It is said that Ernest Hemingway, the master of word economy, was once challenged (or bet) to write a story with just six words. This is what he wrote- For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.
I think this is a marvelous response. So much is implied in these six words, yet little is disclosed. The reader is left to imagine, or speculate about the story behind the story. It is a masterful piece of writing.
With regard to God's word, though, we are not so free. If something isnt stated directly, we may imagine or interpolate, but we are not free to accept such speculations as truth.
For example, people speculate about the meaning of Joseph's many-colored coat. They guess at what Jesus wrote on the ground. These things are fine, I suppose, as long as one doesnt draw conclusions from them.
When the Bible speaks, it tells us everything we need to know. God is not forgetful. He doesnt accidentally omit some needed information for us to guess at. If He leaves something out, there is a reason. We must trust Him.
A thing I find interesting, is that our need to discover these answers illustrates that we are made in God's image. We have a natural curiosity that wants things explained - to understand the whole. It's why Hemingway's story is so brilliant. Drawing on his knowledge of our humanity, he crafted a mental image that would cause the reader to press the story further.
In Galatians, Paul seems to be doing something similar. After laying out his argument against adding anything to faity, he encourages us to press our faith, taking it beyond our current level to make it something that people will see and want to emulate.
Let's do that.
10.29.2009
10.26.2009
Happy Angam Day!
Yup. It's Angam Day in Nauru, and that means celebration! Well, it was actually yesterday, but at this moment here in Denver, it's 11:30 on Monday night. In Nauru, it's 5:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 27th.
What is Angam Day? It's the Day of Fulfullment - a day set aside to commemorate the birth of a baby girl named Eidaruwo. She was the special child, born on October 26, 1932. Her birth brought the Nauruan population back to 1,500. That's right. One thousand, five hundred Nauruans. This was up from 1,086 following the influenza epidemic of the 1920's.
From that time till now, this date has been set aside to celebrate the continued existence of the Nauruan people. It was not celebrated during WWII, because the population once again dropped below 1,500.
Existing as an island about 21 km across, between Honolulu and New Guinea, Nauru is the smallest republic in the world. It gained freedom from Australia in 1968, but is deeply dependent on that country for survival.
The birth of this little girl was so important that seventy years later this little island is still celebrating her birthday.
Now, wouldnt it be easy for me to dive right into a metaphor about how sin is a sickness that infects everyone? And how that there was another baby, born two-thousand years ago who is able to save us all? Sure would, but that isnt where I'm going.
You see, today there are reportedly between ten and fifteen thousand people living on that little island. their religious affiliations are recorded as -Nauru Congregational 35.4%, Roman Catholic 33.2%, Nauru Independent Church 10.4%, other 14.1%, none 4.5%, unspecified 2.4% (2002 census)
The island is destitute as the result of continued mining exploitation and nearly all food has to be imported. The result is a diet that leads to obesity, diabetes and other related health problems. Some reports show the average life expectancy now between fifty and sixty years and declining.
My point is this - Here is a tiny island, with declining population. The people are in bondage to several kinds of falsehood with little or no true witness. .As an American believer, how do I respond to this knowledge?
I cant go as a missionary. First of all, I havent the finances. Second, God simply hasnt called me, so no matter how strongly I might feel about the situation, I'd be going in my own power.
What then? I can pray. I dont mean,"All I can do is pray." I mean, I can do the single most powerful thing any believer can do. I can pray for them. I can pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers. Then I can believe that He hears and will answer.
What is Angam Day? It's the Day of Fulfullment - a day set aside to commemorate the birth of a baby girl named Eidaruwo. She was the special child, born on October 26, 1932. Her birth brought the Nauruan population back to 1,500. That's right. One thousand, five hundred Nauruans. This was up from 1,086 following the influenza epidemic of the 1920's.
From that time till now, this date has been set aside to celebrate the continued existence of the Nauruan people. It was not celebrated during WWII, because the population once again dropped below 1,500.
Existing as an island about 21 km across, between Honolulu and New Guinea, Nauru is the smallest republic in the world. It gained freedom from Australia in 1968, but is deeply dependent on that country for survival.
