I know this might not be the most exciting question you have in your mind, but it is one I was recently asked. For those who wonder about the Reformed tradition or Reformed theology, I thought the following quotes from I. John Hesselink from his book, On Being Reformed (pages 89-107), worth sharing.
. . . this tradition is only a part of the larger tradition of the historic Christian faith. Reformed Churches are members of the one, holy, catholic (universal) church. For the most part, our beliefs are the same as evangelical Christians in all times and in all parts of the world. Accordingly, in regard to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith we can make no special claims. On the contrary, we are indebted not only to the reformers but also to the ancient fathers of the church for the great Christian heritage which is ours today.
All this not withstanding, we are also children of the Reformation with its recovery of certain evangelical themes: the Word alone, by grace alone, and by faith alone. More particularly, we are a part of a specific Reformation tradition known as Reformed or Presbyterian. Although many in this tradition call themselves “Calvinists,” others do not rally around the five points of Calvinism: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints (TULIP).
. . . there are a numbers of doctrinal emphases which are especially characteristic of the Reformed tradition.
God Centered
The most fundamental and comprehensive thing that can be said about the Reformed tradition is that it is theocentric or God-centered. In a sense, this is true of all Christians, but in contrast to Pelagianism* and Arminianism**, the Calvinist affirms that the human will is not free and that humanity does not take the initiative in response to the redemption offered in Jesus Christ. Moreover, in contrast to certain types of evangelicalism, the Reformed tradition focuses on God, not in his own experience. It is not my conversion, my faith, or my good life that counts in the last analysis. God’s goodness and grace and God’s sovereign will are the bedrock on my salvation. . . For the Calvinist the doctrine of God is the doctrine of doctrines, in a sense the only doctrine.
* Pelagianism denies original sin and interprets sin as a deliberate choice of evil by a will which is free to choose either good or evil.
**Arminianism believes that grace is not irresistible and that Christians can fall from grace. Arminianism challenges the teachings of Calvinism particulary relating to predestination. (25)
A People of the Word
Although sola scriptura (by Scripture alone) was a strong theme in the whole Reformation, it is in the Reformed tradition that Scripture receives special prominence. . .
Where the Reformed confessions – and Calvin – are explicit is in the connection with the nature of the authority of the Word. In Calvin’s classic discussion of this theme in the Institutes, he makes one of his most distinctive contributions to Christian theology, namely, the doctrine of the inner witness of the Holy Spirit to the truth and authority of Scripture. As Calvin approaches the whole question of Scripture, his first concern is “not only to prepare our hearts to reverence it, but to banish all doubt.” For “the Scriptures obtain full authority among believers only when men regard them as having sprung from heaven, as if there the living words of God were heard.” In other words, we will not believe the message of Scripture “until we are persuaded beyond doubt that God is it author.”
Church Order
L.J. Trinterud has succinctly and admirably summed up what is the nature of Calvin’s – and true Presbyterian – church government:
The primary elements of Calvin’s theory of church government may be summed up in three. The church is a community or body in which Christ is the only head, and all other members are equal under him. The ministry is given to the whole church, and is there distributed among many officers according as God has gifted and called them. All who hold office do so by election of the people whose representatives they are. The church is to be governed and directed by assemblies of officeholders, pastors, and elders, chosen to provide just representation for the church as a whole.
Doctrine with a Purpose
It is commonly recognized that the Reformed tradition is theologically oriented. . . What may not be so well known is the classical Reformed concern for doctrine that is useful and profitable, and for truth that produces holiness. There is, in short, a practical, utilitarian bent in the Reformed fascination with theology, an active, ethical thrust of Reformed thought.
Concern for truth, pure doctrine, and sound theology is important, but it should not be an end in itself. If this concern does not result in godliness and the edification of the church it has been perverted.
A Life and Worldview
Calvinism can never be accused of having a God who is too small or a vision that is too narrow. From its powerful concept of a sovereign God whose will determines the destiny of humankind and nations to the vision of the glory of God which is manifest and acknowledged through the ends of the earth, Calvinism is a faith of the grand design. In contrast to Lutheranism’s quest for a gracious God, pietism’s concern for the welfare of the individual soul, and Wesleyanism’s goal of personal holiness, the ultimate concern in the Reformed tradition transcends the individual and salvation. It also goes beyond the church, the body of Christ. The concern is for the realization of the will of God also in the wider realms of the state and culture, in nature and in the cosmos. In short, Reformed theology is kingdom theology.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Family
For better or for worse: family.
Here comes the holidays often means here comes the family.
I love my family. We are different. I love them in part because we are different. That includes the new family I acquired when Alisa and I merged paths. I may not have the same history, but we share Alisa and therefore we are bound together.
