This past Sunday, the message centered on Revelation 21. The message emphasized how it is the redemptive Christ that comes to us, not us to Him. We see this in the context of the new earth to be, "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." (Rev 21:2)
I've been reflecting on that a bit. That's exactly how Christ works. It is His initiative that brings reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21), not the other way around. Yet, so often, it's hard for us to accept this incredible gift. I get caught in a "must earn" mentality.
Christ freely left Glory, on His initiative, with us in mind to save. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't earn or know how to earn salvation. I still struggle with the concept of even accepting such an incredible offering, it's contrary to my conditioning here in this world, yet Christ compels us to, and it is my pride that keeps me from acknowledging His incredible gift.
Lord, help me let go of my earning power, let me latch on to the gift of Your salvation, that you so lovingly offered.
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
6.07.2010
2.14.2010
what God thinks and feels
I'll speak for me first. I am often most wrapped up in myself. My desires, my thoughts, my wants, my needs. They come first.
I think we as a community do that as well, even as a worshipping universal church. Part of our fallen nature pridefully put us first. We deem the fruit on the tree appropriate to eat, although God had restricted it for our good. We think we know better.
My point is, do we genuinely think about what God feels or how He might react to things we set out to do or thoughts we might have, before WE act? A great deal of theology, studying God's economy, is even seen through a dedicated bias towards understanding God's relationship to man. Understanding God as He fits into the human experience and history.
May I offer that this is completely backwards, yet we continue to live in this predominant, mainstream thinking. The better question might be: how does man, by grace, fit into the desires of God's heart and movement to bring the Kingdom here to earth?
After all, it is God's story. God's creation. God's universe. By grace He's invited us to take part. By His mercy He gave us breath to participate. By love He saved us when we took for granted His gift.
We're still like society pre-Copernicus. The earth is still the center of the universe. God fits into our experience when it's convenient and appropriate.
If you don't think so, I would challenge that doesn't our society, and members within the church, wouldn't it look radically different in so many lives and actions, if we truly believed God first on a deep level?
Psalm 22:3 declares: "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." (NLV)
Now God doesn't need our praises to survive, but I do think they affect Him. When we choose to withhold our praises by our stupid selfish actions, I think the Lord gets more uncomfortable sitting in His chair.
We know the end story. Revelation 5:6 promises: "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth."
The text specifically describes location. "standing in the center of the throne..." Christ, at the end, and as He should always be, is the center of attention.
Do we think about what God thinks and feels before we take action? Do we consider His purposes?
I think we as a community do that as well, even as a worshipping universal church. Part of our fallen nature pridefully put us first. We deem the fruit on the tree appropriate to eat, although God had restricted it for our good. We think we know better.
My point is, do we genuinely think about what God feels or how He might react to things we set out to do or thoughts we might have, before WE act? A great deal of theology, studying God's economy, is even seen through a dedicated bias towards understanding God's relationship to man. Understanding God as He fits into the human experience and history.
May I offer that this is completely backwards, yet we continue to live in this predominant, mainstream thinking. The better question might be: how does man, by grace, fit into the desires of God's heart and movement to bring the Kingdom here to earth?
After all, it is God's story. God's creation. God's universe. By grace He's invited us to take part. By His mercy He gave us breath to participate. By love He saved us when we took for granted His gift.
We're still like society pre-Copernicus. The earth is still the center of the universe. God fits into our experience when it's convenient and appropriate.
If you don't think so, I would challenge that doesn't our society, and members within the church, wouldn't it look radically different in so many lives and actions, if we truly believed God first on a deep level?
Psalm 22:3 declares: "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." (NLV)
Now God doesn't need our praises to survive, but I do think they affect Him. When we choose to withhold our praises by our stupid selfish actions, I think the Lord gets more uncomfortable sitting in His chair.
We know the end story. Revelation 5:6 promises: "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth."
The text specifically describes location. "standing in the center of the throne..." Christ, at the end, and as He should always be, is the center of attention.
Do we think about what God thinks and feels before we take action? Do we consider His purposes?
