Suffering for Speaking

Australian rugby union superstar Israel Folau made waves by a social media post which urged sinners of all kinds to repent with a list of verses from the Bible.  The Rugby Union Player's Association quickly denounced and distanced itself from the comments, and reports say Folau will be sacked for his repeated transgressions.  According to reports it was his lumping in of homosexuality in a list of sins where the Player's Association has lost patience, as he has been warned about this in the past.

Tracey Homes wrote an article on the ABC website and brought up points to consider should Folau be fired as a consequence of his social media posts:  "Are his posts inciting violence? Do they qualify as "hate speech"? If the answer is yes, then what does it say about the future of others in the game who hold the same views or religious beliefs? For too long those who identify as LGBTQI felt they had to be silent if they wanted to be accepted in sport — that is changing, and sports like rugby in Australia are helping create environments that are far more welcoming. The danger is that rather than ending the silence, another group now faces the prospect of being silenced."  Because Folau was seen to "vilify" particular sinners, he is now viewed by many as a hateful and homophobic villain.  My opinion on whether Folau should have posted what he did or the response of the union counts for nothing so I will not weigh in on it.  It seems the opinions of people are often only noticed when they offend someone.  What I can say with certainty is severe consequences like these towards people who believe and proclaim the scripture is to be expected and predictable.

It didn't take long for the news outlets who reported the firing of Israel Folau to dredge up an old video of him preaching and disparaging Christmas and Easter.  Again, the points he makes are his own and I see no reason to bat him or them around.  The point I take from this it is a graceless world in which we live where everything we say and do can and will be used against us.  Instead of cowering in fear or silence, however, we ought to continue to speak the truth in love:  our words should not be uttered to stir the pot, accuse, or condemn but humbly as we are led by the Holy Spirit.  Men who feared God in both the Old and New Testaments (and Jesus Himself!) were persecuted and punished for speaking the truth revealed by God.  Paul said as a matter-of-fact in 2 Timothy 3:12-13:  "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."  When a person makes a stand for Jesus and the Bible as the Word of God, persecution and vilification is part of the deal.

In this perfect storm of social media, political correctness, and the fierce collision of worldviews, those who hold fast to God's Word can expect to cop a beating.  Praise the LORD there is abundant consolation in Jesus Christ for all the pains we endure, regardless of whether we deserve punishment or are censured unfairly.  The faithful followers of Jesus who were upbraided, threatened, and beaten for teaching in the name of Jesus, Acts 5:41-42 reveals how we too ought to respond:  "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."  To all who agree with God's Word and admit they are sinners and need saving, Jesus is the only Saviour.

Sword Drills

As a kid going to Sunday School, one of the activities we would occasionally do (and I found it fun, by the way) was called a "sword drill."  The Bible is referred to as the Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6, and the drill consisted of a race:  who can find the scripture reference first?  Since I had the books of the Bible memorised I never needed tabs or to look in the Table of Contents.  This certainly provided an edge over my peers.

Whilst it is of value to know the order of the books of the Bible for ease of reference, it is best to seek to order our lives according to what is written in them.  We are to go beyond racing to find a chapter and verse to learning to rightly divide the Word of truth.  The exhortation Paul gave to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 we ought to take to heart and make our regular practice:  "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  Knowing how to safely and effectively handle the sword in combat takes training and practice, and it is true concerning the wielding of the scriptures.

For warriors having a sword in hand was the difference between life and death, and heeding the scripture ourselves is paramount to withstand the attacks of Satan.  Jesus was tempted and struck down every temptation with the truth of God's Word - the same words He believed and obeyed.  And this may be the point Christians must labour constantly, for unless we actually believe the Word and put it into intentional practice our memorised scriptures may as well be made of cardboard or rubber.  If Satan wasn't intimidated to take Jesus Christ on, he certainly will pull no punches with us.  Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!"  Those who have truly hidden the word in their hearts shall have it revealed by lives marked with purity and righteousness.

I wonder:  instead of focusing a great deal on rote memorisation of the books of the Bible (as useful and practical as this is), would it be better to be able to explain what a single verse says, what the verse means, and how it can be applied to our own lives?  Sword drills have their place, but drills are of little value unless we take what we learn into actual battle.

Beggars and Receivers

"And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them."

Acts 3:4-5

As John and Peter walked by the gate leading to the temple, a man lame from birth asked them for alms or charity.  Instead of walking past the man without a word, Peter bid the man to look at them.  Those who beg often make themselves look as pitiable as possible, wearing pained expressions or are clothed in rags.  Beggars I have seen in Israel near the Temple Mount do not always speak or make eye contact with passers by but shake a cup which contains a few shekels.  I have also seen a savvy beggar retreat away from the crowds to empty his mostly filled cup into a hidden purse to reappear with a couple of jangling coins to attract additional donations - but that is another story.

