Service and submission

******Note - this was originally written in response to a lesson at my home church last week regarding 1 Corinthians 8. We discussed how mature or "strong" Christians should respond when a "weaker" Christian expresses a concern that a particular activity, while not sinful in itself, may prove to be a stumbling block for them. The discussion was strong and lively. During the week, I was reading Bonhoeffer, and the subject of his writing dovetailed with our discussion. As such, I wrote the below to review the questions and discussion from a different viewpoint.*******

The beatitudes are Christ’s verbal representation of the characteristics of those who, through their submission to the will and glory of God, live their lives in such a way as to reflect that submission and glory to the rest of a fallen world. We, as Christ’s children, with His indwelling in our heart, should strive to live each of these daily in our inward and outward lives. But in reading and prayer, I am struck in the way in which some of them are applicable with regard to the lesson we discussed this past Sunday. (In truth, they are all applicable, but if I wrote about them all, this would be about 5-7 pages long, and nobody would read it. As such, I chose the three that were shown to me to be most clearly apropos for this topic)

- “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5.

To be clear here – meekness in this context is not a reference to timidity, weakness, or being a pushover. This meekness is recognition that we maintain no rights of our own when held up against the presence, power and glory of God. When we come to love and recognize His presence and hand in all things, only then can we truly submit to the path which He has set out before us. No matter what trials are to come, or what difficulties lay ahead, we understand that He is in control and has laid this plan for our ultimate benefit.

Accordingly, His disciples “… are meek, they renounce every right of their own and live for the sake of Jesus Christ. When reproached, they hold their peace; when treated with violence they endure it patiently; when men drive them from their presence, they yield their ground… They are determined to leave their rights to God alone.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, p109

Bonhoeffer’s description shows our response when faced with the trials, scorn, rejection, and ridicule of the world, but it is also ultimately applicable within the Church walls as well. When we determine to leave our rights to God alone, then and only then can we be willing in love and mercy to submit ourselves to the “weakness” of our fellow brothers and sisters who are in bondage to their weak consciences. If we do not possess the meekness to submit our selves and our “rights”, we will be unable to be lowered into a position necessary for lifting this weak brother or sister from their bondage.

- “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7.

“In order that they may be merciful they cast away the most priceless treasure of human life, their own personal dignity and honour. For the only honour and dignity they know is their Lord’s own mercy, to which alone they owe their very lives.” Bonhoeffer, p111

If we want to get into the realm of difficult teaching, this one is way up there. From the lofty position of your own self-affected dignity, it can be exceedingly difficult to muster the true mercy to bring yourself to the level of the afflicted. From that view, it is more rightly termed pity, which is not the same thing at all as mercy. In order to present true mercy, it is necessary to sacrifice your own position, pride, and comfort. You must come to the afflicted before you can bring them out of their affliction. Only when you are willing to kneel at their level can you understand, and when you understand, then you can share the mercy that builds and replenishes their strength, and lifts them out of their ditch.

This is the truth of Christ’s sacrifice for us. He came down from the throne of glory, into the world. He shed his crown and stepped into the muck, the misery of humanity. From this position at our sides, he was able to live out the true mercy which paved our path upward to the feet of his Father. What’s more, this shedding of his dignity and honor was for a specific time and a purpose. So too will the displacement of our dignity for the sake of Christ and his children be temporary, with the intended purpose of serving his glory during our ministry on earth. Therefore, have no misgivings about giving up the dignities that you are so tied to in the here and now, as they will be reborn with infinitely more glory in the age to come.

- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9.

“His disciples keep the peace by choosing to endure suffering themselves rather than inflict it upon others… In so doing they overcome evil with good, and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate.” Bonhoeffer, p113.

This is the most simply and directly applicable beatitude in reference to this past Sunday’s lesson. When faced with a situation where a weak brother or sister’s conscience is defiled by a stumbling block in their faith, it is our call as a disciple of Christ to willingly sacrifice our own freedom, which threatens to ensnare our fellow believer, and so embrace our role as peacemaker. We should seek not only to maintain and enhance the peace amongst our body of believers, but also within the conscience of the troubled believer for whom we make this sacrifice.

This peace, when established within the heart of the struggling believer, can prove to be the very foundation by which we can begin the process of building their understanding of the freedom which is granted to us by God. It can be the starting point by which the stumbling block can be eroded away and removed as an obstacle.

Using only these three beatitudes, it becomes clear how deeply and fundamentally they are intertwined in how we engage with all of our relationships within and beyond this world. Our meekness in recognizing our low stature opens the way for us to willingly take a position in which we can share true mercy. From this position of mercy, we are ideally situated to act as peacemaker – as we willingly sacrifice our own freedoms and stature for the sake of others, that the peace of God’s presence may form the foundation from which we can be built up and, in so doing, to glorify God by our love.

And ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.

Blogger's block

Since I started blogging again this spring, I've had several ideas germinate regarding possible posts. Unfortunately, I usually think about it in the car, or during work or class, when I'm not in a good position to write out notes or brainstorm in more detail. Half the time, the idea gets lost along the way. Sometimes, the idea gets so convoluted and misshapen by the time I'm in a position to address it that it loses its appeal as a potential post. Occasionally, one of those ideas actually makes it to the site. But the ones that really get me are the strong messages that lodge themselves in place, and that seem so clear and straightforward in my mind, but when I sit down to write it out, I run smack into a wall.

Tonight was one of those nights.

I had a concept begin to form during my lunch break. It crept around and ruminated all afternoon. While I was having dinner, it seemed so clear that I tried to start writing it up in my phone. (Stupid tiny Blackberry keyboard) Then I went to class, and on my way home, it bounced around some more.

Finally, I got a chance to sit down in front of the computer. I wrote out what I had started on my phone. Then... nothing. I actually have less written out now than when I started, because I dislike the flow. I don't like the way it starts, I can't make the transition into the main point, and I haven't even began to consider how it would wrap up.

And even now, the point seems so obvious in my head. Argh. I'm officially giving up on writing the post. Heavenly Father, if you want this message to be listed, it is entirely up to you to get it typed up. I certainly can't do it on my own. Not coincidentally, that has a lot to do with the subject of the blocked post. See how simple it is?

Gig 'em Aggies!

Congratulations to the Fightin' Texas Aggie Women's Basketball Team!

First National Championship is on the books. Here's to many more in the years to come.

And while you're at it, could you give our guys some pointers to help them get over the hump?

Gig 'em and God Bless you ladies.

And a special Gig 'em to Coach Gary Blair - you are a credit to your family, your school, and your profession. Your first championship is well deserved and long overdue.

Save the Whales

Friends don't let friends be like Todd.

Embodiment of God's Glory in the Present Age

Many of us have heard these kind of stories. A person or people are placed in a dangerous or precarious situation. God speaks audibly and internally to this person, with clear direction. Through their obedience, plus a bit of supernatural assistance, the dangerous situation is defused. God's protective hand is obvious in the retelling. His peace and power, when combined in harmony with the believer's obedience and faith, inspire a profound miracle, and deliverance from the danger in which the believers find themselves.

I've read or heard a number of stories of this nature over the years. And I have a confession to make. I've always listened to the story and found myself wondering, "Hmm. That's interesting. I wonder what really happened there, or if it ever actually happened at all." Sometimes, I'd apply logical mini-leaps to the story to fill in gaps or explain away the supernatural.

That changed tonight.

A friend of my church, who I personally know, and trust to be one of the most honest and straightforward children of God who I've ever encountered, experienced one of the stories alluded to above.

This friend shared an account with us of a recent event that occurred on a current missionary journey that left me amazed and awestruck. The vividness and detail of the story, especially coming from one whose stories and journeys had been shared with such heartfelt honesty in the past, left absolutely no doubt in my mind of the veracity of the description.

As I listened, I ended up doing the only thing I could do at that time. I praised God for the incredible blessing that He was granting us - a glimpse into the true power of His faithfulness to us, and the power of our lives when we are TRULY surrendered to him. He WILL use us in incredible ways. He WILL impact the world through our person. All we have to do is TRUST in Him - completely and totally, without hesitation, without questioning or doubt.

It's funny. Earlier tonight, during our prayer time, I thanked God for his faithfulness and guidance in our lives. And to be honest, even a couple of hours later, it occurs to me how insincere that prayer was. I'm not suggesting that I didn't mean it. Instead, I didn't have any grasp of the depth and breadth of what I was thanking Him for. Thanks to the retelling of my friend's journey, I have a somewhat better idea. I am hopeful that this is still with me tomorrow, and during the weeks and months to come. I don't want to fall back into the incomplete obedience to which I have become accustomed. I long for the faith that my friend lives every day.

Have you had a first or second hand experience like this, that has wiped away your doubt? Have you truly glimpsed into the majesty of the abundant life which only He can offer us? If you know this Truth, then I encourage you to revel in it. Shout it from the rooftops! Don't let that truth slide into doubt or obscurity or get crowded out by the worries of the day.

I love you all. I pray that God will reach inside of you and profoundly grab you as He has me tonight. I further pray that I don't try to wrest control back. Abba Father, let me be yours, now and for all time.

How does Love Win?

Prior to today, I've had only a vague awareness of the the new Rob Bell book, "Love Wins",and no knowledge of the discussion and furor that has apparently swept the internet.

Then this morning, I read an article from Yahoo News "Most Viewed" articles, discussing the existence, particulars, and some debate about Hell; opinions regarding Bell's book; general aspersions and debates raging from both sides of the argument; and other related topics.

