Praying for Arnold

Like most boys in the '80's, I grew up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger films. His powerful physique was matched by his heavy Austrian accent. Whether he was playing the "bad guy" in Terminator, or the "good guy" in almost every other film, he exuded toughness. His menacing edge was blunted by comedic one-liners that often lightened the mood in otherwise dark and violent movies. I loved watching him punish the bad guys.

I have kept up with Arnold through the years, reading articles here and there. Thanks to the VCR, Arnold was a big part of my childhood. Having spent so much time with him in my formative years, I have thought of his as a friend. Of course, I realize that he doesn't know me, and in light of recent revelations, I realize now that I never knew him either.

Schwarzenegger was always larger than life. I viewed him as a hero. The characters he played always seemed to have a moral code, and I assumed that it was the same code I lived by. In hindsight, his characters lived by a "might-makes-right" code of ethics. You can hear that ethic echoed in most of his interviews. It's the will to power.

Over the years, I hoped that his marriage would last. I hoped that he and his bride would be able to navigate the dangerous waters of celebrity. After all, he was my friend. As silly as that may sound, I hurt for his wife and children. I hurt for the others he has dragged into this firestorm of shame and disgrace.

As I read the headlines, I am reminded of past interviews I have read. Interviews where he openly questioned the existence of God, and ridiculed those of faith. Read through biographies, old interviews, or other resources, and you will discover Schwarzenegger's self worship. He has been, and apparently still is, highly impressed with himself. To hear him tell it, he is the determinate shaping force in his life.

I wonder what he thinks of the shape of things now. He doesn't have the strength to heal this rift, but it can be healed. For that to happen, he will have to find a strength that he has yet to display--humility. The only hope for salvaging his family is for Arnold to find salvation. Schwarzenegger must humble himself, acknowledge God's existence, and seek God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

He is no different that anybody else. His sins are more visible only because there are dozens of individuals who dedicate their lives to ferreting out "the truth" of celebrity lives. Should a mob of unscrupulous investigators descend upon any one of us, terror would seize us. I don't write these words in order to condemn Arnold Schwarzenegger, but voice my hope for his redemption.

There is a lesson in this tragedy: we cannot hide sin indefinitely. It will always come out. It is always destructive. The season of pleasure sin promises is always followed a season of death. How many dreams were killed by this infidelity? How many hearts torn in two? These are questions that, most likely, went unasked ten years ago.

But these are questions we must ask daily. When temptation strikes, will we be prepared? Will we terminate temptation? Or will temptation terminate our dreams? We must be vigilant, watch, and pray because temptation has promised, "I'll be back!" Pray of the Schwarzenegger family. Pray for your family, too. May God open eyes to the greatness of his glory through this tragedy.

Why Does Revival Tarry?

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear" (Isa. 59:1-2).

I'm still asking the question, "Why does revival tarry?".  Why aren't more hearts broken and contrite?  Could it be that our "iniquities have made a separation" between us and the LORD?

Sin is an ugly and resilient monster.  Unfortunately, sin isn't a monster that attacks us from the outside, but one that devours us from the inside.  It doesn't die easily.  It keeps popping up here and there. We tend to harbor it as if it were a stray kitten.  But in reality, it is a ravenous lion seeking to devour everyone in its path.

Sin separates us from God.  It functions as a dividing wall of hostility.  God, the Holy One, is angry at our unrighteousness.  His holy justice rages against our iniquity.  We cannot approach God while still in our rebellion.  Sin has cut us off, and muffled our voices so that our prayers are not heard. 

Revival may tarry because we harbor sin in our hearts.  Our prayers go unheard when there is sin in our hearts.  Our sin "hides" us from God's face.  For this reason, we need to confess our sins to restore our relationship.   We have to abandon sin, if we want to see revival.

Are you ready to experience revival?  Are you ready to make a break with sin?

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Four Keys of Revival

I'm thinking about message preached tonight during revival.  Bro. Paul Parks preached out of 2 Chronicles 7:12-25.  It is a fairly common Scripture for revival services.  I couldn't even tell you how many times I have heard it preached during revivals.  But something struck me at the outset of the message--maybe we hear it so often because we never do what it says.