The birth of this little girl was so important that seventy years later this little island is still celebrating her birthday.
Now, wouldnt it be easy for me to dive right into a metaphor about how sin is a sickness that infects everyone? And how that there was another baby, born two-thousand years ago who is able to save us all? Sure would, but that isnt where I'm going.
You see, today there are reportedly between ten and fifteen thousand people living on that little island. their religious affiliations are recorded as -Nauru Congregational 35.4%, Roman Catholic 33.2%, Nauru Independent Church 10.4%, other 14.1%, none 4.5%, unspecified 2.4% (2002 census)
The island is destitute as the result of continued mining exploitation and nearly all food has to be imported. The result is a diet that leads to obesity, diabetes and other related health problems. Some reports show the average life expectancy now between fifty and sixty years and declining.
My point is this - Here is a tiny island, with declining population. The people are in bondage to several kinds of falsehood with little or no true witness. .As an American believer, how do I respond to this knowledge?
I cant go as a missionary. First of all, I havent the finances. Second, God simply hasnt called me, so no matter how strongly I might feel about the situation, I'd be going in my own power.
What then? I can pray. I dont mean,"All I can do is pray." I mean, I can do the single most powerful thing any believer can do. I can pray for them. I can pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers. Then I can believe that He hears and will answer.
10.22.2009
Payment and purchase
I keep thinking about temples and "bought with a price". The things my mind stick on are the ideas that God was exact and particular about the tabernacle and the temple. There was to be no variance when the tabernacle was built. All the vessels were made exactly to his His order. He consulted no one and allowed no one to add to the ornamentation of His house.
Today, our bodies are His temple. Shouldnt we give them the same reverence that was given to His building?
Not only that, but Paul tells us "ye are not your own". My body doesnt belong to me. It's loaned to me, as one might loan a house or a tent to a friend. Wouldnt we expect that house or tent to be returned in the same condition it was given? Apart from general maintenance, we wouldnt expect the tenant to add or remove anything. Shouldnt it be the same with our bodies?
This then makes me think about this purchase on the Cross. Whom did Christ purchase? Was it just those who would be saved? or did He pay for the sins of the whole world?
As I think about it, there seems ample support for the idea that Christ's sacrifice paid for all sins. I picture a heavenly bank account, set up before the world was made. In it is the payment for all sins. At the cross, Jesus released that payment and made it available for anyone who will make the withdrawal.
That isnt to say that Sin was removed. The New Testament uses both terms "sins" and "Sin". There is a big difference between these concepts. "Sins" refers to my acts. "Sin" refers to the power of Sin to which I am a slave until I place my faith in Christ for salvation.
Although sins are paid for, unless we accept by faith the payment that Jesus made, that payment is not attributed to our account and we must reconcile at the last judgement. If we accept Jesus' sacrifice, by faith, then His payment is attributed to us (eternal grace), and the power of Sin is defeated in our lives (pragmatic grace). We are free from the law of sin and at liberty to serve Christ, which we were unable to do before.
Today, our bodies are His temple. Shouldnt we give them the same reverence that was given to His building?
Not only that, but Paul tells us "ye are not your own". My body doesnt belong to me. It's loaned to me, as one might loan a house or a tent to a friend. Wouldnt we expect that house or tent to be returned in the same condition it was given? Apart from general maintenance, we wouldnt expect the tenant to add or remove anything. Shouldnt it be the same with our bodies?
This then makes me think about this purchase on the Cross. Whom did Christ purchase? Was it just those who would be saved? or did He pay for the sins of the whole world?
As I think about it, there seems ample support for the idea that Christ's sacrifice paid for all sins. I picture a heavenly bank account, set up before the world was made. In it is the payment for all sins. At the cross, Jesus released that payment and made it available for anyone who will make the withdrawal.
That isnt to say that Sin was removed. The New Testament uses both terms "sins" and "Sin". There is a big difference between these concepts. "Sins" refers to my acts. "Sin" refers to the power of Sin to which I am a slave until I place my faith in Christ for salvation.