9.01.2009
perplexed by grace
God is good. All the time. God is good to me. All the time.
The ironic thing is that I don't realize this all the time. I wish I did.
I feel now, Sept. 1, 2009, is a point in my life where the scales have somehow been removed from my eyes and I'm seeing incredible amazing God and the blessings and gifts He's given to me in my life.
And I'm incredibly confused. Perplexed is a better word. I don't understand it. I want to understand it. I don't feel like I necessarily have to understand it. But it's really crazy!! (His grace)
The provision of relationships, and sustenance, and beauty...I am in a funk of "wha?"...for me??
I wonder if my life could get any better. I don't say that arrogantly, but with a genuine heart of thanks. And even in recognizing incredible blessings, there is still doubt present. I wonder, and I actually doubt, it could get better.
One thing I am certain of: I have an obligation, not a works obligation, but a responsibility of love obligation, to turn His blessings and provision around and put them to use to furthering His kingdom here on earth.
But ya, for now, I don't get grace and the joyful giving of Jesus. But I'm okay with that.
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
-Psalm 16 (NIV)
The ironic thing is that I don't realize this all the time. I wish I did.
I feel now, Sept. 1, 2009, is a point in my life where the scales have somehow been removed from my eyes and I'm seeing incredible amazing God and the blessings and gifts He's given to me in my life.
And I'm incredibly confused. Perplexed is a better word. I don't understand it. I want to understand it. I don't feel like I necessarily have to understand it. But it's really crazy!! (His grace)
The provision of relationships, and sustenance, and beauty...I am in a funk of "wha?"...for me??
I wonder if my life could get any better. I don't say that arrogantly, but with a genuine heart of thanks. And even in recognizing incredible blessings, there is still doubt present. I wonder, and I actually doubt, it could get better.
One thing I am certain of: I have an obligation, not a works obligation, but a responsibility of love obligation, to turn His blessings and provision around and put them to use to furthering His kingdom here on earth.
But ya, for now, I don't get grace and the joyful giving of Jesus. But I'm okay with that.
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
-Psalm 16 (NIV)
7.30.2009
the deficit view, not the way Christ sees it
I posted not too long ago about wondering how Christ sees things, and wanting vision more like Him. That post is here.
Well, I think I might understand a bit better how He does NOT see things.
We were studying some aspects of education, and there was the realization that policy makers first "identify problems," and then craft their solution accordingly to "fix that problem." In essence, it is a deficit view. You come at something realizing it's broken, needs fixing, and then proceed from there.
I was reading in Hebrews, and the context is where the text talks about the New Covenant. Not one of laws and regulations, but one of Christ, who paid for all sins by His suffering on the cross. The verse that hit me was
"The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..."(Hebrews 9:15-19 NIV)
"I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds..."
It's as if the Truth is on every one of our hearts and minds already. Sinners around the earth already have Truth engraved in them, whether they like it or not, or acknowledge it or not.
I think God sees in us deeply and most clearly the Truth He has written in our hearts. Some of that may be obscured sometimes by our flesh and evil acts (Romans 7)...but Jesus sees the beauty of His laws and Truth in us.
Getting at understanding this, I think it's a model for us to look at and love others. Christ's compassion on us is that Truth is already on our hearts. He affords us the immeasurable and amazing grace to "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
Well, I think I might understand a bit better how He does NOT see things.
We were studying some aspects of education, and there was the realization that policy makers first "identify problems," and then craft their solution accordingly to "fix that problem." In essence, it is a deficit view. You come at something realizing it's broken, needs fixing, and then proceed from there.
I was reading in Hebrews, and the context is where the text talks about the New Covenant. Not one of laws and regulations, but one of Christ, who paid for all sins by His suffering on the cross. The verse that hit me was
"The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..."(Hebrews 9:15-19 NIV)
"I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds..."
It's as if the Truth is on every one of our hearts and minds already. Sinners around the earth already have Truth engraved in them, whether they like it or not, or acknowledge it or not.
