Following the Good Friday service yesterday, my wife Laura and I had a thought-provoking talk. It is my practice to ask Laura what God revealed to her for personal application during the sermon. "It was good," she said. "But I think it would have been good to talk more specifically about what 'taking up your cross' means. That phrase is used so often in Christian circles it has almost lost all meaning." She was absolutely right. The term has even been adapted into modern vernacular outside the church. When people face irritating or frustrating circumstances they hate but must endure they say with a sigh, "I guess this is my cross to bear." The ironic thing is, that's not how Christ approached His crucifixion. It was no drudgery. He approached it with fierce determination and willingness, knowing His hour had come. For the joy that was set before Him Jesus endured the cross and ultimately rose victorious.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God on the cross was ordained by the Father from before the world began. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and for the purpose that He might demonstrate the love of God for fallen man through sacrifice. The cross was Christ's calling. It was purposed by God to satisfy divine justice. There can be no forgiveness without atonement. Atonement means to redeem, to buy back. It carries the meaning of an exchange, to reconcile, restore. In the Old Testament under the Law, atonement occurred by the shedding of the blood of an animal. The wages of sin is death, so the death of the sacrifice was exchanged for the life of the sinner. When Jesus took up His cross and was crucified on Calvary, His shed blood once for all provided atonement for all who repent, trust in Him, and obey the Gospel. If I were to die on a cross, it would have no redeeming power because I am a sinner. So what is Jesus talking about when He commands we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him?
The Father purposed that Jesus would be a sacrifice. This taking up our cross is our reasonable service to God as disciples. The cross we are told to take up is the calling God has placed upon our lives as living sacrifices unto God. Some people would love to follow Jesus without meeting the other conditions Jesus speaks of. They believe they can follow Jesus without denying themselves or without embracing the calling of self-sacrifice God has ordained for their life. But Jesus gives us indispensable insight with His command in Luke 9:23-24: "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
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For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." Jesus could not have remained a sinless sacrifice if He chose to avoid the cross. He would have ceased from walking in the will of His Father in heaven. Personal consequences for the results of disobedience or rebellion should never be seen as "a cross to bear." Jesus had never done anything wrong, yet He was called to carry His cross and be nailed to it. God had a purpose in Christ going to the cross, and He has a calling and a purpose for your life as well. Even as God strengthened Jesus to answer His call faithfully to the end, so He will empower and comfort us.
This calling and purpose God intends we take up is to be done daily. It is not a "one-off" decision. Since we live in a body of flesh that resists and even resents the righteous demands of our Father, we must continue to deny ourselves. We must labour through the power of the Holy Spirit to cast down arguments and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience to Christ. The denial of self enables us to submit to God's commands and divine will. Focusing on our cross can never give us the strength to carry it. Our eyes must be fixed upon Christ's example of sacrifice on the cross and His current risen state. We must place our trust in Him alone. We do not serve a dying or dead God, but the One True Living God! Because He is alive, He has the power to strengthen and enable us to do everything He calls us to. By God's grace we can follow Jesus Christ to death and glory. The path to glory always passes through the cross.
I close with a quote by J. Oswald Sanders: "Self-sacifice is part of the price that must be paid daily. A cross stands in the way of spiritual leadership, a cross upon which the leader must consent to be impaled. Heaven's demands are absolute, 'He laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren' (1 John 3:16). The degree to which we allow the cross of Christ to work in us will be the measure in which the resurrection life of Christ can be manifested through us." (Spiritual Leadership, 1st Edition, pg. 142) Taking up our cross involves a decision to first drop everything which may hinder or weaken our grip. Once we have emptied our hands, we must decide to take up the cross. It is God who strengthens us to lift it and Christ will bear it with us. Instead of being a horrible weight, it is a path to fellowship and closeness with God obtainable through no other means. Praise God for the cross!
29 March 2013
27 March 2013
Sodium Chloride and the Chemist
When the earth was young, a chemist considered the elements and compounds which comprise all living things. "I know what I will do," said the man. "I will bring together Sodium and Chlorine, joining them perfectly. They will be one: Sodium Chloride, or NaCl. This unity of 40% Sodium and 60% Chloride will provide flavouring for food, act as a preservative, and will have a long shelf-life."