Although sins are paid for, unless we accept by faith the payment that Jesus made, that payment is not attributed to our account and we must reconcile at the last judgement. If we accept Jesus' sacrifice, by faith, then His payment is attributed to us (eternal grace), and the power of Sin is defeated in our lives (pragmatic grace). We are free from the law of sin and at liberty to serve Christ, which we were unable to do before.
10.13.2009
Opus
An opus is a complete work. It's most often associated with music. A symphony may be referred to as "Symphony in B-flat major, opus 32". That symphony, though, is part of a larger body of work. The same is true of a painting, a boat, a book, a guitar or any number of things. What may not be so obvious, though, is that many people judge an artist or craftsman based on a single piece of work. Sad but true.
Have you ever heard anyone say something like,"I dont like Kandinsky. I saw one of his pieces and it didnt do anything for me." Without seeing a broader representation of that artist's work we cant adequately judge.
People do the same with God. "I've known some Christians and, honestly, I dont want anything to do with their God." They look at us in our weakness, missing the larger body of God's work.
In his epistles, Paul consistently pushes the focus away from himself and onto Jesus. Although he was accomplishing great things, and miracles were done through him, his response was always to turn the attention onto Christ. This wasnt a self-serving response, so that people would think, "See how humble Paul is." It was an honest understanding that the life he lived was of faith and whatever was accomplished in it was Christ working in him.
I know that I've been a stumbling block to many because of my own egotism. There have been many times that I've lived a good Christian life without leaning on Christ. I've walked in my own power and made it appear that I was walking in the Spirit. This is not liberty. It's bondage to my pride. As I continue on that road, I will attempt things because I thinkn I'm such a strong believer that God just has to bless me. It's ego. It's the old man and he is dead.
Imagine for a moment that you stepped into a room and found your own corpse lying on the floor. Somehow you had died and were unaware of it. Now you're free from the hindrances of that flesh and bone. That body cant do anything any longer. So you go out and experiment with this new freedom, doing things that you only dreamt of before. After a while, though, you begin to miss some of the old things. You go back to that room where your body is and you pick it up. Using a special kind of rope, you are able to strap yourself to it, piggy back, so you can carry it with you, and you begin to go about the old ways. How ridiculous is that?
This is a kind of picture of what Paul has been talking about. We are dead, yet spiritually alive and free in Christ. Look at all the things God has done for us. See what He's doing with others around us. He's blessing this person. Look what he's done in that person's life. Why would we want to strap on that old man and go back?
What happens, too, is that unbelievers see us walking around with that old corpse on. They see us miserable and powerless and they think, "Why would I want to be like that? If that's all their God can do, I think I'll pass." They cant look past us and see all the wonderful things he's doing with others. They'll focus on us and our misery.
What must happen to remedy this is that mature, strong believers begin to teach the weaker how to walk in Christ. The older must teach the younger what it means to really trust Him for everything.
Have you ever heard anyone say something like,"I dont like Kandinsky. I saw one of his pieces and it didnt do anything for me." Without seeing a broader representation of that artist's work we cant adequately judge.
People do the same with God. "I've known some Christians and, honestly, I dont want anything to do with their God." They look at us in our weakness, missing the larger body of God's work.
In his epistles, Paul consistently pushes the focus away from himself and onto Jesus. Although he was accomplishing great things, and miracles were done through him, his response was always to turn the attention onto Christ. This wasnt a self-serving response, so that people would think, "See how humble Paul is." It was an honest understanding that the life he lived was of faith and whatever was accomplished in it was Christ working in him.
I know that I've been a stumbling block to many because of my own egotism. There have been many times that I've lived a good Christian life without leaning on Christ. I've walked in my own power and made it appear that I was walking in the Spirit. This is not liberty. It's bondage to my pride. As I continue on that road, I will attempt things because I thinkn I'm such a strong believer that God just has to bless me. It's ego. It's the old man and he is dead.
Imagine for a moment that you stepped into a room and found your own corpse lying on the floor. Somehow you had died and were unaware of it. Now you're free from the hindrances of that flesh and bone. That body cant do anything any longer. So you go out and experiment with this new freedom, doing things that you only dreamt of before. After a while, though, you begin to miss some of the old things. You go back to that room where your body is and you pick it up. Using a special kind of rope, you are able to strap yourself to it, piggy back, so you can carry it with you, and you begin to go about the old ways. How ridiculous is that?
