For the Lord’s Sake

On the political landscape “The Left,” which includes Christian brothers and sisters, continue to be crazed because Donald Trump is our President. Let’s take a deep breath. Peter said, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:13-17) NIV).

Speaking From the Grave

American Political Columnist and Fox News Contributor Charles Krauthammer passed away last week. Fox Network paid tribute their colleague; however, in the weekly segment “Special Report With Bret Baier,” Baier continues to honor Krauthammer by replaying archived clips of his opinions on topics that are discussed, which are still applicable to today’s political conversation. The writer of Hebrews said, “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead” (Heb 11:4 NIV).

Don’t I Have the Right?

Last week I had my car serviced at a dealership in the metro area that uses surveys to measure customer service. Normally I don’t mind writing a review when I get good service; however, this is the second time the service personnel have pressured me to give them a good review. In both cases the customer service representative, under the guise of a joke, said, “Getting a score of 10 is really important. If it’s not a 10, don’t bother filling out the survey.” I understand the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is a picture of those entering heaven. However, I find elements of the parable applicable to people who want to tell others how they think they should be appreciated and treated. In the parable some workers grumbled to the landowner, “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matt 20:13-15 NIV).

The Left and The Right of It

A Facebook post depicted a double amputee Marine in a wheel chair at a ceremony, possibly a funeral. From the waist up the veteran is in full dress uniform and saluting. One response to the emotionally stirring photo said. “I’m sorry that you had to fight for the “leftists” as well as the rest of us. Thank God and God Bless.” As a veteran my first reaction was to be in total agreement. However, as a Christian the Lord pulled me up short. Christ fought and died for both left and right. Paul said, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Tim 1:15-16 NIV).

A Case for Reconciliation

I have some family relationships where disagreements and anger are not resolved and the same problems and issues keep reoccurring. On the other hand, I have friends and family members with whom we make a concerted effort to resolve each issue as it arises and move on. In essence, by forgiving we forget the slights and infractions. Jesus said, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matt 5:23-24 NIV).

Appointed or Gifted

On the religious landscape we’ve seen emphasis placed on Bible application; however, we struggle and get confused if we try to apply Scripture to ourselves that isn’t applicable to us. For example, positions in church leadership such as apostle and elder are biblically not open to women. Paul said, “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues” (1 Cor 12:28 NIV). If God has not appointed me to such a position, no amount of application will make me qualified for that service. On the other hand, Paul also said, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Cor 12:7-11 NIV). We may not all be appointed, but we are all gifted. 

Cursed

I find it interesting that Judas Iscariot committed suicide by hanging himself. He could just as easily have jumped off a cliff, taken poison, or run himself through with a sword. However, taking his own life by any other method would have changed the narrative. Paul said, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit” (Gal 3:13 NIV).

Open Your Eyes

Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matt 9:37-38 NIV). I’ve always thought of this passage as an evangelistic message for believers to go out into the fields of the world and bring the message of salvation to unbelievers. However, when a person harvests, they harvest grain that is already ripe, not immature grain. Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35 NIV).

Blocked

Social media gives us the ability to block people and unwanted posts to our own personal sites. I recently read a post where one man said, “Did [first and last name] just block me?” It occurs to me that we have a similar feature in our minds…if we chose to use it. Unfortunately, Peter was remiss in not blocking the evil one when he attempted to correct the Lord. Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt 16:23 NIV).

Remember Me

Participating in the Lord’s Table is a specific time set aside for us to remember the sacrifice Christ made, His body that was pierced and His blood that was shed. Throughout the rest of the week I say a blessing at meals for the bread I eat and the juice I drink, but the sacrifice of the Lord does not come to the forefront of my mind. I’m now wondering if I can train myself to use bread, any type of bread, as a trigger to remember the Lord. The bun on my hamburger, the tortilla around my burrito, or the dinner roll with my entrée. After the resurrection Jesus walked with two men on the road to Emmaus. Evening was approaching and the men invited their traveling companion to stay with them in their village. Luke recorded, “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us”” (Luke 24:30-32 NIV)?