I think God sees in us deeply and most clearly the Truth He has written in our hearts. Some of that may be obscured sometimes by our flesh and evil acts (Romans 7)...but Jesus sees the beauty of His laws and Truth in us.
Getting at understanding this, I think it's a model for us to look at and love others. Christ's compassion on us is that Truth is already on our hearts. He affords us the immeasurable and amazing grace to "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
5.27.2009
grace and our ability to love
So I've had this thought for about a week now:
The more we understand true grace found in Jesus, the more powerfully we are able to love. Agape love that Lewis points out.
I think this point is true in relationships between friends, and married couples as well. I've also been thinking about some of the saints that have walked before me in history and current ones. Some of the well-known ones, and some of the lesser known ones. People like Mother Teresa, William Carey, the Apostle Paul, John, Augustine...and some missionaries out there on the field today.
It seems like they each have a pretty deep understanding of what grace found in Christ really is, and what it means. In turn, that has motivated these individuals to selfless action in pursuit of God's glory.
I don't even know if it's proper to say, for these subsequent actions in following the understanding of grace, that it's a "response" to grace. When people respond to things, the action tends to be limited. They do enough for what merits a response, and usually not much more. In addition, "responding" to grace is very human-centric powered. The real love that comes from these devoted saints I find it very hard to believe was somehow man-made.
I think I'm still a long ways off from really getting it. I really think this is true though:
The more we understand true grace found in Jesus, the more powerfully we are able to love.
I really want to get it. I'm still a long ways off. I think, however, a deep understanding of Christ's grace that motivates action in love has a lot to do with submission and yielding. To the point that the "love actions" that result from a person end up becoming something like extensions of Jesus Himself, working in these people. So in fact, ironically, it isn't the people loving at all.
Again, it's Christ. Full circle. Grace. Our ability to love. A beginning and an end.
And He somehow thought and wanted to include us in the process...
The more we understand true grace found in Jesus, the more powerfully we are able to love. Agape love that Lewis points out.
I think this point is true in relationships between friends, and married couples as well. I've also been thinking about some of the saints that have walked before me in history and current ones. Some of the well-known ones, and some of the lesser known ones. People like Mother Teresa, William Carey, the Apostle Paul, John, Augustine...and some missionaries out there on the field today.
It seems like they each have a pretty deep understanding of what grace found in Christ really is, and what it means. In turn, that has motivated these individuals to selfless action in pursuit of God's glory.
I don't even know if it's proper to say, for these subsequent actions in following the understanding of grace, that it's a "response" to grace. When people respond to things, the action tends to be limited. They do enough for what merits a response, and usually not much more. In addition, "responding" to grace is very human-centric powered. The real love that comes from these devoted saints I find it very hard to believe was somehow man-made.
I think I'm still a long ways off from really getting it. I really think this is true though:
The more we understand true grace found in Jesus, the more powerfully we are able to love.
I really want to get it. I'm still a long ways off. I think, however, a deep understanding of Christ's grace that motivates action in love has a lot to do with submission and yielding. To the point that the "love actions" that result from a person end up becoming something like extensions of Jesus Himself, working in these people. So in fact, ironically, it isn't the people loving at all.
Again, it's Christ. Full circle. Grace. Our ability to love. A beginning and an end.
And He somehow thought and wanted to include us in the process...
5.21.2009
Christians and missions
I was thinking about "people groups" in the world, what's dear to them, and why they do or do not want to share what they have.
As I thought about it, genuine Christians seem to be an odd bunch. Go figure. Believers who hold that missions are important and who try to share the Gospel and be intentional about spreading the love of Jesus to others, do so for the benefit of those others.
There aren't many groups in the world with that sort of mentality. Now, I realize, I have to qualify this post quite carefully. The "Christians" I'm referring to are those that hold that missions are an inherent part of their walk with Jesus. And no, this doesn't mean going to a foreign land. There's all sorts of mission opporunities right here at home. Next door. It's not up to me to qualify who is a real Christian and who isn't. However, in reading Scripture, I am of the opinion that it's really hard NOT to care about missions if you are someone who genuinely desires to seek and pursue Christ.