I am who I am today because of my family. I am who I am today because of the joys and struggles that I’ve experienced in my family. My Mom and Dad are obviously major players in who I am today. So is my sister. So are my grandparents who have all gone home. They’ve played a part in the formation of me. Qualities (both good and irritating) in me have been directly influenced by these important people in my life. (If you’re interested in finding out more about those irritating qualities, get to know me OR ask Alisa.)
And then there’s Alisa and John. I may have thought I had it figured out when I married. Now I know differently. I may have thought I was pretty well established before John came along, but now I know differently. I am a work in progress and a lot of that hard work has been done through marriage and parenting.
I cannot imagine who I would be today if you took these people out of my life – not much, I think.
Granted, no family is without brokenness and dysfunction. Surely, there are parts of our past family life we would like to change. We’ve been hurt by our family and I’m sure we’ve done some hurting ourselves. Some of that damage runs deep and maybe still hurts today. Some of that brokenness may continue to separate us from people in our families – some who may not be alive any longer. So I’m not here to say, naively, that we should gloss over and ignore what for some of you may be a great deal of pain and regret. But in spite of all that has taken place, they are still family, and God in His amazing way has taken the brokenness and helped us become who we are today. And isn’t it true that it is often through the brokenness that a lot of the formation takes place? For better or for worse: family.
Here are a few things I’m learning through these important relationships:
1. I’m called to love these people. How that looks is different for each one. But I know that I am called to pursue God’s direction in loving each of them.
2. Loving family can be one of the more challenging things to do. For some reason, the selfishness is much more prone to rear its ugly head with family. I am much more prone to expect them to meet my wants/needs. It is much easier for me to be a self-centered child with them than with anyone else. Lucky them, huh?
3. I’ve learned what love is through them. I’ve learned it through the “love me in spite of my brokenness” and the “love me in spite of my selfishness.” They’ve stuck by me. They’ve let me become who I am while helping me become who I ought to be. That’s a tricky balance to say the least, but they have played a huge role in allowing and encouraging me to become me.
4. They are an important part of my calling in life. As I grow in understanding the purpose of my life, they are a major focus of my purpose. God has placed me in their lives for a reason – to love and serve them as Christ has loved and served me.
5. They are one of the most amazing blessings God has given me. I am learning to be more thankful for the gift of my family. I am learning to be humbled by the gifts that I have in each of them. Though the time together with my family of origin (Mom, sister, etc.) has changed, they still are gifts I cannot take for granted. And as I live day in and day out with Alisa and John, I hope I will never see them as anything but the blessings they are. Yes, in the heat of the moment when anger or sadness or selfishness dominate my perceptions, I am not good at seeing the big and true picture, but I hope these are just anomalies on the more consistent recognition of the blessings I have in Alisa and John.
For some reason, the holidays help me (and maybe you, too) to see a little more clearly. Maybe it has a lot to do with the fact that when we focus our attention on Jesus Christ, we see much more clearly. We see that family can truly be one of the greatest blessings we experience in this world. It definitely has been for me. Let’s not forget to tell (and show) them the blessings they are to us.
Here comes the holidays often means here comes the family.
I love my family. We are different. I love them in part because we are different. That includes the new family I acquired when Alisa and I merged paths. I may not have the same history, but we share Alisa and therefore we are bound together.
I am who I am today because of my family. I am who I am today because of the joys and struggles that I’ve experienced in my family. My Mom and Dad are obviously major players in who I am today. So is my sister. So are my grandparents who have all gone home. They’ve played a part in the formation of me. Qualities (both good and irritating) in me have been directly influenced by these important people in my life. (If you’re interested in finding out more about those irritating qualities, get to know me OR ask Alisa.)
And then there’s Alisa and John. I may have thought I had it figured out when I married. Now I know differently. I may have thought I was pretty well established before John came along, but now I know differently. I am a work in progress and a lot of that hard work has been done through marriage and parenting.
I cannot imagine who I would be today if you took these people out of my life – not much, I think.
Granted, no family is without brokenness and dysfunction. Surely, there are parts of our past family life we would like to change. We’ve been hurt by our family and I’m sure we’ve done some hurting ourselves. Some of that damage runs deep and maybe still hurts today. Some of that brokenness may continue to separate us from people in our families – some who may not be alive any longer. So I’m not here to say, naively, that we should gloss over and ignore what for some of you may be a great deal of pain and regret. But in spite of all that has taken place, they are still family, and God in His amazing way has taken the brokenness and helped us become who we are today. And isn’t it true that it is often through the brokenness that a lot of the formation takes place? For better or for worse: family.
Here are a few things I’m learning through these important relationships:
1. I’m called to love these people. How that looks is different for each one. But I know that I am called to pursue God’s direction in loving each of them.
