The video below pairs well with my Thanksgiving musings this year. It articulates great thoughts, but with better special effects than the usual blog post. Enjoy!
(The speaker is Pastor Ron Lewis. Video download available from twotp.com.
Can also be viewed at http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DKGLWPNX .)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Table
For years I've celebrated Thanksgiving Day as a time when we gather around a table to thank God for his provision. We give thanks for family, friends, God's wondrous works during past year, and of course, the food. This year I am seeing things from a slightly different perspective; I cannot think of the Thanksgiving table without my thoughts being drawn to a different table.
...the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and when He had given thanks,
He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25.
“For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”
Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;
he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. ~ John 6:33-35
Friday, June 24, 2011
Post I should have made months ago #2 - Forgiveness
Excerpt from a paper written April 12, 2011.
We have all encountered other people whom we would rather not forgive. They may have offended our senses, abused our hearts, insulted our intelligence, or deeply wounded our souls. Perhaps we have even forgiven them multiple times in the past for specific injuries, and now find ourselves asking along with Peter, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matt. 18:21). There is no doubt that forgiveness is hard work. It often feels unnatural or unfair in a way. Often it is only with the help of the Holy Spirit, and after a long period of time, that we are able to forgive at all. Nevertheless, God’s Word commands us to forgive and, as anyone who has extended or experienced true forgiveness can attest, forgiveness liberates us in unparalleled ways so that we are freed up to embrace the abundant life that Jesus describes in John 10:10. When talking with the Pharisees at a certain dinner banquet, Jesus says: “he who is forgiven little, loves little” (Lk. 7:47). Conversely, when we gain an appreciation for how much we have been forgiven, how can we not extend this same grace to others? The radical, biblical call to forgive even one’s enemies (those who have most deeply wounded us), is made possible only when we realize and accept the depth of God’s abundant forgiveness towards us.
Both Scripture and modern psychology uphold that giving and receiving forgiveness has significant benefits. According to Dr. Gary R. Collins, “forgiveness brings greater physical and mental health, heals racial and cultural divisions, restores marital stability, and builds relationships. Forgiveness ‘calms turbulence, dampens the need to lash out at others, keeps families together and maintains harmony in relationships.’”[1] From a biblical perspective, a willingness to forgive those who have wronged us is a condition for receiving forgiveness from God. Jesus taught this, stating: “For if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:14-15). When we forgive others, we release the injustices we have experienced and the debts we are rightfully owed back to God, allowing him to be the ultimate Judge. This frees us from the heavy emotional and moral burden of trying (in vain) to exact perfect justice for ourselves in a fallen and unjust world.
It is a something of a foolish undertaking to attempt to persuade another person to forgive themselves or anyone else by simply illustrating the potential benefits of forgiveness. Knowing the moral/biblical mandate and the personal or corporate rewards of forgiveness is seldom enough to promote authentic heart-change in any of us. Collins pinpoints the key that unlocks our ability to forgive from the heart[2], saying “until we accept forgiveness, especially the forgiveness that comes from God, it is unlikely that we can fully forgive others and forgive ourselves.”[3] Perhaps this is why the apostle Paul reminds his audience of God’s love and forgiveness whenever he exhorts them to forgive each other. For example, in Ephesians 4:32 Paul writes, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you,” and in his letter to the Colossians he instructs, “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion [. . .] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive (3:12-13). If forgiveness is to be a long-term and consistent practice in our lives, neither moral ought-ness nor the promise of personal gain can provide sufficient motivation. Our motivation is drawn from the deep wells of forgiveness experienced in and through our relationship with Christ. If only we truly heard and internalized the words of Jesus: “Your sins are forgiven,”[4] surely that truth would transform us and spill over into all our relationships.
