Magic or Faith

It’s amazing sometimes to think about what we Christians are truly telling each other – and ourselves. So often (too often) we say things without understanding what it is we’re saying, and this causes others (and ourselves) to believe things which simply are not true.

We don’t realize this, of course. All we know is that we’ve quoted scripture. But what was our interpretation of that verse we just quoted?

I didn’t become a Christian until my nineteenth birthday. It was early in the morning. About four o’clock. It was a very relieving experience to put my fate in God’s hands. You see, I had come to the realization that I had mucked up my life something terrible, and only God could fix it. If he would.

My first year was something of a honeymoon. All smiles and sunshine. Then I began the process of actually living a life instead of sitting back and watching.

Some of my biggest struggles have had to do with claiming the promises of God. So many people kept telling me that all I had to do was “believe”, and then it would happen. It didn’t seem right to me then and it doesn’t seem right to me now. True, God has told us things such as the following:

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:21-22 Revised Standard Version

That is a true statement, or God would not have said it.

So how do we reconcile our believing in something that does NOT happen? We believe someone will recover from an illness or injury. We are convinced of it, and act accordingly. And then they die?

We are convinced we will marry someone. And then they marry someone else? The promotion does not come our way. We lose our job. We lose our house. All in despite of what we believe. Does this refute what we just read from the Gospel of Matthew?

I think not.

I think our understanding of what Jesus told his disciples is skewed. That’s the problem. So often Jesus was frustrated with his disciples because he would tell them things and they just wouldn’t get it. I don’t think we’re any different. We don’t always get it either.

Take this verse:

I can do all things in him to strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Revised Standard Version

What does that mean for us in our daily life? What have we told ourselves it means?

We (Christians) quote this verse often. But I wonder – do we believe it? It’s easy to say we believe it. But do we? And do we understand what it’s telling us?

The problem is that we Christians too often believe in “magic” more than we believe in the power of God. We think this verse means we can suddenly do things for which we have no training or ability. That has happened, certainly. But that is not the normal course of how God operates. God uses the people and things of this world to achieve his purposes for the world. And he uses our own knowledge and abilities to achieve things in our lives.

So how is this applied in real life?

If you wish to be a great athlete, then you must train your body for athletics. If you wish to be knowledgeable about this or that, then you must study this or that to gain the knowledge. And don’t expect it to be easy. It will be just as difficult for the Christian as the non-Christian. Become a Christian does not remove us from being human.

So am I saying Christians need to do the same things as non-Christians in order to improve themselves in various areas? Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. That is what the “I can do all things” verse is telling us. Work at it, and God will help you succeed. You want to remember scripture? Read it. Often. As often as you can. This is how God has ordered things. Sowing and reaping. God will help ALL of us in what we do. How? By giving us the ability in the first place when he created us. This is actually true whether we are Christians or not. Don’t believe me? Read this:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of you Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45 Revised Standard Version

He created us all the same. What works for one works for the other.

So what is the difference between Christians and non-Christians? What is the advantage in being a Christian?

The Holy Spirit.

Christians have the Holy Spirit in their hearts. They have forgiveness from God. When things get tough and the temptation is there to quit, we have the Holy Spirit to remind us that God is with us.

Don’t discount forgiveness. Without it, we have no future.

But God’s word is not about creating magical miracles for us all the time. It’s about how we can have an honest relationship with God. How our hearts can be at peace because we understand more and more His purposes.

We need to remember that God calls us children for a reason. We’re not so old and knowledgeable as we like to believe.

It's Time to Return to Our Roots

We were watching "I Walk the Line" last night. At one point in the movie June Carter is in a mercantile store and is confronted by a haughty woman who remarks that June's parents are good Christian people. Then the woman says that she's surprised June's parents even talk to June. The reason? June was divorced.

I felt compelled to speak out loud at that point. The movie was quite correct in portraying the woman as judgmental and hypocritical. My comment was this: That's why people hate Christians. We like to think it's because we belong to God and they are against God, but that's not true. They hate us because we are such hypocrites. We received the free gift of forgiveness from God. And now we seek to cast everyone else away from his presence with hateful attitudes. We are such fools.

And it seems the more well known our name is in our community, region, or even in the world, the worse we are.

When Jesus was with us in the flesh he spoke often about forgiveness and acceptance. He accepted everyone who came to him for forgiveness. In fact, the only people Jesus ever spoke crossly with were "religious" people. People who thought - in their hearts - that they were better than others. Often, we are those people. We lie to ourselves and say we're not. But it is a lie. The tendency is to look down upon people who are doing things we don't do. But the truth is, we're no better than them. We may even be worse.

In Luke, Chapter 7, we read this passage about two people. One is a religious leader. The other is a confessed sinner. Read and listen with your heart to what Jesus is telling us.

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon. "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair." You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sin?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:36-50 Revised Standard Version

We think we are doing God some big favor by lambasting others for the sins they commit. And for the sins we perceive they have committed. But we are wrong when we do this.

How did we received our forgiveness? Why? Was it because we straightened out our lives to the point where God came to us and said, "My, what good work you have done. You have certainly earned my forgiveness." Or was it because God saw that no matter what we did with the rest of our lives, our current status was hopeless. So he offered forgiveness free of charge. WE WERE FORGIVEN AS WE WERE AT THAT MOMENT IN TIME. Why do we seek to deny others this same gift? Are we jealous? What's wrong with us that we spew out such venomous feelings of hatred and intolerance at those we do not believe have forgiveness?

Get your bible and read this from the Gospel of Matthew.

Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."

