Gracious Privilege

Last night I saw a portion of a "60 Minutes" segment which detailed the lives of some young girls in the Middle East.  They were shown driving, eating at a restaurant, riding horses, and speeding around on motorboats.  Over and over they were referred to as a "privileged" class based upon their financial wealth.  It is not the first time I have heard the rich referred to as "privileged."  In a worldly sense I understand the point being made.  Those who are wealthy have worldly benefits.  But spiritually speaking, the Bible presents a conflicting perspective.  I would contend that with the privilege of wealth comes the probability of spiritual bankruptcy. 

There is nothing wrong with financial wealth, providing it is used for the glory of God.  Many people, however, are driven by strong desires to be wealthy.  1 Timothy 6:6-10 reads, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."  The desire to be rich has caused many people to fall into temptation, traps, and foolish and harmful lusts which destroy.  Even people who have trusted in Christ are not immune to the tendency towards greed.  Those who seek after riches instead of God impale themselves with many sorrows.  Because of our inherited sin nature, both poor and rich alike tend towards greed, envy, and contentiousness.

Jesus said something in Matthew 19:23-26 which bears careful examination:  "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." ²⁵ When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" ²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  A rich man tends to trust in his riches, while that is hardly the issue for the "less privileged."  Jesus says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven.  Through hyperbole Jesus was illustrating the fact that men trust their money more than God.  But just like poverty does not keep a man out of heaven, nor does the abundance of riches.  What is impossible with men is possible with God.

No matter how much money you have in your account, it is certain that it will not follow you into eternity.  The mummified corpses of Egyptian Pharaohs were discovered thousands of years later surrounded by riches which could not help them in the afterlife.  Salvation and an eternal home in the heavens is priceless, and cannot be purchased with money, platinum, silver, gold, stocks, bonds, or gemstones.  The only way into heaven is absolute perfection.  The Bible tells us what we already know:  all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death.  All people who walk this earth have one thing in common.  Every human body will eventually be corrupted and perish.  Because the wages of sin is death, eternity in hell is the wage we have earned for our sins.  But Jesus was sent as Messiah to shed His blood as payment for our sins, the perfect Lamb of God.  1 John 4:10 says, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  Proved through His resurrection after three days, Jesus has atoned for the sins of all who will repent and trust in Him - no matter how "unprivileged" you may feel.  Jesus states in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

The poor look at the rich as if they have a great privilege, and some rich are convinced they are not privileged at all.  When a man believes he is entitled or deserves more than he has, he cannot appreciate his privileges.  There are few liabilities more spiritually disastrous to a man or woman than great wealth.  But what is not possible for any man is possible with God.  To trust in dollars makes no sense.  Trust in Jesus Christ and give all your resources into His hands.  There is no greater privilege than being a child of God.  Malachi 3:17 reads, "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."  The best investment of your life is to repent and trust in Jesus Christ.  This conscious choice to enter into a relationship with God pays eternal dividends!  Salvation is a privilege no man can earn:  it is received by God's grace.  It is a privilege only those who humble themselves may obtain.  There is no privilege greater than spending eternity with Jesus!

Today: A New Beginning!

The length of time we have formally followed Christ is a source of pride for some.  I wonder, dear professing follower of Christ, if you are closer to Him now than you were at the first?  Has your love and passion for Him grown?  Or has your love become familiar and cold?  Are you as excited now to pray as you once were?  Do you have an almost ravenous desire to consume the Word of God like at the beginning when you know you knew nothing?  Have you become cynical about church and Christianity because of some bruises you've experienced over the years?  This line of thought will not apply to all, but it certainly applies to some.

Are you willing to admit that up until now you have really played at Christianity?  Are you willing to sacrifice your honorable badge of years following Jesus to say that you have never known Him as you ought?  Are you ready to disown all works previous to now as done in the power of your flesh?  Are you willing to say that today is the day of your true conversion, when you were filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time through faith and total abandonment to Christ because God loves you, you love Him, and trust Him completely? Consider a quote from G. Campbell Morgan which rings true:

You have been for years on the confines of Emmanuel's land.  You are familiar with all the songs, but you cannot sing them and feel the rapture of them.  You are familiar with all the phrasing of Christianity, but it has never become the phrasing which beats your heart into infinite music.  You need that faith which abandons itself absolutely and wholly, not to an ideal you would like to realize, but to a Person who will realize in you every ideal after which your heart is seeking.  In order to receive the Holy Ghost we have to add to our conviction, confidence; to our repentance, faith; to our hope, appropriation, and all these things in relation to Jesus Christ.  The living Christ has come.  The Spirit has been poured out.  Westminster Chapel, London, tonight is as full in every part of the Holy Spirit of God as was the upper room on the day of Pentecost.  The mistake you have been making for years is that you have been waiting for Him to come in nights of prayer and lonely vigil, in speculative inquiry; waiting while you have been attending conventions and reading books about the Holy Ghost.  The Spirit has come.  He is here.  Every man, woman, and little child in this house is surrendered by the beneficent Spirit of God, waiting to come in, waiting to teach you the deeper music of life, its vision and glory.  "How is it that I do not feel the thrill and do not see the light?" you ask.  Because you have never believed in Jesus Christ.  Convinced of the perfection of His ideal, put confidence in Him, and rank yourself by His side and under His banner.  Repenting of sin, changing your mind about it, trust Him to give you victory in every department of life.  Hoping for a better day, appropriate the day that has come.  Wishing that you could be delivered, be delivered now by trusting Jesus Christ.  Just where you sit, hoping, wishing, wondering, cast yourself upon Jesus Christ and say, "Here I am, now, just as I am."  The Spirit of God will bring the living Christ into your own inner experience.  That will end your infidelity, your skepticism, your wonder.  You will pass into the realm of life, and all the signs following will be granted to you." (The Westminster Chapel, Morgan, Vol. 1, pages 236-237)

It is not until we are wearied and utterly finished with a knock-off brand of Christianity devoid of all power, strength, victory, and new life before we can taste the real thing.  Some have never known Christ, some only think they know Christ, and some truly know Him.  No matter where you stand, meet and follow Jesus today for the first time!

