My calling as a Christian is to be a disciple. I am called to learn from and imitate the Lord Jesus Christ. As a pastor, my calling is to make disciples. It seems no matter how many times I am tempted to forget my calling, God readily reminds me. Discipleship isn't some super-spiritual quest. It is the call of every person who places their trust in Christ. He has blazed the trail we are to follow, and he calls us to take it seriously.
In fact, Jesus was very candid about it. He said, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow men cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26-27, NIV). Yikes! That is harsh.
Many abandoned him for saying things like this. He seemed to be asking for too much. And from a human perspective, he may have been. But from the divine perspective, he was only asking for what was his due. We look at the world and things around us and we assume that these things matter. There is some truth in that they matter, but they don't matter to the extent that we imagine.
Family is important. It is foundational to a healthy society. However, family isn't ultimate. Human beings need social interaction, even the most introverted person on the planet desires companionship. But our relationship to God is more important. Without other people, we would be lonely. Without God, we are eternally condemned.
When Jesus calls the crowd to "hate" their families he is deliberately trying to chase people off. For those without "ears to hear," the words seem harsh. However, Jesus isn't commanding us to hate others. He told us elsewhere that the law was summed up in the commands to love God and love our neighbors. What Jesus was trying to get across is that our relationship to him should override our other relationships. If Jesus u wants us to go to Africa, but our spouse says, "I won't go!" What do we do?
Jesus says we are to take up our cross and follow him. If everyone rejects us for loving Jesus, then there is little we can do about it. The cost of disobedience is to great. We must obey the Lord.
Discipleship is not an additional category within Christianity. You are either a disciple, that is a believer who is following Jesus, or you're not a believer at all. Jesus warns us not to lose sight of this. We are called to endure to the end no matter how difficult it gets. We need to seek peace with him while he may be found. We must embrace Christ even if it costs us everything. Let those with ears to hear, hear it.
Showing posts with label Following Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Following Jesus. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Jesus Loves the Nations
"And they sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take up the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to server our God, and they will reign on the earth'" (Rev. 5:9-10).
Delia, Sophia, and I had the opportunity to enjoy the International Festival in Bowling Green today with some friends. Upon arriving we greeted with a cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells. A miniature world bizarre stretched out before us. Many of the cultures present in Bowling Green had set up tents to sell food, clothes, trinkets, ect. There were also many booths that offered the opportunity to learn more about the cultures of our neighbors.
I have always assumed that the goal of such events is to foster tolerance of other cultures by elevating fears of the unknown through education and experience. We are less likely to distrust someone from another culture, if we have taken the proverbial walk in their shoes. The sharing of cuisine is often instrumental in building bridges between cultures. For me, it is enjoyable to experience new foods. I don't always enjoy what I try, but when I do, I want to go back for more. A visit to a really good buffet will teach you that the kitchen is often the first place cultures begin to blend.
Tolerance is a noble goal. The world would be a better place, a safer place, if people were genuinely tolerant. But tolerance isn't love. I can tolerate my neighbor without loving him. I can look at the beautiful clothing that adorns the outward man and marvel at it without ever giving a thought to the inner person. I can devour their marvelous food and wonder how I had managed to live so many years without it, but never think about the hunger deep within my neighbor. What does he hope for? What are his dreams? Will I see him again in heaven?
I can and must learn how to live alongside of people different than me. I can learn to move beyond tolerating them to appreciating them. I can learn to to appreciate pieces of their culture: music, food, dance, poetry, and art. But Jesus requires more. He requires that I learn to love them. I do not mean in some vague, hard-to- define-way, but in the very real, very ordinary way. We learn to see them as people, like us, although not exactly like us. They eat, sleep, bath, work, play, etc. They love and want to be loved. They have dreams and ambitions. They have fears and worries.
We must learn to see them as individuals forged in a particular cultural background. Culture has shaped an molded them (just like our culture has shaped and molded us). We must learn to assume that they have the best of intentions, until they prove otherwise. We need to see them as people who have needs, some they are acutely aware of, others they are completely oblivious to. We need to see them as people, not projects; potential friends, not numbers.
In order to love them, we must seek first to understand them, and then to serve them. When tolerance is the end goal, then question becomes: "How do we know our culture is any better?" or in a more religious context, "How do we know we are the only ones who are right?". Questions like these, on their face, seem very difficult to answer. Why? Because if you press your own opinion you have failed to achieve tolerance. Is one culture better than another? A better question would be, "Is there a perfect culture?" We all know the answer to that, it's no. So much of our cultures are relative. Each culture has different tastes, but most can come to enjoy food from another culture. Each culture has different music, but most people can learn to appreciate other types of music.