Sometimes the hardest part of forgiveness is accepting it. We know we do not deserve a clean slate, a restored relationship – especially not with Almighty God who gave his Son to die so that we might be re-instated into fellowship with him – So we hold forgiveness at arms’ length, concocting systems of penance by which we might more properly “earn” it instead. The reality is that forgiveness is a gift. It is by nature unfettered, free, and offered to an undeserving party. It is supernatural and its source is the nature of God himself. 1 John 1:9 tells us that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God forgives us when we honestly admit our offenses before him. He IS forgiving. The psalmist tells us that “the Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness [. . .] He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities [. . .] As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (103:8,10, 12). Once we have confessed our sins, we can trust in who God is for assurance of forgiveness even if we do not feel forgiven. When God and others offer forgiveness to us, we must stop trying to put it up on the shelf until such a time as we might feel worthy of it, and instead accept it for the profoundly beautiful, divine gift that it is.
While giving and receiving forgiveness allows for spiritual, emotional, and sometimes relational healing, it is important to note that “forgiveness does not always restore things to the way they were. Often consequences remain.” [5] As Dr. Smith points out, many of the biblical stories bear out the truth that “violating God’s trust and holiness has consequences.” [6] For instance, even though God forgave Moses for striking the rock when he was instructed to speak to it (and considered Moses as one whom he “knew face to face”) yet because of Moses’ sin, Moses was still not allowed to enter the Promised Land or be the one to lead the people of Israel into it.[7] Moreover, David, the man “after God’s own heart”, also experienced enduring consequences for his adultery with Bathsheba; his son died, he would experience the humiliation of someone from his own household lying with his wives, and the sword (conflict) would not depart from his house (2 Sam. 12). The same principle of consequences can be applied to our fractured human relationships as well. “When there is true forgiveness, there is a genuine attempt to bring reconciliation, to make restitution, and to abandon bitter and complaining attitudes,”[8] however, relational restoration “may occur immediately, over time, or there may always be some enduring consequences.”[9] The child born out of sexual immorality does not disappear because we are forgiven, nor does shattered trust rebuild itself within the hour. We work through the process of neighbor-to-neighbor restoration step-by-step, releasing our hurts to the Just Judge and remembering a Savior who so freely forgave (and forgives!) a debt greater than we could ever pay. It is his love that fuels our forgiveness - nothing else can.
[1] Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling (3rd ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 189.
[2] Jesus’ disciples must forgive each other from the heart. See the parable of the two debtors in Matthew 18:23-35.
[3] Collins, Christian Counseling, 189.
[4] Luke 7:48; Mark 2:5 (cf. Matt. 9:2; Luke 5:20)
[5] Dr. Justin Smith, “Forgiveness & Restoration”; Lecture notes in Principles for Biblical Counseling, Phoenix Seminary, Spring 2011.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Deut. 35:1-5, 10-12 and Num. 20:12
[8] Collins, Christian Counseling, 191.
[9] Smith, “Forgiveness & Restoration”.
Post I should have made months ago #1 - Anxiety
I've been meaning to post so many thoughts over the last few months, but... such is life, and good intentions don't seem to materialize into blog posts automatically. I'm still composing my reflections on the beauty and goodness of God during this wonderful yet filled-with-unknowns season of my life.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd share a few things I wrote this Spring semester. Forgive the formality and distant voice at times, this (and the following post) were originally written for more academic settings.
#1 - Reflections on Anxiety - Excerpts from a paper written March 1, 2011.
. . . The Bible contains the Words of a God who very much knows and understands our stresses and anxieties. He knows that we are finite; “for he himself knows our frame; he is mindful that we are but dust” (Ps. 103:14), and he cares for us deeply. He is sovereign over all creation and the details of our lives do not escape his notice. The psalmist reminds us of God’s loving care towards us in the midst of disquieting and distressing situations with the words he writes to the Lord: “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul” (Ps. 94:19). Not all anxious thoughts are the same, however. The Scriptures distinguish between two kinds of anxiety, one is a healthy concern and the other is a detrimental fret or worry.
[2] Collins, Christian Counseling, 142.
[3] Dr. Justin Smith, “Depression & Anxiety”; Lecture notes in Principles for Biblical Counseling, Phoenix Seminary, Spring 2011.
[4] Collins, Christian Counseling, 142.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd share a few things I wrote this Spring semester. Forgive the formality and distant voice at times, this (and the following post) were originally written for more academic settings.