It brought to mind the story of a young preacher in his first church:

During his trial sermon he preached a fiery message of "Repent! Repent! The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  The message was so powerful that he was voted in unanimously.  The next Sunday he preached the same message, "Repent! Repent! The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  The crowd had largely forgotten what he had preached on the previous Sunday, so they thought he did a wonderful job.  He preached the same sermon the next Sunday.  And the next.  By this time the people had caught on, and were concerned that he only had one sermon.  They charged the deacons with the task of sorting out the matter.

When the deacons approached the young preacher, he was cordial.  They said, "Preacher, we can't help but notice you keep preaching the same sermon."  "Yes," he said. "I do."  One deacon asked, "Do you have different sermons?"  "Oh, yes," said the young preacher. "I have many sermons."  Another deacon responded, "Wouldn't you like to preach a different sermon?"  "Yes," he answered, "I would love to preach a different sermon."  The Chairman spoke up, "Well then, why in the world don't you?"  "That's simple," said the preacher, "when you obey this message, I'll move on to the next."

I'm sure this story never happened, but it does make an important point.  There is a danger in assuming that we understand something simply because we have heard it before.  Hearing is just not enough.  We are to be doers of the Word, not hearers only.  During Jesus' earthly ministry  many heard his teaching and were astounded by his authority.  However, they never combined their hearing with obedience.

Bro. Paul did an excellent job of opening up the passage to explain the four keys of revival.  In order to experience revival of the magnitude of the First Great Awakening, God's people must humble themselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from their wicked ways.

• The first key is to humble one's self.  Humbling one's self is the process of expunging all the pride in our lives.  It means we have to tackle our fear of man.  If you have ever asked, "What will people think?" (or some variation), then you fear man.  Humbling one's self, means we put down all pretenses (masks), and acknowledge who we really are.  A person is sufficiently humbled when they acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy before God and man.  In the Bible, this humbling is often signaled by the tearing of clothes, the putting on of sackcloth, and the covering one's self in ashes.  It was a public display of brokenness.

• The second key is to pray.  Prayer was (and is) an essential part of Jesus' ministry.  In fact, Jesus' disciples were so impressed by his prayer life they asked him to teach them how to pray.  If prayer was (and is) essential to Jesus' life, shouldn't it also be essential to our lives?  We need to move beyond quick prayers over meals, rote prayers that repeat the same things over and over, formal prayers that use big words that we don't normally use, and weak unbelieving prayers.  We should to relearn and practice the postures of prayer: standing, kneeling, lying face down on the floor, etc.  We need to be so burdened that we learn to weep freely when we pray.  We need to pray with our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  God has appointed prayer as a means to transforming hearts and lives in our world.  We must not neglect it any longer.

• The third key is to seek God's face.  It is a terrifying thing to come face to face with God.  If a person, in their sin, were to see God face to face they would die.  The holiness of God would strike them dead (see Ex. 33:20).  So why does the Lord instruct his people to seek his face?  The ultimate blessing is to have God's face shine upon you (see Num. 6:23-26).  Although Moses never actually saw God's face, God is said to have talked face to face with Moses, as a man talks to his friend (Ex. 33:11). This passage means that Moses communed in the presence of God.  In Moses' time, God's presence was displayed in a pillar of cloud/fire.  In our times, God's presence is mediated through the indwelling Spirit.  We are always in the Lord's presence.  We can speak to him as a child to his father, a servant to his master, and even as a friend to his friend.

• The fourth, and final, key is we must turn from our wicked ways.  Sin is a part of the human condition, and has been since Adam's rebellion.  However, believers in Christ are dead to sin.  Sin no longer has mastery over us.  James does an excellent job of explain the mechanics of sin (see James 1:13-15).  Paul goes farther, and explains the reason why we still continue with sin (see Romans 7:15-25).  But in Christ, through the power of the indwelling Spirit, we must make a break from sin.  To make the break, we must stop the sin, repent of it, confess it to the Lord and other offended parties, make restitution (where necessary), and continually seek the Lord's assistance.  He doesn't expect us to do it on our own, because he knows we are incapable.

So when will we see revival?  I guess when we start seeing God's people, who are called by his name, humbling themselves, praying, seeking his face, and turning from their wicked ways.  Until then, it's hard to say how much lasting change we'll experience.  May God grant us obedient hearts!

