Jesus came to show that the kingdom of God is at hand. It is here; it is coming fully when He returns. He calls us to proclaim the kingdom of God. He calls us to live under the reign of Christ and to invite others to see who truly is king. It is why we exist - to live in and proclaim to others the kingdom of God.
Jesus sits on the throne. He is the only one on the throne. His throne is above all other kingdoms, powers, nations, rulers, thrones, etc. There is no one outside of His reign. There is no one with authority apart from what He allows. He is the King. He will always be the King. For those in His kingdom, there is nothing to fear. His Kingship will never change. He will take care of those in His kingdom forever. He already is.
I’ve been receiving emails, usually forwards, as of late that make me sad. I even received a fax from a group of Christians which added to my sadness. It seems as if we’ve forgotten who is King and what Kingdom we dwell in.
We live in the United States of America, a fine nation with a remarkable history. There is much to respect in who the USA has been and the foundations upon which this nation has been built. We who live in this country are blessed in some unique ways because of the leaders who have gone before and the many who have sacrificed their lives to help this nation become who it is today.
But God does not love this country more than any other. In fact, I don’t think God is real interested in what country his people live in. He loves every one of them the same. He longs for every one of them to worship Him as King and become part of His Kingdom.
What I see in these emails/fax is fear. Fear that others are trying to take away our “Christian nation.” These emails say it is time to fight, to pray, and to demand we get back to what this nation was founded upon – Christian values. These letters make it seem as if we are victims of some evil plot that is being worked against us to undermine our Christian rights – to pray in schools, bear arms, publicize the Ten Commandments, etc. If we don’t vote the right way or fight for and against the right causes, “they” will take it away from us.
What could we possibly lose when we look at what we have? Is a human kingdom that answer?
A few things stand out to me:
1. We are not victims and we have nothing to fear. No matter what party or person is in power in the United States (or in any country for that matter), Jesus still sits upon His throne. And His Kingdom is the one we are seeking to build. I am not saying that we should have nothing to do with politics. I think we need to be involved and informed, but recognize it is a small part of a much larger role we are called to play – live in and proclaim the kingdom of God. That is not the responsibility of any government; it is the responsibility and privilege of the Church, the people who follow Jesus.
You are a child of God. You are forgiven. You have been promised eternal life with God through Christ. You can experience life, hope, peace, joy, and purpose TODAY. You are not a victim. There may be difficult times you will or have faced where you’ve experienced being a victim, but it is NOT your primary identity as a follower of Jesus. You are His. That is now who you are.
There is nothing to fear. We will be required to have courage, but not fear. Jesus is on the throne. The victory is assured. He is with us always no matter what challenges or difficulties we face. Like Stephen, you may be called to suffer, even die, for the sake of Christ, but you have nothing to fear. “Look, I see the heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56) Someday we will see like Stephen. There is nothing to fear.
2. A lot of the information in these emails is inflammatory, deceptive, and often just plain untrue. At its core is a desire to manipulate you to act a certain way, especially to vote a certain way.
There is wrath, slander, malice and abusive language. Some are not just disagreeing they are name-calling and the intensity of the anger directed at people who hold different positions seems so misplaced. Some bear false witness. Some claim truth about another based on rumor, innuendo, and “what I read in an email” without doing the work to make sure it is true. Some often go with information that supports what they want to believe, even though they are not certain it’s true. Some are filled with judgment, hostility, and ridicule. And some claim this is done in the name of the cause of Christ. I can’t believe this does anything but grieve the heart of Christ. Our call to love people will never change no matter what positions they hold. We can disagree, but we cannot hate. We must love. Why? Because He first loved us.
