I heard it mentioned today that among believers, most think it's part of their responsibility to share the Reason for the hope they have, and most even feel like they know how to, but few actually do, so why is that? One possibility put forth was disobedience. And while I believe that certainly factors in, I wondered if there are other factors.
There was a time when it was very easy for me to share -- it just came naturally. I never had to think about it or wonder how. It was as natural as bringing up a good friend or loved one (it was doing just that). Then I started hearing often about how important it was to share the plan of salvation and see people become followers of The Way. I'd certainly talked about The Way and Source and Reason for my hope, but had I really laid out "the plan" in thorough detail? I hadn't seen anyone become a follower, nor had I seen anyone's life change dramatically, so I had not lived up to my responsibility. I ended up feeling like a failure and inadequate, even before I started.
I know it is said to do certain things anyway, even when you don't feel like it, and there is certainly merit to that and time for that. And I know that Paul said he didn't care about people's motives, only that The Way be proclaimed. But when I stand before the One I love, I do care about my motives. And I know that people can sometimes (often?) "sense" where things are coming from...how could I share about "Hope" out of a sense of failure and fear, and misrepresent that Hope and the One I love? I don't know if it was disobedience, although part of it was certainly not believing what He said.
Not sharing broke my heart. Having a part of me not want to share broke my heart even more, because I didn't want to disappoint Him, but felt like that was all I did. I couldn't hear His direction -- I was too overwhelmed with feeling the weight of having to share with everyone right away -- skip the chit-chat and get to business! But I wasn't made to shout on the street corners. I want to talk with and see the person in front of me, yet still want to share.
I still haven't shared much. I've asked about it. I try to look for opportunities. Maybe I've missed some. Maybe part of me still feels pressured. Maybe I'm not obeying. That's not my heart. He says He's not disappointed. Maybe I again need a greater revelation of His grace and love. Maybe in one area or another, we all do.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
To Hong Kong and Back In 7 Days
I spent a few days in Hong Kong at a conference for Sign Language linguistics and Deaf education. I enjoyed so many aspects of it, but one truly amazing thing was the number of different countries represented in one way or another: at least 15. US, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Australia, Hungary, Turkey, France, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Fiji, India...
Most of these places have different spoken languages, all have different signed languages. Presentations were given in English, ASL, or HKSL (Hong Kong Sign Language). Spoken language interpretations went out in several languages to the interpreters who then interpreted into their respective sign language. Everyone communicated in sign language, and you couldn't really tell if someone was Deaf or hearing unless you knew well the sign language being used. So several people (particularly Asians) thought I was Deaf, and I thought a few people were Deaf when they were actually hearing. And even though people were communicating with a lot of different sign languages, you could somehow figure out what others were saying. Well, I had a hard time because I'm not even proficient in one sign language, but everyone else was able to make it work. It was amazing.
And it was amazing on so many levels. Culturally in the way of different nations. Culturally in the way of Deaf and hearing. All the different languages and sign languages. But all able to come together, communicate, share information, and enjoy meeting each other. Even though I don't know Taiwanese Sign Language, I could understand must more TSL than I could spoken Taiwanese. It ended up making me ponder what Heaven will be like: people from all different backgrounds, languages, and cultures, yet still having something in common and somehow able to communicate with each other.
The saddest thing to me was my mediocre signing skills. I wanted to interact more!! But I knew there was no way I could ask an academic question and understand the response. Other topics I was unsure of my ability to communicate -- any conversation that could go deeper. It made me wonder how I can fast-track becoming more proficient in ASL...and definitely want to go back.
I'd forgotten how much I love other cultures, peoples, languages...part of why my poor communication skills was so sad to me, to have a sweet, beautiful Taiwanese woman sign to me in TSL and only be able to understand about 50%. And to "hear" the stories and experiences of people who've been looked down upon by some just because they can't hear.
It's crazy that I plan a trip to Hong Kong like I'd plan a trip to a city in the US that I'd never been there before. Basically, "I have my plane ticket -- I can figure everything else out." (I am the weirdest mix of planner/non-planner! I guess the first step MUST be planned, then... whatever!) Don't know if that's the best method... but for Hong Kong it was fine. I rode the bus and the train wondering how many other representatives of the Kingdom had ridden that bus, or that train, or down that street. I wondered how many had heard... and didn't know what to do, other than pray that His presence would come to every place I stepped and to the entire city.
