Choose God's Adventure

In my primary school years I enjoyed the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books.  With plenty of pictures set in exotic locations, reading those books was almost like a game because the reader's decisions affected the outcome of the story.  At the bottom of the pages you could choose an action which directed you to a numbered page to continue to story.  One choice would bring you closer to treasure and the other ended in death as frogmen cut your oxygen supply.  The one thing I didn't like about the books is sometimes no matter what choices you made, the outcome was always a disaster.  I can't count how many times I retraced my steps and changed my decisions along the way, but it seemed there were no happy or victorious endings possible.  If this was the case, it was onto the next book to seek the ever-elusive satisfactory ending.  Besides, the school library had heaps of them.

The life of faith in following Jesus is always and adventure, and has the best ending:  eternal life in God's presence in heaven.  Yet at the same time every day God gives everyone the freedom to make choices which affect our life on earth now and all eternity.  Because God is "in control" we might assume people are no more than pawns or robots which do His divine bidding.  The Bible reveals this is not the case.  God has made His will known through scripture, but He allows people to make choices which are completely opposed to His will.  He permits things to happen we would certainly prevent if we were in charge!  There is a meekness, grace, and patience demonstrated in God's character which is entirely foreign to human beings.  Though He is God over all, He created men with the capacity to freely choose - to live as a god of sorts - not as animals governed by instinct.  When we willingly choose to lay down our will to submit to His own in faith, it demonstrates we actually love and trust God.  Because God allowed man to have a will of his own and freedom to choose, it is very significant in God's eyes when we choose to obey Him.

If God is not threatened by giving men the freedom for real choice, we should respect the freedoms of others to choose as well.  Totalitarian governments and regimes rule by force and fear, but God rules with infinitely greater power through love, grace, acceptance, and righteousness.  To choose to follow Jesus and walk in love allows men to embark on the greatest adventure in the universe, for it is the first step in truly knowing and understanding the almighty God who created and first loved us.  True adventure and satisfaction isn't found by traveling to exotic locations or having all the world has to offer, but in knowing God.  It is written in Jeremiah 9:23-24:  "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴ but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."

Like there were plenty of "Choose Your Own Adventure" books at my primary school, the world holds forth numerous offerings to attract us.  Consider your own experience for a second:  no matter the promise or how high our expectations, regardless how profound an experience, we are always left hungry and wanting more, bigger, better.  Even before the ride at the amusement park was over we were wanting to ride it again.  During an amazing holiday we thought about how the next one could be better.  Genuine satisfaction and contentment is found through faith in Jesus Christ.  Life as a child of God is amazing.  When He leads you on an adventure, it will be the thrill of your life that never ends.  To know God and to know He loves me!  It doesn't get any better than that.

Finish Your Race

I ran cross country for three years during high school, and there was only one race I began I didn't finish.  It was my first competitive race in year 9, an invitational (basically a tune-up race) which looped around Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California.  About a mile in I rolled my ankle pretty good, and I wasn't interested to hobble the rest of the course.  What was the point?  Admittedly at that time I was quite out of contention for what I imagined to be a respectable finish, so I sheepishly limped back to my team's area.  It never set well with me that I quit.  In reality I could have pushed on, but the shame of quitting on that day seemed less than finishing last.  Because it was me, I can say plainly it was selfish pride - not a bum ankle - which truly kept me from finishing that day.

Whenever I see the courageous finishes of many of the Olympic athletes in Rio, I admire the drive and tenacity to finish no matter what.  Finishing - not placement - is of fundamental importance.  If a runner or swimmer does not finish, it would be impossible to place.  Seeing athletes limp in pain on torn ligaments, determined to complete the race no matter the cost, reminds me of my own failure and makes me resolved to never again repeat it.  Our bodies have physical limits, and it is brave and courageous to endure difficulty to reach the end regardless if we are proud of our time or not.  Pride can keep a man going or be the very reason why he quits.

