Just as If...

A friend's daughter returned to the kitchen after time out. "Mom, I sure like people better when I'm by myself." What a laugh, but oh, how true!

 

This morning I was convicted and encouraged that God doesn't feel that way about us. Our youth group and leaders are on a 2-year trek through the Bible and it's easy to wonder what applications we can glean from Exodus and Leviticus. In all of the directions for building the tabernacle, directing worship and giving commands, I continue to find these types of references to Aaron and his sons:

The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him, that in them they may be anointed and ordained. (Exodus 29:29).

 

God adds this in the midst of a long series of instructions for Aaron and his sons without bias, without foreshadowing, without a list of exceptions. Knowing what we do about Aaron and his sons, God might have clued us in to the fact that Aaron had issues--and so did his sons. God might have set up safe guards against their frailty and failure (Exodus 32, Leviticus 10). But He gave commands, promises, and warnings as if all was well.

 

The same is true in the New Testament. Jesus knew all men, even Judas, and what would become of him (John 2:24-25). But in love and wisdom He included him, commanded and taught him as he taught the others.

 

We (I) fall so short of that example! How easily our bias for or against others shows itself. Rather than think the best, we hedge our bets or seek to protect our interests (justifying it as "realistic" or a natural consequence) with very little, if any evidence one way or the other.

God's love for those who have trusted Christ is perfect. His love does not depend on the individual or vary with our behavior/motives/words. He is the same. He gives, protects, and provides generously, unconditionally... as if we had never sinned.* Oh, for the understanding and love to accept others the way He loves us!

(If you have not experienced His love and forgiveness, read the questions and Scripture in the margin to the right or ask a friend who knows God personally.)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth...." (Luke 20:21)

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.(Galatians 6:1-5, 10)

*His love for us includes discipline (Hebrews 12), but it is a perfect discipline born in love not resentment or anger.
 

Complaining: Beauty from Ashes

Yesterday a beautiful thing happened. It wasn't something I did or planned to do; it just--was. As I moved clothes from the dryer into the basket, folding along the way, thoughts of the miserable cold I'm suffering turned to my friend with Bel's palsy who hasn't been able to blink for two weeks and I prayed for her, for her discomfort, protection from long-term difficulty, healing, perseverance. As I picked up another piece of clothing with one hand and blew my nose with the other, I prayed for my young mother friend who is fighting cancer, for joy, perseverance, faith, and the revelation of God in the midst of it all. And the list continued: the husband suffering long-term effects of CO2 poisoning, the father with ALS and their families....

Standing to transfer clothes from the washer to dryer, I heard myself. God had done a work through my complaining and transformed it from personal muck to glorious love. Aware of my relative discomfort, He allowed me to channel it to thoughts of others. Much like the discipline of fasting, God used my infirmity to propel prayers upward on behalf of others!

Some of you are not surprised; you fight pain, weakness, and discomfort all day, every day. You know. You know the power of God--that the gospel of Jesus empowers us to love others in spite of, through, because of, the pain and suffering. You know that God wastes nothing and uses everything. You experience His life-giving power in the midst of ongoing death. And, while on earth there is confusion, anger, clamor, disillusionment and despair, even in suffering, through Jesus, there is beauty, life, joy, peace, comfort; a giving from those who have nothing earthly to give to those in great need. And God triumphs. Once again, He claims victory and proves His worth.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. "(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,  as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent....“
"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours....
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  (John 17:1-3, 9, 20-21: IThe night before He was crucified, knowing what was ahead, Jesus prayed for His disciples and those who would later believe and follow Him.)

 

What Faith Looks Like

A couple of times this week the question, "How do I trust God?" has been asked with sincerity by those who struggle, who want to trust, but are stuck in fear or uncertainty. What a great question!

First and foremost, it begins at the cross. If we haven't reconciled our sin and depravity with the goodness and provision of God, we have no grounds to trust Him. Those who do not come to God through Jesus will be judged by their own righteousness, which falls short on every count (James 2:10).  The sidebar to the right tells how to become God's child--it's the first and most important step of faith you'll ever take.

My friend, Naomi, once described the Christian walk in terms of "trust" and "faith." It's as if I'm walking through a dense fog on unstable ground. I can't see where to place my foot, but in order to move ahead, I must pick it up and set it down... somewhere. Faith is the action of picking up my foot and setting it down in a place I've never been before (think Abraham).

When we seek God in His Word and prayer, He provides a solid footing. I move forward, not knowing where my foot will land, but believing God will not let me fall (Psalm 37:23-24). When I look behind and see how far I've come, that's trust. I act on faith, but the greater my confidence in God's provision based on past experience (trust), the easier it is to step out on faith. If I never take that first step, I will never prove God's faithfulness.

Too often we get caught up in "me:"  the idea that "I" can mess it up, that "I" will ruin God's plan or fail Him in some way, shape or form. Logically, if I never move, I will never fail. But that's not what Jesus says. To the servant who refused to try, who buried his God-given investment until the master returned, Jesus said, "‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.... For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:26, 29-30).

It sounds crazy--it doesn't make sense to our human minds--but God actually doesn't want our efforts or perfection. He's not concerned about failure. He calls us to faith, that nail-biting, knee-knocking first step that says, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28). 

The truth of the matter, like it or not, is that you and I are not big enough to create failure. God is the Creator--of all things (Colossians 1:16-20). He uses failure and weakness and foolishness in ways we will never understand (1 Corinthians 1). We cannot "let Him down" or ruin His plan. He's bigger than that. Greater. Mightier. Wiser. The only step of failure is the one that refuses to move.

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

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Are you ready to walk by faith?
1) Talk to God--confess your pride, your disbelief and unwillingness to obey. Admit your fear and ask Him for help.
2) Continue in prayer, asking God what step of obedience you need to take right now, this minute. My guess is that you knew where you're holding back before you sat down to pray--but now you and God are in this together and you're on His side, not your own. That's the way faith works.
3) Do it. Don't write it down, think about it or ask a friend for help. Just. Do. It.
4) Thank God for His help. You did it! You acted on faith and obeyed. It's just that simple.
5) Ask God to reveal what you should do next. NOTE: God's will is always in agreement with His Word. If you do what's right you'll rarely have time to do what's wrong.
6) Praise Him as He answers your prayer and helps you obey. Tell others. Talk to Him constantly as you go about your day asking for help, direction, strength, wisdom and forgiveness as needed. Sing songs of praise, and
7) Keep doing the next right thing.

“I have taken [you] from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’"  (Isaiah 41:8-10)