So What?

We had a young missionary speak at our church this past Sunday. I’ll be honest – I was not expecting anything exceptional from her testimony. But you see, I was wrong. Quite the opposite. Not only was she charming and eloquent but her witness was incredibly life changing and made me look at that Bible in a whole new way. I will share with you some of the things that she imparted to us and then, I want to take the time to look at them in another light. After all, isn’t that what God is about – shining a light?

First of all, she pointed out that when God has something to say, it is usually prefaced by the phrase “so that” in order to emphasize it: “so that” means it’s important. For instance, in Ephesians 1:17-18 it says, “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…” Well, obviously God wants the eyes of our heart enlightened. Let’s change the phrase “so that” into the question “So what?” I want you to reread that verse. Why does God want the eyes of our heart enlightened? So that we may know (not speculate) what is the hope to which he has called you. In other words, what is God’s will and direction for YOUR life? Well, you can actually think about the question and apply the answer to your life. Or you can ask the question, “So what?” So what if you do it? Or conversely, so what if you don’t?

Let’s look at another passage. Matthew 7:1. This verse says, “Stop judging, so that you may not be judged” God is clearly telling us here, you need to stop judging others. If we don’t, He is going to apply the same criteria when He judges us. Think about that one. How many times a day do we judge others? I bet so many times that it is second nature and more times than we can count. And I’m pretty sure our daily judgment of others is not the bar by which we’d wish to be judged. Here’s the question that you’re probably thinking – “So what if I do judge others?” Well, it sounds like God means business in this area since it is a command and not a request. Therefore, there are some very real consequences to your actions. I’m pretty sure God is not playing in this verse!

Genesis 6:19 says, “Also, you will take two of every living thing on the earth with you into the boat. Take a male and female of every kind of animal so that they might survive with you.” I saw a funny cartoon the other day on Twitter. Two dinosaurs on an island with Noah’s Ark in the background. One dinosaur said to the other, “Oh crap! Was that today?” What would have been the consequences if Noah had said to God, “So what if I don’t build the ark?” or “So what if I don’t get all of the animals in the ark?” Think about it. Would the earth be as we know it with all the wonderful animals around us? Would mankind even be here today? 
  Psalm 18:36 says, “You cleared a path for my feet so that I could walk without stumbling.” This passage tells us that we need to follow God’s will not just our own. Again, “So what?” Well, if you have ever been through some tough times, you will know the “so what?” Being in His will helps us not to just depend on Him but it keeps us from doing the wrong thing. He clears our path but we also have to be open to walking on it. If we don’t, we will find ourselves tripping all over the place

 Well, now here’s some very significant verses of the Bible. The first one is John 3:16 “Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” Again, there’s the phrase “so that”. “…so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” God had a reason for having His son die for us. That is not insignificant. First of all – His son. Parents, I want you to think about this. Would you be able to allow something as horrific as what Christ endured to happen to any of your children? But God did allow it. Why? SO THAT, we would not be lost but have eternal life. It was His master plan. Now let’s ask ourselves this, “So what if He didn’t put His son on the cross?” Well, there would be some pretty dire consequences for all of us. Mankind would be lost; a permanent separation from our Holy Father.

Lastly, in Matthew 5:16 it says, “In the same way, you should be light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” What is God telling us here? Be an example. Live your life so that others will see the good within you. Let your light shine! Again, let’s ask the question, “So what if I’m not an example? So what if others don’t see me living a Christian life? The Great Commission is to spread the Truth. One way in which we can do that is not just evangelize but to show others what it means to be a Christian so that your life will reflect your faith. So what if it doesn’t? Ask yourself, how do others see you? More importantly, how does God see you? Does He see you? So what if He doesn’t? But then again, so what if He does?

















 

 

 

If We are the Body, What Next?

This is going to be a blog that will not sit well with some.   It is somewhat controversial and yet, it needs to be out there.  I am a Christian in every sense of the word and I believe that the Holy Spirit directs my writing.  This is not written with a spirit of condemnation but merely with the intent of opening hearts and minds.  The question I ask today is “What is our place in the body of Christ?”

Teresa of Avila wrote the following poem:

Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet.

Yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks 

compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Years ago, my mother told me a story regarding church.  She was pretty ambivalent about going to church.  According to her, my grandmother dragged her to tent revivals.  As a result, she became quite rebellious in her teen years and married to get away from home.  During her second marriage to my father who was Jewish, she decided to take my sister to church.  In those days, the reform temple was quite far from our town and they were deciding how to raise us.  During the service a man, obviously in dire straits, came in.  As my mother told it, the pastor pointed his finger at the man and said, “Get that bum out of here!”  It left her cold and not wanting to raise us as Christians.  Needless to say, we made that 100 mile trip to that reform temple each and every week.  Who could blame her?  That is a horrific story!  