Hear and Turn

"He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing" (Prov. 29:1).

Stubbornness in the face of reproof is dangerous business.  When someone is "reproving" us, that means they are pointing out the error of our ways.  They are flashing the warning signal so that we will slow down (and hopefully change directions).

A person who has been warned, but "stiffens his neck" is like a man who sees a "bridge out" sign and keeps speeding forward.  Danger is lurking up ahead, and he is barreling toward it.

God has warned us that his people must depart from wickedness.  Do we rush ahead, and do as we please? Or do we see the caution light, and turn?  If we fail to listen, we will be broken.

Godly Grief

"For godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" (2 Cor. 7:10, ESV).

The context surrounding this verse, Paul addresses the grief felt by the Corinthian church at his rebuke.  He wants them to be aware that his rebuke was meant to inflict sorrow.  He wounded them intentionally, but they were wounds meant to bring a greater healing.

The goal of his correction was godly grief.  He wanted them to come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and to be broken by their sin.  This kind of grief or sorrow produces "repentance that leads to salvation without regret."  Spirit applied rebuke works repentance in the heart.  Repentance in the heart transforms the life.  A transformed life abandons the practices that lead regret.

Paul contrast's godly grief with worldly grief.  Worldly grief never leads to repentance.  It may lead to guilt--even intense guilt, but it never moves a person to repentance.  They never change their mind; they never turn away from their grief to the living God.  They become paralyzed by their guilt, and often turn bitter.

Has anyone spoken a word of rebuke to you that cut you to the heart?  After meditating on their words, did you find yourself wanting to change?  Have you turned to Christ in repentance and faith, knowing that his blood has purchased your pardon and given you his righteousness?  Do those words of rebuke now spur you on toward obedience to Christ?  If so, you have experience godly sorrow, and it is working its fruit in your life.  If not, don't let your guilt eat at you any longer.  Call out to Christ and find forgiveness and cleanse.

Count the Cost

 This article was originally published here, on July 23, 2009.

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 15:27-28).

Jesus' words should give us pause. We should allow them to sink in and affect our hearts. The call to Christian discipleship is the call to bear a cross and follow Jesus. Thus, our evangelism should reflect this reality. Instead of calling people to make a "decision" for Jesus or to invite Jesus "into their heart," we need to call them to take up their cross and walk as Jesus walked.

It should not surprise us when people "decide" to trust Jesus. It probably shouldn't thrill us either. Jesus warned that there would be many who hear the gospel and receive it with joy, but whose response would not true faith and repentance (see Matt 13:1-23 and Mark 4:1-20).  What should thrill us is when a sinner repents and turns to Jesus. It should thrill us when the fruit of their lives is not merely verbal expressions of faith, but faithful obedience that perseveres through trial and tribulation. For it is at the repentance of sinners that heaven rejoices, not at the decisions of men (see Luke 15:7, 10,). Repentance is a change of mind. Even while Jesus urged people toward faith and repentance, he encouraged them to think about the implications. Starting the journey of faith avails us little, if our faith is does not make it to the end.

Jesus asks, "Who does not sit down and figure out if they have the ability to pay for a tower they wish to build before they begin the project?" If they start, without careful thought and planning, and fail to finish they will become a laughing stock. Likewise, the person who "professes" Jesus, but does not continue to follow him will also become an object of ridicule.  Do you remember the day that you turned from your sin and placed your faith in the crucified, risen, and ascended Savior, Jesus? Looking back can you see it was like taking up a cross? Have you followed Jesus since that day? I'm not asking you if you are still in church, nor am I asking if you still "believe" in Jesus, even the demons believe in Jesus. I'm asking if you are walking in humble faithful obedience, by the grace of God and for his glory? Are you a different person than you were back then? Can you see the fruit of Christ in your life (see Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Pet 1:3-11)?

Confessing Our Sins to One Another

This article was originally published here, on July 21, 2009.

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (James 5:16).

This Scripture was driven home recently when I witnessed people in a twelve step program confessing their "regrets" to individuals they had hurt. I had heard that many recovery programs had a step in which the person who was recovering had to make amends to the people they had injured, but I hadn't actually witnessed it.

