It's neat when object lessons appear outside your window. I was working last week in Building 6 of Balboa Hospital and looked out the second floor window. Dry brown grass and coastal sage scrub stretched over the hills. But right in front of the window a large waterfall had been constructed, a huge contrast to the deadness all around. Because of the life-sustaining water, about a dozen little birds were chirping and swooping from the chain link fence onto the river rocks. They gathered together and splashed around in the water until they looked fuzzy and damp. Then they flew back to the fence to sun themselves. The scene brought a smile to my face. Even birds love a refreshing bath.
In a way that noisy little oasis reminded me of what Christ is for believers. In a lifeless world consumed by sin, Christ provides a way to be cleansed, refreshed, and sustained. There were a handful of birds utilizing the fresh flow of water, and it seems like few ever make use of the Living Water offered by Jesus Christ. How happy those birds were to be free from the dust and mites they had collected on their feathers! How joyous we are when our sins are cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus! There's nothing better than fellowship with God, and fellowship with like-minded believers excited about the love of God and walking in it is a close second. The birds were different varieties, but they all came for one reason: the water.
I suppose that is an ideal scenario. People come to a church building for all kinds of reasons: they are trying to make their wife stop nagging them, are trying to find a husband or wife, or feel obligated to do something for God. I have heard a woman frankly admit the only reason she attended church was for the air conditioning! I'll bet there are occasions when a big crow decides he would like some water and frightens off all the other bathers. Church groups have their bullies too. They will use politics to get their way or manipulate through financial control. Sometimes they are subtle, other times overt. Church attendance doesn't make a man a Christian. Not all people come to a church because of their relationship with Jesus Christ. But what a wonderful place it would be if Christ was the only draw!
Jesus has plenty of Living Water for all, to whosoever will admit their lack and need. Let us invite others to share in Christ's love through joyful fellowship. Instead of feeling threatened, let us open our arms wide! Christians comprise the Body of Christ, and let's be as welcoming as He is to us.
02 July 2010
01 July 2010
Dispensary of Worldy Wisdom
Today I worked at San Diego State University and insulated a chilled water pump and piping. The Peterson Gym is in the process of being upgraded. On my way to wash my hands I walked through an impressive new lecture hall. The sound-absorbing panels were being installed in a modern, bright, immaculate room. The flooring was a mix of light hardwood and carpet, with maple wood and laminate accenting the decor. The room sloped down like a small amphitheater with descending stairs. There was a large area down front where the professor would stand and lecture with enormous boards set up to accommodate Power Point. Rows and rows of long desks stretched across the room, and evenly-spaced black chairs sat vacant. It smelled like money. Even in a recession, business is booming.
It is like no classroom I have ever seen. It looked more like a place the leaders of the United Nations would meet, without the microphones, pitchers of water, or enormous placards on the tables - and this room was nicer. I mused while I worked, thinking about the room. In my mind I compared the position of the professor to a Gospel preacher, keeping in mind there are few Gospel "professors" in the secular arena. There the lecturer has the benefit of hundreds of young, impressionable minds with a desire to learn arriving daily on schedule. These students pay thousands of dollars to sit in a chair to hear their teacher hold forth a lesson they are expected to learn. Dovetailed throughout every discourse is the professor's philosophy. The perspective of the professor could be from a God-fearing worldview or a God-rejecting one.
I did go to college, and I'm certain things haven't become more conservative since 1996! Exploration and discovery were the philosophy of the day. But exploration without direction causes people to quickly become disoriented and lost. The bright lights of fleshly pursuits scatter in all directions like a firework. As soon as a person begins the chase to follow that deceptive beacon, darkness shrouds the deceived. If that beacon is caught, it can only injure and burn. Worldly philosophy has removed God and placed man in His place. Self is the new god, but self is a god as old as Satan! Personal expression trumps truth, all authority is questioned, and doubt reigns supreme. The only things left undoubted are the words spoken by the learned man in the front of the room. Not every word is necessarily believed, but the constant hammering no doubt makes a permanent mark on a mind. The words of Christ may be applicable to many of those misleading atheistic or agnostic professors, "They know not what they do" while they willfully lead youth away from God. But many of them know only too well what they are doing. They are dispensers of worldly wisdom, and they revel in their role. This wisdom is contrary to God's wisdom from above and is sinking sand.
