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"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's enemies will be the members of his household" (Matthew 10:34-36)
It is absolutely a fact of Scripture, beloved, that Jesus made a number of "hard" statements that many are loath to face and understand and accept today! Such is the declaration that faces us in these verses. Jesus had been giving to His disciples a discourse on the cost of discipleship. It seems to be rather weakly understood today that a "disciple" is not just a student of Christ or a worshiper of Christ, but in actuality an active follower of Christ. Being a disciple, then, is much more about obedience than it is simply about knowledge and religious ceremony.
Such obedience as marks a true disciple of Christ is further proven in the arena of everyday living in a world that is lost in the darkness of sin. Today the media would have everyone believe that we who are part of the "religious right" are fraught with all manner of social and moral and cultural shortcomings. We are bigoted and narrow-minded, homophobic and even racist, or so says the modern media anyway. And many of the followers of Christ have made the mistake of following such accusers right into their own trap. We face them and try to defend ourselves upon moral and social and cultural grounds. And that is where, I truly believe, we are making our most serious mistake.
You see, beloved, the hatred that abounds today for the "religious right" - those followers of Jesus Christ who are committed to the inerrancy and infallibility of the Scriptures, those who are persuaded that if God says it, that settles it, is not politically based at all. The division between the "liberal left" and the "religious right" is not at heart a moral or social or cultural or especially a political problem, beloved. It is at heart what it has always been, a spiritual problem! You see, it is not at all political ideologies that divide us. It is not socio-economic differences, suburban versus urban living. It is not even one's per capita income or the lack thereof. It is very simply the gospel of Jesus Christ!
If you want to find out what is at the heart of the hatred that liberal-thinking people have for us as Christians, all you have to do is button-hole one of them and tell that God says that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. (Pause here for sound of huge explosion!) Jesus prophesied Himself that His sacrifice on the cross would divide brother from brother, sister from sister, children from parents, and even spouses from each other. Nor would such divisions occur along ideological lines but rather because some family members become believers, those who follow Jesus Christ, and others do not.
So what do we do? We do the only thing that we can do, beloved. We keep on telling men and women and boys and girls that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. Political differences will rise and wane and cultural differences will fluctuate with each new generation. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ is unchanging and never-ending. So let's quit falling for that old trap of arguing with people along political or moral or cultural lines. Let's determine instead to use our energies to so live out the reality that is Jesus Christ that the Spirit of God may use us to draw the lost to Himself.
Ron
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
You Are Not Forgotten
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12)
One of those very special heart-touching moments happened to me recently, beloved. A military retiree came up to me and handed me a small clear plastic envelope containing a business-sized card and a white embroidered star clearly cut from an American flag. The card explained that the star came from a flag that had flown over someone's home until worn and tattered and in need of replacement. A local veterans organization had rescued the flag among others and had separated the stars into keepsake bags to hand out to veterans like me. The card's message concluded with these words:
"Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten. Thank you for your service."
You can be sure that I will keep and treasure this memento, beloved! I am as honored to carry a star from Old Glory as I am to have served my country over which she waved.
As a follower of Jesus Christ I have His assurance as well that those who serve Him faithfully are not forgotten. He has promised that one day He will return for us and that He will have with Him heaven's reward for faithful service. Even now you and I through faithful obedience are "laying up treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). Every life that we touch in His name, every act of service in meeting a need, every encouraging word prompted by His Spirit within, all are being noted by Him and will be rewarded.
So take heart, fellow pastor! Cheer up, stalwart youth worker! Stay strong, child of God! You are not forgotten! I am so thankful for that scrap of flag that was given to me. And I am eternally grateful for the assurance we all have from our Lord that in our service for His name's sake we are not forgotten.
Ron
One of those very special heart-touching moments happened to me recently, beloved. A military retiree came up to me and handed me a small clear plastic envelope containing a business-sized card and a white embroidered star clearly cut from an American flag. The card explained that the star came from a flag that had flown over someone's home until worn and tattered and in need of replacement. A local veterans organization had rescued the flag among others and had separated the stars into keepsake bags to hand out to veterans like me. The card's message concluded with these words:
"Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten. Thank you for your service."
You can be sure that I will keep and treasure this memento, beloved! I am as honored to carry a star from Old Glory as I am to have served my country over which she waved.