Most of these places have different spoken languages, all have different signed languages. Presentations were given in English, ASL, or HKSL (Hong Kong Sign Language). Spoken language interpretations went out in several languages to the interpreters who then interpreted into their respective sign language. Everyone communicated in sign language, and you couldn't really tell if someone was Deaf or hearing unless you knew well the sign language being used. So several people (particularly Asians) thought I was Deaf, and I thought a few people were Deaf when they were actually hearing. And even though people were communicating with a lot of different sign languages, you could somehow figure out what others were saying. Well, I had a hard time because I'm not even proficient in one sign language, but everyone else was able to make it work. It was amazing.
And it was amazing on so many levels. Culturally in the way of different nations. Culturally in the way of Deaf and hearing. All the different languages and sign languages. But all able to come together, communicate, share information, and enjoy meeting each other. Even though I don't know Taiwanese Sign Language, I could understand must more TSL than I could spoken Taiwanese. It ended up making me ponder what Heaven will be like: people from all different backgrounds, languages, and cultures, yet still having something in common and somehow able to communicate with each other.
The saddest thing to me was my mediocre signing skills. I wanted to interact more!! But I knew there was no way I could ask an academic question and understand the response. Other topics I was unsure of my ability to communicate -- any conversation that could go deeper. It made me wonder how I can fast-track becoming more proficient in ASL...and definitely want to go back.
I'd forgotten how much I love other cultures, peoples, languages...part of why my poor communication skills was so sad to me, to have a sweet, beautiful Taiwanese woman sign to me in TSL and only be able to understand about 50%. And to "hear" the stories and experiences of people who've been looked down upon by some just because they can't hear.
It's crazy that I plan a trip to Hong Kong like I'd plan a trip to a city in the US that I'd never been there before. Basically, "I have my plane ticket -- I can figure everything else out." (I am the weirdest mix of planner/non-planner! I guess the first step MUST be planned, then... whatever!) Don't know if that's the best method... but for Hong Kong it was fine. I rode the bus and the train wondering how many other representatives of the Kingdom had ridden that bus, or that train, or down that street. I wondered how many had heard... and didn't know what to do, other than pray that His presence would come to every place I stepped and to the entire city.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Hidden Identity
You ever wonder about Joseph's strange behavior when his brother's first show up in Egypt? He recognizes them immediately, but he pretends "to be a stranger" and immediately speaks "harshly" to them. He remembers the dreams he had before, then accuses them of being spies and throws them all in jail for 3 days. Initially he said he'd send one brother back with grain and insist that he bring the youngest brother, Benjamin, back before he'd release the others. But after they've been in jail for 3 days, he says that he'll only keep one in jail and let the others return. Joseph hears them lamenting about how they treated him (causing him great distress and he pleaded for his life) and that they're now being treated harshly because of what they had done. The brothers didn't realize it, but Joseph understand them and breaks down into tears.
Joseph keeps Simeon, but then... he gives them all their gold back! Which is nice... but they have a panic attack because was so hostile toward them. When they come back with Benjamin, he shows preferential treatment to Benjamin and then frames him for stealing his cup. The brothers are beside themselves with panic. Judah offers himself in Benjamin's place.
The general concensus has been that Joseph's song and dance with Benjamin was to test his brothers and see what they'd do. But what about everything else? It seems like we often try to make sense of it from the perpsective of Joseph was a saint and (at least at this point) did no wrong. He'd moved past his hurts from his brothers selling him off to slavery because he name Manasseh saying, "God has made me forget all my troubles in my father's household." So his strange, errat
ic behavior was a part of some godly, strategic plan.
But... let's get real. His erratic behavior wasn't by some well-planned design on his part -- he was an emotional wreck and acted like any of us do when we're a wreck. If Joseph had really forgiven his brothers, he still hadn't seen them -- and he was still human. Did all the memories of that horrible day flood back? Was he harsh and making accusations against them simply because he felt hurt and angry again? Did he hide his identity from them because he didn't trust them? Was he fearful about how they'd react? Did he simply not know how else to respond? So it was just easier and safer to hide who he was.
