I've heard it said: "There's no such thing as a stupid question." A variation on this theme is, "The only stupid question is the one never asked." I disagree with both of these statements. I once asked a class of teenagers to provide an example of a stupid question. Without a moment's hesitation, a hand shot up. "Yes?" The young man smiled and asked, "If a chicken had lips could it whistle?" I saw no need to further prove my point. The intent of those first two statements is often an encouragement for people to ask legitimate questions, even if they feel foolish asking them. In a classroom it is likely that if one person finds themselves stumped, there are others who could benefit from the answer. Too many people fear that revealing their ignorance through a question will make them the targets of ridicule and scorn. Pride does not enjoy making room for humility, and one must humble himself to admit his lack.
I believe there is such a thing as a good question. Jesus asked a lot of profound questions. Because good questions exist, it stands to reason that there are questions at the opposite end of the spectrum. Jesus was asked many leading, loaded, dishonest questions - not because people sought to gain understanding - but for the purpose of catching Jesus in His words so they might accuse Him. There are honest and dishonest questions. Jesus always answered honest questions, but He never entertained dishonest ones. When the disciples of Jesus humbled themselves to ask for an explanation of a parable, He spoke to them plainly. When the Pharisees asked dishonest questions, Jesus shot back questions of His own and turned the tables on those schemers, exposing their hypocrisy. We should emulate Christ's example and not feel compelled to give stupid questions asked dishonestly a moment of our time.
The Bible warns Christians to guard against wasting time on foolish questions. Titus 3:8-9 reads, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
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But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." It is also written in 2 Timothy 2:22-25: "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
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And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
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in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
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and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." Foolish questions generate strife and division; they are unprofitable and useless. There is a man who is more concerned about proving his point than by living righteously. Instead of arguing over senseless hypothetical situations or focusing on flavour over substance, we ought to expend our energies in actually living for God.
If we find ourselves unable to steer clear of disputes, it may be that we are not walking in humility as we ought. Jesus was humble yet was often the target of calculated debate and attack. Through great wisdom Jesus was able to diffuse His aggressors and leave them speechless - to the point that no one dared question Him any more. Let us follow Christ's example of answering dishonest questions with better questions still, and offering gracious instruction to those who legitimately seek understanding. I do not have all the answers, nor do I need to feel pressure to do so. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts us: "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..." Jesus has the answers, and He is my answer. He is my Hope! Instead of attacking others with words, we have a sure Defense and Foundation in Jesus Christ. Let us be clothed in humility and meekness, knowing that Christ is our Wisdom.
12 August 2012
07 August 2012
Repent or Perish!
On the news before dinner, a video was shown of a flaming, mangled car which was involved in a tragic accident. The wreck ended up killing the teenage driver and sending a passenger to hospital in critical condition. After dinner our family reads a chapter from the Bible and discusses it together. The words of Jesus which we read were most appropriate and thought provoking. Luke 13:1-5 reads, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
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And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
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I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
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Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
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I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
That girl who perished in that accident was no worse than any other teenager. She was not killed because of bad karma, having sown the seeds of bad deeds throughout her life. I never met her, but I know she was no worse than I am. God causes the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike. Those Galileans who were killed by Pilate, nor those on whom the tower of Siloam collapsed, were worse than other people. The fact is, we have all done wrong. The point of Christ's emphasis is, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Not too many of our lives will end in a fiery automobile crash. Not all of us will be crushed under the weight of crumbling masonry or face capital punishment. But unless we repent, we will likewise perish. Jesus spoke these words to compel people to face their own mortality. Every man will die, and if we die in our sins we face eternal death as a result. Though it may seem a bit harsh, Jesus was loving to speak this way. As I think of the flames licking that gutted car, I understand Him clearly. People are not unlucky to die, and others are not lucky to live. No matter how long we live on earth, each day is a step towards the inevitable end.
In the evangelism efforts of Christians it is a grave error to divorce the stark truth of the Gospel from the love which made it a reality. Most of us have witnessed a callous, arrogant, unloving presentation of Gospel truth. This is an outrage. But the other extreme is to hold forth the Gospel packaged with such fluff and ribbons that when the gift is opened there is nothing of substance within. We hold back from sharing the Gospel the way Jesus did because we are afraid of offense. The result is we pander to those who would refuse to trust in Christ no matter how it is presented, and we do not adequately warn others who would actually respond to the message of salvation through faith in Jesus. Because we are worried about scaring away the fish we stay away from the water. If we want to catch fish, we must not only be content to lower the nets: we need to retrieve them as well.
