I've spent my whole life thinking God was angry at me and that I had to perform well in order to stay in His good graces. I knew I was forgiven, was in relationship with Him, and knew God loved me. But, honestly, that love has always felt conditional.
Deep down I really believe God loved me as long as... as long as I was faithful, as long as I did good, as long as I didn't sin... the list felt endless at times. I always felt afraid of God, and thought that's the way He wanted it to be.
I love the story that Wayne Jacobsen tells to illustrate the wrath of God. Wayne, his wife Sarah, and then two-year-old son were camping in the mountains some years ago, a couple of hours from any medical assistance. He and Sarah heard blood-curdling screaming and looked up to find their son in the midst of a swarm of angry bees. Maternal instincts fully charged, Sarah led the foot race to rescue the boy.
The problem is that she was deathly allergic to bee stings. With no thought to her own well-being she swooped in to get her boy out of harm's way, incurring numerous stings in the process. And what do you think the youngster saw on his mother's face as she raced toward him? Fury.
But it wasn't directed at him. Here's the paradigm-shifting definition of God's wrath for me: "God bringing the full weight of His being against that which seeks to destroy the object of His affection."
You are the object of God's affection. Repeat slowly, "I am the object of God's affection." What looks like anger is not intended for you; it's aimed at sin, and guilt and shame--those things that twist and distort you into being less that God created you to be.
It is so liberating to know God is not angry at me when I fail, even when I sin. He knew I would do "it" before I chose to do it. And my doing it doesn't stop Him from loving me.
I've always been taught that the cross was about God punishing His son for my sin in order to satisfy His need for justice. God is not into child sacrifice, even when it's His child -- he's not like the other "gods" mentioned in the Old Testament (see Molech, Ba'al).
The cross was not about God satisfying His need as His son's expense. That would be like God saying to you, "I really want to be your friend, but first I need to go home and beat the daylights out of my kid for everything you've ever done to offend me, then you and I can be friends." If your neighbor made you that offer you'd think he was sick, and you'd be right; but that's what has been taught about God in many religious circles.
The cross was not about God satisfying some sick need at His son's expense, but about satisfying my need at His own expense. The cross was not so much about the punishment for my sin, it was about the cure of my sin... and my shame... and my guilt. God brought the full weight of His being against that which would destroy me, the object of His affection. He did that to remove all the obstacles so that I could have LIFE, a relationship with Him.
So I don't have to be afraid of God anymore. I can trust His love for me, come out of hiding, bring all my crap to Him so He can heal me. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)
God says, "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you."(Isaiah 44:22) It's safe to come out of hiding and approach God. He is not angry at you for any wrong-doing. He doesn't want to punish you, He wants to heal you.
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Infidels?
I’ve been thinking about the word “infidel” lately. I’ve heard it frequently on TV this week, remembering 9/11 and hearing newscasters talk about terrorism. There are those who would say that anyone who doesn’t follow their religion is an “infidel”.
Infidel stems from the word “infidelity” which is unfaithfulness, disloyalty, betrayal. The infidel is the one who breaks a contract or who breaks covenant. The married partner who commits adultery is an infidel. The person who makes a promise and doesn't keep it is an infidel. The business partner who secretly embezzles funds is an infidel. A person who doesn’t follow a particular religion, to which he or she never made a commitment, is NOT an infidel.
You can’t hold someone to the terms of a contract that they never entered into. So the problem is when people, especially religious people, impose the terms of their covenant with their god on everyone else. The ones who made the commitment are expected to keep it, not those who never agreed to be in that relationship in the first place. So the infidel is the one who is unfaithful to a contract or relationship that THEY entered into.
I’ve also heard a lot of talk this week about “Islamic fundamentalist”. I don’t have a problem with fundamentalists; Muslim, Evangelical Christian, Atheist or otherwise. I have a problem with terrorists (whether they be Muslim, Evangelical Christian or some other group) who use fear-based tactics to silence anyone who disagrees with them, their "enemies."
A “fundamentalist” means one holds to the fundamentals, or core teachings, of their particular belief system (and yes, Atheism has core beliefs, too). I would like to see us quit using the word "fundamentalist" as a derogatory title, no matter which group we are using it to describe. There is nothing wrong with holding the the fundamentals on one's faith, as long as those who hold to the tenets of that religion do not harm others or force their religious covenant on others against their will.
