Revenge is a common themes in books, shows, and films. From "Gladiator" to "Taken," "The Princess Bride" to "The Count of Monte Cristo," the desire for revenge fuels the plot. Revenge films begin similarly: the stage is set by a great injustice, the protagonist is introduced, and characters are developed. Before too long we sympathise with the protagonist(s) and hope the bad guys reap what they have sown. The only good resolution in a revenge movie is suffering and death for those who have done wrong. People want those who have done wrong to suffer. This is our natural inclination. Hollywood is happy to pander to common appetites.
Have you ever considered how ungodly and unbiblical the concept of revenge is? We read in the Bible of people taking revenge, but they were not commended by God for their violence. He says in Ezekiel 18:32: "For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" When Jesus hung on the cross, knowing He would in three days rise from the dead, He did not shout out: "Just you wait until I return. I'll get you for this!" No. He said loudly for all to hear, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." It is not revenge that will be on Christ's mind when He judges the world, but righteousness. Yet not even the death of the wicked gives God any pleasure. Again, God says through the prophet in Ezekiel 33:11: "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'" God has given all men the only way of salvation through the sacrificial death of His own Son, Jesus Christ. God made a way for the murderers of His Son to be forgiven and go to heaven to live forever with Him.
Imagine a film being made of that story! It would be seen as the most ridiculous, unsatisfying film of all time for the vengeful, bloodthirsty masses. Jesus lived under a cloud as a child because of His "questionable" origin, the apparent illegitimate son of a carpenter. His own brothers did not believe His claims. John 7:5 says, "For even His brothers did not believe in Him." Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Hebrews 5:8 tells us "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." Jesus was bullied, misjudged, and rejected. If Stephen King was to write a novel about a person who endured what Jesus had, he no doubt would have snapped and become driven by murderous revenge on those who had tormented him in his family and town. But Jesus did not seek revenge. He loved His enemies and prayed for them. He chose to die in their place. What an amazing revelation of divine love!
Hollywood sends the message that if we have been wronged severely enough, we have the right to take vengeance on our enemies - or at least fantasize about it! God commands us not to take vengeance, for that is God's territory. Romans 12:19 reads, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord." God's judgments are not spurned on by the base desire for revenge, but according to His perfect standard of righteousness. When a man sins, he sins against God. Instead of taking revenge, we are to exercise faith in God, His total knowledge of the situation, and His ability to protect and uphold us. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:43-45: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
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But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
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that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
If God does not rejoice in the death of the wicked, neither should we. Little by little I am finding my appetite for revenge waning. As we draw nearer to our Saviour Jesus Christ, the more we start to think and act like Him. May we take Christ's commands to heart and love our enemies.
21 October 2012
19 October 2012
We've Got Company!
For some time now I have noticed a blue tongue lizard that likes to sun himself near my garage door. When approached from the outside with the door closed, he retreats through a gap into my garage. Curious where he scurried off to, I observed a small depression in the concrete where he crouched close against the exterior wall. Well, as long as he stays there it shouldn't be a problem, I thought. Blue tongues eat snails, which we have outside our house in abundance. Because of his small size and usefulness I saw little need to block off the gap.
But then I started thinking: if a blue tongue lizard can easily crawl into my garage, there is nothing to keep destructive pests like mice and rats from sneaking in as well. I decided to purchase some wood to fill the gap. Yesterday by our freezer, I saw an large amount of fluid and solid waste - the size of a pinky finger. Uh oh, I thought to myself. That is unmistakably reptile droppings, and look at the size! After cleaning up the mess, I starting looking around and to my great surprise I saw droppings in three or four places throughout the garage. Some were so small that I hadn't recognised them as being waste at all. I walked over to the area where the blue tongue enjoys sunning and saw him scramble into a hole in the garage wall! It turns out he had not just been visiting his sunning spot, but that is actually where he lives.
