Lose the Labels!

Though God has created people to be unique individuals, He also created us for community.  The way human reproduction works it takes a man and a woman to start a family.  As we grow we begin to identify ourselves arbitrarily according to personal views shaped by a number of factors:  our parents, church, society, interests, etc.  We can view ourselves as being a "morning person" or a "night owl," and "introvert" or an "extrovert."  These labels often provide insight more on our personal preferences than our physical needs.  It may be one person can operate well on less sleep than another person, and that is an obvious fact.  But I believe it is possible to bind ourselves to a particular label to justify our decisions, lack of discipline, or even disobedience to God.

Allow me to illustrate:  I am sure Moses was one of those people (along with Elijah and Jesus) who enjoyed regular meals.  But a key lesson God taught the children of Israel was spelled out in Deuteronomy 8:2-3:  "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. ³ So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."  God knows people need to eat for health and physical strength, but He allowed His people to feel the pinch of hunger.  He fed them with manna they had never seen before, and based upon the biblical account before very long some wished they had never seen it!  God supplied His people with bread daily so they might learn that man doesn't live by food only but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.  Moses on two occasions went over a month without food as he went before the LORD to receive the Testimony.  Moses was a man who ate like the rest of us, but through faith in God and obedience to His will found himself miraculously sustained.

As a parent, it bothered me when my children said they "couldn't" or "I can't!" when they could but simply didn't want to.  It was a matter of preference, not ability.  I wonder if it bothers God when His children say "I can't!" when we can actually do all things through Christ who strengthens us!  I don't care if you identify as a "people person" or an "introvert":  I believe God has ministry He intends to accomplish which will bless and impact others through your willing obedience.  Through Jesus frightened disciples were able to cross a troubled sea made calm; through Jesus a great number of people were fed with scant resources.  The Israelites plundered slain enemies for days they did not lift sword or spear against because God fought for them.  If Jesus can still the wind and waves with a word, can't He tame the preferences or demands of our flesh?  This morning I read in Psalm 107:17-21:  "Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. ¹⁸ Their soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. ¹⁹ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. ²⁰ He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. ²¹ Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

We ought to praise God for His goodness and wonderful works, for we have tasted and seen the LORD is good.  The children of Israel ate manna and were sustained for years in the wilderness, but we have received the Bread of Life Jesus Christ who has provided us eternal life!  As much as God has called us to do, however, let us be sure we cannot accomplish His work through the strength of our flesh.  We need to humbly rely upon His sustaining grace.  I read a quote in a Sports Illustrated article about Orioles slugger Chris Davis concerning the Gospel:  "One of the biggest misconceptions of the gospel, in my mind, is that you have to be perfect,” he says now. “That is the complete opposite of the truth. Christ paid for our sins on the cross knowing that we would never be able to measure up."  Christianity is a game of failure, too, he says. The idea is to fall short, then wake up the next day and try again."  I believe I understand what is meant by Christianity being a "game of failure," pointing out the obvious fact all have sinned before God.  Faith in Christ is no claim to perfection but our ongoing need of sanctification.  But I would contend with the conclusion suggested by the author, that having fallen short the next day we are to try again - and the implications are to fail again.

No, the glory of the Gospel is not our ability to do, nor in the opportunity to try again:  it is who Jesus is and all He has done.  When Jesus died on Calvary, He said "It is finished!"  It is no longer about me trying to measure up to God's impossible standard, but having been made free from sin to walk righteously in the power of the Holy Spirit through faith.  There is no room for boasting, even if we are able to walk uprightly without sin because Jesus has washed us clean.  He has made us new creations for His glory.  It is not about our continual failure but Christ's victory; it is not about measuring up but responding joyfully and righteously to the great love God has demonstrated for us.  Before God there are no "introverts" or "extroverts," just treasured souls graciously redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  God is not limited by our failures, nor impressed with our devotion.  But He is pleased when we live uprightly led by the Spirit, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God whatever the circumstances.  We are not perfect, but whatever God tells us to do through Him we can do it - regardless of arbitrary labels - because it is through Him our strength comes.

The Stench of Flattery

Motive of the speaker is the primary difference between a genuine compliment and flattery.  A compliment is a polite way to acknowledge quality efforts and accomplishments of others, but flattery is false praise with the aim of gaining advantage for self.  Those who flatter can say the exact same words as the one giving a compliment, but for them those words are sin.  Words of flattery are an indication of a perverse and wicked heart.  Because we do not even know the depths of depravity natural in human hearts, we may not even realise how commonly we employ nuances of flattery.  God knows, and praise the LORD He is gracious to shine His truth to expose our need to repent and guides us in the way of truth.

People in positions of power are often targets of flattery, and King David was no exception.  He wrote in Psalm 5:8-9, "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. ⁹ For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue."  Not all of David's enemies hurled spears of insults at him, but frequented his courts with smiles, gifts, and kind words.  They were sprinkled amongst his countrymen and those who offered counsel.  Spoken words are indicators of the condition of the heart, and David was not ignorant or immune to flattery.  Because these verbal bribes posed a danger to upholding righteous judgment, David was on his guard against receiving flattery.

As a man after God's own heart, David was one who valued integrity.  He sought advisers who were faithful to God and honest with men.  In Psalm 5 David described his enemies as without faithfulness and full of destruction or calamity.  They spoke smooth, sweet words but David was savvy to their flattery, for he compared their breath to an open tomb full of rotting corpses.  If they only suffered from halitosis it would be a small issue compared to their perverse motives and lies.  Those who spoke flattery only pretended to be loyal and faithful friends, and by the grace and wisdom of God David was wise to it.

