Christianity
Making light of the Gospel
Several times in the past few years I’ve been invited to various parties designed to provide an opportunity for someone to sell me a product. The invitation promises good food and usually a giveaway of prizes. Free stuff – that’s how to draw a crowd.
Except I’m just not interested. I can think of about ten thousand things I would rather do with my time. Expensive makeup and house wares are not high on my list of priorities. It is not a tempting invitation and I feel quite comfortable disregarding it. I’ve just got better things to do.
This is the attitude of those invited to the king’s wedding banquet in Matthew 22:5
“But they were not concerned and paid no attention [they ignored and made light of the summons, treating it with contempt] and they went away–one to his farm, another to his business” (Amplified)
Imagine getting a personal invitation to a royal wedding! Nothing is expected from you except that you show up and enjoy the festivities and feasting. Then imagine preferring to spend a day at the office or working out in the open field instead. It really is beyond ridiculous.
Unfortunately this is the attitude of many concerning the state of their soul. The invitation has been given in the message of the gospel. All preparations have been made by the all sufficient sacrifice of Christ. But the sinful heart of man prefers its own labors rather than the provision of God.
Let us not be careless with eternal things. Let us not disregard the One who bids us come. It is not a thing to be made light of. All that this world offers will fade into nothingness the moment after our final breath. And then what will all our earthly labors be worth?
Protecting the Throne
Matthew 2:1-3 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
King Herod was a ruler with no rights to the throne he occupied. He was an Edomite (a descendent of Esau) appointed by the Romans to rule over Israel. His fear of a rival to his throne led him to murder even his own family members. His priority was protecting his throne at all costs.
Into such an environment the wise men came, seeking the true King of Israel – He who has been born King of the Jews. And suddenly Herod is confronted with yet another rival and the throne must again be defended. There was no confusion in his mind concerning the meaning of such a thing, for he then inquires where the Christ is to be born. Fully aware that this newborn King is the promised Messiah, he sets about devising a murderous plan to rid himself of this rival as well. It is shocking to read of the brutal measures he was willing to take to secure this end.
But are we any different?
Maybe I have never murdered anyone, but I have certainly gone to great lengths to protect the throne of rulership of my life. Feeling competent and entitled to reign, I have ruled my life according to my own desires, usually with devastating consequences. But even then I have protected my throne.
Becoming a Christian changed this to a large degree. I can gladly acknowledge that the throne is Christ’s, but I find that there are still times that I feel like I should be co-regent, at the very least giving input into decisions. However, Christ does not require my input, only my obedience.
So as I walk this path of faith, I am learning that I still need to protect the throne. But now I am protecting it from myself.
Greater wealth
“He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Hebrews 11:26
American society is wealth and prosperity focused. Men and women alike dedicate themselves to climbing the corporate ladder in an attempt to attain the level of financial and societal accomplishment that they perceive as “success”. In fact, Webster’s dictionary defines success as “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence”. In a society that embraces this definition of success, even considering the reproach of Christ is not only unappealing, it is ridiculous.
But for those of us who have been born of the Spirit, sharing the reproach of Christ becomes desirable as we seek to be like our Master in all things. This One who left the glory of heaven to become one of us, Who suffered the ultimate reproach for us – yes, we will choose to be identified with Him and share in His sufferings.
There is a secret known only to those who follow the way of the cross. It is not a secret that we have been told. It is one that we have lived. And it is this – though the cost of following Christ means the loss of all things, though it means the scorn of others, though it means trial after trial that seemingly would crush us to pieces – there is a holy sweetness in the crushing as we see the character of Christ being formed in us. Oh, how we will gladly be hated for His sake, for as we surrender ourselves to Him in the midst of the vilest cruelty, the greatness of His love poured out in us far outweighs the depth of the hatred displayed towards us.
Hebrews 13:13 “Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured.”
As we separate ourselves from the empty pleasures the world chases after, let us remember that we do this not as some outward show of piety, but for a purpose – so that we can go to Him. Suffering in and of itself holds no value, but when we suffer for His sake, we have the hope of a reward that is greater wealth than all the riches this world could offer.
So let us look away from the distractions this world flaunts before our eyes and fix our gaze firmly upon the greatest treasure – the Lord Jesus Christ.
I Need Truth
I need truth to flood my soul
Exposing all deceit and lies
All falseness and hypocrisy
The subtle untruths I have prized
Though it leave me bleeding
As the truth begins to pierce my heart
Help me Lord to love this truth
That purifies the hidden parts
Silence me should I protest
And justify my falsity
Bring to light and then to death
All deceit You find in me
Bind me with Your cords of love
As You wield Your Holy Sword
And cut away all pretense in me
By the Spirit and the Word
”Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17
Only follow
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” John 14:5
I sometimes travel a bit with my job. Whenever I have to go somewhere I’ve never been before I call to make sure I have a good address and then I look it up on Mapquest. I print out the map and I print out the driving directions. And if it is still unclear at that point I call back for clarification. I hate being lost.