Now I find myself in a quandary: is there one lizard or more than one? How do I know if the hole is vacant? I wouldn't want to plug the gaps if he is inside. At the rate the blue tongue is growing, it won't be long before he outgrows the hole and starts living in my golf bag or something! As I thought about my predicament, I thought it was a great illustration of how sin can work its way into our lives. Gaps in our defenses are easily exploited by sin. Initially we might see our sins as small and nothing to worry about. But before long the sin is taking over an entire room of our heart. Had I stopped the gap and turned out the blue tongue immediately, I wouldn't have his poop all over my garage. I am actually quite sympathetic towards the lizard, having allowed him to stay for so long. We can also become sympathetic towards the sin we have been ignoring and allowing to remain due to our negligence. Sin can become a part of us we are loath to part with.
We have to be confronted with the disgusting nature of sin before we will do a thing about it, and it took me cleaning up waste yesterday to impress upon me the importance of taking action and evicting our squatter. While there is a benefit to hosting a harmless lizard, there is no benefit of cultivating sin. It may appear to benefit us but it is deceptive. Hebrews 3:12-13 reads, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." May our eyes be opened when sin has taken up residence in our hearts. Once our eyes are open to the problem, may we take the next step to repent, confess it, and forsake it!
But then I started thinking: if a blue tongue lizard can easily crawl into my garage, there is nothing to keep destructive pests like mice and rats from sneaking in as well. I decided to purchase some wood to fill the gap. Yesterday by our freezer, I saw an large amount of fluid and solid waste - the size of a pinky finger. Uh oh, I thought to myself. That is unmistakably reptile droppings, and look at the size! After cleaning up the mess, I starting looking around and to my great surprise I saw droppings in three or four places throughout the garage. Some were so small that I hadn't recognised them as being waste at all. I walked over to the area where the blue tongue enjoys sunning and saw him scramble into a hole in the garage wall! It turns out he had not just been visiting his sunning spot, but that is actually where he lives.
Now I find myself in a quandary: is there one lizard or more than one? How do I know if the hole is vacant? I wouldn't want to plug the gaps if he is inside. At the rate the blue tongue is growing, it won't be long before he outgrows the hole and starts living in my golf bag or something! As I thought about my predicament, I thought it was a great illustration of how sin can work its way into our lives. Gaps in our defenses are easily exploited by sin. Initially we might see our sins as small and nothing to worry about. But before long the sin is taking over an entire room of our heart. Had I stopped the gap and turned out the blue tongue immediately, I wouldn't have his poop all over my garage. I am actually quite sympathetic towards the lizard, having allowed him to stay for so long. We can also become sympathetic towards the sin we have been ignoring and allowing to remain due to our negligence. Sin can become a part of us we are loath to part with.
We have to be confronted with the disgusting nature of sin before we will do a thing about it, and it took me cleaning up waste yesterday to impress upon me the importance of taking action and evicting our squatter. While there is a benefit to hosting a harmless lizard, there is no benefit of cultivating sin. It may appear to benefit us but it is deceptive. Hebrews 3:12-13 reads, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." May our eyes be opened when sin has taken up residence in our hearts. Once our eyes are open to the problem, may we take the next step to repent, confess it, and forsake it!
18 October 2012
Perpetual Spring
As I walked from the bus stop today, evidence of spring was all around. Nearly every tree and shrub had bunches of fresh, new growth at the tip of every branch. Tender green foliage was noticeable everywhere I looked. Trees that shed their leaves during winter are now cloaked with bright green, and even our sad lemon and mandarin trees have shoots of new growth. Last year I trimmed back both trees and was disappointed with the result. They did not grow, bud, or fruit. But what a difference spring makes!
My lemon tree has been the source of many good object lessons for me. It was evident right from the start that a former tenant had taken upon themselves to trim the tree. It was an utter disaster: the top was chopped, suckers below the graft were allowed to remain, and it had been neglected. Insects had ravaged the leaves. Not only was the tree fighting pests and poor pruning, the location was awful. Tucked away in the corner of the fence in the shadow of two larger trees, the tree had to fight for water and sun from its oppressive neighbors. Now both of those trees have been cut back and the new growth is clean and healthy. Though some of the leaves are curled and stiff, the new leaves are flexible and healthy.
