For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.
This is Paul in Galations. He is speaking about himself. Somehow law was blocking His serving of God. In some ways law blocks all of us on this planet from serving God.
How many times have you mentioned Christ to someone and their first reaction is to tell you that they are good, they have tried hard etc.
How many times have you felt guilty toward god or unworthy as you look at your own life and compare it to what it "should" be.
The kicker is the law is a good thing. That's what is so seductive about it. It mirrors what a spirtually actualized human should look like. Its a picture of human nature as God intended..not murdering, gossiping, overeating yada yada yada.
But law as a way of being in relationship with God is darnright destructive and is the ultimate temptation. Why is it the ultimate temptation? Because we think if we get it right (doing good) we will be able to control our God. We will be wise in our own eyes..knowing good from evil....(said the snake to Adam and Eve).
So what does Paul mean "he died to the law"..? How do we die to the law so we might serve God in Spirit? Well paul tells us over and over in His epistles that we have died with Christ. In Jesus death and ressurection..we went into the grave with Him as a race and were released from all the codes and commands and precepts that have always dogged us. The whole human race was then raised with him as a new creation. We now live by spirit not flesh and law. We live in a relationship of absolute trust that the relationship is unbreakable.
What the heck does that mean? It means there is now for ever more no condemannation forever of us (Romans 8:1) with no strings attached. So we live freely for God..not condemned for our faults..not trying to be good and win favor. We live with our REAL life in Christ hidden from us and we walk faith.
As I read this post I still think how would anybody really understand this..and would anybody really care? Nobody is really interested in this stuff death and resurrection stuff.
Well all I can say is this: God has given the entire planet a day off work..with pay, with no strings attached. This day is eternal and nothing ..nothing can screw it up. God has sworn by Himself (no one higher to swear by)..that he is not taking back his blanket pardon. He invites us all to His party (my blog picture is at a party..my favorite thing) for free and for nuthin!
Most of us are like the elder brother on the porch after the Father throws the whoring, drinking,inheritance squandering prodigal son a party. We are too stupid to just drop all our protests and just come in to the party and have a drink on God. There must be a string attached. There is a string. You give up all your pretences of being either a good boy or a bad boy..and you walk in increduosly. A butler brings you a drink and tells you this party goes on forever..look there is your great grandmother dancing with Abraham Lincoln!
I think what holds Christians back from enjoying the party is that we still live in these dying sin infested decaying bodies. Yes we are a new creation (says Paul)..eternal beings saved and clothed in Christ. However we look and often act like the same old Scotts, Betty's and Harrys we always were. We feel lust and anger and jealousy and fear and greed and we often act on these impulses. We are in an in between state. We are saved and raised..sitting with Christ in the heavenly places..but sin and death is alive in our lives, yet the party rages on. What I do is stay at the party no matter what. I accept my place at the party table because he said I belong and invited me in. I enjoy this party..despite my sins, my fears, my unworthiness etc.
The unforgiveable sin is to not accept the invitation..to shrink back and say surely there is a catch or a price too high to pay. Well there is a price too high to pay to get a seat at this hilarious banquet. Jesus paid that price in His death. His sacrifice has been made and you are in! So don't spurn the Spirit... A nice fella invites you to a party with the best caviar, cabernet wine and the Beatles in concert. Don't say you don't deserve it, your busy, you have to go and get ready (the number one excuse)..just walk in. Sure its crazy..surely someone will say "what are you doing here?" But remember if God is for you..who can be against you? He who did not spare his only son..will he not with him give you all things?
Lets have a drink.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
More from Scott Maxwell on our love affair with law.
A Nation ruled by Law
Christians believe with the high sincerity that God, rules by Law. After all that word is scattered throughout the OT and NT, and on the lips of Moses to Jesus. We are sure that God is a God of Law-- and we employ words like Justice and Judge when talking about God, just to underscore that God is truly behind all Law and Justice.
America, derived it’s system of Government by in large from Europe-- Britain and France. And we can track the ‘representative forms’ back to the Roman Republic. The Romans started out as a Republic, run by the people and for the people. It was also a government based upon ‘law’.
If one wishes we can easily posit a claim that all government is to be run by Law, for the good of all. And then make the case that God is behind all good lawful governments. After all, God gave Moses the Laws with which to govern the new nation of Israel, upon the Exodus.
However, after over 1000 years of Mosaic law, Jesus was born. Interestingly, he talked about God’s Kingdom not in terms of being run by Law but by Spirit. The Spirit which exudes compassion, grace and serves the least. It was to be a vast New way of living with people. Barriers of nationality, religious sects, races, classes, and lifestyles were broken down and replaced with a vision of God’s love for all. It was not based upon Law or Justice as we in the Western world are oriented and focused. It was based upon the full acceptance of all people thru the Divine declaration (judgment) of forgiveness and inclusion. Jesus seemed very free with ‘forgiveness’, he hardly asked individuals to repent or make promises to live better in the future-- (woman at the well, Zachheus, thief on the cross, etc.) The only person he said a peep to about making a change was the woman caught in adultery who was about to be stoned to death-- Jesus, out of concern for a future stoning... advised her to knock off the bed sharing).
When Jesus judged-- it was always a judgment of ‘favor’ and not ‘condemnation’. It was always a judgment of ‘forgiveness’. Those who did not want either ‘favor’ (grace) or ‘forgiveness’, were allowed to stay in their own soup of disfavor and unforgiveness.
Justice, according to the Hebrew mind, is not ‘distributive’ but it’s relational. When God acts in justice/righteousness, it is always on behalf of the oppressed and needy. God is the Judge who is unjust-- He cares about the broken and the sinners. God is not fair and square--but He is Merciful and Kind.
Jesus, the Son of the Living God, went about doing ‘righteousness/justice’-- when He forgave sins, healed the sick, cast out evil spirits, fed the crowds and raised the dead. When Jesus was raised from the dead on the 3rd day, that was an act of God’s judgment-- declaring let my people go free. Free them from deaths tyranny. Free them from fear. Free them to live New in Spirit.
Christianity began as a great movement of living in the Spirit of the living God.
But soon-- it was pulled back and reigned in to be a bland pale system run by ‘law and written books and codes’. Note how many Christians say, “My Bible says... The Bible says.” And they pick a passage to justify their stand, and miss the Spirit completely.