Most tales of how the body of Christ fails our fellow man are not that dramatic.  In fact, I hope they no longer exist.  Yet, don’t we who attend church, have some private prejudices?  Many attend church as though it’s a country club -- and yet, our doors should be open for all.  This is not some elite club; this is a place where ALL should be welcome!  We should be able to stand shoulder to shoulder, whether it’s with someone wearing their Sunday best or rags.  Let’s face it, don’t all of us fall short everyday?  Are any one of us able to cast the first stone?

So, as the Casting Crowns song, “If We are the Body” asks:

“But if we are the body, why aren’t His arms reaching?  Why aren’t His hands healing?  Why aren’t His words teaching? And if we are the body, why aren’t His feet going?  Why is His love not showing them there is a way?  There is a way.”

So what did our Lord do?  After all, He is our example.  When a woman committed adultery, He did not render judgement.  Rather, He showed mercy and compassion and asked her to sin no more.  When you know your friend is committing adultery, do you talk to him/her about it, or do you turn your head and pretend it isn’t happening?  

When meeting with Peter after the resurrection, did He condemn him or rebuke him for denying Him three times?  No, he merely asked Peter if he loved Him.  Why did He do that?  He did it so that Peter would understand that he would be used as an instrument of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus forewarned Peter that he would face the ultimate -- death.  And yet, he still became a part of the body of Christ.  How far are you willing to go for your Lord?

Jesus met with the tax collectors -- certainly men with a reputation of less than stellar character of that time.  By doing so, Jesus risked further condemnation.  Are you willing to risk condemnation by talking with someone who has a bad reputation in order to bring them to Christ?  Are you willing to do a prison Bible study?  Talk to a stripper who has expressed interest in seeking other employment?  Talk with your friend who you know takes drugs for other than medicinal purposes?

Jesus talked with the Pharisees -- men who did not particularly like him and in fact, confronted Him on many occasions. He met with Nicodemus who was a Pharisee.  Jesus went to where Nicodemus was, rather than have him join Jesus where He was.  We too should be willing to meet people anywhere.  I am not talking physical places necessarily but certainly, meet them where they are in their spiritual journey in order to mentor them.  We can answer their questions, assist them with finding a Bible study to join, and nurture them spiritually.  If Jesus had not met with Nicodemus because of fear or prejudice, would Nicodemus ultimately have been a follower of Christ?  Would we even know who he was?

Jesus met a Samaritan woman (who Jews did not associate with at that time) at a well, and asked her to draw water for Him.   He spoke to her, which was unheard of at the time!  Samaritans and Jews did not get along in those days.  Samaritans were considered unclean; there was a hate and distrust between the two races.  Yet, the Samaritan woman had such trust in Jesus that she shared her life with Him.  That trust occurred because of the grace of God.  As a result, there was a complete paradigm shift.  So much, that we now refer to those that do something positive as a “Good Samaritan”.  Wow!  How far did our Lord go with that one?  He changed peoples’ thoughts about this race of people from the negative to the positive!   But that’s what Jesus does -- He brings light to even the darkest places.  Are we going to allow Him to work in our lives so that we can be that beacon of light?  Bring hope where there is none?

He travelled with a known prostitute, who had given up her lifestyle.  That was certainly a bold move!

He healed lepers who were considered untouchable. People who were shunned and, kept in areas separate from others; treated little more than like animals in cages.  Jesus not only went into those clandestine areas but he touched their gaping wounds!  

Jesus certainly is not shy about what is required of us.  He gives us a new commandment in John 13:34.   He says, “...Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (NIV)  So if we are the body, what are WE doing to love others?   We are not Jesus, and certainly are not able to heal others -- or are we?  

Are we able to pray with someone who is sad, lonely, or ill?  Are we able to invite someone to church and look beyond their race, sexual orientation, or status in life?   Can we offer food to someone who has none?  What about care for a child whose parents are incarcerated or are going through a difficult time?  Pray for the orphans and widows?  Help someone who needs some small repair work done on their house or mow their grass?  What about just holding someone’s hand who needs a friend?  Or write your local lawmaker to end human trafficking?  

We ARE the body of Christ.  We don’t have to move mountains -- God will do that.  We can, however, reach out with love and compassion.  We can be the hands, feet and eyes of Christ.  Look around you.  There are a million ways to serve others.  God put us on this earth to care for one another.  Being part of the body of Christ means more than sitting in a church pew every Sunday and going to potlucks.  It means reaching out to others.  Caring, serving, being compassionate, teaching, sharing, giving of time; the list of possibilities is endless.  

Let’s fast forward to a scenario today.  A local church is having a potluck and a man comes in who is clearly in dire straits.  The church body helps him by binding up his wounds -- both physical and spiritual.  During the blessing, the man runs out with the donations.  What should they have done?  Chase him?  Call the police?  Curse him?  Let’s think of it in terms of how one so eloquently put it; “All he had to do was ask.”  