As a follower of Jesus Christ I have His assurance as well that those who serve Him faithfully are not forgotten. He has promised that one day He will return for us and that He will have with Him heaven's reward for faithful service. Even now you and I through faithful obedience are "laying up treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). Every life that we touch in His name, every act of service in meeting a need, every encouraging word prompted by His Spirit within, all are being noted by Him and will be rewarded.
So take heart, fellow pastor! Cheer up, stalwart youth worker! Stay strong, child of God! You are not forgotten! I am so thankful for that scrap of flag that was given to me. And I am eternally grateful for the assurance we all have from our Lord that in our service for His name's sake we are not forgotten.
Ron
Friday, March 8, 2013
Grooving My Swing
"On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7b)
I know. I know. Already you are thinking: "Not another one of his golf analogies!" Yep. I am afraid so. But I hope that you won't let that stop you from reading through to the end. Hidden in this unusual-sounding term - "grooving my swing" - I believe to be a very sound and practical spiritual truth for living as Christians today.
To "groove your swing" as a golfer is to practice your basic golf swing over and over until it becomes something consistent, something dependable, something in which you feel confident. Oh, to be sure you will adapt it slightly from situation to situation depending on the lie of the ball and the distance you need to cover. But the swing itself must become the picture of consistency and sameness, something dependable and trustworthy. Are you beginning to see the rays of a light of Bible truth breaking through?
In his letter to a young pastor named Timothy, the Apostle Paul urged him to "discipline" himself in personal godliness. I love the King James Version's use of the word "exercise," a translation of the Greek verb gumnazo from which we get our word "gymnastics" or "gymnasium." It is a wonderful picture of "working out" spiritually. That is what a truly dedicated golfer will do in seeking to "groove his swing" and that is what every true follower of Jesus Christ needs to do in "grooving" his walk.
You see, beloved, I am convinced of one thing that is amply confirmed in Scripture, that is that people are not nearly so interested in what we know as Christians as in how we've been transformed by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Show people what Jesus can do for them by showing them what He has done for you! And in order to do that, you must as Paul advised Timothy "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." It takes practice to be a single-digit handicapper in golf, beloved, and it takes practice to be a godly Christian. Sitting in a church pew on Sunday or in a small group on Thursday won't get the job done! You are going to have to vigorously and faithfully apply the principles of Scripture to every detail of your daily living. That will be to "groove your swing," to "exercise yourself for the purpose of godliness"!
My golf game still needs a lot of "grooving," beloved, and I'll keep at it in my spare time. But my lifestyle needs a lot of "grooving" as well and that one need must become the priority of my life. Golf is just a game that is forgotten as soon as we turn our attention to something else. But living for Jesus Christ is the passion of our existence, the focal point of our living. Let me urge you, then, to make it your highest priority to "groove" your lifestyle, to bring it into line with the glorious standard laid down in the principles of God's Word.
I need to go and practice! Want to join me?
Ron
I know. I know. Already you are thinking: "Not another one of his golf analogies!" Yep. I am afraid so. But I hope that you won't let that stop you from reading through to the end. Hidden in this unusual-sounding term - "grooving my swing" - I believe to be a very sound and practical spiritual truth for living as Christians today.
To "groove your swing" as a golfer is to practice your basic golf swing over and over until it becomes something consistent, something dependable, something in which you feel confident. Oh, to be sure you will adapt it slightly from situation to situation depending on the lie of the ball and the distance you need to cover. But the swing itself must become the picture of consistency and sameness, something dependable and trustworthy. Are you beginning to see the rays of a light of Bible truth breaking through?
In his letter to a young pastor named Timothy, the Apostle Paul urged him to "discipline" himself in personal godliness. I love the King James Version's use of the word "exercise," a translation of the Greek verb gumnazo from which we get our word "gymnastics" or "gymnasium." It is a wonderful picture of "working out" spiritually. That is what a truly dedicated golfer will do in seeking to "groove his swing" and that is what every true follower of Jesus Christ needs to do in "grooving" his walk.
You see, beloved, I am convinced of one thing that is amply confirmed in Scripture, that is that people are not nearly so interested in what we know as Christians as in how we've been transformed by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Show people what Jesus can do for them by showing them what He has done for you! And in order to do that, you must as Paul advised Timothy "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." It takes practice to be a single-digit handicapper in golf, beloved, and it takes practice to be a godly Christian. Sitting in a church pew on Sunday or in a small group on Thursday won't get the job done! You are going to have to vigorously and faithfully apply the principles of Scripture to every detail of your daily living. That will be to "groove your swing," to "exercise yourself for the purpose of godliness"!