However, it becomes dangerous to assume that all elements of culture are relative. This is especially true of religions. The International Festival did have some religious presences, but religion seemed to be on the back burner. It could be because the organizers wanted to avoid potential hostilities that would have undermined the festival. It could be that the prevailing cultural wisdom, that all roads lead to heaven, influenced the decision. It could even be that local religious organizations chose to avoid potential conflicts.
For the Christian to love his neighbor, he must share the gospel with him. He cannot sit idly by, while his neighbor slips into hell. The Christian faith is clear: God made all mankind, and thus mankind owes God their obedience. However, man has rejected God's authority and forged their own path. This rebellion brings death and judgment. God in his grace did not will for mankind to die in their rebellion, so he provided a way for them to be at peace with him. He sent his Son, Jesus the Christ, to die in their place. As a sinless substitute, Jesus paid the debt we owe. He was buried and raised to life on the third day. He ascended into heaven from where he is reigning even now. For this reason, God commands all mankind, everywhere to repent of their rebellion and to put their trust in Jesus. We call this the good news. Those without it live under the bad news of death and judgment. So we have to share the message.
Further great news, for us, is that Jesus is saving people from among the nations. Revelation looks down the road into the future. John, who recorded the Revelation, sees a multitude to large to count made up of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Each individual purchased by Jesus' blood, for without the shedding of blood sin cannot be forgiven (see Heb. 9:22).
I saw a small sampling of the nations today, several hundred people or maybe as many couple of thousand, from dozens of countries. I enjoyed many of the sights, sounds, and flavors I experienced today. I felt that my life had been enriched by the experience. Yet, I grieved. I grieved because I came into contact with good people, sincere people, but people who needed Christ, yet knew little or nothing about him.
I can appreciate their culture. I can enjoy their music and dance. I can delight in their food. I can long to know them better. But I cannot tolerate their lostness. By lostness, I mean they are like sheep who have gone astray, and need to be brought back into the fold. They are lost apart from Jesus. The good news is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who goes looking for the lost sheep. The Bible teaches that we all need to turn from wrongdoing and seek forgiveness through Jesus. As a Christian, I believe this, so it would be act of hatred to withhold the message of Jesus.
I don't mean that we have to jam the message of Jesus down the throats of every person we meet, every time we see them. We should never try to force-feed people the message of Jesus. But we do need to live in a winsome way and share what Jesus is doing in our lives today. When the opportunity arises in conversation, we should share the message of Jesus. We should be prepared to answer their questions. We should listen to their stories, and allow them to share their faith with us. We should ask good questions that reflect a genuine interest in understanding their beliefs and who they are. In the end, are task is to love them--not as a prospect, but as a person. We are to love them enough that we share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. And we are to love them whether or not they accept our testimony. We love them because Jesus loved them enough to die for them. We love them because he has purchased the nations to be a kingdom and priests for his Father. We love them because we have been loved.
Jesus loves the nations. Do you? Are you trying to build relationships with non-Christians, so that you can share Jesus? I loved to hear how you are building bridges.
Delia, Sophia, and I had the opportunity to enjoy the International Festival in Bowling Green today with some friends. Upon arriving we greeted with a cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells. A miniature world bizarre stretched out before us. Many of the cultures present in Bowling Green had set up tents to sell food, clothes, trinkets, ect. There were also many booths that offered the opportunity to learn more about the cultures of our neighbors.
I have always assumed that the goal of such events is to foster tolerance of other cultures by elevating fears of the unknown through education and experience. We are less likely to distrust someone from another culture, if we have taken the proverbial walk in their shoes. The sharing of cuisine is often instrumental in building bridges between cultures. For me, it is enjoyable to experience new foods. I don't always enjoy what I try, but when I do, I want to go back for more. A visit to a really good buffet will teach you that the kitchen is often the first place cultures begin to blend.
Tolerance is a noble goal. The world would be a better place, a safer place, if people were genuinely tolerant. But tolerance isn't love. I can tolerate my neighbor without loving him. I can look at the beautiful clothing that adorns the outward man and marvel at it without ever giving a thought to the inner person. I can devour their marvelous food and wonder how I had managed to live so many years without it, but never think about the hunger deep within my neighbor. What does he hope for? What are his dreams? Will I see him again in heaven?
