Darkness Reveals the Truth

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Matthew 26:35
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
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In this moment with the Lord each of the disciples saw themselves as brave, capable, willing to endure whatever sacrifice for the sake of their beloved friend, Jesus. They were sincere. They were committed. Nothing could make them turn away from Him – at least in this bright moment that is how they saw themselves – but night was coming.

Soon each would abandon Him. In the terror of the coming night, with its mobs and arrest, interrogation and intimidation, the true character of each disciple would be tested and shown for what it really was – weak, inept, lacking the courage of will to follow through on the vow they made in the daylight of His presence.

Two thousand years later little has changed. I find that on the mountaintop it is easy to sing and praise and tell Him of my undying devotion but then a little darkness comes – we lose a job, we lose our health, we lose a relationship and suddenly it is also easy to lose all courage to “never disown” Him. Suddenly we begin to doubt, question, some even curse God as unfair, unloving, uninvolved.

The darkness, rather than the light, reveals our faith for what it truly is – genuine and tempered or flakey, fading and impotent. All of us can be bold and brave – even boastful – in the times of daylight but this passage reminds me that it is how I respond in the difficult times, times when God seems distant, even absent, it is those times which reveal the depth of my walk with the Lord.

In the times of daylight I need to be putting down deep roots, learning to live humbly and dependent upon the Lord so that when the inevitable darkness comes my faith will survive because it will be rooted in His omnipotence not in my impotence.
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John 15:4-5
No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The Coming of Jesus. Is He waiting on us?

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Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
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As one involved in missions I have often heard, even referenced myself, this verse as a challenge to get the job of world evangelization done so the Lord could return. In my heart it seemed strange that God would make the date of the coming of Jesus dependent upon our actions but that sure seemed to be what this passage was saying. After all, as I have heard reliable Bible teachers say, it is only humans who can declare the gospel since angels have never experienced it. Obviously the return of Christ was dependent upon us getting the job done, getting the gospel out to every nations, tribe, language and people.  That’s an unbelievably huge (and frightening) responsibility for us weak, undependable human beings.

While teaching a series on the book of Revelation, I found a startling passage, telling of an event to come, that shed new light on this subject:

Revelation 14:6
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.

So an angel will finish this task. The salvation of all mankind and the return of Jesus is not dependent upon me!  (Duh.)  What a relief!

Obviously this does not negate the importance of us taking the gospel “to every nation, tribe, language and people” because there are those alive in our generation who will not live long enough to receive the message from this angel. They are still dependent upon human instruments, obeying God – some of us by sending others and some of us by going ourselves – to bring them this vital message. But I am relieved to know that “the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority”(Acts 1:7) remain under His control and are not dependent upon me.
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Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Better to appear a fool than stay dry.

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Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
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A friend runs a factory in China that makes Christian gift items including figurines of Bible stories with Scripture verses. They produced one of this story with Jesus lifting Peter out of the water – a thrilling event. They couldn’t understand why this particular piece was not selling until someone pointed out the passage on the statue – “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

Can you imagine giving that as a gift. “Here pastor, just a little gift to tell you what we think of you and your ministry among us.”

In sermons on this passage I’ve heard Peter get a lot of grief as pastors exhort their people to not look at the surrounding winds and waves, keep your eyes on Jesus, etc. But notice no one in the boat that day ridiculed Peter. He was dripping wet but at least he had taken a few steps on water. All the dry folks never even got out of the boat! Yes, he doubted but he at least had a “little faith” while the rest of the crew played it safe.

It is better to live your life like Peter and respond to the Lord’s invitation to “Come” even if you might end up looking like a fool to those who play it safe. Without risk there is no faith.

It’s not up to us to decide whether we walk on water or take the bridge. (Unless the Lord says “Come”, you better take the bridge!) But when we have heard His voice I want to be one who responds to His invitation to take the risk, use what little faith I might have, step out and trust that either the water will get hard under my feet or He will reach out and rescue me – or both.

Either way, it assures me I will not live some dull, lack luster Christian life. At the end I will not look back with regrets that I never pushed the envelope to see what God could do. I will not have merely existed and passed through life as one of “those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
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“It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; Who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

President Theodore Roosevelt
Speech at the Sorbonne
April 23, 1910

What’s so wise about that?

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James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
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There is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Faith is on one end of the spectrum and Unbelief is on the other end. Between these two extremes is doubt – which produces wavering, tossed back and forth. Therefore, even “believers” can be doubters but this passage exhorts us to “not doubt” – indicating it is a choice we can make.