I have to admit it was very moving to witness people confessing their sins to one another. Although they spoke of regrets, it was really sin they were naming. It was refreshing to see people deal with their sin in an unmasked, frank, and humble manner. Yet, I kept wondering why we don't see this kind of honesty in the church. Why are we ashamed to confess our sins before each other in the church? Why is it a rare thing to witness brokenness and repentance within the corporate meetings?

The Church was created to be a hospital for the spiritually sick, not a resort for the spiritually fit. Granted, as we grow and mature in Christ we also grow in spiritual health, but we are still sinners saved by grace. We still struggle with sin throughout our lives on earth. We are all in continual need of repentance and faith. The kind of thing I witness should be practiced frequently within the context of the church community. However, we are so disconnected from each other that we often mention "unspoken" prayer requests. We play "catch-up" on Sunday mornings, because we haven't seen each other throughout the week. And more often than not we play the part of one who is unbroken, when deep down inside we are shattered and yearning for healing.

In reality, the church is full of fractured people. They have been broken by sin, yet they are not discarded. Christ, the Master Craftsman, is transforming them into a masterpiece designed to showcase his grace and glory. As with any construction project, it is easy to find debris in our lives during the ongoing work of sanctification. Life in community is messy. You have to live with (and love) people who are broken and sinful, just like you. Their sins may be different, but the cure is the same: Jesus.

James tells us we should be the kind of people who confess our sins to one another and pray for one another. Sin flourishes in the darkness. Confession brings it into the light. By sharing it with another we enable them to aid us in bearing the load through the process of intercession. James states, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Repentant confession opens the door to healing.

There is some good in recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, but they were not created by God to liberate the captives. The captives can only be liberated by Christ.  The Church has been given the task of aiding the liberation of captives through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The root problem for every addict (and all humanity) is sin. The only lasting solution is the mighty Savior, Jesus. It's time for the church to step up and be what it was created to be. It's time for us redeemed sinners to start shining the light of the gospel far and wide, so that unredeemed sinners can find salvation. Then maybe, by God's grace, our churches will become the kind of place where people say, "Hello, my name is Randy and I'm a sinner saved by grace. Have you found freedom in Christ, yet?"

Everyone Is Free to Wear Sunscreen

This article was originally published here, on July 14, 2009.

A good definition of stubbornness is nursing a wicked sunburn when an ample supply of sunscreen was within reach and a willing assistant was nearby. I hate sunburns, although apparently not as much as I hate sunscreen. After I get sunburned, I spend the evening fight the chills. So why do I hesitate when it comes to sunscreen? I wish I knew.

They say, "You live and you learn." I am not entirely sure I agree. Most live, a few learn. I fear that is why so many of us end up repeating our mistakes. We hate the consequences of our choices, but we rarely make the adjustments that would prevent those consequences. We choose the path of least resistance, not because it will make us happy, but because we are comfortable with the routine. There are times we do things we know will cost us, because we know the outcome. There is no guess work, and a known consequence is better than an unknown reward.

My back and shoulders are ablaze with regret. I have vowed to never forgo sunscreen again. Yet, if I were a wagering man, I would bet I'll be in this situation again. Maybe not tomorrow, or next week, but soon the burning will stop, the skin will peal away, and time will make the sunburn a distant memory. When the heat of the consequence dies down, the temptation to avoid sunscreen will come back.

Sin is dreadfully cunning that way. Once it is tripped you up, it points out the folly of your choice to increase your sense of guilt and shame. In this way, it hopes to dishearten you so that you will think you can no longer approach God. Sin wants you to think you can't choose another path. It wants you to think, even in your regret, that your destined to remain unchanged and unchangeable. Then after your conscience has been appeased and you no longer feel the burden of your guilt, sin returns to tell you that this time it will be different, this time the consequences won't be so bad, or this time it won't end in heartbreak. But it's a lie.

The only way to overcome an unpleasant consequence is to change your way of thinking and your way of doing. The only way to make those changes is by turning away from sin and trusting Christ to transform you through his grace. When we place our trust in Jesus, who died for our sin and rose again on the third day, he gives us a new nature. He has absorbed the consequences of our sin upon the cross, and extended to us his righteousness. We can stop listening to the lie, and be transformed by the Truth. For this reason, the Scriptures continually call us to put off stubbornness and heed the Word of the Lord. Whatever your struggle, turn to Christ in repentance and faith, and ask him to deliver you. You will find he is an able and willing Redeemer. And don't forget to wear sunscreen.


