The Balance Of Pure Religion

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James is opposed to a lazy Christianity. Throughout his writings he promotes the notion that Christian faith is an active faith. God's work in our lives flows from our work in His life. In this passage he teaches that Christian growth comes from active Christian experience. Simply put, good works produce spiritual change in our lives.

The word religion as used here is the practical behavior that springs from devotion to and worship of God. I will use it in that sense throughout this post. The word “visit” means: to go see a person with helpful intent. Affliction means: suffering brought on by outward circumstances. "Keep" is a word for personal discipline.

In previous verses James had highlighted the self-deception in religion that is so common among us, so in this verse he plainly states what pure God-accepted religion looks like so there can be no personal deception or mistake.

The two phrases that end this great verse are not connected by “and” in the text. Literally it says, “ To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, to keep himself unspotted from the world.” I point this out to illustrate the fact that these are not two independent actions. They are deeply associated with each other and the order is by design. One springs from the other.

Personal religious discipline that does not come from compassionate action is self-delusion. Probably one of the most common self-delusions. The self-test is easy: Does my personal religious discipline rise from my visits to help struggling orphans and widows? If I have never visited and/or helped orphans and widows then the answer is obvious, and my personal discipline may be cold and harsh because it does not flow from overwhelmed compassion. Read Jesus' comments in Matthew 23:23-28.

There is another side to this coin. Compassionate action without personal religious discipline is another form of self-delusion. This self-test is also easy and much like the other: Have my visits to help suffering orphans and widows led to greater religious discipline in my personal life? If the answer is no then my commitment to meeting the needs of orphans and widows is probably more about myself than them. Read Jesus' comments in Matthew 6:1-4.

When my personal discipline has a compassionate purpose there is balance in my soul. I will find that the needs of suffering people in this world are of such great magnitude that it overwhelms me, and the depth of religious discipline needed to fulfill the responsibility that compassion has laid upon me seems far beyond my ability. So my soul becomes overwhelmed with the burdens of love and I cry out to a God who is called Love, and who sent His son to visit me in my affliction and to keep Himself unspotted from the world. And... by sharing His burden I move closer to Him, and understand Him more than I ever have before... which leads me deeper into the struggle.

Tradition, A Nonconformist's Word

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

When it comes to church life the word “tradition” can bring strong emotions. For some people the word is a cruel jailer keeping creativity chained to a cold wall in the dungeon of conformity. To others tradition is grandmother's overstuffed chair sitting by the warm fireplace of yesterday. It seems to keep the instability that comes with change always below the safe horizon of sameness.

Paul was a teacher of truth, and he was writing to people who were frightened and under stress. Change had come to their lives in the form of persecution. Persecution for simply believing a different tradition from those around them. The word tradition literally means “the content of instruction that has been handed down.” BDAG To the persecutors, the Christian beliefs were new... revolutionary... threatening. To the Christians they were old, solid, and comforting. Could it be that there are really no new ideas, only ideas that are new to us? New and old, at least in this instance, was a matter of perspective.

In this case the persecutors were trying to use force to bring about conformity to their traditions. Paul's nonconformist argument in the face of this force was conformity to his and the Bible's traditions. There is a great comfort that comes from knowing the truth in times like these, and knowing that this tradition has stood the test of time, it has been handed down to us beaten, bloody, and bruised by the bullying forces of conformity, but intact, as alive today as it was in the Garden of Eden. Tradition delivered by the Creator and then hardened and refined on the human anvil of ignorance, fear, prejudice, superstition, and the violent need for conformity is the strongest material in this unstable world.

The Apostle Paul's traditions, and the rest of the Bible's teachings, are at once solid, unchanging, stable... and nonconforming, revolutionary, and explosively unstable. When we stand there... solid in those traditions, everything seems to stand still, its as if we are already in the eternal day, but the world is still churning around us. It's like living in the eye of a hurricane. There's no place on earth like it. Lord keep me solidly conformed to Your nonconforming traditions... this is where I want... no... where I must remain.

