Is Our Pendulum Stuck?

Strange as it may sound, sometimes I’ve been accused of thinking too much. Sometimes that thinking takes me out of the realm of the status quo. Many throughout history have also thought out of the realm of the status quo, and while that thinking may have been rejected at first, right or wrong, it has also sometimes become the accepted norm; such as the introduction of institutionalism into the faith, the Crusades, the clergy-laity divide, the Protestant Reformation, Pentecostalism, etc, etc, etc. Having said that, I guess I’m in good company.

One such area that has often gotten me some backlash is my interpretation of these verses from the Apostle Paul:

“What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon God’s part? Certainly not! For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will mercy and I will have compassion (pity) on whom I will have compassion. So then [God’s gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but on God’s mercy. [It depends not on one’s own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God’s having mercy on him]. 

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name may be proclaimed the whole world over. So then He has mercy on whomever He wills (chooses) and He hardens (makes stubborn and unyielding the heart of) whomever He wills.

“You will say to me, Why then does He still find fault and blame us [for sinning]? For who can resist and withstand His will? But who are you, a mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to Him that formed it, Why have you made me thus? 

“Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use, and another for menial or ignoble and dishonorable use?” (Romans 9: 14-21; Amplified)

Have we created God in our own image?

What came to mind as you read the preceding verses? Did it make you want to shout a big “Amen?” Did it make you squirm as you subconsciously began to recite all sorts of seemingly opposing verses? Did it make you wonder if the Apostle Paul wasn’t speaking out of two sides of his mouth? Did you see heresy? Did you see truth?

 

The longer I’m a Christian, the more I’m convinced that we like to think of God only in certain ways. For example, we like to think of Him only in terms of His love, which is good and right, but in the process we also reject other parts of the story, such as the preceding verses, because they somehow seem not to fit with the god we’ve created.

Let’s get really controversial for a moment (and see if I cannot offend someone again). Many today seem to question the existence of hell, thinking it inconsistent with God’s love. What if hell itself was actually a very loving part of God’s creation in that through it God finally deals with the unrighteousness of man? Is this thought inconsistent with the cross of Christ? No doubt some would say so. Let’s ask ourselves a question: Would heaven be quite as glorious if all the Pharaohs and Hitlers and Stalins and Neros and Osama Bin Laden’s were all seated at the same Messianic banquet table with you and me and the rest of the Christians from throughout history? As strange as that sounds, maybe they will. Certainly the universalist would have us to believe that. But if they aren’t seated with us at the Messianic banquet, then where are they seated? Thankfully God alone decides all that.

However, lest I digress too far, the point I wish to make has nothing to do with the “hell” question. I mention it simply to illustrate that, just as Paul wrote in Romans chapter nine about God showing mercy to some and not to others, there are plenty of parts in our New Testaments that will leave us squirming in our theological pews. Why? 

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12; NIV).

I find it audacious to think that we, mere mortal and fallible human beings, should be able to fully understand the mind of God this side of Heaven (and maybe even the other side too). And yet I’m sure that we’ve all done that a time or ten, haven’t we? From time to time we’ve all come across so sure that we’ve got God all figured out, when more than likely, all we’ve done is to create God in our own image. Ouch.

No doubt some will object saying something to the effect of, “the Holy Spirit told me, or showed me that … ,” but then along come the next ten born-again and Spirit-filled Christians who also claim the same thing, and suddenly we’re faced with twelve different opinions and interpretations of the same topic. Who is right? Who is wrong? Is everyone right? Is everyone wrong? Hmm.

“Now we see but a poor reflection ...”

In the end, these are just my humble musings and I really don't pretend to have an answer. Feel free to share your thoughts; I'd love to hear them. Peace & Blessings.

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Depression: Maybe It's Not Always As It Seems

Some of the most encouraging and uplifting words in the Bible have got to be the Beatitudes.

I’m not sure what it is about them, but they have an amazing way of just calming the spirit and refreshing the soul. Reading them after a particularly stressful time is almost therapeutic. No, it is therapeutic.

Perhaps that is why Jesus used them to begin His Sermon on the Mount. Perhaps by starting His message with the Beatitudes He calmed, relaxed, and de-stressed the crowd in such a way that they might be able to really hear the message He had for them. Talk about a great sermon introduction!

Though rather wordy at times, one of my favourite English translations is the Amplified Bible because of the way it helps to clarify some of the deeper meanings of the original languages that sometimes get lost in translation. Notice the Beatitudes of Matthew 5: 1-12 as we read them in the Amplified Bible. Do you see the highlighted deeper meanings?

 Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they will be comforted! [Isa. 61:2]

Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous – with a life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering) for they shall inherit the earth! [Ps. 37:11]  

Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! [Isa, 55: 1,2]

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy! 

Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous – possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! [Ps. 24: 3,4]

Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous – with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God! 

Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.

Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you. [2 Chron. 36:16].

Isn’t that beautiful? Are you relaxed yet? I know that I am. Certainly they’re verses worthy to be meditated upon. But now please forgive me for changing gears a little and quite possibly un-relaxing you a bit.

Somewhere I recently heard (or read) it suggested that the opposite of blessed is depressed. I’m not yet sure what to make of that. Is that true, and if so, then doesn’t logic dictate that the opposite negative statement is just as true as the original positive statement? In order to try and see what that might look like, I took some liberties and rewrote the beauty of the Beatitudes, putting them in what I envisioned the opposite (and negative) form might look like. Now that is depressing!

 Depressed are those who are not poor in spirit, for theirs is not the kingdom of heaven, but rather is only the kingdom belonging to the prince of this world and maybe of that other four-letter h-place as well.

Depressed are those who find themselves unable to mourn with their fellow man, for they shall likewise not be comforted during their painful and dark hours.

Depressed are those who choose not to be meek, for they most certainly will not inherit the earth.

Depressed are those who hunger and thirst for everything except righteousness, for they will be filled only with that temporal stuff which they crave today, but which rusts and is destroyed and is stolen from them tomorrow.

Depressed are the unmerciful, for they kid only themselves if they think they will be shown any mercy when they need it most.

Depressed are the impure in heart, for they won’t see God. 

Depressed are the troublemakers, for they will be called the sons of the devil.

Depressed are those who aren’t persecuted due to righteousness, for theirs is obviously not the kingdom of heaven, but rather being unrighteous, theirs is only the fleeting and temporal and passing kingdoms of the earth.

Depressed are you when people fail to insult you, fail to persecute you, and fail to falsify any evil against you because of Christ, for obviously you are just as perverse and godless as they.

You are unable to rejoice because your reward in heaven is questionable at best, for people just like you persecuted the prophets of God who were before you. 

Yuk! Are you depressed yet? Perhaps, but if not totally depressed, I’m sure you were not exactly “blessed” by this negative rendition of the Beatitudes either.

Can anything be learned from this exercise?

One thing comes to mind, and that is, life is about choices and consequences. Just as the young teenage girl can choose a lifestyle of fornication, the consequences of that choice could be an unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease and poverty through being forced to leave school. Yes, God certainly is able to forgive, and His amazing love for us hasn’t changed somewhere in the midst of our poor choices, but the consequences of poor choices can be life-long and they can be depressing.

At the risk of stepping on some more knowledgeable toes than mine and seriously over-simplifying that all too common problem of depression that plagues so many of us today, perhaps the solution to depression isn’t always found on the psychiatrist’s couch or in a pill bottle. Perhaps the solution is sometimes found somewhere within the lines of the Beatitudes and the choices we make concerning them. Perhaps the solution to depression sometimes is as simple as choosing God’s way and not stubbornly always leaning on our own understanding and insisting on having our own way. (A Caveat: Please notice that I said "sometimes" and NOT "all times." I am most certainly NOT suggesting that a lack of spirituality is behind all depression.) 

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3: 5-8; ESV)

Having said that, I am familiar with depression; I’ve seen and worked with a lot of it over the years, even in my own family. I know of the pain and I’ve seen the hurt; it’s a horrible thing. But despite some genuine successes here and there with the psychiatrist’s couch and pill bottles, and despite all their good intentions, I also cannot help but wonder if psychiatrists and therapists aren’t sometimes simply grasping at straws in terms of how to help the afflicted.

Please understand, I mean no disrespect to the medical community. What I am trying to say is, could it be that sometimes they’re just a little too quick to diagnose someone with a mental illness, when in reality what they’re dealing with is in actuality a spiritual problem? If so, then isn’t that much like treating a cancer patient with a Band-Aid? If so, then perhaps it is also logical to assume that the spiritual problem is then only made worse by the misdiagnosis and subsequent drug treatments. Suddenly, thanks to the unnecessary experimentation with drugs, now maybe there is a genuine mental illness on top of the original spiritual problem. Maybe the drug treatments themselves are the bigger problem and in reality only made things worse.

Though it might be easy to do, I am not suggesting a conspiracy theory or any other such thing. Though I suppose it’s possible, I am not suggesting that anyone is in bed with the drug companies. But what I am suggesting is that, if they really knew what they were doing, wouldn’t it be logical to assume that there would be some degree of real and measurable cures, and not just more of the same-old never-ending drug experimentation on human guinea pigs? Instead, the conditions often remain. Instead, even when someone seems to “feel better,” the previous conditions often quickly return. Shouldn’t that say something to us?

