A Place for Weakness

Greetings All,

This week I was skimming through the opening pages of a book by Michael Horton entitled, "A Place for Weakness."   It's the response of a man who has looked at much of modern day Christianity, compared it with the New Testament version, and found it terribly lacking.  A man who wonders: "What about the people who don't get healed from cancer?  The people who have no miraculous deliverance to brag about?  What about those who aren't lavishly successful, and don't go from "rags to riches"?

     In fact, after pointing out how the modern church loves to parade around, "famous athletes, politicians, entertainers, ad other icons of popular culture... as trophies of grace," he very validly asks, "Have you ever seen a janitor interviewed for his testimony?"  What about people like the poor widow who gave her last two pennies to the Lord's work, but never (as far as we know) got blessed with a hundred-fold return, or millions of dollars as compensation for her extreme devotion?   A lady who was poor, and remained poor, yet loved the Lord with all that was in her?  Are there not millions of such believers the world over?  Where is our acknowledgment of their great faith in our churches or television broadcasts?  We do speak of martyrs, but what about those so poor they, "went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute... and mistreated"?  Those who "wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground" -- yet were faithful to the end, thus earning them the title:  "those of whom the world was not worthy" and people who were "commended (by God) for their faith."  If our faith cannot look up to them -- MORE than to the STAR ATHLETE or SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRE -- then we must ask what has happened to the Christian faith that James describes as the valid kind in James 2:1-13?

     I believe Horton does make a very valid point.  And I share this thought to challenge us to separate worldly triumphalism from true biblical Christianity. Enjoy.

God of the Cross

     "We don't like to think of ourselves as losers, especially in America. Even popular religion is often exploited in what Friedrich Nietzsche would celebrate as "the will to power."  If it is going to sell in the marketplace, it must be clearly seen that our particular brand of religion will make us winners in business and politics, boost our self-confidence, and position us and our families as the envy of our non-Christian neighbors.

     In part, this is an attempt to answer the claim that religion in general, but Christianity in particular, is for the weak...  Media mogul Ted Turner, who, though raised in a conservative Christian background, now reportedly calls Christianity, "a religion for losers."  How do you react when you read these words, or encounter them in veiled remarks by friends, co-workers, and relatives who do not know Christ?  For at least a century and a half, American evangelism has spent great effort and money on public relations campaigns for Christianity in just this area of concern. Famous athletes, politicians, entertainers, and other icons of popular culture are regularly trotted out as trophies of grace. Have you ever seen a janitor interviewed for his testimony?

     Of course, there are notable exceptions, such as Joni Eareckson Tada, who has brought so much wisdom to suffering since her diving accident left her paralyzed. But we seem obsessed at times with convincing the world that we are cool, which especially in this culture means healthy, good-looking, prosperous, and, even better, famous.  Not only can one remain cool in Christ; it is this personal relationship with Jesus that, far from calling us to die, gives us that little bit extra to, "be all we can be."  At least that's what the before-and-after testimonies seem to suggest. Jesus came to recruit a team of all-stars and coach them to the Super Bowl of better living.  As the title of one religious bestseller has it, we can have our best life now, just by following a few principles for daily success.

Any Place for Weakness?

     How do we square all this with Jesus' statement that... "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32)?  Paul also gives a recurring emphasis to weakness: "On my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses... But [the Lord] said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (II Corinthians 12:5, 9-10).  Would Paul have made a very good spokesman for "muscular Christianity" or for the other images of success so widely praised among us? 

