At church on Sunday there was a comment made about how there might be much disagreement even in our small group about different issues, such as dancing, drinking, and the like. The issue specifically raised was one of dancing, with the individual commenting that dancing was an activity engaged in on a somewhat frequent basis. There was concern that some people might find that wrong.
It disturbs me that Christianity has received such a “bad rap” that one would be hesitant to be open about listening to what is true about such things. While the Bible does not address every single circumstance one might come across in life, it certainly provides a framework for determining what is right and wrong, good and bad, wise and stupid. I’d like to reflect for a moment on what part of that framework might be, in the absence of clear guidance.
For example, the Bible is clear that being drunk is not a wise choice, or better stated, wrong. But it is not specific on when to drink or how much (except to the amount of being drunk). So the following list that I posted here is for those things that aren't clear -- and I think the Bible is clear in many situations.
The pattern that I see in Scripture that assists us in making right choices seems to be based on SOME of the following criteria (by NO means comprehensive -- just some random thoughts):
- Does this action hurt or cause others to stumble?
- Does this action bring me under its power (am I addicted or “hooked”)? (or put another way, does it feed the flesh?)
- Does this action bring glory to God?
Paul mentions in Romans that if eating meat causes his brother to stumble, he will never eat meat again. I think in the presence of those whose convictions might be a little narrower, it is wise for an individual to temper his or her actions with what he or she knows those people are comfortable with. If I am with someone who considers eating or drinking a certain thing a ‘sin’ or wrong for them, then better for me to not do so than to cause them to stumble. (Romans 14)
Paul also mentions in Corinthians about “all things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” God spent a great deal of effort and pain to set us free from sin – and anything that brings us into bondage to itself reduces the freedom that we have in Christ. Is what I am doing feeding that side that I have been set free from? For example, seeing an R-rated movie with a few steamy scenes might be ok for some, but how is it good for my mind – how can I think thoughts that are pure, honorable, right, and lovely (Phil 4:8) by seeing that?
And finally, Paul again writes that whatever we do, do for the glory of God. David danced before the Lord with all his might, because he loved God and was rejoicing in the return of the ark. What are my motivations for what I do – am I doing them for selfish reasons, or because I want to honor/glorify God?
So my response to the individual would be – it depends. If God came down and asked you to stop dancing, would you be willing to give it up? If you are with a group of people, one or more who think dancing is questionable, would you be willing to not dance that evening? And when you dance, are you doing so in a God-honoring (and respectful) manner? If so, then dance your heart out!
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Forrest Gump
Last weekend some friends came over and we had our usual discussion on what movie to watch. One of the options was Forrest Gump. While this was not the final movie chosen, my mind has wandered back several times this week to that movie, one of my favorites.
I remember being told by my earthly dad that after seeing the movie, he went out and wept. I found that surprising, for he was rarely one to admit or show that particular emotion. I have thought a lot about what it was in that movie that made him weep and, while this isn’t the primary purpose of my post, I think the reason was because Gump just by being himself made such an impact. I think there is a desire there in his heart to do something “big” for God and I think it pained him to see a story about one who just by being a genuine person was so huge.
How sad that makes me, for I don’t think God is about being “big” or how much of an impact we have on this earth. For Him, I think it about cause, rather than effect. What are the motives of my heart? God would rather me reach out in His love to one person than preach a sermon of judgment where hundreds of consciences are pricked. The least in the kingdom will be the greatest, Christ taught. The small, insignificant things I do just might be mountains in God’s eyes. And those big things I am so proud of probably don’t mean much to Him. I am saddened because the very thing he yearns for he already has, he just can’t accept it.
For me, and I think for so many others, the main reason the movie made such a powerful impression and why we love it so much is because it is the picture of unconditional love. After seeing the movie, I too wept, but not because of the impact Forrest made. What I yearned for was that kind of love, the unconditional love and acceptance. And I find myself walking in the same shoes as my earthly father – yearning for something I already have. Because unconditional love is found in my Heavenly Father.
Perhaps one of the mistakes we make, I know I do, is to try to picture God’s love like the love I experience here on earth. That picture cannot be any further from the truth! How often I forget that God who cannot be measured, who made a universe that still is not measured, must also have a love that is not measurable. How often the scripture talks about God’s love and how many times I glance over it with a “that’s nice” thought.