If we will save souls, there are things which we also must bring up: our sinful condition, mortality, the judgment that awaits all people after our life is over, and the salvation offered us through Jesus Christ. If John 3:16 is worthy to commit to memory, so is Luke 13:5. Unless we repent, we will all likewise perish. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
That girl who perished in that accident was no worse than any other teenager. She was not killed because of bad karma, having sown the seeds of bad deeds throughout her life. I never met her, but I know she was no worse than I am. God causes the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike. Those Galileans who were killed by Pilate, nor those on whom the tower of Siloam collapsed, were worse than other people. The fact is, we have all done wrong. The point of Christ's emphasis is, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Not too many of our lives will end in a fiery automobile crash. Not all of us will be crushed under the weight of crumbling masonry or face capital punishment. But unless we repent, we will likewise perish. Jesus spoke these words to compel people to face their own mortality. Every man will die, and if we die in our sins we face eternal death as a result. Though it may seem a bit harsh, Jesus was loving to speak this way. As I think of the flames licking that gutted car, I understand Him clearly. People are not unlucky to die, and others are not lucky to live. No matter how long we live on earth, each day is a step towards the inevitable end.
In the evangelism efforts of Christians it is a grave error to divorce the stark truth of the Gospel from the love which made it a reality. Most of us have witnessed a callous, arrogant, unloving presentation of Gospel truth. This is an outrage. But the other extreme is to hold forth the Gospel packaged with such fluff and ribbons that when the gift is opened there is nothing of substance within. We hold back from sharing the Gospel the way Jesus did because we are afraid of offense. The result is we pander to those who would refuse to trust in Christ no matter how it is presented, and we do not adequately warn others who would actually respond to the message of salvation through faith in Jesus. Because we are worried about scaring away the fish we stay away from the water. If we want to catch fish, we must not only be content to lower the nets: we need to retrieve them as well.
If we will save souls, there are things which we also must bring up: our sinful condition, mortality, the judgment that awaits all people after our life is over, and the salvation offered us through Jesus Christ. If John 3:16 is worthy to commit to memory, so is Luke 13:5. Unless we repent, we will all likewise perish. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
06 August 2012
Visa Update!
I consider it a great privilege to serve God in Australia. There is no place in the world I would rather be. Australia was never in my plans growing up or even well into adulthood, but God had other plans! He has knit my heart so closely to the people here that I cannot imagine living anywhere else. Watching God unfold His plan for me and my family has been instrumental in strengthening my faith in His provision, timing, and grace. The love and support of friends and family from "up above" and "down under" has been such a blessing.
Visas are part of the deal when serving in a foreign field. We are about a year and a half gone of a two-year visa. When we obtained the 428 Religious Workers visa through the nomination of Calvary Chapel Sydney, it was a once-renewable path to permanent residency. When Laura called a couple weeks ago to see when we could begin to submit paperwork for the renewal, I knew something was up. I could hear from the other room: "I would like to know when we can renew the 428 visa. We were told it was a path to residency...it isn't? Oh. Ok. Good to know." What came out of the call is the 428 is renewable, but no longer a path to residency. I suppose that was the bad news. It would have been disappointing had the other news not been so good. It turns out that 1 July a new immigration began which would allow the church to nominate me as a Minister of Religion right now and with it permanent residency! "Get it done now," the immigration officer said. "Why wait?" I could not agree more with that sentiment!
Immediately I began to investigate the process and initiated our Australian Federal Police checks. At the moment we are gathering together the necessary documentation for the nomination and application, an involved process to be sure. We are content in the knowledge that God is in control and want to be faithful to do our part. Patience is something God has given me many lessons in, and there are more lessons to come. Please pray for the nomination and application to be sorted in God's time. Thank you for all the prayers, financial support, and love many have expressed to us. With this visa process and all things may God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
Visas are part of the deal when serving in a foreign field. We are about a year and a half gone of a two-year visa. When we obtained the 428 Religious Workers visa through the nomination of Calvary Chapel Sydney, it was a once-renewable path to permanent residency. When Laura called a couple weeks ago to see when we could begin to submit paperwork for the renewal, I knew something was up. I could hear from the other room: "I would like to know when we can renew the 428 visa. We were told it was a path to residency...it isn't? Oh. Ok. Good to know." What came out of the call is the 428 is renewable, but no longer a path to residency. I suppose that was the bad news. It would have been disappointing had the other news not been so good. It turns out that 1 July a new immigration began which would allow the church to nominate me as a Minister of Religion right now and with it permanent residency! "Get it done now," the immigration officer said. "Why wait?" I could not agree more with that sentiment!
