Sometimes we are reminded how easy we have it here. Aside from the occasional snide remark our faith is largely unchallenged. But not too far from our shores a preaching student, much like those at our Guyana Christian University, are paying the price for evangelism.
A preaching student was cut in pieces in the Dominican Republic because he baptized a woman. Take a moment to read the story and then pray.
I hope that when our faith is weak we will be encouraged by the strength of this brother.
Westboro Baptist Church brought their hate to Tuscaloosa Saturday. That church is known for picketing funerals of American servicemen claiming they did as a judgment from God because the US supports homosexuality. We have no intention of saying anything else about them but they do provide a useful backdrop for some thoughts on approaching sin.
Paul is clear that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). John echoes the thought in 1 John 1:8, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Likewise, James, “For we all stumble in many ways.”
The consciousness of our own shortcomings will temper the way we approach sin in others. Such perception is not, however, tolerance of sin. Sin destroys (Romans 6:23) and we must not surrender to its reality in the world.
This is a controversial statement to some but it is clearly Biblical. Some sins have greater consequences in this life but when it really matters, in eternity, there is no difference. Isaiah says that sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:2). It is remarkable that Paul lists such so-called minor vices like hatred, rage, discord, selfish ambition, dissensions and factions together with the major sins like immorality (which includes but is not limited to homosexuality), debauchery, orgies and witchcraft (Galatians 519-21 NIV).
Some point out that homosexual acts are an abomination (Leviticus 18:22) and they are. But dishonesty (Deuteronomy 25:16; Proverbs 11:1), lying (Proverbs 6:17) and creating discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19) is also an abomination.
By understanding the universality and the equality of sin, we should be sufficiently humbled so that we can overcome sin ourselves but also help others in the same way.
Separated from God by sin, mankind is ever trying to reunite with his Creator. Billions seek redemption but few find it (Matthew 7:13, 14). In an effort to be politically correct and to bow to the gods of tolerance, we have ignored Jesus’ own words. He said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Jesus alone is God’s own gift to man for our salvation (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9, 10). His death proved God’s just nature and made God the one who justifies man through Christ (Romans 3:21-26). It is Jesus who takes away sins (1 John 2:1-6).
The one who attends every service of the church, gives generously and serves others, needs Jesus as much as the practicing, activist homosexual.
We do have an obligation to speak out against sin and to reach out to those enmeshed in it (Galatians 6:1; Psalm 141:5). But the key is how we do it. We ought approach sinners humbly and in full awareness of our own sin. Further, we approach in gentleness and kindness always speaking the truth in love. Remember brethren, hatefulness is of Satan while love is of God.
Evil is real. We need to understand that the devil is as real as Jesus although, thankfully, he is not as powerful as our Lord. Many are asking questions today about the Connecticut shooting. People want to why such a thing could happen in a peaceful town. Some are questioning God and asking why a loving God would allow such a thing to happen. Others only want to know how to get through the day in the face of such horror. There are answers to their questions but now may not be the best time to enter into deep theological discussions.
Many in Newtown, instinctively turned to God when they heard of the attack. In their hearts they knew that God alone could bring them through the pain. They knew Jesus would care. Let’s remember these three thoughts.
The Bible says, “we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched by the feelings of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). I recall a touching moment in Jesus’ life when he saw the grief of those in the home of his dear friend Lazarus. The Bible simply says “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Jesus’ grief over Lazarus himself, for he was about to raise him from the dead, instead Jesus grieved for the people who were so pained at the loss of their brother and friend.
Then there was a widow walking in her only son’s funeral procession. You can feel the pain of this frightened woman. Of this woman, the Bible says, “he had compassion on her” (Luke 7:13). There is no doubt that this morning our Lord is grieving along with those who lost their loved ones.
Evil is constantly near us but it is not always so obvious. The events of the past few days paint the obvious horrible, demonic picture of Satan at his worst. Thankfully, these shootings are not every day events. But the Bible speaks of evil as always being near. Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Sometimes, evil is so insidious that we may miss it altogether. Paul warns of Satan, “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Our adversary is deceitful and dangerous. It is good that we are horrified at the scenes of such shootings, but never forget, the same devil is always near. Remember, there is always a moment of peace for the antelope just before the tiger pounces.