In the same way that I love to preach the Word of God, many love to hold forth the wisdom of man. James 3:13-18 says this about God's wisdom: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. [16] For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. [18] Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Pride, envy, boasting, self-seeking, lies, and confusion are marks of earthly wisdom. The wisdom which comes from above is a stark contrast to earthly wisdom because purity, peace, gentleness, grace, and mercy adorn it.
Some have this idea education is the cure for all ills, or will at least alleviate them. This is ironic, seeing as there is more information and education today than ever before, yet our problems are astronomical! George Washington never had to deal with oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico or lax Border Security! Andrew Jackson wasn't concerned about Power Point presentations, mobile internet connections, cell phone bills, or even hiring a plumber! Abraham Lincoln never had to deal with identity theft, Social Security numbers, or the DMV. Though many breakthroughs have been made in medicine and technology in the last 2000 years, one person has stayed exactly the same: Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace. There is a man who is ever learning but never comes to the knowledge of the truth. We need more than information: we need a relationship with our Creator and Savior. We need righteousness and forgiveness. All the facts in the world pale in comparison to the knowledge which flows from knowing God in the beauty of His holiness.
May the church never be a place where worldly wisdom is found. We are to preach Christ. When we preach Him, we will preach TRUE wisdom. We do not glory in what we know, but who we know and are known by: 1 Cor. 1:30-31 states, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- [31] that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
It is like no classroom I have ever seen. It looked more like a place the leaders of the United Nations would meet, without the microphones, pitchers of water, or enormous placards on the tables - and this room was nicer. I mused while I worked, thinking about the room. In my mind I compared the position of the professor to a Gospel preacher, keeping in mind there are few Gospel "professors" in the secular arena. There the lecturer has the benefit of hundreds of young, impressionable minds with a desire to learn arriving daily on schedule. These students pay thousands of dollars to sit in a chair to hear their teacher hold forth a lesson they are expected to learn. Dovetailed throughout every discourse is the professor's philosophy. The perspective of the professor could be from a God-fearing worldview or a God-rejecting one.
I did go to college, and I'm certain things haven't become more conservative since 1996! Exploration and discovery were the philosophy of the day. But exploration without direction causes people to quickly become disoriented and lost. The bright lights of fleshly pursuits scatter in all directions like a firework. As soon as a person begins the chase to follow that deceptive beacon, darkness shrouds the deceived. If that beacon is caught, it can only injure and burn. Worldly philosophy has removed God and placed man in His place. Self is the new god, but self is a god as old as Satan! Personal expression trumps truth, all authority is questioned, and doubt reigns supreme. The only things left undoubted are the words spoken by the learned man in the front of the room. Not every word is necessarily believed, but the constant hammering no doubt makes a permanent mark on a mind. The words of Christ may be applicable to many of those misleading atheistic or agnostic professors, "They know not what they do" while they willfully lead youth away from God. But many of them know only too well what they are doing. They are dispensers of worldly wisdom, and they revel in their role. This wisdom is contrary to God's wisdom from above and is sinking sand.
In the same way that I love to preach the Word of God, many love to hold forth the wisdom of man. James 3:13-18 says this about God's wisdom: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. [16] For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. [18] Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Pride, envy, boasting, self-seeking, lies, and confusion are marks of earthly wisdom. The wisdom which comes from above is a stark contrast to earthly wisdom because purity, peace, gentleness, grace, and mercy adorn it.
Some have this idea education is the cure for all ills, or will at least alleviate them. This is ironic, seeing as there is more information and education today than ever before, yet our problems are astronomical! George Washington never had to deal with oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico or lax Border Security! Andrew Jackson wasn't concerned about Power Point presentations, mobile internet connections, cell phone bills, or even hiring a plumber! Abraham Lincoln never had to deal with identity theft, Social Security numbers, or the DMV. Though many breakthroughs have been made in medicine and technology in the last 2000 years, one person has stayed exactly the same: Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace. There is a man who is ever learning but never comes to the knowledge of the truth. We need more than information: we need a relationship with our Creator and Savior. We need righteousness and forgiveness. All the facts in the world pale in comparison to the knowledge which flows from knowing God in the beauty of His holiness.
May the church never be a place where worldly wisdom is found. We are to preach Christ. When we preach Him, we will preach TRUE wisdom. We do not glory in what we know, but who we know and are known by: 1 Cor. 1:30-31 states, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- [31] that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
27 June 2010
I Belong to You!