3. Where is the passion for the kingdom of God? Where is the passion for those who are outside of the faith? Where is the willingness not simply to complain but to act for the causes of Christ? If we care so much for the unborn, why aren’t we actively serving organizations that help young mothers – not just with money but with time? Why aren’t we opening our homes and adopting the babies who are saved from abortion? Why don’t we pray instead of complaining that government won’t let us? Why don’t we live out the Ten Commandments instead of complaining they are not posted in public places? “They” cannot stop the cause of Christ. “They” cannot keep God’s will from taking place.
4. So often these attacks are focused on “they.” Who are “they”? “They” are people who definitely need to see and experience the love of Christ. When “they” are ridiculed, slandered, abused, and treated with malice, does that further the proclamation of the kingdom of God? I am not proposing we tolerate and accept unbiblical views and practices, I am suggesting we seek to overcome them through the primary means that Christ modeled – love.
Let’s not hide behind emails. Let’s stop practicing unchristian behavior in the name of Christ. Let’s stop putting our emphasis on the kingdoms of men, for we have a King and we live already in His Kingdom.
Proclaim Christ. Proclaim His Kingdom. Love people. Love them enough to become a part of their lives. Serve and give in those areas where your heart’s passions are kindled. Work for the cause of Christ. Vote, but don’t just vote. Don’t make pressing a button your primary activity for the cause of Christ this year. Give your whole life to Him.
When the Pharisees heard that he (Jesus) had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 23:34-40
Are you acting in love? (See I Corinthians 13 for how God defines love).
Or are you acting in fear?
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers and sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:18-20
One final thought: Jesus shows us something very important in John 17. He doesn’t pray for an end to poverty or oppression. He doesn’t pray for an end to suffering or corruption. He doesn’t pray for an end to war.
He prays for glory to come to Him. How? Through His Church. How will that happen? It happens when His Church is One,
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the work know that you sent me and have loved them even as I have loved you.
John 17:22-23
Jesus prays for unity for His Church. They would be One, united in Christ, seeking His glory. Maybe it is because if His Church is One, then what follows is the fulfillment of His command: to love Him and to love the people of this world.
May nothing, not even politics and positions, keep us from being the One Church, united in Christ, seeking to proclaim His Kingdom and to worship Him as King.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Serving vs. volunteering
I had a friend tell me about an experience he had with a Christian. The Christian man goes to church constantly, wears a WWJD bracelet, and is constantly prodding this friend to go to church. My friend asked him if he would like to join a volunteer, civil organization. The Christian man’s response was, “I’m not into that volunteerism thing.” That volunteerism thing?
A volunteer is defined as one who acts according to their free will and not out of obligation. The magician asks for a volunteer and you raise your hand. Nobody said you had to. You chose to go. You volunteered.
Christian service is not something we volunteer to do. We are called to serve. That is understood by the term “follower of Jesus Christ.” We are a people who serve because we are a people who have been and are served. Why? Because it is our duty? Because we are obligated? Because the church needs us? NO – NO – NO!!!
We serve, we volunteer, because that is who we are. It is in our makeup to serve. We recognize our need to give not because others need us to give, but because we need to give. We see what we’ve been given so we give.
Community Reformed Church is a body made up on many parts. You are one of those parts. We don’t function as we should unless you fulfill your role in the body. This body is not called to serve itself, although at times we do. (See I Corinthians 12:12-31) We are called to serve Christ as we serve the people (in and outside the church) He brings into our lives. What part is God calling you to play? God desires to not only work through you, He will work in you as you serve.
Here’s the kicker: God blesses you as you serve others. You grow as you give. You become more like Him.
A volunteer is defined as one who acts according to their free will and not out of obligation. The magician asks for a volunteer and you raise your hand. Nobody said you had to. You chose to go. You volunteered.
Christian service is not something we volunteer to do. We are called to serve. That is understood by the term “follower of Jesus Christ.” We are a people who serve because we are a people who have been and are served. Why? Because it is our duty? Because we are obligated? Because the church needs us? NO – NO – NO!!!
We serve, we volunteer, because that is who we are. It is in our makeup to serve. We recognize our need to give not because others need us to give, but because we need to give. We see what we’ve been given so we give.