Just this week I heard a message by Joe Focht from Calvary Chapel Philly and he referenced a marathoner named John Stephen Akhwari of Tansania.  He ran the marathon in the 1968 Olympics hosted by Mexico and he was the last to finish - though there were 17 who were physically unable because of the heat.  During the race Akhwari fell and badly injured his knee but he kept on going.  Asked why he bothered to finish the race when he was so far behind the leaders, in so many words he said his country hadn't sent him across the world to start a race, but to finish it.  This was not mere sentiment for the man, but demonstrated by someone who walked and jogged miles terribly damaged to fulfill them.  Even when the medical staff encouraged him to bow out, he was out to finish.  And he did.

For people of Christian faith, we realise God has stretched before each of us the remainder of our lives on earth like a marathon course before a runner.  We are all called by God to run our own race and persevere in faith and love in tough times, even when taking a single step is excruciating.  Unlike a competitive runner who is disqualified when assisted by a spectator, we are helped and ministered to by the Holy Spirit and Jesus who lifts us up and strengthens us to diligently persevere.  Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  Perhaps you have noticed that in this race of life many bystanders are not urging us to continue or cheering us on.  They scorn and mock those who follow Jesus, hurling insults.  The enemy of our soul whispers to us, "Go ahead and quit.  You're not making progress anyway.  What's the point of finishing when you're not as good as others?"  There are times our own bodies beg us to quit, seemingly desperate to give up because it is all too hard.

Who will you listen to, believer?  Are you determined to finish the race with joy God has set before you?  You can!  Though very few of us could be termed "world-class" competitors, we can all know the feeling of crossing the finish line a winner by the grace of the God and the power of the Holy Spirit.  We don't need to cast furtive glances over our shoulder to see if anyone will catch us, but with our eyes on Jesus we can push hard to the finish line with a strong kick.  Don't ever quit loving God and others, Christian.  Keep running your race for God's glory and see it through to the end.  Let's run in God's winning way.  It will be hard, and it will hurt.  But God will help and heal us.  He has promised to provide strength so we can run without being weary and walk without fainting.  Would to God all His people could say along with Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  Praise God we can experience the same victory too by His grace.

Bringing the Hidden to Light

This afternoon I read the words of Jesus Christ in Mark 4:21-23:  "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? ²² For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  Jesus had just explained to His disciples the meaning of the Parable of the Sower, how the seed is the good Word of God sown into the hearts of men of various conditions.  Though a farmer couldn't explain exactly how a seed germinates and grows into a living, fruitful plant, time would clearly reveal of what sort a seed was.

Lamps are lit for the purpose of shining light, and the farmer sows seed ultimately for the purpose of bearing fruit.  The farmer cannot see what is happening under the soil, and it would be disastrous for him to dig it up.  Time would reveal the type of soil the seed was sown in by the growth and fruitfulness of the plant.  When the Bible is sown into the hearts of people, the life of a person reveals their true character.  Sometimes in this life the truth isn't clear to everyone.  But a day unknown to us is coming when our bodies will die and our entire lives will be exposed before the holy God in heaven who will render to every man according to his works.  What has been kept secret - good or bad - will be brought into the light.

These words hit me afresh as I consider the passing of my friend Tim Martinsen.  We spent a year in school as apprentices together, and he worked as my apprentice for years following.  I can honestly say we were friends.  We quickly hit it off and enjoyed plenty of laughs, deep conversations, and experienced both fun and trying times together.  He was a funny guy and I have many fond memories of him.  It was a treasure to speak to Tim about things of God and celebrated his baptism in Mission Bay.  After I switched companies and began working in the shipyard in 2005, Tim and I saw far less of one another.  Leaving the trade altogether and then moving to Australia meant I saw him even less.  I was able to see Tim during a 2011 visit to the United States and I thank God for that opportunity.  It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up and rekindle our friendship at his home and meet his fiancee.  It proved to be the last time I would see him in this life.

When people we love pass away it goads us to consider the lasting implications of eternity.  King Solomon wrote of God in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end."  There is an uncanny sense in the human heart there is more to life than our time on earth.  We wonder about what happens after we die, and the Bible reveals it is appointed for men once to die and then will face judgment by God (Hebrews 9:27).  All secrets will be revealed in that day.  My dear friend has entered eternity with two outcomes:  he will face the justice of God as an unbeliever to be judged according to God's Law or be judged as a child of God to determine if he will gain reward or suffer loss.  I am convinced Tim believed this to be true and his desire would be, in light of his passing, for all his friends and loved ones who remain to consider the implications of this as they live out their days on earth.  Our souls will spend eternity in heaven or hell.  It does man no good to gain the whole world and lose his own soul.  Only Jesus Christ can provide eternal life for souls.