Again, maybe I’m over simplifying the problem, but could it be possible that at least a certain percentage of so-called depression cases, are spiritual symptoms of mankind’s stubborn and persistent quest to run from (and attempt to deny) God? Could it be possible that not all depression cases are simply chemical imbalances (or some other form of psycho-babble), as the doctors would have us to believe? Could it be possible that some depression is as easily curable as simply getting right with God?

Hmm, I cannot help but wonder sometimes.

 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 6-7)

Photo Source: A concrete statue on our deck framed by the lilacs. 

Why I Quit A Christian Biker Club

Several years ago, I was a member of a well-known Christian motorcycle club.

Actually, it didn’t really view itself as a biker club as much as a group of ministry team members to the secular biker community. As a member I wore their colors proudly. But without going into the details, let me simply say that something changed and I felt that I could no longer in good conscience support this para-church and religious biker organization.

Now let’s fast-forward about twelve to fourteen years.

A couple weeks ago I went on a bike ride that brought several hundred bikers together from all around the province. It was an awesome two-day event that I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the deluge of rain on the second day that created for a very wet ride home. While there mingling with the crowd, I saw members of my former bike club, albeit members of a different chapter than the one I belonged to. As I watched them, suddenly it became very apparent again why I quit that biker club. Christian ministry? Hmm.

Not once did I observe them mingling with the other bikers. All I saw was them hanging around only with themselves. I remember thinking, how clique-ish of them! Whenever I saw those colors on that first day, they were only in the company of others wearing the same colors. “This is ministry to the secular biker community,” I asked myself? Christian ministry? Hmm.

A caveat is in order. I noticed that one member of this club did reach out to a non-member … me. Maybe he felt safe doing so, because on my biker vest there are a couple patches that clearly identify me as a Christian. There is also a small pin with the emblem of my former association with his club. Seeing it, he asked me about which chapter I belong to. I informed him that I’m no longer a member, as I no longer wear the colors. The pin, I said, was simply a memento of those days of yesteryear. On hearing that I was no longer a member, but still wearing the pin, he said, “We’ll have to see about getting the boys to remove that pin from you!” Wow! Feeling threatened, I told him he could offer to buy it from me, and I walked away. Christian ministry? Hmm.

Now I said that this happened on the first day, but what about the second day? The second day they were conspicuous by their complete and total absence. It was like they never existed at all. Where were they? Was there no one there who needed to hear the Gospel on that second day of this biker rally? Christian ministry? Hmm.

After the main programed events of the first day ended, many who planned to spend the night at the campsite, myself included, rode into the nearest town on a “beer run.” Whatever Christian bikers were left from this group, once the beer came out, they were gone. The thing is, nobody was obnoxious, rude, or perverted. Yes, a couple people probably had a little too much to drink, but everyone was well behaved. There wasn’t even any litter lying around, as everyone made a concerted effort to keep the place clean. But I guess the sight of beer was too much for some “Christians.” Christian ministry? Hmm.

That evening, after we set up our tents, there was an awesome time around a bonfire. Talk about relaxing. It was beautiful. I mingled with other bikers, who by now obviously knew of my Christian faith (or at least suspected it), shared a couple beers, a few jokes, and made myself approachable. Christian ministry? Hmm.

As I thought about my encounter with my former bike club, I tried to imagine myself as a non-believer, like many of those around me, and wondered if they perceived what I perceived of these “Christian” bikers. What did I perceive? I know this will sound harsh, but all I could think of at that time was, what a bunch of snobs! Why would anyone want what you’re selling? Christian ministry? Hmm.

And now I finally remembered why I quit that Christian biker club. Christian ministry? Hmm. If that’s what it’s all about, thanks, but no thanks.

Misguided Freedom?

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose,
Nothing don’t mean nothing honey if it ain’t free, now now,
And feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues,
You know feeling good was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

(Janis Joplin; “Me and Bobby McGee”)

There was a time when I was a big Janis Joplin fan, but that was long ago. Lately I’ve been thinking about “freedom” again, but not I the sense that Joplin sang about it. I’ve been thinking about “freedom” as we have it in Christ. It’s a wonderful thing, that “freedom,” isn’t it? Who doesn’t appreciate “freedom? Why, the very thought of someone not appreciating freedom actually sounds like there could be a misunderstanding of the cross of Christ, and from a worldly perspective, a propensity for being perhaps somewhat unpatriotic.