The chemist was excited, as the close bonds between the chemicals were a picture of the intimacy he hoped to share someday with his bride. "I will make a special place on my table for this salt," he said aloud. He produced a crystal shaker and poured the salt into the valuable vessel. "As long as you live, Sodium and Chloride, you shall remain together as one. What God has joined together let not man separate."
Sodium and Chloride were pleased to remain together even as the chemist had joined them. Had they remained alone, Sodium would have been a metal and Chlorine a gas. Only when they were united together could they be NaCl, or salt.
A day came when two Sodium molecules walked up to NaCl. "We've been thinking," Sodium A began. "We've noticed your special arrangement, being displayed on the table. We believe we have every right to be salt, just like you."
"I'm afraid that's not up to me," said Sodium Chloride. "We were placed in this chemical arrangement by the chemist. He's the one who provided this shaker in which we reside. It is ordained by him that we remain here until death parts us."
"To hell with the chemist," said Sodium B. "We do not believe in any such chemist, and if he did exist he must obviously be a bigot and a fool. We will be salt, and we will get our own salt shaker to prove it."
It was not long before two Chlorine molecules floated up to the salt shaker on the table. Chlorine A began: "We've heard that you said Sodium A and Sodium B cannot be salt. I suppose you would suggest we cannot be salt either."
"Chlorine with Chlorine could never be salt," said NaCl. "The relationship we share is defined by our chemical properties. To be genuine salt, the properties of the compound is 60% chlorine and 40% sodium. Two molecules of Chlorine living in a shaker or being displayed on the table does not make you salt."
"We have a problem with that," said Chlorine B, "and we will take this matter to high court."
The prosecution addressed the judge: "Your honour, it is a grave act of discrimination that this nation will not allow Sodium and Sodium to be salt. Equally repulsive to my clients is the notion that Chlorine and Chlorine cannot be salt either. I demand that my clients have the opportunity to live together in a salt shaker exactly like the one provided for NaCl. I want them to be displayed openly on the table as equals, even as nature intended."
"There is no legal restriction that prevents Sodium and Sodium from residing in a salt-shaker together," said the judge. "Your problem is not with the laws or people of this nation but with the chemist who abides according to absolute law. You seem to think that if Chlorine and Chlorine were to live in a salt shaker they should be recognised as salt. But it does not take a chemist to know that is impossible." The judge sat back for a moment in thoughtful silence. "No doubt the day will come when Sodium and Sodium will abide together in a crystal shaker like NaCl, even displayed on the table. But it will never, ever be salt. Take it up with the chemist if you want, but his word is unalterable." Down came the gavel with a crack. "Case closed."
The chemist was excited, as the close bonds between the chemicals were a picture of the intimacy he hoped to share someday with his bride. "I will make a special place on my table for this salt," he said aloud. He produced a crystal shaker and poured the salt into the valuable vessel. "As long as you live, Sodium and Chloride, you shall remain together as one. What God has joined together let not man separate."
Sodium and Chloride were pleased to remain together even as the chemist had joined them. Had they remained alone, Sodium would have been a metal and Chlorine a gas. Only when they were united together could they be NaCl, or salt.
A day came when two Sodium molecules walked up to NaCl. "We've been thinking," Sodium A began. "We've noticed your special arrangement, being displayed on the table. We believe we have every right to be salt, just like you."
"I'm afraid that's not up to me," said Sodium Chloride. "We were placed in this chemical arrangement by the chemist. He's the one who provided this shaker in which we reside. It is ordained by him that we remain here until death parts us."
"To hell with the chemist," said Sodium B. "We do not believe in any such chemist, and if he did exist he must obviously be a bigot and a fool. We will be salt, and we will get our own salt shaker to prove it."
It was not long before two Chlorine molecules floated up to the salt shaker on the table. Chlorine A began: "We've heard that you said Sodium A and Sodium B cannot be salt. I suppose you would suggest we cannot be salt either."
"Chlorine with Chlorine could never be salt," said NaCl. "The relationship we share is defined by our chemical properties. To be genuine salt, the properties of the compound is 60% chlorine and 40% sodium. Two molecules of Chlorine living in a shaker or being displayed on the table does not make you salt."
"We have a problem with that," said Chlorine B, "and we will take this matter to high court."