Christianity has been used by the framers of the American experiment-- to bolster the claim to be a country under God and Law. We are indeed a country ruled by Law. We send lawyers to represent us in government. They in turn make up more laws just to be doing something while getting paid. They squabble over how to interpret laws and find loopholes when needed to advance the cause of certain interest groups or corporations. The United States is a country sunk deep in the muck of law, and has lost the Spirit to really love and serve others as Jesus did.
We have Immigration laws to keep people out of the country-- contrary to Christ’s Spirit, which seeks and finds ways to help and serve those in need.
We have laws to justify wars-- contrary to the Spirit of Jesus, who called all to be ‘peacemakers’ and named those who are as ‘children of God’.
All the cries for more laws and more regulations-- is because we have no desire to live by the Spirit of Jesus.
The Oil Spill in the Gulf would most likely not have occurred if folks had been allowing the Spirit of Jesus to guide the decision making. First, considerations for the environment would have been highly ranked. Then thoughtfulness for those who make a living on the Gulf would have been of primary value. Finally, all who worked on the drill would have not cut corners but done all they could to ensure safety as they would serving out of Spirit, and doing all the labor out of God’s love for all creatures. It would have been a drill with all precautions and all good care-- not to gain more money for stockholders as driving force, but to honor people and environment and thereby show respect to all God’s creatures. If done in the Spirit-- love for others would be preeminent.
The war in Iraq, would not have been entered had we been living by the Spirit. Jesus made it clear that ‘eye for an eye’ was not God’s way, rather to love the enemy is.
It’s much harder to find ways to serve and help those who seek to harm us. But, war never improves a thing. Serving others in the long run is the best and reflects living in the Spirit.
The Banking crisis too could have easily been averted had we been living by the Spirit.
Instead, we are a country run by Law. Laws are crafted to avert future abuses but again there are always loopholes for the greedy and self serving.
Law may sound like a great way to run the world but God runs the world by Spirit, and the Spirit bears the fruit of: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control.
No law can produce that kind of fruit!
Christians believe with the high sincerity that God, rules by Law. After all that word is scattered throughout the OT and NT, and on the lips of Moses to Jesus. We are sure that God is a God of Law-- and we employ words like Justice and Judge when talking about God, just to underscore that God is truly behind all Law and Justice.
America, derived it’s system of Government by in large from Europe-- Britain and France. And we can track the ‘representative forms’ back to the Roman Republic. The Romans started out as a Republic, run by the people and for the people. It was also a government based upon ‘law’.
If one wishes we can easily posit a claim that all government is to be run by Law, for the good of all. And then make the case that God is behind all good lawful governments. After all, God gave Moses the Laws with which to govern the new nation of Israel, upon the Exodus.
However, after over 1000 years of Mosaic law, Jesus was born. Interestingly, he talked about God’s Kingdom not in terms of being run by Law but by Spirit. The Spirit which exudes compassion, grace and serves the least. It was to be a vast New way of living with people. Barriers of nationality, religious sects, races, classes, and lifestyles were broken down and replaced with a vision of God’s love for all. It was not based upon Law or Justice as we in the Western world are oriented and focused. It was based upon the full acceptance of all people thru the Divine declaration (judgment) of forgiveness and inclusion. Jesus seemed very free with ‘forgiveness’, he hardly asked individuals to repent or make promises to live better in the future-- (woman at the well, Zachheus, thief on the cross, etc.) The only person he said a peep to about making a change was the woman caught in adultery who was about to be stoned to death-- Jesus, out of concern for a future stoning... advised her to knock off the bed sharing).
When Jesus judged-- it was always a judgment of ‘favor’ and not ‘condemnation’. It was always a judgment of ‘forgiveness’. Those who did not want either ‘favor’ (grace) or ‘forgiveness’, were allowed to stay in their own soup of disfavor and unforgiveness.
Justice, according to the Hebrew mind, is not ‘distributive’ but it’s relational. When God acts in justice/righteousness, it is always on behalf of the oppressed and needy. God is the Judge who is unjust-- He cares about the broken and the sinners. God is not fair and square--but He is Merciful and Kind.
Jesus, the Son of the Living God, went about doing ‘righteousness/justice’-- when He forgave sins, healed the sick, cast out evil spirits, fed the crowds and raised the dead. When Jesus was raised from the dead on the 3rd day, that was an act of God’s judgment-- declaring let my people go free. Free them from deaths tyranny. Free them from fear. Free them to live New in Spirit.
Christianity began as a great movement of living in the Spirit of the living God.
But soon-- it was pulled back and reigned in to be a bland pale system run by ‘law and written books and codes’. Note how many Christians say, “My Bible says... The Bible says.” And they pick a passage to justify their stand, and miss the Spirit completely.
Christianity has been used by the framers of the American experiment-- to bolster the claim to be a country under God and Law. We are indeed a country ruled by Law. We send lawyers to represent us in government. They in turn make up more laws just to be doing something while getting paid. They squabble over how to interpret laws and find loopholes when needed to advance the cause of certain interest groups or corporations. The United States is a country sunk deep in the muck of law, and has lost the Spirit to really love and serve others as Jesus did.
We have Immigration laws to keep people out of the country-- contrary to Christ’s Spirit, which seeks and finds ways to help and serve those in need.
We have laws to justify wars-- contrary to the Spirit of Jesus, who called all to be ‘peacemakers’ and named those who are as ‘children of God’.
All the cries for more laws and more regulations-- is because we have no desire to live by the Spirit of Jesus.
The Oil Spill in the Gulf would most likely not have occurred if folks had been allowing the Spirit of Jesus to guide the decision making. First, considerations for the environment would have been highly ranked. Then thoughtfulness for those who make a living on the Gulf would have been of primary value. Finally, all who worked on the drill would have not cut corners but done all they could to ensure safety as they would serving out of Spirit, and doing all the labor out of God’s love for all creatures. It would have been a drill with all precautions and all good care-- not to gain more money for stockholders as driving force, but to honor people and environment and thereby show respect to all God’s creatures. If done in the Spirit-- love for others would be preeminent.
The war in Iraq, would not have been entered had we been living by the Spirit. Jesus made it clear that ‘eye for an eye’ was not God’s way, rather to love the enemy is.
It’s much harder to find ways to serve and help those who seek to harm us. But, war never improves a thing. Serving others in the long run is the best and reflects living in the Spirit.
The Banking crisis too could have easily been averted had we been living by the Spirit.
