"There Is But A Step"

Matthew 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The 19th century Baptist pastor Charles Spurgeon said of this transition, “This prayer begins where all true prayer must commence, with the spirit of adoption, "Our Father." There is no acceptable prayer until we can say, 'I will arise, and go unto my Father.' This child-like spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father 'in heaven,' and ascends to devout adoration, 'Hallowed be thy name.' The child lisping, 'Abba, Father,' grows into the cherub crying, 'Holy, Holy, Holy.' There is but a step from rapturous worship to the glowing missionary spirit, which is a sure outgrowth of filial love and reverent adoration-'Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'"

Living in God’s household after you’ve lived in the hovel of this life without Him, makes you know how great a Father He really is… and how wonderful His family. We wonder how people can live without Him. How complicated and unsettled that life seems in comparison to living in His family. We then want the world to know and experience His Home. Come Home. The entrance is the Gospel.

Divorce Me!

Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

10 And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not;

Within moments Peter fell from extreme self-confidence and pride to humiliation and fear. He would have many such experiences throughout his Christian life. In the context we find the root problem. Peter thought he knew more about his own business, commercial fishing, than Jesus did. Peter was arrogant and surly when Jesus told him to take him fishing. And he was impatient with Jesus.

Walking with Christ is hard on some of us… especially if we are prideful, know-it-alls, overly self-assured, and/or tend to be impatient with others. The fall can be hard and far, but Jesus will be sure to take us there… for our own good, and to make us useful to Him. He must have servants who are willing to do His will not their own will.

The realization of our failure will show us what we fear most… that we don’t measure up and that we aren’t what we believe ourselves to be or pretend to be, and that Jesus plainly sees that truth about us. Those of us who suffer from this arrogance generally do so out of fear. And when we loose face in the presence of Jesus it can be a horrible experience.

Peter’s response was, “Depart from me…” This word depart could be used by a failed husband or wife who is so distraught over their own failure that they cry out to their mate, “divorce me!” It is more than saying I am unworthy, it is saying I can’t stand that you see my shame. But Jesus said, “Fear not…” He knew Peter's agony. Peter had gone from one extreme to another in a matter of minutes. Now Jesus brought him back to a place of balance, a place of humility born from unconditional love. Wow...

Love's Right Hand Secrets

Matthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

How can we do that? The word translated “alms” means charitable acts or giving. How can I keep secrets from my left hand? I realize this is an idiom for secrecy in Jesus' culture, but it is an interesting metaphor, and may teach us more about how our mind should work than we see at first glance.

After I spoke in public speaking class for the first time, my professor said, “Your gestures were excellent, gesturing will help keep people interested in what you're saying, so keep it up.” I was surprised... everything else in that exercise was planned. I had prepared notes, illustrations, the introduction, the ending... but I didn't plan any gestures. In fact, I had never thought of gesturing before... it was, and is, something I do involuntarily. I am one of those people who uses my hands to talk. With me it is a sure thing that my left hand doesn't know what my right hand is doing most the time.

Could it be that a person's charitable acts and giving can become so much a part of who they are that they don't even think about it... they just do it? That each caring act becomes an involuntary result of a decision to love made at an earlier time which has now become their soul's passion? A love that now defines them. Each action flowing invisibly from a mind and heart that is overwhelmed by love. Could I come to a place in life where someone says, “Your care for that person is amazing!” and in return I give them a confused glance, because the care I give is as involuntary for me as breathing or gesturing. If I think about it at all it is to wonder, “Doesn't everyone do this?” like “Doesn't everyone breath?” Or, now that this person has moved my attention to my actions, I chide myself for not doing more... a bit embarrassed because my actions seem so small and inconsequential compared to my love.

Do you think Jesus thinks about helping you through your difficulties, or does He help because He decided to love you so long ago, and His heart will allow Him to do nothing less? Is His care for us an involuntary action that flows out of His love for us? Is He overwhelmed with love for us? Is an act of love from a Being described as “love” in 1 John 4:8 and then again in 1 John 4:16 something He thinks about? Or is it an involuntary act pressed from a heart overwhelmed by love?