     In his "Varieties of Religious Experience" (1902) Harvard professor and philosopher William James distinguished between two types of religion: "healthy-minded" and "morbid-minded." Those belonging to the sick-soul camp (the morbid-minded), he said, see themselves as sinful, dispossessed, and disinherited, while the healthy-minded exude optimism. America has attracted the disinherited of the earth to our shores in order to make a better life for themselves and their posterity. It's one of the amazing gifts we have: to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps" by starting out in the mail room and ending up in the board room.  But this healthy optimism has also led to a practical denial of the dark side of life.  In religious terms it has meant that the bad stuff has got to go -- no downers, such as human depravity, and inability for self-salvation, or the need for divine rescue, and so forth... Feeling good has emerged as not only a national priority but a religious obsession for Christians and non-Christians alike...  I do not think that a biblical sense of human sin and the need for redemption from outside ourselves requires national pessimism, but a religion of human goodness will never sustain a people in times of disaster and threat. We may be able to explain the "evil empires" beyond our borders by their lack of our national values, but what happens when we experience our own homegrown varieties of terrorism, violence, and social disintegration?

     The religion of the healthy-minded is persuasive in our time... However, a religion of healthy-mindedness, which ignores the reality of the fall in all its aspects, renders itself finally nothing more than a form of therapy during times of plenty and irrelevant in times of tragedy.  What we need is not therapy, but news -- good news! ... The bottom line of this book is that the Gospel is for losers. And that, in fact, we are all losers if we measure ourselves by God's interpretation of reality rather than our own. The demand for glory, comfort, autonomy, health and wealth creates a vicious cycle of craving and disillusionment.  It even creates its own industry of therapists and exercise, style, and self-esteem gurus -- and churches -- to massage the egos wounded by this hedonism.  We become prisoners of our own felt needs, which were inculcated in us in the first place by the very marketplace that promises a "fix."  We become victims of our own shallow hopes...  Consider the fame of the great stars of stage and screen whose lives we secretly wanted to share, who are now in Hollywood nursing homes, often with only memories to comfort them. How quickly adoring fans lose their interest when the vigor of youth can no longer be sustained by surgeries and lotions and diets...

     Ironically, it is precisely where the world detects the most obvious example of weakness -- the cross -- that God triumphs over sin and death at the peak of their most deadly power. Here's the irony: Just where the highest and holiest victim of truly undeserved suffering cries, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" victory over sin and death is taking place. This is the foolishness and weakness that trump the wisdom and power of the ages."

     The discerning person will find it impossible to suggest that Horton has not hit a nail on the head.  American Christianity, out of a shame the apostle Paul did not have about his weaknesses, has worked to become acceptable to the surrounding culture by turning its back on biblical Christianity and embracing American triumphalism, as well as elements of its materialism and hedonism.  Many believers now seek their "best life now," while millions go without and the world perishes in their sin.  In fact, the Church has joined the world in its worldly pursuits, thinking we could actually do what Jesus says no person can do -- that is, serve two masters -- God and money (or the things it can buy).

     May we come to see, before it's too late, that the ultimate treasure is Christ Himself.  That He is enough.  Or as one dear saint put it: "He who possesses all things without God possesses nothing, but he who possesses God, possesses in Him all things."  We need to get it right!  Its not what we can get from God, it is simply having God that is the greatest and most fulfilling of all desirable treasures.

     May we all pause to consider what we believe, why we believe it, and where those beliefs come from -- because many don't come from the Bible.

In the bonds of the Gospel, Pastor Jeff

Gateway to Joy

Greetings All,

     Today's "thought" is a tribute to an extraordinary woman of God who passed into glory June 15, 2015 - Elisabeth Elliot.

     She taught in many of the foreign missions classes I took at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (1982-1986) where I majored in missions. And as a missionary herself, who endured many hardships, her thoughts were always extremely helpful.
  For some she is best known as "the wife of Jim Elliot" one of the five missionaries martyred on January 8th, 1956, in the jungles of Ecuador (two months after I was born)! They were attempting to contact and reach out to the remote Auca Indians with the Gospel.  Jim's well-known quote which guided his life was: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

     Yet those who know Elisabeth better know that her reputation does not hang on her husbands coattails. She had a significant ministry of her own, doing Bible translation into the Quechua language, and then going into the jungle to live for two years with the very Indians who killed her husband, taking her three year old daughter Valerie with her. It's a ministry chronicled in her book, "The Savage My Kinsman."

