Heart and Bones

"A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones."

Proverbs 14:30

 At Calvary Chapel Sydney, we have been taking an in-depth look at the book of Proverbs in the Bible.  What richness is found for those who linger and receive of the wisdom they contain!  They never grow old, and their truth shines undimmed by passage of time.  They hold forth the unchanging, divine wisdom of God.  As we increase in understanding, our love and knowledge of Christ expands because the Father has made Christ to be wisdom for us.

I found the above Proverb most delightful, for King Solomon through the power of the Holy Spirit made a connection between the heart and bones which was not understood by physicians until the 19th century!  In the Hebrew, the word translated "sound" is "a curative, remedy, a medicine."  We all know the heart is important to the overall health of the body, and when it is working efficiently it circulates oxygen-enriched blood to all the body, cleanses the blood through the liver, removes carbon dioxide, and allows white blood cells to attack disease, among many other functions.  A strong heart promotes health of the entire body.

The contrasting point the proverb makes is most compelling.  In an article written by Dr. Barry Cooper called, "The Origins of Bone Marrow as the Seedbed of Our Blood," he describes several early incorrect theories of what bone marrow was.  Dr. Cooper writes, "The marrow is currently well defined as the seedbed of our blood, producing 200 billion red cells, 10 billion white cells, and 400 billion platelets on a daily basis. Yet, the role of the marrow was unknown in antiquity and only first experimentally defined during the latter 19th century."  Although he lived in antiquity, through the Holy Spirit Solomon made a connection between the heart and bones - something not understood until almost 3,000 years later!  It is a catastrophic condition when the marrow inside bones ceases to function properly.  The entire immune system is compromised when the blood cell factory of the marrow fails, even if the heart continues to beat.  Unless there is a transfusion of healthy bone marrow, the condition is a certain death sentence.

From a spiritual vantage point, Solomon describes the horrific effects of envy.  It is a hidden, silent killer more deadly than leukaemia.  It multiplies within our inmost being, concealed by the appearance of strength and stability.  Envy in a person is like a house freshly painted, but all the timber has been eaten by termites.  Envy can be described as discontent or resentment aroused by apparent success of others.  It is a view of life focused on self and others, wishing we had what others do.  Envy has taken hold in our bones when the blessings of others wounds us, and we begrudge benefits others receive.

So how do we undergo a spiritual bone marrow examination?  It will happen only by the probing, piercing Word of God quickened by the Holy Spirit.  Hebrews 4:12-13 says, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  Christians are called to guard their hearts, because from the heart springs forth all the issues of this life.  We ought to have regular marrow check-ups as well, for envy is rottenness to our bones.  Praise the LORD that He was wounded and pierced for our iniquities, and when the Great Physician pierces us it is for our ultimate healing and restoration - not our destruction!

Not Try, but Trust

"It is not "try" but trust, not "do" but done."

Corrie Ten Boom

This is one gleaming nugget of wisdom plucked from the surface of an address Corrie Ten Boom made to a group of largely new believers.  In the message she emphasised the love of Jesus and the blessing of forgiveness.  When Corrie speaks of Jesus and the Gospel, it sounds very simple - and it is.  We have ways, however, to exponentially complicate matters when we try to do in the flesh what can only be performed through the Spirit.

One of Corrie's common object lessons was a flashlight with only one battery stuffed with rags.  She said that when a person makes a decision to follow Christ and is born again, it is like one battery is placed within us.  But one battery will not allow that flashlight to operate.  We need the second battery, which she said is the gift of the Holy Spirit who operates within us in power.  The spot for the second battery was filled with crumpled rags which each represented a sin:  self-pity, unforgiveness, and lies.  Those rags must be confessed and forsaken before the Holy Spirit can have His proper place in our hearts and cause our light to shine before men so they might see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

If we try to forgive, we will find at some point we are unable.  We must trust God is able, because forgiveness is according to His will.  When we submit to God even when we feel it is impossible and choose to obey, He will do it.  We can be duped to focus on what we have to do when we should instead look to what Jesus has already done.  Because of what Jesus has already done, He provides power and ability to do.  It is not us doing it, but God through us.  What a comfort this is to those who are heavy laden and in need of rest!  Let us rest in God and the promise of the Spirit.  When we try His promises, He will prove them true.

Pain Free or Well?

In a conversation yesterday, a mate of mine asked a question I found quite profound.  He said his physiotherapist constantly asks the question:  "Do you want to be pain free, or do you want to be well?"  The answer to this question will greatly impact treatment.  I believe this simple question holds profound spiritual implications.