Instead, we are a country run by Law. Laws are crafted to avert future abuses but again there are always loopholes for the greedy and self serving.
Law may sound like a great way to run the world but God runs the world by Spirit, and the Spirit bears the fruit of: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control.
No law can produce that kind of fruit!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
How did good new become bad news
This is a response from my friend Scott Maxwell to my question how did good the news of liberty in the gospel become bad news of do's and don'ts.
See below:How did this news become bad news? Is it because it makes no sense and does not fit our standards of justice?
"It's the Bible words and translators I blame for much of todays misunderstandings.
The word for Law in the NT-- is used in various ways by Paul and Jesus, but the nuances are totally
missed by the translators. Look at my examples:
The Law (always translated in NT using one and the same greek word: nomos, which simply means 'law'--- Hebrew word is Torah: referred to Jewish Scriptures including the writings of Moses, Psalms and the Prophets.
Sometimes the NT uses it referring to the 5 Books attributed to Moses, the Penteteuch. Sometimes it was specific to the Mosaic Codes of Conduct - especially the 10 Commandments.
Sometimes Torah-- was used to signify the Psalms
Matthew 5:16-8
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
The Law/torah refers to the Narratives found from Genesis thru Dt.... Jesus is the One promised and He is actually the central theme of Moses. Jesus is the content of those narratives.... He even
says so:
John 5:39, 46-- You diligently study the Scriptures/Torah because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me...
46If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.
POINT: Jesus didn’t fulfill the 10 commandments... He fulfilled the Covenantal Promises found in the Pentetuech as our great Promise Keeper and Lord.
John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Law/Torah -- Jesus employs the word which refers to a Psalm, not a commandment---
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods' ? (he quotes Psalm 82:6) John 10:34
John 15:25
But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' Jesus quotes Psalm 35:19; 69:4
So the whole business of Law is royally gone awry as Christians bend over backwards to show that Jesus had to fulfill the 10 C's in order for God to accept us. How stupid. God accepts us by grace not by some fellow having to 'stand in' and obey some Laws. As if God is the servant of Law.
Paul tries to make it clear that the Law/torah: the commands and ceremonial edicts and everything written in the Torah is no longer relevant to us who have faith in Jesus--- please note his arguments: Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:21-29
So, we have Bible translators and then a whole slew of Bible teachers/professors/preachers, going bananas over their infatuation with law (as understood in the western world: commands/demands) and subsequently the Hebrew word for being in a 'right/acceptable relationship' (Tsadaq), which is translated in Greek as 'diakaisune' -- in the Greek it had two emphasis-- a legal one and a relational one...loses it's relational definition. The Jewish word tsadaq was a relational word, not a judicial/legal one. However, the Roman world loved and lived by legality and law courts -- jurisprudence.... and sadly, the writers looking for a Greek word to translate the Hebrew word 'tsadaq'... had a word which did have a secondary meaning of relationship and they grabbed that word 'diakaisune' in a effort to capture the Hebrew meaning. It failed. The Legal understanding of the word has carried great weight by Translators of the NT. Sometimes, they go back and forth using 'righteousness and justice' to translate that word.... but either way, we have totally lost the Relational thing and completely gobbled up the Law/Legal definition.
We live in a land run on 'law and order'... we have TV shows named that, for goodness sakes. We have a military to defend our Just ways of living... and Justice itself. We send thousands off to represent us in Congress--the vast majority having been trained in Law School! Yeah! And we love it. And God loves us for having it... and damn it, we need to display those 10 C's in as many Law courts as possible. And as Sarah Pahlin says-- we need a country which is based on living according to the 10 C's. She is sure a bright woman-- I think I heard that she wears pig lipstick or something like that.
And Pentecost goes down as a complete bust. The Spirit is not given the place of being our guide and transformer... no, He needs to use the 10 C's to help us. Jesus, I guess wasn't good enough to listen to and follow.... so we go back to Moses.
So, Christianity is full of misleading ideas of God and what Jesus did--- because we've lost the Hebrew sense of Torah and
Righteousness. But Paul didn't. He did much to show righteousness as a 'faith based relationship' using the Torah's example of Abraham's faith... walking with God in a newfound friendship. "
there you have it in a short response...
scott
See below:How did this news become bad news? Is it because it makes no sense and does not fit our standards of justice?
"It's the Bible words and translators I blame for much of todays misunderstandings.
The word for Law in the NT-- is used in various ways by Paul and Jesus, but the nuances are totally
missed by the translators. Look at my examples:
The Law (always translated in NT using one and the same greek word: nomos, which simply means 'law'--- Hebrew word is Torah: referred to Jewish Scriptures including the writings of Moses, Psalms and the Prophets.
Sometimes the NT uses it referring to the 5 Books attributed to Moses, the Penteteuch. Sometimes it was specific to the Mosaic Codes of Conduct - especially the 10 Commandments.
Sometimes Torah-- was used to signify the Psalms
Matthew 5:16-8
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
The Law/torah refers to the Narratives found from Genesis thru Dt.... Jesus is the One promised and He is actually the central theme of Moses. Jesus is the content of those narratives.... He even
says so:
John 5:39, 46-- You diligently study the Scriptures/Torah because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me...
46If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.
POINT: Jesus didn’t fulfill the 10 commandments... He fulfilled the Covenantal Promises found in the Pentetuech as our great Promise Keeper and Lord.
John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Law/Torah -- Jesus employs the word which refers to a Psalm, not a commandment---
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods' ? (he quotes Psalm 82:6) John 10:34
John 15:25
But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' Jesus quotes Psalm 35:19; 69:4
So the whole business of Law is royally gone awry as Christians bend over backwards to show that Jesus had to fulfill the 10 C's in order for God to accept us. How stupid. God accepts us by grace not by some fellow having to 'stand in' and obey some Laws. As if God is the servant of Law.