There are certainly "Christians" who are in it for personal gain, and who seek their own benefit by using missions as a means to their own selfish goals and desires for comforts. But please keep in mind, when I refer to Christians from here on out in this post, I am meaning it to mean those who think missions as a means for sharing Christ's love and the knowledge of His grace.
And so...Do the rich people of the world try to share their secrets of being wealthy with numerous others, so those that lack wealth can become like the rich ones? (no, that doesn't happen, wealthy people don't want competition that would endanger their wealth)
Do the American citizens of the world go around trying to share the greatness of America and offer citizenship to non-Americans because, "hey, America is so great!" (no, this doesn't happen either. Americans share American values sometimes to show off, brag, or because their ignorant sometimes, but hardly do many Americans voluntary about inviting or offering citizenship to others)
Do the professional athletes of the world go out to foreign countries to share their highly valuable skills with other players so that they too can become really good? (no, this doesn't happen, athletes are busy working on their own skills to have time to share them with others)
I could go on with more examples, but hopefully my point is starting to become clear. There are many people groups out there, joined together by some sort of common denominator, but few of these groups have a desire to share what's at their core in a way that they're primarily seeking the benefit and good of others.
With different people groups, there is a natural built in hindrance to sharing what each of these people groups holds so dear. It might be competition or fear or unintended negligence, but many "people groups" of the world don't go around sharing the core of what they care about deeply and what their lives revolve around.
So why do Christians do it? Is there something different about the core of them, what makes them tick, that they feel they have to go and share with others?
Well, part of the reason is Jesus wanted them to. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
I think the other reasons Christians care about sharing the Gospel through missions so much is that they get a sense that the size of Christ's love is way too big for any one individual to handle. It has to be shared with others! It is so wide and high and deep and everlasting, more people gotta know about this Jesus!! It's too incredible to believe!! But it's true!!
I gotta run out and share this with the people I know, and the people I don't know!
May we as broken vessels and genuine seekers and followers of Christ be impassioned by the Holy Spirit with a desire to share Christ's love to all nations and peoples...
As I thought about it, genuine Christians seem to be an odd bunch. Go figure. Believers who hold that missions are important and who try to share the Gospel and be intentional about spreading the love of Jesus to others, do so for the benefit of those others.
There aren't many groups in the world with that sort of mentality. Now, I realize, I have to qualify this post quite carefully. The "Christians" I'm referring to are those that hold that missions are an inherent part of their walk with Jesus. And no, this doesn't mean going to a foreign land. There's all sorts of mission opporunities right here at home. Next door. It's not up to me to qualify who is a real Christian and who isn't. However, in reading Scripture, I am of the opinion that it's really hard NOT to care about missions if you are someone who genuinely desires to seek and pursue Christ.
There are certainly "Christians" who are in it for personal gain, and who seek their own benefit by using missions as a means to their own selfish goals and desires for comforts. But please keep in mind, when I refer to Christians from here on out in this post, I am meaning it to mean those who think missions as a means for sharing Christ's love and the knowledge of His grace.
And so...Do the rich people of the world try to share their secrets of being wealthy with numerous others, so those that lack wealth can become like the rich ones? (no, that doesn't happen, wealthy people don't want competition that would endanger their wealth)
Do the American citizens of the world go around trying to share the greatness of America and offer citizenship to non-Americans because, "hey, America is so great!" (no, this doesn't happen either. Americans share American values sometimes to show off, brag, or because their ignorant sometimes, but hardly do many Americans voluntary about inviting or offering citizenship to others)
Do the professional athletes of the world go out to foreign countries to share their highly valuable skills with other players so that they too can become really good? (no, this doesn't happen, athletes are busy working on their own skills to have time to share them with others)
I could go on with more examples, but hopefully my point is starting to become clear. There are many people groups out there, joined together by some sort of common denominator, but few of these groups have a desire to share what's at their core in a way that they're primarily seeking the benefit and good of others.