"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, "Pay me what you owe.' So he fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went out and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive you brother from your heart." Matthew 18:21-35 Revised Standard Version

Did you pick it up? Someone who had received forgiveness was cast into prison because they would not forgive others. That is a scary thought.

And do you know what is most pitiful about the Christian's intolerance and lack of forgiving nature toward others? They haven't even sinned against us. They have committed no crimes against us. They simply live lives not in accordance with how we believe they should live them. And so we seek their misery and demise.

If we do not stop this, prison is what awaits us.

Let us leave off with intolerance and return to preaching forgiveness. And love. And acceptance. "Love covers a multitude of sins." Don't tell people what their sins are. They probably already know. Show them God's love and acceptance by loving and accepting them for who they are. Sins and all.

Isn't that what God has done for us?

We are all Fools, And We Continue to Go Astray

It's been a while since I've posted. Posting here has become difficult. As much because this blog gets so few hits as because of weariness. But I just read something this morning which bothers me to no end, and I have to post about it. What is it? What else?

Religious Intolerance acting in the name of Christ.

If you are curious about what I read you may find it here. The blog is maintained by Lee Wind. It is a blog supporting the Gay->Bi-sexual->Lesbian->Transgender segments of society.

This hatred in the name of Christ has to be the most disgusting thing on the planet. It's worse than pedephilia, terrorism, murder, rape, or any other crime you can think of. Why? Because if you accept this kind of hatred - hatred in the name of God - then you are capable of ALL of those crimes - and much more.

Who in the Bible did Christ hate?

NOBODY!

He didn't even hate the Pharisees and Sadduces who plotted to kill him. He wept for them because of the horrors which were coming.

So how can anyone who claims to have Christ's spirit in them hate so much?

I was reading in Romans today.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 Revised Standard Version

When we focus our attention on banning books, or withholding social rights to others are we not focusing on the flesh?

When we create entire political action organizations using the name of Christ, have we not set our minds on the things of the flesh?

We do these things and we claim we are doing them for God. We claim we are representing God.

THAT IS A LIE!

Read what Jesus Christ himself said about governments and politics.

He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:25 Revised Standard Version

The laws of our society are NOT Christ's concern. How much, or even whether, we pay taxes. Where should speed limits be set? What books should be allowed here or there? These are the things of the flesh. They are NOT Christ's concern.

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. That slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put you rsword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup with the Father has given me?" John 18:10-11 Revised Standard Version

Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 18:36 Revised Standard Version

We are NOT to fight. That is a direct order from Jesus himself. If he refused to allow it when he went to the cross, how much more will he refuse to allow it over the matter of books?

This is what Paul says.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blashpemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version

I hilighted the portions which come to mind when I see and hear people who talk and act like Christian Conservatives.

I can't think of a single person on the planet who associtates Christian Conservatism with love.

What did Jesus say to the church of Ephaesus?

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left you first love.Revelation 2:2-4 New King James Version

God does not want us wasting our time hating other people who are different from us. Not even if we are absolutely convinced they are horrible, sinful, people. Because is that not what we are without Christ? Nobody is holy and pure except that God, through Christ, forgives their sins. There is no degree of sin to get in or be excluded from heaven. One sin. Any sin. Keeps us out. And we have all sinned. God says so.

You worried about worldly influences on yourself, your family, your children? Don't be. Hear what God has to say.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Revised Standard Version

Spend less time worrying about the "don't" and more time on the "do's".

The "do's" of God are love and forgiveness.

Please, Please, Please remember that. I wish I could only make the Political Religious understand this.

Life as a Spectacle

I suppose at times I come across as some lousy know-it-all regarding my faith and what I believe. That's why I try to point out my own failings from time to time. To let others know I have "attained" something others have not. The truth is, I struggle as much as anyone. And sometimes it hurts my credibility. Take yesterday, for instance.

I've kept no secret about us having been told we must be out of our house in just over thirty days. This is a direct result of our own personal financial collapse. Not asking for pity. There are hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of others who have, or are going, through the same thing. It's what happens.

Perhaps one thing which does make a difference in my case is that I firmly believe God told me not to sell this house. To remain here until such time as He directs otherwise. Few (if any) people have believed this event in my life was anything more than some kind of emotional (or psychotic) experience, having nothing to do with the real God.

For some it's because they don't want to believe there really is a God. For if there is (and there is) it means they are accountable to a higher power, and they don't like that.

For others they are jealous, for they don't understand what I mean when I say "God told me not to sell this house." They get this idea it was some miraculous moment like Moses on the mountain. It was nothing like that. It was an epiphany. Suddenly, I just knew. I can't explain it any better than that.

Others don't want to believe it's real because they don't want to believe God interacts with us like that anymore. That was for the apostolic times, when the church began. There are no more miracles, or spiritual revelations, or anything like that. For if there are, then they feel they must be somehow inferior for not having experienced it themselves. But that's because they don't understand how and why God interacts with us. I am over fifty years old now, and what I have learned is that God virtually never acts in a manner in which there is no room for doubt.

Why?

Because God most often uses the things and people of this world to communicate and help us. When the Bible tells us that God is arranging our answers to prayer before we even ask it doesn't make the claim lightly. Some things he sets in motion years in advance, so when we pray for it, it's ready. And when that happens many wonder if God was involved at all. But God doesn't operate in a no room for doubt manner. He wants us to believe in him and trust him, so he always does things in a manner which the unbelieving can explain as having nothing to do with God.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. And without faith is is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:5-6 Revised Standard Version

There are a variety of reasons why people do not believe what I experienced was real. I can't blame them. They weren't here. I was alone at the time. And I'm not exactly a stalwart of godliness.