     After leaving Ecuador and returning to the States she became a sought after spokesperson for foreign missions.  One of the first books she authored was, "Through Gates of Splendor," the story of the five martyred missionaries. The documentary by the same name had a profound impact on me and fed my desire to be involved in missions.  In my opinion they should both be on the required reading and viewing list for every missionary candidate. The contemporary sequel, "The End of the Spear" is extremely informative and challenging as well.

Elisabeth has written many other books, including the classic biographical work, "A Chance to Die" -- about the great missionary to India, Amy Carmichael -- one of her childhood hero's. Carmichael rescued, and then started a home for young Hindu girls who had been forced into temple prostitution.

     Elliot also wrote Shadow of the Almighty, Keep a Quiet Heart, Passion for Purity, Quest for Love, A Path Through Suffering, Be Still My Soul, These Strange Ashes, Gateway To Joy, and about 20 others!  She is now in the presence of the One she spent her life serving, but her legacy here will continue through the many who heard her speak, and will continue to read her many books. This particular excerpt comes from, "Gateway to Joy."  Enjoy!

One of the "Gateways to Joy" -- COMMIT TO SERVICE 

     "There has been a tendency to think of service to God as necessarily entailing physical hardship and sacrifice. Although this is not really a scriptural idea, it has gained wide acceptance.  It is easy to recall the saints who climbed the steep ascent of heaven through peril. But the Bible also makes mention of Dorcas, whose service to God was the making of coats...

     When I lived in the Auca settlement (deep in the Ecuadorean jungle)... some correspondents envied me, some pitied me. Some admired, some criticized. I could not help asking myself if perhaps I had been mistaken. Was I really obeying God, or had I merely obeyed some misguided impulse, some lust for distinction, some masochistic urge to bury myself in the forsaken place?  There was no way of being sure what was in the murky reaches of my subconscious, but I was sure I had committed myself to God for His service, and I knew no other motivation.

     The opinions of others -- whether they commended or condemned -- could not alter my duty.  But their very diversity caused me to ponder carefully what that duty was...  My duty was one thing, theirs another.  My responsibility lay there, but the responsibility of some of my correspondents (who gazed starry-eyed at my role) lay perhaps in an office, or a kitchen, or the cockpit of an airplane.  The commitment to wholehearted service in obedience to God looks different for everyone. 

COMMIT AT ANY COST...

     When I was sixteen years old I copied in the back of my Bible a prayer of missionary Betty Scott Stam, whose visit in our home when I was very small (living in Brussels, Belgium, with my missionary parents) had made such a deep impression on me.  Her prayer:

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Your will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all, utterly to You, to be Yours forever.  Fill me and seal me with Your Holy Spirit.  Use me as You will, send me where You will, work out Your whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever." 

     The cost, for her, was quite literally her life only a few years after she had prayed that prayer.  Betty was martyred in China in 1934." 

       Some of you may have prayed similar prayers -- yet your commitment to service and obedience has looked much different. 

    God is not into making clones. He is putting together a body that is made up of many different parts with many varied gifts. And therefore, what may be obedience for one would be disobedience for another.  The path one is called to trod is not the same path we are all called to follow.  His plan for the ages sends people down a plethora of varied paths - some rough and some much smoother. The key, or the gateway to joy, though, remains the same for all -- commitment at any cost to do His unique will for your life.

       Hopefully we can all pray, with earnest and transparent hearts:

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Your will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all, utterly to You, to be Yours forever. Fill me and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. Use me as You will, send me where You will, work out Your whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever." 

     Two women prayed the same prayer. One was led to China where she was martyred for the faith.  The other ended up losing her husband, living in the jungles of Ecuador for a time, and then spent her later years speaking, writing, teaching, and doing a weekly broadcast north of Boston, Massachusetts. For others it may be a career, parenthood, fidelity in marriage, service in the local church, a neighborhood outreach, helping at a homeless shelter, Hospice, some support group, or another form of obedient service.  The, "as You will... where You will," is up to God and looks different for all.  Yet the call to commit, or, "give ourselves, our lives, and our all, utterly to God, to be His forever" -- that is the same for every believer. Offer Him that and you will find your place in His plan.