I can and must learn how to live alongside of people different than me. I can learn to move beyond tolerating them to appreciating them. I can learn to to appreciate pieces of their culture: music, food, dance, poetry, and art. But Jesus requires more. He requires that I learn to love them. I do not mean in some vague, hard-to- define-way, but in the very real, very ordinary way. We learn to see them as people, like us, although not exactly like us. They eat, sleep, bath, work, play, etc. They love and want to be loved. They have dreams and ambitions. They have fears and worries.
We must learn to see them as individuals forged in a particular cultural background. Culture has shaped an molded them (just like our culture has shaped and molded us). We must learn to assume that they have the best of intentions, until they prove otherwise. We need to see them as people who have needs, some they are acutely aware of, others they are completely oblivious to. We need to see them as people, not projects; potential friends, not numbers.
In order to love them, we must seek first to understand them, and then to serve them. When tolerance is the end goal, then question becomes: "How do we know our culture is any better?" or in a more religious context, "How do we know we are the only ones who are right?". Questions like these, on their face, seem very difficult to answer. Why? Because if you press your own opinion you have failed to achieve tolerance. Is one culture better than another? A better question would be, "Is there a perfect culture?" We all know the answer to that, it's no. So much of our cultures are relative. Each culture has different tastes, but most can come to enjoy food from another culture. Each culture has different music, but most people can learn to appreciate other types of music.
However, it becomes dangerous to assume that all elements of culture are relative. This is especially true of religions. The International Festival did have some religious presences, but religion seemed to be on the back burner. It could be because the organizers wanted to avoid potential hostilities that would have undermined the festival. It could be that the prevailing cultural wisdom, that all roads lead to heaven, influenced the decision. It could even be that local religious organizations chose to avoid potential conflicts.
For the Christian to love his neighbor, he must share the gospel with him. He cannot sit idly by, while his neighbor slips into hell. The Christian faith is clear: God made all mankind, and thus mankind owes God their obedience. However, man has rejected God's authority and forged their own path. This rebellion brings death and judgment. God in his grace did not will for mankind to die in their rebellion, so he provided a way for them to be at peace with him. He sent his Son, Jesus the Christ, to die in their place. As a sinless substitute, Jesus paid the debt we owe. He was buried and raised to life on the third day. He ascended into heaven from where he is reigning even now. For this reason, God commands all mankind, everywhere to repent of their rebellion and to put their trust in Jesus. We call this the good news. Those without it live under the bad news of death and judgment. So we have to share the message.
Further great news, for us, is that Jesus is saving people from among the nations. Revelation looks down the road into the future. John, who recorded the Revelation, sees a multitude to large to count made up of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Each individual purchased by Jesus' blood, for without the shedding of blood sin cannot be forgiven (see Heb. 9:22).
I saw a small sampling of the nations today, several hundred people or maybe as many couple of thousand, from dozens of countries. I enjoyed many of the sights, sounds, and flavors I experienced today. I felt that my life had been enriched by the experience. Yet, I grieved. I grieved because I came into contact with good people, sincere people, but people who needed Christ, yet knew little or nothing about him.
I can appreciate their culture. I can enjoy their music and dance. I can delight in their food. I can long to know them better. But I cannot tolerate their lostness. By lostness, I mean they are like sheep who have gone astray, and need to be brought back into the fold. They are lost apart from Jesus. The good news is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who goes looking for the lost sheep. The Bible teaches that we all need to turn from wrongdoing and seek forgiveness through Jesus. As a Christian, I believe this, so it would be act of hatred to withhold the message of Jesus.
I don't mean that we have to jam the message of Jesus down the throats of every person we meet, every time we see them. We should never try to force-feed people the message of Jesus. But we do need to live in a winsome way and share what Jesus is doing in our lives today. When the opportunity arises in conversation, we should share the message of Jesus. We should be prepared to answer their questions. We should listen to their stories, and allow them to share their faith with us. We should ask good questions that reflect a genuine interest in understanding their beliefs and who they are. In the end, are task is to love them--not as a prospect, but as a person. We are to love them enough that we share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. And we are to love them whether or not they accept our testimony. We love them because Jesus loved them enough to die for them. We love them because he has purchased the nations to be a kingdom and priests for his Father. We love them because we have been loved.
Jesus loves the nations. Do you? Are you trying to build relationships with non-Christians, so that you can share Jesus? I loved to hear how you are building bridges.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Only Way to Find Yourself
This article was originally published here, on August 8, 2009 under the title "There Is Only One Way to Find Yourself."
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matt 10:39).
This verse follows two warnings. The first one said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). The second warning states, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves sons or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take us his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matt. 10:37-38). Through these warnings, Jesus has set the stage for this statement. His statement is thought provoking. How can one find his life only to lose it? And how can they lose their life, yet find it?