But I believe it was real and have acted accordingly since.

Part of that "acting accordingly" has to do with what is going on now. We are down to two weeks before we are suppose to move. While kind of making myself ready to move, I cannot help but think like Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego. God is well able to deliver us from this situation, and if he means for us to remain in this house then something is going to happen soon to bring that about. If it happens it could be anything from a major miracle to something which was put into motion months or years ago. Or, maybe we will have to leave.

I don't know. God didn't tell me what the consequences of not selling the house would be. He just said, "Don't sell the house." So I didn't.

There is a cost to all of this. As I indicated above, I do not have a lot of credibilty with others as a result of my holding fast to what took place nearly seven years ago. Just yesterday, Spouse laughed at me and felt a need to apologize to our guests when I made mention of it.

But you see, it isn't about my credibility. And if we are evicted it proves less about God than it does about me. You see, I am weak and foolish, and that's as it ought to be.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth, but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 Revised Standard Version

Fearing to Live by Faith

One of the basic problems in trying to truly live a life of faith is dealing with fear. Not just the fear of being physically hurt, or humiliated, but the fear that we really don't believe as we think we do. Maybe, just maybe, when all is said and done, we don't really believe after all. Ultimately, that is what we're afraid of. And we don't like admitting it. Certainly not to others, but not ourselves, either. Not even to God.

We want to pretend that we believe so we don't have to actually find out. It's the person who believes in their talent, but won't push themselves to find out just how talented they are. That way, when they fail, they can comfort themselves by saying, "I wasn't really trying." People who are afraid of being rejected often make themselves unattractive, either physically or socially. That way, they need not be rejected for who they are. Not really.

I think part of our fear to live a life of faith is we don't understand what it means. We read verses like the following:

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:23-24 Revised Standard Version

We read things like that and think that faith is the way to get the things we want. In a way. Probably, to be more precise, faith is the way to change what we want, and then we get it. Read this from the Book of James. Take note that this was written to believers, not as an effort to convert the unbelieving.

What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not received, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4 Revised Standard Version

The Apostle Paul was certainly a man of faith. It's all he preached: Faith in Jesus. Faith in God. Yet read what Paul says about his life.

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version

Not all of Paul's prayers were answered according to his desire.

And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn ws given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a Revised Standard Version

Faith is trusting God to be in control even when everything goes wrong. We are sick and do not get well. We need work and cannot find any. We are in the path of war. Storms and famine ravage the land.

Faith does not mean these things will not touch us. We are physically in the world. Therefore, we will be physically touched by the things of the world. What the world cannot touch is our spirit. Only God can do that. And that is what faith is about: God touching our spirit.

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry he was led by God into the desert. He spent forty days there without food. Scripture confesses he was hungry. He was in a place where there were thousands of rounded stones which resembled bread loaves. Seeing them, the devil took the opportunity to cause Jesus to doubt himself.

The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Luke 4:3 Revised Standard Version

The operative word here is "if". Jesus was hungry, but suddenly that was no longer the reason for creating bread out of stones. Later, Jesus would create fish and bread out of nothing. (Read about the feeding of the four thousand and five thousand in Matthew 14 and Matthew 15.) So why not now? Because it wasn't about eating. It was about proving something. It was about pride. God is not keen on this kind of pride. Self-respect is one thing. Flat out pride is another. So Jesus gives his famous reply in verse 4.

And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"

The quote is taken from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter eight, verse three.

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

You see, this is what we're really afraid of: being put through something in order to teach us, help us, make us stronger, and bring us closer to God. The only way to do that is to deny the desires of the body and carnal will. In other words, suffering of some kind. That is what we're afraid of.

Faith is not about always coming through because you believed. It's about holding fast to God even when you don't come through. Do we love God because he's some kind of perpetual Santa Claus or Father Christmas? Or do we love him because of who he is? Think about Abraham.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises wsa ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaaac shall your descendants be named." He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11:17-19 Revised Standard Version

When people die, it does not mean God has taken them from us. God raises people from the dead. They are not gone. They are just ahead of us on a journey. We will be reunited. There is no cruelty. Loneliness, yes. But faith can help us through that.

One more example.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given a choice: deny God and live, or hold to their faith and die. This was their answer.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in the matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18 Revised Standard Version

I think it important to point out that these three men were NOT counting on God to save their lives. They knew he could, but had no reason to believe he would. It didn't matter. It wasn't about whether they survived or died. Their faith was in God.

We all face challenges in our daily lives. Not all of these challenges deal with life and death, but sometimes they do. Most often, however, they are matters of fear and comfort.

This is true for me right now.

Seven years ago I was told by God (I believe this with all my heart) not to sell my house when I lost my high-paying job. For seven years we have remained in this house, each year being blessed with some last minute financial salvation to see us through another year. This year the miracles appear to have run out. We have just over thirty days to come up with about $300,000, or we're out of this house.

For some reason I am reminded of Nebuchadnezzar in that he was struck with insanity for seven years. Then he was restored. My seven years is just about up. But, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I will not quit believing even should not miracle come and I be kicked out. It isn't about surviving, or getting what we want, or expect. It's about God being in control. He is well able to send us the money. but even if not I will not cease to worship him. As Peter said to Jesus:

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68b Revised Standard Version

It Can Be Hard

Sometimes it's hard to continue in faith. To believe. I struggle with this more than anything else I know. And not just believing and having faith in God. For me, it's believing and having faith in anything. I'm jaded and cynical. I'm worn out and beaten up. The old vaudeville comedy sketch of the sad clown holds true in my heart so often: "Nothing good ever happens to me."