If someone called and scheduled a time for me to come to their place of business, but left no address, chances are I’m not going to make it there. If I don’t know where you are, how can I get to you?
Thomas’ question makes a lot of sense to me. Nobody wants to get lost or waste time going in the wrong direction. We just need clear instructions, so Jesus please just map out all of life for us so we can see where it ends and what path we need to take.
In this day everyone is crying out to know their purpose. It sells lots of books. Somehow I don’t think the Lord is nearly as interested in showing us our purpose as we might think. To Thomas’ question Jesus’ answer was “I am the way”.
I don’t think the answer has changed.
I was very blessed many years ago by this phrase from a song by Gianna Jessen “He doesn’t ask me to know, only to follow”.
So when life at times feels directionless, I am learning to be content to know this – Jesus is still the way.
Unmoved
Today marks day 21 with no electricity thanks to hurricane Gustav. I have done everything I can. I have made phone call after phone call. And still I wait. I am thankful to have a place to stay during this time, but I am anxious to get home. The whole process has been frustrating at times. There have been tears.
Last night when my youngest son came home (to my parents house where we are staying) he said he had stopped by our house and it had been broken into. He checked his room to identify what was missing and I will go today to check the rest of the house and file a police report.
Needless to say, this news was disheartening. As soon as I was able, I retreated into my room where I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. With tears, I told the Lord “I have no idea how to respond to this. Lord please show me how to respond.”
Moments later, so very clearly, this verse from the apostle Paul came to mind – “none of these things move me.” And as it came it brought strength. This word from God was so packed full of life in that moment that I began to feel free from the sorrow that had filled my heart and was instead filled with a wonderful sense of peace. And this song flooded into my mind –
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well
It is well with my soul
Indeed – it is well
Even the wardrobe was perfect
While reading through the Gospels over the last few weeks I noticed that all four gospels include the detail of Christ being wrapped in a linen cloth when He was buried. It struck me as a curious detail to be included, especially in all four gospels. Seemed like something worth looking into a bit more.
My search brought me back to the 16th chapter of Leviticus where the instructions for the Day of Atonement are given. This was the one day during the year that the high priest entered into the Holy Place, where the Presence of God dwelt, and put the blood on the mercy seat to atone for the sins of the people. When performing this ceremony, he was to be dressed as follows:
“He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.” Leviticus 16:4
What amazing significance this passage gives to the linen cloth that Christ was buried in. For when Christ rose, He performed the high priestly duties of the Day of Atonement, bringing His own blood into the Holy Place for the forgiveness of our sins.
I can only marvel at the perfection of God’s plan, completed to the last detail in Christ.
For Your eyes only
How many times have you been reminded of the importance of the way you live “because the world is watching”? Many times I have acknowledged the importance of this in my own heart. But if we’re not careful we can become more interested in how our behavior appears to others than how our heart is before the Lord. While I in no way diminish the importance of living in such a way as to not bring dishonor to the name of Christ, I would propose that there are two ways of doing this.
The first way is by way of the nice person syndrome. It is a fabricated façade placed before the watching eyes of others, that conforms to the proper etiquette of the day so as not to offend anyone. It does not reflect anything of what is going on in the heart, but is purposely designed to be what is expected from others. This life is dominated by a desire to please others, to have their approval and to know that they think well of us. We present to people a self that is not us at all.
The second way is the overflow life. It is effortless in that there is no need for pretense. Regardless of what people expect or what society demands, we are living before an audience of One and our desire is only to please Him. We are glad when in the process of living for Him we are also able to please others as well. But the overflow life makes no allowances for putting the desires of any man above the desires of Christ. We live an authentic life, with our words and deeds motivated only by our longing to bring glory to Christ.
Those who live the overflow life, who are living before an audience of One, will be misunderstood. This is a certainty. The world will not appreciate our devotion to One other than themselves. But we were not called to be appreciated. We were called to follow and obey, which is something that the world cannot understand. Let the world watch, and let them marvel.
My dear Jesus, the world may be a curious onlooker, but I am living for Your eyes only.
A Cry for His Presence
Reaching heavenward
With sighs and tears
Longing for a glimpse of Your glory
I have read the stories
And I have desired
To live it
An outpouring of Your presence
Though it leave me in the dust
Face down and trembling
Over the sinfulness of such a frail creature as myself
Before a holy, holy, holy God
Turn Your face toward me, oh God
And look upon Your daughter
See the yearning in my heart
To know You
Oh that You would rend the heavens
And pour out Your glory
My heart aches, it breaks with longing
As I eagerly await the day
Whether in life or death
The day I will see Your glory
When I will know
Even as I am known
How long, Oh Lord?
How long?
He is my Delight 