Jesus

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Hopelessly Flawed?

I am hopelessly flawed.  I want to be good and have good motives, but I find my heart to be full of selfish motives, unloving and unkind.  I try not to act on these ugly inner thoughts, for I want to be good.  I try to put on the good.  People think of me as good.  Alas, I am not.  I am hopelessly flawed.  I sometimes get depressed over this lack of good in me.  I want to be nice to people.  I want to treat them like a good Christian should.  I want God to like me.

Do you identify with this inner conflict?  Paul did.  In Romans chapter 7 he expresses this same inner conflict.

21. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  22. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23. But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  24. What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  25. Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Thank you Father for your word, and thank you Paul for expressing this inner conflict so I know that I’m not alone.  Once again I am reminded that it is my FAITH that pleases God, not my puny attempts to make myself good.  In Jesus he fixed the problem that I can’t fix.  Yes, I am indeed flawed, but not hopelessly as I sometimes get lured into thinking.  There is hope not in what I can do, but in what he has done.  So, I take comfort in these words: “Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Amen!

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Relating to God

When thinking of how to relate to God, I believe he has shown us through his Son.  Jesus in teaching about prayer gave us what is known as the Lord’s Prayer (see Matthew 6:9-13).   The prayer begins with “Our Father in heaven”.  I believe that in this expression God makes it clear that he wants us to know him as Father.  Throughout the words of Jesus he refers to God as his father and our father.  There are many telling expressions that Jesus shared giving us insight into the nature of the relationship God offers us as our Father, but the one I like and personally understand the most is the parable of the lost son.

In the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32) Jesus tells the story of a son who takes his share of his father’s wealth,  leaves home, and goes to squander his money in wild living.  When the money is all gone, he finds himself destitute and working as a servant feeding pigs.  Obviously his predicament is the result of his own choices.  He chose this path against the wishes and wisdom of his father.  Not only did he go against his father’s wishes, but what he did, according to Hebrew society of the time, was to bring shame to his father.  Yet, when the son recognizes what he has done he decides to return and put himself at the mercy of his father.  I guess we can all imagine the reception he might receive from a human father.  But, the father in this story represents the heart of our Heavenly Father, and I believe it gives us an example of what to expect when relating to God as our father.

In Jesus’ parable the son is received with open arms, and the father puts on a big party to welcome him home.  This is forgiveness in its truest sense.  John reminds us in his first letter     (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  I love this parable because it describes the reception I received when I returned to God.  He didn’t condemn me, but he welcomed me back with complete forgiveness.  He is a loving and forgiving father.

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Controlling the Future

I like science fiction.  I don’t know what that says about me, but I do.  The idea of projecting where scientific discovery might take us fascinates me.  I like the adventure and the jolt to my imagination.  Fantasizing future worlds, even alien worlds, has occupies a fair portion of my personal time.

Yet the science fiction stories, where man goes back in time to reshape the future, point to the complexity of manipulating the intricate details of the progression of time.  Change one little occurrence and the entire future of man is impacted.  We can predict, but there are too many factors for us to have complete control over the outcome.

Now, imagine someone able to create a universe, create humans to live in this universe, and set the ball rolling toward a planned outcome.  To add to the complexity of the task, he gives the humans freedom of choice.  During the unfolding of his plan, he intervenes occasionally knowing exactly how this will affect the outcome.  Remember, his interventions usually involve humans who are continually deciding about their actions and reactions to their situation. 

The greatest intervention this creator makes is sending his son to live among humans with the plan to redeem them.  They need redemption because they have violated the prime directive to act in love and, within their freedom of choice, have chosen to injure their fellow humans. They have also turned their back to the creator and denied his very existence.  He accomplishes his redemption plan right on schedule and continues on to his planned outcome. 

The outcome he plans is for all those who receive his redemption to live forever in eternity with him.  Not all of his humans will accept the offer, but every one of them has the choice to receive redemption.  The only one who could put together such an elaborate and complex plan is the all-powerful, all-knowing, creator God.

Read: Genesis 1-3, Job 38 – 41, & Revelation 21 & 22

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FLAWS AND MISTAKES

As a wood worker, I have trained my eyes to see flaws.  When I write, I look for mistakes.  The need to look for flaws and mistakes seems inherent.  However, when I apply this need to my fellow man it can easily lead to judgement.  Judgement then becomes that sinful, self-centered method I use to make others less than me. This hinders my ability to love.  How can I love my brother as myself if I judge him less than me?