2. Loving family can be one of the more challenging things to do. For some reason, the selfishness is much more prone to rear its ugly head with family. I am much more prone to expect them to meet my wants/needs. It is much easier for me to be a self-centered child with them than with anyone else. Lucky them, huh?
3. I’ve learned what love is through them. I’ve learned it through the “love me in spite of my brokenness” and the “love me in spite of my selfishness.” They’ve stuck by me. They’ve let me become who I am while helping me become who I ought to be. That’s a tricky balance to say the least, but they have played a huge role in allowing and encouraging me to become me.
4. They are an important part of my calling in life. As I grow in understanding the purpose of my life, they are a major focus of my purpose. God has placed me in their lives for a reason – to love and serve them as Christ has loved and served me.
5. They are one of the most amazing blessings God has given me. I am learning to be more thankful for the gift of my family. I am learning to be humbled by the gifts that I have in each of them. Though the time together with my family of origin (Mom, sister, etc.) has changed, they still are gifts I cannot take for granted. And as I live day in and day out with Alisa and John, I hope I will never see them as anything but the blessings they are. Yes, in the heat of the moment when anger or sadness or selfishness dominate my perceptions, I am not good at seeing the big and true picture, but I hope these are just anomalies on the more consistent recognition of the blessings I have in Alisa and John.
For some reason, the holidays help me (and maybe you, too) to see a little more clearly. Maybe it has a lot to do with the fact that when we focus our attention on Jesus Christ, we see much more clearly. We see that family can truly be one of the greatest blessings we experience in this world. It definitely has been for me. Let’s not forget to tell (and show) them the blessings they are to us.
The Right Way to Do Christmas
On a lighter note, I would like to express to you my personal opinions about how Christmas should be celebrated as a family. You may wonder at my qualifications for such an article. I do not claim to have any except the fact that I am from Minnesota, which has the closest weather patterns to the North Pole than any of the other state in the continental United States. I know, I’m not acknowledging Alaska’s weather, and it is just my prerogative to do that.
1. Christmas cookies are a must, but they have to taste good. No matter how creative or decorative or fancy they look, if they do not taste good, it is a mistake to include them.
2. Presents should be opened on Christmas Eve. Why? Because I’ve always done it that way.
3. Gifts that are not surprises do not need to be wrapped. Why wrap a present if you know what it is already?
4. And on that related note, what happened to buying gifts that are surprises? We’ve seemed to make Christmas gift giving into a transaction. I tell you what I want. You go get it for me. I thank you for it and I’m kind enough to do the same for you. There is no freedom for creativity. And sometimes people are even militant at both demanding your list and pouting if they don’t get what they told you to give them. I know that input from each other is helpful, but it should be seen as input not non-negotiable demands.
5. All children should have to do the dishes from the Christmas Eve dinner BEFORE presents are opened. Why? Because that’s what I had to do. Nothing better than watching anxious, distracted children hurrying to get the dishes done handling your fine china and stemware.
6. Children should not be taunted, teased, or threatened about Christmas gifts. “If you don’t eat those peas, you won’t get to open your presents.” “Santa may not come tonight if you keep whining.” I know there is power in the gifts, but it shouldn’t be used to manipulate kids to certain actions or behaviors. Is Santa really not going to come? Are you really going to keep them from opening presents when everyone else is?
7. Do a lot of listening and observing at Christmas. Give a lot of hugs. Say a lot of affirming things to one another. Express love. Be thankful. Let God lead this time together. Don’t get your expectations so high that there is no way they can be met. Maybe it won’t go exactly as you have planned, but maybe that’s the way it ought to go.
One final tip which holds true not only for Christmas but for Thanksgiving, too. In fact, it holds true all the time. Be the one to serve. Don’t expect to be served. Do the dishes. Offer your help wherever needed. Seek to serve the people you are with. Don’t allow the temptation to selfishness get the best of you. Serve the people you love.
Finally, you may disagree with my opinions (which is foolishness). I am not interested in hearing about it. I have shared with you the "right" way to do Christmas. Any detour from this path is the "wrong" way. How do I know you ask? Because I've always done it this way. There is no greater argument than that.
1. Christmas cookies are a must, but they have to taste good. No matter how creative or decorative or fancy they look, if they do not taste good, it is a mistake to include them.
2. Presents should be opened on Christmas Eve. Why? Because I’ve always done it that way.
3. Gifts that are not surprises do not need to be wrapped. Why wrap a present if you know what it is already?
4. And on that related note, what happened to buying gifts that are surprises? We’ve seemed to make Christmas gift giving into a transaction. I tell you what I want. You go get it for me. I thank you for it and I’m kind enough to do the same for you. There is no freedom for creativity. And sometimes people are even militant at both demanding your list and pouting if they don’t get what they told you to give them. I know that input from each other is helpful, but it should be seen as input not non-negotiable demands.