I know that feeling: hiding who you are from your family. Something happens that's hurtful -- you somehow felt disapproved of or rejected -- and it just seems safer to hide your identity. I've done that -- currently doing it even. Certain things that are important to me, I just haven't let people know. In fact, I've intentionally kept it from others. When asked what I'm interested in or what role I may want in something... I say nothing, or that it doesn't matter -- I'll do whatever. The thing I enjoy, am interested in, good at, or even passionate about, I won't say. I enjoy being part of a worship team and would love to help make a way for people to enter into God's presence. But what if everyone thinks that's ridiculous and I'm not really good at it? I'd like to be involved with (or start) a ministry like Fresh Start or CISM 7, but what if no one comes or I'm just not equipped to do it? It just seems safer to hide who I am rather than put myself out there again.
Joseph was a man of God, he did follow the Lord, but he was still human like the rest of is. He still felt rejected and hurt and for a time even hid his true identity. But eventually... he did reveal his identity to his brothers, and his brothers embraced him.
Joseph keeps Simeon, but then... he gives them all their gold back! Which is nice... but they have a panic attack because was so hostile toward them. When they come back with Benjamin, he shows preferential treatment to Benjamin and then frames him for stealing his cup. The brothers are beside themselves with panic. Judah offers himself in Benjamin's place.
The general concensus has been that Joseph's song and dance with Benjamin was to test his brothers and see what they'd do. But what about everything else? It seems like we often try to make sense of it from the perpsective of Joseph was a saint and (at least at this point) did no wrong. He'd moved past his hurts from his brothers selling him off to slavery because he name Manasseh saying, "God has made me forget all my troubles in my father's household." So his strange, errat
ic behavior was a part of some godly, strategic plan.
But... let's get real. His erratic behavior wasn't by some well-planned design on his part -- he was an emotional wreck and acted like any of us do when we're a wreck. If Joseph had really forgiven his brothers, he still hadn't seen them -- and he was still human. Did all the memories of that horrible day flood back? Was he harsh and making accusations against them simply because he felt hurt and angry again? Did he hide his identity from them because he didn't trust them? Was he fearful about how they'd react? Did he simply not know how else to respond? So it was just easier and safer to hide who he was.
I know that feeling: hiding who you are from your family. Something happens that's hurtful -- you somehow felt disapproved of or rejected -- and it just seems safer to hide your identity. I've done that -- currently doing it even. Certain things that are important to me, I just haven't let people know. In fact, I've intentionally kept it from others. When asked what I'm interested in or what role I may want in something... I say nothing, or that it doesn't matter -- I'll do whatever. The thing I enjoy, am interested in, good at, or even passionate about, I won't say. I enjoy being part of a worship team and would love to help make a way for people to enter into God's presence. But what if everyone thinks that's ridiculous and I'm not really good at it? I'd like to be involved with (or start) a ministry like Fresh Start or CISM 7, but what if no one comes or I'm just not equipped to do it? It just seems safer to hide who I am rather than put myself out there again.
Joseph was a man of God, he did follow the Lord, but he was still human like the rest of is. He still felt rejected and hurt and for a time even hid his true identity. But eventually... he did reveal his identity to his brothers, and his brothers embraced him.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Unraveling Grace
I once asked a pastor why grace wasn't talked about more in that
particular church. He replied that they didn't want to talk about grace
too much, lest people take advantage of it and "abuse" it.
So instead of talking about grace, they talked about getting involved, serving, money and tithing, missions, evangelism, discipleship, intercession, quiet times, reading your Bible, fasting, getting rid of sin, making no excuses. There's nothing particularly wrong with any of those things, but without grace (something Paul spends an entire book talking about in Galatians), all these good things end up being no different than the prayer, fasting, tithing, teaching/training, serving, sacrifice that the Pharisees were so skilled at doing.
The argument for keeping grace "hush hush" has been around since the first apostles. Paul addressed the idea of a sin free-for-all because of grace -- essentially, that this attitude doesn't align with someone who has died with Christ -- died to self -- and now lives again in Him, in His resurrection. We're dead to sin but alive to Christ. (Romans 5-7)
So why still avoid talking about grace? Do we want to prevent people from taking advantage of God, as if God can't take care of Himself? We feel the need to prevent people from committing this "heinous crime"? If someone's heart is prone to taking advantage of God's kindness, they'll find some way to do it regardless.