Sunday during a time of worship, I found myself praying, “Lord, don’t let the flaws I see in people hinder my ability to love them.”  As these words moved through my thoughts, I knew I was onto something.  I realized I was asking God to make me like him.  God loves me and all the people around me.  Since we are all sinners that fall short of the glory of God, he loves flawed mistaken people.

Today when I walk out into a world full of flawed people who make mistakes, I’ll try to remember that they are simply a reflection of my own flawed and mistaken self.  May the love God has shown to me ever flow from me to others.  I know God will answer my prayer.  The only hindrance will be my flawed and mistaken ability to receive his answer.

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NOT AS I WILL

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  (Matthew 26:39)

I have often thought that life as a believer is like a roller coaster ride.  It starts with the climb of anticipation, and then it begins.  You drop in and away you go.  It’s scary and faster than you thought, but you adjust.  You roll with the curves.  You’re living the life.  Then when the trilling part is over, you take the slow approach to the end.  I thought that I had reached the slow part.  I was winding down waiting to depart.  Alas, I was mistaken.  I’m still living on the ride.  Life is still happening at a fast pace, and I’m trying to keep up.  Perhaps this Christian life has a more abrupt end.

Once you accept salvation through Jesus, you’re on the ride with him; you have no control over where it is going, you have put your trust in him.  You can jump out, but that usually ends badly.  Jesus took the ride.  He surrendered control to the will of God.  Thus his prayer, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  He asked for a change of direction, yet he stayed the course. 

This morning, I’m not asking for a change of direction.  I’m just asking for help to stay the course.  I can’t do it without his help.  The roller coaster ride of the Christian life is impossible alone.  I need Jesus all the time.  Besides, life is always much nicer with a friend by your side.  We get an all-powerful, all-knowing friend for our ride.

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COPING SKILLS AND ETERNAL TRUTHS

Every once in a while, I’ve had enough!  When this happens and you are two, you throw a temper tantrum.  For me, being slightly older than two, I get grouchy and unpleasant to be around.  These moments come upon me at varied frequencies.  I had one of these episodes the other day.  There was too much to do, too many events and not enough time.  Oh, did I mention too little energy?  This too little energy plague seems to superimpose itself upon the lives of older people.   Unfortunately, this is now my category.  

Coping skills are something you develop as you mature.  It took me about twelve hours to remember I had them.  Fortunately, I was asleep part of that time so the damage was minor.  After my wife reminded me of a few truths I was avoiding, she went shopping, a convenient out.   Truth, God has blessed me with a beautiful and talented wife who knows how to bring me back to clear thinking.  She nailed me with these truths. First, God has blessed me with a loving family that is more important than the tasks I wish to accomplish.  Second, God is my provision, and he has always taken care of me and mine.  Simple truths are easy to forget and profoundly important to remember.  My coping skills are rooted in remembering these truths. 

There are other truths.  Heaven is my real home; I’m just a sojourner here.  I’m not really old because I’m going to live forever.  God is merciful, and his mercies are new every morning.  As I thought through the list of truths, I also remembered that Jesus doesn’t leave me alone in my difficulties.  He is always with me.

I recovered quite rapidly from my frump.  I am very thankful for my wife’s help, and I am very thankful for the eternal truths of God.  I am very blessed.  The next time the weight of life comes crashing down, I’ll have to read this blog, or my wife will remind me to read this blog.

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FIRSTBORN

I am one of eleven children.  Since I was born first, I have the position of oldest of the eleven.  For you who have explored the birth order exposés, you know what that means.  I think I’m in charge, I believe I’m important, and I am responsible.  I’ve spent the better part of my adult life trying to avoid being in charge and responsible yet inevitably winding up in charge and the responsible one.  It’s a plague!  My wife calls me a reluctant leader.  Anyway, unless you share this dubious family position, it’s hard to explain the burden and the pressure the position affords.  Sunday during our worship time at church, Jesus walked me through a progression that altered my perception and lifted the burden of this positional quandary.

