Have you ever heard the expression from a parent just before they discipline a child, “this will hurt me more than it will hurt you?” Perhaps in your home you heard it differently, perhaps not. I used to think to myself when I heard this said, “oh sure it will, if it hurt you more than me then why am I getting the spanking?” Humorously I’d try to find ways to protect my rear end from harm. Sometimes I would have enough warning because the phrase my mother used was “go to your room and wait for your father to come home!” And so I would sit up in my room and contemplate what I had done as I was considering how many pairs of underwear I could put on without my father noticing so that I could lessen the blow of the spanking. Truth be told, I didn’t get spanked all that often but I will never forget the phrase, “This is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you.”
I am convinced that our Father in Heaven feels that way too! He does not want to inflict pain and suffering on those He has created, yet because of humanity’s poor choices, at times, He has to. We were not created by a vindictive God who loves to punish. That wasn’t His purpose for creating us. God’s justice wasn’t initially a part of creation until the fall took place. Before the fall of Adam and Eve, God walked with us. God communed with His loved ones. The very fact that He had to drive out Adam and Eve from the garden must have been very difficult for Him! The pain in which He must have gone through because of their deceit and consequential sin. I can almost imagine God saying to Adam and Eve; “This is going to hurt me, more than it’s going to hurt you!”
After all, wasn’t it God who created for Adam and Eve their first line of clothing? (Gen 3:21) Even in the midst of their disobedience God was there to provide for them. God’s justice is something that He withholds until it is the absolute last resort. He doesn’t want to impose punishment on His creation, yet the consequences of willful and utter disobedience is punishment within the realms of God’s justice.
I know many have a very hard time comprehending the God of the Old Testament where it seems that all God does is wipe out whole cultures…yet we fail to comprehend how it must have cost God to do something so drastic. Mankind had ascended into the deepest darkest places of morality and sin. They had turned their backs on the One who created them, and because of this His justice had to take place.
Throughout all of history, God has made the attempt to reconnect with His creation. He has made covenants with them…and it should be noted that none of His covenants were ever broken by Him…they were broken by us, humanity. God knew that humanity could never find salvation by themselves, and so Christ, God’s one and only Son, enters the world to redeem us all. Once and for all, a perfect example of humanity’s blood can now cover all transgressions should they call upon the name of Jesus.
God’s justice should never be taken lightly. We must realize that how we live makes a difference. How we live dictates how God imposes love and justice towards us. If we claim to be Christians and yet our lifestyles say other wise we are knowingly sinning against God. To do so, places us in the path of His judgement. We know of God’s forgiveness and yet many use this as a ‘get outta jail card’ like in the game monopoly. Many think that because God will forgive they can carry on in sin and at some point ask for forgiveness and all will be right again…but to do this is willful disobedience and God will have His justice.
Yes God is a God of love and mercy, but He is also one of justice and judgement to those He loves. “because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:12 NIV)
What do I stand for? I stand for a love relationship with God. I stand for obedience to God…am I always obedient? No! But, I do know better when I sin and when I fall. His Holy Spirit is given to all who call upon His name and He can and will provide prompting, discernment and even conviction when we go astray.
I stand for a God of Justice even when I feel sometimes His justice is harsh. Though I may feel this way, I am not all knowing and unlike God, I do not have all of the evidence. God does, and in faith, I have to trust that He knows what He is doing. I am NOT God, nor am I even close to His level…so why feel as if I know better than He does? Sometimes, this can be temptation, after all wasn’t it Satan in the garden in the form of a snake who told Eve to eat of the fruit because then she would have the knowledge of God?
God’s justice is difficult to understand from our point of view at times. Sometimes we feel it’s too harsh, sometimes we feel it comes to slowly. Yet one thing is absolute within this line of conversation, God will have His justice and everyone one day, will account for what we have done on this Earth both good and bad.
