"Disquieting Truth"

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity observes,

“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end:  if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth—only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair.”

If you were to sum it up, then I suppose you would have to call genuine Christian truth, disquieting.  How can it be other when one seriously and honestly considers one’s life and then compares it to the genuine truths of the Divine?  Indeed, one cannot help but be disquieted.  For one to be otherwise is to be naïve or deluded.

Even to the one who thinks it possible to explain away much of the Scriptures, there still will remain much which challenges one’s life and thinking.  Two current examples will testify to and illustrate the point.

I know of a person who often refers to Jesus words, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”  My suspicion is that the focus is upon the former part of the statement and not the second part, the command portion. 

How could one possibly “soft soap” a command not to sin anymore?  In that day and time the weight of the Old Testament Law rested upon the shoulders of all who would follow God.  Jesus’ words that He came to fulfill, not to abolish the Law apply here.  How impossible the task to not sin.  Of course then as now there were those who either redefined sin or look past the inconvenient truths of the Bible.  In doing those things they presume to make it possible to conform one’s life to the same.

The other example to consider is the use of the word “love.”  Over and over one hears that we must love one another.  To be sure one can find comfort in the notion of being loved.  Yet, if one takes time to read and ponder the Scripture’s description of love, and then put that description into practice it become quite another matter.

Thus I go back to say that true and genuine Christianity is disquieting as it should be for in the spiritual disciplines of life we are brought into contact with the One who is described as Truth and genuine truth is always disquieting to our fleshly nature and its insatiable demands. 

Those things that we read in the Scriptures, what we discover as we ponder the words of Scripture, what the Holy Spirit reveals to us in prayer, and what we hear from the pulpit should be disquieting.  Why?  C.S. Lewis points out that unless we believe we are sick we do not receive the advice of the physician.  If we do not see ourselves as not measuring up to Great Physician, we simply do not see ourselves as spiritually diseased and disquieted and thus heed the commands of the One who became flesh and who lived among us.  This is the great lie which has deceived man in general and many who claim Christ in particular.

The truth of the matter when compared to the eternal and immutable truths of the Bible, is that I am not okay, You are not okay!  The beauty of it all is that when the Christian knows this he is afforded the opportunity to take action but not just any action.  It is the action in which Christ's provision of strength to live according to His Words--Words of Truth is afforded to the believer.  And in those areas of which one is not aware?  This is where God's grace enters into the life of the beliver.

"Journeying Onward to Change by Faith or Sight"

Attempting to live out our faith in the strength of our own resources has the disadvantage of blocking our view of the spiritual.  How easy we find it to walk by sight (understanding, our own human enlightenment) and not by faith and yet Paul under the direction of the Holy Spirit challenges that notion when he writes the following.

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight --NASU

 Most certainly this is but a small part of a greater thought.  However, as with many things in Christian faith, the small and simple are profound and broad in impact.  The point is that we, like those believers of that day  in the Church(s) in the City of Corinth along with Paul were challenged by God to walk not in their human understanding of this thing we call Christianity but by faith.

In comparison to faith, how easy it is to walk through life moving here and there based upon feelings.  In comparison to faith, and though more difficult than feelings, how easy it is to walk through life based upon what we know.  Or, again compared to faith, how difficult it is to live out life in the strength of one's will.  The degree to which we live out our lives based upon these things, is the degree to which living out lives out in faith pays the price.

In other words, when called upon to follow some course of action or another which makes no sense, and if we rely upon our understanding, our feelings, or our will to take action, it very often is at the expense of a decision made out of faith.  Walking by faith in the uncertainties of life is God's design for the one who would follow Him.

However, that is not God's plan for the Christian.  Remember that,

Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Though often quite difficult, it still remains the task of the Christian to step out in faith.  It seems then that the hope and conviction to which this verse refers is a much deeper hope and conviction than something one's conjures up out of one's will, belief, or feeling.  These are spirit level activities that come only as the Holy Spirit of God move within the human spirit and create these things in the face of what seems possible.