Paul tries to make it clear that the Law/torah: the commands and ceremonial edicts and everything written in the Torah is no longer relevant to us who have faith in Jesus--- please note his arguments: Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:21-29
So, we have Bible translators and then a whole slew of Bible teachers/professors/preachers, going bananas over their infatuation with law (as understood in the western world: commands/demands) and subsequently the Hebrew word for being in a 'right/acceptable relationship' (Tsadaq), which is translated in Greek as 'diakaisune' -- in the Greek it had two emphasis-- a legal one and a relational one...loses it's relational definition. The Jewish word tsadaq was a relational word, not a judicial/legal one. However, the Roman world loved and lived by legality and law courts -- jurisprudence.... and sadly, the writers looking for a Greek word to translate the Hebrew word 'tsadaq'... had a word which did have a secondary meaning of relationship and they grabbed that word 'diakaisune' in a effort to capture the Hebrew meaning. It failed. The Legal understanding of the word has carried great weight by Translators of the NT. Sometimes, they go back and forth using 'righteousness and justice' to translate that word.... but either way, we have totally lost the Relational thing and completely gobbled up the Law/Legal definition.
We live in a land run on 'law and order'... we have TV shows named that, for goodness sakes. We have a military to defend our Just ways of living... and Justice itself. We send thousands off to represent us in Congress--the vast majority having been trained in Law School! Yeah! And we love it. And God loves us for having it... and damn it, we need to display those 10 C's in as many Law courts as possible. And as Sarah Pahlin says-- we need a country which is based on living according to the 10 C's. She is sure a bright woman-- I think I heard that she wears pig lipstick or something like that.
And Pentecost goes down as a complete bust. The Spirit is not given the place of being our guide and transformer... no, He needs to use the 10 C's to help us. Jesus, I guess wasn't good enough to listen to and follow.... so we go back to Moses.
So, Christianity is full of misleading ideas of God and what Jesus did--- because we've lost the Hebrew sense of Torah and
Righteousness. But Paul didn't. He did much to show righteousness as a 'faith based relationship' using the Torah's example of Abraham's faith... walking with God in a newfound friendship. "
there you have it in a short response...
scott
Monday, April 12, 2010
Comment from Scott Maxwell on Bad teaching on Forgiveness
Repentance--- what a powerful yet chilling word conveyed by many morally indignant voices as well as by many folks who use it in religious speak . In fact, it's full of spoken and unspoken expectations for someone to be contrite and promise to straighten up and get squared away.
It is deeply associated with religious overtones steeped in confessions and promises to make a change for the better, all according to our Western world that is. It's a word that has been loaded down with holy freight... 'repent or else', is most often how we decipher that language. It is a scary proposition used by many a fearmongering Christian.
We invoke tha word over the morally deviant as a condition upon which we will give them any respect. We want the Ponzi schemers, Wallstreet connivers, sports figures who sleep with too many woman or gamble on dog fighting, etc.-- to 'repent' in order to return them to some social acceptance.
We apply the same condition on matters of God too. Of course-- we can look back to some Jonah, and the story of Nineveh for handing down that sort of viewpoint. Question: do we let Jonah speak louder or more authoritative than Jesus? Many ill informed Christians do. Christians ignore the voice from Heaven declaring over Jesus, "This is My Son, listen to Him." Christians simply place all the godly biblical characters on the same plain... giving all equal voice. In doing so, Jesus is reduced to just one of many voices in the Bible, and from God.
What matters to many Christians is what the Bible says to us, rather than Jesus, the Word made flesh--- think of how many times well known and unknown teachers and Christian leaders say, "The Bible says---". And Jesus is left in the dust in preference to say Daniel when interpreting the last days... or Jesus is ignored when talking about the 10 Commandments (truly, Jesus gives us the present truth on them when He declares, "You have heard it said but I say unto you..." and Jesus obliterates the Mosaic injunctions, however Christians still love to insist that the 10 Commandments are binding on all.)
So, let's allow Jesus to interpret for us what Repentance is-- after all, He is the Truth and clearest Voice/Word of our Father to us. What did Jesus demand of the thief on the Cross in order to obtain Paradise? Nothing. The guy simply asked Jesus to remember him-- and Jesus said, "Sure thing." That was a sterling example of repentance. It had nothing to do with feeling bad or bad enough. It wasn't framed in the Thief making a promise to change (that guy had no good days behind him or any ahead-- all he could do was trust in Jesus). That thief did not say some 'sinners prayer'. It was a request that Jesus remember him, too. That's repentance. Trust in Mercy from Jesus-- is it. The guy trusted in Jesus or hoped in Jesus is the better way of framing this.
Of course we can look at all the cases in which Jesus healed the sick or fed the thousands-- please, go and search those references and take out your best magnifying glass to find a speck of what we fondly call 'repentance'... in order for Jesus to heal, or feed them.
Think of that dead man Lazarus, how did he repent in order to be raised? He didn't. He was dead. Jesus just called out Laz's name... and Laz responded to the Voice that speaks life.
Now, for my money-- responding to the Voice of Life is repentance.... for it is hearing and trusting that Voice. It is not pledging to be better or kinder or saying I'm so sorry and wallowing in remorse--- it's trusting in a Good and Happy Word (Jesus). This Jesus, who has drawn all people into His death and Resurrection--- and repentance is simply trusting in that. It's trusting in a Life not our own to make us fit for Heaven.... It's trusting not in our act of religious piety of 'forgive me.... forgive me... forgive me...' but in Jesus last words on the cross--- "Father forgive them".
He does the forgiving before we even ask. He does the raising of us while we are 'dead in sins'. He does it all for us. All we can do is put our meager little mustard seed of faith in the great and kind Promise Keeper.
So, let's put away this childish form of religiosity called 'repentance', for the Western world has imbibed it until we are totally drunk with it. We talk silliness because we are inebriated with the religion of 'repentance'. Instead, let's grow up in trust in Christ--- knowing He holds all things lovely and reconciled in His resurrection. It's a matter of trust... plus nothing.
Okay, now that we trust in Him, we also follow. Our following doesn't give us life, or make us New-- it just helps us enjoy what we have in Him
It is deeply associated with religious overtones steeped in confessions and promises to make a change for the better, all according to our Western world that is. It's a word that has been loaded down with holy freight... 'repent or else', is most often how we decipher that language. It is a scary proposition used by many a fearmongering Christian.
We invoke tha word over the morally deviant as a condition upon which we will give them any respect. We want the Ponzi schemers, Wallstreet connivers, sports figures who sleep with too many woman or gamble on dog fighting, etc.-- to 'repent' in order to return them to some social acceptance.
We apply the same condition on matters of God too. Of course-- we can look back to some Jonah, and the story of Nineveh for handing down that sort of viewpoint. Question: do we let Jonah speak louder or more authoritative than Jesus? Many ill informed Christians do. Christians ignore the voice from Heaven declaring over Jesus, "This is My Son, listen to Him." Christians simply place all the godly biblical characters on the same plain... giving all equal voice. In doing so, Jesus is reduced to just one of many voices in the Bible, and from God.