With different people groups, there is a natural built in hindrance to sharing what each of these people groups holds so dear. It might be competition or fear or unintended negligence, but many "people groups" of the world don't go around sharing the core of what they care about deeply and what their lives revolve around.
So why do Christians do it? Is there something different about the core of them, what makes them tick, that they feel they have to go and share with others?
Well, part of the reason is Jesus wanted them to. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
I think the other reasons Christians care about sharing the Gospel through missions so much is that they get a sense that the size of Christ's love is way too big for any one individual to handle. It has to be shared with others! It is so wide and high and deep and everlasting, more people gotta know about this Jesus!! It's too incredible to believe!! But it's true!!
I gotta run out and share this with the people I know, and the people I don't know!
May we as broken vessels and genuine seekers and followers of Christ be impassioned by the Holy Spirit with a desire to share Christ's love to all nations and peoples...
3.09.2009
I dare you to measure...
This post is my inner nerdling side coming out, which is a sizeable portion...but...
I think humans have an utter fascination with quantifying things.
Was it just coincidence that the founders of the United States mandated an every 10 year census as an inherent part of the Constitution? The answer -- no. Those guys were quite smart, it wasn't an accident.
We try to count everything. Look at sports fans, their teams and joys are built around sports stats, how many points their team or favorite player is scoring...if you think about it, in every industry and area of life, there is an important emphasis placed on being able to quantify whatever it is that needs quantifying.
Some things I have my doubts that accurate quantifying is going on. Scientists and doctors think they know about 15% of all there is to know about the brain. With so much unknown, how do they even know the overall amount to determine that they already know 15%? It's probably more like 0.15%.
Concrete quantities, or even estimates (that might be inaccurate), provide a much deeper understanding of the world around us. I guess that's why the human race wants to quantify so much in life, they want to understand the world in which they live.
Paul writes
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV)
Paul gets human nature. He's saying, go ahead people! Try to understand the concrete amount of Christ's love like you want to quantify all things. Its almost as if Paul is getting at that we might actually be able to understand the quantity of Christ's grace. Then he immediately follows with:
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)
"immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..."
It's just going to be one of those things that we won't be able to quantify. Christ's love and His merciful grace is too great, too wide, too deep to count for us quantifiable-happy humans.
But go ahead, I dare you to really think about it and try to measure it.
I think humans have an utter fascination with quantifying things.
Was it just coincidence that the founders of the United States mandated an every 10 year census as an inherent part of the Constitution? The answer -- no. Those guys were quite smart, it wasn't an accident.
We try to count everything. Look at sports fans, their teams and joys are built around sports stats, how many points their team or favorite player is scoring...if you think about it, in every industry and area of life, there is an important emphasis placed on being able to quantify whatever it is that needs quantifying.
Some things I have my doubts that accurate quantifying is going on. Scientists and doctors think they know about 15% of all there is to know about the brain. With so much unknown, how do they even know the overall amount to determine that they already know 15%? It's probably more like 0.15%.
Concrete quantities, or even estimates (that might be inaccurate), provide a much deeper understanding of the world around us. I guess that's why the human race wants to quantify so much in life, they want to understand the world in which they live.
Paul writes
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV)
Paul gets human nature. He's saying, go ahead people! Try to understand the concrete amount of Christ's love like you want to quantify all things. Its almost as if Paul is getting at that we might actually be able to understand the quantity of Christ's grace. Then he immediately follows with:
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)
"immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..."
It's just going to be one of those things that we won't be able to quantify. Christ's love and His merciful grace is too great, too wide, too deep to count for us quantifiable-happy humans.
But go ahead, I dare you to really think about it and try to measure it.
2.04.2009
seeing more clearly...
Over the past couple of weeks, I feel like my "spiritual vision" has been improving. I've been seeing more clearly...
This is both good and bad.