Finally, all live by faith of some sort.  The question to consider at this juncture is just what is worthy of your faith.  In particular one does well to not place his faith in those things that are temporary--things that will pass away.  For example, there are those who place their faith in governments, yet one does not look far to see that governmental power corrupts (e.g. the disparity between the benefits that the Congress has voted for themselves and what they have voted for the military, other government workers, etc.).

Then too consider the governments one finds across the world where corruption and graft are a way of life.  How deep the disappointment must be for those who place their trust in government.  However, there will come a day that there will be only one government--that presided over by the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Indeed His rule will be fair and just.

We also find people place their faith in movements such a the climate movement, environmental-green movement, equal rights movements, etc.  Though some of have produced change, such change is neither genuine nor is it deep.  There is one exception that is found throughout the history of the world.  It is spiritual revival.  Over and over, culture to culture, and people to people when the social movement is occasioned by spiritual revival (e.g. Billy Sunday, D.L Moody, Charles Spurgeon, etc) there is genuine deep and lasting changes.

Again it all comes back to the question of where I place my faith.  A faith that comes from hearing and that hearing which comes is in conformity to what God's Word says (Romans 10:17)

"Riverbanks in Our Lives"

What do you have when a river levee is breached?  A river run wild.

Think about life.  The riverbanks of character are what keeps one's life flowing in the right direction.  Failing to maintain those banks make great the possibility of ethical failure.  It is but a few decisions made without concern for character that will breach the levees of one life and it will run out of control.

Think about relationships.  The riverbanks of correct boundaries are what keeps one's relationships flowing in the right direction.  Failing to maintain those banks make great the possibility of destructive relationships.  How often an enabling person and/or an enabled person selfishly breach the bounds of propriety in relationships.

Think about society.  The riverbanks of Law are what keeps society flowing an orderly direction.  Failing to live within the Law brings about anarchy and rebellion.  A very chaotic culture results when the levees of Law are breached.

Think about faith.  The riverbanks of Scripture and doctrine are what keeps one's faith life flowing in the right direction.  Failing to maintain those banks make great the possibility of religious failure.  Extremes of faith and doctrine behaviors come when the levees of faith and doctrine are breached.

Think about the Holy Spirit.  The riverbanks of Scripture are what keeps the ministering work of the Holy Spirit flowing in the right direction.  Failing to maintain those banks make great the possibility of spiritual extremism.  Genuine fanaticism (not just spiritual expression based in one's personality type) comes when the levees of Scripture are breached in this area.

Thank about your life.  The riverbanks that have been listed along with others are what keep one's life manageable and moving in right and correct directions.  They are there to keep one's life from running out of control.  What do you have when any of these things are breeched?  A life run wild, spilling into other lives, running a muck, chasing errant ideas of faith, and/or following after spiritual extremes.

The more I think about it, the more I have come to realize that the only way to maintain the riverbanks of one's life is through balance.  Balancing one's life in faith and the operation of the Holy Spirit.  Balanced in relationships with God, others, and then one's self.  Balanced in life.

As someone, perhaps Abe Lincoln, once said, "It is the path of least resistance that causes men and rivers to run crooked."  So it is that it is the genuine levees of life that keep us from following that path of least resistance.  What is a life that has followed that path?  A life best described as chaotic!

"A New Year's Checklist"

In the beginning days of a new year it is important to think about where one has been and where one is going.  This is no more important than in the spiritual arenas of one's life.  Here is a little check list