Brothers and sisters, let’s not be afraid to reach out.  Let’s be the body that Christ has called us to be and love one another as He loved us.  Extend your hands to those reaching out for help.  Run, don’t walk on your feet to get to those in need.  Lastly, see the world through Christ’s eyes; with love and compassion. 

  

Is Perfection Possible?

For years, my self-esteem and self-worth have been pretty low.  I could give all sorts of psychobabble as to why that is but the bottom line is, I do not feel great about myself.  As a result, unless I am really pressed into the Word, I find myself doing things that contradict my faith.  And to be honest, I want to be all that I can be as a Christian.  It’s not worth feeling guilty for a week just to feel good for a brief moment.  So, how does one break the pattern of self-destructive behavior?  First of all, we have to love ourselves.  The only way, I can see, to love ourselves is to look beyond ourselves and see what God sees.  First, we need to understand the distinction between the two words.  Self-esteem refers to feeling good about yourself or self-respect.  Self-worth, on the other hand, refers to your own sense of value, dignity and how deserving you are.  

Surprisingly, God speaks a lot on the subject.  Song of Solomon 4:7 says, “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” (ESV)  How powerful is that verse?  You are altogether -- completely -- beautiful.  Not partially but WHOLLY beautiful.  My love.  You are not His friend, spouse or significant other.  God calls us His love.  There is no flaw in you.  We are perfect in His eyes.  Have you ever told yourself those words?  Has anyone?  If you’ve heard them from someone else, you are completely lucky because first of all, it is poetically striking.  But also, it is deep, meaningful expression of complete love.  I certainly have never heard that or experienced such a wonderful love in my life.  Let’s examine some more verses.

1 Samuel 16:17 (ESV) says “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him.  For the Lord sees not as man sees:  man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord look on the heart.  So, God sees us differently.  People often look at the outward appearance.  Why do you think so many people are scarred?  Because of some inane and thoughtless thing someone has said about his or her appearance.  But, God looks deeper.  He looks at your heart.  What is it about you that God loves?  It’s our inward self.  And let’s face it -- in time, all beauty fades.  But it is the inner beauty that survives the test of time.  

1 John 4:19 (ESV) says “We love because he first loved us.”  We are incapable of love without knowing the love of our Father.  Who teaches us how to live according to His plans and purpose?  It is the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.  God is love -- and if God dwells within us, how can we not love ourselves?

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV) says “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows very well.”  Wow!  I love this verse because when we look at a child in its mother’s womb, it IS quite literally knitted together -- in an incredibly intricate manner and with loving care.  How can we not praise our Creator?  He loves us so much, that we are His handiwork.  He has not only created our physical but our spiritual selves.  Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, our spiritual side does know our Father and Creator.  It is who we were before our physical cells split infinite times to create our physical bodies.

Mark 12:31 (ESV)  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  Jesus tells us this is the greatest commandment.  You must love others as much as yourself.  If you don’t love yourself, then how can you love someone else?  Think about that.  If Jesus lays it out that clearly, it’s obvious that it needs to be a high priority for us.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--one Lord, one faith, one baptism...”  Let’s face it -- if we do not live a Christian life, then how can we witness to others?  We are Christ’s disciples.  We are called to be the Church -- loving others and as one body.  If we do not love ourselves or think of ourselves as worthy, how can we serve others or show them how they can overcome the obstacles in their lives?   Everyone has baggage -- it’s how we carry it that matters.

Matthew 26:41 (ESV)  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Yes, we have all made mistakes in life.  The question is, are you going to continue to sin or live a life that is worthy of the sacrifice Christ made on the cross?  His death does not mean we’re saved and yeah, it’s okay to go out and do whatever.  We need to honor Him by living a Christian lifestyle.

Colossians 3:5-10 (ESV)  Put to death therefore, what is earthly in you:  sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry.  On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  In these you too once walked, when you were living them.  But now you must put them all away:  anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices...”  Okay folks, what this is saying is that we all need to grow up.  If you suffer from self-loathing, most likely it is because you are doing something that you regret.  Well, I know it sounds simplistic but DON’T DO IT!  Look, our actions often speak louder than our words.  We are the example of Christ to the outside world.  Therefore, we need to be disciplined in ALL areas of our lives.  We need to practice daily discipline both spiritually and in the flesh.  If you are in the Word, reading devotionals, praying and are spiritually disciplined, it is really hard to not be disciplined in the world.  Therefore, take time out of your life and do these daily practices.  They will help you move through life with a greater sense of self-worth and self respect.  And isn’t that what all of us want -- to be loved and accepted?  We may not be perfect but it doesn’t mean we can’t strive for it.  Go ahead -- love yourself the way you deserve to be loved.  God does it on a daily basis; so can you.