5. All children should have to do the dishes from the Christmas Eve dinner BEFORE presents are opened. Why? Because that’s what I had to do. Nothing better than watching anxious, distracted children hurrying to get the dishes done handling your fine china and stemware.
6. Children should not be taunted, teased, or threatened about Christmas gifts. “If you don’t eat those peas, you won’t get to open your presents.” “Santa may not come tonight if you keep whining.” I know there is power in the gifts, but it shouldn’t be used to manipulate kids to certain actions or behaviors. Is Santa really not going to come? Are you really going to keep them from opening presents when everyone else is?
7. Do a lot of listening and observing at Christmas. Give a lot of hugs. Say a lot of affirming things to one another. Express love. Be thankful. Let God lead this time together. Don’t get your expectations so high that there is no way they can be met. Maybe it won’t go exactly as you have planned, but maybe that’s the way it ought to go.
One final tip which holds true not only for Christmas but for Thanksgiving, too. In fact, it holds true all the time. Be the one to serve. Don’t expect to be served. Do the dishes. Offer your help wherever needed. Seek to serve the people you are with. Don’t allow the temptation to selfishness get the best of you. Serve the people you love.
Finally, you may disagree with my opinions (which is foolishness). I am not interested in hearing about it. I have shared with you the "right" way to do Christmas. Any detour from this path is the "wrong" way. How do I know you ask? Because I've always done it this way. There is no greater argument than that.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Gift Giving
Every year about this time, I get a phone call. “What are we going to do about gifts for Christmas?” It comes from one of my family members. And thus begins the frantic calls between family members about what everyone wants to do about gifts for Christmas.
This year it’s been decided: No Gifts. Of course there is an exception for the children, but even there we are encouraging one another to limit the purchases.
Why?
Times are tight we hear and many of us are already experiencing that. But even more than that, we each have everything we need. It’s hard to come up with anything else we really need. Yes, want is a different story, but it’s hard to justify expenditures on items we want, when we are very aware of the “need” that exists here and abroad.
So no gifts.
But here’s where I see my misconception of gift-giving. In essence, I have equated giving a gift to one of my family member’s as buying something they want (or if I’m feeling risky, getting them something I think they want). But it all revolves around money. It’s sad that I think that way.
I can give gifts to my family without spending money. In fact, isn’t it true that the greatest gifts we give and receive don’t cost money? They may cost us something, but more often than not it has nothing to do with money.
I’m not trying to be Scrooge. I just want to encourage you to consider what really would be a gift to give to the people you love in your life. What would really bless them? Those are gifts we really ought to give. A few ideas:
1. Have you ever told your kids/spouse about how you came to faith in Jesus?
2. Have you ever told your kids how you fell in love with their Mom/Dad?
3. Have you ever told your kids what you appreciate most about them and how they’ve blessed your life?
4. When is the last time you told your spouse what he or she means to you?
5. When is the last time you made (not bought) something for your family?
The greatest gifts come through relationships - not with a receipt.
Consider giving the money to those who need it.
This year it’s been decided: No Gifts. Of course there is an exception for the children, but even there we are encouraging one another to limit the purchases.
Why?
Times are tight we hear and many of us are already experiencing that. But even more than that, we each have everything we need. It’s hard to come up with anything else we really need. Yes, want is a different story, but it’s hard to justify expenditures on items we want, when we are very aware of the “need” that exists here and abroad.
So no gifts.
But here’s where I see my misconception of gift-giving. In essence, I have equated giving a gift to one of my family member’s as buying something they want (or if I’m feeling risky, getting them something I think they want). But it all revolves around money. It’s sad that I think that way.
I can give gifts to my family without spending money. In fact, isn’t it true that the greatest gifts we give and receive don’t cost money? They may cost us something, but more often than not it has nothing to do with money.
I’m not trying to be Scrooge. I just want to encourage you to consider what really would be a gift to give to the people you love in your life. What would really bless them? Those are gifts we really ought to give. A few ideas:
1. Have you ever told your kids/spouse about how you came to faith in Jesus?
2. Have you ever told your kids how you fell in love with their Mom/Dad?
3. Have you ever told your kids what you appreciate most about them and how they’ve blessed your life?
4. When is the last time you told your spouse what he or she means to you?
5. When is the last time you made (not bought) something for your family?
The greatest gifts come through relationships - not with a receipt.
Consider giving the money to those who need it.
Slaves to Christ
I’ve never been in chains. I’ve never been a slave. I’ve never been behind bars. I’ve never been forced to work against my will (I’m not counting those times at home growing up because that is different). I’ve never been treated as a piece of property and not a person. I don’t even remember a time being locked in a room I can’t get out of. I’ve been locked out of things, but have no experience with anything to do with slavery.
