God's Call on Our Lives

I can think of no greater defender of the Gospel message than the apostle Paul.  Prior to his radical conversion on the road to Damascus, Saul (as he was originally named) was on the forefront of the attack on Christ followers.  He was a Pharisee of the worst kind; both self-righteous and cruel.  As we know from later accounts however, Paul was forever changed by his encounter with the real Jesus.  And from that point forward, his life would never be the same again.  

Paul was no stranger to suffering and difficulty.  Often times he would find himself in chains or in prison, all to the glory of God.  On multiple occasions, he ended up defending Gospel truth by way of debate or exegesis.  In chapter 25 of the book of Acts, Paul even finds himself before a Roman procurator, attempting to defend himself against charges brought from the local Jewish ruling party.

In this peculiar moment, the apostle throws himself at the mercy of the court.  He knows that being a Roman citizen grants him certain rights and privileges, so he decides to use that fact to acquire a meeting with Caesar himself.  A bold move for someone in chains, with half of the nation against him.  But Paul is nothing if not bold.

This begs the question for us today: to whom can we appeal as a true authority for our own lives?  Who can you and I go to in order to be certain we are treated fairly and with care one hundred percent of the time?  If there is a God up there, then is it true to say that He is the only god (or the one true god)?

Keep in mind that for many people in our country today, the God of the Bible isn't their go-to authority. In truth, many don't hold the words of the Bible in any authority whatsoever, and I believe the symptoms of this are everywhere.  Scripture says that as time goes on, people will become more unruly, and the love of most will grow cold (Matthew 24:12).

During times like this, I believe it truly behooves us to seek out someone or something that we can rely on as a singular truth in all circumstances.  Something in our lives that we can count on to help guide our ship into calmer waters when the storms are raging.  Our own modern-day version of Caesar. 

Let's look for a moment at the Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20.  It says, "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Many will look at this passage and take from it the idea that followers of Christ are to go out into the world, and baptize people to make disciples.  This is absolutely correct, by the way.  But focus for a moment on the first sentence - it says 'all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'  This is quite a statement.  If we are to believe this (and I think we surely can, or Jesus wouldn't have said it), then it sets up the son of God as the one true authority over all things.

This means that not only does God command the Earth and the Universe around it, but that He has a calling on our lives as well.  We are not completely "free agents."  There are certain moral duties and obligations that we are called to live by.  Now you will note, that if someone or something calls us to behave a certain way, it also follows that it should be a two-way street I think.  Not necessarily that this being must also follow our desires, but rather that we can put our trust in Him.  This is our reciprocation.  God is our superior; our authority figure.  The one we can call on in times of difficulty, as well as times of great flourishing.

One more question remains, however.  Do we really believe this?  Can we throw ourselves on the mercy of the court like Paul when he called out to Caesar?  Will we allow God to be our superior?  It's an important question.  The outcome of our answer may just enable us to relax and lean into a loving God.

I invite you to lean in.  Take the leap of faith, and read through the Gospels again.  Take away from the Great Commission not only the concept that we must evangelize, but also the idea that we are helping convert people based on a real authority.  Not a power that comes from an earthly king or president, but from the throne of Zion and the Prince of Peace Himself.  God is no mere client king.    

 

 

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Spiritual Pride Syndrome

The longer I live on this planet, the more convinced I am that spiritual pride is one of the most prevalent sins.  It occurs in churches, among leaders, in the workplace, and in the home.  No venue is exempt from it.  I have often heard the following phrase applied when discussing our current culture of political correctness: 'I'm offended that you're offended.'  It's a snarky way of throwing whatever issue may be at hand, back at the person who feels slighted.  

One symptom for this type of pride comes in the form of what I like to call the "How Dare You" syndrome.  For example, if someone of a humble nature gets corrected by someone else, they may take a while to mull it over and think about it.  Maybe they did do something wrong.  But someone a bit more prideful might react to the same admonishment by thinking how dare you correct me?  How dare you disagree with me?  I'm offended now, so I will walk away angry and defensive.  