Evidence of this truth:
Matthew 12:35-37 (NIV)
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)
“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!’
Matthew 25:31-43 (NIV) “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
What I Do Not Stand For:
Mankind taking God’s justice into their own hands; (Governments excluded they provide our base of law and keep us safe). Those who would Lord over people and inflict their marred understanding of justice are not speaking for God!
God’s justice is like the parent that says “It will hurt me more than it will hurt you”. He never wanted to punish His creation, yet without that correction His justice would be the consequence of disobedience.
***Tune in tomorrow as I explore “Social Justice”…an extension of this conversation today!*** “Same bat time, same bat channel” 😉
The Salvation Army is steeped in its rich heritage, traditions and doctrines…It’s ministry has been felt around the world since 1865. Below I have compiled two basic lists. The first, “The biggest challenges for Corps (local chapters of The Salvation Army).” The second, “the biggest potentials for corps”. These are not absolute by any means, some will not apply to all corps, but are general, though in essence something that should get us thinking.
The Biggest Challenges for Corps:
1. Proper Time (Ministry application and usage) Management
2. Consumed with reporting and other non-spiritual materials
3. Lack of responsible local officers
4. Lack of a clear vision and mission (locally)
5. Financial Concerns
6. Poor Spiritual condition of corps members
7. Corps property lacks adequate space for current programming
8. Traditions and regulations limit innovation and “out of the box” creative thinking & planning
9. Leadership and Lay person role perceptions/misperceptions
10. Clinging to inadequate and or antiquated programs which no longer meet the needs of the community.
The Biggest Potential for Corps:
1. Clear and concise doctrines
2. Most public perceptions are positive, Salvation Army is a trusted name.
3. We were founded upon the notion of taking risks for Christ and being bold in action planning!
4. Holiness Movement means we MUST rely and listen to the prodding and direction of the Holy Spirit!
5. The Army Mission statement is clear.
6. Strong sense of purpose in communities (Holistic Ministries)
7. Vast, sometimes untapped resources of other command units & officers.
8. Continued education of its leadership and officers
9. Discipleship initiatives and weekly bible studies
10. Application of Christ like teachings outside of the four walls of the corps building, through cell groups, ministry teams and relational ministries.
As I mentioned, these are not all inclusive, and are probably similar to other denominations. It does help in any process organizational planning to have a clear understanding of your local ministry and its strengths and weaknesses. Some food for thought.
Hey all, a little over a month ago I was asked to give a book review on a book that just released yesterday, April 9th, 2013. The book is called, “Falling in love with God” by Bob Hostetler. If you get a chance to, pick up a copy and read it for yourself!
For your convenience I have posted two links where you can purchase this great book:
As I read this epic story of God’s love for his people anew through the eyes of Hosea, Hostetler illustrates for us to the lengths in which our Father in Heaven will go to buy back His Bride from the deepest darkest depths of total depravity. Hostetler weaves this journey of God’s Redemptive love in a very practical and personal way for us today! Not only does he accurately expound on the scriptures of the book of Hosea, but brings our lives into focus for the here and now! How God desires to love us more deeply, and He wants us to love Him back! If you have ever pondered the extent in which God will go to win back His Bride, read the book of Hosea in the Bible, then pick up a copy Bob Hostetler’s new book: “Falling in Love with God“. I know you won’t regret it, check it out and I know you will be blessed as I was when you read its pages.
I had a date night with my lovely wife last night. We started out by going out for coffee, we talked at one of those tables in the coffee shop then we went to see a movie. I’m not here to give movie reviews, so don’t worry there won’t be any spoiler alerts. We saw the movie “The Host” by Twilight author Stephanie Meyer. Now before you demand my man card be taken away, remember we were on a date, and besides that I’m a sucker for Sci-fi movies even movies that involve a tale of romance. There was a scene though within the movie that struck me as profound. The alien inhabited people were searching for the ‘Resistance’, a collection of people still hiding out in the rocky desert. As they flew over desert terrain searching, the antagonist of the film looks down and says, “I see evidence of humans.” To which a fellow alien in the helicopter looks down and only sees another alien vehicle driving by and he says, “I only see evidence of us.” The world had been conquered but for small pockets of resistance, evidence of humanity was all but gone, and profoundly the alien in the helicopter gets it right when he says “I only see evidence of us.”