But the ramifications of carefully keeping grace tucked into the corner are disastrous. I crochet fairly often. I always do it in one piece. Even if I change the color of yarn, I try to tie the new color to the end of the old. But once the product is finished, if down the road someone works out one end, the whole thing can come undone if you pull at it long enough.
The foundation of Christian life is the same way. If something like grace can be worked out and pulled on, everything can unravel. If Christian duty and Christian acts are discussed, but Christian status (under God's grace) is never discussed, the Christian begins to believe that duty is required to stay in good standing with God -- what else is there? Grace hasn't been heard of since salvation, and you know all that "cross-grace-salvation" stuff -- that's behind you and now you're moving forward in service, ministry, and generally being an all-round amazing Christian. You were saved, you learned, and now you "know better". It's good works, or nothing.
So then, as we get on the treadmill of "being a good Christian", our eyes are turned from faith in God and His promises of love, acceptance, and identity to faith in ourselves and expectation of good performance. Grace has been unraveled, and now it's taking faith with it.
And after awhile, we've been disappointed in ourselves, and maybe others have been disappointed in us too, just one too many times. We knew better, but we still struggled in that one area. We know what good Christians are supposed to do, but we still only spent time with the Lord 5 days in the week instead of 7. We're just not good enough. And then hope begins to unravel. We want to serve God, to love Him, to "bear fruit" for Him, to do good things for Him, but we keep falling short. We lose the hope of being pleasing and close to God as hope is the last thing to unravel.
We end up separated from grace, turned away from faith in God, and lost our hope. And this is a very, very big deal -- for God grace through Jesus shed blood on the cross and our faith in Him is the only way to Him, not only on the day of salvation, but every single day after that.
How do we know if we've been separated from grace?
"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." Galatians 5:4
Is there anything that we can't let go of? Can we miss church Sunday morning and still feel secure in Jesus? Do we feel nervous at the thought of not sharing the plan of salvation? (Not to be confused with a heart-desire to just talk about Jesus, who He is, and what He has done -- loving to talk about it.) Are we keeping track of how many times we had a quiet time, and how long? Or how many times we asked to pray with people? If the thought of skipping something makes us nervous, like Peter felt nervous when God suggested he eat "unclean" food and go to a Gentile's house, we need to go deeper into grace. Grace allows our faith in God to freely express itself in love, not work out of a sense of duty and obligation.
So instead of talking about grace, they talked about getting involved, serving, money and tithing, missions, evangelism, discipleship, intercession, quiet times, reading your Bible, fasting, getting rid of sin, making no excuses. There's nothing particularly wrong with any of those things, but without grace (something Paul spends an entire book talking about in Galatians), all these good things end up being no different than the prayer, fasting, tithing, teaching/training, serving, sacrifice that the Pharisees were so skilled at doing.
The argument for keeping grace "hush hush" has been around since the first apostles. Paul addressed the idea of a sin free-for-all because of grace -- essentially, that this attitude doesn't align with someone who has died with Christ -- died to self -- and now lives again in Him, in His resurrection. We're dead to sin but alive to Christ. (Romans 5-7)
So why still avoid talking about grace? Do we want to prevent people from taking advantage of God, as if God can't take care of Himself? We feel the need to prevent people from committing this "heinous crime"? If someone's heart is prone to taking advantage of God's kindness, they'll find some way to do it regardless.
But the ramifications of carefully keeping grace tucked into the corner are disastrous. I crochet fairly often. I always do it in one piece. Even if I change the color of yarn, I try to tie the new color to the end of the old. But once the product is finished, if down the road someone works out one end, the whole thing can come undone if you pull at it long enough.
The foundation of Christian life is the same way. If something like grace can be worked out and pulled on, everything can unravel. If Christian duty and Christian acts are discussed, but Christian status (under God's grace) is never discussed, the Christian begins to believe that duty is required to stay in good standing with God -- what else is there? Grace hasn't been heard of since salvation, and you know all that "cross-grace-salvation" stuff -- that's behind you and now you're moving forward in service, ministry, and generally being an all-round amazing Christian. You were saved, you learned, and now you "know better". It's good works, or nothing.
So then, as we get on the treadmill of "being a good Christian", our eyes are turned from faith in God and His promises of love, acceptance, and identity to faith in ourselves and expectation of good performance. Grace has been unraveled, and now it's taking faith with it.