Think back honestly for a moment.  How many arguments have started this way?  How many family members or acquaintances hold grudges for years and years because something similar happened?  Maybe it was an insult at a family reunion, or perhaps someone spoke out of turn one day during a phone call.  Whatever the specifics, you get the idea.  And these situations can pop up at work just as easily.  I once remember a situation where two people refused to speak directly with each other, so the other employees had to deliver hand-written notes back and forth between them.  This is a true story (and these were adults)!

We recall the awkward prayer of the Pharisee (religious leader) from Luke 18:11 that deals with pride.  Scripture says, "The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector.'"

Keep in mind that tax collectors were frowned upon during Jesus' day, even more so than the IRS today.  Essentially, this person who was supposed to be a spiritual teacher and leader on behalf of God, saw himself as better than other people.  He was thanking God that he wasn't lowly like those 'other sinners.' 

This sounds silly when I point it out, and surely we realize that the Pharisee was really the one sinning in that story.  But this same prideful mindset is alive and well today; people just tend to hide it a little better.  Until eventually it rears its ugly head. 

And when we discuss things like spiritual pride, we eventually come to the paradox as it pertains to this next symptom.  Proud people will not only become offended easily, but they will also often indulge in the fallacy that they are right, while everyone else is wrong.  Sometimes we may very well be in the right, but there is a way to state this ... and a way not to state it.   Two deacons yelling at each other in the lobby of a church on Sunday morning would not be a good way to express themselves, for example.  People might witness this, and then the damage is done.  It doesn't matter who is right or wrong in that context, both people look bad (and so does the church).  

"'How dare you," we might hear one of them say.  "You have offended me for the last time" the other person may retort.  All of us have witnessed something like this in the past I suspect.  This type of grudge tends to linger for a while.  Now mind you, this becomes dangerously close to harboring unforgiveness.  Or at the very least, a lack of ability to experience empathy for the other person's position.  It's much easier to simply become offended.

Instead, listen to what 1 Peter 5:5 has to say, "... all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"  Apparently God isn't fond of spiritual pride either. 

How much happier is the life of someone who listens first, and speaks last.  I have found that people who are humble will often remain quiet for some time in fact, at least until the chatter dies down a bit.  But it doesn't mean they aren't pondering things, or that they don't care about whatever topic is being discussed.  They just choose to go through life differently, in a way that never seeks to destroy or berate another person.  Their feathers don't seem to ruffle easily. 

But real life often sneaks in, and sometimes we lose our cool.  Some of us are simply created to blow our stack right away, and we become calm only afterward.  If we do come out of the gate swinging, we must remember that an apology may be necessary later.  If we start off with 'how dare you,' we can still finish up with 'I’m sorry, and I see your point.'  It just takes more effort sometimes.  Try to place yourself in the other person's shoes, prior to responding with hostility. 

Let's all try to leave the realm of spiritual pride to the Pharisees.  Remember Jesus described them as whitewashed tombs.  I would rather throw in with the humble crowd instead.  I find myself needing to apologize much less often that way.

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Culture vs. Scripture

Evangelist and author Dr. Erwin Lutzer tells a fascinating story when asked about the difference between current cultural norms versus Scriptural values.  He begins describing a time when he went to a country club to play golf with a friend.  Beside a pond that they were standing next to, Lutzer noticed a mother duck's nest, partially hidden behind some brush.  When he walked over and took a closer look, he noticed that the nest contained a single golf ball!  The poor mother duck had mistaken it for an egg, and would soon be in for a disappointment after months go by, and no baby duckling emerges.  

Although humorous, Dr. Lutzer's point was that the mother duck had been deceived early on, and taken in what she considered to be the genuine article.  It equates to people thinking that they are worshipping the real God in Heaven, but finding out later that a false, culture-produced version of the Lord isn't going to save them.  In the same way that this poor duck was convinced she was going to be a mother someday - people all around us are guarding and nurturing a faith that may not be Scriptural or true.  

There is very real pressure for churches in the West today to begin making allowances and accommodations in order to let in fashionable beliefs and trends.  For example, some pastors may think that if their church doesn't bend to current cultural norms, they may lose parishioners.  Or take for example the extremely popular liberal ideology which says that we shouldn't ever judge sin, people can do whatever they want as long as it doesn't hurt someone else, and God is more like a fun uncle than a strict parent.  Although this diagnosis sounds odd, I do believe that many churches subscribe to this way of thinking.  

