The Dreadlock King

I’m reading Scripture using the Moravian Text this year and really enjoying it. Today’s passage in Daniel recounts the story of King Nebuchadnezzar who was changed and became like an animal because of his pride. Scripture records the king’s thoughts in Daniel 4:30, which says, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Someday I would love to know exactly what happened to the king that made him grow dread locks as long as eagle’s feathers and some very creepy fingernails. However, that’s not really the point of the story.

The point of the story is this: a king who had received God’s blessing used that blessing to build something for his own glory, which eventually led to his undoing because of his pride. Rather than giving credit to God for his favor, he claimed all the glory for himself. Rather than recognizing the role others had played, he acted as though he alone had given Babylon to the world. God did not tolerate such pride, and Nebuchadnezzar soon found himself living like an animal with the animals.

So I ask myself, how many times have great people been undone by their pride? How many times has someone built something for their own glory and honor and then to preserve it, destroyed the very thing they loved. I can’t help but think of the Penn State horror in those terms. I also think of various ministries over the years, ministries that once enjoyed God’s blessing, but which eventually became the object of his opposition. More painfully, I ask myself the same question: what peril do I risk because of my own pride, and what blind spots have been created because of my unwillingness to recognizing God’s blessing in my life? Lord, teach me the truth of Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Stories Of God’s Faithfulness

Here’s another story of the blessings of tithing:

Although I had been in church all my growing up years, until I met my Savior and He took up residency in my heart tithing was just a word. When Jesus became Lord of my life the love He poured upon me filtered out in many ways. I suddenly wanted to give Him all I had. The burden of bills and desire to cloth our family in the newest fashions faded. I immediately took the first full pay check and gave it to God. This was just the first step towards God that has gone on for over forty years.The more we have given God the more He has blessed us with jobs, raises, promotions, health and care for the difficult times. We have truly learned that one cannot out give God. Before I was born again I begrudged giving when there were so many needs to be met for our family. But we have discovered the more we give, the greater the joy, and the needs are met because the wants diminish.

Well said.

Forgiveness and Restoration

I’m out of Sundays to preach on forgiveness (to listen to the sermons, click here), but I want to add one important point to the discussion. Sometimes people ask how forgiveness is possible if the offending person does not ask for forgiveness. The question clearly points to the reality of our world: forgiving someone without them asking you to forgive them is different than someone asking you to forgive them and you responding with forgiveness. Not only is it possible to forgive those who do not or will not ask us, sometimes that’s our only option (we cannot contact the person who has hurt us, they are no longer alive, etc.). So what’s the difference?

The difference is forgiveness versus restoration. Forgiveness is a matter of us entrusting the sin-debts others have committed against us to God, declaring our forgiveness concerning those who have offended us, and allowing God’s grace to help us move on. Reconciliation happens when the one who has sinned against another approaches them and asks them to forgive them, and that forgiveness is then extended and accepted. Then, just as God chooses not to bring to memory all of our sins (Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 31:34), we also choose to move on in our relationship with the other person without bringing to mind, or holding over their head, the sins of the past. Once that happens, restoration has taken place and the relationship experiences healing.

Restoration is the best case scenario. Forgiveness is the bare minimum. Restoration requires both the asking of forgiveness and the extending of forgiveness. Forgiveness is something we can do by ourselves, even if the other party refuses to ask for forgiveness, or refuses to acknowledge any wrong doing. We will not always experience restoration in our relationships, but we can always experience forgiveness. Don’t let the seeming impossibility of restoration prevent you from offering the forgiveness that will free you to experience the fullness of God’s grace.

The Stigma Of Anti-Myso-Phobia

Reverend Mark Schroeder, President of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), recently wrote an article trying to explain their synod’s position on the Roman Catholic Church. Recent media reports have catapulted this small Lutheran group into the national spotlight, partially because of Michelle Bachmann’s one-time membership in it, and partially because any denomination that thinks the RCC is the anti-Christ is just too interesting to pass up. Schroeder explains:

“First, the papacy claimed to speak with an authority—even infallibility—that was equal to or surpassing the Word of God itself. By doing so, it put itself in a position of being “anti” or “in place of” Christ. Second, the papacy claimed there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church, making membership in a human organization a condition for salvation. Third, in emphasizing that faith and obedience are necessary for salvation, the papacy undermined the very heart of the biblical teaching that salvation is by God’s grace alone and comes to individuals through faith in Christ alone.”