Community Reformed Church is a body made up on many parts. You are one of those parts. We don’t function as we should unless you fulfill your role in the body. This body is not called to serve itself, although at times we do. (See I Corinthians 12:12-31) We are called to serve Christ as we serve the people (in and outside the church) He brings into our lives. What part is God calling you to play? God desires to not only work through you, He will work in you as you serve.
Here’s the kicker: God blesses you as you serve others. You grow as you give. You become more like Him.
The Source
The following are the words that come to mind as I consider how we live in God’s abundant life:
Surrender
Sacrifice
Humility
Grace
Trust
Confess
Give
Listen
Serve
Love
Compassion
Prayer
Forgive
Submit
Dying
Faith
Courage
Peace
Freedom
Discipline
Hope
Boldness
Receive
Community
Obedience
Mercy
Holiness
Joy
Worship
Truth
And one word sums up these up and goes far beyond: Jesus.
Note as you consider these words, what Jesus does for us – what He offers to us. Note what we receive. And even as you consider what you are called to do, note who is the source of you being able to give, serve, be bold, sacrifice, show compassion, etc. These are not activities you can do on your own. I try. I fail. I only can do what God asks when I live dependent on Him to act.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
That is the abundant life. That is what life really is.
Surrender
Sacrifice
Humility
Grace
Trust
Confess
Give
Listen
Serve
Love
Compassion
Prayer
Forgive
Submit
Dying
Faith
Courage
Peace
Freedom
Discipline
Hope
Boldness
Receive
Community
Obedience
Mercy
Holiness
Joy
Worship
Truth
And one word sums up these up and goes far beyond: Jesus.
Note as you consider these words, what Jesus does for us – what He offers to us. Note what we receive. And even as you consider what you are called to do, note who is the source of you being able to give, serve, be bold, sacrifice, show compassion, etc. These are not activities you can do on your own. I try. I fail. I only can do what God asks when I live dependent on Him to act.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
That is the abundant life. That is what life really is.
Selfish = Fruitless
I spend a lot of time thinking about me. Sadly, those thoughts often revolve around how others treat me. I am pleased with those who treat me well. I am frustrated by those who don’t. Often those frustrations come through my unmet and selfish expectations.
I wonder how much time I have wasted being consumed by my selfishness – by projecting negative feelings towards others in my head. The one who is hurt most by all of this is me. (It definitely hurts others, too. I become a selfish dad, husband, and friend. I forget the "serve" part of my calling. In fact, "get" isn't a part of my calling anyway.) I become bitter. I then treat people based on what they do or do not do for me. It is ugly. It is sin. It is completely fruitless. Nothing good comes from this behavior. Nothing good comes from my selfishness, yet I am so often tempted to live a life where my happiness is what is most important. But even when my desires are met – yet I still am selfish – the happiness is fleeting, momentary, and I am quickly consumed again with what others need to do to make me happy AND deep down inside I feel guilt – guilt at being all about me.
Selfishness doesn’t work. Nobody wins in the end. There is no fruit born in the lives of others or myself when I am selfish. Yet, the power of our selfishness is incredibly consuming. It is an intoxicating pill we long to take. Our mind says we deserve it. Our mind says people should treat us with respect and even admiration. Our mind says it is all about me. We need to see this mind for who it is – it is the old self. It is the mind of Adam, Eve, and Cain. It is the mind of Saul, the first king. It is the mind of Judas, Ananias, and Simon the sorcerer. It is the mind of evil.
For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds of the things of the flesh. . . To set the mind on the flesh is death. . . For this reason the mind that is set upon the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law – indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
parts of Romans 8:5-8
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not
on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
What Jesus has shown us goes against our human nature. It turns it upside down. We desire to get. Jesus calls us to give. We want to be served. Jesus served. We long to be first. He calls us to be last. We want to hit those who hurt us. He says let them hit you again. We want to hate our enemies. Jesus says love them. We want glory. Jesus invites us into humility. We want dwell upon ourselves, yet we are called to . . .