2 Thessalonians 2:15 says, "So then brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."  Here the apostle Paul is exhorting his readers to remain faithful, and not to let any other false doctrine or tradition supersede what Jesus actually said and did.  Apparently, this type of thing happened two-thousand years ago also, and required several letters from Paul to help keep believers on track.

And I think this is where the modern church finds itself today.  Many have gone apostate and shifted from Christ's commandments altogether in order to begin reflecting the passions of our current time (pro-choice abortion ethics, religious universalism, veneration of sexual sin, etc.).  

A good many other churches have begun the slow but steady process of leaving the faith one small step at a time, through a series of little concessions.  "It's okay to compromise on this or that, as long as we don't go too far" you might hear them say.  But one step in the wrong direction often invites others to follow, and before too long, the entire congregation may become spiritually lost.  Such is the power that pastors and leaders possess.  

If you are in a Biblical church that follows a Scriptural pastor, then take a moment now to give thanks and praise to God above.  If you aren't sure, then test what is taught in your church against Scripture itself; never take a leader's opinion as the ultimate truth unless it lines up with what the Word says in print.  Faithful  Christians will need to stay strong and stick together during these coming times of lukewarm religion and false teaching.  Remember always: the pulpit is designed to preach Scripture - not politics, opinion, or cultural trends.  

Not long ago, my own church engaged in an old tradition known as an alter call.  The pastor asked anyone in the congregation who wanted to accept Christ to come forward and kneel.  It was an awesome thing to behold.  In my heart I felt joy.  Not just for those who came forward that morning, but because I was confident about the type of faith they were accepting.  It was the Scriptural Jesus, and the Christian God.  I hope and pray the same for all of you who are reading this today.  May the true God of the Bible bless you and cover you.  Jesus didn't die on the cross for a "golf ball religion."  He died for you and I, so that we wouldn't be abandoned to sin.  

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God is Not a Tame Lion

My family and I visited Custer State Park in South Dakota a few years ago.  It is located in the Black Hills, and the beauty of this natural landscape permeated each day of our trip.  Although the tourists had come out in full force to join us, we often found a spot here and there on our trip when it seemed to be just us and God's sprawling landscape.  It was truly a sight to behold.  

Custer Park contains one stretch of highway called the Wildlife Loop.  It is just what it claims to be: hundreds of acres of land dotted here and there with wild horses and bison.  As we traveled down this small highway, I could feel the anticipation from my family.  

"Would we see any wild buffalo today?" they commented from time to time.  As it happens, we were just about to give up after going around several more curves without seeing anything.  And then it happened.  Our SUV pulled over one last hill and we had to come to a quick stop - there were at least a hundred buffalo herded together across the road.  Cars were stopped all along the shoulder to take photos.  

I began to get nervous as one large bull crossed in front of us and started licking the hood of the vehicle a few car lengths away!  A mother and her calf came close enough to my daughter's side of the car that she could have reached out and touched it.  I motioned to her to roll up the window quickly.  For some reason the button didn't work right away, so for a few seconds I began to sweat as the calf came closer and the window stayed down.  "When would it's mother decide to step in and protect her baby," I thought to myself.  Finally, the button worked and the window came up.  Not long afterward, the herd thinned out, and we continued down the road and on our way.  

It didn't occur to me until later, a flimsy car window would have been no match for a charging buffalo anyway.  Although everything went well that day at the park, I'm willing to bet that from time to time, a tourist gets into trouble quickly.  It isn't a petting zoo.  Maybe people decide to feed the animals, or simply get too close.  Whatever the reason may be, it is by and large, an illusion of safety for those who visit the Wildlife Loop on any given day.  

When we shift to discuss spiritual matters, I find that many churches often talk very freely and comfortably about God.  In fact, maybe from time to time, we get a little too comfortable with Him.  This is easy to do, especially sitting inside of a nice, climate-controlled church building.  We tend to think that God must certainly see the world the same way we do.  But we don't know what it was like to be Moses up on Mt. Sinai as the Lord spoke to him in claps of thunder.  We will never know what it was like to be one of the Israelites who witnessed the parting of the Red Sea.  