What matters to many Christians is what the Bible says to us, rather than Jesus, the Word made flesh--- think of how many times well known and unknown teachers and Christian leaders say, "The Bible says---". And Jesus is left in the dust in preference to say Daniel when interpreting the last days... or Jesus is ignored when talking about the 10 Commandments (truly, Jesus gives us the present truth on them when He declares, "You have heard it said but I say unto you..." and Jesus obliterates the Mosaic injunctions, however Christians still love to insist that the 10 Commandments are binding on all.)
So, let's allow Jesus to interpret for us what Repentance is-- after all, He is the Truth and clearest Voice/Word of our Father to us. What did Jesus demand of the thief on the Cross in order to obtain Paradise? Nothing. The guy simply asked Jesus to remember him-- and Jesus said, "Sure thing." That was a sterling example of repentance. It had nothing to do with feeling bad or bad enough. It wasn't framed in the Thief making a promise to change (that guy had no good days behind him or any ahead-- all he could do was trust in Jesus). That thief did not say some 'sinners prayer'. It was a request that Jesus remember him, too. That's repentance. Trust in Mercy from Jesus-- is it. The guy trusted in Jesus or hoped in Jesus is the better way of framing this.
Of course we can look at all the cases in which Jesus healed the sick or fed the thousands-- please, go and search those references and take out your best magnifying glass to find a speck of what we fondly call 'repentance'... in order for Jesus to heal, or feed them.
Think of that dead man Lazarus, how did he repent in order to be raised? He didn't. He was dead. Jesus just called out Laz's name... and Laz responded to the Voice that speaks life.
Now, for my money-- responding to the Voice of Life is repentance.... for it is hearing and trusting that Voice. It is not pledging to be better or kinder or saying I'm so sorry and wallowing in remorse--- it's trusting in a Good and Happy Word (Jesus). This Jesus, who has drawn all people into His death and Resurrection--- and repentance is simply trusting in that. It's trusting in a Life not our own to make us fit for Heaven.... It's trusting not in our act of religious piety of 'forgive me.... forgive me... forgive me...' but in Jesus last words on the cross--- "Father forgive them".
He does the forgiving before we even ask. He does the raising of us while we are 'dead in sins'. He does it all for us. All we can do is put our meager little mustard seed of faith in the great and kind Promise Keeper.
So, let's put away this childish form of religiosity called 'repentance', for the Western world has imbibed it until we are totally drunk with it. We talk silliness because we are inebriated with the religion of 'repentance'. Instead, let's grow up in trust in Christ--- knowing He holds all things lovely and reconciled in His resurrection. It's a matter of trust... plus nothing.
Okay, now that we trust in Him, we also follow. Our following doesn't give us life, or make us New-- it just helps us enjoy what we have in Him
Hideous teaching on forgiveness
I read the following below in a a CBN (Christian Broadcsting Network ) posting called "Pastors caught in sexual sin" (http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/churchandministry/O%27Rourke_Escape_Sexual_Sin_Consequences.aspx)
Does anybody else have a problem with this?? Okay I quote:
"Another way we are deceived is when we presume on God’s mercy and forgiveness. We yield to temptation, presuming that God will forgive us. To be deceived in such a way is very dangerous. There are two significant dangers to keep in mind concerning what I call presumptive forgiveness.
The first danger is that you will not be forgiven because you will not have truly repented. God’s forgiveness is based on true repentance (Acts 26:20). God is not mocked. To truly repent means that you sincerely admit you were wrong in yielding to sin and if you were faced with the same temptation again you would, by the grace of God, choose to turn away. "
"We are decieved when we presume on God's mercy and forgiveness??"
Has there ever been a statement more anti Gospel than this? The gospel message is that we can incredulously presume God has forgiven us because HE chose to. His choosing does not make sense..and no we don't deserve it and it is completely independant of us..independant of what we do or don't do. (Gee whiz,that almost makes Him soverign!)
No amount of worked up sorrow and mustering up more determination against sin is ever going to CAUSE God to forgive us. While we were yet sinners (still doing willfull naughty stuff, not repentant) Christ died for the Ungodly.
The tough part about the Gospel is not that we are going to have to decide to be better boys and girls and become really sincere (see Islam). The tough narrow Christian road that few find is the one where you look at yourself, still caught in your sin, and you are pretty sure you will do the same thing tomorrow...and you believe what HE says. What does He say? You are forgiven right in the very act of comitting that sin..70 x 7. You are forgiven before during and after that sin eternally because God, decided to make you OK. He decided to make you His child. He doesn't say "Ok you are forgiven, but you have to decide you wan't to be better (slippery slope)" Man I think we are decieved when we don't presume we are forgiven..as crazy as it seems to believe such a thing.
The other issue I have with the CBN article is that it assumes the human race can control its sinning. I mean comon! What"s the point of the whole gospel story old and new testament? The human race is bent and determined on sinning, has never stopped sinning and never will.
We killed the Son of God for heaven sakes when He got in our way. Oh sure Bill my neighbor can't stop eating pie (what a glutton) and I can. However I can't seem to stop criticizing my wife and abusing her verbally. Bill does not do that. Jim can't stop watching porn. His friend Larry who criticizes Him can't ever get enough beer to drink. Who are we kidding? We may get one sin issue solved but there always is something to take its place.
My favorite part of the article I will quote next as follows:
"While counseling a woman who had committed adultery, I was trying to help her work through the steps of repentance. When I explained what true repentance was, she told me frankly that if she had to do it over again, she would make the same choices. She was not truly repentant. This lack of true repentance kept the door open to temptation, and she soon fell back into that adulterous relationship."
My opinion is that she was closer to true repentance with Her statement than the author thinks! She was telling the truth about herself..her desire to cheat and sin with that man was so powerfull she would probably do it again. Thats where God can meet her..in her real true state. And when she realizes that He loves her just like that; a lost hopeless sinner..that will bring some weeping and perfume on Jesus feet.
It wasn't about her ability or willingnes to give up Her sin..it was about the fact that Jesus chose Her as his daughter eternally..whatever her behavior. He chose her when she keeps the adulterous relationship going or if she decides to quit.