Sometimes it's hard to believe, and what makes it harder is the constant teaching that we believe what we feel. Our culture is so about feelings. How do we know if we love somebody? We feel good about them. How do we know we hate them? We feel bad toward them. How do we know what's right? We go with our feelings. How do we know we're spiritual? We feel it. How do we trust God? With our feelings.

What a crock! And we all fall for it to some degree or another. Some poor souls are completely lost in this Gospel of Feelings.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-8 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes I have been just like that. I haven't been able to "grab on" and hold. I'm tossed hither and yon by my emotions.

Emotions are powerful things, and if we let them they will rule our lives. Not a good way to live.

My mother used to adhere strongly to the Gospel of Emotions. It was here belief that she the truth was what she was feeling. Thus, when she was happy with us (me) she lavished love and praise. However, let her emotions falter and her tune changed drastically. Suddenly, she "hated" us, and felt no qualms about telling us so. To this day I don't know that she fully understands the faultiness of emotions.

Emotions are like a logic test in which so many people have reversed things. Consider this question, similar to one I took on an intelligence test years ago. I will pick something foremost in a lot of people's thoughts right now.

If all coins are money, then which of the following is true?

• All money is coins
• No money is coins
  
• Some money is coins

The answer, of course, is the last choice, for some money is also paper. But so many people get it wrong and say the first answer is right. Not with money, but with emotions.

If love contains happy feelings then what is true?

• All happy feelings mean love
  
• Some happy feelings mean love
  
• The absence of happy feelings means the absence of love
  

How would you answer that question?

It works true with faith, too. Faith is not how we feel about a thing any more than love is.

Here is how God defines love. (emphasis mine)

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 Revised Standard Version

If you read this carefully, you will not find any stress on feelings. What is stressed are decisions and attitudes. So, if you think you are loving others as God intended, then let me ask you this: what is your opinion on using torture against terrorists? How does that fit into God's definition of love and his commission that we should love everyone as we love ourselves?

Here is what God has to say about faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Revised Standard Version


This is what Merriam-Webster says about assurance.

Main Entry:
as·sur·ance Listen to the pronunciation of assurance
Pronunciation:
\?-'shu?r-?n(t)s\
Function:
noun
Date:
14th century

1: the act or action of assuring: as a: pledge, guarantee b: the act of conveying real property ; also : the instrument by which it is conveyed cchiefly British : insurance 2: the state of being assured: as a: security b: a being certain in the mind assurance of salvation> c: confidence of mind or manner : easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty ; also : excessive self-confidence : brashness, presumption 3: something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence assurances of goodwill>

Faith is not a feeling. It is a belief. It is demonstrated through our actions. If we have faith the ice is thick enough to hold our weight, we walk across it. If we do not have this faith, we avoid the ice. Walking across the ice can be one of two things: acting in faith; acting in pride.

Jesus gave this example when he was tempted in the wilderness.

And he (Satan) took him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" Luke 4:9-12 Revised Standard Version

What does this teach us? That sometimes we have to use our brains and determine what it is we believe and why. Are we acting in faith, fear, or pride? Only faith will keep us right with God. When in doubt, remember to act in love. Love is greater than faith. That you can count on.

We Are the Reason We Should Be Ashamed

Yesterday I brought my son to Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN, for his saxophone lesson. While there I found a copy of the July, 2009, edition of Minnesota Christian Chronicle. On page 4 I found a short editorial by Carl Nelson who, as it is explained at the end of the editorial, is president and CEO of the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals.

I won't take word-for-word excerpts from the paper (as I would probably find myself sued for copyright infringement), but I will give the gist of what Mr. Nelson wrote.

Apparently, Pew Research did a national survey and found that "62 percent of white evangelical Protestants believe 'the use of torture against suspected terrorists to gain important information' to be often or sometimes justified." The greater frequency of church attendance and the more likely this was true.

Now, Mr. Nelson is against this trend. In fact, he writes that he added his name to the National Religious Campaign to Ban Torture, and participated in a speaking event at the Center for Victims of Torture. He gives a web address: www.evangelicalsforhumanrights.org. Good for Mr. Nelson.

So many of us Christians get self-righteous about the fact the the world hates us so much. And let's be honest - the world does hate us. But when we support torture, hatred, intolerance, exclusionism, imperialism, and a host of other evil practices, I don't think we have much to be proud of. In fact, we are in danger of hell fire.

One of the main biblical themes God gives us in Holy Scripture is the the concept of sowing and reaping. "As a man soweth, so shall he reap." Spew out hatred, and that is what you will get in return.

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version

If you are in favor of torturing suspected terrorists in order to gain information, think about what it is you are in favor of. What if someone - anyone - suspects you of something? What you are saying is that they should torture you in order to find out about it. This is true whether you know anything or not.

You say these people would not be in custody if they weren't guilty? What are you saying? Think about it. This means if anyone thinks you are guilty they should put you in prison and torture you.

Carry your thoughts through, people! Don't base your actions on fear. We live in a culture of fear. We are constantly being told by all kinds of people that we should be afraid. Politicians want us afraid so we will vote for them. Merchants want us afraid so we will buy their products. News and weather people want us afraid so we will watch/listen to/read their reports. Preachers want us afraid so we will come to them for guidance.

People. God is NOT about fear.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 New King James Version

Jesus set us the example when he was here. How did he react to sinners? And I mean real sinners, and not just people who were different, or hated him. The woman caught in adultery is probably the finest example Jesus gave. (I still find it amazing that only the woman was brought. It takes two people to be caught in the act of adultery.)