When I consider that tree, I see a multifaceted picture of a Christian. We have been grafted into Christ and it is He who makes us fruitful. But even with copious water and sun, there are many enemies which seek to hinder us from growth and fruitfulness. The traditions and doctrines of men are like ignorant arborists who try to shape us in their image. Our own misconceptions about God and the Bible can also break boughs and leave us susceptible to disease. The enemy of our souls is like those pesky insects which damage leaves. When the new growth first appears, stinkbugs and ants suck the life out of the tender tips and stunt the growth. Praise God we have a heavenly Gardener who is able to overcome all the obstacles and give us the feeding, trimming, and fertilisation we need. The more fruitful we are, the more we are pruned so we might bear more fruit. Pruning, though at times painful, is a way God designed trees and plants to be rejuvenated.
A fruit tree is also an appropriate picture of an individual Church of believers. Churches have seasons of pruning, growth, sickness, and fruitfulness. Some leaves might be curled or be a resting place for stinkbugs while boughs are loaded down with fruit. Growth is an exciting prospect for any church. A church that is not growing closer to Christ is starting to die. It's important that as a tree is taking root it is staked for stability. Yet it is also important that the tree be free to move a little in the wind. This movement causes the tree to send roots down deeper into the soil. A church that faces struggles and trials must resist the temptation to rely on particular people or programs for support when Christ is our foundation. Psalm 1:3 describes such a one: "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."
I don't know about you, but I welcome the changes each season brings to my life and the church of Christ. God has seen fit to create varieties of deciduous and evergreen trees. Not only is there diversity in seasons, but also in the way that seeds germinate and grow. Some trees require fires to germinate their seeds, and others can be carried along in the breeze. I am excited about the prospect of spiritual growth and maturity in my life and in Christ's Body, the church. The key to maximising our potential growth and fruitfulness in any season is abiding in Christ. Jesus says in John 15:5-8: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." When His Living Water springs in our souls, we will always have the potential of fresh growth and fruitfulness. In Christ we have perpetual spring!
My lemon tree has been the source of many good object lessons for me. It was evident right from the start that a former tenant had taken upon themselves to trim the tree. It was an utter disaster: the top was chopped, suckers below the graft were allowed to remain, and it had been neglected. Insects had ravaged the leaves. Not only was the tree fighting pests and poor pruning, the location was awful. Tucked away in the corner of the fence in the shadow of two larger trees, the tree had to fight for water and sun from its oppressive neighbors. Now both of those trees have been cut back and the new growth is clean and healthy. Though some of the leaves are curled and stiff, the new leaves are flexible and healthy.
When I consider that tree, I see a multifaceted picture of a Christian. We have been grafted into Christ and it is He who makes us fruitful. But even with copious water and sun, there are many enemies which seek to hinder us from growth and fruitfulness. The traditions and doctrines of men are like ignorant arborists who try to shape us in their image. Our own misconceptions about God and the Bible can also break boughs and leave us susceptible to disease. The enemy of our souls is like those pesky insects which damage leaves. When the new growth first appears, stinkbugs and ants suck the life out of the tender tips and stunt the growth. Praise God we have a heavenly Gardener who is able to overcome all the obstacles and give us the feeding, trimming, and fertilisation we need. The more fruitful we are, the more we are pruned so we might bear more fruit. Pruning, though at times painful, is a way God designed trees and plants to be rejuvenated.
A fruit tree is also an appropriate picture of an individual Church of believers. Churches have seasons of pruning, growth, sickness, and fruitfulness. Some leaves might be curled or be a resting place for stinkbugs while boughs are loaded down with fruit. Growth is an exciting prospect for any church. A church that is not growing closer to Christ is starting to die. It's important that as a tree is taking root it is staked for stability. Yet it is also important that the tree be free to move a little in the wind. This movement causes the tree to send roots down deeper into the soil. A church that faces struggles and trials must resist the temptation to rely on particular people or programs for support when Christ is our foundation. Psalm 1:3 describes such a one: "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."
