What is it Worth?

According to the January “Open Doors” newsletter, a Somali mother of four young children was killed by Muslim extremists when she confessed her conversion to Christ. In Alexandria, Egypt, 21 people were killed as they were leaving church when a bomb exploded on New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, our brother in Christ, Dr. Said Musa (see Nov. 30 post), awaits execution in Afghanistan for loving Jesus.

“Now great multitudes were going along with Him; and He turned to them and said, If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple…If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Luke 14:25-26; Mark 8:34).

As we read these words, do we think our every-day problems are the cross we must bear? Is that what Jesus' followers thought He meant? No. To them, the cross was no figure of speech. In Jesus’ time, to ‘take up your cross’ meant you were condemned to die the painful, degrading death, called crucifixion—a penalty reserved by the Romans for the worst criminals. Christ’s early followers knew their conversion could cost their lives. Certainly, Muslim converts know this. When they picked up their cross, they knew the price they might have to pay. Perhaps it is a good time to ask ourselves how much we have bought into the “easy-to-believe-just-say-a-prayer” evangelism that promises everything and costs nothing.

Where on Earth is God?

I believe having my PhD in psychology allows me ‘license’ to make the following statement. Over the last 4 decades, psychology has gained significant influence in Christian preaching and programs. And speaking as a Bible teacher, I believe the attempt to integrate psychology and the Bible, i.e., interpreting doctrine through a psychological grid, is hazardous to sound doctrine. The psychologizing of Jesus’ message has led to a man-centered message: self-development over improving one’s relationship with God.

Any pastor knows that a seminar on the 'Holiness of God’ will draw smaller crowds than one called ‘How Christians can have a healthy sex life.’ (By the way, which would you rather attend?) In our hug yourself culture, the popularity of self-centered, ‘you can have it now’ messages should not surprise us. You don’t have to listen long to these psychologized messages before you ask: “Where on Earth Is God?"

We must all—including myself—pay close attention to our teaching (1 Tim 4:16) to question how the philosophy of psychology has affected our thought process, our biblical interpretation, our world view. Even in teaching the treasured truth of “abundant life,” I must be alert to doctrinal distortions. The precious truth of “Christ in me” can be inadvertently displaced with a focus on “who I am”—more about my son-ship than his Lordship. Is this why Paul said: “For I resolved to know nothing… except Jesus Christ and him crucified...for 'I' have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer 'I' who live but Christ lives in me” (1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 2:20)?

Persecuted in Afghanistan

Now here’s a story you won’t find in any newspaper. Dr. Said Musa, an employee of the International Red Cross in Kabul has been in prison since May, for his faith in Christ. He and other Afghan Christians were arrested after a local TV station broadcast images of their Christian worship service. Converting to Christianity is punishable by death under Islamic law.

Dr. Musa’s plight came to international attention when he sent a letter to President Obama and the heads of NATO that he was being sexually abused, beaten, and sleep-deprived because of his faith in Jesus. But, he went on to declare, “I would be willing to suffer for my faith in order to encourage and strengthen other Christians in theirs.” I have to ask myself ‘what would my attitude be under such circumstances?'

Then the Spirit brought to mind Peter’s amazing attitude toward suffering: “Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through… instead, be very glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering. And afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to the entire world. Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you… [And you will] praise God for the privilege of being called by his wonderful name!” (1 Peter 4:13-16 NLT). (Peter was eventually martyred for his faith.)

What Are You Resolving to Do This Year?

While most of us wouldn’t admit we might be making New Year’s resolutions, I doubt there are many of us who are not thinking today of some things in our life we want to change this next year. Given that, I want to share three resolutions from Scripture.

1) Paul’s resolution: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (2 Cor. 2:2).
2) David’s resolution: “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.” (Psalm 17:3)
3) Daniel’s resolution: “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” (Daniel 1:8)

The resolve to change is within the heart of each of us. But the capacity to change resides souly within the heart of those who become Christians [because they] become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! (2 Cor. 5:17, NLT). Ray Stedman says: We think that we have to change the way we act in order to be different; God says, No, I have made you different, and when you believe it you will automatically change the way you act.” (from his book Guilt to Glory)

A True Friend is a Leech

Anyone who has heard me teach knows how much I love ‘word studies.’ While doing an in-depth study on blood covenant, I came across the following:

In Arabic, the word leech is derived from the Arab word friend. A leech is a parasite that lives from ingesting the blood of its host. We have a negative connotation of leeches today, but in history, a leech was considered a good thing. When someone was ill with a fever, leeches would be applied to the skin for bloodletting—removing bad blood. And doctors were commonly called leeches.

The Arabic word leech expresses the idea that a true friend freely offers his life to the other. In primitive Arabic cultures, a “blood brother” ceremony signified each was willing to give up his life, his very blood, to keep his commitment.

Of course the Jews were forbidden to drink blood, and did not enter into blood covenant with one another. But their covenant with God was of blood—but never their own, always a substitute (a bull, a bird, a lamb!).

The Jews would have been shocked to hear Jesus say “unless you drink the blood of the son of man, you have no life” (John 6:54). By saying this, Jesus foretold He was the substitute who would give His life (His blood) and become the source of eternal life. Later Jesus said: "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood" (Lk. 22:20).

The correlation between friendship and blood covenant is evidenced when Jesus explained "there is no greater love than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13-14). And so, by blood covenant, we enter the deepest experience we could ever have with another—our co-death and co-life with Jesus. Paul knew this: “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ [lives] in me…” (Gal. 2:20).

Jesus chose you to be His friend (Jn. 15:14) and wants you to live by His life! Is His life flowing through your veins?

Are You a Martyr?

I never served in the military. But I have an idea of the bond that is formed between soldiers in battle. The camaraderie of those who serve and suffer hardship is so strong that each would die to protect the other. While never experiencing such “warfare” camaraderie, I did experience a fellowship of sufferings during my two years serving in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. Life there was full of deprivations; it was hard. Many Peace Corps volunteers form life-long friendships. Suffering together can result in a bond that is not easily broken.

Paul calls us to a “fellowship of His [Jesus] sufferings, being made conformable to His death” (Philippians 3:10), and to “suffer hardship as a good solider of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).

A soldier, or one who suffers hardship to the point of death, is a MARTYR. He is willing to die for the cause he represents. As good soldiers, suffering hardship, we too demonstrate we are willing to die. Just as Jesus did! Paul is telling us that there is a sweet fellowship in dying with Jesus. Where does this willingness come from?

In Acts 1:8, Jesus told the disciples that they would receive power after the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they would be “witnesses.” The word “witness” is the same word as “martyr.” Stephen is often referred to as the first martyr—he gave WITNESS to the truth about Jesus, and was MARTYRED.

When we receive the Holy Spirit He births in us an inward spirit and disposition of self-sacrifice. With this inward spirit of ‘death to self’ we enter into fellowship with Jesus who sacrificed Himself—the spirit of self-sacrifice conforms us to His death. As He died to self, so do we. This spirit of self-sacrifice makes us "WITNESSES" or "MARTYS" who willing die to our self-life for Jesus. It is not a physical death (although for some it is), but a spiritual death. Is this not what Paul means when he says, “I have been crucified [martyred?] with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Paul is saying he has joined Christ in death. This then is the fellowship, camaraderie, bond, of those who suffer and die together.

Do you allow the spirit of self-sacrifice to rule you? Have you joined the ranks of the martyrs for Jesus?