The health care debate in America is "blowin' up" and getting out of control. Sanity please!
I’m not proposing that I know God’s heart when it comes to health care for America. Public option. Grandma death panels. Increased taxes for small business. I’m not sure what God thinks of those things, but His Word does talk about some really important things that I think are being missed or glossed over during this national debate.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:13-17)
First of all, it’s kind of funny that Peter wrote this. The same Peter who wanted to fight the authority forces of power that came to arrest Jesus (and did, cutting off an ear). The same Peter at wits end for denying Jesus three times and then hearing the cock crow (Luke 22). The same Peter who met on the beach with the resurrected Christ (John 21), promising to follow Jesus and striving towards bringing His kingdom here to earth, even if it would cost his life (and it did).
Jesus changed Peter tremendously.
Maybe it was coincidence that Peter, with no medical training, became an amazing physician himself, healing a lifelong cripple in an instant (Acts 3). No, it wasn’t an accident. Christ was the reason that Peter was empowered to take care of such a sick man.
I point this passage and Peter’s story out to ask: are Christ followers doing and being health care in America, or are they just arguing, complaining, and debating like the rest of the world?
The passage in 1 Peter emphasizes “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men…Love the brotherhood of believers.”
When was the last time Christ followers took care of widows and orphans? (James 1:27)
Are Christ followers serving the needy out of a desire for wordly recognition or a passion to love Jesus? (Matthew 6:1-4)
Do Christ followers pray in the morning that their leaders during the day will be seeking to make health care decisions that are after God’s own heart? (1 Timothy 2:1) Doing this because they know that the Lord Mighty God is completely in control?
Are Christ followers giving more of themselves to others, losing their life by the world’s standards, than they are expecting or taking from others? (Luke 9:23-27)
It’s great to be zealous and passionate about certain proposals regarding the future of health care in America. Yet, Christ followers can set a greater and more powerful example for health care reform by living out Jesus’ example and His teachings on health care, and not just debating it.
Showing posts with label 1 Peter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Peter. Show all posts
8.21.2009
8.11.2009
the way I speak
I was realizing something the other day, so I thought I'd write a post on it in case it resonates with anyone else.
The world is boastful, arrogant, loud, it wants to be known and gain recognition. I pick up on this example and end up doing the same thing. It translates into speech and thoughts which aren't always God-honoring. I'll sometimes joke, or gossip, or speak about someone behind their back in a negative way to affirm myself in the conversation, or in some weird way I'm trying to gain approval if I concede to talk about something or someone in a way that is not building up or encouraging.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
It's a big deal because it hurts the person I'm talking unwholesomely talking about, and it is a poor testimony on my part to Christ, for others are listening "..that it may benefit those who listen."
In contrast, those who are quiet and peaceful (who I dare to sometimes judge that they need to be more "active" or "vocal" about their faith)...know something I seem to forget too often.
"...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:26 NIV)
"Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:4)
The people who are quiet and gentle have a firm and bold peace and understanding that their salvation is found in the boldness and sovereignty of Christ. In light of this, they have no need to be load and boastful, or have a need to be heard by the world.
I should take notice of this example.
The world is boastful, arrogant, loud, it wants to be known and gain recognition. I pick up on this example and end up doing the same thing. It translates into speech and thoughts which aren't always God-honoring. I'll sometimes joke, or gossip, or speak about someone behind their back in a negative way to affirm myself in the conversation, or in some weird way I'm trying to gain approval if I concede to talk about something or someone in a way that is not building up or encouraging.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
It's a big deal because it hurts the person I'm talking unwholesomely talking about, and it is a poor testimony on my part to Christ, for others are listening "..that it may benefit those who listen."
In contrast, those who are quiet and peaceful (who I dare to sometimes judge that they need to be more "active" or "vocal" about their faith)...know something I seem to forget too often.
"...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:26 NIV)
"Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:4)
The people who are quiet and gentle have a firm and bold peace and understanding that their salvation is found in the boldness and sovereignty of Christ. In light of this, they have no need to be load and boastful, or have a need to be heard by the world.
I should take notice of this example.
6.25.2009
relativisim
In our modern-day culture, how do we grade, or consider our position or standing in life? If things are great, sad, we're rich, we're poor, we're smart or dumb, pretty or fat...how do we determine those things?
