Hearing Gladly

The son of Herod the Great, Herod Antipas provides a very important lesson for us about hearing and responding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Herod Antipas was the ruler over Galilee during the time of Jesus and John the Baptist. Like most of the Roman rulers during that time, he was ruthless and without conscience, but he also showed an unusual interest in spiritual matters. Mark 6 tells us the story of how he arrested John the Baptist, but frequently listened to his preaching. In fact, in verse 20, the ESV says that Herod heard him gladly.

In other words, Herod enjoyed listening to John talk about spiritual matters including eternal life and the power of God. But he is the ultimate example of someone who listens and even enjoys hearing about the Gospel, and yet goes on to commit unspeakable evil. It was Herod who became so controlled by his lust for his stepdaughter that he made a promise to give her anything, up to half of his kingdom. It was the same Herod who enjoyed listening to John that ordered his beheading.

Clearly the enjoyment of listening to the Gospel is no sign of salvation or even impending salvation. It can be experienced by those who continue to pursue a self-centered life and even a life of ongoing evil. Each person who hears and enjoys the Gospel must come to a point when they must either reject or accept its message. That involves coming to a full understanding of the message of the Gospel. The Gospel offers salvation and eternal life to any and all who hear it, if only they place their faith in the the Lord Jesus Christ. But today, many confuse belief that Jesus is God with the idea of placing their faith in Christ. Faith requires reliance...dependence. It is possible to believe something without really becoming dependent upon it. Godly faith requires reliance and dependence upon God to the point that our lives reflect change that is recognizable by those who know us well. It is tragic that while Herod enjoyed listening to John, he never made that step of faith.

God's Loincloth

Our God loves to use graphic illustrations of His relationship to us and in the case of the Old Testament, to illustrate how the people of Israel have sinned against Him. Jeremiah 13 contains one of those illustrations and yet has profound implications for our relationship to God today. The chapter begins with God telling Jeremiah to go and buy a brand new linen loincloth. Jeremiah is told not to put the loincloth into water but instead is to wear it. Then, after a period of time, God tells Jeremiah to take the loincloth and hide it underground near a river. In verse 6, Jeremiah recalls that after many days, the LORD told him to retrieve the loincloth from it's hiding place. Of course, by that time, the new loincloth is ruined and not good for anything. The purpose of this charade is to illustrate how the sins of Israel and Judah have ruined those nations and just like the loincloth, they are no longer good for anything.

But in verse 11, we are told something so profound and potentially life changing, we must be careful not to miss it. God tells Jeremiah that He had made Israel to cling to Him, just as the loincloth clings to a man. What is astounding is the article of clothing that God has chosen to illustrate man's relationship to Him. God could have chosen another piece of clothing such as the outer robe which is so critical in keeping people warm at night, protecting them from the cold. But God purposely chose the loincloth, the most intimate article of clothing we wear. It is the equivalent of our underwear. It is the article of clothing that covers the most intimate part of our body. God tells Jeremiah that He made Israel to cling to Him like a loincloth!

What is God telling us through this illustration? I believe He is letting us know just how intimate a relationship He desires to have with us. He chose the MOST intimate piece of clothing to describe how He made Israel and Judah to be to Him. In the New Testament, He uses the most intimate human relationship to describe how He wants to relate to us by telling us that we are the bride of Christ. There is no more intimate relationship than husband and wife.

I know that I have very little idea of just how intimate God wants to be with me, but I suspect that it is far more intimate than anything I could imagine. He is waiting for me to respond to that invitation...He is waiting for all of us to respond to that invitation...

Small steps

A frequent theme in the teachings of Jesus is for us to follow Him. In Mt. 4:19, Jesus tells Peter and Andrew to come follow Him, and He will make them fishers of men. Then, 4 chapters later in Mt. 8:22, he tells the disciples to "...follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." I used to think that whenever we made the decision to follow Jesus, it would consist of huge steps in directions I had never been. This is always scary and I'm sure holds many of us back from taking that step. Occasionally, God may be calling us to take a big step in an unknown direction, but in my life, the steps to follow Jesus have been small ones that slowly lead me in a slightly different direction than where I had been headed. For a time, the path following Jesus has almost been parallel to the way I had been going, but slowly, almost imperceptibly, it begins to turn in a different direction. Then, as I have walked along that path, I have come to streams, creeks, and rivers that require a larger step of faith to be made. But for me, the initial steps were small. It is only after looking back over 5-10 years that I notice how far off the original path I have come.

Obedience is certainly found in taking the large steps of faith that God requires of us. But, most of the time, obedience is found in taking the small everyday steps that consist simply of taking time to be with Him, and avoiding that which we know He doesn't want us to do. Small steps of using our time, talent and treasure for His glory. Small steps of taking the time to listen to His Spirit within us leading us in the small decisions of the day. After all, if we are going to run a marathon, it is not accomplished with one large step, but with many small ones.

