A Lightening Rod Issue

A “lightening rod” is an idiom for someone or some issue that is a frequent target of negative reactions. This year’s lightening rod issue in the campaign of Republican candidates trying to get their Party’s nomination is same-sex marriage.

As a now-senior member of society, I can assure you that 20 years ago no one could have imagined a campaign for the office of the Presidency of the United States would include a debate over gay marriage. A budding issue in 2008, it has come to full bloom.

One of the circumstances that brought it to this point of significance is the recent legalization of gay marriage in NY State.  But another incident is even more pointed. Marcus Bachmann, husband of presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann (herself, a lightening rod), is accused of offering reparative therapy (to those who want help changing their same-sex orientation) in his clinic. I use the pejorative word “accuse” because reparative therapy is prohibited by the American Psychological Association, making it even more of a “lightening rod” issue.

But it begs the question: “can people change?” Our answer to that holds the full confidence of Paul’s words: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away, and all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). To use a phrase from the 2008 campaign, that is "change you can believe in!"  Wouldn’t it be something if Michelle Bachman were to use that in her next debate?  Talk about a lightening rod!

In the Middle of the Storm, God Speaks and says, "I AM"

Does God speak today? Is He speaking now? Such questions belie the fact that God’s ‘sheep’ are supposed to be able to hear Him (John 10:27). Job says “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it” (33:14).

As I reflected on the letter to the Hebrews the other day, I noted that the book begins (as does John’s gospel, “in the beginning was the Word”), by declaring that God speaks. Since the time of Adam and Eve, God has been speaking to man (Genesis 3:8, 10); He spoke to and through Moses and Abraham. He spoke through the Prophets.  He spoke to Jesus, and Jesus became the Living Word.

That does not mean, however, that everyone will hear Him. Only those who have ‘ears to hear’ can hear Him (Mark 4:9), which becomes critically important when we realize that Satan speaks too—Peter says He roars like a lion (5:8). And you can be sure he will be roaring about Hurricane Irene—questioning God’s goodness and stirring up resentments. Will God sit by as Satan roars at the world? Not according to King David: “Our God approaches and He is not silent… and a great storm rages around him” (Ps. 50:3). When the Disciples were in the midst of a storm, they heard Jesus: “Do not be afraid: I am here”, literally "I AM" (John 6:20).  Evidently, in the time of storms especially, God speaks.  Can you hear Him?

Sit Down and Take a Stand

I don’t know about you, but I was pretty impressed by four South Carolina Congressmen last month who said (after having prayed together), they could not compromise on a bill to raise taxes. Whether you agree with them or not, you have to respect them for taking a stand—whatever the consequences.

In his commentary on the Letter to the Ephesians, Watchman Nee summarizes the book in his title: “Sit, Walk, Stand,” pointing out that the first 3 chapters speak of the believer’s position: “seated in the heavenlies,” while chapters 4-5 detail the believer’s “walk,” and chapter 6 ends with a challenge to take a “stand” against the enemy of these truths.

In other words, Paul employs a spiritual logic that you cannot stand if you are not sitting in the truth, nor can you stand until you have walked in that truth—without compromise. It used to be considered honorable to take an uncompromising stand on one’s principles. But these days, compromise and tolerance have become the new ethic, and all who are unwilling to compromise are vilified.

At this time in history, God is raising up an army of Christians who are positioned in (seated) and practicing (walking in) the truth, so they might stand firm in the faith until the last day. And there is no room for compromise.

Like an Ostrich

I stuck my head in the sand the other day, and, to my surprise, there were a lot of heads down there.

Amidst the anxiety of an unpredictable stock market, huge budget deficits, feckless leadership, and extreme weather, who is not tempted to just stick their head in the sand and wait it out? But this is not an option for serious believers.

Christ’s disciples are to be alert at all times (Mat. 24:42; 1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8). As I mentioned the other day, Jesus scolded the Pharisees for not being able to interpret the “signs of the times!” (Matt. 16:3) The times we live in are extraordinarily troubling. The Bible says many will put their heads in the sand, saying 'Peace! Peace' when there is no peace” (Jer. 8:11; Ez. 13:10).

Fear of the unknown, fear of losing control, and fear of having to face some unpleasant things may tempt us to avoidant behavior. But we are called to live “above” the earth’s power, not “under” it! What’s more, we are His messengers of truth and light to all those in darkness (the darkness of having their heads in the sand!).

All Shook Up

I’ll bet you think I’m referring to yesterday’s surprise earthquake on the East Coast. But the idiom “shake up” could refer to any number of things going in the world today: nervous investors unable to trust a shaken stock market; the Congressional shake-up over the failed ‘debit increase’ negotiations; or the shaken lives of Texas farmers by the driest 10-month period in Texas since 1895. And we are still feeling the effects of the shaking up of Japan’s post-tsunami economy. And then there is the summer of discontent in the North African and Middle East countries. And these are but a few of the natural and political catastrophes that have our world all shook up.