Don't we look at other people and compare? If I lived in a society where I weighed 350 pounds, but I looked around, and everyone around me was 500 pounds or more, I'd think I'm super-skinny, moms would want to constantly feed me and tell me I needed to thin out.
My point is, doing relative comparisons, and using other people as the measure, is a dangerous slope to be on I think while seeking to walk with and bring honor and glory to Jesus.
Husbands shouldn't look to other men and consider how they're doing in their marriages, and then decide if he's doing ok or poorly in his own marriage. Couples shouldn't consider how other couples interact and love and honor each other.
As followers of Christ, we have an absolute standard that we need to look to, and if you feel the need, to measure yourself.
Jesus is that absolute standard. As such, husbands should consider how Christ acted as a husband. Couples should consider how, in reality, Christ was in communion with the Father and Holy Spirit, and realize that a marriage is a three part relationship.
Now, you might think, attaining an absolute level like Christ is impossible. Yes, I agree. Attaining Christ's perfection is incompatible with the sinful, depraved human beings we are. But, it doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
Jesus is completely perfect. We should attempt to live as holy a life as He did. In doing so, it's important to realize that we will never live up to His absolute standard of perfection. That shouldn't stop us from trying. His perfect grace makes up for the shortcomings that hinder that attainment of absolute perfection.
Peter writes (NASB):
"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Paul puts forth at various points in the New Testament (all NIV)" (1 Peter 2: 21-25)
and Paul writes (NIV):
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Phil 3:12)...
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Don't we look at other people and compare? If I lived in a society where I weighed 350 pounds, but I looked around, and everyone around me was 500 pounds or more, I'd think I'm super-skinny, moms would want to constantly feed me and tell me I needed to thin out.
My point is, doing relative comparisons, and using other people as the measure, is a dangerous slope to be on I think while seeking to walk with and bring honor and glory to Jesus.
Husbands shouldn't look to other men and consider how they're doing in their marriages, and then decide if he's doing ok or poorly in his own marriage. Couples shouldn't consider how other couples interact and love and honor each other.
As followers of Christ, we have an absolute standard that we need to look to, and if you feel the need, to measure yourself.
Jesus is that absolute standard. As such, husbands should consider how Christ acted as a husband. Couples should consider how, in reality, Christ was in communion with the Father and Holy Spirit, and realize that a marriage is a three part relationship.
Now, you might think, attaining an absolute level like Christ is impossible. Yes, I agree. Attaining Christ's perfection is incompatible with the sinful, depraved human beings we are. But, it doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
Jesus is completely perfect. We should attempt to live as holy a life as He did. In doing so, it's important to realize that we will never live up to His absolute standard of perfection. That shouldn't stop us from trying. His perfect grace makes up for the shortcomings that hinder that attainment of absolute perfection.
Peter writes (NASB):
"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Paul puts forth at various points in the New Testament (all NIV)" (1 Peter 2: 21-25)
and Paul writes (NIV):
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Phil 3:12)...
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
3.23.2009
satan always out to kill joy...
So I have to relate a story that really happened to me, because it seems clear to me that satan was out to kill my joy.
This past Sunday, I had some really good time in the Word before church. On top of that, I was coming off a retreat where I was really encouraged at the evidence of community and the power of the Lord and His ability to work powerfully through community to bring about His greater glory here in our corrupt and broken world.
You could say I was riding on a "spiritual" high. No drugs needed. Just Jesus.
I was riding my bike to church, and a block away from my house I turn right to go up a hill. A black truck turns onto the road behind me. Now, the driver, a male, has the whole street to pass me, and I'm riding close to the curb, out of the way. The truck slows down behind me, like I'm impeding its progress (he still has the whole street and an open lane)...after a few seconds, he roars ahead of me, slows down to cut me off, rolls the window down and yells "get on the god$*#$ sidewalk you motherfu*(#$".
I don't think he was talking to my bike. I was surprised at the random outburst, but wasn't really affected. My mind was on the earlier solid time with the Lord that morning and in that moment, I prayed for the guy in the truck.
