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The Curse of Victimization

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Little Boy Pointing Finger, Warning, Blame Game, Victimization

If you know me at all, you know that one of my favorite topics is my four grandsons, ages 2 to 7. They are a delight, and I am constantly learning by being with them.

Don’t Allow the Past to Rule Your Life

Recently, I have been reawakened to the human default mode of victimization as we work through the conflicts that arise among these young children. When confronted with accountability, we descendants of Adam tend toward blaming others and playing the victim.

One of them was drawing a picture for his mom while being slightly harassed by his brother. "Look what you did. You made me drool on Mom's picture." Now that is a stretch.

But it’s no greater a stretch than is common in our society, when grown adults are blaming people and events from centuries past for their irresponsible choices today. Of course, some really oppressive things happened. It has been that way since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, there comes a time when all of us must stop the past from ruling us. It should not be given that much power.

Our future will not change just because we rail at the past, especially if we grant it the power to rule over us.

We are creations of God. He has bestowed on us the dignity of being his partners in world management. What we do with the present is what matters. Our future will not change just because we rail at the past, especially if we grant it the power to rule over us. Forgiveness is essential if you hope to move forward.

Taking Responsibility

Admittedly, some people are poor because of forces beyond their control. But some are poor because they are paralyzed by victimization. They refuse to work at jobs they consider beneath their dignity, and rail at those who are working at more prestigious jobs.

Their complaints might have more merit if others, who were in worse conditions, hadn't proven that circumstances can be overcome. People who took responsibility for where they were, and refused to believe that their circumstances made them victims.

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Some are not highly educated, but that does not prevent them from accessing the wisdom of God that is dispensed to all who say yes to his invitation. Some are physically limited compared to others, but that does not prevent them from managing the personal "garden" in front of them.

Embrace Your Redeemer

No one is forced to be a victim. It is a self-imposed captivity.

God sent his Son who gave his life to free us from all kinds of bondage, including victimization. He has taken the curse of injustice and granted heaven's blessings to those who trust him.

Deplorable circumstances are bad, and should be changed as soon as possible, but deplorable thinking will make angry slaves of anyone. No one has made you angry. You chose that. No one has made you jealous. You defaulted to that.

Rise up and embrace your Creator/Redeemer. He enables his redeemed to live in victory in all circumstances.

Is The Church Relevant?

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church relevant

The church in contemporary society is often criticized and even mocked by those within as well as those on the outside. There is much to be corrected in the church's witness, but we should make no mistake: the church is vital. Without the witness of the church, society will rot in darkness. When the salt loses its preserving quality or the light no longer reveals reality, true hope is lost.

The church is God's gift to the world. With all its imperfections, it does what no other institution can do. So many caricatures of the church have polluted the minds of the casual observer, that many are now concluding that it is so irrelevant as to be dispensable. Bad mistake.

Courting the Culture to “Stay Relevant”

Cultural relevancy is fluid. When the church has tried to change in order to be relevant to culture, it invariably loses its distinctive. It never catches up. Culture without the influence of the transcendent message of the church is always moving toward the exaltation of mankind. When any part of creation takes precedence over the Creator, deception and destruction is just a matter of time.

The aim of the church is to show how the timeless relevancy of the word of God applies to culture. To do less is to deny our calling. It is to show a lack of love for those around us.

In a culture that makes fun of biblical imagery, we cannot rewrite the Scriptures just to be relevant.

There is a great temptation to strike back when mocked. The church can't afford to fall for that. It is contrary to our being. We must refuse to be embarrassed by our distinctive message and model. In a culture that makes fun of biblical imagery, we cannot rewrite the Scriptures just to be relevant. We must boldly interpret and apply the truth that confronts the skeptics and comforts the saints. We don't shun the defense of our beliefs, but we recognize that argument alone is not our assignment.

Proclamation of the good news in Jesus Christ is relevant in any culture. Whether humans will admit it or not does not change the reality that we all know we will face judgment one day -- and we tremble.

We intuitively know that we have fallen short of even our own moral standards, not only God's laws. We are lonely at a level we cannot fully explain, and we are never satisfied with our achievements regardless of how great.

Let Us Look Onward and Embrace Our Role

It is not time for the church to be paralyzed by always looking inward. We are a forward-looking family of faith. We believe that because the gospel can change one person, it can change multitudes. As people are transformed by the grace of God, their moral intuitions will instruct the values and policies of the culture. Our love for our Lord and our embrace of his mission demand that we stand our ground as his church. The world will suffer if we refuse.

Let us not be embarrassed at the distinctives of the kingdom of God that the culture thinks strange. Let's make much of the virgin-born Messiah that the culture labeled a bastard. Let's glory in a small-town boy who was run out of his home town, but walked out of his own grave yard (a phrase I love, borrowed from Russell Moore's book, Onward).