Today's Church

What would Jesus say about today's church? In my work on human trafficking, I was giving a presentation the other day and someone asked me how the church was responding to the issue of human trafficking. I had to stop and think for a minute and then gave an answer that basically said that the church response is mixed. There is definite interest in the issue, but when it comes to translating that interest into action, that's where the response is mixed. I've actually seen much more interest in action from individual church members than from church leadership. There have been a few churches that have asked me to come and speak...and then they have been supportive from that time forward. But they are the exception, not the rule.

As a result of this question, I decided to look back at the letters Jesus wrote to the 7 churches in Revelation, and study again his criticisms of the churches he wrote. The first letter was to the church of Ephesus in which Jesus pointed out that they had lost their first love. Presumably, He meant that they had lost their love for Him. But what is interesting is what Jesus tells them to do in order to restore that love. He didn't tell them to seek Him, or enhance their emotions in some way. Jesus told the church of Ephesus to resume the works that they did at first. In other words, Jesus correlated love with works. It certainly fits well with the first Epistle of John where in several different ways, the Apostle John tells us that true love is expressed in action.

Christians can talk about how they care about various issues and concerns, but unless those words are followed up with some form of action, in the eyes of the Lord, they are meaningless. It is my hope and prayer that with each passing day, the church as a whole will take increasingly more action around the issue of human trafficking following the example of the one church taking the lead on the issue...the Salvation Army.

Job 42- Seeing God

When I think of the life of Job, my usual thoughts are along the lines of His faithfulness to God before all the bad things happened, or the horrible tragedies that struck him through the actions of Satan. But what I don't often remember is the reaction he had upon seeing God. In fact, I often forget that he saw God. But we learn in chapter 42 of his account that Job actually saw God, or at least some form of God. His reaction is instructive. Prior to seeing God and hearing His voice, Job had been challenging God to give an account of what had happened to him. Job's attitude had been that he had lived a righteous life (which in comparison to most of us today would be true), and therefore God had no right to cause the many tragedies that fell upon Job.

But in Job 42:5,6 Job states... "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore, I despise myself and repent is dust and ashes." Job went from self-righteousness and pride to despising himself... all after encountering God.

I think it's safe to say that would be the response of all of us if we were to have an encounter with God. Deep within all of us is a level of self-righteousness and pride that allows us to go forward in our lives and do what we do. But should we have an encounter with God, we would see true holiness and righteousness, and the depth of our sin would be exposed. We would have no choice but to despise ourselves in comparison.

While we can't orchestrate a face to face encounter with God, we can still encounter Him through His word. I have to admit that the result of a solid time within the Scripture is always a level of humbleness, that while temporary, adjusts my view upward rather than inward.

Outward vs. Inward

I was reading through 2 Corinthians Chapter 5 this morning and a verse caught my attention just beyond the one that usually causes me pause. The verse that always gives me pause is of course the well known verse found in 2 Cor. 5:10 which refers to the judgment seat of Christ. It is a reminder for all believers that we will give an account to Him who has saved us for everything we have done, whether good or bad.

But the verse that also caught my attention this morning is found in 2 Cor. 5:12 where Paul writes about those who "...boast about outward appearance, and not what is in the heart." I started to wonder how someone would boast to the Lord about outward appearance. I thought back to Luke 18:9-14 where Jesus talks about the Pharisee and the tax collector each praying to God. The Pharisee is thankful that he is not a sinner and talks about what he has done for God. But the tax collector doesn't even try that approach. He simply begs for God's mercy. Of course, Jesus condemns that Pharisee and encourages the approach of the tax collector.

But then my next thought is how we today mimic the Pharisee rather than the tax collector? Whenever we become proud of something we do for God, or for that matter, something we don't do because of God, we are focusing on outward things rather than the condition of our heart. The Lord knows how my heart can vacillate between the things of this world, and devotion to Him. The problem is...when I'm focused on what I've accomplished for Him, or what sinful activity I've avoided for Him, I'm not necessarily getting to the level of the heart. When we have the heart right, the outward activities follow. But we can be deceived into thinking that when the outward activities are right, the heart will naturally follow...and that isn't so.

Paul is pointing out that true self evaluation must occur at the level of the heart by asking the question..."What is my heart seeking?" Is it to look good on the outside from all my activities, or is my heart truly seeking the Lord?

Job- Misunderstanding tragedy

I've often struggled to understand the book of Job. It is a long book...almost too long...and the vast majority is frankly depressing. I don't need to go over the story because most know the story, but I'm certain that I'm not alone in my questioning of the purpose of Job. I'm currently reading through the book for the umpteenth time...and finally it's occurred to me that perhaps one purpose of the book is to illustrate a common mistake that we all make on a regular basis.