And after awhile, we've been disappointed in ourselves, and maybe others have been disappointed in us too, just one too many times. We knew better, but we still struggled in that one area. We know what good Christians are supposed to do, but we still only spent time with the Lord 5 days in the week instead of 7. We're just not good enough. And then hope begins to unravel. We want to serve God, to love Him, to "bear fruit" for Him, to do good things for Him, but we keep falling short. We lose the hope of being pleasing and close to God as hope is the last thing to unravel.
We end up separated from grace, turned away from faith in God, and lost our hope. And this is a very, very big deal -- for God grace through Jesus shed blood on the cross and our faith in Him is the only way to Him, not only on the day of salvation, but every single day after that.
How do we know if we've been separated from grace?
"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." Galatians 5:4
Is there anything that we can't let go of? Can we miss church Sunday morning and still feel secure in Jesus? Do we feel nervous at the thought of not sharing the plan of salvation? (Not to be confused with a heart-desire to just talk about Jesus, who He is, and what He has done -- loving to talk about it.) Are we keeping track of how many times we had a quiet time, and how long? Or how many times we asked to pray with people? If the thought of skipping something makes us nervous, like Peter felt nervous when God suggested he eat "unclean" food and go to a Gentile's house, we need to go deeper into grace. Grace allows our faith in God to freely express itself in love, not work out of a sense of duty and obligation.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
What's It Worth
When I went to camp in high school, one year we had a speaker who used a $5 bill as an example in one of his messages. He took out the $5 bill and said that no matter what you did to it, it would still be worth $5. He punched it, yelled at it, called it names, told it that it was worthless, screamed out it. He said you could abuse it. He even rip it in half, but it was still worth $5. It has value intrinsically in just being a $5. He said that our value is the same thing -- no matter what, the value God has placed in us as a creation in His image doesn't change.
I suppose the analogy could be taken a bit further if talking about a brick of gold. Even if it were to be thrown into a fire, it may melt, but liquid gold is as valuable as solid gold. In fact, it may even become more valuable, as every impurity can float to the top to be removed. But for some reason, all we ever seem to see is the dross and forget that the gold is still gold, and it's value and worth hasn't been diminished at all.
I suppose the analogy could be taken a bit further if talking about a brick of gold. Even if it were to be thrown into a fire, it may melt, but liquid gold is as valuable as solid gold. In fact, it may even become more valuable, as every impurity can float to the top to be removed. But for some reason, all we ever seem to see is the dross and forget that the gold is still gold, and it's value and worth hasn't been diminished at all.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
To The Last Drop
I was once in a church service with started off with a skit which showed a "discipleship" meeting between a "discipler" (the one doing the discipling) and a "disciplee" (the one being discipled). It went something like this:
Discipler: So how did you do this week with that thing we talked about last time?
Disciplee: Oh man, I blew it. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't want to do it, but I keep falling back into it.
Discipler: We talked about this last week. You really need to stop doing it.
Disciplee: I know! But man, you don't know the week I've had and what happened this week.
Discipler: I don't care. Stop making excuses and just stop doing it!
Disciplee: But I've had a really awful week!
Discipler: Look man, until you take responsibility and just cut it out, I don't know if there's a reason for us to continue to meet.
The disciplee left dejected, and the discipler shook his head and said a prayer that the other guy would get his act together.
I (and others) thought the message would be about grace and heart issues and that life isn't as easy as just, "stop sinning" and that the "discipler" was out of line and not treating the one who was struggling with love, compassion, and grace. But the message was nearly the opposite. The discipler was justified, and the disciplee really did need to just stop making excuses, power through, and stop sinning. We were shocked. Even horrified. How far removed from what Paul says in relation to this struggle with sin.
I had talked with one of the pastors a couple years earlier and asked why grace was never talked about. I was told that they didn't want to spend much time talking about grace so that no one would take advantage of it and think they could do whatever they want.
But that meant that no one received God's grace, had grace for others, or had grace for themselves. They didn't think they could do whatever they wanted -- they thought they had to do whatever any leader told them. It fostered feelings of failure, inadequacy, pride, inferiority, shame, fear, even self-hatred and loathing... and on and on. The consequences of not talking about grace are grave -- they rip at the heart and soul, rob us of hope, and keep us from the Lord.