Those most affected by this shooting and by others like it, find themselves caught in the swiftly moving currents of life. They are forced to move on but are heavily burdened by grief. There is no way to forget or ignore the pain in this life. But our God will help. In our darkest day, he remains the light. The Sermon on the Mount reminds us of God’s great care. He reminds of the care God gives to a bird or even to a blade of grass and he then asks is we are not greater (Matthew 6:25-34)?
In the life to come, God himself will dry away our tears (Revelation 21:4) God will also bring Satan into final judgment. While we seek justice in this life, God will bring perfect and complete justice to bear on the wicked.
You and I should be praying for the families of Newtown, Connecticut. We should pray often and fervently for their strength. The God of comfort will come near.
Bessie Cooper died yesterday in Georgia. She was officially the world’s oldest living person. Her son reported that she had her hair done earlier in the day as if she was preparing to go. She had become something of a celebrity as she was the first Georgian to ever old a world record.
I don’t know Mrs. Cooper, but she reminds me of some lessons from the Good Book.
I suspect she wondered why she was still alive. A fine lady I know in her mid-90’s often asks the question, “Why am I still here?” I don’t know. She brings comfort to others, encourages others, shows love to others, etc. But despite all that she, like us has an appointment to keep. Mrs. Cooper’s appointment came after 116 years.
Hebrews 9:27 reminds, “it is appointed unto man to die once and after this comes the judgment.” It is good to remember that we all have a similar appointed which we cannot avoid. Although we may live to a great age, we still cross that river.
According to the report, Mrs. Cooper died in a nursing home with her family present. I’m sure there were important items with great sentimental value around her room. Her financial status was not disclosed but she does not appear to have been impoverished. Nevertheless, all those mementos and even the presence of her family took second place and were not of much importance as she drew her last breath. Even the wealthiest among us find limited comfort in their possessions.
Some of God’s great people were wealthy. Job learned how quickly material items can perish (Job 1:13-22; Job 2:7-8). Abraham was a man of wealth as were kings David and Solomon. Nevertheless, they passed this life and took no possessions with them. Job said it best,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return” (Job 1:21).
While writing to Timothy, Paul said the same thing,
” But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” ( 1 Timothy 6-7).
Store up the good treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Mark 10:21) and your blessings will be great.
Although Mrs. Cooper was very old, there was no expectation of her passing so suddenly. Her day had been typical until she suddenly began having breathing problems and then passed. If her family is like most, I am sure there were things they wished they could have said to her. Such a lesson is not unique to the Coopers. All of us have stood at the grave and thought of things we wished we had said. How sad that we repeat the same mistake over and over.
Set your goal today to speak a good word to someone who love. Don’t let another moment pass with unspoken thoughts, compliments and praise. Speak them now and avoid regrets tomorrow.
Our thoughts are with the Coopers in their difficult time but we are thankful for the lessons she reminds us of today.
I’d like to point you to an article I saw this morning from Forthright Press. It concerns the trouble in the Middle East and, I think, puts an interesting perspective on the religious clashes now taking place. Author Michael Brooks is a Christian who writes from Bangladesh which is not particularly friendly to religious diversity. I think Michael makes some fine points that have been lost in in all the news coverage.
No it is not. Religion, at least the true faith of the Bible, is here to stay. However the BBC is reporting on a group of mathematicians and statisticians who have declared that religion may soon be extinct. They use complex mathematical formula to analyze declining religious affiliation in various countries. But they miss one important point:
“…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18)
That says it all.
While numbers may rise and fall, the church stands. Once true religion is gone all hope likewise vanishes. And so far as I am concerned, my religion will not become extinct as long as I live even if I am the only one left who believes in Jesus as the Son of God and in his power alone to save.
Your thoughts?
It shouldn’t be surprising that some people will use faith as a tool to achieve political ends. Governments have done it for ages. The Russian Orthodox Church was cooperating tool of the old Soviet empire, the Roman Catholic Church almost divided over the issue of Liberation Theology in Central America. More than any of those radical Islamic militants use the Muslim faith as an excuse for their terroristic activities. So we should not be shocked to see some people using religion as a means to achieve their green agenda.
