I was riding along with a co-worker to a jobsite listening to the radio the other morning. A couple of songs were played in a row which had surprisingly similar lyrics. First there was "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift, a song about a girl who likes a boy who does not share her feelings of desire. "Been here all along, so why can't you see? You belong with me." Immediately following that song Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" played, a song similar in many ways: "Although we've come to the end of the road still I can't let go, it's unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you." After hearing these songs in succession, my mind drifted to a song I actually used to own on vinyl by the Police, "Every Breath You Take." This creepy-stalker-song is a twisted view of romance: "Every step you take, I'll be watching you - every single day and every word you say, every game you play, every night you stay, I'll be watching you. Oh can't you see you belong to me?"
Love in this world is patently impure, completely opposite than the love which springs from God. Instead of saying "You belong to me!" true love says "I belong to you: have all of me." That's what Jesus did when He allowed Himself to become a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He did not act like an estranged lover who sought to "get back" at the one who rejected him. Instead Jesus gave Himself freely, actively showing His love even to those who smote, scourged, and sentenced Him. Jesus faced death in silence, but His love speaks volumes to this day. He did not scream as a fierce tyrant who was double-crossed by traitors, though He had every right to do so. God is our Creator, and as His creation we answer to His justice. But by His grace if we respond to His love in repentance and faith, the justice poured out upon Christ can be substituted for the justice we deserve for our sin. And wonder of wonders, Christ's virtue and righteousness is added to our account when we are justified and born again by the Holy Spirit.
What kind of love do we show to others: the selfish-indignant "You belong to me!" false love of this world or the "I belong to you" kind of love modeled by Jesus Christ? To give it you must have received of it, and there is only one source: Jesus! Against such love there is no law.
27 June 2010
26 June 2010
From "A Minister's Obstacles"
Here is an untitles poem found on page 109 in Ralph Turnbull's book "A Minister's Obstacles." It sums up the duty and desire of every Christ-follower very well.
"He held the lamp that Sabbath day
So low that none could miss the way,
And yet so high, to bring to sight
That picture fair of Christ the Light,
That, gazing up, the lamp between
The hand that held it was not seen.
He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below;
Then raised it to the weary saint,
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank, the pitcher them between,
The hand that held it was not see.
He blew the trumpet soft and clear,
That trembling sinners need not fear;
And then with louder note and bold,
To storm the walls of Satan's hold;
The trumpet coming thus between,
The hand that held it was not seen.
And when our Captain says, 'Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant; come,
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp;
Lay down the trumpet, leave the camp,'
The weary hands will then be seen
Clasped in the pierced ones, naught between."
"He held the lamp that Sabbath day
So low that none could miss the way,
And yet so high, to bring to sight
That picture fair of Christ the Light,
That, gazing up, the lamp between
The hand that held it was not seen.
He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below;
Then raised it to the weary saint,
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank, the pitcher them between,
The hand that held it was not see.
He blew the trumpet soft and clear,
That trembling sinners need not fear;
And then with louder note and bold,
To storm the walls of Satan's hold;
The trumpet coming thus between,
The hand that held it was not seen.
And when our Captain says, 'Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant; come,
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp;
Lay down the trumpet, leave the camp,'
The weary hands will then be seen
Clasped in the pierced ones, naught between."
24 June 2010
Light in a Dark World
I recently read a new biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson, 20 April 2010). Bonhoeffer was a theologian and pastor who was involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during WWII, was imprisoned for years, and was executed shortly before the end of the war. This is not meant to be a detailed critique of Metaxas's work or a character study of Bonhoeffer: the book does a stellar job of the history and theology of Bonhoeffer, and I highly recommend it. It is objective, passionate, and gives a keen view into a great mind and genuine Christian life that marked Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I'm looking forward to reading Bonhoefffer's "Cost of Discipleship," seeing as my dad picked up a copy today.