When Cometh Joy by Betsy

Sometimes it seems like joy is just out of our reach. Our souls yearn for it and grasp for it but we don't quite reach it. Maybe you're like me and allow the inability to reach joy bring you even further away from obtaining it... knowing that we've no right not to rejoice in what God has given us... knowing that our despondency isn't the attitude that God wants for us. It makes the joyless times even harder for me to bear. I suppose it's guilt. Guilt over the inability to find joy.

I don't want to rationalize sin or make excuses for our human nature, but, as imperfect creatures, we all face times of despondency. I don't think there's any avoiding it. Sooner or later we'll enter into periods of winter where joy seems to be more of a myth than a reality. Where we look back on past springs and wonder how we felt such joy and jubilation... did we really experience it? Or were we simply naive enough to believe that our life could be filled with such joy?

To that I confidently say that our life can be filled with joy... it can, in fact, overflow with joy. And when we're in the midst of our winter we can positively know that joy will come again, although it's difficult to believe. God has not and will not forget us.

You might say, "Alright, girlie... you're, what? all of 26? What can you possibly have experienced to know this? What winter could you possibly have weathered to know such a thing to be true?" You're right. I haven't experienced half of what others have experienced. However, without going into detail, I have had a few personal, life shaking winters. But someone can always argue that theirs were harsher, colder winters than mine and, therefore, I can't promise that spring will return for them. So, I'll not waste time in describing my winters. Instead, I give you Psalm 30 (I refuse to paraphrase it. It's a beautiful Psalm and should be read word for word.):

1 I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. 8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. 9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? 10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. 11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

This chapter promises the coming spring. He cried to God... God listened and healed! God brought his soul from the grave and kept him from the pit! He was deep in despair, but God spared him from the very bottom. Verse 5 is my favorite... weeping endures for the night but joy cometh in the morning! Joy will come!

The winter described in this chapter was harsh. David proudly declared that he couldn't be moved but, through this particular winter, he learned that his mountain was only held fast because of the Lord. He was troubled and God hid His face. I don't doubt for a second that he felt alone and abandoned... doubtful that joy would return. But God saw him through the night and David found that, yes! joy does come in the morning! He cried out to God and God became his helper. Night does not last forever... morning will come. Spring will come. And with it, joy.

There's no need to listen to my paltry words of spring and the return of joy... listen to the words in Psalm. Hold tight to these promises during your winter... when it seems that hope is gone and joy is a myth. Grab onto them and don't let go! God will turn your mourning into dancing and your sackcloth into gladness! Joy will come in the morning! And that, friends, is joy #100! Betsy

Don't Stop

2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

In the history of the early church we read about resistance in every venture. There was resistance from spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), from wicked people (II Thessalonians 3:2), from difficult circumstances (2 Corinthians 11:25-28), and, mentioned in the context of this verse, from those among the early Christians who drained resources without producing anything.

All resistance creates its own kind of frustration, but resistance from within, from those who are supposed to be working toward the same goals, seems to weigh heaviest on many people. And that is what Paul was writing about in this chapter.

A church that is doing the work of Christ on earth is involved in good things. It is not Jesus’ Gospel purpose to harm anyone, so, if we are involved in His church we are involved in helping people both spiritually and physically. But if we are not thinking about this correctly we can become easy prey for discouragement, frustration, and a weariness that can paralyze us. Here are some helpful guidelines:

Keep focused on the fact that the Church's work is God’s work and it is a good work. It is the work of Jesus.

If you labor for accolades and praise from people then people can easily discourage you. Lay up treasures in heaven.

If you are healthy and able, make sure you are contributing to the overall goals and being a help, not a drain on resources without contributing your share and then some.

Pace yourself, make it your goal to continue in this good work for a lifetime.

Push through the hard times and the resistance. Don’t let up, make your life count.

Let us go...

Mark 1:38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

This comment was made after Jesus left His bed “a great while” before daylight. He had spent the previous evening in spiritual close-quarters battle with the forces of evil. We are not told whether our Savior slept or not… but I think not. In the dark early morning hours he left the house for solitude.