Do I find myself refusing His love like Jenny: “You don’t want to marry me”, “You can’t keep trying to rescue me”? We watch in the movie as Jenny searches high and low for something, someone who will accept and love her and will make her happy, and it is right in front of her the entire time! How happy (and tearful) was I when finally she surrendered to his love:
Jenny: “Why are you so good to me?”
Forrest “You’re my girl.”
Jenny: “I’ll always be your girl.”
Why is God so good to me, so good to you? Because I’m His boy and you’re His boy or girl – and you’ll always be His. How difficult it is to surrender to unconditional love because it is so hard to unconditionally accept it. Just as Forrest loved Jenny because of who he was, so God loves you and I because of who He is.
I find in my own life that it is difficult to accept God’s unconditional love for me because I don’t love other people unconditionally. I judge God’s love in the light of my own – and how shallow I am! I think the real truth is – only as we surrender to God’s unconditional love are we ever able to start loving other people unconditionally. In first John, it is written that “We love because He first loved us.” I can respond in love to Him and others only because He made the first move, He first loved me and you.
I remember being told by my earthly dad that after seeing the movie, he went out and wept. I found that surprising, for he was rarely one to admit or show that particular emotion. I have thought a lot about what it was in that movie that made him weep and, while this isn’t the primary purpose of my post, I think the reason was because Gump just by being himself made such an impact. I think there is a desire there in his heart to do something “big” for God and I think it pained him to see a story about one who just by being a genuine person was so huge.
How sad that makes me, for I don’t think God is about being “big” or how much of an impact we have on this earth. For Him, I think it about cause, rather than effect. What are the motives of my heart? God would rather me reach out in His love to one person than preach a sermon of judgment where hundreds of consciences are pricked. The least in the kingdom will be the greatest, Christ taught. The small, insignificant things I do just might be mountains in God’s eyes. And those big things I am so proud of probably don’t mean much to Him. I am saddened because the very thing he yearns for he already has, he just can’t accept it.
For me, and I think for so many others, the main reason the movie made such a powerful impression and why we love it so much is because it is the picture of unconditional love. After seeing the movie, I too wept, but not because of the impact Forrest made. What I yearned for was that kind of love, the unconditional love and acceptance. And I find myself walking in the same shoes as my earthly father – yearning for something I already have. Because unconditional love is found in my Heavenly Father.
Perhaps one of the mistakes we make, I know I do, is to try to picture God’s love like the love I experience here on earth. That picture cannot be any further from the truth! How often I forget that God who cannot be measured, who made a universe that still is not measured, must also have a love that is not measurable. How often the scripture talks about God’s love and how many times I glance over it with a “that’s nice” thought.
Do I find myself refusing His love like Jenny: “You don’t want to marry me”, “You can’t keep trying to rescue me”? We watch in the movie as Jenny searches high and low for something, someone who will accept and love her and will make her happy, and it is right in front of her the entire time! How happy (and tearful) was I when finally she surrendered to his love:
Jenny: “Why are you so good to me?”
Forrest “You’re my girl.”
Jenny: “I’ll always be your girl.”
Why is God so good to me, so good to you? Because I’m His boy and you’re His boy or girl – and you’ll always be His. How difficult it is to surrender to unconditional love because it is so hard to unconditionally accept it. Just as Forrest loved Jenny because of who he was, so God loves you and I because of who He is.
I find in my own life that it is difficult to accept God’s unconditional love for me because I don’t love other people unconditionally. I judge God’s love in the light of my own – and how shallow I am! I think the real truth is – only as we surrender to God’s unconditional love are we ever able to start loving other people unconditionally. In first John, it is written that “We love because He first loved us.” I can respond in love to Him and others only because He made the first move, He first loved me and you.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Last night I was reading the daily Oswald Chambers “Utmost for His Highest” commentary for May 18th. He pointed out a fact that I know in my life I miss so much of the time.
He stated that so many times a person wants to grow in their Christian walk, that he or she wants to be a better person. I find so often that my focus becomes that – how can I grow in my walk with Christ; what can I do to improve myself? His comment was that our focus should not be growth – our focus should be Christ. Growth will occur as I get my eyes off myself, and fix them on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1).
I think this is one of the keys to the Christian walk – what better person to focus on than the Person who is the perfect standard? Rather than focusing on 'being better', why not focus the one Who already is? My walk then moves from the earthly things to the person of Christ. From the ‘what’ to the ‘Who’.