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:7 Revised Standard Version

So, what am I saying? We should do nothing with these suspected terrorists? Yes. I guess so. Without proof, we are as evil as the evil we purport to fight if we hold them. With proof, we should deal with them according to the law - the real law and not invented law based on fear. Real law forbids torture.

People, the saying is true. God started it, but it has been modernized. "What goes around, comes around." Whatever we unleash on others will eventually come back to us. It's a boomerang.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 Revised Standard Version

We live in a world of fear. Jesus told us it would be so. Let us learn to relax in God's will and in the truth that God is in control. It is a learning experience, and it takes effort as well as time.

Luke Chapter 21 (emphasis mine)

[8] And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.

[9] But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immeidately."

[10] Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

[11] And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and tehere will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

[12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to th synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

[13] But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

[14] Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

[15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

[16] You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

[17] And you will be hatd by all for My name's sake.

[18] But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

[19] By your patience possess your souls.

[20] But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee t othe mountains, let those who are i nthe midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.

[22] For thse are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

[23] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.

[24] And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

[25] And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

[26] men's hearts failing them from fear and the expecation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the hevens will be shaken.

So, When Do We Fight

One thing I come across, or am confronted by, on a regular basis when talking/listening to Christians talk is this concept that we need to "get angry". People are advocating laws which go against Biblical teaching. People are trying to remove God from schools, city offices, and anything else they can think of. We need to get "angry". We should be grossly indignant.

Wrong.

The Roman Empire was hardly a godly civilization, and yet that was the civilization in in place where Jesus walked the earth. So what did Jesus have to say about the godless nation in which he lived? I'm only aware of Jesus making one reference to the government.

"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's". Matthew 22:21 Revised Standard Version

Jesus did not concern himself with the government. He obeyed the government, but he did not try to influence policy. Even when he stood before Pilate he made no arguments. When asked if he is a king.

"My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 19:36 Revised Standard Version

Too often we humans get to thinking God somehow needs our help in matters he has told us to leave alone. God does not need our help. What is more, he does not want us trying to help. Certainly, he does not want us getting angry and acting out in anger.

You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with is brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire." Matthew 5:21-22 Revised Standard Version

Personally, I think there are several things going on. Take your choice where you fall, if you are one who is prone to get angry at those who behave other than you think they should.

First, there are people in power who seek to use religion and religious zeal and fervor to further their selfish aims. Get people worked up. Get them afraid. Such people are easy to manipulate, for they are not thinking.

Second, there are people who are worked up and afraid. They desperately want to serve God, but they're afraid they're not doing enough. They're so afraid God is angry with them for not doing enough they are willing to follow any charismatic leader, even if those leaders lead them into anger, hatred, and murder.

Third, there are people who aren't sure they really believe. These people react angrily, and even violently when anything happens which threatens their well-being. They're afraid they can be made to cease believing because they aren't even sure they believe in the first place. These people do not understand what faith is. They think it's how they feel about things. It's what our society teaches. Our preachers don't say it, but so many imply it with the words they use. They keep talking about the senses. Faith has nothing to do with the senses. Faith is a decision. It's an act of will. That's why someone who is completely terrified can act in faith.

Allow me to try and explain.

My son used to be terrified of thunderstorms. He would become so frightened he would physically shake. He wanted to run, but I told him to relax and trust me. I would take him in my arms and he would hang on to me tightly. He trusted me - but he was still afraid. Acting in faith will banish fear - eventually. Just as acting in fear will banish faith - right away. The two are mutually incompatible.

Sometimes, we are like the father who sought Jesus' help when the disciples were not able.

And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes that's all we have: faith in the midst of fear. Sometimes, to act in faith is to do nothing at all. God is not violence. We are taught from our youth that he is. But God is not violence. Read what happened with Elijah.

And there he came to a cave, and lodge there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind and earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, sand said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9-13 Revised Standard Version

We like to say that God is in nature. According to the Holy Scriptures, that is not true. God is not in earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, firestorms, and other forms of destruction. God is quiet and gentle. Those other things are tools in God's hands. They are not God.

Do not fear because there are powerful elements seeking to remove God from existence. They cannot succeed. For one thing, as long as you believe God will have people here. Right? So you keep believing. Do you not understand that NO ONE can make anyone believe - or not believe - in God? Only the Holy Spirit can touch someone's heart.

So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and yo do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." (emphasis mine) John 10:24-28 Revised Standard Version

No matter what happens, you cannot be made to not believe. So do not fret over what others are doing. Just continue believing. Do not get angry. That only confirms in the minds of others that you are a hypocrite. And it takes away your reward in heaven.

Keep the faith. Keep the peace. Let God deal with those who would try to get rid of him.

PSALM 2

[1] Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?

[2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and teh rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

[3] "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us."

[4] He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.

[5] Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

[6] "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."

Rejoice Not in the Death/Punishment of the Wicked

So, what is a hypocrite? Who is one and who isn't?

According to Wikipedia, "Hypocrisy is the act of pretending that one has beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities or standards that they do not actually have; this is usually done in order to mask their actual motives or feelings; falseness."

It goes further to state: "The term hypocrite is widely misused. Many persons state that hypocrisy is the action of 'not practising what you preach'."

So, hypocrisy is NOT saying certain behavior is wrong and then performing said behavior. Hypocrisy is saying certain behavior is wrong, performing said behavior, and then DENYING one has done it or, more commonly, RATIONALIZING the behavior.