Just as civilians often mistake war for romantic adventure while the battle scared soldier sees it in stark, cold, deadly images without romance or adventure, so the spiritual civilian sees the battle with evil in whimsical unreal images while the battle scared spiritual veteran, who has felt the breath of satan and seen the carnage of evil, bears a constant dark burden and sees the stark coldness of a war torn world. It will keep you awake at night… it will drive you to pray… it can make you wish at times that you were someone else doing anything else.

It is significant that Jesus could not even steal a few moments alone to pray and prepare. His sleepless, uneasy disciples must have heard Him leave the house, so they looked for Him... not wanting to be alone. When they found Him they said that “all men seek for thee.” Was there no place of rest in this war with sin? Not for this Captain, for wherever He went the war was there. But He would be nowhere else… this is what He came for and He would not retreat!

Hear the resolve in His words. If this past year has torn you... shaken you in your battle with evil. Take heart... your Captain will not stop advancing. If you're frightened or discouraged look for Him in those early morning hours... listen to His words of resolve: “Let us go...” Notice His use of the plural pronoun “us.” Mix His words of resolve with your own. Let “us” advance in this coming year, for this is why He has chosen us to be in this war with Him. And this long war is why He came. He is the Victor.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones On The Christian Feast

Peter, in his Second Epistle, tells us that God “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness”. That is what makes the position of the complaining Christian so groundless. We shall never be able to plead the excuse that there was not sufficient provision. The food is available, the 'heavenly manna' is provided; everything one can ever need is here in the Bible. Here is nourishment, concentrated, unadulterated.

The Lord is nourishing the church. The husband in his care for his wife works to provide food and all that she needs. Parents take care that their children have the right food, and plenty of it, and at the right time. The Lord is doing that for us in an infinitely greater way.

A part of His care is to provide acts of public worship. Believers should come because they realize that they cannot grow if they do not come. They come to be fed, to find food for the soul. The Lord has provided it.

Preaching is His way. He calls men, He separates them, He gives them the message, and the Spirit is present to give illumination. All this is a part of our Lord's way of nourishing His children.

As you enjoy your Christmas celebrations consider your commitment to feast at Jesus' table this coming year. Commit now to feast in a church where the Bible is preached and taught. In fact, His table will be spread tomorrow. Be there... His Spirit will be there too. If you don't know of a Bible preaching church in your area drop me a line and I'll try to find one for you. LJ

The Descent Into Christ-less Religion

John 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

In a recent post I discussed the defection of some of the disciples of John the Baptist. The dispute in verse 25 happened some time after John had pointed his disciples to Jesus. When some of his disciples failed to move from following him to Jesus they began a descent into Christ-less religion.

Christ-less religion must have something to fill the empty space and time. What better filler than an argument about purification and the law. When Christ is not leading in the labor of the day religionists will always provide a list of fillers for the empty hours ahead. Fillers that only give the illusion that something worthwhile is really happening. If one tires of arguments about purification then culture and politics are always available for a good argument, lecture, or article. What are those Herodians up to anyway?

In vital Christianity Jesus is always leading in the work of the day. And there is always more to do than can be accomplished. Jesus is working in this world... right now. While productive Christians do have their arguments, those exercises take place while they work together in the fields of the Savior. It is the hard work that will keep them together, focus their efforts, temper their arguments, and sometimes silence them in shame as they look at the work that remains undone.

Second-Guessing Jesus

John 4:3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

The disciples of Jesus looked to Him for leadership. Without His guidance they would have had no notion of what to do or where to go. Jesus had the plan and knew what He was doing. He walked in the light, so those who walked with Him, following His plan, also walked in His light.

When He said he was going through Samaria, some of His disciples may have thought His light had dimmed. We are quick to judge His commands based on our own comfort levels. The Samaritans and Jews were not on friendly terms, and had not been for centuries. In fact, Pilate was removed from Palestine by the Roman authorities because of his mafia-like tactics in dealing with their ongoing feud. Jews had been killed just traveling though Samaria. But Jesus said go, so they went. He was in full control of His Government. He controls it still.

It became clear, after the fact, what Jesus' purpose was in going that way. It has been my experience that it is often only afterward that His motives become visible. Sometimes His purpose is never made visible to us. I guess that's what faith is all about. His purpose was to preach the Gospel to the Samaritans. And that is just what He did.

