What Happens in Vegas...

Prince Harry made headlines in Australia because of his partying ways in Las Vegas, often referred to as "Sin City."  Famous for its strip of hotels, casinos, clubs, risque adult entertainment, call girls, and endless buffets, the city of Las Vegas has a adopted a bold-faced lie as its slogan:  "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas."  The moniker fits in my opinion because sin is deceitful.  The concept that there is a geographic place on earth where morality and consequences are nil is the fantasy of fools.  Most people leave Vegas with less money than they came, so obviously money stays there!  Even if mobile phone cameras hadn't been invented, Prince Harry and others just looking "to have fun" leave Vegas with far less dignity.  What happened behind closed doors has been shouted from the rooftops with the long reach and permanent smudge of the internet.

The potential for scandal is not based upon geographic limits.  A city nor outside influences are justifications for scandalous behaviour.  The issue is one of the heart.  Just like what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas, the desires and lusts in the heart of a person will find their release.  The things people think about and the fantasies they entertain will eventually spill over into real life.  What we set before our eyes and the people we associate with have the potential to lead us into grave error and sin.  James 1:13-15 reads, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."  We sin when we transgress the righteous commands of God's laws.  Jesus says that if a man even looks with lust at a woman, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  The heart is drowning in sin long before a man acts out on his desires.

The Bible always tells us to do what is right, not just avoid doing what is wrong.  Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."  If a man loves God, he will honour, respect, and obey Him.  A man who loves his wife will not cheat on her or be disloyal.  He will consider her feelings, respect her wishes, listen to her, and spend quality time with her.  Instead of focusing on trying not to do all the things that he knows will weaken and destroy the marriage, his love will positively strengthen and deepen their relationship.  When Joseph (a single man at the time) was tempted by a married seductress to have sex, he did not apologetically decline.  "Well, I know it's old school, but I was raised to wait until marriage.  I mean, you are attractive and it sounds like fun, but if someone found out I would be in big trouble.  We wouldn't want those pics plastered on the pyramids."  No!  Genesis 39:9 says, "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"  Joseph honoured God and his master.  He saw this suggestion as great wickedness and his heart refused to even entertain the idea of sin.

The devil delights to deceive a man into thinking he can sin without consequences.  The moment a man sins in his heart--even in Las Vegas--God knows.  When desires are conceived they bring forth sin.  And when sin is full grown, it brings forth death.  After a woman becomes pregnant, a tiny person begins to grow within her womb.  As the mother eats, nutrients are passed to the growing baby.  Even though 9 months is the typical length of a pregnancy, a child can be born months before or weeks past the original due date.  Sin in our hearts is like a developing baby,  At first there may be a little "morning sickness" which is actually a disturbed conscience, but people get over that.  A pregnant woman will ultimately give birth to a baby, whether she is aware of her pregnancy or not.  It is not unheard of that a woman goes to the doctor thinking she is experiencing abdominal cramps but is actually giving birth to a child!  The point?  Sin grows in the hearts of all people, developing slowly.  Whether we recognise the symptoms or not, sin when full-grown brings forth death.  Even as a baby emerges from his mother into the world, so all men will face God on the Day of Judgment.  All secret sins will be brought to light, and the soul that sins will surely die.

God made a way for our sins to be forgiven, expunged, and remembered no more.  Our permanent record of sin can be wiped clean by the blood of Jesus Christ when we repent and trust in Him.  Trying to wash yourself clean of sin is like trying to purge the internet of those embarrassing mugshots or bachelor party photos.  Even if you were to do that, it's impossible to strike from our memory some of the things we have done or seen.  But God can cleanse your heart, mind, and soul.  We can have right standing and fellowship with Him again by grace through faith.  Don't be deceived by the apparent latency period of sin.  Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."

According to His Riches

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

When I was growing up, I wore my favourite clothes and shoes until they wore out.  Silk-screened logos became cracked and faded, and holes grew in my Vans shoes.  One thing I love about the promises of God is that they never become threadbare and worn out from use.  They never lose their lustre or fade.  If anything, the promises of God become exceedingly more precious because our experience proves they are genuine.  God's Word is not to be locked away in a vault somewhere to guard the secrets contained within, but liberally shared and broadcasted everywhere.  Like the bread that Jesus blessed, broke, and distributed to His disciples to dispense, the greater the need the more God supplies.

God is a provider for the needs of His people.  He does not give out of His abundance, but "according to His riches."  This is grace upon grace.  We starving beggars would be satisfied with scraps from the King's table, yet the King has set us beside Himself at the table with a double-portion of royal dainties.  But alas!  Though we are children of God by faith in Christ, in our earthly condition much of what enters the mouth and stomach is not only eliminated, but forgotten.  When the familiar gnaw of hunger grows within us, we worry that we will starve!  We must bring to remembrance often how God has graciously provided for our needs, given us assurance in His Word of His faithful care and provision, and to reject fears and worries as sin.