Still, I cannot help but wonder if many of us in the church haven’t gone a little too far in preaching “freedom” without also fully explaining just what that freedom is and isn't. What scares me is that a misunderstanding of freedom by some has led to the notion that anything and everything suddenly has become OK and permissible. Notice what the Apostle Paul says:

“For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.” (Galatians 5: 13; Amplified)

Have we embraced the first part of that verse, only to disregard the second half?

We have indeed been called to freedom, but that freedom does not grant us license to sin. We have indeed been called to freedom, but that freedom does not allow for excuses for being selfish or self-centred. We have indeed been called to freedom, but that freedom does not mean that loving one another is optional or merely a suggestion.

I find it peculiar that some today have also gone so far as to appear to have removed the very word “sin” from their vocabulary, as if to suggest that God must have changed His mind on some of those negative traits of the human condition. According to Strongs Exhaustive Concordance, the New Testament makes at least 107 references to “sin” in fifteen of its twenty-seven letters. Apparently the New Testament writers thought it significant enough to discuss “sin” in the church.

“For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain] – for he [in effect] is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. So do not associate or be sharers with them.” (Ephesians 5: 5-7; Amplified)

True Christian freedom includes spiritual slavery … of sorts.

The Greek word from which we often get our word servant from is the word “doulos.” It is a word that has also often been translated as “slave.” Ironically one thing that a slave does not have is freedom, and yet from a Christian perspective, the servant/slave is free.

We have indeed been called to freedom, but that freedom includes being a slave to Christ. We have indeed been called to freedom, but that freedom includes being busy with the business (as it were) of the Kingdom of God, just as Jesus was while walking this Earth. We have indeed been called to freedom, and yet in a strange way we have no freedom any more than a slave has his or her freedom. We have indeed been called to freedom, and yet we have a choice. What a strange dichotomy.

What does it mean to be a Christian? A “Christ-ian” is in essence a “Little-Christ.” No, we are not collectively a bunch of “Christs;” there is only one Christ. However, if we are called by His name (Christian), then that also implies we are followers, which in turn means that we will do that which we see Him doing and, by the Spirit's guidance, also calling us to do.

“For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead” (James 2:26; Amplified).

What do the Gospels portray Jesus doing? Well one thing we see Him doing at virtually every turn is being concerned for the physical and spiritual welfare of others, and actually “doing” something about it. We could go so far as to say that Jesus was the father of socialism in its purest form. When concerned about the hunger of the crowd, Jesus told the disciples, "You give them something to eat" (Matthew 6:37). This begs the question, as a “Christ-ian,” Am I likewise concerned for the physical and spiritual welfare of those whose paths cross mine? If not, then could it be that my freedom has become somewhat misguided? If not, could it be that maybe what I really am is not a “Christ-ian,” but a “pseudo-Christian?” Ouch. Thankfully God alone will ultimately make that call, and not you or I.

Is the misuse of freedom the same as disobedience, and does it have a consequence attached?

There is a troubling parable of Jesus’ in which He tells of ten virgins who all “went to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1). From that verse I would suggest that all ten were believers of some kind, for I seriously doubt a non-believer would be looking for the return of Christ (the bridegroom). But here’s where it gets complicated. In the end, the five wise virgins went into the banquet and the five foolish virgins remained locked out only to hear Jesus say to them, “I do not know you” (Matthew 25:12).

Now, I can almost see all the red flags popping up all over the place by the implication of “believers” being told by Jesus “I do not know you.” Please understand, I am not suggesting that it is possible to lose one’s salvation, but I am suggesting that there may be a significant number of misguided (wolves?) among the sheep.

“Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it … Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publically), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]” (Matthew 7: 13, 21-23; Amplified). 

Have we disregarded any of Jesus' commands lately? If so, we may have a "Misguided Freedom."

Some questions for further discussion: 

• Could it be that there are some on church pews who believe themselves to be Christians but who really aren’t? What are we to make of that?

• Contrary to this apparent move towards universalism that we see in many circles today (our reversal of Matthew 7:13 and the belief that everyone, or at least most people, will ultimately be saved), could it be that the reverse is actually more likely true in that there may be a lot fewer saved than we think?

• If we allow ourselves to become selfish and loveless, are we in danger of being counted among the five foolish virgins? Could there be eternal consequences for disobedience and the misuse of our freedom?

• What do you think of the term “pseudo-Christians?” Are they toying with a misguided freedom?

_______________

A Postscript:

Dear friend, thanks for reading. Please understand, I do not pretend to have all the answers to these difficult questions. In truth, I often have more questions than I have answers. These are just some of my humble musings and in no way are intended to further faction and divide the Body of Christ. Sometimes I struggle believing that some things are as clear-cut as we often like to make them out to be, and especially so when the Bible often reveals another point of view as well. Peace & Blessings.

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