Let's embody the truth of the gospel in the way we speak with kindness, work with diligence, war with courage and love without condition.

Let's joyfully bow before a crucified Nazarene who now governs the world. Let's salute the Cross as our national flag, identifying with the kingdom of God over all other loyalties. Let's speak the word of God as articulated in the Apostle's gospel, with full confidence that it is more powerful than any tyrant, and more effective than any sword of steel or opinion of man.

Let's embrace our role as reflectors of the Son of man who served, suffered and sacrificed to fulfill his mission. Let's embody the truth of the gospel in the way we speak with kindness, work with diligence, war with courage and love without condition.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… -- Romans 1:16 (ESV)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever: Amen. -- Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Who Will Be Left Behind?

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Jesus Hand Out - 900

A few years back there was a lot of talk about being left behind when Jesus comes back. It was stirred by some very popular books and movies with that same theme. Among other things, it revealed that our fear of being left out is still prominent, regardless of what the event might be.

Though some of the fervor around the timing of the Second Coming has waned, Christians concerned with the condition of our culture are talking about a move of God in a great revival or even an awakening. Those discussions invite the question of what that might look like and who would be included -- and by contrast, who would be left behind.

God Has Acted on Our Behalf

We might gain some insight from the ancient prophet Ezekiel, who addressed the Jewish exiles in Babylon:

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.

-- Ezekiel 36:22 (ESV)

The people of Israel had broken the covenant with God. They had lost their land and were under the control of the pagan Babylonians. Things were bad -- even worse than today. The prophet announced that God was about to act. His reason for action, however, might have seemed strange to them as well as to us. He was concerned with his name.

God is gracious and never overlooks the guilty. He can keep his people because he acts in their behalf.

The nations were saying that God couldn't keep his people in their own land. He was going to act to vindicate his name. It wouldn't do any good to admonish his people severely to do better next time. God took responsibility for their actions as well as his own. He initiated a new covenant in which he negotiated with himself to both keep the requirements and bless the one who kept them.

God the Father would bless the representative of the people. Jesus as the Son of Man was that representative.

Those who by faith are identified with Jesus are blessed because of him. This all played out in history as Jesus, born of a virgin, lived a righteous life, died a sacrificial death, and was resurrected from the dead to rule over his kingdom. God's name has been vindicated. He is gracious and never overlooks the guilty. He can keep his people because he acts in their behalf. Those who trust only in Jesus for their righteousness can never be expelled or exiled.

Those Whose Faith was Merely an Accessory

Sadly, this simple gospel has been maligned in our land. Often the church is blamed for the atrocities in the world rather than being viewed as the hope for every sinner. The watching society is mocking the people of God and slandering his name because we, the people of God, have focused on our efforts to be righteous and to leverage his blessings.

We have also mixed our nationalism with biblical revelation and settled for an American Christianity that is much less than New Testament Christianity. We have foolishly assumed that being a good American is basically the same as being a Christian, or that it would at least give us some advantage.

God's name demands that he show how much bigger and better he is than we have seen until now.

The recent surveys show that many are casting off their religious affiliation. They don't need it anymore. At one time, it was advantageous to be known as a Christian in America. Now it is a political and economic liability. That brand of Christianity is being left behind by those seeking to fully embrace the American dream that is mostly characterized by secularism. They had rather have no religion than one that does not give them advantage in their own pursuits. They are content to just be an American.

What About Those Who Hold on to the Former American Christian Model?

But, when God moves to highlight the essence of his name in the gospel, those who try to hold on to the former American Christian model will also be left behind. In truth, the New Testament gospel is only attractive to those who know they have nothing with which to negotiate.

It is not comfortable for any of us to conclude that we can bring nothing to the negotiating table. We tend to harbor the illusion that we have something God wants; that we aren't as bad as Hitler; that we haven't been as bad as we could have been; that others are worse; that our intentions have been good; that if we can muster enough faith, God will respond.

Much of the contemporary preaching is exhorting people to elevate their commitment and bolster their faith. The focus is on what we should do to get God to act. And, the action we desire from him is a return to a former day in our own society where Christian values were not mocked and we had the advantage.

I think the move that we await will be forward and not backward. God's name demands that he show how much bigger and better he is than we have seen until now.

There is room for only one in heaven's spotlight, and that spot is taken -- by Jesus, the Son.

He Will Get the Glory

Many are praying for a fresh move of God in our world. His name gives us hope that he will move. He will vindicate his name. He will move to honor the Son.

Those who insist on featuring human efforts to gain his blessings will be left behind. There is room for only one in heaven's spotlight, and that spot is taken -- by Jesus, the Son. The gospel of the Kingdom of God is much better news than the American Civil religion version.

The vulnerable and weak are the stars in God's version. He shows his power in behalf of those who have none. He reveals his wisdom to those who have none. He moves to reveal that his name is full of mercy and grace; that he loves justice and has given himself to vindicate it; that he has put his church on earth to be an embassy of heaven; that he loves people from all nations; that he will not long permit his name to be slandered on earth.