Editor's Note: I made it through the rest of summer without getting another bad sunburn.  The picture is of a mule, which has the reputation of being stubborn.  I couldn't find a picture of a sunburn or lobster, so I hope you enjoy the mule. Photo by: Einar Faanes

Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, love and pow'r.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome, God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance, Ev'ry grace that brings you nigh.

Chorus:I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in his arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden, Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better, You will never come at all.

Let not conscience make you linger, Nor a fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requireth Is to feel your need of him.
Joseph Hart

"If you tarry till you're better, You will never come at all." These words powerfully capture the heart of our predicament. We have been so weakened and ruined by the fall that we need the Lord to enable us to trust him. We lack the moral fitness necessary to please God, but he does not require us to be fit. He makes us fit when we trust him. This hymn, "Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy," offers a living hope to a dying world.

This song captures the essence of the gospel. It begins with the fallen condition of mankind and drives the listener to flee to Christ as our only source of hope. The song reminds us that conviction of sin is a grace meant to draw us to Christ in true faith and repentance. It reminds us that Jesus "ready stands to save" us.

Several years ago, I heard the gospel call and my heart echoed these words: "I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in his arms; in the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms." To this day he has not let me go, nor will he ever. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

Preparing the Heart

A wise minister once told me that preparing the heart is more important than preparing the message. I must admit, I really didn't understand him at the time. I knew that he meant that a preacher must be "prayed up" and "studied up," but I don't think I fully comprehended what that meant. I think I am beginning to understand.

Let me see if I can explain what I think he meant. Think of a world class neurosurgeon getting ready to perform a delicate procedure on a patient's brain. He has many tools that he can use. The human head can be opened with a club as easily as with a saw, but the club would most likely do more harm than good. Likewise, a minister or believer who is unskilled and untrained in the word of God may be used by him to bring someone to repentance, but they might also drive some people away.

We are called to rightly handle the word, which at the most basic level means that we interpret it accurately. But, I think it means more than that. I believe it means that we are to handle in a manner that is consistent with its teachings. That means we are to read it, memorize it, meditate on it, speak it, hear it, trust it, and live it. We have not rightly divided the Word, if we are not practicing what it preaches.

Thus, ministers and believers must wrestles with the Word to fully grasp its meaning. Part of that is the preparation of the heart through humble submission to the Word. As we accept, by faith, that the Word is flawless and our only source of authority, we begin the process of training our heart to submit to God's Word. Through the Word, he speaks and we listen with the intent to obey. Thus, a message is never ready to be preached apart from a prepared heart. A minister may present a sermon that is factually accurate, doctrinally sound, and pleasing to hear, but all of that will miss the mark if the minister has not set the sights properly.

You might say, "That's well and good for ministers, but I just an average believer. I don't prepare or preach messages." While that may be true, in some since, it falls short of what God intends for you. As a believer, you are a minister. You may never preach a sermon, but that doesn't mean God doesn't want to use you to speak to others about him. God may want you to rebuke a loved one who is struggling in sin. If there is sin in your life that is unconfessed and unrepented of, you most likely will balk at the idea. Like Moses you'll make excuses as to why it should be you. But if you are waging war against sin in your life, you will be able to find the boldness to speak to them, not as their judge, but as their friend. The call to prepare the heart is a call to every believer, because you never know when God will send a divine appointment your way. You don't want to be caught unprepared.

Count the Cost

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 15:27-28).

Jesus' words should give us pause. We should allow them to sink in, to affect our hearts. The call to Christian discipleship is the call to bear a cross and follow Jesus. Thus, our evangelism should reflect this reality. Instead of calling people to make a "decision" for Jesus or to invite Jesus "into their heart," we need to call them to take up their cross and walk as Jesus walked.

Is should not surprise us when people "decide" to trust Jesus. It probably shouldn't thrill us either. Jesus warned that there would be many who hear the gospel and receive it with joy, but whose response would not true faith and repentance (see Matt 13:1-23 and Mark 4:1-20).