It is easy to become guilty of this. We see someone we don't like undermining someone we like, and we get angry and criticize them for it. Then we undermine the offender. However, when challenged, we state that in our case the behavior is justified, so it isn't the same.

Consider recent news. Bernard Madoff has just been sentence to 150 years in prison for swindling people of their life's savings. How easy it is for us - especially those of us who have personally suffered from his schemes - to react with joy, declaring he but reaps the fruits of his labor.

But what of ourselves? Is that how we wish to be judged? True, we may not have swindled people out of their money - or maybe we have. Just not millions and billions. But whether we have swindled or not is not the point. The point is this: Is that how we wish to be judged?

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is te log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5 Revised Standard Version

So what am I saying? That we just let all criminals everywhere go free? No. I'm saying we need to be careful how we judge others, because that is how God will judge us. If we offer no mercy to others, we will get no mercy.

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version

Do not take pleasure in the punishment and suffering of others, even when it is so clear their punishment and suffering is of their own doing. Do not rejoice at their destruction, for God does not.

And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: 'Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we waste away becaues of them; how then can we live?' Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:10-11 Revised Standard Version

I am as guilty as the next person in expressing joy at the suffering of those who have inflicted pain and misery across the world, or even to a few I know. It's hard not to be that way. But the truth is, I don't want to be judged like that. I want mercy. I want forgiveness. Therefore, I must offer mercy. I must offer forgiveness. Otherwise, I disqualify myself.

The real tragedy with Madoff isn't even the people who have suffered - and died - because of his actions. It's that he may not "turn from his way and live". Then God will be grieved, too.

Sometimes Faith Has a Price

Faith. When do we have it and when don't we? When do we trust God and when do we give up?

Of course, the simple answer is we always trust God and we never give up. But that is what we're supposed to say and do. How do we really behave?

The truth is, we trust God for our salvation, but when it comes to our daily lives we tend to exclude him. How often have you (I) stood and boldly declared our faith in God - when things were well, or we just received some blessing? Then, when things go dry, and emotions fail us for fear, we abandon faith and try to save ourselves?

It is normal to feel fear. It is normal to face doubts. The greatest born of women suffered his doubts and fears. But how did he handle it?

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no ofense at me." As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who sahall prepare thye way before thee.' Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Matthew 11:2-11 Revised Standard Version

"A reed shaken by the wind." What does that mean? I think it means John was not swayed by his emotions. He didn't just trust God when he felt like it. He trusted God when he had doubts, too. Especially when he had doubts and fear. He sent to Jesus when he had fear. Note Jesus' reply. Instead of just saying "yes", he quotes the Prophet Isaiah, using the verses which prove his being the Messiah, the Christ. Jesus began his ministry by quoting Isaiah.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Isaiah 61:1-2a Revised Standard Version

Jesus did not read the second part of verse two. That speaks of God's wrath and judgment, which is yet to come.

What is easy to do is proclaim we have received a message from God. Any fool can do that, whether God has sent them a message or not. What is hard is trusting in that message when everything seems to indicate that the message is not going to happen. That is hard whether God has sent the message or not.

I am in a place now where I am hard-pressed to find anyone who believes God sent me a message. Current indications are that he did not. Why? Because the message I believe God sent me was not to sell my house when I lost my job seven years ago. So I took it off the market. And for nearly seven years we have remained in this house, often by means which had nothing to do with us. Tax rebate checks from the government. An insurance check after a storm. A sister who borrowed money. During these seven years I have had nearly everyone tell me in one form or another that I was crazy to believe I had received a message from God and that I should sell the house before I lost it. My response has always been: God never said I wouldn't lose the house. He just said, "Don't sell it." So I'm not.

Our personal financial collapse happened at the end of August seven years ago. At the end of August this year we are slated to be kicked out of our house for not meeting financial obligations.

It has not always been easy to believe I got a real message from God. Well, that's not true. It has been easy to believe it. What has not been easy is believing God will take care of us. So many days and nights I vented angrily at God in the lowest level. I asked for signs. For miracles. For anything. What I got was silence. Then, at the last minute, things would happen and we would get another year. This occured for six years. Over the last two my rants have become few and further between. This year no miracle occured, and the foreclosure was processed. We are down to eight weeks.

I am still under pressure to give up believing God intends to take care of us. It's hard to resist. It would be easy to just give up believing. But I can't. I may be insane, and maybe I'm living a delusion, but I trust God. He told me not to sell the house. I can no more be convinced that was a lie than I can be convinced it did not rain this morning. (Thunderstormed, actually.) I believe God spoke to me, and I did not sell the house. And no matter what happens, I will still trust God. God has put himself on the line - using me. How can I do anything else but believe?

After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answerd him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:66-69 Revised Standard Version

Not everyone who trusts in faith gets what they are trusting for in this life. The book of Hebrews confirms this. In the faith chapter, immediately after telling of the wondrous miracles achieved through faith, we are told of those who got nothing.

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God has forseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:35-39 Revised Standard Version

You see, what I have learned in the past seven years is that faith isn't about getting what we want, or even being cared for in comfort. Faith is about trusting God, even when horrible things happen. Because they do, you know. But God is still in control. God still loves us. That - you can put your faith in.

Amen.

Absolutely

Our human lives seem geared to thinking in absolutes. When we say something is "good", the implication seems to be there is nothing whatsoever wrong with it. When we say it is "bad", the opposite is true.

My in-laws are very much this way when referencing those they love. They simply cannot acknowledge the wrong-doing of those who fall within their love. They will not admit it. To admit those they love have broken some law is to say they don't love them.