It is good for us to recognise flattery so that we will resist the subtle temptations to use it ourselves.  Felix hoped for a monetary bribe from Paul, and as money greases the palm so flattery strokes our pride.  God is good to free us from the sins of pride and flattery (along with all manner of wickedness), makes us increasingly sensitive to recognise it in ourselves, and provides power to refuse to use it.  Our call is to edify and encourage others in truth, not to gain advantage for self through insincerity.  I am glad God does not flatter men, for if He did we would still be bound in sins and heading for hell.  Even the compliments we receive work humility in us, for all that is praiseworthy in us exists only by God's grace.

Blessed Contrasts

Every life is full of contrasts which add to the richness of life.  Many things we deem negative are in light of the positive we once enjoyed.  For instance, we start life young.  It is only as we grow older and experience the effects of age we look back to aspects of youth with longing.  Sickness reminds us of how it once felt to be healthy and well.  Painful joints and injuries are reminders of a time when we never thought about joints, anti-inflammatory medication, or scar tissue.  The negative feelings we have can be useful triggers to remind us of many things we have taken for granted:  we had been richly blessed by God with youthful vigour and health and didn't even notice.

My grandpa recently told me because of his physical ailments and compounding limitations a few classic words of wisdom:  "Don't get old!"  The beauty of growing older and even creaking joints is not discovered in supplements, therapy, or miracle cures, but in realising the future for followers of Jesus is eternal glory free from the need of any such things.  For us the future is not a return to youth with its folly but glorification and immortality in the presence of God.  We have so much to look forward to, for the things we enjoy so much on earth will fade away because they cannot be compared in light of eternal life with our Saviour.  It is not so much what God removes from our experiences but what we gain.  Since our knowledge is limited by our experience, however, God is gracious to paint a picture we can understand dimly through blessed contrasts.

Revelation 21:1-5 says, "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." ⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

If we had never wept in sadness or personally experienced pain, sorrow, and the finality of death, we would not appreciate the future God has prepared for those who trust and love Him.  It seems the more we experience sorrow and pain in this life, the more we have to look forward to.  We know what it is to have new things, and also to know what it feels like to grow old.  Old creaky joints and brittle bones cry out for deliverance, and in His time God will answer gloriously.  God will make all things new and perpetually so in a place where only righteousness dwells.  We who have only known wickedness and corruption will one day have a King dwelling in our midst who is infinitely more than benevolent or kind:  He is loving, just, compassionate, merciful, and altogether good.  The concept of "heavenly upgrade" just doesn't do God's glorious plan justice.

The Ordinary Christian

In Australia we recently had a change in Prime Minister.  Being relatively new to Australian politics, occasionally I will make inquiries with Autralians because they have a wealth of knowledge - especially from a historical perspective I do not possess.  On the ABC website the other day I read an article which seemed to match what I have observed:  leaders in parliament go to great lengths to show they are everyday, ordinary people.  Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke makes an annual appearance at the SCG to scull a beer, and whilst in office Tony Abbott was seen jogging with lifesavers or volunteering with the Fire Brigade.  Malcolm Turnbull would wear an Akubra hat when visiting rural areas.  The new Prime Minister Scott Morrison was pictured in the article tending a BBQ covered with fried eggs.  The title of the article was, "Just a regular Joe (or Bill or ScoMo): How our leaders work hard at being 'ordinary.'"

The article took a bizarre turn as it took aim at the Prime Minister and his open Christianity.  Frank Bongiorno in his opinion piece at the ABC remarked:

Like Mr Keating, the very Sydney-ish Mr Morrison is looking south for an AFL club, and he has cultivated what journalist Phillip Coorey calls a "daggy ordinariness". But his everyman act is already running up against his evangelical Christianity. The classic Australian plain man is not an evangelical.

Russel Ward sketched the "the typical Australian" most influentially in The Australian Legend 60 years ago. He is, Ward writes, "sceptical about the value of religion and of intellectual and cultural pursuits generally". The latter certainly fits Mr Morrison, but not the former.

I found it difficult to follow the logic of the article which went something like this:  Australian politicians work hard to appear normal and be everyday people, but Scott Morrison cannot be considered an "everyday" man because he is an evangelical.  In the article there was virtually no description provided of ScoMo's faith, and the sledge about the Prime Minister's scepticism of "intellectual and cultural pursuits" did not go unnoticed.  I was left to wonder exactly what Mr. Bongiorno meant when he wrote "evangelical," as it was not fleshed out in the article.  Frying eggs and wearing footy jumpers is deemed an "act," but it seems being an "evangelical" is not something an Australian leader should wear on their sleeve.

There is no shortage of religion in the world, and many religions could be aligned with intellectual and cultural pursuits.  Be that as it may, I find it strange any person (except for ignorance) could deny the positive implications of the description provided in James 1:27 for religion:  "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  Christianity is unlike all other "religions" because we serve a living Saviour borne out of His love for us.  In loving God and others as He loves us, followers of Jesus ought to be numbered among the most useful, kind, generous, and gracious citizens, neighbours, and friends.  An atheist Matthew Parris years ago shared how he observed faith in Jesus made a positive difference in the world.  I don't believe the world is anti-religion, as religion is prolific in all nations:  I believe people are vehemently opposed to evangelicals in particular because they openly share their faith in Jesus Christ.

Maybe what is needed in the halls of Parliament and in State Government is more people who are willing to make a stand for righteousness and the truth of scripture, who wield their God-given authority in a way which honours and glorifies Him regardless of the contrary cultural tide.  Would to God being an "evangelical" would become an ordinary lifestyle in this great land, that our plain purpose in life would be out of God's love for us to love Him and others, humbly serving as our LORD Jesus did during his brief pilgrimage on His way to Calvary to die for lost sinners so they could be saved.  We cannot outdo Him, nor should Christianity be an act to appeal to constituents.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and those who follow Jesus are fit for service in politics or any arena because God gives us a Spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).