When Kindness Fails

12/2/2015

Romans 11.22-23 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. St. Paul

In Romans 2 this same Apostle wrote: Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (V.4) So, 9 chapters later it isn’t surprising that he says the above.

Paul’s custom was always to reach out to the Jews first in whatever part of the world he was; they were his heart’s passion and compassion (See Romans 9.1ff). But when the Jews rejected his message he always turned instead to the Gentiles (non-Jews). But Paul wrote predominantly to the people he loved: his own people, the Jews. He told them of God’s immeasurable kindness.

Israel had a lousy track record with God. The infant nation, born in Egypt, was never out of God’s sight but the difficulty of the infant nation was they didn’t recognize God, their Parent. God’s plan and provision were lost on them. And the kindness of God parented, protected, and provided for the infant nation; yet for the most part, all of God’s efforts – His Kindness – were lost on them. Meet Severity.

So, when kindness fails what’s left? The other day the theme of my writing was the wrath of God. We use the word wrath to be some word-picture of spitting fire and damnation in uncontrolled anger; like God loses it. Not so. Well, maybe not so. Wrath is, in my humble estimation, simply the rejection of God. When God rejects someone, there is nothing left but what they have and in this old world, that ain’t much (no matter how much one thinks one has). The recipient of wrath only has himself to defend against God slamming the door, that doesn’t even show up on the microscope. Air has more substance.

When kindness fails all that’s left is severity. Perhaps when considering the severity of God, maybe wrath doesn’t sound so bad (just kidding). Paul wrote that those who don’t believe because they won’t believe are left with the severity of God. When God goes out of His way to be kind and it’s met with disrespect then comes severity. Severity is devastating because severity is wrath, is rejection. Perhaps the story of the Jews is that of severity. Such is the fate of all who spurn God’s kindness. Yikes!

Father, You aren’t to be trifled with no matter how much we want to see You as somehow like us. You are immeasurably kind, but, also inconceivably severe. May I never take Your kindness for granted, nor may I be an enabler of those that spite Your kindness by making up excuses for them. As good and as great as You truly are, Your kindness and severity are inseparable, and equally good and great. Amen.

Who

12/1/2015

Romans 8.31-35 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? – St. Paul

I think the question of who ought to be proceeded by the phrase: If not God, then who? Much of life on this planet wants little to do with Him who created it. There is much conjecture that the One who did, isn’t the One who is…something or someone else must have happened. That is the lie that pervades mankind. Their choice.

But there are those who are determined that He who did, is He who does; and what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Truth is, many are against us, but with God, who can prevail? That’s the reality. Multiplied millions deny Him but it is only He who guards and protects His children against those who durst deny Him and His children in their belief.

He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? What things? Does God just give His own a pad of blank checks? Is it name it and claim it? No, all He has and is He gives to His own. Heaven waits for those who stand on these promises; the promise is not for presents, but presence. God told Abraham: I am your very great Reward. God gives His own Himself.

So, who brings an argument against that!? Nobody. Who can tell God what to do and with whom? Nobody. Who is to condemn God’s children for standing on the promise of God, our very Great Reward? Nobody. Jesus is the One who set all this in motion – who is it that can stop it? What in the world, or who in the world can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? Vlad? The Ayatollah? Barry? Francis? Name someone with the power and wherewithal to stop what God is doing and nullify what God has done and for whom? Name just one.

And who or what shall separate us from His love? Circumstances? Situations? People? Places? Problems? Poverty? Pain? Peril? No. One. Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Our problems ought to teach us, if nothing else, about His great love for us. All of these negative things (if we durst call them that) are part of this world but not part of the next. It is the promise of the next that nullifies the who, the now. If not God, then who?

Father, thank You for the reminder today that nothing will separate us from Your love, and all the things we think are problems are really pointers pointing back to this great truth: Nothing will separate us from Your great Love. Ever. For that I am glad. Amen.