Jesus’ authority has not withered away with time. He still commands His forces and accomplishes His plans in an organized purposeful way. He leads His disciples where He wants them to go, and He uses them to accomplish His plan. It is wise to walk in His light.

A Witness In Paradise, And My Confession

Carol and I had the blessing to spend a couple of weeks recently in the rainforest community of Nahiku on the narrow Road to Hana. Most people traveling this famed road would not even know they were in this community unless they took the dead-end Nahiku road that would take them by the historic Nahiku Church just before reaching the coast and turning back to drive the 10 miles to Hana.

The only stores or cafes in Nahiku are 3 or 4 small roadside pullovers on the Road to Hana like Coconut Glen's snack shop or a small Thai Cafe with two picnic tables situated under a huge banyan tree around mile marker 28. They are exclusively designed for tourists. Then there is the Nahiku Market Place, a tourist stop with restrooms, 4 small outdoor cafes, and an actual souvenir shop all huddled under huge trees and vines just before mile marker 29. The Marketplace has the only cafe around Nahiku that opens for the locals at times other than tourist hours. The tourists come between 10 and 3 everyday.

Every morning, rain or shine, between 6am and 9am I would hike for a few miles on some trail in the area, or briskly, and cautiously, walk the Road to Hana, stopping only to take pictures of some flower, plant, or insect, or to just admire God's amazing creation.

Being a former Coffee-holic I still struggle from time to time with the temptation to fall off the wagon and sip a steaming cup in the morning. Walking by the Marketplace one morning I saw the Cafe was open and gave into the temptation to grab a cup.

Standing around outside were a few locals, and a couple of the always present unshaven, unshowered college-age backpackers who looked like time-travelers from the 60's. When I walked up they all stopped talking and just looked at me. It was clear I was a tourist (the longhorn shirt probably gave me away), and was out of place this early in the morning. I also was the only one there whose hair wasn't in a ponytail and who didn't have a string of shells around his neck. They weren't unfriendly just... well... waiting for me to leave, so I walked inside for my coffee.

I was met inside by a young man behind the counter with bright intelligent eyes, a ponytail, and a friendly smile. With his sort of “surfer dude” persona he fit the stereotype of a twenty-something in this area. He held his hand out across the counter and said, “Welcome, I'm Benjamin!” I shook his hand and responded, “Hi, I'm Larry.” He pointed me to the coffee, I served myself and came back over to pay. I noticed, as I paid, that his t-shirt said, “Know Jesus, Know Peace, No Jesus, No Peace.” 

I consider myself to be open to the reality of God working in ways that don't fit my preconceptions, and I believe I am not inclined to prejudice or judgmentalism... but... my thought was, as I paid Benjamin, that he probably just grabbed the t-shirt in a dark room without knowing what it said. I even thought about politely asking him if he believed what his shirt said. But I just walked out and went on my way...

I happened to be walking by the Marketplace on the morning of my last day. I had only been in the Cafe that one time the week before. As I walked by I noticed the door was open, and I heard Benjamin call my name, “Larry, hey Larry, where you been?” So I walked across the road and stepped inside the small cafe.

Benjamin held his hand out again and then introduced me to one of his friends standing by the counter. He asked me where I'd been, so I told him that I had been walking some other trails and that I hated to leave, but this was my last morning to enjoy the beauty that surrounded us. As I said it a look of concern came over his face. He said, “Larry, I can't let you leave without sharing the greatest truth with you. A truth I found seven years ago when I moved to this area to get my head right. It changed my life. It is the truth of God's love for you and the sacrifice that Jesus gave on the cross because of that love...”

I deliberately listened without saying a word. He went on seeking my reconciliation with God out of sincere concern for my soul. He was finally interrupted by a friend who walked through the door. This friend wore only shorts and a string of shells around his neck. He and the girl that was with him had driven up in a beat-up old mini-van to say goodbye to Benjamin since they were leaving the area. They grabbed hands and called each other “brother”. He introduced us, and I openly explained to Benjamin that I was a believer. Then the fellowship began... a 53 year old Christian from Texas, and two young “surfer-dude” Christians from the west coast.