Supernatural Resource

The earth is abundant with natural resources.  The perfectly tuned atmosphere exists on earth which promotes health of plant, animal, and human life.  Fruits and vegetables are grown in abundance on farms, and living animals both in the sea and on land provide food to support life.  Beneath the surface of the earth, vast reserves of oil and coal are collected to supply fuel for heating, transportation, and manufacturing.  Precious metals and gems are mined throughout the world for both industrial and cosmetic use.  The more plentiful the natural resources, the more profitable the enterprise.  When rarity of a resource is coupled with high demand, the value of that resource skyrockets.

From a worldly perspective, limited resources means limited success.  The ultimate resource for business and people is money.  Unfortunately, many churches these days also perceive money to be either the catalyst or great limiter for "ministry."  I recently read a quote from an Australian pastor which I paraphrase:  "Little money, little chance for ministry.  Lots of money, enormous opportunity for ministry."  This sentiment could not be further from the actual truth.  Are money, manpower, and positive thinking the natural resources of the church?

Let us turn our attention upon Jesus Christ, the Founder and Head of the church of God.  He did not attract followers with programs or large amounts of money.  He did not have a worship team comprised of young, stylish people who were skilled musicians and singers.  Jesus did not build a modern church campus and market Himself on the TV or internet.  And think of all the real ministry He was able to do through the power of the Holy Spirit!  Think of all the souls saved under His teaching, the people delivered from demonic power, the forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy which has been perpetuated to this day!  What is the resource of the church?  It is none other than the supernatural resource of God's love.  Big buildings, cutting-edge media presentations, dynamic preaching personalities, and thousands of euphoric people singing uplifting songs in unison are absolutely impotent for ministry without the love of Jesus Christ.

This is clearly seen in scripture:  the question is, do we believe it is true today?  Is the love of Jesus Christ all we need to reach this dying, decadent, world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  1 Corinthians 13:1-2 reads, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."  I thank God He has abundantly supplied the needs of His people, both spiritually and physically.  Let us couple every resource God has provided with the supernatural resource of His love.  May our gaze be fixed upon our Saviour Jesus Christ, the model and source of such love! 

Does Life Matter?

The other day I picked up a biography on Heath Ledger, an Australian-born actor who made it big in Hollywood until his untimely demise at the age of 28.  My greatest interest in reading the book is learning about the man behind the masks.  As I read the book, however, I find that the author doesn't have insights into Mr. Ledger on a deep, personal level.  It is more of a chronology of events, a timeline sprinkled with quotes.  Heath's own words open a small window to his heart.

Heath had a unique perspective of the world and his place in it, as illustrated by this quote:  "I've always been very big on self-exploration and answering my own questions...I look up at the stars and go, 'There's no explanation for us to be here.'  When anything is blocking my head or there's worry in my life, I just - whoosh! - go sit on Mars or something and look back here at Earth.  All you see is this tiny speck; you don't see the fear, you don't see the pain, you don't see the movie industry, you don't see this interview, you don't see thought...It's just one solid speck.  Then nothing really matters, it just doesn't." (Heath Ledger, McShane, John Blake Publishing Ltd., 2008, pg. 67)

As I read that quote, the only word I can think to describe it is "tragic!"  It may be artistic from a worldly point of view, but the philosophy found within one's own heart is desperately lacking and often misleading.  When I look at the stars, I say just the opposite:  "There is a reason we are here."  It is impossible to maintain proper perspective in life apart from a relationship with the Creator and Giver of life:  Jesus Christ.  Jesus experienced first-hand the effects of sin man brought upon himself through rebellion against God.  He answered questions, shared the wisdom of God, cast out fear with perfect love, and experienced pain for us.  He knew what it was like to be hounded by the paparazzi of His day.  What God does matters, and the fact that He loves us makes all the difference.

I can't answer my own questions, but I'm thankful God answers..  I would have really loved to sit down with Heath and have a discussion about the development of his philosophy over the years.  I wouldn't speak to him in an attempt to prove him wrong or tell him the right way to live.  It would simply be to listen, to hear where he's coming from.  He believed there is no explanation behind why human beings walk this earth.  Yet for 28 years, Heath walked this earth and distinguished himself from others due to his skill in the art of acting.  He was very careful in choosing roles.  How can you say your roles or actions matter when in the big picture nothing matters?  My heart breaks for the guy.  The trip back and forth to Mars seems to have been tiring and unsatisfying.  Mars seemed more and more attractive as a permanent home over the camera flashes, money, fame, drugs, voyeurs, and realizing that his life was not his own:  he was a product that had an expiration date.  The man never came back from his last trip.  But Mars isn't where souls stay after their body dies.  I only know what the Bible says:  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Him.  He created Heath, knows Him, and I hope Heath knew Christ as LORD too.  Rest in peace, mate.

Life does matter.  We exist to glorify God, even as the stars which shine brightly in the heavens.  Psalm 19:1-3 reads, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."  Whether you are are a star which shines in space or a movie star in Hollywood, our existence is intended to shine for the glory of God.  Let all we do be to this end.  Isaiah 55:6-9 says, "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. ⁸ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. ⁹ "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." We matter to God, and pleasing Him should matter to us.