Boastworthy

11/29/2015

2 Thessalonians 1.3-4 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. – St. Paul

Did the Thessalonians always do it perfect; as a church? No. Were there issues in Thessalonica that plagued them as there is in every other church of God on the planet; then and now? Yes. But what was special about this church? Paul, the apostle, boasted about them to other churches. Who boasts about your or my church? And why?

Is it because our faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of us for one another is increasing? That would be a church worth boasting about. Are our churches steadfast and faithful? Are we facing persecutions and afflictions? Are we enduring? Why would anyone boast about us?

I have been part of large and small churches in my years as a believer. I can think of a couple churches I’d boast about, and I can think of a couple churches that I’d probably advise staying away from. To boast about a gathering of believers is a high honor. Can you think of a couple of churches in your experience that you’d boast about? And can you offer reasons as to why?

Does every church always do it perfectly? No. Are there issues in the churches you’ve been a part of? Probably. Can you boast about your present church and can you offer some reasons as to why you’re boasting? I know many who boast glowingly about the church they are from.

I boast about our kid’s ministry and the Christian Academy in my church. I think we do a pretty good job with each. I’d invite your kids to be a part of each. I serve on Wednesday nights as we gather our kids for what we call, Royal Rangers. I’d boast about that!

Boasting is a high honor, a high calling, and something that has to do with something. Why else boast? Would others recommend your church or my church, and why would they do that? There are, I think, a million externals that might be considered boastworthy. But are they boastworthy in the sense of Kingdom, discipleship, generosity, faithfulness, and love? These are among the high calling of the church – yours and mine, and theirs.

Lord, You know everything. You know that we are all human, fallen, and faulty. You know that the best churches are the ones that exemplify Your heart and Your Kingdom. I pray that mine and their’s exemplify boastworthyness. I pray that You find us faithful and steadfast. I pray that our love for one another attract those who feel short on love. I pray that in our midst Your Spirit is present and ministering and that the hearts and lives of people are changing eternally. Thank You for the Church. Thank You that it is the way You’ve planned it and the way it should be – amen.

Rejection

11/28/2015

1 Thessalonians 5.9 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ… - St. Paul

Wrath is mentioned 209 times in the English Standard Version, 173 in the Old Testament and 36 in the New. The Apostle Paul mentions wrath 3 times in 1 Thessalonians. Paul said, “…Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1.10); he said, “…wrath has come upon them (2.16); and he said, “… God has not destined us for wrath…” (5.9). The ancients understood the concept of wrath.

Biblical wrath is intended to convey anger, or more specifically, indignation. Were we to allow our hands to come in to contact with feces, we would quickly remove and vigorously cleanse our hands in disgust and indignation (probably preceded by the expletive: aaauggghhh!).

I have long struggled with the concept of wrath; not really understanding it. (Wrath isn’t a concept but a reality.) Wrath is real. Wrath is coming, has come, and is not destined for the children of God. I have misunderstood what wrath is until today.

Today, I think I came to the conclusion that wrath, in whatever form it appears, is simply, the rejection of certain people by God. Jesus said, “…but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10.33) This is a picture of wrath: Jesus denying someone before God. If Jesus rejects you, there isn’t a remedy. That’s scary.

Rejection is twofold here: the rejection of God results in the rejection of God. If I reject the Almighty, He rejects me. Simple math. That is wrath. Wrath is being rejected by God and all that comes with it. It’s one thing to not understand God; it’s another thing entirely to slam the door in His face.

Wrath is depicted as anger, but it really is more than that. Yes, our Lord gets angry but He never gets out of control. He is as perfect in His wrath as He is in His love. It’s hard to reconcile the two for us but it’s true. The consequences of wrath are devastating and irrevocable. It one is under the wrath of God, he is without remedy. (That sure makes the election of God appear different, doesn’t it?)

A good friend of mine held this view of God’s answering our prayer: Yes, No, Wait, and, if you insist. The insistence of men toward God that He cave to them is, to me, a good indicator of the invitation of wrath. God is not fooled by our attempts to manipulate Him, nor is He unaware of those who reject Him, His authority, His leadership, and His love.

