Faith

Faith is an interesting concept. Is it real, imaginary or illusory? Does it change things or is it powerless? Is it here one minute and gone the next? In Jesus Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, you find the word faith only once in addressing worry. So if faith is so important why didn’t Jesus use it more in his sermon?

These are great questions. When you look at the beatitudes in Matthew 5, the beginning of the sermon, you see the attitudes of faith displayed. When Jesus tells his followers to be salt and light, influencers in their culture, he is describing an active faith. Later in the sermon when he encourages them not judge others, he is showing them the tender side of faith so others can see God. Since only God is good enough and smart enough to judge, then we choose to grace people instead. Thus we take the plank of self-righteousness out of our own eye so we can help our friend see righteousness as found in Jesus. In this way display true faith.

At the end of the sermon Jesus uses three illustrations, a narrow and wide road, a good tree versus a bad tree and practicing and not just hearing the word of God. So he shows what it means to be a woman or man of faith. These are the people who take the narrow high road of reconciliation, bear the fruit of non-retaliation, and sacrifice for others by living the ideals of the sermon. It is not an easy road. Faith is very arduous like climbing a mountain. But the view from the top is spectacular because that view incorporates the world from God’s perspective.

So faith that is active, alive, affirming, aspiring and accepting is a genuine faith. It is a life-changing faith. It is a messy faith. It is a marvelous faith. It is an alarming faith. It is the faith that Jesus gives us.

Easter

Easter is that time of year we think of newness - new life, new starts, new experiences and the resurrection of Jesus. I was thinking about 2 Cor. 5:21 from the Bible. It reads from the NIV: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This is what really matters. Jesus, the sinless one, became sin for us when he died on the cross. I call this the great exchange. He took on our sin and did not deserve it. In exchange we, the sinful, received the righteousness of God and do not deserve it. This is totally unfair to Jesus and yet God so loved the world . . . . . God loved us that much to sacrifice his son so that we can have a relationship with Him through faith and receive His righteousness. This is what matters. And yet at times we live as though this makes no difference. Our new nature is to be filled with grace, kindness, love, faith, encouragement and acceptance. But let's be honest and admit that often we are filled with the old nature of anger, rage, bitterness, rivalry and pride. The good news is you and I can change that. We have to embrace what is new through faith in Jesus. Once we do Jesus helps us to live by our new nature. Our true nature will be revealed, old or new. Therefore are you righteous? It is what really matters.

Dignity

The picture you see is from a small town in central India. You can see the man straining under the weight of his load. Yet he is working and surviving. As a creature made in God's image he has inestimable worth in God's eyes. God says in Psalm 139 that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Thus this man's life and work have dignity. All of God's image bearers, therefore, from the least to the greatest have worth. That includes you too! Whatever you are going through rest assured that God loves you. The penultimate expression of that love is found in his son Jesus who died a criminal's death on the cross for you and for me. Have you embraced that truth? Do you value all humans as God's image bearers?

Indian Humility

India is a land of contrasts. From opulent wealth to extreme poverty, from huge modern cities to rural backward villages and from dense forests to arid highlands India betrays a unique beauty. It is the largest democracy in the world. It now has over a billion inhabitants and is rich in resources; but its most valuable resource is its people. I saw the beauty of humility in her people. While the young people are very attractive, the most endearing quality is their humility. They treated us with respect and honor. As we taught at a pastor's conference, ordained two young pastors and attended a Bible College graduation, my heart was touched by these kind and humble people. The president of the Bible College and his family humbly and sacrificially served us all week. The staff at the leprosy hospital humbly cared for the patients with such dignity. The teachers and administrators of the boys and girls home taught and led these children with love and affirmation. I saw Jesus in each of these. Likewise we have people here in America who emulate such humility. We have to look a little harder but it is there. I see our church's vision statement fulfilled in all these humble people. It reads: we will be living messengers for Jesus whom God uses to love people and change lives. Over two weeks in India affirmed for me the centrality of humility. Would that my humility show as well. I have a long way to go.

Winter Rest

With the 4th day of subzero weather, I began to think how God gives creation a rest in Colorado at this time of year. Two days ago the snow crystals hung in the air propelling me to ruminate about winter rest at -14 F. My breath just floated in the air as well. As the morning light came over the eastern horizon, it beckoned me to a new day. My mind paused as I thought about what our Creator would have me do with this day. Will I live it for Him or myself? Thus taking the time to reflect helps bring order and purpose to the day.

I'm amazed at the order of creation. Its cycles have continued for millennia. So we have spring, summer, fall and winter. We have the regular diurnal changes of day into night. Moreover God faithfully provides all we need to hold this planet in place. Plus He watches over it as a loving mother tenderly cares for her infant.

And if I just pause for a few moments and reflect on His creation, it helps me to be grateful for this beautiful planet on which we exist. Have you taken time for just a few moments to rest in and reflect on His creation? Tomorrow morning go outside wherever you live and enjoy a winter's rest.

Christmas

What a fascinating time of year. Personally I'm grateful that we celebrate it during the coldest and shortest days of the year. Mary and I put up a ton of lights around our home to brighten the darkness and remember that Jesus the light of the world has come. 2000 years ago he came to people walking in great darkness and he is here today for our world that is in great darkness. This Christmas give people you know the gift of hope and light as you share with them the gift of Jesus. "For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger." - The angel to the shepherds in Luke 2

Thanksgiving

For what are you grateful?

I’m grateful for our majestic mountains, a loving family, wonderful friends and a caring church. I’m grateful for the Savior, Jesus, who died on the cross to save me from my sin. I’m grateful for the Holy Spirit who resides in me serving as a loving guide in the paths of righteousness even when I am reluctant to do so. I’m grateful for the loving heavenly Father who created and sustains this earth we live in and sent his son to bring each of us back into a significant relationship with him. Yes our triune God is involved in every aspect of our lives from the innermost recesses of our beings to the enormity of the universe in which we live.

So how can we respond? Have you ever considered Caleb from the Old Testament? In Joshua 14 he is rewarded for being one of the two faithful spies who 40 years earlier had checked out the Promised Land. Three times in Joshua 14 he is called wholehearted. Yes Caleb was sold out to God. In verse 7 it tells us he was a man of conviction. He was not afraid to tell others what he believed. In verses 8-9 we see him as fully committed. You can almost see Joshua having to hold him back. And in verses 10-15 we see him a conscientious following through with what he said he would do. He followed through at 85 years old! What an amazing example of finishing well. I believe wholehearted devotion like this honors God and shows him a grateful heart. Thus wholeheartedness is not perfection for that would be impossible. Ask God the Holy Spirit where you need to exhibit wholehearted devotion through conviction, commitment and being conscientious.