I am privileged to know people whose acts of charity seem to involuntarily flow from love. When I complement their obvious sacrifice they dismiss it with a wave of the hand. They seem to be an embodiment of “when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.”

Consolation, A Tender Word

2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

This is a word which we must experience to really understand. It is a word of vulnerability, an emotional word, a tender word. In its basic use it is a strong earnest call to a friend, and then the friend's answer and encouragement. A plea none of us enjoy, but when comfort is needed it is good to have such companions in life.

This is the word for what happens when we have our spirits lifted by someone who really cares. By the time we communicate our struggle we may be feeling the weight of despair. Our friend comes quickly and puts an arm around us and speaks to our discouragement. That is Consolation.

On the other side of this relationship is the consoling friend, the giver of consolation. Sometimes a struggling friend's call for help may come in a facial expression, or just a word. This may be because this troubled friend doesn't want to burden or bother us, or may be embarrassed to show weakness in the face of struggle. We must train our ears and eyes to be alert for these calls, because the giving of consolation is most often deliberate. In the case of this verse the word “everlasting” tells us our faithful friend is always listening, watching, and prepared to console.

I have a friend, C. D. Ward, who is gifted with this treasure. He called across the miles last night because a few weeks ago he heard the struggle in my voice. I was vulnerable with him, because I knew I could be, and I knew I wouldn't harm him by sharing my burden, and... I knew he cared and was deliberately listening. Ah... to have such treasure in a friendship!

But this passage tells me that Jesus is such a friend, and perhaps that is why He gave this dear friend such a gift... because sometimes He needs a voice to speak His consolation, and an arm to warmly cover our shoulders and lift us up. So I thank both friends on this morning that is brighter because you cared and have been my consolation.

Perfect Woman???

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

You won’t hear this often in our utopian based Christian culture, but this chapter was not intended to be an expose’ on the attainable goals of womanhood. This was not a description of any woman who ever has been or ever will be an inhabitant of this planet.

The word translated “who” is a Hebrew question (who?) usually used when seeking the identity, ancestry, or an external fact about a person. But it has a very important shade of meaning when it is used as it is in this verse. “In impassioned prose, and especially in poetry, implying the answer few or none; it is equivalent to a rhetorical negative.” BDB

This passage is definitely Hebrew poetry (each verse begins with a Hebrew letter), and therefore it has, by use of this word, the implied answer of “few or none” can find such a virtuous woman. The question then is: did the author believe there was or ever could be such a woman? I believe the intent of the writer was to declare that no women can meet this description. The Hebrew Scholar and pastor, John Gill, agrees, “But, the description cannot agree with any of the daughters of fallen Adam, literally understood; not with Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon; nor with the Virgin Mary; nor indeed with any other; for though some parts of the description may meet in some women, yet not all in one.”

Some reader may now be thinking, “What if your wife reads this?” I hope she does, because it will give me the opportunity to tell her one more time how much I love her, and I love her just as she is now, was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. That I will stay in love with her whatever comes. I hope she stopped worrying about being the perfect wife and mother years ago... and has just let herself fall into the unconditional, adoring love of her husband, children, and grandchildren. You have no idea how much I love this woman.

Some people worry so much about being something they aren't, that they can't enjoy being just who they are, and let themselves be loved in a rapturous unconditional way. I am not saying that we should not strive to be better, we should. But striving to be better is also a declaration that we haven't reached that goal. And there is a comfort in knowing that those nearest you know that about you... and seem to not even notice, because they love you... the real you.

So what is the reason for this chapter in the Bible? I think I have just stated it. It is a standard too high to reach… but is that not always the case with perfection? The perfection of the law is there for one main reason: to show us how far we are from perfection. When we know this, and only when we know this, can we let ourselves fall into the unconditional, adoring love of our Savior. We have no idea how much He loves us.

I have two other posts you might want to read: Will You Still Love Me If You Know Me? and Will I Ever Find True Love?

Is He Thinking About Me?

Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

The verb "will", when it comes to human nature, is a profoundly important word. It means “to purpose, generally based upon a preference and desire”. Louw-Nida Our intelligence allows us to choose between options. And when we have made a decision that choice is described by this word “will”.