The Image

I’m writing a series of articles on local law enforcement and I publish their photos along with the articles to help the community put a name to the face. In a few instances the photo the officer wants me to use doesn’t match the story I’ve written. For instance, during the interview they may be caring, empathetic and approachable; however, the picture they select is something resembling a World Wrestling Federation face-off —  unsmiling face, superior to others and depicting an authoritative stance. This brings home to me the fact that we believers should always project the image of who we really are. Paul said, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col 3:10 NIV).

What Can Man Do to Me?

It's not unusual for someone to call me with a story idea for the newspaper. However, more often than not, the caller wants a situation exposed, but they don't want to be the source for the story. In essence they want to protect themselves and remain anonymous for fear of their friends, the community, their clients, or retaliation. There are similar accounts in the Bible where people did not want to be the source — for fear of the Jews, for fear of the people, for fear of being put out of the Synagogue, etc. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me” (Heb 13:5-6 NIV)?

Stay Ready

During a TV promotional segment for her new book 9 Rules of Engagement, Harris Faulkner said, “You have to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” I have to confess there are days when I just want to lounge around in my sweats rather than get dressed in armor.  Paul said, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Eph 6:13-18 NIV).

Career Opportunity

Some employment ads are so vague that you can’t really tell what is expected, while other are so specific you know right away whether or not you are qualified. I can’t help but wonder if the disciples, upon their first encounter with Jesus, thought they were being hired for a new job rather than being called to evangelism. “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him” (Matt 4:18-20 NIV).

Crystal Clear

Paul noted the folly of men with depraved minds will be made clear to everyone.  Hollywood types, such as comedian Samantha Bee and her supporters, are a prime example. Paul said, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self–control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them” (2 Tim 3:1-5 NIV).

Question Baiting

With local primary elections on the horizon the political landscape is fast becoming a war zone. In a public forum a citizen asked two candidates, “Have either of you ever turned a blind eye to corruption and have either of you ever had an extra marital affair?” Following the audible gasp from the audience both candidates answered “No” and “No.” In today’s society people turn a blind eye to corruption and have affairs all the time; however, the question really wasn’t about corruption or affairs. The question was to catch one particular candidate in a lie. I’m reminded of Jesus chiding the experts in the law for taking away the key to knowledge and hindering those who were entering heaven. Following the rebuke, “When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say” (Luke 11:53-54 NIV).

Soundings and Anchors

Paul and fellow sailors were caught in a storm on the Adriatic Sea. Paul said, “They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight” (Acts 27:28-29 NIV). I appreciate that these sailors, rather than simply expecting God to rescue them, first did all they could do — they took multiple soundings, dropped anchors and then they prayed. No doubt many of us in a crisis go directly to prayer and bypass soundings and dropping anchors.

Slapped in the Face

Institutional knowledge in any organization, including the church, is invaluable. Without it anyone can come in and assume leadership roles, re-write history, spin their own narrative and lead us astray.  Such was the situation with the Corinthians who were duped by men preaching a different Jesus, putting forth a different spirit and presenting a gospel other than what Paul had given them. Paul said, “You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face” (2 Cor 11:19-20 NIV). Unfortunately, even mature believers, when they let their guard down, can become fools when we allow ourselves to be exploited, enslaved and slapped in the face by leaders who run amuck.

Soldiers of Christ

The Tomb of the Unknown Solider is guarded by sentinels 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. It had not occurred to me that during the terrorist attack on 9/11 these sentinels remained at their post. Paul reminds us that we too must remain at our post and stay focused, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer” (2 Tim 2:3-4 NIV).

Setting a Snare

During a recent campaign debate between two candidates for sheriff, a zealous believer in the audience went to the microphone and said, “You are the number one law enforcement authority. I want you to swear before God right now that when the feds get out of line you will show them the exit to this county!” The candidates stepped over the trap that was being set, but I'm disturbed that the believer would ask them to swear an oath before God. Jesus said, “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matt 5:33-37 NIV).

The Spirit Within

When interviewing police officers, I like to ask their opinion on the public’s perception. One officer said, “A lot of time people see the uniform and fail to see the person in the uniform.” It occurs to me that believers do something similar with one another. We look at a person’s physical appearance without recognizing the Spirit working within that person. Paul said, “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father” …But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self–control” (Gal 4:6, 5:22-23a NIV).