Those stories have grown into comfortable children’s' fables and vacation Bible lessons.  But the fact remains they really happened, and so did other stories like them.  They depict God as mighty and Holy, and not someone you want to mess around with necessarily.

In the Narnia book series, author C.S. Lewis invents a protagonist named Aslan the Lion.  It is a direct connection to Jesus of Nazareth, couched ingeniously into a kid's novel.  In the books, Aslan is often seen protecting little Lucy, Edmund, and Susan from the clutches of the evil ice queen.  At one point in the book, Susan asks Mr. Beaver if Aslan is "safe" to hang around with.  Mr. Beaver replies by telling her, "Of course he isn't safe, but he is good.  He isn't a tame lion."

Lewis' implication here is that Jesus is good and he is loving, but we must come to him humbly and with awe.  God is sovereign above all things, and that includes us.  We cannot compartmentalize Him away into some kind of comfortable, fun uncle - any more than we can really control the weather.  It is God's Universe, we just live in it.

Jesus bridges the sin gap that exists between us and God.  Indeed, the Bible mentions elsewhere that to fall into the hands of the living God can be a fearful thing (at least without the covering and the blood of Christ).  Atonement is necessary in order for us to commune properly with God the Father.  Trusting Jesus in that way, allows the removal of barriers between an imperfect people and a Holy God. That is why we are “safe” with Jesus as our Lord. 

From time to time, my job as pastor required me to say unpopular things based on how I interpret the Scriptures.  Things that were often counter-cultural and politically incorrect.  When I needed to prepare something that I knew may draw rebuke from people, my mind went back to the command from James chapter 3, verse 1.  It says, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."  

If I know what the Bible says, I need to preach it in just the same way ... I dare not test the Lord on this matter.  He is just and He is good, but He is not a tame lion.  It’s best I think, not to get too comfortable when it comes to the being who created everything.  Even better to trust in His son Jesus, who sacrificed himself such that we can have eternal salvation.  Now stop being comfortable, and start spreading the Gospel message.   

 

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When God Waves Back: A Christmas Story

Years ago, I remember attending my children's school Christmas music program.  At the time, I had two children in grade school and one hovering dangerously close to young adulthood.  They have all been a blessing to me, and I was looking forward to this event quite a bit.  As hundreds of us parents made our way into the crowded school gymnasium, I couldn't help but feel the joy and anticipation in the air.  We were lucky to find a place to sit on the high rise bleachers; it was a full house.  

A hush fell over the audience as the students began to file through the hallway and into the gym.  Dozens of parents extended their hands high, holding cell phones equipped with state-of-the-art cameras.  I did the same.  We must have looked like a sea of news reporters at a CNN conference where the president was about to come on stage.  Once situated on the risers, almost every child began scanning the crowd for familiar faces.  Looking for your parents and grandparents is standard fare at these events, and every kid is programmed to do this I think.  My youngest spotted me before I even saw him.  When I finally locked eyes, he raised his arm and began the ceremonial "Hello" wave.  I waved back, thus sealing our unwritten contract.

I have a feeling that deep down, no matter how old we are or where we come from, we all scan the audience from time to time, looking for a familiar face.  Why do we do this?  It is possible we need some type of recognition at our job, or maybe we need to be noticed by our peers.  Sometimes we may simply be double-checking that we matter enough for people to come out and watch while we go through life.  

I believe it’s a truism to say that most of us are seeking something or someone to wave at.  A familiar face in a crowded gymnasium if you will.  The reason we scan the crowd doesn't matter so much as the fact that we are born seeking after meaning in this life.  I was blessed also to have a Cub Scout den that knew this, and we put one of my boys through a 'God and Me' study unit years ago.  They were discussing John 3:16 and the boys were supposed to write what this phrase meant to them personally.  Many of us know this Scripture by heart: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  It is a familiar verse, but it is an important one.  

I looked over to see what my son had chosen to write.  This is what he said: "To help everyone who's being bullied.  And to make God feel happy."  This is an eight-year-old's stylistic interpretation of the famous verse in the Gospel of John.  I chuckled to myself when I read it.  If the concept of sin can be equated to being bullied, then he's nailed it!  But more than that, isn't John 3:16 an example of God acknowledging us?  It feels like He is waving back at us from the parent section in Heaven.  "I am here," He might say ... "and I love you."