If we don't want to be left behind in God's actions in our day, we must look for him to move in a way consistent with his eternal nature. He will get the glory. We get to participate.

When We’re Blindsided by the Storms of Life

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In this Aug. 29, 2017 photo, a north Houston resident walks through waist deep water while evacuating her home after Hurricane Harvey caused severe flooding.

The people around Houston have been blindsided by circumstances they could not control. Though thousands of volunteers have joined professionals in trying to help, most of the country stands both helpless and keenly aware that we too could be blindsided by life's unexpected turns.

Being Blindsided Reminds Us That We Aren’t in Control

A few months ago my precious wife got the dreaded call from her doctor about her yearly mammogram. She has been battling cancer ever since. Less than a year ago, my nephew, in the midst of a well-planned and successful life, fell in his hotel room and is now paralyzed. This past week a very good friend, serving as an ambassador from a small Central American nation and instrumental in moving that country forward economically and politically, was diagnosed with lymphoma. He is now taking the chemo prescribed by his doctors. In each situation, life changed in a moment. Uncertainty in life is certain.

Even when we plan carefully and seek to manage as well as we are capable, we get knocked around.

Some would try to explain the tragedies by focusing on misapplied principles or willful sin. Others conclude that such events prove that God is either not very loving or not very powerful. A few would try to justify the futility of trying to live any sort of disciplined life by proclaiming the randomness of the various events in history. None of those options satisfy the inner longing of serious minded people. We know instinctively that there is a creator who is sovereign and that he deserves reverence and gratitude.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

-- Romans 1:19-20 (ESV)

It is just that we so desperately want to be in control. The blindside episodes remind us that we aren't.

Even Joseph was Blindsided

The Old Testament patriarch, Joseph, is a great reminder that God's purpose is not only going to be fulfilled but that the willful choices of evil men, along with the circumstances of nature, will be utilized to bring his word to pass.

Joseph was content to endure and embrace the blindsided blows, knowing that he was loved by his heavenly Father.

Joseph was loved by his father. His brothers were jealous. They conspired to kill him but compromised by selling him into slavery. He was taken away from home into Egypt and made a servant in Potiphar's house, where his master's wife falsely accused him of sexual abuse. In prison, he helped his fellow prisoners by interpreting their dreams but was promptly forgotten when they were released. Finally, he was called to interpret the Egyptian Pharaoh's dream. Joseph saw an upcoming economic upheaval. He was put in charge of managing the economy, and when the brothers who had sold him came to Egypt to buy food during a famine, they were afraid of him.

When Joseph revealed he was their brother, he also revealed his perspective on the loving sovereignty of God. He explained that it was God, not them, who sent him to Egypt so that he would be there when they became hungry, for it was essential for a remnant of the family to be rescued for the purpose of God on earth. (See Genesis 45.)

Life for Joseph was about more than his comfort, plans and agenda. He saw himself as a vital part of a bigger story that would one day reveal the ultimate Savior who would save not just a remnant of Jacob's family, but people from every tribe and family on earth. He was content to endure and embrace the blindsided blows, knowing that he was loved more by his heavenly Father than he was by his earthly father, Jacob.

He concluded that God can be trusted.

When We are Blindsided, We Can Have Confidence in Our God

God will reinterpret our personal dreams and let us participate in more than we could ever have imagined. We are not here primarily to seek our own dreams. We are here to fulfill his. When we trust him, we discover that his conscious presence makes any circumstance bearable. Being confident of his unconditional love allows us to move forward in the midst of sorrowful times. As the Psalmist so beautifully wrote:

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.

-- Psalms 23:3-4 (ESV)

None of us look forward to being blindsided by unexpected news or unplanned disruption. But we do not have to walk in fear. The same Father who gave his Son for our ultimate rescue is the one who works behind the scenes to bring his purposes to bear in our lives. We live for his glory, and that sheds a new light on everything.

Joseph's life was a shadow of the coming Savior. Our lives are a reflection of that Savior, as we expose the darkness that dooms mankind to the light of truth and love. Rain or shine, we march forward as participants in the greatest story ever.

How Do We Prepare to be Fully Prepared?

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Man Holding Holy Bible, Missionary, Christians, Christianity, Scriptures, The Word of God

In one of his many interviews, I heard Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott echo something many elite athletes convey when asked about coolness in the face of pressure situations. The quote may not be exact, but it's close: "I don't feel pressure because I believe I am fully prepared. It is lack of preparation that creates anxiety."

I think they are on to something. I wonder if that is why so many of us are nervous about managing our own lives now and in the future. The unexpected troubles of life offer an opportunity to yield to fear. Fear is an awful kind of paralysis. It forces us to live in reaction mode rather than as responsible managers.