Bad because I'm seeing more and more how corrupt and wretched I really am. My sinful and selfish ways are often earthly and unspiritual. I often run on the wisdom of the world, rather than relying on the pure wisdom that comes down from heaven. The thing that has become extremely clear is the envy and selfish ambition wrapped up inside me.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18 NIV)
The good part of all of this is that in seeing the sin and wretchedness, it is more abundantly clear day after day how great is God's faithfulness, and how His grace is really more than enough; it's everything! There have been so many good things that have come up and happened in my life in these past two weeks. So I'm writing this more as a testament to God's faithfulness even in the midst of a corrupt and sinful one.
Psalm 89:1-18 captures God's faithfulness of what I'm talking about.
Great is your faithfulness Oh God!....
This is both good and bad.
Bad because I'm seeing more and more how corrupt and wretched I really am. My sinful and selfish ways are often earthly and unspiritual. I often run on the wisdom of the world, rather than relying on the pure wisdom that comes down from heaven. The thing that has become extremely clear is the envy and selfish ambition wrapped up inside me.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18 NIV)
The good part of all of this is that in seeing the sin and wretchedness, it is more abundantly clear day after day how great is God's faithfulness, and how His grace is really more than enough; it's everything! There have been so many good things that have come up and happened in my life in these past two weeks. So I'm writing this more as a testament to God's faithfulness even in the midst of a corrupt and sinful one.
Psalm 89:1-18 captures God's faithfulness of what I'm talking about.
Great is your faithfulness Oh God!....
12.27.2008
the value principle (grace)
In our world today, someone of value is given something of value as a sign and symbol of worth. Value seems to be tied together.
Office employees who have been with a company for forty years receive a diamond studded bracelet in thanks for many years of outstanding service to the company. Or consider a regular salary for a worker. The worker receives value in the money for creating some sort of value through his or her work. Even little kids, who might go 0-12 for an entire basketball season, still get a trophy at the end of the season (I was that kid) for trying hard and coming close.
I'm claiming that this idea about value being tied to something else of value is some sort of universal principle... "well, ya, duh Hunter..." but I'm trying to make a very simple point.
I challenge you to come up with something that would be of greater value than a life that possesses the most joyful relationships that are truly authentic, a life that has the greatest possible purpose, and a life in which one receives the greatest contentment from such a purpose. Yes, these things rolled altogether into one life. Forever.
Possible?
Absolutely! The greatest gift of value is available for the incredible worth of individuals from every tribe, tongue and nation. If it were not so, Christ would not have come to earth, and He would have not gone to the cross.
Jesus recognizes, with His unique special eyes and insight, the worth of every person. And it is Christ, and Christ alone, who offers the most valuable gift--an eternal life spent in Jesus' presence--that is unparalleled in its worth. This great gift of value is given for the incredible value that individuals possess.
It is simply up to those individuals to allow Christ to give the gift and to accept it.
Office employees who have been with a company for forty years receive a diamond studded bracelet in thanks for many years of outstanding service to the company. Or consider a regular salary for a worker. The worker receives value in the money for creating some sort of value through his or her work. Even little kids, who might go 0-12 for an entire basketball season, still get a trophy at the end of the season (I was that kid) for trying hard and coming close.
I'm claiming that this idea about value being tied to something else of value is some sort of universal principle... "well, ya, duh Hunter..." but I'm trying to make a very simple point.
I challenge you to come up with something that would be of greater value than a life that possesses the most joyful relationships that are truly authentic, a life that has the greatest possible purpose, and a life in which one receives the greatest contentment from such a purpose. Yes, these things rolled altogether into one life. Forever.
Possible?
Absolutely! The greatest gift of value is available for the incredible worth of individuals from every tribe, tongue and nation. If it were not so, Christ would not have come to earth, and He would have not gone to the cross.
Jesus recognizes, with His unique special eyes and insight, the worth of every person. And it is Christ, and Christ alone, who offers the most valuable gift--an eternal life spent in Jesus' presence--that is unparalleled in its worth. This great gift of value is given for the incredible value that individuals possess.
It is simply up to those individuals to allow Christ to give the gift and to accept it.
12.01.2008
grace
I think the longer that I'm seeking and trying to follow Jesus, the more I recognize, truly get, that salvation is completely by grace, and grace alone.