But note, while it is appropriate to apply this passage to believing God in many areas, in context it is specifically saying when we ask for wisdom we must believe God will give it and not doubt.

In my experience that is because often when we ask for wisdom and receive it we don’t realize we have received it. Often the “wisdom from God” comes naturally, and often does not seem so wise. God’s counsel often seems very natural, normal, common sense.

In the past, when I have prayed for wisdom I expected some amazing insight that had never been thought before. Usually, however, His wisdom was common sense, in accordance with Scripture I was familiar with. There is a tendency then to doubt we received anything – “what’ so wise about that?” But when we ask, we must believe that we have received and move out in accordance with what we understand to be God’s will, way and timing, even if it doesn’t seem wise or profound.
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James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

If I Sold Everything I Still Couldn’t Afford Him

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Matthew 13:45, 46
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
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I’ve been told Jesus is the “pearl of great price” in this parable but that cannot be because Christ cannot be “bought” even if we, the merchant, sold everything we had. Instead, Jesus is the merchant in this story.

In the previous parable, God the Father finds the Jewish people, his treasure, then hides them in the field (the world) just as the Jews are today scattered across the world “hidden” among the nations. He then pays the price to buy back the entire field (makes salvation available to all the world) so that one day He can come back to call together and claim his treasure – “all Israel” from among the nations.

The pearl however, represents Christ and the church. He is the merchant who finds his pearl, the church, and gives His all to purchase her. Diamonds are nearly valueless until cut but a pearl, like the church, is only of value when it is whole, complete, without division or breaks. A pearl is the only jewel formed through the suffering of a living organism, just like the church came into being through the agony of Christ. A pearl finds its source in what the Jews call unclean, an oyster, much as the church is primarily comprised of unclean Gentiles. Interestingly, though a pearl has an “unclean” source, it can legally be worn as adornment by a Jew. So, the church, taken out of the unclean world, is an adornment that beautifies Christ by displaying His grace, mercy and kindness.

Are you part of this pearl of great price?
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1 Timothy 1:16
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

He’s A Terrible God

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Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
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We hear many explanations for the various problems in the church today but I believe most can be traced back to ignoring this command by Jesus – “Fear God”. We love to “consider the kindness” of God but dismiss the “sternness of God”, a sternness that resulted in Him “cutting off” His own people. (Romans 11:22)

The Bible speaks of the fear of the Lord as a very positive thing. We are told the fear of God causes a man to shun evil and choose to do right. It will deliver a man from the snares of death. It adds length to life and without it you haven’t even taken the first step toward wisdom or knowledge. Take a moment to look up “fear of the Lord” in a concordance and you will likely be amazed at all the benefits promised to those who fear God.

We have redefined “fear” as merely reverence but Scripture is clearly talking about fear, as in terror. Ask Pharaoh, ask a Philistine, ask Ananias of Acts 5, if there is reason to be afraid of God. I understand the logic behind painting God as only a one dimensional God of love but it is not Biblical logic. Jesus clearly says, “fear God”. But is it possible to fear someone and love them intensely at the same time? Certainly! in fact, the Bible (OT and NT) commands us to love God AND to fear Him. (1 Pt 2:17)

This is beautifully illustrated in the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia where the beavers are talking about Aslan being a lion and the children, afraid of meeting a lion, ask if he is safe. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” Later Lewis writes, some people “think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time.” God IS good. God IS kind. God IS merciful. God IS love. But He is also a terrible God and not one to be trifled with.
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Deuteronomy 10:17
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, the terrible God, Who is not partial and takes no bribe.

Romans 11:20-22
… Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.  Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Lost Shepherds

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Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
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What an amazing statement. They were in Israel, near Jerusalem, a city and country filled with religious leaders; people who studied, taught, debated, memorized and revered God’s law but there were no shepherds for God’s people.  Surrounded by folks who claimed to love God, Jesus could find no one guarding or caring for God’s most precious treasure, His people.

As one God has allowed to serve as a “religious leader” this challenges me to be more – more than just a teacher of God’s Word, more than just one who studies, believes and even memorizes God’s Word, even more than one who loves God and His Word. This challenges me to be certain I am also loving God’s people; shepherding them, guarding, guiding, protecting, feeding, tending to and caring for the flock of God.