MAN AS GOD ORIGINALLY CREATED HIM

Who am I?  You are one who was RIGHTLY created by God - Psalms 139:15-16

Who am I?  You were and are one who is REVERED by God - Lamentations 3:22-23

Who am I?  You were and are one who is REFRESHED by God - Isaiah 42:5

MAN WHO DISOBEYED GOD, SINNED, AND WAS SEPARATED FROM GOD

Who am I?  You were and are one who is RIPPED OFF by sin - Romans 5:12, 3:23

Who am I?  You are one who is RUINED by sin - Romans 6:23

MAN WHO COMES HUMBLY TO JESUS CHRIST

Who am I?  You are one who is to be REPENTANT for that sin - Luke 13:3, 5

Who am I?  You are one who is REDEEMED by Jesus - Romans 5:8

Who am I? You are one who is RESCUED by Jesus - Colossians 1:13

Who am I?  You are one who has been REPAIRED by Jesus  - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Who am I?  You are one who is RESTORED by God - Job 22:23

Who am I?  You are one who is REVERED by God - Romans 5:5

Who am I?  You are one who can be REPLENISHED by God - 2 Corinthians 1:3

Who am I?  You are one who is RESOURCED by God - Philippians 4:13 

"A New Year Bring New Chances"

"Lets take a chance and..."

Ever said that or been with someone or a group who decided to take a chance.  What is chance?  Certainly it is not the guarantee that success is around the corner of decision!  It is taking the opportunity for success.  It is measuring the possibilities and deciding such risk as is involved is worth it and then moving in some direction or another.

What keeps us from taking a chance?  For some I suppose it is fear.  For some it is comfort.  For some it is irresponsibility.  Irresponsibility?  That is right.  A story...

Imagine that there was a garden of the most delightful fruits and vegetables that one might imagine.  Though untended there were no weeds and the soil was so rich that plants effortlessly grew, and the fruit and vegetables were abundant.  There was a natural spring of the purest water which kept the soil moist.  There was so much produce that it would feed the dozens and dozens of families that had need.  In addition there would be so much left over, it could be sold and the monies earned could then be used to meet other needs.  

Then imagine that next door to this garden lived a miser.  He would go and harvest for his own needs but gave no thought to others.  You see the thing needed to share the produce was someone to arrange for those with needs to come and harvest the produce.  It needed someone to arrange for those who could harvest to provide the bounty to those in need, who could not do so themselves.

Yet the miser was only concerned with himself and so he built a fence around the garden and hoarded what was there.   

Now imagine that another man lives on the other side of the garden and he does all of the things just mentioned.  He take some for himself.  However, here he differs from the miser.  This man is possessed of a soft heart.   He arranges for the needy to come and harvest for themselves and others who cannot do so.  He arranges for the extra to be sold in order to meet other kinds of needs.  He begins a business and supports not only his own family but causes important to the community.

The question..."Which man would you like to be?"  Before you answer consider that years later both men are on their death bed.  One will die fulfilled and feel like life was well lived surrounded by family and friends from the community.  The other will die empty, unfulfilled, bitter, and alone.

Now change the story so that instead of a garden you have giftings, skills, ideas, and abilities.  What do you suppose would happen if in just one small area of your life you decided to share these things with others.  To give of yourself?

Maybe you are gifted in finances.

What if you took a chance on an IPO (Initial public offering of stock in a company that is going to be public)?  What if you invested in an income property?  What if you helped someone who is in a problem situation which they did not create?

Maybe you are gifted in business.

What if you took a chance, decided where need exists that opportunity exists, and began a small business?  What if you helped someone else begin a small business?

Maybe you like to learn and then teach others.

What if you took a chance and went back to school?  What if you found a struggling student and helped them achieve academic success?

Maybe you have time and material good so that you could give time to others.

What if you found a new place of service?  What if you became a volunteer at your place of worship?  Maybe you could serve at the USO, a veteran's home, the Boy Scouts, or some other place of service?  

Maybe you are well off and have more than you could ever possibly need.

What if you decided to give away more of your material goods this year?  Maybe start a charitable trust?  Maybe you could began a foundation to reach out to some need or another?  

Maybe you are....

What if you...?

About now could you be asking why?  Let me share anecdotally.

In the course of my life I've known two people who were wealthy beyond what anyone even close friends knew.  They both had inherited almost all of their material goods.  Though they did not know each other and were separated by time and miles, they both shared a common attitude and two common experiences.