As I began to worship, I raised my hands palm up to take a position of surrender.  I really wanted to maintain this position, but the weight of my arms was countering my desire.  Then I felt encouraged to turn my hands over.  I envisioned Jesus placing his hands under mine and holding up my arms.  I actually felt the weight of holding up my arms lessen.  I entered deeper into this vision experiencing the rest and wonder of it all.  Jesus then spoke to me, “You don’t have to carry the burden; I am with you. You are not the oldest; I am.”(See Romans 8:29)

From these moments with the Lord, I came away feeling lighter and relieved.  I have spent this week reciting to myself, “I’m not the firstborn!”  So this scripture that I’ve wrestled with most of my Christian walk has again proven true.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus is the firstborn!

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THE RESURRECTION

Romans 6:23  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “

Jesus is alive!  He was raised from the dead on the third day.  We celebrate Easter because everything that Jesus came for is completed with his resurrection.   From his birth, to his death on the cross, and then his resurrection, the miraculous plan of God for our redemption was accomplished.  For us we can be confident that life does not end in death because Jesus overcame death.  God raised him from the dead, and he has promised to raise us.  Eternal life is his gift to us.

I like Paul’s analogy in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 where he compares resurrection to the planting of a seed.  You put a seed in the ground and bury it.  If conditions are right, a living plant rises from the ground.  What comes up is totally different in appearance than the seed you planted, but it has new life.  When we die and are buried, our bodies as we know them are finished, but when we are resurrected, we’ll have a new body.  Unlike the old body, our new body has eternal life which is God’s gift to us.

Jesus is alive!  All that we hope for is centered on this truth.  If Jesus is not alive than what do we have?  Yet, he is alive, and our future is secured.  Praises be to God!  We are like little children standing in awe and wonder at what God has done for us.  The greatest gift has been purchased, and it is now freely given to you and me.  Oh what amazing things you have done, our holy and wonderful God, through Christ Jesus our Lord.

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THE RESTORATIVE PROPERTIES OF EASTER

I find it always happens when I’m busy.  You know.  I’m busy working to accomplish my goals focused on the cares of this world.  God begins to fade into the background as an abstract concept.  It is very easy to ignore God for a time.  Then Easter comes.  “Oh, Hi God, I’ve been busy.”  “I’m looking forward to eternity with you, but I have these things to take care of now.”  It sometimes takes me the whole of Easter week to refocus to the reality of God’s presence.

 When I’m busy, I’m full of pride and self-concern.  From this position to the humble place of kneeling at the foot of the cross is a long distance.  One of my favorite scripture for the journey is from 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So 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.”  As I contemplate these words the tasks that so occupy my thoughts begin to fade.  Though I don’t see Jesus physically walking down the street, the reality of the steps he took some two thousand years ago, and there eternal significance, loom before my mental eyes, and I’m transported to his place of sacrificial love.

As the week proceeds and I think about what Jesus did, that which I am busy about dwindles to its temporary, insignificant place in the light of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  I can finally humbly kneel at the foot of his cross, and there I’m refreshed in my relationship with the God of creation.  And oh what peace I find there.  Burdens are lifted, and priorities are clarified. 

I pray that the restorative qualities of this week of Easter celebration may find you and work an eternal transformation in your soul.  Happy Easter!

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THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES CONTINUED

Last week I wrote about how the devil schemes against us through lies.  The lies are often distortions of the truth that plant an idea in our heads.  That idea can color every aspect of our life, and hinder us from experiencing healthy relationships.  Let me give a simple example:  “The reason you are treated this way is that you are not good enough.”  The situation you are facing may easily support the lie.  If you buy into the lie, and the subsequent reinforcement from the devil’s whispers, your entire life will now be tainted by the idea that you are not good enough.

 

Of course the lie can’t be true.  You exist therefore God planned for you to exist, and Jesus died on the cross for you.  You are good enough!  But if you believe you are not good enough, it is hard to change your mind.  The devil is winning in your life.  The damage has been done, and you need healing.  Only Jesus can heal this distortion and bring you to new life.  Only Jesus restores our souls.

In the armor analogy found in Ephesians chapter 6, the only offensive part is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.  The word of God tells us that God loves us.  Use this fact against the lies of the enemy.  Trust in God, and the shield of faith will extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Once you receive healing from Jesus put on the “Full Armor of God”.