. . . whatever is true, what is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
Have that mind - His mind.
A life of selfishness will be a fruitless life. Let that sink in. Believe it. If it is going to be all about you, then know in the end, it will have been all about you. You will have received your “reward.”
But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, our pursuit of Jesus will lead to a selfless and fruitful life – free of the nagging experience of guilt – free of the shallow happiness – full of the abundance and blessing Jesus promises when we follow Him and His model for life. Our joy will be complete. OTHERS will be blessed by Christ through us. This is life. It cannot be about me.
I wonder how much time I have wasted being consumed by my selfishness – by projecting negative feelings towards others in my head. The one who is hurt most by all of this is me. (It definitely hurts others, too. I become a selfish dad, husband, and friend. I forget the "serve" part of my calling. In fact, "get" isn't a part of my calling anyway.) I become bitter. I then treat people based on what they do or do not do for me. It is ugly. It is sin. It is completely fruitless. Nothing good comes from this behavior. Nothing good comes from my selfishness, yet I am so often tempted to live a life where my happiness is what is most important. But even when my desires are met – yet I still am selfish – the happiness is fleeting, momentary, and I am quickly consumed again with what others need to do to make me happy AND deep down inside I feel guilt – guilt at being all about me.
Selfishness doesn’t work. Nobody wins in the end. There is no fruit born in the lives of others or myself when I am selfish. Yet, the power of our selfishness is incredibly consuming. It is an intoxicating pill we long to take. Our mind says we deserve it. Our mind says people should treat us with respect and even admiration. Our mind says it is all about me. We need to see this mind for who it is – it is the old self. It is the mind of Adam, Eve, and Cain. It is the mind of Saul, the first king. It is the mind of Judas, Ananias, and Simon the sorcerer. It is the mind of evil.
For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds of the things of the flesh. . . To set the mind on the flesh is death. . . For this reason the mind that is set upon the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law – indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
parts of Romans 8:5-8
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not
on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
What Jesus has shown us goes against our human nature. It turns it upside down. We desire to get. Jesus calls us to give. We want to be served. Jesus served. We long to be first. He calls us to be last. We want to hit those who hurt us. He says let them hit you again. We want to hate our enemies. Jesus says love them. We want glory. Jesus invites us into humility. We want dwell upon ourselves, yet we are called to . . .
. . . whatever is true, what is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
Have that mind - His mind.
A life of selfishness will be a fruitless life. Let that sink in. Believe it. If it is going to be all about you, then know in the end, it will have been all about you. You will have received your “reward.”
But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, our pursuit of Jesus will lead to a selfless and fruitful life – free of the nagging experience of guilt – free of the shallow happiness – full of the abundance and blessing Jesus promises when we follow Him and His model for life. Our joy will be complete. OTHERS will be blessed by Christ through us. This is life. It cannot be about me.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Book recommendation
I am just about finished with Melissa Fay Greene's book, There is No Me Without You. It is a book worth reading if you are looking for help in understanding the AIDS pandemic in Ethiopia. It tells the story of one woman's attempt to care for orphaned children within her country. This book puts names and faces on the statistics.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Net Worth
My Quicken program has a little icon I can click for my net worth. It tells me exactly how much the Sauer family is worth. It’s been decreasing as of late. We are not alone.
Fear seems to be a prominent part of our culture today because of the implosion of the financial sector. The Dow fell. The Dow rose. The Dow started good and then the bottom dropped out. People have lost trillions of dollars out of their net worth. Trying times, to say the least.
What have you been thinking about all of this? Are you feeling fear, too? Anxiety? Depression?
For some, it means holding off on their retirement and staying in the work force longer than planned.. For others, it means cutting back on spending. For some, it means finding another job. For some, it means losing their job.