God created this world and all that is in it. In Genesis 1:28-30 God gave this creation to man and man was to have dominion over it. It is not a stretch to say that men should be good stewards of what God has given. But some are taking this to extremes and even merging pagan beliefs into a supposedly Christian message about the oil spill and other ecological disasters.
Jeff Poor has an article I think you should read. He discusses the Gulf oil spill and religion. It’s an eye opener.
Here are some stats for you numbers people. The Pew Forum has released survey numbers showing which states are the most religious. The rankings were based on the percentage whoself-reported that religion is very important in their lives. As expected the southern states fared best. Mississippi was the most religious state and Alabama came in 2nd overall. Arkansas, Lousisiana and Tennessee rounded out the top 5. At the bottom were Connecticut, Rhode Island (tie), then Maine, Massachusetts, Alaska and finally New Hampsire and Vermont (tie).
Mississippi was first in all categories including Frequency of Prayer, Worship Attendance and Belief in God.
The only surprise, at least to me, was the second place position of Utah in the Worship Attendance group. Of course the Mormons place a high value on attendance and there is a significant Mormon population in Utah.
Of course, the real question is “How religious am I?” It doesn’t really matter where you live but how you live, right?
The full Pew report can be found here.
As always, your analysis and comments are desired.
Senator Ted Kennedy died Tuesday night. The patriarch of the Kennedy family was, according to the Washington Post a “the last male survivor of a privileged and charismatic family that in the 1960’s dominated American politics and attracted worldwide attention.” The story reminded readers that his two brothers were political scions in their own right, one serving as President and the other as Attorney General of the United States before being gunned down. A sister who died a few days ago was the founder of the Special Olympics and the only surviving sibling is a former ambassador to Ireland.
That means nothing today.
Edward “Teddy” Kennedy discovered some truths in the waning days of his life that we should all come to know right now.
The cold, spiny fingers of the reaper touch all men sooner or later. The writer of Hebrews says “it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:4). There is no escape from the condemnation of death which is the just penalty of our own sins (Romans 6:23). I have little doubt that the Kennedy family brought the entire weight of their wealth and privilege to bear on the Senator’s health but to no avail.
On the Press Register website this morning there were 16 obituary notices. Each dear to someone but none with the power and prestige of Ted Kennedy. Yet they all, including Kennedy, shared the same fate – death. We cannot escape the grip of death but we can prepare for it.
Senator Kennedy died at the Kennedy family “compound “ in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The very idea of a lush compound in Hyannis Port brings to mind ideas of wealth and rich living. I suspect the furnishing around the ailing public servant were of the highest order. A staff attended to his every need and that of the gathered family. Yet when his final breath exhaled none of those things mattered to him or to his family. The press of death bypassed all the grand amenities once cherished by the Senator.
It might be easy to cast aspersions on Kennedy because of his wealth but in truth men of all life’s stations are touched by the love of belongings. The Bible reminds us that “covetousness is idolatry” (Colossians 3:4) and that contentment is “great gain” ( 1 Timothy 6:6). God gives us what we need as we serve him.
I will not presume to judge Senator Kennedy. God has not given me that responsibility. However I am certain that the Senator now knows the true value of his time upon the earth. As the writer of Hebrews noted in the preceding passage, judgment follows death. In Luke 16 both the rich man and Lazarus the beggar, knew their destinies just after death. Both were in places unchangeable and unchanging, either doomed to an eternity of punishment or blessed with everlasting glory. The Senator knows the reality of judgment and one would expect that he would share it with those left behind if he could.
The coming days and weeks will bring many memorials, reflections and services to honor the life of Edward Kennedy. But our glory here, if any, is fleeting. Let us pursue the glory of the Father of Lights and leave this old world behind. It has nothing for us.
When we pass, and we all will, let us talk of what lies ahead for us and not what is behind.
Several members of the Lord’s church in Bolivia were injured and three killed in a bus accident. Details are sketchy but here is the link to the blog run by the missionary in country. Obviously we wish to pray fervently for these people. Although we know none of the personally they are brethren in Christ.
We will pass along additional information as it becomes available.