to allow our light (who is Christ) to shine throughout the whole earth. While most people relentlessly pursue what only will destroy them, we have the calling, duty, and ability to share Gospel truth of salvation. We need not walk in fear, for perfect love casts out all fear. We are children of the day, and night is coming when no one can work. We are more than overcomers through Jesus Christ who loves us and gave His life for us. Praise Him for the days in which we live! He has chosen us for this day: let us live to please Him!
24 June 2010
19 June 2010
God Deserves Glory
I read an interesting verse this morning during my devotions and I thought I would share it and my response. It goes so well with the quote of the week that I couldn't keep it to myself! I also can't help thinking it will minister to someone else rather than me, for we all have difficult times and seasons.
Leviticus 14:34 reads, "When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession..."
Notice who places the plague in the house: God does! This is a shocking revelation to people who think the devil is to blame for all the "bad" we experience and God is to thank for all good. God is able to take something which appears bad and use it for good. God tested His people in the wilderness with traveling and hardship, to see if they would walk in His ways or not. God allowed Satan to take Job's wealth and health. Job said to his wife who tempted him to forsake God, "Should we receive good from God and not evil?" God at times would allow leprosy in a house to see if people would obey His law. so He would be glorified. When the disciples of Jesus saw a blind man they said, "Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus said neither, but this happened so God might be glorified. It is the heathen who are convinced "karma" exists, a perversion of the Golden Rule. When Paul, thought to be a criminal by the natives of Malta was bitten by a viper, they said in their hearts, "He has escaped the sea but justice will not allow him to live." When he didn't swell up and die, they figured instead he was a god. Wrong on both accounts! He was no criminal, and he was a man who served the Living God. His life was spared for God's glory, even as Paul was imprisoned for the glory of God according to His Word, having said in Acts 27:22: "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship." This theme is woven throughout scripture: God gives and takes away for His glory and the testing of our hearts. Trials make us better and increase our faith in God. A man who walks in faith brings God greater glory.
Leviticus 14:34 reads, "When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession..."
Notice who places the plague in the house: God does! This is a shocking revelation to people who think the devil is to blame for all the "bad" we experience and God is to thank for all good. God is able to take something which appears bad and use it for good. God tested His people in the wilderness with traveling and hardship, to see if they would walk in His ways or not. God allowed Satan to take Job's wealth and health. Job said to his wife who tempted him to forsake God, "Should we receive good from God and not evil?" God at times would allow leprosy in a house to see if people would obey His law. so He would be glorified. When the disciples of Jesus saw a blind man they said, "Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus said neither, but this happened so God might be glorified. It is the heathen who are convinced "karma" exists, a perversion of the Golden Rule. When Paul, thought to be a criminal by the natives of Malta was bitten by a viper, they said in their hearts, "He has escaped the sea but justice will not allow him to live." When he didn't swell up and die, they figured instead he was a god. Wrong on both accounts! He was no criminal, and he was a man who served the Living God. His life was spared for God's glory, even as Paul was imprisoned for the glory of God according to His Word, having said in Acts 27:22: "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship." This theme is woven throughout scripture: God gives and takes away for His glory and the testing of our hearts. Trials make us better and increase our faith in God. A man who walks in faith brings God greater glory.
18 June 2010
God Will!
When I look upon how far God has brought me it energizes my faith to believe how far He will take me. Willpower falls woefully short of the fulfillment of God's will. It is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit which not only goads us but enables us to do anything. At the top of a grand peak the climber might shout "I did it!" in exhilaration, yet a Christian after conquering the weakest of temptation or the greatest of struggles humbly says, "You did it, God. Amazing considering the weak vessels you choose to use!" When we have done all our duty we are still unprofitable servants, and all profit comes from the gracious hand of God.
If we neglect to consider where we have been, it's likely we'll lose our way wherever we're going. Many biblical prayers include a history lesson which is not always the most flattering. Take the prayer of praise in Nehemiah 9:5-37. There is much confession of sin, rebellion, idolatry, and stubbornness of previous generations. There was no blame placed on their forefathers, just a honest rehearsal of events both past and present. Neh. 9:33-35 says, "However You are just in all that has befallen us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly. [34] Neither our kings nor our princes, our priests nor our fathers, have kept Your law, nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, with which You testified against them. [35] For they have not served You in their kingdom, or in the many good things that You gave them, or in the large and rich land which You set before them; nor did they turn from their wicked works." God brought the children out of Egypt, into the Promised Land, and delivered them from captivity in Babylon as well. Though they had not been perfect, God had been faithful.
I'm not perfect but I know that what God has promised He is able to perform. I know He has called me to minister for His glory, will eventually fulfill my calling on earth, and usher me into eternal glory by His grace. God will do His part: I must be willing to do mine! Help me Father to live as if all depended on me with the knowledge that you are the one who does all! Thank you it is not me, but Christ in me who can accomplish anything. You are worthy of all trust, honor, and praise.