My golf game still needs a lot of "grooving," beloved, and I'll keep at it in my spare time. But my lifestyle needs a lot of "grooving" as well and that one need must become the priority of my life. Golf is just a game that is forgotten as soon as we turn our attention to something else. But living for Jesus Christ is the passion of our existence, the focal point of our living. Let me urge you, then, to make it your highest priority to "groove" your lifestyle, to bring it into line with the glorious standard laid down in the principles of God's Word.
I need to go and practice! Want to join me?
Ron
Friday, February 22, 2013
What's It All About, Alfie?
"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31)
The most well-known of the 107 questions and answers of the Westminster Catechism is surely:
"What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."
This singular truth from God's Word was brought home to me again this week, believe it or not, by a movie from 1966 entitled "Alfie." A young Britisher named Alfie Elkins lives a totally self-seeking life, using everyone in his path as a means to his own selfish end. At the end of the movie, however, circumstances in his life cause him to realize that if you don't have peace of mind then you don't have anything at all. In the closing scene as the title character walks slowly into the twilight, the theme song is sung, a portion of which includes the words:
What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about, when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Clearly from God's perspective we are not meant to take instead of give. In fact, all that we do is intended to bring glory to God. This question and answer from the Westminster Catechism is not just for Presbyterian believers! It is to be the lifeblood of every follower of Jesus Christ. Nothing is more foundational to any human being than eating and drinking. Paul's point, then, is that seeking the glory of God is to be as foundational to our living as are eating and drinking. We should view every circumstance of life through the prism of God's glory. We should actively seek for ways in which to bring glory to God no matter what we are doing. Seeking God's glory is not a switch that we can turn on and off, beloved!
We may not ourselves be as self-seeking and self-serving as was Alfie Elkins, but the question we need to continually ask ourselves as we walk through this life is: "Will this glorify God?" A later line in the theme song for the movie states: "As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie." Well, there is a heaven above and the dictate of heaven is that we should live this life in full, relentless, and joyful pursuit of the glory of God. And that is what "it" is all about!
Ron
The most well-known of the 107 questions and answers of the Westminster Catechism is surely:
"What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."
This singular truth from God's Word was brought home to me again this week, believe it or not, by a movie from 1966 entitled "Alfie." A young Britisher named Alfie Elkins lives a totally self-seeking life, using everyone in his path as a means to his own selfish end. At the end of the movie, however, circumstances in his life cause him to realize that if you don't have peace of mind then you don't have anything at all. In the closing scene as the title character walks slowly into the twilight, the theme song is sung, a portion of which includes the words:
What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about, when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Clearly from God's perspective we are not meant to take instead of give. In fact, all that we do is intended to bring glory to God. This question and answer from the Westminster Catechism is not just for Presbyterian believers! It is to be the lifeblood of every follower of Jesus Christ. Nothing is more foundational to any human being than eating and drinking. Paul's point, then, is that seeking the glory of God is to be as foundational to our living as are eating and drinking. We should view every circumstance of life through the prism of God's glory. We should actively seek for ways in which to bring glory to God no matter what we are doing. Seeking God's glory is not a switch that we can turn on and off, beloved!
We may not ourselves be as self-seeking and self-serving as was Alfie Elkins, but the question we need to continually ask ourselves as we walk through this life is: "Will this glorify God?" A later line in the theme song for the movie states: "As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie." Well, there is a heaven above and the dictate of heaven is that we should live this life in full, relentless, and joyful pursuit of the glory of God. And that is what "it" is all about!
Ron
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Here's a 'PC' You Can Live With
"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called" (Ephesians 4:1)
Many of you may have already taken the time to check out the video clip posted on Face Book of Dr. Benjamin Carson speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast recently, both the president and vice-president not only in attendance but sitting with him on the dais. If you haven't seen it, by all means check it out. It is well worth the watch! During his address, Dr. Carson told the story about a young man who wanted to send to his mother a very special gift for a very special occasion. He purchased for her a pair of exotic and gifted birds that cost him $5,000 each and had them shipped to her. Not hearing anything from her about his extravagant gift, he finally called her and asked her how she liked the birds. Her response simply was: "They were good." Unable to believe his ears, the young man told her what the birds had cost him and how talented they were, both of them being able to speak. His mother's response is classic: "Then they should have said something!"