I don't know about you, but I welcome the changes each season brings to my life and the church of Christ. God has seen fit to create varieties of deciduous and evergreen trees. Not only is there diversity in seasons, but also in the way that seeds germinate and grow. Some trees require fires to germinate their seeds, and others can be carried along in the breeze. I am excited about the prospect of spiritual growth and maturity in my life and in Christ's Body, the church. The key to maximising our potential growth and fruitfulness in any season is abiding in Christ. Jesus says in John 15:5-8: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." When His Living Water springs in our souls, we will always have the potential of fresh growth and fruitfulness. In Christ we have perpetual spring!
16 October 2012
Leaven and Doctrine
In the New Testament, sin is sometimes compared with leaven. Even as a small amount of leaven will leaven the entire lump of dough, sin allowed to remain in a life or a church will permeate and corrupt it. Leaven is not always a direct reference to sin, however. Jesus refers to doctrine as leaven. Doctrine means "instruction, teaching." Matthew 16:6 states, "Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."
The section concludes in Matthew 16:12: "Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees." As there is sound doctrine, there is also bad doctrine. The doctrine or teaching to which a man holds will influence his life, even as leaven permeates and changes the consistency of dough. Jesus told His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, for adherence to it would corrupt them. The Pharisees and Sadducees were Hebrew sects who taught the traditions of men as the commands of God, and actually held their traditions in higher regard than God's Word.
We do well to take heed of the doctrine that we expose ourselves to. If it is doctrine founded upon the naked Word of God, we find a firm, safe foundation for our feet. The Bible is food indeed for our souls. Peter affirmed that Jesus alone had the words of life. There are many teachers and teachings in the world which clamour for acknowledgement and acceptance. Some are doctrines of demons, doctrines of men, traditional or extra-biblical "revelations" that pull a dark shroud over seeing eyes, and worldly philosophies of men. As the quality of food we eat correlates directly to the physical health of our bodies, so the doctrine we feed upon will have a spiritual impact. Even as people have different tastes for food, various doctrines will have more appeal for one person above another. We must heed and beware of doctrines that do not find their source in the holy scriptures and lure our hearts from remaining fixed upon Christ.
Behold the wisdom of God, that He would use a timeless book through the Holy Spirit's leading to direct us to know Him, receive instruction concerning God's character, daily living for eternity, the natural sinful condition of the heart of man, and the hope of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. May our lives remain unleavened, as we feed daily upon the Bread of Life. The stream is no purer than the source. Let us take heed that the streams we seek to satisfy our thirst from spring only from the Source of all wisdom, truth, and strength: Jesus Christ.
We do well to take heed of the doctrine that we expose ourselves to. If it is doctrine founded upon the naked Word of God, we find a firm, safe foundation for our feet. The Bible is food indeed for our souls. Peter affirmed that Jesus alone had the words of life. There are many teachers and teachings in the world which clamour for acknowledgement and acceptance. Some are doctrines of demons, doctrines of men, traditional or extra-biblical "revelations" that pull a dark shroud over seeing eyes, and worldly philosophies of men. As the quality of food we eat correlates directly to the physical health of our bodies, so the doctrine we feed upon will have a spiritual impact. Even as people have different tastes for food, various doctrines will have more appeal for one person above another. We must heed and beware of doctrines that do not find their source in the holy scriptures and lure our hearts from remaining fixed upon Christ.
Behold the wisdom of God, that He would use a timeless book through the Holy Spirit's leading to direct us to know Him, receive instruction concerning God's character, daily living for eternity, the natural sinful condition of the heart of man, and the hope of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. May our lives remain unleavened, as we feed daily upon the Bread of Life. The stream is no purer than the source. Let us take heed that the streams we seek to satisfy our thirst from spring only from the Source of all wisdom, truth, and strength: Jesus Christ.
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