And for many of us, it means finding someone to blame. And there are plenty of possible suspects.
One primary suspect is greed. From the have's to the have-nots, greed has reared its ugly head. Now we have a big mess. Should we be surprised?
“Put to death therefore whatever in you is earthly – fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. One account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you once followed when you were living that life, but now you must get rid of such things . . .” Colossians 3:5-8a
Gandhi said, “There is enough for everyone’s need but there is not enough to meet everyone’s greed.”
Greed is defined as a reprehensible desire to acquire. A common synonym is avarice. The Bible calls greed a sin – from the old self – an idol.
Paul said to Timothy, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” (I Timothy 6:10)
Randy Alcorn in his book Money, Possessions, and Eternity, has this to say about greed,
Jesus Christ sounded a sober warning against materialism in any form and in any age: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Greed isn’t a harmless pastime but a serious offense against God. As one who lusts is an adulterer (Matthew 5:28) and one who hates is a murderer (1 John 3:15), so one who is greedy is an idolater (Colossians 3:5). Greed is money worship, a violation of the first and most fundamental commandment: “I am the Lord your God . . . You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3). The eight commandment is a prohibition against stealing (Exodus 20:15), another product of greed, and the tenth commandment is a warning against covetousness (Exodus 20:17). Remarkably, the ten great laws of God, written in stone, contain three prohibitions against materialism. (p. 34)
God is in the business of getting our attention. He has shown throughout human history a relentless willingness to do whatever it takes to get our focus back on Him. Too often, we find security in the things of this world. Our security cannot be found there. Maybe God is trying to get our attention. Maybe God is reminding us that He is our greatest treasure. Do you trust Him more than the number you see when you tally your financial net worth? See Matthew 6:25-34.
Fear seems to be a prominent part of our culture today because of the implosion of the financial sector. The Dow fell. The Dow rose. The Dow started good and then the bottom dropped out. People have lost trillions of dollars out of their net worth. Trying times, to say the least.
What have you been thinking about all of this? Are you feeling fear, too? Anxiety? Depression?
For some, it means holding off on their retirement and staying in the work force longer than planned.. For others, it means cutting back on spending. For some, it means finding another job. For some, it means losing their job.
And for many of us, it means finding someone to blame. And there are plenty of possible suspects.
One primary suspect is greed. From the have's to the have-nots, greed has reared its ugly head. Now we have a big mess. Should we be surprised?
“Put to death therefore whatever in you is earthly – fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. One account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you once followed when you were living that life, but now you must get rid of such things . . .” Colossians 3:5-8a
Gandhi said, “There is enough for everyone’s need but there is not enough to meet everyone’s greed.”
Greed is defined as a reprehensible desire to acquire. A common synonym is avarice. The Bible calls greed a sin – from the old self – an idol.
Paul said to Timothy, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” (I Timothy 6:10)
Randy Alcorn in his book Money, Possessions, and Eternity, has this to say about greed,
Jesus Christ sounded a sober warning against materialism in any form and in any age: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Greed isn’t a harmless pastime but a serious offense against God. As one who lusts is an adulterer (Matthew 5:28) and one who hates is a murderer (1 John 3:15), so one who is greedy is an idolater (Colossians 3:5). Greed is money worship, a violation of the first and most fundamental commandment: “I am the Lord your God . . . You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3). The eight commandment is a prohibition against stealing (Exodus 20:15), another product of greed, and the tenth commandment is a warning against covetousness (Exodus 20:17). Remarkably, the ten great laws of God, written in stone, contain three prohibitions against materialism. (p. 34)
God is in the business of getting our attention. He has shown throughout human history a relentless willingness to do whatever it takes to get our focus back on Him. Too often, we find security in the things of this world. Our security cannot be found there. Maybe God is trying to get our attention. Maybe God is reminding us that He is our greatest treasure. Do you trust Him more than the number you see when you tally your financial net worth? See Matthew 6:25-34.