Are we waving back at Him?  I sincerely hope so.  If the Bible is a novel about Salvation, then the Gospels are a love story.  They present us with a Father who attends all of our music programs and sits in the front row.  Who laughs when we laugh, and cries when we cry.  He waits patiently for us to find him in the parent section, and then waves when our eyes meet his.  He stays late after everyone has filed out of the gymnasium, and cares enough to pick up a copy of the playbill to post on the refrigerator door when He gets home.  It will remain there long after the Christmas concert is over.  

The children in our Cub Scout den had absorbed these Scriptural truths quickly.  They had wonderful, pure hearts.  We read things like John 3:16 out loud during the meetings.  They seemed to understand it inherently.  My hope is that we do also, and that we never stop scanning the parent section for God.  Always ready to wave back as soon as we lock eyes.  This is the type of Christmas holiday I wish for you.  One where we remember that the story of the baby in the manger equates to our personal lives in a very special way.  Maybe after you are done opening presents on Christmas morning, it might be time to recite some Scripture also.  How about John 3:16? 

 

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Essays for God by Jon Klaus

I'm excited to announce my new book Essays for God: An Anthology of Christian Writing by Jon Klaus.  It will be available on Amazon, Lulu, and Barnes & Noble.  Order your copy today!

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Our Current Spiritual Landscape

Our spiritual landscape is changing.  You can feel it in the air, and see it in people’s faces.  Our hearts are being hardened.  What was once familiar and comfortable, is rapidly starting to change and transform into something different.  This new landscape isn’t all negative by the way, God is still showing up today.  People are experiencing an awakening in many respects, due to the fact that we are now being forced to examine what we really believe.  The stakes are high.  In fact, I’ve never been more certain that belief directly impacts behavior.  What we once laughed off ten years ago, we may now find deeply offensive, and often this is the result of someone acting out what they deeply believe (it just so happens to be different than what we believe).  There has never been more of a need to both stand up for what we believe as Biblical Christians, as well as to extend grace to those who don’t espouse the same ideas we do.  The next few years will solidify what role the church will play in our ever-changing political and social climate. 

I often find myself repeating the mantra: “Give God an audience first, before you make up your mind about something.”  Take the time to read what the Bible actually says, prior to forming strong beliefs on certain hot button cultural issues.  Are we taking time to listen to Scripture, or are we collecting our beliefs based mainly on slogans or emotions?  When most people witness change occurring around them at a faster rate than they are comfortable with, the knee-jerk reaction is to resist.  Sometimes this is good, in the sense that we must cling to Jesus and the Gospel message no matter what.  But sometimes resistance to change can also be detrimental, such as when we stop ourselves from keeping an open mind and listening to other people’s thoughts and concerns.   

Our words have deep meaning and consequences.  I hear a lot of a priori arguments being made lately.  This term simply means that people hold to a belief that they consider to be true from the beginning, without necessarily backing it up with empirical data or evidence.  For example, we might conclude that a certain person or group of people are automatically ‘Godless’ or foolish, because they don’t hold the same core belief that we do.  Without ever really finding out what they think or believe; we simply categorize them immediately. 

I think this often leads to comments or arguments that begin with the statement ‘Can you believe how ignorant so and so is?’  We may be postulating the a priori view that what we hold as true, must intrinsically be true for everyone else, and we don’t need to look any further for evidence which may contradict what we already think.  This is a safe place to be philosophically, because it allows us to think that we are always right.  It’s a dangerous place to spend too much time though, because it doesn’t allow for adaptation or growth.  If our spiritual landscape is indeed changing, then we can choose to look at it from the perspective of listening to these groups we don’t agree with first, and then waiting for ways to interject God’s truth into the conversation once an opportunity avails itself.  It is this patient approach that is needed today.  It’s hard to evangelize while we are being defensive. 

Christian author and philosopher Greg Koukl is fond of saying that most people aren’t used to having their foundational core beliefs challenged, so when that happens, they react with anger and vitriol.  The conversation typically stops there altogether, or simply turns into more of a debate.  Both of these scenarios do not lend themselves well to changing hearts for Jesus. 