#1 - Reflections on Anxiety - Excerpts from a paper written March 1, 2011.
. . . The Bible contains the Words of a God who very much knows and understands our stresses and anxieties. He knows that we are finite; “for he himself knows our frame; he is mindful that we are but dust” (Ps. 103:14), and he cares for us deeply. He is sovereign over all creation and the details of our lives do not escape his notice. The psalmist reminds us of God’s loving care towards us in the midst of disquieting and distressing situations with the words he writes to the Lord: “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul” (Ps. 94:19). Not all anxious thoughts are the same, however. The Scriptures distinguish between two kinds of anxiety, one is a healthy concern and the other is a detrimental fret or worry.
Anxiety that presents itself “in the form of realistic concern is neither condemned nor forbidden” in the Bible.[2] Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he has “concern for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:28), and in his letter to the Philippian church he wrote that Timothy was the only one of “kindred spirit” who would “genuinely be concerned for your welfare” (2:20). In the Old Testament King Darius expressed serious concern for the welfare of Daniel, to the extent that spent a sleepless night fasting while Daniel remained in the lion’s den (Dan. 6:18-20). This kind of healthy concern corresponds to being on the alert, motivated, or eagerly anticipating a certain event.[3] It is important to note that since the Bible does not denounce or rebuke this kind of anxiety, we must allow for encountering or experiencing a natural, healthy concern in our personal ministry and with our counselees. This means that we should not view all anxiety as innately bad, nor should we encourage others to have a totally negative view of all anxiety. Anxiety must be acknowledged as a real and present concern, and then honestly evaluated in light of God’s Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
When anxiety becomes a fret or immobilizing worry it can be symptomatic of a lack of trust in our Heavenly Father, and the Bible clearly teaches against allowing such anxiety to preoccupy our minds. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us not to worry about basic needs such as food or clothing, or about the future because “your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matt. 6:32). The Psalmist also tells us straightforwardly: “Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing” (Ps. 37:8). How do we know when a healthy concern has grown into an unhealthy anxiety? It is all about where our trust and security is functionally placed. Collins explains it this way:
Anxiety as fret and worry comes when we turn from God, shift the burdens of life on to ourselves, and show by our attitudes and actions that we alone are taking responsibility for handling problems. Instead of acknowledging God’s sovereignty and power, or determining to live for him and make his kingdom our primary concern, many of us – both counselors and counselees – slip into sinful self-reliance and preoccupation with our own life pressures.[4]
Of course it is difficult not to worry, and none of us should be brash enough to say that we perfectly trust God in everything so that nary a fretful thought enters our minds. However, this should not discourage us from applying the wisdom of biblical counsel to combat the anxiety and temptation to worry that threatens to undo us at times.
God repeatedly and emphatically tells us not to fear, but the command to not fear is not a command that we are to adhere to simply for the sake of morality or because God ‘said so’. Rather, like all of God’s commands, it finds its basis in who God is and how he sees you and I. “Do not fear, for I am with you,” God says through the prophet Isaiah, “Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Is 41:10). From this passage and others like it, we learn that we do not have to be worried or fearful because God is strong and he is with us and for us, working out things for good and for his glory. “Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows,” says Jesus (Matt 10:31); again we see that we have the freedom not to give in to paralyzing anxiety because we are precious in the sight of the God who cares for all creation.
Now that we know we have the freedom not to be anxious, Peter gives us a helpful “how to” strategy for walking in that freedom. First, we are to be humble (we are not God, and cannot do it all, nor do we have his sovereign perspective), and second we are to cast all our anxiety on him, because he cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). Notice once again the reason that we can trust God with all our anxieties is because of who he is. The worries that threaten to crush us can be lifted off our shoulders and given over to a loving Father who is infinitely bigger than we are. Another powerful strategy for overcoming anxiety is that of authentic prayer and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6). It is hard to be simultaneously grateful and anxious, the act of offering thanksgiving to God reminds us of all he is and all he has done for us. Thanksgiving is an antidote to worry because it helps us put things back into their rightful perspective. . .