The statement presses us to consider the two types of life one can have. One type of life, initially looks rewarding, but really brings about death. As Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it." The "life" spoken of here reflects a life without Christ. This life is one that is not built on Christ's teaching. In one sense, it is a kingdom without suffering--no cross, no Christ, and no hope. The other type of life, initially looks like death, but really brings about great reward. Jesus states, "And whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." This life is a life centered on Jesus and his teachings. In a sense, it is a kingdom which is entered into through suffering--a cross with Christ and abounding hope.
Jesus' statement forces us into a decision. One must choose between the two lives: a kingdom without suffering up front, but total destruction in the end, or a kingdom with suffering up front, but joy in the end.
Imagine a situation where a person has to choose between a walk with Christ or their family. Let's say a son comes home and tells his father, "Dad, I trusted Christ today." The father responds, "I won't have that junk in my house. You can leave Jesus or leave here." Now, the son has a dilemma. Does he find his life through rejecting Jesus and thus forfeit eternal life? Or does he lose the life he has known by choosing to walk with Jesus and thus finding eternal life? In other words, will he keep his family life in tact while forfeiting his soul or will keep his soul in tact by forfeiting his family? Jesus said that the only way to truly live is to love him more than anyone, to take up our cross (an instrument of suffering and death), and follow him.
Let's apply this to the modern search for self. People seem to be misplacing themselves a lot. Most of us know someone who has been or is now trying to "find" themselves. Most typically, these searches are not conducted in a prayer closet with the Scriptures open and a heart crying out to God. Most commonly, these searches are made by overhauling one's life without consulting the Lord. Consider the "midlife crisis" that many go through. Some men when they get middle-aged (45-60, as if most men live to be 90-120), get a fast car, a new (often younger) woman, change jobs, take up crazy hobbies, buy a wig, or any number of things. Many feel as they got lost in the shuffle during the ordinary business of life. Life passed them by, and they want to live a little. They want to find their life. However, when we pursue life this way it never find it.
As we age (and hopefully mature), there is a nagging sense that we were made for more which continues to grow. The closer we get, chronologically, to eternity the more eternity tries to break into our consciousness. Jesus warns us not to pursue happiness, success, fulfillment, purpose, or anything else apart from pursing him. The instant we start pursuing something other than Jesus, we stop pursuing Jesus. The pursuit of Jesus comes with a cost. Some of our hopes and dreams will die on the cross we are called to bear. We will be asked to follow Jesus in to some very painful places. We will face humiliation and rejection, difficulty and tribulation. These things are merely obstacles on the path of life.
The disciples questioned Jesus about this exchange. Peter said, "See, we have left everything and followed you" (Mark 10:28). Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and the for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, house and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30). Are you trying to find your life? Let me suggest you begin by humbly submitting yourself to God, taking up your cross, and following Jesus. At first it may feel like you are losing "your life," but in reality, you will be finding your life in the process.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matt 10:39).
This verse follows two warnings. The first one said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). The second warning states, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves sons or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take us his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matt. 10:37-38). Through these warnings, Jesus has set the stage for this statement. His statement is thought provoking. How can one find his life only to lose it? And how can they lose their life, yet find it?
The statement presses us to consider the two types of life one can have. One type of life, initially looks rewarding, but really brings about death. As Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it." The "life" spoken of here reflects a life without Christ. This life is one that is not built on Christ's teaching. In one sense, it is a kingdom without suffering--no cross, no Christ, and no hope. The other type of life, initially looks like death, but really brings about great reward. Jesus states, "And whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." This life is a life centered on Jesus and his teachings. In a sense, it is a kingdom which is entered into through suffering--a cross with Christ and abounding hope.
Jesus' statement forces us into a decision. One must choose between the two lives: a kingdom without suffering up front, but total destruction in the end, or a kingdom with suffering up front, but joy in the end.
Imagine a situation where a person has to choose between a walk with Christ or their family. Let's say a son comes home and tells his father, "Dad, I trusted Christ today." The father responds, "I won't have that junk in my house. You can leave Jesus or leave here." Now, the son has a dilemma. Does he find his life through rejecting Jesus and thus forfeit eternal life? Or does he lose the life he has known by choosing to walk with Jesus and thus finding eternal life? In other words, will he keep his family life in tact while forfeiting his soul or will keep his soul in tact by forfeiting his family? Jesus said that the only way to truly live is to love him more than anyone, to take up our cross (an instrument of suffering and death), and follow him.