Immediately I began to investigate the process and initiated our Australian Federal Police checks. At the moment we are gathering together the necessary documentation for the nomination and application, an involved process to be sure. We are content in the knowledge that God is in control and want to be faithful to do our part. Patience is something God has given me many lessons in, and there are more lessons to come. Please pray for the nomination and application to be sorted in God's time. Thank you for all the prayers, financial support, and love many have expressed to us. With this visa process and all things may God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
Consecrate Your Temple
Consecration is a theme I have been meditating upon lately. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines it this way: "The act or ceremony of separating from a common to a sacred use, or of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God, by certain rites or solemnities. Consecration does not make a person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is, devoted to God or to divine service; as the consecration of the priests among the Israelites; the consecration of the vessels used in the temple." The priests, articles of the temple, and even the temple itself were all consecrated for the worship and service of God. But just because something has been consecrated to God does not mean it was always used for its intended purpose.
When we think of the temple, it's likely we do so with a sense of awe and reverence. Think of that magnificent temple Solomon built with the doors covered in gold, awesome brass pillars, the solid gold lampstand and the altar of incense. Imagine you are a priest, walking through the doors into the holy place, lifting your eyes to see the massive cherubim, smelling the fragrance of the incense, and before you stands the curtain separating the Holy of Holies where the Spirit of God dwells above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. And now imagine that it's been a really slow day because of rainy weather and quite some time has passed since any have visited the temple. A bit bored, you and other priests decide close the doors of the temple and set up a indoor soccer game using the table of showbread and altar of incense as one goal, and the curtain of the Holy of Holies for the other goal! Pretty ridiculous, right? It seems an utterly ludicrous suggestion. It would be plain wrong to degrade a holy, consecrated place to the level of a field of sport.
The temple was consecrated to God, yet throughout scripture we read of many occasions when it was profaned, neglected, and polluted. While the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh, Eli's wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas had sex with women who assembled there (1 Samuel 2:22). Eli allowed the lamp to burn out instead of keeping it lit perpetually. The sons of Athaliah broke up the temple and dedicated God's things to Baal (2 Chron. 24:7), a false god. Josiah was a good king who desired to fix the leaks and breaches of God's house. When they began to repair the temple, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the law which had been lost (2 Kings 22:8). Imagine losing God's Word in the temple! The wicked king Ahaz polluted the temple, barred the doors, and set up altars to idols throughout the city (2 Chron. 28:24). It took eight days for the Levites to carry all the rubbish that was left in the holy place to the brook Kidron (2 Chron. 29:17). And what of Eliashib the priest in the days of Nehemiah, who allowed Tobiah, the avowed enemy of God and Israel, to live in a room inside the temple (Neh. 13:4-7)? Nehemiah was furious and threw out all Tobiah's stuff. When Jesus came to Jerusalem, He made a whip of cords and overturned the tables of the money changers, driving them and their wares outside of the temple courts (John 2:13-16). Instead of regarding God's house as a house of prayer, they made it a den of thieves.
For those who reverence and love God, it is difficult to grasp how the temple of God consecrated for worship would be misused, polluted, and profaned. As human beings, it is easier for us to reverence a physical place as holy ground rather than temples not made with hands. There is the very real potential that the temple of the Holy Spirit can be profaned even in our day. Do you know that born again Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, having become His consecrated dwelling place? Being holy does not mean that we need to walk in slow motion, call people "my son," or adopt mechanical hand motions: it means that we have been consecrated for use by God, having been employed in his service. We are to separate ourselves from sin and walk in righteousness. The worship and service of God is our sole purpose in all we think, say, and do. It is not our primary purpose: it is our only purpose. Through the Gospel and faith in Jesus Christ we have chosen to be purchased as voluntary slaves with Christ's blood. We ought to be about God's business, for a servant is not above his Master.
Does this mean we can't play soccer? No. Whatever we do, we should do it heartily as unto the LORD. But we ought to recognise we have been bought with a price and our life is not to be lived for ourselves any more. No game, activity, or earthly thing may be allowed to compete with our allegiance and affections towards God. What we love the most is evident by how we spend our time - or how we wish we could spend our time. God has freely given us everything to enjoy, and we ought to glorify God in all we do. Instead of living to please the dictates of ourselves, we are to walk in obedience to God. We are to put off the old man, be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man. We ought to faithfully read the word instead of neglecting it. We ought to keep the doors of our heart open to Christ instead of barring them. We need to keep our light burning bright like a city on a hill that cannot be hid. We must ruthlessly destroy any idols that exist in our lives and pursue the worship of God alone. All sin is to be put off and no good deed for God left undone. Paul sums it up well in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
When God looks at you, He is not focused on the image you see in the mirror: He looks upon your heart. In modern vernacular, the concept of "my body is a temple" is limited to the physical. Your muscles or lack thereof is of little concern to Him. God is not in awe of ornate buildings constructed for the purpose of worship, nor is He impressed with our physical bodies. Isaiah 66:1-2 reads, "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." May we humble ourselves before the LORD, being consecrated for His use not in word only, but in deed and truth. Let us wash our hands and cleanse our hearts from sin so we will experience the communion and fellowship God freely offers by His grace. The curtain has been torn. Put away the soccer ball and bow before your Maker, man! There's nothing boring about that!