Fidelity, faithfulness, keeping covenant--all the same thing, and born in the heart of God:
"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 7:9, NIV)
The problem is, no matter how sincere our intentions, we are all unfaithful at some point. We mess up. We are inconsistent. We miss the mark. The good news of Jesus is that even though we are all "indidels" on occasion God offers hope:
"If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:13, NIV)
God is no infidel. He is never unfaithful. He never goes back on His word. He never breaks a promise. One thing He has promised is to forgive those who are heartbroken over their sins and turn to Him in genuine repentance:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (1 John 1:8-10, NIV)
That's the good news about Jesus:
"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them." (2 Corinthians 5:19, NIV)
Everyone on the planet is an infidel, because all of us at some point have been less than perfect, have been unfaithful to One who created us. The good news is that there is hope for all we infidels, hope of having the relationship with our Creator restored, hope of being reconciled to the One who loves us.
~ Father, forgive my unfaithfulness to you. Empower me to be faithful to you as you have been faithful to me. Help me to love my neighbor in such a way that they may come to know and love you, too. Amen.
Infidel stems from the word “infidelity” which is unfaithfulness, disloyalty, betrayal. The infidel is the one who breaks a contract or who breaks covenant. The married partner who commits adultery is an infidel. The person who makes a promise and doesn't keep it is an infidel. The business partner who secretly embezzles funds is an infidel. A person who doesn’t follow a particular religion, to which he or she never made a commitment, is NOT an infidel.
You can’t hold someone to the terms of a contract that they never entered into. So the problem is when people, especially religious people, impose the terms of their covenant with their god on everyone else. The ones who made the commitment are expected to keep it, not those who never agreed to be in that relationship in the first place. So the infidel is the one who is unfaithful to a contract or relationship that THEY entered into.
I’ve also heard a lot of talk this week about “Islamic fundamentalist”. I don’t have a problem with fundamentalists; Muslim, Evangelical Christian, Atheist or otherwise. I have a problem with terrorists (whether they be Muslim, Evangelical Christian or some other group) who use fear-based tactics to silence anyone who disagrees with them, their "enemies."
A “fundamentalist” means one holds to the fundamentals, or core teachings, of their particular belief system (and yes, Atheism has core beliefs, too). I would like to see us quit using the word "fundamentalist" as a derogatory title, no matter which group we are using it to describe. There is nothing wrong with holding the the fundamentals on one's faith, as long as those who hold to the tenets of that religion do not harm others or force their religious covenant on others against their will.
Fidelity, faithfulness, keeping covenant--all the same thing, and born in the heart of God:
"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 7:9, NIV)
The problem is, no matter how sincere our intentions, we are all unfaithful at some point. We mess up. We are inconsistent. We miss the mark. The good news of Jesus is that even though we are all "indidels" on occasion God offers hope:
"If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:13, NIV)
God is no infidel. He is never unfaithful. He never goes back on His word. He never breaks a promise. One thing He has promised is to forgive those who are heartbroken over their sins and turn to Him in genuine repentance:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (1 John 1:8-10, NIV)
That's the good news about Jesus:
"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them." (2 Corinthians 5:19, NIV)
Everyone on the planet is an infidel, because all of us at some point have been less than perfect, have been unfaithful to One who created us. The good news is that there is hope for all we infidels, hope of having the relationship with our Creator restored, hope of being reconciled to the One who loves us.
~ Father, forgive my unfaithfulness to you. Empower me to be faithful to you as you have been faithful to me. Help me to love my neighbor in such a way that they may come to know and love you, too. Amen.
Monday, August 6, 2007
August 6: Who's Going to Heaven?
“The Bible is garbage. There is no heaven or hell, it’s all just the figment of the imagination of self-righteous Christians.” ~ (Daniel R., age 22, in a recent conversation)
“There are some who believe there is no such thing as heaven, and there are people on the other end of the spectrum that think everyone is going.” ~ (My friend Rick K., age 24, during same conversation)
--------------------------------------
John Newton (1725-1807), the author of the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace," and the subject of a current running movie by that title, once said:
“If ever I reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third -- the greatest wonder of all -- to find myself there."
He captures something of the wide sweep of God's grace. You can be certain that God's grace will reach farther that yours or mine would. Newton also taps into the idea that we’ll be surprised over those we would expect to see there but don't.
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (words of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 7:21-23)
These are the good people who trust in their relative goodness rather than in God's grace. They may be in church every time the doors are open, hoping God notices how good they are, playing the church game, yet never meeting Jesus.
Mr. Newton's astonishment of finding himself included is beautiful. That's grace: If there is anyone who doesn't deserve to be in heaven, it is me. If God can include me, knowing my own struggle with sin, then anyone has a shot…anyone who puts their trust in Christ, in God’s grace.
“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.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, all things have become new! All this is from God, who was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)
In heaven an enormous crowd of people from “every race, tribe, nation, and language” will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship him (see Philippians 2). To make the most of your time on earth, we can shift our thinking from the ‘here and now’ and maintain an eternal perspective.
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 6:19-21)
You’ve probably heard the expression -- “You can’t take it with you”—but the Bible says you can send it on ahead, by investing in people!