The prosecution addressed the judge: "Your honour, it is a grave act of discrimination that this nation will not allow Sodium and Sodium to be salt. Equally repulsive to my clients is the notion that Chlorine and Chlorine cannot be salt either. I demand that my clients have the opportunity to live together in a salt shaker exactly like the one provided for NaCl. I want them to be displayed openly on the table as equals, even as nature intended."
"There is no legal restriction that prevents Sodium and Sodium from residing in a salt-shaker together," said the judge. "Your problem is not with the laws or people of this nation but with the chemist who abides according to absolute law. You seem to think that if Chlorine and Chlorine were to live in a salt shaker they should be recognised as salt. But it does not take a chemist to know that is impossible." The judge sat back for a moment in thoughtful silence. "No doubt the day will come when Sodium and Sodium will abide together in a crystal shaker like NaCl, even displayed on the table. But it will never, ever be salt. Take it up with the chemist if you want, but his word is unalterable." Down came the gavel with a crack. "Case closed."
The Straight Way
I saw a "Mythbusters" episode during which Adam and Jamie put to test the theory it is impossible for people to walk in a straight line blindfolded. It was comical to watch Adam and Jamie try walking, swimming, and even driving with their eyes covered. Try as they might, they never remotely were able to travel in a straight line. It wasn't long before they literally were walking in circles. When the blacked out glasses or goggles came off, they were amazed how far they had veered off course. Even when they constructed a device so they might work together to walk straight, they failed. The "myth" was confirmed: without the use of their eyes or ears, they were absolutely lost.
At the end of the program, Adam and Jamie walked through thick woods. Without survival training, Adam was able to walk a fairly straight line. Harnessing prior training and making use of the sun, Jamie stayed right on target. Even with bucket on his head to simulate "white-out" conditions, Jamie remained on course. The primary observation I made from watching these men trying to walk straight was how futile their attempts were when deprived of sight. The ability to see made all the difference. Spiritually the principle is true. When a man is spiritually dead, he is also blind. He remains without life and spiritual understanding. Man could never find the way to heaven on his own, even if he did his very best. We could not by accident hope to arrive at a heavenly destination. Only through the Gospel can a man be born again and made to see. Jesus is the One who came to open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, and raise the dead through repentance and faith in Him. God has given His Word as a compass, GPS, map, and survival manual all in one. Unless we familiarise ourselves with the scripture and consult it often, we might as well be walking in circles in the dark.
Just like the sun is a critical tool for orienteering, so Christ is for us. 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." When we look to Jesus, we are shown the Way. Considering Him in all we do, even in the midst of trials and struggles, keeps us from weariness and discouragement. We don't need to grope in the dark for God when He has clearly revealed Himself to us as the Light of the World. His "will" is not some ambiguous notion only confirmed with signs and wonders: we should not look to a fleece when we should look to Christ guided by the indwelling Spirit.
With eyes on the Son Jesus Christ, may we say with the psalmist in Psalm 143:8: "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You." When we look into those eyes of love, we find hope, strength, and direction for every step of our lives. Perfect knowledge of every step isn't as important as knowing the One who has ordered your steps. Look unto Jesus, trust in Him, and you will know the Way.
At the end of the program, Adam and Jamie walked through thick woods. Without survival training, Adam was able to walk a fairly straight line. Harnessing prior training and making use of the sun, Jamie stayed right on target. Even with bucket on his head to simulate "white-out" conditions, Jamie remained on course. The primary observation I made from watching these men trying to walk straight was how futile their attempts were when deprived of sight. The ability to see made all the difference. Spiritually the principle is true. When a man is spiritually dead, he is also blind. He remains without life and spiritual understanding. Man could never find the way to heaven on his own, even if he did his very best. We could not by accident hope to arrive at a heavenly destination. Only through the Gospel can a man be born again and made to see. Jesus is the One who came to open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, and raise the dead through repentance and faith in Him. God has given His Word as a compass, GPS, map, and survival manual all in one. Unless we familiarise ourselves with the scripture and consult it often, we might as well be walking in circles in the dark.
Just like the sun is a critical tool for orienteering, so Christ is for us. 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." When we look to Jesus, we are shown the Way. Considering Him in all we do, even in the midst of trials and struggles, keeps us from weariness and discouragement. We don't need to grope in the dark for God when He has clearly revealed Himself to us as the Light of the World. His "will" is not some ambiguous notion only confirmed with signs and wonders: we should not look to a fleece when we should look to Christ guided by the indwelling Spirit.