Back on December 20th I posted a Christmas blog that mentioned among other things the problem with trying to be "PC" or politically correct today. Now I don't know about you, beloved, but frankly I am fed up with the whole issue of political correctness, of having to tiptoe around people's feelings so much so that we as fellow human beings can't even discuss anything honestly anymore. So here and now I would like to propose to you that we take back the term "PC" and change its meaning to something that is much more positive and powerful. I want to urge you to begin to use the term "PC" frequently in your conversations with others. The only difference I want to see you make is that you introduce your own personal "PC" as a reference to your own practical Christianity. We have learned the hard way in these past months that society's form of "PC" has not worked, is not working, and will never work. All that it has done is to push people so far into corners of social acceptability that many are afraid to express any convictions about anything at all.
But did you notice what Paul told the believers in Ephesus about God's personal form of "PC"? He urged his readers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" by which the Spirit of God had called them to faith in Jesus Christ, a calling that was meant then and is meant today to totally transform the life of anyone it touches. Society today does not need political correctness, beloved. It desperately needs practical Christianity in front of its face every moment of every day. People around us need to see followers of Jesus Christ living out our faith in real-life, day to day situations and circumstances. Now that is a "PC" we can all live with! As far as Dr. Carson's story about the mother who unintentionally cooked and ate her son's costly gift to her is concerned, she was absolutely right. They should have said something! Do you want to stand before the Lord one day and have it said of our failure to exhibit our own personal and visible practical Christianity that we should have said something? Now is that time, beloved. Today is that day. Let's all agree as brothers and sisters in Christ that we will flood our world with God's version of "PC" and really show those around us who Jesus Christ is and what He can do for all who will turn to Him in repentance and faith.
Ron
Many of you may have already taken the time to check out the video clip posted on Face Book of Dr. Benjamin Carson speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast recently, both the president and vice-president not only in attendance but sitting with him on the dais. If you haven't seen it, by all means check it out. It is well worth the watch! During his address, Dr. Carson told the story about a young man who wanted to send to his mother a very special gift for a very special occasion. He purchased for her a pair of exotic and gifted birds that cost him $5,000 each and had them shipped to her. Not hearing anything from her about his extravagant gift, he finally called her and asked her how she liked the birds. Her response simply was: "They were good." Unable to believe his ears, the young man told her what the birds had cost him and how talented they were, both of them being able to speak. His mother's response is classic: "Then they should have said something!"
Back on December 20th I posted a Christmas blog that mentioned among other things the problem with trying to be "PC" or politically correct today. Now I don't know about you, beloved, but frankly I am fed up with the whole issue of political correctness, of having to tiptoe around people's feelings so much so that we as fellow human beings can't even discuss anything honestly anymore. So here and now I would like to propose to you that we take back the term "PC" and change its meaning to something that is much more positive and powerful. I want to urge you to begin to use the term "PC" frequently in your conversations with others. The only difference I want to see you make is that you introduce your own personal "PC" as a reference to your own practical Christianity. We have learned the hard way in these past months that society's form of "PC" has not worked, is not working, and will never work. All that it has done is to push people so far into corners of social acceptability that many are afraid to express any convictions about anything at all.
But did you notice what Paul told the believers in Ephesus about God's personal form of "PC"? He urged his readers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" by which the Spirit of God had called them to faith in Jesus Christ, a calling that was meant then and is meant today to totally transform the life of anyone it touches. Society today does not need political correctness, beloved. It desperately needs practical Christianity in front of its face every moment of every day. People around us need to see followers of Jesus Christ living out our faith in real-life, day to day situations and circumstances. Now that is a "PC" we can all live with! As far as Dr. Carson's story about the mother who unintentionally cooked and ate her son's costly gift to her is concerned, she was absolutely right. They should have said something! Do you want to stand before the Lord one day and have it said of our failure to exhibit our own personal and visible practical Christianity that we should have said something? Now is that time, beloved. Today is that day. Let's all agree as brothers and sisters in Christ that we will flood our world with God's version of "PC" and really show those around us who Jesus Christ is and what He can do for all who will turn to Him in repentance and faith.
Ron
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