The leper Jesus healed in this verse wisely knew that if Jesus decided to heal him he would be healed. When Jesus decides to do something, it gets done. So when Jesus said, “I will,” there was no question something was about to happen, and Jesus always makes the right choice.

The human will is a product of our complete personality. In some specific cases it can be said to reveal exactly who we are inside. For sure, the cumulative choices we make over time do indeed become the full expression of who we really are. 

In this passage we are told Jesus was “moved with compassion.” His compassion was the dominant factor in His decision. We decide only after a process has taken place inside us, and the process in the mind of Jesus was overwhelmed by His heart.

It is difficult for us creatures to grasp the being of our transcendent Creator. What we know of God's transcendent mind He has revealed to us in His Word, or we make judgments about Him based on what we see around us. But we can also see Him in Jesus. And what I see causes me to pause, and rejoice in such a benevolent Creator.

Jesus thought about this man, then He acted on his behalf. I have no question in my mind that Jesus has done things to and for me as well, and that He loves me. Based on this passage, and what we know of human nature, this means he looked at me, thought about my needs, then He acted on my behalf. It thrills me to think that He might be looking at me right now... is He thinking about me? How many times has He already acted on my behalf today? Wow...

One Way Love

Let love be without dissimulation. Romans 12:9a

The Greek scholars Timothy and Barbara Friberg tell us that the Greek word translated love in this verse is an attitude that results “from a conscious evaluation and choice.” In John 13:34 Jesus, using the same word for love, said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;” If love is primarily an emotion then it is almost impossible to produce or control, and a command to love will effectually fail. But love, as it is used here, begins with a thoughtful decision.

This type of love can be completely one way. And, truly, this is how most love relationships begin: one way. Based on this concept I can even chose to love someone who hates me. Jesus used the same word when he said, “Love your enemies” in Matthew 5:44. And Jesus is an expert at that kind of one way love. For us, though, it is difficult…nearly impossible... But, in this kind of love, the responsibility to love rests with me not the object of my love. And this struggle for one way love is, perhaps, the Christian's greatest struggle.

It may be a little easier to love someone I go to church with than an enemy… but do I? Here’s a test: think of the individual people you attend church with, and, as you think of each person, ask: “Have I ever deliberately decided to love this person?” Based on the definition of love in this verse, thinking is where love begins. Then we decide to love. Then we struggle to love as Jesus loves.

"Thou Shalt Not" Is Not Enough

Image by loswl via Flickr

Romans 13:8-10; 10b “therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

The rich young ruler described in Mark 10:17 asked Jesus, “what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus gave him the “thou shalt not” list. He replied, “all these have I observed from my youth.” Then Jesus told him to give all that he had to the poor and live a self-sacrificing life following Him--Thou Shalt. He could not or would not do that. For him “thou shalt not” was no problem, but “thou shalt” was a serious problem. When understood properly, thou shalt and thou shalt not are essentially two sides of the same coin.

Like the rich young ruler many of us work hard at thou shalt not… but we may be idle when it comes to thou shalt. That is easy, cheap religion. Experience teaches us that energetically doing the things that flow out of true love will help keep us on the right track. Working in love for the Savior is much more fulfilling and leaves little time for doing what thou shalt not.

Will I Ever Find True Love?

Let love be without dissimulation. Romans 12:9a

Dissimulation means hypocrisy. Christian love should be genuine... heartfelt... But what is genuine love?

Today the idea of real love can be easily clouded and confused. Perhaps this comes from the painful violations of love woven into the fabric of our culture. An innocent child loses her dad to divorce; a husband loses his wife to adultery; a mother loses custody... True love is then eclipsed by the intense struggle to be loved, or the fear, brought by pain and naked vulnerability, that I might not find true love.

Pain can cause us to focus on ourselves and our needs which then fogs the path to experiencing true love. So our relationships become influenced by our need to be loved… or our fear of emotional pain. Not the foundation upon which enduring Christian relationships are built.

How can I be sure love is genuine? By first learning that the only love I can influence is my love. I have no control over how someone loves me… but I can work on how I love them. I must love others without hypocrisy… seek to love without condition. Genuine love, love without dissimulation, is one way love. A Jesus kind of love…