Paul begins nearly every letter with "grace and peace to you", and Peter and John each start a letter with the same greeting and extension of grace. Paul also says, "I do not set aside [avoid talking about] the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law ['just stop sinning!'], Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2)
Putting aside grace out of fear that someone might take advantage of it will prevent people from doing so, but it will remove the meaning and power of the cross and death of Christ in their lives. "By His wounds we are healed", but without receiving His grace, the healing power of His wounds cannot be applied to our lives and He was whipped and beaten for nothing. Jesus's blood was shed to cleanse our sins, but if we don't receive and live in God's grace and try to be righteous by our own efforts ("no excuses -- stop sinning!"), we say that we don't need the blood that He shed -- thanks Jesus, but all that was really unnecessary. I got the sin thing handled now -- "stop" button activated.
I once had this amazing glass of wine. Truly the single best wine I've ever had. Amazing flavor, smooth, creamy, perfect balance of tannins and sweetness. I didn't want a drop of that to go to waste -- it was just so good. The blood of Jesus is far more valuable than that. Why should I let one drop go to waste because I think, even in one little area, that I can be "good enough" or "follow the rules" and forget about God's grace? I need His grace, and I need every drop applied to my life -- I don't want to let even one drop "go to waste".
Discipler: So how did you do this week with that thing we talked about last time?
Disciplee: Oh man, I blew it. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't want to do it, but I keep falling back into it.
Discipler: We talked about this last week. You really need to stop doing it.
Disciplee: I know! But man, you don't know the week I've had and what happened this week.
Discipler: I don't care. Stop making excuses and just stop doing it!
Disciplee: But I've had a really awful week!
Discipler: Look man, until you take responsibility and just cut it out, I don't know if there's a reason for us to continue to meet.
The disciplee left dejected, and the discipler shook his head and said a prayer that the other guy would get his act together.
I (and others) thought the message would be about grace and heart issues and that life isn't as easy as just, "stop sinning" and that the "discipler" was out of line and not treating the one who was struggling with love, compassion, and grace. But the message was nearly the opposite. The discipler was justified, and the disciplee really did need to just stop making excuses, power through, and stop sinning. We were shocked. Even horrified. How far removed from what Paul says in relation to this struggle with sin.
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do... 18...For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:15-25
I had talked with one of the pastors a couple years earlier and asked why grace was never talked about. I was told that they didn't want to spend much time talking about grace so that no one would take advantage of it and think they could do whatever they want.
But that meant that no one received God's grace, had grace for others, or had grace for themselves. They didn't think they could do whatever they wanted -- they thought they had to do whatever any leader told them. It fostered feelings of failure, inadequacy, pride, inferiority, shame, fear, even self-hatred and loathing... and on and on. The consequences of not talking about grace are grave -- they rip at the heart and soul, rob us of hope, and keep us from the Lord.
Paul begins nearly every letter with "grace and peace to you", and Peter and John each start a letter with the same greeting and extension of grace. Paul also says, "I do not set aside [avoid talking about] the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law ['just stop sinning!'], Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2)
Putting aside grace out of fear that someone might take advantage of it will prevent people from doing so, but it will remove the meaning and power of the cross and death of Christ in their lives. "By His wounds we are healed", but without receiving His grace, the healing power of His wounds cannot be applied to our lives and He was whipped and beaten for nothing. Jesus's blood was shed to cleanse our sins, but if we don't receive and live in God's grace and try to be righteous by our own efforts ("no excuses -- stop sinning!"), we say that we don't need the blood that He shed -- thanks Jesus, but all that was really unnecessary. I got the sin thing handled now -- "stop" button activated.
I once had this amazing glass of wine. Truly the single best wine I've ever had. Amazing flavor, smooth, creamy, perfect balance of tannins and sweetness. I didn't want a drop of that to go to waste -- it was just so good. The blood of Jesus is far more valuable than that. Why should I let one drop go to waste because I think, even in one little area, that I can be "good enough" or "follow the rules" and forget about God's grace? I need His grace, and I need every drop applied to my life -- I don't want to let even one drop "go to waste".
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Verse Abuse
It's been around for centuries. Sometimes it's unintentional or not
having a full understanding. Other times it's with full understanding
-- like when Satan used Scripture to try to manipulate Jesus. And he's
still using Scripture to manipulate us today. I know he's tried to (and
sometime succeeded in) use verses against me and convince me of
something that isn't true. Or take a general Biblical concept and twist
it to mean more or less than God actually intends. Like the idea of
God being able to meet all your needs turning into, "Get all you need
from God," which, by extension, means you don't need people and can live without them.