We need not compromise our Christian morals or values, but the current landscape seems to demand a different strategy for evangelism: listen first, speak second, and love regardless.  James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”  In this fashion, I believe we can win the person to Christ, even if we lose the argument.  We can plant the seed of Christian truth, and then step back and let God do the watering. 

 

 

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God's House of Grace

The longer I live, the more I see the necessity for grace.  Not just the need for us to show pardon to each other, but also the various ways in which God's grace works within our personal lives each day.  I see God's hand in the lakes and ponds around the county, in the sky on a placid summer day, in the woods, and most certainly in ourselves.  As author C.S. Lewis once said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."  And God's grace must surely be among the things we see by the light of Christ.  

According to Wesleyan tradition, there are three kinds of grace.  The first of these is something known as Prevenient grace.  This is the type of God's presence that engulfs us from the very beginning, surrounding us even when we don't realize that we need Him.  It is something that is freely given from the Father, without an expectation that it will be reciprocated.  The way I tend to think of this concept is that it exemplifies a situation where we need help, and God provides.

The second type is called Justifying grace.  This is where we get help.  It is that action from God which allows for the pardon of sin.  It is at this point we are confronted with a choice I think - do we choose to follow God and accept Jesus, or not?  We have the ability to ignore or respond at this point.  If we are wise and accept the gift  Jesus is offering, our sins are nullified, and we have the assurance of salvation and life everlasting.  

The third type of grace is Sanctifying grace.  This is where we are able to give help.  I tend to think of sanctification as a process which extends over a lifetime.  It is that time frame where God works on us in little ways here and there in order to make us more holy, just like Christ.  It is sometimes a painful process (like when we must actively repent from the hold that sin has on our life).  But it is often a great joy also, as it allows for opportunities where we can use the things that God has done in our lives to help edify and build up other people.  God saved us, now we work to help move others toward an understanding of the Gospel message.  This is no small thing.

I have often heard where people have compared these three types of grace to a house.  The front porch of the house is where a person first arrives.  They may choose to stay on the porch, or to gather up the courage to actually knock on the front door.  You made it this far, right?  Might as well knock.  This is Prevenient grace in action.

The foyer of the house is analogous to a person coming inside to stay a while.  Salutations have been exchanged between the visitor and the homeowner at this point, and it is time to come inside and take your jacket off.  There may be a coat rack, or even a comfortable bench perhaps.  The point is that we made the choice to enter, and the owner has accepted us inside.  Now the real learning can begin.  This is justifying grace.

Finally, as we are given a tour of the house, the new arrival is subject to Sanctifying grace.  Full access has been granted, and we may roam freely.  In this manner we get to know the floor plan really well.  The furniture, the window treatments ... all become familiar territory.  And then the really good news strikes us: if we want, we may seek to invite other people into God’s house as well.  If we are courageous enough in fact, we will ask them to stay a while.  This is Sanctifying grace in action.

As you can imagine, God's spiritual house in this story is well built.  A large open front porch, a spacious entry way and foyer, followed by several master bedrooms and a large living area and kitchen.  It has central heating and cooling of course ... no window air conditioners or space heaters for God's dwelling place.  But if we decide not to enter, we may find ourselves back in a dilapidated one room studio apartment in no time.  Cold showers and backed up plumbing will be the order of the day.  Hopefully we are invited back to the large house again, and the sooner the better!

It seems then, that God is interested in us responding to His grace very much.  No one stays 'lost' unless they want to.  No one simply loiters on the front porch forever, or stays content shouting through a backyard window unless they choose to be there.  God invites us in, and we had better seriously consider obeying that request.

We have the freewill to choose otherwise, of that I'm sure.  We humans are often a bit silly, and full of pride.  We act in peculiar ways.  At times, if it were up to us, I think we would rather run things ourselves.  To stay outside on the front lawn instead of coming inside.  In fact, I think we tried that once; I remember an ancient story about a garden, a serpent, and two disobedient people deciding to do something similar.  Look how things turned out for them.  Better to go inside God’s house I think - don't you?