A Call to Be Prepared

The apostle Paul gave some great encouragement to young Timothy who had responsibility to care for people who were new Christians. He would be managing them regarding the most important aspect of their lives. It is a heavy responsibility.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

-- 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (ESV)

Some have wrongly concluded that the good work Paul mentions only applies to church work. That would contradict what he has consistently taught about all Christians being called to represent Christ in all kinds of work. We can all take his words to heart. We can be fully prepared to do whatever is right in any situation.

The question then is: how can we prepare to be fully prepared?

Knowing the Word, Knowing God

The place of the Scriptures is vital to such preparation. Timothy had been blessed to be introduced to the sacred writings of the Old Testament when he was young. Paul had furthered his preparation by showing him that the inspired writings were given to lead the readers to faith in Christ.

To be an expert on biblical knowledge while missing Him is to fail to be prepared for managing life.

The Bible is a unique book. It is a record of God's word and deeds from creation to re-creation. It is the story of God's love being revealed in creation. It specifically reveals the dignity God gave humans. It describes the sin of the first pair and its consequences. It shows how man's sin could not prevent God's purpose from being accomplished. It gives specific laws that govern His creation. It reflects the struggles humans have trying to fulfill their calling as image-bearers.

There are great stories, useful principles, clear instructions and adequate warnings, but all of them point to the final man who came to fulfill all the hopes of all people for all time. He alone is the full and final Word of God. Knowing Him is the designed end of all the writings.

To be an expert on biblical knowledge while missing Him is to fail to be prepared for managing life.

Our Biblically Illiterate Culture

In our secularized culture, belief in biblical authority is mocked. There was a time when someone like Billy Graham could say, "The Bible says..." and it would carry weight. Eyes roll and heads shake if that is tried in the public square today. So how do we find the right perspective on the Scriptures? The main trouble is that, on the whole, neither the mockers nor the believers have read the Scriptures much.

The mockers promote the idea that the Bible is full of errors, yet they don't cite those errors with any kind of consistency. They claim that it is a book written by men and can't be considered divine, without any explanation of the millions of lives that have been transformed for the good through faith in the Jesus that the Scriptures reveal. They are either ignorant of its unique place in world literature or they regard that as evidence of primitive ignorance of those who had nothing better.

It is time for those who claim to have confidence in the Scriptures to make reading the Bible a priority.

Too many believers have either relied on clerical experts to read the Scriptures for them, or have cherry-picked some texts to prove their own cherished beliefs, or have embraced their culture that used the values presented in Scriptures to enhance the common lifestyle. They don't regularly read the texts with a heart to encounter the living Word that it presents.

Now is the Best Time to Prepare

The foundation of Christian faith starts with belief in a personal creator God who is sovereign, loving, all-knowing and purposeful. It continues with the belief that God has spoken.

Since He has chosen to reveal his thoughts, we are eager to know them. We find them in His creation, in our own conscience, in the inspired record of history and finally in Jesus, the Son of God who became a man. If we ignore the Scriptures, we limit our search to human explanations of creation and personal opinions about God's nature and purpose. That leads to being ill-prepared for living a meaningful life.

When the pressure comes, it is too late to prepare. It is time for those who claim to have confidence in the Scriptures to make reading the Bible a priority. With a humble heart, we will hear the voice of God through His divinely inspired texts.

An Expensive Party

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Worship at church. Silhouette of anonymous people. High key lighting.

I read with interest of the party celebrating the induction of Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Dallas Morning News reported the cost around $10 million. There were lots of celebrities with great food and entertainment. It was celebrating quite a milestone. It is not every day that anyone, especially an owner gets into the Hall of Fame. Not everyone gets invited to the party either. (My invitation must have been lost in the mail.)

Some people resent such partying. They focus on all the good that could have been done with $10 million. I find myself tending to think like that, and I want to challenge that attitude toward celebration, especially as a God-lover. He loves parties. He designed us to celebrate. In fact, we find our truest self when we lose ourselves in the celebration of ultimate glory.

The whole meaning of life is wrapped up in our celebrating the unmatched majesty of God himself. We were designed to be image-bearers -- reflectors of God's glory. As we celebrate his unique and unmatched nature, we lose our need to be gods. We see that not everything wrong is our fault and fixing everything is not our job. We relax in being humans and not gods.

God Told His People Israel Celebrate

God commands us to celebrate him above all other entities because anything less will not satisfy the longing in our inner most being. Why would a loving God want us to glory in anything less than ultimate goodness? He commands us to love only him since he is the highest object of praise, and that we love him with all our being. To do anything less is to settle for dissatisfaction.

Humans are most fulfilled when they are focused on the unsurpassed glory of the God who has proven his love for them.

God did mighty works for his people Israel. They are recorded throughout the Old Testament. He established feasts for them to celebrate some of the most significant works. These feasts lasted for days. They weren't some cheap hot dog and hamburger type parties. There was lots of food, barrels of wine, joyful dancing, loud shouting -- just fun.