To “shake up” means to jostle and toss someone or something back and forth. To “shake someone up” means to shock or upset someone. Oftentimes, a container of liquid needs to be shaken before it can be consumed or used. The idiom is also used in “shaking up” an organization—to make it more effective. But the term isn’t always negative: “shaking up” can be good for a dull relationship.

But one thing is certain. The God of the Universe (the One we are privileged to call our Father) is shaking up things, people, and nations. The reason earthquakes are frightening is that they shake the ground we stand on. What better reminder than yesterday’s startling East Coast quake that we should be standing on firm ground, “firmly rooted and built up in Him and established in our faith” (Col. 2:7), not forgetting God’s promise, "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also. This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain…so we can receive a Kingdom that is unshakable" (Hebrews 12:26-28, edited).

Nuns Find Peace in their Yoga Class

There are so many strange and unprecedented things happening in the world today. As Spirit-filled believers, we should be able to discern the signs of the times, and not as the Pharisees whom Jesus chided for being able to interpret the weather, but not the signs of the times (Matt. 16:3).

The title of this post, taken from an article this morning in the Contra Costa Times, and the cute picture of elderly nuns doing yoga, caught my attention as one of these signs. "This is where I find the most peace," said one Sister, after a recent class. You may argue there is nothing wrong with practicing yoga as a physical exercise. But the fact is that yoga is a spiritual discipline by which the adherent is trained to use the body as a vehicle for achieving consciousness of the divine.

Albert Mohler recently wrote about this: When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga. The contradictions are not few, nor are they peripheral. Christians are called to look to Christ for all that we need and to obey Christ through obeying his Word. We are not called to escape the consciousness of this world by achieving an elevated state of consciousness, but to follow Christ in the way of faithfulness. Stefanie Syman, author of “The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America” wrote, The embrace of yoga is a symptom of our postmodern spiritual confusion that reaches into the church. And so, the seemingly innocent story of nuns practicing yoga is not so cute after all. It's a sign of the times.

Be Afraid! Be Very Afraid!

This morning’s USA Today Financial Section had two lead articles on “fear”: first, a fear of a second recession due to lower-than-expected July “employment” and “housing” reports, and second, fears of the negative impact of Europe’s spreading debt crisis. Everyone is afraid that the economic recovery is falling short of expectations.

Although we all know that God’s children are coaxed and commanded from the first to the last pages of the Bible “not to fear,” there is at least one strong, notable exception to that rule—a commandment to be afraid. And, no, it’s not the end of the world, or impending judgment on mankind. The Bible says we should be afraid, very afraid, of “falling short” of entering God’s rest—that contentment, composure and calm that belongs only to those who are ‘resting’ in Jesus’ finished work on the Cross (Hebrews 4:1). Falling short of God’s rest (and best) for us is a terrible thing. The NLT states it even more emphatically: “God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.”

No one but you knows whether you are really resting in God—free from anxiety—during these troubling times. But if there is anything we ought to be worried and fearful about, it is falling short of or failing to obtain God’s promise to every believer—finding our rest in Jesus. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’.” (Matthew 11:28)

Taking Tests

Yesterday as I drove home from SUM Bible College, I thought about the class of 17 freshmen I had just taught—all full of fresh (is that why they’re called freshmen?) unabashed hope and confidence. I couldn’t help wondering "will they all make it to graduation?" And I'll bet they are wondering too!

Everyone begins any new venture with great confidence. But then it is tested. When commencing any new thing, it is normal to begin with some degree of uncertainty: “did I really hear the Lord?” “Do I have what it takes?” That is where our test of faith begins.

We soon learn that natural enthusiasm will not sustain us; only a confidence that is founded in faith that Jesus will take us to the finish line: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished” (Phil. 1:6 NLT).

We are told in Hebrews that all the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, all hoping to enter their Canaan. But many dropped out—losing confidence when the testing of their faith began. For this reason, the writer warns: “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised” (Hebrews 10:36 NLT). To my students who are reading this, may I say, tests are a normal part of the educational process. (Otherwise, how will you know what you have learned!?) But it isn’t school exams that should be your greatest concern. It is the testing of your faith that counts the most. But don't worry.  God won’t fail you. You never really fail God’s tests; you just keep taking them until you pass!

Repentance from Dead Works and Faith toward God

Turn on the TV or radio and you will see that we have no shortage of talented preachers and charismatic personalities today. Nor are they short on relevance. American churches provide workshops and seminars on every contemporary subject—from homemaking to lovemaking.