He stated that so many times a person wants to grow in their Christian walk, that he or she wants to be a better person. I find so often that my focus becomes that – how can I grow in my walk with Christ; what can I do to improve myself? His comment was that our focus should not be growth – our focus should be Christ. Growth will occur as I get my eyes off myself, and fix them on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1).
I think this is one of the keys to the Christian walk – what better person to focus on than the Person who is the perfect standard? Rather than focusing on 'being better', why not focus the one Who already is? My walk then moves from the earthly things to the person of Christ. From the ‘what’ to the ‘Who’.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Peace
I wake up on this cool, overcast Sunday morning with my thoughts turning towards a fruit of the Spirit that I so rarely take hold of. It is the subject of peace that I want to focus on for my first entry here.
In Christ’s own words, He told His disciples and us: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” In prior books of Scripture, it is stated that “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staid on Thee.” Paul writes that “the peace of God…shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What is peace? Certainly it would not be fair or true to call peace ‘the absence of trouble’, for Christians would be the laughingstock of the earth if that were a correct statement. Neither is this topic of peace referring to the lack of war, conflict, or strain between nations, tribes, or individual people.
Rather, I think that the peace that Christ and the writers of Scripture refer to is the calm, quiet assurance that my God is in complete control of the universe and my life. It seems to me that peace rests firmly in this truth – the sufficiency and sovereignty of Christ.
The writers of the New Testament have penned words such as “My God shall supply all your needs…”, “All things work together for the good of those who love God”, and “be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your request be made known to God.” Time and time again in the last couple of months, I have been reminded and humbled by His provision in my life.
And yet it seems there is a missing connection between my mind and heart. For my mind is well aware of the truth of Christ’s control of the universe, His ability to meet my needs, His love and care for me. But too often I find myself doubting or worrying about something so small, so insignificant, so ridiculous. J.I. Packard suggests in his book “Knowing God” that as we get to know God and how sovereign He is, our problems begin to fade in their importance.
My God created the universe – the galaxies, planets, stars. He created the world that I live in, setting the sun and moon into patterns that support life on the planet I live. The living conditions here are exactly perfect for my needs – the amount of oxygen in the air, atmospheric pressure, and too many others to list. And He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground – something so much smaller than me. I can and should rest in His sufficiency in my life. For peace lies, not in the absence of turmoil or the lack of trouble, but in knowing God, in following Him, and in fixing my eyes on Christ.
The peaceful place - and best place for that matter - at the present moment is right where God wants me to be.
In Christ’s own words, He told His disciples and us: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” In prior books of Scripture, it is stated that “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staid on Thee.” Paul writes that “the peace of God…shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What is peace? Certainly it would not be fair or true to call peace ‘the absence of trouble’, for Christians would be the laughingstock of the earth if that were a correct statement. Neither is this topic of peace referring to the lack of war, conflict, or strain between nations, tribes, or individual people.
Rather, I think that the peace that Christ and the writers of Scripture refer to is the calm, quiet assurance that my God is in complete control of the universe and my life. It seems to me that peace rests firmly in this truth – the sufficiency and sovereignty of Christ.
The writers of the New Testament have penned words such as “My God shall supply all your needs…”, “All things work together for the good of those who love God”, and “be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your request be made known to God.” Time and time again in the last couple of months, I have been reminded and humbled by His provision in my life.
And yet it seems there is a missing connection between my mind and heart. For my mind is well aware of the truth of Christ’s control of the universe, His ability to meet my needs, His love and care for me. But too often I find myself doubting or worrying about something so small, so insignificant, so ridiculous. J.I. Packard suggests in his book “Knowing God” that as we get to know God and how sovereign He is, our problems begin to fade in their importance.
My God created the universe – the galaxies, planets, stars. He created the world that I live in, setting the sun and moon into patterns that support life on the planet I live. The living conditions here are exactly perfect for my needs – the amount of oxygen in the air, atmospheric pressure, and too many others to list. And He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground – something so much smaller than me. I can and should rest in His sufficiency in my life. For peace lies, not in the absence of turmoil or the lack of trouble, but in knowing God, in following Him, and in fixing my eyes on Christ.
The peaceful place - and best place for that matter - at the present moment is right where God wants me to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)