This is a kind of picture of what Paul has been talking about. We are dead, yet spiritually alive and free in Christ. Look at all the things God has done for us. See what He's doing with others around us. He's blessing this person. Look what he's done in that person's life. Why would we want to strap on that old man and go back?
What happens, too, is that unbelievers see us walking around with that old corpse on. They see us miserable and powerless and they think, "Why would I want to be like that? If that's all their God can do, I think I'll pass." They cant look past us and see all the wonderful things he's doing with others. They'll focus on us and our misery.
What must happen to remedy this is that mature, strong believers begin to teach the weaker how to walk in Christ. The older must teach the younger what it means to really trust Him for everything.
10.12.2009
Introspective...again...
You may be getting the impression that God is pressing me to evangelism. You'd be right.
As I study this book, there is a repetitive thing that happens. Paul says, "We were in bondage, but now we're free. We are heirs with Christ. " Then the Holy Spirit says, "How many people are still in bondage? How many do you know?" - and I argue.
They wont listen. I cant do that at work. Give me some time and I'll get there. I'm not gifted in evengelism...and He says: "Just do the work and I'll do the rest."
How can I argue with that?
So what is the work? "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
Really! How hard is this? Just live godly and answer their questions truthfully. Offer godly advice when they ask. Above all - grow in faith and let them watch. When the opportunity arises, tell them about Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection.
You may think they've heard all that before, but believe me, if they have, it's usually some incomplete or twisted version. The person who's heard the true gospel is rare in this country.
I'm only one person, with a small circle of influence. What difference can I make? Not much, on a global scale, but to the few in that small circle, it might be the difference between heaven and hell. Arent they important enough that I can overcome my silly self?
Brethren, pray for me.
As I study this book, there is a repetitive thing that happens. Paul says, "We were in bondage, but now we're free. We are heirs with Christ. " Then the Holy Spirit says, "How many people are still in bondage? How many do you know?" - and I argue.
They wont listen. I cant do that at work. Give me some time and I'll get there. I'm not gifted in evengelism...and He says: "Just do the work and I'll do the rest."
How can I argue with that?
So what is the work? "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
Really! How hard is this? Just live godly and answer their questions truthfully. Offer godly advice when they ask. Above all - grow in faith and let them watch. When the opportunity arises, tell them about Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection.
You may think they've heard all that before, but believe me, if they have, it's usually some incomplete or twisted version. The person who's heard the true gospel is rare in this country.
I'm only one person, with a small circle of influence. What difference can I make? Not much, on a global scale, but to the few in that small circle, it might be the difference between heaven and hell. Arent they important enough that I can overcome my silly self?
Brethren, pray for me.
10.07.2009
Sarah and Hagar and Peter and Me...
Hagar and Sarah are an allegory for us? Hmm…
Hagar represents the law, or maybe more accurately, religious zealots who boast in their own accomplishments (Gen 16). Sarah represents those who trust the promise and see the fruit in time.
I love that Sarah doubted. Why? Because, that’s what I do. I have all the power and promises of God, yet I doubt and try to make things happen on my own. Every time I do, the result is a mess.
It’s like Peter walking on the water. He saw the wind and the waves and doubted. Of course, he really couldn’t do anything besides cry out to Christ. Sarah had more options. She had a handmaid. Sarah doubted and took matters into her own hands. She rationalized the situation and came up with a solution that seemed to make sense.
We must remember that God’s ways often don’t make sense. We just have to trust Him. When we start looking around or try to analyze our situations, we just cause trouble for ourselves.
The thing is, Sarah still received the fulfillment of the promise. Even though she doubted and was unfaithful, God was completely faithful to her and to his promise. Peter still walked with Jesus back to the boat…on the water.
It’s the same in my life. I lose faith. I lose patience and try to make things happen on my own. I screw things up and get in over my head…but every time God is faithful to bring me through and work His will in my life. Not only that, but He uses it to teach me about Himself. He amazes me with Himself.
Hagar represents the law, or maybe more accurately, religious zealots who boast in their own accomplishments (Gen 16). Sarah represents those who trust the promise and see the fruit in time.
