Our View of God

Something that I have been learning over the course of this past year is that to rightly interpret the Word of God, one must have a right understanding of God's heart. If to us God is an angry judge, then we'll interpret His Word differently than if we see Him as He truly is, a wise, powerful and loving Father.

Take for example what Richard Dawkins in his book The God Delusion,  has said about the God of the Bible. “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.” Why would someone say this about God? Because his understanding of God's heart is wrong.

 Now for some they want to get in this man's face and tell him how wrong he is and with words condemn him.  I know because I used to be one of them.  My heart hurts for him, somewhere along his life's journey something happened that cause his view of God's heart to be misplaced.  Today I read of the story of the woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus (Mark 2:23-28). What was Jesus reaction to her?  What was his reaction to her accusers? Isn't it interesting his response to both. Jesus answers with both Grace and Truth. Grace is getting what we don't deserve. Truth is the application of God's Word rightly to life. In Christ we find a perfect balance of Grace and Truth.  "I don't condemn you, now leave your life of sin." It is often our misapplication of truth that leaves people feeling condemned and isolated according to Andy Stanley in Deep and Wide. 

When we encounter people either in the church or in the world that don't understand the heart of God, we must act in grace and truth.  Honestly as I look at myself I realize I do not completely understand the heart of God.  I can only hope that people will treat me with grace and truth when those times come and they will come.

Not much Said

One of my favorite characters of the Christmas story is Joseph.  We really do not know much about Joseph and honestly not much is said about him from scripture.  The reason he is my favorite is because even though not much is said about him, his actions are incredible.

Follow his story in the Gospels: Matthew 1:19-24 we find Joseph struggling with Mary's news of pregnancy that he knew he had nothing to do with. I can't imagine that kind of news, you would think he would feel betrayal, anger and even a desire to get back at her.  But instead the Bible describes him as "being a just man". He was unwilling to put her to shame.  It was while he was "sleeping on it" that an angel appeared to him and gave him some much needed information and instruction.  The Bible says that he woke up and immediately did what he was told.  The story of Joseph continues in Matthew 2:13-15. The wise men have left and again a angel appears to Joseph in a dream and gives him instruction to take Jesus and Mary and go to Egypt.  Again we see that he wakes up out of sleep and immediately does what he is instructed.  No specifics given, no questions about how will I provide, where will we live, just obedience.  An action that saved no doubt his life and Mary's but more importantly the life of his toddler son, Jesus. Then some time passes, Herod dies and an angel again appears to him twice and again he awakes and obeys.

Again not much is said about him or any words of his recorded, but his actions are all we need to know. This man of integrity, obedience puts me to shame.  How often have I questioned God when he has directed me.  How often have I let the questions of why, what if, keep me from doing what God is directing me to do. As I look at Joseph I am challenged in my walk with God.  I am challenged in my obedience to God in the face of uncertainty.   I am challenged in my lack of trust in a God who sees the beginning from the end and wants the best for me.   Perhaps that's the biggest issue is that I struggle with "trust".  Do I really trust God?  Do I really believe that God wants his best for me?

Christmas Joy

Joy at Christmas for many is very difficult.  I know that for me personally Christmas is bitter-sweet. 22 years ago on Christmas Eve my brother Nathan passed away due to complications from Leukemia. I will never forget that day or that Christmas in 1993.  The bitterness of that day will always have an impact on Christmas for me.

However the sweet of Christmas is much more overwhelming than the bitter and I am so thankful. Psalm 98:4 says, "Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy." There is much in my life for me to "break out in praise and joy,"  I know have an amazing wife and 5 incredible children that I get to celebrate Christmas with this year.  But more importantly than that is what Christmas is really all about, Jesus.  Because Jesus came to earth as a baby and than grew to be a man who willingly laid down His life for mine and for the whole world, I know that I will see my brother again.  Nathan had a personal relationship with Jesus and right now stands in the very presence of the King that was born in a manger.  I know I will see Nathan again because I too have a relationship with Jesus.  I am thankful because my wife and kids also know Jesus and no matter what comes our way we will be together for eternity.  If Jesus had never come to earth than there would be no hope, no joy, no reason beyond this earth to praise.

So today I have much to "break out in praise and sing for joy" about and am thankful for both the trials and the good times that have been a part of my life.

Father today as I remember the trials of the past, the beauty of the present and look forward to the future, help me to "break out in praise and sing for joy" as I look to you the author and perfecter of my faith.

Whats Your Scent?

As a kid we had stickers that were called "scratch and sniff".  I really loved scratching those things and then taking a big whiff, most of the time.  I remember one time doing this, it was a black and white sticker and being the "who cares, lets do this" kid I took a huge whiff and about died.  It was a skunk scratch and sniff sticker.  Seriously who does that, why would you make something that smelled so awful.
With this in mind, "Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising to up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15) What is your scent today?  Paul in writing to the church in Corinth has given many different exhortations including this one about our testimony before fellow followers of Jesus and those who are not. In verse 16 Paul exhorts that there are two scents we give off death and life.  As I think about my life, its super easy to be a scent of life at church or in my little comfort zones.  But when I am not in my opinion is when it really counts.  When things don't go my way, when I am pressed on an issue, when I am just not feeling it, what is my scent in those kinds of moments?
I want people to see (smell) Christ in my life.  I want the scent of Christ to so permeate my life that the aroma of Christ would linger long after I am gone.
Father God today let my life be a Christ-like fragrance.