And there were lots of feasts. They dotted the calendar all over. Passover, Tabernacles, Pentecost ... Sometimes you wonder, "when did they get their work done?" Part of their work was to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God. Humans are most fulfilled when they are focused on the unsurpassed glory of the God who has proven his love for them.

But Israel refused to obey the command to celebrate the feasts. What? They turned down the invitation to party? Yep. They turned down the invitation. They were too busy trying to establish their own glory. They couldn't take the time to stop and celebrate the many expressions of mercy that God had bestowed. Jesus told a story about two brothers who responded to a party their father was giving. One who had messed up big time came to the party celebrating the father's love for him. The other wouldn't attend because he was focused on what he had done to merit the favor of the father. (See Luke 15:11-31.)

As Christians, We Ought to Celebrate Every Day

The most expensive party ever is going on right now. It cost the Father his own Son. None of us merits an invitation, but we are given one. He offers us forgiveness, cleansing, abundant joy, and partnership in the family business. We don't separate our worship from our work. We party while we work and work while we party. When we see how big and good he is, we can't help but celebrate. If we aren't celebrating it is probably because we have a poor vision of him.

The recent inductees to football's Hall of Fame were decorated because of their achievements. God is never decorated by us, but he can be celebrated. We can't add to his fame, but we can enjoy his exaltation. Our praise won't change him, but we will change. Don't miss this party.

After the Wrecking Ball

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Wrecking Ball America Politics Destruction Reckless - 900

According to some polls a relatively large segment of American society believes the seemingly unhinged tweeting of President Trump is a good thing; a wrecking ball to the stifling political-correctness culture that has engulfed our national conversation. I join all those who loathe the PC culture.

The straw men and sacred cows of the attempt to redefine the meaning of reality are tiresome and ridiculous. We can't even use common language to express our viewpoints without fear of the language police knocking at the door. I long for some honest conversation between people who share the same citizenship but different perspectives on how to make our country work.

I join all those who loathe the PC culture.

The Wrecking Ball of Chaos

But the wrecking ball? It is a useful tool if you know what you want to build in place of what is being wrecked. I wonder about the situation if the wrecking ball that tears down the structure is also the tool of replacing it. When we are talking about buildings we see the benefit of the quick demolition. Another building crew comes in to build something better and more useful. My concern when talking about government and communication structures is that it will be the same crew charged with rebuilding that did the demolition. If the wrecking ball approach is to return evil for evil, insult for insult, then we shall have chaos. That is not the way to build.

In addition, chaos begs for a deliverer and is not very discriminating about his or her character. It is fertile soil for a tyrant to arise, offering the solution while demanding control. To escape the pain of chaos, people will even tolerate the loss of liberty.

If the wrecking ball approach is to return evil for evil, insult for insult, then we shall have chaos.

Building God’s Way

The same God who created all things delegated authority to various jurisdictions to prevent both chaos and tyranny. As we look at his creation we see order and partnership. If in our attempts to correct the chaos of political correctness we facilitate the chaos of hateful partisanship, we are building toward civil war rather than a healthy union.

We have heard that a vanquished but unconvinced enemy is an enemy still, and we must take heed. The inspired Scriptures humanly penned by Saint Paul give some fantastic instructions about leadership and building people. 

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

I am aware that Paul was addressing a church leader. I am also aware that God sees civil leaders as his servants as well. (Romans 13:1-2) If it works for leading people in church, it is right for the nation. Respect for the dignity of even those who disagree is vital. Demonizing the Left or Right is the easiest course, but fatal. None of us has everything right, but our perspective is not to be ignored, and we allow that what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.

Let's pray that the spirit of wisdom and discernment will be given to those charged with leading us in this critical time.

Childish Tweets

I do not applaud the bitter back and forth childishness of blame, accusations, smears and disrespect that characterizes the White House, the Congress, the press and the faceless tweeters. I will not acquiesce to justify such childishness as a necessary wrecking ball.

Wisdom of God

Our God is sovereign and has often used the wicked to finally accomplish his purposes, but it came with much pain for the people involved. He may in fact use a wrecking ball to demolish a wall that has divided the people of the USA. But he is not trying to destroy the people he loves. He offers a way that builds according to his order. Earlier statesmen understood and sought to build his way. Let's pray that the spirit of wisdom and discernment will be given to those charged with leading us in this critical time.

Let's pray that God's wisdom will be desired and requested.

The Church and the Media

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TOPSHOT - Archbishop of Rouen Dominique Lebrun delivers a press conference before the re-opening of the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, northwestern France, on October 2, 2016. Two months after its priest was murdered by teenage jihadists, parishioners of a Catholic church in northern France will gather on October 2 for a solemn re-opening ceremony to seek solace and solidarity. / AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU (Photo credit should read CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images)

Thinking “Christianly” about the current concern over the media forces us to ask the question: What is the God-ordained role of media? I suppose this begs the question of whether there is a God-ordained role for the media.  Or government, or any other societal institution.