Later, I came across an ongoing discussion on an internet forum about this book and author. Within this discussion were links to several reviews/critiques of his book. Then things got meta. Further into that discussion, I happened across an outstanding blog post, which was itself discussing the discussion about the book.

Having not read the book, and further having no first-hand basis for forming an opinion of Mr. Bell, I will refrain from adding my two cents to the discussion of the book itself. After all, the net sum of my input would be based entirely on second and third hand recounting of what he may or may not be saying or mean. The topic at hand - God's plan for salvation and eternity - is far too important for me to wade in to the middle of somebody else's argument and start hammering away at the imperfections I see from my 'lofty perch'.

I do, however, want to take a similar tack as Mr. Norvell did in this post, and continued in this one. Obviously, people with a genuine interest seem most often to fall into one of two categories. The first are those who disagree with Bell's theology, writing, conclusions (hunches?), etc. On the flip side are the pro-Bell writers and defenders. Granted, there are those who enjoy sitting on the sides and throwing molotov cocktails into the fray, but I won't count them as an actual part of the discussion.

To read the commentaries and reviews, the core argument is a big one - maybe THE big question of Christianity. Does God give an alternative to Salvation through Christ? Can and will we all be saved eventually, regardless of our decisions made here in the life we're currently living? Needless to say, the gravity of the question brings out strong opinions and accusations from both sides as they battle to defend their beliefs. Far too often in what I've observed, the battle is very WWI - both sides stake their borders, dig their trenches, and begin a battle of attrition that is bloody, messy, and serves to advance neither side.

Civility is often one of the first casualties in these conflicts. Charity, love, and rationality often soon follow. It saddens and hurts to consider that in what is essentially a discussion based upon the mighty power of God's Love and Mercy, both of those are conspicuous by their absence. The real crazy thing to me in all of this is that the discussion centers around a book that is not even in publication yet. It comes out tomorrow, the 29th of March, yet this discussion has been going all this past weekend.

My encouragement for my Christian brethren is this: By all means, continue to hold your arguments and beliefs with passion and fervor. But check the manner in which you do so. In all things, argue with love, and with compassion. Let the world see Christ arguing through you, that they may be convicted and know His glory. If you find yourself faltering - resorting to personal attacks against your brother rather than focusing on the topic, using destructive or dismissive language, or otherwise straying from the true topic, then please stop yourself. You have already lost the battle, and risk doing far greater harm in the larger war. And in that war, you and your opponent in this battle are supposed to be on the same side.

In so many ways, Christianity - especially American Christianity - has become the Corinthian Church. We're so focused on which leader's interpretations to follow (1 Cor 3:1-4) that we short change the true leader of the Church - Christ, and Him risen. And with the freedom and anonymity afforded by Twitter, Facebook, and the Blog-sphere, we have lost all inhibition against airing our quarrels among and in front of non-believers (1 Cor 6:1-8). And yet so many wonder why the Church has lost its efficacy.

I admit to being a gross hypocrite in my words. I too am terrible at arguing my position in love and compassion, and fall too often into the trap of anger, bitterness, and crudeness when my arguments are unpersuasive. I continue to pray that God will continue His great work in forming my heart and mind into the image that He seeks me to portray in this world. I offer the same prayer to all of you tonight as well.

Skittles Smugglers

This evening during our lesson at church, a discussion arose over a rather innocuous activity and its moral/legal status. The activity in question is carrying drinks, snacks, and the like into places like movie theaters and sporting events that post rules against doing so.

Some were strongly in favor of the practice, for mostly practical reasons - cost concerns being the primary motivator. Others argued just as adamantly against on the principle that the 'offender' was violating the rules of the establishment. The discussion got pretty lively. There was even argument about the distinction between rules and laws.

Ultimately, in the interest of continuing the lesson, an agreement to disagree had to be reached. As Christians, we are definitely beholden to follow the laws of man, except where they stand in opposition to the Law of God. On the other hand, as the redeemed children of God, we have been given freedom in Christ, and that includes the freedom not to toe the line of every rule all of the time.

I'm not going to get into that freedom any deeper - I would be here all night. However...

After service was over and I came home, I was given a different perspective on the question while folding my laundry. Ultimately, everything comes down to our purpose for being here. As a child of God, and a follower of his Word and his Son, we need to embrace our purpose for being on earth, which is to increase His Glory in all that we do. As such, everything we do, every choice we make, every word spoken to another should be filtered against that purpose. Is this action going to increase or distract from His glory?

Lord knows that I am terrible about this. I fall so short of that ideal that it sometimes seems that the bar that is set by this standard is 500 feet high. But as I continue along my walk, I pray that God will continue to keep that bar within my sight, and help me not only to want to reach for that bar, but to maybe even achieve it some day.