What I find compelling about these verses is how the man gave John and Peter his full attention.  His motive is plainly stated:  he was "expecting to receive something from them."  He did not know what would be given, but he looked to them expecting to receive.  What is implied is whatever they were going to give him - food, clothing, money, whatever - he was gladly going to receive and utilise it.  I have heard it said "Beggars can't be choosers" but I have seen this turned on its head many times.  I have run into some very choosy and demanding beggars who are intent on getting exactly what they want rather than receiving what is offered.  It seems to me the desperation of those in need impacts whether they are hopefully expectant in receiving or entitled to demand.

This man is a good illustration of the condition of all people before God:  lame outcasts, needy beggars, at the mercy of God, and without strength or power to sustain our lives.  It is good when we are willing to listen to God and those who speak forth His Word and walk in the Holy Spirit.  I have been reading the book of Jeremiah for morning devotions and there were very few who listened to him, though he spoke the truth which was confirmed.  It made me think about the many times I listened to a sermon or study and I did not share the expectancy to receive of this man.  I was already full of knowledge; I had no spiritual hunger or thirst, no apparent need.  I was critical of the way things were explained so I dismissed the truth.  I have given people my attention with no expectation of receiving anything because I was not open.  And yet God many times quickened me despite my dullness to receive and utilise wisdom of great value from unexpected sources.  There are millionaires who drive old cars and wear faded denim, and no one would suspect they own great wealth.  In a similar way I have also observed people who were not learned or polished speakers share the rich truths of the kingdom of God which are beyond price.

The beggar could have paid John and Peter no mind, by trade being fishermen from Galilee.  They were not dressed like the pope or bishops with rich robes or princely headgear but looked like ordinary men with calloused hands, worn clothes, and dirty feet.  Yet the beggar expected to receive something from them because they stopped and personally addressed him, and it was not long before he received physical healing in the name of Jesus Christ with joy and gladness.  The lame man expected to receive something, and what he received was not what he could have expected.  So it is with us before God:  let us humbly come to Him and read His Word, expecting to receive something - not on the lookout to confirm our bias or meet our demands - because we know God knows our needs and will supply all according to the riches of His grace.  Are you willing to receive what God supplies when it isn't what you asked for, even from an unexpected source?

The Oil Spill

It is the most simple, basic aspects of Christianity - like actually trusting God in all circumstances - which provide a constant challenge and confront followers of Jesus on the deepest levels.  We born-again Christians remain in corruptible bodies of flesh in a world of sin with Satan firing flaming arrows at us.  Trials and tribulations, pains and troubles constantly work to rob us of peace only faith in Jesus brings.  The cumulative weight of the cares we carry can unknowingly overwhelm and threaten to overcome those who are overcomers through Jesus.  It is only by the grace of God we can be strong in the power of His might and having done all to stand.  He provides perspective which lifts our eyes above our enemy the devil, the inner turmoil, and circumstances to fix our focus on Jesus Christ.

Last week after my eldest son returned home from school he said, "Dad, you have to take a look at my car."  This did not sound good, and though I figured I was ready for anything I was a bit shocked by what I saw:  a massive pool of oil ran from underneath the engine block of his car into the road.  To say the car was "leaking" was an understatement.  The car was haemorrhaging litres of oil from a place I could not pinpoint, and after mopping up what we could even jacking up the car shed no light on the exact source.  "I noticed a little oil at the station but didn't think anything of it," Zed told me.  I was grateful he only needed to drive a short distance or without a doubt the engine would have seized from lack of oil as the dipstick was dry.  During the week my son contacted roadside assist to have it towed to a local mechanic where the car remains.

Because the car is in the shop I have made some extra trips to the nearby train station when Zed needs a ride.  Much to our amazement, there was not only one trail of oil but two - one trail leaving our house and one returning!  I felt a bit like I had witnessed a miracle involving oil like Elisha and the widow in 2 Kings 4.  After her husband died she was left with debts and no money to pay.  The creditors were coming to take away her sons to be slaves unless she somehow paid the debt.  All she had in the home was a small vessel of oil.  Elisha told her to gather all the vessels she could, then shut the door, and pour from her vessel into the other vessels to sell.  Miraculously the oil from her small vessel was multiplied to fill all the vessels they had gathered.  The oil was sold and the debt was paid.

It is a strange thing to glorify God over a dirty trail of motor oil, but even in the breakdown of the vehicle God's grace is evident:  the engine did not seize, the leak is repairable, and Zed has the money to fix the car.  The situation reminds me how things can always be worse, and with God's help even trails and obstacles can be redeemed for good and His glory.  Even if the car had been a write-off, God's goodness, grace, and provision would have been revealed to those who trust and look to Him.  A person could look at those oil trails and curse the dealer which sold them a lemon, or with eyes of faith we see God's protection and help.  When an engine fails and the oil spills, God knows about it.  When you are afraid or alone and the tears flow, God sees those too.  He realises the depth of your grief and worry.  Do not fear, beloved of the LORD, for He sees, heals, and restores lives.  If He cares about a leaky old car (and its young owner), He most certainly cares much more about you.