God will doubtless supply ALL our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  When our sufficiency is found in Christ, what have we to fear?  Let us take God at His Word and receive according to His gracious provision.  2 Corinthians 8:15 says, "As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

Follow Jesus!

One of my favourite paintings is called "The Parable of the Blind" by Pieter Bruegel.  Painted in 1568, I find the attention to detail and profound symbolism striking.  When Jesus and his followers were criticised by the Pharisees, Jesus saw no need to fight with them.  The painting is an illustration of what Jesus says in Matthew 15:14, "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Who you trust and choose to follow is very important.  There are many people who can see with their physical eyes but are spiritually blind, unable to discern the truth.  The Pharisees substituted the traditions of men for the commandments of God.  They were blind guides who led many to destruction.

A teacher can only take a student as far as he knows.  Exceptional students who desire complete mastery over their subject seek to be taught by experts.  Someone who aspires to be a physicist will need more than rudimentary knowledge of algebra.  The same can be said of martial arts or sport.  A weekend warrior with relatively no experience will not be a suitable coach to prepare people to play at a professional level.  A grand master has the knowledge and ability that enables him to teach and train others to a high level.  The sensei a man decides to train under will be a large determining factor in his ultimate success.  In the Hebrew culture, the rabbi a man followed would influence his beliefs, interpretation, and philosophy.  A man's spiritual progression, wisdom, and status depended largely on the rabbi he followed.  It is imperative, therefore, to choose and follow the best rabbi - not just anyone who will take you on as a student.

When John the Baptist began preaching and baptising people, he gained a following among the Jews.  He had many followers who were faithful adherents to his teachings.  John was a prophet sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.  He singled out Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.  The identity of Jesus as the Messiah was revealed to John after he baptised Him.  The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended and landed on Jesus as a voice spoke from heaven, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:17)  John 1:35-37 reads, "Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. ³⁶ And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" ³⁷ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus."  When I read this I thought, here are two men who really understood what John the Baptist had been saying.  They got it!  But even after John claimed Jesus was the Son of God, there were many men who continued to follow John.  Their loyalty to John hindered their growth because a man greater than John had come.  After John pointed out Jesus as the Christ, those who were wise left John and followed Jesus instead.

As Christians, it is imperative and paramount that we follow Jesus Christ.  There are no shortage of people to follow or causes to embrace.  Plenty of people will have you if you will have them!  Unless Jesus is the one we follow, we follow a blind guide.  Unfortunately blind guides have continued to multiply over the years, drawing people away from biblical truth.  Never give your allegiance to a preacher, author, philosopher, philanthropist, actor, musician, or to any person other than Jesus Christ.  A man can only truly follow one master.  Our loyalty cannot be divided.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is the only one who has the words of life.

Love Makes the Difference

After church yesterday, my wife Laura and I went to a high tea put on by the Pyjama Angel Foundation.  For over a year now I have been a volunteer with the Foundation, committing to one hour of reading and playing educational games with a child in foster care a week.  It is really a terrific organisation that seeks to meet the needs of an ever growing number of children in foster care.  We had a good time chatting with other volunteers and enjoyed a musical performance by the Lane Cove Orchestra.

The founder of the Pyjama Angel Foundation spoke about the importance of education for the children in foster care, as statistics show they are at a high risk of dropping out of school and committing crimes as juveniles and adults.  The simple act of spending time with undivided attention for each child conveys a sense of value and security.  Literacy and education, she said, were keys to giving kids in care the opportunity to progress and develop in their studies and life.

As I looked over the group of people listening to Mrs. Sheehan, I thought about what she said.  I agree completely with the vision and purpose of the Pyjama Angel Foundation.  But I do not believe education is the answer to the problems children in foster care face.  They need the same thing that all people crave:  love.  If I try to "educate" without love, it profits very little.  When you love a child unconditionally, what you say now becomes important.  Knowledge and facts have their place, but they are no substitute for love.  If a child knows he is truly loved, his trust will begin to grow.  He may still have baggage, issues, and struggles.  He may not seem to get out what you are putting in.  But it is your love he will cherish and remember, even when he is old - not the English facts you skillfully present.  It is love that will transform a life.

When I think back to all my years in school, I learned many things.  But it is easier for me to remember the faces and names of my teachers and professors than what they actually taught me.  The teachers which made the biggest difference in my life were the ones who impacted me by touching my heart.  It was their love of kids and the love of teaching that came through.  It is love that mades the difference.  Jesus Christ did not come to earth as the Master Teacher, though He is unrivaled as far as good teachers go.  He came and demonstrated His love for all people.  He went to the sick and healed them.  He fed the hungry and taught the multitudes.  Jesus took babies and children in His arms and blessed them.  Those same hands were nailed to a cross:  Jesus laid down His life as a payment for sin so all who repent and trust in Him can be born again and become children of God.  Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Plenty of men were crucified by the Romans, but the death of Jesus Christ was different.

What does this teach us?  It is love that makes the difference.