When God created mankind; Adam and Eve, He created them both in His image. He created them, as Rick Warren accurately describes for God’s fellowship. God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, He talked with them…their bond of fellowship and love was deep. Then the fall took place, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, ate of the tree in the middle of the garden and sin entered into the world. Because of sin and the fall, the image of God was marred within all of humanity. Little by little evidence of God’s image diminished from humanity as sinful acts, temptation and its total depravity ensued. Since the fall, that image of God or Imago Dei within us all has been marred. And if humanity turns from Him, that image further diminishes. Sin could rightly say “I only see evidence of us” as some of humanity has knowingly turned their backs on God.
But the beauty of God’s Redemptive story is that He won’t let us remain ignorant of our sinful state. God wants to restore us and Imago Dei within us. There is nothing physically or spiritually we can do to save ourselves no matter how hard we try. We can never rid ourselves of the parasite of sin within us. We are slaves to it, in and of ourselves we are powerless to resist it. And God knows this…that’s why He sent us His Son Jesus Christ into our fallen world to conquer once and for all sin and death. The parasite of sin that has marred the image and ravaged the world by forcibly removing evidence of God within all of humanity…this is what Christ came to reverse. He came to make us right again. He came so that we could be sons and daughters of the Most High once again. His blood sacrifice on the cross was our replacement on death row in the death sentence of sin. So that when we call upon Jesus Christ, accept His sacrifice, believe that He is the only way to God…He looks at us and says “I see evidence of me in you! You are my child and I love you!”
That is redemption, that’s atonement at work because of Christ, that’s Godly love! Imago Dei in us begins by acceptance of Christ as our Savior…then we live it so that each day the reflection of Christ becomes more and the reflection of this fallen world in us becomes less. Not by our power and strength, but by the workings of the Holy Spirit within us. God comes to us today and says, “I don’t see evidence of sin, I see evidence of me!” Receive it, believe it and live it today!
What does ‘Live Responsibly’ look like in this life?
Driving, at times can be relaxing…when there aren’t other drivers on the road that is…which is obviously very rare. Other times when we drive there are drivers which test our patience am i right? The driver behind is riding your bumper and thinks you’re driving too slow, speed up and you become just like the driver behind you and get annoyed with the slower driver in front of you. It’s a never ending cycle of frustration. Isn’t it interesting that colds and virus’ aren’t the only things that are contagious? Don’t believe me? Just hang out with a person who is always sour long enough and you too will become sour. Spend time with one who is constantly angry and you too will find your temper (and blood pressure) becoming higher. Emotions and attitudes are also contagious. The opposite is also true. Spend time with a loving and level headed person and soon you will long to act and behave in that same manner.
I’m reminded of the beer commercials during sporting events that reminds us to ‘Drink Responsibly’…I’d like to adapt that concept, not for the consumption of alcohol, but rather for living our day to day lives…we ought to LIVE Responsibly! After all, who is responsible for the choices we make? We Are! You and I are responsible! We can’t shy away from the fact that when we make choices, we have to live with the consequences. We can’t blame others for the destinations of our choices. We have to take responsibility for our lives…we have to live responsibly!
It is true that we shouldn’t live by our emotions, but at the same time we ought to be wise in the company that we keep. After all we are responsible for our actions not someone else. When we live responsibly we start to recognize the triggers that can set us on a path that can and will lead to our destruction. When we live responsibly we begin to grasp just a fragment of what’s at stake in this life.