I’ve always been ‘free’ to do generally what I want.
The Bible uses the imagery of slavery. And during Bible times, slavery was common practice. Sadly, it still exists today, but it is definitely outside of our frame of reference here in Charlevoix.
We are called to be slaves to Christ. . . because . . . He sets us free from our slavery to sin. We have been set free from sin. It no longer controls us. It no longer can impart its will through our flesh, our self, through the law, and even through death. We are free.
Yet, what I’ve just said is what most of us know; it is what we’re taught in church and reflects accurately what the Bible says, yet often our experience is different. We still feel like our flesh and self are in control. We feel helpless to keep from pursuing what our ‘self’ tells us we want.
We hear 2 Corinthians 5:17 and just don’t feel like it’s true,
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.
“The old has gone” is hard to see and even harder to experience. We still feel the power of the old self. We still see the attraction to our flesh. The influence still remains. How are we made new? Is the old self really gone? Am I really free from the bondage to sin? Are you?
I think of Paul and his wrestlings in Romans 7. I’m paraphrasing, when he in essence says, ‘why can’t I stop doing what I know I should stop and why can’t I do what I know I need to do?’ Been there before? I sure have.
Today, the focus of the message is Acts 16 where Paul and Silas are put in jail because they cast a demon out of a fortune-telling girl. While in prison, an earthquake happens and all the doors are cast open and all the chains are broken. They are free to go. But they stay. Because they stay, they are able to share the message of salvation through Jesus with the jailer and his family.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how the doors of my prison have swung open and the chains around my wrists have broken off. What does that mean? How does that look in my life? How does that affect everything else about my life? I am free from sin and its consequences, yet I’m not out of prison. The doors are open, the chains are off, but I still live in a world where slavery to sin is rampant.
Hopefully, I haven’t totally lost you by this point. There is a point. I just wanted to share with you how I struggle understanding what I know to be true within the experience of my life. So here’s my best shot at explaining how I make sense of all of this.
I was once a slave to my self. I lived for me. I lived in the flesh – driven by me and what was best for me. I could not please God. I deserved the consequences of this selfish life, which is death – separation from God – ongoing slavery to sin. At times this life seemed so attractive, yet also empty. It felt good but then bad. Happiness was short-lived and often followed by guilt.
I realized/realize the impossibility of me doing anything about this life and its consequences. I realized/realize the havoc this life wreaks upon everyone around me. I look in the mirror and cannot stand what I see without looking through a distorted lens. That lens sure is hard to get off, but I saw enough glimpses of the truth to feel the shame. I could not escape from this truth . . . on my own. All of this did not happen in a moment. Over time, through life experiences, through my own identity crises, and through my constant strivings to meet my needs, I came to these conclusions. I am a broken man. I have chains on my wrists and live in a place I cannot escape from. “Wretched man that I am; who can rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)
In the midst of the glimpses of shame, I experienced glimpses of joy. I felt love. I saw hope. I was turned outside of my self and onto others. They had what I wanted. And it wasn’t money or stuff; it was peace. It was joy. It was a love of people. I was one of those people they loved. These people, broken themselves, all had one thing in common: Jesus. It wasn’t a head knowledge or the ability to spout Bible trivia or talk “church.” They loved Jesus. I knew that by how they lived much more so than what they said. And they showed me that I needed Him too. So I took the step of faith and gave myself to Him because keeping myself for me wasn’t working at all. I believed. I confessed. I promised to try (with His help) to follow.
Choosing Him meant choosing to be His. The Bible says slave, servant, and even friend to describe this relationship, but the bottom line is I don’t exist for me but for Him. I am now His slave. He is my master. I couldn’t be His unless I was set free from sin. Sin cannot be my master if I am to be His. Jesus set me free from sin. It cost Him His life.
I live in a world filled with sin. I live in a prison, yet I am free. What’s hard is living in this prison that still is seeking to put me back in chains. I am free, but I can still give in to the voice of my ‘self’ and allow my new life to look like my old life. I can be free from sin and act like I’m still it’s slave. It’s my choice. Sin no longer controls me unless I choose it. I now, by the power of Jesus and the freedom I have through Him, can walk away. I can overcome temptation. I can live for Jesus. I can be His. And in doing so, I can look like Him, act like Him, and talk like Him, because I am His.
Plus, He wants me to stay in that prison so I can show others that freedom is available. It’s not easy staying in the place where sin still dwells, but that is our lot until Christ returns. I definitely struggle when I go it alone against sin.
Look at your wrists. No chains. Look at the door of your cell. Wide open. All of this through Christ alone. We live here to help set the ‘other’ prisoners free by showing them the only way to freedom: Jesus Christ. We are free to be His. Choose to be His. You are not a slave to sin.