PS I don't think its a good thing she continued adultery..it hurts everybody...causes all sorts of chaos. But it has zero to do with the acceptance we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..who is not an Indian Giver
Does anybody else have a problem with this?? Okay I quote:
"Another way we are deceived is when we presume on God’s mercy and forgiveness. We yield to temptation, presuming that God will forgive us. To be deceived in such a way is very dangerous. There are two significant dangers to keep in mind concerning what I call presumptive forgiveness.
The first danger is that you will not be forgiven because you will not have truly repented. God’s forgiveness is based on true repentance (Acts 26:20). God is not mocked. To truly repent means that you sincerely admit you were wrong in yielding to sin and if you were faced with the same temptation again you would, by the grace of God, choose to turn away. "
"We are decieved when we presume on God's mercy and forgiveness??"
Has there ever been a statement more anti Gospel than this? The gospel message is that we can incredulously presume God has forgiven us because HE chose to. His choosing does not make sense..and no we don't deserve it and it is completely independant of us..independant of what we do or don't do. (Gee whiz,that almost makes Him soverign!)
No amount of worked up sorrow and mustering up more determination against sin is ever going to CAUSE God to forgive us. While we were yet sinners (still doing willfull naughty stuff, not repentant) Christ died for the Ungodly.
The tough part about the Gospel is not that we are going to have to decide to be better boys and girls and become really sincere (see Islam). The tough narrow Christian road that few find is the one where you look at yourself, still caught in your sin, and you are pretty sure you will do the same thing tomorrow...and you believe what HE says. What does He say? You are forgiven right in the very act of comitting that sin..70 x 7. You are forgiven before during and after that sin eternally because God, decided to make you OK. He decided to make you His child. He doesn't say "Ok you are forgiven, but you have to decide you wan't to be better (slippery slope)" Man I think we are decieved when we don't presume we are forgiven..as crazy as it seems to believe such a thing.
The other issue I have with the CBN article is that it assumes the human race can control its sinning. I mean comon! What"s the point of the whole gospel story old and new testament? The human race is bent and determined on sinning, has never stopped sinning and never will.
We killed the Son of God for heaven sakes when He got in our way. Oh sure Bill my neighbor can't stop eating pie (what a glutton) and I can. However I can't seem to stop criticizing my wife and abusing her verbally. Bill does not do that. Jim can't stop watching porn. His friend Larry who criticizes Him can't ever get enough beer to drink. Who are we kidding? We may get one sin issue solved but there always is something to take its place.
My favorite part of the article I will quote next as follows:
"While counseling a woman who had committed adultery, I was trying to help her work through the steps of repentance. When I explained what true repentance was, she told me frankly that if she had to do it over again, she would make the same choices. She was not truly repentant. This lack of true repentance kept the door open to temptation, and she soon fell back into that adulterous relationship."
My opinion is that she was closer to true repentance with Her statement than the author thinks! She was telling the truth about herself..her desire to cheat and sin with that man was so powerfull she would probably do it again. Thats where God can meet her..in her real true state. And when she realizes that He loves her just like that; a lost hopeless sinner..that will bring some weeping and perfume on Jesus feet.
It wasn't about her ability or willingnes to give up Her sin..it was about the fact that Jesus chose Her as his daughter eternally..whatever her behavior. He chose her when she keeps the adulterous relationship going or if she decides to quit.
PS I don't think its a good thing she continued adultery..it hurts everybody...causes all sorts of chaos. But it has zero to do with the acceptance we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..who is not an Indian Giver
Saturday, February 20, 2010
This is evil?
"Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh" So this is Paul talking to the Phillipians and he describes the Circumsicion party as "evil"
So what do we normally associate with the word "evil"? We usually think of things like murder, stealing, child abuse etc. However Paul describes the guys who bugged the early Christians to get circumcised as "EVIL"....
Now I would say they were a pain in the ass or irritating or misguided; bugging the new Christians to remove their foreskins to be right with God..However the great Apostle says they are evil. Ok what's evil? Well it's the same old show that's been going on for thousands of years: do some weird difficult meaningless thing to appease a moronic God..right? Then he/she will like you and perhaps let you keep your job and keep you from getting cancer.
Today it's more like go to church, read your bible, witness, fast..join a small group, quit smoking, don't drink; you name it (ps none of these are bad things). If you get the steps right you can control this deity who must be dumber than us if He/She needs such actions to think well of us.
Well as Robert Farrar Capon has said..God has discarded all such nonsense and given everyone (yes everyone, including your selfish vindictive ex wife or husband) a free pass. He has given the whole world (including the young kid in the pickup truck, who cut you off on the freeway, almost killed your young family,and then laughed) a blanket pardon via His son Jesus Christ. Yes the whole world (Hitler,Manson,Bundy)is forgiven no questions asked because of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
I know what your going to say "Ok its a free pass initially ..but then He (God/Jesus) is going to want something from me right? Slowly he will suck my freedom from me..and all my fun if I want to stay in His favor"...Well that's evil thinking. Paul says "as you recieved Christ Jesus so walk ye in Him" . In other words its a completely unasked for free gift in the beginning and it stays that way (free) through till the end. Or Paul says "He (God) is the same today yesterday and tomorrow" God is not a bait and switch condo saleman..He offers an absolutley staggering free gift..FREE ACCEPTANCE: NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO OR DON'T DO after you accept it.
There I said it.!!.Sin doesn't matter. Don't let the door slam too loudly on the way out, because I know I have lost you now. I am going to say it again..sin doesn't matter.As Paul says in Hebrews"He has by one offering perfected us forever" (my translation).
Now sin can get you in trouble, end your marriage, ruin your health or put you in jail or you might just get away with it (most do). But sin has absolutely no bearing on your relationship with God. God knew we would screw up our relationship with Him (with our constant sinning, known and unknown) and he completely took it out of our hands.
Now the reason Christianity is called a narrow gate is who can walk in that freedom..?? Who can actually take God at his word that He is perfectly eternally happy with us..even if we are self centered little backstabbing you know whats. Who can look at his own life (like Abraham) as good as dead (sinfullness) and still confidently look God in the eye without shame?
In His/God's absurd world he has rewarded us a full days wages when we didn't even show up for work. Many are called to this ..but few will drop their worldly earning based defiant logic and accept a gift they will never on their best day deserve. Jesus grew very weary trying to get people off this you get what you deserve mentality..in fact when he stood these rules on their head..He made the religious authorities so nuts they killed Him.