My soul was and still is churning with guilt, thanksgiving, and awe. Guilt for my prejudice, judgmentalism, my lack of overwhelming concern and love for the souls of others, and grief that after all these years it seems I have learned so little. Thanksgiving that someone was concerned for my soul. Thanks Benjamin. And in awe at God. He is amazing. He loves and works with people in places that are outside our own little worlds. And I am oh so glad He does. Looking at myself, and my sin in the context of this experience, it is more amazing to me that God would save a stuffed-shirt like me than a “surfer-dude” like Benjamin. “Oh wretched man that I am...”

Picture: I went back and took this shot, and wanted to take a picture of Benjamin, but he was already off and it was my last day. If you read this Benjamin, please e-mail me a picture of yourself so I can post it.

A Lesson From The Sideline

The number one political question I get these days is, “How do you put up with all the written abuse you get.” To answer that question I have to share a lesson I learned years ago.

I began playing little league tackle football in the 5^th grade. This lesson came a few years later while playing on my first school sponsored team. In those days coaches were a mix of World War II and Korean War vets, and most were country boys. They had a great influence on my life.

This was our final practice before our first preseason game. The coach told us the starting positions depended on our performance in a scrimmage that afternoon. In this scrimmage our offense would start on the 20 yard line. They got 6 points for a touchdown, if our defense held them we got 6. The scrimmage would last for an hour.

I was a defensive linebacker and made a misread on the first or second play. When a linebacker makes a misread, and moves to correct, he is often immediately met by one or two offensive linemen. That happened and not only did they score on that play, but I was smashed to the ground by an offensive guard. I was shook up, embarrassed, and blew the next two plays because my head wasn't in the game. 

Our defensive coach came over and asked me what was up. I talked about the score and began to make excuses. He said, “You see those guys over on the sideline? Some are there because they don't know yet if they want to play football, others are there because they just don't have the physical stamina or skills, but there are a few there because of their attitude. I want you to go to the sideline, stand by Mitch and his buddies, and keep your mouth shut 'til I call you.” I can't remember ever being as embarrassed as I was while trotting off that field. In four years of football I had never been sidelined.

As soon as I got to the sideline Mitch began running down the coach. The guys around him were agreeing and adding their criticisms. He dissed the coach for a while, then he began talking about our teammates on the field, how sorry they were and that the only reason they were playing is because they were all cheaters. Then in a bitter tone he said, “When I tell my dad tonight that coach will be sorry. Dad 'ill make him wish he had never sidelined me. He'll have his job...” This went on for a whole series, and then the coach called me back onto the field. As I ran toward the coach, Mitch and his crowd called me names.

As I reached the coach he grabbed my pads and pulled my face mask about an inch away from his face. In a drill sergeant tone He said, “Son, you're going to make mistakes and you're going to get knocked down. But what you do after that is what will keep you in the game and make a man out of you. When you get knocked down get back up, take responsibility for your mistakes, and never make excuses. You're the only guy on the field who is responsible for you. Don't ever let me hear you blame someone or something else. Learn from your mistakes, then put it behind you because the next play is always coming. Guys with a bad attitude spend their lives making excuses and criticizing others and will always be standing on the sidelines of life, and there is nothing worse than living in that kind of bitterness. Is that where you want to be? It's your decision whether you want to be on the sidelines or in the game, you've got the skills, but now we need to know if you have the heart. Mitch and his buddies will never play for this coach, no matter how good they are... their attitude stinks.”

The next day during warm up I watched as Mitch and his dad walked toward the game field. Our defensive coach met them. I watched as Mitch's dad yelled and pointed his finger at coach's chest. It didn't appear as if coach said a word. Finally he waved his hand in coach's face and walked away with Mitch by his side. Coach just turned, gave a little shoulder shrug, and got back to coaching as if nothing had happened.