Ask and You Will Receive
Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11
This was the text of the sermon I heard this past Sunday in Princeton, MN. It sounds too good to be true. I’ve always wrestled with this text and the numerous places where the Bible in essence says, “Look, all you have to do is ask and I (God) will give you whatever you ask for.” There is something very attractive about this, but also something just doesn’t seem right. Plus, many of us have experienced this text not holding true. We’ve asked; God has denied our request. We’ve asked for healings for our friends, another child, the sale of our house, etc., but what we’ve seen so far is silence . . . or so it seems.
The insecure pastor in me wants to show you I can explain this text. I want to prove to you there is a logical explanation for God’s behavior and for how we should interpret these words of Jesus. I’ll start there but I also want to address the emotional part of this challenge as well.
I am finding myself to be less than reliable. I am more and more aware of my inability to “handle” life. I am becoming increasingly aware of my shortcomings and less confident of myself. That’s breeding within me an increased sense of insecurity which at rare times is reflected in humility. (That’s good but very rare.) I just don’t feel as sure of myself as I used to. I am not so fond of this feeling, but nevertheless, I believe it is one of the places where God’s at work. How does this paragraph explain the text in Matthew, you may be wondering by now?
Here goes. I just don’t trust my prayers much. I don’t think I really know what to pray for as confidently as I did before. My default in prayer is me. I pray for what I want. I pray for what I think I need. I come before God most often with a request for my will to be done. I think it is a good will. It is usually for the benefit of others and me. BUT, I am becoming aware that my default prayers tend to be exceedingly selfish. I ask for what I want. But isn’t this what Jesus tells us to do? It seems like it, but something inside of me tells me otherwise. Thankfully, it is not only the inside of me that struggles. I believe the Bible confirms my wrestlings.
I don’t believe you can interpret this text appropriately without looking at the whole of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This text comes near the conclusion of this collection of sermons. But to see this text clearly is to see it through the lens of Matthew 6:5-15. “Pray in secret.” (6:6) “Don’t heap up empty phrases.” (6:7) Pray this way, Jesus says. “Hallowed be your name.” “Your Kingdom come.” “Your will be done.” (6:9-11)
What I ought to want is God’s will to be done and God’s Kingdom to come. What I ought to pray for is just that.
Emotionally, that is just downright hard. We WANT good things to be done for others. We want cancers to be cured, slaves to be set free, wars to end and peace to reign. We want the lost to be found and the loneliness to end. We ought to always pray for these things. But they must all be requests we make embracing the truth that more than anything else, we hope and pray that God’s will is done. So cancers may take lives. Wars may continue. Slaves may remain slaves and the lost may remain lost . . . for a time.
Because we believe in God’s perfect will. We believe He knows what is best and will work it out in the end. We trust Him more than we trust our senses, our desires, our emotions. We trust Him.
For He has promised that in the end (or maybe the new beginning) there will be no cancers, no slaves, no wars, no lost, no loneliness for those with Him. That WILL come to pass because it is His WILL.
This was the text of the sermon I heard this past Sunday in Princeton, MN. It sounds too good to be true. I’ve always wrestled with this text and the numerous places where the Bible in essence says, “Look, all you have to do is ask and I (God) will give you whatever you ask for.” There is something very attractive about this, but also something just doesn’t seem right. Plus, many of us have experienced this text not holding true. We’ve asked; God has denied our request. We’ve asked for healings for our friends, another child, the sale of our house, etc., but what we’ve seen so far is silence . . . or so it seems.
The insecure pastor in me wants to show you I can explain this text. I want to prove to you there is a logical explanation for God’s behavior and for how we should interpret these words of Jesus. I’ll start there but I also want to address the emotional part of this challenge as well.