I’ve always been ‘free’ to do generally what I want.
The Bible uses the imagery of slavery. And during Bible times, slavery was common practice. Sadly, it still exists today, but it is definitely outside of our frame of reference here in Charlevoix.
We are called to be slaves to Christ. . . because . . . He sets us free from our slavery to sin. We have been set free from sin. It no longer controls us. It no longer can impart its will through our flesh, our self, through the law, and even through death. We are free.
Yet, what I’ve just said is what most of us know; it is what we’re taught in church and reflects accurately what the Bible says, yet often our experience is different. We still feel like our flesh and self are in control. We feel helpless to keep from pursuing what our ‘self’ tells us we want.
We hear 2 Corinthians 5:17 and just don’t feel like it’s true,
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.
“The old has gone” is hard to see and even harder to experience. We still feel the power of the old self. We still see the attraction to our flesh. The influence still remains. How are we made new? Is the old self really gone? Am I really free from the bondage to sin? Are you?
I think of Paul and his wrestlings in Romans 7. I’m paraphrasing, when he in essence says, ‘why can’t I stop doing what I know I should stop and why can’t I do what I know I need to do?’ Been there before? I sure have.
Today, the focus of the message is Acts 16 where Paul and Silas are put in jail because they cast a demon out of a fortune-telling girl. While in prison, an earthquake happens and all the doors are cast open and all the chains are broken. They are free to go. But they stay. Because they stay, they are able to share the message of salvation through Jesus with the jailer and his family.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how the doors of my prison have swung open and the chains around my wrists have broken off. What does that mean? How does that look in my life? How does that affect everything else about my life? I am free from sin and its consequences, yet I’m not out of prison. The doors are open, the chains are off, but I still live in a world where slavery to sin is rampant.
Hopefully, I haven’t totally lost you by this point. There is a point. I just wanted to share with you how I struggle understanding what I know to be true within the experience of my life. So here’s my best shot at explaining how I make sense of all of this.
I was once a slave to my self. I lived for me. I lived in the flesh – driven by me and what was best for me. I could not please God. I deserved the consequences of this selfish life, which is death – separation from God – ongoing slavery to sin. At times this life seemed so attractive, yet also empty. It felt good but then bad. Happiness was short-lived and often followed by guilt.
I realized/realize the impossibility of me doing anything about this life and its consequences. I realized/realize the havoc this life wreaks upon everyone around me. I look in the mirror and cannot stand what I see without looking through a distorted lens. That lens sure is hard to get off, but I saw enough glimpses of the truth to feel the shame. I could not escape from this truth . . . on my own. All of this did not happen in a moment. Over time, through life experiences, through my own identity crises, and through my constant strivings to meet my needs, I came to these conclusions. I am a broken man. I have chains on my wrists and live in a place I cannot escape from. “Wretched man that I am; who can rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)
In the midst of the glimpses of shame, I experienced glimpses of joy. I felt love. I saw hope. I was turned outside of my self and onto others. They had what I wanted. And it wasn’t money or stuff; it was peace. It was joy. It was a love of people. I was one of those people they loved. These people, broken themselves, all had one thing in common: Jesus. It wasn’t a head knowledge or the ability to spout Bible trivia or talk “church.” They loved Jesus. I knew that by how they lived much more so than what they said. And they showed me that I needed Him too. So I took the step of faith and gave myself to Him because keeping myself for me wasn’t working at all. I believed. I confessed. I promised to try (with His help) to follow.
Choosing Him meant choosing to be His. The Bible says slave, servant, and even friend to describe this relationship, but the bottom line is I don’t exist for me but for Him. I am now His slave. He is my master. I couldn’t be His unless I was set free from sin. Sin cannot be my master if I am to be His. Jesus set me free from sin. It cost Him His life.
I live in a world filled with sin. I live in a prison, yet I am free. What’s hard is living in this prison that still is seeking to put me back in chains. I am free, but I can still give in to the voice of my ‘self’ and allow my new life to look like my old life. I can be free from sin and act like I’m still it’s slave. It’s my choice. Sin no longer controls me unless I choose it. I now, by the power of Jesus and the freedom I have through Him, can walk away. I can overcome temptation. I can live for Jesus. I can be His. And in doing so, I can look like Him, act like Him, and talk like Him, because I am His.
Plus, He wants me to stay in that prison so I can show others that freedom is available. It’s not easy staying in the place where sin still dwells, but that is our lot until Christ returns. I definitely struggle when I go it alone against sin.
Look at your wrists. No chains. Look at the door of your cell. Wide open. All of this through Christ alone. We live here to help set the ‘other’ prisoners free by showing them the only way to freedom: Jesus Christ. We are free to be His. Choose to be His. You are not a slave to sin.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
No Risk - No Reward
Yep, I am doing a piece on gambling. Not really.