In a world filled with scribes who carefully reproduced God’s Laws, teachers of that Law, religious leaders and an entire nation that prided itself on being God’s chosen race, Jesus had compassion, pitied “harassed and helpless” people because no one cared for their souls. When God looks at the people He has brought into my life I don’t want Him to pity them because they are wandering without a shepherd, no one who cares about them.

Lord, in this life I’ll never fully understand the Scriptures and be able to teach and minister as You taught and ministered. But you never commanded me to KNOW as You know. You did however, command me to LOVE as You love. Divine Shepherd, use me as a channel of Your love for Your sheep; the ones in the fold and the lost ones still wandering.
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1 Corinthians 13:2
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.

Pearl of the Orient

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It’s a cool, crisp morning in Beijing.  I’m sipping warm milk tea at a street cafe watching a sleepy parade of mostly college students since Jana and I are staying in one of the university districts.  I woke up thinking about a 22 year old girl we met yesterday.  She is nearly finished with her Masters Degree in Accounting.  She doesn’t like  accounting, would like to be a teacher to help the poor, but agreed to this path to please her parents who chided her, “You need to stop thinking so much of others and think more about yourself.”

As we talked “Jewel” told us how she became a Christian only three months ago when the CTEN missionary we are visiting shared the gospel with her.  “I would not be a Christian if not for (our CTEN missionary)”.  Her father is a member of the Communist party and an atheist.  She is afraid to tell her parents about her faith but in her three short months with the Lord she has read the entire New Testament and the first five books of the Old Testament. All of that amidst a rigorous college schedule and attending church two days a week in this busy city.  Her parents are happy when she tells them she is going to “meet with friends” but would likely not be so happy if they knew what kind of friends she was making.

As Jana and I talked to her, I couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in her eyes and think of what a treasure of grace this young woman is – a genuine pearl of great price that the merchant gave His all to purchase.
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Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

‘You must be born again.’

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He prayed long, hard and sincerely. He gave faithfully to the work of God. He fasted regularly and was at church every time the doors opened (probably even had a key to get in when it wasn’t open). He had a profound, unshakable belief in God that drove him onward and impacted his daily living. He studied and memorized Scripture and even believed Jesus was sent from God. Sounds like a guy you would want to welcome into your church.

But without pleasantries or pats on the back for all his religious zeal, the first thing Jesus told Nicodemus is that he couldn’t even see the kingdom of God if there was not a radical change in his life. He had to be “born again”.

All these activities are good disciplines to weave into the fabric of our daily lives but we must never let them be the basis for our relationship with God. Nor can we make mere outward change a primary goal in the lives of our children or those we minister to. We can abandon an immoral lifestyle, begin to live a “good life” and still be lost. We can begin to pray, read the Bible, give, even live at the church and still be lost.

Our relationship with God starts with an inward change that then manifests outward fruit. To change the outside without first changing the inside is like putting a beautiful coat of paint on a mausoleum.  It may look nicer but it is still full of death and decay.

Sample Prayer:  Father in all my efforts to live a godly life please remind me my relationship with You is not determined by my performance.  Let that fact keep me encouraged when I am performing poorly and humbled when I am doing well.
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Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

The first of his miraculous signs …

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The Almighty God who flung the stars and planets into their orbits, who scooped out the oceans with His hand and before whom all creation bows, manifests Himself in the flesh and for His first great act He turns water into wine. Sounds pretty trivial even if you are a wine lover.

In the home of an unnamed host, at the wedding of an anonymous couple, in an obscure village and though His hour had not yet come He turns water into wine? Even then, except for a few unspecified disciples and some common household servants, none of the VIPs at the party were even aware they were drinking wonder wine. What an inconspicuous way to launch a world changing ministry. Perhaps there is something I need to learn from this.

In all the talk we hear today of being a “world changer” and doing great things for God we see that the One who truly did change the world started with a trivial need at hand. With no fanfare, no cosmic applause or even a “thank you” from those served, He acted to alleviate a simple need. I find it easy to become so focused upon saving humanity that I forget about the individuals I encounter along the way. While dreaming of doing great things for God it’s easy to miss the tiny things I can do to represent Him right now. Give a cup of cool water, change diapers in the church nursery, hold a door open for a mom with three little ones in tow, let a car into my lane or let someone else go first – all trivial things but a place to start.

Sample Prayer: Lord, help me not be so in love with the masses that I overlook the one You put in my path today. Remind me that the tiniest act of kindness done in your holy name is not wasted nor will be forgotten.
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Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.