But what is the outcome of all these relevant programs? Have our churches produced a vision for holiness? Are we seeing God more clearly? Are we hungrier for righteousness? Are we becoming broken and contrite, humble and lowly? Or are we being built up in our faith or just being affirmed?

Despite all of the Church’s activity, a basic doctrine that is seldom spoken of is “repentance from dead works” (Heb. 6:1). Whatever great things we may do to build people up, if it is not leading them into greater faith, it is just “dead works,” i.e., activities oriented to ‘self.’

Allow me some latitude in my edited translation of Matthew 7:22-23. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not teach people how to make the most of their time through our time-management seminars; and better use of their money through out budget planning discussion groups? Did we not help people feel better about themselves through our ‘weigh down’ workshops? And then will I say to you, I was not to be found in your programs.” In the critical times we are living in, it is imperative that we continually examine our activities to see if they are producing genuine faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

New Things

I am pleased to tell you that today I will begin a new job. When I retired from my job with the federal government more than three years ago, I could not have imagined this day when I would be teaching at a Bible college. But even at the ripe old age of 63, I am still doing new things. Sometimes I grow tired and wonder why I just don’t stop and rest. But then I am reminded that God is always leading us into new experiences where we can grow—"He makes all things new."  Now that’s a loaded phrase. But I think it means, at least on one level, that God is always growing us and leading us into what-Paul-calls the “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Right up to our last day on this earth, God will still be leading us into new things.

If we are serious about walking with God, then we must be prepared for Him to guide us into new ways. God will not allow us to be stopped by last week’s failures; nor will He allow us to rest in yesterday’s successes. His path is always into new things. And He will not stop working into us the “newness of life” until all of our “old ways” have really passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). I know what "new thing" God is doing in my life today.  Are you aware of the “new thing” He is doing in yours?

The Joseph Company

In one of his last teachings, David Wilkerson spoke of the “Joseph Company”—a body of last-day believers who are wholly devoted to the Lord. Just as God prepared Joseph (through isolation and persecution) over a period of twenty years, He is now preparing a Joseph Company that will be responsive to His purposes in these days.

Those who are of the Joseph Company have endured many trials in order to have God’s truth deeply rooted in them that they might give wisdom and revelation to others. Is it possible the Joseph Company are those whom Daniel tells us will be raised up in the last days: “Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many…” (11:33).

If you think it will be exciting to be part of this “Joseph Company,” beware. Daniel goes on to say, “And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution… to be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end” (11:35). Many do not understand all that they are currently going through—they are feeling isolated and persecuted. But if they remain faithful, they just might see that all along God has been preparing them to be part of the Joseph Company!

Even If…

You probably know the story of Daniel’s three friends who were thrown in to the fiery furnace because they would not bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s gods. Their faith is expressed in the phrase “even if.” Even if God did not miraculously rescue them, they would trust Him (Daniel 3:18). I’ve often thought this is one of the greatest faith statements in the Bible.

Sooner or later, we will all face a crisis of faith when everything around seems to be falling apart. We cry out to God for deliverance, but our plea is met with apparent silence. It is then we learn that oftentimes God’s immediate answer is ‘no’ because He has a larger plan, unknown to us. To believe beyond our immediate need requires faith like Daniel’s three friends. The faith that declares God is trustworthy, “even if”…

Just before his death, David Wilkerson said: “Dear saint, very soon you're going to understand your present fiery trials. God is going to bring you into the promise he gave you and suddenly it's all going to make sense. You'll see that He has never forsaken you. He had to take you this way, for He has been training you, preparing you, teaching you to trust him for everything. He has planned a time for you to be used—and that time is just ahead!”

Look What's been Thrown under the Bus

Syncretism, the idea that all religions can be fused into one, is being replaced by Pluralism, a more pragmatic approach because it acknowledges differences but sees them as irrelevant. Pluralism is the ‘equal rights’ of religion. Pluralism promotes tolerance, without which no one in the 21st century will survive.

Pluralism puts Jesus on an equal footing with Buddha, Confucius, and Muhammad. But pluralism requires that we make Christianity more tolerant. Thus, any Scripture that insists on its own primacy must be revised, redacted, reinterpreted or just ignored. Sadly, though, in watering down the Bible, we lose our moral authority to speak out against the new cultural norms of our 21st century—leaving a moral vacuum. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, so eloquently wrote in his blog, “This is what happens when the Bible is thrown under the bus.”

Some are wondering how we should contend for the authority of the Scriptures without appearing intolerant. Why are we even trying to? It’s time to reclaim the authority and supremacy of the Bible and throw pluralism under the bus!