Paul warned that there will always will be well meaning..logical sounding people out to spy out and take our freedom away in Christ. Usually they come in the form of Christians with a real supposed answer to our restless frightened hearts. Just jump through what ever prayer, belief, tithing hoops they suggest and you will know the abundant life. Let me tell you, if you never think you are measuring up or keeping up with your Christianity..you don't get the hilariously good news of the gospel. The wonder of the gospel is that it tells us of a God who looks at us on our worst day, face down in the toilet and late for work and says we are perfect; and just for fun he put an extra 8 hours plus overtime on our timecard!
We all think we are maybe ok when we get back from the Ronald McDonald house volunteering after church...but God says the drunk in the toilet is on the same plane. Now that's just not right...but WHO is the boss and WHO gets to say how it works..you or God?
Before you get the wrong idea; I am not saying you should go light the town on fire and steal from the poor and waltz on with God..(its possible). But I am saying you cannot go too far in divorcing your behavior from your relationship with God..it's just not a factor.
What is a factor however, is accepting His strange word about your self..while you are still a sinner. He says you are perfect and beloved..blameless (trust me I have 40 verses that say this) right now, while your head is in the toilet.(maybe I have fallen too much in love with that toilet metaphor). That is walking by faith and if you must try to please Him..thats how you do it..(for without faith (says Paul) it's impossible to please Him.
So what do we normally associate with the word "evil"? We usually think of things like murder, stealing, child abuse etc. However Paul describes the guys who bugged the early Christians to get circumcised as "EVIL"....
Now I would say they were a pain in the ass or irritating or misguided; bugging the new Christians to remove their foreskins to be right with God..However the great Apostle says they are evil. Ok what's evil? Well it's the same old show that's been going on for thousands of years: do some weird difficult meaningless thing to appease a moronic God..right? Then he/she will like you and perhaps let you keep your job and keep you from getting cancer.
Today it's more like go to church, read your bible, witness, fast..join a small group, quit smoking, don't drink; you name it (ps none of these are bad things). If you get the steps right you can control this deity who must be dumber than us if He/She needs such actions to think well of us.
Well as Robert Farrar Capon has said..God has discarded all such nonsense and given everyone (yes everyone, including your selfish vindictive ex wife or husband) a free pass. He has given the whole world (including the young kid in the pickup truck, who cut you off on the freeway, almost killed your young family,and then laughed) a blanket pardon via His son Jesus Christ. Yes the whole world (Hitler,Manson,Bundy)is forgiven no questions asked because of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
I know what your going to say "Ok its a free pass initially ..but then He (God/Jesus) is going to want something from me right? Slowly he will suck my freedom from me..and all my fun if I want to stay in His favor"...Well that's evil thinking. Paul says "as you recieved Christ Jesus so walk ye in Him" . In other words its a completely unasked for free gift in the beginning and it stays that way (free) through till the end. Or Paul says "He (God) is the same today yesterday and tomorrow" God is not a bait and switch condo saleman..He offers an absolutley staggering free gift..FREE ACCEPTANCE: NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO OR DON'T DO after you accept it.
There I said it.!!.Sin doesn't matter. Don't let the door slam too loudly on the way out, because I know I have lost you now. I am going to say it again..sin doesn't matter.As Paul says in Hebrews"He has by one offering perfected us forever" (my translation).
Now sin can get you in trouble, end your marriage, ruin your health or put you in jail or you might just get away with it (most do). But sin has absolutely no bearing on your relationship with God. God knew we would screw up our relationship with Him (with our constant sinning, known and unknown) and he completely took it out of our hands.
Now the reason Christianity is called a narrow gate is who can walk in that freedom..?? Who can actually take God at his word that He is perfectly eternally happy with us..even if we are self centered little backstabbing you know whats. Who can look at his own life (like Abraham) as good as dead (sinfullness) and still confidently look God in the eye without shame?
In His/God's absurd world he has rewarded us a full days wages when we didn't even show up for work. Many are called to this ..but few will drop their worldly earning based defiant logic and accept a gift they will never on their best day deserve. Jesus grew very weary trying to get people off this you get what you deserve mentality..in fact when he stood these rules on their head..He made the religious authorities so nuts they killed Him.
Paul warned that there will always will be well meaning..logical sounding people out to spy out and take our freedom away in Christ. Usually they come in the form of Christians with a real supposed answer to our restless frightened hearts. Just jump through what ever prayer, belief, tithing hoops they suggest and you will know the abundant life. Let me tell you, if you never think you are measuring up or keeping up with your Christianity..you don't get the hilariously good news of the gospel. The wonder of the gospel is that it tells us of a God who looks at us on our worst day, face down in the toilet and late for work and says we are perfect; and just for fun he put an extra 8 hours plus overtime on our timecard!
We all think we are maybe ok when we get back from the Ronald McDonald house volunteering after church...but God says the drunk in the toilet is on the same plane. Now that's just not right...but WHO is the boss and WHO gets to say how it works..you or God?
Before you get the wrong idea; I am not saying you should go light the town on fire and steal from the poor and waltz on with God..(its possible). But I am saying you cannot go too far in divorcing your behavior from your relationship with God..it's just not a factor.
What is a factor however, is accepting His strange word about your self..while you are still a sinner. He says you are perfect and beloved..blameless (trust me I have 40 verses that say this) right now, while your head is in the toilet.(maybe I have fallen too much in love with that toilet metaphor). That is walking by faith and if you must try to please Him..thats how you do it..(for without faith (says Paul) it's impossible to please Him.
John The Baptist while watching Vikes (lose)
Matthew 11:11 "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. "
So Jesus says that the the least believer is greater than the infamous ascetic, John The Baptist. Remember Juhn never never drank, fornicated, knew luxury or comfort..but simply preached the gospel, and lived in the wilderness.
Think of it...this great ascetic..wouldn't you think that John the Baptist would be right down God's alley? A non partying, non marrying, non stop God guy. He was hard to be around, always yelling at you to repent etc. Yet again, Jesus says the least Christian believer is greater than John. The most decadent lazy "believer" is greater than John the Baptist!
Why? Because the most decadent lazy believer has nothing to offer God accept faith in Gods gracefull acceptance in Christ.
WHAT COUNTS IN THE KINGDOM? FAITH..THATS IT. Whatever else you bring to the table is tainted and not usefull. As Robert Farrar Capon says.."HE Jesus) CAME TO RAISE THE DEAD, NOT IMPROVE THE IMPROVABLE."