What should thrill us is when a sinner repents and turns to Jesus. It should thrill us when the fruit of their lives is not merely verbal expressions of faith, but faithful obedience that perseveres through trial and tribulation. For it is at the repentance of sinners that heaven rejoices, not at the decisions of men (see Luke 15:7, 10,). Repentance is a change of mind. Even while Jesus is urging the people toward faith and repentance, he encourages them to think about it. Starting the journey of faith avails us little, if our faith is not sustained to the end.

Jesus asks, "Who does sit down and figure out if they have the ability to pay for a tower they wish to build before they begin the project?" If they start, without careful thought and planning, and fail to finish they will become a laughing stock. Likewise, the person who "professes" Jesus, but does not continue to follow him will also become an object of ridicule.

Do you remember the day that you turned from your sin and placed your faith in the crucified, risen, and ascended Savior, Jesus? Looking back can you see it was like taking up a cross? Have you followed Jesus since that day? I'm not asking you if you are still in church. Nor am I asking if you still "believe" in Jesus, even the demons believe in Jesus. I'm asking if you are walking in humble faithful obedience, by the grace of God and for his glory? Are you a different person than you were back then? Can you see the fruit of Christ in your life (see Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Pet 1:3-11)?

Karma Kills

"No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

Some in the crowd had spoken to Jesus about some "Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1). The implications of their words were that these individuals must have been very wicked to be treated this way. However, Jesus questions their thinking. He states, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this way?" (Luke 13:2).

Jesus stress the reality that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All, except for Jesus, are sinners who are by their fallen nature objects of wrath. Destruction will come upon anyone who continues in their sin without repentance toward and faith in Jesus Christ.

In this passage Jesus is really warning the crowds that their judgment against sin will not rescue them from God's judgment. He his compelling them to see their need for repentance with greater clarity than they see the supposed sin in others. The deemed these Galileans to be wicked because the manner of their death. Yet many of God's people, in both the Old and New Testaments, faced such persecution.

Their suffering and subsequent death was not a sure mark of God's displeasure. In the same way life and health in Jesus' audience was not a sure sign of God's pleasure with them. They had fell into the faulty theology of bad stuff happens to bad people; good stuff happens to good people. Our culture refers to this as "karma." Jesus says it isn't karma you have to worry about, it's your sin that makes you an object of God's wrath.

The cure is simple: repent. In the Scripture, repentance can be referenced without using in it in conjunction with the term faith, because the two are inseparably linked. It is impossible to repent of one's sin without faith. In order to repent one must believe at least two things, sin is as horrifically damning as God says it is, and that he is willing to receive us if we turn to him, through Jesus Christ. To put it another way, we must believe that our sin has left us under the righteous judgment of God which means death and hell and the Jesus bore the penalty of our sin upon the cross, was buried, rose again on the third day, and is now ascended to heaven where he sits at the Father's right hand as King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus sums it all up with the little word "repent."

He warns that without repentance we will perish. That is, our corruption will consume us. He does not mean that we will somehow fade out of existence. He uses "perish" to describe the opposite of "eternal life." As eternal life represents an ongoing experience with blessing in the presence of God's grace, so perish represents an ongoing experience with the curse of being in the presence of God's wrath. Those who "perish" do not cease to exist, rather they abide in the wrath of the Lord forever.

It is easy to miscalculate our goodness when we think in terms of karma. It is easy to believe that good things happen to me because I am a good person who does (or tries to do) good things. However, the reality is that good things happen to us, because God is gracious. It is easy to believe that bad things happen to me because I am a bad person who does bad things. However, bad things happen because I live in a fallen world, I wrestle with a fallen nature, and I am surrounded by fallen people. God brings good out of the bad things for those who love him and who are called according to his purposes (Rom. 8:28). As we lean on him, and submit to his will we find life, just like Jesus said.

Confessing Our Sins to One Another

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (James 5:16).

This Scripture was driven home recently when I witnessed people in a twelve step program confessing their "regrets" to individuals they had hurt. I had heard that many recovery programs had a step in which the person who was recovering had to make amends to the people they had injured, but I hadn't actually witnessed it.