With Prayers for a Surrendered Heart, Pastor Jeff 

Persecution for the Faith

Greetings All,

     This week's 'thought' has to do with persecution for the faith. It has to do with our brothers and sisters all over the world who are suffering for their faithfulness in following Jesus. As you know, in many parts of the world loving Jesus puts your life (and the lives of your family) at risk.
     Just recently Antonio Audo, Syrian priest and bishop of Aleppo Syria said of the current situation there: "Many churches stand empty, targets for bombardment and desecration... Now our faith is under mortal threat, in danger of being driven to extinction (in Syria) the same pattern we have seen in neighboring Iraq." Muslim militants often use the political unrest as a cover to eradicate Christians and destroy churches.

     This particular thought has to do with how we as Western Christians should respond to all that. It is by Steve Lundquist, vice-president for domestic ministry with The Voice of the Martyrs, and was printed in this month's (June 2014) Decision Magazine. I found it insightful and challenging, and for that reason offer it to you.

     "Steve Lundquist... has a challenge for Western Christians who are concerned about their brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christ.
     First, Lundquist says, realize that persecuted believers do not want your sympathy: "You do these people an incredible disservice to portray them as 'these poor, suffering people' who need you -- you blessed Westerners -- to come and give them stuff. This is not a 'worthy cause' to engage in. This is our family.

     Second, understand that the best response is not simply to rush in and try to 'make it better.' Rather, help them to be obedient to Christ's commands, including that of proclaiming the Gospel. Lundquist explains: 'At The Voice of the Martyrs, we ask, 'What do you need to become more successful in evangelism?' We give the people the resources to do things we know will increase the chances that they will be persecuted. And we also provide assistance when that persecution happens.' 

     Third, count the cost of being a true follower of Jesus. "I could effectively minimize Christian persecution all over the world,' Lundquist says. 'All I have to do is convince every Christian around the world to follow the example of the typical American believer. You know, compartmentalize your life: Go to church on Sunday, but don't talk about Jesus Monday through Saturday.'

     'We have so watered it down. We say: 'And now, with every head bowed and every eye closed, slip your hand up.' You know, don't take a risk. And then we wonder why, the first time there is opposition, people are not standing.

     'Our persecuted brothers and sisters have something that we so desperately need. If we take their example, our life is not going to get easier. But the message we need to be trumpeting is this: Count the cost. Understand the cross and figure out what it's worth to you, and then decide whether you're in or not.'"

     I've been preaching a series of messages from the book of Revelation and am currently focusing on the Seven Churches (in chapters 2-3). Therefore persecution has been a recurring theme (should you desire to listen to any of them, click on the following link: http://www.christcommunitybiblechurch.org/ and go to the 'sermons' page).

     This excerpt by Steve Lundquist presents us with the same question. Do we primarily seek our comfort, and thus invisibility, or do we seek to be obedient disciples, realizing it will inevitably increase the world's displeasure with us and possibly put us in the line of fire?

     Is it time to ask ourselves afresh: "Would I be willing to lose all for Jesus? Is my love for Him superior to my love for everything and everyone else?" And if so, will you commit (or re-commit) to following Him and obeying Him come what may? Will you pray for the grace to do so?

Yours in the Bonds of Christian Service and Obedience, Pastor Jeff

Supernatural, Not Sentimental Concern

Greetings All,

     This week's 'thought' comes to you from an author I've truly come to enjoy -- Gary Thomas.  He is best known for his book, 'Sacred Marriage'.  This particular excerpt is found in his book, 'Simply Sacred,' a collection of daily readings.
     I have thoroughly enjoyed it and would suggest it as a possibility for anyone who may have experienced the frustration of looking a good devotional book. In my humble opinion it is well worth the price should you happen pick one up. This thought is called, 'Supernatural, Not Sentimental Concern.' Enjoy.