If we neglect to consider where we have been, it's likely we'll lose our way wherever we're going. Many biblical prayers include a history lesson which is not always the most flattering. Take the prayer of praise in Nehemiah 9:5-37. There is much confession of sin, rebellion, idolatry, and stubbornness of previous generations. There was no blame placed on their forefathers, just a honest rehearsal of events both past and present. Neh. 9:33-35 says, "However You are just in all that has befallen us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly. [34] Neither our kings nor our princes, our priests nor our fathers, have kept Your law, nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, with which You testified against them. [35] For they have not served You in their kingdom, or in the many good things that You gave them, or in the large and rich land which You set before them; nor did they turn from their wicked works." God brought the children out of Egypt, into the Promised Land, and delivered them from captivity in Babylon as well. Though they had not been perfect, God had been faithful.
I'm not perfect but I know that what God has promised He is able to perform. I know He has called me to minister for His glory, will eventually fulfill my calling on earth, and usher me into eternal glory by His grace. God will do His part: I must be willing to do mine! Help me Father to live as if all depended on me with the knowledge that you are the one who does all! Thank you it is not me, but Christ in me who can accomplish anything. You are worthy of all trust, honor, and praise.
16 June 2010
Answer God's Call!
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, [15] but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- [16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."
Ephesians 4:11-16
Every cell of a healthy human being interacts harmoniously with the rest of the body. These cells do not exist to take up space, but all work for the well-being of the whole. Jesus Christ is the Head of the body - the church - comprised of people who have repented and trusted in Him as LORD and Savior. As the function of a red blood cell differs from a brain cell, every single person who belongs to the Body of Christ has a distinct office and calling according to God's perfect will. God's desire is for the saints to be equipped "for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...speaking the truth in love." As we mature and grow in our faith, we should supply strength to the whole body through the Holy Spirit's power "according to the effective working by which every part does its share" causing growth and edification of the church in love.
Going to church does not make you part of Christ's church. Frankly for many people, church has become something we do or attend rather than someone we are. Born again Christians are the body of Christ, we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. The fact that most church fellowships meet in a particular building suited for ministry has convoluted and confused the point that we are the church. We all have a function, calling, and duty to supply our labor for God's glory and the edification (building up) of the body of Christ. When I read the list above I can't help but notice that "church service and activity attender" does not appear in the list of positions in the body of Christ here or in any other passage of scripture. We are not called to attend church events as much as our calling is to attend to the work of the church!
What is your part in the body of Christ? What strength are you called to supply? Many substitute the strength of the flesh for the Holy Spirit's power, and this sort burns out in disillusionment. Please read through the entire passage below as Peter exhorts believers to edify the church in this fashion: 2 Peter 1:2-12 reads, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [5] But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, [6] to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, [7] to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. [10] Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; [11] for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [12] For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth."
People have this mistaken concept that unless they have a formal title like "pastor" or "deacon" they are without a true calling or purpose. They seek titles and approval of a church group to justify themselves before men. Verse 10 says we must be diligent to make our call and election sure: be convinced of your justification, sanctification, and future glorification, and seek to answer God's call upon your life right now. God has gifted all believers in dynamically different ways, with various personalities, styles, and skills. All of these are necessary for a strong, healthy, growing church body. As Os Guinness states in his book The Call, we must answer corporate call of repentance and salvation through Jesus to be part of the body of Christ first, and then we are to seek out and answer our personal call for His glory. A man should not be a pastor before he is is believer! Ironically it is through this arrangement that imminent men of faith in God such as John Wesley were soundly saved. Making your electing and calling sure is your responsibility.
No matter your history, personality, style, or views, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ God has a place in the body for you to fulfill. Only you can fill the role He has for you. As Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:10, "By the grace of God I am what I am..." You do not have to be or think like someone else to be used by God. It is God who makes a man. We will never all agree on every single point. Christians must never allow heresy and false doctrine to blow through the church in the name of grace, but we must be careful not to allow personal differences or styles to divide us. A cell in the liver is very different from a light-sensing cell in the eye, but both are important to a fully-functioning body. They do not have to be the same. In fact, it is fitting they are not. Yet though they are not identical, they serve the same overall purpose: the health and well-being of the body. We are all part of the body of Christ, each having a different function with the same goal: the glory of God and the edification of the body.
I ask you: have you made your calling and election sure? What is your role in the body of Christ? Is it to pray as an intercessor? An evangelist? How about being a godly mom or dad? A preacher? Someone who gives to those in need sacrificially? One who visits those who are sick or in prison? A missionary? After you are convinced of your election, seek and answer God's call upon your life at any cost. There is no one to blame but yourself if you fall short of walking in God's will. He has given you the Spirit, and God supplies all our needs. All reasons you cannot answer the call begin with pride and end in selfishness. The doors Jesus closes cannot be opened, and the doors He opens cannot be shut. Paul reminds us in Romans 11:29: "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." If He has called you as an apostle or prophet, you do not have a choice in that calling: your choice is if you will embrace the call or not!
The time for excuses is over, and it is time to do our part. Do not rest until you have laid hold of the purpose for which God has laid hold of you. Do not be satisfied with willful ignorance because the pursuit of your call will require a step of faith. God has faith to give if we will walk in it.
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