I was riding along with a co-worker to a jobsite listening to the radio the other morning. A couple of songs were played in a row which had surprisingly similar lyrics. First there was "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift, a song about a girl who likes a boy who does not share her feelings of desire. "Been here all along, so why can't you see? You belong with me." Immediately following that song Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" played, a song similar in many ways: "Although we've come to the end of the road still I can't let go, it's unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you." After hearing these songs in succession, my mind drifted to a song I actually used to own on vinyl by the Police, "Every Breath You Take." This creepy-stalker-song is a twisted view of romance: "Every step you take, I'll be watching you - every single day and every word you say, every game you play, every night you stay, I'll be watching you. Oh can't you see you belong to me?"
Love in this world is patently impure, completely opposite than the love which springs from God. Instead of saying "You belong to me!" true love says "I belong to you: have all of me." That's what Jesus did when He allowed Himself to become a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He did not act like an estranged lover who sought to "get back" at the one who rejected him. Instead Jesus gave Himself freely, actively showing His love even to those who smote, scourged, and sentenced Him. Jesus faced death in silence, but His love speaks volumes to this day. He did not scream as a fierce tyrant who was double-crossed by traitors, though He had every right to do so. God is our Creator, and as His creation we answer to His justice. But by His grace if we respond to His love in repentance and faith, the justice poured out upon Christ can be substituted for the justice we deserve for our sin. And wonder of wonders, Christ's virtue and righteousness is added to our account when we are justified and born again by the Holy Spirit.
What kind of love do we show to others: the selfish-indignant "You belong to me!" false love of this world or the "I belong to you" kind of love modeled by Jesus Christ? To give it you must have received of it, and there is only one source: Jesus! Against such love there is no law.
Love in this world is patently impure, completely opposite than the love which springs from God. Instead of saying "You belong to me!" true love says "I belong to you: have all of me." That's what Jesus did when He allowed Himself to become a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He did not act like an estranged lover who sought to "get back" at the one who rejected him. Instead Jesus gave Himself freely, actively showing His love even to those who smote, scourged, and sentenced Him. Jesus faced death in silence, but His love speaks volumes to this day. He did not scream as a fierce tyrant who was double-crossed by traitors, though He had every right to do so. God is our Creator, and as His creation we answer to His justice. But by His grace if we respond to His love in repentance and faith, the justice poured out upon Christ can be substituted for the justice we deserve for our sin. And wonder of wonders, Christ's virtue and righteousness is added to our account when we are justified and born again by the Holy Spirit.
What kind of love do we show to others: the selfish-indignant "You belong to me!" false love of this world or the "I belong to you" kind of love modeled by Jesus Christ? To give it you must have received of it, and there is only one source: Jesus! Against such love there is no law.
26 June 2010
From "A Minister's Obstacles"
Here is an untitles poem found on page 109 in Ralph Turnbull's book "A Minister's Obstacles." It sums up the duty and desire of every Christ-follower very well.
"He held the lamp that Sabbath day
So low that none could miss the way,
And yet so high, to bring to sight
That picture fair of Christ the Light,
That, gazing up, the lamp between
The hand that held it was not seen.
He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below;
Then raised it to the weary saint,
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank, the pitcher them between,
The hand that held it was not see.
He blew the trumpet soft and clear,
That trembling sinners need not fear;
And then with louder note and bold,
To storm the walls of Satan's hold;
The trumpet coming thus between,
The hand that held it was not seen.
And when our Captain says, 'Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant; come,
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp;
Lay down the trumpet, leave the camp,'
The weary hands will then be seen
Clasped in the pierced ones, naught between."
"He held the lamp that Sabbath day
So low that none could miss the way,
And yet so high, to bring to sight
That picture fair of Christ the Light,
That, gazing up, the lamp between
The hand that held it was not seen.
He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below;
Then raised it to the weary saint,
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank, the pitcher them between,
The hand that held it was not see.
He blew the trumpet soft and clear,
That trembling sinners need not fear;
And then with louder note and bold,
To storm the walls of Satan's hold;
The trumpet coming thus between,
The hand that held it was not seen.
And when our Captain says, 'Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant; come,
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp;
Lay down the trumpet, leave the camp,'
The weary hands will then be seen
Clasped in the pierced ones, naught between."
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