At the same time, those who they acknowledge as "wrong-doers" don't get a lot of love. It's an extremist way of thinking, and it is shared by millions of people around the world.

Why?

Do we not acknowledge our own sins? Does this mean we hate ourselves? God doesn't want that anymore than he wants us hating others. And speaking of God, do we not agree that God loves us? All of us? And yet what does he say about us?

To Peter, when Peter tried to talk him out of doing God's will: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but men." This is recorded immediately after Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Christ!

Again, in Matthew: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your hildren, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good thins t othose who ask him!"

"You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil?"

But God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God tells us we are saved by grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 Revised Standard Version

God also tells us that there are behaviors and attitudes he expects from us. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 Revised Standard Version

And we are given a list of behaviors and attitudes to avoid. Now the works of the flesh are plain; fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 Revised Standard Version

For centuries people have argued heatedly over what it means to be "saved by grace". Some erroneously believe that those who hold that salvation is through grace, and grace alone, are advocating some sort of lip service to God which frees them to commit any horrible act they choose.

At the same time, the "grace holders" accuse the others of being works orientated, ignoring God's gift of forgiveness.

It is confusing only when we think in terms of absolutes. The truth is, there is no conflict in the statements. One simply must understand just what it is God is telling us.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18 Revised Standard Version

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17 Revised Standard Version

Let us consider four (4) scenarios. They each represent a kind of person. When I speak of "acknowledging God" I am talking of accepting forgiveness which was given through Jesus Christ.

Person 1: Does not acknowledge God and does all of the things God says not to do and virtually none of the things God requires.

Person 2: Does not acknowledge God and does some of the things God says not to do and tries to do all of the things God requires.

Person 3: Acknowledges God but does a lot of the things God says not to do and virtually none of the things God requires.

Person 4: Acknowledges God and does some of the things God says not to do and tries to do all of the things God requires.

If all four people were truly as they are described, which two will go to heaven and which two will be excluded? The answer is that Persons 3 and 4 go to heaven - by virtue of having accepted God's forgiveness. Persons 1 and 2 are excluded for rejecting God's forgiveness.

But James seems to be telling us something. What?

It has to do with Persons 2 and 3. Let us first consider Person 3.

Supposedly, Person 3 has accepted God's forgiveness. But have they? There is certainly no evidence of it. When a person accepts God's forgiveness they are "baptized" into God's family. The Holy Spirit enters their body and dwells inside them with their own spirit. This gives them both the power and the (growing) will to behave like God. So why isn't this person desiring to behave like God? Why are they behaving like Person 1? What James is telling us is that it is very likely that Person 3 is a liar, seeking to create a false image in the minds of the other Persons. But God is not deceived. He knows where his Spirit resides and where it has been excluded. Person 3 will NOT go to heaven because Person 3 is lying when they say they have accepted God's forgiveness.

Now let's look at Person 2. Person 2 is behaving a lot like Person 4, except Person 2 seems to be having trouble acknowledging Jesus. On the surface, it would seem they are a pitiful case because without God's forgiveness they cannot go to heaven. But what does Jesus himself say about these people?

"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the lease of these my brethren, you did it to me.'" Matthew 25:31-40 Revised Standard Version

To the Person 3 types he says the opposite.

So what is going on? Works or faith?

Both.

You see, if you have true, God-forgiving, faith, your life will change. You won't do this in order to achieve grace and forgiveness, you will do this because you have grace and forgiveness.

What Jesus is saying is that it is possible to have faith in him and not even realize it. Just as it is possible to say you have faith and not. God knows. He is not fooled. Some do things out of pride and confidence in their own ability. This excludes faith in God. Some do things out of faith in God. This, by definition, includes Jesus, for Jesus is God. But some people don't like the name and use another. There is only one God, so if the faith is real, we are worshiping the same God.

It seems a paradox, but it isn't.

My son helps me around the house because he is my son. When his friends come by and help him with helping me that does not make them my children. In order for them to become my children I must adopt them. It is not their choice, although I would certainly not adopt a child who did not want me to adopt them. That's the way it is with God. He adopts us into his family. Not because we do things, but because he wants to and we said yes.

The Power of Love and Faith

I read something interesting in the book of John this morning.

John Chapter Twenty (Revised Standard Version)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

verses 19-25

I bolded the portion which struck me. It is similar to something else I've read in the Gospels.

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:1-5 Revised Standard Version

Again, I bolded the portion of concern.

There is great power in love. The greatest power is the power of forgiveness. For with the power of forgiveness people can live with God.

Who are the greatest missionaries? The greatest are those who love the most. Their love is seen in their actions, and so people believe God.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 Revised Standard Version

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my nam,e I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you aks anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:12-15 Revised Standard Version

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17 Revised Standard Version

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:23-24 Revised Standard Version

Something Real From My Life

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 Revised Standard Version

I don't often write about what's going on in my daily life on this blog. Tried to view things from a "bigger picture". But the verse above came to me just now as I sent out my query for the book I've written, "Swords of Fire: Traitor".

God gives each of us talent. Each of us is free to use it as we will. In Matthew, Chapter Twenty-Five, we read Jesus' parable of the man who gave talents to his servants. He did not disburse the talents equally. Some were given more than others. Those who were given more were able to increase it more. But the servant to did nothing with his talent lost it, and was cast away.