The point made by the physiotherapist is a critical one for him and each seeking treatment to understand.  This man has broken people coming to him who face various degrees of physical pain.  His expertise and skills to improve the condition of those who seek his service are directly impacted by their willingness and desires.  I suspect most people just want the pain to go away.  They do not care to have their lives terribly impacted by any course of treatment, despite long term benefits.  Most people are not keen to make permanent, major adjustments to their activity level, lifestyle, or habits.  They don't want to be burdened with diet restrictions or commit to series of daily stretches and exercise regimen.  If there was such a thing as a magic tablet to cure all ills, that's all people want!  All the physio can do in this case is provide temporary relief of pain, perhaps some manual adjustments to bring people "out of the woods," and at some point lose clients because he isn't accomplishing lasting results.  It's a tough job to be sure - dealing with people who want to be pain free but don't care to be well.  If people aren't interested in being well, he likely wouldn't bother burdening such with exercises and treatments.

Those who want to be well are willing to embrace massive changes in their diet and exercise routine because they want to attack the root cause of their pain.  They will be faithful to do their daily stretches and alter their lifestyle because they trust the physio and his methods of treatment.  Becoming well is not an immediate transformation, but a process.  It's important to understand our bodies do not just "heal" themselves.  God designed our bodies to work constantly towards health.  Oxygen is carried by red blood cells, white cells are mobilised to fight infection, recording each strain of virus and bacteria for future defense.  Pain is a signal that tells the body it is not well and needs treatment and special care.  Instead of masking pain with drugs or seeking an easy fix, those who will be well need to work toward that end under the guidance of one who can make an accurate diagnosis, and apply effective treatments.  Our bodies work hard on the inside, and to be well we must pitch in with health-promoting lifestyle changes.

Largely speaking, pain has a bad rap.  Sometimes damaged nerves can cause chronic, debilitating pain.  This is not what I am referring to.  God designed our bodies to feel pain as a warning sign of damage.  A lack of pain is potentially damaging and even deadly to the body.  One incurable disease that leads to disfigurement and death is leprosy.  When nerves to extremities become damaged, the lack of sensation leads to pressure wounds, burns, and serious infections.  Some who suffer from leprosy end up being blind, having lost sensation to their eyes.  Pain is an effective defense mechanism.  Leprosy illustrates how a lack of pain ultimately leads to self-destruction.  A book that goes into great detail on this point is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.

If we apply this question to our spiritual walks, perhaps it will open our eyes to the fact we have only wanted to be pain free and don't actually care to be well.  God wants us to be well.  Have you finally arrived to the place where you want to be well at any cost?  It is a beautiful place to be when we are in pain and realise we don't just want our pain to be relieved, but we want to be well and submit our entire lives into the hands of Great Physician - not so He can wave His hands over the spot and speak instant healing, but so He will tell us a course of treatment according to His Word we will embrace.  Don't you want to be well?  You hesitate because of the cost, the ongoing commitment, or perhaps you think you know yourself well enough!  Jesus walked up to the lame man at the pool of Bethesda and asked the question:  "Do you want to be made well?"  He did not answer the question.  Jesus is asking you the same question today.  How do you answer?

Fishing For Significance (in space without fish)

We live in a day when self sits on the throne.  During my life I have seen the self-esteem movement develop, and digital technology and social media has made way for "selfies."  A major aspect of social online activity has become self-promotion.  The thirst for significance grows unabated, despite the self-serving platforms.  There are countless ways humans search for significance:  their interests, careers, and political, social, or religious inclinations.  There is a desire in every person to be seen, appreciated, recognised, even liked.  We put so much stock in seeking people's positive comments and opinions it becomes like an addictive drug that makes us feel better about ourselves.  On the other hand, negative feedback and bullying has led to suicide attempts and even death.

I read a post the other day which suggested if you were a "real" friend you would read to the bottom of the post, pass it on, write one word that describes that person, etc.  To me it was a cry, clear evidence a thirst for significance still unmet.  Having hundreds of virtual "friends" was not enough, so a post was employed to guilt others into responding.  Social interaction for some has gone far beyond an activity, but has become a quest for personal satisfaction and acceptance.  Frankly, virtual relationships can never supply the deep emotional and spiritual needs of a person any more than it can feed your body when you are hungry.  Seeking significance even in physical relationships is useless.  Looking for lasting happiness through any activity or positive feedback in this world will leave you empty.  It is like a man fishing for significance in the void of space where no fish are.

Thankfully, there is a way to have this thirst quenched.  It can be satisfied only through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  God is the one who created us, who knew us before we were knit together in the wombs of our mothers.  Jesus is the one who demonstrated God's love for us, for whilst we were still sinners Christ died for us!  Everything we need is found in Jesus!  1 Corinthians 1:30-31 says of the relationship of a Christian to Christ, "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."

God doesn't just "like" you - He loves you.  Instead of seeking to satisfy self, glorifying God is what truly satisfies and brings rest to our souls.  Apart from Christ those deep longings of the human soul for significance will remain unmet.  As the Preacher in Ecclesiastes said of life on earth without God, "Meaningless!  Vanity!  All is meaningless!"  We don't need to fish for significance or "likes" when believers already have acceptance and approval of God, the One who gave His own Son so we might live with Him forever.  God loves with an everlasting love, and those who repent and trust in Him walk in that light.  Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."  God's love never fails, and He will never leave or forsake you.  Pretty significant, I say!