Like Robin, I am not exactly thrilled to be living in a mobile home. I know that Robin would rather live in a “real” house. I would rather live in a “real” house as well. I also want a maintenance free house and if I cannot have a maintenance free house, I want servants to do the work. The way I look at it, housing is a liability. It is something that falls apart, rots, and is a bait for thieves (Matthew 6:19-20).
On the other hand, I see my house and my body as a tent, providing me temporary shelter, comfort, and an address until I go home—my real home. Until then, I will continue to look forward to a house, no, make that a “…city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:10)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
No Condemnation
I’ve heard comments among Christians when we’ve discussed Romans 7:24-8:1 that has caused me to say, “Hmmm…” to myself. It sounds to me as if we’re saying that Christians are the only ones who struggle with right and wrong and that Christians should be free from feelings of guilt. I know that there is a good possibility I am wrong, but that is what I think I am hearing.
I think that almost everyone struggles with right and wrong because the LORD has given everyone a conscience and almost everyone struggles with what to do with their guilt and their guilty feelings (Romans 2:14-15). Christians, however, are the only ones that can deal with their guilt and guilty feelings genuinely. This is not and should not be an arrogant or contemptuous claim from Christians because it is not something that we can do for ourselves. The Christian’s claim is exclusive only because Jesus claims, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Christians rejoice because we recognize, “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin [and guilt] of the world.” (John 1:29)
As Christians, we should still feel guilty and we should not try to free ourselves from our guilt and unworthy feelings because we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). We have failed and continue to fail. We deserve to face judgment. We deserve to face the wrath of God and be separated from Him for all eternity (Romans 6:23).
In spite of this, Christians can rejoice because God doesn’t condemn us anymore. We are free from God’s judgment and wrath. God is bigger than what we feel or think of ourselves (I John 3:20).
Guilt and guilt feelings are not the same and we should soberly consider them both. God is not only a God of amazing grace, but He is a Holy God. We “dis” grace if we think too lightly of sin and guilt or too lightly of grace and the cross.
I think that almost everyone struggles with right and wrong because the LORD has given everyone a conscience and almost everyone struggles with what to do with their guilt and their guilty feelings (Romans 2:14-15). Christians, however, are the only ones that can deal with their guilt and guilty feelings genuinely. This is not and should not be an arrogant or contemptuous claim from Christians because it is not something that we can do for ourselves. The Christian’s claim is exclusive only because Jesus claims, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Christians rejoice because we recognize, “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin [and guilt] of the world.” (John 1:29)
As Christians, we should still feel guilty and we should not try to free ourselves from our guilt and unworthy feelings because we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). We have failed and continue to fail. We deserve to face judgment. We deserve to face the wrath of God and be separated from Him for all eternity (Romans 6:23).
In spite of this, Christians can rejoice because God doesn’t condemn us anymore. We are free from God’s judgment and wrath. God is bigger than what we feel or think of ourselves (I John 3:20).
Guilt and guilt feelings are not the same and we should soberly consider them both. God is not only a God of amazing grace, but He is a Holy God. We “dis” grace if we think too lightly of sin and guilt or too lightly of grace and the cross.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Nathaniel
When Will asked the children to come forward to help the Congregation lead the next song, little Nathaniel refused to go. Even with the urging of his parents, Nathaniel shook his head defiantly—“No!” Finally, Jesse and Noel left Nathaniel behind on the pew as they brought Amber and Evelyn to the front of the auditorium. I understood their actions completely. I could imagine Jesse and Noel dragging Nathaniel up the aisle singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” with Nathaniel screaming, “No! I don’t want to!” at the top of his lungs. It would not have been a pretty sight.
I wondered if a third party would make a difference, so I approached Nathaniel, “Don’t you want to go up and help us sing?” Again, his head shook adamantly, “No!” It must have been the Holy Spirit that made me ask the next question, “Would you do if for Jesus?”
I watched his eyes and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. After a few seconds of silence and reflection, Nathaniel grinned from ear to ear and shook his head vigorously, “Yes!”
There are many times when I’ve heard Christians develop the “Moses Complex” (Exodus 3-4) and excuse themselves from participating in something because, “I don’t feel like doing it,” “It’s not my talent,” “It’s not comfortable,” “It’s not my style,” “It’s just not me…” If we’re the ones that are doing the asking, I’ve noticed that we often respond in two ways. Sometimes we don’t want to be confrontational, so we drop it. Other times we argue with the person and give them all the reasons why they should fill our request and we resemble pit bulls refusing to let go of the person.
Nathaniel taught me another way of making a request and life would be so much simpler if we learned to ask in Jesus’ name. Focus and clarity comes into a situation when God is in view. Each party will be responding to God and each party will be responsible for their own behaviors and decisions. This is a relief to me because I don’t have to take rejection personally. Besides, I have so many issues of my own, that I don’t want to also be accountable (rightly or wrongly) for someone else’s decisions.
I wondered if a third party would make a difference, so I approached Nathaniel, “Don’t you want to go up and help us sing?” Again, his head shook adamantly, “No!” It must have been the Holy Spirit that made me ask the next question, “Would you do if for Jesus?”
I watched his eyes and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. After a few seconds of silence and reflection, Nathaniel grinned from ear to ear and shook his head vigorously, “Yes!”
There are many times when I’ve heard Christians develop the “Moses Complex” (Exodus 3-4) and excuse themselves from participating in something because, “I don’t feel like doing it,” “It’s not my talent,” “It’s not comfortable,” “It’s not my style,” “It’s just not me…” If we’re the ones that are doing the asking, I’ve noticed that we often respond in two ways. Sometimes we don’t want to be confrontational, so we drop it. Other times we argue with the person and give them all the reasons why they should fill our request and we resemble pit bulls refusing to let go of the person.
Nathaniel taught me another way of making a request and life would be so much simpler if we learned to ask in Jesus’ name. Focus and clarity comes into a situation when God is in view. Each party will be responding to God and each party will be responsible for their own behaviors and decisions. This is a relief to me because I don’t have to take rejection personally. Besides, I have so many issues of my own, that I don’t want to also be accountable (rightly or wrongly) for someone else’s decisions.
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