The book drives home the horrors of the holocaust. Today I worked at UCSD and the jobsite sits directly across from dorms. When I drove in at 5:55am there was a group of students waiting at the curb for the shuttle to arrive, and when I left at the end of the day there was another batch waiting. All day long there was a constant stream of students with luggage checking in with an attendant and piling into buses. I was reminded of how the Jews were herded onto trucks and trains for the purpose of labor and extermination. While these students likely are excited to be heading home for a vacation from their studies, for the Jews it was only the beginning of horrors. The atrocities committed by Hitler's regime towards humankind remains stunningly evil. The mass executions, hanging with thin wire, scientific experimentation, and the destruction of life cannot be viewed as anything other than gruesome tragedy.
As barbaric and terrible as that dark period of history is, much worse is yet to come. You may doubt this. Though the heathen men who carried out this "final solution" are dead, the demons who drove them are alive still. Humans are no less savage today than the Nazis who carried out the demands of their deranged commander. The potential for unthinkable wickedness still lives on in unregenerate human hearts. There is no hope for humanity outside of Jesus Christ. Since his fall Satan has hated all God's people with a furious vengeance, and Revelation 11 spells this out clearly. In context the woman spoken of in represents the nation of Israel, and the dragon is Satan. Rev. 12:17 says, "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The devil knows his time is limited, and he intends to use it to the full in carrying out his attacks against Jews and Christians alike.
Let us not be ignorant or dismissive of the spiritual battle which is raging even now for the souls of men. We see new depths of depravity and sadism in modern film, art, video games, and music. Roger Ebert recently wrote of a horror film (which I do not recommend checking out): "I am required to award stars to movies I review. This time, I refuse to do it. The star rating system is unsuited to this film. Is the movie good? Is it bad? Does it matter? It is what it is and occupies a world where the stars don't shine." The world is becoming an increasingly dark place, and it will become darker still in the years ahead should God tarry. Yet the converse of this ugliness is the light and clarity Christ brings through born-again Christians will be brighter than ever before. The darker the night the brighter and distinct the stars are. Real Christians and their bright testimony in life or death will be undeniable and weigh heavily upon the minds of the most hardened haters.
We have a joyous opportunity to allow our light (who is Christ) to shine throughout the whole earth. While most people relentlessly pursue what only will destroy them, we have the calling, duty, and ability to share Gospel truth of salvation. We need not walk in fear, for perfect love casts out all fear. We are children of the day, and night is coming when no one can work. We are more than overcomers through Jesus Christ who loves us and gave His life for us. Praise Him for the days in which we live! He has chosen us for this day: let us live to please Him!
The book drives home the horrors of the holocaust. Today I worked at UCSD and the jobsite sits directly across from dorms. When I drove in at 5:55am there was a group of students waiting at the curb for the shuttle to arrive, and when I left at the end of the day there was another batch waiting. All day long there was a constant stream of students with luggage checking in with an attendant and piling into buses. I was reminded of how the Jews were herded onto trucks and trains for the purpose of labor and extermination. While these students likely are excited to be heading home for a vacation from their studies, for the Jews it was only the beginning of horrors. The atrocities committed by Hitler's regime towards humankind remains stunningly evil. The mass executions, hanging with thin wire, scientific experimentation, and the destruction of life cannot be viewed as anything other than gruesome tragedy.
As barbaric and terrible as that dark period of history is, much worse is yet to come. You may doubt this. Though the heathen men who carried out this "final solution" are dead, the demons who drove them are alive still. Humans are no less savage today than the Nazis who carried out the demands of their deranged commander. The potential for unthinkable wickedness still lives on in unregenerate human hearts. There is no hope for humanity outside of Jesus Christ. Since his fall Satan has hated all God's people with a furious vengeance, and Revelation 11 spells this out clearly. In context the woman spoken of in represents the nation of Israel, and the dragon is Satan. Rev. 12:17 says, "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The devil knows his time is limited, and he intends to use it to the full in carrying out his attacks against Jews and Christians alike.