This of course is a very central tenet to the Christian faith, one of the main ones, if not the most important thing that sets it apart. It gets talked about and preached quite often, but that doesn't always mean it's something that I really own and know to be true. That comes with time, and is till a work in progress.
The idea of grace that comes in the form of an incredibly joyous and pure eternal life found in Jesus, a pure gift with no strings attached of compensation from me or something I have to earn, is ridiculously radical.
I was thinking, the more I come to understand grace, the more incomprehensible it really becomes.
That sounds, at first, quite a contradictory statement. But I really think it's true. Think of doctors and their understanding of the human body. Or think of scientists and their grasp of the universe. In each case, the objects that are trying to be understood (the human body and the universe), are complex, but at the same time, wonderful and beautiful. Not much is understood of either. Talking to my doctor friends about the human body, the overall percentage of what's really known is very small. How all the systems interact with each other, how the brain works, how different cells work in different situations...if they really knew a lot more, I don't think we'd have as many diseases or cancers or afflictions.
Same with the universe. Scientists don't really know that much about all the stars or if global warming is really part of a longer term normal cycle or if it's something man-made. Sure, there's data to back up that claim. There's also data to back up the other side. You can get data to work how you want it to in scientific studies. The point is, not much is really understood. When doctors or scientists do discover something new or come to some new knowledge, it usually opens up more unknowns and more questions than before! Doctors and scientists can't even start to say how much they know because they don't know the finite amount of what can be known!!
In thinking about these examples, I think grace is similar. Grace is complex and we don't nearly know how extensive and amazing it really is. The more that is understood about a certain aspect of grace, more questions are brought up regarding other elements that stem from grace. So, the more I seem to understand grace, the more incomprehensible it really becomes. There are so many things I can think of right now that I take for granted that otherwise should not exist, and the only answer (rational or irrational) I have for those things, is grace. As complex as it may really be, I think it can also be compiled simply into Jesus, and the love He offers.
And so, more than anything, I'm incredibly stunned at how amazing grace really is.
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV)
This of course is a very central tenet to the Christian faith, one of the main ones, if not the most important thing that sets it apart. It gets talked about and preached quite often, but that doesn't always mean it's something that I really own and know to be true. That comes with time, and is till a work in progress.
The idea of grace that comes in the form of an incredibly joyous and pure eternal life found in Jesus, a pure gift with no strings attached of compensation from me or something I have to earn, is ridiculously radical.
I was thinking, the more I come to understand grace, the more incomprehensible it really becomes.
That sounds, at first, quite a contradictory statement. But I really think it's true. Think of doctors and their understanding of the human body. Or think of scientists and their grasp of the universe. In each case, the objects that are trying to be understood (the human body and the universe), are complex, but at the same time, wonderful and beautiful. Not much is understood of either. Talking to my doctor friends about the human body, the overall percentage of what's really known is very small. How all the systems interact with each other, how the brain works, how different cells work in different situations...if they really knew a lot more, I don't think we'd have as many diseases or cancers or afflictions.
Same with the universe. Scientists don't really know that much about all the stars or if global warming is really part of a longer term normal cycle or if it's something man-made. Sure, there's data to back up that claim. There's also data to back up the other side. You can get data to work how you want it to in scientific studies. The point is, not much is really understood. When doctors or scientists do discover something new or come to some new knowledge, it usually opens up more unknowns and more questions than before! Doctors and scientists can't even start to say how much they know because they don't know the finite amount of what can be known!!
In thinking about these examples, I think grace is similar. Grace is complex and we don't nearly know how extensive and amazing it really is. The more that is understood about a certain aspect of grace, more questions are brought up regarding other elements that stem from grace. So, the more I seem to understand grace, the more incomprehensible it really becomes. There are so many things I can think of right now that I take for granted that otherwise should not exist, and the only answer (rational or irrational) I have for those things, is grace. As complex as it may really be, I think it can also be compiled simply into Jesus, and the love He offers.
And so, more than anything, I'm incredibly stunned at how amazing grace really is.
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV)
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