I have to admit it was very moving to witness people confessing their sins to one another. Although they spoke of regrets, it was really sin they were naming. It was refreshing to see people deal with their sin in an unmasked, frank, and humble manner. Yet, I kept wondering why we don't see this kind of honesty in the church. Why are we ashamed to confess our sins before each other in the church? Why is it a rare thing to witness brokenness and repentance within the corporate meetings?

The Church was created to be a hospital for the spiritually sick, not a resort for the spiritually fit. Granted, as we grow and mature in Christ we also grow in spiritual health, but we are still sinners saved by grace. We still struggle with sin throughout our lives on earth. We are all in continual need of repentance and faith. The kind of thing I witness should be practiced frequently within the context of the church community. However, we are so disconnected from each other that we often mention "unspoken" prayer requests. We play "catch-up" on Sunday mornings, because we haven't seen each other throughout the week. And more often than not we play the part of one who is unbroken, when deep down inside we are shattered and yearning for healing.

The simple fact is the church is full of fractured people. They have been broken by sin, yet they are not discarded. Christ, the Master Craftsman, is transforming them into a masterpiece designed to showcase his grace and glory. As with any construction project, it is easy to find debris in our lives during the ongoing work of sanctification. Life in community is messy. You have to live with (and love) people who are broken and sinful, just like you. Their sins may be different, but the cure is the same: Jesus.

James tells us we should be the kind of people who confess our sins to one another and pray for one another. Sin flourishes in the darkness. Confession brings it into the light. By sharing it with another we enable them to aid us in bearing the load through the process of intercession. James states, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Repentant confession opens the door to healing.

There is some good in recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, but they were not created by God to liberate the captives. No, it was the Church that God created to liberate the captives through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The root problem for every addict (and all humanity) is sin. The only lasting solution is the mighty Savior, Jesus. It's time for the church to step up and be what she was created to be. It's time for us redeemed sinners to start shining the light of the gospel far and wide, so that unredeemed sinners can find salvation. And maybe, by God's grace, our churches will become the kind of place where people say, "Hello, my name is Randy and I'm a sinner saved by grace. Have you found freedom in Christ, yet?"

Everyone Is Free to Wear Sunscreen

Stubbornness is nursing a wicked sunburn when an ample supply of sunscreen was within reach and a willing assistant was nearby. I hate sunburns, although apparently not as much as I hate sunscreen. After I get sunburned, I spend the evening fight the chills. So why do I hesitate when it comes to sunscreen? I wish I knew.

They say, "You live and you learn." I am not entirely sure I agree. Most live, a few learn. I fear that is why so many of us end up repeating our mistakes. We hate the consequences of our choices, but we rarely make the adjustments that would prevent those consequences. We choose the path of least resistance, not because it will make us happy, but because we are comfortable with the routine. There are times we do things we know will cost us, because we know the outcome. There is no guess work, and a known consequence is better than an unknown reward.

My back and shoulders are ablaze with regret. I have vowed to never forgo sunscreen again. Yet, if I were a wagering man, I would bet I'll be in this situation again. Maybe not tomorrow, or next week, but soon the burning will stop, the skin will peal away, and time will make the sunburn a distant memory. When the heat of the consequence dies down, the temptation to avoid sunscreen will come back.

Sin is dreadfully cunning that way. Once it is tripped you up, it points out the folly of your choice to increase your sense of guilt and shame. In this way, it hopes to dishearten you so that you will think you can no longer approach God. Sin wants you to think you can't choose another path. It wants you to think, even in your regret, that your destined to remain unchanged and unchangeable. Then after your conscience has been appeased and you no longer feel the burden of your guilt, sin will return and tell you that this time it will be different, this time the consequences won't be so bad, or this time it won't end in heartbreak. But it's a lie.

The only way to overcome an unpleasant consequence is to change your way of thinking and your way of doing. The only way to make those changes is by turning away from sin and trusting Christ to transform you through his grace. When we place our trust in Jesus, who died for our sin and rose again on the third day, he gives us a new nature. He has absorbed the consequences of our sin upon the cross, and extended to us his righteousness. We can stop listening to the lie, and be transformed by the Truth. That is why the Scriptures continually call us to put off stubbornness and heed the Word of the Lord. Whatever your struggle, turn to Christ in repentance and faith, and ask him to deliver you. You will find he is an able and will Redeemer. And don't forget to wear sunscreen.