I am finding myself to be less than reliable. I am more and more aware of my inability to “handle” life. I am becoming increasingly aware of my shortcomings and less confident of myself. That’s breeding within me an increased sense of insecurity which at rare times is reflected in humility. (That’s good but very rare.) I just don’t feel as sure of myself as I used to. I am not so fond of this feeling, but nevertheless, I believe it is one of the places where God’s at work. How does this paragraph explain the text in Matthew, you may be wondering by now?
Here goes. I just don’t trust my prayers much. I don’t think I really know what to pray for as confidently as I did before. My default in prayer is me. I pray for what I want. I pray for what I think I need. I come before God most often with a request for my will to be done. I think it is a good will. It is usually for the benefit of others and me. BUT, I am becoming aware that my default prayers tend to be exceedingly selfish. I ask for what I want. But isn’t this what Jesus tells us to do? It seems like it, but something inside of me tells me otherwise. Thankfully, it is not only the inside of me that struggles. I believe the Bible confirms my wrestlings.
I don’t believe you can interpret this text appropriately without looking at the whole of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This text comes near the conclusion of this collection of sermons. But to see this text clearly is to see it through the lens of Matthew 6:5-15. “Pray in secret.” (6:6) “Don’t heap up empty phrases.” (6:7) Pray this way, Jesus says. “Hallowed be your name.” “Your Kingdom come.” “Your will be done.” (6:9-11)
What I ought to want is God’s will to be done and God’s Kingdom to come. What I ought to pray for is just that.
Emotionally, that is just downright hard. We WANT good things to be done for others. We want cancers to be cured, slaves to be set free, wars to end and peace to reign. We want the lost to be found and the loneliness to end. We ought to always pray for these things. But they must all be requests we make embracing the truth that more than anything else, we hope and pray that God’s will is done. So cancers may take lives. Wars may continue. Slaves may remain slaves and the lost may remain lost . . . for a time.
Because we believe in God’s perfect will. We believe He knows what is best and will work it out in the end. We trust Him more than we trust our senses, our desires, our emotions. We trust Him.
For He has promised that in the end (or maybe the new beginning) there will be no cancers, no slaves, no wars, no lost, no loneliness for those with Him. That WILL come to pass because it is His WILL.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Holy Wild - Buchanan
Here are a few excerpts from Mark Buchanan’s book, The Holy Wild: Trusting in the Character of God. He starts by explaining his goals for the book. If you are interested in deepening your understanding of the character of God, this would be a great help.
I will have failed if God is named but not praised, analyzed but not glorified, seen but not sought. I will have failed if we know better the character of God but are no more inclined than before to rest in Him. And if we don’t rest in Him, we’ll never risk for Him. (30)
There are actually only three things God promises with a guarantee. In these three things, God is always true to Himself. These three things are the bedrock of His faithfulness. They are utterly trustworthy things that God promises on the basis of His own character. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. These three things are the aspects of God’s faithfulness in which, no matter what else goes amiss, we can rest completely.
Three things.
God is faithful to forgive our sins if we confess them: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)
God is faithful to make us holy and blameless before Christ: “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May the whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:23-24) No one who trusts in Him will be found wanting on the day of judgment.
And God is faithful to get us home.
(70)
I will have failed if God is named but not praised, analyzed but not glorified, seen but not sought. I will have failed if we know better the character of God but are no more inclined than before to rest in Him. And if we don’t rest in Him, we’ll never risk for Him. (30)
There are actually only three things God promises with a guarantee. In these three things, God is always true to Himself. These three things are the bedrock of His faithfulness. They are utterly trustworthy things that God promises on the basis of His own character. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. These three things are the aspects of God’s faithfulness in which, no matter what else goes amiss, we can rest completely.
Three things.
God is faithful to forgive our sins if we confess them: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)
God is faithful to make us holy and blameless before Christ: “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May the whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:23-24) No one who trusts in Him will be found wanting on the day of judgment.
And God is faithful to get us home.
(70)
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