     "My wife volunteered to work with a week-long camp that reached out to inner-city children from troubled backgrounds. She soon learned what she was up against. Any romantic notions she might have secretly harbored about the week were quickly dispelled when the trainer taught volunteers how to respond to a kid who is biting you. (Just FYI, rather than pull your arm back -- which allows the child's teeth to set -- you should push your arm into the child's mouth until the child stops biting. When the arm is pushed in, it's far more difficult to receive a hurtful bite.)
     At the end of camp, I joined my wife for a luncheon given in recognition of the camp workers. One young man received an award for being the most patient in the face of the most abuse. He had been kicked, hit, pummeled, even spit on.

     It is important to mention this because some people actually pursue selfless work for selfish reasons. They usually don't last long. That's why Christians who are eager to serve should first do a motivation check. Are you doing this to be loved (or thanked) in return? Are you doing this to save a life? What if the person doesn't want to be saved? What if the addict refuses to quit? What is the crisis pregnancy center client gets pregnant again? Will that make you quit?

     Social mercy is based on obedience to God and depends on God's love for his failing children. We cannot maintain or manufacture a false love. Sentimentality won't last until lunchtime in real ministry. Nothing short of God's supernatural care and concern will suffice.

     Yet behind this pain is an unparalleled, almost otherworldly pleasure.  J. I. Packer once told a class of seminary students, 'As you serve the Lord, you hurt. And as you serve the Lord, your hurt, which feels sometimes like a death experience, gives way to a joy which feels like a resurrection experience. The Lord makes it happen.' 

     Let's serve well -- for the right reasons with the right motivation." 

      During my time serving in a program in the Dominican Republic, as well as in my time in Honduras, I was able to witness this -- first in myself and also in others. It was the inner thought or assumption that in serving others they would respond to my help or personal sacrifice with appreciation and gratitude and I would feel good or more fulfilled for having served them.

     Yet it didn't take long to realize that one can work their hardest with very few "thank you's" coming back in their direction.  Ask most any missionary on the field. In fact, if the desire to be loved, thanked, or appreciated for one's "selfless" service to others is among the primary driving forces behind that service, it's really not 'selfless,' and as Thomas points out, "They usually don't last long."  That is, they don't last long unless that death/resurrection experience takes place and the motivation for their service changes.

     God must graciously help them -- He must help us -- to realize that our primary motivation must be to do what were doing simply because our Lord and Redeemer has called us to do it.  We are to do it for Him, and not what we can get out of it, or we won't do it long.

     I believe this is what Jesus meant when in the process of telling Peter to, "feed my sheep," He asks him three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  In fact, He repeats it enough times to exasperate Peter!  (John 21:15-19)

     Why does He do it?  To drive home this point: If we serve Jesus' people for any other reason than that we love Him -- if we do it to be loved, admired, looked up to, thanked, appreciated, noticed, recognized, praised, etc. -- then when those things are not forthcoming, or we receive just the opposite (like the gentleman mentioned above) we will tend to become quickly disillusioned,  and likely quit or move on from that field of service.

     Only if we do it out of love for Christ will we do it regardless of what might come our way (or fail to come our way). It was an appropriate lesson for Peter, who would end up martyred alongside his wife for simply feeding Jesus sheep -- and a lesson we all need to heed as well.

In His Service, Pastor Jeff

Motives for Serving God

Greetings All,



     This week's 'thought' comes to you from Marcia Hornok, writer, editor and pastor's wife.  It has to do with our motives for serving God and is applicable to the life of any believer.  In reading it I felt it was wise, relevant, and spot on -- so I share it with you.  It is taken from the most current "Voice" magazine, Jan-Feb. 2014.  Enjoy!


     "Human nature craves recognition and reward.  I like having my articles published, seeing the room full in my Ladies Bible Study, and hearing people thank my husband for his sermons. But is that my motive for serving God? What do I deserve as a result of walking by faith for several decades? What did our biblical relatives, listed in Hebrews 11, receive for their faithfulness?

     The chapter clearly indicates their eternal reward (vv. 13-16, 26, 39-40). They were approved of God (vv. 2, 5, 16, 39).  But did that include earthly rewards as well? The chapter lists some of the things those who lived by faith received on earth. They 'conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead raised to life again.' So far so good.
     

     But the list continues. 'Some men were tortured, not accepting release...and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheep skins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated... They wandered in deserts, mountains, caves and holes in the ground (vv. 33-38).

     Such was the reward of walking by faith and pleasing God. Some had their loved ones brought back to life; some watched their loved ones tortured to death. Living by faith can lead to totally opposite outcomes in this life.

     Faith does not guarantee earthly credentials, credits, or accomplishments. These heroes and heroines of faith believed God's promises even though they never came to pass in their lifetimes (v. 39). They concentrated on pleasing God, not on being successful or effective (vv. 5-6). Enduring whatever came their way, they remained faithful to the end because their eyes were set on the invisible, future reward of the heavenly city whose architect and builder is God (v. 10)... 

     Too often, I have expected temporal rewards for living right, serving God, and enduring trials. I have measured my success (and that of others) by visible, countable results. Instead, I need to live for eternity and God's approval there, not for earth and human affirmation here.

     God will look for my usefulness, not my effectiveness. And I can only be useful when I'm dependent upon Him, abiding in His fellowship (John 15:5). Even though God does bless and reward us in this life, I must not expect that, or set my hopes on it. To do so results in either arrogance (over what I have) or anger (over what I don't have). My motive for pleasing God cannot be what I will get out of it. I live by faith, not to gain God's favor, but because I have God's favor. We endure to the end, not to get what we want, but to give God what He deserves.

     Walking by faith means trusting God with the results as we labor together. I plant and/or water; He gives (or does not give) the increase (I Cor. 3:7-9). I should concentrate on my responsibility, not His. Then, someday, when faith becomes sight, I will bow before Him, utterly unworthy of His promised rewards."

     In a culture so focused on numbers, and getting results, and achieving great things, and being successful, it is helpful to remember that God never calls us to be successful, He calls us to be faithful and endure to the end. And He calls us to such faithfulness even though we may be entirely unable to point to huge numbers, significant results, or noteworthy success (as measured by earthly standards).

     As our passage from Hebrews 11 points out, some of the most blessed of God's faithful servants -- people "of whom the world was not worthy" -- had nothing to show for their faithful service to Christ except persecution, suffering, poverty, homelessness, and eventual (and sometimes extremely painful) martyrdom.

     I know.  Not a good selling point from a worldly perspective.  But then again, we don't win people to Christ by our salesmanship. God does so as His Spirit exerts the powerful influences of His calling, regenerating, and converting grace.

     My part is to remain faithful -- to Him, His Word, and my duty of seed-planting or watering. Then I must simply leave the rest to Him.  And when all is said and done, our "reward" is ultimately the fact that we had the blessed privilege and opportunity of serving our gracious Redeemer and being even the smallest part of His redemptive plan for the ages.

Grace to you as you seek to remain steadfast, Pastor Jeff

The Gospel Driven Life

Greetings All,

     Today's 'thought' comes to you from Michael Horton and is found in his book, "The Gospel Driven Life."
     It speaks of the dangers of following Jesus in a society where one can not only live out their faith unafraid of being persecuted for it, but even prosper off it, or make a successful business out of it. His insights into this problem are worthy of our consideration, and may serve as a needed wake-up call, or call for repentance. Enjoy.

The Cross Isn't an Accessory 

     "After calling his disciples, Jesus prepared them for the journey ahead of them, beyond his own cross-bearing and resurrection (Matthew 10). They too will bear their cross, suffering not for sin, but for their testimony to the sin-bearer. Persecution will come; even parents and siblings will hand over their family members to the authorities (vv. 16-24)... 

     Immediately after his ascension the dominoes started to fall. Some caved in, renouncing Christ, while others persevered. Peter, who denied Christ three times, ended up being crucified upside down, because he did not consider himself worthy to be executed in the same manner as his Savior.

     So what does this mean: 'Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it?'  The context, of course, is the imminent persecution of the disciples and indeed the wider church. Those who cling to their life as it is will never receive eternal life. The securities of this fleeting lifespan pale in comparison with the riches of the inheritance that the saints have in Christ.

     Such passages speak directly to suffering brothers and sisters in China, India, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia (and more recently Egypt), but what about the rest of us? We like to imagine sometimes that we too share in Christ's sufferings, but we do not suffer in the same way or to the same degree as the martyrs and the persecuted. The suffering that Jesus had in mind is not the general troubles that believers face in common with unbelievers, such as physical or financial hardships. It was suffering for their witness to Christ that Jesus has in mind. Yet precisely because we do not find ourselves threatened with death for the sake of the gospel, those of us in liberal democracies may be the ones who find it most difficult to accept Jesus exhortation.

     Like a cross that is worn around one's neck, Christ can become an accessory. Rather than being commanded at gunpoint to deny Christ, we are led by the devil out into the wilderness of consumerism, shopping for identities. Far from being harried and harassed, we are shown the kingdoms of this world that can be ours if we will just turn away from Golgotha.

     We don't have to become atheists. We do not even have to renounce Jesus Christ. In fact, we can sell everything from rock concerts to coffee mugs with Jesus as the trademark.

     

     All that is necessary is for us to cling to ourselves -- the securities, aspirations, felt needs, and relationships that define us and that we have chosen for ourselves -- rather than to God's saving love in Christ and the identity for which he has chosen us. Jesus' comment about losing our life to find it presses us to ask ourselves this question: "Do I define the Jesus story, or does it define me?' Is Jesus's significance objective and universal, which I am simply to acknowledge and embrace, or do I determine his significance in my own life?

     Paul tells believers, 'For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.'  This is more radical than anything that we could conceive. According to the gospel, 'I' don't exist anymore. Our self-identity is not a stable thing, but is defined by the story we tell -- or hear -- about ourselves. Of course the gospel does not obliterate my identity; it comes to save my nature, not destroy it. However, my nature in Adam is corrupt, in bondage to sin and death. Even in my moral striving I am decadent. Even in my craving for spiritual experience, I am an idolater. Another makeover or transformation will not change my identity. I must be crucified and buried with Christ, and raised with him in newness of life...

     The salvation that God promises in Christ requires my death. Here I am, cheerfully going about my daily affairs, picking and choosing the roles I would like to play from the advertisements, movies, and 'put-together' people I admire around me.  I may even find a role for Jesus, although who am I to say that others are wrong for finding someone or something else more helpful for achieving their goals in life?

     Then, along comes the gospel, telling me who I really am, telling me how this character I have written for myself is doomed.  God hands me a new script -- the Good News that I am no longer a child of Adam or stranger and alien to God's promises, but a child of God in Jesus and stranger and alien to the world's spin.

     I no longer can see God as existing to make me happy, to satisfy my felt needs, even to give me a sense of well-being and add a few suggestions to improve my life. He comes to kill me and make me alive. Repentance means I give up the script; I stop pretending that I can write the story of my life. Through faith in Christ, I become a character in God's story, part of the new creation."

     In our self-obsessed culture where we're led to believe that we are the center of our world and everything revolves around us, it's often hard to grasp how a message that predicts persecution for those who embrace it, tells us we must lose our life to find it, "requires our death," and tells us we can no longer see God as existing to make us happy or satisfy our felt-needs, could be called, "Good News"!

     It is indeed a paradox, though a liberating one, and one we will never experience until we, "give up the old script, and stop pretending that we can write the story of our lives."

     For most, the thought of moving from a self-centered life to a God-centered/Christ-centered life, is terribly frightening.  It seems so irrational -- at least when considered in light of earthly reasoning and worldly wisdom. It is one of those divine mysteries that one can only know; a truth that can only be discovered, when a person steps out in faith and experiences the gracious benefits of what it means to be, "crucified with Christ."

In His Service, Pastor Jeff