Finding Our Place

Since 911, America has tried to find its place in the world, and especially the Mideast. It has become Obama’s chance to establish his place in history, not unlike a baseball star hoping to win a place in the Hall of Fame. I realize that finding one’s place in the world is both the hope and bane of human existence. Men and women of fame and success spend a lot of energy, and their fortunes, cementing their place among men.

The author of Hebrews speaks, however, of anonymous Hall of Faith-ers who never found a place on earth, going “about in goatskins, destitute (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground” (He. 11:38). They were homeless. To suggest we follow their example may seem a bit severe. But didn't Jesus exhibit the same spirit of detachment, “the Son of Man has no place?”

Because we are inclined to attach ourselves to places on earth, God “un-places” us—an often painful uprooting that allows Him to root us in Christ (Col 2:7). Jesus says, “find your place in Me, and My Father and I will come and make our place in you.” (John 14:23). Is there any other place you'd rather be?

Do You Have Reservations?

Have you ever saved a place for your friend(s) in a crowded church service and felt uncomfortable because you knew there was a chance they might not show up, and the seats would be empty?  But what if it was a concert your friend(s) had paid for?  You would have no reservations about holding their places.

While on earth, Jesus never had a place, once telling an aspiring follower, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). Jesus knew His Father was holding His place in Heaven.

And to His disciples, He promised: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places, and I'm going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Ever since, all believers have treasured the truth that He has reserved our place in Heaven.  It is prepaid and has our name on it (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; Col. 3:1). And without reservation, I can tell you there will be no empty seats in heaven.

Is Your Abstinence Program Working for You?

“Abstinence” means a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite or pleasure. That said, these days when you hear “abstinence” you immediately think of controversial sex education programs. Opponents of Abstinence Programs say they don’t work. And in part, they are right.

Prohibitions, by themselves, do not work. When Peter and Paul urged abstinence—“abstain from fleshly lusts,” “from fornication,” “from... evil,” (1 Pet. 2:11; 1 Thess. 5:22; 4:3), it was always in the context of displacement. That is to say, you can’t tell someone to stop doing something ‘wrong’ without telling them to start doing something ‘right,’ parallel to Paul’s repeated admonition to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self.” And the “right” thing has to be so much better than the thing you are abstaining from that the abstaining is not only possible but preferable, and in fact, far superior.

But there is another reason prohibitions don’t work: something in our flesh called “entitlement.” We think we are entitled to indulge our selves—“lovers of pleasure” (2 Tim. 3:4). As a cross-carrying Christian, you know you are no longer entitled to indulge your selfish pleasure. But do you know that God has a new entitlement program for you!? You are entitled to all the benefits of your new birthright: “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Ro. 14:17). You are entitled His divine power [for] everything pertaining to life and godliness, to His magnificent promises, and to become a partaker of His divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:3-4). If you are struggling with your “abstinence program” (whatever it is you are trying to abstain from), is it because you have not replaced it with God's “entitlement program?”

Considering the importance of ‘displacement,’ look at Paul words: “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust [instead] follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Tim. 2:22 NLT).