How important it is to be born again through repentance and faith in Jesus!  The reality of this decision will be evident in the life of a person, and God is a righteous judge.  I know God loves Tim more than anyone on earth and has freely offered to forgive him of every sin and spend eternity with him in heavenly glory.  How awesome is that?  It is a terrible prospect to die alone, but God will never leave or forsake followers of Jesus.  He will hold our hand all through this life and into eternity.  Jude 1:24-25 says of our glorious Saviour, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. amen."  To think our corruptible bodies will put on incorruption and our mortal bodies will one day be clothed in immortality!  Instead of pain and sickness our bodies will be perfected and we will ever be in the presence of the LORD with exceeding joy.  This has been my desire for Tim and for you too!

Rest in peace brother.  I thank God for you, for the smiles, laughs, and friendship.  You are missed.

Receiving a Kingdom

"Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5:9-10

It is a fair question of every child of God to consider:  is it my aim to be well pleasing unto God?  Am I intentional in my choices to make choices which please God?  If we want to be accepted of God, we ought to live acceptably before Him.  And by "acceptable" I do not mean a minimal scraping by, but living in the way God completely approves.

The apostle John wrote in 2 John 1:8-9, "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. ⁹ Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."  Salvation and admission into heaven does not depend on mental assent to doctrine, but by being born again through faith in Jesus.  Genuine belief in God and His Word results in godly, biblical behaviour.  John was concerned people who claimed loyalty to Christ were self-deceived.  Jesus was not accepted of the Father because of His knowledge or doctrinal mastery, but because He always did what pleased the Father.  His righteous deeds were evidence of His righteous character.  As Christians ours is a faith that works, and if we do not labour in obedience to God we are not in the faith.  After each failure we are called to repent, cease sinning, and do what is right in God's eyes.

It is deeply concerning to me there are Christians who are content with merely going to heaven and seem to have no concept their lives will be evaluated by the living God.  We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and those who are born again ought to have a fervent desire compelled by God's love to please God with their choices and efforts.  To be judged by God - even as a believer rightly understood - is a terrifying prospect.  It carries with it eternal consequences.  That is why Paul followed up with 2 Corinthians 5:11, "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."  The Judgment Seat of Christ does not determine if a person goes to heaven or hell, but I tell you the truth:  many people who imagine they will be brought before the Bema Seat of Christ will be facing the Great White Throne of judgment - where all who are brought before it are judged according to the Law and will be justly sentenced to hell for eternity.  If you are cavalier about being judged by God, there is a real possibility you don't know God.  This should be a very confronting prospect.

Since believers at the judgment seat of Christ will receive from God according to what each has done whether good or bad, which side would you prefer to be on?  From our perspective on earth our admittance into heaven is all gain, but the Bible tells us it is possible to suffer loss at the judgment seat of Christ.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to arrive at heaven and suffer loss.  Under the Law of Moses any spoil which could endure fire would be purified by fire (Numbers 31:23), and all our works at the judgment seat of Christ will be tried by fire.  Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 3:15, "If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."  Our lives have the awesome potential to provide great spoil for the kingdom of God and Christ's glory, and to suffer loss before God on an eternal stage is a shameful prospect.

For this reason, brothers and sisters, let us make it our aim to be well pleasing to God.  Jesus was not exalted above all names in heaven and on earth because of His knowledge, but because He humbled Himself.  He went to the cross in obedience to the Father.  Unless we are willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can't expect to have great reward in heaven.  The reality is, unless we are following Christ in obedience we may never make it there.  May our consciences be pure before a holy God as we choose to use our talents faithfully for His glory.  Jesus is coming suddenly and His reward is with Him.  Let us do our best to do our part to receive a full reward by God's grace.  As the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:28-29, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire."