Paul writes in Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.” NIV
We do not like the word, “sacrifice.” This has a very deadly, bloody picture attached to it. It is not pretty nor easy. We are set to ask ourselves, “What have I really sacrificed for Jesus?” I could list time, money and life, what I have truly given to Him? Just stopping and thinking about this makes us either uneasy or proud, depending on what we think as we see our sacrifices.
Cyril of Alexander writes: “Never forget that what gives value to a sacrifice is not the renouncement it demands, but the degree of love which inspires the renouncement.” Putting all of this together made me ask myself, “Have I given up to God what I have out of love for him or out of simple obedience?” I realize that if I sacrifice out of love then I would do it willingly without complaining. If I sacrifice out of obedience only, then I might whine, complain and be tempted to give grudgingly.
Jesus demonstrated his deep love for us in his passionately giving of his life on the Cross. Brennan Manning writes: “The root of ‘passion’ is the Latin ‘passere, to ‘suffer.’ The passion of Jesus…is the voluntary laying oneself open to another and allowing oneself to be intimately affected by him, that is to say the suffering of passionate love.” (Abba’s Child; page 165)
The real value of our sacrifice for Jesus comes as we take our eyes off of us. I must stop focusing on my feelings and my desires and my life. I fix my eyes on Jesus.
When I look upon Jesus I see the holes in his hands and side. They remind me of His agony, His suffering and His sacrifice. When I look at Jesus I see the crown of thorns on his head. He was mocked and ridiculed. Why should I fear what others might think or say? When I look at Jesus I look into his eyes – joy and pain – peace and problems – love and judgment – His eyes pierce me to the heart. All is laid bare in His gaze. I can give as he gave, sacrificially because I stand amazed in his presence, focus on his love and live the life that models his.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Church Lately
I have been considering the church lately. I wonder why so many people find reasons to avoid it and simply drop out. I know that we struggle with our natures that tend to resist the spiritual side of life. Yet, God continues to pierce my heart telling me that there is more to it than just that.
I am reading a book titled: “Quitting Church.” It seems that there are many millions Americans who are opting out of church yet they chose to continue their own private time with God. They read their Bible, pray, even share their faith. Yet, they have given up on the church. Why?
These people see the lack of God in most churches. So many churches are dysfunctional. People are tired of church fights and church scandals. People are weary of clergy who are too controlling and demanding. It would appear that many churches have made the Bible irrelevant to many believers. There are hurting and struggling individuals who need the care, grace and compassion of God’s people but who end up getting judged, criticized and ignored.
All of this begs the questions: “Is this so? And if it is so, what should concerned followers of Jesus do about it?”
As a pastor I have felt firsthand the jabs of those within the church who demand their own way. I have experienced the heartache of being attacked and criticized for trying to walk the journey God has me on, when others do not understand and feel threatened by it. I wonder where we were lead astray. Why has the will of US overrun the will of God?
Perhaps we have become followers of a Christian culture that has grown within our society more than we have been followers of Jesus. We have so many books, so many different Bibles, so many Christian knick knacks that we have become disoriented to stepping in the footsteps of the One showed us that the way to live was to die.
I know the power of the grace and love of God. I have experienced his presence and his burden for his children. I have seen some of his children serve him so that those who are struggling might see his love in them. For all the misdirected things that are happening in the church there are others who are truly working to make a difference. They are the faithful followers of Jesus.
Church, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and not the Christian culture around us. Let us imitate the life, the heart and spirit of Jesus. Jesus only displayed anger at the religious elite who made converts who became “twice as much the sons of hell as they were.” Jesus displayed compassion, care and kindness to those who needed God the most: the prostitutes, drunks, lepers and outcasts of his world. Should we not do the same? Then those looking at his church will say, “Now that’s the Jesus I could follow!”
I am reading a book titled: “Quitting Church.” It seems that there are many millions Americans who are opting out of church yet they chose to continue their own private time with God. They read their Bible, pray, even share their faith. Yet, they have given up on the church. Why?
These people see the lack of God in most churches. So many churches are dysfunctional. People are tired of church fights and church scandals. People are weary of clergy who are too controlling and demanding. It would appear that many churches have made the Bible irrelevant to many believers. There are hurting and struggling individuals who need the care, grace and compassion of God’s people but who end up getting judged, criticized and ignored.
All of this begs the questions: “Is this so? And if it is so, what should concerned followers of Jesus do about it?”
As a pastor I have felt firsthand the jabs of those within the church who demand their own way. I have experienced the heartache of being attacked and criticized for trying to walk the journey God has me on, when others do not understand and feel threatened by it. I wonder where we were lead astray. Why has the will of US overrun the will of God?
Perhaps we have become followers of a Christian culture that has grown within our society more than we have been followers of Jesus. We have so many books, so many different Bibles, so many Christian knick knacks that we have become disoriented to stepping in the footsteps of the One showed us that the way to live was to die.
I know the power of the grace and love of God. I have experienced his presence and his burden for his children. I have seen some of his children serve him so that those who are struggling might see his love in them. For all the misdirected things that are happening in the church there are others who are truly working to make a difference. They are the faithful followers of Jesus.
Church, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and not the Christian culture around us. Let us imitate the life, the heart and spirit of Jesus. Jesus only displayed anger at the religious elite who made converts who became “twice as much the sons of hell as they were.” Jesus displayed compassion, care and kindness to those who needed God the most: the prostitutes, drunks, lepers and outcasts of his world. Should we not do the same? Then those looking at his church will say, “Now that’s the Jesus I could follow!”
Monday, June 01, 2009
Tongue Tied
In Proverbs 10:19-20 we read “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. NIV
St. Benedict wrote: “…where your tongue goes, the heart follows. If you curse others, your life will be cursed. If you bless others your life will be blessed.”
Do we ever stop to listen, really listen to the words that come out of our mouths? Do we really listen to the manner in which they are spoken? Jesus told us that we can kill with our words. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew 5:21-22 NIV
How often have we “killed” a heart, a soul, a life because of the words we have said about someone or to someone?
Poem Entitled: "Thou Shall not Kill"
Yesterday I killed my son's joy,
In the victory of his team,
I complained about his dirty clothes
And that ripped seam.
The day before I killed my daughter's prides
In the dress she had made,
I pointed out its faults,
Then added my faint praise.
One day I killed a friendship
And affection turned to hate,
I misunderstood her motive,
Until it was too late.
Today I killed my husband's love,
Not with a mighty blow.
It died bit by bit;
Year by year-so slow.
First I robbed him of his pleasures,
In those simple satisfactions
Oh, he had no self-confidence
And few worthwhile ambitions
I wounded him with cruel jibes,
When others too might hear,
I thought his wince of pain,
Was just unmanly fear.
Tonight I saw the light of love,
Die slowly in his look.
When he reached toward me his hand,
But I picked up my book.
God restore to me this man,
And teach me to love and understand.
St. Benedict wrote: “…where your tongue goes, the heart follows. If you curse others, your life will be cursed. If you bless others your life will be blessed.”
Do we ever stop to listen, really listen to the words that come out of our mouths? Do we really listen to the manner in which they are spoken? Jesus told us that we can kill with our words. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew 5:21-22 NIV
How often have we “killed” a heart, a soul, a life because of the words we have said about someone or to someone?
Poem Entitled: "Thou Shall not Kill"
Yesterday I killed my son's joy,
In the victory of his team,
I complained about his dirty clothes
And that ripped seam.
The day before I killed my daughter's prides
In the dress she had made,
I pointed out its faults,
Then added my faint praise.
One day I killed a friendship
And affection turned to hate,
I misunderstood her motive,
Until it was too late.
Today I killed my husband's love,
Not with a mighty blow.
It died bit by bit;
Year by year-so slow.
First I robbed him of his pleasures,
In those simple satisfactions
Oh, he had no self-confidence
And few worthwhile ambitions
I wounded him with cruel jibes,
When others too might hear,
I thought his wince of pain,
Was just unmanly fear.
Tonight I saw the light of love,
Die slowly in his look.
When he reached toward me his hand,
But I picked up my book.
God restore to me this man,
And teach me to love and understand.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