Sometimes people speak verses to us when they don't apply -- it doesn't fit the context of our current life situation or is somehow misapplied. I've seen this with the Proverbs 11 verse that says, "those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Sounds pretty good. There's certainly a measure of truth to that. But I've heard this stated to small group leaders when they were tired -- people who were already giving of their time and energy trying to "refresh" or meet the needs of others. If God isn't in our service of others, and particularly if He's actually saying, "REST," going out and working hard to serve more and better will not bring refreshment. I'm pretty sure it will do the opposite, in fact.
And then the oft used line, "God will never give you more than you can handle." The incorrect application of this verse was actually mentioned in church last week, again this week, and a coworker just mentioned it concerning the various circumstances in her life. This idea is from a verse in 1 Corinthians 10, and has transformed a bit from the verse in the Bible, dropping the concept of being tempted and replacing it with a general idea of life dealings. The verse actually reads, "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear," and the preceding sentences are addressing temptation. The verse really has nothing to do with cars breaking down, family members being sick or in the hospital, dealing with cancer, finances, job loss, stress. It's about temptation. And even then, it's not, "God won't let you be tempted more than you can handle -- you got this!" The rest of the verse says, "He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." The way of handling it? Knowing God's exit plan.
As for dealing with life events... I'm just gonna be real. Life is more than you can handle. Well, it's at least more than *I* can handle. This was the verse brought up today: "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life." It goes on to say that it's only God who could deliver them, they will continue to put their hope and trust in God to continually deliver them (WHAT?! We're not just delivered once and for all and may need to be rescued again??!), as people continue to pray for their deliverance. Sounds like we can't handle life without God and a small army of praying saints.
I thought I was supposed to be able to handle moving, but I couldn't handle moving to Michigan on my own. I needed help moving. I needed to hear from family and friends. I needed time to adjust. I needed new friends. I probably needed to go home more. And I probably needed to be visited more. I may have needed more prayer. I certainly needed more wisdom and insight. And needed to fall head-long into the hope of Jesus delivering me. Again.
Sometimes people speak verses to us when they don't apply -- it doesn't fit the context of our current life situation or is somehow misapplied. I've seen this with the Proverbs 11 verse that says, "those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Sounds pretty good. There's certainly a measure of truth to that. But I've heard this stated to small group leaders when they were tired -- people who were already giving of their time and energy trying to "refresh" or meet the needs of others. If God isn't in our service of others, and particularly if He's actually saying, "REST," going out and working hard to serve more and better will not bring refreshment. I'm pretty sure it will do the opposite, in fact.
And then the oft used line, "God will never give you more than you can handle." The incorrect application of this verse was actually mentioned in church last week, again this week, and a coworker just mentioned it concerning the various circumstances in her life. This idea is from a verse in 1 Corinthians 10, and has transformed a bit from the verse in the Bible, dropping the concept of being tempted and replacing it with a general idea of life dealings. The verse actually reads, "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear," and the preceding sentences are addressing temptation. The verse really has nothing to do with cars breaking down, family members being sick or in the hospital, dealing with cancer, finances, job loss, stress. It's about temptation. And even then, it's not, "God won't let you be tempted more than you can handle -- you got this!" The rest of the verse says, "He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." The way of handling it? Knowing God's exit plan.
As for dealing with life events... I'm just gonna be real. Life is more than you can handle. Well, it's at least more than *I* can handle. This was the verse brought up today: "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life." It goes on to say that it's only God who could deliver them, they will continue to put their hope and trust in God to continually deliver them (WHAT?! We're not just delivered once and for all and may need to be rescued again??!), as people continue to pray for their deliverance. Sounds like we can't handle life without God and a small army of praying saints.
I thought I was supposed to be able to handle moving, but I couldn't handle moving to Michigan on my own. I needed help moving. I needed to hear from family and friends. I needed time to adjust. I needed new friends. I probably needed to go home more. And I probably needed to be visited more. I may have needed more prayer. I certainly needed more wisdom and insight. And needed to fall head-long into the hope of Jesus delivering me. Again.
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