Since those days I've learned that Mitch's modern counterparts and friends appear in almost every human venture. They stand on the sidelines of life and do what they do: call names, run people down, criticize, and threaten. But that has nothing to do with my life. Mitch or his buddies' criticisms may even sometimes be accurate... the game is always easier to see from the sidelines. No matter how accurate his invective, I don't have time to listen, read, or pay attention to what Mitch and his buddies have to say. I heard his complaints years ago and the only things that change today are the people in the game. 

Every once in a long while though, I have no choice but to listen to Mitch's nastiness. This rare experience brings a strange sort of comfort to me because it enlivens my senses to pause, remember, and be thankful for the coaches I've had in life, and thank God once again for giving me the opportunity to make my life count. Mitch yelling at me from the sideline only proves I'm still in the game, and it is a miniscule price to pay for all the enjoyment I've had in this game of life. I've had my time on the sidelines too, just like everyone else... but I've never wanted to be there, and when I am there I try to do what coach told me to do: keep my mouth shut, get back up, watch my attitude, and learn from my mistakes... then put it behind me because the next play is always coming.

Workfellow

Romans 16:21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

This word workfellow was used almost exclusively by Paul in the New Testament. It gives us insight into Paul’s thinking concerning the methods he used to advance Christ's kingdom. This is a work culture word. What I mean by that is the use of this word gives us insight into the culture Paul created in the teams he worked with in ministry.

Some groups are authority centered in their work culture while others are task centered. Each group has a vocabulary that flows from their culture. Paul was definitely a task centered leader. Don’t get me wrong, it was clear that Paul had the authority of Christ, but that authority was directly related to the tasks Christ ordained him to fulfill. He built teams around tasks not himself. This is one of the reasons the work continued when he moved to another town.

Workfellow is a task centered word. The Language Scholar Thayer captured the full meaning of the term as used in this verse when he said, “one who labors with another in furthering the cause of Christ.” Someone can own a title, but without a meaningful task the title is worthless. The terms “my workfellow” have great complimentary value for task centered Christ followers.

Lord, please give me the heart of a workfellow in your kingdom. One who cares not what title I hold, but only what tasks our team can accomplish for you and your kingdom.

Doctrine Matters

I Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

The City of Corinth was one of the most culturally mixed cities in the world. It was strategically located on a major shipping lane between Spain & Italy to the west, and Turkey to the east. Its location gave rise to a complex, multicultural populous.

The church at Corinth mirrored the population, and this complexity spilled over into the church’s belief system. It seems the church was plagued by division. It may seem odd to say, but this division has been a blessing to every Christian since that time, because it gave us the Apostle Paul's response to doctrinal error. We have both the example of how to deal with error, and his clear statement of vital truth.

If it doesn't matter what a church believes then 1st and 2nd Corinthians would have never been written. And I am not speaking of the doctrinal confession of a church, even though that is of great importance, but the belief system of the people. Paul wrote these letters to the people not just the ordained leadership. The notion that professed Christ followers can believe anything and everything without accountability is invalided here. Belief systems matter.

In the case dealt with in this chapter, various groups in the Corinthian membership contended for the false notions that there is no resurrection of the dead, or the resurrection of Christ had not happened yet. So we are blessed with the Christian answer on this issue. Paul responded by stating that the resurrection:

• is a vital part of the Gospel, I Corinthians 15:1-4
• was testified to by witnesses, I Corinthians 15:5-10
• was preached and professed at the founding of the Church in Corinth, I Corinthians 15:11, 12
• was a required belief, I Corinthians 15:12-19, 31-34
• is vital to every other Christian doctrine, I Corinthians 15:16-18, 20-28
• is the hope and glory of all Christians. I Corinthians 15:51-58

Based on this chapter we know that faithful Christ followers must believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I affirm this truth... I believe, without any reservation, that Jesus has risen from the dead, and He is alive in a physical body at this very moment.

Jesus May Have Something Only You Can Do

Mark 1:44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

This is a rather strange command. Jesus had just healed this man of leprosy, and then He instructed him not to say anything about it to anyone but the priests. It’s strange only until we consider Jesus' motive found at the end of the verse: “for a testimony unto them.”

Why the priests? Well, they were the persons who were, by law, responsible for declaring a leper free from the disease. But they also lived somewhat separated from the rest of society, and were unreachable by the normal Jew. There is little record of Jesus personally interacting with the priests until facing the chief priests just before His crucifixion.

