On Joy and Sanctification

Joy in God and sanctification go hand-in-hand.  When we enjoy God, we become more sanctified (more Christ-like).  Why?  The more we enjoy God, the more we become like him because God is the greatest enjoyer of God in the universe.  God is completely God-centered.  For him to be something-else-centered would make that thing God.  If God were enjoying something greater than himself, then we should strive to enjoy that thing. 

God Tends to Use Failures to show His Greatness

God is so merciful and gracious to provide his Son Jesus as the atonement for our sins.  Certainly, God could have written us a Bible with one statement that said, “It’s your fault you are sinners, so get back on your feet by yourself.”  I’m so thankful he doesn’t say that.  For those who have faith in Christ as the payment for their sin, they are perfectly accepted by the Father.  Romans 8 says that “nothing in all creation” can separate us from God’s love if have been justified by Jesus’ death. 

The body of Christ is made up of people who fail all the time, in order that God’s grace may be praised all the more.  I love the Switchfoot song “Beautiful Letdown” that reminds us this: “[We are] the church of the dropouts, the losers, the sinners, the failures, and the fools.  We are a beautiful letdown.”  Sadly, so many people still try to do good things and earn acceptance through hard work, religion, or managing sin.  Some of these people call themselves “Christians” and say, “I read my Bible.”  I wonder, though, do they actually pay close attention to the people in the Scriptures they are “reading” about?

Had God wished to communicate to us that our acceptance hinges on our goodness, he would have chosen another sort of person than those he most typically uses in the Bible to reveal the basis for our faith. But then he would have revealed himself to be a different kind of God.

- Bryan Chapell, Christ Centered Preaching

Another Thought on Suicide

The world is not impressed when Christians experience a suicide and have their ultimate joy depleted in sake of living in sorrow and using God as a teddy bear for comfort.  The world is impressed when Christians experience a suicide and say, “Jesus is enough.  He is my shelter.  He will give me hope.  I will cling to him.  And even in tragedy and despair,  he is utterly satisfing and I will rejoice, for he is good.”

Untitled 3 by Sigur Ròs

This is a video of “Untitled 3″ by Sigur Ròs (titled as “Samskeyti” on Hvart/Heim). It is perhaps one of the most emotive and heart-stirring songs that I have ever heard.  It is now (after much thinking and deliberation), in my opinion, the finest Sigur Rós song ever written.  The artwork is from the band’s website. 

Enjoy.

Weekly Spurgeon

This is a day early, but due to the situation that we are dealing with here in Lincoln, I thought I’d post this today.  This is Spurgeon’s meditation on May 3 from Morning and Evening.  How appropriate is this mediation in light of what happened yesterday.  God is still good.  “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling (Ps. 46:2-3).”

“In the world ye shall have tribulation.”
- John 16:33

Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly Father, and behold Him pure and holy. Dost thou know that thou art one day to be like Him? Wilt thou easily be conformed to His image? Wilt thou not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to purify thee? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of thy corruptions, and make thee perfect even as thy Father which is in heaven is perfect? Next, Christian, turn thine eye downward. Dost thou know what foes thou hast beneath thy feet? Thou wast once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Dost thou think that Satan will let thee alone? No, he will be always at thee, for he “goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Expect trouble, therefore, Christian, when thou lookest beneath thee. Then look around thee. Where art thou? Thou art in an enemy’s country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not thy friend. If it be, then thou art not God’s friend, for he who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God. Be assured that thou shalt find foe-men everywhere. When thou sleepest, think that thou art resting on the battlefield; when thou walkest, suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you. Lastly, look within thee, into thine own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Ah! if thou hadst no devil to tempt thee, no enemies to fight thee, and no world to ensnare thee, thou wouldst still find in thyself evil enough to be a sore trouble to thee, for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is with thee to help and to strengthen thee. He hath said, “I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honour thee.” 

Mourning Death, Rejoicing in Hope

 

Last night, I got a phone call from a friend telling me that a young man who was being mentored by one of my best friends committed suicide earlier in the day.  If you could be praying for those close to the situation, it would be a great blessing.  I know that you don’t know names, but God does and right now, that is enough.  Pray for comfort in affliction, perspective amidst despair, and grace despite death. Last night, we spent a lot of time praying about the situation and simply processing so many thoughts and emotions.  Right now, we are seeking to live by faith during a confusing hour. Pray for clarity, wisdom, and the knowledge that God is still good.

I have confidence that while we mourn — and we are called to mourn — “joy will come in the morning” (Ps. 30:5) and as Jesus told Martha when her brother Lazarus died, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God” (John 11:40). Truly, God can use death to bring joy to us and glory to himself.

This is a hard, hard situation. But one in which we are called to “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; and give thanks in every circumstance…” (1 Thes. 4:16-18). Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:8, 10, “We are…sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The Word needs to saturate our hearts. We need to claim the promises — and heed the commands – of God even when tragedy strikes.

Jesus is still on the throne.  Jesus is still glorious.  Jesus is still most satisfying even during the dark hour of suicide.

Thanks for praying with us.
james

May Day Might Have Pagan Origins, but so Does the Christmas Tree

On Christmas Day, we put gifts underneath a pine tree, hang socks above the fireplace, kiss under weeds hanging on the ceiling, eat a lot of candy, leave cookies and milk out for Santa and perhaps, in some circumstances, might even sing happy birthday to Jesus.  Now that I think about it, that sounds a bit odd.  And  actually, the more I think about it, the more I wonder why we don’t celebrate May Day as a nation.  I mean, it’s not all that different from Christmas.  Well…it’s a holiday with pagan origins.  I guess that’s about where the similarities end. 

The day has roots in celebrating fertility (ancient Egypt), remembering political/social victories (U.S. and U.K.), engaging in sexual activity (Germany), warding against witchcraft (Germany), and commemorating the beginning of spring (England).  During the festival in England, at the break of dawn on May 1, villagers would go out into the forest and gather flowers and wood for the day’s celebration.  The largest piece of wood brought back would be used as the Maypole.  This gathering of flowers and wood is calling “bringing in the may.”  Geoffrey Chaucer is attributed with the poem Court of Love, written in 1561.  The following excerpt is a glance into the Mayday Festival.  (It’s in old English…but you’ll do fine.)

And furth goth all the Court, both most and lest,
To feche the floures fressh, and braunche and blome;
And namly, hawthorn brought both page and grome.
With fressh garlandes, partie blewe and whyte,
And thaim rejoysen in their greet delyt.

I’m sure somebody will be able to put a Christian spin on this, right?

The Maypole, in England, in all its glory. 

How You Can Bless Your Pastor

Listen to this short audio clip from John Piper on how you can bless your pastor. 

As someone who desires to be a pastor, I find this so helpful and encouraging.  The common demoninator in it all: don’t waste your life.  Live life in a way that shows you have saving faith.  Be holy, as God is holy.  Love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Do those things, and you will bless not only your pastor, but those brothers and sisters around you. 

Improv Everywhere at Best Buy

www.improveverywhere.com

Brian McLaren and Willow Creek: A Match Made in…

Brian McLaren spoke at a youth conference at Willow Creek in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. For those who aren’t familiar, McLaren is the spearhead for the Emergent Church movement in America. Despite what he says, his theology is ultra liberal and simply non-biblical. At the conference, McLaren said that Christians should put less focus on eternity and more on achieving justice in the here and now. In fact, one writer says that McLaren’s message is “serpent-sensitive worship.”

Just one question I will ask as a commentary on this: Why in the world would Willow Creek invite Brian McLaren to speak at their conference? It just makes me wonder how committed to sound, biblical doctrine Willow Creek actually is.