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Living with The Gospel Effect

 The Gospel message about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is just as important now as it was two-thousand years ago.  During this time of uncertainty in the world, I have learned a couple of things.  First, people need each other.  No matter how technologically advanced we get, we still have a deep desire to be in relationship  with others.  I have also noticed that trials and difficult times really do build character, and can also be redeemed by God for our spiritual growth.  Keeping both of these things in mind, the idea of the 'Gospel Effect' (the notion of the work that Jesus does in our hearts and minds) has become paramount.  

When I was younger, I worked countless part time jobs.  I started working in a grocery store when I was fourteen, and I've been working ever since.  As such, I've had the opportunity to work with a variety of people and personality types over the years.  I will never forget one young man in particular.  Bill and I worked together at a video store.  Week after week, we shared time in the trenches together, helping hundreds of people rent movies (you wouldn't believe how crowded those little stores would get on the weekends).  I remember him as being very secular-minded, and constantly on the go.  No time for church, but rather, it was on to this tournament or that event.  He was always busy; always moving.

I had lost track of Bill over the years, until one day I saw him at a local supermarket buying groceries.  We were both adults at this point.  We were a little older, and maybe a little wiser.  We talked for about half an hour.  He spoke about teaching an Alpha class, which is a series of Christian seminars typically hosted by churches.  Bill spoke also about the love of Jesus Christ, and the effect it had on him.  I could hardly believe my ears.  Not because he wasn't worthy of a Godly life, but because it was a night and day difference.  If you had placed the Bill of today in a room with the Bill of twenty years ago ... there would be two very different portraits.  The Gospel had changed him.  God had redeemed his soul and transformed his heart.

So, I want to talk about a particular story relating to transformed hearts.  It is often known as the Parable of the Leaven.  This teaching from Jesus occurs both in the book of Matthew and the book of Luke.  It is very short, but as you can probably guess, also very profound.  Matthew 13:33 says, "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough."

From this concept, I believe we can take away two points in particular.  First, much like leaven (or yeast), the kingdom of heaven can take some time to develop and mature.  We ought not apply today's fast paced, technology driven lifestyle to the Gospel Effect.  Not always anyway.  When the Spirit of God begins a work in us, it often starts slowly and might be barely noticeable at first.  Maybe my friend Bill was aware of how God was changing his heart over time, but maybe not.  Most certainly his wife noticed, not to mention the change I saw in him that day at the store.  

Second, I believe we can take from this teaching that the kingdom of heaven starts from the inside and works its way outward.  Like leaven that permeates through an entire package of dough, Jesus begins working inside of a person's heart and mind.  The changes are often not obvious from other people's perspective, until the overflow of God's love begins to come out of that individual through the words they speak and the things they do.  At the end of that twenty-year time period, Bill's born again heart was very prevalent to me.  God had started a work in him years ago, and now he was teaching Christian classes himself!  Leaven may start small, but the end result is irrefutable.  

We are sometimes impatient with God, aren't we?  Instead of waiting for the dough to rise, we might decide that a trip to the fast-food restaurant is a better idea.  We drive up to the window, hand our money to the employee, and off we go with a bag full of junk food.  Quick, easy, and also not very good for us.  

By contrast, if we wait on God and allow the leaven time to work through the dough, the end result is impressive (and much better for us than spiritual junk food).  It goes without saying then, that God probably has to wait on us a good portion of the time also.  The Bible says He is infinitely patient with Israel, and with us as well.  And if we stop to think about things for just a moment, we can see how true this is.  How many times have you and I failed to meet God's holy law?  More than a few times I would suspect.  If you disagree, stop reading this immediately and turn to the ten commandments in the Old Testament.  Go down the list with each one, and apply it to your own life.  Humbling, isn't it?

Little doubt that God is the very embodiment of patience and love.  I often see this truth wherever I look.  My advice is this: allow God's Holy Spirit to make little in-roads into your life.  Give this Gospel Effect time to take hold, and work in you from the inside out.  Who cares if other people around you notice a change immediately or not.  Your sanctification walk is between you and the Creator.  Revel in that intimate time together with God; Jesus died on the cross so that you could have it.  So don't waste it.  

Sooner or later, those around you will notice the end result.  You will have your own supermarket meeting epiphany, just like Bill and I.  