In the larger picture, Christians believe in the sovereign God of the Bible who has chosen to do his work on earth through humans. We are not classical Deists who believe in a very distant and uninvolved God who seldom, if ever, gets personally involved with the affairs on earth. We embrace the gracious God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has made his creatures partners with him in managing creation.

The Word of God

We also affirm that God has graciously spoken and that his word carries the authority of his person. He has not hidden his will and ways. However, if we refuse to listen to his word we seal our fate as deceived creatures who will make of mess of creation-management. If we revere him and his word we will flourish in our task and become channels of blessings.

The lesson is obvious: It is a serious mistake for a society to disdain or ignore the word of God and the people who cherish it. It is a choice for anarchy and chaos.

Christian Jurisdiction

Historically Christians have acknowledged that God has delegated managerial authority within society for productive human interaction. These include:

The family as the primary structure for nurture, training and education of the young The civil government for protection against enemies that threaten people, their possessions and their pursuit of destiny The church for holding all people and societal structures accountable to the truth And the marketplace for the production of goods and possibility of trade.

When these are ignored, or when they operate outside of their purpose, society falls into chaos or tyranny.

The Media’s Role

With that brief summary as a starting point, let's address the media’s legitimate role in a society. Those in media often remind us that freedom of the press is necessary for societal structures to be accountable. We agree. However, we also question what happens when the people are not being informed. When, instead, they are being programmed by a media that has no standard of truth by which to hold anyone accountable. When media outlets are competing with wave after wave of fake news, what happens to reality? No one is accountable, including the media.

The Church’s Retreat

In a flourishing society, the church acts as the ground and pillar of truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) Reality as defined by God's word is the standard for accountability. In early western civilization, the poets, artists, playwrights, novelists and journalists spoke both for and to society. When societal structures began to stray, they were rebuked by those media voices anchored to the truths revealed in Scripture.

Then came the Enlightenment, when mankind supposedly "came of age." The church’s role began to shrink. It was pushed to the periphery, told to "go into your buildings, deal with ethereal matters, and help people get to heaven. But stay out of the public square."

Sadly, much of the church did that. The secular media became the high priest of society. The man-made civil government  became viewed as the sovereign provider of all needed things. The family began to deteriorate. The "gospel message" that carried the day was one of human potential and inevitable progress. This Enlightenment-civil-religion slowly displaced the church in polite society.  Those supposedly charged with holding society accountable (the media) stood on nothing but their own evolving relativism.

Now we endure both tyranny and chaos. The secular media has taken the role that was the stewardship of the church. The church has retreated to its buildings to debate each other. Those who are being informed are in confusion.

Standing for Truth

It is time we stop cheering for our favorite source of fake news and stand up for truth. The church can reclaim the role it was given by God.

Christ paid the price to redeem all that has been captured by evil. We must look at the role of the media and declare, "This belongs to God, and we will be responsible to manage it under his loving rule."

We submit ourselves to God and his word and seek to declare such truth that all people and structures will know the path of real freedom.

I trust that when the people of the church reclaim the role we are given, a revival of purpose and unity will engulf us. First, we must repent of abandoning our post. We must then embrace our call. God's unlimited resources are available to those who revere him and his word.

Negotiating With God

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Our Certain Hope

Since our forebears ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, humanity has been trying to negotiate with God by using goodness as currency. The lie perpetrated by the Serpent is that the human individual can determine what is good and bad, and that he or she can achieve that moral standard by their own determination. What an illusion!

In a recent blog, Wade Trimmer refers to a survey revealing that 74% of Americans believe they are going to heaven based on their moral record. About the same percentage don't think their neighbors will make it. Wow! We are willing to give ourselves a break, but not our neighbors.

We somehow believe we can negotiate with God based on our concept of goodness. "Sure, we have done some sinful things, but we have also done some good. We have turned our lives around lately. Surely God will give us a break based on our intentions. We aren't in the category of Hitler or the Boston Strangler."

It’s Not About Mere Moralism

God doesn't negotiate based on our goodness or badness. The Father made a covenant with his Son who represents us. He fulfilled every aspect of righteousness, and the Father declared his sacrifice for our sins: Sufficient!  The currency of the kingdom of God is not goodness, but faith. We believe in Jesus accepting his work as our own, and embracing his mission as our calling. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this hundreds of years before Jesus was born.

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. -- Isaiah 55:1-2

Christianity is About Trusting in Jesus

It is difficult for us to get away from the belief that God is primarily wanting us to be good. Of course, he is not trying to make us bad, but our concept of good is flawed. We tend to define it totally in terms of not practicing bad behavior. Sadly, much of the religion that is identified as Christian is mere moralism, rather than life with Christ.