Following Jesus is about risks, don’t you think? Or maybe not. Maybe there is no risk because we have Jesus on our side. We have nothing to fear.
Maybe in a perfect world by perfect people, we would have no risk, but it is risk to us. It is a risk to be vulnerable. It is a risk to be honest. It is a risk to share our needs. It is a risk to admit our faith. We fear rejection. We fear ridicule. We fear people will think of us in ways we don’t want them to. So often, we don’t risk. We conform. We adapt. We become like a chameleon and just change our appearance and behavior to blend into the situation we’re in.
But just think about the risks you’ve taken. Think about the results.
The “rewards” I’ve experienced have come through risk. I moved to Michigan, away from family. I asked Alisa (a super young college woman out). I spoke in front of people. I’ve admitted failure. I’ve initiated new relationships. I’ve shared my heart with some. I’ve taken risks.
(Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t claim to be any role model risk-taker. I have also passed up many risk-taking opportunities. I have definitely turned away from many opportunities where God has called me to risk for Him.)
In the places I’ve been willing to risk, I’ve experienced the greatest reward. (Reward may not be the best word, but it is catchy for the title. Blessing is probably better.) God’s plan always involves risk. But being in God’s plan and experiencing the peace that comes with it, is truly a priceless blessing. I risked spending time with Lions, Wolverine, Spartan, Tiger, and Pistons fans. It was dangerous being a Minnesotan in this Michigander world. But the rewards/blessings have been well worth the risk. Not to say there haven’t been times of doubt. Sometimes the risks lead to rejection and I’ve questioned whether or not it was worth the risk. But time and time again through a variety of means, God has confirmed that being in His plan, risking for His sake, will lead to peace, blessing, good, transformation, and a growing willingness to trust Him instead of myself.
It is a risk to admit your failings to your spouse and ask for forgiveness – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to set aside your agenda and just “be” with your kid(s) – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to admit you don’t have the faith/God/Bible thing figured out and need help – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to open yourself up to your neighbor/co-worker – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to pray – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to pray that God would provide opportunities to share your faith – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to “store up treasures in heaven not here on earth.” - WORTH IT.
It is a risk to thank those who have impacted your life in positive ways – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to pray with others – WORTH IT.
Relationships are always a risk. But can you imagine your life without them? Can you imagine what it would be like to not have people in your life whom you love and whom love you?
Following Jesus means taking risks – trusting in Him and not yourself – walking by faith.
Following Jesus is about risks, don’t you think? Or maybe not. Maybe there is no risk because we have Jesus on our side. We have nothing to fear.
Maybe in a perfect world by perfect people, we would have no risk, but it is risk to us. It is a risk to be vulnerable. It is a risk to be honest. It is a risk to share our needs. It is a risk to admit our faith. We fear rejection. We fear ridicule. We fear people will think of us in ways we don’t want them to. So often, we don’t risk. We conform. We adapt. We become like a chameleon and just change our appearance and behavior to blend into the situation we’re in.
But just think about the risks you’ve taken. Think about the results.
The “rewards” I’ve experienced have come through risk. I moved to Michigan, away from family. I asked Alisa (a super young college woman out). I spoke in front of people. I’ve admitted failure. I’ve initiated new relationships. I’ve shared my heart with some. I’ve taken risks.
(Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t claim to be any role model risk-taker. I have also passed up many risk-taking opportunities. I have definitely turned away from many opportunities where God has called me to risk for Him.)
In the places I’ve been willing to risk, I’ve experienced the greatest reward. (Reward may not be the best word, but it is catchy for the title. Blessing is probably better.) God’s plan always involves risk. But being in God’s plan and experiencing the peace that comes with it, is truly a priceless blessing. I risked spending time with Lions, Wolverine, Spartan, Tiger, and Pistons fans. It was dangerous being a Minnesotan in this Michigander world. But the rewards/blessings have been well worth the risk. Not to say there haven’t been times of doubt. Sometimes the risks lead to rejection and I’ve questioned whether or not it was worth the risk. But time and time again through a variety of means, God has confirmed that being in His plan, risking for His sake, will lead to peace, blessing, good, transformation, and a growing willingness to trust Him instead of myself.
It is a risk to admit your failings to your spouse and ask for forgiveness – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to set aside your agenda and just “be” with your kid(s) – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to admit you don’t have the faith/God/Bible thing figured out and need help – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to open yourself up to your neighbor/co-worker – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to pray – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to pray that God would provide opportunities to share your faith – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to “store up treasures in heaven not here on earth.” - WORTH IT.
It is a risk to thank those who have impacted your life in positive ways – WORTH IT.