There will always be segments of any society which are closed to the direct communication of Christ's message. They are practically unreachable... until Jesus touches the life of someone who can reach them. Think of it... there may be only one person who can reach a whole community for Christ. One person who can carry the Word of Life to untouched lives.

When the priests asked the former leper what happened, he had to point them to Jesus. And there is evidence that the message reached the priests. John 11:47 Then later a large number of priests became believers. Acts 6:7

Perhaps there is a community Jesus has chosen only you to reach. Have you thought about it? Your testimony of what Christ has done in your life could be the key to a formerly unreachable community becoming “obedient to the faith.” Look for someone only you can reach, prepare yourself to reach them, and then go... let them know what Jesus has done for you.

I Just Prayed For Some Amazing People

Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

There were basically three categories of poor at the time Paul wrote this letter. The first were the “working poor”. These were people who held jobs which brought in just enough to live day by day. Then there were the underemployed, who only had some of the daily essentials for living. Then last were those in abject poverty who, without help from others, had nothing. This is the word used in this verse. It means to be in the continuous state of destitution and dependent on others for life’s essentials.

The poverty in the church at Jerusalem was not caused by laziness. It was brought on by a double persecution. The Jews and Romans both persecuted the church. Many of the Christian men and leadership of the church had been killed, imprisoned, or severely injured. This left a large number of widows and orphans in abject poverty, and there were more in this condition than the healthy families could support.

Christians were also kept out of the economy. The Jews would not give them jobs or buy their products. So the only jobs available to them were the ones no one else wanted. Everyone who could work did, but there was still not enough to go around.

The healthy men in the church and their families could have moved away and found better jobs elsewhere. But they stayed... They faced daily grueling sacrifice to meet the needs of those who could not provide for themselves. These were amazing men and women who Paul and Christians around the world were committed to help with their awesome task. Paul was carrying a large amount of money, collected by the churches in other regions, to be given to the Jerusalem church for the needs of the poor.

In today's world there are still some amazing people who give their lives to help the poor. Sometimes, I expect, they wonder if anyone cares or understands the heavy load they carry, and if we know how deeply they grieve when there are not enough resources to go around. Please know, if you are giving your life to the poor, that you have been prayed for today. Those workers who I know personally have been brought before my Lord by name. But I do not want to be as those who say, “be ye warmed and filled,” then walk away having done nothing to help. I and my church are not only committed to pray for you, but to give and go.

Sacrificing Ourselves Together

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

In the expression “your bodies a living sacrifice,” there is a plural: “bodies”, and a singular: “a living sacrifice”. This language usage sometimes implies a group doing a singular action together. This could certainly be the usage Paul intended in this verse. Such language would fit what I know of committed Christians, and also seems to be the common case in the New Testament. Christian history is filled with accounts of Christians sacrificially serving Christ together as one entity.

This interpretation rests well with the context. Previous chapters presented believers as a multiracial family of adopted children. The following verses, 3-8, illuminate this collective sacrifice by the illustrative use of a functioning human body.

“Our reasonable service” then, is not an independent venture. This service is given by an ordered group of followers which Jesus called His church. Each follower of Christ has personal gifts which are intended for use in a “body,” and are of little value alone. Make sure you are part of team of committed servants of Christ. Long-term group sacrifice creates a bond that is rare in this world. If you are looking for a church to serve in, feel free to write, and I'll try to help.

It has been my privilege in Christian service to work with committed, faithful men and women who are ready and willing to sacrifice themselves for the Savior as an effective, mobile group. To my family, our church staff, and our wonderful church family: I am privileged to serve with you. I am constantly strengthened by the knowledge of your sacrifice and love for our Savior.

Lasting Stability In Unstable Times

The book of Galatians is sometimes called a mini version of Romans because of its major theme: God's Grace. But as Paul, the author, began his closing comments he warned, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.“ 5:13

There are numerous traps we who believe in salvation by grace can fall into, and Paul repeatedly pointed them out. One is the notion that since I am saved now and forever I can live for myself (flesh) without any negative impact on my life.

