the conversations we can't have, part II...

So, a couple of posts ago I mentioned the fact that, from a cultural standpoint, Christians can't really stand up and present the Jesus of the Bible without the potential of being ostracized and blasted for being intolerant or bigots or whatever. We can talk about Jesus as a loving, kind, "friend of sinners", but not as the one who challenged people to "repent for the kingdom of God is near".

Last night, I watched a popular television show that illustrated this point perfectly. During the show (I'll let you guess which one) a character's father was trying to approach her about a given topic by using Scripture to demonstrate the nature of sin, and she proceeded to fire back with the words of Jesus in order to defend herself. In the end, the father was eating crow and the daughter felt vindicated.

There are a couple of points to be made. First, the words of Jesus quoted in Scripture do not in any way contradict or diminish the other words of Scripture. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV (emphasis mine). In Matthew 5 (portions of which were used in the aforementioned television show) Jesus himself said, “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. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-20, ESV. So, to quote Jesus incorrectly is to misunderstand the entirety of the Bible. Jesus did preach a gospel of grace and forgiveness, but he also preached in equal measure a gospel of justice and repentance.

Second, the quickest and most effective way to justify sin to yourself (by that I mean make yourself feel better about doing what is in itself wrong) is by looking to Scripture to back yourself up. Satan, in fact, will try to use the Bible to tempt us. In Matthew 4, Satan quotes Psalm 91 to try to get Jesus to obey him. I think it's important that we understand that merely quoting the Bible doesn't put you in the right, and one passage taken out of context can be used more to trip you up than to help.

Last thing, Jesus was a friend of sinners, but he was never a friend of their sin. A lot of times people who don't want to be held accountable for their actions will quote Jesus' words to the accusers of the prostitute in John 8, where he says, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." They'll make the argument that Jesus didn't want us to judge sin so neither should we. But they forget what Jesus says to the woman at the very end of the passage, "Go and from now on sin no more." Or some translations say "Leave your life of sin." Jesus was not a friend of sin, and as I read recently, "We need Jesus because he called sin sin and chased it to the cross to pay for it and take the damning curse from those who trust in him."

bloom where you are planted...

Recently, Jules and I have taken a particular interest in getting flowers to grow along the path that leads to our front door. And after a couple of attempts and some pretty solid rain here in Central Florida we have this nice border of purple flowers. They are healthy and thriving, which is pretty nice I have to admit.

Not too far in our bush/flower bed we have a conglomeration of flower types and colors. Now, I know as little as any person about types of flowers, but one type that we have is the marigold. They grow fairly easily and they have this cute (yes, I said cute) little yellow flower that buds. We have planted probably a half dozen marigolds in the flower bed, and every once in a while we pluck the dead/dying buds and throw them in our yard. Well, apparently, and I did not know this... the planted buds can actually grow a new flower plant. So, one of these buds that we thought was dying and tossed - ended up in our row of purple flowers and began to grow an entirely new plant. We didn't do anything to help this little guy grow, in fact, we hadn't intended for it to be planted at all, and yet there he was. (For some reason I have decided this marigold is a guy...)

I started to think about how so many of us are so unhappy with the state of our lives. In fact, it seems like one of the defining characteristics of society is to complain about where we are and what we do and even who we become. We blame people and situations for everything. People blame parents, the government, global warming, traffic.

But, I have heard a saying that goes, "Bloom where you are planted."

You know there's something to be said for that. The fact is God controls every aspect of our lives. Where we were born, who our parents are, where we were raised, and he puts us exactly where he wants for a reason. Now, we may have no idea what that reason is, and a lot of times that reason isn't even remotely clear to us. And sometimes even when it is we choose to try to ignore it.

The Bible is full of people that chose to "bloom" where they were planted. David, Moses, Abraham, Ruth, Nehemiah, Joseph, Job. They all followed the situations God gave them and did (with some exceptions) the best they could to be faithful to his purpose... even when they weren't sure what that purpose was.

Jonah... on the other hand... did his best to avoid the situation God was calling him to. And one of the things I remember in my Hebrew study of Jonah was that his name meant "dove," which was a symbol of folly and foolishness to the Hebrews. His running from God's plan and purpose was foolish, and ultimately flawed because there is no running from God. Even when he was forced to submit and do what the Lord called him to do he grumbled and complained about it. God called him to prophesy judgment on Ninevah, and when they repented and turned to God, Jonah was angry that God showed mercy. How many preachers today would love to have that kind of revival and see God work in that way? Yet, Jonah was not.

There are some people who will always shake their fists at their circumstances. Some people will always find a reason to be angry and hate life. And others will take advantage of even the smallest of opportunities. Others will see the gifts God has given them, instead of the gifts God has not given them. As my Pastor says, some people see their lives and become bitter and others will become better.

Which one will we be?

through the valley...

A lot of my friends, family members, and people in my congregation have been going through some really difficult times lately. For some it's the death of a loved one, for others it's struggling with serious illness in their families. Some are struggling to find work, feed their kids, pay their bills. My heart has broken for all these dear people this past week, and in my prayers I do lift them up. But I'll admit that it's a constant struggle not to be angry with God on their behalf. What I notice is that in the middle of grief, and giving supplication for those dealing with grief, prayer divorced from a devotion to God's Word can leave me feeling somehow more detached and distant from the Lord.

With that I leave Psalm 23 here... it may seem to be a cliche Scripture, but the powerful message it gives us should never be considered cliche... the Lord is with us, even when we find ourselves in the darkest of valleys. I hope it helps you as it has helped me. I love you all.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. - Psalm 23, NLT