What living responsibly isn’t:
1) Boring
Living responsibly doesn’t mean we can’t have fun or enjoy life, in fact the opposite is true. When we live responsibly we will not only grasp the importance in life but also enjoy life a little more…maybe we laugh a little deeper, we relish the company of healthy influences and we invest in its enjoyment.
2) We stop risking
Sorry, that’s not true either. When we live responsibly we take calculated risks but in different ways. No longer are we not thinking of the consequences but we are taking risks for others. By that I mean we will extend ourselves to others who might need positive change in their lives but they don’t recognize it yet. In our Christian worldview that means we are sharing the love of Christ with those who haven’t heard or experienced it yet. We take risks for others instead of ourselves…these types of risks are far more rewarding and far reaching that the risks with selfish desires attached.
3) We lose friends
Perhaps this is a half truth, because when we live responsibly we will find that some friends will simply walk away from us…but we will also gain friendships with deeper ties and firmer foundations. Living responsibly (as a Christian) will force us to put on godly lenses in our living and lifestyles. When we do, and we recognize the paths that God wishes us to travel on, we too will be joined by other sojourners on the journey. This comradely will impact our lives like nothing before it. The fellowship of believers is something everyone needs, and a sense of belonging will stem from these relationships.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:12-15 NIV)
Living Responsibly will impact not just our lives but the lives of those around us…so how about it? Will you allow the infection and emotions of others to effect you, or will you take the initiative to impact your world for God? The choice falls to us…no one can force us to take this bold step of faith. Live it out loud and take this great leap of faith for yourself and for others!
Philippians 4:8 (NIV) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
The door opens seemingly by itself, could it be a ghost? No, Bilbo Baggins reappears after sliding The Ring off of his finger. He has just shocked all of the Hobbits in the Shire as he vanished from sight at his birthday party. Now, placing the ring in his pocket for safe keeping he goes to his sitting room to collect his things. But Gandalf is waiting for him with questions. Finally Gandalf confronts Bilbo about the ring and, for his own sake, to give up the ring. Bilbo reacts with aggression, not a part of his normal temperament. Then he seemingly talks to himself as he strokes the golden ring in his hand; “my precious”…he whispers to it. Gandalf seems to grow taller as the room darkens as his voice booms in the small hobbit home, “Bilbo Baggins, do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks…I am not trying to rob you, I am trying to help you!”
The scene is epic within the story spun by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Lord of the Rings”. Gandalf is having an intervention of sorts for Bilbo. The Ring, can and will impose its will on those who possess it…they may at first believe they control it but soon enough it will control them. Bilbo Baggins’ mood change is evidence of this as Gandalf tries to reason with him. He bares his teeth and snarls like an animal…he is possessed by what he possesses within his hand. Bilbo needs help, he needs someone stronger than himself to find the strength to relinquish that which he is now a slave to.
Isn’t that a great picture of what sin does to us? We begin by dabbling, believing we are in control. But we quickly realize that we don’t possess sin, sin possesses us. We hold it in our hands, in our lives and we lack the strength to relinquish control because we are slaves to it. “Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36 NIV) We need a source of freedom. We need a spiritual intervention, one who has resisted life’s temptations and has paid the price of our redemption: Christ himself! Jesus, the Son of God, comes to us and says give it to me! Give me your burdens, your sins, your enslavement. Without His help we snarl and wail like animals lost within their own entanglements.
“I have come that you might have LIFE, and have it abundantly!” -Jesus (John 10:10)
What are you holding onto that you have yet to relinquish to the Lord? Don’t be a slave to what you possess any longer! Do not let the trappings of sin keep you from experiencing freedom and abundant life! When we allow the Lord to take from us our sin and shame, we WILL be free! So let go of it! Don’t allow it to poison your life any longer! You have One who cares and loves you and He wants to give you His strength and support. Let Him help…the shackles of sin can be released immediately with His strength on your side!
Pastor's Ponderings 