The attitude was insecurity as to their financial future.  Neither could spend all of the interest their money earned  but neither would for fear that they would be left destitute.  They had placed their trust in finances instead of the Faith they both claimed.  I remember presenting a need to one of them, a need that would not have made a small dent in his wealth only to be met with a verbal if not violent response.

The common experiences?  Both of them had people unrelated by marriage or blood who sought to separate them from their wealth.  In one case it seems to me that the person died in need for the unscrupulous did succeed.  If such was not so, at their demise it was.  In the other case we (my wife and I) were able to intervene and with the help of a high powered attorney saved the considerable wealth from an unscrupulous individual who had already made some inroads.

The other common experience they both shared was that they died.  Neither took one dime of his or her wealth with them.

What is the point?  May you find this to be the year in which you take a chance in one or more of the areas listed above.

"Thank You..."

In the last 51/2 months, and as of today some 500 times someone has gone to the blog and hopefully read something that helped them along life's way.  Outside of the US the most hits came from Russia and the UK.  Other places include Latvia, Indonesia, Germany, Columbia, and others.  Again thanks for stopping by.

"Purpose and Meaning, But What About Initiative"

“Don't Leave Out Initiative”

When you consider the message that we receive from many quarters in western culture, and if you are like me, you feel bombarded with the notion that life has lost much of its meaning and purpose.  The message seems to be that we individually have no opportunity and that in order for us to know any success in life, we need the help of government.

However, such thinking diverts our attention from some vitally important things.  For people of faith it turns focus away from that fact that God is still on His throne and very much in charge of His followers.  Therefore, we as Christians need to hear His words as to the meaning of our lives and our eternal purposes.  For those with no faith life, it short circuits certain thought processes having to do with personal responsibility, opportunity, initiative, and genuine success (success as measured by one's own values).

A personal thought.  To be candid about it, I become comfortable in my life style.  There was little challenge and less initiative.  Then one day as I wrote in another blog, it came to me that we and especially we who know Christ are not disadvantaged by culture and country as much as we lack initiative to take it to life.  Man’s circumstance and situation can be overcome by Godly initiative and we who name Christ as Lord have certain responsibilities to lean forward.  We must live out genuine Godly initiative.

We do so not just in matters of faith but also in our personal lives, our economic lives, our relational lives, and in the living out of how we were designed, created, and gifted.  It is indeed a matter of personal responsibility which should bring each of us to contrition and humility.  And to the critic who sees this as some selfish personal thing, know that when one is blessed it is to be a blessing.  In other words one does well to see himself as a conduit through which others may be challenged and blessed and not the end point of such blessings.

As to the one who thinks the age of opportunity is now gone read on.

I recently heard the story of a young woman.  Hard times and failure had fallen upon her and yet it did not stamp out her initiative.  Some of her difficulties were of her making and in some she was a genuine victim (Note:  victim is a much over used term.  There are not as many as claim to be.  In most cases it is more convenient to claim victim than to seize the reigns of responsibility).  This young woman was horribly in debt, living on the beach and in her car.  She decided to began a business using a public payphone number for her contact point.  Within a year because of her initiative she was out of debt and had an income.  Today she presides over a very successful company.

Before you  dismiss this thought as an anomaly, consider that people who come to our country have not been influenced by impossibility messages that surround us and thus see the US as people have for two centuries, this indeed is the land of opportunity.  It is still possible through initiative and hard work to become successful, both in man’s eyes and more importantly in God’s eternal view.

The above observations, have great implications for our faith life.  If we do not exercise a sense of meaningfulness, purposefulness, and initiative in matters of faith, we will never rise to the level that God intended for us.  In addition we will never fulfill our Kingdom of Heaven responsiblilies.  None of us are only one in three billion.  Each one of us is uniquely endowed by our Creator for His great and eternal purposes!!!  However, understand this one thing.  

God is not sitting around Heaven waiting for any one of us to get underway but is moving forward with His great Kingdom of Heaven plan.  It will go forward with or without any one of us.