I kid you not, not but 2 minutes later, I ride up to a major intersection, pull off on to the curb so I'm completely out of the road, and this time, a gold truck pulls up fast to the intersection, rolls its window down and yells "get on the $*$% sidewalk you idiot". Then quickly turns the corner and starts to speed off.
This time I quickly got enraged. I'm going to admit, not the right reaction. I was a little dumbfounded at how uncoincidental these two trucks with angry men yelling at me to get on the sidewalk were so close together in time (when riding your bike on sidewalks is against the law in most cities).
In my quick enrage, I flipped this truck guy the bird, and he was quick to flip it back. I was also gearing up to yell something to challenge him to come back and get out of his truck and I would get off my bike and then we'll see who would be up on the sidewalk, crying for momma. But I didn't.
I don't think these men were inherently evil, but I have to wonder about satan's ability to bring about evil through different means. My reaction in anger to the second guy wasn't right. Call me crazy, but after the fact, as I kept riding on to church, I was struck at how aggresive and timely these biker-hate events took place immediately after some solid intimate time with the Lord.
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NASB)
After I arrived, church was great, the teaching was very solid and worship was fulfilling. But I couldn't help but think for the rest of the day, and how clear it was to me that satan is tireless, quite crafty, and will use any means necessary to distract or try to destroy any joy or intimacy, any at all, that arises between the Lord and me.
This past Sunday, I had some really good time in the Word before church. On top of that, I was coming off a retreat where I was really encouraged at the evidence of community and the power of the Lord and His ability to work powerfully through community to bring about His greater glory here in our corrupt and broken world.
You could say I was riding on a "spiritual" high. No drugs needed. Just Jesus.
I was riding my bike to church, and a block away from my house I turn right to go up a hill. A black truck turns onto the road behind me. Now, the driver, a male, has the whole street to pass me, and I'm riding close to the curb, out of the way. The truck slows down behind me, like I'm impeding its progress (he still has the whole street and an open lane)...after a few seconds, he roars ahead of me, slows down to cut me off, rolls the window down and yells "get on the god$*#$ sidewalk you motherfu*(#$".
I don't think he was talking to my bike. I was surprised at the random outburst, but wasn't really affected. My mind was on the earlier solid time with the Lord that morning and in that moment, I prayed for the guy in the truck.
I kid you not, not but 2 minutes later, I ride up to a major intersection, pull off on to the curb so I'm completely out of the road, and this time, a gold truck pulls up fast to the intersection, rolls its window down and yells "get on the $*$% sidewalk you idiot". Then quickly turns the corner and starts to speed off.
This time I quickly got enraged. I'm going to admit, not the right reaction. I was a little dumbfounded at how uncoincidental these two trucks with angry men yelling at me to get on the sidewalk were so close together in time (when riding your bike on sidewalks is against the law in most cities).
In my quick enrage, I flipped this truck guy the bird, and he was quick to flip it back. I was also gearing up to yell something to challenge him to come back and get out of his truck and I would get off my bike and then we'll see who would be up on the sidewalk, crying for momma. But I didn't.
I don't think these men were inherently evil, but I have to wonder about satan's ability to bring about evil through different means. My reaction in anger to the second guy wasn't right. Call me crazy, but after the fact, as I kept riding on to church, I was struck at how aggresive and timely these biker-hate events took place immediately after some solid intimate time with the Lord.
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NASB)
After I arrived, church was great, the teaching was very solid and worship was fulfilling. But I couldn't help but think for the rest of the day, and how clear it was to me that satan is tireless, quite crafty, and will use any means necessary to distract or try to destroy any joy or intimacy, any at all, that arises between the Lord and me.
9.01.2008
he would have it so
Apparently, people are showing by some numbers somewhere that satan seems to be gaining ground. I say gaining ground because the belief in his existence as a being is declining, as a study statistically shows. Now, that may sound paradoxical in nature, but re-read that carefully and think of what satan wants to do.
Now, any statistical study can be skewed in many ways. You always have to interpret data and numbers with a grain of salt. So this data may not apply or be true for the entire US or the entire set of "Christians" in America. I'm posting this because I think it's something to be aware about and think about.