Lord God, today I have new thoughts about You. I have new thoughts about wrath and its unfortunate but deserved and irrevocable consequences. May I work alongside You as You reach out to men to save them from Your wrath. Thank You for sparing Your children from its reach – Amen.

Called Sent Persecuted Trust Loyalty Life Reward

11/21/2015

Matthew 19.38-39 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. – Jesus, the Christ

In Matthew 10, there are several serious themes introduced to us. First: we are called by the Lord to be with Him, learn from Him, and then go and do like Him. In the midst of all that, we’re to expect persecution by those who don’t seem to want to have anything to do with Him. This persecution is intended to build trust into us because the world hates the Lord and anyone who follows him. And that trust is expressed in obedient loyalty. In the process we learn that true life is not of this world and there is a reward for those who accept the world as it is, not the way they want it to be. Whew!

The above two verses stood out to me today for two reasons: First: taking up my cross means following Jesus, and Second: finding life in this world means missing out on God’s world to come.

Taking up my cross isn’t just the frustration (friction) of daily life – everyone on earth experiences that. Taking up my cross means living faithfully, joyfully, and meaningfully for the Kingdom; life of another, but true world. Taking up my cross means bearing the reproach of my allegiance to God and all He is doing in the world. Taking up my cross means living first for Him, and second, for the sake of others even when it appears to be foolhardy, stubborn, or misguided. The pushback of the world will at times seem horrific but the burden of the cross is: living as if that pushback doesn’t exist.

Life is not just human experience here on the planet. Life is not just a beating heart, breathing lungs, hearing ears, seeing eyes, tasting, touching, and feeling. Life is not just punching a clock or waiting for the next experience to happen. Life is living (experientially) with God and looking for our true home in the future; not settling for the abysmally human concept of: this is as good as it gets.

That’s not to say there isn’t a form of beauty in this world nor times of apparent peace, or seeming fulfillment – there are those things in this world. But. Beauty is fleeting, and peace is temporary, and all of what we consider good is only a shadow of what is to come. I‘ve been awed by the good things we have on earth but in the life to come there is simply no comparison. Foretaste, perhaps. Lasting, no.

The overwhelming difficulty of the cross in this life and the promise of this world is the nagging and incessant appeal to believe that what we have now is only what we have, and this is as good as it gets. This is a purely human consideration. Our limited experience and knowledge allows nothing else to compare our experience with – we only have the invitation from God to believe that there is something else beyond all this which is infinitely better and fulfilling for eternity.

Not bearing our cross means denying its true meaning in the sacrifice of the Savior; and trying desperately to find life here means denying the promise of God for a tomorrow that never ends.

Father, may I learn from You in carrying my cross, and denying the pull of the world to conform to its wishes and culture. You have promised endless abundance to the one who refuses the lie of: this is as good as it gets; and lives instead for: it keeps getting better and better forever. Help me God! Amen.

Immanuel

11/19/2015

Matthew 1.23 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). – St. Isaiah, the prophet

If we spin the tapes back to Isaiah 7, we get some insight into this quote in Matthew 1. The narrative in Isaiah 7 tells us that the Judaic king, Ahaz, was fearing an invasion by the armies of Syria and Samaria. So God sent Isaiah to tell Ahaz, Straighten up foo! I am in charge of all of this and neither Syria, nor Samaria are going to prevail in this contest - If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. (If you can’t believe God for this, you can’t believe God for anything!) The issue is faith. Can I trust God?

Matthew said (in effect) that the Messiah would come as the result of the supernatural impregnation of a Virgin. Once a virgin is impregnated, virginity is just something in the rearview mirror – she ain’t a virgin no more. But if we factor God into the picture, then, and only then, can a virgin become pregnant without having had relations with a man. Mary was the virgin who became pregnant without having had sex. If you are not firm in your faith, you will not be firm at all.