. . . We must point others (and ourselves) back to the Scriptures again and again, not so that we can read the words “do not worry” and walk away, but so that we can awaken to the reality that there is no need for worry. Anxiety stands no chance when it comes nose to nose with the reality of an omniscient, loving, and sovereign God.
When anxiety becomes a fret or immobilizing worry it can be symptomatic of a lack of trust in our Heavenly Father, and the Bible clearly teaches against allowing such anxiety to preoccupy our minds. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us not to worry about basic needs such as food or clothing, or about the future because “your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matt. 6:32). The Psalmist also tells us straightforwardly: “Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing” (Ps. 37:8). How do we know when a healthy concern has grown into an unhealthy anxiety? It is all about where our trust and security is functionally placed. Collins explains it this way:
Anxiety as fret and worry comes when we turn from God, shift the burdens of life on to ourselves, and show by our attitudes and actions that we alone are taking responsibility for handling problems. Instead of acknowledging God’s sovereignty and power, or determining to live for him and make his kingdom our primary concern, many of us – both counselors and counselees – slip into sinful self-reliance and preoccupation with our own life pressures.[4]
Of course it is difficult not to worry, and none of us should be brash enough to say that we perfectly trust God in everything so that nary a fretful thought enters our minds. However, this should not discourage us from applying the wisdom of biblical counsel to combat the anxiety and temptation to worry that threatens to undo us at times.
God repeatedly and emphatically tells us not to fear, but the command to not fear is not a command that we are to adhere to simply for the sake of morality or because God ‘said so’. Rather, like all of God’s commands, it finds its basis in who God is and how he sees you and I. “Do not fear, for I am with you,” God says through the prophet Isaiah, “Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Is 41:10). From this passage and others like it, we learn that we do not have to be worried or fearful because God is strong and he is with us and for us, working out things for good and for his glory. “Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows,” says Jesus (Matt 10:31); again we see that we have the freedom not to give in to paralyzing anxiety because we are precious in the sight of the God who cares for all creation.
Now that we know we have the freedom not to be anxious, Peter gives us a helpful “how to” strategy for walking in that freedom. First, we are to be humble (we are not God, and cannot do it all, nor do we have his sovereign perspective), and second we are to cast all our anxiety on him, because he cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). Notice once again the reason that we can trust God with all our anxieties is because of who he is. The worries that threaten to crush us can be lifted off our shoulders and given over to a loving Father who is infinitely bigger than we are. Another powerful strategy for overcoming anxiety is that of authentic prayer and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6). It is hard to be simultaneously grateful and anxious, the act of offering thanksgiving to God reminds us of all he is and all he has done for us. Thanksgiving is an antidote to worry because it helps us put things back into their rightful perspective. . .
. . . We must point others (and ourselves) back to the Scriptures again and again, not so that we can read the words “do not worry” and walk away, but so that we can awaken to the reality that there is no need for worry. Anxiety stands no chance when it comes nose to nose with the reality of an omniscient, loving, and sovereign God.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
Psalm 27:1
[2] Collins, Christian Counseling, 142.
[3] Dr. Justin Smith, “Depression & Anxiety”; Lecture notes in Principles for Biblical Counseling, Phoenix Seminary, Spring 2011.
[4] Collins, Christian Counseling, 142.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
God-IN-Christ not versus Christ
I've heard considerable amounts of discussion recently that seem to pit the love of Christ against the wrath of the Father and then go on to conclude that the wrath of the Father must then not really exist since it is incongruent with the love of the Son, and thus with God himself.
Contributing in this conversation of late has been the the voice of Rob Bell and his book Love Wins. (For a review of Rob Bell's book I recommend this article on Denny Burk's blog http://www.dennyburk.com/revising-hell-into-the-heterodox-mainstream/ . Burk also has some good things to say about doctrinal controversy in his post today http://www.dennyburk.com/on-doctrinal-controversy/)
Several possible avenues for dismantling the false dichotomy of God's love v. God's wrath come to mind, but I don't want to discuss them here today.