It all revolves around the particular piece of information that every reader has about Job that he doesn't possess. That little tidbit of information is that the direct cause of his woes is not God, but rather Satan. We as the reader know that, but Job doesn't, and it makes all the difference in how he responds. Without that critical awareness, Job is angry at God and naturally blames him for all that he is currently suffering. If only Job knew what the reader knows...we can only imagine how different his response would be...and his ability to trust in God would be strengthened.

The lesson for us is that when tragedy strikes our lives as it inevitably will, there is a difference between God causing an event, and God allowing it. God allows tragedy to strike Job by giving permission to Satan to do as he desires. Now, not all tragedy that occurs in our life is a direct result of the actions of Satan. However, we can all too commonly forget that the tragedy that strikes us is also not the direct action of the God who loves us. Yes, there is no tragedy that can strike us without the sovereign Lord of the universe allowing it, but there is a big difference between God allowing something, and God causing it.

God allows tragedy in our lives in order that we grow, depend on Him more, and many times for reasons that we will never know or understand in this life. As difficult as it may be in the midst of tragedy, we need to work hard at avoiding Job's mistake...blaming God as the direct cause of the tragedy rather than understanding that though He allowed it, that doesn't mean that He wanted it to occur. Maybe, just maybe, if we allow Him, he can turn the tragedy into something of eternal impact and worth.

Judging others

What does it mean to judge someone else?

There are several Scriptural references that prohibit judging, including Romans chapter 2 and James chapter 4. But the confusing thing is that there are also Scriptural commands to confront and rebuke others when needed. Examples are Luke 17:3, 1 Tim. 5:20, and Titus 2:15. The question I'm wrestling with is how do we rebuke without first judging?

Clearly there must be a difference between the discernment and pronouncement of sin in another, and the wrongful action of judging as prohibited in Scripture. But Scripture itself does not elaborate on the distinction. We must seek it out ourselves before we approach someone else to rebuke them for their sin. Here are some principles that I've come up with to this point:

1. The decision to rebuke another for sin should be motivated by a call from God, not a self-centered desire for revenge.

2. The motivation for rebuke should lie in what is best for the one being rebuked, rather than what feels good for the one doing the rebuking.

3. The one giving the rebuke should be very aware of his/her own sinful nature.

4. The rebuke should be administered in love

5. The sin should be self-evident and not debatable.

Thinking through these principles, I realize that the sin of judging lies not so much in action as in attitude because the wrong attitude will bring about the wrong kind of action.

The purpose of the Church

I've been reflecting a great deal lately on the issue of the purpose of the local church. Looking at Scripture in order to find a mission statement for a local church, the closest reference I'm drawn to is found in Ephesians 4:11-13 where Paul gives the mission statement of a pastor/teacher. In verses 12 & 13 he writes that the pastor/teacher is "... to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ."

In short, the pastor/teacher is to equip the saints so that they in turn build up the body of Christ. There is an overall goal and purpose that each local church should have, and that is grow in maturity of the members so that they in turn are involved in some ministry that builds up the body of Christ.

That's a different mission than building and organizing the church around the comforts and needs of the congregation. If a church is not constantly looking outward and involved in ministry outside the walls of the church building, it automatically begins to become ingrown. I'm convinced that the natural tendency of all churches is in this direction, seeking to meet the needs and wants of those who complain the loudest. It must be resisted by those in leadership so that the words of Paul can be fulfilled.

Those who are the chronic complainers need to be moved to greater maturity and a servant attitude, and I believe the best way to do that is through service to others. While the words from the pulpit are important, they are often not enough. There is nothing quite as humbling as helping those who are in great need, living in circumstances beyond their control. This is simply known as outreach, and a church without significant personal outreach is a church becoming ingrown.

There is nothing quite like experiencing and understanding the reality of...there but by the Grace of God go I...to help move us along in our maturing process.

Principle 4- It is about God's plan

As I write this, fresh snow has fallen, covering all important landmarks that tell us things like the location of our driveway, the roads, and more important, just where the ditch begins at the entrance of our driveway. Carefully placed stakes that rise up out of the snow would be helpful on mornings like this. These principles are like those stakes...rising up out of the clutter, noise and distraction of the world to help us believers know when we're on the road, and when we're about to go into the ditch.

Principle 4 for me is the positive affirmation of just what God is trying to accomplish in this world. If His overall goal is not our happiness, then just what is His goal? His goal is revealed to us in the life of Jesus. God the Father sent His Son Jesus into the world to pay the penalty for our sins so that we may spend eternity with Him. Jesus Himself summarizes this in John 12:47 when He says, "... for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world."

Jesus completed His part, but left some of the work to us. That's why we have the Great Commission in Matthew 28 and why the work still continues today. God is still in the process of saving the world, one soul at a time. He has given us the honor to participate in this grand adventure, which is His overall goal.

Principle 4 is simply that our lives must in some way reflect the fact that we are participating in God's grand adventure to bring those lost souls around us from darkness into light. If we're not in some way involved in that, we've gone off the road and not really living the Christian life.