This study is published on a website of "a multi-faith group", but the study was done mostly by the Barna research group, which does have Christian affliations. I provide this link to this "multi-fath" group because they offer some interesting interpretations of the data, and note this is done by people who are not necessarily Christ followers. It's here:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_sat4.htm
Two observations strike me most:
a) In looking at the chart comparing belief in satan in varying countries around the world, I think it's interesting to think of the current state of faith in those countries that lack any significant belief in satan. Most of the countries that lack really any belief in satan are virtually bone-dry, faith wise. Regarding this, there is a strong correlation with more than one country profiled in the chart. I know saying these countries are bone dry faith wise is a generalization, but I feel strongly that a statistical study could be done to prove this. This data did come from 1991, so there's also a good chance that things have changed. I hope so, I hope more people are believing in satan's existence as a being.
b) The percentage of people believing in satan's existence as a being in the USA has been declining in the period from 1991-2007. Has our society been declining in the same time frame? Are there any correlations? It could be argued, well, "hell, no! the 1990s and 2000s were some of the most prosperous times the USA has ever seen, with the advent of free trade, revolutionizing technologies, the computer, facebook, and the like!! You're crazy!"
Yes, I'll admit that I'm crazy. But I'm crazy because I'm trying to follow Jesus. That's a discussion for another post however.
In pursuing God and desiring to serve Him and bring Him glory in every way, as individuals and collectively as a nation, is there something we're missing? This doesn't necessarily apply to non-Christians, but to Christians, does not believing, or forgetting that satan is living and active, wanting to destroy, does that cause us to be more complacent in our walk with Jesus?
I think these numbers that offer a stronger "proof" if you will, I guess if that's what numbers in a chart from a scientific study do, are something to really be aware of.
If we are not aware of an enemy who is constantly coming at as, trying to attack, kill, and destroy, or don't believe one exists, then we have no reason to try to put up any defenses. Nor do we have any reason to flee for shelter.
I believe one of satan's most cunning tactics is to make people believe he doesn't exist.
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)
Now, any statistical study can be skewed in many ways. You always have to interpret data and numbers with a grain of salt. So this data may not apply or be true for the entire US or the entire set of "Christians" in America. I'm posting this because I think it's something to be aware about and think about.
This study is published on a website of "a multi-faith group", but the study was done mostly by the Barna research group, which does have Christian affliations. I provide this link to this "multi-fath" group because they offer some interesting interpretations of the data, and note this is done by people who are not necessarily Christ followers. It's here:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_sat4.htm
Two observations strike me most:
a) In looking at the chart comparing belief in satan in varying countries around the world, I think it's interesting to think of the current state of faith in those countries that lack any significant belief in satan. Most of the countries that lack really any belief in satan are virtually bone-dry, faith wise. Regarding this, there is a strong correlation with more than one country profiled in the chart. I know saying these countries are bone dry faith wise is a generalization, but I feel strongly that a statistical study could be done to prove this. This data did come from 1991, so there's also a good chance that things have changed. I hope so, I hope more people are believing in satan's existence as a being.
b) The percentage of people believing in satan's existence as a being in the USA has been declining in the period from 1991-2007. Has our society been declining in the same time frame? Are there any correlations? It could be argued, well, "hell, no! the 1990s and 2000s were some of the most prosperous times the USA has ever seen, with the advent of free trade, revolutionizing technologies, the computer, facebook, and the like!! You're crazy!"
Yes, I'll admit that I'm crazy. But I'm crazy because I'm trying to follow Jesus. That's a discussion for another post however.
In pursuing God and desiring to serve Him and bring Him glory in every way, as individuals and collectively as a nation, is there something we're missing? This doesn't necessarily apply to non-Christians, but to Christians, does not believing, or forgetting that satan is living and active, wanting to destroy, does that cause us to be more complacent in our walk with Jesus?
I think these numbers that offer a stronger "proof" if you will, I guess if that's what numbers in a chart from a scientific study do, are something to really be aware of.
If we are not aware of an enemy who is constantly coming at as, trying to attack, kill, and destroy, or don't believe one exists, then we have no reason to try to put up any defenses. Nor do we have any reason to flee for shelter.
I believe one of satan's most cunning tactics is to make people believe he doesn't exist.
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)
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