When we think of the temple, it's likely we do so with a sense of awe and reverence. Think of that magnificent temple Solomon built with the doors covered in gold, awesome brass pillars, the solid gold lampstand and the altar of incense. Imagine you are a priest, walking through the doors into the holy place, lifting your eyes to see the massive cherubim, smelling the fragrance of the incense, and before you stands the curtain separating the Holy of Holies where the Spirit of God dwells above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. And now imagine that it's been a really slow day because of rainy weather and quite some time has passed since any have visited the temple. A bit bored, you and other priests decide close the doors of the temple and set up a indoor soccer game using the table of showbread and altar of incense as one goal, and the curtain of the Holy of Holies for the other goal! Pretty ridiculous, right? It seems an utterly ludicrous suggestion. It would be plain wrong to degrade a holy, consecrated place to the level of a field of sport.
The temple was consecrated to God, yet throughout scripture we read of many occasions when it was profaned, neglected, and polluted. While the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh, Eli's wicked sons Hophni and Phinehas had sex with women who assembled there (1 Samuel 2:22). Eli allowed the lamp to burn out instead of keeping it lit perpetually. The sons of Athaliah broke up the temple and dedicated God's things to Baal (2 Chron. 24:7), a false god. Josiah was a good king who desired to fix the leaks and breaches of God's house. When they began to repair the temple, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the law which had been lost (2 Kings 22:8). Imagine losing God's Word in the temple! The wicked king Ahaz polluted the temple, barred the doors, and set up altars to idols throughout the city (2 Chron. 28:24). It took eight days for the Levites to carry all the rubbish that was left in the holy place to the brook Kidron (2 Chron. 29:17). And what of Eliashib the priest in the days of Nehemiah, who allowed Tobiah, the avowed enemy of God and Israel, to live in a room inside the temple (Neh. 13:4-7)? Nehemiah was furious and threw out all Tobiah's stuff. When Jesus came to Jerusalem, He made a whip of cords and overturned the tables of the money changers, driving them and their wares outside of the temple courts (John 2:13-16). Instead of regarding God's house as a house of prayer, they made it a den of thieves.
For those who reverence and love God, it is difficult to grasp how the temple of God consecrated for worship would be misused, polluted, and profaned. As human beings, it is easier for us to reverence a physical place as holy ground rather than temples not made with hands. There is the very real potential that the temple of the Holy Spirit can be profaned even in our day. Do you know that born again Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, having become His consecrated dwelling place? Being holy does not mean that we need to walk in slow motion, call people "my son," or adopt mechanical hand motions: it means that we have been consecrated for use by God, having been employed in his service. We are to separate ourselves from sin and walk in righteousness. The worship and service of God is our sole purpose in all we think, say, and do. It is not our primary purpose: it is our only purpose. Through the Gospel and faith in Jesus Christ we have chosen to be purchased as voluntary slaves with Christ's blood. We ought to be about God's business, for a servant is not above his Master.
Does this mean we can't play soccer? No. Whatever we do, we should do it heartily as unto the LORD. But we ought to recognise we have been bought with a price and our life is not to be lived for ourselves any more. No game, activity, or earthly thing may be allowed to compete with our allegiance and affections towards God. What we love the most is evident by how we spend our time - or how we wish we could spend our time. God has freely given us everything to enjoy, and we ought to glorify God in all we do. Instead of living to please the dictates of ourselves, we are to walk in obedience to God. We are to put off the old man, be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and put on the new man. We ought to faithfully read the word instead of neglecting it. We ought to keep the doors of our heart open to Christ instead of barring them. We need to keep our light burning bright like a city on a hill that cannot be hid. We must ruthlessly destroy any idols that exist in our lives and pursue the worship of God alone. All sin is to be put off and no good deed for God left undone. Paul sums it up well in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
When God looks at you, He is not focused on the image you see in the mirror: He looks upon your heart. In modern vernacular, the concept of "my body is a temple" is limited to the physical. Your muscles or lack thereof is of little concern to Him. God is not in awe of ornate buildings constructed for the purpose of worship, nor is He impressed with our physical bodies. Isaiah 66:1-2 reads, "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." May we humble ourselves before the LORD, being consecrated for His use not in word only, but in deed and truth. Let us wash our hands and cleanse our hearts from sin so we will experience the communion and fellowship God freely offers by His grace. The curtain has been torn. Put away the soccer ball and bow before your Maker, man! There's nothing boring about that!
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