 

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Jon Klaus Testimony

I was blessed to give my faith testimony last week on our church podcast.  Click the link below to listen:

 Jon Klaus Testimony

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Are Modern Day Prophets Real

Who are we listening to when it comes to ingesting spiritual truth?  It's an important question, and an issue that has a lot to do with discernment.  I want to begin by quoting Scripture from the book of Hebrews.  Chapter 1:1-2 says, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."   

We know from the books of the Old Testament that God did reveal Himself and His instructions to the minor and major prophets of the time.  Take for example the books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jonah.  All of these historical accounts contain depictions of the Lord informing His followers what to do in order to stay connected to Himself.  Most of the time, the stories follow an arc that goes something like this: God warns Israel to repent or face judgement, Israel may or may not listen, and then God follows through.  It's a lot like how a loving parent disciplines their child.  Sometimes the kids listen, but often they don't.  When the Israelites did listen, God relented from the chastisement.  When they didn't ... punishment eventually followed.  

In the later days, Jesus became the vehicle for God's atonement and grace.  We know the story well.  Christ endured horrific punishment, died for our sins on the cross, and then rose again to bridge the gap between a sinful people and a Holy being.  This offer of love and forgiveness still stands today.  

Notice what Hebrews says in particular - Christ serves as God's mouthpiece for us today.  Where God spoke through prophets in the past, He later sent His son to grant us revelation through the recorded parables of the Bible.  This is what we read today, and what we discuss in churches two-thousand years later.  It's quite an amazing feat, I must confess my amazement every time I think about it.  A narrative written so seamlessly over the span of thousands of years; and it all flows together so well.  

Now please understand that I am not a cessationist.  In other words, I do not believe that all supernatural miracles and events ended with Jesus and the apostles, never to occur again.  I think that through prayer and fasting, God heals people and grants miracles even today.  Scripture says that believers will go on to do "even greater things" in the eras following the Resurrection.  

But I do want to offer a warning for Christians in the present time.  Our current technology has made it increasingly convenient to spread ideas and discuss important concepts.  Religious discussions are no different.  Most of the time, I'm fully on board with this reality.  The Internet is a great way to bridge the generational gap, as well as transcend the physical boundaries of geography.  But it also allows for a new fad that I refer to as the Modern Day Prophet.  Essentially, this is a group of people on YouTube or some other facet of the Internet, who set themselves up as God's mouthpieces.  They provide hours and hours of instruction and guidance to a multitude of vulnerable listeners.  But it remains to be seen whether or not it is good guidance.  Often it isn't.  

You will hear them say things like, "The Lord spoke to me in a dream last night, and this is what He wants us to do."  Or perhaps something such as, "God showed me what is going to happen next month."  The wording can differ, but you get the idea.  

The consequences are real for following false prophets and false teachers.  Many have lost their retirement savings as a result of listening to these people.  And some have even lost their lives.  

I believe that this is where we need to be really careful, and listen with ears to hear.  Jesus is God come in the flesh, for whom it has been appointed heir of all things (the Alpha and the Omega).  His red letter words in the Bible are the ones we need to be listening to on a regular basis.  This isn't to say that people today cannot be in spiritual communion with the Lord, or that they never have legitimate visions - but when they claim to be speaking on behalf of God, things can become problematic quickly.  

Remember also that Scripture says if a self-proclaimed prophet gets even one prediction incorrect, then they aren't a prophet of God.  This is common when it comes to the so-called modern prophets of our day.  They tend to excuse or explain away situations where whatever it is they predicted didn't come to pass.  It happens with such frequency that it is almost laughable.  This means that they are playing a different kind of game, one in which good people can be led astray.  Instead, turn your time and attention toward the Bible and Godly pastors who are willing to preach the truth.  This type of spiritual leader is becoming more and more rare, so if you find one, hang on to them for dear life.  Our salvation can depend on it.    

Elsewhere in Hebrews it says, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."  Many Bible scholars refer to this passage - and many like it - as a  foreshadowing of the Messiah.  In the same way that this specific order of priesthood was eternal, so Jesus is the eternal savior.  If he can save someone back then - he can save you and I today.  It's a promise that never expires.  

It is always better to seek counsel through Scripture than through one of the  talking heads on television or YouTube.  Things tend to go better that way for everyone involved.  

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