I was given the ability to tell stories. This came from God. The stories I tell are told at my discretion. (The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets. 1 Corinthians 14:32 Revised Standard Version. This means we choose what we say to others.) I have chosen to devote most of my storytelling to fantasy stories. That many conservative Christians believe fantasy to be of the devil is true. I do not share this belief. It is no more sinful to write about make-believe evils than it is to write about real ones, a.k.a. Holy Scriptures. God gave me a vivid imagination. I have used it all my life, and now it is even larger than ever before. In at least a way, I believe this glorifies God, for the imagination came from him. And I like my stories.

Now I am trying to get my epic series represented by an agent. This is the next step to seeing the book in publication. Not into self-publishing. Not going to say there is anything wrong with self-publishing, but it isn't what I'm after. But it all comes back to God's blessing - or his withholding of it.

I have done my part. I wrote a good story. I edited it. I rewrote it. Edited it again. And again. and again. Wrote a query. Edited it. Submitted it for critique. Edited it. Found an agent to submit to. Edited the query again. Sent it with a prayer to God.

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 Revised Standard Version

Unless the LORD blesses the query, he who sends it sends it in vain.

What is God's Will

"I have said all of this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." John 16:1-2 Revised Standard Version

What a horrible thought. To commit crimes against God and believe we are acting in God's interests. And yet it goes on every day. We read and hear about it over the news.

A man kills an abortion doctor. Bombs are exploded. People beheaded. Shots fired. All in the name of pleasing God. And yet God is not pleased at all.

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Ezekiel 18:23 Revised Standard Version

"For I have no pleasure in the death of any one," says the Lord God; "so turn, and live." Ezekiel 18:32 Revised Standard Version

Sometimes it is hard to know what God would have us do. Sometimes it's easy. Generally, it gets harder when we allow our own desires to get in our way. It's hard to get quiet before God. But it's what needs to be done in order to communicate well with him.

And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9-13 Revised Standard Version

Where was God? In the quiet. Using the earth, and the things of earth and space, God can wreck tremendous violence. But God is a quiet spirit. He speaks to us quietly and persistently, seeking our attention via our will, not our senses.

Remember, God is love. That should be our starting point in determining God's will.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever! Psalm 111:10 Revised Standard Version

When is Love Over

Genesis Chapter One (New King James Version)

[1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

[2] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

[3] Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

[4] And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

There are a couple of things which come to my mind every time I read these verses. The first goes back to the first time I read them, as a child. Read the first two sentences again. Does anything strike you as strange?

Well, maybe strange is the wrong word. But think about this. When you create something, whether of clay, machinery, Lego Blocks, or whatever, do you create it without form and void? Who does that?

And when you read the third sentence another thing becomes obvious: before God created light, the earth existed. So did water. And darkness.

These things have mattered to me since I was a child. The most likely answer has been one that a lot of Christians are loth to accept: God did not create the earth in seven days. He fixed it in seven days.

The earth was here, but destroyed, when God said, "Let there be light." He had created the earth, and all of the universe around it. Then, something happened. "The earth was without form, and void." The most likely cause of this destruction was the fall of Lucifer from grace. When he turned to evil he destroyed everything around himself, including the earth, which apparently had been his place. Then, like a good mechanic and auto body specialist, God took the damaged remains and rebuilt the earth, filling it again with life, but this time adding new elements, such as grass, and human beings. He also seems to have given it a timetable to a predetermined end, after which he will take it all apart and rebuild it from scratch.

A few years ago I discovered a website devoted to this concept. It is here, if you wish to check it out for yourself.

But what about Lucifer? We call him Satan. The Devil. He has a host of other unpleasant names, all of which he has earned. But what about him? What is God's attitude toward him?

I will give you my belief up front, and then present a few reasons why I believe it. Whether you accept my thinking as rationale, stupid, or heresy, I'll leave to you.

I think God loves him. I really do.

Why? How?

Well, first off, is not God love? Certainly, what come from God is love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

Another point, and this comes from Genesis 1:4, where God looks at the light he has just created and sees it as "good". God did not create anything, or anyone, "evil", or "bad". Why would he? Consider these verses, written by the Prophet Ezekiel. They are agreed to be written about Lucifer himself.

..You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty...You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (see Ezekiel 28:12-19)

Satan was not created evil. He became evil. So, if he was not created evil, is it not reasonable to believe God loved him? Why would he not love someone who was so perfect? He loves us, and we're far from perfect.

But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 New King James Version

So God must have loved Lucifer. Now, let's read what God says about love.

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (New King James Version)

[4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

[5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

[6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

[7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8] Love never fails.

If God ever loved Lucifer, and love never fails, then God still has to love him. That just makes sense.

So why bring this up?

Because of something someone once said to me. She could not accept that God would ever send anyone to hell. It was beyond her to comprehend how a loving God could condemn someone to hell, despite what the Holy Scriptures say.

Well, do we not all agree that the Lake of Fire is exactly where Satan and the demons are going? And is it not true that Satan is Lucifer, turned to evil? And is it not true that Lucifer was once perfect and holy before God? And did not God love him? And does not love continue forever? And is not God sending a being (and others) into hell who he loves?

So why not us?

It's a matter of progressive logic, people. But the people, demons, and whatever who wind up in the Lake of Fire wind up there because they have rejected the true God of the universe.

Romans Chapter One (New King James Version)

[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

[19] because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

[20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

[21] because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

[22] Professing to be wise, they became fools,

[23] and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

[24] Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

[25] who exchanged the truth of God for hte lie, and worshiped and served the creatrue rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

It doesn't have to be that way. We just need to seek the real God the God of the universe.

Matthew Seven (New King James Version)

[7] Ask, and it will be given t oyou; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

[8] For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

[9] Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

[10] Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

[11] if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things t othose who ask Him!

[12] Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.