Let us not be ignorant or dismissive of the spiritual battle which is raging even now for the souls of men. We see new depths of depravity and sadism in modern film, art, video games, and music. Roger Ebert recently wrote of a horror film (which I do not recommend checking out): "I am required to award stars to movies I review. This time, I refuse to do it. The star rating system is unsuited to this film. Is the movie good? Is it bad? Does it matter? It is what it is and occupies a world where the stars don't shine." The world is becoming an increasingly dark place, and it will become darker still in the years ahead should God tarry. Yet the converse of this ugliness is the light and clarity Christ brings through born-again Christians will be brighter than ever before. The darker the night the brighter and distinct the stars are. Real Christians and their bright testimony in life or death will be undeniable and weigh heavily upon the minds of the most hardened haters.
We have a joyous opportunity to allow our light (who is Christ) to shine throughout the whole earth. While most people relentlessly pursue what only will destroy them, we have the calling, duty, and ability to share Gospel truth of salvation. We need not walk in fear, for perfect love casts out all fear. We are children of the day, and night is coming when no one can work. We are more than overcomers through Jesus Christ who loves us and gave His life for us. Praise Him for the days in which we live! He has chosen us for this day: let us live to please Him!
19 June 2010
God Deserves Glory
I read an interesting verse this morning during my devotions and I thought I would share it and my response. It goes so well with the quote of the week that I couldn't keep it to myself! I also can't help thinking it will minister to someone else rather than me, for we all have difficult times and seasons.
Leviticus 14:34 reads, "When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession..."
Notice who places the plague in the house: God does! This is a shocking revelation to people who think the devil is to blame for all the "bad" we experience and God is to thank for all good. God is able to take something which appears bad and use it for good. God tested His people in the wilderness with traveling and hardship, to see if they would walk in His ways or not. God allowed Satan to take Job's wealth and health. Job said to his wife who tempted him to forsake God, "Should we receive good from God and not evil?" God at times would allow leprosy in a house to see if people would obey His law. so He would be glorified. When the disciples of Jesus saw a blind man they said, "Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus said neither, but this happened so God might be glorified. It is the heathen who are convinced "karma" exists, a perversion of the Golden Rule. When Paul, thought to be a criminal by the natives of Malta was bitten by a viper, they said in their hearts, "He has escaped the sea but justice will not allow him to live." When he didn't swell up and die, they figured instead he was a god. Wrong on both accounts! He was no criminal, and he was a man who served the Living God. His life was spared for God's glory, even as Paul was imprisoned for the glory of God according to His Word, having said in Acts 27:22: "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship." This theme is woven throughout scripture: God gives and takes away for His glory and the testing of our hearts. Trials make us better and increase our faith in God. A man who walks in faith brings God greater glory.
Leviticus 14:34 reads, "When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession..."
Notice who places the plague in the house: God does! This is a shocking revelation to people who think the devil is to blame for all the "bad" we experience and God is to thank for all good. God is able to take something which appears bad and use it for good. God tested His people in the wilderness with traveling and hardship, to see if they would walk in His ways or not. God allowed Satan to take Job's wealth and health. Job said to his wife who tempted him to forsake God, "Should we receive good from God and not evil?" God at times would allow leprosy in a house to see if people would obey His law. so He would be glorified. When the disciples of Jesus saw a blind man they said, "Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus said neither, but this happened so God might be glorified. It is the heathen who are convinced "karma" exists, a perversion of the Golden Rule. When Paul, thought to be a criminal by the natives of Malta was bitten by a viper, they said in their hearts, "He has escaped the sea but justice will not allow him to live." When he didn't swell up and die, they figured instead he was a god. Wrong on both accounts! He was no criminal, and he was a man who served the Living God. His life was spared for God's glory, even as Paul was imprisoned for the glory of God according to His Word, having said in Acts 27:22: "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship." This theme is woven throughout scripture: God gives and takes away for His glory and the testing of our hearts. Trials make us better and increase our faith in God. A man who walks in faith brings God greater glory.
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