For these rationally-held, kindly expressed views, anyone that’s a part of this group has been pegged an “anti-Catholic bigot.” It seems you cannot disagree with anyone these days, without being pegged as an “anti-____ bigot.” To disagree with the teachings of the Quran is to be “anti-Muslim.” Of course that’s only a short step away from the p-word, phobic. To disagree with homosexuality is to be homophobic. From there you graduate to the m-word, “mys.” To disagree with current culture on the roles of men and women is to be a misogynist.

All this to say the claims of Scripture are not popular. However, their popularity does nothing to enhance or diminish their truth. 1Peter 1:24-25 says, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” Schroeder sums their doctrine this way: “We believe that our doctrines cannot be tempered by political correctness or modified to align with changing culture or public opinion.”

For a complete transcript of Reverend Schroeder’s comments, click here.

Levels Of Heaven?

Question: 2Corinthians 12:2 says, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” What does this mean? Are there three heavens?

Here’s my take on it. It’s a little bit lengthy, but since I don’t think it’s an easy question, I don’t think there’s a short answer. Some commentators argue the Israelites/Jews believed in three levels of Heaven–the air or atmosphere (Genesis 2:1, 19), the sun, moon, and stars (Deuteronomy 18:3, Matthew 24:29), and the place where God resides (Matthew 5:12, 16, 45, 48). We can debate the three-tiered belief among the Israelites, but one thing is clear, Paul wasn’t very clear about what happened, where this acquaintance went, or what the structure of the universe was really like.

The Bible provides a couple of similar examples to 2Corinthians 12:2. Ezekiel 8:3 says, “He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance to the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.” While Ezekiel recounts an experience somewhat similar to the one in 2Corinthians 12:2, it adds little to our understanding of the structure of the universe. Acts 8:39 says, “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” Once again someone is caught up or taken away and we’re left with scant description of what actually happened other than they disappeared.

Rather than thinking of the universe in terms of a pancake with layers stacked on top of each other, I think of the spiritual and physical realm as occupying the same “space.” While we’re living, we normally only see the physical realm. However, sometimes God reveals the spiritual realm to those living in the physical world, just as we read about in 2Corinthians 12:2, Ezekiel 8:3, and Acts 8:39. I’m not sure we’ll really understand things here until we’re there, wherever there is.

Grace, Works, and Salvation

Question: how does judgment, based on works, interplay with the born again Christian? Does this mean we can lose our salvation based on what we do, or NOT do, even though we have professed Christ as the Savior? I think this question, more than any other, sums up the insecurity we feel as believers. We still sin and we know it, but we also believe that God covers our sin through the work of Christ. So how, then, can we be forgiven for our sin and still be judged for our actions?

First and foremost I believe our sins are forgiven through the work of Christ, which also means we are shielded from God’s wrath (1Thess 1:9-10, Rom 5:6-9). But that doesn’t mean we don’t have to give an account for what we do. It’s possible for us to be forgiven, thus having our debt cancelled, and yet still be asked to give an account and be rewarded for what we’ve done. Paul warns those who do the work of the ministry with poor materials, “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames (1Cor 3:12-15).” Revelation 22:12 probably says it best and last, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”

That said, I do believe we can ask for God’s forgiveness and yet, over time, through neglect or rebellion, put ourselves in danger of God’s judgment. It’s Scriptures like Matthew 7:21-23 that cause me to reflect on my relationship with God. It says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’“

Ultimately, to love, seek, and serve God is the most sober-minded course of action. Since God loves us and desires for us to draw closer to Him, I believe he will lead us and guide us, convict us and encourage us, and draw us ever closer to Himself…if we will listen. Hope that helps.

HH&A Questions

Although my current sermon series on Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife has been extremely enjoyable, it’s also been quite challenging. It has raised some challenging questions in my own mind, and a few from my kids as well. I think it’s so challenging because it’s very important to us, but we don’t have any first hand experience of it, and can’t, until we’ve gone through it. It would be so much easier if we had a step by step introduction to what happened so that we could know we were prepared, maybe something like what we try to do for our kids when they first start school. “First, you’ll go to this room and you’ll meet so and so and they will ask you to…and then you’ll go to this room, etc.” That would be nice.

Anyway, one goal of this series was not only to address the most basic questions about eternity from a biblical perspective, but also to entertain questions people might have about eternity. So I’d like to invite people to post comments here, or on my Facebook page, related to the topic of eternity. What questions do you have? What doesn’t make sense? What do you think?

Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife

New Atheists have an old list of “abusive” doctrines they feel compelled to attack. One of those, the doctrine of heaven and hell, has a special place on the list. That a loving God would judge and punish those who do not serve him, even though, all in all, they live a decent life, seems terribly oppressive and so last century. However, the New Atheists are hardly the first atheists to complain about the doctrine they see as a way for church leaders to coerce their flock into doing what they want.

This renewed pressure concerning the biblical doctrines of heaven and hell has led to several responses by the church. For some, restating the traditional teaching of the church is enough. Some do so with contempt, others with stoic resolve. Still others argue that eternal punishment is not eternal–those God condemns are destroyed in the fire and cease to exist. Others suggest that God is much bigger than the name given to him by one particular religion. As such, like the spokes of a wheel, multiple approaches, followed sincerely, will get you to “God.”

How is a Christian to respond to all this wrangling and turmoil? The single most important thing we can do is to search the Bible for our answers. What I can or cannot believe God is like makes very little difference. What you can or cannot believe God would do also makes very little difference. After all, as Scripture attests, there is a God, and it’s not me. We certainly have the option to believe that God is what we hope He is, but that’s risky business, especially considering the eternal implications. Instead, we must search Scripture for God’s revealed truth and then determine whether we will submit to what it says, or choose to take a less radical approach.

Over the next month and a half I want to explore this hot (sorry) topic with you. If you have questions related to the topic, please post them to this blog, and I will try to get to them in the series.

Best Party Of The Year

Today I went to one of the best parties I’ve been to this year, and I go to a LOT of parties (a job hazard). This party wasn’t the best because it was the most fun for me, but because I think it’s the kind of party Jesus would have thrown. Luke 14:12-14 says, “Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Our church adopted three women’s shelters this past year. We’ve spent time building fences, painting rooms, mowing lawns, cooking meals, and in general helping in whatever way we can. It’s been a wonderful blessing. But for Christmas we decided to invite the ladies and their children to our church and throw a party for them in honor of Jesus’ birthday. We hung lights in the gym, festively decorated the tables, made a place for Santa to take pictures with the children, prepared crafts, and loaded all the presents next to the Santa’s seat. We had table hostesses and elves running around serving a catered dinner and some Christmas music playing in the background.

I think everyone expected a dime-store Santa with a pillow in his suit and a glue on beard. When the REAL Santa walked in, the children went silent. Jim, as we call him, makes the real Santa look like a fake. He has a long, white beard, long, white hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and an amazing, hand-made Santa suit. He led everyone in Happy Birthday to Jesus and then sat down on his chair and the kids came to get their picture taken with him. When they were done the elves brought a large bag full of gifts for that child–remote-controlled airplanes, trains, dolls, games, and dozens of other things. They ripped the toys open with a vengeance and began to play straightway.

The time ended with bagging up the loot, putting on coats, and hugging Santa goodbye. The thought of spending Christmas in a shelter hardly brings holiday cheer, but the knowledge that we had a small part in making a tough Christmas a little better made it all worth while. I could not be more proud of all the people who so generously gave to this project–gifts, time, creativity, light-hanging, serving, cleaning, and the list goes on. What a wonderful party…and no chance they will pay us back.

Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 cuts through the religious veneer of empty spiritual phrases and rote worship; it bottom lines what God expects from his people-”to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Those three commands all contradict our most basic human instincts. Rather than acting justly, I am tempted tip the scales in my favor, or in the favor of those I care about. Rather than loving mercy, I am tempted to demand others fully pay for their sins. Rather than walking humbly with my God, I am tempted to become self-righteous and overbearing with those I think are less put together than me. Like so many other things, religion can be used to advance my own purposes rather than God’s, something he neither appreciates nor tolerates. And he’s smart enough to know the difference between true religion and its oft-mistaken empty counterpart.

It’s so easy to look at a verse like Micah 6:8 and think about what it would look like if applied in the world out there. What if everyone acted justly? What if they loved mercy? What if they showed humility? I have some fairly concrete ideas about how these things might be applied, but truthfully, few of them have to do with me. I look at those I believe act less justly than me, and I think about how they could change. I look at those who love mercy less than me, and think about how they might grow in such a virtue. I look at those I believe display more arrogance than me, and I think about how they might change for the better. While I think much can be said for thinking about this verse in light of contemporary culture, I will never have the perspective to apply it to others until I’ve come face to face with my own failures, until I’ve admitted my bent for favoritism, my desire for others to pay for their faults, and my own struggle with pride.

One verse. Endless possibilities.