Put your moral currency away. It is not legal tender in God's kingdom.

Some people were reared to be polite, gentle and mannerly, but their hearts are filled with selfish intent. Others were not given such privilege in training and are rough around the edges, yet they have been captured by the unconditional love of God through Jesus. The issue is trusting Jesus as our goodness.

All of us try to manage transactions with God until we are struck with a true vision of who he is and what he has already done. Even after initial conversion, we tend toward a transactional relationship with God. We look for levers to pull, formulas to follow, and principles to practice in hopes of unlocking his treasure of blessings. The great transaction is done! God has acted in our behalf by forgiving our sins and granting us the blessings due to Jesus. When that truth becomes more than a meme, or a stanza in a song, we will begin living as the sons and daughters we are by virtue of his grace.

Put your moral currency away. It is not legal tender in God's kingdom.

The Triumph of Freedom

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Soldier Saluting, Sunrise, Sunset, Freedom, Liberty, Fruited Plains, U.S. Military, triumph of freedom

Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez, whose story has shocked and inspired thousands, spoke of how the veterans of war understand the value of peace at a level that those of us who enjoy the benefits of their sacrifice have no way of comprehending.

It is true that freedom is enjoyed by many but appreciated by few. We in the USA are so accustomed to the benefits of freedom that we often play fast and loose with it. Today we give thanks to the many veterans who have a better idea of what is at stake, and we join them in praying for the freedoms they fought for to be preserved.

The immigrants who have once been abused by regimes that trampled human dignity often become models to those of us who are spoiled by an entitlement mentality. These new Americans stand with enlightened veterans to point us toward gratitude, honor and personal sacrifice. We would do well to watch them shudder when ignorance burns the flag, or when politicians manipulate our freedoms as a currency to win votes, or when ordinary Americans ignore the privileges we have.

The Cost of Freedom

Herman Robison Salute - 400One of my heroes was my brother-in-law who fought as a Marine in the Pacific. He married my older sister and was in the family when I was born. Though my sister begged me not to ask questions about particular battles, I couldn't help it. It is pretty natural that little boys are fascinated with war. I think it is because a part of being created in the image of God includes a warrior's heart. God loves freedom, and those who reflect him join him.

Herman would often have nightmares after recalling some tragic event in battle, and my sister tried to protect him. He never complained about his own injuries or the loss of his friends. He would always say, "it had to be done. Freedom is worth the costs."

I came of age during the Vietnam war. I was in college with a high draft number, but I lost friends and former classmates. I have always felt some guilt for not being there with them. I never make it through Memorial Day or the Fourth of July without tears. But I have learned that we all have our wars. We must show up for the ones we are facing. I can't regret missing the call to fight the evils of Hitler, or encroaching communism in Korea or Vietnam.

For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free

Today, there are still wars going on. They rage in so many places and I am too old to go, but there is one where I live too. It is not just for the freedoms that have been won for our nation, but for the freedoms that were purchased by Jesus. He came to "set at liberty those who are oppressed." (Luke 4:18c) Wars will continue until individuals find peace in their own hearts.

We are finally freed to be what we were designed to be, enjoying God and managing the earth under his loving hand.

The good news that Jesus brought to earth is that he has crucified our bruised, broken, fearful and selfish hearts and given us new hearts like his. The sin that has oppressed us and kept us under its power has been forgiven, and its power has been broken. The enemy of our souls has been exposed and defeated by Jesus' death and resurrection. We have been set free to love as he loves, serve where he serves, and watch his kingdom push aside the darkness of deception. We are finally freed to be what we were designed to be, enjoying God and managing the earth under his loving hand.

When this freedom is proclaimed and embraced by the hearers, wars can cease. Needless bloodshed can be avoided. When Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed. And as free people, we can help others to freedom. We are not just freed from, but freed to a life of giving.

Let us celebrate the triumph of freedom that is offered to all people regardless of nation, religion or gender. God thought freedom was worth his Son's life. We cannot neglect such a grand gift.

Herman Robison Note - 500

 

Living According to Design

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Father and son swung their legs from the wooden pier on mountain lake

Our three-year-old grandson Fowler recently was taken to the toy store by his "Grams" as an encouragement for his memory work. She let him pick out his choice which was a remote-controlled speed boat.

I assembled it and got the batteries in the right places and surprisingly it worked. That is, the propellers turned when the remote switch was on. But Fowler wanted it to run across the living room floor. I heard myself telling him, "it was designed for water. It only works when it is in water." It is what fathers and grandfathers tell their immature children.

Designed to Be With Him

God the Father has been saying that to his human creatures for a long time. We were designed to live in his presence. Life only works when lived there. God's first children, Adam and Eve started there. They enjoyed walking, talking, and working in the presence of God their creator and Father.