Let's apply this to the modern search for self. People seem to be misplacing themselves a lot. Most of us know someone who has been or is now trying to "find" themselves. Most typically, these searches are not conducted in a prayer closet with the Scriptures open and a heart crying out to God. Most commonly, these searches are made by overhauling one's life without consulting the Lord. Consider the "midlife crisis" that many go through. Some men when they get middle-aged (45-60, as if most men live to be 90-120), get a fast car, a new (often younger) woman, change jobs, take up crazy hobbies, buy a wig, or any number of things. Many feel as they got lost in the shuffle during the ordinary business of life. Life passed them by, and they want to live a little. They want to find their life. However, when we pursue life this way it never find it.
As we age (and hopefully mature), there is a nagging sense that we were made for more which continues to grow. The closer we get, chronologically, to eternity the more eternity tries to break into our consciousness. Jesus warns us not to pursue happiness, success, fulfillment, purpose, or anything else apart from pursing him. The instant we start pursuing something other than Jesus, we stop pursuing Jesus. The pursuit of Jesus comes with a cost. Some of our hopes and dreams will die on the cross we are called to bear. We will be asked to follow Jesus in to some very painful places. We will face humiliation and rejection, difficulty and tribulation. These things are merely obstacles on the path of life.
The disciples questioned Jesus about this exchange. Peter said, "See, we have left everything and followed you" (Mark 10:28). Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and the for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, house and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30). Are you trying to find your life? Let me suggest you begin by humbly submitting yourself to God, taking up your cross, and following Jesus. At first it may feel like you are losing "your life," but in reality, you will be finding your life in the process.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
There Is Only One Way to Find Yourself
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matt 10:39).Jesus has issued two warning. The first one said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). The second warning states, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves sons or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take us his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matt. 10:37-38). These warning should be echoing in the back of our minds as we look at this verse.
To "find" one's self means to love someone more than Jesus, to fail to take up our cross, and to fail to follow Jesus. Finding one's self carries with it the idea of finding a "peace" in life that is not entirely rooted in faithful obedience to Christ. Finding one's self is the process of forsaking the eternal kingdom for temporal comfort.
Imagine a situation where a person has to choose between a walk with Christ or their family. Let's say a son comes home and tells his father, "Dad, I trusted Christ today." The father responds, "I won't have the junk in my house. You can leave Jesus or leave here." Now, the son has a dilemma does he find his life through rejecting Jesus and thus forfeit eternal life or does he lose the life he has know by choosing to walk with Jesus and thus finding eternal life? In other words, will he keep his family life in tact while forfeiting his soul or will keep his soul in tact by forfeiting his family? Jesus said that the only way to truly live is to love him more than anyone, to take up our cross (instrument of suffering and death), and follow him.
Let's apply this to the modern search for self. People seem to be misplacing themselves a lot. Most of us know someone who has been or is now trying to "find" themselves. Most typically, these searches are not conducted in a prayer closet with the Scriptures open and a heart crying out to God. Most commonly, these searches are made by overhauling one's life. Consider the "midlife crisis" that many go through. Some men when they get middle-aged (45-60, as if most men live to be 90-120), get a fast car, a new (often younger) woman, switch jobs, take up crazy hobbies, buy a wig, or any number of things. Many feel as they got lost in the shuffle during the ordinary business of life. Life passed them by, and they want to live a little. They want to find their life.
However, when we pursue life this way it never brings life. As we age (and hopefully mature), there is a nagging since that we were made for more that continues to grow. The closer we get, chronologically, to eternity the more eternity tries to break into our consciousness. Many professing believers blame God for the sin in their lives. Now, most of them will never say it so plainly. They don't say, "God has brought this sin into my life, I guess I'm stuck with it." They say things like this, "I just wasn't happy at home. I asked the Lord to help me feel loved and understood. And the Lord brought so-and-so into my life." This kind of statement makes God responsible for adultery, something he condemns as sin.
Jesus warns us not to pursue happiness, success, fulfillment, purpose, or anything else apart from pursing him. The instant we start pursuing something other than Jesus, we stop pursuing Jesus. The pursuit of Jesus comes with a cost. Some of our hopes and dreams will die on the cross we are called to bear. We will be asked to follow Jesus in to some very painful places. We will face humiliation and rejection, difficulty and tribulation. These things are merely obstacles on the path of life.
The disciples questioned Jesus about this exchange. Peter said, "See, we have left everything and followed you" (Mark 10:28). Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and the for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, house and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30).
Are you looking for yourself? Let me suggest you begin by humbly submitting yourself to God, taking up your cross, and following Jesus. You may lose "your life," but find eternal life in the process.
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