With eyes on the Son Jesus Christ, may we say with the psalmist in Psalm 143:8: "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You." When we look into those eyes of love, we find hope, strength, and direction for every step of our lives. Perfect knowledge of every step isn't as important as knowing the One who has ordered your steps. Look unto Jesus, trust in Him, and you will know the Way.
25 March 2013
Can You Earn It?
"Saving Private Ryan" was an instant classic. It is a moving film which follows a group of Army Rangers during World War II and their mission to bring Private Ryan safely home. The plot follows Captain John H. Miller as he leads a team of men through dangerous territory to find Ryan. It was not an easy task. It ended up costing many men their lives, including Captain Miller. As he sat dying on the bridge valiantly held by the Allied forces, his final words to Ryan were, "James...earn this. Earn it."
Captain Miller and many others gave the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill their orders and bring James Ryan safely home. Miller pointed to the enormous cost and sacrifice demonstrated by his fellows soldiers as the impetus for Ryan to live a life worthy of it. At the end of the film, an elderly Ryan stood at the grave of the deceased Captain, wondering if he had done enough. In my opinion, there is no possible way Ryan could have ever lived a good enough life to justify the cost. Yet that's not really the point. Ryan lived his life mindful of the price paid and was moved to do his best. What more could he possibly do? The lives lost on the field of battle for country and to save him no doubt spurned Ryan on to finish well.
As Easter draws near, I am reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever. It was not on the field of battle, nor was it for country or a single man. Jesus Christ was without sin, and laid down His life on Calvary for the sins of the world. There is no possible way that we can live our lives worthy of earning such a sacrifice of love and grace, that God would put on human flesh and die for sinful men. Jesus never suggested for us to earn that sacrifice. It is too high a price. It is a gift which can only be received. But we would do well to live motivated by His sacrifice. Even as Private Ryan remembered the exhortation spoken to him by a dying Captain, so we ought to remember the sacrifice of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given the ability to walk worthily of Christ's sacrifice. We are not worthy of His sacrifice, but we can walk in a way that honours and glorifies God for all He has done. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 reads, "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." The Greek word translated "worthy" here means, "appropriately, as becoming." What is the appropriate way for us to live, seeing that Christ gave all for us? Paul's conduct was appropriate: devout, just, and blameless, like Jesus before him.
The prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-15 well describes this calling for those who have received Christ: "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." We can't live a good enough life to earn it, but let's walk worthy of Christ's sacrifice.
Captain Miller and many others gave the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill their orders and bring James Ryan safely home. Miller pointed to the enormous cost and sacrifice demonstrated by his fellows soldiers as the impetus for Ryan to live a life worthy of it. At the end of the film, an elderly Ryan stood at the grave of the deceased Captain, wondering if he had done enough. In my opinion, there is no possible way Ryan could have ever lived a good enough life to justify the cost. Yet that's not really the point. Ryan lived his life mindful of the price paid and was moved to do his best. What more could he possibly do? The lives lost on the field of battle for country and to save him no doubt spurned Ryan on to finish well.
As Easter draws near, I am reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever. It was not on the field of battle, nor was it for country or a single man. Jesus Christ was without sin, and laid down His life on Calvary for the sins of the world. There is no possible way that we can live our lives worthy of earning such a sacrifice of love and grace, that God would put on human flesh and die for sinful men. Jesus never suggested for us to earn that sacrifice. It is too high a price. It is a gift which can only be received. But we would do well to live motivated by His sacrifice. Even as Private Ryan remembered the exhortation spoken to him by a dying Captain, so we ought to remember the sacrifice of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given the ability to walk worthily of Christ's sacrifice. We are not worthy of His sacrifice, but we can walk in a way that honours and glorifies God for all He has done. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 reads, "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." The Greek word translated "worthy" here means, "appropriately, as becoming." What is the appropriate way for us to live, seeing that Christ gave all for us? Paul's conduct was appropriate: devout, just, and blameless, like Jesus before him.
The prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-15 well describes this calling for those who have received Christ: "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." We can't live a good enough life to earn it, but let's walk worthy of Christ's sacrifice.
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