The virgin birth is important because it takes the will and work of man out of the equation. Only God can come into this world supernaturally whether it is through nature (in His creation), or through a virgin-birth. When we encounter God, it is always supernaturally. At home. At Church. In the workplace. In the forest. Wherever. Our world is natural to us because God made it that way for us – He, though, is supernatural. If we can’t believe God for this, we can’t believe Him for anything.

We have a tendency (at least in Christendom) to focus this time of year on the Virgin Birth and to make a big deal out of it. And rightly so – we should. But we shouldn’t have Virgin Birth Week only at Christmastime; we must be firm in our faith all-the-time. God isn’t around only at certain times – He is Immanuel – God with us, all the time.

Ahaz was told: It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. And within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered from being a people. (Isaiah 7.7-8 ESV) Reading between the lines God was telling Ahaz: have faith in Me! This will not come to pass no matter how much you want to believe it will! And to show you I’m telling the truth, here’s what’s going to happen: the Virgin will have a child. God was going to do the unthinkable to get Ahaz’s attention.

How does God need to get your and my attention these days? What are we fearing that will happen that God is saying: look, if you can’t trust Me in this, you can’t trust Me at all. What are we so afraid of that God can’t handle? Do we need a supernatural encounter with God today? Can we believe Him for that!? If we don’t stand firm in our faith, we won’t stand at all. Or can we at least believe Him for Immanuel: God WITH us?

Lord, for the things I fear today, Immanuel. For the things bigger than me and not even about me, Immanuel. For my friends and family, for my kids and grandchild: Immanuel. Sadly, Jesus, I don’t have as much trouble with the Virgin Birth as I do simply believing Immanuel for my business, my health, my life. Help me this day, having done all I know to do – to stand. Help me to believe that You are with me every step of the way. I accept it. I believe it. I trust You! Amen.

Oh Behave

11/15/2015

2 Corinthians 2.12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. – St. Paul

As weeks go, I would rate last week as less than (<) spectacular for me. I had mountaintop and valley experiences. People and plans encouraged and enriched me and, let me down. The only thing that held me together last week was the presence of the Lord. I owe my life to Him this day.

I think the apostle Paul had his fair share of less than spectacular weeks. I think he had mountaintop and valley experiences, and I think people both encouraged him, and let him down. My view of Paul is that he had his life together more than most of us but he too was susceptible to disappointment. In the midst of all he went through in the days of his earthly ministry, Paul said this: “…we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.”

What do you do when you’re immensely tired from lack of sleep and the girl at the airport McDonald’s tells you in her broken, accented English, “No, you order small coffee.”? And you find ire creeping into your voice as you tell her you specifically “no, I order large coffee!” What she needed from me (and didn’t get) was a little more simplicity and godly sincerity by the grace of God. Who cares about the coffee?

My focus and the direction of my life is to behave with simplicity and godly sincerity toward all, no matter the circumstance. No matter the coffee. It seems easier to do when life seems to be clipping along and everything seems to be going your way. But reality is: to behave well when things are falling apart all around you.

Sub-spectacular weeks are necessary for us to differentiate between the weeks – without a sub-spectacular we wouldn’t recognize the spectacular. And God is ever-present in spectacular and sub-spectacular – He’s the God of both.

This morning is my wake up call to a new week – a week that is yet to be rated by me as to its spectacular-isity. But my job, really, isn’t to rate weeks, but to behave in faith and let the weeks be what they’re going to be. God is in control of my weeks; and a sub-spectacular week with God is infinitely better than one without Him – amen? I’m to behave in this world with simplicity, sincere godliness, and by His grace given to me. A week is measured in grace and from God it’s endless.

Lord God, thank You for Your infinite grace. Thank You for every disappointment, every heartache, every part of what I experienced that I wouldn’t give the rating of spectacular; everything, everyday is from You, for You, and by Your grace to me. Help me to behave in simplicity – simply trusting You. Help me to behave in godly sincerity – being genuine and real to people in their need – whatever that may be. And remind me, O God, of Your grace abounding to me in whatever circumstance I find myself. I am in this world to serve You and to help others along their path. Amen.