God wants his Son and the relationship he shares with his Son and thats it. We are given, as a gift, entryway into that relationship..yes given that relationship. We don't take it by force: Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it" However Jesus is saying that's not the way (force) we attain sonship.
We are given that relationship by simple faith..and what should be simple (accepting a gift) is nearly impossible for us humans (the gate is narrow). It's difficult because this wisdom from above is completely foreign to our dog eat dog, take what you want by violence, self discipline, reward merit mentality.
Nothing in the world works this way(the faith way). We are promoted at work by politics or achievment. We are rewarded by society for our looks and or our brains. But in the Kingdom we are given a gift when we have nothing but nothing to offer.."while we were yet sinners"....He died for us. "While we were dead in our trespasses" He raised us..says Paul in Ephesians.
So Jesus ushers in a new kingdom in a very unlikely way. First of all he is not a heroic dynamo..but a simple man from a small town in a small country. He doesn't do much..a few miracles.and some profound teaching. His followers are few and he is killed as a common criminal by the corrupt judicial system (happens in 3rd world countries all the time). He rises from the dead (now that is remarkable), but there is no real proof..no film and no pictures...just some eyewitness accounts which many discredit. I believe those accounts of course..but I can't see feel or taste that history....
Then the kingdom he fosters in is strange and invisible. His spokesman tell us that the solutions to all our sin, death and family, health and relationship problems are solved in this new resurrected life we have right now! Huh?..Huh? Right now?.
Well I have seen some changes in my life as a Christian. Most christians notice changes in their life. But those who live with me and the millions of other Christians would say we are not all that different. We still sulk, get jealous, cheat on our spouses, our taxes..some more and some less. We have good days and bad days..some are mother Theresas, some are scoundrels and most of us Christians are somewhere in between.
We all die (Now Jesus said He who believes in Him would never see death). So what is this great promise of new life and what does it mean? Jesus and Paul state we are new, healed, resurrected, justified, reconciled, loved and forgiven right this very minute. And all this is ours without us lifting a finger.
Some of us are at the bar..head in our plate, some are in church prayin, some of us are fighting with our spouses or friends..and each and every one of is resurrected and loved right now (free for nothin, by His doing) and as Paul says 'perfected forever"
What are we to say to such a Thing..should we get our shit together..(HA!)? How about for once we just enter His rest gratefully. We stop looking for improvment in ourselves and others and accept his acceptance.
I will say this (if you insist on self improvment to be worthy of such a gift): just like I love tennis and spend an inordinate amount of time on it; this strange love and message..which fully accepts me and the world as we really are, becomes pretty interesting and compelling as you accept it..He really is attractive and beyond compare. There is nothing like our Creator who thought of you before you were you. You might just take a shine to Him.
So Jesus says that the the least believer is greater than the infamous ascetic, John The Baptist. Remember Juhn never never drank, fornicated, knew luxury or comfort..but simply preached the gospel, and lived in the wilderness.
Think of it...this great ascetic..wouldn't you think that John the Baptist would be right down God's alley? A non partying, non marrying, non stop God guy. He was hard to be around, always yelling at you to repent etc. Yet again, Jesus says the least Christian believer is greater than John. The most decadent lazy "believer" is greater than John the Baptist!
Why? Because the most decadent lazy believer has nothing to offer God accept faith in Gods gracefull acceptance in Christ.
WHAT COUNTS IN THE KINGDOM? FAITH..THATS IT. Whatever else you bring to the table is tainted and not usefull. As Robert Farrar Capon says.."HE Jesus) CAME TO RAISE THE DEAD, NOT IMPROVE THE IMPROVABLE."
God wants his Son and the relationship he shares with his Son and thats it. We are given, as a gift, entryway into that relationship..yes given that relationship. We don't take it by force: Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it" However Jesus is saying that's not the way (force) we attain sonship.
We are given that relationship by simple faith..and what should be simple (accepting a gift) is nearly impossible for us humans (the gate is narrow). It's difficult because this wisdom from above is completely foreign to our dog eat dog, take what you want by violence, self discipline, reward merit mentality.
Nothing in the world works this way(the faith way). We are promoted at work by politics or achievment. We are rewarded by society for our looks and or our brains. But in the Kingdom we are given a gift when we have nothing but nothing to offer.."while we were yet sinners"....He died for us. "While we were dead in our trespasses" He raised us..says Paul in Ephesians.
So Jesus ushers in a new kingdom in a very unlikely way. First of all he is not a heroic dynamo..but a simple man from a small town in a small country. He doesn't do much..a few miracles.and some profound teaching. His followers are few and he is killed as a common criminal by the corrupt judicial system (happens in 3rd world countries all the time). He rises from the dead (now that is remarkable), but there is no real proof..no film and no pictures...just some eyewitness accounts which many discredit. I believe those accounts of course..but I can't see feel or taste that history....
Then the kingdom he fosters in is strange and invisible. His spokesman tell us that the solutions to all our sin, death and family, health and relationship problems are solved in this new resurrected life we have right now! Huh?..Huh? Right now?.
Well I have seen some changes in my life as a Christian. Most christians notice changes in their life. But those who live with me and the millions of other Christians would say we are not all that different. We still sulk, get jealous, cheat on our spouses, our taxes..some more and some less. We have good days and bad days..some are mother Theresas, some are scoundrels and most of us Christians are somewhere in between.
We all die (Now Jesus said He who believes in Him would never see death). So what is this great promise of new life and what does it mean? Jesus and Paul state we are new, healed, resurrected, justified, reconciled, loved and forgiven right this very minute. And all this is ours without us lifting a finger.
Some of us are at the bar..head in our plate, some are in church prayin, some of us are fighting with our spouses or friends..and each and every one of is resurrected and loved right now (free for nothin, by His doing) and as Paul says 'perfected forever"
What are we to say to such a Thing..should we get our shit together..(HA!)? How about for once we just enter His rest gratefully. We stop looking for improvment in ourselves and others and accept his acceptance.
I will say this (if you insist on self improvment to be worthy of such a gift): just like I love tennis and spend an inordinate amount of time on it; this strange love and message..which fully accepts me and the world as we really are, becomes pretty interesting and compelling as you accept it..He really is attractive and beyond compare. There is nothing like our Creator who thought of you before you were you. You might just take a shine to Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)