Paul warned that a person who lives for self (sows to the flesh) will “reap corruption.” 6:8 The word translated corruption means “subject to decay”. In other words, when I spend my time, money, and energy for myself everything I gain will decay away. I've jumped onto the short-tracked roller-coaster of the economics of scarcity in a decaying world.

In contrast the Apostle said that a person who lives for God (sows to the Spirit) will reap “life everlasting.” 6:8 Everlasting means “without end.” So… the apostle argued that spending my life for God’s work has everlasting benefits. In other words, when I spend my time, money, and energy for God everything I gain will last forever. In a sense my eternal day starts here and now. I've stepped into an economy of supply in an existence that lasts forever.

It makes sense to be eagerly involved in God's work. To be involved in God’s economy is to transcend this world’s system. God’s work and His government will never fail. Wow... we get heaven, everlasting life, and a life on this earth that counts. God's Grace is amazing.

Forsook, An Uncomfortable Word

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:18

The net was an essential tool of their trade. The word translated “forsook” means a deliberate departure or separation. This separation was considered, the decision to separate made, and the action taken.

There is comfort in holding on to the tools I've used to make my life, so once this kind of decision is made the action must be swift, or, like Lot's wife, the decision may die in a longing glance back.

What must I forsake to follow Him? I must forsake the tools I've used to make my life my own, and let Him, the Master of His own tools, make it all over again. Follow Jesus.

A Novel New Year's Resolution: Self-Abnegation

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Abnegate means: to give up rights or claims; renounce; to deny something to oneself. Self-abnegation means: to give up rights or claims to oneself; to deny oneself oneself. One writer defined it this way: “The setting aside of self-interest for the sake of others or for a belief or principle.”

This verse presents the notion that I, a Christ follower, should give up all rights or claims to my body, placing it under God's control.

The previous verses foretold of a day when the Gentile world would replace the true worship of God with an empty counterfeit. Self is the portrait in the center of this counterfeit. Self-esteem, self-enhancement, self-realization will replace self-sacrifice and self-abnegation. Opposed to such a vain, empty life, Paul, by the Holy Spirit, called upon all followers of Christ to self-abnegate for the Glory of God. It's not about me...

Forsaking Your Nets

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:17-18

Over the years I have watched people willingly walk away from secular jobs to follow Christ's call. It is a difficult thing to walk away from a job. The person without much in this world is painfully aware of how close he is to depending on the welfare of others. If he has a family he is always mindful of the line between his children eating and not eating. Abject poverty, at times, seems only a step away, and most people will fight hard to not take that step.

A person with wealth, on the other hand, may struggle with potentially loosing it all... He may fight to keep what he has and dread the notion of having to trust someone other than himself to meet his daily needs.

The fishermen in this verse were the working class poor. They generally lived off a day’s catch. Yet… when Christ Jesus called them they immediately walked away from their jobs! They were, in practical terms, one day from not eating. It is very possible that Peter was already married at this time... wow... When Jesus calls how many of us will immediately forsake our nets and follow Him?

Walking In The Light Is Not Complicated

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, 1 John 1:7a

The Apostle John, the author of this book, walked with Jesus and was taught by Him. John knew Jesus always knew what He was doing, and where He was going. Jesus walked in the light… even at night. Those who fellowshipped, or worked with Him, were also walking in the light, because they were involved in what He was doing.

In verse 5 the apostle John declared, “God is light.” God is never confused about anything. He knows exactly what He's doing and where He's going. And God is working in this world…

John stated in verse 6, “if we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie.” What John said is really not complicated. If you say you work for Shell Oil, and you never clock in, not one worker has ever seen you, and you aren’t on their payroll… it is clear that you’re not telling the truth. If someone says they are walking with God, but they aren't involved in what He's doing, their name is not on His work rolls, then they are not telling the truth.

To walk with God all you must do is get involved in what He’s doing on this earth. Get involved with Him… it’s where the light is.

(Oh... I know the person in the picture isn't walking in the light... he's paddling in the light... but I thought it was a cool picture and wanted to share it.)