Later in the biblical story God's Son Jesus lived so conscious of his Father's presence that he claimed that he only spoke what he heard the Father say, and only did what he saw the Father do.

We were designed to live in his presence. Life only works when lived there.

In the interval between Adam and Jesus, humans lived with a sense of being on the outside of the family and distant from God. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden where they were designed to live. The whole race of humans followed that model. The most popular perspective of those who believed in God was that of a distant deity who was more of a moral policeman than a loving Father. Israel continued to hold that perspective even after God graciously delivered them from slavery and called them his son.

It’s Your Inheritance 

Then Jesus came. He lived as a son -- as humans were designed to live. He died as a substitute for the outsiders. Those who trust him as their own deliverer are brought inside the family and declared sons of the Father. They are given the same access to the Father as Jesus has always enjoyed. They live conscious of his presence.

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord who gives us his status with the Father.

Yes, they must deal with the spiritual enemy who is the master illusionist of separation. He uses every possible circumstance to insinuate that we are separated from God the Father. He tries to get us to believe that our privilege is based on our performance rather than a gracious gift of the Son who guarantees our status as sons.

But nothing can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord who gives us his status with the Father. (Romans 8:35-39) He has even given us the Holy Spirit to quicken our hearts to know the Father intimately. (Galatians 4:4-7) We can now live according to our original design -- conscious of the Father's presence.

Enjoy his presence. It is your inheritance as a son or daughter.  

Do We Need a Gospel Revolution?

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Gospel Revolution

Recently I was asked, "Why are you so passionate about the centrality of the first coming of Jesus? Why do you continue to promote the importance of the resurrection? I would think that by this age you have moved on to other subjects of relevance."

I think that question is illustrative of the confusion in our culture about the role of the gospel. We tend to think as children of the enlightenment. In fact, our culture would probably affirm that the greatest progressive jump in history was the enlightenment. It was then that mankind came of age. Reason and science became the authoritative influence in every aspect of life.

We have concluded that any solution to earth's problems will be provided by man's ingenuity. Accordingly, the message of the Bible, climaxing in the exaltation of Jesus as Lord, has been pushed to the periphery and catalogued as mildly important, but certainly not essential for human flourishing.

If the story of Jesus is viable at all, it is to give some sense of inner peace and some hope of life after death. Sadly, much of the church has settled for this message and left the managing of the creation to those who at best tolerate the gospel but commonly disregard it as primitive myth.

Enlightened Through the Gospel of Jesus

Though I am grateful for the advances humanity has made since the Dark Ages, I am firmly convinced that it was the resurrection of Jesus Christ that is the most transforming event in history. In fact, it was the light emanating from the gospel of Jesus that gave birth to enlightenment. Only the gospel dispels the darkness that surrounds the rule of evil and liberates humans.

Our God is the creator and sustainer of creation.

When Jesus came out of the grave, a new creation was launched. A new race began. Those who believed in him were born again as children of the new order. Now, we Christians are continuing to confront the decaying old creation with the newness of being in Christ. There are earthly problems that can't be solved by human initiative alone, and we are witnesses to a reality that includes the invisible and visible; the present and the future. We are connected to the Lord of the new creation that is displacing the old. We have his promise that he is with us now and shall return to culminate his purposes on earth.

Our God, the Sustainer

We cannot afford to proclaim a gospel that is merely an addendum to life. We will not consent to only addressing the "religious" (interpreted as non-essential) aspects of living. If the gospel as presented in the New Testament is anything, it is the most important thing. It effects every aspect of our existence. It deserves our full attention and absolute loyalty.

Because we whole-heartedly embrace the gospel, we refuse any attempts to force others to adopt our view. We believe it will stand its ground against every foe. We can live in a pluralistic society without fear of being overwhelmed, simply because we trust the power of God as it is released through the gospel. We gladly present our witness on any stage of inquiry. Those views that depend on the state to enforce compliance are admitting that their god is too small to change people.

I believe there is a gospel revolution beginning. Let's pray to that end.

Our God is the creator and sustainer of creation. His word will not return to him without accomplishing what he sent it to do. He has sent his Son to deal with the problem of human sin and its consequences. Through his death and resurrection, he has launched a new creation that can bring restoration to all things he desires to restore. He has graciously identified the way of life. It is narrow but distinct and sure. All who enter through Jesus get to the Father. All who try another way will ultimately be disappointed.

A Gospel Revolution

I believe there is a gospel revolution beginning. Let's pray to that end. It will result in blessings for all. The benefits of salt and light extend to all the society even when there are many who have not yet seen the light of glory in the face of Jesus. But the challenge is to those whose eyes have been opened by God's grace.

The gospel must be proclaimed and demonstrated. We cannot hide it under a bushel or conceal it in our thoughts. It is for everyone, so we must give it away, but we must never dilute it or be embarrassed by it. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)

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