I love that Sarah doubted. Why? Because, that’s what I do. I have all the power and promises of God, yet I doubt and try to make things happen on my own. Every time I do, the result is a mess.
It’s like Peter walking on the water. He saw the wind and the waves and doubted. Of course, he really couldn’t do anything besides cry out to Christ. Sarah had more options. She had a handmaid. Sarah doubted and took matters into her own hands. She rationalized the situation and came up with a solution that seemed to make sense.
We must remember that God’s ways often don’t make sense. We just have to trust Him. When we start looking around or try to analyze our situations, we just cause trouble for ourselves.
The thing is, Sarah still received the fulfillment of the promise. Even though she doubted and was unfaithful, God was completely faithful to her and to his promise. Peter still walked with Jesus back to the boat…on the water.
It’s the same in my life. I lose faith. I lose patience and try to make things happen on my own. I screw things up and get in over my head…but every time God is faithful to bring me through and work His will in my life. Not only that, but He uses it to teach me about Himself. He amazes me with Himself.
10.06.2009
Crucified...
Paul talks about being crucified with Christ. He discusses it in Galatians and in Romans (probably other places, but these are the ones that come to mind). He tells us we are dead to the law and dead to sin.
"How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein?"
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..."
If I am dead to sin, why do I sin?
There might be several answers to that. The first, of course, is a diminished view of God. If I really understood, as Paul did, the greatness of our God, I wouldnt choose to please myself so often. This body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As 21st century believers, we dont really get the picture of the temple. We want to think of it like a church building. It wasnt. God gave the blueprint for the temple. He dictated the exact dimensions and materials for everything from the support beams and columns, down to the cups and bowls. It was His design. So is my body.
"Would you take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot?"
This body belongs to Christ and is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. It is honestly ridiculous to think that I have a right to use it as I wish. Still, we do it all the time. Perhaps because we live in it, too, we think these bodies belong to us. "...and ye are not your own..."
All of that being said, it remains that I am crucified with Christ and dead to the power of sin.
Another reason we choose to sin is that we dont have a good understanding of what it means to be "bought with a price". Think about it. We try to rationalize our sins by saying things like, "Oh, the temptation was just sooo strong." "I just couldnt help myself."
Here's the key, "Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lusts...!" Oh, so that's it. I draw myself into temptation? Yup. Something catches my eye and I think "That would please me." I turn aside for a better look and before long I'm in the middle of something.
People - pa-lease! All we have to do is say "no". It isnt difficult or complicated. Just "no". Will I do that?
Sometimes. I hope it will be most of the time. Is this my excuse to sin? Not according to Paul - "Only use not this liberty for an occasion to the flesh..."
"How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein?"
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..."
If I am dead to sin, why do I sin?
There might be several answers to that. The first, of course, is a diminished view of God. If I really understood, as Paul did, the greatness of our God, I wouldnt choose to please myself so often. This body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As 21st century believers, we dont really get the picture of the temple. We want to think of it like a church building. It wasnt. God gave the blueprint for the temple. He dictated the exact dimensions and materials for everything from the support beams and columns, down to the cups and bowls. It was His design. So is my body.
"Would you take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot?"
This body belongs to Christ and is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. It is honestly ridiculous to think that I have a right to use it as I wish. Still, we do it all the time. Perhaps because we live in it, too, we think these bodies belong to us. "...and ye are not your own..."
All of that being said, it remains that I am crucified with Christ and dead to the power of sin.
Another reason we choose to sin is that we dont have a good understanding of what it means to be "bought with a price". Think about it. We try to rationalize our sins by saying things like, "Oh, the temptation was just sooo strong." "I just couldnt help myself."
Here's the key, "Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lusts...!" Oh, so that's it. I draw myself into temptation? Yup. Something catches my eye and I think "That would please me." I turn aside for a better look and before long I'm in the middle of something.
People - pa-lease! All we have to do is say "no". It isnt difficult or complicated. Just "no". Will I do that?
Sometimes. I hope it will be most of the time. Is this my excuse to sin? Not according to Paul - "Only use not this liberty for an occasion to the flesh..."
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