I have been reading through the book “unity of the Bible” recently, and in one of the chapters, I came upon a thought that has changed how I look at Christianity. It’s not an easy thought to explain because it involves so much backstory from the journey I have taken to this point, but I will try. It all stemmed from my “Christian life” which I would say is currently nothing special, in fact, I would say I am in a rut. I read the Bible every now and then and go to Church and pray with my kids, but as I was reading this book I came upon the idea that:
"By giving believers the Holy Spirit, God has done nothing less than give them the very delight that He has in Himself. Just as the gift of the Holy Spirit in John 7:38 is likened to streams of living water, so the psalmist, speaking to God, says, "You give {people} drink from your river of delights". (Pg 124, Unity of the Bible)
as I read this it just hit me that Jesus is so much more exciting and interesting and loving than we ever really get in Church. Maybe it’s just hard to convey the magnitude of the love of God and the power behind that love that is acting for our good in a short sermon. Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s even more challenging to explain to a prosperous country like America the fact that we even need a savior or that intangible things like the presence of God are actually better than all the toys we have. The good news is the Bible pulls no punches here, it lays it out clearly enough: All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.
That is basically how I came to the title of this piece. Sure, it sounds sacrilegious right? After all, we SHOULD focus on the Gospel: The truth that Jesus came and died for our sins and if we trust in him we will be saved! It is a glorious truth that cannot be overstated. But as nearly everything in life goes, too much of a good thing can be bad, right? Ok, in this case not bad, but at least missing some very important (and much needed progression in our sanctification) teaching from the Bible. I have been a part of a number of churches over the past few years and the big theme (again rightly so in many ways) has been Jesus. Everything from the slogan "It's all about Jesus" to an altar call every Sunday has become characteristic of the "modern/reformed” or "evangelical" church. I am NOT arguing that Jesus is not at the center of the Bible, or that all of Human History builds up to His arrival. I am arguing that when we boil the Gospel down too far we lose the immediate life-changing answers that the Gospel promises us for our time here on earth. The Bible clearly teaches us that there is much more to the Christian life than just accepting Jesus as a ticket out of hell and then going on living life. In fact it tells us that there will be a clear change that is evident in true believers (think fruit) in both their actions and their outlook on life, and this fruit is what’s missed so very much in American Christianity today! This is what got me, because most of us think of fruit as the actions we do. If I am generous to the poor that would be me bearing some fruit, but I really think it goes beyond just our actions. Let me explain.
Many Christians today don’t seem much different than other Americans, except maybe in the thought that many of them are “old fashioned” in how they think about sex and marriage. But the Bible’s commands are radical by American standards when it comes to eliminating this lukewarm, only do what’s comfortable, Christianity. Think of Romans 12 where we are told to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, or Matthew 16 where we are told to deny ourselves take up our cross and follow Jesus. Not exactly a good SuperBowl commercial for Christianity right….
But that is only half the picture and I think that lots of people are first presented with this half and immediately give up on it. But our goal as Christians should be to help others see the whole picture. For example, in Matthew 30:28-30 Jesus says: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If you have read any newspaper or are even slightly aware of the current political power struggle going on in our country then you know that this is what an America (literally hell-bent on one-upping each other) needs. Rest! I am not talking about sitting in a special massage chair for 10 minutes or getting a good night sleep type of rest. I am talking about real soul rest! The kind of rest that transforms our minds, that gives hope in time of doubt and the rest that can lead to joy in the midst of pain or struggles. If that isn't a good enough promise the crazier thing to me is the condition or actions that we have to do to get this rest. Think on this, a common theme in the world today is that hard work pays off, would you agree? We can't have something worth having unless we work for it right?.....Jesus continues:
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Does that not sound refreshing! Not only is the outcome true rest, but the path to it is easy and light compared to the work we put in to get the fleeting praise of man! Don't get me wrong there is still a burden that we have, but compared to what it was before it is "easy" and "light"! The daily rat race at work and the popularity contest that social media has become is replaced by this promise. Come and trust me! On the one hand it all depends on you: your resources, your imagination, your education, your accomplishments, your Instagram, your followers on Twitter, whatever happens in your life if you fail it’s because you’re not good enough, so get another job or new clothes or a new spouse. But with Jesus it’s the opposite, it’s all Him! He says come to me and trust the promises I give you, they will never fail and I will never leave you. Is there anything in the world, even with all the prosperity of American, that is more refreshing and restful than that? I think not.
This is the truth that America needs. But far too often, myself included, we labor and often wallow in self-doubt and inaction, muttering prayers for help and hope to a God we don’t really understand beyond the simple idea that he will save us from hell. How sad is that! The Christian life is so much more than a ticket out of hell! As we look at our church, the real question we should be asking is: "Do I think a person living in my city would ever want to become a “Christian” when the perks/benefits/life outlook we "Christians" have appears to be no different, and often times worse, then what they are already experiencing?"
Don't be mistaken, Jesus does not mince words here either. He clearly lays out the reward as a reason for trusting Him. Just look at John 15:11 where He says:
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
There is that idea again that the reason behind our following Jesus' commands is to enjoy the joy of a perfect God in our lives!
In Psalm 16:11 we see a Palmist who has experienced this joy and can't help but proclaim “You make known to me the path of life (again the commands and promises in the Bible); in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When I see a real person, like this Psalmist or someone in my church, who is an example of what a Christian should be I can't help but think something is missing in my life and in the life of the American Church. How many people do you know who call themselves Christian and would describe their walk with God like that Psalmist? Pleasures forevermore! Sounds more like a slogan for a fancy vacation spot than what we think of as day to day life.....
And yet it is there for all of us. 2 Peter 1 tells us that He has given us His "very great and precious promises SO THAT through them we participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." There it is again, the reason for our trusting the promises of God is to participate in the divine nature (or to experience the fullness of Joy if we use the wording of Jesus). Let me end on this question, is there anything more fulfilling or more worthy of pursuing than this: If we trust the promises of an omnipotent God who knows all things, including everything about your struggles and your sins and your circumstances then he will give us true lasting joy? The same joy that he shares with the Son which can only be described as pleasures forevermore! To me this is the only pursuit that seems worthy of a lifelong commitment.
I think Isaiah 40 verse 8 sums this up nicely: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever!
Amen
Commentaires