I just want to share a quotation I discovered.
Last night I was pondering these things in the back of my mind after theology class while preparing a message on John 17. Around midnight I stumbled upon the words of Gary M. Burge in his commentary on the gospel of John. His words helped to clarify my thinking.
...we need to explore a new appreciation for what God has done in and through the Incarnation. We need to see the salvific dimensions of God-in-Christ. God has shown His love for us not simply in sending His Son to the cross, but in coming Himself to be with us. The death of Christ is not the precondition of God's love for us, as if we were despised by Him, as if we angered Him, and only at the cross was His feeling toward us reversed. 'God was in Christ reconciling the world' (ASV, 2 Cor. 5:19). Jesus did not come to change God's mind, instead, He came to express God's mind. If God so loved the world ([Jn] 3:16), He loved us too.
(p. 476, emphasis mine)
Contributing in this conversation of late has been the the voice of Rob Bell and his book Love Wins. (For a review of Rob Bell's book I recommend this article on Denny Burk's blog http://www.dennyburk.com/revising-hell-into-the-heterodox-mainstream/ . Burk also has some good things to say about doctrinal controversy in his post today http://www.dennyburk.com/on-doctrinal-controversy/)
Several possible avenues for dismantling the false dichotomy of God's love v. God's wrath come to mind, but I don't want to discuss them here today.
I just want to share a quotation I discovered.
Last night I was pondering these things in the back of my mind after theology class while preparing a message on John 17. Around midnight I stumbled upon the words of Gary M. Burge in his commentary on the gospel of John. His words helped to clarify my thinking.
...we need to explore a new appreciation for what God has done in and through the Incarnation. We need to see the salvific dimensions of God-in-Christ. God has shown His love for us not simply in sending His Son to the cross, but in coming Himself to be with us. The death of Christ is not the precondition of God's love for us, as if we were despised by Him, as if we angered Him, and only at the cross was His feeling toward us reversed. 'God was in Christ reconciling the world' (ASV, 2 Cor. 5:19). Jesus did not come to change God's mind, instead, He came to express God's mind. If God so loved the world ([Jn] 3:16), He loved us too.
(p. 476, emphasis mine)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
It’s a Wonderful Life
I thought about this post almost a month ago. I had it composed in my head – lovely words and reflections on all the wondrous notes that have recently composed the symphony of my life. But now those words will hardly do; my joys have surpassed them.
If I have learned anything in the last eight months, it is another lesson of humility in the face of a God too big and too wise for me to contain him within the confines of my human intellect. I have no right to speak rashly against him, though heaven knows I do. Over and over again I doubt. I become angry, or stubborn, or indignant. Like the people of Israel my heart raises the complaint: “My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God” (Is. 40:27). God is not threatened by my railings. He simply acts in such a way as to prove them all very foolish. He puts me to shame, vividly demonstrating his unconditional, overpowering love for me when I least deserve it - even in the midst of my complaints against him! While I have been wrestling with one of his hands, he has been quietly and diligently working all things together towards something inconceivably beautiful and good with the other. All of his ways prove to be true, and faithful, and marvelous and GOOD. The prophet Isaiah defends the boundlessness of God’s wisdom and power (40:12-15), but Israel, like me, doesn’t always get it. We both look too long at our circumstances, our present grief and pain and hardships, and we forget.
Can you measure God?
I cannot measure him. And somewhere in that immeasurable greatness, perhaps there is a perfect and sure purpose, a tide of vast love that is drawing all things to himself, to redemption, to “the best that ever could be”. Yes, I know there is. I may think God is unjust or devious, but he is not, he is more righteous and authentic than any other. I may think he is capricious, but he is the only one who does not change. I may think that he is distant, but he is ever so much nearer than I know. I can wrestle with him and wish to run from him, but in words of the old song:
My Lord is so high, you can’t get over Him,
So low, you can’t get under Him,
So wide, you can’t get around Him,
You must go in at the door.
He makes everything beautiful in its time.
So beautiful in fact, that I can do nothing but stand in awe.
“You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” ~ Psalm 119:68
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