It is a risk to pray with others – WORTH IT.
Relationships are always a risk. But can you imagine your life without them? Can you imagine what it would be like to not have people in your life whom you love and whom love you?
Following Jesus means taking risks – trusting in Him and not yourself – walking by faith.
Growing Relationships
Think for a moment about any relationship in your life. Is it growing?
How would you answer that question? How would you know it is? What would be signs of growth?
Maybe one way to think about your relationship is like a tree. Are the roots growing – meaning is there more depth in your relationship? Are your conversations more helpful, more encouraging? Do you talk about things that matter? Do you talk about feelings, hopes, thoughts, etc. versus just calendars and opinions?
Is your relationship being fed? Are you exposing yourself to healthy influences, good content, positive experiences, other growing relationships? Do you pray together, encourage one another in faith, “work” together on your relationship with Jesus?
Is your relationship bearing fruit? Do you see the ways your relationship is blessing one another, blessing those around you, leading to “good” for others?
I’m more and more convinced that we struggle growing relationships. We don’t know how. We don’t want to make the effort. We have other things that consume our time and attention.
God created us to grow. He created us as relational beings. He desires us to grow in relationship. For as we grow in relationships, we become more like who He created us to be. Of course this is true in our relationship with Jesus, but it also holds true in all other relationships. As we grow, we lose parts of our “self.” That is good. Relationships require us to give up the independent, selfish, prideful person that can have such influence over us. But in relationship, that person has to go. Relationships don’t grow when we are independent, selfish, and prideful.
Are you growing in your relationships? It is a critically important question. It also will not happen by accident. We may experience difficult times in life that really force us to grow, but they are few and far between and they can’t be the foundation by which our relationships grow.
We have to work at it. We have to try. We will fail at times, but we have to keep trying.
If I desire growth in my relationships with Alisa and John, I have to try. So often my initial inclination is selfishness. I want to watch TV. I want to read. I want to get my project done. “I want” dictates my decisions. When that happens, growth doesn’t. Growth happens when I am willing to set aside my wants and invest in people. It means making time with Alisa a priority where we sit across the table the talk. It means doing the activity book with John, playing trains or UNO, or just sitting and talking with him. It means not rushing through the evening routine so I can get to doing what I want, but instead taking advantage of the time together.
If you don’t try, relationships won’t grow.
And, when we invest in people – no matter who they are – even though it means setting aside our “wants,” we begin to learn and experience that blessings come most clearly and most often through relationship NOT from our “wants”.
Don’t miss out on the gifts that you have right in front of you.
How would you answer that question? How would you know it is? What would be signs of growth?
Maybe one way to think about your relationship is like a tree. Are the roots growing – meaning is there more depth in your relationship? Are your conversations more helpful, more encouraging? Do you talk about things that matter? Do you talk about feelings, hopes, thoughts, etc. versus just calendars and opinions?
Is your relationship being fed? Are you exposing yourself to healthy influences, good content, positive experiences, other growing relationships? Do you pray together, encourage one another in faith, “work” together on your relationship with Jesus?
Is your relationship bearing fruit? Do you see the ways your relationship is blessing one another, blessing those around you, leading to “good” for others?
I’m more and more convinced that we struggle growing relationships. We don’t know how. We don’t want to make the effort. We have other things that consume our time and attention.
God created us to grow. He created us as relational beings. He desires us to grow in relationship. For as we grow in relationships, we become more like who He created us to be. Of course this is true in our relationship with Jesus, but it also holds true in all other relationships. As we grow, we lose parts of our “self.” That is good. Relationships require us to give up the independent, selfish, prideful person that can have such influence over us. But in relationship, that person has to go. Relationships don’t grow when we are independent, selfish, and prideful.
Are you growing in your relationships? It is a critically important question. It also will not happen by accident. We may experience difficult times in life that really force us to grow, but they are few and far between and they can’t be the foundation by which our relationships grow.
We have to work at it. We have to try. We will fail at times, but we have to keep trying.
If I desire growth in my relationships with Alisa and John, I have to try. So often my initial inclination is selfishness. I want to watch TV. I want to read. I want to get my project done. “I want” dictates my decisions. When that happens, growth doesn’t. Growth happens when I am willing to set aside my wants and invest in people. It means making time with Alisa a priority where we sit across the table the talk. It means doing the activity book with John, playing trains or UNO, or just sitting and talking with him. It means not rushing through the evening routine so I can get to doing what I want, but instead taking advantage of the time together.
If you don’t try, relationships won’t grow.
And, when we invest in people – no matter who they are – even though it means setting aside our “wants,” we begin to learn and experience that blessings come most clearly and most often through relationship NOT from our “wants”.
Don’t miss out on the gifts that you have right in front of you.
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