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a life that truly is LIFE down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
God loves everybody…heaven is for those who love Him back; but you can’t say you love God and yet reject His Son. It all comes down to this question:
“What will you do with Jesus?”
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“There are some who believe there is no such thing as heaven, and there are people on the other end of the spectrum that think everyone is going.” ~ (My friend Rick K., age 24, during same conversation)
--------------------------------------
John Newton (1725-1807), the author of the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace," and the subject of a current running movie by that title, once said:
“If ever I reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third -- the greatest wonder of all -- to find myself there."
He captures something of the wide sweep of God's grace. You can be certain that God's grace will reach farther that yours or mine would. Newton also taps into the idea that we’ll be surprised over those we would expect to see there but don't.
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (words of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 7:21-23)These are the good people who trust in their relative goodness rather than in God's grace. They may be in church every time the doors are open, hoping God notices how good they are, playing the church game, yet never meeting Jesus.
Mr. Newton's astonishment of finding himself included is beautiful. That's grace: If there is anyone who doesn't deserve to be in heaven, it is me. If God can include me, knowing my own struggle with sin, then anyone has a shot…anyone who puts their trust in Christ, in God’s grace.
“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.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, all things have become new! All this is from God, who was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)
In heaven an enormous crowd of people from “every race, tribe, nation, and language” will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship him (see Philippians 2). To make the most of your time on earth, we can shift our thinking from the ‘here and now’ and maintain an eternal perspective.
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 6:19-21)
You’ve probably heard the expression -- “You can’t take it with you”—but the Bible says you can send it on ahead, by investing in people!
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a life that truly is LIFE down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
God loves everybody…heaven is for those who love Him back; but you can’t say you love God and yet reject His Son. It all comes down to this question:
“What will you do with Jesus?”
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Saturday, July 21, 2007
July 21: Nevertheless
today's "thought" is from author and pastor Max Lucado"And the king and his men spoke to David, saying, "You will not come in here; even the blind and the lame can repel you." Nevertheless, David cpatured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). (2 Samuel 5:6-7)
Did you see it? Most hurry past it. Let's not. Pull out a pen and underline this twelve-letter masterpiece. Nevertheless.
Nevertheless David took the stronghold. Wouldn't you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography? Born to alcoholics, nevertheless she led a sober life. Never went to college, nevertheless he mastered a trade. Didn't read the Bible until retirement age, nevertheless he came to a deep and abiding faith.
We all need a nevertheless. And God has plenty to go around. Strongholds mean nothing to him. Remember Paul's words? "We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4).
You and I fight with toothpicks; God comes with battering rams and cannons. What he did for David, he can do for us. The question is, will we do what David did? The king models much here.
Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims God's strengths; the other lists your failures. One longs to build you up; the other seeks to tear you down. And here's the great news: you select the voice you hear.
Why listen to the mockers? Why heed their voices? Why give ear to pea-brains and scoffers when you can, with the same ear, listen to the voice of God?
Do what David did. Turn a deaf ear to the old voices. Open a wide eye to the new choices.
Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give them.
Peter stuck his foot in his mouth. Joseph was imprisoned in Egypt. The Samaritan woman had been married five times. Jesus was dead in the grave.
Nevertheless, Peter preached, Joseph ruled, the woman shared, Jesus rose... and you?
You fill in the blank. Your nevertheless awaits you.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
July 8: Mending Fences
I spent some time yesterday mending fences. We have our back yard fenced in so our dog can run and play. This past week we had the “tree people” come to grind up the stumps of 13 old pine trees that were removed a few months ago.To get their equipment into the yard I had to remove several fence panels and posts. So the “tree people” completed their job and moved on to other projects. I’ve been busy (and lazy) and just dropped the post into the hole and leaned the fence panels up—“I’ll get to it later”, I told myself.
The winds kept blowing over the fence panels, and I’d prop them up again, promising to fix it right when I had more time. I found time after one of the panels blew over onto the front of my wife’s van. :)
But as I was replacing the fence I thought about mending other fences; relationships that have been neglected or strained. I have to take responsibility, and I can't put it off.
Jesus taught about this. He said, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)
If everything boils down to loving God with all my heart and loving others as I love myself then I can’t dodge the principle here—I can’t really worship God in a meaningful way UNTIL the other relationships are made right…and I can’t make those relationships right without God’s help.
Jesus also taught, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” (Matthew 18:15)
Once again, I have to take responsibility; I can’t wait for the other guy to make the first move. Whether I am the one who was offended or the one doing the offending, as one who follows the Way of Jesus I have to take responsibility for the relationship.
So it's time to make a couple of phone calls and go around the corner and see a friend. The fence in the backyard's not the only one needing a little attention.
How about you; any relationships in your life that need a little mending?
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